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 2004.

Steele Alone for the Holidays - Part VIII

       Laura was deep in thought as the cab driver carried her to Remington's Hotel.  Her brain had a great deal to process.  Daniel had bared his soul and Laura's world was turned upside down.  Again! 

    Remington had a name, he had parents, a birthday, family history.  It was all so unbelievable.  In the course of a few hours he'd gone from an orphan, with no knowledge of his life before, to a man that had been conceived in love, wanted by both his parents, and through a horrible course of events, had been deprived of the thing he'd always sought to find - his family.  It was all so incredible.  Laura's head spun with the ramifications for the man she'd grown to know and accept as Remington Steele.

    "Trevor Daniel Chalmers," Laura breathed.   "You're Trevor Chalmers.  You have a father that loves you so much.  Oh Remington, I hope you're there."

    When Laura arrived, she paid the driver and alighted from the car.  Looking up she couldn't help but smile.   Remington's taste, in all things was impressive.  Going to the front desk of the posh hotel Laura asked to ring Remington's suite.  There was no answer so she waited in an elegant sitting room right off the main entrance.  After a half an hour Laura decided to leave a message at the desk and await her partner's call.  Pulling her coat on she headed outside to hail a cab back to Daniel's home.  Laura hadn't been outside a minute before a car sped up in a flurry of screeching tires and smoke.   It stopped long enough to open the back door and through out an obviously unwelcome passenger.  People in front of the hotel gasped, a woman screamed and a man shouted to call the police.  Laura saw the crumpled figure try to stand but unable to accomplish the task.  She reached him before anyone else and gently turned him over.   Her breath rushed out in a loud whoosh. 

     Remington blinked a few times to clear his blurred vision.  When he focused he looked confused.   Obviously he was dreaming.  Two seconds later his "vision" spoke.

    "Hello, Mr. Steele."

    ###

    After speaking with the doctor on call Laura was shown into a nearby room.  She walked toward the bed, uncertain if Remington was awake.  Upon reaching the bed she noted that he was indeed conscious.

    "Laura," he said with a bit of difficulty.  The medication they'd given him was already taking effect, rendering him quit without pain, or clear speech.  "I thought I was dreaming," he slurred.

    "Not this time," Laura assured him.  "How are you feeling?"

    "I'm not," he chuckled drunkenly.  "Just hate bloody hospitals..."

    Laura waited for him to complete his sentence but after a full minute she surmised it wasn't going to happen.   She sat down and leaned close to him.  "Remington, what happened?   You look an absolute mess," she said with concern.

    "Hah, you should've seen me before they worked on me.  A fright I was.  Looked like bloody sushi," he snickered.

    Laura smiled despite herself.  He'd be surly as anything when he came out of the medication.  He didn't like taking anything stronger than an aspirin.  He always complained that drugs dulled the senses and left one scatterbrained.  Laura looked at the ridiculous smirk on his face and couldn't help but smle.

    "Daniel was here earlier," Laura informed him.

    "Ahhh, Dan-i-e-l," Remington laughed as if just hearing the punchline of a joke.  "How is the old bean eh?"  "Old bean," that's hilarious Laura.  Get it?"   He laughed slowly since the pain killers where dulling his faculties.

    Laura thought was he truly a sight.  "No, but I guess you did.  Remington, do you know who did this to you?"

    "Uhh uh," he shook his head with considerable effort.  "Not a c...cl...clue," he said as if finally figuring out the word. 

    Laura stayed with him a while longer before he finally fell asleep.  She turned to leave and was startled to see Daniel a few feet behind her.  He followed her out into the hall.

    "Daniel, what are you doing back?" Laura said quietly.

    "Couldn't help it," he frowned.   "How is he?"

    Laura gave him the doctor's prognosis.   It hadn't changed since the last time he'd asked.  Remington was suffering from 'a sound thrashing' but nothing that wouldn't heal in a few days of bed rest.   He was certain to be sore from his injuries but they were all minor.  In no time he'd be good as new.

    "Did he happen to mention who did this?"

    Laura shook her head.  "No, he's pretty medicated right now.  At this point I think he'd say the Care Bears did it.  That's how out of it he is.  The nurse said he'd sleep straight through the night, which will give his body a chance to start healing."

    Daniel digested the information but his mind kept wandering.  Who would do this to Remington?  Obviously, someone wanted something.  The question of the evening was what?  Daniel was too seasoned to think this was just a random mugging.  Oh no, someone or a group of someones was after something.  This was no acccident, it was a message.  Finding the culprit responsible for putting his son in the hospital was the order of the day.  He'd start immediately scouring his contacts to see what was in the wind.  He'd find out, of that he was certain.

    "I've seen that look before Daniel, Mr. Steele wears it whenever he wants to get to the bottom of something.  Which, isn't often believe me,"  What are you thinking about doing?"  Laura asked.

    "Finding out who thought it was a wise idea to put my son in the hospital.  It's obvious someone I know is behind this, I intend to find out who."

    Laura grabbed his hand when he would've walked away.  "You think this wasn't an accident?"

    Daniel's eyes fixed on hers.  "Do you?  You don't believe that nonsense any more than I do.   Someone tried to hurt my son on purpose.  Now, I intend to find out if they were trying to get your agency's attention, or mine."

    Laura looked incredulous.  "You've got to be kidding.  Just how in the world are you going to find out what this is about?"

    "Don't worry Linda," his eyes twinkled.  "I may be retired, but I still know how to find out what I need to know."

    Watching him walk off, Laura was struck with the now noticeable similarities between father and son.  It was amazing.   Still, she wasn't in the habit of sitting by on the sidelines.  Laura had a few connections of her own and she intended to use them.  Walking into a nearby lounge she picked up the phone and dialed a string of numbers.  After a full minute the call went through.

    "Mildred, it's Laura.  Look, I need you to check my office rolodex for me.  There are a few phone numbers that I need."       

To Be Continued...