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 2001.
Laura scrutinized herself in the mirror a final time before accepting her appearance. For some strange reason she was finding it extremely difficult to decide on an outfit. The proof was the numerous articles of clothing that littered her bed.
"Steady old girl, it's only dinner," Laura instructed herself, oblivious that she'd used English not American vernacular.
Laura chose a pale gray, knee-length, sleeveless dress that had a scoop neck and low back. Wanting simple jewelry to compliment her dress, she chose her favorite black pearl necklace with matching earrings. Slipping her feet into silver pumps, Laura headed for the bathroom. Deciding that an up do went better with her dress, she swept her hair up securing it with hair pins. Opting for a dark cherry lipstick to contrast her light dress, Laura was putting on the finishing touches when a quick knock sounded at her door. With a smile of confidence, Laura turned off the light, and headed for the door.
"Wow! You look amazing," Tony breathed, taking a few steps back to get a better view.
"Thank you. Just let me grab my purse," she replied retrieving her bag from the kitchen counter.
"So, where are we going for dinner?" Laura asked after Tony slid behind the wheel of his car.
"Somewhere we're guaranteed a great view, good food, and not a chance of running into the chameleon."
"Tony, Los Angeles is a big place, figure the odds us running into Mr. Steele."
He gazed at Laura before turning his attention back to the road. "I'm not taking any chances."
When Tony pulled up outside a hotel, she gave him a look.
"It's not what you think. Trust me," Tony replied as if reading her mind.
He lead her to the elevator and Laura noted he pushed the top floor. The loud ding was followed by the jolt of the elevator stopping and the double doors opening with a subdued whoosh. In the hallway, Tony led Laura to a side door and held it open for her.
"Uh the roof? Let me guess, you have a helicopter waiting?" Laura laughed stepping out onto the concrete floor and into the cool night.
"Not my style." Was Tony's only response as he put his arm at the small of her back and lead her around the corner of the building.
Laura gasped at the sight before her. There was an elegant table adorned with dinnerware and candles. Laura saw a waiter standing by the table smiling. He stood aside while Tony held a chair out for Laura. When Tony had seated Laura and himself, the waiter stepped forward again.
"Good evening, Mr. Roselli, Miss Holt. My name is Edward, and I'll be your waiter for this evening."
Pleasantly surprised, and aptly impressed, Laura shook her head. "Tony, this is incredible! Why did you go through all this trouble?" she asked between bites of shrimp cocktail.
"Simple. I wanted to have a great evening with you--without interruptions. I thought the only place that your faithful watchdogs wouldn't be able to reach us was on a roof."
"I don't know Tony, Mildred is very resourceful," Laura giggled.
Tony watched Laura with avid interest. Picking up on his scrutiny, she turned her attention to her dinner.
"I don't think my memory has done you justice," Tony replied.
"Really? I suppose I should take that as a compliment?"
"Absolutely. And it's true. Every word." He reached for her hand. "You wouldn't believe how much I've missed you, Laura."
"Oh, I think the phone calls and letters were evidence of that," Laura joked removing her hand.
"You really think out of sight means out of mind? Laura, you must know me better than that. I didn't contact you because I thought that it would be better that way. I wanted to give you time," Tony said, softly.
"Time? Time for what, Tony?"
"To see how things would go between you and Steele. To see if it was really him you wanted," his eyes were searching. "Was it, Laura?"
Laura sat back as if she'd been given a problem she couldn't solve. She remained quiet and strangely uncomfortable.
Tony sensed her retreat. Leaning forward, he tilted her face toward him.
"You didn't answer me, Laura. Are you and Steele together now?"
"It's...complicated," Laura began.
Exasperation caused his breath to escape his mouth in a harsh whoosh. "How complicated can an answer of yes or no, be?"
"No. We aren't. Professionally we are, but not on a physical level." She clarified.
"Does that bother you?"
"It's what we both decided...it was better to keep our relationship strictly professional, and not complicate matters."
"I see. Well what about now, Laura. After two years, have your feelings for me changed?"
"To be honest Tony, I don't know what those feelings are. I never knew just how I felt about you, and it isn't as if we've spent a great deal of time together."
"The question I have now is," Tony traced a finger along her jaw. "Are you willing to find out?"
*****
Remington heard the quiet knock on his door and bid the person behind it to enter. Turning around, he saw Mildred coming in carrying the morning paper, and his tea.
"Morning, boss. Goodness, I'd have never known you were in here if I hadn't seen your extension light up on my phone. How long have you been here?" she asked transferring the tea pot and paper to his desk.
"Since six o' clock this morning," Remington said, sitting at his desk and pouring himself a cup of tea. "Sleep was eluding me, so I figured I might as well come in." Taking a sip of the steaming brew, Remington leaned back in his chair. "So Mildred, what's on the agenda for today, eh?"
"Nada, boss. No bad guys, no jealous lovers, no long lost heirs. Bupkus," Mildred laughed.
"What are your thoughts on Antony's intentions, Mildred?" Remington replied without preamble.
Mildred wasn't surprised by his question. In fact, she'd been expecting it for the last two weeks. Coming around his desk, his assistant sat right next to his tea service.
