Normally I like to stay true to the story-line of the show, however, this story won't (obviously, since CC and Chandler's relationship becomes more serious) So just roll with it! Sorry if this bothers anyone.


Chapter 2

C.C. was delightfully surprised when Chandler showed up to the Sheffield mansion one night earlier than planned on Saturday, pretending to deliver contracts that could've easily waited until Monday. He interrupted Fran and her bar outting, but as far as C.C. was concerned Chandler could show up at her door in the middle of the night and she'd be pleased.

They had dinner and drinks, and planned on the Sunday night date as well. So when Chandler showed up at the Sheffield door at 8pm sharp in a deep green shirt and black slacks asking for the beautiful C.C. Babcock, Niles was a little thrown.

She came out of the downstairs bathroom putting two diamond studded earrings in as a finishing touch. It took every ounce of Niles' british reserve to not drop his jaw. C.C. was wearing a steal-blue striped, and strapless, satin cocktail dress that came just above the knee with her hair down and blown- classy, but absolutely stunning.

"Well Chandler, are you ready?" She asked, not even noticing Niles wandering eyes.

"Oh yes." Chandler stood just as mesmerized. She might've been known as the bitch of broadway to the rest of New York City, but to him she was a goddess. He put the light shaw around her shoulders and followed her out the door.

Neither had noticed how Niles had practically followed them out to the street and watched as they climbed into a taxi headed toward the food district. Walking sadly back inside, Niles plopped down on the couch and remained there staring straight ahead for what seemed like 5 minutes. When he finally went to bed he realized it had been two hours.

"What am I expecting, that he will bring her back to the mansion after their date? Come on, Niles, get real. He'll probably take her back to her apartment and.." Niles cut himself off wincing, "Give a handshake goodbye? Kiss her hand? Cheek? Lips? Ugh." Throwing himself onto the bed he lethargically undressed, letting his clothes land where they chose to on the floor.

Like their first date, Sunday's date also went extremely well. Chandler was the perfect gentleman and had even asked if she would like to double date with Val and her new boyfriend.

The second date led to three, and three led to countless more in the next weeks to come. While the family noticed Niles' different mood, Grace was the one to zero in on the origin of the problem, "Niles, why don't you just tell her how you feel? She probably doesn't have a clue.."

"Miss Grace, what are you talking about?"

Grace rolled her eyes, "Niles, I'm pretty sure you know what I'm talking about. It has to do with a certain blonde heiress dating a certain theatre owner and your less than subtle mood change due to the fact that YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HER?"

Niles was, for quite possibly the first time, speechless. "Miss Grace, I think if for some idiotic reason I was in love with the Ice Queen that it would be a sign of the apocalypse. Chandler has no idea what he is getting into, the minute they marry and reproduce she'll devour him like the rest of her prey."

Grace put her hand over his, feeling his heartache. His refusal to look her in the eye spoke much louder volumes. "Niles, I hope you tell her soon, I would hate for her relationship with Chandler to get too far. Be nice, be her friend, and maybe you won't need to tell her, she'll just... know."

Niles turned to reply and found that Grace was gone.

And so, Niles set out to take Grace's advice. He would be her friend, with the occasional insult just so things didn't get TOO weird.

"Niles, could I get a cup of coffee?" C.C. asked expecting a fight for a clean cup and coffee with two sugars instead of a dirty gym sock.

"Of course Miss Babcock, would you like a warm croissant? I saved you one from breakfast this morning."

"Oh God, Niles am I dying?" C.C. asked nervously. She wasn't used to this sort of behavior, and frankly it was more terrifying than the thought of drinking Brighton's foot sweat.

"Don't you think we're getting a little too old for so many insults and immature pranks? I mean, we've known each other what- almost 15 years and say and do the same things to each other over and over again. Would being friends be such a bad thing?"

C.C. was slightly offended at first, but once she thought about it she realized he had a point. They were adults, and she really didn't have any friends.

"Okay Butler Boy, but as long as we can throw the occasional zinger or name."

"Of course, I don't think we could truly function without a few," Niles replied with a friendly smirk.

C.C. didn't want admit it or heaven forbid show her excitement at a new friendship, but she couldn't help but ask.. "So, if we're friends, does this mean we can do things like.. shop or have lunch?"

Niles raised his eyebrows, "Well I suppose so.."

"Alright then Rochester, meet me in the foyer say around 6 and we'll grab a hot dog and do some shopping in the fashion district- I do need a dress for my hott date on Friday night" She replied with a wink.

"C.C. Babcock eating a hot dog?"

"What can I say, I've become positively domestic." They both shared a laugh and C.C. walked through the swinging door with her first cup of clean coffee ever made in the Sheffield home.

Niles sat staring at the empty space in front of the door wondering if he had possibly dreamed of the newfound friendship. Only when he looked away did he realize his heart was beating in his ears. "Okay, so Babcock and I are friends now.. thats not weird, its normal- two adults spending some time tog- this is going to be so weird."

