As soon as she could upon their arrival at the restaurant, Laura told Mildred, "I want you to contact some real estate agencies tomorrow morning, Mildred." Her words caused surprise. "Real estate agents, Miss Holt?" Mildred asked. "Why?" "That's a good question," Remington agreed. "Finally decided that you've had enough of living in a warehouse, have you, Laura?" Laura smiled at him, then at Daniel. "You can't expect Daniel to stay in a hotel, Remington," she pointed out. "And your apartment is too small - I just thought you might want to consider finding a house." "That's not necessary," Daniel insisted. "I -" "Nonsense, Daniel," Laura said, her dark eyes meeting his. "Laura has a point," Remington agreed. "How about Malibu?" he suggested. "I know how fond you are of the beach, Daniel-" "Yes, well - I didn't come to Los Angeles with the intention of turning your life upside down, Harry," he insisted. "I can find a place somewhere-" The last thing he needed was to be in close quarters with Harry at the moment, Daniel thought. "Malibu it is, then," Laura said. "At least three bedrooms," she told Mildred. "Three?" Remington asked. "It never hurts to have a guest room," she pointed out. "You never know when someone might drop by." "I really prefer that Harry not go to all this trouble, Laura," Daniel said pointedly. "He seems perfectly content in his apartment-" "Actually, I've been thinking about finding a bigger place lately," Remington admitted, and now it was Laura's turn to look surprised. "You have been?" she asked. Remington nodded, lifting his glass to take a drink of champagne as Daniel spoke. "Buying a house is a good idea when one is considering marriage," he said quietly. Remington almost choked on his champagne, and Laura's eyes flew to Daniel's as he looked at her. Mildred lifted her napkin to her lips to hide her smile, then asked, "Are you, Chief? Considering getting married?" "Let's just say that I've been considering it," Remington told Mildred, his gaze was on Daniel, willing his friend to look in his direction. But Daniel and Laura seemed to be waging a silent battle of wills across the table. It wasn't like Daniel to be so ham handed. He hadn't intended that remark for anyone except Laura. Something was going on between them, Remington realized. Something more than Daniel's illness. And Remington promised himself that he was going to find out precisely what that something was. ********** Terrance O'Malley closed the door of the seedy motel room and tossed the key on the dresser, dropping his case onto the rack beside it. He looked around, surveying the faded bedspread and curtains, the stained carpet and peeling paint with a disapproving frown. He'd checked in using another name, hoping to stay one step ahead of the nasty little man from whom he'd borrowed most of the five hundred thousand that Steele and his associates had scammed from him. If things went well, he would have the money back in hand before tomorrow night, and would be out of Los Angeles soon after, never to return. He picked up the magazine and sat down on the bed, wincing as the springs squeaked loudly and the mattress sagged. Time to do some research on the great detective Remington Steele. ********** "Sleep well, Daniel," Remington said as they stood beside the limo before the Belvedere Hotel. "If you need anything- you know the number." "Yes," Daniel said, "I do." He gave Laura a brief kiss on the cheek. "Later, my dear." "Good night, Daniel," she said quietly. They watched him into the building, then got back into the car. "Miss Holt's loft, Fred," he told the chauffer. The evening had progressed nicely, considering its less than auspicious beginning, Remington decided. After Daniel's comment about marriage, the subject was dropped- though not before Mildred insisted that it was a wonderful idea - 'Who's the lucky woman?', a comment that earned her a glowering look from Laura- and Daniel began talking about his adventures. Remington had heard most of the stories many times, but Daniel always managed to make them seem new in the telling. "I suppose I should apologize for not telling you that Daniel's ill," Laura said at last. Remington took her hand in his. "There's no need. Daniel told me that he asked for your promise not to." "He would have taken off for London again if I hadn't given him my word." "I know, love. I know," he assured her, putting an arm around her shoulders. The limo drew up beside the curb before Laura's building. Looking out, Laura said, "Care for a nightcap?" Remington looked inside the glass doors to the stairs that were visible from outside. "What's the matter? Don't think you can handle the stairs tonight?" Laura teased. When Fred opened the door, Remington got out, then gave Laura a hand. Turning to the driver, he said, "I'll call when I'm ready to leave, Fred." "Yes, Mr. Steele." Fred watched his employers enter the building before starting the car. He didn't trust the neighborhood anymore than Mr. Steele did. Remington paused twice on the three flights of stairs to get his breath. "Come on, slow poke," Laura