A/N: Hi! Sorry it took me eons to get this next chapter up, but you'll be happy to know it's longer than the others are. Since it's spring break now, I should be able to get up at least one more chapter in before I go back to school. Anyway, don't forget to review because it's the reviews that really keep me going!

5

Twelve Years Before

It had been two years and then some, Laura knew, which meant far past time that their sham of a marriage was over. Every day since their second anniversary, which had been a wonderful night, she added in thought with a sly grin; she'd woken up with unease lying in the pit of her stomach. Fear. Joy. Confusion. She was riding on a roller coaster with a dozen loops of emotions to get through without screaming to stop the ride.

Using the same analogy, Laura contemplated getting off and finding a new ride or weathering the loops because she was where she was supposed to be. It wasn't that they were being forced to stay together for any reason at all…and come to think about it, maybe that was the problem, at least for her. Maybe it was that Laura wanted guarantees he couldn't make and promises that he couldn't be sure of keeping whether he wanted to or not.

There were no promises, no crystal ball with which to make their future together the way she wanted it. Within all the confusion of a possible broken or saved relationship, Laura began to piece together the puzzle. Beneath all the layers of fear and anger and confusion, she knew what she wanted. Laura wanted him to stay and be happy to be only with her for the rest of their lives together. That was the most honest, blunt thing she'd ever determined about herself, but she didn't know what to do with it.

Because he wasn't saying that he wanted to stay, wanted her, and wanted to continue within the safety of their current life. Granted, he wasn't saying he wanted to leave either, however; Remington wasn't actually talking about it all. It was obvious that when they talked about anything remotely related to the two of them that he was uncomfortable.

So if both of them avoided the subject, couldn't things be the way they were? Somewhere, deep down inside, Laura knew it wouldn't work like that, not if they didn't voice opinions and make choices to suite a future together. And technically, since Remington wasn't jumping up to start the conversation, Laura would again have to take charge and come across as her strong and domineering self.

"We have a new client to discuss," he said stiffly as he adjusted his tie in the bathroom mirror, interrupting her depressing thoughts.

"Mrs. Graves." she replied in a monotonous voice as she thought of the thirty-year-old blond widow whose case they'd very recently taken on, and only because of Remington's insistence of helping the 'poor woman.'

"Yes. She's requested that someone fly up to Denver on Saturday to do the work needed there."

"As much as I'm for helping every client, I still think we should refer her to Murphy. He's already local and he has the capabilities to do the work."

"Yes, but she came to us," he argued.

Laura sighed as she too leaned in towards the mirror to check her appearance. Gaunt face, sallow cheeks, pallid complexion, and the weight she was dropping rapidly created quite a picture reflecting in the mirror. And the queasiness and headaches…lately, she hadn't been looking or feeling her best, which was obviously affecting not only her job but her personal life as well.

As Laura peered tiredly at her reflection, Remington finished and glanced over at her, perhaps actually seeing her for the first time that morning. It was often that he looked at her, but as for really seeing his wife, seeing her face, recognizing her emotions, watching every toss of the head, every laugh, and every crease of her face…it stopped him in mid-thought. "Laura, are you feeling well?"

"Hmm?" she asked as she was drawn from her own world.

"I asked if you were feeling well. You don't look well enough to go anywhere," Remington said, frowning, immediately concerned about her.

"I am. I am," Laura insisted, gently but firmly, with a weak smile as she finished up in the bathroom and left the room.

Shaking his head, Remington gave up. He'd learned long ago that it was useless to try and convince the woman otherwise when her mind was made up. With one last check around to make sure he wasn't forgetting anything, he followed her outside.

At precisely ten a.m., Mrs. Graves walked through the doors of Remington Steele Investigations. Or rather, in Mildred's opinion as she watched the woman, flounced. With a bright smile and a colorfully expensive outfit, Mrs. Graves was the epitome of a wealthy woman.

Holding up a finger, Mildred smiled and pressed the button on the intercom. "Yes, Mildred?" answered Laura.

"Mrs. Graves is here to see you," she said.

"Now? Never mind. Send her in."

"You can go on in-through that door right there," Mildred pointed out.

"Thank you," she replied.

Laura stood as the woman entered. "Mrs. Graves, what can we do for you this morning?" she asked in her most cheerful voice.

"Mrs. Steele," she greeted Laura, "I was told by Mr. Steele that I'd receive an answer this morning."

Faltering for only a moment, Laura guessed, "An answer…about Denver?"

