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 zipped up the last of her bags and perused her bedroom to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. The knock at the door interrupted her final once over.
"That must be the driver," Laura said aloud and headed for the door. She pulled it back and gasped.
"Tony! I wasn't expecting you,"
"Funny one Laura," Tony said as he moved past her.
"What are you doing here?" Laura asked as she shut the door and faced him.
"Uh hello, we had a date remember? We have reservations at the Sequoia." Tony reminded her.
"Oh! Oh my gosh I forgot. Look Tony, something's come up and I have to leave town." Laura began.
"What, some kinda case?" Tony inquired.
"Not exactly. I mean I don't have a client but somethings come up and I need to investigate it," Laura said quickly .
"Oh, well give me twenty minutes and I'll be packed and ready to go," Tony said heading for the door.
"Actually Tony I uh...I need to handle this alone. It's business." Laura replied.
"Business? But you just said you don't have a client so what's the deal?"
"It's Mr. Steele. I need to confer with him about a...delicate matter."
"So what's wrong with the phone?" Tony said with annoyance.
"It's not that simple Tony. He's out of the country. In Monte Carlo to be exact,"
"So it's an overseas call. What's the big deal? Why do you have to go chasing after him?"
"I'm not chasing after him. I just need to speak with him face to face about...agency business." Laura explained.
"Then what's the big deal if I go? We could mix some pleasure with business," Tony said reaching out to grab Laura.
Laura evaded his arms and put some distance between them. "I don't think that would be wise Tony. If Mr. Steele sees you along it's bound to make matters worse."
"For whom?" Tony asked pointedly. "Look Laura, I don't know what's going on here but something is definitely up. You're acting really strange and your being evasive as hell."
"I'm not being evasive. There's nothing to explain. I just have some things to discuss with Mr. Steele about the agency and I want to do it in person. I have a feeling something from the...past might come back to threaten the agency and I want to make sure Mr. Steele is aware of some recent developments I've come across. That's all Tony,"
"I hear you talking but my instincts tell me that you aren't being straight with me. You can confide in me Laura, surely after last night you know that," Tony said quietly pulling her to him.
He leaned down and kissed her firmly on the mouth but Laura pulled away.
"I'm sorry Tony but now isn't a good time. I've got to finish packing and the taxi I ordered will be here any minute."
"Laura, do you think I don't see whats going on?" Tony said without preamble.
"What? I don't follow you," Laura replied.
"You're chasing after Steele because you don't know what he's up to and it's bugging the crap out of you,"
"That's not true! Haven't you heard a word I've said?" Laura said hotly.
"Yeah, I heard what you said but I've also heard what you haven't said. Do you think I can't read between the lines Laura? I was a spy for God's sake. I was also quite proficient at interrogating people and reading body language. Right now my instincts are telling me you're not being honest about why you're running off to Monte Carlo after Steele. My hunch is he's out from under your thumb and you can't sleep at night wondering if he's dirtying up that shiny image of Remington Steele, and who he's dirtying it up with." Tony said eyeing her.
Laura stood speechless. Her cheeks flooded with color and she felt like she was being interrogated.
"Look I've worked damn hard creating and maintaining the image of Remington Steele. Is it so wrong for me to want to make sure that he doesn't do anything that would hurt the agency's reputation?" Laura said petulantly.
"Laura when are you going to realize that everyone doesn't need a babysitter? He's a grown man; granted I don't like him but I can't find fault with the guy for the role he's playing." Tony observed. "He's seems genuinely concerned about keeping up his end of the bargain. Why do you feel the need to dog his every step?"
"I'm not! I just don't want to lose control of the situation. It's very complicated Tony and at the drop of a dime things could get out of hand and blow up in my face. This agency means everything to me and I can't lose it!" Laura said defensively.
"Laura that's a bunch of bull! It isn't the agency that's motivating you to run after Steele." Tony accused.
"I don't know what you're getting at Tony but you're way off base," Laura said and walked to her bedroom to retrieve her bags.
Tony followed her and spun her around to face him.
"I'm picking up on a few more vibes from you Laura. Answer me this; why did you decide to make love with me?"
"What kind of question is that? I wanted you and I thought the feeling was mutual," Laura declared.
"You know it was but from what I'm sensing right now I think you've had second thoughts about it,"
"That's not true!" Laura denied.
"Then prove it. Stay here with me," Tony asked.
"I...I can't. I'm sorry Tony but I have to go," Laura said begging him to understand.
