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 VII

    Remington heard the knock at the door and went to open it.  As he pulled heavily on the door Abigail Holt walked through it.  He bid her good morning and closed the door behind her.

    "Good Morning Remington, I must say, I was worried sick after we left last night.  Is Laura feeling better this morning?"  Abigail asked with concern.  

    Remington thought about last night and how he had halted their lovemaking because Laura had become terrified.  He knew she was feeling better this morning but her reaction last night still troubled him immensely.

    "Actually Laura is feeling much better this morning Abigail, not quite up to snuff but she will get there soon I'm sure of it."  Remington said as he motioned toward the couch.

    Abigail sat down and immediately began straightening the objects on Laura's coffee table.  Remington had already done so earlier but refrained from mentioning that to Abigail.

    "Remington, in all the commotion last night I didn't get a chance to tell you my thoughts on Laura's revelation about her relationship with you."

    Oh Lord, here it comes.  Remington thought to himself as he squared his shoulders, ready to take whatever Abigail dished out.

    "I must say, it took me by surprise, as I am certain it did Frances.  I would never have known, you two are quite good at keeping your personal feelings seperate from your professional ones aren't you?"

    "Most of the time Abigail, though it's something that has taken quite a while to perfect."  Remington said with some mirth.

    "In all honesty Remington I can't say that I am not pleased by what I've heard.  It's been so long since Laura's relationship with Wilson ended that I was starting to wonder if she would ever recover from it, the abandonment of yet another man she loved so completely.  I am sure you are well aware of the pain Laura has felt but refuses to discuss.  I've tried to get her to open up to me on several occasions but to no avail.  I suppose I am the last person Laura thinks would understand how she feels but I do Remington.  I understand more than Laura imagines.  I know you care deeply for her, you must to be with her for so long.  Laura is such an easy person to love but she and I have never been able to express ourselves when it comes to affection.  I was brought up to show affection by deeds, Laura's father showed his love by words.  It was always hard to find common ground between us.  I suppose in the end his leaving wasn't much of a surprise for me but I should have prepared Francis and Laura for it.  I regret that more than I can say.  I'm sure Francis had some idea, she was older, Laura however was completely unprepared for her father's desertion.  He meant the world to her, anyone could see that, especially me.  I'm sure Laura thinks that I am never pleased by what she does.  The truth is I'm quite pleased with how she turned out, I always have been. 

    Goodness, I don't know what came over me, I apologize for being melancholy Remington.  I just wanted to let you know how happy I am that you are here for my daughter.  You do love her don't you?"  Abigail asked pointedly.

    "Yes Abigail, I do.  I love your daughter unreservedly, there is nothing in the world I wouldn't do for her."  Remington said with feeling.

    "That's wonderful Remington but make sure Laura knows it.  Make sure you tell her as much as you show her.  It's important to her even if she doesn't let on."  Abigail smiled as she reached out to pat Remington's hand.

    Laura quietly pulled the bathroom door shut again and leaned against the wall for support.  Never, never in a million years would she have thought she'd hear what her mother had just revealed.  That she loved her, that she wasn't a dissapointment to her mother.  Laura had never felt her mother approved of her and was overwhelmed by what she had just overheard.  She decided then and there that she would do all she could to repair her strained relationship with her mother.  She needed it, they both did.

    "Mother is that you?"  Laura asked loudly through the bathroom door.

    "Yes dear, I thought I would stop by to see how you were feeling today, see if you needed anything." 

    Laura came out of the bathroom and moved slowly over to the couch.  Laura's mother was rambling on and on, making it easy for her to make out where she was sitting.  She knew her mother was probably doing it on purpose, that made Laura smile.

    After a few minutes of idle conversation Remington asked Abigail if she would stay with Laura while he attended to a few things at the office.  Abigail was happy to stay and told him she wouldn't mind in the least keeping her daughter company.  Remington kissed Laura quickly on the lips and told Abigail he'd cook her up a wonderous lunch on his return.  Abigail's mouth watered as she told Remington that she wouldn't dream of leaving and missing one of his sumptuous meals.  Laura echoed the sentiment, truth was neither one of the Holt women could cook worth a darn.  Francis was the only one of them that gave a fig about cooking, Laura figured that was primarily because she was married and had children.

    After Remington left, Abigail went to work.  Laura protested loudly but it fell on deaf ears as Abigail began dusting and cleaning Laura's loft.

    "Mother, there is no need, you know I'm a fanatic about cleaning and whatever I may have missed, which is nothing, Remington would have already taken care of."  

    "Oh Laura nonsense, one can never have too clean a house."  Abigail announced and with that Laura gave up and told her mother she was going to get dressed.

    Laura had found her sweatpants and matching top and was working on locating her shoes when she heard something drop on the floor.

    "Mother?  What was that noise?  Are you rearranging things again?  If you are I won't be able to find anything,"  Laura laughed as she waited for her mother's loud denial.

    When she didn't hear it she moved toward the curtain that she'd pulled closed and opened it.  "Mother?"  Laura called louder in case Abigail was in the bathroom.

    Laura got concerned when she didn't receive a reply and felt her way along the railings of the few steps leading to her bedroom area. 

    "Mother where are you?  Are you alright?"  Laura asked, panic beginning to creep into her voice.  "Mother answer me!"  Laura said loudly.

    Laura was trying to make her way to the door when a voice spoke up behind her.

    "I'm afraid your mother isn't able to speak right now, you see she had a little run in with a candlestick.  The candlestick won."  A man chuckled.

    Laura swung around to face the intruder behind her.  She started backing up and stopped when she felt her knees come in contact with her couch.

    "Who are you?  What do you want?"  Laura asked trying to buy time.

    "Who am I?  I'm the man whose goody two shoes brother-in-law asked you to spy on.  I'm the man that just lost millions of dollars because his bitch of a sister won't listen to reason.  I am the man that deals with anyone who gets in his way.   Figure it out yet Miss Holt?"

    "Of course I did, you are Devin Bethea.  The question is why are you here, what do you want with me?" 

    "Well isn't it obvious Miss Holt, Private Investigator?  I want to scare the daylights out of you, that is before I kill you."

To be continued...