Laura and Remington consummated their relationship but it didn't quite work out as hoped.  Now what? 

Just so you know, this is Rated R in some places.

Star Crossed Steele - Part I

Mildred raised her arms above her head and stretched as far as she could, sighing heavily in the process.    During the last few weeks she'd worked harder here at Remington Steele Investigations than she had on ANY audit she'd ever conducted for the IRS!  She was exhausted but she'd learned a great deal in the process.   She'd learned that Laura's innate ability to bury herself in her work when she was troubled had now become the standard for, none other than Remington Steele himself!   Over the past few months, the two of them had put a whole new meaning to the phrase "well oiled machine", they were efficient, professional, punctual and the epitome of two partners working in tandem.  Mildred also knew that it was perhaps the biggest facade of the century.

A few months ago the seemingly happy world that Laura and Remington had created by FINALLY consummating their relationship had tilted on its axis and come to a screeching halt.  Mildred didn't know what the hell had happened, nor had either of them volunteered any information, except to say that things just hadn't worked out for them personally and from here on out it would be a professional relationship only.   Mildred remembered she'd almost given herself whiplash  her head had spun around so quickly to watch the two of them retreat to their respective offices.  From then on it had been beyond "business as usual" at the Remington Steele Agency.   They didn't socialize with each other outside the office unless on an official case and to make matters worse, they were both seeing other people!  Mildred rubbed her fingers across her temples when she thought about the whole situation.   She couldn't find fault with either of their choices for "replacements".

Laura's new boyfriend was tall, handsome, successful and a gentleman.  He understood her need to work long hours and respected her privacy.  Mr. Steele's girlfriend was beautiful; she actually had a brain in her head, charming to be around and she WORKED!  If anything Mildred should be happy that her two "kids" had found people that they could possibly settle down and spend the rest of their lives with, but she wasn't.  Dammit, this isn't the way it was supposed to turn out!  her brain screamed out in frustration.  They were supposed to be happy and together not happy with other people, it just didn't feel right to her.  Mildred knew that as much as she should let it go and accept it she couldn't.  She knew that if she sensed deep down in her soul that this was the way it was supposed to go down, she'd let it go and wish them well (and actually mean it).  Mildred got up and went to freshen up her coffee.  As she was coming out she saw Laura and Remington leaving for a meeting with a client. 

"Oh hello Mildred, Mr. Steele and I are leaving to meet Mr. & Mrs. Carruthers.  We should be back before lunch in case anyone calls." 

Laura turned to Remington with a quizzical look on her face.  "Mr. Steele, do you think we should bring their case file with us, just in case?  I don't know about you but I'd like to go over it again in the car, just to refresh myself.  We've been working on so many cases lately, there all starting to blend together." 

Remington nodded in agreement.  "Quite right Miss Holt, I shan't be a moment." 

With that Remington quickly walked back into his office to retrieve the file in question.  Mildred just stared as Mr. Steele returned and they both left the office.  Mildred walked back to her desk with a determined stride and picked up the telephone.  She dialed a number and waited. 

"Hello Francis, it's me.  Would you mind stopping by I'd like to talk to you.  Sure that would be great, see you then."  Mildred hung up the phone with a decisive click.  

She knew she wasn't crazy, but she'd feel alot better getting another person's opinion about the subject.  Fourty-five minutes later Francis Piper was coming through the door.  As usual Francis was immaculately dressed, her hair, nails, make-up and clothes were the height of fashion.  Looking at her one would hardly suspect she was the mother of three and worked part-time at her husband's dental office.  Mildred stood up and ushered Francis over to the sitting area.  Francis smoothed her dress out and looked questioningly at Mildred. 

"Ok Mildred, I got here as soon as I could now what's up?" 

Mildred squared her shoulders and decided jumping in head first would be the best approach. 

"Francis, you and Laura are a great deal closer now than you used to be, I was wondering if she's confided in you about her relationship with Mr. Steele at all?" 

Francis sat further back against the couch and pondered Mildred's question. 

"It's true that Laura and I have barried the hatchet and put all our past differences and competitions behind us.  We are good friends now, finally acting the way sisters should.  As far as her and Remington are concerned, she hasn't mentioned anything since she told me a few months ago that they had decided to call it quits on their personal relationship.  I must admit I was quite shocked, as were Donald, Mom and the kids.  They absolutely love Remington and were all sad to hear that he and Laura didn't work out." 

