This story is intended for amusement purposes only. This story is not meant to infringe on the names of Remington Steele, Laura Holt or anything that would cause MTM productions or anybody else to sue me. This story is the property of Lisa Watson ã 2000.

Steele In The Darkness - Part V

    Laura had been in the hospital twenty-four hours and Remington knew he couldn't put it off any longer.  He would have to call Francis and Abigail to inform them that Laura had been injured, and was in the hospital.  He couldn't recall anything he dreaded more than having to do this.  He squared his shoulders and stood up, informing Mildred as he did so what monumentous task he was about to undertake.

    "Oh my Chief, in all the hub bub I'd forgotten all about Laura's family.  If you want, I'll call them for you, I was employed with the IRS Fraud Squad remember?  I think I can handle dealing with Laura's family better than you."  Mildred said with a chuckle.

    "I know you can Mildred but I think I'd better be the one to tell them, being her "Boss" and all I think it would be better coming from me.  Remington managed a smile and headed to find a quiet area in the hospital where he could make the calls.

    "Yes Francis I...no, no she's...I'm sure as soon as the doctor...Of course I do but..."  Remington placed the hand not holding the telephone receiver over his temple and began a slow, rhythmic massage.  He'd been on the phone with Laura's sister ten minutes now and after the initial bad news, he hadn't been able to get a word in edge wise.

    Remington hung up the phone, put his head back against the nearest wall, closed his eyes and enjoyed the silence.  Francis was a well controlled wreck but she had decided that she would be the one to call Laura's mother and inform her of Laura's accident.   Francis told Remington that she would collect her mother and that they would be coming to the hospital as soon as their mother could board a plane and get there.  Remington calculated that he had, at best, a few more hours of normalcy before the Holt women decended on the hospital.  Remington regained his somewhat frazzled composure and decided to go check on Laura.  She'd been understandably distant and quiet since she'd received the news of her condition.  He could understand completely and he supposed under the circumstances he would be the same.  Still, her withdrawal from him did hurt slightly but he dealt with it. 

When Remington entered Laura's room it was to find Laura sitting in a chair by the window.  He went over and pulled up a chair across from her and sat down.  He figured now was as good a time as any to break the news to her about her family's impending arrival.

    "I supposed it couldn't be helped."  Was all Laura had said about it.

    Remington looked at her but didn't speak.  He decided that it was best to leave her alone, at least for the moment.  They sat in silence, each consumed in their own thoughts until Laura's nurse came in with Laura's lunch.  Remington held the tray while the nurse helped Laura back in bed.

    "Would you like me to help you with your lunch Miss Holt?"  Laura's nurse asked her. 

    "I'd be happy to help her."  Remington spoke up as he pulled up the chair next to Laura's bed.

    "I suppose I'll have to get used to doing this on my own, I guess sooner is better than later.  Besides, I think I can find my mouth with my eyes closed."  Laura said as she dismissed both offers of assistance.

    Remington smiled at the nurse as she was leaving and pulled the tray further toward Laura so that she could eat.  Remington told Laura what was on the tray and where it was in relation to herself.  Laura digested all the information and gingerly started eating.  Remington was sitting on the edge of his chair, unaware he was doing so until he felt one of his legs start to cramp.  He sat back and stopped hovering over Laura.  Laura was surprised that she was doing as well as she was.  She hadn't missed any attempts to put food into her mouth, at least not that she knew.  She could tell Remington was poised, ready to help if she needed it but she was determined to get through her meal without any help.

    She hadn't realized how taut her nerves were until the meal was over and she sat back against her pillows.  She was suddenly exhausted from the effort and fell quickly to sleep.  Remington watched her a few minutes before he left her room to stretch his legs.  Mildred told him that Mr. Crosby had left a message with their answering service asking Remington to meet with him as soon as he could.  Remington asked Mildred to keep an eye on Laura while he went to the office for a brief spell.  Mildred told him to take all the time he needed and that she'd stay with Laura. 