In reality, spending time with C.C. Babcock had not been weird at all. Despite their lack of good communication in the past, their conversations flowed without flaw. It seemed perfectly normal to anyone on the street around them who hadn't experienced their relationship before. They were simply two adults talking, laughing, and eating as they walked down fifth avenue.

"You know Niles, I'm actually enjoying your company!" C.C. said, licking the mustard off the side of her hand. This didn't slip Niles attention.

"Yes, I'd have to agree, its been very pleasant. I'm sorry you didn't find a suitable dress for Friday night."

"Eh, its alright, I'm sure I have a dress at home that will work. Hell, half the dresses I have at home still have the tags on them!"

They sat on a bench and watched as people walked by. One man had a screaming child by the hand, "NO NO NO! We are not going to FAO Sh-it.." the father exclaimed as the child vomited all over the sidewalk and his shoes.

"Oh my God, my children will NOT act like that in public of all places!" C.C. leaned over and whispered to Niles. This made Niles thoughts wander to what his and C.C.'s children would look like- until her next comment brought him painfully back to the reality of things, "Chandler and I had that conversation the other night, he wants kids- I'm not sure I'm cut out for them.."

"Miss Ba- C.C., I think you'd make a wonderful mother.."

"Niles, you don't have to say that just because we're friends now.."

Niles shook his head, "No, really, I think you would. You put up your icy walls to people you are reasonably threatened by. I know that deep down you would love them."

C.C. looked at Niles questionably and smiled when she saw his genuine expression, "Anyone in the Sheffield home would be completely appalled by our behavior you know."

"Yeah."

They continued watching as an old couple went by hand in hand, "So, Niles, are you dating anyone?"

C.C. wouldn't have ever encroached on this territory before, but considering their new friendship and her current relationship with Chandler she asked.

Niles tried to keep calm, "No, I really haven't found anyone yet. I'm open to the idea, though. My parents would like to see me married with a family, it just hasn't happened."

C.C. sensed a certain sadness about Niles but chose to leave it alone. There had been a time when, even during their feuds, she had considered Niles as a pretty good catch. The thought of bringing him home to Mummy and Daddy had stopped her and revised her feelings to those of disdain. It was too late now for that, despite her change of heart, and she turned to stare straight ahead once again. She had Chandler, and he was absolutely perfect. She had come to terms with the fact that she would probably never feel the way authors described love in books- a tingling, melting, electrifying experience at just their touch. Chandler would be a good husband some day, and maybe even a good father. He would provide for them and be there to take walks with, eat with, watch movies with, and all the things she imagined married couples did.

Niles broke her thoughts, "Thanks for inviting me out.. C.C. Its been a while since I had a real friend to spend time with outside of the mansion."

C.C. smiled, "Yeah, I had fun, too. We'll have to do it again. I guess this makes you my best friend now considering you're really my ONLY friend." She said quietly laughing and fidgeting with her hands.

"Well same goes for you. Max doesn't exactly invite me to do anything but clean his underwear."

"You don't have to worry about me ever asking you to clean my underwear, Niles." C.C. laughed.

Niles looked her in the eyes and felt a sense of dread grow in the pit of his belly. What was he getting himself into? Their new friendship ultimately set him up for failure in the end, didn't it? Chandler wouldn't let C.C. remain friends with the help if they did marry.

Niles and C.C. continued their friendship for the next 4 months. While they didn't spend tons of time together outside of the mansion, their attitudes toward one another had changed enough for even Max and Fran to notice. Niles had settled into the comfortable routine of things until the night when things would change.

C.C. burst through the living room one Saturday night, shoving a huge 3 karat diamond ring into Fran's face. Fran squealed and pulled C.C. into a hug, shocking even herself a little.

"How did he do it?" She exclaimed with a goofy grin.

"Well, we were sitting at that new restaurant in Central Park, you know the one with all the lights and the patio, and he just got down on one knee and told me he couldn't imagine spending his life with anyone else!" C.C. was ecstatic from the outside, but couldn't help but think back to the exact moment when Chandler had pulled out the ring..

"C.C., I can't imagine spending my life with anyone but you. I know that you're the only one for me, will you be my wife?"

At that moment, C.C. couldn't help but see Niles face staring back out at her from the ring, 'What the hell', she thought to herself. And before she could think anymore about her reaction she had said yes.

She would marry Chandler, and they would be happy. Maybe not enormously happy, but happy just the same, and that was definitely more than she could've said before she started dating him.

Fran was still jumping up and down when Grace came down the stairs and looked at the ring in horror. Not two seconds later did Niles stroll from the kitchen. Grace stood still, waiting for the blow to register on Niles' face, and when it did she was grateful that Fran and C.C. were still wrapped up in her engagement story.

The second Niles saw the ring and heard the small parts of their conversation, he knew he had about three seconds to wipe the terrified look off his face before Fran or God forbid C.C. saw.

C.C. turned around and made eye contact with Niles. She couldn't help but feel an uncertain sense of dread and notice that the color was completely gone from his face, "Hey Hazel, guess I'm getting hitched," she said as she casually held up her ring.


I knew chapter 1 was kind of short so I posted this tonight as well! Hope you enjoyed.. please leave comments and any suggestions!