Remington could hear the grandfather clock chiming down the hall. He'd heard the bloody thing chiming every hour on the hour since three o'clock that morning. He hadn't been able to sleep much, he was thinking about his son and on top of that, he missed Laura terribly. He'd told her as much during their brief conversation last night. He told her about his decison to tell Trevor just who Remington Steele really was. Laura hadn't sounded as surprised as he thought she'd be. She did tell him that she supported his decision and was very proud of him for she knew just how difficult talking about the past was for him. Remington rolled on his side and stared at nothing in particular. Truth be told, he never slept well without Laura by his side. He seemed to function a great deal better with her than without her. He laughed to himself at how she'd finally managed to settle him down and ease the pain and loneliness he'd felt most of his life. He owed her his very life and he loved her more than she'd ever know. He smiled as he closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
A few hours later Remington and Trevor were headed towards London. Remington had borrowed on of Daniels cars for the trip. It was an older model car that was pretty non-descript. When Trevor asked why he'd chosen this car over the BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover or the Astin Martin that Daniel kept in his garage, Remington told him that were they were going, they would all stick out and scream to be stripped clean. At that Trevor decided not to press his father for more details, especially since he wasn't sure he wanted to know anymore details. When Remington finally parked the car and turned the motor off, Trevor thought his father couldn't possibly be serious. He had driven him through some very questionable neighborhoods and they kept getting worse. Remington slid out from the passenger seat and came around to open Trevor's door.
"We're getting out? Dad, you can't be serious,"
"Oh on the contrary Trevor, I'm quite serious now out you get,"
Trevor got out the car and looked around. His father placed a hand on his back and ushered him down the street. They came across a dirty, rundown old movie theater. Trevor looked at it with revulsion.
"Yuck, I can't believe the place is still open, by the looks of it, it should be condemned,"
Remington looked at his son and told him that it was called a "Flea Pit" when he was growing up. It was a place where you could see a movie for next to nothing and the old man that ran the place used to let you stay there all day if you wanted. If you didn't mind the derelicts hanging around or the way your shoes always slid or got stuck to the floor, it wasn't a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The farther they walked up the block, the closer Trevor moved into his father's side. If Remington noticed his son's growing attachment to him, he didn't say anything. Trevor was growing more nervous by the minute as they came upon prostitutes standing on the corner calling to them, bums slouched in door ways of run down buildings and dirty kids making a game of dodging around abandoned cars. Remington took it all in, it felt as if he'd been gone from this way of life for so long and yet, it didn't seem long enough. He looked down at his son and pulled him up short.
"Take a good look Trevor, this place is one of the worst slums you could ever live in. There weren't many happy endings living here, most people either died here or got arrested and hauled off to jail. It's like living in hell on earth Trevor, believe me I know,"
Trevor was shaking with fear now, this place was indeed a hell hole and he didn't like being in it one bit.
"How do you know Dad?" Trevor asked his father.
Remington took a deep breath and met his son's gaze squarely. "Because this is where I grew up,"
Trevor was sipping a milkshake as he eyed his father across the table. He was more relaxed now that they had left that god awful place in one of the worst parts of Brixton. Remington had taken his speechless son back to the car and without another word had pulled off. They were now in an area of the West End having lunch in a highly fashionable restaurant. Remington had a troubled look on his face as he stared out the window of the restaurant. He spoke without turning back to face his son.
"Trevor is that the kind of place you want to end up?"
Trevor spoke without hesitation. "No sir. I've seen bad areas of town where we live but they aren't comparable to where you just took me,"
"Trevor, if you continue down the path your going, you just may end up there or worst. Is that what you want out of life?"
Trevor shook his head and eyed his milkshake.
"Then tell me what's going on with you Trevor. Why the sudden changes?" Trevor looked at his milkshake for a full minute before he answered his father.
"I've just been getting ribbed at school alot by people like Joey and Frank. They are considered the "in crowd" Dad. Nobody messes with them, everyone gets out of the way when they come down the hall. Its not that big a school dad, everyone knows what everyone's parents do for a living. I've been getting teased by guys from the in crowd. They know you and mom are big shot detectives and all. They call me names like goody two shoes and stuff because of you and mom. I just got tired of it that's all. It just seemed easier to become friends with them and have them like me than have them laughing at me all the time. It was so easy not to ace a few tests and to do things that would make me more like them. I know it was wrong but it's hard having parents like you and mom. You both never to ANYTHING wrong, everyone respects you and looks up to you and just because I'm your son, everyone expects me to be just like you, all the time," Trevor finished in a huff.
