Disclaimer: This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the characters 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 1998.

Laura and Remington discuss their feelings and The Remington Steele Agency gets a visit from the entrepreneurial George Edward Mulch.

 Revelation of Steele - Part II

    Mildred was at her desk when a disheveled man entered the office.

    "May I help you?" Mildred said automatically then looked up.

    "What are you doing here?" Mildred demanded in her most haughty IRS Agent tone.

    The man had the good manners to look contrite. "Mildred, I can understand why you'd rather not see me but…"

    Mildred stood up and walked around the desk and aligned herself with the portly man. "Rather not see you?   Every time you step in to this office, you've got some hair brained scheme you've concocted that you want Mr. Steele and Miss Holt to get you out of, so what's the skinny?"

    The man looked like he'd rather face a rabid dog than her any day.

    "Mildred, how can you think such a thing?"

    Mildred pointed her finger in his chest.  "Does the name Remington Steele Investigations, Inc. mean anything to you?  Or what about the Courtney Doll Company?  Or what about G.E.M. productions?  Virginia Mayo or…"

    "Ok Mildred, ok," George Mulch acquiesced.  "I admit I've had some rather unfortunate luck in the business arena, but I didn't mean any harm,"

    Mildred wasn't moved.  "Sure you didn't, Mulch, but you have yet to mention the reason you stopped by to see Mr. Steele, and Miss Holt."

    George relaxed a little.  "I've come to retain the services of Remington Steele Investigations."

    "Oh ho," Mildred said,   "I knew this wasn't a social call, what have you done now, Mulch?"

    George looked more than a bit uncomfortable, "Uh, I'd rather hold off disclosing that bit of information until I can talk with Mr. Steele and Miss Holt."

    Mildred eyed him closely and informed Mr. Mulch that the two in question weren't in.

    "Ah, when do you expect them back Mildred?"

    "I don't expect them back at all this evening," especially if Mildred had anything to do with it.  Those two needed time alone, and she wasn't about to disturb them for George Mulch.  "I'll tell them you stopped by the moment they call in."

    The look Mildred gave him told him she wasn't about to hunt them down tonight. "Ok, Mildred, you win, but have them call me as soon as possible."  With that Mr. Mulch left the office.

    Laura was at home putting the finishing touches on the dinner she'd prepared.  Granted she wasn't as exceptional a cook as Mr. Steele was, but she'd picked up enough from him over the years to be able to do justice to the Fish d' Lorange, steamed vegetables, and wild rice that she'd prepared.   She went to the refrigerator to retrieve the bottle of champagne and place it in the ice bucket.  Yes, all the personal touches she knew would sooth the feathers she'd ruffled by leaving suddenly this morning. 

    Hearing a knock on the steel door, Laura smiled.  She was certain Mr. Steele had arrived quite some time ago.  He had a habit of stopping on every floor to ponder the reason Laura had chosen to live in an old warehouse with no elevator.  She nervously smoothed the black dress she'd chosen with care, ran a hand through her brown tresses, and went to answer the door.

As she pulled the door open, Mr. Steele stood there staring at her.  All the turmoil he'd been in today evident in his features.

    "Really Laura, it never ceases to plague me how anyone in their right mind would choose to live in an old warehouse that doesn't even boast an elevator."

    "Won't you come in, Mr. Steele?"  Laura smiled and moved aside so he could enter the loft.

    Somewhere between the trip from the door to the living area, the two of them made an unvoiced pact not to mention the events from this morning, until later. "

    Ah Laura, do my nostrils deceive me, or do I smell Fish d' Lorange?"

    Laura smiled mischievously, some of her nervousness over her culinary efforts retreating. "Why yes you do, Mr. Steele," Laura said as she moved toward the kitchen.  Laura handed him the bottle of Dom Perignon.  "Would you do the honors?"

    Steele looked surprised.  "Uh Laura, what's the special occasion?  I mean...I haven't forgotten your birthday, I'm sure of it."

    Laura handed him the champagne glasses as she made her way into the living room. "I thought we needed to spend some time alone, to discuss some things," she said, not hinting at what was to come.  

    Steele eyed her nervously for a moment before he poured out the champagne.  He hoped this wasn't going to end up being an argument.  "What do we toast to, Miss Holt?"  Remington asked as he handed her a glass.  She looked at him.  Feeling that dip her stomach always took when she looked at him made her smile.  "How about...to revelations, Mr. Steele."