"You know what's ironic here Laura? You've told me Steele is afraid of committment and how you're tired of waiting for him to declare his feelings for you. How often have you declared your feelings? Are you sure you're not guilty of the same thing you're accusing him of?"
"Of course I'm not!" Laura said hotly.
"Oh yeah? How many relationships have there been since your last boyfriend? How many times have you jumped in head first and be damned with the consequences? I'll tell you how many...zero! You hide behind that agency of yours like it's a damn suit of armor. You decided to be with me, why Laura? Because I'm able to offer the committment you want so badly or because I'm safer for you than Steele?"
"I don't know," Laura said confused.
"Well that's the most honest thing that's come out of your mouth since I've been here." Tony said as he headed for the door.
"Tony, where are you going?" Laura asked as she watched him leave.
"I'm going home. There doesn't seem to be a need for me to stick around. I don't want you with me because I'm no threat to your heart Laura. I don't want to be viewed as the lesser of two evils. Look, I care a great deal about you but if you don't know what's going on in your own mind or heart, how is anyonelse supposed to?"
Tony walked out and slid the door firmly closed behind him. After a few minutes of agonzing silence Laura heard another knock at her door. She numbly walked over to open it. When she did a man she didn't recognize smiled at her.
"You needed some help with your bags Miss?" The man asked.
"Yes. Thank you." Laura said without emotion and followed the man out of her loft.
Laura was dozing lightly when she heard a man's voice clearing his throat. She opened her eyes and frowned at the bright light flooding them.
"We are here Madmoiselle." The man informed her as he got out of the driver's seat and came around to open her door. She moved slowly out of the limo and stretched languidly when her feet were on the ground.
"Merci Monsieur." Laura said politely. She craned her neck as she looked toward the elegant, sprawling residence in front of her. She was certain there had been a mistake. Mildred couldn't possibly have booked her in this hotel.
"Le pardon je Monsieur mais est ceci le bon endroit?" Laura said in slow, precise french.
"Oui Madmoiselle," This is the right place." He chuckled as he carried her luggage up the stone steps.
Laura walked through the enormous doors and stood in the foyer. She was greeted by a warm woman in uniform who welcomed her to the house of serene beauty and asked her to follow her to the salon. Laura was speechless as she took in the beautiful architechture and interior design. She'd never been in a hotel this grand!
The woman offered her some refreshments, told her the mistress of the house would be in shortly and excused herself. Laura was sitting comfortably on the nearest sofa sipping her tea when the door opened.
Laura looked up with a smile on her face that immediately vanished. She stood up so fast she almost toppled over the tea she'd been drinking. Confusion and recognition were evident on her face as she stared at the woman in front of her.
"Felecia!" Laura said almost inaudibly.
"Ah I see you haven't forgotten me. It's nice to know I'm not easy to forget. Bonjour Madmoiselle Holt. Welcome to Monte Carlo and my home," Felecia said as she came in to the room and pulled the door firmly shut behind her.
"I...I don't understand. What am I doing in your home? I thought I was staying at a hotel? Mildred made all the arrangements and..."
"Relax Laura, there was no mistake. You are my guest while you are in Monte Carlo," Felecia informed her.
"But why! I'm not exactly your favorite person and our relationship has been...tenuous at best." Laura concluded.
"If truth be told I would never would have thought we'd be sitting as we are, being civil toward one another. But...time and love have a way of ironing out life's many wrinkles," Felecia said warmly.
"I see. So I suppose Mr. Steele is here with you," Laura said stiffly.
"Yes but..." Felecia began.
"Look spare me. I'm sure both of you thought it amusing to bring me here to watch the two of you paw at each other but I'm not interested in your little tete-a-tete. Now if you'll excuse me I'll take my leave and bid you adieu," Laura said as she sat her cup down and headed for the door.
"Laura wait! There was a time when I would have loved nothing better but there have been changes that you know nothing about. I assure you that while Remington is here, there is nothing between us. That was over long ago, as you know. We are close friends now and quite content with what fate has brought us." Felecia assured her.
Laura stared at Felecia as if she'd grown another head. She wasn't sure if she believed her or if the tension could ever ease between them. They'd always been on opposite sides of the same object, Remington. As women both had inherent knowledge that the other was competition. As Laura sat pondering the unusual turn of events the door burst open and three children came barreling in to the room. Felecia looked at her children and smiled. This was a habitual thing they did whenever she received guests. She looked at them as sternly as she could but knew her censure was pointless.
