Thanks to everyone for the reviews. I really appreciate your comments.

Misha: Unfortunately I can't write you back. I fully agree with your observations.

Originally, I planned that Devon would only mention that the dates were messed up. I wasn't going to have him ever find out who did it. I added this now to the fic and I have several possibilites mapped out. I'm still not sure who'd done it. :D

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

This chapter refers to the episodes "The Ice Bandits" (season 3) and "Sky Knight" (season4).

A Knight's Christmas

Chapter 12

Michael was relieved when the painting was safely handed over to its new owner and the assignment was over. Luckily, Devon hadn't immediately made him work on the next case which gave Michael a chance to think about where he and Bonnie could spend the days between Christmas and the board meeting. With KITT's help, he searched for a nice quiet place where the chances they'd run into someone familiar would be slim and where they wouldn't have to hide that they were a couple. The smile on his face grew wider when the name Riesling Inn popped up on the screen.

"Bingo!" He exclaimed cheerfully. He didn't have to search any longer. This would be the perfect place for them. Why hadn't he remembered earlier how longingly Bonnie had admired the beautiful Riesling Inn in Napa a few years ago? Bonnie and Devon had come up to Napa after Michael had retrieved the jewels stolen by Charley Winters at the Foundation-sponsored charity auction. She had mentioned several times that she wished they could spend a night there before they had left again. Her wish would come true now. No one would know them in Napa, unless they'd decide to stop by the Monastery of the Grape to visit Brother Francis, Brother Tyrone and Brother Juliano. They wouldn't even have to drive too far to reach it which would give them enough time to enjoy their first vacation together.

Though it wasn't their inn at the lake, Bonnie would love staying there. She had worked so hard preparing their documents for the board meeting and now she was helping Devon with the decoration and the organization of the Christmas party. She needed a break to wind down and the Riesling Inn would give them enough opportunities to forget about their work.

A mischievous smile lit his face. He would tell Bonnie that they would be going up North. However, he'd keep it to himself where exactly they'd be going to. This would be a surprise for her.

XXX

Devon's mood still hadn't changed, and he became more nervous the closer the date of the board meeting approached. To everyone's surprise, Devon hadn't bothered to ask neither Bonnie nor RC if they had been able to change their travel plans and how Bonnie's family had reacted to the news that she wasn't able to spend Christmas with them. Everyone was aware that the thought of having to face the board members made Devon feel uneasy. Their work had been flawless since the meeting in Chicago. There hadn't been any complaints about Michael's James Bond fantasies, KITT hadn't been damaged and the Foundation's money had been wisely spent. These facts were enough proof to Michael that there wouldn't be any unpleasant surprises for them at the meeting. Devon, however, wasn't convinced that they didn't have anything to worry about and therefore made his team doublecheck every file they had completed, every document they had drafted and every cent they had spent. He wanted to be ahead of the board and be prepared for even the tiniest inconsistence.

But Devon didn't only worry about the board meeting. The mystery about the dates for the Christmas party wasn't yet solved and the culprit wasn't yet found. He had to admit that the new date suited him better as he had always preferred a date closer to Christmas when he and Jennifer had planned the dinner. His main concern – and this was why he had decided on the earlier date – had been his team. Over the last couple of years, they hadn't been able to be with their families on Christmas and therefore, he wanted them to have the chance to celebrate the holiday with them this. The sparkle in Bonnie's eyes after having spent Thanksgiving with her parents had confirmed that it had been the right decision to hold the party not right before Christmas.

Breaking the news to Bonnie and RC that there had been a change of plans therefore hadn't been easy for him. Devon vowed to make it up to them. He would make sure that RC would have a chance to use the private jet on one of his next visits to Chicago. He'd give Bonnie at least two weeks off so that she would have enough time for a road trip to Boston. If only she wasn't so afraid of flying. He couldn't imagine the fears she must have felt when her plane was hijacked, and she was chosen to be killed. He had never dared to ask her what had gone on in her head when Zurich had held the gun to her head, ready to kill her instantly. She must have either played cool so that Zurich wouldn't see how scared she really was or had been so certain that Michael would save her in time. Either way, he was stunned how well she had handled herself in this situation.

It bothered him that he didn't know who was responsible for the mix-up. His first thought was that someone had hacked into their systems and had it changed to harm the Foundation. He had Bonnie doublecheck everything and she had assured him that no one had tampered with their computers. It was a small Christmas party after all, not a summit or an important convention. What would anyone gain from changing the dates of a Christmas party?

He wouldn't rule out that it was his mistake. He had worked too much before April stepped in as his temporary assistant. He could have accidently put the wrong date in the calendar. If he was the one to blame, he'd not only apologize to everyone but also find a way to show them how sorry he was.

Neither Bonnie nor Michael or RC had been involved in the planning of the Christmas party. Therefore, they couldn't have messed up the dates. Unless it was a prank. But would it be a good prank if their vacation would be cut short because of it?

Jennifer would be a possibility as she had access to the calendar. She had been surprised though when she had noticed a different date on the invitations. Besides, she wasn't their enemy anymore. Why would she have any reason to change a date?

It could have been April. Devon had always been impressed with April's work as his assistant. This was his main reason for asking her to step in. She knew their work, was familiar with the team, and was happy to help him. She had never made mistakes in the past and he doubted she would have been negligent. Had she been distracted and not listened to him carefully?

His first anger had vanished by now. The mix-up didn't have any severe consequences, and none of the guests knew that they had chosen a different date originally. The only ones who were affected by it and who had been forced to change their plans had been he and his team and he'd make it up to them.

He wouldn't be harsh on whoever had messed up the dates. Mistakes were human and he was sure whoever was responsible would come up with a logical explanation. It was Christmas after all and it was about time he got into the right mood for Christmas.