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 2003.

Steele Alone for the Holidays - Part III

    Remington stood aside as the bellman took his luggage into his suite.  He gave him a generous tip and smiled as the man thanked him and departed.  Remington stretched out on the king-sized bed and sighed.  It had been awhile since he'd been in London; apart from Daniel, there were only a select few that would be happy to see him.  He opened his eyes and looked at his watch.  It was six o' clock in the morning in Los Angeles and Laura would still be asleep.  Suddenly images of her bedroom came into vision.  He saw a vision of Laura sprawled out with her hair covering her face, her naked body with those delectable freckles in all the right places.

    His body constricted in remembrance of their night together.

    "I think a shower is in order," he said aloud. 

    His stomach growled reminding him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. 

    He dialed room service and ordered a meal to be sent up in thirty minutes.

    Opening his case he pulled out his toiletries and headed to the bathroom.

    ###

    Laura huffed with exertion as she kicked the front door shut with her foot.  "Coming!"  She yelled aloud as she displaced the numerous packages in her arms and ran for the telephone.

    "Hello?" she breathed heavily.

    "Good Lord, it sounds as if you've run a marathon."

    Laura heard the familiar voice and a huge grin spread across her face. 

    "Hello there, Mr. Steele."

    "Hello yourself Miss Holt,"  Remington said warmly.  "Having fun without me eh?"

    Laura snorted loudly.  "If you call standing in lines all morning, fighting with rabid shoppers over merchandise and getting my foot stepped on by a kid throwing a temper tantrum fun; then I've been having a ball."

    "Well tis the season Laura; swollen feet and migraines seem to go hand in hand with egg-nog and mistletoe."

    "Bah humbug!"  Laura said collapsing on the couch and kicking off her canvas shoes.  "So, I take it your flight went well."

    "Actually quite nice, if you don't include the two angelic little cherubs fighting over which dolly was prettier two rows behind me.  Or the man snoring loudly..."

    Laura's laughter interrupted him.  "It sounds like you've been having as much fun as I have." 

    "I can think of a few things that would definitely be more fun with you," he said deeply.

    Laura's breath caught in her throat.  She turned onto her back and crossed her left leg over her right.   Bouncing her leg in mid-air she smiled into the phone.  Really?  Do elaborate Mr. Steele." 

    "Mmm.  I think I'll save that for a late night conversation."

    "I'm looking forward to it," Laura replied.  "So, how are things with you?  Have you seen Daniel yet?"

    "No but I've phoned him.  I plan to pop round his flat later for dinner.  He sounded quite pleased that I'm in town, put out that I've booked myself into a suite instead of staying with him.  No doubt I'll have some explaining to do tonight."

    "I'll bet,"  Laura laughed.  "I miss you."  Laura said suddenly and awkwardly.

    "I miss you too."  Remington admitted.  "I wanted to phone when I first arrived but it was six in the morning and I didn't want to wake you.  Were you in the buff?"

    "Remington!"  Laura sputtered.

    "Sorry, couldn't resist.  I'll phone you later tonight ok?"

    "You'd better."  Laura replied and hung up.

    She stared at the ceiling and wondered silently just when she'd fallen in love with Remington
Steele.

    ###

    "Harry my boy!  This is certainly a surprise!"  Daniel said and pulled the younger man into his arms.

    Remington clapped Daniel on the back a few times and smiled warmly.  "You know how I love those."  

    "Always did my boy, come in, come in."  Daniel coughed suddenly in an effort to hide the rush of emotions.

    Harry felt deep affection for the man he'd come to love and trust like a father.  He followed Daniel to his study and sat down on the well-worn leather couch.  Daniel loved lavish things and tended to re-decorate frequently but this was one area in his large house that he refused to alter.  Daniel's study had dark, leather furniture, wood paneled walls and carpet that looked older than Harry.  It was masculine, comfortable and infinitely Daniel.

    "When are you going to update this old hovel eh?" Harry teased when Daniel handed him a brandy snifter.

    "Bite your tongue my boy," Daniel said indignantly. He sat down in a wing-backed chair across from Harry and held up his glass in a silent toast. 

