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

A Knight's Christmas

Chapter 18

"You and Bonnie, huh? When did that happen?"

Michael looked at April in surprise. Why did she think that he and Bonnie were more than friends? Had she sensed that their relationship had changed since the last time she had been around? "Me and Bonnie? What... what do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Michael." She looked at him knowingly.

Michael wasn't sure if she really knew the truth or if she was pretending to get him to confess that he was in love with Bonnie. "Really, April, I have no idea. I was just being nice when I offered my help."

Quickly, he relived the past twenty minutes in the living room. There hadn't been any physical contact between Bonnie and him because RC had sat down between them while they were eating pizza. Apart from their kiss, of course. Their kiss, however, didn't seem to fit April's definition of what a kiss looked like, as she had stated when she and Devon walked in on them. Bonnie's mood which was caused by April kissing him could also be explained with her being upset about April's part in the planning of the banquet. Therefore, it was impossible that they had unintentionally revealed they were a couple.

Which left one other possibility. One that seemed to be rather unlikely. April had secretly installed a device in KITT or at the mansion that would allow her to listen in on conversations between him and Bonnie. But why would she feel the need to spy on them? Unless she was now working for one of their enemies, Michael couldn't think of a plausible reason which would confirm his theory. And wouldn't have Bonnie, KITT, and the Foundation's security system immediately noticed that either KITT's systems or the security systems had been tempered with? April was an excellent cyber-technician, but she wasn't as brilliant as Bonnie.

There could only be two possibilities for April to have found out about him and Bonnie. She had either witnessed the two of them together in an intimate moment or their behavior earlier had led her to the assumption that they weren't just friends anymore. Either way, he wouldn't admit anything. Bonnie would kill him if he told April their secret.

April watched him closely while Michael, who was trying hard to look completely innocent, contemplated all possibilities in his mind. She knew him well enough to notice even the slightest change in his usual behavior. Michael was a ladies' man who enjoyed being kissed and admired by beautiful women. But when he was with a woman he truly loved and cared about, he didn't even notice other women anymore. The first time she had noticed this was when Stevie came back into his life after Greg Noble's death. The second time today, when she had seen him around Bonnie.

"I'm not stupid, Michael. I'm a woman, remember? I've known you for a long time now and I can tell when you are in love." She wouldn't force him to tell her details. Instead, she decided to share her observations and assumptions with him. "You've always had a thing for her and it's obvious that she seems to return your feelings. Anyone who saw her kiss you can see that."

A worried look appeared on his face. Anyone? Even Devon?

"Come on, April. It was a kiss under a mistletoe. You know about my tradition. Which you, if I recall correctly, seemed to enjoy enormously a few years ago. Didn't you deliberately happen to stand under the mistletoe every time I was nearby?" The grin on her face was proof that he was right. "Bonnie's finally playing along because she knows how much I love Christmas traditions. And because they all don't want me to feel miserable this year."

This was a plausible explanation. While April was working with them, Michael had often complained to her that Bonnie didn't appreciate his tradition as enthusiastically as April.

"You can't fool me, Michael. She didn't just kiss you to please you. Bonnie seemed to enjoy the kiss just like you. A kiss which lasted definitely longer than a typical mistletoe kiss among co–workers."

"Sounds like you've become an expert for kissing?" Michael instantly hoped she'd finally drop the subject. Didn't she remember that he wasn't someone who'd kiss and tell when he was in a serious relationship? Besides, he used to be a cop. He wouldn't give out any information, even if he was threatened.

"Michael, we've kissed before and never have you tried to wiggle yourself out of a kiss. On the contrary, it was always you who tried to extend the kiss. This time you didn't. Kissing you today felt different. Since I highly doubt that you suddenly think I'm not attractive anymore, there are only two explanations for this. You were uncomfortable kissing me in front of Devon. However, this has never bothered you before. Or you felt guilty because you are either with Bonnie or trying to convince her to give you a chance."

April had spent enough time around Michael and Bonnie last summer to notice how special their friendship had become. She had witnessed their rituals such as movie nights or pizza dates and had joined them for a drive with KITT or a visit to the beach. She was aware that Michael's relationship with Bonnie was closer than most working relationships, mostly because Bonnie had been there for him after Stevie's death. At least, this was what Devon had told her. April was smart enough to see that this wasn't the only reason why Michael was constantly around Bonnie.

Michael sighed. April was dead-on with her observations.

"I didn't really know Bonnie until last summer. This was the first time I got to know her better. Bonnie has always been rather reserved around me. However, there are a few things I couldn't help but notice. First of all, she's always tried very hard to hide that she's interested in you. She may have fooled you and Devon, but not me." April continued. She didn't expect Michael to confirm her theory. "I also know that she never gets angry when her vacation is cut short or when she has to change her plans. No matter if it's a visit at her family's, a high school reunion, or a weekend to relax – Bonnie usually accepts that sometimes other things interfere with one's plans. She's fine with that because she lives for her works and KITT's safety and yours are most important for her."

She paused for a moment. "However, today she was really upset that her plans for Christmas had to be cancelled. Therefore, this time, whatever she had planned was important to her and I believe her plans somehow involved you. Any other plan wouldn't have mattered to her the same way. Unless of course, it would be a conference where she'd present her research. But I'm assuming we all would have known if that was the case."

Michael was surprised how astute April's reasoning was. Were they really that predictable?

"I'm not going to force you to admit anything. It's just something I noticed. And Bonnie's reaction to us kissing and the way you look at her are proof enough for me to believe that the two of you are in love. Anyone can see how much she matters to you. I've only seen that look on your face once before. When we investigated the death of Greg Noble. When you were with Stevie."

His eyes widened. If it was so apparent to April that he was in love with Bonnie, had Devon noticed it as well?

"Oh, don't worry. Of course, not anyone. Devon has no clue." April quickly added when she realized that this seemed to worry him.

Michael sighed in relief, wondering if April had read his mind. Devon shouldn't find out accidently what was going on. He wanted to be the one who told him how he felt about Bonnie.

"I meant that it's obvious to people who don't see you daily. Devon is so used to you and Bonnie behaving like a married couple that he wouldn't notice that there's more behind these kisses than just a tradition. He'd never assume that she's the mysterious overnight guest in your room."

He raised his eyebrow. Maybe he was right about the bugging device. "How come you know about this incident? Did you bride KITT to inform you about everything that happens?"

"Devon mentioned it when I asked him how you were doing." April explained. "So why haven't you told Devon yet?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Michael grinned at her. She wouldn't give up, but he wasn't going to fall in her trap. He wouldn't do her the favor and admit that she was right

"Fine, you play dumb and I'll just go on. It's because you are worried how he'll react, right? Because Devon has always been protective of Bonnie and because she's like a daughter to him. You are afraid he won't approve."

He rested his head on his hands. The thought that Devon couldn't be supportive of their relationship worried him and especially Bonnie. What would they do if he'd ask them to choose between their love and their job?

"It'll be fine, Michael. He wants you to find happiness again." April reassuringly pressed his hand. "And don't worry. I won't mention to anyone what we talked about. It's probably just my imagination anyway. If you think about it ... you and Bonnie a couple? It does seem rather unlikely, doesn't it?" She winked at him. "However, in case I'm not wrong, it's a shame that one of the most handsome men I know is no longer available."