Answers (KR, PG)
I can finally post it - hope some of you are still around.
Answers is a tag for Surprises and Questions. It takes place the day after the Valentine‘s Day fundraiser.
Title: Answers
Author: spacerat1
Rating: PG
Summary: Questions demand answers and Devon needs a few answers from Michael.
Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story.
Answers
They got up early the next morning though both hadn’t slept much that night. Their desire to be close to each other hadn’t been the only reason for their lack of sleep. Bonnie had a lot on her mind that kept her awake and so did Michael. She felt guilty about doubting Michael and Michael was worried about Devon’s reaction.
They knew that they shouldn’t be late for work. Bonnie had to check KITT’s systems before Michael could leave on his assignment.
Michael had to face Devon - not only to be briefed again about the case but probably also to answer several questions about his relationship with Bonnie. Neither of them was hungry but Bonnie insisted on coffee and a quick breakfast so that Michael wouldn’t start his assignment on an empty stomach.
“Good morning”, KITT ‘s red scanner moved faster as the couple approached the parking lot. They had left Bonnie’s car at the mansion last night and had returned to her apartment with KITT. “Bonnie, I think you have to check my circuits. You might need to align them.”
“What did the nut do to you this time?” Bonnie said using the nickname she’d had given Michael after they had first met. “KITT, you will get a full check-up once we are at the Foundation.” She promised him. “I didn’t expect you to be back already otherwise I would have prepared your bay.” She knew it wouldn’t take her long to have her tools ready and the computers set up and she could have easily done it last night. If it had been an ordinary day she might have used this as an excuse to escape the fundraiser. Last night, however, neither she nor Michael wanted to lose a minute of the few hours they could spend together.
Bonnie quickly went to work as soon as Michael had parked KITT in the garage. Michael had to leave soon, and she wanted to be sure KITT was ready for their next assignment.
Michael watched her for a moment as he turned on the coffeemaker knowing that she would need a few more cups during her work.
As always, he admired how focused she was when she worked on KITT. She didn’t even notice him anymore. Not that he was offended. He knew that she wasn’t ignoring him on purpose. She was KITT’s technician and she took her job seriously. Taking care of KITT meant that they were both were safe on the road and Michael was grateful for Bonnie’s precise work.
He would have loved to stay with her, watch her as she tested KITT’s systems and checked his circuits, but Devon was waiting for him and he couldn’t avoid facing him any longer. Bonnie was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice Michael giving her a quick kiss on the head before he left for Devon's office.
**********
The door to Devon’s office was open - a sign that he indeed had been waiting for Michael.
“Yo, Devon. What’s up?” Michael asked trying to lighten the mood when he walked over to Devon’s desk. Devon looked tired, his brows were furrowed, and Michael could tell that Devon hadn’t got much sleep last night either.
“I’m not in the mood for small talk, Michael.” Devon said dryly. He pointed to the chairs next to his desk. “Sit down.”
Ignoring the chairs, Michael sat down on Devon‘s desk and studied his face which showed signs of anger and disappointment, not his usual fatherly expression.
“For how long has this been going on, Michael?“
“What do you mean with “this“, he asked trying to buy himself time.
“You know exactly what I mean.“ Devon answered impatiently. “I‘m talking about your relationship with Bonnie.“
Michael sighed and waited for a moment with his answer. He wasn’t sure how to break the news to Devon that he and Bonnie had been a couple for almost three months without telling anyone. Neither of them had intended to keep their relationship a secret for so long. But the right moment to tell Devon had never come.
He knew he owed Devon an answer. He felt that the older man was watching him. Again, Michael wished Bonnie was there as well. Her calming presence would have helped him. She would have found the right words to explain their reasons without hurting Devon’s feeling or upsetting him.
Another minute passed without any words from either of them. Devon wouldn’t let him leave without an explanation so Michael couldn’t use his assignment as an excuse to head back to the garage.
“Well, Michael?” Devon interrupted his thoughts. “I’m still waiting.”
Michael took a deep breath. “Devon, we didn’t mean to keep it a secret. We just kind of missed the right moment to tell you….”
“You are not answering my question, Michael.” Devon looked into Michael’s eyes. He could tell that this was not easy for Michael, but he wanted answers. He was upset that he had to find out about them at the fundraiser and he wondered if they would have ever told him otherwise.