said, smiling again as she took out her key to unlock the sliding door to the loft. "You're almost there." "Remind me to tell Mildred to make sure she tells the realtor no stairs," he said, taking the key from her and placing it into the padlock. "Place is a cracker box. It's a wonder you haven't been burgled -" he muttered, sliding the door back for them to enter. "And don't tell me that Nero watches the place. Because I happen to know that he doesn't have any claws." The black cat was laying on the piano, watching them. "But he's got sharp teeth," Laura reminded him as he closed the door. She went to the kitchen and found some wine and glasses. "Hmm," Remington agreed, recalling the one time he'd tried to pet the animal. It had grabbed his hand and sunk those needle sharp teeth into his finger. Now, he sat down on the couch, still eyeing the creature warily. He loosened his tie and sat back. When Laura handed him a glass and sat down, he said, "Laura, about Daniel's comment at the restaurant -" "Which one?" she asked, knowing which one he meant. "About marriage?" "Oh, that. Don't worry. I didn't take him seriously -" Laura said, lifting her glass to her lips. "Perhaps you should have," Remington said softly. Now it was Laura's turn to almost choke on her drink. "Wh-what?" she managed at last between coughs. "Rem - Remington - this is - " "So sudden?" he asked, and she nodded, still trying to clear her throat. "Is it, Laura? Really? What do you think I was talking about the other night? A more permanant partnership- and personal partnership. That usually suggests marriage and everything that goes with it." Laura stood up and went to refill her glass. "And what makes you so sure that marriage would be permanent?" she asked. "You're thinking about your parents," he said. "I don't have any guarnatees, Laura," Remington told her, rising and moving toward her. "All I can do is promise you that I'll do everything in my power to make sure that we would be together." He lifted his hand to touch her cheek. "Whatever it takes." Laura gazed into those blue eyes, seeing so many things there that she'd always missed- or deliberately overlooked. He really had become the Remington Steele she'd envisioned when she created her fictional boss. And he was so much more. His lips met hers in a light touch that promised everything she saw in those eyes. Pulling her to his side, he turned back to the couch. "Come here." He drew her down beside him, her head on his shoulder. "This is nice," Laura sighed. "Remington, is this sudden desire to get married because of - Daniel?" "What do you mean?" "You have to know that he's been pushing us together since he got here- and now, knowing that he's--" "Daniel might have moved things along a bit faster than I had anticipated, but I've been thinking about it for some time," he admitted. "You have?" Laura questioned, looking up at him. "Yes." He kissed her hand, retaining it, his thumb making small circles as his eyes met hers. "Laura, I'm not suggesting that we rush out and get married tomorrow." "Then what are you suggesting?" she asked breathlessly. "An- engagement?" Laura struggled to hide the smile his words called forth. "What's so funny?" he asked. "I halfway expect you to go down on one knee -" she said, "And ask for my hand-" before she could finish, Remington slid from the couch to the floor, one one knee, her hand still in his. "Remington-" "Shh," he admonished, placing his other finger to her lips, a sparkle of humor in his eyes. "I'm attempting to be serious here, if you don't mind." Laura giggled. My God, did I just do that? she asked herself. Steady, Laura. Icy calm. "Miss Holt, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked formally, and for a moment, Laura almost laughed. But the laughter caught in her throat as she read the sincerity in his eyes as he continued. "I promise to do everything I can to make you happy, to keep you safe, and to give you as much love as you've given me over the last four years." He said that word, Laura thought herself, not certain if she'd actually heard him correctly. Bringing her hand to his lips, he turned it over and placed a kiss in the palm, closing her fingers over it. "I love you, Laura," he said simply, quickly, as if afraid he wouldn't be able to get the words out. He said it! Laura wanted to jump for joy. He'd actually said those words to her. "Remington, - " She lifted his hand, copying his actions, closing his fingers over the spot she kissed. "I love you, too, you know." "Thank goodness. I'd hate to have said all that only to discover otherwise. So - you'll marry me?" In answer, Laura bent forward to place her lips on his, her arms sliding around his neck. Remington was caught off guard by her assault, and the two of them wound up on the floor, with Laura laying on top of Remington, still kissing him. When the kiss ended, Laura pulled back slightly. "I take it that's a 'yes'," Remington speculated. She smiled, removing his tie. "I should hope so," she told him, her fingers moving to the buttons of his shirt. "Uh- Laura-" "What's