A/N: I'm glad to hear you're still enjoying the story. This chapter marks the half way point of the story btw. Let me know what you think. :)

Chapter 9:

The next day Niles found himself back on board of a speedboat that would deliver him to Fajou. He knew that C.C. probably hadn't taken him quite seriously when he had told her that he would stop by to harass her more often. Truth be told, he hadn't been entirely serious himself at that moment. But his tactic of taking her by surprise had worked out so well that he had decided that it was best to strike while the iron was hot. If he stayed away the risk was too high that she might ponder things to death and change her mind again.

Despite his good cheer, the boat driver had still greeted him with an incredulous look on his face, as if he couldn't believe that Niles would venture out to the island voluntarily for the second day in a row. But it didn't bother him. Not when he knew that he had won back his sparring partner.

That morning, Fajou was cloaked in a thin layer of mist that only the blinding light of the sun could penetrate. He checked his watch and wondered not for the first time that day, if it was too early to visit the Babcocks. He knew better than anyone else how testy C.C. could be before she'd had her first cup of coffee. But it was too late now, he was on his way and the island was within reach.

"Good luck," the driver said yet again and helped him ashore before casting a dark look at the beach house and driving off again.

Niles chuckled to himself and followed the stony path that led up to the entrance. Slipping his sunglasses into his breast pocket he reached out with his other hand and rang the doorbell. Within minutes the maid appeared. "Mr…" she paused to think "Brightmore?"

"Yes," he smiled in return "I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the morning but I was wondering if Miss Babcock, C.C., is up already."

Martha chuckled as if he had made a very good joke. "No, though I've heard shower." She nodded "You can wait in the kitchen with me, if you want. I'll make you coffee."

He offered another grateful smile in return and followed her through the silent house. "Have they been keeping you busy again?" he inquired, hoping that the maid would understand what he was getting at.

"No," she shook her head "no men last night."

He was glad to hear that his hunch had been right – all servants liked to gossip – and even more so to hear that C.C. had been without company.

"You like milk in coffee?" Martha interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes, and sugar please."

"Miss Babcock likes hers black," she grimaced and he nodded.

"I know. That woman possesses an iron stomach in many ways."

She chuckled and then handed him a mug. He took a sip and looked around the kitchen. Equipped with the most expensive appliances it really was a dream and one that would've been wasted on the Babcocks had they not been employing capable staff.

"So you're the Sheffields butler I've heard?"

"Yes," he replied "so I know what you must be going through."

She laughed again and nudged him playfully, clearly enjoying their exchange. "But you like her…"

He glanced around the room again, this time for a completely different reason. "Yes…we're…" he sighed "it's complicated."

"I can see that," she agreed "but be careful. Mrs Babcock took butler as lover…poor man keeps hoping for more."

Niles winced, suddenly feeling rather uncomfortable.

"Martha," a sharp voice cut through the silence and the maid flinched.

"Yes, Miss?" she turned to face Deirdre who was casually leaning in the doorway wearing a dressing gown that left little to the imagination.

"We're not paying you to stand around and gossip, are we?"

Martha swallowed and rushed over to the counter where she had been preparing breakfast before his arrival. "No, Miss."

D.D. nodded, satisfied, and then turned her attention to Niles. "I thought I heard your voice," her tone dropped to a silky purr "I'd recognise that rich British accent anywhere."

He winced again and cradling the coffee cup in his hands stepped towards her. "Yes, your maid was nice enough to get me a drink while I was waiting for your sister."

Deirdre smiled and slipped her arm around his back. "You're braver than I thought, daring to face C.C. so early in the morning. She looks a fright!"

"Doesn't she always?" he replied dryly and out of habit, regretting his words a second later. Surely it wouldn't reflect well on him if he sided with her sister. D.D., however, chuckled in delight.

"So it is true?"

"What is?" he frowned.

"The odd relationship you have with my sister. The insults…"

He couldn't help but grin. "Yes, our exchanges are rather special."

Obviously that hadn't been the answer she'd expected as she frowned yet again but then quickly hurried to force a smile back onto her face. "You know, if it's special you're after, I have some skills that would make your head spin."

The tongue action that followed that statement was enough to make him avert his eyes quickly. Luckily he was spared an answer when Martha appeared on the deck.

"Breakfast, Miss. I hope it's alright if Mr Brightmore joins you?"

"Of course," D.D. winked at him "A man must satisfy his appetite in the morning."

He was growing less and less hungry but smiled and accepted the food. "Thank you, Martha."

A few moments passed while they ate in silence and then C.C. emerged from inside the house. Surprise at seeing him there instantly mingled with annoyance at D.D.'s presence.

"Look who came back!" Deirdre began but Niles intersected before she could get any further.

"Yes, I thought it wise to follow up quickly on yesterday's threat."

C.C.'s face relaxed and she chuckled. "Well, too bad. I was just heading out."

She'd had no such plans but seeing D.D. fawning over him was reason enough to make something up that would get him out of the house. And judging by the look her sister gave her she was quite aware of her intentions.

"Where are you going then?" she challenged.

"Pointe des Chateaux. I've heard the view is spectacular."

"In that case it's up to me to entertain Niles."

"Actually I always wanted to see that place myself," he replied and brushing crumbs off his trousers he rose to his feet.

