A/N: After being a fan of "Remington Steele" for over twenty years, I felt the need to finally write my first (and only) RS fan fiction when I recently re-watched the show on dvd. In my opinion, it's still one of the best shows out there and it's damn near perfection, which was one of the reasons I second guessed myself a lot while writing this fan fiction. As always, the story didn't turn out like I originally planned but the important thing is that I actually finished it and wanted to share it with other RS fans. Enjoy!

Remington Steele
"Steele The One"

Life had an almost cruel way of rarely going as planned, despite one's best efforts of taking every possible problem into consideration. After years of keeping up appearances, both professionally and privately, Laura Holt thought she finally had life figured out after all the twists and turns. That maybe, after all those years of hesitating and second-guessing, she at last had everything she could dream of.

In the beginning upon their return from Ireland to Los Angeles, life had been blissfully wonderful. Business was thriving and so was their romantic relationship, even though a professional relationship was maintained at the workplace. Then, as time passed, things started to change and the balance shifted. The arguments slowly became part of a tiring daily routine that meant the work environment was anything but pleasant.

They began working on separate cases and spending more time apart from each other outside of the office. And eventually, despite their best efforts, there really was only one thing left to do and that was to go their separate ways. Which simultaneously led to the end of Remington Steele Investigations as well. In one fell swoop, Laura went from being in a committed relationship with a man she loved and running a successful agency, to losing both and finding herself essentially back at square one.

Having to find a new job at another detective agency was less than ideal, but she knew it was necessary and that she would one day have her own agency again. Until then, she'd focus primarily on work and making sure the man she once knew as Remington Steele faded into a past best forgotten...

Laura leaned back in her chair with a exasperated sigh, staring up at the ceiling and hoping to trigger some kind of revelation that would magically solve the current case she was working on.

She always liked a good old mystery; something that would keep her mind busy for a while. Especially when it kept other unwanted thoughts away. But at this point it had gone from fascinating to frustrating, and it was painfully clear that she would not have it solved by the weekend.

With a quick glance at her wristwatch, Laura sighed heavily and grabbed the empty coffee cup on her way out of the office. As she walked through the bustling bullpen to the coffee machine, people were busy putting in their last effort of work before they were officially off for the weekend.

"Hey, Holt!"

Laura instinctively cringed as she stopped short of the coffee machine, recognizing the voice of the last person she wanted to interact with at this time of day. Or at all for that matter.

"Steve," she said with a strained smile as one of her co-workers, Steve Carson, approached. In the two years Laura had been working at The Sterling Agency, Steve had relentlessly pursued her despite being constantly rejected. Somehow, that only made him try even harder.

"You free this weekend?" Steve asked with a sleazy grin as he moved in close, forcing Laura to back up against the wall next to the coffee machine. To keep herself from physically hurting him at that moment, she clenched the coffee cup tightly with both hands.

"Seeing as how we keep having this conversation every Friday, I would think you should know the answer by now," Laura said slowly, doing her best to maintain a level tone of voice and silently counting down from ten to remain calm.

Steve took a painfully long moment in silence to study her body from top to toe, a lustful look in his eyes. Despite being dressed in a long-sleeved pantsuit, Laura couldn't help feeling exposed and involuntarily shuddered before quickly sidestepping away from him.

"Why do you keep playing hard to get, Holt?" Steve sighed, still with a smirk firmly in place.

"Oh, I'm not playing, Steve," Laura said while getting a refill, making it a point to avoid eye contact with him despite the close proximity.

The past two years had taken a toll on Laura in more ways than one. Apart from having to start over at a new detective agency and proving herself a capable private investigator all over again, she also had to regain her confidence and that had proven to be even harder.

But the hardest thing of all was getting to know the new co-workers and daring to trust any of them, which meant Laura deliberately kept most of them at a distance. She mostly focused on getting the job done and that meant no sick days, vacations or accompanying the others to social events outside of work.

Not that Laura would ever admit to Steve of all people that she willingly spent pretty much all of her weekends sitting at home going over paperwork.

"You know what they say about all work and no play," Steve said as he leaned against the coffee machine, staring intently at Laura.

She glared at him and briefly contemplated throwing the hot coffee in his face, when she suddenly spotted Rick Bennett coming up behind Steve.

"Speaking of work, Steve," Rick said with a firm pat on Steve's shoulder. "How about you go and get some done, huh? And quit hassling Laura before someone gets hurts, namely you."

"Are you threatening me, Bennett?" Steve huffed.

"Oh, it's not me you should be worried about," Rick said with a pointed look at Laura, who in return smirked at Steve as he actually appeared to finally take the hint. He muttered something under his breath before abruptly heading back across the bullpen to his office.

"You're a lifesaver," Laura said with a relieved sigh, unable to hold back a smile.

"I do what I can," Rick mused and went to get a refill as well. Laura studied his chiseled good looks in silence, getting that tingling feeling in her stomach.

It wasn't just his features that made Laura like Rick, but mostly his personality. Unlike most men at the agency, he was genuinely nice and respectful to everyone. He didn't feel the need to brag about his education, previous accomplishments or impose himself on any of the women to better his ego. Which was the main reason why he'd become one of Laura's few friends at work, making life there bearable.