Mildred was let down but pressed on anyway.

"I know Francis, Laura didn't exactly elaborate to me either.  I just find it quite bizarre that after all those years of denying how they felt, they finally stop running from each other and committ to a real relationship, only to have it end abruptly a few months later?  It just doesn't make any sense to me Francis.  I know there's something more to this, those two belong together and it isn't just my wishful thinking Francis." 

Francis leaned toward Mildred and patted her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. 

"Mildred I wish I could be more help, the truth is I don't have any clues.  I tried to press Laura for answers believe me, but she clammed up tight and wouldn't discuss it.  I must say that she's found a wonderful new boyfriend though, it's amazing how much the family likes him.  What do you think about Sean?"  

The conversation hadn't turned out exactly like Mildred had hoped but she couldn't lie. 

"Actually Francis I don't have a thing against Sean Grainger.  I think he is a wonderful man, I couldn't find a fault with him if I tried.  He treats Laura as well as anyone that cared about her could hope for."  I'm not trying to be a pit bull about this Francis really, I just think that Mr. Steele is the man that was meant for Laura."

Francis nodded her agreement but didn't think there was a solution to the problem.  

"You know Mildred, Laura and Remington were the ones to call it quits.  I think that they are the ones that know their feelings, better than we do."  

Mildred looked at Francis, "I wonder about that Francis, I really do."  

Francis stood up and told Mildred that she had to head to Donald's office.   Mildred walked her to the door and bid her goodbye. 

"Mildred if there's anything I can do, let me know?" 

Mildred told her she would and returned to her desk.  The telephone rang and Mildred answered in a forced chipper voice.  

"Remington Steele Investigations, Mildred Krebbs speaking."  

"Good Morning Mildred, it's Sean, I was wondering if Laura was around?  I wanted to confirm our plans for lunch this afternoon." 

Mildred reached for her notepad to take a message. 

"I'm sorry Mr. Grainger but Miss Holt isn't in the office.  She and Mr. Steele had an appointment this morning with a client.  I don't suspect that they will be gone much longer if you'd like me to take a message?"  

Sean pondered that for a moment before he spoke.  "That's ok Mildred, I'm sure she'll call me when she returns.  I'll talk to you later and have a great day." 

With that he hung up.  Mildred hung up her telephone and sat there staring at the receiver. 

###

"I must say Miss Holt, Mr. Steele, your agency seems to have everything in order.   This report is just what Elaine and I were looking for.  How about you two join us for lunch at the Polo Lounge?" 

Laura and Remington had both started making their apologies when Elaine Carruthers spoke up. 

"Miss Holt, Mr. Steele, I think it best to let you both know that Edgar and I refuse to take no for an answer.   You both have done an outstanding job on our account and we want to thank you properly, besides by paying our bill."  Elaine finished with a hearty laugh.  

Remington and Laura looked at each other briefly before Remington spoke up.  

"Ah, of course Mr. & Mrs. Carruthers, Laura and I would be delighted to join you for lunch.  If you would give us a moment to call in to our office and alert our associate Ms. Krebbs, we'd appreciate it." 

Edgar stood up and pulled his wife to her feet.  "Why of course Mr. Steele, Elaine and I will meet you at our limo." 

Remington nodded and turned to Laura. 

"Would you like to call Mildred or shall I?" 

Laura told him he could do the honors.  Remington dialed their office and spoke with Mildred. 

"Yes that's right Mildred, uh I'm not certain how long we will be there so let's say we'll be out till about two.  Hmm?  Ok, I'll relay the message to her straight away. Bye-Bye."  Remington hung up and turned around. 

"Mildred said that Sean Grainger telephoned regarding your plans for lunch." 

Laura got up and headed toward the phone.  "Oh my I almost forgot we were supposed to be going to lunch today.  I'll just call him now and talk to him." 

Remington headed toward the door as Laura looked up.  

"Mr. Steele, you don't have to leave the room just so I can call Sean."

"Actually Laura, I was going in search of another telephone.  Nicole and I had made plans for lunch as well, I was just going to call her and let her know we'll have to make it dinner instead." 

Laura nodded and turned around to make her call.   Remington looked at her back for a moment before he headed out the door.

