Tonight it wasn't working, though. Tonight she was haunted by the same old doubts. She thought Remington loved her, but how could she be sure?

During all the years they had been together, and he'd never told her those three little words. She'd never said them to him, either, but didn't her actions speak for themselves? Didn't she trust him? Hadn't she proven that she trusted him? Hadn't she given him everything - her Agency, her body, her life... indeed, her very soul? He knew where he stood with her, but there were times, like now, when she had no idea where she stood with him - he had always been a mystery to her.

Why was he staying around because he really loved her, or did he just like being Remington Steele?

Oh, he was good at being Remington Steele - she had to give him that. Over the years, the man who once had been merely a flashy front man had indeed become one of the best detectives of Los Angeles. They still had occasional arguments about who was better - heated, passionate arguments that could not be resolved no matter how many stupid bets were won or lost. But they agreed on one thing, though - that together, they made a terrific team.

Still, why was he staying around? Had he married her because he loved her, or was it just to get her to sleep with him? Even in her dazed state of mind, Laura knew that reasoning was faulty - after all, they'd been intimate even before he'd proposed. He didn't have to marry her, but it was something he insisted he wanted. She had been the one who had freaked out just hours before the wedding, right in front of her mother and Frances, and it took all of his charms to calm her down.

But why had he stayed around for so long? Was it because he loved her, or did he stay just for the sake of their children, who were sleeping in their beds just down the hall?

Her Mr. Steele had turned out to be a great father - loving, caring, and devoted. He was good with children - much better than she could ever be. And he really enjoyed spending time with them - playing games, reading the same books over and over again, taking them to the zoo for half a dozen weekends in a row... Sometimes, she almost thought he was trying to catch up on what he'd missed out in his own childhood.

She knew he would never abandon his children. But still, even after a divorce, some couples managed to arrange things so their children didn't feel abandoned. Though certainly not the best arrangement, kids still could have a good life when their parents lived in separate households.

Still, sometimes, when she couldn't sleep, when she was lying in bed next to him, she asked herself the same questions - why was he staying around? Did he really love her?

It had been a long time since Laura had been haunted by her old doubts. She knew she had no reason. After all, she had everything she had ever wished for - a successful career, gradually acquired recognition, a steady partner, a caring husband whom she loved, and beautiful, healthy children. Indeed, she was very happy with her life, and she felt sure Remington was happy, too.

On that thought, she snuggled up closer to the man beside her. And once again, his gentle touch pushed her lingering doubts aside and, reassured for the moment, she drifted off to sleep.

To the third story...