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 IX

    Mildred held the bag they had brought with them as Abigail continued looking around to make sure the coast was clear.

    "Are you sure this is going to work boss?"  Mildred asked with uncertainty.

    "Damned if I know Mildred but I don't think Bethea will be looking for us to try this twice."  Remington said as he steadied the gun and fired the hook toward the warehouse roof.

    "Now up you get, Mildred." Remington motioned for Mildred to go first.

    "Oh Chief, I don't know about this, I'm not exactly light you know."  Mildred eyed the line in front of her.

    "Mildred relax, this is steel and it is completely safe, well as long as you don't let go."  Remington smiled to try to eject a bit of levity into the situation.

    Mildred was hardly convinced but she knew Laura's life hung in the balance so she pulled the harness tightly and nodded that she was ready.  The wire retracted and hoisted Mildred into the air.  She closed her eyes and prayed nothing went wrong.  Remington prayed right along with her as he turned toward Laura's mother. 

    "Now, you are quite certain you are up for this Abigail, Laura would kill me if anything happened to you and I can't say I'd blame her."  Remington said, worry evident in his voice.

    "Relax Mr. Steele, I'm clear on my part, you just rescue my daughter."  Abigail said as she smiled at him and dissappeared into the darkness.

    Remington looked after her then up at the wire in front of him.  He wondered if he had made the right decision in bringing Mildred and Abigail along.  If anything happened to either one of them he'd never forgive himself. 

    "Mmm." Remington moaned before he secured himself to the harness and eased up the wire toward the roof.

    "Ok Gino we've got everything we need, there is just one more thing that needs to be taken care of before we leave."  Devin said as he ushered his henchman toward his office.

    Devin opened the door and stepped aside to allow Gino to enter first.  Gino saw a disheveled woman that had obviously been knocked around a bit and looked back at his boss.

    "Who's the girl and what's she doing here?"  Gino asked as Devin came in and closed the door behind him.

    "She's a detective that my soon to be dead brother-in-law hired.  The old man just won't stay out of my business!   No matter, I will handle him in my own good time.  Before I do though, I want to have a bit of fun with him.  I'm going to kill this bitch and send her to Richard.  I think the surprise just may give the old coot heart failure.  Just think how easy my job would be if that happened hey Gino?"  Devin laughed heartily.

    "Now first things first, I want you to kill the blind bitch and lets get going, I don't want to miss our flight."  Devin said as he held a gun out to Gino.

    "Blind?  You mean she can't see?"  Gino asked in shock.

    "Boy you are bright aren't you.  Of course she can't see!  Didn't you notice the bandgages on her face you dope!  Now kill her and lets get going."   Devin said tersely.

    "I don't know boss, I ain't never killed someone that couldn't see before, especially a woman.  I don't think I could."  Gino said eyeing Laura.

    "Oh you don't?  Then what the hell do I pay you for you idiot!  I'll tell you what I pay you for, it's to do whatever the hell I say that's what I pay you for!  Devin walked over to Laura and pulled her to him.  "So sorry Miss Holt, I wanted to kill you myself but  I've got to get ready to go pick up a shipment and there just isn't time."  Devin sad in mock sadness."  He threw Laura back into her chair and chuckled. 

    "Now shoot her, strangle her, beat her over the head, I don't care how you do it just do it and stop holding me up!"  Devin yelled at him before he stomped out and slammed the door behind him.

    Laura heard silence after that and assumed Gino was pondering what his boss had demanded of him.  She knew she had only one chance of getting out of this alive and she took it.  She got up from her chair and began waving her arms in the air and slowly making her way toward him.  She stumbled a few times for good measure as she did her best to seem completely helpless.

    "Hey, hold it lady, don't take another step.  The boss says I have to kill you and I always do what Devin wants."  Gino said as he looked at Laura.

    "I suppose you do Gino.   May I call you Gino?"  He nodded at her but she couldn't see it so she took his silence for a yes.

