- Steele My Baby
- by Mary Alice
Disclaimer: The characters
of Remington Steele, Laura Holt, etc., are used without permission.
I make no attempt to copyright these characters, and I am not
making any money from them. This is purely for entertainment
and personal purposes. PLEASE don't sue me!
"I need to talk to Laura," he thought as he dialed
their number, again. The hairs on his neck had been standing
on end all morning. No answer. He slammed the phone down in frustration
and muttered, "Where on earth is she?"
Suddenly, as if in response, the door to his office opened and
Laura entered.
She was visibly shaken and almost without forethought quickly
circled his desk and flew into his arms.
Remington held her tightly at first and then drawing back so
that he could see her face asked, "Where have you been?"
Laura couldn't help but see the concern in his eyes as she looked
up at him and started to cry. " I ran into." she stopped
and tried to compose herself.
Remington held her closer and started to rub her back, whispering
into her ear, "Laura it's alright sweetheart, calm down."
He led her over to the conference area and pulled her down on
his lap where she buried her face into his shoulder. He held
her to him with one hand resting on her swollen abdomen and the
other rubbing her back until he could hear the sniffles that
meant she had cried herself out. He was definitely concerned
as to what brought her to such a state especially in her condition.
Laura was 8 months pregnant with their first child and more emotional
than he had ever seen her.
He handed her his handkerchief as she sat up and he looked into
her red rimmed eyes and quietly asked, "can you tell me
what has gotten you so upset Darling?"
She took a deep breath and began, " I am sorry for my outburst
Remington, but I just got so scared that when I finally made
it here, my emotions got the better of me."
He shook his head, indicating that he understood, but still wanting
more, he muttered "scared?"
Laura didn't wait for him to finish his thought. She went on
in a huff. "Some guy followed me all around town this morning.
At first, I didn't think much of it when I noticed him coming
out of our Dr.'s office and then I thought it to be just a coincidence
when I seen him at the bank. But when I noticed the same man
looking at me over some racks in the baby dept. and again at
the pharmacy, I started to get nervous. I tried calling you,
but your line was tied up and Mildred must have been out. He
continued to follow me out to the parking lot and I thought of
confronting him there, but that thought passed quickly as I considered
my predicament," her eyes dropped down to her obvious state
of pregnancy as her hand covered his.
She looked back up at him, she could see his mixed look of concern
and agitation. He had a frown on his face and his eyes were narrowed
as he continued to listen intently.
She took another deep breath and continued, "So, I quickly
got in my car. The next thing I knew he was following me down
the canyon road. I sped up as much as I could. He bumped me from
behind, then he quickly moved around and tried to pass me. An
oncoming truck kept him from being able to do that. Luckily I
was in the Rabbit so I was able to out maneuver him. When I was
pretty sure I had lost him, I drove straight over here, parked
down stairs in the garage and ran up here."
Remington was visibly angry now and struggling to maintain control
of his emotions. His voice cracked a little as he began to speak.
"He could have killed you," and then almost in an afterthought
" and our baby." He helped her to her feet as he rose
himself, "did you recognize him at all, Laura?" he
said starting to dial the phone.
"No", she said thoughtfully, "although there seemed
to be something familiar about him, I am sure I don't know him".
Her voice was steady as she continued to describe him to Remington:
"he was approximately your height and weight, around 30
I'd say, blond hair, green eyes and a scar across his nose"
she gestured a line with her finger across the bridge of her
nose. Laura went quiet and then said in a low quivering voice,
" I don't know why he would want to harm me, or the baby.
I haven't been doing anything except paperwork for a few months
now."
While Remington was impatiently waiting for the person on the
other end to answer he starred off into space. He was mentally
checking the case list for any insights as to who could be capable
of an act so hideous that would threaten to wipe out his entire
world. He looked over at Laura, his blue eyes full of the love
he felt for her. He couldn't imagine his life without her, he
loved her and the baby, our baby he thought. Breaking his reverie
off intentionally, he sent a private prayer of thanks for keeping
them safe. He motioned for her to come to him with his free hand
and she quickly moved to his side. Standing on her toes, she
softly started kissing his cheek and then moved down to his jaw
line. His arm wrapped tightly around her shoulders as he asked
to speak to Lt. Jarvis. She listened intently to his end of the
conversation in which he recanted the events and the description
that she had just given him. His eyes filled with unshed tears
never left hers. She was smiling up at him and he squeezed her
shoulders, letting her know she was safe again. He returned her
smile full measure, as he released her to return the phone to
the desk. He told her that Jarvis was going to do some research
and would be dropping by the house later to discuss it further.
