"Maxwell, are you sure we should consider this play?" CC asked.
The play in question was so boring that she found her mind wandering as she read it. She couldn't count how many times she'd gone over the same page, losing interest halfway through.
"He's a rising playwright, CC. We've got to grab him before anyone else does."
CC glanced over at her boss. He was sitting behind his desk with his fingers steepled. His glasses were on his face, making him look solemn and wise. She usually liked this pose on him but, at that moment, it just annoyed her.
"Have you read it?" she asked pointedly.
"Not yet, but I've been assured..."
"Fine," she interrupted, "just promise you'll read it."
He raised a hand in surrender. "All right, I'll read it."
CC gave him a sharp nod and reluctantly turned back to the script, hoping it wouldn't immediately put her to sleep.
She was almost relieved when the door flew open and Nanny Fine flounced in. Most of the time, being in the same room with the nanny was almost painful for CC, but she'd gladly take that torture over the most boring play she'd ever read any day.
"Hi, Mr. Sheffield!" The nanny beamed, making CC roll her eyes.
"What is it, Miss Fine? I'm rather busy."
"Yes, Nanny Fine," CC agreed. "Some of us actually work around here."
As always, the nanny ignored CC and went over to Maxwell. Gracefully, she hopped onto the edge of his desk and crossed her legs. Her already much too short black skirt rode up to a barely decent level.
"I wanted to talk about the party."
"What party?" CC asked.
Maxwell sighed heavily. "Miss Fine is insisting I throw a Hallowe'en party this year."
CC thought about this, weighing the pros in her mind. Maxwell in a sexy costume. Niles in a ridiculous costume. Being able to be someone else for a night. Lots of alcohol.
"Actually, I think a Hallowe'en party sounds like fun."
Both dark heads turned towards her, their faces displaying mirroring expressions of disbelief.
"It is her favorite holiday, sir." The glass doors of the terrace opened and Niles came through with a spray bottle and a rag in his hands. "It's the one night she can wear her hat and carry her broom and not get stared at."
CC scowled and pictured him in a fairy costume, including a tutu, handing out hor d'oeuvres and drinks.
"Everybody loves a Hallowe'en party," Nanny Fine insisted. "We could even hire a caterer so Niles could go."
CC forgot her annoyance and her eyes widened. "As a guest?"
Niles smirked at her reaction.
"I don't know, Miss Fine." Maxwell was shaking his head.
Niles's smirk dropped away and he moved behind the desk to start dusting.
"That might be an idea, Maxwell," CC said with no idea why. "That way, he'll be free to sneak away when the moonlight hits him. He can transform and no one will get eaten."
She saw the surprised look on Niles's face as he turned to stare at her. It was her turn to smirk.
Maxwell's eyes narrowed and he looked from CC to Niles to Miss Fine. "Would you like to be a guest at the party, Niles?"
"Whatever you wish, sir. However, I will remind you that I have served you faithfully for twenty-five years..."
He raised his hand again. "All right. All right. If the three of you want a party, we'll have a party. Please, make the arrangements, Miss Fine. Now, can we all get back to work?"
"Thank you, Mr. Sheffield!" Nanny Fine grinned, hopping off of the desk. "Leave everything to me."
When she went out, Maxwell turned to Niles. "Niles?"
"You want me to oversee the plans to make sure she doesn't get carried away or invite only her family and friends from Queens?"
"Would you, old man?"
"I'm on it."
Leaving his dusting, not even bothering to take his rag and spray, he followed Nanny Fine out of the room.
"Really, Maxwell," CC commented, turning back to the script. "You ought to get a lock for that door."
He took of his glasses and rubbed his fingers tiredly over his eyes. "You're probably right."
"Though Broom Hilda would probably just listen in on the intercom."
"Read the script, CC."
"Fine, but if I'm reading something this dry, I'm going to need some coffee."
XXX
Niles leaned against the kitchen counter and watched Miss Fine as she happily scribbled on a piece of paper at the table. Her dark eyes were dancing, and she was smiling.
