Milo sat reading a magazine as Remington made several attempts to adjust
his pillow and get comfortable. He winced as he settled his head against the pillow
grazing a tender spot on the back of his head.
"I can't remember, but I'm sure I hate bloody hospitals. How they expect one to get any rest around here eludes me," Remington grumbled as Milo looked up from his magazine.
"Relax Xenos, it's not that bad my friend. You're leaving tomorrow and having a guest later this afternoon remember?"
"Milo, of course I remember but I don't remember her, so I don't see how seeing her is going to help matters," he concluded. "Don't you find it odd that I can remember you just fine but I can't remember a woman that has been in my life for six years? A woman that from what you tell me means a great deal to me, not to mention the fact that we work closely together at a Detective Agency I head, but she owns? I find it all quite extrordinary Milo."
"Well my friend, stranger things have happened. Besides, I filled you in on all I know about the last few years of your life, information that is second hand mind you. You must speak with Laura to find out all the intimate, juicy details of what you've been up to since I saw you last. I must admit, I'm both excited and apprehensive about finally getting to meet your Miss Holt. If she's all that you say she is, and if she finds out what we've been up to, I think we'll both be in big trouble!"
"Correction mate, what you've been up to. I still think you have taken leave of your senses but I will at least help you keep from getting yourself killed over your idiocy. We will start tomorrow, though if this Laura Holt is anything like you say she is, I don't know how we are going to occupy her time while I get to work."
"Leave everything to me Xenos, I have the perfect plan to keep little Laura tied up all day tomorrow. She won't know a thing, trust me. Now if you will excuse me, I will go pick up your lady friend and we'll see you later this afternoon."
Remington looked sceptical but refrained from commenting because his head was starting to pound. He merely nodded at his friend, closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.
Laura had just cleared Customs when she saw a very attractive, dark haired man approaching her. She knew instinctively that this was Remington's long time friend Milo DeWinter. It figures he'd be good looking. Laura thought to herself as she smiled up at him.
Milo stopped in front of Laura, took her hand a brought it to his lips. He kissed it and returned it to Laura side immediately before introducing himself.
"Hello Miss Holt, I'm Milo DeWinter, welcome to Antigua. I hope your flight wasn't too taxing for you? I've taken the liberty of having a porter get your bags so if you'll follow me, I have a limo waiting outside."
Laura shook her head a bit, reeling from the speed in which Milo managed to relay everything to her. He was indeed close friends with Mr. Steele. Laura laughed to herself as she let him escort her outside and to the waiting limo.
When Laura had settled herself against the seat and taken the glass of wine Milo offered she spoke up. "How is Remington doing Mr. DeWinter? Has there been any change in his prognosis since we last spoke?"
"Please Miss Holt, call me Milo. Although we have just met, Xenos has spoke so often of you, I feel like we are already acquainted. To answer your question the doctor is confident that Xenos' memory lapse is only temporary. They don't forsee any permanent damage. He should go easy for the next couple of days and we should talk about his past as often as we can. The specialists think that may help to jog his memory. I admit that it's strange he remembers me and all the events that have taken place since he arrived but that he doesn't remember you. The physician agreed that it was unusual but said that the brain is very complex and that with head injuries, nothing is certain."
Laura digested all this while sipping her wine and looking out the window. Thus far what she had seen of the island was breathtaking.
"Milo, uh how much has Mr. Steele...Xenos told you of the relationship that he and I have?"
Milo smiled as he studied the drink in front of him. "Miss Holt..."
"I think we can skip the formalities don't you? Please, call me Laura."
"Thank you, Laura, actually Xenos has told me quite a bit about you. I hope that doesn't offend you. Xenos and I are very close, almost brothers you could say. My family took him in when he was but an ambitious teenager working his way across the Mediterranean. He became a brother to me and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for him. Naturally, he has confided a great deal to me Laura. I know that the agency belongs to you but that you and Xenos have been partners in the business for quite some time. I also know that he has a very personal interest in you. I know that he cares a great deal for you and that you must care for him as well. I think that deep down the two of you belong together but somehow things always seem to come between the two of you being together. I hope you don't think me too impertinent in this Laura?"
"No Milo, of course not. What you've said is true, I just didn't know that Remington had spoken to anyone about us. Yes, we are very close, both in business and in our personal lives. I care a great deal for him Milo and you are right, there is always something that interferes with us being together. He wanted me to come with him to visit you but I told him I couldn't. I wanted to but I thought that here, there would be nothing to get in our way. To be honest I got scared of that possibility. I don't expect you to understand but I intend to work this out with Mr...Xenos."
"Ah Laura, my father used to tell me all the time that life was promised to no man. You must find what truly makes you happy and embrace it before it's too late. Before all you have are regrets. I would hate to see that happen to you and Xenos. If the two of you are meant to be together you must embrace this knowledge, not run from it."
Laura looked at Milo with astonishment and realization. He was very astute and she knew that he was truly a good friend to Remington and would treat her the same.
"You are very insightful Milo, Remington is very lucky to have you. Are we going to the hospital now?"
"Actually I thought I would get you settled in first and allow you to freshen up. I know how exhausting plane rides can be. If you'd rather go straight to the hospital..."
"No, I think I would like to freshen up a bit first. Thank you for being so considerate Milo."
