Finally, I had time to finish editing this chapter. Please let me know what you think. I appreciate each review and comment. Thank you so much for reading my fic :)
Rating: Though not quite explicit, the rating is T for this chapter due to adult situations.
Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story. Bonnie's family and her family background were created by me.
This part includes a reference to the episode "Knight Moves" (Season 1, #20).
Chapter 22
They hadn't noticed the crowd that had assembled in the parking lot of Chief Joe's Café and was now waiting outside with KITT. Norma had secretly called Terri Calley while Michael and Bonnie were sharing Norma's special pumpkin pie as dessert. Terri immediately rounded up her fellow Alliance truckers to surprise Michael before he and Bonnie left Holbrook again.
Inside the café, Norma hugged Michael and Bonnie, holding on to Michael longer than necessary. "Hope it won't take you another four years to come back here." Standing on her tiptoes, she whispered in his ear. "And hold on to her. She's good for you."
"I know." He whispered back. "I promise, we'll be back. Take care, Norma."
"Don't forget your Sloppy Joe's." She laughed and handed him a gigantic bag with a few takeout boxes before Michael and Bonnie left the café and walked out into the parking lot. Michael wished that he had brought his sunglasses as his eyes needed some time to get used to the afternoon sun.
He slowly guided Bonnie to KITT, his arm around her waist and his eyes squinted when Bonnie abruptly stopped and pointed to the tractors which were parked near KITT. "Michael, look!"
His eyes went wide when he saw Terri and her brother Rick and several of the other truckers which he had met the last time he had been in Holbrook. He smiled at Terri who was running towards him ready to pull him into a tight embrace.
"Thought you'd never come back." She mumbled into his chest.
"I know. It's been too long." He replied guiltily. He considered himself lucky that Bonnie wasn't the jealous type. Some of the women he had dated would have minded that Terri was hugging him so tightly. Not Bonnie. She trusted him. "How are y'all doing?"
Michael waved at the others while they were joining him, Bonnie and Terri.
"The A.I.T. has never done so well. And that's all because of you guys. Without your help, we wouldn't exist anymore." Terri explained happily. "You were right back then. One man can make a difference."
"It feels good to hear that." Michael smiled. "I wish we could stay and catch up. But we are supposed to be back at work tomorrow morning and it'll still take as a few hours to get to Los Angeles."
Terri nodded. "Yeah, Norma already told me. We had to come though and say hi at least. You know, you guys are real heroes for us." She turned to Michael and winked pointing over to one of the truckers standing nearby. "And I'm not longer Tomboy Terri."
He grinned. "I'm real happy for you. Don't forget to invite me to the wedding." She laughed and he hugged her again, then took Bonnie's hand and led her over to KITT. "I promise I'll be back soon."
"Tell Mr Bagshaw to give you an assignment in the area." Terri laughed as she and her friends climbed into their tractors and honked while KITT drove away.
He watched the tractors become smaller on the horizon as they left Holbrook. He loved being in small towns like Holbrook and meeting the people there. This was one of the aspects of his work which he enjoyed the most.
"Mr Bagshaw." Michael laughed. "I still wonder why Devon chose this last name."
"I have no idea." Bonnie was also laughing. "He told me why he chose Cedric but never said why he picked Bagshaw. It doesn't even fit. I'm surprised he didn't choose a more suitable name."
"Me too. I wonder if he even remembers. Can't wait to see his face when we surprise him with Norma's Sloppy Joe's." He tried to picture the look on Devon's face and grinned. "I'm glad you noticed the sign on the road. It was good to see everyone again. I always plan to stop at the places where we helped people, but I rarely have a chance to. I'm either in a hurry to head back or it's not on my route."
He noticed that Bonnie had been quiet, and he wondered what she was thinking. "You okay, Bon?"
She looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about my conversation with Norma back then. You know, when she first asked me how I'd picture my ideal man, I had no idea what he should be like. And suddenly, I started talking without thinking. As if I had a certain person on my mind. Looking back, part of me already knew that you'd be my Mr Right."
He bent over to her and gave her a long kiss. "From the first moment I saw you I knew that I wanted to be with you."
She smiled at him. "I think I felt the same. But I was too proud to let you know."
Michael smiled back at her, then looked at the watch in his comlink. "We should try to get some sleep and let KITT do the driving. It'll be quite late by the time we reach Los Angeles and Devon would prefer us to be rested when we'll go back to work."
Bonnie moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder while KITT automatically reclined their seats so that they could rest more comfortable in the cabin. She closed her eyes and took in his scent. She loved being in his arms and before drifting off to sleep she wondered why it had taken her so long to admit to herself how she felt about him
XXX
They reached Los Angeles and Bonnie's apartment a few hours later. They had been gone for less than a week, but it felt longer to them. Both realized how much had changed in those few days. They had left Los Angeles as friends and co-workers. Now, they were in a relationship, anxious to take the next step. Being back home also meant that they had to balance their romantic relationship with their work relationship. Michael was confident that this wouldn't be a problem and Bonnie hoped he was right.
Her apartment had become a second home for him. He'd spent countless nights there, asleep on her sofa after Stevie's death. It had been his sanctuary, where he'd felt safe. Bonnie had never asked questions about the condition he was in when he'd knocked on her door. She had let him in, had listened to him and had been the friend he'd needed. He was back in her apartment now, but things were different. He still needed her but now she was no longer a lifeline he'd clinged to. She was the woman he loved and with whom he hoped to spend the rest of his life.
