Chapter 1

"So, first thing Monday morning, I will be returning to England." Niles finished.

The whole Sheffield family sat there in complete shock. Including Fran and CC.

"What?" Fran asked, "Niles you can't go!"

"Miss Fine, if Niles wants to leave, we have to respect that. He deserves better than being my butler anyway." Maxwell explained.

"I know, but......" Fran tried to be understanding. "Niles please don't go!" She failed, and grabbed onto Niles around the waist.

They had all just been informed that Niles was offered a job as a chef in one of the most exclusive London restaurants. And he took it. It seemed that one of Sheffield-Babcock Productions' backers loved the food Niles had prepared knew a guy who knew a guy, who knew a guy in London. So, Niles would be resigning his job with Maxwell.

"Miss Fine, I understand that you must be upset, but this is just something I have to do. For myself." Niles tried to soothe Fran.

"Alright, everyone. This family meeting is over. Children, return to your homework, CC, I'll see you in the office in a moment, and Fran just..... uh....... go find something to do." Maxwell instructed.

When they all just stared at him, he replied sternly, "Now." And they all fled the room.

Maxwell walked up to Niles. "You've been a great employee, old man."

"As you've been a wonderful employer, sir." Niles replied.

"Niles, please, Maxwell."

"Yes, Maxwell."

"You've been a wonderful friend, Niles." Maxwell said, giving Niles a friendly hug.

"As have you, Max." Niles replied, hugging him back.

As the sad few days passed, Monday came closer and closer. Today was the day the whole Sheffield home was dreading. Sunday, the day before Niles left.

"Niles!" Maxwell bellowed from the office.

"Yes, sir?" He said, coming into the office.

"I know this is your last day, old man, but I need you to do me a favor. Could you to take these papers to CC for me? She's down at the theater."

Niles sighed. "Of course, sir."

"Thank you, old man."

Niles took the papers and walked out of the office.

"My last day here, and it's Niles, do this.....Niles do that.... Niles, I know you need time to finish packing but..... I swear." He grumbled to himself.

"Where ya going Niles?" Fran asked, sitting on the couch reading a People Magazine.

"To take these papers to Miss Babcock for our selfish, self-centered, inconsiderate, boss." He replied rudely, and slammed the door as he left.

As soon as the door shut, Fran ran over to the window and looked out. She watched as Niles pulled out of the driveway.

"Kids! Mr. Sheffield! He's gone!" She yelled, and they all rushed into the room.

"Miss Babcock!" Niles yelled down the theater aisle.

"Yes, Niles?" She replied, then turned around.

"Here's your papers." He replied, handing them to her.

"Thanks. Do you think you could wait for a minute? I'll just go with you back to the mansion. I'm almost finished here anyway."

Niles was a little taken aback that CC Babcock just said thanks. To him. And, she called him Niles! Wow! Wait a minute...she's almost done!? "You mean, I had to rush over here to give you papers that weren't really urgent?"

"No, they were. I have to give them to all of the people who auditioned. It's what they need to know for the next audition."

"Oh, ok." He cooled down almost instantly.

"Alright, let me just pass these out, and I'll be right back." She told him.

"Okay. I'll be waiting."

Then she left him to his thoughts. Was CC just.....pleasant? She must be taking her Prozac again.

She returned before he could think anymore.

"Alright, let's go." She left, and he followed.

When they got back to the mansion, and walked up to the front door, she stopped in front of him, and told him, "After you."

He looked at her suspiciously before going ahead of her and opening the door.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone yelled.

A look of confusion crossed his face for a moment, then was replaced with a smile.

"We decided to throw you a going away party. To say goodbye." Brighton told Niles, who was still standing at the front door with CC.

"Do you like it?" Maggie asked.

"I love it, it is most generous, thank you." He nodded to the rest of the family, and the party started.