wrong, Remington?" She asked. "An engagement is supposed to be where two people get to know each other better, am I right?" "Yes," he agreed, watching as her fingers moved to the next button. "But-" "And you did say you wanted to make me happy, didn't you?" "Yes, I did, Laura," he said. "And I meant it. But do you think we could move this up to the bed? I think I'm getting too old to make love with you properly on a bare wood floor." Laura's smile lit her face and she dropped another kiss onto his lips before rising, holding out a hand to help him up as well. She turned into his arms, pressing a kiss to the expanse of chest revealed by his open shirt, smiling again as he moaned and lifted her into his arms. "You're sure about this, Laura?" he asked. "You're not going to change your mind at the last minute, or-" The telephone rang, stopping him in his tracks. "It figures. It bloody well figures," he sighed, releasing her. "You really need to get an answering service," he said, not for the first time. Laura picked up the telephone. "It could be Daniel," she reminded him, and he nodded, concerned. "Hello?" The line was silent. "Hello?" "Is Lisa there?" a male voice asked. "No. I'm afraid you've got the wrong number." "Sorry." The line went dead, and Laura held the reciever out, frowning at it. "What's wrong?" Remington asked, coming up behind her to pull her back against him, tucking her head under his chin. She hung up the phone, her distraction evident. "Wrong number. He was looking for someone named Lisa." "Hope he finds her," Remington murmured, lowering his head to nuzzle her neck, feeling the shivers that ran through her body at the touch of his lips on her sensitive skin. "Feel good?" he asked. "Umm humm," Laura said as his hands moved higher. She turned into his arms. "Where were we?" she asked, practically jumping into his arms. "Here, I think," he said, turning back toward the stairs that would take them to the raised bedroom. He'd only gotten two steps when the telephone rang again. "Bloody hell," he ground out, seeing his own frustration mirrored in Laura's eyes. "Hello?" Laura asked when she picked up the phone. "Miss Holt?" a male voice asked. "Laura Holt?" "Yes," she responded cautiously. "This is Officer Danko with the LAPD. Would you happen to know where we might find your boss, Mr. Steele?" "Just a moment, Officer," Laura said, holding out the reciever. "It's the police. They want to talk to you." Frowning, Remington took the phone. "Steele here. What seems to be the problem?" "Your apartment was broken into, Mr. Steele.-" "What?" He saw Laura's curiousity. "Someone broke into the apartment," he explained. "If you could come and let us know if anything's missing-" Officer Danko said. "I'll be right there," Remington assured the officer, hanging up. He grabbed his coat. "I'll come with you," Laura said, reaching for her car keys. "No reason for you to go out," he told her. "I'll check it out, let you know what's going on." He stopped, realizing that their attempt to consummate their relationship had been thwarted once again. Framing her face with his hands, he gave her a long kiss. "I don't know how long this might take-" he began, hoping that she would tell him he was welcome to come back, to pick up where they'd left off. "I'll be here," Laura told him. "Take my car," she offered. "Then you won't have to bother Fred again. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" she asked, walking him to the door. "I'll be fine. Just lock your door after I go, ey?" She grinned. "You're so worried about this place being broken into- and it's your apartment that gets broken into," she teased him. She gave him another kiss. "Don't be long." "I'll do my best," he assured her, pausing once again to taste her lips before starting down the stairs. Laura slid the door closed, locking it, then turned to find Nero sitting on the floor beside the tie that she'd tossed aside, batting at it. "Uh-uh, Nero," she admonished, picking up the strip of silk and carefully folding it as she walked to the window in time to see the Rabbit turning the corner. She felt something rub against her legs and looked down to find Nero there, purring loudly. Picking him up, she hugged him. "Guess what, Nero? I'm going to get married." ********** Remington was surprised that there was no sign of a police car parked in front of the building, but thought that perhaps it was parked in the garage or elsewhere. He pressed the button for the elevator, taking it up to the top floor. There were no signs of police here, either, he realized, pausing by the front door examining it for signs of forced entry. There was none. Fear that someone had gotten him here to harm Laura made him fumble with his key, barely turning it in the lock before pushing the door open. Tossing his coat on the back of the couch, he bent to the phone, as a light came on across the room and a voice said, "I think not, Mr.- van der Haven." Remington turned around slowly, hands in the air as he saw the gun in Terrance O'Malley's hand. "Or, should I say, Mr. Steele?" To Be Continued----
