You know you take fan fiction seriously when you make research to be sure the song already existed when the series aired…

Amnesia

Chapter 9: I'll be watching you

Life was about changes.

CC thought her life was difficult when the butler started insulting her, but Sarah made her see it could be funny.

When Sarah passed away and Niles started over-reacting and saying really bad things, Nanny Fine came into the scene and showed her they could fit together very well.

When she was accepting that she could see Niles as a man (he could be present in her fantasies as much as Maxwell), he lost his memory.

When she thought she would have a new opportunity to meet him and create a relationship, he kept remembering things about her and one of them was that being with her made him feel wrong…

Who was the Almighty Power that was personally interested in making her life unpredictable to the point of madness?

However, things could get worse.

The next day, for example, was torture to the highest points she could endure.

First thing, CC arrived at the mansion after breakfast time. She didn't want to risk another moment alone with Niles so early in the day.

Her plan was successful, and she was able to work silently in the office with Maxwell for… a lot of time, as it seemed.

Until she looked at her watch – it was one and a half hour after her arriving.

To her, it had seemed like an eternity. Maybe it was time to go to the kitchen… She needed her water, after all… And it wouldn't be bad to make sure Nanny Fine was not all over Niles, once she wasn't in the office for… so long.

CC entered the kitchen and stopped, glaring at the Nanny, who was seated at the table, alone, reading a magazine.

The brunette talked without turning to her. 'Stop the evil eye, Miss Babcock. I can feel it from here'.

Surprised, the socialite put her snob face on and went to the island. 'I don't know what you're wailing about'.

Fran got up, the magazine forgotten, an air of challenge all over her. 'There's no one wailing, here'.

'Uhm. You seem to have something to say to me'.

'Yes, I do'.

'You must be out of your mind'.

'But I didn't even say anything!'

'That's why. I'm surprised I'm not deaf already by your incessant chatting'.

'Ok, all right, no more jokes, now. I'm gonna say it once and for all, and I hope you got the idea, because it is very serious to me…'

'Now I recognize you. Go ahead'.

'I want to know what is it you're doing with Niles'.

'What?'

'You heard me, Miss Babcock. You've been all around him, then you said he shouldn't spend so much time with me, then you go taking him to the theater with you, then I see you kissing…'

'You saw us?!'

'… yes, did you think I was going to miss his face when you got back? He is my friend, I want to know if he is ok! But this is not the point. The point is…'

'Of course this is the point! I'm tired of you pretending you're all warm-hearted. All you really want is to get the attention of all the men of this house'.

'What do you mean? I really like Niles as if he was a brother!'

'Aw, dear Nanny Fine and her lovely intentions!', CC was mocking her bitterly. 'Don't think you can fool me! I noticed you flirting with Niles the first year you were here'.

'We never flirted. Yes, he was more… open about certain things than Mister Sheffield… We trusted each other from the beginning… But it was never serious! You'd be surprised by how folding underwear together can make people bond'.

'I don't believe you'.

'Miss Babcock, listen to me. We're not here discussing who will take Niles. I can see you think things in terms of possession, but I don't intend to have him as a man. I'm just worried by your advances'.

'Can't you see how incoherent you are? If you don't want him as a man, why do you care about my advances?'

'Because I've been in this house for four years, and all I've seen you two doing is fight! And now, out of the blue, you've decided to act like you were not just friends, but something more!'

CC calmed down a bit. 'You told me I worked well with Niles, don't you remember?

'Yes, and I still mean that. But things are different, now. He has no memory! How can you know you're not doing it all wrong?'

CC was silent for a moment. She didn't think of it before, and was not happy to think about it now, but had to concede. 'I see your point, now. However, maybe you should consider I've known him for fifteen years. I'm better judge to this case than you'.

Fran smiled at her. 'Miss Babcock… I know you care for him… Just think twice before you do something that can hurt him'.

