A/N

Thought I'd toss in an author's note just for the heck of it... A few things you should know. 1. This isn't my first rodeo. I've been writing fanfiction for a little bit, but just recently dove into the RS world. If i get a fact or two wrong here and there, let's chock it up to creative license. 2. This fic is occurring... we'll say mid season 4. Not sure where, but here and there. It was alluded that Laura has two siblings... older and younger in one episode. We're going to go with Frances being her only sibling... well, the only sibling SHE knows about. and 3. Thank you for reading, and reviewing. I am using this story as a 'muse enhancer'... i hope you enjoy :) Love and all that... Gcatspjs (PJ)

Remington entered the office first, standing straight and taking long strides, he tapped Mildred's desk. "Time for some tea, Mildred," he said with a wink, and turned toward the man in the waiting area. He looked nervous and very apprehensive. "Alright, let's have a talk about that issue that we were discussing before I made a mad dash out of here," Remington said, ushering the other man toward his office.

"But, Mr. Steele," the other man stammered, glancing toward the door as Laura walked through, he felt the taller man's hand at his back as he pushed him lightly, closing the door behind them both.

"Have a seat." Remington insisted, watching the other man glance toward the door one more time before moving to the desk. Remington then sat at his desk and clasped his hands, leaning a bit awkwardly over it. His eyebrows lifted and an expectant expression came over his face. "I apologize for the interruption… now where were we?"

"The woman that…"

"The woman that we're looking for?" Remington goaded, trying to move the conversation along. "Your daughter, right? Do you think she was kidnapped by the men you owe money to, perhaps…"

"My daughter?" The man started slightly, his eyes showed that he was lost and confused.

"You said you needed my help in finding your daughter. Please try to keep up." Remington said, his tone turning less than humored.

"Yes, yes, my daughter… " He man shook his head. "She was supposed to arrive at her school three days ago. We've had the police looking for her, but she hasn't…"

"School?" Remington asked, movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention when the door to the adjoining office opened just slightly. He looked back at the man across from him and cleared his throat. His hand went to his tie, adjusting it slightly. "School?"

"Yes. My daughter was accepted to the University of…" he paused, noticing that Remington's complete attention wasn't on him any longer.

"You don't say?" He said, noticing the door opening a bit more. "If you'll excuse me." He said quickly, moving around the desk, the other man's eyes followed him. "Just… stay right there, okay?"

"Okay." He nodded, as Remington moved around the desk and through the door to the next room.

He pulled at the door slightly, and slipped into the room, he watched Laura jump back as he closed it behind him. "What on earth are you doing?" He asked, watching her go from surprised to irritated in an unprecedented 2.1 seconds.

"What are you doing? I was listening."

"And not very covertly, I might add. If you'd like to sit in on the meeting, Laura… then by all means…"

"No." She shook her head. "No, I shouldn't, couldn't… should I?" She asked, looking a bit confused.

"I don't think that right now is the time for that confrontation, if that's what you're asking." Remington shrugged, watching her closely for her reaction.

"Then when is the time for that confrontation? As he's walking out of the office? Perhaps on his way to his car? Maybe he'll leave his address, and I can send him a postcard." She said sarcastically.

"Let me find out what he wants first… then we'll take it from there, okay?" He said, watching the stubbornness stay in her expression for a moment more.

"Okay." She nodded, reaching across to his tie, she rubbed it between her fingers for a moment and looked up at him. "Thank you." She said, giving it a slight tug, she watched the glint in his eyes as their lips touched.

The door they were standing next to suddenly opened, pulling them apart, as Mildred stepped inside. "Oh. Sorry." She said, giving a sheepish grin, though her eyes showed no apology. "Here's your tea, boss."

He sighed and reached across to touch Laura's hand. "I'll take care of it." He said, turning to Mildred, he gratefully took the mug from her hand. "Thank you, Mildred." He said, his voice rising slightly as he carefully moved through the door with the mug, closing it behind him.