"So, how is it going with the Garner case?" Rick asked as they made their way back to Laura's office.

"At this point, it's not going at all," Laura said while sipping her coffee.

"Want some help?"

"If it's no trouble?"

Rick responded with a smile that almost made Laura blush and she momentarily looked away just as they entered her office. Despite being relatively new amongst the staff, Laura had quickly proven herself being a highly skilled investigator and therefore being given the privilege of a private office.

It was decorated in the same style as the rest of the agency and went along with the image of luxury that needed to be upheld for the clients. Laura had only added a few framed photographs of her family and a potted plant to the office, not really feeling the need for much else.

"Did that lead pan out that you mentioned last time?" Rick asked as he closed the door behind them.

"Another dead end," Laura sighed and leaned against her desk, taking another sip of coffee. "I must say that this case is giving me a run for my money. It's been quite a while since I enjoyed a challenge but part of the fun is actually making some kind of headway towards solving the mystery."

Rick took a quick swig of coffee before putting down his cup and picking up the case folder, taking a seat in the visitor's chair across from Laura. He reviewed her case notes in comfortable silence and Laura could tell by the look on his face that the Garner case puzzled him as well.

"You weren't kidding," he said after a while and looked up at Laura. "This certainly isn't the open and shut case we thought, but I think I know a guy that could help. Only problem is he won't be available until Monday."

"Well, it's probably for the best," Laura said. "I could use a break anyway."

"I'd say you've earned it," Rick said with a flirtatious smile, reaching for Laura's hand and gently pulling her into his lap.

She returned the smile before leaning in for a kiss that made that tingling feeling return. Her friendship with Rick had developed over time and for the past few weeks they had secretly been dating, mostly avoiding going out in public for fear of bumping into people from work. Considering Laura's previous relationship, she had been very hesitant to start something new with someone from work again.

But Rick had given her time and space to work through her feelings. He'd also made it clear that he would gladly accept just being friendly co-workers over no relationship whatsoever, which only made Laura like him even more. For the first time in a long time, she didn't overanalyze or second-guess things and instead lived for the moment.

"So, your place or mine?" Rick murmured.

"I'm thinking yours this time," Laura said softly, their faces inches apart. "Although that's partly because I'm in the mood for some Italian at that lovely little place by your apartment."

"Is that all you're in the mood for?"

"Oh, hardly. But a girl's gotta eat before having dessert."

"Well then, I guess we better get going."

Laura leaned in for another kiss, savoring the moment for as long as possible before getting up and perched herself on the edge of the desk. She sipped her coffee with a coy smile at Rick as he got out of the chair.

They listened as everyone out in the bullpen ended their workday and hastily started moving in groups towards the elevators. Rick waited a moment longer before grabbing his empty cup, giving Laura a quick kiss goodbye and leaving her office. As the door closed behind him, the smile on Laura's face faded and she could feel some of those unwanted thoughts creeping back into her mind. She abruptly shook her head and gathered up her things before hurrying out the door.

The past two years spent traveling across Europe was suppose to make him forget about what he left behind back in Los Angeles. After a lifetime of making sure never to have any real attachments to neither places or people, he'd broken that cardinal rule when becoming Remington Steele. He could keep telling himself it was the money and fame that made him stick around, and that playing detective was an added bonus to a very exciting life.

That the life of the great Remington Steele had presented an enjoyable challenge at a time when he didn't have anything better going on. That those six years had been a mere extended detour in passing through the States. But even as he kept telling himself that, he knew perfectly well why he had stayed for so long. It wasn't because of the plush lifestyle or even the fulfilling work as a private investigator.

The main reason he'd stayed was Laura Holt. The woman responsible for creating the honorable Remington Steele and the highly reputable agency that went along with the name. The woman whose brilliant mind and complex personality had captivated him from the very first moment they met. The woman who'd consistently challenged him to do better and apparently seen something in him worth fighting for, despite their obvious differences.

Without her, life simply wasn't the same and not even two exciting years abroad could change that. So here he was, back in Los Angeles where it all started, determined to win back what he was foolish to once leave behind.

"Sir? Sir, it's time to disembark."

Remington's train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the flight attendant. He turned to look at her, only then realizing that the other passengers had already exited the airplane.

"Ah yes, it's most definitely time," he said with his usual charming smile before standing up and grabbing his bag.

On the way out of the airplane and eventually the airport, Remington found himself going over what needed to be done. He'd decided to go to the agency at first, assuming that Laura would most likely still be there working and should her reaction to his sudden return be less than enthusiastic, he could always regroup somewhere safe before trying his luck at the loft later on.

On the ride over to the office building where they'd spent countless hours together, Remington couldn't help but actually feel nervous. Few things in life rattled his nerves and Laura Holt was definitely on top of that list, although it had usually been out of excitement.

This time, it was different. He had handled the break-up in the worse possible way and done what he did best; he'd ran. As fast and as far away as he could get. Without as much as a note explaining things to Laura, because at the time he wanted her to hurt as much as he did. Despite both of them being aware of the problems in the relationship, it was Laura who in the end officially ended things.

