A/N: Thank you for all your great reviews! :) I hope you'll enjoy this chapter too. Let me know your thoughts, please, it tells me what I need to work on.
Chapter 3:
New York City had been hit by yet another storm and Niles used it as an excuse for not being able to sleep. While the Sheffields and Fran were in their beds, huddled under blankets trying to block out the wind that kept tearing at the roof and windows, Niles was crouched in front of the fire place in the living room. He was swirling a glass of Whiskey around in his hand while gloomily staring into the fire. He had succumbed to millions of thoughts long before the storm had started. Taking a sip from his drink and letting the liquid burn an almost pleasurable trail down his throat he sighed. How had he gotten himself mixed up in all this family business? It was in moments like these that he admired C.C.'s attitude and aloofness. If his feelings weren't so obvious most of the time it wouldn't be so easy to manipulate him.
Now he was already regretting his decision to accept B.B. Babcock's offer. It was obvious that things could only end badly, especially if C.C. was to find out about it. But back then in that moment of panic it had been impossible to consider all the consequences, let alone to formulate a single rational thought. All he had felt was fear of having C.C. slip away when they had only just begun to build a closer relationship. He wanted the chance to convince her that what had happened after the awards ceremony could easily be repeated and perhaps he'd manage to tell her about her mother's offer once he had won her trust.
The next morning a light breeze continued to tug softly at the trees outside the mansion and Niles was still in a subdued mood. Lack of sleep certainly wasn't helping matters and so he was treating the children a lot more gruffly.
"Hey Mr happy pants, why don't you let me handle it?" Fran cut in when Niles had snapped at Brighton for the second time.
Right that moment the doorbell rang and took the decision out of his hands. Expecting to see C.C. he strode to the door but was disappointed to see the director of Sheffield-Babcock Productions' latest show instead. Niles offered him a seat on the sofa and a cup of coffee and then headed back to the dining room to inform Maxwell of his arrival.
"Damn, he's early." His boss sighed and took a last bite from his toast "Tell C.C. to handle it while I'll quickly freshen up."
"Unless Miss Babcock has mastered the art of invisibility I'd suggest you handle the matter yourself, Sir." Niles replied politely though his jaw was clenching impatiently.
"What do you mean?"
"Miss Babcock hasn't arrived yet, Sir." He clarified and took a mug from the cabinet to pour the director some coffee.
Maxwell uttered several curses and then left the room in a rush. Niles followed soon behind to serve their guest.
"Apologies, John. C.C. seems to be running late. Why don't we get started in the office?" Maxwell smiled but then gestured to Niles to give his business partner a call to find out what was keeping her.
Niles was only happy to do so and once the two men had left the room he picked up the phone. It rang several times before somebody responded.
"C.C. Babcock?" He could barely make out that it was her because her voice sounded so scratchy.
"Hard night drinking and hanging out at your usual corner?" he teased, secretly hoping that she hadn't sought comfort in another man's arms.
"Funny…" she replied hoarsely "I think I'm ill…"
The defeat in her tone almost made him smile. It was so like her to be frustrated at any sign of weakness even if it was just the common cold. "I'll tell Mr Sheffield you won't be coming in today."
"Nono…we have that meeting with Mr Byrne…" she sighed and he could hear the rustling of her sheets.
"Babcock…take a look at your clock," he chuckled "the meeting has already begun and Mr Sheffield is handling it."A string of curse words followed that easily put Maxwell's to shame. "You're sick and you've already missed one appointment. Just do the right thing and stay in bed today."
There was silence at the other end of the line followed by a series of coughs and then she sighed. "Alright fine…"
"Good girl," he cooed softly but teasingly and then hung up before she could say anything more.
Around 5 o'clock that day Fran walked into the kitchen and was instantly greeted by a delicious smell.
"Mmh…what are you making?" she asked the butler, inhaling more deeply this time.
"Dinner," he answered simply and then turned his back to the stove and started pouring something into a thermos over the sink.
"But it's only 5," she frowned, shifting closer to the wonderful food.
"Yes, but I won't be around to serve it this evening so I prepared it already. That way you'll only have to heat it up again whenever you're hungry." He smiled a little and then secured the lid of the thermos.
"And where are you going?" she turned to eye him now curiously.
"I am meeting an old friend. We're going to watch the game together."
"And you'll need a thermos for that?" she asked.
"It might get cold." He moved back to the stove and switched everything off and was already on his way up the stairs when Fran spoke again.
"Ya wanna tell me why you've been so secretive lately?"He stopped in his tracks and turned to face her, looking somewhat guilty."I mean…everybody has secrets. But we used to share things and gossip. What's changed?"
He released a sigh and clutched the thermos a little closer. "Nothing has changed, Miss Fine."
"Then why are you lying to me? It's bad enough that the children are growing up and probably won't be needing me much longer…or that I have no idea if I'm coming or going with Mr Sheffield. Now my best friend is also avoiding me…"
He knew that behind all the dramatic gestures and guilt-inducing words Fran was really feeling insecure and so he stepped closer, placing the thermos down on the counter.