He spun around so that he could face her as he spoke in an authoritative
voice. "In the meantime Laura, I would prefer that you complete
the rest of your errands on some other day and spend the rest
of this afternoon with me." Remington stiffened, as she
looked over at him her eyes flashing. He was bracing himself
for the "I can take care of myself" speech, but was
delighted and a little relieved when her features softened and
she settled herself in his arms. With her lips close to his ear
she whispered, "what exactly do you have in mind Mr. Steele?"
Her soft voice sent shivers down his spine as he bent his head
to claim her lips in a long passionate kiss. He reluctantly broke
the kiss, but not the embrace and quietly suggested that they
call it a day and go home. She nodded her head and went over
to pick up her hat and purse to join him in the outer office.
Laura leaned against the desk and listened contently as Remington
filled Mildred in on the events of the day and informed her that
he and Laura would be at home if needed. "Laura", Remington
said as he turned around, thinking she was right behind him,
but stopped in mid sentence noting to his surprise that she was
on the phone. Laura was in process of ordering some vegetable
eggroles from their favorite Chinese restaurant to be picked
up on their way home. Remington laughed as he realized what she
was up to. He turned to Mildred whispering "she will probably
want some ice cream to go with that." Mildred winced at
the thought of eggroles and ice cream together. Laura hung up
the phone, laughing at the look on Mildred's face. She indicated
that she was now ready to go. Mildred smiled as she watched them
exit through the glass doors, the last thing she heard was Laura
asking Mr. Steele if they could stop for ice cream too.
Remington unlocked the door and stood back letting Laura precede
him into their Malibu home. They were both laden with packages.
Laura juggling her food purchases along with the selected "Notorious"
video that Remington had picked out at the local Video Haven
flopped down on the couch. Meanwhile, Remington carried her earlier
purchases into the bedroom and dropped them unceremoniously into
the corner chair, unaware that their cat, Nero was already curled
up there. Hearing all of the commotion, Laura flew into the bedroom
to see Remington sitting on the floor, packages strewed all over
and Nero standing at full attention hissing at his intruder.
Laura was laughing at Remington, he in turn not finding any amusement
in it gave her a look of disbelief. But, Laura could see the
humor begin to creep up into his eyes as she bent over to help
him up. In a swift movement he pulled her down across his lap.
Cradling her, he began kissing her cheeks, eyes and eventually
moving to her soft lips. Breaking the kiss he was still looking
down at her, as he reached over and held up a pair of tiny bunny
slippers, "These are cute sweetheart, are they for anyone
we know?"
Laughing, she reached up and grabbed them clutching them to her
chest, "stop teasing me or I won't show you your surprise."
"Laura," he was laughing, his blue eyes sparkling,
"would I tease a poor," he kissed her nose, "defenseless"
he kissed her eyebrows, "pregnant" he bent down millimeters
from her mouth, "beautiful".
Laura opened her eyes real wide, "Yes you would," she
said as she gently pushed him back not giving into his intended
kiss.
Still laughing he put a hand over his heart, "Oh my dear,
you've wounded me!"
Suddenly Laura pushed him onto his back and lying on top of him
began to kiss him deeply and passionately until she herself rolled
over onto her back in breathless laughter. Remington quickly
following her lead, rolled over above her holding her head between
his hands while resting on his elbows and knees so as not to
crush her. He gave her a long passionate kiss of his own. Pulling
back he looked down on her his face full of total adoration "Do
you know how much I love you Mrs. Steele?" He whispered.
She reached up and put her arms around his neck pulling his head
back down, "about half as much as I love you Mr. Steele,"
and she continued to kiss him.
Remington reluctantly broke the kiss, " as much as I would
love to continue this Mrs. Steele," he arose to his feet
and pulled her up with him, "I have some work to do."
He gave her a quick kiss and turned to leave the room.