"Of course," Mrs. Graves said as she sat in the chair provided and dropped her small handbag onto her lap.

"I'm afraid Mr. Steele forgot to update me on the case," Laura excused, shooting daggers from her eyes as Remington entered the room.

"Ah, Mrs. Graves, good morning," he said as he quickly came towards the two women. "How are you?"

"Very well, thank you. I was just asking your wife about Denver."

"Ah, yes, Denver," he said with a charming smile. "We were just discussing the case this morning."

"And your answer?" she prodded. "I'll be more than happy to provide accommodations for whoever is going."

"We-'' Remington started, but was interrupted by Laura as she said, "We'll be happy to take on the case. However, we work as a team, equal partners, and if one of us goes, the other does as well," Laura finished in a slow voice, but kept an edge that made her conditions all the more effective.

"I'll…arrange for another plane ticket," she agreed. "Thank you so much," Mrs. Graves said as she walked towards the door. "I'll have my secretary deliver the tickets to your office tomorrow morning."

When she was out of earshot, Laura turned to face her husband. Fuming, Laura spoke purposefully, saying, "You didn't bother to tell me she was coming here this morning?"

No reply.

"We will both be going," she said aloud, as if deciding it for the first time and announcing it to only herself. It was time to take charge, to do something, and to choose what she wanted to happen. If only it would work…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Saturday arrived, things were still in a mess, just as they had been and would have to remain while they were gone. There wouldn't be time to check personal baggage, which only made Laura dread it all the more.

"To the airport, Fred," Remington said after they'd loaded a few day's worth of luggage into the limo. Each settled into their own uncomfortable spot, listening only to silence around them as Laura looked out the window and Remington stared at his hands in his lap. "Laura, I was thinking, perhaps we ought to stay a few extra days in Denver after we take care of Mrs. Graves' problem. Just think of the relaxation that a vacation would bring both you and I. You could sleep in, give some rest time to just yourself…maybe you'd start feeling better than you have been lately," he suggested.

"We can't leave Mildred in charge of the office for that long just so we can be on vacation. I mean, sure, she has Gina to help her out, but for more than a week?"

"Mildred has always been a fast learner, she'll take care of everything and keep the office in order."

The dubious look on Laura's face gave away her thinking. "I still don't think it's a good idea," she said.

"Then let me convince you." Remington leaned in towards her and placed his lips just barely over hers. He placed a feather-light kiss on her lips, then leaned back far enough to see her entire face and reaction.

"I think I'm convinced," she said softly, having forgotten all the problems surrounding them. It felt good to have a time when she could act without over thinking things. However, as the car pulled to a stop, their brief moment was interrupted, their private spell broken, and the problems back. Sighing aloud as Mrs. Graves pulled Mr. Steele over 'for a conference,' Laura stepped out of the car as well and began to grab the bags as Fred took them from the trunk.

"We'll have the investigation completed in no time at all, Mrs. Graves," Laura could overhear him reassuring the woman in the background.

"Thank you so much Mr. Steele. I honestly don't know where I would turn if you weren't here. And please, call me Ellie," she said graciously.

Already feeling irritable, Laura didn't know whether she could take another moment of that woman's admiration of Remington. Gritting her teeth, Laura struggled to take the final piece of luggage. "Mrs. Steele, may I help you take that inside?" Fred questioned, turning her full attention onto him.

"No, I'll be fine. You can go ahead," Laura said.

Fred nodded, then moved back towards the driver's seat and climbed in. Laura silently watched him go, grabbed only her two bags, and started towards the doors. "Your bags are there," she called, then left the two standing together, though she was unsure either had even heard her speak. If things kept up the same way, Laura would definitely need that vacation because it was going to be a long, long trip.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The first thing she would do after they had checked into the hotel, Laura decided, would be to call Murphy. Besides the obvious fact that he knew the area better than they did and could give her a little help, Laura was anxious to see how he had been since the last visit, at the wedding.

She rifled through the phone book before finding the right page, then trailed her finger along until she had found the right number. They hadn't kept in contact, more Laura's fault than his, partially because she just hadn't made the time. Picking up the phone, she dialed the number and waited until she heard a familiar male voice answer with a cheerful, "Hello?"

"Murph?" she said.

"Laura, is that you?" he asked.

It's me," she said happily. "How are you?"

After a quick glance at his surroundings, Murphy smiled and replied, "Not bad. What about you?"

The smile evaporated from her face as she paused an extra moment before answering. "I'm okay," she said cautiously.