"I still am your friend," he said, hoping that it would re-assure her "I am just going through something right now. A rather delicate matter, truth be told. And I'm afraid that if I breathe the slightest word to anyone I could destroy it all again. It's nothing personal, Miss Fine. This is just something that I have to try and handle myself. But I promise you that the minute I feel more secure I'll fill you in on everything."
The brunette was looking at her feet and he was worried she might not believe him but then she smiled at him and patted his shoulder. "Wish Miss Babcock a speedy recovery."
Being reminded again of what he had seen in her when he had first opened the door to her four years ago he smiled as well and then went upstairs to change.
About an hour later he arrived at C.C.'s building. The doorman smiled at him in recognition and waved him through and so Niles quickly crossed the lobby and took the elevator up to the top floor. He rang the doorbell and shifted the basket he had brought from the left hand to his right. His palms were moist and he was hoping that she wouldn't pick up on his nervousness. When she finally opened the door he had to force back a smile. There was something adorable about her mussed hair, crinkled silk pyjamas and red nose.
"Niles?" she frowned.
"Mr Sheffield sent me," he lied smoothly and took a step towards her threshold.
"If you're delivering paperwork you can trudge right back to your master, Hazel."
"You know, Miss Fine was right. A nasal voice is somewhat endearing." He quipped and gently forced himself past her and into her penthouse.
The trail of tissues around the sofa indicated her sleeping spot and so he swiftly set his basket down on the coffee table.
"What do you want?" she asked, pressing the back of her hand to her forehead.
"Like I said…Mr Sheffield sent me. I am to provide you with proper nourishment so you can return to work as soon as possible."
"His concern is touching," she replied dryly and sank back down on the sofa "besides, I'm not feeling hungry."
"That's too bad," he commented while fishing different items out of the basket "unfortunately for you I don't take "no" for an answer. Now I have made you some chicken soup…it's not heavy and it'll help you feel better. I've also brought bottled water in case you were running out of it which – given the usual state of your fridge – I think is rather likely. There's also some peppermint tea and an assortment of fruits if you get peckish."C.C. groaned and lifted her tired legs up on the sofa. "So which would you like first?"
Tugging the blanket higher she eyed the items on her table and huffed. "Soup, I guess."
He grinned at her childish behaviour and then wandered off into the kitchen to grab a bowl. When he returned she had already curled up more and looked half asleep.
"Just eat a little and then I'll let you get back to your nap." He said gently and held out the bowl to her.
Her eyes fluttered open and she reluctantly sat up with a sigh, taking the soup from him. Without another word she began slurping mouthfuls. Dying to make a comment about her manners, Niles forced himself to tackle the parent issue instead, hoping that she was more inclined to voice her anger in her weakened state. "How did your brother react to the news?"
She looked at him quizzically for a moment but then understood. "Not nearly as negatively as I wanted him to," she paused and blew on the soup to cool it "he just doesn't care…He says he's an adult now and whatever consequences there might be to our parents' reunion it won't affect any of us."
"But you don't agree?" Niles asked.
Several emotions flickered across her face simultaneously. He didn't catch all of them but was instead stuck with the image of her hauntingly sad blue eyes.
"That's not the point," she continued "I don't even believe that they're really getting back together. It just doesn't make any sense. Something else is behind this…"
Niles opened his mouth to agree with her, wanted to let her know that he found their announcement suspicious too, especially in light of her mother's recent proposal but then he remembered the threat and changed his mind again. Clearly he would never be able to win C.C. over with words. So his only other option was to gain her trust and make her feel comfortable enough in hopes that she might stop second-guessing her parents' relationship. He remained silent until she had finished the soup and was setting the bowl back down on the table.
"Look how eagerly you lapped it up, such a good girl." He grinned.
"That's rich coming from you," she replied but her sultry laugh faded out into a hoarse chuckle "you're practically Maxwell's lap dog coming here, bringing me food."
Niles rolled his eyes a little and then squeezed next to her on the sofa. "Mr Sheffield didn't ask me to come here."
"That's not what you said a minute ago," she grinned and leaned back, stretching her legs out across his lap.
"Of course not," he argued impatiently "since when do I ever admit these things?"
C.C. hesitated and carefully met his eyes. "He didn't send you?"
"No…" there was a childish note to his voice "when has he ever shown such consideration in the past?"
"Well, a couple of times…you always said…" she trailed off, suddenly making the connection, her lips slightly parted.
"Oh close your mouth, Babcock, it's not very attractive." He quipped and nudged her foot gently.
"Why did you never say anything?" she frowned, searching his face for answers.
"Because it's not like us to openly admit that we care." He shrugged, his attention still resting on her foot.
But he could feel her eyes on his face still, demanding more answers. Remaining silent he took her foot between his hands and began massaging it gently. Whatever questions she had been asking herself a moment ago disappeared and her head drooped back against the armrest, a satisfied sigh slipping past her lips.
"You know," she breathed calmly "I guess our relationship seems more complicated to some…but it's really working for me."