'I wouldn't hurt him, Nanny Fine. I want him back as much as you do, but… maybe this is my opportunity to try to do things in a new way…'

'I understand, darling!' CC made a disgusted face she pretended not to see. 'Maybe I can help you!'

'I don't think I…'

'Don't be shy! Let's hear what they are saying'.

'Who?'

'Shush! Niles had just gone to the office when you arrived'. And with that, Fran turned on the intercom.

'You know, Niles, we should think better'.

'What are you talking about? It's not like it is the first time we do it…'

'But it's so much time since we last did it…'

'Have you forgotten how it is done?'

'Very funny…'

'Oh, please, Maxwell… sir. It was as good for you as it was for me. Why not making a revival session?'

'I don't know… What about her?'

'She's a very open-minded woman…'

'I'm not sure of that…'

'… and reasonable. I'm sure she will understand'.

Fran and CC looked at each other, open-mouthed.

'I don't know, Old Man…'

'Oh, please! Just once! I promise I will be quick. She doesn't even need to know'.

'You always say that, but you keep it slow and enjoy it immensely. And you will tell her, as you have told Sarah!'

'You can't blame me. It's so rare you let me do it… and I was so excited with the results… I had to share!'

'Niles… I know you're really good. You have proven me that a lot of times. But we decided we wouldn't mix things again, don't you remember?'

'What I remember is Sarah saying she didn't mind. In fact, she approved of that'.

'Sarah always had your abilities in the highest account. It made me jealous, sometimes'.

'You shouldn't be. She was a very sweet woman, in fact, and she knew how to appreciate me, but her heart was all yours'.

The girls looked at each other again, and Fran mouthed, Kinky!

'So… will you give it to me? Don't make me beg, man!'

'What if CC discovers? What will she think?'

'I'm sure she won't mind. Maybe she will even like the idea'.

Silence. Maybe Maxwell was thinking… hard?

'Oh, please, what are you afraid of? That I'll take the dominant role?'

'Don't be rude, Niles. You think it is just business, something you can make with no commitment, but to me there's a lot on stake'.

'Who are you to talk about commitment? I'm here for less than a week and I can see that the only thing keeping you away from happiness is your own fear of compromising!'

'What are you talking about?'

'I'm talking about Miss Fine. You now, I have no memory, but I'm not blind. Sir'.

'It's a low blow, Niles'.

'I'm just trying to reassure you. You know I will be careful. Why not?'

' Let me think things over, Niles. It's not the kind of decision that should be taken under pressure'.

'You know me, Maxwell… If you don't give it to me, maybe I'll just go there and take it'.

That was the moment when both the woman jolted from the kitchen and went running until they reached the office.

They opened the door ajar, and were panting.

They probably half expected to see two panting man, too.

Maxwell was seated at his desk, a manila folder on his hands. Niles was in front of him, his hands on the pockets of his trousers, an annoyed expression on his face.

'What was… I mean, what is going on here?', Fran asked, astonished.

'I just wanted to take a look at the contracts of the new show', Niles whined. 'I have a degree in law, and I miss the reading'.

'I knew you would blab!', Maxwell groaned.

'It's not like you have agreed on anything', Niles pouted.

'So, I was the open-minded and reasonable woman?', CC smiled at him.

'What?', Niles was confused.

'I think they were listening to us', Maxwell glared at Fran.

'I told her not to, but she would not turn off that thing!', Fran answered, a fake expression of indignation.

Niles understood what CC's question was about. 'Oh, yes, I was talking about you. I mean, you wouldn't mind if I checked it out, do you?'

Fran and CC looked at each other and burst out laughing.

The men were confused, and just kept looking. When they calmed down, Niles commented, 'I regret not knowing what made you have this fit, ladies, but I must say it is cute to see you sharing a private joke'.

The word private threw them out of it again.

'Well, Niles, I think we have nothing to do here. Let's go to the kitchen have some tea and see these contracts over'. Maxwell walked around Fran. 'Maybe I should just accept your hand on the business, after all'.

'You don't know the pleasure you give me just for hearing that'.