Laura had to admit that lunch with the Carruthers' was quite entertaining.  They were a gorgeous couple, each gifted with a wicked sense of humor.  She hadn't remembered the last time she'd laughed that hard, or the last time she'd heard Remington laugh so unreservedly.  Remington had offered to drive them back to the office so she had lounged back in her car's passenger seat and rubbed her stomach. 

"I think my stomach is going to be aching for a week."  Laura complained as hugged her middle. 

"At least."  Remington said in agreement.  "Those two have quite the sense of humor don't they?  I don't remember the last time I teared up laughing so hard." 

Laura turned to look at him.  "Neither can I." 

Remington looked over at her and smiled.  She returned his smile for a moment then looked away.  He returned his gaze to the road. 

"I must say Laura, I commend you on your choice for a new car.  I have always held a certain tendre for the Baverian Motor Works.  I'm glad you finally decided to replace the rabbit.  I don't think any car had been put to the paces like that one had."  

Laura looked at him and chuckled.  Mr. Steele, you were with me when I picked this car out remember?  You flooded my office and my loft with Road & Track, Car & Driver, BMW Today and any article you could find on BMW's, not to mention you whined for nearly two weeks when I told you I'd decided on the Rabbit's replacement, the Cabriolet."

Remington looked shocked as she'd recounted his efforts to persuade Laura to splurge on herself and get the BMW. 

"Laura really, I was simply pointing out the superior design and mechanical improvements you'd get by purchasing this car.  I mean you DID get the convertible model didn't you?  And I must say the color suits you to perfection." 

Laura looked around her BMW 328i convertible with the tan interior and wine colored exterior and smiled.  He was right, she loved the color and she loved the car.  It was the first major splurge she'd ever done in her life.   The agency was beyond successful and had made them both able to live as comfortably as they wanted.  She loved the feel of it when she'd first sat down in it.  He'd gone with her to buy it, like she could have NOT taken him, he would have sulked for a week.  He loved spending money, especially HER money he told her as he spoke with the salesman about options for her car.  When everything was done, the car bought, paperwork signed and Laura and Remington driving home in her new car, she knew she'd love this car for a few reasons and he was one of them.  He had waited until they'd gotten to his house to tell her that he too had bought one, of course his was a 7-series that had to be specially ordered.  It figured.   Laura had laughed at him as he'd pulled her into his bedroom and down on the bed.  He also told her that it was silver with gray interior and that he'd already ordered his new license plates, they read "ICY CALM".  Laura couldn't help laughing at that and he took great pleasure in thinking up ways to silence her laughter.

Remington's voice snapped her out of her daydreaming. 

"What?"   Laura asked as he repeated the question. 

"I said it was nice of you to give your Rabbit to your nephew Danny.  He was beside himself with joy when you presented it to him.  I don't think he's gone a week yet without washing that car inside and out.  I tell you Laura, he'll need a new paint job if he keeps that up." 

Laura laughed at that.  "Well it made no sense to trade it in, besides it had sentimental value and I was happy to be able to keep it in the family.  That means I can still see if from time to time." 

Remington looked at her and smiled as he remembered how nostalgic Laura could get.  They'd reached their office building so he parked in one of their reserved spaces and went around to Laura's side to assist her out of the car.  He held his hand out and Laura took it and stood up.  She thanked him as she retrieved her hand and headed toward the entrance.  He closed the door behind her and caught up with her.  They were silent on the ride up in the elevator, both caught up in their own thoughts.  When they arrived to their office it was to find Sean and Nicole waiting for them and holding a conversation with Mildred.

Mildred smiled as she saw Laura and Remington enter the suite.  She noticed that the "more than business professional" smiles they were each wearing when they came in vanished as soon as they saw Sean and Nicole. The smiles were now replaced with partner etiquette as they both ushered their respective others into their offices and shut the doors.  Now what was that all about Mildred wondered to herself.  She'd caught a rare glimpse of the old Laura and Remington and wondered what had brought about the change.  She decided she'd contemplate it later and turned back to the work sitting on her desk, giving it her full concentration.

###

"Umm, I missed you at lunch today darling."  Nicole mumured as she wrapped her arms around Remington's neck. 

His arms went around her waist as he drew her to him for a passionate kiss. 

"Really?  I wonder how I can make it up to you at dinner this evening eh?" 

