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

A Knight's Christmas

Chapter 17

With Bonnie ready to tear April apart, and RC and April looking at him expectantly, Michael was well aware that his answer would not please everyone. Especially not Bonnie. She wouldn't like what he was going to say.

April hadn't acted out of spite. This was obvious. She was their friend and would never intentionally harm and offend any of them. To him, it sounded like a misunderstanding between April and Devon. April had assumed that Devon was unsure which date to choose and was torn between his promise to the team and Michael's well-being. Since he was worried about Michael, April figured that Michael's well-being was more important for him and therefore thought he'd chosen the date closer to Christmas. There was no need to inform Devon as she believed this was what he had wanted.

He had to admit that she was right. No one was hurt by what had happened. It was a mix-up, not an accident or a death. Plans could be changed easily and thanks to air travel everyone could still be where they wanted to be for Christmas. Apart from Bonnie, of course. But as April said, Bonnie would have probably stayed here anyway if things were differently, and they weren't in a relationship.

How could he be upset that Devon cared about him and that he didn't want him to feel lonely? They were friends, a family and they were worried about one member's well-being. All of them would have made the same decision if they'd been in April's position. Even Bonnie, though she would have informed Devon before fixing the date. No, there was no way he would react offended and angry.

"Michael?" RC interrupted his thoughts. Michael had to chuckle that his friend was so determined that Michael would forgive April.

"Well, as RC said, it was a misunderstanding. You didn't change it on purpose. You and Devon only had my well-being in mind. I can't be angry that you care about me." Michael finally explained, hoping Bonnie would see why he wasn't upset with April.

"Thanks, Michael." April smiled at him brightly. "Really, if I'd known that I had misinterpreted what Devon wanted, I would have informed him and of course y'all right away."

"It's okay, April. We were all working hard last summer. It's only human to make a mistake." Michael felt Bonnie's stare at him angrily. "Right, Bonnie?"

"Well, believe it or not. I did have plans. Plans I was looking forward to." Bonnie threw her napkin in the pizza box and stood up. She was no longer hungry, and she knew she'd explode if she didn't leave soon. "And because of you, I had to cancel everything."

"Bonnie, I'm sorry ... " April began, but Bonnie harshly interrupted her.

"You'd better be. And next time, do what Devon asks you to do and don't make assumptions." Bonnie glanced at her angrily and headed towards the door before she would lose her temper.

"Mistletoe!" Both Michael and RC shouted as she approached the door.

"Mistletoe?" Bonnie turned around and glared at Michael. "Do you really think I care about your stupid tradition right now?"

She sounded harsher than intended and immediately felt sorry. She would apologize to Michael later, when they were alone. It wasn't his fault that they weren't able to spend some time at the inn. This was disappointing but it didn't matter where they were as long as they were together. Her anger now was caused by his reaction to April's confession, the fact that Michael forgave her so quickly, and most of all, April kissing Michael so passionately.

"Besides, Devon has told you more than once to remove all twigs from the mansion. But I guess paying attention to what Devon says is neither yours nor April's strength."

"Ouch." RC mumbled.

"Now if you excuse me. I have to go back to work." She explained.

"It's probably not a good idea to ask if you need help with the decoration." Michael mumbled. He wasn't offended that she had turned him down. A kiss in front of everybody, especially April, wouldn't have been a good idea.

"No! Stay where you are. You aren't a help at all." Bonnie said quickly before she left the room.

"You didn't really think she'd let you help her? After the chaos you caused this morning?" RC looked at Michael in disbelief.

"I was just trying to be polite." Michael laughed. Despite her insistence on keeping him away from the ballroom, he had hoped to be alone with Bonnie to explain why he wasn't angry at April. Maybe he could sneak into the ballroom later to talk to her about everything.

"She's told you more than once that she doesn't want you anywhere near the ballroom." RC finished the last slice of pizza and grabbed a few of the cookies.

"Us, RC. She was talking about you too." Michael grinned. Both April and Devon burst into laughter. The smile on RC's face immediately disappeared and he shifted his attention towards the pie and the cookies.

"I'm afraid you will have to postpone your dessert, Reginald." Devon signaled him to leave the food on his plate and follow him. "You and I have to discuss your wardrobe for the banquet."

"My wardrobe?" RC reluctantly stood up and gave Devon a puzzled look. What was the matter with the clothes he'd chosen?

"Yes, your, as you call it, "Christmas style suit". A Father Christmas hat and Christmas lights on your jackets? You can't be serious, Reginald." Devon shook his head in disbelief. Neither Michael nor RC were pleased with the Foundation's dress code for formal functions. In the past, both had tried to mix their formal attire with rather casual accessories, shirts, or ties.

"But, boss, isn't it a Christmas party? You can't have a Christmas party without lights or a Santa hat." RC kept arguing with Devon as they headed to Devon's office to discuss RC's wardrobe options.

Michael and April stayed behind, both still laughing hysterically.

"I wonder who's going to win." April sat down next to Michael, picturing RC in his "Christmas style suit."

"Hard to say. My money's on Devon." Michael emptied his glass. Too bad Bonnie had missed the fun. He'd tell her later when she would be in a better mood. "Well, I guess I start removing the mistletoes now."

"Michael, wait. I couldn't help but notice." April casually said before he had a chance to leave the room. "You and Bonnie, huh? When did that happen?"