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

A Knight's Christmas

Chapter 20

Bonnie stared at April in disbelief. For some reason April always chose the most inconvenient times for her entrances. As if she sensed that something was about to happen. This would have been the right moment for Bonnie to reveal her secret. The chance to tell Devon about their relationship was gone now. She wouldn't tell him in front of April.

What was April doing here, interrupting her conversation with Devon? Devon had specifically asked Bonnie to come see him privately. Her. Not April. Or had he asked her as well? This would explain why she had apologized for being late. However, April had worked here long enough to know that Devon insisted on manners, and that it was impolite not to knock. Bonnie always had the impression that she was probably the only one around who had listened to Devon when he had stated that even if the door to his office was open, he expected everyone to knock. Michael and RC usually forgot and barged into the office.

Just like April who - unaware that she had interrupted Bonnie's confession - innocently sat in her chair, looking at her and Devon expectantly. "So, what did I miss?"

How could she be so presumptuous and assume that she belonged here?

"What did YOU miss?" Bonnie heard herself say. Her tone sounded angrier than intended. "You just interrupted a private conversation."

Devon furrowed his forehead. Bonnie wasn't sure whether this was because of what she just said or because of April storming into his office.

"Well, Bonnie, April is here because I asked her to join us." Devon carefully explained. He was aware that Bonnie was less excited about April than her male co-workers and even behaved jealously whenever their attention was directed at April.

Bonnie looked at him in surprise. Since when did Michael's well-being concern April as well? "You did?"

"Yes, I certainly did. April might be of great help." Devon stated before he turned to April. "But, first of all, would you be so kind and remember to knock next time before you storm into my office, April?"

April smiled at him and nodded. "Of course. You know, I keep forgetting that I don't work here anymore."

"Sometimes I do too." Devon's face softened again. Once again, April had worked her charm on him. "Well, let's get back to why I asked the two of you to come see me. As you know, I'm concerned about Michael's well-being. Bonnie, however, doesn't think that there is reason to worry. She was about to explain to me why she believes that Michael is in a stable condition this year."

He paused briefly, trying to remember what Bonnie was about to say before April had arrived.

"You mentioned something about you and Michael? What were you going to say? Please continue, my dear."

April curiously gazed at Bonnie who was feeling rather uncomfortable now. She would have to lie as she couldn't tell Devon the truth anymore. Confiding in April equaled sending a memo to the entire team at FLAG. It was known that April wasn't good in keeping secrets that weren't work-related. She never betrayed their trust intentionally though. She just happened to accidently blurt out details or naively ask a question or reveal a surprise.

"Well, Bonnie?"

Bonnie shifted in her chair, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for her assumption. "Uhm, well, Michael and I, we talked about this possibility. You know that he'd be reminded of his loss and that he'd drown his pain again. I asked him out front how he was doing." She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Michael told me he was fine and that he was truly enjoying life again. He wouldn't lie to me. He knows about the consequences if he did."

"Ah, the wrath of Bonnie." April chuckled. "Michael knows better than lying."

Bonnie tried to ignore April's comment. "KITT also confirmed that Michael is emotionally stable. He's keeping a close watch on him. Michael can't fool KITT."

"This sounds logical. I hope you are right, Bonnie." Devon sighed. "Still, the thought that something could happen to him makes me nervous. Therefore, I think it is wise to watch Michael closely during the banquet and over Christmas."

He paused for a moment and Bonnie and April wondered what Devon had in mind.

"Last year, I made the mistake to neglect Michael during the banquet. This won't happen again this year. We won't let Michael out of sight. We will make sure that he is not alone the entire evening. Not for a moment."

"Not even when he uses the bathroom?" April joked. Devon decided not to pay any attention to her comment.

"Of course, Devon." Bonnie quickly said. "I won't leave his side."

"Unfortunately, you will have to, my dear." Devon sighed. Bonnie wouldn't like what he was about to say. He wished he didn't have to inform her that he had different plans for her. Unfortunately, he didn't have a choice. He was only the messenger, the decision had been made by the Board and by Jennifer. "A potential new donor will attend the banquet and I had to promise him that you'd show him around."

"I?" Bonnie couldn't believe what Devon was asking her to do. "Why me?"

"Because, Bonnie, you know him. Remember Irving Farber? The lad you met at the Helios mansion?"

The mention of this name made Bonnie sigh. How could she forget Irving. The young man with huge glasses had followed her around that day and had clearly been interested in her.

"Oh no." Bonnie vehemently shook her head. "You can't be serious, Devon."

