A/N: Hello. This story is utterly gratuitous. The idea came to me earlier this week, and I've been completely distracted since. It's just an experiment. I want to know if I can write an actual story, and if you can enjoy it. Reading it back, it's a lot more serious than I intended. Also, I apologize in advance for the dialogue. Please let me know what you think - if it's not worth it I'll cut my losses and run for the proverbial hills.

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Disclaimer: It isn't mine.

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'Oil And Truth Shall Get Uppermost At Last.'

Scottish Proverb

Like so many of Niles' misadventures, it begins in a darkened alleyway. CC's misadventures, however, don't usually start at the barrel of a gun.

They've been to see a movie. So normal, and pedestrian, and new. His leg brushes against hers throughout, and by the time they leave CC can't remember the name of the film. They walk back to her apartment, because it's spring, and it's New York and they'll do anything to talk for just a little while longer. He suggests they take a short cut. There's a shadow in the darkness. And then it all goes to hell in a handcart.

The shadow turns out to be a man. There's a scar on his left cheek heading for his lips – it's almost an extension of his smile. When he speaks it's with an eastern European accent, and when he asks for their valuables CC is almost embarrassed by how cliché it all is. But Niles pulls out a knife, and then CC isn't so much embarrassed as she is utterly terrified and after that she somewhat loses track of things.

The man has a gun. It's big and it's black and CC knows it could hurt like a motherfucker. There's a clang as the knife hits the floor and they're suddenly alone and unprotected. The man smiles. When he asks for it, CC starts taking off her necklace, but her hands are shaking too badly, and Niles leans over to help her. He puts his arms around her neck and whispers in her ear. It's not quite how she's imagined it. But he's warm and he smells so familiar. She isn't alone. She is protected.
'When I say "now," turn around,' he says.

He takes her necklace off, and extends his hand to the man, who knows better. He tells Niles to put it on the floor, and Niles laughs before he complies. Had she been thinking clearly, CC would probably found that odd. But she isn't and she doesn't, and she's already trying to remove the matching bracelet.

By the time she leans over to ask for Niles' help with the bracelet, she realises both men are now on the floor. The man has his hand on Niles' throat, and CC can hear Niles gargling something which sounds suspiciously like "now." Still she doesn't move. So Niles flips himself on top of this man and reaches for the knife, and now there's no mistake about it.

'Now!' he yells, but still she doesn't turn. Niles is struggling to contain the man beneath him, 'CC, turn around...' he says '...please.'

And so she turns around, but she can't remember why. There are a couple of noises she tries not to understand. A warm hand touches her shoulder. She turns to face him, and the colour of his shirt answers all her questions.

'It's not my blood,' he says.
'Niles, what just happened?' His hands are on her waist. He's trembling and breathing heavily. She can hear the thumping of a heart and she really hopes it's hers.
'I don't know,' he says, 'but we need to leave right now.'

He grabs her hand, pulls her further into the alley, out the other side. She turns back, glances at the lump on the floor which used to be a man, and by the time she recognises intestines she regrets it. He pulls his jacket closed and drags her into a cab, asking for an address she doesn't recognise.

'Niles, we can't just leave.'
'Listen to me CC –'
'You just killed someone, Niles,' she says, and she is almost hysterical. 'You just killed someone. Why would you –'
'CC –'
'What the hell were you thinking?'
'CC –'
'And where did you get a knife from?' He puts his hand on her mouth. It's warm and it smells like metal. CC thinks she may vomit.
'We aren't alone.'


They get out somewhere in the Village, walking a block before stopping at a boarded up shop-front. Down the side of the building they reach a door, and from his pocket Niles pulls a key she hasn't seen before. He opens it, ushers her inside. It's dark, and Niles turns on the light. There's an empty bookcase and 5 chairs arranged round a table, beneath which sits a bag. Niles drags it onto the table and opens it. He takes off his jacket and begins to remove his shirt.

'I knew that man,' he says, 'a long time ago he worked for me.'
'You must have been a terrible boss.' He laughs despite himself, and she tries not to watch him undress.
'Probably. He was certainly a terrible employee.'
'What were you doing?' she asks, sitting at the table, running her fingers through her hair.
'Nothing good.'

'Niles, why would you kill him?'
'CC,' he pulls on a black jumper from the bag, 'don't think for one second that he wouldn't have killed us,' he pauses, 'or worse.'

'What happened between you two?'
'Nothing good.'

'Why did he come for you? What does it mean?'
'That they know where I am.' He slips off his grey dress pants, and pulls on some black trousers from the bag. CC averts her eyes so fast the room spins.
'"They"?'
'There were others.'
'Others?'
'Three more. I need to go.'
'Go where?' She asks.
'I have to find them.'

'What about me?'
'You need to go home. Don't do anything unusual,' He smiles as he pulls on his shoes. 'Well, don't do anything unusual for you. Stick to your routine like glue. I'll be keeping an eye on you.'
'Niles –'
'Non-negotiable CC.'

She nods. He puts his jacket back on, closes the bag and slings it onto his shoulder.
'Time to go,' he says, and she rises from the chair. They stand for a moment, in the near-dark, and look at each other. Even now; her makeup smudged, afraid and confused, she looks beautiful. He wants more than anything to stay with her. He feels something at the bottom of his stomach. Either he's longing for her or he's about to vomit. He's rooting for longing.

'I'm so sorry,' he says. 'I didn't think this would ever happen.'
'Let me help you.'
'No.'

And he's gone.