'The pleasure is mine, Niles. Come with me'.

At this point, Fran was supporting herself on the desk and CC had laid down on the green leather sofa.

ncncncncnc

After the trip to the ambiguous land, it seemed things were settled on: Fran Fine swore she would still take care of Niles, but she would give CC Babcock the space she needed to attempt a new relationship with him. They shook hands and departed with a truce on run.

Paying a visit to the kitchen in the afternoon, CC saw the duo of her nightmares spending time together, doing things and singing along to Heartbreaker, by Mariah Carrey.

Nanny Fine was folding some underwear (in fact, the pervert seemed to enjoy every minute of that), while Niles had his sleeves rolled up while he washed something in the kitchen sink. Fortunately, Niles made the most of the singing, while the brunette just hummed and kept moving her hips to the song.

Unfortunately, Niles had some moves of his own, too, and they were making CC stay still at the kitchen door, just watching the scene: his slight disheveled hair, the lather covering his hands and part of his muscled forearms…

Seeing her, Fran made a not so subtle roll of eyes and turned off the radio. 'Well, Niles, I will finish this upstairs'.

Niles turned to her. 'Oh, yes, thank you, Miss Fine'. The brunette disappeared from view and he turned to the blond. 'You didn't come for breakfast and was very silent during lunch'.

'What is it? Have you been watching the news channel?'

He smirked at her. 'That's the jolly mood I've learn to depend on', and resumes his task with whatever he was washing.

CC took a water bottle from the fridge and came to lean on the island. 'Well, it seems I have my song request fulfilled'.

Niles stopped, stared into space, frowned and recited: 'You realize, of course, that now I'm gonna have to kill you…', he looked at her, 'It really happened?'

She bit her lower lip for a moment to not grin too widely. 'Yes, it did'.

'Wow', he smiled, a bit taken back by the memory. He shook his head to be back to reality. 'Why would you ask for a song called Heartbreaker?'

'I wouldn't, but I thought it was appropriated – if your reaction to our kiss yesterday is a reliable indication, one of us should take care'.

He looked at her, a sad look on his face. 'I would do anything to change how I felt', he said, 'but I can't'.

CC let go of the bottle, went around the island and got very close to him. 'Don't be like that. The song is appropriated for also another reason'.

'Which is…?', his eyes were travelling down to her curves and back to her face in a quick movement that showed how affected by her proximity he was.

'The beat is sexy', she answered, her hand on his chest, carefully avoiding his hands and the part of his arms that were wet.

Niles gulped. 'This time, almost a sensorial overload…'

'How is it, now?'

'I can't touch you with my hands, or I'll ruin your clothes. So, I must rely on what you decide to do… And enjoy what I can see – the curves of your body – and what I can smell – your perfume…'

'I can touch you to provide what is lacking. What do you think I should do?'

'The possibilities are making me dizzy'.

'Should I stop? After all, I make you feel dizzy and wrong…'

'Let's try again', he moaned.

'The kiss?'

His eyes were pleading.

'I don't know if we should…'

'Please…'

CC licked her lips, got closer again, their noses almost touching. Niles kept his arms open, to not risk touching her.

'Again, you're enjoying my dominating side…'

'So it seems…'

'Let's see if it works, Butler Boy'.

She touched his body with hers, what made very difficult for him to keep his hands far from her. However, to not stain her clothes, he had to open widely his arms, what gave her free access to all of him.

It was not such a bad situation, after all.

In fact, Niles noticed he found her pressing against him and taking all the initiative as a big turn on.

She put her cheek on his, enjoying the closeness. It was good to have him at her mercy, trying to stay motionless while she decided what to do.

The sensorial overload was working for her, too: he had an amazing smell, his skin was smooth, his body hot, his blue eyes were full of desire for her and his lips…

Uhm… good idea! The lips!

She touched his lips with hers, very slow and softly. She expected he would open his mouth and take her passionately, as he had made yesterday, but he didn't. He just kept waiting.

