Laura's body came in contact with the ground and she felt the air leave her lungs in a gush. She fought to keep conscious but it was difficult. Just then she felt an arm around her helping her up.
"Laura! Come on sweetheart, we've got to get out of here. They will figure out we aren't in the jeep and come back looking for us," Remington saw her eyes closing again. Shaking her he spoke louder. "We've got to go love, come on!" Remington said with urgency as he helped Laura to her feet and pulled her along beside him.
Recognition was beginning to set in as she remembered where she was and what had happened. She tried as best she could to put aside the pain she was feeling because she knew their lives depended on them getting to safety. It wouldn't bode well for them if they ran in to the thugs that tried to kill them. She gritted her teeth and began running beside Remington.
They stuck as close as they could to the trees so they'd be out of plain sight. They'd been moving along at a fast pace before Remington stopped and dragged Laura with him into the brush. She was about to ask him what he was doing but he held a finger up to her mouth to silence her. She crouched down as far as she could and waited. Sometime later she heard voices and footsteps getting closer to their position. Laura was scared to death, they had no weapon and no real idea of where they were in relation to the main road. It was times like this that Laura really pondered her innate desire to be a private detective.
Just then Laura saw two men coming toward them, they would be right over them in a few seconds. She prayed they didn't see them. She looked nervously at Remington and knew he was thinking the same thing. Their hopes were in vain because the men did see them and bent down to grab them. Remington stood up before they could get a hold of them and pushed Laura away.
"Laura run! Now!" Remington roared as he charged the men in front of him.
Laura hesitated only a second, she knew she had to help him but was at a loss as to how. She ran blindly in front of her as she tried to figure out how to double back and help Remington. She heard footsteps behind her and knew one of the men had followed her. She ran behind a tree and scanned the ground for anything that she could use as a weapon. Finding a thick tree limb she grabbed it to her. She heard the man advancing and when she saw him pass her position she tightened her grip and swung the limb in an arc. It connected with the man's middle doubling him over in pain. Laura hit him again before he could recover and saw him go down in a heap to the ground. She kicked his gun out his hand and went to retrieve it. She was on her way back to help Remington when she heard him yelling her name.
"Laura! Laura, where are you?" Remington screamed anxiously.
"Over here!" Laura answered waiting for him to reach her.
"Are you alright? Remington asked as scanning the ground then seeing one of their attackers out cold.
"Yes, I've got his gun, how about the other man?" Laura asked as Remington took her arm and pulled her along.
"Likewise, I don't think we should dally though, I heard other voices in the distance so it's safe to assume these two gents weren't alone. We've got to get to the road and signal for help Laura, Milo's life could very well depend on it."
Laura agreed and followed Remington as fast as she could. There was a nitch in her side but she refused to let it delay her progress. They had just spotted a clearing ahead of them when they heard gunshots behind them. They both ducked down and Remington took aim and fired behind them.
"Great, they're on to us," Remington and Laura started running toward the opening in the trees.
They were rewarded by the site of road as they looked around to access where they were. Remington stopped, took aim and fired into the brush again before he and Laura took off down the road. A few minutes later they saw rickety truck was driving toward them. Remington and Laura hid their guns and began flailing their arms and yelling for help. The truck almost passed before the driver decided to stop. Remington and Laura immediately ran to the truck on the driver's side and peered in. A native Antiguan looked at them and asked where they were heading.
"We've got to get to the hospital immediately sir, or as close to it as you can take us," Remington said with urgency.
"Get in." Was all the old man said. Laura and Remington didn't hesitate to run in front of the truck and jump into the passenger side.
"Thank you so much sir, we really appreciate you giving us a ride. We crashed our jeep in the jungle and were being chased by some rather nasty fellows."
"Tourists," The old man chuckled as he put his foot on the gas and the old truck bucked and picked up speed.
"You'd better be careful young man, these jungles ain't for the timid, you got to really know what you're about when you go venturing off by yourself like that," The old man said with a toothless grin.
"It would appear so," was all Remington said as he and Laura exchanged an amused glance.
They both breathed a sigh of relief when they began seeing civilization ahead. Often they'd both look out the passenger side mirror to see if they were being followed. Happy that each time it was just dust billowing behind the old truck. A few minutes later the man pulled in front of the hospital and brought his truck to a halt.
"Here you both are, safe and sound. I hope you will heed my advice about sticking to the usual tourist spots," The old man warned with a smile.
"That we will sir, we thank you for your generosity," Laura said as Remington reached into his wallet and handed the man a crisp U.S. 100 dollar bill.
The old man looked surprised but the look was quickly replaced by thanks as he tipped his hat, nodded at Remington and Laura and pulled off.
"That was very nice of you Remington. I"m sure that old man can buy a lot with that money," Laura said warmly.
"He's done us a larger service than he was aware of by giving us that ride I can assure you. Besides, it's the least I could have done. He did save our lives so to speak," Remington and Laura ran into the hospital.
Upstairs a man dressed in a dark suit slipped slowly into the darkened room stopping only long enough to adjust his eyes to the lack of light. He reached into his inside coat pocket and pulled out a gun. He edged stealthily to the foot of the bed and stood there staring for a moment.