She quickly reached out and grabbed his hand, "we
have some work to do Mr. Steele." They smiled at each other
as they walked out into the living room.
Laura sat on the couch with her feet tucked under her eating
an eggrole and some ice cream. She was looking at Remington who
was sitting opposite her in a chair looking through some agency
files. "I know Descoine and his daughter are still in prison,"
he said continuing to thumb through more files.
She held her dish up and asked, "are you sure you don't
want some of this? I would be more than happy to share it with
you Mr. Steele!"
He raised his head and winced at the thought, "no thanks!
I will be glad though, when your eating habits return to normal
Laura. I can't believe that stuff is any good for you" nodding
his head at her food.
As she opened her mouth to say something back the doorbell rang,
"must be Jarvis." he quipped as he jumped up looking
at her with an amusing grin, holding out his hand indicating
for her to stay seated, "don't bother I'll get it!"
Remington opened the door to a disgruntled Lt. Jarvis leaning
on the doorframe. Behind him were two uniformed policemen with
a quietly subdued green eyed, blond haired man in handcuffs being
held between them. "Good evening Jimmy," he said nonchalantly.
His eyes locked on the man, his eyebrows knitted together as
he nodded in the direction of the strange man. "What or
whom shall I say do we have here?"
Remington was unaware that Laura had approached from behind,
until he heard her gasp "oh my Lord!" He quickly slid
his arm around her waist, his concern evident as he tightened
his hold and pulled her closer to him.
"Who?" was all she could manage to say before she went
crashing against him. Jarvis seeing her swoon quickly stepped
forward and on bent knee tried to help Remington catch Laura
before she slid to the floor.
"Laura!" He frantically called out as he scooped her
up into his arms. Remington carried her back into the living
room and gently laid her on the couch. He began to tap her lightly
on one cheek and than the other, "Laura, honey wake up."
"Sweetheart it's okay, you're ok!" he said as her eyes
blinked letting him know she was coming back to reality.
Jimmy Jarvis was standing behind the couch leaning over it trying
to assess the situation. "Steele, you want me to call for
an ambulance?"
"No" Laura said in a low voice. "I'll be fine,"
she said pointedly to Remington who helped her up into a sitting
position. Remington stood up, his eyes full of concern looking
down at Laura as he spoke to Jarvis. "Who is your guest
Jimmy?"
Laura turned to look at Jimmy waiting for his answer but instead
he said "are you sure you're ok Laura? It would be no trouble
at all to get an ambulance out here."
Laura looked up at him, "Thanks but, I'm fine Jimmy. Right
now I am more interested in your answer to Remingtons' question."
He sighed and continued, "one of your neighbors called in
a complaint, stating that she noticed this guy circling your
house, looking in all the windows. She said she didn't think
that anyone was home, but was afraid that he was trying to break
in. Well, I was down at the front desk when the call came in
and recognizing the address and with the description being similar
to the one you gave me this afternoon I decided to tag along."
Just then one of the uniformed officers appeared in the doorway,
"Lieutenant, we are going to take this guy downtown. The
cats' got his tongue and he doesn't have any I.D. on him. We
need to book him."
"Go ahead, I will be there shortly as well. I have a few
questions for our mystery man." He turned to Remington,
"Steele, are you interested in coming with me?"
Remington looked down at Laura as she started to rise from the
couch, "Yes I am. But, I will meet you down there Jimmy.
I want to take my car so that I won't have to impose on you later
to bring me back."
Jarvis already heading for the door turned around with a wave,
"ok! But don't be to long Steele. See you later Laura, I
hope you are feeling better."
Remington, noticing Laura's anger, moved quickly in front of
her and embraced her. Laura was opening her mouth to protest
when he placed his finger over her lips and then replaced them
with his lips for a long passionate kiss. When he pulled back
he lifted her face with his finger under her chin so that their
eyes met. "Laura, I think you should stay here and rest.
I am going to call Mildred to see if she can come over and stay
with you. After that episode, pointing to the front door I would
feel better about leaving you if you weren't alone."
Laura was about to protest when she looked up at him and searched
his face. She could see the concern and love in his eyes and
after all she had to confess she was a bit concerned about her
own reaction and if the truth was known, she wasn't feeling all
that good either. Her stomach was starting to churn and given
what she had just ate well, staying behind might just be for
the best. "I hate to admit it but, you are probably right.