"I'm afraid so. He remembered that he never had a chance to discuss his studies on the Renaissance with you." Devon knew that Bonnie wasn't keen on spending an evening with Irving. He and Michael had saved her several times from the clumsy Irving, who was so smitten with her. Irving was one of the innocent Helios members. A harmless fellow, who wouldn't do anything to hurt Bonnie. He was too shy to openly ask her out on a date. Instead, he admired her and hoped to get her interested in him and his studies. "I'm sorry, Bonnie. I wish I could have turned down his wish."

"Just my luck." Bonnie mumbled. She had been looking forward to the Christmas banquet this year, even after they had to change their original plan. However, the prospect of having to spend the evening with Irving instead of Michael made her wish, she had the power to let the board know what she truly felt about their requests. Even if she had, it wouldn't make a difference. Donors were important and the Foundation needed their financial support to fund FLAG. "But what about Michael? Is he going to join me when I show Irving around?"

"Well, this is the reason why I'm so grateful that April is here. I asked her to be Michael's "date" for the banquet. She will make sure he won't be alone. Not even for a moment. Unless, of course, he will have to use the men's room." Devon explained wondering if he spotted jealousy in Bonnie's face.

Did Devon expect her to think this was a fantastic idea? Judging from the look on April's face, Bonnie could tell that April was more than happy about the prospect of being Michael's date. Bonnie had never asked Michael if he and April had been more than friends and co-workers when April had worked at FLAG. Sometimes, April's behavior around Michael let her believe that they might have been.

"Devon, I know Michael better than all of you. I know when his mood changes and when there is reason to worry." Bonnie began objecting to Devon's idea. "April, on the other hand, hasn't been around Michael enough to notice if he's just pretending to be okay."

"But didn't you yourself say that we don't reason to worry, my dear?" Devon asked her.

"I promise I'll come and rescue you from Irving if I believe Michael might need your mothering." April added, aware that this would upset Bonnie even more.

"Mothering?" April knew how to push Bonnie's buttons. This woman first had the liberty to change the date of the banquet with Devon's permission and didn't even consider the consequences. And now she had the audacity to call her concern about Michael "mothering". It was time that someone gave April a tongue-lashing and reminded her that she was no longer a member of their team. "You think you can just waltz in and call everything I've done to help Michael to cope with his grief and pain mothering?"

"I'm sure you immensely enjoyed what you call helping him cope." April provoked her.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bonnie threw an angry look at her.

"Oh, I'm not as ditzy as you may think I am. You know exactly what I mean." April said teasingly. Though Michael didn't tell her whether he and Bonnie were in a relationship, his silence was proof enough for her that her suspicion was true. And Bonnie's reaction to Devon's request and her teasing also confirmed her theory. Bonnie and Michael could fool Devon and RC. But not her!

Devon impatiently looked at April and Bonnie. This rivalry and jealousy had to end. Their animosity could cause problems if they started a fight during the banquet and forgot about Michael because of it. He wasn't going to allow their childish behavior.

"Enough already. Stop this silly competition! This is neither about who is the more capable technician for KITT nor about who knows Michael better. This is not about you. We are here because we are a team who cares about Michael. And the two of you will have to work together to make sure Michael won't have a relapse. Is that clear?"

Both Bonnie and April nodded sheepishly. They knew Devon was right. If only April's presence wouldn't make Bonnie feel inferior all the time.

"Bonnie, you and Irving will be close to Michael and April. You will inform me and April if you notice that Michael might not feel alright. You will also have KITT call us if he notices a change in Michael's vitals." Bonnie nodded again. "And April, you will let all of us know if you need help."

"Devon, why are you so sure that Michael will actually go to the banquet?" April remembered that Michael had decided to forget attending Foundation functions before. "What if he bails on us again?"

Devon sighed. He had thought about this possibility before. However, he'd come to the conclusion that Michael would show up as he had attended the banquets the last few years. "This possibility has crossed my mind. To be honest, I would be glad if he decided to skip the dinner and start his vacation earlier. However, we wouldn't know whether a head start into his holiday is the reason for his decision not to attend or whether he is in pain."

"He wouldn't leave without KITT. And KITT would immediately contact us." Bonnie tried to put Devon's mind at ease. She hated seeing him so agitated. The truth would have taken this burden off Devon's shoulder. Why did April have to interrupt her?

Devon stood up from his chair and walked over to Bonnie and April. "If he doesn't show, I want both of you and Reginald to leave immediately and look for him. " He looked at Bonnie. "I will tell Mr Farber this is an emergency."

"Of course." Bonnie saw that April pressed Devon's hand reassuringly.

"Bonnie, I truly hope you are right, and he is no longer grieving." Devon felt responsible for Michael. He had promised Wilton Knight that he would take care of Michael. Over the years, Michael had become a son for him. "I have to admit that I had hoped we would have to work over the holidays. I don't like the thought that Michael will be alone on Christmas."

April pressed Devon's hand again. "Devon, don't worry. Michael won't be alone on Christmas."