Nicole smiled seductively as she played with his tie. 

"Oh I'm sure we can think of something Remington don't you?"  

She molded herself to him to make sure he'd gotten her full meaning, it wasn't lost on Remington. 

"Most assuredly sweetheart.  In fact, I've got a few suggestions right now, would you care to hear them?" 

Nicole laughed as she kissed him on the lips and went to retrieve her purse from the chair. 

"Actually I'd better leave while the getting is good.  I've got clients coming over in an hour and I'd like time to go over the samples I've prepared for them.  See you at 7 o'clock?" 

Remington smiled as he walked her to the door.  "With bells on." 

Remington laughed as she blew him a kiss and left.  He went over to his desk, sat down and put his feet up.  He picked up the file that Mildred had placed there and began to read the contents.

###

"Mmm you know even the best swimmers need to come up for air sometimes."  Sean laughed as he pulled his lips from Laura's mouth. 

"Are you sure?"  Laura asked playfully as she moved back around her desk to sit on her chair. 

"At least that's what I hear but then again, they never had you to lock lips with did they?" 

Sean asked as he sat on her desk in front of her.  

"So are you coming up to the cabin with me this weekend?  Say yes and make me the happiest man in LA."  Sean said running his fingers across Laura's cheek. 

Laura reached out to kiss one of his fingers and he moved them quickly as he noticed the flash of her teeth. 

"Oh no you don't, I'm not falling for that a second time you vampire."

Sean pulled Laura up to him and made a biting gesture on her neck.  Laura giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. 

"But I thought you liked when I did that."  Laura asked in mock innocence.  

"I do but I hardly think you'd appreciate my taking you right here on your desk in the middle of the day.  Not with Mildred and Mr. Steele just a few feet away.  Or would you?"  He asked moving closer toward her. 

Laura hopped up and headed for her door. 

"I think you'd better high tail it outta here Mr. Grainger before we find out.  As for this weekend, I don't know yet, it's still a few days off and I don't know if Mr. Steele and I will need to do the stakeout we'd been planning.  How about I let you know later this week?"  Laura asked.  

Sean came up to her and gave her a quick hug and kiss.  "I suppose that will have to do."  He said a little sadly as he opened her office door.  "Just remember, you've been working hard lately and I'm just dying to give you the Grainger rub down." 

Laura smiled and pushed him out the door.  "Don't tempt me Sean." 

He laughed at that.  "But Laura darling, I have to make sure you realize all the fun you could be having with me instead.  After all, that's my job as your boyfriend isn't it?" 

Laura laughed as he headed out the door to the suite.  She shut her door and headed back to the paperwork she was determined to finish before she left that night.

Mildred was clearing her desk off when Remington came out and handed her a file.  

"Thank you for putting that together Mildred.   Your ability to dig up what everyonelse seems to miss is second to none." 

Mildred took the folder and smiled.  "Thanks Chief." 

Remington looked at Laura's closed office door and turned back to Mildred. 

"Miss Holt leave yet?" 

Mildred shook her head as she gathered her coat and keys. 

"Not yet Boss, I was just in there saying goodbye, she mentioned working late to finish up some paperwork."  

Remington nodded and told Mildred to have a good evening.  She wished him the same and left the office locking the door behind her.  Remington returned to his office and shut the door.  Laura's head was buried in a mound of paper when Remington knocked on her door and opened it.  He looked at her and waited for her to look up.  When she did she had a questioning look on her face. 

"Working late are we?"  Remington asked putting on his suit coat. 

"How observant you are Mr. Steele.  Nothing gets past you does it?"  Laura asked grinning.  

Remington looked at her a moment before answering.  "Not when it concerns you Laura." 

Dammit, he knew he shouldn't have said that.  By the worried look on Laura's face he knew she knew he shouldn't have said that.  But it was true.  

"I guess that would be the case.  I mean, we've known each other for years haven't we?  We know every nuance about each other so I suppose there isn't much about each other that we don't know is there?"  Laura asked looking up at him.  

He returned her gaze and lounged against the door jam between their offices.   He was slow in answering her, was that deliberate she wondered or was he really pondering the question. 

"I suppose you're right Laura, about how close we are, or where.  But I think there are still some things about each other that we still don't know." 

Laura couldn't let that go if she tried.  "Such as?" 

