Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story.
Surprises
Chapter 8
She blinked. It couldn't be him. Michael would have informed her if he'd be able to attend the function. He wouldn't dare to just show up since he that she didn't like surprises. No, this couldn't be him.
Maybe she had fallen asleep and had dreamed about him. This could be an explanation. A vivid dream about him in which she heard his voice and made her believe that he was around.
Or even worse someone was trying to set her up and she was hallucinating or hearing voices.
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she remembered that it wouldn't be the first time someone had tried to make her doubt herself. Simon Grant's attempt to trick her into believing she was becoming crazy still caused her to feel wary.
She closed her eyes again to blink a third time. "Three time's a charm", she thought. "If he's still there when I open my eyes, he must be real." Slowly, slowlier than the first two times, she opened her eyes, anxious to find out what would expect her.
As a large part of her had hoped, he was still there. And there he was, now standing in front of her with his trademark smile on his face. Their eyes met and he moved closer, his hand reaching out to touch her hair.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." He eyed her worriedly, astonished by her the look on her face. "I was expecting a different reaction. Like yelling at me, giving me the angry look you've reserved specially for me." He paused. "Or a hug and a kiss. Which I actually would prefer, given the fact that we are alone here."
Her eyes were still directed at him while she reflected on his words, forgetting that he was waiting for an answer or a reaction.
"Bon?" Michael calling her by her nickname jarred her out of her thoughts.
She blinked, still sorting her thoughts. A million thoughts were running through her head, evaluating how she should react. She felt anger and disappointment, but also guilt about having doubted him and happiness because he was here. And once again he had planned a surprise, knowing how little she liked being surprised.
How much time had passed since his arrival in the patio? A minute? Or more? She wasn't sure as she had lost track of time while being in thoughts. Michael was still eying her nervously. She sighed before the most pressing thought on her mind finally left her mouth.
"Michael, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on an assignment?" Her voice sounded louder and harsher than intended and she immediately felt guilty as Michael stepped back, looking disappointed.
But did she really need an explanation. Didn't he owe it to her? Only a few hours ago, the last time they had talked, he had told her how upset he was about the assignment. Then RC had informed her that Devon had allowed Michael to start his assignment the next day. But no one had bothered to tell her.
The hurt look on his face made Bonnie instantly regret having yelled at him without giving him a chance to explain.
Granted, she didn't like surprises and Michael should know this by now. But he was here. Now. At the fundraiser. On Valentine's Day. He had come to see her and to be with her. Shouldn't this be all that mattered?
And all she did was yell at him.
"Ouch. What a nice welcome." He finally mumbled. It was obvious that he was hurt that his idea to surprise Bonnie apparently hadn't been a good plan.
Her heart filled with guilt. "Michael... I…I'm sorry. I didn't hear you come in and you startled me." She paused for a moment. "I didn't expect you to be here. And I hate surprises."
Their eyes met and she noticed the way Michael was looking at her. How could she be upset when she could see in his face how much he loved her?
She walked closer to him and gave him a long kiss. "Happy Valentine's Day to you too."
"That's much better." Michael mumbled and kissed her back.
"Shouldn't you be working on a case?" She whispered in between kisses.
"I begged Devon to let me spend Valentine's Day with the woman I love. It took me a lot effort to convince him but he finally gave in." He smiled at her. "He was worried that you might be angry that I got the evening off. Therefore, he didn't inform you. And I didn't tell you because I wanted to surprise you. Which apparently wasn't a good idea."
His guilty grin made her laugh. "You should know by now how I feel about surprises."
"You are probably the only woman in the world who doesn't appreciate my surprises." He laughed.
His remark made her remember the thoughts she had when she found out he had lied to her. "Surprises shouldn't involve lies. Besides, RC partly ruined your surprise. He heard you and Devon talking and knew that you were enjoying yourself instead of working." Bonnie hesitated. Should she tell him about her fears? "For a moment, I feared that you had run off with some other girl since I wasn't clued in. But ... but ... in my heart I knew you wouldn't do that."
Her confession shocked him. How could she still believe he wasn't honest about his feelings to her? "Bon, I swear I would never hurt you. You are the only woman I want to be with. You are very important to me." Michael kissed her head. He didn't like what she had told him, but he couldn't blame her. He had done things like that in the past and had flirted with almost every woman he had met. He wouldn't do anything to disappoint her, and he wanted Bonnie to know that she could trust him. "I love you, Bon."
"I know, Michael." She looked into his eyes, hoping he'd see that she believed him. "I'm sorry that I had doubted you. I trust you, Michael. And I love you too."
"You don't have to apologize, Bon. It's my fault. I gave you enough reasons to doubt me. And I have to admit that my surprise was ill-conceived." He slid his arm around her waist and led her back to the ballroom. "So, Ms. Barstow, shouldn't we begin to enjoy the evening? How about raiding the buffet?"
"Mr. Knight, I'd say you owe me a dance first." Bonnie winked at him. "And then raid the buffet and sneak out."