"Bonjour Madmoiselle et bienvenue," Giselle said politely.
"Bonjour," Laura smiled at the children in front of her.
"Is this your friend Maman?" Her son asked.
"Oui Colin, this is Madmoiselle Holt from Los Angeles." Felecia informed him.
"Maman? You're their mother?" Laura said shocked.
"Yes, these are my children, Giselle, Colin and Jolie. You'll meet my husband Rene when he returns from town," Felicia said distinctly.
Laura knew she hadn't done a good job of concealing her surprise but this was a turn of events she'd never expected.
"You sure know a lot of people from there," Colin said eyeing Laura.
"Two people isn't a lot stupid," Giselle reproached.
"Giselle! You know you aren't supposed to call your brother names now apologize," Felecia said in rapid french.
Giselle apologized grudingly as Colin smiled smugly.
"Now you three, I believe it's time for your naps. Go with Adelaide and I'll be up to tuck you in shortly." Felecia promised.
Laura looked toward the door and saw a woman standing there waiting for the children. She hadn't noticed her arrival but then a truck could have hit Laura a few moments ago and she'd have been clueless. The children immediately obeyed their mother but still audibly complained all the way out the door. Laura smiled as she remembered doing the same thing when she was little.
When they were alone again Laura looked at Felecia and shook her head.
"It would appear I owe you a rather large apology. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. You have beautiful children Felecia and I'm sure your husband is a wonderful man," Laura said quietly.
"He is Laura but then you'll be able to judge for yourself soon. I accept your apology and don't give it another thought. I would have done the same had I been in your position. I'm sure this is all quite a shock for you. I think it still surprises Remington to see me as a married woman with children. If truth be told I pinch myself sometimes because I can't believe how blessed I am," Felecia replied.
"Felecia, while I appreciate your hospitality, I'm still..."
"Wondering about my intentions?" Felecia finished for her.
"Actually yes," Laura admitted.
"Well why don't you start by telling me why you've come to Monte Carlo or should I tell you?" Felecia said quietly.
"There is a rather delicate matter I need to discuss with Mr. Steele and I thought it best to do it in person," Laura informed her.
"I see. Is he expecting you?" Felecia inquired.
"Not exactly but given the circumstances I don't think he'll be surprised," Laura replied.
"And that's the only reason you came?" Felecia said purposefully.
"Of course, what other reason would there be?" Laura said loftily.
Felecia scrutinized Laura so long she began to shift uncomfortably.
"May I speak frankly Laura?" Felecia said finally breaking the silence.
"Of course," Laura said hesitantly.
"Darling you need help. I can't believe you've had Remington under your nose the last few years and you're still playing cat and mouse games with him. Are you that inept or do you enjoy dangling him on the proverbial string?"
"What! I...I don't know what..."
"Don't even try to tell me you don't know what I'm talking about Laura. You were ready to serve my head up on a platter the last time I was in L.A. and now you expect me to believe you've suddenly decided Harry's not right for you? I must admit your latest bad idea has all but ruined any future you have with him but there may be..."
"Look I appreciate your...concern but you should really butt out. There is no future with Ha...Mr. Steele, other than a professional one and that suits me just fine," Laura ground out.
"Good Lord, you really are daft. How odd. You've proven yourself to be quite a resourceful business woman and private invesitigator but when it comes to romance you couldn't hit the wide side of a barn." Felecia said in awe.
"Is there a reason why I'm sitting here listening to you insult me?" Laura said sarcastically.
"I'd say so. You are in love with the man you call Remington Steele but you don't have a clue what to do with that realization."
"I'm not in love with him!" Laura protested.
"Oh please darling don't insult something I've taken a lifetime to perfect. I've seen you two together remember? I was in love with him myself at one time so I'm very qualified to speak on the subject of Harry. You've kept him at bay so long you're starting to believe the drivel you're dishing out for why the two of you won't suit. Now you've completely lost your mind and slept with someone Harry detests just to prove you're over him."
"Wait a minute...how do YOU know I slept with Tony?" Laura said suspiciously. "Mr. Steele left before we..."
"Actually, I didn't know. You just told me," Felecia smiled triumphantly. "Well you can rest assured that your little scheme worked. Remington got your message loud and clear and he came here to put as much distance between the two of you as possible. So darling, now that he's given you the space you so desperately desired tell me, are you happy Laura? I'd wager you aren't and your being here proves it. The question is what are you going to do about it?" Felecia asked, pointedly.