"I know that voice. It's your 'I-say-it-but-I-don't-really-mean-it' voice. You never could lie to me very well. What's he done now?"

"Nothing. I was simply calling to catch up with a friend I haven't talked to in ages. We're in Denver," Laura said.

"Vacation?"

"Case. Do you know an Ellie Graves? She's a widow, brought both of us up here to investigate her late husband's ex-business partner."

"Everyone knows Ellie Graves. She's pretty big around here. When her husband was murdered, it made front page across the state."

"I just can't help wondering why she'd want to fly us into Denver though," Laura said with another sigh. "But that's beside the point. Are you going to be free any time this week to have lunch?"

"And miss out on seeing you for another two years? I don't think so. I'm free…tomorrow, actually. Will he be there?"

"No."

"Okay. Why don't you come over to my place for lunch tomorrow at noon? I'll do the cooking," he offered enticingly.

"You'd have to do the cooking unless you wanted true to life blackened chicken," she said, laughing. Already a great weight was being lifted from her shoulders by talking to Murphy.

"Alright. See you then," he said.

Laura smiled a half-smile as she placed the phone back on the receiver. In a quiet moment, she glanced around the hotel room that Mrs. Graves had reserved for them. From the window, she had a beautiful view of the scenery. And if weren't so much colder in Denver than California, Laura might have even liked it there.

She decided the best route to go was to start getting some work done. After pulling out the file containing any and all the information on the late Richard Graves' ex-partner, James Potter, Laura settled down at the desk provided to review it. When she'd gone through twice, taking her all of two hours, and not found a single spot to suggest anything to do with the death of Richard Graves, she wasn't sure where to go.

Her eyes began to water as she attentively studied everything related to the people or the company. "Absolutely nothing," she murmured as she shoved the papers back inside the file folder and tossed it back into her suitcase. As Laura stood, a wave of nausea and dizziness hit her, and somehow, her legs managed to carry her into the bathroom, where she found herself still twenty-five minutes later.

Meanwhile, Remington walked in the door of the hotel room and called out, "Laura?"

Not able to answer, Laura simply hit the door to give away her position. "I knew you were sick," he said as he stooped down next to her.

She swallowed, then looked up at him, saying, "That's not going to help."

"Here," he said as he sat down next to her, careful not to disturb her, then gently stroked her forehead. She let her head fall to rest on his shoulder as the nausea began to go away. "Why don't you let me handle the legwork tomorrow with Ellie while you rest in bed?" he asked quietly.

Laura shook her head. "I'm perfectly fine. Mrs. Graves," she emphasized the formality as she said the woman's name, "has absolutely no knowledge of detective work, and we agreed that we're partners."

"I know. But do you have to be so stubborn that you won't allow yourself some time to get better? You and I both know that I can handle a single day's worth of legwork."

"I am not stubborn," Laura said as she lifted her head and looked at him.

He chuckled. "That's an understatement."

Glaring at him, she replied, "I'm not."

"Fine, you're not. Just let me handle it so you can rest."

"Well, I do have to go over to Murphy's for lunch… I'll let you handle it. But only for tomorrow," she said quickly.

"You've already talked to Murphy?"

"While you were out charming the client, I talked to him and went over the files twice."

"I was not charming Ellie. She was simply showing me a few attractions. And you're going over to Murphy's place?" he questioned.

Laura rolled her eyes. She slid away from him, leaning against the cabinet for support, as she stood weakly. Managing to make it over to the bed, she looked through the suitcases she had brought for something comfortable to sleep in. "Yes, I'm going over to Murphy's. There's nothing wrong with me going to see an old friend."

"Except that he was in love with you for how long?"

"He got over that when we got married," she protested. "Besides, I think he has a girlfriend."

"You think?"

"I guess I'll find out tomorrow, won't I?" she said as she slipped a long shirt on for a nightgown. "I'm not planning on having any dinner, because I don't think I could keep it down if I tried," she said queasily. "But I'm sure you can catch dinner with Mrs. Graves."

"I'd rather stay here with you," he said as he caught her eyes.

"You don't need to stay. Go ahead, I'm just going to take a nap anyway."

"Laura, are you sure?" he asked quietly.

Biting her lip, she nodded. He nodded as well and walked over to the door, slipping the second door key into his pocket as he went. "Is there anything you want me to bring back?"

"No."

"Okay."

After the door slipped shut, Laura sighed and berated herself for pushing him away when he tried to get closer. "Every single time," she said as she laid her head down against the coolness of the pillow. "Every single time."