It's the day after.  Do things still look the same in the light of day?

Candid Steele - Part VII

Laura stretched languidly, slowly opening her eyes in the process.  She rubbed the sleep out of them and focused on her surroundings.  Her eyes fixed and riveted themselves on the man sleeping beside her.   She'd seen Remington asleep countless times before but this was different.   This was "the morning after" and everything always looked different in that type of light.  She smiled as she recalled the night before, it was everything she'd always hoped and dreaded mixed in to one incredible evening.  She knew that when they finally came together that they would be suited perfectly for each other.   She had hoped it would be wonderful and she was far from disappointed.  The irony was that she also dreaded it because she knew it would be the moment of truth.   No more hiding behind flippant remarks, subtle innuendoes or plain fear of the unknown.  She smiled as she pushed aside the dread part and concentrated on the wonderful part. 

"Funny, I've awakened to your lovely face quite often over the years, and I don't recall smiling being one of your morning traits."  Remington said with amusement.

His voice brought Laura out of her reverie and she couldn't help but laugh. 

"Is that so, Mr. Steele?  Well, I suppose that's something we will have to rectify in the future.  Wouldn't you agree?"

"Oh, most assuredly, Miss Holt.   But don't you think we have sufficiently exhausted the formality between us?"   Remington said with the intense look that always melted Laura like chocolate.

"I don't know, I rather like calling you, Mr. Steele.  It's almost like a pet name."  Laura said with a concentrated effort.

Remington rolled Laura onto her back and kissed her soundly.  She responded immediately by winding her arms around his neck to pull him closer.  Passions were beginning to flare until the screech of Remington's alarm clock doused their ardor like a well placed bucket of water.  They both sat up immediately, their eyes going to the offending sound.

"Damn, forgot to turn it off last night."  Remington muttered in annoyance. 

He got of out bed and went over to his dresser to turn the alarm off.  Laura watched him, surprisingly without shyness considering that he hadn't bother to put on any clothes.  He turned around and  caught her looking at him.  He raised an eyebrow as he stood there a few seconds longer than necessary to give her time to finish her perusal of him.

"Will I suffice, Laura?"  

He didn't need to clarify what he meant.   Laura knew perfectly well what he was asking.  She stood up and slowly walked over to him.  She knew he was perusing her and that pleased her.  She stopped in front of him and looked at him intently.

"You always have, Remington.  I suppose last night confirmed that for both of us," Laura stood on tip toe to kiss him.

"You'll get no complaints from me, I've always lusted after you, and have been quite adamant about it.  Now then, how about some breakfast?"  Remington said as he returned her kiss.

"How about a shower, first?"   Laura said as she pulled a willing Remington behind her.

It was some time later before they made it out of the bathroom.  It was Saturday, and they didn't have anything planned yet, so Remington opted to wear his jeans and a sweatshirt.  Daniel would have a coronary if he could see him now.  Daniel was strict on him growing up, he refused to allow him to dress down no matter what the circumstances.  Old habits died hard and Remington had only just acquired the ability to dress casually without feeling out of sorts.   He chuckled to himself as he picked up a towel and began drying his hair.  He told Laura that he'd be in the kitchen preparing breakfast if she needed him.

Remington was on his way into the kitchen when his front door buzzer went off.  He backtracked and went to answer the door.  He opened it, and if he was surprised to see Murphy standing in his doorway, he didn't show it.

"Hello Murphy, a tad bit early to be making house calls, don't you think?" 

"I'd like to speak with Laura, if she's still here."  Murphy said, ignoring Remington's previous remark.

Remington stood aside and let Murphy come through the door. 

"Still here?  How did you know she was here in the first place?  Ah yes, ever the detective.  I suppose you camped out all night in your car across the street, eh Murphy?"  Remington said with annoyance.

"No, I didn't watch your house all night.  I didn't need to.  I called Laura a few times and she didn't answer.  It didn't take a Rhodes scholar to figure out she came here.  Well, I gather the long awaited night of passion is over with, now what?  Do you plan on sticking close, or are you going to suddenly be called back to wherever you came from on some emergency?"  Murphy said glaring at Remington.

Remington didn't hesitate to get in Murphy's face and shove him against the wall.

"Careful mate, another crack like that one and you'll find out just how close I can be."  Remington said menacingly.

"Damn, I don't like you."  Murphy said as he knocked Remington's hand off him and straightened out his jacket.

"The feeling's mutual, I assure you.  Wait here, and don't wear a hole in the carpet."  Remington said as he acknowledged the disagreement was at a momentary cease fire.

Remington went in to his bedroom and closed the door.  A few minutes later, he came back out and glared once more at Murphy before he continued on into the kitchen.

"Murphy, what are you doing here?"  Laura said as she came in to the living room to greet him. 

She was wearing the same thing she had on last night which only confirmed what Murphy already knew, she'd spent the night.  He tried hard to swallow what immediately rose to his lips and damn near bit his tongue.

"Look Laura, I called you a few times last night, but I didn't get you.  I figured you were probably over here.  Before you say it's none of my business, I just wanted to tell you that I am sorry, very sorry about last night.  What I said didn't come out the way I'd planned it.  I wanted you to know how I felt, and I wanted to voice my concern about things.  It wasn't my intention to get so angry and rail on you like that.  I want us to be able to work together professionally, Laura.  We make a hell of a team, I don't want that to ever change.  I won't lie, I'm hurt as hell that we can't be more to each other, but I guess like anything, I'll get over it in time.  So, will you except my apology?" 

Laura walked over to Murphy and placed her arm on his shoulder.  "Only if you except mine.  Murphy, I too am sorry, more than I can say about how things went last night.  I had no right yelling at you like I did.   You are one of my closest friends, and we should be able to say anything to each other.  I somehow forgot that yesterday.  I won't in the future, I promise you.   I know that you have reservations about him, Murphy, and I did too, but I don't anymore.  I'm sure  this is where he wants to be, and where he'll stay.  It isn't just a sexual fascination that's holding him here, it's much deeper than that.  It's commitment to me, and to the agency.  I choose to take it that way, Murphy, you don't have to.  I should have been able to see that last night," Laura said with regret.

"Friends?"  Murphy held out his hand.

"The best," Laura said with emotion as she touched Murphy's hand and went into his arms.

Murphy hugged Laura to him for a few seconds then released her.  His eyes held a hint of sadness that he just couldn't hide.  Laura saw it, and felt terrible for being the cause.

"I still don't trust him," Murphy groused.

"I'd be surprised if you did."  Laura said as she laughed and made an attempt to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Still here I see, can we assume you'll be staying for breakfast then?"  Remington said as he walked into the room to offer Laura a cup of coffee.

Murphy made his way to the door.  "Contrary to the masses Steele, I don't find your cooking all that palatable." 

"Funny Murphy, I feel the same way about you."

He and Murphy looked at each other for a few seconds before Murphy shook his head and left.

Remington walked over to Laura and kissed her lightly on the nose.  He noticed the tears still brimming in her eyes and frowned.

"Everything okay between you to?"   Remington asked with concern.

"Yeah, we cleared the air.  I think we've reached an understanding as far as you're concerned."  Laura said as she looked up at him and smiled.

"Oh?  And what is it?"  

"Don't ask, don't tell."   Laura laughed as she moved past him and in to the dining room.

"Ah, well in that case, let's eat!"  Remington grinned and headed to the table.

The End

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