Oy,I can't believe I'm saying this...but here's number 4!-_- Dear lord,what's wrong with me? lol Anyway, just to let you know there are 3 more oneshots for season 1 to come. I'm currently on season 2 ,episode 5...but haven't yet found a Niles/CC moment that inspired I'm sure there's gonna be one soon!;) Anyway,I'll try and update again tomorrow and on Sunday...I'm properly back at Uni on Monday so from then on I probably won't have as much time. (that's why I'm writing like a crazy person right now!lol) Anyhoo, please read&review!:) I'd rate this as "M" btw...nothing major happening,but still ;)

Disclaimer: Don't own anything...only my weird Niles/CC ideas..lol

Episode 16: Schlepped away CC:"Maxwell,I hope you don't mind,but Brighton insisted we'd trade places." Niles: "If you're looking for the hot water bottle...that's not it."

The past few weeks a horrible blizzard had swept across New York,causing its inhabitants to get out their warm clothes or retreat to warmer places. The latter one was what the Sheffields decided to do one morning when Maggie came into the dining room complaining about the horrible cold. Niles was only too happy to hear it,he could sure use a holiday too and complete relaxation could only be achieved if he had the house to himself. There he stood in the kitchen,warmed by a blue cardigan above his usual white shirt,imagining what he would do with the free time. He could enjoy Maxwell's scotch without interruptions,or one of his cigars,or read a book...oh,the possibilites were endless.

"Hey Merry Maid, something's not right yes,you look happy..." a deep voice brought him back to reality.

"That's only because I'm not used to being alone,whereas you...well,even the dog hates you."

He knew that his last remark was a bit harsh but ,after all, he had to make up for the fact that she had caught him daydreaming.

"Are you sure you want to drive us to the airport?" she asked and he couldn't help but smile.

He knew that it was her own twisted way of asking if he was sure that he didn't want to come on holiday with them.

"Yes,positive. That's the only way I can make sure that you are really gone." he replied,but he knew that he'd miss her too.

Soon the day arrived and the Sheffields(plus Miss Babcock)were off to the airport. Niles and C.C. were constantly exchanging zingers,it was as if they were trying to top each other because they knew they wouldn't be seeing each other for quite some time. Suddenly Fran decided to take a short cut and from that moment on everything went downhill.

Eventually they ended up at Sylvia's place who told them that due to the blizzard all flights were cancelled. After initial protests,soon everyone had adjusted to the new situation and had found something to do. Niles had been reading the newspaper but his eyes kept drifting over to Miss Babcock who was sitting by the window. After some time he simply gave up and walked over to join her.

"Don't you think this is a bit too dramatic?" he asked,pointing at the word "help" she had written on the window.

"Spare me,Butlerboy." she sighed,her voice drenched with annoyance "You have no idea how hard this situation is for me."

He rolled his eyes and said: "Ah,get off it. Flushing isn't everybody's cup of tea but we're all managing alright,why can't you?"

"Because I am trapped in here with a man that I love and deeply desire and we're not even alone!I always thought of this as a romantic idea...stranded somewhere...the best opportunity of being seduced...but nothing's a bigger turn-off than a room full of people."

He stared at her,wide-eyed. He hadn't known that her attraction towards Maxwell was running so deep.

"Although sometimes the chance of being caught can be a real turn-on." and when he saw that she was looking at him shocked,he noticed that he must've voiced his thoughts out loud.

Just then Sylvia saved him from a zinger that was certain to come.

"Niles,I just found the perfect oufit for you to wear to bed!Come on,you'll be much more comfortable."

He highly doubted that he would like what Sylvia had found,but at the same time he was simply eager to get away from Miss Babcock. When he entered the room again wearing nothing but his socks and the "World's Greatest Lover" shirt he was certain that C.C. would comment,however,she remained quiet and simply grinned.

It was late at night when he was rudely awakened by Brighton who was kicking in his dream. He groaned in pain and finally Maxwell told his son to go and sleep somewhere else. After a while Maxwell himself climed out of bed,stepping onto Niles,and made his way into the kitchen. Niles let out a sigh of frustration,pushed himself up from the floor and went to lie on the now empty couch. From the corner of his eyes he could see light coming from the kitchen and he could hear the faint sounds of Maxwell and Fran talking. He was about to finally drift off to sleep again when he heard soft footsteps patting across the floor. He wouldn't have given it another thought,had he not caught a whiff of that scent...he would recognise her perfume anywhere. He hurriedly closed his eyes again,curious to find out what she would do. He soon noticed that she was climbing on the couch and came to lie down next to him. He nearly flinched when he felt her arms wrap around him and her head resting on his back. He didn't know what to do...clearly she thought that he was Maxwell,so what was he waiting for?This was the best opportunity to make fun of her,but he couldn't do it.

"Just one more moment." he kept telling himself over and over again,unable to release her just yet.

"I know you're awake." she finally whispered "I can feel your heart racing."

He opened his mouth,uncertain of what to say.

"If you're looking for the hot water bottle...that's not it." he finally managed,but it was a weak respone and he knew it.

He expected her to jump,to run away...to do...just something,but she didn't move one inch.

"They call you the world's greatest lover."she said softly "And you don't even turn around to look at me."

She couldn't possibly still be thinking that he was Maxwell? And he hesitantly turned around to face her.

"Aren't you cold?" he muttered stupedly and eyed her cautiously.

"I haven't felt warmer in a long time." she said but accepted it nonetheless,that he shared his blanket with her "Nothing excites me more than being trapped somewhere with the man that I love."

And suddenly realisation washed over him...she had never been talking about Maxwell,it had always been him.

"Are you sure?" he asked and when she nodded he gently captured her lips.

"Is that all,Loverboy?" she teased,pushing herself up on one arm to look at him.

"Don't tempt me." he whispered hoarsely.

"But you know how much I like to toy with you." she replied and pressed herself so close to him,that her breasts were brushing against his chest.

His throat felt suddenly very dry and his skin had begun to prickle wherever she had touched him.

"You drive me crazy,woman." he whispered and then kissed her greedily.

Soon she could feel his hands underneath her nightie,his fingers brushing against her thighs,before they wandered up to carress her belly. A moan escaped her lips and she burried her face in his hair. Just then they heard Maxwell's and Fran's voices from the kitchen getting more agitated.

"Don't stop now." C.C. begged,biting his earlobe with suppressed passion.

"I like to toy too." he replied "But I want to do this just right,C.C. Can you understand that?"

Everything inside her screamed "no!", she wanted to tell him how long she had waited for that moment to come...but she couldn't,because she didn't want this special moment to be interrupted again and because she could tell by his shallow breathing, that this was just as hard for him as it was for her.

"Good night,my love." he whispered,arms wrapped around her "Sweet dreams."