I'm sorry that it took me so long to finally post this chapter. I was quite busy last few weeks and didn't have time to edit this chapter. I won't abandon this fic and I hope I can post the next update soon.

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

A Knight's Christmas

Chapter 19

Later that day, once alone in his office, Devon rested his forehead in his hands. The preparations for the banquet were mostly finished. At least in his opinion. Bonnie preferred to differ, and therefore she was still working in the ballroom, rearranging the set-up of the tables, and redoing the decoration. Her dedication made Devon smile. He loved how determined she was to make sure the event would be perfect. Bonnie Barstow didn't leave anything to chance.

She had allowed him to have a brief look at the ballroom earlier, then had made him leave again. He had admired her work and told her more than once that she had exceeded his expectations. The banquet would be another successful festivity at the Foundation mansion and their guests wouldn't be disappointed.

It wasn't a surprise to him that Bonnie had thrown herself into work again once April had arrived. Bonnie was competitive and had always considered April as a threat to her work and her position. April taking over for her while she had returned to the world of academia and research was the reason for her behavior. Being replaceable had hurt Bonnie. It made her fear that one day someone would come and fill her shoes if she didn't pay attention and became careless. With April around, she felt even more threatened. She wouldn't let anyone take over her function and duties again and therefore fulfilled them more than satisfactorily.

Her competitiveness often gave Devon reason to chuckle and worry at the same time. There was no need to fear that April would step in again. April herself knew that she couldn't keep up with Bonnie. She didn't even try to compete with her. However, it was her mere presence which made Bonnie nervous and made her become more meticulous than usually. Devon often wondered why Bonnie seemed to be so insecure around April. He had asked her this question last summer, when he had noticed this behavior for the first time. He was still waiting for an answer as Bonnie had dodged the question, telling him that he must be imagining things.

There was no reason for Devon to be concerned about the next evening's soiree. However, he couldn't stop worrying about Michael. He had watched him closely the last few weeks. Though he believed Michael was still mourning and grieving, his impression was that he seemed to be doing a lot better this year. The continuation of his mistletoe tradition, Michael's bickering with Bonnie, his female overnight guest at the mansion, and the occasional sparkle in his eyes reassured him that he didn't have to worry that Michael would have a breakdown again. But part of him wondered if just like last year Michael was only playing a role and pretending to feel fine while deep down in his heart, he wasn't happy at all. The year before, they had known that Michael was sad and missed Stevie terribly, but none of his friends, not even KITT, had been aware how truly miserable he had been. Devon was still grateful that Bonnie and KITT hadn't let him out of their sight and therefore had been there for him in his darkest moments.

Devon vowed that he wouldn't let this happen again this year. He would do everything to prevent another mental breakdown.

But what if he couldn't do anything? What if he didn't notice it because Michael was pretending? Was he overreacting and just imagining things?

It was about to turn off the lights and call it a night, but Devon wasn't ready to leave his office. Not yet. First, he had to find out if his concerns were justified.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by a polite knock on his door, followed by Bonnie's head appearing in the doorframe. "You wanted to see me, Devon?"

"Yes, dear. Please come in and take a seat."

She looked tired from having worked hard all day. Devon wondered if she was sleeping enough. Bonnie tended to neglect eating and sleeping when she was focused on her work. He'd insist that she'd head home or go to her room at the mansion and try to sleep immediately after their conversation. He wouldn't keep her long.

She sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk, facing him. She could tell that something was bothering him. His usually neat white hair was slightly ruffled, and the knot of his tie was becoming loose.

"This won't take long. However, I'm afraid it cannot wait."

From the tone in his voice, she realized that whatever he wanted to discuss with her seemed to be of great importance to him.

Quickly, she rethought the events of the day. Had he asked her to come see him because of her reaction to April's confession earlier? Was he going to lecture her on how childish and unfounded her jealousy towards April was?

The concerned impression on her face made Devon wonder whether Bonnie was worrying that he didn't approve her decorations, or that her work hadn't been flawless. Immediately, he felt guilty that his request to step by his office before she'd leave had made her believe that he had reason to criticize her.

"Oh, this isn't about you. There's no need to doubt yourself, Bonnie. Once again, you have managed to amaze me. The ballroom looks spectacular." He smiled at her reassuringly, before explaining why he needed to see her. "Bonnie, the reason why I wanted to see you is Michael."

This was about Michael. Bonnie's body began to relax. He wasn't going to reprimand her for her childish behavior earlier. Maybe he hadn't even noticed that she had been jealous.

"Michael?" Repeating his name, another thought rushed into her mind. Had Devon figured out that she was in a relationship with Michael?

Devon sighed before he continued. He desperately hoped that his worries were unfounded. He had to confide in Bonnie though. He'd never forgive himself if Michael was hurting again and they hadn't done anything to help him.

"Yes, dear. You of all people know what happened at last year's Christmas banquet. While I believe, Michael is in a different, stable condition this year, I can't help but worry that the banquet or the Christmas holidays will somehow trigger memories of his loss and pain. I don't want this to happen."

Bonnie nodded. She knew how much Devon cared about Michael. Michael was like a son to him. This made her feel guilty that they still hadn't told him the truth. Wouldn't this be the perfect moment? Her confession would show Devon that he didn't have to worry about Michael breaking down. He'd see that Michael was truly happy. She only wished Michael was here as well, as they had planned to tell Devon together.

"Devon, there won't be a repetition of what happened last year." She began carefully, but Devon interrupted her.

"How can you be so certain? What if all the cheerfulness is an act only? Michael could be pretending he's fine while in reality, he's grieving and dreading the holidays."

She had to tell him now. He was convinced that they had reason to worry and the truth would be the only way he'd believe her that Michael wasn't on the verge of breaking down.

"Michael isn't pretending. He may always be reminded of his loss and feel the pain, but he won't drown in sorrows again." She paused for a moment. "He won't break down, because Michael and I …"

Before she could finish her sentence and tell Devon that their love would keep Michael from having a relapse, April stormed into Devon's office and plumped down in the chair next to Bonnie. "Sorry I'm late. "