    Remington was looking out the window in his office when he heard the knock on the door.  He went to the reception area and unlocked the suite door.

    "Mr. Steele, thank you for seeing me so quickly."  Mr. Crosby said as he came in and shook Remington's hand. 

    "Of course Mr. Crosby, right this way."  Remington said as he stood aside and allowed his client to enter his office.

    "Mr. Steele, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I was to hear about Miss Holt's accident.  Ms. Krebbs informed me when I telephoned yesterday.  I can't help but feel responsible for this whole thing."  Mr. Crosby said with remorse.

    "Nonsense, danger is a part of the risk we run as private investigators, it's our job."  Remington said as he reached in his desk drawer and pulled out a folder. 

    "Here is a brief report of findings.  You'll find it confirms your suspicions about your brother-in-law.  I am sorry I couldn't give you good news but then I'm sure this doesn't come as that much of a surprise to you."

    Mr. Crosby sat down in the chair in front of Remington's desk and read over the report.  His face grew grim and serious as he perused the folder's contents.

    "Well I knew the son-of-a-bitch was up to no good, I never imagined he was this crooked.  Drugs!  I don't know how I'm going to handle this just yet but I will I can promise you that.  I can't let his stupidity endanger my wife Mr. Steele but then that's my problem not yours.  I want to thank you for your agency's hard work on this.  Again I am very sorry about Miss Holt."  Mr. Crosby said as he handed Remington an envelope.

    Remington scanned the contents and then looked back at Mr. Crosby in surprise.

    "Call it added hazard pay Mr. Steele, you and Miss Holt have certainly earned it."  Mr. Crosby said as he extended his hand toward Remington.

    "Mr. Crosby, this really isn't necessary.  Like I told you before, this is our job."  Remington said as he went to hand him back the envelope.

    "Don't insult me son, I want your agency to have it.  This investigation almost cost you two your lives and where I come from, a man pays to have the best."  Mr. Crosby shook Remington's hand again before he left.

    Remington watched him go and smiled as he sat down at his desk.  Good Lord, he thought to himself.  The huge sum of money Mr. Crosby gave him would pay for the agency's expenses for months without them taking another case if need be.  He thought that Mr. Crosby's generosity was ideally apropos, it would give him the time he needed to dedicate his attention to Laura and getting her well.  He headed out of the office and to the bank.  He would deposit the money into the agency's account and be done with it before Laura insisted that they give it back.  Remington chuckled to himself as he thought how tenacious Laura was when it came to that sort of thing.

    True to form Francis and Abigail swept into the hospital like a whirlwind.  They came in to Laura's room and immediately began fussing over Laura and demanding to speak with the doctors about Laura's condition.  Once they were satisfied with the medical care being given to Laura they turned to Remington to find out how Laura's accident had occured.  Remington cleared his throat and began his explination of how Laura had gotten injured.

    "I knew it!  I knew being a private investigator was too dangerous.  Haven't I been saying that for years Francis?  Laura I don't know why you insist on putting yourself in danger all the time, I mean is it worth it?"  Abigail wailed.

    "Mother, of course it's worth it, at least it is to me.  It's what I've always wanted to do, of course you've never understood that have you?  Never understood how much being a private investigator means to me, it fulfills me in a way no other job ever could.  I don't know what I'd do if I had to give it up."  Laura broke then and Remington immediately went to her side.

    "Abigail please, could the reiteration of previous vocation alternatives wait till a more opportune time?"

    "What?" Abigail asked looking at Francis in confusion.

    "I think what Remington is trying to say mother is stop harping on Laura's job, now is not the time."  Francis asked looking to Remington for confirmation.  Remington nodded his agreement.

    The doctor came in then and informed the group that there was no point in keeping Laura in the hospital until the bandages came off.  He told them that since Laura's other injuries were minimal she could go home and recover there.  He thought it best that Laura not be alone and suggested that someone stay with Laura until they knew for sure about the injury to her eyes.