CC understood she had to claim him, this time. And that the realization was arousing her immensely.

If the game was so delicious, why do it quickly?

She traced his lower lip with her tongue, what made him shiver.

Then she created some distance between their faces, so she could look him in the eye.

Almost desperate. Good.

CC inclined her head and, while exploring his back and shoulders with her hands, made a path of wet kisses from his cheek to his ear, and then to his jaw, and then with a hand she caressed his nape, what made him moan and tremble as if he was going to come right there on the spot.

Suddenly, her grip was stronger on his ass and on his nape. She noticed how his eyes closed in pleasure and then opened to look intensely into hers. Maybe Nanny Fine is right – it is about possession.

Again, CC put her lips on his, enjoying the sensation of power he was giving her. She, again, tested him with her tongue, and when she made the slightest of pressures, just enough for him to know it was time for something more…

…the intercom buzzed and the producer's voice sounded. 'Niles? Are you in there?'

Both moaned in frustration. 'Almost there', CC murmured.

'God, it is like the dream I had last night…'

She looked at him, smirking, 'You've been dreaming of it? How obsessed…'

CC let go of him, so he was able to take a towel, wash his hands and walk funny to the intercom. 'Yes, sir, I'm here'.

'Oh, good. Will you please bring me something to munch on?'

'Yes, sir'.

'Thank you, Old Man'.

Niles turned the intercom off and turned to CC. 'For now you're free, but I have something to tell you, before you go'.

She smirked at his still obviously aroused tone. 'I know your secret. You have no power over me'.

'It was no secret I've been dreaming about you', he dismissed the idea with a nonchalant wave of hand. 'It's another thing'.

'Tell me', she said, putting the bottle on the side of her neck, to cool her at least to the point of dignity.

He seemed to find the vision of a hot CC too disturbing, because he was at a lack of words for some moments. Then, he breathed deeply and said, 'I have chosen a song for you. And it was not Heartbreaker'.

She just kept looking at him.

'I'm in no condition of singing, right now', they smiled a bit shyly at each other, 'but I wanted you to know that it has some lyrics I find deeply connected to us. I don't even know why, it's just how I feel'.

'I hope it is not a sailor's song'.

Niles frowned and looked at her, 'No, I'm serious. I've heard it and then I thought… This is how I feel… Even if I don't know why'.

'You don't seem very happy about that'.

Niles had, really, a kind of tender-pained look on his face. He got closer to her and put his hand on her cheek. 'Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you brake, every step you take…', he saw she leaned on his caress, and felt again how the song was right for them, 'I'll be watching you'.

'This is not so bad, Niles', CC said, enjoying the feeling of his hands.

'Don't you think it is odd… I mean, the part about breaking bonds…?'

'It is just a song'.

Niles shook his head, not agreeing at all but making clear they were not discussing it now. His hand descended to her neck and made her close her eyes in pleasure. 'Every single day, every word you say, every game you play, every night you stay… I'll be watching you'.

'Uhm… That's really us, you know?', she murmured, 'We play games and sometimes I stay longer than I must… Sometimes I stay the night… And you always make sure I'm all right'.

Niles shook his head again, because he had a bad feeling that the games were not just for him, and that his care for her was not that appreciated… And he felt an invisible hand squeezing his heart when he said, 'Can't you see? You belong to me… How my poor heart aches… every step you take…'

She opened her eyes, realizing the lyrics were not from a happy love song.

He took off his hand from her, even if he was regretting it the moment he did it. 'I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know I keep listening to it in my head and… '

'What are taking you so long?'

CC looked at the intercom when she heard Maxwell's voice; Niles just kept his eyes on her, and murmured 'That's exactly what I wanted to know'.

Again, CC found herself with no answer to the question she saw in his eyes, so she simply turned and fled from the kitchen, thanking the Almighty Power that had some mercy and prevented her from hearing the next part of the lyrics...

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you

Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around, but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby, please

Because it would surely make her cry to see him say these truly things about them – things he was going to remember, sooner or later.