    "Look Gino, I can assure you my death will not go un-noticed.  Right now my partner has the police on there way here to arrest your boss for kidnapping, drug trafficing and attempted murder.  Do you really want to be here when they storm the place Gino?"  Laura asked as she reached out toward him.  She stumbled again and felt a strong hand reach out to steady her.  She smiled in gratitude as she reached up to touch Gino's arm.

    "Ok Mildred, you wait here and if you hear any commotion and don't see me back at the appointed time, get yourself off this roof and out of here ok?"   Remington looked to Mildred for confirmation.

    "I got it Chief."  Mildred said as she watched Remington lower himself into the warehouse.  She looked at her watch to check the time and prayed he'd find Laura alive.

    Remington jumped down and made his way toward a pile of crates stacked against a wall.  He ducked behind them and looked around to access his situation.  He had no clue where Devin was holding Laura and knew finding her without being detected was going to be difficult.  He didn't see any sign of movement in the warehouse but he knew better than to assume the coast was clear.  He slowly made his way toward the front of the warehouse looking all around him as he did so.  He had made it a few hundred yards before he saw a big man walking toward him and pulling Laura behind him.  He said a prayer of thanks as he scaled a stack of crates and waited for them to pass him.  As they did he jumped on the big man's back, the impact knocked Laura to the ground.   Remington noted the man barely buckled under the attack and cursed aloud as Gino slammed him into a wall in an attempt to dislodge him.

    "No good mate, give it up, she's coming with me."  Remington barely got out as Gino rammed him into the wall again.

    "Remington?  Is that you?"  Laura asked as she got up and made her way toward the commotion.

    "Well of course it's me, perhaps you expecting someonelse?"  Remington said as he strained to tighten the grip on Gino's neck.

    "Gino stop, he's the partner I was telling you about."  Laura said.

    Gino stopped and Remington released his hold on his neck and jumped down.  Remington and Gino eyed each other warily as Remington went to grab Laura's hand. 

    "Laura we've got to get out of here, there isn't much time.  There is a line leading to the roof, in the same place we came in before, Mildred's up there waiting."  Remington informed Laura.

    "Mildred? You brought Mildred?"  Laura said in shock. 

    Remington informed her they had more pressing matters at hand like getting out of there in one piece.  Gino told Remington he had been helping Laura escape when Remington had jumped him from behind.  Remington apologized as he led them back to the line leading to the roof.  Remington secured himself to the line and then gathered Laura to him.  They thanked Gino for his help as Remington began reeling them toward the roof.  They had only made it a few feet before the line stopped.  Remington looked up but couldn't make out what the problem was.  He unhooked himself from the harness and told Laura they'd have to climb up the rest of the way.  Gino held the line steady from below as Remington began climbing.  Laura had a firm grip on the line and slipped her foot around it to hold her steady.  She slowly began pulling herself upward, Remington continued talking to her so that she would have a focal point.  Just then the line pitched and Laura began losing her grip.

    "Laura! Hold on!"  Remington shouted down.

    "I'm losing my grip."  Laura said as she tried to get a firmer hold on the line. 

    Remington slid back down to Laura as fast as he could to grab her hand.  Before he could the line broke and they both went falling toward the floor.  Gino had been watching them and was able to catch Laura before she hit the ground.  Remington hit the ground feet first and fell over.  He was slow getting up so Gino went over to help him.  As he pulled Remington to his feet someone clapped from behind them.  They turned around to see Devin behind them with Mildred at his side.

    "That was almost a great getaway, almost.  Sorry I had to cut it short."   Devin said laughing.  He reached into his jacket and retrieved his gun and pointed it at the group.

    "I'm sorry boss, he came up behind me."  Mildred said in dismay.

    "No apologies needed Mildred, most snakes don't make any noise when they approach."  Remington said eyeing Devin coldly.