“Well, okay.“ Michael cleared his throat. He wished Devon had offered him a glass of water as his mouth suddenly felt dry. “Devon, you know that I’ve had feelings for Bonnie for a long time.”
“To be honest, Michael, I didn’t. I was aware that you and Bonnie had become closer in the last years and that she helped you through your grief when you lost Stevie. But I wasn’t aware that you actually had feelings for Bonnie.“ Devon caught Michael glancing at the carafe of water on the table next to his desk and poured some water into a glass for him. “I noticed your flirting and bickering when you met her but I always had and still have the impression that it was Stevie whom your heart belongs. Besides, you were quite busy with several other young ladies.”
Michael gratefully took the glass. He felt better when the cool water filled his dry mouth. “That was a long time ago. Yes, I went out with several women back then but nothing happened with most of them. And you are right, I will always love Stevie. But I also love Bonnie. It took us both time to admit our feelings and I’m glad we finally realized that we love each other.” He paused for a moment. “And to answer your question, it began after Thanksgiving…”
Devon raised an eyebrow. Almost three months had passed since Thanksgiving. They had kept this a secret for last few months, and he hadn’t even noticed.
Before he could say something, Michael went on. “We weren’t sure where it would lead so we took it slowly and kept our relationship for ourselves. We never meant to hurt you by not telling you. We just wanted to be sure that our relationship would work and that it was serious. And then somehow we missed the right moment and we didn’t know how you’d feel about it.” He took another sip. “Devon, I really love Bonnie. Those past months have been the best ones in a long time. I didn’t think that after Stevie I’d be happy again. But I am - and this is because of Bonnie. She’s good for me. She is the only woman with whom I can be who I am. She knows my past and she understands that I love my work.”
Devon had to admit that he was surprised by Michael’s honesty. He hadn’t expected him to talk about his feelings so openly and he hadn’t thought that his relationship with Bonnie was so serious.
He cleared his throat and refilled Michael’s glass. “Well, Michael, I have to say I was quite stunned and upset last night when you told me that Bonnie was your girlfriend. Part of me was disappointed that you didn’t bother to tell me.”
“Devon, we were worried that you wouldn’t approve. Especially Bonnie as she knows you think of her as a daughter. We were afraid that you’d make us choose between love and our work.” Michael explaining Bonnie’s worries. Neither of them wanted to give up their job at FLAG but they didn’t want to end their relationship either. “But we can make both work. We agreed that we wouldn’t let our relationship interfere with our work. I don’t want Bonnie to leave the FLAG ever again.”
“I hope so. It wouldn’t help having Bonnie neglect her work or even put herself in danger because she worries about you, Michael.” Devon gave him a stern look. “I don’t want her to be hurt - neither by you or by anyone using her to get to you.”
I would never do anything to hurt her, Devon. She is too important to me. My days as ladies’ man are long over.” Michael reminded Devon. He had changed since his first year at FLAG. “I will also do my best not to put her in danger. This is another reason why we kept quiet about us.”
It was obvious to Devon that Bonnie was not a conquest or a fling for Michael. He had never heard him talk about his feelings for a woman - apart from Stevie - so openly. Though Stevie had been the love of Michael’s life, Michael could never be honest with her about who he really was, and he had to choose between her and his life at FLAG - something that Bonnie would never ask Michael to do.
Devon knew he had to put his anger and worries aside because he had to admit that being with Bonnie was good for Michael.
“Well, I still trying to figure out what to think of everything. It was quite a surprise and I have to get used to seeing you and Bonnie as more than just co-workers.” Devon slowly answered. “Michael, I can understand why you didn’t inform me sooner although I’m still disappointed about it. You could have told me last week when you mentioned you were seeing someone.” He paused for a moment. ”I reckon you had to bribe KITT to be silent.”
Michael laughed and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. He got the impression that Devon’s mood was no longer as disgruntled as it had been when he had walked into his office. “You bet. You know that he doesn’t like keeping secrets.”
“I hope you remember to be honest when your relationship takes the next level. Not that you suddenly tell me that you’d eloped.” Devon added with a wink. He wondered what their plans were if they had already talked about it. However, he figured it wasn’t the right time to question Michael about it now. Most of his anger had vanished and he credited Michael’s honesty for that. His worries on the other hand hadn’t disappeared yet and while he felt Michael was serious about Bonnie, Devon still couldn’t rejoice about their relationship.
