This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson ã 2000.
Remington's friends offer advice, does Remington take it to heart?
Remington Steele was sitting in the middle of a panel discussion about his personal life and he didn't like it one bit! He looked around the table in astonishment. His friends were in a heated discussion about his sex life with Laura, or lack thereof.
"I'm telling you Milo, it just isn't natural for a man to hold out that long. Steele hasn't had sex longer than the President's been in office. Now tell me if that isn't bound to screw with a man's head!" DeMarcus said in earnest.
"Lord knows it's one thing if Mick chooses not to have sex, but if Laura is choosing for him...I can see how disconcerting that would be," Monroe said sympathetically.
"I'm sure Remington had a say in the matter Monroe. He could hardly have been in a relationship with her all these years and not have..."
"Will the three of you stop conversing as if I wasn't in the bloody room!" Remington said with exasperation.
"Contrary to popular belief, I do have a brain in my head. I can't force Laura to commit to a physical relationship with me before she's ready. And in truth, I wasn't always in the frame of mind to pursue the matter. We do have a professoinal life that takes up more than its fair share of time. Risking life and limb on a daily basis occasionally puts a damper on romantic notions. I don't even know why I bothered to mention it." Remington muttered attempting to put an end to the subject.
"It must be on your mind more than you let on my friend. The question is, what are you going to do about it? You and Laura seem to conceal your true passions too much. I am sure it would be wiser to confront them." Milo reasoned.
"You don't think we've done that over the course of our association? We've been over it time and time again but we always seem to hit a road block." Remington said getting up from the table.
"Well hell man! Go down another road." DeMarcus offered. "There must be something you can do to get the ball rolling but you have to wonder...if you've encountered all these snags, are you sure she even likes you like that anymore?" He asked earnestly.
Remington looked at DeMarcus for a long moment before he answered. "I wish I knew."
"Care to elaborate on that Mick?" Monroe asked.
"What if she's just going through the motions eh? Responding to me out of habit? Could it be that Laura just doesn't want me anymore?" Remington pondered.
"Mick you can't be serious. I've seen you and Laura together. If that isn't sexual uptightness I don't know what is." Monroe replied.
"Well Xenos, if you are no longer sure of Laura's feelings for you, isn't it time you found out?" Milo asked
Remington looked out the window thoughtfully. At this moment he wasn't sure what he wanted. Part of him was tired of chasing after Laura in a quest to win her love and devotion. His mind reasoned that if and when she wanted him, she would come to him and they would finally end this ridiculous, long bout of celibacy. Who was he kidding, this was Laura they were talking about. Nothing was ever, ever cut and dry with her. The question of the day was whether his desire to make love to her was still strong enough to continue this endless pursuit. He had to be honest with himself. He didn't know. He just didn't know.
Laura came out of her office to see Mildred humming a lively tune. She leaned against Mildred's desk.
"Lunch with Mr. Nelson again?" Laura asked.
"Why funny you should ask Miss Holt. Does it show?" Mildred asked beaming.
"Mildred, if you smiled any harder I'd need sunblock." Laura laughed.
"I just can't believe it Laura, after all this time. Who would ever have thought I would meet someone like Roger at a "Senior Walk for Cancer" event. Isn't it amazing how one day you're doing the same humdrum thing you've always done and the next...Bang! Like lightening, you meet someone that turns your life upside down!"
Laura knew exactly what she meant. She'd felt it herself long ago but that was another story. She decided not to stray from Mildred's moment.
"Why Mildred - I've never heard you this...impassioned before." Laura teased.
"I can't seem to help myself Laura. Just being around Roger makes me googly!" Mildred gushed.
"Googly?" Laura said quirking an eyebrow.
"I don't ever thing I've heard you use that word before Mildred, if it's even a word."
"Well, if it isn't a word, it should be." Mildred said as she spun around on her chair.
"I hate to change the subject Mildred but has Mr. Steele called in? We have an appointment with Abigail Petry in a half an hour and I was curious where he was."
"No honey but I can try to locate him for you." Mildred offered.
"Thanks Mildred, I'll be in my office. When you track him down can you patch him through?" Laura asked.
"Sure thing Miss Holt." Mildred said as she turned to concentrate on the matter at hand.
Two phone calls later Mildred was patching Remington through to Laura's office.
"Good afternoon Mr. Steele, sorry to interrupt your busy schedule but we've a client coming in 25 minutes. Do you think you can manage to materialize before then?" Laura quipped.
"Sorry Laura but I've had a hiccup in my plans this afternoon. I seem to have forgotten a prior engagement and I don't think I'll be able to make it by then. I'm sure you can do your usual bang up job of keeping our client spellbound until I arrive ok? Bless you Laura, see you soon. Bye, Bye." Remington said hurrying off the phone.
"Good talking to you too Mr. Steele." Laura said through clenched teeth.
When Abigail Petry arrived Mildred showed her to Remington's office, Laura was waiting for her. She introduced herself as Remington Steele's associate, offered Mrs. Petry a chair and took the seat behind Remington's desk.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice Miss Holt. I wasn't sure whether to come at all but I couldn't run the risk of Stanley finding out." Abigail said quietly.
"Stanley?" Laura offered.