    "Tsk. Tsk Gino, I am dissapointed in you.  I give you a simple task to complete and you betray me.  Pity."  Devin said as he fired his gun at Gino. 

    Gino looked down and saw the blood slowly staining his shirt, a look of shock on his face as he collapsed to the floor.  Remington immediately went to lunge for Devin but he held the gun up and pointed it at Mildred.

    "Not so fast sport.  You make another move and the old bat gets it.  I wonder though, if you had to choose between the blind bitch or the old bat, which one would you choose."  Devin asked pointedly.

    "I can say without reservation that I'd choose you Bethea."  Remington said as he looked Bethea in the eyes.

    "Wrong answer sport, I suppose we'll just have to see won't we."  Devin said as he raised his gun again and took aim.

    "Devin stop!  Enough of this, let them go and I will give you whatever you want." 

    Devin turned around to see his brother-in-law behind him.  He smiled like a cheshire cat as he shoved Mildred toward Remington and Laura and pointed the gun at his new target.

    "Richard, how nice of you to join our little party.  It seems you saved me the price of postage.  I won't have to mail Miss Holt's body to you after all.  So sorry I have to make my sister a widow but these things happen.  You just couldn't stay out of my business could you, just couldn't leave well enough alone.  No, you had to keep putting me down, telling my sister I wasn't capable of running things on my own, I hope you see now just how wrong you were.  I can run things just fine on my own and I will be, once you are dead and buried there will be nobody in my way.  Well, well, it looks like today is my lucky day isn't it Richard?"  Devin said as he cocked his gun and aimed it at his brother-in-law.

    "I don't think so Devin."  A woman's voice said sadly.

    Devin whirled around to see his sister standing there with a woman and an entourage of police at her side.  Devin's smile faded and was replaced by rage as the police advanced on him guns drawn. 

    "You set me up, all of you!  This isn't over yet Caroline I promise you.  It was supposed to be mine, all of it!  I will get even if it's the last thing I do.  I'll be back and all of you will be sorry you ever messed with me!"  Devin screamed as the police handcuffed him and pushed him out of the warehouse.

    Richard walked quickly over to his wife and embraced her.  "Caroline, what are you doing here?  How did you know?"  Richard asked in surprise.

    "I told her."  Abigail Holt said as she headed toward Laura.

    "Mother?  What the...will someone please tell me what's going on?"   Laura yelled in frustration.

###

    "So you mean to tell me you sent my mother to alert the police and warn Caroline Crosby what her brother was up to?"  Laura said pinning Remington with her voice instead of her usual glare.

    "Laura, if you think about it, it was the safest place for her.  Well what did you expect me to do?  She was determined to help rescue you, I thought it would be better for my health if I agreed with her.  After all, she is a Holt."  Remington said as he wrapped his arms around Laura in an effort to sooth her temper.

    "Caroline darling, what possessed you to come here?  The police could have handled it, why did you put yourself in danger."  Richard asked his wife.

    "Oh Richard, I love you to death but I swear you try to protect me too much.   I'm not the fragile woman you think I am and I'm not blind to my brother's ways.  Oh goodness, no offense Miss Holt."  Caroline said in dismay.

    "None taken Mrs. Crosby." Laura assured her.

    "I'm well aware of my brother and his jealousy toward you and me Richard.  I must admit I didn't know of his illegal activities but I am not surprised.  He always thought he could get away with anything.  It saddens me to see that his self-centeredness and hatred for us has become his undoing."  Caroline said as she hugged her husband tightly.

    "Well Mr. Steele, this has been quite a case."  Laura said as she snuggled closer toward Remington. 

    "Indeed it has Miss Holt.  I hope you aren't mad at me for allowing your mother to help out."  Remington said as he kissed her neck.

    "Of course not.  When has anyone ever been able to out argue my mother?"   Laura laughed.

    "Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you, must be hereditary eh?"  Remington laughed as he moved to duck the pillow Laura was trying to hit him with.

