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

Surprises

Chapter 5

"No, Devon, I need at least a day off." Michael shook his head vehemently as he was told by the Englishman that a new case would require his attention on Valentine's Day. A frustrated sigh escaped his mouth while he and KITT were speeding through the desert in Nevada. He should have known that an unexpected call from Devon didn't bear any good news. Briefly he regretted having picked up the call, but he knew it wouldn't have made the case and the matter disappear. It would have only postponed the conversation he was now having with Devon.

It wasn't the fact that there was an urgent new assignment that bothered Michael. He was used to calls like this one and though he would have complained at first, normally he wouldn't have minded being sent on the road again and missing a function at the Foundation headquarter. However, this time the situation was different and working on this case meant that he would be away from the woman he loved on the day which was dedicated to people in love.

Like Bonnie, he was less than delighted about the prospect of spending Valentine's Day without the person he loved. Although he had never cared much about Valentine's Day and had never felt excited about this day, he had bought Stevie flowers and they had enjoyed romantic dinners. However, his opinion about Valentine's Day was different this year. For the first time in his life, Michael actually thought Valentine's Day was a nice tradition and he had been looking forward to enjoying the day with Bonnie by his side.

"This case is important, Michael." Devon insisted while his eyes cast a stern look at Michael though the monitor. Michael's reaction had caught him off guard as he had assumed the younger man would be delighted about being excused from the function. "It cannot wait."

"It can't be that important, Devon. It's tax fraud case. No one was murdered, no one is in danger. The label 'urgent' must have been put on the file by mistake. It can definitely wait a few days." Michael said persistently. "A few days won't make a difference, Devon. Do these people not care about Valentine's Day?"

"Michael, I promised..." Devon continued, his eyebrows furrowed in worry. How was he going to explain a possible delay to the board members who had considered this case a pressing matter? "I assumed you would be relieved that you won't have to attend the fundraiser."

"Devon, please listen. I'm not trying to get out of the assignment, believe me. I just don't want to be on the road on Valentine's Day." Michael sighed as his eyes caught the questioning look on Devon's face.

Michael knew it was pointless to come up with lame excuses to avoid having to work on the case right away. He had to tell Devon the truth. The real reason why he wanted to be in town for Valentine's Day. "Because this is the first Valentine's Day with the woman who means the world to me. I promised her that I would spend the evening with her. Well, at least a part of it."

He paused for a moment and watched Devon carefully, trying to anticipate his reaction. "I wasn't overjoyed about you hosting a fundraiser but at least I could have left after a while and enjoy the rest of the evening with her. But now, I won't be able to see her at all."

Devon let Michael's words sink in. This wasn't what he had expected Michael to confess to him. Therefore, he remained silently waiting for Michael to continue.

"I don't want to disappoint her, Devon. This means a lot to both of us. And ... she ... she is very important to me." Michael added quietly. He hoped Devon would understand his reasons without asking too many questions, especially about the identity of his love interest. Michael didn't feel comfortable sharing more details, especially Bonnie's name, without talking to her first. "I promise I'll start working on the new case the next day. No excuses, no delays. Just one day."

After a long pause, Devon cleared his throat. "I was not aware that you were in a serious relationship, Michael." In the past, Michael had been more vocal about his latest conquests. However, Devon knew that things had been different since Stevie's death. He had stopped flirting and going out with women for over a year. Lately though, there had been female overnight guests in Michael's room at the mansion, but Michael had been very discreet about their presence and identity. Had Devon been mistaken, and these guests hadn't been flings or random conquests?

"I didn't want anyone to know." Michael replied carefully. "Some people might still think it's too early for me to be in a relationship again."

One and a half years had passed since Stevie's death. Sometimes, in his nightmares, Michael recalled every moment of their wedding day and it seemed to him as if it had only happened recently and he could still feel her body in his arms after she was shot. These were the moments when he worried that people would criticize him for being with another woman again, not even two years after his bride had been killed on their wedding day. But it made him also fear that his happiness with Bonnie wouldn't last and that he'd lose her as well. Therefore, it felt safer to keep their relationship and the fact that he was in love again a secret.

