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 2007.
Stepping back into his office, Remington rejoined the group on the couch.
“Mr. Steele, is Laura okay?” Wilson ran a hand over his brow. “She seemed rather upset, and left so suddenly. I hope our showing up like this out of the blue hasn’t caused any—”
“Of course not,” Remington interjected. “Dedication to duty has always been paramount for my wife. Luckily for both of us, Laura remembered an important meeting with the police commissioner. Hearing you say you’d be married ten years triggered that connection—ten o’clock appointment and all. She asked that I relay her apologies for the hasty retreat.”
Appeased, Wilson relaxed. “Oh, that isn’t necessary. I remember work always took center stage with Laura.”
“Some things never change,” Remington agreed.
As Remington launched into a monologue about busy schedules and professional obligations, Amanda leaned in to her husband. “Is he always so…lengthy?” she whispered.
“Always,” came his hushed reply.
Neither Jeffries noticed Remington’s arched eyebrow, a clear indication he’d overheard their comment.
Clearing his throat, Remington spoke louder than necessary. “Now, why don’t we discuss why your daughter would like to retain our services?”
Amanda glanced down at her daughter. “Sweetheart, is that why you ran off?”
The little girl nodded. “You both seemed like you didn’t want to ask Mrs. Steele to help us, but you said she was the best person who could. I didn’t mean to run off, I just wanted to ask her myself if she’d make it so you and mommy wouldn’t worry so much.”
Wilson gathered Dakota in his arms. ”I promise you, baby, we’ll work this out.”
After a moment, Wilson leaned in to whisper in his wife’s ear. Nodding, she smiled brightly and leaned down to address her daughter. “Cody, how about us girls go check on Ms. Krebbs?”
Dakota knew a set-up when she saw one. Nodding obediently, she followed her mother out the door.
After his wife and daughter left, Wilson took a deep breath. “It all started innocently enough. Just a simple class trip to the park set this whole thing in motion. Two weeks ago, Dakota’s gym class spent the afternoon in the park having relay races. Cody went to retrieve a stray ball, and stumbled upon an altercation between two men. One man was getting roughed up pretty good. Dakota ran to get her teacher. When he returned, both men were gone.”
“Fortunate for the man being pummeled that your daughter came along when she did. She appears to have saved his life.”
“That’s what we thought, too. But since then, we’ve received several days of hang-up calls to our home number, I was in a hit-and-run accident, and Cody swears there was a man following her one day after the bus dropped her at school.”
Remington was thoughtful. “And you don’t think these are random occurrences?”
“You think they are?”
When Remington didn’t respond, Wilson continued. “Contrary to my wilder bachelor days, I now lead a pretty straightforward life, Mr. Steele.”
Remington placed his hand over his mouth to hid a smile.
“Car pools, play dates, company golf every third Saturday and two vacations a year. So when we start getting unpredictable things happening on a frequent basis, I’m going to get a bit concerned.”
“I see your point. Tell me, Wilson. Have you alerted the local authorities?”
“Of course, I have, but they haven’t uncovered anything, and other than a description from a nine year old, they have nothing else to go by. We’re to alert them immediately if there are any more mysterious incidents. Quite frankly, Steele, I don’t want to wait around that long. Will you and Laura take our case?”
Remington stood. Wilson immediately followed. Placing an arm around Laura’s old flame, he squeezed reassuringly. “Of course. Laura and I will do some preliminary digging to see if we can find anything. Rest assured, if there’s anything out there to find, we’ll find it, okay?” Remington patted him on the back several times before shaking his hand. “In the meantime, why don’t you and your family stay at the loft?”
“I don't know, Steele. We don’t want to intrude…”
“Nonsense. It’s the safest place for you, and you’ll be easily accessible, in case we have additional questions.”
Guiding Wilson to the reception area, Remington said goodbye, then went over to bring Mildred up to speed.
####
“Chief, you can’t be serious,” Mildred whispered behind a file folder. “Do you know how hard it’ll be to find out anything on that little bit of information?”
“Yes, I am, and yes, I do, Mildred. Still, we’re going to do what we can for Wilson and his family. I’d appreciate if you can take statements from each of them.”
Mildred lowered the folder. “Sure thing, boss.”
“Then call and have Fred bring the limo around.”
“You got it.”
Remington reached into his wallet to retrieve the company credit card. “Treat the Jeffries and yourself to dinner, too.”
“Ooh, great.”
“After dinner, have Fred drop everyone at the loft. They'll need help getting settled.”
Mildred’s mouth dropped open. “Come again?”
“If there is someone out there trying to get to little Dakota, the safest place for them to be is right under our noses.”
“True, but…”
“Trust me on this, Mildred, okay? I’ll be in contact later,” Remington replied shrugging into his jacket while heading for the door.
“I’ll handle it, but wait,” Mildred called after him. “Where are you going?”
“To find my wife.”
####
Laura sat on a bench staring into thin air. A familiar voice sounded behind her.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Not bothering to look up she replied, “How’d you find me?”