"So, as a kind of goodbye gift from all of us, we all took a letter from your name, and wrote something nice about you." Fran said to him, and then the whole Sheffield clan stood in front of Niles, smiling. All but CC of course, who leaned over the back of the couch where she was standing to whisper in Niles ear, "I couldn't think of anything nice to say, so I didn't participate. Besides, it would kind of ruin our flow, ya know?" She smiled when he looked at her, and he winked to let her know he understood.

"Okay, ya ready?" Fran asked.

"Sure am." Niles replied.

Fran started.

"N is for the always nice things you have to say about everyone." Fran said, and stepped forward from the line, holding a paper 'N' in her hand.

"Except for Miss Babcock, of course." Gracie said, smiling, before she announced her letter. "I is for the intelligence we all know you have." Niles blushed a little at this one.

Then Maxwell went. "L is for the loyalty you've always given to me."

Maggie was next. "E is for the Ever-listening ear you always seem to have."

"And finally, S is for the smile you always have, even when you aren't at your best." Brighton finished.

"We know you have to go, Niles, but we're still going to miss you. We love you!" Fran concluded, and they all ran over and hugged him.

"Thank you. It was beautiful." Niles said.

Then Maxwell announced, "Now, we have a cake for you in the dining room, if you could follow us in there, old man."

"Sure." Niles replied.

"Don't wait for me." CC said, "I have to use the bathroom first. I'll be right there." Then she went into the bathroom.

The cake had been cut, and they were all enjoying it.

"Where did you get this cake, Miss Fine. It's excellent." Niles praised.

"Costco." Fran replied sheepishly.

"Thank you for the party, Max. It was very thoughtful, of all of you." Niles thanked.

"You're quite welcome, old man, but it was CC's idea." Maxwell continued eating his cake.

Before Niles had a chance to reply, CC returned to the room.

"Would you like a piece of cake, Miss Babcock?" Niles asked.

"Yes, actually I would. Is it in the kitchen?"

"Yes. I'll get it for you."

"I can do it." She replied.

"Please," Niles continued, setting down his cake, "It's my last day, let me do it." Then he entered the kitchen, CC trailing behind.

He cut her a corner piece, knowing they're her favorite. "Thank you." She said, as he handed it to her.

"Your welcome." He replied, and was heading back to the dining room when she called his name.

"Niles?" She said.

"Yes?" He turned around.

"Could you come here for a minute?" She asked, hesitantly.

He eyed her suspiciously for the second time that day, and came closer to her.

"I... I.... Here." She said, taking a box out of her rather large purse, and thrusting it at him.

He looked at her curiously, and she shook her head positively.

He opened the box.

It was a picture frame. With a picture of them in it. It was taken at one of the many events Sheffield-Babcock Productions hosted. She had asked him to be her date last minute. He'd agreed. They were dancing in the picture, and were cheek to cheek, having stopped for the picture; Smiles on both their faces.

"Thank you. It's beautiful." He said, admiring it.

"Push the button." She told him, pointing to a little red button at the bottom of the frame that clearly read 'INSULT' on it.

He pushed it, and her voice came out of the picture frame.

"Butler Boy." It said, and he laughed.

"It has 6 different programmed insults." She explained, "So you won't miss me too much." She smiled, and he smiled a half smile.

"And that way," She continued, "If anyone tries to pick on you, you can tell them you already have a hobby."

He laughed. "Thank you, I love it. It's stupid, crazy, insane, mean, and practically pointless."

Her smile disappeared.

"Perfectly us!" He finished, and her smile returned.

"I'm going to miss you, you big, fat, useless, poor-excuse-for-a-man." She said, still smiling so he knew she was kidding.

"Ditto." He replied, joking also. "Do you think this poor excuse for a man could get a hug?" He asked, opening his arms.

She sighed, pretending to be annoyed, "I guess." Then smiled, and leaned forward to hug him.

They stayed like that for a while, holding onto each other, and when they finally pulled apart, it happened very slowly.

What happened next was like a scene from a movie. Their eyes locked. And while Niles was ready to pull away, CC leaned forward, and captured his lips with hers.

But, she pulled back soon after. "Don't forget about me," She began, "I need a hobby." Then with a smile, she left.