"Think nothing of it Laura, you are my guest for as long as you are in Antigua. I'm glad you decided to cancel your hotel reservations and stay at the villa. It would be easier if you were closer to Remington. You will let me know if you need anything to make your stay comfortable won't you?"
Laura assured Milo she would and grew silent again. She wondered how she would handle seeing him, especially since he didn't remember her. She knew she'd have to tell him the truth if she wanted him to regain his memory. Laura recalled the last time he'd lost his memory. He didn't know her but he was still attracted to her, she wondered if he would he feel the same way again.
Some time later, Laura walked into the hospital room and stopped just inside the door. She'd spoken with Remington's doctor and was happy to hear that he would be discharged in the morning. His memory still hadn't returned but the doctor told her that it would probably be just a matter of time before it would. He told her to try to answer all the questions he might have to aid him in remembering. Laura thanked the doctor and wrote his number down in case she needed to reach him.
Remington looked up at the woman standing by the door. She was definitely attractive but a bit on the petite side. He didn't feel any spark of recognition. He saw her move hesitantly toward him, he immediately smiled to reassure her.
"Hello there, Miss Holt I presume?"
Laura nodded as she walked to the side of his bed and sat down on the chair nearest his bed. "Do you remember me Mr. Steele?"
He shook his head. "Sorry, but no. Milo has been filling me in on my life in Los Angeles. Quite out of the everyday isn't it. Tell me, am I a good detective?"
Laura smiled as she pondered the question. She remembered in the beginning how annoying and expensive he was and how he used every opportunity to try to get her into bed with him. He had slowly began to change and broaden his role as Remington Steele. She was damned proud of him though she knew she should have told him that more often.
"Actually you are a wonderful detective. Over the years we've been together, you've learned more than I ever thought possible, especially considering you'd never had any formal training. You are an icon in the law enforcement community and the name Remington Steele is well known and respected worldwide."
"You don't say? Good Lord, I would never had thought in a million years I'd be on the right side of the law. Uh, tell me, what brought me to Los Angeles and how in the world did I end up staying on as Remington Steele?"
Laura took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She'd told and retold the "Remington Steele" story so often she could recite it in her sleep. But this was different, she rarely had to tell the whole truth about how HE came to be Remington Steele.
Squaring her shoulders she began. She told him how she'd founded her agency and how business wasn't thriving as she'd hoped it would. Then about Bernice and Murphy and how they had landed the best contract of their lives, protecting the Royal Lavulite gems. How she'd met him and how he had first impersonated a South African Inspector, Ben Pearson, then assumed the identity of Remington Steele. How originally, he was a front man but through the years, as Bernice and Murphy moved on, he had become much more. He had become an invaluable part of her agency, he had become her partner and closest friend.
He looked enthralled as Laura told him all she could about his life over the last few years and how much he'd accomplished.
"This is all so incredible! I wouldn't have been able to formulate a story half this believable. You are to be commended Laura on your sheer brillance and ingenuity. Milo told me as much as he knew but he would never have been able to fill in the missing pieces as you have. He did tell me that you and I...well over the years we have grown quite close, both professionally and personally. He couldn't tell me exactly how close though. Tell me Laura, just how close are we? Exactly what do we mean to each other."
Laura had blushed at his praise of her accomplishments but now she blushed for a different reason. Standing up, she put some distance between her and the penetrating blue eyes that were staring intently at her. She closed her eyes for a moment and listened to her conscious. His memory is gone, he doesn't remember you! It reasoned. What a perfect opportunity to shake things up! You wanted to move your relationship along, here is your chance Laura don't blow it! You can finally let your guard down, he doesn't know you haven't slept with him yet so you can be in control and don't have to feel scared. Go ahead, enjoy this time with him, don't be stupid Laura. Carpe Diem!
Laura could hear her rational side interjecting that this plan was crazy, it was ludicrous and totally unfair to Remington. She should tell him the truth, all of it. Tell him that for years they have been groping toward a sexual committment but something or someone had always gotten in the way, the two of them included. That she truly wants to be with him and knows he feels the same, but that she's been scared to death all these years to give in to her desire. Always feared what the kind of passion, she knew they would have, would mean. Always scared that he would run away. Now if she were honest with herself, she was scared that he would stay and what his staying would mean. That she would have to let go of her fears and truly live!
"Laura, did I stump you? Is there something wrong?"
Remington's voice broke Laura out of her reverie. Turning, she gave him her best smile.
"No, I'm sorry, I was just daydreaming or something. What was the question you asked me?"
He wasn't fooled. "I asked you just how personal our relationship is, how much to we mean to each other? Milo told me we meant something but that he thought it would be better if you tell me everything yourself," Remington grasped her hand in his and pinned her with his eyes. So Laura, what are we? Just business associates? Just friends? Lovers? Or all of the above?"
Laura's legs weakened, compelling her to sit on his bed. Sweat started making her skin clammy but she ignored it. The hair on the back of her neck rose - she ignored it. Her brain screamed at her - she ignored that too. Leaning in slightly, Laura looked down at the hand holding hers. Closing her eyes, she rubbed it lightly against her face. She felt him hesitate ever so slightly before returning the gesture of his own accord. Opening her eyes, Laura stared directly at him. Her stomach tightened as she looked in his eyes. Those eyes were her undoing. They were all the incentive she needed.
"Yes Remington, we are business associates, we are friends and...we are lovers."
WORKS OF STEELE