Jewel of Steele

Part One

by Lisa Ann Richardson

 

A Remington Steele Round Robin
copyright 1998 by the Remington Steele Chatboard

DISCLAIMER: This story is purely a work of fiction and is in no way associated with REMINGTON STEELE, MTM, the actors...yaddah, yaddah, yaddah...we all know the drill. This is purely a bit of fun for the latenight RS Chatboard crowd.

Laura smoothed the silk of her dress. Staring critically at herself in the mirror, she shrugged. She looked better tonight than she had in a week. That damned flu had left her looking tired and pale. She grimaced. Her stomach was still queasy. Blotting her lipstick, Laura smirked with satisfaction. Better. The ankle length midnight blue silk gown, with its scoop neck and long sleeves, looked almost conservative, except for the split on the right side of the dress which was cut nearly to her hip, exposing much of slender leg.

She heard a whistle behind her. Grinning, Laura turned around, her dark eyes meeting her husband's brilliant blue ones. She laughed. "I take it I meet with your approval?"

Remington Steele ignored his wife, crossing his arms and walking around her, inspecting. Finally coming back around, he stared at Laura.

"What?!"

The devilish expression in his eyes belying his somber tone, Remington finally spoke up. "Laura my love, you look exquisite."

Laura threw her arms around the dashing Irishman's neck. "And you look incredibly gorgeous." She wasn't lying. Her mouth practically watered. In his black tux, Remington was the incarnation of the gentleman rogue, his dark, handsome features and wondrous sapphire eyes making him as dashing as James Bond. She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "C'mon. We'll be late. Fred will be here any minute."

Remington tightened his hold around her waist. "Must we? I mean, we could stay here. After all, it's been such a hectic week." He was trying to stifle his laugh and not succeeding very well at all.


Laura giggled. "You know, we can finish this later."

"I'll take that as a proposition, Lady Steele." He bent his head to kiss her.

Black splotches formed in front of her eyes as the room began to spin. Laura felt like she was falling.

Remington held her hard. "Laura? Laura!"

He picked her up, moving her to the bedroom, sitting her on the bed they shared.Laura finally looked at him, her eyes slighty vacant. He touched her cheek. "Laura? Darling, are you alright?"

Laura shook her head slightly, trying to get her bearings back. "Y-yeah. I just felt kind of dizzy for a second. I think I'm alright now."

Remington rubbed her shoulders. "Maybe we shouldn't go tonight. You've been like this since you caught that flu a few weeks back."

"I'm fine now. I'm probably just still fighting it off."

"Why don't you go see the doctor tomorrow?"

"Why? I said--"

He tried to reason with her. "Laura, you damned near passed out a second ago. Even if it's only a lingering case of the flu, at least you'll be able to get some antibiotics to get rid of it completely."

She opend her mouth to argue, but the concern in his eyes stopped her."Fine. I'll go."

"There's a good girl." Remington grinned as he watched an annoyed look pass across Laura's face. Remarks like that drove her crazy. He helped her up. "Are you sure you're up to going tonight?"

Laura nodded. "I'm fine now." She smiled up at him. "Really."

Remington studied her face. There was a little more color to her cheeks and she was steady on her feet. "Alright, love. Let's go."

**********

Jennifer Hart (this one's for you Susan!) sipped her champagne, not really listening to Patricia Merrill's gossip. Vicious gossip had never been one of her favorite pastimes. The other women in the group, however, listened with salacious interest.

Jennifer sent up a prayer of thanks as Jonathan walked up, placing his arm around her shoulder. "Evening ladies."

Pleasantries were exchanged by all. Jonathan Hart turned to his wife. "Jennifer, I do believe we have some late arrivals." He gestured towards the door.

Jennifer smiled. "Well, so they finally got here."

Patricia Merrill remarked cattily, "Well, I for one don't understand what that gorgeous creature sees in a little thing like that. Look at her! She looks like a school girl playing dress up for the prom."

The other women laughed. Jennifer and Jonathan shared a glance. Both genuinely like Steele and Laura. And Jennifer was getting a little outdone with social climbers.

Turning to the women, she smiled sweetly. "Well, if you all would excuse us...darling, I think it's time we greeted Mr. Steele and Laura. Hard to believe they've been married for three months, isn't it?"

Both swallowed laughter as the left a group of society women gaping like fish at the startling news.

Jonathan smirked at his wife. "Jennifer, was that really necessary?"

She shrugged. "Probably not, but it felt good to watch them digest the news that they never have a chance as long as Laura is around."

They approached the young couple. "Steele, Laura. It's good to see you here."

Handshakes and hugs were exchanged.

Jonathan grinned. "Laura, you look lovely. Steele, it looks like married life agrees with you."

Remington's grin could have split his face in two. "That it does, old friend."

The Harts didn't miss the way his arm tightened around Laura's waist.

Laura looked around. "Looks like you two have thrown the bash of the century."

"Well, Jonathan's birthday is only once a year and it's been a while since we had something this big." Jennifer looked around proudly. "I think Max and I have outdone ourselves this time."

Remington suddenly felt Laura's weight crush against him. Jonathan and Jennifer motioned for Max to come over. Laura held onto her husband's arm, keeping herself upright. She was damned if she was going down in a public place.

She stared wildly at Jennifer. "Jennifer, I need to get to your bathroom. I don't feel so well."

Jonathan nodded. "Of course. Use the master bath in our bedroom. There's a little more privacy there and you can rest for a few minutes afterwards if you want. Max, go with Remington and Laura."

"Sure thing, Mr. H. C'mon Mr. Steele, Mrs. S."

They watched as Max led the couple into the house. Jonathan took his wife's arm. "Why don't you go check on them. I'll join you in a minute."

Jennifer kept looking towards the door. Darling, Laura didn't look very well. I hope nothing's wrong."

**********


Remington held her long, dark hair back as Laura threw up, her churning stomach mercilessly going through dry heaves once there was nothing else to come up. He bent down and lifted her, taking her to sit on a chair in the Hart's bedroom. Max came in with Jennifer Hart.

Laura smiled shakily. "Sorry."

Jennifer shrugged. "Nothing to be sorry about. I just hope you're alright."

Laura closed her eyes. "Just this damned flu I can't seem to shake."

Max offered her a glass of water. "Here. Drink this. You'll feel better."

Jonathan walked in, patting Laura on the shoulder. "I hope you're feeling better."

"A little, thanks."

Remington eyed his wife. "Laura luv, I think we should head on home. You don't look fine. In fact, you're looking a little pale."

"I'm fine!" Laura snapped. "I'm going to the doctor tomorrow; it's just a flu, okay?!" Everyone was taken aback by her sudden irritation, Remington especially. Laura immediately felt a rush of guilt. "I'm sorry. I'm just not feeling too good."

Remington and the Harts were surprised to see tears welling up in her brown eyes. Remington knelt down, hugging her. "It's alright, luv. I'm just a little worried about you, that's all. You haven't been able to shake this for a while and you've been getting dizzy spells and throwing up alot lately. Like I said, tomorrow go see the doctor."

Jennifer broke in, sounding her agreement. "I don't think that's such a bad idea, Laura. You really should."

Laura looked around, laughing softly. "Well, since I'm getting ganged up on here, I guess I've got no choice."

"Well, that's what friends are for."

Everyone looked at Jonathan Hart before bursting into laughter.

To Be Continued-

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