AND STEELE THERE WERE OTHERS

Inspired by Michael Gleason's season five treatment, this is a re-imagined one night of romance from Laura's past and possible surprises in store for the Steele's future. I used my previous entry to provide the setting for exploring Laura Holt's hidden wild side.

In her dreams, Laura envisioned the daring Mr. Steele coming to her rescue. He carried her to safety from the slopes of Whistler Mountain. There they had their long-awaited vacation because she would never have gotten hurt in the first place. Sipping on champagne and lounging in a private hot tub.

"Mr. Steele!" Laura's laugh was full of mischief.

Laura was having erotic fantasies about him, in her fever-induced delirium, Remington Steele surmised. A light touch of her forehead confirmed it. She was beginning to run a temperature.

Steele examined Laura's injuries next. The cuts she sustained from falling onto glass, while chasing down the whereabouts of Descoine's daughter, were not severe. They were healing. He saw no infection on the left hand, but the right hand, where she used to push herself up, was beginning to swell. He reminded himself to call on the doctor tomorrow morning.

After applying new dressing to Laura's cuts, he retired to his side of the bed, taking care not to jostle her awake. Positioning a pillow under each of her hands, he laid down his head to watch Laura in repose.

"Eddie," said Laura.

"Eddie. Who's Eddie?"

It would make Mr. Steele a very happy man if Laura Holt would finally agree to marry him for real.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Eddie.

Laura felt an instant attraction to him. How could she not? In their initial encounter, she was practically cheek to cheek with him, as she helped him hide from unwanted attention. Posing as lovers in a slow dance. Concealing his face and glaring at any passersby.

He was running from a dangerous situation. She was hiding from memories of Wilson. How she had wound up back in Acapulco was beyond her comprehension.

When her lips accidentally brushed against his, even Laura could not deny the spark that jumped between them. She laughed it off nervously.

As soon as the danger had passed, Laura excused herself, but Eddie insisted that she stay to have a drink with him.

"You said something Spanish back there. What was it?"

"Uh. I called you my … ah … lover."

By last call, they were both three sheets to the wind.

"C'mon, Lover. Come away with me."

"OK."

Eddie stopped mid-stride, surprised by her willing response.

"Really?"

Laura shrugged. A smirk forming on her face. "Sure! Why not!"

Eddie and Laura went as far as his motel room. He carried Laura in, while she carried her shoes in one hand and more booze in the other. They collapsed onto the bed in a fit of giggles, settling into an embrace.

She interrupted his nuzzling and looked seriously into his eyes.

"Do you really want me, Lover?" she said.

Her tone not so mocking anymore.

Eddie returned a gaze that was equally intense.

"I want you … I do. I do. I do. Run away with me."

Laura threw her arms around his neck and smothered him with passionate kisses.

The next morning, Steele answered his phone on the third ring.

"Hello, Mildred."

"A client wants to see Miss Holt!"

"What?"

He glanced in the direction of the bedroom. Laura's fever had not gone down.

"Alright. I'll be there shortly."

Laura would be so proud of his dedication to their work. By all accounts, Remington Steele was the brilliant detective she always wanted. In her own words, which should be hanging on some plaque - "Business comes first."

"You'll need to come over right away then. I don't want to leave Laura alone for even a moment."

When Steele arrived at the agency, a man was already waiting in the reception area. He was a ruggedly handsome thirtysomething, who bore an uncanny resemblance to a rakish Peter Lawford. The man stood up as he approached. Steele could not resist picturing him in a fedora and three-piece suit.

"Remington Steele? You are Remington Steele?"

"Yes," Steele put on an air of charm and straightened his necktie before extending a welcoming hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mister … "

"Eddie. Eddie Barris."

Eddie? He was going to have a talk with Laura.

They proceeded into the detective's spacious office, where Steele found the case file pertaining to the visitor.

"How can we be of service, Mr. Barris?"

He pointed the client towards a chair. Noticing coffee has been made and warming along the wall unit. Steele offered a cup to Eddie.

"Thank you. Um. I was really hoping to see Laura today. "

Eddie took a sip.

Laura. Uh-oh.

"You are acquainted with our Miss Holt? Old friends?"

"You could say that."

"Where did you two meet?"

"A bar in Acapulco."

Steele nearly spit out the mouthful of coffee he just sipped.

Laura roused to find Eddie passed out at the foot of the bed, close to where she had fallen asleep, clothes and shoes still on. She was fully dressed as well, although a tad wrinkled. Feeling bare legs underneath her skirt, she vaguely remember tossing her nylons into the night. She was much relieved that mutual attraction had not led to uninhibited passion. It was a good time without consequences.

Seeing Eddie's face next to hers prompted a sly smile from Laura. She caressed his cheek and teased a curl of his hair.

She was about to kiss him on the lips when a sobering thought gave her pause.

"Thanks for last night. I needed that … a lot, but I can't run away with you." She feigned a whimper. "If you were only … Never mind.

"Bye Lover." She gave him a peck on the cheek.

On her way out, she slid her business card into his shirt pocket. "For when you are done running."

"Aha! Of course I am aware of your case." A lie. "I hope you and your future step-son will have settled your differences before your pending nuptials."

"Here is your engagement ring back. Miss Holt was able to recover it last week."

The phone ring interrupted them.

It was Mildred.

"Mr. Steele. Miss Holt's fever is getting worst. I called the doctor, but he won't be here until 2:30. What should I do?"

"Stay calm. I'll be home right away."

Steeled turned to Eddie after a moment of hesitation.

"It's Laura. I could use some help."

Stopping to buy ice from the gas station, Fred dropped them off at 1:00 pm exactly. Eddie hauled the bag into the bathroom to start the water running. While Steele headed straight to Laura.

He found her lying on her side, bandages undone to reveal an angry red swelling on her right hand. Steele swooped her up into his arms. He could feel her head slumped against his shoulder as he entered the adjoining ensuite.

She was soon immersed in the chilled water, clothes and all.

Every ten minutes, Mildred checked the thermometer. Half an hour later, she announced excitedly, "99 degrees."

By this time, Laura was fully conscious of her surroundings. Steele leaned closer to hear what she had to say.

"C-c-cold."

Still bleary-eyed, it took her awhile to register the presence of the newcomer.

"Eddie?"

"Hey."

Eddie gave Laura's hand a squeeze.

"I was just dreaming about you."

It took both men to hoist Laura out of the tub. They set her down on the edge and then went to wait in the living room to allow Mildred to help dry Laura off.

Alone at last and in relatively good health, Laura, eyes closed, rested on the sofa. The tetanus injection, the doctor gave, had made her a bit woozy.

Steele sat nearby thumbing through a TV guide.

"When were you going to tell me about Eddie?" he said without looking up.

"Eventually." She tried to hide a smile.

"Just one more question."

"What?" One eye beginning to open towards Steele.

"Who is Buck?"

Author's Note: I changed the Eddie character from Michael Gleason's transcript to Eddie Barris. It is from a story editor I worked with - Kate Barris.

This is a one-shot, unless there is a demand for more. Please leave suggestions in the comments.