Reminiscent Steele

Vol. 10; Ch. 4

(Rating: K+)

Two-to-one this Callahan fellow was anyone but Stewart Callahan. Remington suspected who it was, but he needed Mildred's help.

"Pick up, pick up … Mildred, great, can you look up these names for me."

"How's Miss Holt?" For Mildred, old habits died hard, so Miss Holt it was. Laura didn't mind. She actually liked hearing the old moniker. "Boss?"

"She's better than she was two days ago, Mildred, but we won't know until tonight. Now, can you take these names for me so I can catch the bastard who did this?"

"Shoot."

"See what you can find on Milton Rollins, Stewart Callahan and Major Descoine."

"Descoine?"

"Mildred, just do it and let me know what you find. And, don't tell anyone you talked to me, got it?"

"Got it, chief."

"And, while you're at it, lock the doors and get that new young security guard to walk you to your car."

Remington handed the evidence bags to Jarvis with no explanation of his theory, and returned to Laura's room.

He found Daniel holding court with Frances, Margaret, Donald and his cousins, all laughing. "What's so funny?"

Frances patted the couch beside her and scooted down. "Here, sit. My nephew is quite the entertainer, Remington."

"Is he now?" Remington flashed a curious look at Daniel. "And just what has the heir to the Steele Empire been sharing today?"

"I just told them about that case we were on, dad, remember?" Daniel winked at his dad, begging for help.

"Right, the case. We were buggered on that one until Daniel helped us out." Daniel straightened his back proudly and smiled.

"Now," Remington clapped his hands, "I think it's best for Laura if we give her a little peace and quiet." He kissed his son on the head and squeezed a hug. "You can come back tomorrow, alright?"

"Alright. Make her better, OK, daddy? I miss her."

"I miss her too, son."

As the sun set on Laura's crucial second day, Remington sat in the recliner and leaned back with his hands behind his head. Margaret had gone home. It was just he and his wife.

"Laura, I could really use your help on this one. I'm fairly certain Descoine is behind it, but I'm not sure why, or how to go about proving it. I'll admit you were always the brains behind this operation." He watched for movement or some sign of Laura Holt defiance, but nothing.

He sighed and sat up. "Margaret said to talk to you, so I guess that's what I'll do, not that I'm enjoying this mind you. Honesty is not my strong suit." He slid his hand around hers.

"I miss you, Laura."

He scooted closer to the bed and leaned against the edge. He would have climbed into it with her if they'd let him. He tried once when he thought no one was looking and got a stern glare from the floor nurse. He repositioned his hand and rubbed his thumb across her fingers.

"Do you know when I first started loving you? Not wanting you – I wanted you the moment I saw you – but loving you?" He looked to make sure she was still unconscious. He certainly didn't want this to come back on him. Laura Holt never let him offer a confession without making him pay. Assured the room was safe, he continued. "It was during the first weekend we spent together … at the Devil's Playground." She would have fallen out of bed had she heard that one.

"I'll admit, Murphy was right, I lured you to that island with one purpose in mind and probably would have gone through with it, had you agreed. But, you didn't, did you? It was the first time I realized you didn't want Remington Steele or the fictional character you created, you wanted me. I was foolishly playing a part I thought I needed to maintain to stay in your life, and I was losing you because of it. Why you didn't sack me right then, I'll never know. I certainly deserved it." He paused, let go of her hand and rubbed his hands across his face. "Despite all that, you gave me another shot. I knew then, Laura, that you cared for me more than a figurehead, more than a business partner and certainly more than a notch on your bedpost as it were. You were in love with me and I hadn't seen it."

He leaned to look at her again. Surely, this was getting through. He wiggled her fingers, hoping for a sign, then bowed his head in disappointment.

"You know I kissed you that night as I watched you sleep. Your soft skin glowing, the satin sheets clinging to your breasts. I wanted nothing more than to slide next to you and hold you in my arms, and not for the obvious reason. I wanted to … you made me, well …" He couldn't believe he was going to say it, "You made me want to be a better man."

Suddenly, he felt a finger twitch against his hand. He rushed to look at her. "Laura! Can you hear me? I knew you wouldn't let me get away with it. You're very predictable, you know." He tapped her hand, and then gently smoothed his fingertips across her face. "Laura, wake up. Do you want to hear more? I can tell you more."

A sleepy grin appeared on her face and her eyes opened just enough to see him. "I think you've done enough for one day, Mr. Steele." She squeezed his hand and closed her eyes.

"Laura. Laura, don't. Stay with me. Can you hear me?" She grinned again.

Remington fumbled with the nurse call button. "Bloody hell. Laura, stay awake. I'm going to get a nurse. Can you stay awake for me?"

"Uh, huh."

Remington stuck his head into the hallway and yelled "NURSE!" until someone heard him. The shift nurse swung around the corner, "What is it, Mr. Steele?"

"My wife, she's awake."

To Be Continued