    "I'm her mother, I think I should stay with her."  Abigail said with matronly authority.

    "Oh mother don't be silly, Laura can stay with us, I'm home during the day so I can take care of her."  Francis interjected.

    "Francis don't be silly, you are constantly out and about doing things for your committies, there is also the kids schedule to consider."  Abigail pointed out.

    The next few minutes were monopolized by Abigail and Francis discussing who could best look after Laura.  Mildred looked utterly in awe of the two women, Remington looked like he'd just been given a root canal and Laura looked like she would collapse any minute.  Remington was the first to recover and cleared his throat to get the two women's attention.

    "Uh, would you all excuse us for a moment, I'd like to speak with Laura privately."  Remington said in a voice that brooked no rebuttal.

    Mildred took the cue, stood and with a hand on each woman's shoulder ushered Francis and Abigail out the door.  When they had gone and it was once again silent Remington sat on Laura's bed and put her hand in his.

    "Laura, I know how upsetting this probably is for you and I know how much you are going to protest but I think the doctor has made an excellent point.  It would be a good idea if someone stayed with you until we know for sure what condition your eyesight is in.  What I'd like to know is who you would like that person to be."   Remington asked.

    Laura took a deep breath as she pondered his question.  "Remington I can't deal with my mother and Francis, you know that.  It would be chaos, utter chaos.  I don't want to have to deal with losing my sight, even temporarily, and have to deal with how crazy they make me when they're near.  I just can't bear it."   Laura said.

    "It's ok, you won't have to Laura, not as long as I am here and I don't plan on going anywhere.  I want to be with you Laura, as a matter of fact I'd take a great deal of offence if you considered anyone but me.  Since you are most familiar with the layout of your loft, I think I should move in there temporarily and give you a hand ok?"  Remington asked as he raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

    "Are you sure?"  Laura asked, giving him the opportunity to think about the huge responsibility he'd just signed up for.

    "What kind of question is that eh?  Of course I'm sure Laura.  We are a team remember?  We do things together, through thick and thin, the good and the bad.  You get my drift don't you?  Anyway there will be no more talk of it, I am staying and that is that."  Remington said as he squeezed her to him.

    Laura inhaled his scent and slowly released her breath.  She felt helpless over her situation and hated it.  She didn't like relying on others to help her in any way.  She felt it was a weakness and she despised appearing weak.  But, she was also a realist and she knew full well that she would need someone's help, at least for the moment.  She also knew that she hadn't even considered Francis or Abigail's offer of help.  She wanted help from only one person and that was Remington.  She knew after all they had been through together it would seem unnatural to look to anybody other than him.  Besides had the situation been reversed,she would have done the same for him without hesitation.

    Remington excused himself and went out to retrieve Francis, Abigail and Mildred.  When they returned Laura informed them of her decision.  They protested immediatly but before Laura could take up the battle Remington stepped in.

    "Ladies please.  With all due respect I am certain either one of you could take excellent care of Laura.  The fact remains that I have offered my services and Laura has accepted.  I am more than capable of taking care of her every need and I intend to do just that,"

    "Mr. Steele don't be absurd.  Laura will need someone around the clock, helping her with every intimate detail of daily living.  It isn't seemly that you, as her employer, help her in such a personal way when her family is here and able to take care of her."  Abigail said sternly.

    Remington looked heavenward for a modicum more patience than he had at the moment.  Trying to disagree with Abigail Holt was like trying to take a slab of raw meat from a pitbull.  He knew they were treading on very delicate, very personal ground with Laura's family.  They weren't aware of the depth of his relationship with her and he could see that fact was hindering his progress.  He was about to try to tactfully explain some of the situation when Laura spoke up in exasperation.

    "Mildred, would you excuse us for a moment?  There are some things that need clarification for my family."

    Mildred made a beeline for the door, shutting it firmly behind her.

    "Mother, Francis, there is something you both need to know, something I should have told you years ago.

To be continued...