Author's Note: Again, I have no self-control. But I also know tomorrow (Sunday) is my busy day, and I won't be updating again until Monday. So here's a short little chapter until then. Special thanks to RVS for your absolutely beautiful reviews – they seriously made my day (and I love that the one line reminded you of The Golden Girls! That's high praise in my book.) I hope you all enjoy!


Chapter 3:

"Stop fidgeting," Niles snapped impatiently.

"I'm not fidgeting," Brighton answered defensively, perched on top of the examining table as they waited for the doctor to return.

"I wasn't talking to you," Niles said to the boy. He then looked pointedly at CC, who was pacing back and forth in the small room.

"I'm fine," CC said.

"I didn't ask if you were fine. I said stop fidgeting. You're making everyone uncomfortable, which I understand is your norm, but think of the children, would you?"

"She's exhibiting signs of White Coat Syndrome," Grace explained.

"In English, Miss Grace?"

"Doctors' offices make her nervous."

"They do not!" CC exclaimed with a stomp of her foot.

Grace was proved right as the door opened and the doctor walked in, startling CC enough to let out a yelp. Niles looked at her knowingly.

"Oh, shut up," she muttered to him.

"Okay, Brighton, we're going to remove the grape from your nose now," the doctor motioned for Niles and CC to come over and stand by the boy. "If you two wouldn't mind, could each of you hold one of his hands, just to keep him calm?"

"Is it gonna hurt?" CC and Brighton asked at the same time.

"It'll be over in a second," the doctor said as he held up a large pair of forceps.

CC looked at the forceps. Then she looked at Brighton's nose. Then she looked back at the forceps.

Then she fainted.


"What the hell happened?" CC moaned as she opened her eyes to Niles and the doctor kneeling on either side of her and Grace and Brighton, now sporting a grape-free nostril, standing over her.

"You saw the huge claw the doctor used to get the grape out of my nose and you went down," Brighton said with a thumbs-up. "He took out the grape while you were passed out – we figured it'd be for the best if you didn't see it happen."

"I passed out?" CC asked worriedly.

"I'll say. You shook the whole room when you hit the ground. Registered at about a 7.0 on the Richter scale. They're checking the building for structural damage as we speak." Niles said somberly.

CC opened her mouth to retort, but the room was spinning and her head was swimming preventing her from thinking of a good enough insult, and she closed her eyes in defeat.

"Well, that can't be good," Niles said. "Normally she'd insult me back."

CC smiled and felt a warm hand on her forehead. She assumed it was the doctor checking for injuries, but it felt nice anyway.

"Miss Babcock? I want to check you out real quick before I let you stand up. Can you open your eyes and follow the penlight for me?"

She reluctantly opened her eyes, shocked to discover that it was Niles' stroking her forehead, not the doctor. He quickly removed his hand, and she quickly shook off how good it felt and focused her attention on following the doctor's penlight.

"Good. Any dizziness? Headache?"

"I do feel a little dizzy," she admitted. "I was dizzier when I first opened my eyes though, and the back of my head hurts a little."

"Probably from where you hit it when you fell. Do you feel okay to stand?"

"I think so."

The doctor and Niles each took a hand and helped her up, and Niles groaned as his knees cracked upon standing up.

"Seriously, Niles. Treadmill. Just a few times a week. It'll make a world of…" she trailed off as she began to sway, nearly toppling over again.

For the second time that morning, CC found herself in Niles' arms.

"…Difference," she finished into his chest.

"Will someone be able to look after her for the day?" the doctor asked, clearly ready to move on and see actual patients. "Otherwise, I'm going to have to admit her to the hospital."

"Yes, she'll be with me for the rest of the day." Niles said, followed by an "I'm on dog-sitting duty," muttered in a playful, singsong-y voice under his breath for only her to hear. She let out a soft laugh.

The doctor gave him instructions and signs to look for in case she had a concussion, reminded Brighton not to stick things up his nose, and left. CC picked her head up off of Niles' chest, surprised to find him looking at her, studying her actually.

"Better?" he asked, his brows furrowed in concern.

"Yeah," she nodded, pushing off of his chest with both hands. "I think it's passed."

"We should get some food in you."

"How are we going to do that? Neither of us has any money and before you open your big mouth don't you dare suggest I work my usual street corner."

Niles' eyes lit up. "Fine, but I have it on good authority from Big Leon that there isn't much you wouldn't do for a Klondike Bar. Anyway, with all the excitement with Brighton's nose and you once again assaulting a set designer, I forgot to tell you! I found $50 in the glove compartment! Mr. Sheffield must keep it in there for emergencies, and I'd say this definitely constitutes an emergency. The children have their packed lunches from camp, so we only need to worry about feeding ourselves."

"Oh, good."

"Though of course I don't know how much I'll get to eat after I pay for your meal. Tell me, Babcock, how much does slop in a trough usually run you?"

"Niles, that's no way to talk about your cooking! Though it is accurate," she batted her eyelashes faux-sweetly at him, the movement making her dizzy once again. "Ugh, nevermind. Just get some food in me before I keel over again," she said, closing her eyes to stave off the dizziness.

"You sweet talker, you. I bet you say that to all the guys."

She opened an eye to glare at him.

"Right. Let's go then," Niles said, shuffling the children out of the exam room, turning to look back at her. "Do you need a hand?"

"What?"

"You know, because of your lightheadedness."

"No, I'm fine," she took a step and swayed a little to the side.

Niles was immediately at her side. "You don't seem fine. Let me walk you out, Miss Babcock."

"Oh. I don't know," she eyed him warily.

"Relax. I'm not going to trip you or make you hit your head again, as entertaining as that sounds. Just come on," he held out his arm.

"Fine," she said with a dramatic huff, taking his arm and letting him lead the way, fighting back a smile the whole way out.