Chapter 1:

It was a beautiful sunny morning of Labor Day weekend; not extremely hot, not extremely cold; perhaps, perfect. The Sheffield family had planned a beautiful trip to Lake Tahoe, and had dragged CC along. At this point, most of their family vacations included CC, and it wasn't going to be a wasted opportunity for Niles to explore the current status of his relationship with CC. Things had started moving faster after Max and Fran's wedding, but it was too unsteady to make a move or anything. Fortunately for Niles, there was an accidental mix up with the lodge reservation and instead of receiving one fully equipped to accommodate seven people, they received the last two, one for five and one for two people. Therefore, Niles and CC were going to be forced to share the smaller lodge. It was Labor Day after all, and all the lodges were full.

"Oh, I can't believe this! How could this incompetent staff mix such a simple reservation!" CC exclaimed as she placed her bags on the master bedroom. Perhaps it wasn't as bad as she might wanted to believe. In the past weeks she had been feeling intrigued about her very complicated relationship with the butler. At least sharing a lodge with him was better than to be forced to share it with the loud nanny or the very messy children. At least Niles was clean and quiet.

"Well, frankly Miss Babcock, it could have ended worse." Niles added as he placed his bags on the other room in front of the master bedroom. At that point Niles decided just to have her have that room as he knew the ice was too thin to fight her for a simple room.

"Can it Butler Boy? We're forced to share such a small place. I am still wondering who's gonna kill who first." CC said as she started unpacking.

"Well, as much as I am delighted to share it with the Wicked Witch of the East," he said sarcastically, " we can still enjoy the Labor Day fireworks. It would have been the worst to fly so many miles to be forced to go back home and miss it all." He finally added as he explored his room and opened the window to see the beautiful lake.

CC rolled her eyes and opened her window and said: "Perhaps you're right. Anyway, what a better way to celebrate Labor Day for you with some work, Butler Boy." CC laughed as she saw through her window the noisy nanny coming very fast to their lodge.

"What do you mean?" Niles said.

"Well, look through the windows. Did you really think they wouldn't bother you if you were in a different lodge?" CC laughed as she kept on getting accommodated in her room.

"Oh, bloody hell! Will I ever get a vacation?" Niles said as he walked to the door and opened it.

Fran entered the lodge and said: "Oh Niles! We're starving! Are you going to come and cook us some food? Please…" she whined.

Niles closed his eyes for two seconds. "Yes, Mrs. Sheffield. I will be there in a minute.I I'll just finish unpacking."

Fran raised her hands to the air and hugged Niles. "Oh, you're the best!" and she exited and closed the door.

Niles grunted back to his room and resumed unpacking. Once he was finished, he closed the door to his room and knocked on CC's door.

"Yes?" she said as she opened the door.

"Shall we?" Niles said.

"Shall we what?" CC asked him.

"Go to the Sheffield's lodge. What else?" Niles said as he rolled his eyes.

"Why do I need to go? Last time I checked, you were the one supposed to do the serving." CC laughed.

Niles debated if simply implying his concern or throwing a zinger, but it was a simple choice. There was a rhythm to keep up to. "Well, as much as I'd like to have vacations and a lodge to myself, waiting for you to die out of starvation is not necessarily the best way to do it."

CC rolled her eyes. "Isn't there food here as well?" CC said.

"Yes. But will you prepare it?" Niles said.

"Are you implying I cannot cook?" CC said a bit offended.

"Of course not. I'm implying you wouldn't do it when there's another person that can do the dirty job for you." Niles said.

CC rolled her eyes so hard that for a instance Niles swore they weren't going to come back. Yes. He was right. Again. "Fine. I'll come with you."

"Fine." Niles said as he walked to the door and opened it for both of them. Once both of them were out, he locked the lodge and smiled to himself. Maybe she's not that stubborn after all.