"It's unfortunate that it had to come down to this Milo. We could have made this transaction lucrative for the both of us. Unfortunately now, it will only be lucrative for me. In a moment, you'll be dead and I will have not only the money I would have paid you but the painting as well. But as they say, C'est La Vie."
The man laughed almost to himself as he cocked his pistol and aimed it for the middle of the unmoving form in the bed.
"I'm afraid your window of opportunity has just closed Mr. Sutton," a voice said from behind him.
Mr. Sutton then felt cold metal being placed right on the nape of his neck. He lowered his gun and closed his eyes. Just then then someone flipped a switch and flooded the room with lights. Mr. Sutton looked at the bed and frowned. It wasn't Milo that looked at him but a police officer. He felt handcuffs being placed on his hands as he was turned around towards the door. He saw another police officer behind him and Remington and Laura standing by the door.
"Well Mr. Sherman, it would appear that you have won this hand on behalf of your foolish friend. My congratulations to you," Mr. Sutton sneered.
"Actually the name is Steele...Remington Steele and I'm sure you've heard it before. Unfortunately for you Mr. Sutton, there will be no next time. Milo is alive and well and quite capable of testifying in a court of law that you were the employer of the two gentleman that tried to kill him. And since we also have your bedside confession and the bodies of the two hit men you killed off, it shouldn't be too difficult to ensure that you are locked away in a prison somewhere for quite a long time."
The old man looked like he would bust an artery. He tried to charge at Remington. He was spewing profanities and threats as the police officers carried him out of the room. Remington and Laura watched them leave and when they were finally alone, heaved a sigh of relief.
Laura put her arms around Remington's neck and leaned against him. "Do you think we'll ever get to go on a vacation that doesn't include solving a crime, dodging bullets or escaping death?"
"Sure we will, as long as we don't vacation together," Remington smiled as he bent down to kiss her soundly on the lips. "But what's the fun in that eh?" Tightening his hold on her he gave her a devastating smile that made Laura's stomach twitch. "Now, let's go see what Milo is up to shall we?" Remington opened the door and allowed Laura to precede him.
"Well, well. It appears you are feeling much better mate," Remington said as he and Laura walked in to his hospital room to find him at the center of a wall of nurses.
"Xenos! Laura! How wonderful to see you both, I'm feeling much better thanks to the physical therapy and attention I am receiving from these beautiful nurses. They have been taking the best care of me any man could ask for. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such visions of lovliness. I can feel it bringing me that much closer to the road of recovery my friend," Milo laughed as he looked around him.
"Ah ladies, would you mind excusing us for just a moment?" Remington asked in his most charming manner.
The nurses bid Milo farewell and told him they would check on him later. Milo grinned from head to toe as he waved each of them goodbye. When they had left Remington and Laura took up the places the nurses were occupying.
"So my friends, how did it go with Sutton?" All smiles faded.
"He fell for our trap; he was so bent on seeing you dead that he got careless. He's been apprehended and should be facing a very long prison sentence, even with his connections and financial status," Laura said.
Milo nodded and was silent for awhile. The thought that he had barely escaped alive was a sobering one for him.
"You were right Xenos, about everything. I should have listened to you much sooner, if I had, I wouldn't be laying in the bed right now. There is much I owe your for and I am truly greatful to you. Both of you," Milo extended his hand toward Remington while eyeing Laura.
Remington took his hand and squeezed it before wrapping his free arm around Laura. "You gave me my life a hundred times over Milo and I've never forgotten any of those times. I am just glad I was here for you mate..."
"Me too," Laura chimed in.
"Now you had best put all your energies into getting better, I'm sure we don't need to remind you that you still have a long way until you are completely recovered," Remington said in mock seriousness.
"I know, I know. I promise to be good, really I do. I won't overdo it either but I can't guarantee that I won't be tempted," Milo laughed heartily.
"So, how long will the two of you stay here in Antigua? I'm sure you've got pressing work back in Los Angeles to attend to don't you?" Milo asked.
Laura and Remington looked at each other for a moment. They hadn't actually discussed when they would leave yet. Remington saw his opportunity and decided to take it.
"Actually, we haven't discussed that yet Milo, but we do plan on staying until we can return the painting to it's rightful owner for you. For a nice finder's fee of course," Remington chuckled as Laura rolled her eyes heavenward.
"Then there are a few things that Laura and I need to discuss in depth before we head back to the States," Remington looked intensely at Laura.
"We do Mr. Steele? And what would those things be?"
Remington looked down to see Milo looking just as interested as Laura was.
"Well I for one, would like to have an encore presentation by a certain captivating brunette in a fiery, see through red dress. From there, I'd be more than up for any additional suggestions," he said thickly.
Remington smiled as he stood up and helped a speechless, blushing, Laura up after him. He nodded his farewell to Milo, put his arm around the love of his life and headed for the door.
"We will check on you tomorrow Milo so try to keep yourself in one piece until then eh? Remington teased.
"I suppose I should say the same for you my friend," Milo laughed heartily seeing his two closest friends leave the room.
Milo stretched his arms over his head and laughed to himself. Those two were uniquely suited for one another and he knew that there would be nothing but fireworks for them from here on out. He looked forward to hearing about their evening when he saw them tomorrow. He'd wager by the depth of Laura's blush just now that she would indeed be quite crimson when he saw her next. He shook his head and made a mental note to call his father and tell him that the once lonely Xenos, had finally found his siren.