    Remington returned the smile as he clinked his glass on hers.  He was intrigued, there was no doubt about it.  He just prayed that this evening would go well.  There were too many things left unsaid earlier when Laura had bolted out the door.  He didn't want to risk it happening again, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he sensed a change in her.  A change he wasn't certain how to take, but he was willing to see what came of the toast they'd made.  

    Later, Remington sat at the table drinking the last of the champagne while Laura cleared away the dessert dishes.  He knew something was amiss now, he just didn't have a clue as to what.  "Laura, I must confess, that has to be the most exquisite meal you have ever prepared for me."  

    Laura looked up from the kitchen and gave a provocative smile, one that wasn't lost on Remington.

    "Why Mr. Steele, that is one of the nicest things you've ever said to me."

   Getting up, Remington sauntered over to the kitchen.  Coming up behind her, he covered Laura's hand with his as he whispered, "here let me," in her ear. 

    The action caused the hair to stand up on Laura's neck, but she showed no outward signs.  Remington grabbed the dish cloth from Laura and deftly assisted with the dishes.

    After they'd finished, Laura turned off the light in the kitchen before joining Remington on the couch. This was it.  The moment she had wanted--and dreaded all day.  The moment of truth, she thought as she turned sideways.  She looked across at the man she'd known for years and sighed.  This wasn't going to be the piece of cake she'd envisioned; she stood up, to put some distance between them so that she could remain focused. 

    Remington looked at her with mild curiosity, but remained silent.  Laura turned toward the piano he'd given her after her house burned down.  A look of love crossed her face, but he didn't see it.   "I'd like to tell you a story," she said. 

    Remington's eyebrow arched, he'd never have thought of that one. 

    Laura, still looking at the piano began to speak.  "There was a young girl who loved her father more than life itself.  He was the center of her universe, as her mother was not.  One day, she came home from school to find him gone.  He had left his family without a word of warning.  He had left her.  She tried desperately to understand why, but failed. 

    The young girl could never figure out why he'd gone away.  At first, she thought it was something she'd done.  Feeling guilty, she blamed herself for years.  She was determined that as she grew to be a woman, she'd never cause anyone to leave again.  She didn't have many boyfriends growing up, and when one came along that looked like it was permanent, she proceeded.  With caution."

    Laura turned around to face Mr. Steele, to gauge his reaction to her story.  His eyes met hers and there was sincerity in them, and patience.  Strengthened by the fact that he was avidly listening, she continued. 

    "This relationship didn't last though, they weren't perfectly matched.  She was all the things he didn't want in a wife.  She tried hard to fit the mold of his ideal woman, but she couldn't.  One night, she came home and found he'd left, too.  Without warning, he just left." 

    Remington could see the pain in her eyes as they misted over with tears.  He ached to go to her, but he knew for both their sakes, he must let her continue.  He sat there and hoped the compassion he felt for this woman could be seen in his eyes. 

    Laura did see it, and she trudged on.  "So" she said, shakily, "history was repeating itself.  Once again, a man that had meant the world to this young woman had left. She didn't think she could go on, not again, but she did.  She buried herself in her work, becoming more successful then she'd ever dreamed. She had it all, except for the relationship she desperately wanted, yet told herself she'd be better off without," Laura looked at Steele pointedly as she pressed on.  

    "Things were working like a charm, until the day a mysterious man walked in.  With his blue eyes and obscure past, he was all the things she told herself she should avoid in a man.  She felt the chemistry they had between them, they both did. She tried to tell herself it was a passing fancy, but it wasn't.  When it looked like he would be a regular part of her life, the warning bells went off,"  Laura looked Remington dead in the face as she said,  "that man is you, Mr. Steele."  

    Slowly, Laura went to him, but she didn't sit down.  She laughed, a bitter laugh, a pained laugh, for all the time they'd both hid and denied their true feelings.    Laura took a cleansing breathe.  "I owe you an apology, Mr. Steele.  I knew you were much more to me than a business associate.  I tried hard to keep you at arms length, but it didn't work.  You slowly crept into my heart, and there wasn't anything I could do to stop it, so I hid."

    Remington looked at her, confusion set in his eyes, so she explained.  