    "So, what brings you to London Harry?  I know you didn't fly all this way to escape being harangued by Miss Holt did you?"

    Harry snorted and took a sip of his brandy.  "No Daniel, I didn't.  And I find these days that I don't mind being the target of Laura's...tirades," he smirked.

    Daniel assessed Harry with a seasoned eye.  He sat deeper in his chair and slowly lit a cigar.  He inhaled, savored the aroma and taste of it before expelling the smoke to circle lazily around the room.

    "I take it you and Linda have come to new level of...understanding?"

    Harry took the same amount of time before he answered.  "We have at that Daniel.  I'm sure that annoys you doesn't it?"

    Daniel shrugged.   "You know Linda and I have never seen eye to eye on anything, except maybe our devotion to you.  For that I can't fault her; her ability to stick her neck out to protect you and her obvious affection for you is quite admirable."

    Harry looked up from his glass and stared at Daniel in surprise.  "I never thought I'd hear you say something that nice about Laura.  Does that mean you're softening up to the idea of Laura being in my life on a more permanent basis?"

    All the color drained from Daniel's face and he choked as the brandy slid roughly down his throat.  "You...you aren't thinking about marrying the girl are you?" he sputtered.

    "Relax Daniel, that nerve above your right eye is twitching.  That always happens when you're about to get all lathered up," Harry admonished.

    Daniel waved his hand in dismissal.  "But are you?" he pressed.

    Harry sighed.  "You and Laura are more alike than you know."

    Daniel would've said something but Harry held up his hand.  "No, I'm not asking Laura to marry me Daniel.  But, I do love her."

    Daniel remained silent as he digested that bit of information.  He knew he'd alienate Harry if he protested his committment to Linda.  That's the last thing he wanted.  He wouldn't risk losing him for any reason.  Harry was more important to Daniel than he realized.

    "Well, if all is well with you and your associate and this isn't entirely a social call, why are you in London?"

    Harry stared into his glass.  He swirled the dark liquid around and looked at it as if he expected the key to all his torment to manifest itself.

    "Time to bury some ghosts Daniel," he said quietly.  "I can't move on with my future until I've silenced the voices of my past."

    "Is this for Laura?  Has she demanded you tell her the truth?"  Daniel said seriously.

    "No Daniel, this isn't about Laura pressuring me, she hasn't.  I'm pressuring myself.  I've been a beast to live with lately, always am at this time of year.  I decided it was time to get over it all.  To face my demons and get myself on track.  I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself about my life before you and Laura came into it.  I owe you both more than either of you will ever know.  But it's time Daniel, past time that I confronted those that tormented me, used me for their own selfish means."

    Daniel got up and sat next to his protege.  "Harry, are you sure?  Is dredging up all those painful memories really necessary to move on with you're life?  I mean, look how well you've done for yourself without it?  You're Remington Steele, world famous detective; not to mention being financially comfortable in your own right.  Why do this to yourself dear boy?"

    Harry put a hand on Daniel's and squeezed it affectionately.  Daniel returned the gesture, his heart threatening to overflow with the love he felt for the young man next to him.

    "Because, I have to; I can't exercise those demons if I don't ever face them Daniel.  Up to this point I've just put them out of my mind, but to no avail.  Eventually they find their way back to the forefront and cause me and the people I care about most of all to suffer.  I can't go on like this Daniel."

    "I'll support you any way I can Harry, you know that."  Daniel stressed.

    "Thank you," Harry said quietly.

    "So, where are you going to start?"

    Harry stood up and walked over to the side table.  He filled his glass again and drained the fiery liquid in one swallow.  Daniel could see the pain as if it were tangible.  It broke his heart.

    "I think I'll start first thing in the morning.  I'll pop round to see Agnes Moore.  She's where it all started at any rate.  Makes sense she should be at the top of my list eh?"  Harry said with a casual tone he was far from feeling.

    Daniel smiled and nodded thoughtfully.  He would be there for Harry, no matter what the personal cost to him; he'd make sure Harry didn't get in too deep and not be able to find his way back.   He'd protect him, no matter what.

To Be Continued...