Amnesia

Chapter 7: History Lesson

CC was deeply annoyed when she entered the Sheffield's kitchen, next afternoon.

People seemed to have the goal of making her life difficult, lately.

After that very promising conversation with Niles in the office last night, all she wanted was to see him again.

To her surprise, Nanny Fine abducted him through the whole next day: every time she went to the kitchen, it was empty. Maxwell didn't know exactly what was happening, but he remembered the annoying woman telling him that she would take Niles to the grocery store, and to Bocca to meet her mother, and the logical of this was lost on her.

What could be better to jog his memory back than he staying in the house to exchange zingers?

The day was terribly boring, without the thrilling sensation of meeting the butler. When everything was normal, she never knew when or where they would meet: sometimes she went to the kitchen, sometimes he went to the office, sometimes they met in the foyer, sometimes outdoors… It was funny how both of them provided opportunities just to be in the same room, stealing glances at each other and saying funny things.

Why had Nanny Fine the right to take away her fun?

CC remembered the conversation with that same woman, right before Niles' accident: the fact Fran thought she could work very well with Niles, and CC's epiphany on Niles meaning fun to her – it made more and more sense.

But, if the Nanny knew they belong together, why was she taking him away?

Today was all wrong, too: CC spent it at the theater and, to her fury, she had to go directly to the theater again, next morning.

All she wanted was to arrive next morning and see Niles, but no, of course Fate would never let things happen so easily.

All of her extra preparations to see the butler would be for nothing: she had a day of boring reunions and sharp decisions, and she arrived at the mansion tired and, as already said, deeply annoyed. No recently sprayed perfume on her body, not cool demeanor, nothing to make a big impression on the man.

And now something acceptable was finally happening: the opportunity to bite someone's head off. She reached the kitchen ready to find Nanny Fine and make her regret taking her toy away.

On a second thought, it was probable that, if she was in the kitchen, Niles would be there, too; would CC be prepared to make a show and put the Nanny on her place in front of him?

The ideal scenario had Nanny Fine and any other person related to her, gathered around Niles, so she would be the hero and rescue him from the army of fools.

Maybe it was for good: Nanny Fine and her mother, or Nanny Fine and Val would be acceptable victims, after such a day.

On the other side, maybe Niles would defend his friends, and this would really be the worst scenario of all.

But, as everybody knows, a bad day is a bad day, and things were not by her side: she couldn't guess what she found in the kitchen; thus, she was not prepared.

She was concentrating her forces for throwing a fit, but when she opened the kitchen door, the scene overwhelmed her.

Niles was seated at the kitchen table, glasses on, clad in a blue t-shirt that made his arms, chest and shoulders almost incredible. In front of him was a book he was reading, and there were other books, scattered on the table, all open in marked pages.

He was simply beautiful, engrossed in the book, one of his skilled hands on a page, the other relaxed on the table, his hair a bit messed, his elegant posture while seated and studying. It was the perfect mix of an intellectual and a hard working man.

'Hey', he looked up and smiled. 'Rough day?'

Oh, great. 'Am I that horrible?', she answered, pretending she didn't mind the answer and sitting before him.

'No, it is just the expression on your face. You seem tired. Maybe a bit startled'.

Oh. 'You think I'm an open book, don't you?'

'To me, yes, you are', he answered as it was the most obvious thing in the world, got up and turned to the island. 'Herbal tea?'

'Yes, sure'. She was so impressed by his relaxed behavior it took her a moment to notice his choice. 'You really remember the things I like…'

He smirked at her, coming back to the table with two glasses of tea. 'I told you. Things just keep coming. I bet you'd be delighted by the things I brought from the grocery store yesterday. I remember choosing them for you, in another occasions'.

They smiled at each other. 'I'm glad I won't have to ask for my favorite snacks. They're the only ones you remember, anyway'.

'You're really a lucky girl. You had an excellent gourmet that liked cooking your favorite things; now you have an excellent gourmet that just remembers your favorite things…'

'Yeah…', she used the deep low voice and the throaty laughter that always made him shiver.

It was not different now. He didn't even try to hide it.

'Are you cold, Butler Boy?', she smirked.

'For God's sake, woman! You're a sensorial overload!'.

Niles made a distressed face she knew he just had when he was trying to convey he was disgusted and not delighted. 'Can't take it?'

He calmed himself, made a sidelong glance, took his glasses off and put one of the temple tips next to his lips. 'Can you?'

She understood perfectly what he meant for sensory overload: he was using his voice, hands, lips and eyes to seduce her. She did the same, but now she was sure it was not innocent – from neither of them.

'What are you reading?', she asked, changing the subject.

He smiled, folding the glasses and putting them on the table. He seemed to accept her decision. 'History Books. They are Grace's. I couldn't rely on Miss Fine to know certain things'.

'I see. She's not the deepest of minds…'

'On the other side, I'm able to sing to you any great successful pop song of the last decade'.

'Oh, now I have a motivation to live'.

'So, I can count you'll be thinking of a song request?'

'Yes, you can count on it. You have an amazing voice'.

She didn't know why she had said the compliment, but this situation was having a calming effect on her. She felt relaxed and happy just for being here, talking to Niles and enjoying his company.

'So… how are you feeling about what you discovered?', she asked, pointing the books.

'Well, it's good to know the Cold War is over', he smiled, 'and that people invented something like internet'. She agreed. 'However, at a personal level, it's like being in one of these movies where the characters find a time machine. The difference is I know I won't go back and have the opportunity to change things, in the end'.

He seemed somber over it, and she felt a bit sad. 'What would you change?'

