Sorry that it took me longer to post the next chapter. I had to edit some parts because I wasn't happy with the original version. It will be the same for the next parts. The fic is already finished, I just feel like I need to edit some parts and add another chapter.

Thank you all for the feedback. I'm glad that you like the story.

Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story. Bonnie's family and her family background as well as Scott were created by me.

Chapter 11

Jack Barstow carefully knocked on the door to Bonnie's bedroom. He was hoping to spend a few moments with her as he had barely had a chance to talk to her since her arrival.

"May I come in?" he asked before walking into his daughter's bedroom.

"Sure, Dad." Bonnie was already wearing the black dress which Michael had liked so much before. She smiled at her image in the mirror and she hoped Michael would see her in the dress before she left. If not, she'd surprise him at her sister's house afterwards.

"You look stunning, sweetheart. Scott is a lucky guy. Everyone will envy him at the symphony." Jack watched his daughter who was now searching for earrings in her jewelry case. Bonnie wished she'd known before leaving Los Angeles that she would go to the symphony. She would have packed another necklace and other earrings. She wasn't dressing up for Scott. It was Michael who should admire her and whom people should envy.

Jack sat down on a chair next to the window. "Bonnie, have I told how proud I am of you? You've achieved so much and you've become an expert in your field." She turned around and smiled at him. It felt good to hear her father tell her that he was proud of her. He hadn't always been supportive of her decision of majoring in computer sciences and robotics. He'd hoped she would choose a career in medicine. "Devon only talks very highly of you. He says you are an asset to FLAG. I wish Wilton was still alive and could see that you, Devon and Michael are realizing his dream."

"Dad...thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me." Bonnie felt her eyes tearing up and she remembered her first day at FLAG when she was introduced to Wilton Knight. She had been intimidated by the huge laboratories and had hoped her work would meet Wilton's expectations. "You know I have to thank you for everything. You told Wilton about me. I would have never come so far without you."

Jack smiled at her proudly. She had always been humble and never boasted about her achievements. "Wilton would have hired you, even if you weren't my daughter. He was very impressed with your work and your references."

"It's a good thing I haven't done my make up yet. My mascara would be smudged now." She laughed while she carefully wiped away the tears from her eyes.

"I'm glad you are going to the symphony tonight. You'll enjoy the concert." Jack said.

"I hope you are right." Bonnie hesitated. She was looking forward to the symphony. She just wished it wasn't Scott who would go with her.

"What's wrong, Bonnie?" Jack could tell that something was bothering his daughter.

Bonnie sat down next to her father. She pondered whether she should tell him the truth or pretend that she wasn't feeling well. She decided to be honest with him. "It's...well, I'm going with Scott. And you know that Scott and I...we went out on a few dates a long time ago."

Jack nodded. "Your mother was devastated when you broke up with him and he suddenly transferred to another school."

"I didn't break up with him because we were never really a couple." Bonnie continued. "Scott seemed to think differently. This was one of the reasons why he told everyone I broke up with him." She had never told anyone that Scott had lied to everyone because he needed a reason to transfer schools. It was true that he didn't want to believe that she wasn't interested in him. The real reason why he left was that Scott's parents couldn't afford to pay his tuition any longer and therefore he had to apply for scholarships to continue his education. She was the only one who knew. Scott's parents hadn't told anyone. Instead, they pretended that they liked the climate in Florida better and had moved there. "He was upset because I didn't return his feelings and I think he still has feelings for me. But I don't. He's a friend, nothing more. But somehow Scott and Mom don't want to accept that."

"Your mother adores Scott. She was hoping that the two of you would get married. She was devastated when she heard that broke up. She invited him for Thanksgiving because she thought that maybe you would change your mind. I told her it was a bad idea, but you know your mother. She didn't listen. Needless to say, she wasn't thrilled when you showed up with Michael." Jack explained. He liked Scott but he respected Bonnie's decision. "If I'd known how you felt about Scott, I would have tried harder to stop Emily."

"She has been very rude to Michael." Bonnie said with a sad tone in her voice. "I'm surprised he hasn't left yet"

"He is doing this for you. He knows how much being here with us means to you." It was obvious to him that Michael had become more than just a friend and a co-worker for his daughter. "Michael loves you, Bonnie. And I believe that you like him too."

"He loves me?" Bonnie hoped her father was right. If she was certain that Michael loved her, she would allow herself to admit that she also loved him. "Would you mind if I would be with him if he was really interested?"

"Michael is good for you. He makes you laugh. Besides, who else would understand your work and would accept you being on the road and devoting most of your time to KITT?" Jack smiled at Bonnie. "Yes, I would be fine with it. I have to admit that Devon and I were worried when you and Michael started working together. We were worried that two of you would get involved and he would hurt you and it would destroy the team. But I was wrong about Michael. He really cares about you." He had noticed how Bonnie's attitude towards Michael had changed over the years. "Now tell me, how do you feel about him?"

