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

Surprises

Chapter 3

"Splendid time! Sure, Devon may think a Valentine's Day function is a wonderful idea. Because he actually enjoys and likes fundraisers. But he's the only one here who likes spending time with donors and board members." Bonnie fumed angrily once she was alone with Michael in the semi.

Devon had immediately started the preparations for the fundraiser, and they had quietly snuck out of his office while he was on the phone with Jennifer. If they had stayed in his office, Devon might have enlisted their help and asked Bonnie to begin with the organization. A task which she wasn't too keen on working the rest of the evening on since she was looking forward to some alone time with Michael. "I'm surprised you aren't more upset. "

Michael walked over to her and pulled her into an embrace to calm her down. "Well, I don't like the thought of a fundraiser either, but it could be worse. At least I know I will be at the mansion that day." He kissed her lightly on the head. A puzzled look on Bonnie's face told him that she wasn't sure what he was hinting at. Therefore, he continued with his explanation "If Devon sent me on a mission, I wouldn't be able to be with you on Valentine's Day. And we both know that that this could be a possibility because Devon doesn't know about us."

Bonnie nodded. Devon believed neither of them was in a relationship and therefore, he assumed Valentine's Day didn't mean much to them. It wouldn't be out of the question that he'd ask them to work on a case otherwise.

"However, he's hosting a function now. And we both know that it is important to him that all of us are present. Which means it is very unlikely that I will have to work on a case out of town." The smile on his face grew wider. "We may have to attend a boring fundraiser but both of us will be there. And as soon as Devon is working the crowd, we'll sneak out and have the rest of the evening for us." Michael noticed that a smile appeared on her face. "How does that sound to you?"

"Sounds wonderful to me." Bonnie's face relaxed as she gave Michael a long kiss. "Besides, Devon promised I won't have to entertain Irving or anyone else this time. Which means I can spend the entire evening with you."

"See, this is perfect." Michael whispered in between kisses. "And because Devon feels guilty about Irving, he won't be suspicious when we'll show up there together. He'll think I'm trying to save you from annoying guests."

Bonnie let out a sigh. Feelings of guilt kept coming back as she remembered that Devon was still in the dark about their relationship. "I hate lying to Devon. And for some reason I can't get rid of the feeling that he sometimes knows that we are hiding something. I was surprised he didn't comment on our hug earlier today. It was obvious that he noticed that it lasted longer than usual."

"He was too preoccupied with the Valentine's party to notice anything." Michael reassured her as he kissed her lightly on the lips. He didn't like hiding their relationship either. It wasn't fair to Bonnie, and it wasn't fair to Devon either. He knew that they should have told him right after Thanksgiving, but they had both been afraid of his reaction. "We'll tell him - soon."

"He will be disappointed that we didn't confide in him." Bonnie mumbled. Upsetting Devon was one reason for her worries. Him not approving of their relationship worried her even more.

Michael's eyes lit up as an idea came to his mind. They had been wrecking their minds on how to tell Devon about their relationship without making him feel offended that they had been lying to him for almost four months now. "I might have a plan how to let Devon know about us. A plan which won't make him feel left out."

He took her hand and led her over to the chairs while he began explaining the details of his plan. "Devon thinks that none of us is in a relationship. So, he doesn't think we will have dates for the fundraiser. He won't be surprised if we go there together because he knows we are friends."

Bonnie nodded as she sat down on one of the chairs.

"You will be my date for the function. We'll hang out and have fun and because it's Valentine's Day and because of the kitschy decoration and the love songs of the band, suddenly we'll get into a romantic mood and realize that we have feelings for each other. Devon might notice that we'll dance tightly and hold hands and might ask questions right away or later. Then we'll act as if we are embarrassed and finally admit that we are falling in love. We'll blame it on his Valentine's Day fundraiser."

"We'll let him believe that we just realized that we have feelings for each other and fell in love at the fundraiser?" Bonnie looked at him questioningly. Michael's plan sounded reasonable. However, she wasn't convinced that Devon would believe them. "Do you really think this will work? I mean we' ve been together for a few months now. We are technically no longer newly in love."

"I know. But a few months don't make a difference. I'm still crazy in love with you and our relationship still feels new to me. Even though we are already practically living together like a married couple." He paused, unsure whether this comment would scare her. He didn't want her to feel pressured into allowing him to move in with her completely. This wasn't the reason why he had mentioned that they were spending most nights and free days together.