    He plucked the pillow from her hand and pinned her to the bed.  Laura protested loudly and Remington used the opportunity to his advantage as he lowered his lips to kiss Laura's open mouth.  She gasped when he came in contact with her mouth but warmed immediately and returned his kiss with ardor.

    "I'm glad everything worked out in the end.  It's a shame Gino had to get shot but at least it wasn't fatal.  It was good of the police to cut him a deal if he testifies against Devin."  Laura said as she moved her hand absentmindedly on Remington's arm.

    Remington raised his head and looked at Laura's face, the bruise where Devin hit her still evident on her cheek.  Remington frowned and brushed his fingers lightly across the purple mark.

    "I'm sorry I didn't get there soon enough to keep that bastard from doing this."  Remington said softly.

    "It's ok, really.  I wanted to thank you for coming to my rescue."   Laura said with sincerity.

    "Laura I'll always come for you, unless I'm dead of course but then you knew that didn't you?"  Remington asked as he moved a finger over her lips.

    "Yes I suppose I did but it was music to my ears to hear your voice anyway."   Laura said as she raised a hand to pull Remington toward her for a kiss.

    It was a passionate kiss that quickly intensified as Remington moved slightly over Laura.  She arched toward him in an attempt to get closer as she began kissing his neck and running her hands through his hair.  Remington moaned and buried his face in her neck, he sought the spot on Laura's neck that always drove her mad.  Laura immediately moaned in response and wrapped her legs around Remington's torso.  Just then the telephone rang, interrupting their lovemaking.  Laura and Remington sat up and looked toward the intrusive ring.

    "Do you want me to answer it?"  Remington asked as he nibbled on Laura's ear.

    "No, I'll get it."  Laura said as she reached out and felt around on her nightstand until her hand came in contact with the receiver.

    "Hello?  Oh hello mother.  No I'm not sleep, I was just...What?  I'm feeling fine mother really.  Yes mother, he is here.  Well mother we were right in the middle of...Yes I will tell him for you ok?  Alright I will, goodnight mother."  Laura said as she felt around to replace the receiver in its cradle.

    "What was that all about?" Remington questioned.

    "Mother called to see how I was feeling and to tell you that she really enjoyed helping out today.  I think she has a knack for it."  Laura grinned as she ran her hands seductively down Remington's back.

    "Uh Laura, what were you about to tell your mother we were right in the middle of?"  Remington asked as he moved a hand to cover her breast.

    Laura smiled wickedly as she let her hands roam lower to grasp Remington's rear end.  "Why Mr. Steele, I was only going to tell my mother that we were right in the middle of debriefing each other on the case."  Laura said innocently.

    "Mmm Hmm.  And what case would that be Miss Holt?"  Remington asked with an eyebrow raised.

    "Why the case we were working on last night.  I really want to finish what we started Remington, I think I will be ok this time."  Laura said as she kissed him.

    "Are you sure Laura?  If you aren't we don't have to do anything more than this.  I don't want you to feel rushed."  Remington said with concern.

    Laura assured him she was fine with their continuing where they left off.  Remington was just about to kiss her when he sat up and told her he'd be right back.  Laura wondered what could possibly get Remington out of the bed as they are about to make love when he returned.  She asked him what could possibly be so important and he told her he had an idea that he wanted to try.  Laura looked warily at him and told him she wasn't up to ice cubes or anything sticky tonight.  Remington laughed and told her to keep talking. Laura asked him why but Remington told her he'd tell her when he got back in bed.  Finally Laura felt the mattress give, an indication that Remington had made it back to the bed.  Before she could ask him what this was all about he spoke up.  He told her that he had gone to get something that he thought would make her feel a bit more comfortable and that he never wanted her to be afraid of the unknown.

    "Laura, it tore my heart in two when you panicked last night and I want you to know that I will always be here for you, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what condition either of us find ourselves in.  I love you that much Laura and I want you to feel that love, always."  Remington said as he raised her hands to his face.