"I think I love him." Bonnie admitted without looking at her father. It wasn't easy for her to confess to her father that she loved Michael. She felt guilty. She knew that Michael should hear her say that she loved him. But she was too afraid to tell him "I've always had feelings for him, but I didn't want to be hurt. My job was too important to me. It still is. But now I know that it could work. If he felt the same way. And if he's ready for a new relationship " Bonnie knew that Michael was still mourning Stevie and hadn't even looked at other women since her death.

"He might already be ready." Jack said quietly. "The question is are you ready?"

"I don't know. Maybe I am. But it scares me." Bonnie whispered. She finally had to listen to her heart even if this wasn't easy for her. "I hated telling him that I was spending the evening with Scott. He looked hurt."

"Even more reason for you to tell him about your feelings." Jack encouraged her. He would never understand why his daughter was so insecure when it came to her feelings. "He'll forget about being hurt once he sees you in this dress when Scott drops you off at Lauren's after the concert."

Bonnie blushed as she imagined Michael's reaction. "I might be a little overdressed for Lauren's house but that's okay. Michael seemed to like the dress when he helped me to choose earlier anyway." She hugged her father. She was glad that he supported her. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Bonnie." Jack hugged his daughter back.

XXX

"Do you really think it'll work?" Michael whispered to Lauren as she and Lilly were leaving. Scott had arrived a few minutes ago. He was now waiting for Bonnie in the living time because Bonnie wasn't ready yet. Lauren explained to Michael that Scott always arrived early. He liked to be in time and he also liked to plan his day on a schedule.

"Trust me. My plans always work. Pick me up in an hour, ok?" Lauren quietly reassured Michael. She hoped Lilly wouldn't start asking questions about what she and Michael were planning.

"I hope you are right." Michael was not yet convinced that Lauren's plan would work but it was worth trying. Bonnie shouldn't have to suffer through another evening with Scott. Of course, this wasn't the real reason why Michael and Lauren had come up with their plan. It was only an excuse for him. Luckily, Lauren didn't ask him about his real motives. He assumed she knew. She had already hinted during her visit in Los Angeles that he and Bonnie would be perfect for each other. Bonnie had given her a stern look while Michael had liked the thought.

Lauren and Lilly left, and Michael found himself alone in the living room with Scott. He briefly considered starting a conversation with Scott but decided against it. But he didn't leave the room either. He wanted to wait for Bonnie. He was curious which dress she had chosen. He knew she would look absolutely beautiful in the black dress, but he didn't want her to wear that dress for Scott. He knew that Lauren was right. He was jealous. But he couldn't tell anyone - neither Bonnie, nor Lauren, not even KITT. Not until he was certain that Bonnie would return his feelings. Sometimes he thought she did. But then she would avoid him or quickly drop the subject and divert the conversation to KITT and he was confused by her behavior.

XXX

Michael looked up when Bonnie walked in. She was wearing the black dress she had shown to Michael and this blew his mind. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked absolutely beautiful. He noticed that Scott stared at Bonnie too.

She enjoyed Michael looking at her. She had hoped he'd like her in the black dress and judging from his reaction, she knew he approved.

"Wow ... You are beautiful." Michael finally managed to say. Beautiful was an understatement. She was gorgeous and the dress fit her perfectly. He noticed that for the first time she didn't blush when he admired her and told her how beautiful she was. Was this a sign? He couldn't tell.

"We should leave. We are already late." Scott cleared his throat to make himself noticed. He was beginning to feel left out because Bonnie only had eyes for Michael. She hadn't even taken notice of Scott who was still sitting on the sofa. An outsider would have thought that Bonnie was going out with Michael and not with him.

Michael had to stifle a grin. He enjoyed that Scott felt like a third wheel. "Have fun tonight." It was hard for him to tell her to enjoy the evening with Scott. But he didn't want her to feel bad.

"Thanks, Michael." Bonnie smiled at him and gave him a hug. "Tell Lauren I'm really sorry that I can't join you. Maybe I'll see you later."

"Definitely." Michael hugged her back. He took in her perfume before he bent his head down to her face. His lips gently brushed her cheek before he kissed her lightly. "Take good care of her, Scott."

"Of course. I'll make sure she has a wonderful evening. " Scott replied. Michael heard in his voice that Scott was annoyed. He didn't know what was going on between Bonnie and Michael, but he didn't like it.

Bonnie rolled her eyes at Scott as she slowly eased out of Michael's embrace. She wasn't looking forward to spending the evening with Scott, but it was too late now. She wished Michael would have done something to stop her from going out with Scott. She was disappointed because he hadn't, especially after the tender moment they just shared.

XXX

Michael watched them leave, then headed to the garage and opened KITT's door. "Hey, buddy, lets go for a ride."

"Sure, Michael." KITT replied. He was surprised that Michael seemed to be in a good mood. "I noticed Bonnie leaving with Scott. Doesn't it bother you?"

"It does, pal. I don't like it. But Lauren has a plan." Michael explained to him. "We will save Bonnie from Scott."

"How is this going to work?" KITT asked. "And where are we going."

"I'll tell you in a minute. First, we need to call Lauren." Michael remembered that he'd promised to call her as soon as Bonnie and Scott had left. KITT connected him promptly with her. "Lauren, it's Michael. They just left. KITT and I will be at your house in a few minutes. Are you ready?"