So, instead of staying and trying to work things out, Remington simply packed a suitcase and took the first available flight out of the country. He did what he had promised not to do; he had left her. Once he began realizing his mistake, he tried even harder to suppress his longing for Laura and what it had felt like being Remington Steele. But eventually, he came to the conclusion that he needed to return and face the music. Even if he wouldn't able to actually win Laura back, he still wanted to make things right between them.

Before long, the taxi pulled up to the curb and Remington paid the driver before getting out. He looked up at the two high-rise buildings, feeling a twinge of sadness as the memories came flooding back.

"No turning back this time," he mumbled to himself and made his way across the plaza.

Things on the outside hadn't changed at all in the two years he'd been away, although the same couldn't necessary be said about Laura. He'd wondered many times over the years what she had been up to and out of fear for the truth, convinced himself that she was as he remembered her.

Now that he was back, that fantasy was slowly falling apart and as he entered the lobby, it all came crashing down. Looking up and not seeing Remington Steele Investigations listed, it became painfully clear that things had certainly changed.

After the initial surprise, Remington walked back outside and for a brief moment, he contemplated forgetting the whole thing. Laura would most likely throttle him at first sight and he wouldn't blame her one bit. The thought of actually seeing her again made him feel both excited and nervous at the same time, but also afraid.

Afraid of finding out how she really felt after all this time. Afraid that she was indeed better off without him in her life. Afraid that he had missed his chance at the happily ever after, or at least some resemblance of it.

All because he let his pride get in the way.

By the time Laura left Rick's apartment, the sun was setting and coloring the sky in various shades of blue. Despite Rick trying to convince her to stay, Laura had insisted on going home. Truth be told, she deliberately avoided staying the night even though she'd been tempted a few times. Rick was a perfectly good catch in every way and Laura cared for him, but she had promised herself not to get too involved.

They had started out as friends and Laura knew when they became romantically involved, that it could very well complicate things further down the road. For the time being, Rick didn't seem to mind that the relationship was mostly on Laura's terms, but she knew that could change soon enough.

She had once been the one who wanted a long-term commitment and that feeling of uncertainness that it might never happen wasn't something she wanted to put Rick through. But for now, Laura was content with what they had and liked the fact that he made her appreciate life a lot more than she had in the past two years.

Laura admired the evening sky for a moment before crossing the street to her car. Since it was Friday night, there wasn't much movement out on the streets but she could hear the faint sound of people enjoying themselves at the nearby bar. She threw her purse onto the front passenger seat before opening the driver's door, suddenly getting the distinct feeling that she was being watched.

In her line of work, one developed almost a sixth sense when it came to certain things such as being watched or followed. She had certainly had her share of dangerous situations over the years, especially when running Remington Steele Investigations, but Laura was more than capable of taking of herself. Even though most people would assume that she couldn't due to her small size and pretty exterior.

Laura discreetly glanced around, her hand still on the door handle. There were several other parked cars along the curb but as far she could tell, she was the only person in sight. Although it was still possible that someone was watching her from a distance in the shadows and Laura wasn't about to stick around to find out. She took one last look around before getting into the car and driving off.

On the drive over to the loft, Laura kept looking in the rearview mirror in case she was being followed. Considering that traffic was pretty light, it wouldn't be hard to spot if someone was playing tagalong. After passing through a few intersections without anything suspicious, Laura relaxed and exhaled. She did a quick run-through of all the current cases she was working on and couldn't see how anything case related would cause someone to possibly have her under surveillance.

Back in the day, most of the trouble she found herself in had been due to the mysterious past of Remington Steele. Now that she was rid off him, things almost seemed dull at times. Even though she sometimes caught a murder case, Laura had the advantage of anonymity when working for a much larger agency this time around. That meant she could do her job without having to worry too much about any serious repercussions.

Still, she made sure to take precautions when needed and so she decided to take a different route home this time.

Once Laura finally arrived back at her building, it was later than she'd realized. After parking the car in her usual spot, she grabbed her purse and strolled across the street. By this time it was nightfall and that meant it had been another long day.

Laura suppressed a yawn as she made her way up the stairwell, the sound of her heels echoing throughout the otherwise silent building. When Laura entered the loft and switched on the lights, she did a quick sweep to make sure nothing was out of place. Satisfied that everything looked normal, she pulled the door shut and immediately took off her heels before walking barefoot over to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Afterwards, Laura slipped into her nightgown and sauntered into the kitchen just as the door buzzed, causing her to freeze momentarily. Apart from Rick, she rarely received visitors at night and considering the car ride home, Laura felt a certain hesitation as to answering the door. But at the same time her natural curiosity was piqued as to whom it could be, and so she abruptly grabbed hold of a candlestick on her way over.

"Coming!" Laura called as she walked over and unlocked the door, sliding it open with one hand before looking up at the person standing outside in the hallway.

Finding herself suddenly staring into those haunting blue eyes again after all this time came as such a shock that Laura dropped the candlestick.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she gasped.

TO BE CONTINUED...