There are several places you go when you have something weighing on your mind,” Remington reasoned. “The observatory was the last stop on the list.”
At that confession, Laura looked up. “You didn’t.”
“Actually, I did,” he laughed then sobered. “Want to talk about it?”
Laura’s arms snaked around her middle. “You were there. I made a complete fool of myself running out of the office like that. Strange thing is, I don’t know why I did it.”
Walking in front of her, Remington lowered himself until he was eye level with his wife. “Sure you do.”
Silent, Laura lowered her eyes. A few seconds later, Remington tilted her face up with his thumb and index finger. “Laura, I’m not here for recriminations. Talk to me. I want to help.”
Tears rolled down her face. Eventually, they rolled over the fingers Remington still hadn’t moved. “What do you want me to stay?”
He smiled. “Amazingly, the truth still works wonders.”
Standing, Laura walked to the iron rail. After a few moments she turned to face her husband. “There wasn’t a rebound girl,” she blurted out. “There was supposed to be a rebound girl, but there wasn’t. All along she was the one he was supposed to be with, it wasn’t me. It was never me—and you know what I’m sitting here stupidly wondering?”
Remington shook his head.
“Why wasn’t it me?” Laura cried. “What was wrong with me? Why wasn’t I good enough to be the happily-ever-after?”
Walking over to her, Remington pulled Laura’s rigid body into his arms. “How could you ever think you weren’t good enough—for anyone, eh?”
Remington leaned down to kiss the bridge of her nose. “You weren’t meant to be Mrs. Wilson Jeffries, Laura. Deep down in your heart you know that’s true. Personally, and for purely selfish reasons I might add, I’m glad you didn’t end up marrying him, because I’d have hated to be the one to inform the poor sod that he’d just married my happily-ever-after.”
Laura leaned against his shoulder for a few minutes before she spoke. “I’m sorry. This isn’t fair to you. I don’t know why I’m letting Wilson’s marriage, and his being a father affect me like this. I don’t want you thinking I’m doubting how my life turned out. I’m not. I love my life—I love you.”
“Darling, I love you, too, and what you’re feeling is perfectly normal, Laura.”
She looked up in confusion. “It is?”
“Of course. This was a man you loved. Deeply. A man you lived with for several years. Discovering he’s married, and has a child was bound to stir up latent emotions. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel some pangs of the past.”
Laura pondered his words. “I hope…that is…I don’t want you to think...don't think for a second that I’m having doubts about us. I don’t. I’m happy how we turned out.”
“Good to know,” Remington wrapped an arm around Laura and guided her back down the hill. Arm in arm, they walked in silence until Remington spoke. “Tell me something. Was finding out Wilson had a daughter more upsetting then hearing he’d married?”
Hesitantly, Laura nodded. “I guess it made me question my decision to put off having children. For a second, I was—”
“Jealous?”
Laura stopped walking. “Mmm Hmm. I always figured it was something I…that we’d discuss when the time was right. But—”
“It never happened.”
“Yeah. We’d just gotten on the same sheet of music with this relationship of ours, and then getting married— again,” she laughed. “I just thought we were getting used to the idea of truly being together, you know—before we’d broach that subject.”
“Me too,” he admitted. “Honestly, I’m still getting used to kissing you without being shot at. Still, I’d like us to have children, too, Laura. Every so often it enters my mind, but I can’t deny that until that moment comes, I’ll relish our practice sessions.”
Laura laughed. “What would I do without you, Mr. Steele?”
“I’m praying you never have to find out,” he winked. “Now, how about we head back to the office? By now, Mildred has the Jeffries’ safely ensconced at the loft. She’ll stay with them while you and I figure out our next move. I’ve got a lot to bring you up to speed on. That is, if we’re going to help them,” Remington said pointedly.
“Of course, we’re going to help them,” Laura replied, “but the first thing I’m going to do is apologize to Wilson and Amanda for running out of the office earlier.”
“No need. I explained you were merely assuring that we didn’t keep our good friend, the police commissioner waiting.”
“The police commissioner,” Laura stammered.
“Our ten o’clock appointment. Really, Laura, I wish you’d keep up.”
A look of mock chagrin crossed Laura’s face. “My apologies, Mr. Steele.”
Laura was heading for her parking space when Remington grabbed her arm and steered her toward his car.
“Remington, what are you doing? My car is parked over there.”
“I know. We’ll get it later. Where we’re going, you won’t need it.”
“Just where are we going?”
Remington opened the passenger door of his silver Jaguar and eased Laura onto the leather seat. Walking around the car, he slid in behind the wheel before answering.
“Back to our place, of course. I suddenly feel an extremely intense need to—you know.”
“I know, what?”
Placing the key into the ignition, Remington started the car. Glancing at his perplexed wife, he flashed his signature look. The intensely erotic, penetrating stare, that never failed to cause Laura to bite her lower lip with her front teeth.
“To…practice.”