Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story.

A Knight's Christmas

Chapter 15

Michael felt April's lips on his lips before he could even object. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders signaling him that she wouldn't let go of him as she kissed him passionately.

"April…", he began and tried to wiggle out of her arms, but his attempts were in vain. For someone who was so petite, she certainly knew how to hold on to him.

Devon and Bonnie were staring at them, astonished and lost for words. Gritting her teeth and her fists clenched, Bonnie looked like she was ready to drag April away from him. Which she might have done, if Devon wasn't around. If she reacted like Michael's jealous girlfriend, their relationship would no longer be a secret.

Jealous girlfriend. She thought about these words. This description certainly didn't fit her. She trusted Michael. He and April were friends and former co-workers. Their relationship had been different than hers and Michael's. When Bonnie returned to the Foundation, Michael had confided in her that he had missed her terribly. And this wasn't only because her work was precise and thorough. No, he valued their working relationship and also their friendship. Already back then, there was a closeness between them which he had never shared with April. Bonnie leaving the Foundation had left a big gap and their team hadn't been complete without her. Bonnie had been flattered that she meant so much to him and Devon. She had never asked questions about the year she was away, whether they had been content with April's work and how close they had been with April. When April returned briefly last summer, the two technicians finally met in person.

There had never any open rivalry between the two women, as April admired Bonnie's intelligence, her dedication for her work and her preciseness. She oftentimes mentioned that she had struggled to replace Bonnie and always felt that her work had never been as accurate as Bonnie's.

Bonnie was well-aware that April felt inferior to her when it came to their profession. Bonnie lived for science and research and she would always put her job first. April's work had been flawless too, however she also enjoyed life and unlike Bonnie did not spend her nights and her vacations at her workstation or in front of her computer.

The dedication to their work wasn't the only difference between them. The two women's personalities couldn't be more opposite. April was bubbly, cheerful, straightforward, and outgoing. She knew what she wanted and wouldn't give up until she reached her goal. Men were intrigued by her and it seemed natural for April to attract their interest.

Bonnie on the other hand was shy and reserved compared to April. She trusted science more than people and therefore, was more hesitant and less extrovert than April. This was the reason why Bonnie occasionally envied April. It seemed so easy for her to have dates and to fall in love. Even around Michael, April behaved more relaxed than Bonnie had before she knew how Michael felt about her. Until this year, Bonnie would have never had the courage to grab Michael and kiss him under the mistletoe whereas April didn't even mind that Devon was watching. How many times had she kissed Michael during Christmas season in the year Bonnie was away?

"Enough already." Devon found his voice again and decided to end the awkward situation. "This silly tradition has to end. Michael, I have told you numerous times before to remove all swigs of mistletoes from Foundation grounds." He sternly glared at them, hating the fact that he had to sound like a strict parent. "And April, I didn't expect you to encourage Michael's childish tradition."

Michael was finally able to free himself from April's grasp and quickly walked over to Devon and Bonnie. "Yes, sir. They'll by gone by tonight." All but the few that Devon hadn't seen yet. The ones he had hung up in his and Bonnie's private quarters.

"Come on, Devon. This is just fun. Don't you remember that I didn't mind playing along?" April winked at Michael. "We'll continue this later, if you want. I'll be staying in my old room."

"April!" Devon raised his eyebrows. Did he have to remind her that her behavior was inappropriate?

"I was kidding, Devon." April laughed while Michael secretly pressed Bonnie's hand. Her eyes and the tension in her body revealed how she had felt about April kissing Michael and Michael prayed that her anger was directed at him as well.

"I certainly hope you were, April." Devon replied as RC ran into the room, plates with cookies and pie in his hands.

"I got cookies and pie!" RC's face lit up as he noticed his friend. "April! What a nice surprise! I had no idea that you were coming. This is awesome!" He placed the food on the table next to the pizza. "Why don't you eat with us? We have enough food. There's pizza for you too, boss."

"That's very considerate of you, Reginald. But I'll pass, thank you. It's almost teatime. I don't reckon that pizza and tea is a good combination." Devon chuckled.

"Ah, I wouldn't say that. Pizza works with everything. You should give it a try." RC explained excitedly. Devon's passion for tea was something he would never understand.

"Maybe some other time." Devon added quickly. "And Michael? Don't forget to remove all mistletoes from the mansion before the banquet."

"What? But why? It's not even Christmas yet." RC immediately asked wondering why Devon decided that it was time to end Michael's tradition.

"I think Michael has gotten enough kisses this year." Devon explained dryly which caused RC to look at Michael for further information.

"April kissed me." Michael mumbled as he bit into a slice of pizza. Although he hadn't initiated the kiss, he felt guilty about it and he hoped being forced to watch April kiss him hadn't hurt Bonnie.

"What? Seriously? Dude, you are a lucky man." RC said with a jealous tone in his voice. He hadn't told his friends that he secretly had a crush on April. "You always get the girls. First Bonnie, now April. What is it about you that makes women want to kiss you?"

"Mistletoes, RC. That's why." Bonnie had been quietly eating her pizza, trying to appear indifferent about the kiss. Though she wasn't thrilled about it, she knew that Michael didn't have a choice but kiss her back. She didn't want April to notice that she had been furious and hurt. April was a smart woman, she would figure out immediately that there was more between Bonnie and Michael.

"Hey, that's not nice. You could have said it's my irresistible charm. Or the fact that I'm a great kisser." Michael said with a big smile on his pizza sauce covered face.

"Keep dreaming. And use a napkin." Bonnie handed him a tissue and Michael cleaned his face.

"So, April, I had no idea you were back in town. " Michael asked while grabbing another pizza slice. "What brings you here?"

April sat down next to them. "The Christmas banquet, of course. Did y'all really think I'd want to miss it after having planned it with Devon last summer?" She helped herself to some pizza too. "Having it just before Christmas was the right decision."