"I can't say, chief, but I've done some checking, and he is here on official business working out of a field office downtown. I can't say on what exactly, but it appears to be legit. Now as for Miss Holt, his interest in her seems to be on the up and up, too."
"Mmm. But do you trust him, where Miss Holt is concerned?"
"Can I throw him?"
"What are you doing here so early?" Laura called from the door.
Mildred excused herself closing the door behind her.
Remington stood, then walked around his desk. "Can't say, really."
"Do you have a moment?" Laura asked, hesitantly.
"Certainly."
"I...I wanted to talk to you about Tony."
"I thought you might. It would appear that you're spending a great deal of time with Antony."
"Yes, I am," she searched his face. "Does that bother you?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course it does. We're...partners, and close friends. I would think we could talk about anything,"
"Anything, so long as it's not of a personal nature between you and I. Isn't that what you meant?"
"I'm not sure I follow you."
"You know, I'm baffled Laura, as to what makes you attracted to Roselli. It's reminiscent of the Butch Beamis faze you went threw a while ago."
"This isn't the same thing at all," Laura stepped a few feet away. "and I don't think it would do either of us any good to get in to the specifics."
"Why not?. We are close, and can talk about anything. Isn't that what you just told me? If you're feelings for him are sincere, than I'm sure you can enlighten me as to what it is about him that keeps you so... spellbound."
The sarcasm in his voice touched a nerve. As if on cue, Laura closed the distance between them. "You mean as opposed to you?"
Remington eyes narrowed. "We aren't discussing me--or are we?"
"Oh, please. Do you have to be so vain? You think you're the only one I find attractive?"
"That would depend. Do you find me attractive?"
Laura threw up hers in disgust. Quirking an eyebrow was Remington's only response.
"Why do you insist on turning this around on me. We tried going down that road, remember? For various reasons, it just didn't work out."
Remington leaned against his desk. "Strange. I wouldn't characterize it in that fashion. We never went down the entire road--did we? As I recall, we kept making U-turns before we reached the end."
"So what are you saying?"
He shrugged. "I suppose I'm asking just what makes this relationship with Antony different? I mean, are you planning to stop him short of that magical moment as well, or will you see it through this time?"
Flustered, Laura ran a hand agitatedly through her wavy hair. "You're saying I'm the one that always backs off--aren't you. Admit it. You think it's all my fault we never got together."
"You're the control freak, you tell me."
"That's not fair!" Laura shot back.
Emotion made Remington jump to his feet. "One thing I've become painfully aware of is that nothing is fair when it comes to love, war, or the world according to Laura Holt."
"You're such a hypocrite. You act like our entire association has been one-sided. There were plenty of times when you were the one that backed off, or weren't ready to commit."
The breath Remington expelled blew Laura's hair away from her face. "For God's sake, wake up Laura! I only told you what you wanted to hear. My feelings for you have never deviated. I just couldn't stomach your rules and guidelines for every bloody step we took."
When Laura didn't deny his accusation, some of Remington's anger ebbed. Placing his hand on her chin, he tilted her face up and looked her in the eyes. "I'm going to ask you a question, Laura, and for once be honest with both of us. Have you truly put your feelings for me aside, or are you just denying them?"
Time seemed to grind to a screeching halt. Whatever she was expecting, it wasn't this. Frantically, Laura searched for an answer. For painful seconds in fact, but none would come.
"I...I can't answer that," Laura replied, trying to pull away.
Remington stared at her intensely. His eyes were solemn. Shaking his head, he lowered his hand releasing her.
"Too bad, Laura. For both of us. If you don't know what you feel by now, you won't ever know. I'm tired of being the consolation prize. I wish you and Antony all the best, though I doubt he'll make you happy. How could he? You don't even know what it takes to do that."
Remington walked around Laura and out the door without a backwards glance. Mildred perked up when she saw him heading out of his office.
"Well, did you talk some sense in to her?" Mildred asked, brightly.
"No, Mildred, I didn't. Laura's love life is no longer my concern. I've washed my hands of the whole affair. I don't have a clue what Laura wants or needs, and it's obvious she doesn't either. I've decided to take a leave of absence, Mildred. Business is slow, so I doubt my presence will be missed. I'll give you a call when I know where I'll be, ok?" Remington said calmly, kissing his friend on teh cheek before heading out the door.
Mildred stood gaping in his wake. She wanted to go in his office to find out just what the heck had transpired to cause him to throw in the towel, but she thought better of that idea. Picking up her phone, she buzzed his extension. It took some time before she heard Laura's voice on the other end.
"Yes, Mildred," came Laura's quiet reply.
"Miss Holt, I thought you should know that...well, Mr. Steele has left."
"I see. Did he say where he was going, or when he'd be back?"
"No, honey, he didn't say where. From the way he was acting, I think it'll be some time before we see him."
"What do you mean, Mildred? What exactly did he say?"
"He said he was taking a leave of absence and that he'd call me later when he knew where he'd be."
"I see. Thank you, Mildred," Laura said stiffly, before ending the call.
Laura lost track of how long she stood behind his desk, not moving, barely breathing. Her back was ramrod straight, and it ached, but still she stood there. Tears slid down her face, soaking her blouse, but she didn't wipe them away. The moisture clouded her vision making sight impossible, but she didn't care. Laura was oblivious to everything but the deep, raw aching in the middle of her chest.