Chapter 26
Inside the hour that remained of the ferry ride, Laura and Remington's moods seemed to have taken 180 degree turns. Instead of Laura being pensive, Remington was now the one who was tense and withdrawn, worrying a thumbnail as he stared out across the water, lost in thought. And it was now Laura who was trying to draw him into a conversation, his responses consisting mostly of one or two hollow words. The closer they were to the ferry's arrival at Holyhead, the more distant he became.
Once the ferry had docked, it was Laura who ended up pulling the suitcases from where they had been stowed, while Remington stood up at the window, staring off into the distance. "Rem," she said, "We need to leave, unless you fancy a trip back to Ireland."
As she put on her coat and arranged her sleeves and collars, he walked over to her despondently, hands in his pants pockets even though he was wearing a trench coat. While this stance defied logic and he had a sullen expression to boot, he still looked incredibly debonair. Laura couldn't help but sigh inwardly at her gorgeous husband, who was now looking distractedly into the crowd of people as they made their way to the exit. He began to saunter in their direction and Laura's look of appreciation soon changed to one of astonishment. She continued to look at him with disbelief as he walked away and, with a huff, she picked up both bags and followed him. He finally snapped out of his daze, and spun around, exclaiming, "Hup! Sorry Laura, I must have been day-dreaming. Let me get those for you!"
Laura gave him a saccharin smile, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Steele, but I can handle my bag. It will suffice if you just carry your own." And with that, they exited the ferry and walked towards the train station.
With minimal conversation, they settled themselves into a private first class compartment, Laura stretching out on one of the luxurious first class settees, closing her eyes to rest as Remington sat across from her, staring out the window, a toothpick now replacing the thumbnail. It wasn't until the soft wood splintered, digging into his lip, that he finally tossed it aside in the small waste bag.
Glancing over at Laura, he saw concerned brown eyes watching him and he immediately looked away again with some irritation. He wasn't irritated with her per se, but, he was out of sorts and didn't want it to be noticeable. He looked back at her as she sat up, his eyes unsure, following her as she moved over to sit beside him. Tucking one hand under his arm, she stilled his unconsciously bouncing leg with the other, intently smoothing his leg to soothe his ragged nerves.
Together, they silently watched the blur of scenery pass by. After a time, when the unresolved quietude became too uncomfortable to bear, Laura decided a more direct approach was going to be needed. She stood and turned to face him, crossing her arms, striking her ´interrogation' pose, but the train gave a sudden jolt, almost upending her, so she settled for her ´hands on her hips, miffed wife' pose, "All right, Mr. Steele, let's hear it," she demanded.
Remington looked up at her, puzzled. "Hear what, Laura?"
Planting her feet against the rocking of the train, she said, "What are you not telling me? What has you so despondent?" Remington shook his head, looking out the window once again, avoiding Laura's intent gaze. Laura pressed on, "Is it something you might find in London? You mentioned Daniel earlier..."
"Daniel?..." he echoed, still avoiding eye contact, "Well, it could be a number of things really..." he answered vaguely, gesturing dismissively with his hand. Then, seeing Laura swaying, he reached out to help steady her but she pushed his hand away. She wasn't about to be sidetracked.
"Well, then, enlighten me... what could be waiting for you that has you so anxious… so…so... " another bout of jostling had her reaching her arms out for balance, but she persevered, "...so...unnerved?", she concluded with a flourishing gesture, trying to conceal her difficulties with finding her balance on the moving train.
Remington stared up at her and countered, "Anxious? Unnerved? Laura, I hardly think...", He was now sitting at the edge of his seat, hands on his knees, restraining himself from offering her a helping hand again.
"Well, it's the only logical explanation," confirmed Laura, "Since we boarded this train, I've watched you pout, and mope, with childish petulance, hardly saying a word," she stated, swiping the air for added effect.
"Childish petulance?!" Remington stood, raising his voice in the small space, standing toe to toe with Laura. "Mrs. Steele, I can assure you I am not…"
At that moment the train crossed over the signal switches, bouncing and clacking heavily, and they grabbed each other as they were jostled off balance. Remington fell back, sitting down hard, and Laura landed on his lap, his hands firmly holding her by the waist. Their eyes were suddenly locked in a heated gaze as frustration flashed to desire for just a moment. Laura tried to stifle a smirk as her eyes went to his lips, which were now also quirking into a smile. Another jolt of the train snapped them out of it and Laura, giving Remington a haughty look, pushed herself off of him. They stood and took a minute to right themselves, Remington firmly tugging downward on his jacket, Laura brushing her hair off her face before she continued.
"I would beg to differ, Mr. Steele. For the last few hours, you've done nothing but stare out that window, lost in a world into which I don't remotely know how to find my way," Laura stated firmly as she pointed toward the window. Using the same finger, she poked him in the chest and said, "And I do know you, and you, Mr. Steele are prevaricating!"
"Prevari...Laura, I assure you, I am not prevaricating! I am merely...processing." he relented, reaching for his tie to adjust it, his voice losing it's edge.
Laura softened as well, approaching him. "Is it Shannon? Because of the letter she wrote to the INS?" Laura urged, relieved to have found an opening.
"Shannon? No… I can handle Shannon," he scoffed, sitting back down, crossing his arms and legs.
"Felicia? Is she still in London? Last time you saw her she tried to convince you to kill the Earl of Claridge with Daniel," Laura said scornfully, as she paced the small space,wobbling now and again at the train's movement, methodically going through the list of people she'd met from Remington's past, who might be in London, although she was fully aware that her knowledge on that score was limited.