Remington looked at his son for a moment before he spoke. "Trevor, I can understand how much pressure you are under at school. I am no stranger to peer pressure believe me. But you can't let people talk you into doing things you know aren't right. You must always be the best you can be, you should never try to purposefully fail tests just to be accepted by a bunch of reprobates. You work hard to maintain good grades and keep up with class activities, I know you do Trevor. Don't ever allow someone to make you feel bad for doing your best. As for your mother and I being big shot detectives, Trevor we get respect from our peers because we've done a hell of alot to EARN it, especially your mother. We've become the best we can be by trial and error Trevor. Of course we make mistakes, sometimes on a daily basis, but the point is to learn from those mistakes Trevor and to try your best not to repeat those mistakes. I'm no paragon of virtue Trevor; I've made more than my fair share of bad decisions, some that could have landed me in far worst places than the slums you just saw,"
Trevor eyed his father in earnest. "Dad, did you really grow up there?"
Remington turned to look at his son. "Yes Trevor I did. There is so much about me that I've tried to keep concealed from the people I care about the most. I realize now how foolish I was to try to shut out the ones I love. I suppose I didn't want people to know the truth about me because I didn't want them to think less of me,"
Remington took a deep breath and trudged on. I never knew my real mother and I didn't find out that Daniel was my real father until much later in my life. Most of the time I was bounced around from house to house. Living with people I didn't know and who didn't care a fig about me, except for them being able to milk the government for another mouth to feed. I never knew or felt love when I was young. I used to dream about how one day I'd find my real mother and father and we'd live happily ever after. Most of the time I ran away from my so called "family". More times than not I found myself on the streets. I can't begin to explain what its like wondering where you are going to sleep at night or where your next meal is coming from. Most of the time I hustled people out of their money or stole things just to survive. I never did drugs, I didn't want to end up getting stuck in the ribs by some addict. I tried to stay clear of those types of people. It just seemed easier to become a Canon,"
Trevor looked up in confusion. "What's a Canon Dad?"
"A master pick pocket. When I was about your age I tried to pick the pockets of the stuffy looking chap. He was dressed real fine and I figured he'd have enough money on him to set me up for a least a few days. I got away with his wallet and ran back to my hide out. Little did I know the man followed me, I thought I did enough dodging to give anyone the slip but I was wrong. The man was better at cons than I was, he found me and made me a proposition. He'd get me off the streets for good if I would just learn his trade. He convinced me that anything done in life should be done right," Remington looked at his son and continued. "That man, was your grandfather Daniel,"
It was two hours later when Remington finished his story. He and Trevor were on their way back to Daniel's house. Trevor sat in the seat next to his father in silence. Remington knew that most of this, if not all of it was a shock to his son. He prayed he'd understand and not think him a phony. He couldn't take the silence any longer.
"Well there you have it Trevor, my life from the time I could remember it until now. I was lucky Trevor, damned lucky to have come across Daniel when I did and to eventually meet your mother. I did what I had to do when I was young to survive, but after I met your mother, all that changed. I stayed around because I grew to love, admire and respect your mother. I tried to be everything that she'd ever wanted when she envisioned Remington Steele. The longer I did it, the easier it became and the less I missed the life I used to know. I've told you all this Trevor because I want you to do the right things, make the right choices in life because you want to, because you are following what your heart dictates. I want you to be true to yourself and never worry about what others may think of the person you are. Do you understand what I am saying to you? I know this is a lot to digest Trevor, I hope you won't judge me too harshly or think I'm a bad person,"
Remington finished with trepidation in his voice. Remington pulled the car into the driveway of Daniel's house and got out of the car. Trevor followed and he and his father walked towards the gardens.
Trevor looked at his father as if seeing him for the first time. He never would have guessed this in a million years. His father was a con man before he met his mother, that it was his mother's agency all along, that his father had stolen famous jewels and art. Trevor shook his head as if to clear it.
"I don't think your a bad person how could I, you're my dad. You and mom have made me the person I am and I love you for it," Trevor hugged his father tightly.
Remington embraced his son and felt the tension leaving his body. He hadn't realized just how much this fourteen year old's understanding meant to him.
"So, you don't see me as an ogre for living a deception eh?" His father asked.