She unlocked the door and Michael carried her bag inside. He contemplated whether he should take it to her bedroom but decided against it. Though he had been in her bedroom before, he didn't want to intrude now. It should be Bonnie who'd invite him there whenever she felt ready.
He watched her as she hung up her coat and her purse, then headed into the kitchen area. She looked deep in thought and he wondered what was going on in her mind.
Bonnie felt his gaze on her. They were back home now, and this made her anxious. Over the last few hours, while Michael was asleep in the car, she had fantasized what would and could happen once they were back at her place. She didn't want Michael to leave and spend the night at his apartment or at the mansion. She wanted him to stay with her, to spend the night with her, and to make love to her. A strand of her hair was hanging in her face and she nervously tucked his behind her ear. How would he react when she told him that she had changed her mind and didn't want to wait any longer?
Michael dropped off her bag next to the sofa. Bonnie was still in the kitchen, putting Devon's Sloppy Joe's in her fridge. He walked over to her and spun her around so that he could see her eyes. "I should let you get some rest now. Devon expects us at work bright and early."
His face moved closer to hers and he kissed her lightly on her lips. "Goodnight, Bonnie." He'd miss her but he would give her space. She should be the one to decide whether he should spend the night with her or go back to his apartment.
Her heart cried no as she heard him say he'd be heading home now. She quickly grabbed a bottle of beer from her fridge and handed it to him. "Why don't you stay a bit longer?"
She wanted him to stay and he didn't object to her suggestion. He gladly took the bottle and opened it. She got one for herself too and led him to her sofa. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her close while their bottles carefully clinked. "To a wonderful trip. And to us."
"To us." She smiled at him and took a sip from her bottle. She usually preferred wine but occasionally drank beer as well. She always kept a few bottles in her fridge in case Michael came by with a pizza or a burger, a habit they'd started after he had recovered from Stevie's death.
"It feels like we've been gone for longer than only a few days." Michael leaned back on her sofa. He tried to remember how many nights he'd spend there, crying himself to sleep while Bonnie was holding his hand.
"A lot has changed since your surprise visit on my birthday." She said playing absentmindedly with a button on his shirt. As always, he'd left the top buttons of his shirt open and Bonnie was tempted to run her fingers through the hair on his chest.
It was now or never. If she didn't show him what she wanted, he'd leave after having finished his beer and go back to his apartment and they wouldn't have a chance to be together until he returned from his next case.
She lifted her head and kissed him while her fingers began opening the next few buttons of his shirt. Her kiss was passionate, hungry for more. Surprised by her action, he quickly felt his skin react to the sensation of her touch. He'd count the days until he would see her again. Days? He'd count the seconds. He instantly prayed that his next assignment would not require him to leave the town.
"Michael?" She whispered when their kiss ended. "Please don't go."
"Are you sure?" He whispered back while his heart was beating faster. He'd been hoping that she'd ask him to stay as he didn't want to spend a moment without her.
She nodded, surprised by her courage. "Yes. I want you to spend the night here. With me."
He could tell that she was nervous, and he wondered why she was so insecure. A woman like her should be confident and be aware of how wonderful she was.
He gently brushed over her face and she rested her head in his hand. "I was hoping you'd say that."
She smiled at him shyly while she took his hand and led him to her bedroom. She knew he'd been in there, but it was different now. They'd actually share her bed this time and they'd be closer than ever before.
"Michael," she whispered and looked into his eyes. She loved his blue eyes. "I want to be with you. I want you to make love to me." She added, waiting nervously for his reaction and being afraid he'd tell her they should wait.
All her worries disappeared when he kissed her and showed her how happy he was to hear her say this. His kiss took her breath away. Never in her life had a kiss been so intense, had evoked such feelings in her. Michael made her feel special and Bonnie was sure that they were meant to be.
"Bonnie, are you sure?" He asked her again when their kiss ended. He didn't want to her do anything she'd regret later. He would wait, no matter how long it would take.
"I am. This is what I want." She felt she was ready, and she wanted to be close to him, to feel his skin and to touch his body. She was listening to her heart now, which she should have done a long time ago. Her mind would probably tell her later that she should have sticked to her plan to take it slowly. She'd deal with that later. Right now, all she wanted was being close to Michael.
She opened the door to her bedroom, and he followed her inside. They stole a few kisses while he slowly began unbuttoning her shirt, giving her time to change her mind if she suddenly had doubts. "You are so beautiful." He whispered between kisses. His fingers ran up and down her exposed skin, caressing her shoulders while he stared at her toned and well-shaped upper body. How often had he dreamed about being allowed to see her without clothes?
"Bonnie, we can stop anytime if you feel we are going too fast." He whispered into her ear.
She smiled at him and nodded. He was offering her a way out, even though she could feel how much he desired to be with her. Michael Knight was a gentleman and she loved him even more because it was important to him that she felt comfortable. "I will. But this is what I want. I'm ready." She kissed him again to show him that she wasn't having second thoughts. "Now, stop talking and kiss me instead."
"As you wish." He said smiling as he pulled her into a tight embrace. His lips touched hers again, while they laid down on her bed exploring and undressing their bodies and finally making love.