Niles sighed. 'I don't know. When I saw my reflection in a mirror at the hospital, the first thing that came to my mind was God, I'm old! What have I done?. I was worried about having spent my life on the wrong things'.

He stopped talking, and she felt nervous. Was he unhappy with his decisions?

He resumed. 'Now I can see I chose the right things. I followed my heart and chose the things that made me happy. There was no sense in keeping those dreams of a successful career if it would take me away from people I love and trust'.

He was looking pointedly at her while saying this, and CC put a hand over her heart, moved by his words.

'Miss Babcock… I want you to know that… I'm anxious because I can't remember the most part of these years. I remember fragments, and they are not enough for me to understand… the current state of things…'

It was obvious he was still talking about his personal History, not the world's. She softly spoke, trying to show the parallel. 'That's why you are reading the History books? To understand how things have developed until they become what they are now?'

He just nodded, looking deeply in her eyes. Both knew they had an understanding.

CC breathed, bit her lower lip and kept their eyes locked. 'Listen to me, Niles. I'm sure you'll remember what has happened. However, I think you should not worry about it. The past cannot be changed, and it is not a bad thing… in your case'.

'That's how you feel?'

'Yes'.

'It means… I can relax, because things are exactly what they should be… and I can make some History from now on…'

'Well, you know what they say. It is important to know the past to not repeat the mistakes in the future… But you said something about knowing things. I think you can trust your gut in this'.

'Maybe these feelings and fragmentary memories are all I need, then'.

'That's what I think. You should really relax and take your time. The things that are fundamental – my favorite dishes, for example – you already know. What more does the world needs from you?'

'I see…', Niles smiled at her and suddenly was very excited. 'What do you say we spend some time together?'

'I thought you had Nanny Fine for this', she knew she was pouting and showing how jealous she was, but she couldn't prevent it.

'Oh, God, woman! She is a great friend, but she is not the one I need'.

'I'm sure she makes you laugh and makes this situation a lot lighter'.

'You really have no idea, do you?'

'What?'

'Listen, Babcock', suddenly Niles was inflamed, 'You must have it clear: I spent the entire day with her yesterday, and this morning, and this afternoon... It was fun, it helped me to remember some things, but all of them made me think, in some way, about you. It's like everything I have in my life is related to you'. He crossed his arms and pouted. 'And this is the closest to you're the center of my world you'll hear from me'.

She grinned. 'That means Nanny Fine is not enough right now?'

'There's no comparison between you and her. I don't know why, but talking to you like this, even if it doesn't make me remember anything new, is way better than spending a whole day with her. She is sweet and warm, and I feel strange about wishing I could be with you instead, but I can't fight it'.

'Maybe you have good taste'.

'Maybe I have feelings for you'.

CC was wide eyed.

Niles winced like he had said something terribly… unbecoming...

At this point, Fran Fine entered the kitchen, mid-sentence. '… and I really don't know what can take you so long to find in these books, Niles. I had the movie ready for hours and… Oh, Miss Babcock, how are you?'

CC didn't know if it was a good or a bad sign that the Nanny had interrupted them at that point.

Remembering the last two days, she decided it was bad.

Thus, she had to make something to show Niles they were not over. Fate was trying to annoy her, but she was stronger than this.

History is made by people who win against the odds, after all.

'I'm fine, thank you. I was exactly telling the butler I have some good documentaries on History. God knows he is so slow reading he will react like Yetta for a while, yet. They shoot Kennedy?', she impersonated, laughing.

'I told him he would learn a lot more from my videos, but he keeps disappearing when I have things set on!'

'Really? And why would that be, Dust Bunny?'

'I just wanted to vary my activities'.

'We've made a lot of things! We went shopping, we talked to Ma, we visited Yetta, we watched Yentl, we…'

'I know, Miss Fine', he got up and took her hands, 'And I thank you for the time you dedicated to me'.

'Sweety! You're my friend, I want you to get better! You don't have to thank me!'

They smiled at each other, and the alarms in CC's head were all on at the same time.

'Hey, you two. I can't stand the existence of two Nanny Fines in this house! Niles is coming with me tomorrow'.

He grinned as a fool, letting go of Fran's hand. 'Really?'

'Of course. Someone must help your poor soul'.

'It's a trap, Niles', Fran warned.

'I know. Vampires use this line often, to entice their victims', he kept grinning.

Fran looked from one to another. 'Oh, my Gosh! You're lost!'. She knew when she had no chance. 'Well, if you change your mind, I'll be around'. And with that she got out of the kitchen.

Silence and locked stares again. Niles was enchanted, CC was felling empowered.

'Are you free tomorrow?', she asked, head up high, demanding.

'I can be', he had the lopsided grin.

'Maxwell isn't pestering you?'

'I told him I feel dizzy if I work too hard'.

'And he fell for that?'

'I'm good with words, Babcock'.

'I'll pick you up tomorrow morning'.

'After breakfast. I want you to have some of my croissants'.

'Deal. See you, Butler Boy'.

'See you, Brunette'. Again, he flinched. 'I don't know where this came from'.

She smiled and turned to the door. 'Don't worry. It's a wonderful memory. I hope it will come soon for you. Swine'.

She disappeared and he felt like he should be insulted, but was not. In fact, he felt turned on.

Scattered images of him, her, a bottle of whisky and… a kiss returned.

Niles had to support himself on the table.

WOW.

He got up quickly. He needed to go to his room, and decide if it was the case to invest in the memory or to have a cold shower.

Who was he kidding? No cold showers for him! Men who make History must not hide from their past – let the memory run free!