"Oh, pardon me Miss Holt. Stanley is my husband. He owns an insurance agency, very dedicated to his work. It was commendable when we got married but after a while, well it became the reason for my transgression." Abigail sobbed.
Abigail's voice broke and Laura was immediately around the desk kneeling in front of her with a tissue.
"Here Mrs. Petry. It's ok, just finish when you're ready."
"I'm sorry Miss Holt. It's just that I am beside myself with grief. I've betrayed Stanley in the worst way a wife could. I was lonely; Stanley began working longer hours at the office. He threw himself into his work. I tried every way I knew how to get him to slow down and concentrate on me and our marriage. He said he was, that's why he was trying to work as much as he could. He wanted to give me all the things he thought I should have. That was appealing at first Miss Holt be in the end...It just wasn't enough. I missed him terribly, being touched, caressed. I'd even forgotten the last time we...well you know." Abigail stammered.
"Of course." Laura interjected.
"That's when I met him. I was out shopping one day and there he was. When I looked up and saw him Miss Holt, I swear I almost fainted. He was so incredibly handsome, so virile, so...I don't know, so everything Stanley wasn't." Abigail gushed.
"Believe me, I understand." Laura said in a reflective voice."
"I was attracted to him instantly. I guess somewhere deep inside was a need that screamed to be heard. He affected me on a purely primitive level Miss Holt. I just couldn't ignore my body's reaction to him. Before I knew it, I was giving him my phone number and we were setting up a rendezvous. If you would have told me last year that I would ever cheat on my husband, I would have thought you quite insane. But there I was, having sex with a virtual stranger. At first we met once or twice a month, then it was almost every few days. I knew it had to stop. I was out of control and I figured it was only a matter of time before Stanley found out. That's when I told him..."
"Stanley?" Laura asked.
"No, Rico. His name is Ricardo Forrester, he goes by Rico. I told him we couldn't meet anymore, it had to stop. I never imagined he would refuse. He was angry, jealous that I would actually choose Stanley over him. I'm not proud of my deception Miss Hold but I truly love Stanley. I wanted to keep him and had planned to tell him everything in an effort to save our marriage. Rico just won't believe it's over. He keeps calling me, sending me gifts and notes begging me to meet him. He finally sent me plane tickets to the Cayman Islands. He wants me to meet him there for one last encounter. If I don't, he threatened to tell Stanley that I am in love with him and that I'm leaving Stanley! I can't have him do that Miss Holt! He will just make matters worse! It's already a delicate situation and nothing is guaranteed. I just can't have him confusing the issue causing Stanley not to know what's a lie and what's the truth." Abigail was crying in earnest now.
"There there Mrs. Petry. To be honest, I don't know how we can help you in this delicate situation."
"You have to go to him Miss Holt. Please! Go to the Cayman Islands in my place and persuade Rico to stop this insanity and let me go. If you go Miss Holt and tell him that you're a private investigator, maybe that would scare him off and convince him that I plan on staying with Stanley." Abigail cried.
"I don't know if that is the best..." Laura started.
"Oh please Miss Holt, don't refuse my case. I will pay you any amount you name. This is life or death for me. I can't be without Stanley I just can't!" Abgail begged.
"Try to calm yourself Mrs. Petry. The Remington Steele agency will take your case." Laura promised.
"Oh thank you Miss Holt! I knew you would. Here are the plane tickets and the hotel information. Everything you need is in there. I can't take the chance that Rico will ruin everything with Stanley so I plan to talk Stanley in to a weekend getaway. I will tell him everything then. I only pray that he will forgive me." Abigail said as she dabbed her eyes.
"I hope everything works out for you Mrs. Petry." Laura said.
"Trust me Miss Holt, you just get Ricardo Forrester to back off and I'm sure I can make things right with Stanley." Abigail said as she thanked her and left.
Laura walked back around the desk and sank heavily in to Remington's chair. Good Lord! Laura said to herself. There were times when hearing a client's declaration could be very draining. It was hard to stay impartial under such heart felt testimony. Laura began leafing through the folder her client had provided. Laura saw an envelope addressed to "Abbey." She picked it up, opened it and found a letter inside. She read the contents.
"My darling Abbey,
I can't believe that you've lost interest in us; in all that we had. To hear you say so makes my heart crumble in my chest. Come to me dearest Abbey. Meet me in a tropical paradise where we will celebrate one final time the passion we've shared. Afterwards I swear to you I will not stand in your way. I will give you up if that is your true desire but only after one final time together. Since I am playing by your rules, you can do no less than indulge me in mine. One last game my darling. I hide, you seek. I am awaiting your arrival more than I can say. You will find a note in your hotel room with your first clue. If you don't come to me Abbey...well let's just say that your future with your husband depends on this trip. Don't dissapoint me my love.
Rico.
Laura read the letter again before laying it on the desk.
"Well that was a perfect blend of poetry laced with threat." Laura said looking at the letter.
While he professes deep feelings for her, it's evident that he will ruin her plans if she doesn't follow his. Laura surmised. She knew Remington Steele Investigations would go but she wasn't sure on the best course of action once they arrived. How would they get this Rico fellow to back off and let Abigail Petry go without causing problems. She wondered if Mr. Steele would have a parallel movie lined up for their latest case. She couldn't wait to find out.