    Laura pulled away slightly when her hands came in contact with material and not his skin.  She felt around more until she realized that he had covered his eyes with something.  She asked him why his eyes were covered and he told her that he could never truly understand what she was going through but with the blindfold on, at least for tonight, he would be able to help her not feel so vulnerable.

    "Since we both are in the dark, for now, we will be able to use our other senses to relay what our eyes cannot."  Remington said as he laid back down and pulled Laura with him.

    Laura felt the blindfold once more before she held on to him and manuvered herself on top of him.  He put his hands on her waist to hold her firmly in place.  She lowered her face and kissed him lovingly on the lips.

    "Remington I love you so much.  I'm in awe of your compassion towards me.  When we first met, never in my dreams would I have known you'd come to mean so much to me or to have such an impact in my life.  I'm at a loss for words to describe how this one gesture of yours has made me feel."  Laura said as her voice became choked with emotion.

    "Show me love.  Show me." Remington said as he pulled her down and kissed her with all the passion and love he felt for her.

###

    Remington was holding Laura's hand tightly as he sat beside her.  Laura knew he was nervous, she was too as the doctor asked her if she was ready to have the bandages taken off.

    "As ready as I'll ever be doctor."  Laura said nervously.

    Remington could feel her worry seeping into his hand and he squeezed her to him as he rose to help her up and on to the examination table.  Laura leaned back against the cushion and tried her best to remain calm.  To date, she'd never known such anxiety and she hoped to God she never would again but she knew that she would handle the outcome, whatever it was. 

    The doctor and nurse were just about to begin removing the bandages when Laura stopped them. 

    "What!?  Remington asked nervously as he looked at Laura.

    Remington, please don't take this the wrong way but I...I want to do this by myself, I don't want anyone here with me when the bandages come off.  If this doesn't go like we hope, I...I want a bit of time to myself."  Laura said praying he'd understand how she felt.  Remington's first reaction was one of hurt but he quickly squelched his own feelings and tried to concentrate on Laura's.

    "Uh, sure darling, whatever you want.  Um, I'll just be right outside the door with Abigail, Frances and Mildred if you need me ok?"  Remington said as he kissed Laura firmly on the lips.

    "I love you Laura, it will be fine ok?"  Remington said.  He looked at Laura briefly before he turned and left the room.

    "Ok Miss Holt, let's get these bandages off you alright?"  The doctor said with warmth as he gave Laura's cold hand a squeeze.

    "Remington, will you stop pacing, you are making us all dizzy."  Abigail said as she watched Remington walk by her yet again.

    "Hmm?  Oh, sorry Abigail."  Remington said as he took the seat next to her and began bouncing his leg up and down in quick sucession.

    Abigail smiled at Remington and gave his hand a brief squeeze.  The door to the exam room opened and the doctor came out into the hall.  Four pairs of legs stood up as the doctor walked toward them.  He told them that Laura wanted to see all of them and he stepped aside to allow them to enter the room.  They all eyed the doctor to try to get some idea of what to expect but the doctor's expression remained non-committal as he followed them into the room.

    Remington, Abigail, Mildred and Francis all stood there staring at Laura for any sign of what the outcome was.  Laura was sitting in a chair, her face ashen.  The bandages were gone and they could all see her brown eyes looking at them but they just couldn't tell yet if she could actually see them.  Finally Remington couldn't stand it anymore.  He walked over to Laura's chair and lowered himself to his knees in front of her.  He looked at her and raised his hand to her cheek.

    "Laura?  Sweetheart say something--please.  Tell us...can you see?  What can you see?"  Remington he held his breath.

    "Blue." Laura replied as she looked deep into his eyes.  

    He saw relief, excitement, gratitude and love all mixed together in her eyes as the tears started falling down her face.

    Laura reached out and put her shaking hands on either side of his face.  "I see blue."

The End