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

A Knight's Christmas

Chapter 22

April's confession left Bonnie speechless. Part of her admired April's audacity. April didn't seem to have a problem with telling a lie. Unlike Bonnie who hadn't lied to Devon until she and Michael became a couple. And Bonnie hated that they hadn't yet found the right moment and opportunity to tell him the truth.

April on the other hand seemed to be partly proud and pleased with her lie. Even delighted because she was certain that her lie helped Michael. Not because she enjoyed lying. Again, Bonnie wondered how much April knew or believed to know. It was impossible that Michael had told her. He wouldn't decide to inform April but not tell Devon. April might have put the pieces together when Devon had told her that Michael had an overnight guest in his room. She was smart so Bonnie wouldn't be surprised if she'd figured out that who Michael's guest was. If this was the case, Bonnie had to give her credit that she kept quiet about her assumption.

"Bonnie? Don't you think that my idea was brilliant?" April asked her again. Bonnie noticed that more than a minute had passed since April had first asked her this question.

"You just lied to Devon. Don't you think he'll find out?" She blurted out. She wouldn't admit that April's lie was indeed helpful.

April vehemently shook her head. "No, he won't. Unless you tell him. Which I doubt you will."

The look in April's face showed Bonnie that her suspicion was true. April had noticed that things had changed between her and Michael.

She wouldn't do her the favor and confirm anything. For some reason, she didn't trust April. Especially not with a secret. "What if Devon tries to reach Michael at your sister's house?"

"Nice try. He won't. First of all, he feels so guilty about having to cut y'all's vacation short. He'd rather turn down a case than disturb Michael and make him come back sooner than planned. Besides, I believe Devon might be busy enjoying spending time with Maggie Smith." April answered with a big grin on her face. She had to bite her tongue to keep her from telling Bonnie that Devon was so relieved that Michael would be with April and wanted Michael to enjoy a family Christmas holiday. Making Bonnie angry again wasn't a good idea. "And we all know that Devon will call KITT first if he wants to talk to Michael. Since KITT usually is with Michael, there shouldn't be a problem. Unless Michael has plans which involve flying. However, I somehow believe he won't be flying."

April seemed to have an explanation for everything. Bonnie almost envied her that she didn't even feel guilty about lying.

"What does Michael think about you lying to Devon?" Bonnie carefully asked what had been on her mind ever since April had told Devon he was going to spend Christmas with her. She ignored April's provoking statement that Michael wouldn't be flying. This showed her again that she was only waiting for Bonnie to fall into her trap.

"I knew you'd ask this question. I'm surprised you didn't ask me right away." April said triumphantly. This must have driven Bonnie crazy. "Don't worry, there's nothing going on behind your back. Michael has no idea about this."

Bonnie shrugged indifferently, although she was relieved to hear that Michael was not involved in April's plan. "You better inform Michael. Not that Devon talks to him and he's clueless."

"I was going to, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I thought he'd be in his room. But it looks like he hasn't been there much lately. You don't happen to know where he is?" April looked at her innocently.

Another trap. But Bonnie wouldn't fall for it either. "I don't keep tabs on him. Try calling KITT." She grabbed her purse from her desk. She was tired and exhausted and certainly not in the mood to be around April any longer. "Now if you excuse me. It's been a long day and I'm done here."

Without waiting for April to reply, Bonnie headed out of the lab and to her car.

xxx

She reached her apartment complex a few minutes later. Usually, she was grateful that she didn't live far away from the headquarters. Tonight, the distance wasn't far enough for her to clear her head.

She was aware that she was overreacting. Jealousy was the reason for her reaction. April meant well and she had done them a favor. They could enjoy their trip and their time together without Devon worrying about Michael. However, Bonnie didn't like the fact that it was April's idea and not hers. The thought that April knew more than she should made her nervous and she hated that April kept provoking her and that she could easily blow their cover.

Why hadn't she thought of telling Devon that Michael would give her a ride to her destination for the holidays?

Probably because she didn't want to tell him more lies. And because she wanted Devon to believe that they weren't spending the vacation together.

"It's our fault. We should have told him the truth when we returned from Boston. It's become so complicated now." Bonnie mumbled as she walked by KITT who was parked in the parking lot. She gently patted his hood before she headed to the entrance of her apartment complex. Michael must have read her mind and figured that they'd spend the night at her place.

"I had a feeling you'd stay here tonight." She heard his voice say before she could see him. She spotted a shadow of his silhouette in the living room. He sat in the dark and the only light came from the corner of the room. There wasn't a lamp in that part of the room. Did Michael light candles?