Remington shrugged.  "Well I mean we used to know each other's feelings pretty well, but I think given the way things turned out, that isn't the case anymore is it?"  

Laura looked down at the papers in front of her.  For some reason the letters started swimming around on the pages.  She didn't look up when she answered him.  

"How would we know each other's innermost thoughts and feelings.  We're no longer intimate anymore and surely that would be necessary for that level of knowledge wouldn't it?" 

Remington pulled away from the door and closed the distance between them.  He sat on her desk in front of her and waited.  When Laura didn't look up he reached over and tilted her face up to meet his gaze. 

"When we were intimate Laura, did we really and truly know each other's innermost thoughts and feelings or where there some areas that we felt were just too personal to tread?  Is that why we pulled away do you think?  Before we had to deal with them, share them with each other?" 

Laura moved away from him and walked across the room.  She needed to put some space in between them and quickly.  She couldn't look at him just yet so she answered without turning around.

"Why are we going over this now?  What is the relevency of it?  I mean why bother to open old wounds when we've both moved on, both started seeing other people?   Other wonderful people I might add." 

She didn't hear him but she knew he was now standing right behind her. 

"In my opinion, those wounds you spoke of aren't exactly that old.  I know how special Sean has become to you.  I feel the same way about Nicole.  I didn't think I'd find someone that interested me so soon but I did.  She's everything I could have hoped for.  I suspect you feel the same way about Sean don't you.  To be honest, I can't find a thing wrong with him." 

Laura turned to look at him then.  "Why, did you try?"  

"Of course I did Laura, as I suspect you did when you first met Nicole." 

Laura refused to admit that he was right but she knew he knew it anyway.

Laura was getting bothered by the direction their conversation had taken.  They hadn't spoken this personally in a long time and she found that now that they were, she wasn't prepared for the ambush on her senses. 

"I still don't know why we are talking about this now.  We talked about it all before remember?  We both decided to end things between us and move on with our lives.  Our professional life is going along wonderfully isn't it?  I mean how often can two people be in a relationship for as long as we have, become intimate, have it not work out and then go back to being strictly professional?  Not that many I'd wager." 

Remington looked at her for a moment before answering.  "And you think that's something we should be proud of?" 

Laura ran a hand quickly through her hair and walked back to her desk.  "I didn't say we should be proud of it, I just meant that we've found a way to make it work, to deal with any awkwardness that may have been between us.   I'm not suggesting that we become spokespersons for Heaven's sake."  

Remington laughed at that.  "Well that's a good thing Laura, because I'm not so sure that we have it all figured out yet."

Alarms were screaming in Laura's head. "What the hell does that mean?  Of course we've come to terms with everything, how could we not?" 

"Why Laura? Because we found a way to work together without any bad feelings or being uncomfortable with each other?  Oh be honest won't you?  That doesn't make matters settled between us, that just means we are damned good at sweeping things under the rug and pretending we don't see them." 

Laura was in front of him now with her breath coming quick and her eyes blazing.  "Why are you doing this?  Tell me the real reason, is it because of my relationship with Sean?" 

Remington shook his head.  "To be honest Laura, I don't think this has as much to do with Sean or Nikki as it does you and me.  I just get the nagging feeling that we are living in a world we created that isn't quite real and that it will come falling down around us if we aren't careful." 

Laura shook her head to make sure she heard him right.   "What the hell does that mean Remington?  We aren't living in a fantasy world.  We work everyday to keep this agency in business, we each have wonderful people in our lives that we care a great deal about.  I would call that reality not fantasy so can we just drop this subject and pretend it never came up?"

Remington reached over and grabbed Laura by the shoulders and began shaking her.  "Dammit Laura that's all we do isn't it?  Pretend!  You pretend to have a boss named Remington Steele; I pretend I don't have a past that would put us both in jail if anyone found out about it, we both pretended for years that we didn't feel strongly toward each other, now we are pretending that what we had wasn't meant to be so we shouldn't have bloody well bothered in the first place.  When does the pretending stop Laura?  When do we stop piling more pretense on top of all the old pretense?  Can you stand there and tell me you've stopped thinking about me all together on any level other than your partner?  Can you tell me that you don't want me anymore Laura?  That you never think about those few months we were together and truly happy for the first time in years of us being together?  Can you tell me that sometimes when you are alone you don't think of us making love and the passion we felt for one another?" 