Trevor grinned as he looked up at his father. "Actually Dad, I see you as human. You don't know how hard it's been living with parents that never seemed to do anything wrong or make mistakes. Its good to know that it took you a long time to get to that point and that it wasn't always smooth sailing for you and mom. I see now that I should have told you both what was bugging me a long time ago. I just didn't think you'd understand. I promise that as soon as we get home, I'm going to tell Joey and Frank and the in crowd to get lost. I can handle any teasing I get from now on without compromising who I am,"
Remington turned his son to face him. "Good, I'm glad to hear it!. Trevor, you can always tell your mother and I anything. Don't ever be afraid to come to us, whatever the situation we will face it as a family. You got that?"
Trevor nodded and hugged his dad again.
"Good, now let's go find your grandfather. I suspect it's his turn to be in the hot seat eh?"
Daniel and Trevor had gone horseback riding so Remington took the opportunity to catch up on some reading. He was streched out in the library in a high backed leather chair and ottoman. He would call Laura soon to tell her what was going on with their son. He still felt bad for not always living a straight and narrow life but at the time he would have done anything to get off the streets. There was just no hope for it he thought to himself. He was glad that his image hadn't been tainted in his son's eyes. If anything, he felt his son seemed relieved to know his parent's weren't Saints. Remington knew Trevor's impressions of him and Laura were largely due to them trying to make everything run smoothly around them and to protect their children from some of life's harsh realities. He knew now that they may have been trying too hard to compensate for his past transgressions. He was sure that by now Daniel and Trevor were going to be deep in conversation about all that Remington had told his son. He knew Daniel was more than capable of handling the situation so he wasn't the least bit worried how Daniel would fare. He heard the front door bell chime, he wondered who it could be since Daniel hadn't mentioned anyone popping round for a visit. He quickly got up and went to answer the door. He met Mr. Ashby in the hall and told him that he'd get the door. He could tell by Ashby's disapproving look that he wasn't used to people doing his job for him. He grinned at that. He felt there was no reason to get too spoiled by Daniel's servants since there was no way Laura was going to allow him to get lax in his duties around the house. It was all he could do to convince the woman that he was hopeless at lawn care and that they needed to hire a professional landscaping company to do it.
Remington opened the front door, there was a lovely woman standing there looking back at him. She was older, around Daniel's age so he figured it was one of Daniel's lady friends.
"Good day Mam, are you looking for Daniel? If so, I'm afraid you've missed him. He's off horseback riding with his grandson,"
The lady looked at Remington as if committing every line, every edge of his face to memory. He could sense her scrutiny but didn't know the reason behind it.
"Ah, perhaps you'd care to wait? I don't suspect they will be out that much longer. She snapped out of her reverie and quickly shook her head.
"Yes, thank you, I would love to wait for him, if you don't mind,"
Remington escorted the woman to the drawing room and handed Mr. Ashby her coat. "Not at all," Remington finished.
The woman took a seat and looked a bit nervous. Remington rang the bell pull and when Mrs. Waverly came in he asked her to bring in some refreshments for their guest. Mrs. Waverly eyed the woman, almost coldly before turning on her heels and leaving. Remington thought her behavior quite odd, considering Mrs. Waverly was always the pillar of politeness. When she'd returned with the refreshments Remington poured Daniel's guest a cup of tea and offered her some finger sandwiches. She took the tea but declined the food. Remington helped himself and sat across from her.
"So, have you known Daniel for awhile?"
The woman shook her head and sipped her tea. "I've known Daniel since I was but a girl of sixteen. I lived in Ireland then, a small village called County Meath. Daniel was passing through when I met him. From that moment on, we were inseparable,"
Remington thought that odd, keeping company with young girls didn't seem to be Daniel's style. He usually preferred older women.
Remington noticed that the woman kept staring at him. He was beginning to become a bit uncomfortable so he stood and asked her to excuse him for a moment. He was walking to the doors when she stood up and asked him to wait.
"Wait! Please, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable with my scrutiny. It's just that Daniel has talked so much about his son, I felt it was past time to meet you for myself. Please sit back down, I will try not to stare,"
Remington returned to his chair but eyed her with curiosity. "You say Daniel speaks of me often? That's intriguing considering he's never once mentioned you. Permit me to introduce myself, I am..."
"Remington Steele, Daniel's son," The woman said as she extended her hand to shake his. Remington nodded and grasped her hand. "And you are?"
The woman eyed him intently as she held his hand. "My name is Brianna Donohue...I am your mother."