A/N: So, I know it's a little late, Lauren Lane Lover, but Happy Birthday! And, you inspired me for this chapter. I've got a few fics in the making, but only one is reading for Chapter 1 to be posted. The updates probably won't be very often, though. So proceed with caution. lol :) I love torturing you guys... OMG! I'm CC! lol If you've actually read this ridiculously long Author's Note, thank you for your time. And, I'm done babbling. Onto Chapter 4...

The Story of Life

Chapter 4

kateandharvey

CC stood just inside the door, watching Niles enter the mansion. He looked around with awe, seeming to be checking everything out. After a few minutes of him taking everything in, CC spoke. "Anything?" He shook his head negatively.

CC sighed, she'd really hoped that the house would jog something. "Alright, come on. Let's go up to your room to collect your things."

As CC opened his closet, Niles took a seat on the bed. "Okay," CC sighed. "See anything familiar?"

He shook his head, "No." He stood up, walking over to look closer into the closet. "And these are all very...bland. I hate them, I don't want to wear these."

CC sighed, "Alright..." She paused, walking over to his dresser, "We'll get you some... under garments and socks, and go shopping later this evening."

He nodded, and followed her over to the dresser. He watched her open it, and immediately squeeze her eyes shut, closing the drawer. His brow furrowed, heading for the drawer, "What's the problem?" He smirked, "What could be in here?" The smirk fell off of his face as he looked inside. Pulling out a pair of zebra print boxers and holding them up, "These are my underwear?"

CC shrugged uncomfortably, "I guess so..."

"You didn't know?" He asked, "You couldn't have warned me?"

CC threw her hands into the air, "Know? No, I didn't know! I've never seen your underwear!"

He squinted suspiciously at her, "Then how come I think that most of your bras are white?"

She glared at him, not understanding this new Niles. She shook her head, "Niles? This is America. Most women's bras are white."

Niles looked at her dumbly, "Oh. Right."

Soon, Niles and CC finished. And when they got into the car, CC asked Niles, "Would you like to go shopping now?"

Niles shrugged, "That's fine."

CC nodded, and they made their way to the store. "I don't know how to get to your money, so for now I'll just pay for your things. However, I will pick out what you should wear."

Niles chuckled lightly as he followed the demanding woman into the store. As she rifled through polos, she asked him, "What size, Niles?"

He shrugged, but said nothing. Eventually, she turned to him. He gave her a look as to say, How would I know? To which she responded, "Right."

Soon, CC had picked out quite a few outfits for Niles. Everything from polos and khakis to jeans and T-shirts. She was sitting on a bench outside of the dressing room door while she waited for him to come out. It didn't take him long to open the door and clear his throat for her to look at him. When she did, her mouth went dry. She had seen Niles in his butler attire, she had seen Niles in a suit. She had seen him in a swim suit. But never, ever, had he looked so good. The pink polo seemed to fit his personality, along with the khakis. The white tennis shoes also completed the look. CC always thought she'd like her men formal. Until Niles stepped out of the dressing room.

"It's horrible, isn't it?" He questioned, and she shook her head silently.

"No." She responded, "You look..." Her eyes met his, "Good."

He smirked, nodding, and exited back into the dressing room.

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As CC sat at her penthouse late that night at her couch, she was trying her best not to think about Niles. She hated the man! Or did she... The script in front of her would turn from a script to all the words as his name, and then back again. It was late. Niles was already in bed in the spare room, but... She couldn't go to sleep. She was tired, but restless. Setting the script down on the table, CC took her glasses off and rubbed her face. Sighing, she put the glasses back on, and started reading. She read only a few lines when she heard bare feet pad into the room.

Quickly, she looked up to find a sleepy Niles approaching the couch. She sighed, "Couldn't sleep?"

He shook his head, taking a seat to her right. "No. It's hard to sleep when you know nothing about yourself..."

She nodded sympathetically, and turned back to her script. Before she could continue reading, he asked her, "What are you doing up?"

She shrugged, "Work is clogging my mind."

She smirked, and was just a tad startled when he whispered in her ear, "You can always occupy your mind with other thoughts..." And she could've sworn she felt his lips brush her ear.

Quickly dismissing the thought as to how tired she was, she sighed. "Not me." She smiled.

When she turned to look at him, he looked at here with pure... love, desire. She'd never seen it before, and it was only then that she realized how much he was struggling. "You know..." He began, "It's the most difficult thing not to touch you. I've only been with you a few hours, and I still want to..." He whispered to her, and she was frozen to the spot.

She shook her head at him. "I know that you're upset, and confused, and scared. I get that. But you have to trust me," She laughed lightly, "Touching me is the last thing you want to do." And, trying to end the awkward conversation, she picked up her script again, but Niles had other thoughts.

It wasn't but a few seconds when she felt his lips firmly press to her neck. He trailed kisses up and down her throat, and she swallowed nervously. "Ni-Niles?" She whispered. He moaned in response. "We-we..." She took a deep breath, and her hands, with a mind of her own, threaded their way into his hair. "We shouldn't be doing this..."

He pulled away, and cautiously kissed her lips chastely. She looked into his eyes, and the love she saw made up her mind for her. She gave him a soulful look back, and pressed her lips passionately to his. It reminded her of the kiss in the Sheffield living room that they'd shared. It was raw, and passionate, and heart stopping. But suddenly, Niles ripped away from her, leaving her on the couch alone as he stood up and looked at her.

She watched the emotions playing across his face, and immediately, she knew. "You remember." She whispered, and without a word, he stormed back to his bedroom, slamming the door behind him.