One of his favorite things about Fran was her enthusiasm. He also really liked how every emotion she had went over her face, making it impossible not to know what she was thinking. It was completely the opposite of Miss Babcock's usual stoicism.
As if his thinking about her had conjured her, the kitchen door opened and Miss Babcock strode purposefully into the room. Niles winced at the stormy expression and wondered what was wrong with her this time.
Miss Babcock stopped short and raised her eyebrows. Her gaze traveled scornfully over Niles, from his face down to his feet.
"If you're not too busy, Niles, I could use some coffee."
"The machine is over there," he snapped automatically. "It's so easy to use, I'm sure even someone with claws could do it."
She thought about this for a moment before saying haughtily, "I want you to do it."
"I'm sorry, but I just don't have the time. I have to get dinner started."
"Oh, please. You're just standing there."
"Actually, he's helping me, Miss Babcock. Would you like to join us?" Miss Fine told her.
She snorted and made her way between the two of them to the coffee maker. "I swear, Rubber Maid, if you were any more useless, we'd have to put you out to pasture."
Niles made a face behind her back, and Fran smiled at him in amusement.
"Stop that, Niles," Miss Babcock stated without even turning around.
"Have you thought about your costume yet, Niles?" Miss Fine asked, her unique voice cutting through Niles's attempt at a retort.
"You mean, he's not coming as a maid?" Miss Babcock asked, turning around and then laughing at her own joke. Her laugh was a rough, husky one that Niles secretly enjoyed.
"We don't all want to dress in things we can find in our own closets. Does this mean you'll be coming as a witch again this year?"
Her laughing stopped abruptly and was replaced with a glare.
Fran ignored them both as she said, "I can get Nadine to cater..."
"That awful woman?" Miss Babcock asked.
"Does that bother you?" Niles raised an eyebrow.
"I suppose not. After all, it wasn't my career she ruined."
Niles winced as that comment hit home. "Don't you have something you're supposed to be doing, Babcock?"
Her face fell and she slumped against the counter beside him. Their sides brushed in a familiar manner.
"Are you okay, Miss Babcock?" Miss Fine asked.
"Ian Woon," she said simply.
"What?"
Miss Babcock shook her head. "Never mind. I've got to get back to work. We can't all hang around in the kitchen doing nothing all day."
Looking as if she were heading to her execution, she reached behind her to retrieve her coffee mug.
"Have fun, Miss Babcock," Niles shot at her.
"Can it, Hazel, or you'll be wearing this coffee."
Niles held his tongue and watched her as she left the room. As always, his thoughts were conflicted, and he wasn't sure how he could hate someone so much and adore them even more both at the same time. He was sure Dr. Bort would have a field day with him if she ever got a chance to delve into his brain.
"So, Niles," Miss Fine asked, "are you gonna help me plan this party or not?"
XXX
CC sighed as she slipped out of her skirt and let it pool at her feet. Even though she'd been dressing like a lady with money since she was ten and her mother had ordered Nanny BoBo to destroy anything that even hinted at her previous tomboy status, sometimes the clothes of a Babcock felt restrictive. She wondered what Maxwell—or Niles—would think if they knew that some days she longed to wear jeans. On the rare occasions that she did, she felt so much more human. It was one of the reasons she looked forward to their celebrity baseball game every year, not that she'd ever tell Maxwell.
CC was almost tempted to leave the skirt bunched up there on the floor for Angelica to pick up the next day. It's what her mother would have done but, try as she may, CC had never been able to develop the lip curling disdain for the help that her mother had. Any scorn she felt was mostly just scorn she had for the world in general. It was a sucky place, devoid of happy endings and kindness.
With another sigh, CC started unbuttoning her silk blouse. With every button, she exposed skin she considered way too pale. It never tanned and she refused to burn, so it constantly remained a translucent white. Once considered the height of beauty, now skin like hers earned her pity and suggestions on products that would give her some color. Still, someone had once told her that her skin was like white chocolate. Slipping the silk off of her shoulders, she ran her fingertips along the exposed skin, smiling at the memory.
