Jewel of Steele

Part Two

by Claudia Crepeault

 

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.

"Remington, why don't you go with Jonathan downstairs, and I'll stay here with Laura until the car arrives? "

Jennifer asked with insistence. There was that strange look in her eyes, the one her husband knew too well. She had something to say to Laura, in private. Jonathan agreed, and led Steele outside the room.

"Laura," Jennifer said. "Is all Remington mentioned few minutes ago about your recent dizziness and sickness problems true? I mean, have you really been sick like this for a week?"

"Indeed... Every single day for more than a week, Jennifer," Laura replied, exhausted.

"At first I thought it was the flu, but now I'm afraid it might be more serious. Besides, why should it be the flu? I haven't been near a Kleenex for months, I don't suffer from headaches, I don't cough, I don't sneeze...Besides, as far as I remember, I never got sick, I didn't even have the flu more than twice in all my life! No...I think my doctor's answer will be a little more than "drink a lot and rest yourself. I'm so worried about all this," she admitted.

"Worried? About what Laura? "

"Well, I'm a detective Jennifer! According to the facts I have here, it looks more like a pregnant woman to me. I mean I'm sick each and every morning, can't think about food without fighting nausea...I feel like someone is draining all of my energy whenever I make a move, I start crying for no reason, I am so testy to Remington and Mildred and everyone...and I'm so tired...I would spend my entire day at home, sleeping, doing nothing. For the first time in years, and maybe in all my life, work and business are so meaningless to me. I surprised myself last week, because I noticed I was whispering whenever I came near the office door. I don't have a slight idea of what is happening to me...It worries me, and it worries Remington, too-- a great deal--and I don't know what to do. I thought it would resolve itself as it came, but it appears I can't clear on this one alone", she said.

"Well, we can't win them all, can we?" Jennifer laughed.

"True, but I'm damn scared about this one!"

"Maybe you're just overreacting about all this, Laura. You and Remington just got married and immediately ran to Ireland and England. You both tried to prove your marriage wasn't a fraud, you had to get Steele out of murder charges regarding Norman Keys, got back here, took case after case, had success and all... Even Remington mentioned to me about that hectic week when I phoned him to invite the both of you here tonight! Maybe it's just fatigue Laura; maybe all you need is a vacation with your husband, enjoying life, away from all those past concerns of yours. "

"I wish you were right. Anyway, I'll be fixed tomorrow afternoon..."

*********

Steele and Hart slowly went down the stairs when Remington asked Jonathan about what his wife had in mind.

"Don't worry about Laura, Remington. Jennifer showed me she wanted to be alone with your lovely wife. My opinion is she had something to tell her. I'm sure she is merely getting the doctor's appointment right into Laura's mind. She didn't look too excited about it actually. In fact, Steele, I would even say she doesn't want to meet a
doctor eye...I think she's scared. You mentioned she had been sick like this for a week now? Are these sudden dizziness waves frequent?"

"She did tell me about her being wavy, but the only time I witnessed it was tonight just before coming here. I noticed how beautiful she was and made a pleasant remark, then we were about to kiss when..."

"When someone took a shot at you?" Jonathan pumped instantly.

Steele looked at his friend and smiled for a second. Then extreme concern appeared on his face, while he kept talking: "No, worst than that Jonathan...she almost fell unconscious in my very arms. She turned so pale...and it worried me so much I...I...I... thought she really had something wrong. I realized it couldn't be the flu; I mean, we practically spend all our days and nights together. She doesn't have any symptoms, no fever, headaches, nothing, really...I suspect she is sick and I have reasons to believe this is much more serious then we both think it is."

Jonathan was about to add something when a quick look over the lounge diverted his attention.

"Will you excuse me for a moment, Remington? I'll simply pass by our living room, seeing if my other guests need anything. I know Max is taking good care of them, but I should show my face again, and give them some news about Laura."

"Fine!!...Uh...Jonathan? Please don't say too much, Laura could get upset."

"Don't worry, Steele. Why don't you use the phone in the kitchen to call Fred back here? I'll join you in a couple of minutes."

"Ok ,then!" Steele picked up the phone and dialed the limo. Fred answered and promised to be in front of the door in the next fifteen minutes.

Remington sat, loosened his tie and took his jacket off. Putting two fingers near his left temple, he thought about the events of the day.

There was the strange man who wanted to meet him alone and who had insisted on Laura not being with him at their meeting, under any consideration...There Inspector Jarvis who needed some advising on a mysterious murder case, but who only wanted to deal with Laura...There was the party here, which he had almost forgotten even though he really loved the Harts...And then there was Laura's condition...

To be continued...

{Back}{Home}{CaseBook}{E-Mail}{Next}