Here we go,folks!:) The second oneshot in this series!:) This time it's for episode 13:Maggie the Model. :) I'm actually on a real writing high ,right now, which is very much due to your lovely reviews!:) So I think I shall just get on the next one!;) Here's a hint, the episode is "Deep Throat". ^^ Also wanted to ask you guys something. Does anyone have any good links or . like that for interviews with Daniel Davis?I'm dying to see more of him at the moment...*sighs*

Disclaimer: Don't own anything...if I did there'd be much more Niles/CC!;)

Episode 13: Maggie the Model C.C.:"I haven't seen Maxwell in 3 days.I don't know why I bother coming over anymore...Aren't you going to say anything obnoxious?"

She had finished another day of working on her own. Ever since Chloe Simpson had breezed into their lives,she had barely even seen Maxwell. Her chances of winning him over had been slim ever since Nanny Fine had begun working for the Sheffields,but now she was up against a model. She sighed and shook her head in frustration,putting the last paperwork away and switching off the light in the office. She felt suddenly overcome by loneliness, a sensation she knew only too well,but that she usually managed to hide just as well from the rest of the world. But it was due to this loneliness that she found herself walking towards the kitchen, instead of directly out of the door. She could hear Niles and Fran talking and their soft laughter sounded so inviting that she couldn't stop herself.

"I haven't seen Maxwell in 3 days.I don't know why I bother coming over anymore..." she admitted,biting her lower lip, fully aware that all attention was directed towards her now. She finally forced herself to look up and meet Niles' gaze "Aren't you going to say anything obnoxious?" she asked.

"I wouldn't kick a dog,when she's down." he replied instantly, a lazy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

She knew that he was trying to cheer her up and yet she felt bound to keep her defences up.

"I don't know what you're talking about...I am perfectly fine." that lie came far too easy now.

"Well, I'll leave ya to it." Fran excused herself and made an uncharacteristically quick exit from the kitchen.

Niles was watching her intently now. He had been studying her ever since she had entered the kitchen. That, in itself, was quite meaningful. He knew very well that she only came into the kitchen when she needed company, although she would never admit to that herself. But today it was only too obvious how sad and lonely she was,and as he watched her meet his eyes almost hesitantly he felt much more vulnerable than she did. She didn't know what her vulnerability did to him...how it made him want to hold her and make sure that she was alright. So instead he found himself teasing her, it was the only way to keep up this farce.

"You shouldn't drink so much,you know?" he gently scolded her when he found her downing another drink.

"That's none of your business,Tidy Bowl. Shouldn't you be off somewhere cleaning a toilet?" she replied.

"Not right now, I'm too busy cleaning up another mess." he retorted,snatching the empty glass from her hand before she could refill it.

"What does she have that I don't?" C.C. suddenly began to wonder out loud,lifting herself up to sit on the counter.

He was taken by surprise by her honesty and stared at her for a moment. The truth was that C.C. Babcock had it all. To him she was like a goddess, the way she sat on that counter,showing off her gorgeous long legs. To him she was perfect and always had been,but he knew that she would never feel the same way about him. He was about to toss her another zinger when he noticed that she was waiting for a truthful answer.

"Ah Babs, I'd choose you over her anytime." and he winked at her.

But C.C. didn't seem to be paying attention, she looked off into the distance and whispered something like "I know it's her body...I'm just too old to..."

"But you are an intelligent,beautiful woman with a rapier sharp wit that makes you unique."

C.C. nodded while chewing on her bottom lip.

"Niles, she can't cook,can she?" C.C. suddenly asked.

"What's your point?" he asked,cocking an eyebrow.

"She's going to lack practical skills. But maybe if I could cook for him...get the ambiente right,you know?" she mused out loud.

He let out a deep breath and rolled his eyes. "You are aware that you're grasping a straws here." he asked her,unable to hide the hint of annoyance that had crept into his voice.

"Stop being so grumpy,ButlerBoy and help me out. You can cook,it would be very simple for you."

He considered this for a moment,before he replied: "True...I will help you but under one condition."

"Anything!" C.C. was eager to respond.

"Very well, I will help you out but I won't cook the dinner for you, instead, you will learn how to cook the meal under my guidance."

She drew in a sharp breath. "What do you get from this?"

"I don't know what you mean?" he asked,smiling innocently "After all, I will get to boss you around all evening."


And so they arranged to meet on the following Saturday,Maxwell would be out of the house the entire day,away on a business meeting and Fran and the kids would spend the entire weekend in Flushing. He wasn't entirely sure why he had agreed to help C.C. . Maybe it was because he knew that she didn't stand a chance,or simply the prospect of spending an entire day with her.

"Ok,Bellboy,here I am...at your service." C.C. said as she rushed into the kitchen.

"I never thought I'd hear you say that,Babs." he smirked,winking at her.

"Alright,what do you want me to do?"

Niles pretended to think about her question for a moment;before his mind's eye he could see plenty of things that he wanted to see C.C. Babcock do.

"Well,I thought we start off by making a light tomatoe soup. Then ,for the main course I'll show you how to make spinach and ricotta cannelloni and for dessert there'll be Tiramisu."

"So you like Italian,huh?" C.C. asked.

"Actually,I prefer Mexican food,it's spicier." he answered.

"Some like it hot." she said,grinning at him.

"You have no idea,woman."he sighed.

C.C. watched him silently for a moment,as he ran a hand through his reddish blonde hair. He was dressed in his usual butler attire,only that the jacket was missing and instead of it he wore a white apron. She didn't know what made her do it but a moment later she found herself pressed against his body,her hands wandering down his back. He looked startled, completely caught off guard.

"What are you doing?" he asked and if she hadn't known it better she could've sworn that his voice sounded a little husky.

"You don't expect me to get dirty,do you?" she breathed and, pulling him closer against her, untied the apron.

She flashed him a devilish grin as she took the apron off of him and put it on herself. He was still staring at her,utterly dumbstruck. It made her feel stupid and pathetic,as if her attempt to cover up her instinctive actions had been uncovered.

"Don't just stand there,servant, teach me how to cook!" she snapped at him.

That seemed to bring him back to reality and he quickly began to fetch different ingredients.


Making the tomatoe soup had been easy enough, and even the spinach/ricotta cannelloni had been alright. This was mostly due to the fact that Niles was a very patient teacher who had also prepared many things in the Tiramisu,however,turned out to be a much more difficult task.

"You have to be careful here,Miss Babcock." he said and gently helped adding the Mascarpone cheese.

"It's not like a life and death situation, stop being so ridiculous." she said,rolling her eyes at him.

"Well,all I'm saying is that it would be a shame to destroy your dessert,when you went to such length to cook the rest of the meal." he hesitantly said.

"Now,don't go all soft on me,Bellboy."

"You wanted me to help you." he said with a smile and walked over to stand behind her "Here,let me show you."

And he carefully placed his arms around her,searching for her hand so he could demonstrate how it was done. His body was touching her now and she could smell his wonderful scent. He was as surprised as she was when she leaned closer against him.

"You have to stir it slightly..." he began and as his breath washed over her skin it sent a shiver down her spine. He was just about to kiss her neck when suddenly the telephone rang. She practically jumped away from him and grabbed the phone.

"Hello?Oh yes,Maxwell. Everything's fine here...oh you know me,always working late. When are you going to be home?"

And while she talked to him she watched as Niles left the kitchen,mouthing to her "I'll set up the dining room." But she couldn't forget the sadness in his usually sparkly blue eyes...