Laura felt the tears wetting her cheeks and hated herself for it.  She pulled herself out of his arms and backed up to put some distance between them.

"What is it you want me to say?"  Laura whispered. 

"The truth Laura, that's all I've ever wanted from you!  The bloody truth about how you feel!  Remington roared at her. 

"I can't do this anymore, I can't.  You want the truth?  Why?  What will it gain us now Remington but broken hearts.  For years I've wanted you, desperately.  Like a child wants that one toy they can never seem to have.  I couldn't explain me feelings, couldn't rationalize them to myself.  I don't know why I was drawn to you, I knew it was doomed from the start.  We were too different; I wanted stability, you didn't want to be tied down.  But there it was anyway, that attraction, that pull toward each other.  I tried to fight it every way I possibly could but it didn't work, I still wanted you.  Do you know how many nights I laid awake in bed thinking about you?  How many times during the day my thoughts slipped to you?  More than even I can count, but deep down I knew we could never make it work, never make the fairytale come true.  Do you know how hard it is for me to admit being so attracted to you that I became unglued by one of those damn looks of yours?  Me, Laura Holt, private investigator.  Miss by the book, Miss do everything that's expected of her, Miss always there to please everyone.  What a laugh!  The one thing I wanted above everything was you.  Just you.  I didn't care about your damned past anymore, I stopped trying to use that as an excuse years ago.  I wanted you, but I knew I'd get burned just like a moth to a flame and you know what?  I didn't care, I knew it would never last but I didn't care.  Is that truth enough for you Remington Steele?  There it is, in all its glory!  I was attracted to you from the moment I saw you and I've loved you for longer than I can remember."  Laura wiped the tears from her eyes and grabbed her coat and purse.  "And now that I've beared my soul for you I think it's time I said goodnight."

Laura headed for the door as fast as she could but it wasn't fast enough.  Remington's voice caught her before she'd even left her office. 

"Laura don't!  Don't make me chase you, not again." 

But Laura couldn't take it anymore.  She felt raw and exposed.  All she knew was that she had to retreat and quickly.  She tried to run for the door but Remington came up behind her and spun her around to face him. 

"The running between us stops Laura.  Right here, right now."  He lowered his lips and claimed Laura's firmly and possesively.  

She felt herself immediately respond and tried all the harder to pull herself out of his arms.  His hold on her tightened as if he sensed she'd bolt if given the opportunity.  He deepened the kiss, praying she'd respond to him.  Laura knew it was wrong but she was helpless to stop the feelings screaming inside her.  She felt her arms go around his neck of their own accord.  She felt her body lean into his frame and was powerless to stop herself.  She felt as if her own body was betraying her mind as she felt her purse and coat drop to the floor. 

"Laura."  Remington breathed against her mouth.  "Don't fight me anymore, I'm just as undone as you are.  I love you Laura, please don't fight this." 

Laura heard the words but she still persisted in trying to retreat.  Remington felt her reluctance to believe him.  He moved backwards with her until he felt her pressed firmly up against her office door.  He knew she couldn't run from him now, the thing he wanted most was for her to not want to leave him. 

He knew it wasn't fair but he was desperate.  He assaulted her senses with his hands, his mouth and his body, anything that would get Laura to give in.  He loved her beyond reason and he wanted her to believe him.  He kissed her neck, her lips, her hair, anything he could reach.  She was frenzied now and she held on to him as if her life depended on it.  He felt her moving against his front and thought he'd die soon if he didn't have her. 

"Laura, please believe me, I love you, I've always loved you.  You've have to know it's the truth." 

Laura looked up at him, her lips were swollen and her eyes were glazed but there was recognition in them.  

"Remington, I can't fight you anymore, I can't fight me anymore...I just don't have the strength." 

She lifted herself up and molded her body into his.  He responded immediately as he sighed his own surrender deep in her mouth.  He eased them both down the door and onto the floor.  Laura didn't relinquish her hold on him as she followed him to the floor.  Her legs easily going to either side of his body as she straddled him on the floor.  Each was oblivious to all except one another as Remington rolled Laura underneath him.  He looked at her with intense scrutiny for a brief moment.  He saw the acceptance in her eyes and lowered his mouth to claim hers for a searing kiss.