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 17

Bonnie watched the skyline of Boston disappear in the side-view mirror while she was thinking about the last few days. A lot had changed since Michael had surprised her on her birthday. The trip had forced her to admit that the feelings she had for Michael and which she had kept hidden inside her were still there and that she wanted to be with him. She had felt alive and desired when he had kissed her, and she was certain that Michael had felt the same.

He noticed from the corner of his eyes that she occasionally sneaked a peek at him. He looked away from the road and cast a bright smile at her. She smiled back at him and moved in her seat so that she was closer to him. His smile grew bigger and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. Her heart was beating faster while she rested her head on his shoulder, taking in the scent of his leather jacket.

"You look tired. Why don't you get some sleep?" Michael whispered into her hair. "This is what I always do when KITT and I are on the road. Unless we play computer games or listen to good music."

"Good music, Michael? I beg to differ." KITT interjected while Bonnie tried hard not to laugh.

"Ah, come on, pal." Michael playfully complained and Bonnie tried to stifle a yawn.

She considered closing her eyes for a bit. They'd be on the road for a long time. This wasn't a good moment to talk to Michael about their kiss anyway. Not in KITT's presence. She'd wait until they'd stop for dinner. She drifted off into a sound sleep, her lips curled into a smile as she remembered the magical moment when Michael had kissed her.

XXX

They had left Boston around noon and they were now on the interstate in the middle of nowhere. Bonnie was still asleep, her head resting on Michael's shoulder while KITT was telling Michael a few new jokes. Michael, however, barely paid attention to KITT and he hoped KITT wouldn't notice. He had a lot on his mind and his thoughts revolved around Bonnie. He had wanted to kiss Bonnie for a long time and last night would have been the right moment. But they were interrupted, and he had tried to find a good excuse to kiss her this morning. He wanted to show her how he felt but he was aware of the fact that they were already expected for breakfast. He was worried that Bonnie's parents could walk into her room and he didn't want to rush this moment. It was too important to him. That's why he had pretended that it was only the goodnight kiss he hadn't been able to give her the night before. He had noticed that the kiss had caught Bonnie by surprise. She might have expected it the night before but not this morning. She hadn't pulled back though. She had kissed him back - passionately and hungry for more, just like him. Who knew what would have happened if he hadn't stopped? They had kissed before, on the cheek and even on the mouth during Christmas season when he usually hung mistletoes everywhere, and on birthdays - but their kisses had never been as passionate as they had been today.

"Michael? May I ask you a question?" KITT interrupted Michael's thoughts "It's about Bonnie." Michael looked at the sleeping brunette whose head still rested on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Michael. I'm checking her vitals. She is still asleep."

Michael hesitated. He wasn't sure if he wanted to talk to KITT about Bonnie. The A.I. wasn't familiar with human feelings and he was protective of Bonnie. Michael assumed KITT would probably tell him to stay away from Bonnie because Michael could end up hurting her and she could leave their team again.

But he would have to talk to KITT eventually. "What is it, buddy?"

"Well, Michael, I have noticed how close you and Bonnie have become lately." KITT began and Michael wondered how much KITT actually knew. "You asked me for information on Scott and you seemed to be jealous of him. Bonnie was crying because of you last night. I'm not familiar with love, but I did some research and came to the conclusion that this is a typical behavior in situations in which feelings are involved." KITT explained. "I'm assuming that you really like Bonnie and that you are serious about her, aren't you, Michael?"

Michael felt like he was being questioned by a parent, but he nodded. "Yes, KITT. Bonnie is very important to me."

"I know that Bonnie likes you too. She may not tell you or show you, but she does." KITT continued. "Michael, when we started working together, I didn't approve that you were constantly flirting with Bonnie. I was afraid that it could make her feel uncomfortable and I was worried that you could hurt her. But you have changed, Michael. You are no longer the man who would flirt with every woman you meet. You've grown up and I think you could be ready for a real relationship."

"Well, thanks, KITT." Michael laughed. It always made him chuckle when KITT talked about love and relationships. But KITT was right. Stevie's death had changed Michael. He was no longer content with having meaningless relationships.

"I'm serious, Michael. What I'm telling you is that I would be very happy if you and Bonnie ever had the courage to finally admit to each other how you feel and be in a relationship." KITT replied.

Finding the courage to admit their feelings to each other. This was the problem. It was Bonnie who Michael was falling in love with. Not one of the women he used to go out with. Things were different with Bonnie. He knew he had to take everything slowly and wait for her to be ready. He didn't want to push her away. He had to be careful, but he didn't mind. Being with Bonnie was worth being patient. He wanted a real relationship with her. Not just a few kisses and a few nights together. He wanted someone who was there for him, who would miss him when he was on an assignment, who understood his work and his relationship to KITT - someone like Bonnie.

"Thanks, buddy. That means a lot to me." Michael smiled at the red voice box.

"Now, Michael, have I already told you this car joke? KITT asked. Michael sighed, but he was relieved that KITT was no longer interested discussing Michael's relationship with Bonnie.

XXX

It was almost dark when Bonnie woke up. She had slept soundly and comfortably, resting her head on Michael's shoulder. She wondered if he could still feel his arm after having held it in this position for probably several hours.

"Hello sleeping beauty." Michael said as he felt her stir in his arm. Bonnie's assumption was correct, his arm and shoulder were numb. He didn't mind it though because he had enjoyed holding Bonnie in his arm.

KITT was still telling jokes and Bonnie smiled. She knew Michael hated KITT's jokes but he wouldn't tell KITT. She had always envied Michael because of his close relationship with KITT., especially at the beginning of their partnership. It took her a while to realize that her relationship with KITT was close too, but on a different level. While Michael and KITT were friends and partners, she was more like a mother or a caretaker to KITT. He needed her, just like he needed Michael. They were a team, a family.

