[This is set a month or so after Guardian Knight: Date Knight.]
Michael had just returned from wrapping up a case. He came out the back door of the Foundation's main building and paused about halfway down the stairs. He scanned the small gathering of teenagers until he spotted his ward, Melissa, dancing with her boyfriend, Greg. Michael then came down the stairs and wended his way through the crowd.
Michael tapped Greg on the shoulder. "May I cut in?"
"Sure, Michael, sir," said Greg, as he stepped to one side.
Michael stepped up and danced with Melissa. When the song was done, he gave Melissa a bear hug. Then he walked over to where Devon and Bonnie were sitting.
"Welcome to the adult section, Michael. Would you care for a beer?"
"Beer?"
"Oh, yes," Devon said with a smile. "You have a choice between root beer and ginger beer."
"Or an assortment of soft drinks," added Bonnie, pointing to a nearby cooler.
Michael grabbed a can of soda from the cooler and then sat down next to Bonnie. The adults watched the teenagers dancing and generally enjoying themselves. Michael preferred rock over pop, not that he ever really got Kitt to understand the difference. But at least the DJ wasn't playing classical music.
"This is all because of you, you know," said Devon, gesturing to the gathering with his bottle of ginger beer.
"Now wait one minute, Devon. Kitt and I only just got here. I had nothing to do –"
"You really need to learn how to accept a compliment graciously, Michael."
"Wait . . . what?"
Devon drank some ginger beer. "This is the first party Melissa has ever hosted. And it is entirely your doing."
"She's only been home from school, what, a few months and two surgeries? She really hasn't had time before now to have friends over for a party."
Devon looked thoughtfully at Michael. "You misunderstood. I meant this is the first party she has ever hosted. In her life."
"C'mon, Devon. That's –"
"A side effect of having a bully for an older brother. Why have a party that Garthe would only ruin?"
"And I'm sure she knew that at a young age," said Bonnie quietly.
"Quite so." Devon drank some more of his ginger beer. "Besides, it took her a good long while to recover from being thrown from that window when she was ten."
"Physically and mentally, I would bet."
"Indeed, Michael. And then Wilton was diagnosed with a terminal illness."
"Surely Wilton would have let her have friends over."
"Oh, most certainly, Bonnie. However, Melissa wanted to spend as much time as she could with Wilton while he was alive."
"So what changed?"
"Michael." Bonnie and Michael both looked at Devon, who explained. "When Melissa was telling us about the party with that . . ."
"Idiot?" suggested Michael, with a grin. It was the word Melissa used as a stand-in for what she really thought of her former classmate.
"Hmm, yes. You suggested she invite friends here. A thought which never crossed her mind. Or mine, to be honest."
"But when Michael suggested it, she ran with the idea."
"Yes, Bonnie, she most certainly did." Devon smiled and finished his drink. "And now, I believe it is my turn to dance with my goddaughter."
Devon went over to the DJ and had brief conversation with him. When that was over, he walked over to where Melissa and Greg were sitting, chatting with their friends. He nodded at the DJ, who began playing music. He held his hand out to Melissa, who stood and joined him.
Bonnie watched for a moment, and then said in awe, "You are going to have to up your game."
"I guess so," said Michael in disbelief at Devon's dancing skills. "Well, no time like the present."
Michael stood up and held out his hand to Bonnie. She considered it, and then took his hand. He helped her to her feet and the two of them danced.