“Of course.” Michael blushed. Not wanting to discuss this topic with Devon before he was certain it was the right time to propose to Bonnie, he quickly changed the subject. “Now, you said my next assignment is a tax fraud case? Seriously?”
**********
Bonnie was still focused on KITT and didn’t hear Michael walk back into the garage. He silently sat down on one of the workbenches and watched her work. Her dedication and preciseness were obvious. She would never allow him to leave with KITT before she hadn’t made sure none of KITT’s programs weren’t working properly.
“How long have you been staring at me?” Bonnie had been working underneath KITT’s hood when she realized that Michael had returned from Devon’s office. “How did it go?”
“I’m still alive.” Michael laughed as she walked over to him. Her overall was stained with oil and he noticed smudges on her face too. “I told him how I feel about you and I think he understood that we never meant to upset him by not telling him. It will take him some time to get used to us, but he’ll come around.” He got up from the workbench and pulled her into a hug. “Is KITT ready?
“Yes, he is. He’s powered up and I realigned his circuits. Do me a favor and don’t speed on bumpy roads, okay?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Can’t wait for you to be back.”
“Me too.” Michael mumbled before he kissed her back. “Shouldn’t take too long. Looks like a simple case to me. I’ll be back in no time.”
They kissed again, this time longer as they knew it would take a few days before they’d be together again. Michael pulled her into one last hug before he climbed into the driver’s seat and activated the Passive Laser Restraint System.
“Be careful, Michael.” Bonnie stepped back from the door. “You too, KITT. I love you both.”
“We love you too.” Michael smiled and blew her a kiss before he carefully backed out of the garage.
She watched them as they drove off hoping that it was indeed a simple case and the man she loved would be back soon.
Devon had walked into the garage briefly before Michael and KITT had left. He had witnessed their goodbye and had decided not to interrupt them. It still felt strange to see Bonnie and Michael together and share such tender moments, but he knew he would have to accept their relationship. The questions he had had about it had been mostly answered by Michael, but he also needed some answers from Bonnie. Not now though. It could wait until later when they would sit together with his usual cup of tea and her usual cup of coffee. For now, he was content with the answers Michael had given him.
Answers is a tag for Surprises and Questions. It takes place the day after the Valentine‘s Day fundraiser.
Title: Answers
Author: spacerat1
Rating: PG
Summary: Questions demand answers and Devon needs a few answers from Michael.
Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story.
Answers
They got up early the next morning though both hadn’t slept much that night. Their desire to be close to each other hadn’t been the only reason for their lack of sleep. Bonnie had a lot on her mind that kept her awake and so did Michael. She felt guilty about doubting Michael and Michael was worried about Devon’s reaction.
They knew that they shouldn’t be late for work. Bonnie had to check KITT’s systems before Michael could leave on his assignment.
Michael had to face Devon - not only to be briefed again about the case but probably also to answer several questions about his relationship with Bonnie. Neither of them was hungry but Bonnie insisted on coffee and a quick breakfast so that Michael wouldn’t start his assignment on an empty stomach.
“Good morning”, KITT ‘s red scanner moved faster as the couple approached the parking lot. They had left Bonnie’s car at the mansion last night and had returned to her apartment with KITT. “Bonnie, I think you have to check my circuits. You might need to align them.”
“What did the nut do to you this time?” Bonnie said using the nickname she’d had given Michael after they had first met. “KITT, you will get a full check-up once we are at the Foundation.” She promised him. “I didn’t expect you to be back already otherwise I would have prepared your bay.” She knew it wouldn’t take her long to have her tools ready and the computers set up and she could have easily done it last night. If it had been an ordinary day she might have used this as an excuse to escape the fundraiser. Last night, however, neither she nor Michael wanted to lose a minute of the few hours they could spend together.
Bonnie quickly went to work as soon as Michael had parked KITT in the garage. Michael had to leave soon, and she wanted to be sure KITT was ready for their next assignment.
Michael watched her for a moment as he turned on the coffeemaker knowing that she would need a few more cups during her work.
As always, he admired how focused she was when she worked on KITT. She didn’t even notice him anymore. Not that he was offended. He knew that she wasn’t ignoring him on purpose. She was KITT’s technician and she took her job seriously. Taking care of KITT meant that they were both were safe on the road and Michael was grateful for Bonnie’s precise work.