"Hey. Sorry about your arm." Bonnie reluctantly slipped out of his embrace and he felt the pins and needles in his arm. "You still like to tell jokes, KITT?"

"Never mind. My arm will survive as long as you slept comfortably." Michael laughed while he carefully rubbed his numb arm. "I'm so glad you are finally awake. He's been telling jokes for hours. And I think I now know them all."

"You are exaggerating, Michael." KITT complained. "But yes, Bonnie, I still like telling jokes. I think it's a good way to keep Michael awake."

"Are you tired?" Bonnie felt guilty because she had slept most of the time. "You can sleep for a while if you want. I'm sure KITT would love to share his jokes with me too. Or we could stop and eat dinner."

Michael shook his head. "No, it's okay. I'm a little tired but I don't need a break. Not yet. We'll stop soon."

"Not yet?" Bonnie noticed that Michael yawned. "Admit it, you are desperate for a break."

"Okay, you are right. But we are not stopping yet." Michael grinned.

"But why?" Bonnie asked curiously. She wondered why Michael didn't want to stop now.

"Because we aren't there yet. There was a lot of traffic while you were sleeping, and we couldn't drive as fast as I would have liked." He hoped she would settle for this explanation. "Don't ask questions. You'll see soon. And don't try to ask KITT. He doesn't know." Michael added quickly. He hadn't told KITT what he had planned, but KITT might be able to guess his plan if Bonnie asked the right questions.

"Okay. I'll sit back and wait." Bonnie smiled and leaned back in her seat. She closed her eyes again and remembered in her thoughts the kiss they had shared this morning.

XXX

Michael stopped a few miles outside of a small town about half an hour later. Bonnie's eyes were still closed. He noticed the happy look on her face, and he wondered what she was thinking or daydreaming about. "Okay, Bon, you can open your eyes now. We have arrived at our destination."

Bonnie slowly opened her eyes and looked around trying to figure out where they were. It was dark and therefore she couldn't see much - only a few smaller houses and a bigger house. She looked closer and realized that it was a country inn with a restaurant.

"Are you hungry?" Michael smiled at her and pointed in the direction of the restaurant.

"Yes, I am." Bonnie realized that she hadn't eaten much since breakfast apart from one of the sandwiches her mother had packed them for the drive.

"There's a table waiting for us inside." He grinned and opened his door. He could tell that she was surprised by his choice of restaurant. "Or do you want to stop somewhere else?"

"No, this is perfect." She quickly said as he opened the passenger door for her. "I'm just surprised. I wasn't expecting this, Michael. I assumed we would stop at a diner or a fast food place."

"Nah ... we've done that on the way to Boston." He took her hand and led her to the restaurant. She noticed that there was also a lake facing the terrace of the restaurant. "I thought we could stop at a nicer place this time. It's really beautiful inside and the food is fantastic."

"You've been here before?" Bonnie asked with a surprised tone in her voice. Devon always complained about Michael's taste in restaurants and therefore she had assumed he mainly lived of junk food while being on assignments.

Michael nodded. "Yes. I found it by chance, on one of the assignments. I always planned to come back some day - with someone special. And here I am." He kissed the knuckles of her hand. "With you."

Someone special - Bonnie loved hearing him call her special. As always, she immediately doubted the meaning of his words. They were best friends, so it was naturally to believe that she was special to him. But deep down in her heart, she knew that he had chosen these words on purpose.

XXX

From the moment they had walked into the restaurant, Bonnie had fallen in love with the inn. It was very cozy, and the food was delicious. After dinner, they sat down at the terrace which was facing the lake and enjoyed a glass of wine.

"This is perfect, Michael. I'm glad we came here." Bonnie smiled at him and raised her glass. "Here's to you remembering this place."

"To this place." Their glasses clinked. "It didn't even occur to me that it was on our route until KITT mentioned that assignment. I called them before we left to see if they were open." Michael laughed.

"I've really been enjoying the entire trip. Just getting out and being on the road." Bonnie leaned back into her chair. "Sometimes I envy you and KITT. Not because of your assignments and all the dangerous situations you get into. It's because of places like this. You get to see so much while Devon and I are either at the mansion or in the semi."

He listened to her, wondering what exactly was bothering her. "Usually, Devon wants me to get back as quickly as possible though."

"I know." She stared at the lake. "And usually, your vacation is also interrupted or even cancelled."

"This is true." He laughed. "What do you usually do when Devon gives you time off?"

"To be honest, I rarely go on vacation. Whenever Devon tells me to go on vacation, I go to conferences or attend workshops. I also do research during that time. Sometimes, I visit my family." She was glad that Michael wouldn't see that her face took a reddish shade. She felt silly that she had mentioned that she never got out, not even when they were traveling to a case or during her vacation. "This is one reason why I'm enjoying this road trip so much. It's so nice to get out."

"Then maybe we should do this more often." He suggested. He liked the idea of going on trips with her and he hoped she would too. "We'll go on road trips or to the mountains, whenever Devon gives us both a weekend or a few days off. Maybe we'll find another place like this, closer to Los Angeles."

"Sounds wonderful." She loved his suggestion. She smiled at him, then looked at the lake again." It's so beautiful here. I wish we could stay here a little longer."

"Well, I guess we could spend the night here. They have a few rooms. We are both exhausted and we've driven enough for a day. We don't have to be back in Los Angeles until tomorrow night anyway. And KITT wouldn't mind some time to recharge either." Michael looked at Bonnie. "So, what do you think, Bon? Do you want to spend the night here?"

The smile on her face grew bigger. "I'd love to, Michael."