Remington looked over at his sleeping son and smiled. The plane ride was pleasant enough, first class usually was, but Trevor had never liked being confined for long stretches of time. He took this opportunity to study him, Trevor was like him in so many ways. In looks, his drive to conquer any adversities put before him, he'd inherited his father's abilities in culinary masterpieces and above all his ability to charm the shoe strings untied on any woman he came in contact with. Remington chuckled at that last one, Laura would beg to differ but from the first moment they'd met she'd been as smitten with him as he'd been with her. He reminded himself that he would never in a lifetime have believed the turn of events that brought, and kept him and Laura together. It baffled him, simply baffled him. He'd finally settled down, stopped running and had made a home with the woman he loved to distraction, created the two most wonderful children anyone could ask for and had become a name to be reckoned with in the law community. Yes, he knew he was blessed more than most would ever be, the problem was how to deal with whatever was plaguing his teenage son. He vowed he would get to the bottom of it while they were visiting Daniel. He hoped that Daniel may be able to get Trevor to open up, Daniel had a way of getting people to divulge any information he wanted them to. He was the epitome of a smooth talker and he had taught Remington all he knew, but there were just some things that were inbred.
The light for seat belts chimed as the flight attendants were making there rounds to let the passengers know they'd be landing soon. Remington fastened his seat belt and leaned over to wake his son up.
"Trevor, wake up, we'll be landing soon,"
Trevor stretched and opened one eye to look at his father. He hated being couped up for long stretches of time and couldn't wait to be off this plane. He hadn't seen his grandfather for two years and truth be told, he was looking forward to visiting with him. His grandfather always had a story to tell. He and Traci never tired of hearing about Daniel's colorful past for Daniel was an excellent story teller. He made everything seem so exciting, even his misfortunes weren't that bad because Daniel always managed to come out on top.
Remington and Trevor made their way to pick up their luggage. As they were pulling their bags from the baggage carousel they heard a voice filled with mirth behind them.
"I say, you two chaps need a hand?" Remington and Trevor turned around to see a beaming Daniel standing behind them.
"Daniel! Grandfather!" The two Steele's said in unison.
They pulled the rest of their bags to the side and went to embrace Daniel. He returned each of their hugs with a hearty one of his own and a pat on the back.
"Good to see you both. It's been quite a while since I've seen you two rogues," Daniel laughed as he ushered his son and grandson out of Heathrow Airport.
"The car is just outside, paid a chap to watch it for me. I hope he doesn't make off with it, that'd be a dreadful inconvenience,"
Daniel made his way to the rear of the car and opened the boot. The porter in attendence put the cases in and thanked Daniel at the handsome tip he'd received. Remington looked surprised as Daniel made his way to the driver's side and climbed in. Remington and Trevor got in and Daniel pulled off and headed toward the M4.
Remington looked over at his father and sent him a quizzical look. "I say Daniel, where is Jenkins? Give him the day off did you?"
Daniel's shoulder's shook as he looked briefly at his son. "No my boy and believe me he was quite put out when I insisted on driving myself to pick you gents up. Threw a fit he did, but I always end up winning in the end. So Trevor, I thought we'd go back to my house and get you settled in, maybe we could do a bit of sightseeing tomorrow. I'm staying at my small cottage in Somerset at the moment. The weather there helps out these old bones, not to mention the scenery is exquisite. I could show you the some of King Arthur's old haunts, we could see where the famed Camelot was or perhaps the Glastonbury Abbey where Queen Guinevere is buried?"
Trevor looked at his grandfather's back and scrunched up his face. "Boring" he thought to himself but he didn't voice that opinion out loud.
"Sure grandfather, whatever you say,"
Daniel had heard that tone enough from his son to know that that was the teenage equivilent of "Gee, that's beyond boring,"
Daniel laughed at himself as he realized that while times change, some things truly remain the same.
"Tell you what my boy, what's say we play it by ear? You and I can come up with some fun things to do on the morrow,"
Trevor heartily agreed and returned to looking out the window.
When they finally arrived, Trevor looked up to see something a tad larger than the "small cottage" that Daniel had mentioned earlier. Daniel's house had once belonged to an embassador; it was set back from the road in the midst of a lanscaped garden and a carriage driveway. As they made there way inside Daniel's butler greeted them at the door and told them he'd take care of the luggage.
"Thank you Ashby," Daniel said as he led Remington and Trevor into a drawing room that was off the entrance hall.
"Would either of you care for some refreshments? Dinner will be served in an hour but I can ring for Mrs. Waverly to bring in tea and scones,"
Remington and Trevor both declined saying that they would be fine until dinner. Daniel looked at Trevor and asked him if he'd like to take a tour of the grounds with him. Trevor accepted and headed out behind Daniel. Remington told them that he was going to call Laura and let her and Traci know they had arrived safely. As the door closed Remington headed toward the telephone to call Los Angeles.
Trevor noted that Daniel's "small cottage" contained a drawing room, dining room, family room, library, conservatory, two kitchens, a breakfast room, seven bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, an indoor swimming pool, stables and a tack room, separate accomodations for his staff and a large garage.