He would have loved to stay with her, watch her as she tested KITT’s systems and checked his circuits, but Devon was waiting for him and he couldn’t avoid facing him any longer. Bonnie was so absorbed in her work that she didn’t notice Michael giving her a quick kiss on the head before he left for Devon's office.
**********
The door to Devon’s office was open - a sign that he indeed had been waiting for Michael.
“Yo, Devon. What’s up?” Michael asked trying to lighten the mood when he walked over to Devon’s desk. Devon looked tired, his brows were furrowed, and Michael could tell that Devon hadn’t got much sleep last night either.
“I’m not in the mood for small talk, Michael.” Devon said dryly. He pointed to the chairs next to his desk. “Sit down.”
Ignoring the chairs, Michael sat down on Devon‘s desk and studied his face which showed signs of anger and disappointment, not his usual fatherly expression.
“For how long has this been going on, Michael?“
“What do you mean with “this“, he asked trying to buy himself time.
“You know exactly what I mean.“ Devon answered impatiently. “I‘m talking about your relationship with Bonnie.“
Michael sighed and waited for a moment with his answer. He wasn’t sure how to break the news to Devon that he and Bonnie had been a couple for almost three months without telling anyone. Neither of them had intended to keep their relationship a secret for so long. But the right moment to tell Devon had never come.
He knew he owed Devon an answer. He felt that the older man was watching him. Again, Michael wished Bonnie was there as well. Her calming presence would have helped him. She would have found the right words to explain their reasons without hurting Devon’s feeling or upsetting him.
Another minute passed without any words from either of them. Devon wouldn’t let him leave without an explanation so Michael couldn’t use his assignment as an excuse to head back to the garage.
“Well, Michael?” Devon interrupted his thoughts. “I’m still waiting.”
Michael took a deep breath. “Devon, we didn’t mean to keep it a secret. We just kind of missed the right moment to tell you….”
“You are not answering my question, Michael.” Devon looked into Michael’s eyes. He could tell that this was not easy for Michael, but he wanted answers. He was upset that he had to find out about them at the fundraiser and he wondered if they would have ever told him otherwise.
“Well, okay.“ Michael cleared his throat. He wished Devon had offered him a glass of water as his mouth suddenly felt dry. “Devon, you know that I’ve had feelings for Bonnie for a long time.”
“To be honest, Michael, I didn’t. I was aware that you and Bonnie had become closer in the last years and that she helped you through your grief when you lost Stevie. But I wasn’t aware that you actually had feelings for Bonnie.“ Devon caught Michael glancing at the carafe of water on the table next to his desk and poured some water into a glass for him. “I noticed your flirting and bickering when you met her but I always had and still have the impression that it was Stevie whom your heart belongs. Besides, you were quite busy with several other young ladies.”
Michael gratefully took the glass. He felt better when the cool water filled his dry mouth. “That was a long time ago. Yes, I went out with several women back then but nothing happened with most of them. And you are right, I will always love Stevie. But I also love Bonnie. It took us both time to admit our feelings and I’m glad we finally realized that we love each other.” He paused for a moment. “And to answer your question, it began after Thanksgiving…”
Devon raised an eyebrow. Almost three months had passed since Thanksgiving. They had kept this a secret for last few months, and he hadn’t even noticed.
Before he could say something, Michael went on. “We weren’t sure where it would lead so we took it slowly and kept our relationship for ourselves. We never meant to hurt you by not telling you. We just wanted to be sure that our relationship would work and that it was serious. And then somehow we missed the right moment and we didn’t know how you’d feel about it.” He took another sip. “Devon, I really love Bonnie. Those past months have been the best ones in a long time. I didn’t think that after Stevie I’d be happy again. But I am - and this is because of Bonnie. She’s good for me. She is the only woman with whom I can be who I am. She knows my past and she understands that I love my work.”
Devon had to admit that he was surprised by Michael’s honesty. He hadn’t expected him to talk about his feelings so openly and he hadn’t thought that his relationship with Bonnie was so serious.
He cleared his throat and refilled Michael’s glass. “Well, Michael, I have to say I was quite stunned and upset last night when you told me that Bonnie was your girlfriend. Part of me was disappointed that you didn’t bother to tell me.”
