STEELE DAWN

By: Lisa Ann Richardson

E-mail: lar01@gnofn.org

First printed: More Red Holt Steele #10

Summary: Laura discusses a few things with Remington after their first night together in Ireland.

Disclaimer: This “Remington Steele” story is not-for-profit and is purely for entertainment purposes. The author and this site do not own the characters and are in no way affiliated with “Remington Steele,” the actors, their agents, the producers, MTM Productions, the NBC Television Network or any station or network carrying the show in syndication, or anyone in the industry.

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Laura felt exceedingly warm and safe. She opened her eyes, taking in the shadows of the darkened room. She exhaled contentedly, shifting a little under the blanket. A pair of arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. Laura smiled softly, snuggling closer to the man she called Remington Steele and now, her husband. Any doubts, any fears, any cares had slowly dissipated over the last few weeks and had been completely shattered last night. To sum it up, life was good and Laura was very, very happy.

She saw the shadows in the room slowly fading. The sun was just beginning to peep through the huge stained glass window. Laura grinned. She wanted to see the Irish countryside and since she and Remington were now officially on their honeymoon without interruptions like fugitives, spies, and murders, she intended to make the most of it. And the first thing Laura wanted to see was an Irish sunrise.

Quietly disentangling herself from Remington's arms, Laura climbed out of the bed and wrapped a blanket around herself, walking over to the window. Leaning against it, Laura folded her arms over her chest, partially to keep warm and partially to keep the blanket up. She watched as the sun began to peek over the emerald hillside.

"Aye, 'tis a grand sight." Laura chuckled quietly at her attempted Irish brogue.

The sun was rising in all its glory and Laura was completely captivated by the wild beauty outside. Her brown eyes drank in the sight. She was lost in the splendor outside.

Remington rolled over in his sleep, feeling for that softness he had finally explored last night. Feeling nothing except the coolness of the bedsheets, he awoke with a start as he wondered what had become of Laura. Hearing movement, Remington turned his head toward the window and his eyes fell on a most enticing sight --Laura wrapped in a blanket...and very little else, by the look of it. He wondered what she saw outside, so completely far away did she look. Quietly putting on his robe, he walked over to her.

Laura jumped as a pair of arms encircled her waist.

"What are you looking at, love?"

She delivered a light smack to Remington's arm, secretly relishing the embrace. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

"Sorry. Now, what are you looking at?" Remington was nuzzling her neck and Laura was finding it very difficult to concentrate on anything else. "Uh...the sunrise. It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Mmhmmm...though it can't hold a candle to the woman in my arms." Remington lifted Laura's face to meet his as he brought his mouth down on hers, kissing his wife passionately. The kiss lasted a long, long time.

Reluctantly breaking the kiss, Remington ran his hands over Laura's bare shoulders and smiled. "Now Mrs. Steele, what would my lovely bride like to do today?"

Laura wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing tightly up against him, partially to keep the blanket around her up and partially because she liked feeling the warmth of Remington's body. "Oh, I don't know. You've been here more than I have. We could go horseback riding. The castle has a stable."

"That's an idea. There's a mountain not far from here called Knocknesheega. The view's beautiful."

Laura chuckled softly. "Sounds beautiful. What else could we do?"

"Well," Remington pulled Laura to him dramatically. "We could ride to the top of the mountain and make mad, passionate love or we can stay in bed all day and I can ravish you right here."

Laura smiled mischievously. "Tempting offer either way. But let's go riding...and go up to Knocknesheega." Her left brow raised coyly.

Remington kissed her forehead gently. "Then that's what we'll do. But it's still pretty early." His voice became teasing. "Why don't we go back to bed for a while?" He picked her up in his arms, carrying her back to bed.

Laying Laura down, Remington lay next to her, brushing a lock of hair away from her face, his blue eyes thoughtful. "Hey," Laura touched his cheek. "Are you all right?"

He smiled slightly. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? If you want to talk about Daniel..."

Remington smiled, kissing her softly. "No, I'm all right. Besides, it wouldn't seem right to grieve for a man who's buried as a national hero in two countries." His grin was contagious.

Laura giggled. "Like I said, only Daniel. Now...I have one more question."

Remington wrapped his arms around her. "Anything."

Laura looked at him slyly. "What's your real name? Is it Harry?"

Steele smirked. "Would you believe me if I said I didn't know?"

Laura looked annoyed. "Look, we're married now. Don't you think I have a right to know?"

Remington ran his hand along the soft curve of her cheek. "Laura, believe me when I say this; I don't know. Daniel died before he could tell me. He's the only one who knew."

"You never knew your real name?"

"Afraid not."

"You...I...oohhh!" Laura grabbed a pillow and whapped him.

Remington looked so stunned, Laura couldn't help but laugh. Her laughter was contagious and a half-grin crossed Remington's face.

"Now Mrs. Steele, what was that for?"

Laura released the pillow and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You deserve that."

"What?"

"You mean to tell me that all this time, I've been begging you and nagging you for some clue as to what your real name is and you didn't know? Why didn't you just tell me that?"

Remington's grin grew wider. "Then I wouldn't have seemed quite so mysterious."

"You are impossible!" Laura reached for the pillow again. Remington was too quick for her.

"No, no, no." His hand gently grabbed her wrist as his head bent down toward her.

"Well, since you put it that way...your lordship." Laura responded to his kiss passionately.

Remington broke the kiss, a smirk on his face. "Ah, your lordship. I rather like the sound of that coming from you, your ladyship."

"But what am I supposed to call you? I am not calling you ‘your lordship’ and you are not introducing yourself to clients like that, Mr. Steele." Laura teased.

Remington smiled gently. "I told you once, I like the name you've come up with. Although, how about dropping the ‘Mr. Steele?’ I think we know each other well enough now for first names." His hand ran down her arm seductively.

Laura stroked the back of his ebony hair. "Do you want to be called Remington? After a typewriter and the Pittsburgh Steelers?"

"Think of it as Meet John Doe. Barbara Stanwyck, Gary Cooper, RKO, 1934. Barbara is a reporter who invents a man for a story she's writing. He doesn't exist. In walks Gary Cooper, an amnesiac who doesn't know who he is, but he happens to fit the man in Barbara's story, and takes on the role and ends up becoming just like the profile she's written." He ran his fingers through her thick chestnut hair. "I would be honored if you would call me Remington. I've always thought of it as my real name anyway."

Laura stared into his eyes, mesmerized by them.

"Remington Steele, you are impossible! But for some strange reason, I love you." Right as the words came out of her throat, Laura's dark eyes widened as she realized what she said, straight from her heart, unclouded by logic and restraint. "I...I," She swallowed, hoping, praying he felt the same. She couldn't lie to herself, but she was so afraid of his answer.

Remington's face was drained of color, his blue eyes suddenly glassy. "God, Laura. What did you just say? Please tell me it was what I heard."

Laura's eyes locked with his. Her voice was soft and choked, barely above a whisper, afraid of his answer. "I said...I love you."

To Remington, the words came from an angel's lips. He cupped Laura's face in his hands, studying it, letting those exotic, beautiful eyes burn into his soul. "Laura Steele..." He took a breath to calm himself. "My Laura, if I said I love you, it couldn't even begin to cover what I feel. I adore you, I want you, I love you. My beautiful Laura."

Their lips met as the blanket around Laura fell to the floor.

END