Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I don't have many possessions. Don't sue; these characters are not mine. I also don't own the song "Scars" by Anna Nalick. I'm only borrowing the lyrics.
[A/N: Greetings! It's been a ridiculously long time. Life got in the way, but I always come back to my favorite couple. Please R&R, especially if you missed me, as I have missed all of you. The leaps in time that this story takes will make more sense at the chapters continue.]
Scars
Chapter One
Scars cover you in fine lines
Number you a timeline
Where was I when you stopped trying?
A stinging, bitter wind nicked at his face as he fumbled with his keys. Finally selecting the correct one, Niles slid the cold metal into the lock and turned it to the left, using his shoulder to push open the door. As soon as the door was back in place, the wind's whistle quieted and a blanket of warm air encased him. Soft jazz music floated to his ears while a faint aroma of Chanel perfume wafted to his nostrils.
For a moment, a pang so strong stopped him in his tracks. He paused, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Fixing his face with an impassive look, he continued up the stairs.
"Are you almost ready?" he asked, pausing in the doorway to the bedroom.
He saw her slender shoulders jump and then immediately square themselves. "You startled me. I'll be ready in a couple of minutes."
"All right. I have the car ready on the street," Niles told her. She hadn't turned to look at him yet.
"Ok," was all she replied.
Niles turned to go and paused again, as though to say something. Unsurprisingly, he turned and continued on his way.
CC remained in the bedroom, fastening her diamond earrings with slightly trembling fingers.
Niles trudged down the stairs with heavy footsteps. He stood uncertainly in the entry hall, staring into a picture frame at two unfamiliar faces. She had her chin propped on his shoulder, her cheeks pink from the cold, and he had a laugh playing on his lips while light snowflakes swirled around their heads. A snowy hill provided the background for the happy couple.
CC's heels announced her arrival into the hall, followed by a whoosh of soft material and a stronger wave of Chanel. As she draped her shimmery wrap around her shoulders, Niles gestured to the picture.
"Do you remember the ski weekend?" Niles asked in a strange, unidentifiable tone.
CC barely spared the photo a glance as she sidestepped him. "Yes. Let's go, I don't want to be late."
"Oy, it's so cold," Fran remarked, looking out the window at the whirling snowflakes.
"Well, darling, it's a ski weekend, after all," Max reminded her, wrapping an encouraging arm around her shoulder.
"It'll be fun, Fran!" CC said with a smile.
Fran looked at CC and shook her head. "The lovebirds are still in the honeymoon stage," she muttered to her husband. Fran jumped as a click went off in the limo.
"Maggie, dear, we're all glad you love your photography course," Maxwell said in an exasperated tone. "But why not wait for a photographic moment to occur instead of taking a photo of every moment of our drive?"
"Every moment is a photographic moment," Maggie recited from behind the large, elaborate-looking camera.
CC pivoted on her seat and poked her head to rest near Niles' shoulder. It was one of her favorite places, as it allowed his masculine scent to linger near her face. "How much longer?"
"About fifteen more minutes, love," Niles responded, checking his speedometer. "Anxious to get on the hills?"
CC cocked her head to press her lips lightly to his neck. "Anxious to get on something, yes."
The couple wore twin wicked grins as the limo slid into the parking lot of the ski resort. As soon as the engine stopped, Brighton and Grace leaped out of the vehicle to find the restrooms. Max and Fran grabbed their bags and went to check in while Maggie stood in the parking lot, snapping pictures of the light post and other cars.
CC climbed out of the limo and smiled sweetly as Niles slid his arm around her waist. "It's nice to get away," she said, glancing at the snow-capped hills around her.
"It is," Niles agreed, pulling her against him to press a kiss to her temple. He squeezed her hip to signal that he was stepping away as he pulled their bags from the trunk. "So, what should we do first?" he asked as he slammed the trunk shut.
"Unpack, ski, hike?" CC suggested, her breath coming out in little puffs.
"Hot tub, hot chocolate, stay in our room?" Niles responded. CC laughed and followed him toward the resort, slipping her arms around him from behind.
"Guys!" Maggie called out, her camera at the ready.
Niles and CC turned in tandem, her chin automatically resting on his shoulder. The shutter clicked and caught their happiness.
"Max, this just feels awkward," Fran said, wringing her hands.
"What do you mean, sweetheart?" Max asked as he pulled Fran's seat out for her.
"Niles and CC are coming, right?" Fran asked.
"Well, it's the Broadway Cares benefit, which Sheffield-Babcock Productions is co-sponsoring, and Niles is her fiancé, so yes, they'll be here," Maxwell responded, slipping into the seat next to her. "Why do you ask?"
Fran clenched her teeth momentarily. It wasn't often that her husband's obtuseness rankled her, but it was situations like this when she couldn't stand it. "Max, things aren't going well between them."
"Now, darling, you don't know that," Maxwell replied, nodding his head in thanks as a waiter handed him a glass of water.
"I do, Max. I do know that," Fran said. "How can you not know?"
Max took a deep breath. Of course he'd noticed. But unlike his wife, he didn't like to get involved in situations that were particularly complicated and if he knew anything about Niles and CC, he knew it was infinitely complicated between them.
"Darling, you know I don't like to talk about this," Max told her. "I hate that things are strained between them but I don't know that we can do anything to help."
Normally, Fran refused to believe that. She only needed to look at her relationship with Maxwell to know that love actually could overcome. But some situations got so intertwined and complex that they couldn't be untangled, like the Slinky that Brighton ruined when he was 10.
"I don't like that feeling," Fran admitted.
Max patted her hands. "I know, Fran. Maybe things will work out."
Fran's skepticism only increased as she saw Niles and CC step into the ballroom, standing three feet apart.