"Grandfather, this house is awesome! Traci is going to be mad she missed seeing it,"
Daniel chuckled as they made their way back inside the house. "You are probably right, well I will see to it personally that Traci gets the full tour when she arrives next summer for a visit. Now let's go retrieve your father for dinner shall we?"
When they entered the drawing room Remington was sitting on one of the sofas reading a paper. He looked up when he heard the doors open.
"Dad, did you call mother? How is everything at home? Traci isn't messing with anything in my room is she?"
Remington smiled at his son, ah youth he thought to himself. Remington put his paper down and stood up.
"Yes, fine, and no, I don't think Traci is taking your leave of absence as an opportunity to rummage through your private sanctuary you call a room and your mother and I call a...well never mind that. Now shall we go in for dinner?"
Through dinner Daniel kept the conversation light and was his usual charming self. It was almost easy to forget the reason for this trip but Remington knew the sooner he and Trevor got things out on the table, the better. Mrs. Waverly came in to ask if anyone cared for dessert. Grandfather, father and son all looked at her with an identical look of dismay.
"Mrs. Waverly, I think I speak for all of us when I say that your cooking is second to none. I don't think we have the room for another bite," Remington beamed at the flushed Mrs. Waverly.
She shooed them out of the room as she began clearing the dishes away. Daniel suggested that they return to the drawing room. Once there he helped himself to a small brandy as was his usual habit after dinner.
"Cigar my boy?" Daniel asked Remington but Remington shook his head.
When everyone was seated Remington looked over at his son, his expression thoughtful. "Trevor, I'd like fully understand what's going on in that head of yours, try as I might, I can't think of any reason that would warrant a complete change in your behavior. Not to mention your attitude towards your family. This can't continue son and I would like to know the truth from you and I mean right now,"
Trevor knew his dad was almost as relentless as his mother when they wanted an answer about something. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
"Oh Dad, you of all people just wouldn't understand what's going on. I just don't think you could grasp all the things running through my head now or what I have to deal with,"
Remington looked at his son with a face that brooked no arguments. "Try me,"
When Trevor didn't speak up Daniel cleared his throat and stood up. "I say, its getting rather late, why don't we all retire for the night and we can strike this up again tomorrow when everyone has rested a bit,"
Trevor looked relieved as he stood up, Remington looked annoyed.
"Daniel, one way or another I am going to get to the bottom of this,"
Daniel looked at the set look on his son's face. He wanted to protect his grandson but he didn't know the extent of what he was trying to protect him from. He did however know when not to push Remington. He told Trevor to go up to bed and that they could go exploring tomorrow.
"Actually Daniel, I've decided that I am going to take Trevor on a little site seeing tour of my own in the morning. You can catch up with him later in the day,"
Daniel nodded and kissed his grandson goodnight. Trevor beat a hasty retreat to the doors and up the stairs.
Remington sat back down in his chair and lit the cigar Daniel had offered him earlier. He didn't say anything for a long while. Daniel left him to his thoughts.
"Daniel, I think it's time I was truthful with Trevor about a few things," Daniel raised an eyebrow at his son.
"Such as?"
"Such as the truth Daniel. About who I am, where I came from. I think it's time, past time that he knew the real Remington Steele. To be honest, I should have told my children about it a long time ago. I was foolish to wait so long. It's just that...I don't know, I thought they would be dissapointed in me if I did,"
Daniel reached out to place a hand on his son's shoulder. "My boy, why on earth would you think they would be dissapointed. You have achieved more than some will ever know in their lifetime. Don't belittle all you've accomplished son, it would be a mistake. The past has helped shape your future, surely you see that?"
Remington looked over at his mentor and father. How often had Remington wished that Daniel were his real father? Hundreds, thousands? When Daniel had finally told him the truth he knew he'd taken it badly. He'd been so damn bitter, he'd felt he'd been robbed of his childhood. But eventually his anger lessened and he became receptive to the idea of Daniel being his long lost father.
Remington covered Daniel's hand with his own. He smiled and stood up.
"I'm taking Trevor to see just where I grew up Daniel. I don't know how he will react but it must be done,"
Daniel rose and eyed his son. "You're taking him to Brixton? Is that wise son?" Daniel asked with concern.
Remington shrugged his shoulders and put out his cigar. "Whether it is on isn't Daniel, it must be done. Trevor has become disrespectful to his family, his grades have been slipping and yesterday he even yelled at Laura. I swear I could have took his head off his shoulders when I came in to find him toe to toe with his mother. You know Trevor has never been a problem before Daniel, he's always been a kind, intelligent, respectful son but something has changed him and not for the better. I intend to get to the bottom of this before we return to Los Angeles," Remington patted his father's shoulders and left.
Daniel nodded and watched his son walk out. He sat down heavily in his chair and picked up his brandy. He was disturbed to hear what had been going on with his grandson. He didn't understand the motives behind his behavior but he did recall another troubled youth many years ago whose attitude sounded vaguely similar to Trevor's. The trouble was, Remington always had difficulties dealing with his past, and with good reason Daniel thought to himself. He too was still racked with the guilt of just how much his son had suffered growing up. He knew he'd never be able to make it up to him, he prayed that history wasn't repeating itself. He didn't think any of them were strong enough to handle that.