“Devon, we were worried that you wouldn’t approve. Especially Bonnie as she knows you think of her as a daughter. We were afraid that you’d make us choose between love and our work.” Michael explaining Bonnie’s worries. Neither of them wanted to give up their job at FLAG but they didn’t want to end their relationship either. “But we can make both work. We agreed that we wouldn’t let our relationship interfere with our work. I don’t want Bonnie to leave the FLAG ever again.”
“I hope so. It wouldn’t help having Bonnie neglect her work or even put herself in danger because she worries about you, Michael.” Devon gave him a stern look. “I don’t want her to be hurt - neither by you or by anyone using her to get to you.”
I would never do anything to hurt her, Devon. She is too important to me. My days as ladies’ man are long over.” Michael reminded Devon. He had changed since his first year at FLAG. “I will also do my best not to put her in danger. This is another reason why we kept quiet about us.”
It was obvious to Devon that Bonnie was not a conquest or a fling for Michael. He had never heard him talk about his feelings for a woman - apart from Stevie - so openly. Though Stevie had been the love of Michael’s life, Michael could never be honest with her about who he really was, and he had to choose between her and his life at FLAG - something that Bonnie would never ask Michael to do.
Devon knew he had to put his anger and worries aside because he had to admit that being with Bonnie was good for Michael.
“Well, I still trying to figure out what to think of everything. It was quite a surprise and I have to get used to seeing you and Bonnie as more than just co-workers.” Devon slowly answered. “Michael, I can understand why you didn’t inform me sooner although I’m still disappointed about it. You could have told me last week when you mentioned you were seeing someone.” He paused for a moment. ”I reckon you had to bribe KITT to be silent.”
Michael laughed and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. He got the impression that Devon’s mood was no longer as disgruntled as it had been when he had walked into his office. “You bet. You know that he doesn’t like keeping secrets.”
“I hope you remember to be honest when your relationship takes the next level. Not that you suddenly tell me that you’d eloped.” Devon added with a wink. He wondered what their plans were if they had already talked about it. However, he figured it wasn’t the right time to question Michael about it now. Most of his anger had vanished and he credited Michael’s honesty for that. His worries on the other hand hadn’t disappeared yet and while he felt Michael was serious about Bonnie, Devon still couldn’t rejoice about their relationship.
“Of course.” Michael blushed. Not wanting to discuss this topic with Devon before he was certain it was the right time to propose to Bonnie, he quickly changed the subject. “Now, you said my next assignment is a tax fraud case? Seriously?”
**********
Bonnie was still focused on KITT and didn’t hear Michael walk back into the garage. He silently sat down on one of the workbenches and watched her work. Her dedication and preciseness were obvious. She would never allow him to leave with KITT before she hadn’t made sure none of KITT’s programs weren’t working properly.
“How long have you been staring at me?” Bonnie had been working underneath KITT’s hood when she realized that Michael had returned from Devon’s office. “How did it go?”
“I’m still alive.” Michael laughed as she walked over to him. Her overall was stained with oil and he noticed smudges on her face too. “I told him how I feel about you and I think he understood that we never meant to upset him by not telling him. It will take him some time to get used to us, but he’ll come around.” He got up from the workbench and pulled her into a hug. “Is KITT ready?
“Yes, he is. He’s powered up and I realigned his circuits. Do me a favor and don’t speed on bumpy roads, okay?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Can’t wait for you to be back.”
“Me too.” Michael mumbled before he kissed her back. “Shouldn’t take too long. Looks like a simple case to me. I’ll be back in no time.”
They kissed again, this time longer as they knew it would take a few days before they’d be together again. Michael pulled her into one last hug before he climbed into the driver’s seat and activated the Passive Laser Restraint System.
“Be careful, Michael.” Bonnie stepped back from the door. “You too, KITT. I love you both.”
“We love you too.” Michael smiled and blew her a kiss before he carefully backed out of the garage.
She watched them as they drove off hoping that it was indeed a simple case and the man she loved would be back soon.
Devon had walked into the garage briefly before Michael and KITT had left. He had witnessed their goodbye and had decided not to interrupt them. It still felt strange to see Bonnie and Michael together and share such tender moments, but he knew he would have to accept their relationship. The questions he had had about it had been mostly answered by Michael, but he also needed some answers from Bonnie. Not now though. It could wait until later when they would sit together with his usual cup of tea and her usual cup of coffee. For now, he was content with the answers Michael had given him.