"Felicia? No… Laura, listen to me… please, just sit." Remington grasped her hand as she passed him amidst her precarious pacing, his blue eyes pleading the words he couldn't find yet.
Laura stopped and looked at him. Sitting down across from him, she leaned forward and placed her other hand over their joined hands. "I'm listening," she said softly.
Shifting to lean in as well, his free hand now atop hers, rubbing soothingly, Remington took a deep breath and blew it out before saying, "Yes, Laura, I have some reservations about this trip and all it entails, but it's not what you think. I'm not afraid of a who as much as a what."
Laura knitted her brows trying to decipher exactly what he was getting at. "A what. What what are we talking about here?" she asked.
"Daniel," he said softly.
"Daniel? That's a who, not a what," she replied, confused.
"Daniel's legacy," he added, one hand moving to his mouth.
"Daniel's legacy… now there's a what…. But what about it?" Laura asked.
Sitting back against the seat, Remington released her hands, putting space between them. "I don't know what I'm going to find. Daniel… well, Daniel's never been one to let go of a plan. His plan… many years ago… was to cultivate my skills to surpass his own... " he tried to explain.
Now Laura leaned back and let out a heavy sigh, "And you're afraid, now that he's gone, that he would want you to continue in his footsteps, to carry on the family business." Laura said scornfully, hooking the air in front her with her fist in ridicule.
Exhaling he replied, "Something like that… Look, Laura…. I don't know what we're going to find...and I don't want to drag you into something you will regret...""
"Whatever it is, we will get through it together, Mr. Steele, as always," she answered him reassuringly.
"Are you sure about that, Laura?" For the first time since they boarded the ferry, Remington really looked at her and held her gaze when she looked at him. He pressed on, "I mean, I wouldn't want to drag your impeccable reputation through the mud;;" then, with a smirk and a wink, his eyes giving her a quick once over, he added, " sully your virtu-ous track record..."
"Your imagination never stops, does it?" Laura said dryly.
"Well, Laura you bring the devil out in me. But in all seriousness, I truly fear losing you through all of this. When will it become too much, when will Daniel have crossed the line?"
Moving to sit beside him, she took his hand in hers once more. "It may have escaped your notice, but, I am in love with you. I have known since the very beginning what you are, and, although it infuriates me to no end that you have lead a life of crime in the past, I always recognized the man beneath that veneer to be one possessing a heart of gold." Remington smiled bashfully, shaking his head. "Besides,". she added, "my reputation is not as lily-white as you claim. Have you forgotten that the whole notion of Remington Steele was a con before you came along to fill his shoes? Most admirably, I might add! Even Daniel himself recognized that and proposed the three of us take on Europe!" Brushing her lips against his knuckles, she leaned over to rest her head against his shoulder.
Remington manoeuvred his arms around Laura, holding her close, saying, "What did I ever do to deserve you?"
Laura snuggled in and said, "Well, Mr. Steele, I could tell you, but I would much rather show you."
With a waggle of his eyebrows, Remington said, "Show me, eh? I'll hold you to that, Mrs. Steele!" They remained that way, basking in the comfort they were to each other, for the remainder of the journey. As the train pulled into the station without incident, they collected their luggage and left the terminal where Remington flagged down a passing taxi.
"What, no waiting limo?" Laura teased.
"Really, Mrs. Steele, this is London," he stated as he slid into the vehicle with no further explanation, leaving her standing on the sidewalk, her mouth gaping. "Coming, Mrs. Steele?"
With a huff, she climbed into the taxi beside him. "Really, ! I know you're the continental, but I seriously doubt that when in London, one should take a cab!" Laura said when she was seated inside the car.
Remington simply grinned at her then turned to the driver. "The St. John, my good man," Remington instructed him with a tap on the head rest.
At the hotel, the Steeles checked in with relative ease. Laura could barely contain the exasperated exhale that escaped her lungs when they entered the suite Remington had reserved for them. Under her breath she muttered, "He's gonna pay for this one."
"What was that, Mrs. Steele? Did you say something?" Remington teased, his excellent hearing picking up every word.
Pursing her lips, Laura ignored him as she tossed her suitcase on the bed, and began to unpack, moving clothing to the closet and the chest of drawers. Once the bag was empty, she slid it under the bed, straightened up, and surveyed the room. Watching her closely as he unpacked his own bag,, Remington waited until he saw an opening and playfully tackled her onto the bed. Laura couldn't suppress the shriek she emitted as she hit the mattress.
"So, tell me, how exactly do you intend to make me pay, hmmm?" Remington said as he kissed her with small playful kisses, holding her close.
Laughing, Laura said, "Have something on your mind, Mr. Steele?"
"Just needed to be close to you, Mrs. Steele, nothing more," Remington stated, snuggling his chin against the top of her head as he held her close.
"Nothing?" Laura asked, leaning back, eyebrows raised.
"Well, I'm sure we could come up with a few ideas, if we tried hard enough," Remington teased as he sprinkled kisses across her cheeks, brushing lightly across her lips.
"Dinner perhaps, Mr. Steele," Laura smirked, knowing exactly what was on his mind now.
Looking down at her face, Remington questioned "Dinner, really, Mrs. Steele?"
"I'm starving. So yes, dinner, Mr. Steele. Dessert later," Laura answered suggestively, kissing him lightly.
With a sigh, Remington kissed her once more before releasing her and rolling off the bed. Offering her a hand, he said, "Dinner it is then Mrs. Steele, but I was hoping you had something else in mind as payment..."