    "I used your sordid past as a shield against getting too close to you.  I kept telling myself you wouldn't stay, you'd run out, just like my father, and Wilson.   Deep down, I suppose I tried my best to push you away.  I couldn't risk losing you as I lost them.  I also knew that if you left, it wouldn't be the same as before," Tears slid down her face.  "I don’t think I'd recover."  She ended the last word on a sob as she turned around.

    "Laura I…"

    "Please, Mr. Steele, let me finish."

    Remington stopped. 

    Laura stared again towards the piano as she went on.  "All the things I've said, all the times I know I hurt you when I pulled away, I told myself it was for the best.  That I couldn't afford to lose my heart to you for fear you'd break it," Laura spun around and fixed Remington with a gaze that said it all.  "But you see, Mr. Steele, all my hard work was for naught.   You've already stolen what I vowed to protect," she shrugged lightly,  "And I can't hid it anymore."

    Remington did get up then.  He walked slowly over to Laura, placed a finger on her chin and tilted her face until they were eye to eye.  Intensely, he stared at her.

    "Laura," his voice shook.  "I have to know.  What can't you hide?"

    Laura's eyes glistened as she took a deep breath, and said the words that for better, or worse, would change their relationship forever.  "That...that...I.." Oh God, Laura silently cried, how can I say it?

    Remington brushed the tears from Laura's eyes and whispered, "Laura, just tell me."

    Laura squared her shoulders and said, "I LOVE YOU, Mr. Steele," She slammed her eyes shut before she saw his reaction to her declaration.

    "Laura?  Laura, please look at me," he implored her.

    Reluctantly, she opened her eyes.  Remington smiled at her as he gave her a look she never thought she'd receive from him.  The look that spoke of love, and promises of wonderful things to come.  

    Remington took her face in his hands and told her what had been in his mind, and his heart for years.  "Laura, I want you to know that words don't come easy to me.  Especially not the ones you have longed to hear for so long.  Laura, I do LOVE YOU--I have from the very beginning.  I too have fought against it for fear of the unknown.  Every since I first assumed the name Remington Steele, I have done my fair share of hurting and letting you think that I wanted one thing only.  It was a defense, Laura, because commitment, love and relationships were foreign to me.  I've spent all my life not caring for anyone because it was easier than setting myself up for rejection.  And then I met you," he smiled as he took in her stunned expression. 

    "We've both had more than our share of pain from failed relationships, but I think that is what brought us together.  We had that in common, but it also made us leery of making a commitment.  I do understand how you feel, because I've felt it too."

    She was silent for a moment.  "You love me?" 

    "Yes, Laura, I love you.  I always thought you knew how I felt.  That you could sense it somehow, but a certain special lady made me realize that I needed to say the words.  Out loud."

    "A certain?…Mildred?"   Laura said, laughing.

    "Yes, Mildred," Mr. Steele confirmed.  "Laura, we've wasted so much time playing round robin, I think we should make up for lost opportunities, don't you?" 

    Before she could speak, Remington wrapped Laura in a warm embrace.

    "Why Mr. Steele," Laura said with a new found forcefulness as she coiled her arms around his neck.  "Whatever did you have in mind?"

    "Oh, something along the lines of this," Remington said as he picked Laura up and headed back to the couch.  He laid her out fully and covered her body with his.  He looked at her for a moment, his love and desire for her evident.  Laura had seen the look before, but she just hadn't realized what it meant.  She smiled up at him with a new found confidence.

    "Laura," Remington started.   "I want you to know something, and I hope you believe me,"

    Laura was stroking the back of his neck as she said, "Yes, Remington?"

    "Laura I want you to know--I mean really understand--that I am NOT going anywhere." Remington kissed her with the pent up passion he'd contained for way too long.  His desire more than evident to Laura.  She reveled in the feelings he stirred in her, and she felt safe and secure in their newly expressed love for one another.  She matched his desire with an intensity she'd kept hidden for years too.  It surprised Remington, but he recovered quickly.

    "Uh, you mentioned something about making up for lost time, Mr. Steele?"  Laura grinned sinfully.

    Remington trailed kisses down Laura's neck, sending shivers throughout her body and making her shake with anticipation. He worked his way back up to whisper in to her ear, "so I did, Miss Holt, so I did."