With Remington in his office, Mildred looked to Laura with her brow furrowed, noting the crinkle in the younger woman's forehead. "What's going on, Miss Holt?"

She looked to Mildred as if shaken from her reverie, and paused for just a moment. "It's nothing, Mildred." She said, moving toward her desk.

"You can't fool me, Miss Holt. I can tell when you're upset. What is Mr. Steele taking care of? Why did you run out of here like that? Do you know that man?"

"I used to." She said with a wistful sigh, sending herself flopping down in her chair. "That man in there… is my father."

"Your father?" Mildred asked, a slight gasp on her breath as she looked toward Remington's office, and back to Laura. "I've never heard you mention your father before, Miss Holt."

"That's because he wasn't worth mentioning, Mildred." Laura replied. "Walks out on my mother… walks out on his family." She said, scowling angrily. "Runs off with who knows who, to who knows where." Mildred could see the ire rising in Laura with each passing second. It was like watching a tea kettle on the boil. Its slow, beckoning whistle as the steam begins to rise, unnoticed by those around it, until it gets so warm, and the pressure builds so much, that it begins its angry scream to be relieved of the pressure.

Before Mildred could say another word, Laura was on her feet, stomping angrily toward the adjoining door. Her entrance surprised both Remington and the man in the chair, as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Laura." Remington said, standing quickly at the interruption, he was clearly surprised.

"I know you were going to handle things, Mister Steele, but as a professional. I feel that it's important to face whatever cases are thrown in our direction head on, without personal distraction." She said, still not looking at their client.

"Very noble of you Miss Holt." Remington said, walking around the desk, he took her arm by the elbow and walked with her toward the door to her office. "But I do think that I have things under control." He said, lowering his voice.

"You shouldn't have to be the one controlling things… Mister Steele." She said, between gritted teeth, the moment of tenderness was gone as her frustration mounted quickly.

"Just for now, Miss Holt. Getting all of the answers." He said.

"Laura?" Their client said softly, having stood up during her confrontation with Remington, she was still avoiding eye contact. Her eyes remained on the steely blue eyes in front of her.

"Laura, that really… is you?" The man said, squeezing his hat in his hand, they trembled with what could have been cold, or fright.

Remington lifted an eyebrow, his teeth gritting slightly. She lifted her eyebrow as if their conversation was continuing in silence and let the pause drag on unreasonably longer than it should have. "Miss Holt, I'd like you to meet our new client." He said between his teeth. "Mister Randolph Meyers."

Laura's eyes narrowed and her nose scrunched up in an attempt to hide the disgust in her face. Suddenly she took a step to her side, surprising both her and Remington. "Good morning, Mr. Meyers." She said with a strong lean toward the formal.

"Laura." The man shook his head, swallowing hard as he took in the daughter he hadn't seen in well over a decade. He could see the stubbornness in her eyes, and when his eyes flickered to Remington, he felt a strong sense of pride emanating from the other man.

"What can we do for you?" She asked, as she waited for the handshake that she was fairly certain wouldn't come, so instead of waiting for it, she turned and walked toward the desk. She turned and leaned against it, waiting for the two men to join her as she gripped her bravado with every fiber of her being.

"Laura, you recognize me, don't you?" Mr. Meyers said as he turned. "That was why you walked out earlier."

"Mister Steele?" She said, looking to her partner, she remained strong. He could see that small crack in her armor though, the way she took that short breath and held his eyes. It was time for him to jump back into things again.

"Mister Meyers, this is my associate Laura Holt." He said, as if the previous several minutes had never even happened. "She'll be helping us with your case. If you would, please have a seat…and we'll discuss it together." He said, catching the grateful look in Laura's eyes, he gave her a wink, as he walked around his desk and sat down. He started to lean back, as if he was going to put his feet up on the desk, and she gave him a warning glare. "What?" he mouthed, and she sent him a grateful smile, with a patented eyeroll, before turning back to their client once again.