After adding her stockings and bra to the pile, CC padded barefoot to the hamper, shoving the clothing inside. Catching a glimpse of her nearly naked form in the mirror, CC studied it, wondering why men didn't find her attractive. She was shapely with generous curves but a flat stomach and a small waist. She wasn't tiny by any means but, as a tall woman, she wasn't meant to be. Her body was strong and capable, and she didn't think it was ugly. Still, Maxwell paid as much attention to it as he did Grandma Yetta's. Maybe even less. And Niles didn't waste any opportunity to tell her how ugly and undesirable it was. CC didn't know what to do. With her body type, she'd never be able to look like Nanny Fine—not without appearing to have some terrible disease, anyway.
Disgusted, CC turned away and went to her dresser. She searched through the drawers until she found comfortable pajamas. Usually, she wore silk, but once in awhile she was in the mood for comfort. As she withdrew the pajamas and tied her hair up in a messy ponytail, she wondered what she'd dress up as for Hallowe'en. Thinking of Niles, she decided emphatically that it would not be a witch. She'd love to do something completely uncharacteristic and unexpected. Wouldn't that shock her butler boy?
Her amusement at the thought eased some of her tension and thoughts of having a stiff drink before bed turned to thoughts of hot chocolate. She'd make it like Nanny BoBo had, using real chocolate and lots of whipped cream. Smiling, she slipped fuzzy pants with images of balloons on them over her sensible underwear and pulled a sleeveless tank top over her head.
As she left the bedroom, Chester raised his head to study her. CC waved a hand at him, and he settled back down and closed his eyes. Though she and the mutt pretended to hate each other, they had a comfortable, almost affectionate relationship. It reminded her of the one she had with Maxwell's annoying butler.
She pattered down the hallway barefoot, enjoying the soft carpet against her skin. In the kitchen, she started melting chocolate, considering her costume choices. Nothing she thought of seemed right. In the end, she pushed the issue away to decide later and brought her hot chocolate into the living room. She was exhausted but her brain was too active to even think about going back to her room yet. Instead, she settled on the couch and turned on the TV. There was a screech and a splash of blood, and CC was immediately intrigued.
She loved a good horror flick.
XXX
Niles sat in his bed watching an old black and white movie on his small television set. Except for the light from the TV, the room was dark. It was late, and the house around him was filled with a slumbering silence. Niles would have been sleeping himself but, for some reason, it just wouldn't come. He'd tried all of his tricks to fight insomnia, but none of them had worked. Eventually, he had to give in to the inevitable.
"It's alive!" he said quietly, just seconds before he was echoed by the character on screen.
At least the movie was making him sleepy. Niles was propped up against his headboard with his pillows behind him in case he drifted off. He blinked as his eyelids grew heavy and settled more comfortably against his pillows. He'd close his eyes for just a minute. Maybe it would be enough.
His mind was starting to feel fuzzy and drift, so he went with it, trying to relax into sleep.
"Niles..." The whisper was so soft, he wasn't sure he heard it.
His eyes snapped open and he picked up the remote to mute the movie.
"Niles..." There it was again, barely within hearing range. It was feminine and familiar, but it was so faint he couldn't tell whose voice it was.
Puzzled, he threw off his covers and got out of bed. "Hello?"
His voice sounded loud in the silent room, and the flickering of the TV made strange, creepy images against the wall. Niles was suddenly uncomfortable-almost afraid.
A scream sliced through the night to pierce his heart. Definitely a woman. In pain. Terrified. The sound turned his stomach and made the coward in him want to run. The rest of him, the man that took care of the Sheffield family without faltering no matter what happened, the man who chased spiders, changed diapers, protected a boy who was small and scrawny and picked on, and the man who had once buried his best friend, bristled and hardened. Was that Miss Margaret? Was it Miss Fine?