"But won't he find out that we've been a couple since Thanksgiving? You just said we are practically like a married couple. Devon isn't stupid, Michael and you know how hard it is for me to lie to him. He'll notice that we didn't just fall in love."

"Devon will believe that our friendship is the reason why we are so close. Besides, falling in love on Valentine's Day isn't so uncommon, isn't it?" His hand reassuringly pressed hers. "Devon doesn't suspect anything and therefore, he won't have any doubts. And we won't have to hide anymore and won't have to lie to him any longer." He paused again. "And he won't feel disappointed that we haven't told him sooner. I know that this worries you."

"We would still lie to him. Not about us but about the beginning of our relationship." Bonnie almost whispered. "And there's still the chance that he won't approve that we are a couple."

Michael sighed. He desperately wished he could take Bonnie's worries away. "I know. But he'll get past this if he won't be supportive at first. We'll prove him that our relationship doesn't affect our work." He hoped he was right. "And we are just bending the truth a little. Didn't we both agree that we'll have to tell him soon? It will never be easy, but we can't hide our relationship forever. It wouldn't be fair to neither of us." He kissed her again. "It's worth trying, isn't it?"

Bonnie remained silent and Michael noticed that her brain was working overtime. Since he knew her well, he was certain she was analyzing the pro and cons of his plan before giving him an answer. "You are right. Let's give it a try." She finally told him, her face bearing an expression of relief. "By the way, have I told you that I'm glad you are back? I've really missed you." The red lights on KITT's scanner moved back and forth quickly causing Bonnie to grin. KITT seemed to be jealous. "I meant I've missed the two of you."

"I missed you too, Bonnie. And of course, Michael also missed you." KITT replied politely.

Michael burst out in laughter as KITT decided to speak for Michael as well. "Well, thanks, KITT."

"Hey, you two lovebirds, am I interrupting?" RC III said jokingly as he walked into the semi. Bonnie immediately backed away from Michael. RC's comment made her feel nervous again. Had he been eavesdropping on their conversation? They had kept their relationship from RC as well but judging from some of his comments they had the impression that he might have figured it out himself. "So, Michael's going be your date for Devon's Valentine's party, right Bonnie?"

"Maybe. Unless she prefers going there with Irving again." Michael felt a jab in his ribcage as he answered instead of Bonnie.

RC joined in laughter. "Poor Jennifer would be so disappointed if Bonnie stole Irving from her. Haven't you all noticed that she's been smiling all the time and in such a good mood since the Christmas party?

This was another proof to Bonnie that RC was a close observer. "RC, you are aware that a fundraiser is not really a party, aren't you?" She quickly tried to deviate from her and Irving. "A fundraiser is a boring soirée, and it also means that you and Michael will have to wear a tux. And no fancy tie with blinking hearts." Bonnie chuckled. She liked seeing Michael in a tux, but she was well aware that he hated it.

"It ain't that bad." RC grinned happily "I've been told that I look quite handsome in a tux. So, April's gonna be quite pleased."

"April? April Curtis?" Bonnie and Michael replied in unison, while RC's grin grew even wider at the confused looks on their faces. April had returned to Los Angeles a few weeks ago. Although she wasn't working for the Foundation, she often stopped by to see Devon and Michael. "She's going to the fundraiser with you?"

"Yeah. That's the April I'm talking about. She'd going to be my date for the party." RC nodded happily. "Well, if she says yes. I haven't asked her yet, but I will call her later and ask her out."

"RC, don't you think Devon hasn't already asked her?" Bonnie asked politely. She didn't know April as well as Michael did, and she wasn't sure whether April was interested in RC as she'd never paid attention to his advances and was flirting with Michael instead.

"Hey, I'm a lot more handsome than Devon is." RC protested immediately." But I better call her right away." He waved at them as he dashed out the semi in order to call April before anyone else had a chance to ask her out.

Bonnie and Michael looked at each other and laughed.

"I hope she won't disappoint RC. He's so certain that she'll say yes. But knowing April, she's probably waiting for you to call her and ask her. She so enjoyed being your date last time" Bonnie said as soon as RC had walked out of the semi remembering the jealousy she'd felt seeing April walk into the ballroom with Michael.

"She might, but I'm no longer available. I already have a date. And my date is the smartest, most beautiful woman I've ever met who also happens to know how to program an AI." Michael grinned and pulled her in for another kiss. "Aren't I lucky?"