I agree that staying here is in my, our best interest as she
pointed to her stomach. However, Remington I do not need Mildred
to come all the way out here just to watch me sleep. I will quietly
watch some TV and take a nap, nothing strenuous I assure you.
So please go, I will be all right. If I have any problems of
any kind I promise to call you, ok?"
Remington still holding her in his arms pulled her closer for
a short kiss. "Ok love, if you're sure. I promise I won't
be long " and with a short wave he was out the door.
Laura did as she told Remington that she would. She was flipping
through the stations until she found a show that was having some
kind of tribute to late night shows in prime time. The announcer
was giving the lineup for the show and Dick Cavett caught her
attention and she laid on the couch to watch and take her mind
off the green-eyed stranger at the door. She fell asleep before
the first commercial and stayed there until she heard a noise
coming from the kitchen. She checked her watch, it had only been
an hour and a half since Remington left and she was sure he wouldn't
be home yet. She lay there a few more minutes until she heard
the noise again. Thinking that Nero must have gotten into something
she started for the kitchen. She pushed the door open and there
standing in the middle of her kitchen was a man yielding a knife
in one hand and a gun in the other. She quickly started to back
up as he approached her. His eyes were wide and sparked terror
and his hands trembled. "I won't hurt you," he kept
saying as Laura froze in her retreat. She was trying to form
a plan on how she could get out of here unharmed.
The pain in her stomach had increased and she was frightened
as tears threatened to fall. "What do you want? Take anything,
just please don't hurt me."
Just then the phone began to ring and they both starred at it
for a second as Laura tried to quickly move towards it.
"Don't answer that," he shouted at her. She spun around
to look at him, lost her balance and fell onto the couch.
"That's odd," Remington said thoughtfully looking up
at Jarvis as he placed the phone back into its cradle.
"What's' that?" Jarvis asked in a puzzled tone.
"I just tried to call Laura and there is no answer. I know
she wouldn't go anywhere without having called me here first.
I don't like it, either she is sick, or something is wrong. My
instincts tell me the latter is likely. Didn't our friend Mr.
Abbott," he pointed to the back room, "talk about an
accomplice back there? If he is into a baby theft ring, then
Laura is ripe for the picking and I'm afraid," he didn't
finish his thought as he jolted upright and started to run for
the door.
He turned to look over his shoulder. Jarvis was right behind
him.
"I'll call the Malibu police from my car Steele, let's get
going."
Laura caught the movement of someone on the patio out of the
corner of her eye. She thought she saw a glimpse of a police
uniform or was she just wishful thinking. The drug he made her
inhale was overtaking her senses and her wrists were starting
to burn from the ropes he tightened around her. "I love
you Remington," she whispered as she drifted into unconsciousness.
Remington looked through the bay window, his fists doubled in
anger as he could see Laura's limp body on the couch and her
assailant leaning over her, his gun in one hand and stroking
her cheek with his other. He could hardly contain himself as
Jarvis pulled him back reminding him to wait till everyone was
in place. "If you just rush in there, he could kill her."
Just as he said that they heard a motor vehicle pull up behind
them as they instinctively ducked behind the bushes. It was an
unofficial looking ambulance. They looked at each other in amazement
as they both came to the same conclusion. This must be how they
transported their victims and what the guy inside was waiting
for. They continued to watch and motioned for the other police
officers to hold back.
Two scruffy looking men jumped out of the front seat and went
around the back to remove the stretcher and bring it in to the
now opened front door.
"Now what?" Remington whispered to Jarvis. "I
am not letting them take her anywhere," he said starting
to rise out of their hiding spot.
Jarvis jerked Steels' arm to pull him back down. "Steele,
we can take them here and let their superiors go, or we can follow
them back to their headquarters and get the entire lot!"
"Jarvis, I can't risk Laura and the baby's lives like that,
what if something goes wrong and" Jarvis cut him off in
mid sentence, "we're just going to have to make sure nothing
goes wrong, won't we?"
Remington sighed, his eyes moist and filled with concern and
fear, he hung his head and stated in a low voice, "okay
Jarvis, we will do this your way but my first concern is Laura
not your investigation, understand?"