He steeled himself and, not even bothering to slide into his slippers, stepped out into the hall.
It was so dark, he could barely see into its shadowy depths. The scattered doorways looked more like suggestions of indentations, and a nearby stand with dried flowers appeared sinister in the dim light.
Niles swallowed and stepped forward. The scream came again, making the hair stand up on the back of his neck. There was a sob mixed in with it this time, and Niles felt a strong compulsion to stop the pain.
Without hesitation, he started down the hallway. It got darker and darker until he couldn't see where he was going.
"Niles!"
The desperation in the scream clenched his insides. With the word, he realized the voice was Miss Babock's. Someone was hurting Miss Babcock.
Despite the fact that Niles lived to torture her, the thought of someone else physically hurting her angered him.
"Help me." The words were sobbed out and not screamed, and they sounded close enough for him to touch her.
"Miss Babcock?" It came out choked and frightened.
"Please. No more. No more," she begged. And then there was another soul shredding scream.
"Stop it," Niles said firmly. "Leave her alone."
He couldn't tell where the screams were coming from. They seemed to be all around him. The darkness was so disorienting that he had no idea where he was. Logic told him he should have come to the end of the hallway and bumped into something by now, but he felt as if there were nothing around him.
"Niles, help me!"
"Where are you?" When she screamed again, he yelled back, "Miss Babcock!"
He stumbled forward, hoping he was going in the right direction.
The screams came in rapid fire then, as if she had lost control and could not stop. Niles felt tears came to his eyes and drip down his face at the agony in them. Helpless to do anything in the dark but wander aimlessly, he just kept moving, hoping he'd suddenly be bathed with light.
Miss Babcock's screams cut off abruptly, and there was a terrible silence. It surrounded Niles and filled him. It went into his body and pushed everything else out. Niles gasped desperately for air, but there was none to breathe. There was nothing. Nothing but silence.
Niles jerked awake feeling as if there were a terrible weight on his chest. He struggled for air and flailed his arms, fighting against something that insisted on entangling him. It took him several seconds to realize that he could breathe and that the thing holding him so tightly was his own blankets. He could hear the after hours sound of snow from the television; he could see the dim contours of his own room.
Niles took a deep breath and stopped his struggles. A dream. Only a dream. It hadn't felt like a dream. He shuddered as he remembered his almost frantic searching at the end. Miss Babcock's screams still echoed in his ears.
He wanted to call her. He wanted to hear her voice, blurry from sleep and not sharp from fear and agony. He wanted to know she was all right.
A quick glance at the clock told him it was only a little after 4 am. Unless he pretended it was some new kind of torture, Niles didn't dare to call. He'd have to wait until she came in for work.
It was okay, he told himself. She was fine. Still, he was having second thoughts about the perfect prank he had planned for her that afternoon.
XXX
CC woke up with a shudder. Her heart was racing, and she was shivering. On her TV screen, a woman was screeching as some man with a knife tortured and murdered her, but CC didn't think that was the source of the butterflies flying around in her belly or the goosebumps on her arms.
If she'd been dreaming, she couldn't remember it. There was a vague feeling of total darkness that might have been a remnant, but that was it.
Covering a yawn with her hand, CC glanced up a the clock. 4 am. She had another three hours before she had to get up and get ready for work. They'd probably be best spent in her nice, comfy bed.
When she got up, her body protested. It wasn't used to spending so much time in one awkward position. She'd have to use the massage setting on her shower head in the morning to work out some of the kinks. For now, she just wanted more sleep.
As CC made her way down the hallway to her bedroom, she felt a strange prickle on the back of her neck, almost as if someone were watching her. She stopped and turned slowly to stare back into the living room. Seeing nothing, flames of embarrassment flooded her face. Who'd she expect to be there, the boogie man?
Rolling her eyes at her own foolishness, CC went into the bedroom. But she didn't turn out the hall light.