"Well...I see..." As Michael's confession had been a surprise, Devon didn't know what to reply. He felt guilty because he immediately had wondered whether it wasn't too soon for Michael to fall in love again.

Minutes passed in silence with Michael eying him expectantly. Devon was aware that he had to make a decision about the assignment. He dreaded having to face the board and explain to them that they wouldn't work at the new case immediately. But did he really have to inform them? After all, it was only a delay of a day or two which wouldn't make much of a difference as Michael had already pointed out. Since Michael had dedicated his life to the Foundation and was willing to risk his life every time he worked on a case, it was only fair to grant him this wish. "Well, fine, Michael. I assume the case can wait another day if you start working on it the day after Valentine's Day."

"Of course, Devon!" Michael's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected Devon to agree to his plea so quickly. "I promise, I'll be on the road right after breakfast."

"I know." Devon smiled at Michael through the screen. It made him happy to see the sparkle in Michael's eyes. The sad look in his eyes which Devon had noticed since Stevie's death seemed to have disappeared. "I'm glad to see you smiling again. This woman must be very special."

Secretly, he wondered who she was and why Michael was so secretive about her. Was she someone he knew? Someone who had been to their functions? Or was she married, and Michael didn't want to put her into a compromising situation? It was inevitable that he would have to have a conversation with Michael about this woman and their relationship in the near future.

"She is." The smile on Michael's face grew wider which made Devon chuckle.

"However, there is one problem." Devon continued carefully, and Michael looked at him in surprise. "Bonnie will be furious if she finds out that you'll be excused from the fundraiser for personal reasons and not because you are working on a case. She will argue that either you will attend or that she and Reginald will be excused as well. Which won't be an option as their presence is required there."

"Probably…." Michael knew that the new situation would be a problem for both of them. He was now excused from the fundraiser, but Bonnie wasn't. If he still went, Devon would become suspicious why he was there after all. And if he didn't go, he wouldn't be with Bonnie until later that evening. Which was better than not being able to see her at all. But how would she feel about having to lie again?

Michael's lips turned into a grin as an idea came to mind. "Then don't tell her that I'm not working."

Of course, this was the solution to the dilemma. They wouldn't clue her in and he'd surprise her on Valentine's Day.

"I'm afraid I don't know how I'm supposed to keep this information from her." Devon explained. A puzzled look appeared on his face.

"It's easy. I assume that you've already told her that I will be working on a case." Bonnie had been distracted and almost snippy when he had talked to her briefly before Devon's call. She had been sitting in front of her computer and Michael blamed her behavior on the fact that he had interrupted her work. However, Devon's nod confirmed him now that the reason for her reaction was the new assignment. "Don't mention our conversation and what we agreed on. I'll turn off Kitt's homing device briefly before I head back to Los Angeles so that she doesn't know we are back in town. You just keep her distracted with the fundraiser so that she won't notice and won't worry about our safety." Michael explained to Devon. This was only part of his plan though. He wouldn't tell Bonnie that he didn't have to work on Valentine's Day. Instead, he would return to Los Angeles in the afternoon. Then he'd buy her flowers and later lure her away from the fundraiser to surprise her. She'd be angry with him at first as she didn't like surprises and because he hadn't told her the truth. But he was convinced she'd forget her anger and forgive him for lying once she will have realized that he only did it so that he would be with her on Valentine's Day.

"Well, fine. But I will tell her it was your idea you if she finds out." Devon said hesitantly, unsure whether he should go along with Michael's plan.

"I can live with that. I know how to handle Bonnie's wrath." Michael grinned. "Thanks, Devon. I owe you."

"Now go back to work before I change my mind." Devon laughed. "And don't even think about repaying me with Sloppy Joe's."