Jarvis just shook his head, sure he understood after all it is
his wife and child being used as decoys, but he also knew that
Laura would say yes if she could.
They continued watching as they brought Laura out on the stretcher
and loaded it into the ambulance. Jarvis nudged Remington and
motioned with his head for him to follow his lead to move and
get into the car. Jarvis held up his radio to the other police
officers alerting them that he would be communicating with them
on the radio. They nodded in understanding and started to back
off to retrieve their hidden vehicles.
They stayed some distance behind but was able to keep up with
them. While they were in route Jarvis and Steele made their plan
and called in for extra backup relaying their plan to them as
well. They turned into this abandoned hospital on the west side
of L.A. and they watched as they opened the doors and the three
of them accompanied Laura still unconscious into the back of
the building. Before exiting their car, Jarvis called for an
ambulance to arrive telling them not to use their siren when
approaching the address.
When Remington looked at him and was about to speak, Jarvis shrugged
his shoulders and simply said, "just in case."
The police spread out surrounding the building as Jarvis and
Steele were trying to enter the same back door that they had
watched them take Laura through 10 minutes earlier.
Remington pulled out his lock picks, and looking at Jarvis grinning
he mouthed the word "later" as he effortlessly opened
the door. Taking out a crème-like substance that he had
in his pocket, Remington placed it in the lock to prevent the
door from latching as they entered.
Jarvis looked at the lock and then back at Steele, "silly
putty?"
Steele smiled, "handy" he simply said.
They held their guns steady with both hands as they maneuvered
through the corridors looking around corners and into empty rooms.
Finally they heard voices and moved on in that direction. They
peered into the windows of the doors to what looked like an old
operating room. In the middle of the room was Laura, she was
hooked up to some kind of a machine and had an I.V. in her arm.
3 people dressed in surgical garb were milling around her.
Just as they were about to enter the room they were grabbed from
behind and forced through the doors. Steele and Jarvis began
to fight with their surprised attackers as the 3 medical people
tried to get away. Steele managed to render his assailant unconscious
and go after them.
He leapt and tackled the biggest one, whipping off his surgical
mask in the process. "Dr. McCollum" he said in a shocked
voice. There stood Laura's' doctor in front of him.
"How could you? She trusted you. I trusted you. Women and
their families from all over this city trusted you. You've been
using your position to keep these fellows supplied with babies.
Babies that they turned around and sold to the highest bidder.
You're despicable, please just take him away." Remington
handed him over to a police officer that was standing nearest
to him, then ran back to the room where Laura was beginning to
wake up.
"Remington", she whispered her voice hoarse and her
eyes narrowed and searching.
"Yes love, I'm right here" he came up beside her. Taking
her hand he laced his fingers through hers and bent over to kiss
her gently. She started to rise but a wave of dizziness came
over her and she lay back quickly. Remington looking down at
her noticed how she looked so small and frightened. She suddenly
grabbed her stomach, her eyes wide with fright "something
is wrong Remington."
Just then the machine that Laura was hooked up to started to
beep. He looked over at it and the graph was going wild. Laura
reached up for Remington with her free hand only to have it fall
back to her as she passed out. Jarvis eyeing the scene before
him was already speaking into his radio telling the ambulance
attendants to get up here.
"Laura, hang in there love. Help is on its way. You're both
going to be fine." Remington whispering into her ear with
more confidence then he felt. He continued to hold her hand,
while his other massaged her stomach. "I love you sweetheart,"
he kept speaking to her as if she could hear every word.
Suddenly he was being pushed aside by two eager ambulance attendants
and their gurney. "Sorry Sir, but we have orders."
Remington helped them place her on the stretcher and turned to
follow them as Jarvis spoke up. "Steele, stay close to her.
I don't think we know all of the players in this game yet!"
Remington nodded in his direction indicating that he understood.
"And please keep me informed," Jarvis continued in
a concerned voice pointing to Laura as they started to wheel
her out the door.
"I will and thanks Jimmy," his voice full of emotion
as he shook Jarvis' hand and turned to follow Laura.
To be continued...
My elements were; Nero, film "Notorious",
Silly Putty, bunny slippers, eggrolls, Dick Cavett
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