If she was honest, she wasn't exactly in the mood for a romantic evening. Bonnie had worked all day and was still slightly upset about April. None of it was Michael's fault, though he might feel guilty about April kissing him.

"Why didn't you stay at the mansion?" She asked when walking over to him.

"Too crowded." His lips brushed hers lightly. "Besides, I had to prepare a surprise for you." His eyes pointed to the dimly lit corner.

"Michael, I'm not really in the mood for surprises." She protested, before her eyes discovered a beautifully decorated small Christmas tree. "But ... didn't we agree on not having a tree because we'd hardly be here?"

"We did. However, I thought it would still be nice, even if it's just for a day or so."

"Thank you." She smiled at him and kissed him. "That's really sweet of you. And exactly what I needed after this day."

She plumped down next to him. Michael wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer, placing soft kisses on her hair.

"Let me guess, April?"

Bonnie nodded. "She really knows how to push my buttons." Though she didn't want to ruin their time together by talking about April, she wondered if April had already reached Michael and him Michael about her plan. "Has she called you?"

"She might have. But I asked KITT not to put through any calls which aren't important. He's supposed to tell everyone that I'm already asleep." He whispered in her hair.

"Actually, hers might be important." Michael questioningly looked at her and Bonnie sat up again. "She just told Devon you'd drive her to her sister's house and would spend Christmas with her."

"Seriously?" His eyes grew bigger. "But why?"

Bonnie sighed. It wasn't her job to fill Michael in. However, since KITT wouldn't put April's call through, Michael might run into Devon before April could warn him. "Devon's quite worried about you. He fears that you could have a breakdown again on the holidays. He wouldn't believe me when I told him that there's no reason for him to worry. I almost told him about us, Michael." She paused and he held his breath. "It would have taken this load off his shoulder. I didn't have a chance though because April interrupted our conversation. And to reassure Devon that you'd be fine, she'd told him this lie."

"How did Devon react?" Michael was surprised that Devon was so worried about him. He barely remembered what happened the year before, but he was well aware that Devon had been very concerned.

"He was relieved. April saved his day, again." Bonnie explained wondering if Michael noticed the jealous tone in her voice. "She later admitted to me that it was lie and that she covered for you. For some reason, she wanted me to know that you wouldn't spend Christmas with her. She believes that you don't want Devon to know about your plans for the holidays and therefore she wanted to make sure that you'd be able to enjoy your vacation without Devon worrying about you." Her eyes met his again. "Michael, I think she knows about us."

His hand reached out for hers and he pressed it reassuringly. "No, she doesn't. She assumes that we could be a couple, but she doesn't know for sure as I didn't tell her anything.". He paused for a moment while he gently caressed her fingers. "Don't worry about April. Even if she suspects anything, she wouldn't run to Devon with it. Because April knows that I'd be angry, and she doesn't want that. I'm too important to her."

Bonnie gave him a stern look. "I know that she did us a favor with her lie. But I hate that I now feel that we owe her. That we are dependent on her and vulnerable. That she could blow our cover any time."

"She wouldn't do that." He whispered. "As I said, she wouldn't risk losing me. And there's another reason. April wants you to like her. She wants to be your friend."

Bonnie laughed in disbelief. "I doubt that. April isn't interested in being friends with me. She only has eyes for you."

"Jealous?" Michael grinned. "You looked like you were ready to kill her this afternoon."

"Me jealous of April?" Bonnie raised an eyebrow. "Never!"

He grinned. "Come on, admit it. You were this close to pulling her away from me."

"Get used to her being all over you. She'll be your date for the banquet tomorrow." She said with a sad tone in her voice. "While I'll be stuck with Irving Farber."

"Irving?" Michael tried to remember Irving's name.

"The Helios mansion? The young man with big glasses and the colorful suit? Who was quite interested in me?" Bonnie explained, hoping these bits of information would help Michael.

"Of course. How could I forget Irving?" He grinned. Poor Irving never had the chance to dance with Bonnie because both Michael and Devon interrupted his clumsy attempts to ask Bonnie for a dance. "But why will you be stuck with him?"

While Bonnie told him about her meeting with Devon and his request to show Irving around, Michael's lips curled into a smile. He would make sure that Bonnie would be able to enjoy the banquet and escape Irving.

"And while April will have a fantastic time with you, I will have to listen to endless talks about the Renaissance. Just my luck." Bonnie sighed and rested her head on Michael's shoulder. "Why are you still grinning? This is not funny, Michael."

"Don't worry, Bon." His grin grew wider, and he kissed her forehead. "I just figured out how to save you from Irving."