Disclaimer:

Remington Steele and its characters are owned by MTM. No copyright infringement intended. For entertainment purposes only.

Set after Season 4. Season 5 doesn't exist in my universe.

Chapter 1

"Would you remind me why we are here on a workday if we are not involved in any case, Mr. Steele?"

"That's a trivial observation, Laura. We don't need the pretense of a case to be spending a fantastic day outside the office; fortunately not working for once. Besides, we are on a mission."

They had left Los Angeles early in the morning to arrive in Santa Barbara at a decent hour. Mr. Steele was carrying a picnic basket including some delicacies precisely arranged inside. Laura was in charge of the duffel bag. They were sport dressed following his instructions. He increased his steps speed, forcing Laura almost to run to remain beside him, having the chance to follow her interrogatory looking at his face.

"What kind of mission? You already told me we are not going to meet anyone from my family, not even a client or a friend. What are we doing here, Mr. Steele?" Her question arrived with a hint of annoyance, barely surpassed by her intrigue.

Mr. Steele stopped in his tracks, which made Laura suddenly push her own brakes landing several steps ahead, and walk back to stand face to face against him. The look in his eyes was rigid, but they were bluer than ever, just reflecting the sea above them. The secret was not needed anymore. Suddenly, he grinned.

"We are going to have a sailing day, love. The weather is splendid at this time of the year, the office is running slow, and Mildred is there taking care of any case that would show up. That leaves us with no better activity to think about but spend the day together, sailing."

Laura was speechless. She didn't like the thought about spending a working day outside the office; but as he'd already said, they didn't have any case to run at this very moment, and Mildred was totally capable of running the agency alone in that situation. Besides, it could be a good chance to travel through memory lane; his own memory lane. A part of his hidden past shared with Xenos would be appreciated seeing the light. She returned him the grin with one of her own.

"We are going sailing?"

"Not if we remain standing here in the middle of the way, Laura. We should get on board."

"And where is the boat we should board, Mr. Steele?"

"It should be right there, Laura. Just two rows ahead. Follow me."

"Should I worry about anything related to that boat, Mr. Steele?"

"You have nothing to worry about, Laura. We are not going to steal the boat. The Toodle-loo is overseas this week, and this was certainly my last stolen one."

"I don't know why I suspect you are hiding something."

"Hiding something? Me? Laura, you disappoint me. When was the last time I hid something from you?"

"Not counting Marvin working on a case, or your hidden magic talents, or…"

"Forget Marvin and keep your mind on those magic talents, Laura" he answered smiling at her but not stopping his pace.

Laura thought about it for just one second, "Now you are talking, Mr. Steele. Your magic talents are devastatingly tempting to be ignored."

They arrived at the marina, and after pulling the boat against them to help her to climb on, he told her, "Welcome on board, Mrs. Steele. Your Captain is truly honored with your presence. Let's get our sailing adventure to begin."

She stopped for a brief moment and looked earnestly at him, "Are you sure you know how to do this?"

"I'm the Captain, Laura. You are offending me! I'm perfectly capable of sailing this boat. You seem to forget I sailed the oceans with Xenos back in time."

"You told me just one of your adventures with him. Just an intrigue, Mr. Steele; was Xenos an out of the pirate league sailor?"

"Let's focus in the Captain part of my prior statement, Laura." He jumped on board and smiled at her.

"Icy calm, Laura… Icy calm," she smiled back at him and whispered to herself. She would find a new chance later…