C.C. tried very hard not to look pleased and then strode out of the house, Niles on her heels after he'd said goodbye to Deirdre.

"You're not really joining me though," C.C. eventually said when they were outside.

Niles chuckled. "Ah Babs, you should know that I take harassing you rather seriously."

"And I take avoiding you rather seriously," she replied dryly "I will give you a ride back to Guadeloupe but that's it."

They had reached the docks by now and Niles watched the driver help her on board, pretending not to be excited by the way the breeze hiked up her summer dress now and again.

"I think I deserve to join you on your little excursion," he announced, climbing on board the boat after her.

"Oh yes? Why would that be?" she asked, glancing out at sea.

"Because I clearly did you a favour back there. You were jealous about me spending so much time alone with your sister."

"Jealous?" she scoffed, feeling caught "You're forgetting your place. Besides, up until yesterday I wasn't even speaking to you."

"Damned if you'll ever let that go." He sighed.

"A man like you needs a good reminder every so often."

Despite her sharp tone, however, she leaned forward to give the driver new instructions. Soon they reached the shore of the mainland but the boat didn't slow down. Instead it skirted the harbour and moved further east towards Pointe des Chateaux. Neither Niles nor C.C. commented on this.

From that day on he visited her fairly regularly and they spent their days together exploring the island. Feeling more optimistic Niles called the Sheffield mansion to inform Maxwell that his stay would be extended. He couldn't possibly leave now that he and C.C. were getting closer. He was sure that his departure would only disrupt everything. Maxwell, although reluctant, was glad to hear that his butler seemed to have such a good time and only hoped that the same would be true for his business partner. His assumption being that with enough rest and relaxation they'd both come to realise that they were needed at the mansion.

"Now you're just pushing it," C.C. chuckled when he guided her onto the boat he had hired.

And there was no doubt she was right. But when she had agreed to join him for a late night jazz concert in a Café and for dinner beforehand he hadn't been able to stop himself. So far he'd managed to persuade her to dance with him and to let him escort her home. He didn't want to begin wondering when his luck would run out. The glow of the moon reflected on the surface of the ocean as they gently bobbed along towards Fajou. Her blonde hair was escaping from the clip that had held it tamed before, and he felt that she was coming deliciously undone. If only he could help it along a little bit.

When the boat bumped against the dock they both stumbled ashore, their steps made clumsy from the alcohol they had consumed that evening. "I'm glad D.D. isn't home," C.C. chuckled "she'd be giving me the third degree."

"Oh? Is there something you'd like to keep secret, Miss Babcock?" he teased gently and followed her up the path to the house.

"You wish," she replied and her sultry laugh made him shiver.

"Is there any other reason you told me about D.D.'s absence?" he probed.

"You're far too confident when you've been drinking, butler boy." She scolded and he held up his hands.

"I'm not nearly as drunk as you think."

Her laugh was filled with humour rather than something else this time. "Takes you back, doesn't it?"

He smiled a little, surprised that she would bring it up. Their alcohol-fuelled kiss two years ago had been just as much a taboo as their encounter on Guadeloupe.

"Come back to New York," he said softly, reaching for her hands and he could see by the light blush that coloured her cheeks that he had caught her off guard.

"I've already quit, Niles." she lied.

"Yes, but you know that Mr Sheffield would take you back in an instant. What else are you going to do?"

"Are you doubting my abilities?" she asked, slipping her hand out of his and arching an eyebrow.

"Never, I've seen what you're capable of." He grinned "I'm just saying that I'd miss my favourite toy."

"Now I'm flattered," she responded dryly and turned to unlock the front door.

"So you should be. I don't want to sink my teeth into just anyone."

"You know, Niles," she turned just slightly to look at him "with this kind of confidence you can get women."

"Oh shut up," he muttered, stuffing his hands into his trouser pockets but she wouldn't let it go.

"Embrace your sensual energy."

In retrospect, buying those tapes had really been a mistake.

"Alright, alright, I'm going."

He was halfway down the path when he heard her voice.

"Don't be such a sissy! Come on in!"

He grinned to himself and headed back up and into the house where he found her a few feet away helping herself to some liquor from the drinking cart. He stepped closer until his chest was lightly touching her back.

"Do you think that's wise, Babcock?" he murmured and was delighted to see her shiver.

"I'd say it is if I'm going to have to put up with any more of your flirt attempts." She replied smoothly and took a sip of the amber liquid.

"Never satisfied," he sighed and then lifted his hand to slide the pin out of her hair.

She turned around to him, searching his face for answers but instead he only carelessly dropped the pin to the floor and backed her against the cart. It was hard to determine who made the first move after that. Just like the night two years before their kiss was rough and passionate at first but this time eventually slowed down to a more leisurely, exploring pace. Her skin was softer than he had imagined and her moans were nearly enough to drive him over the edge already. But he wasn't going to let this moment pass too quickly, he'd make sure to let it last as long as possible.

The next morning C.C. was the first one to wake up. She couldn't remember how they had made it from the living room to her bed but was glad nonetheless. His arm was protectively wrapped around her waist and she sighed. Another morning, another man. Only this time it was much worse because it was Niles. She'd barely forgiven him for his cruel prank and now she'd slept with him? She rubbed her face, trying to suppress the panic that was threatening to overwhelm her. There was a reason why she hadn't given in to her urges throughout the years. C.C. lifted his arm and slipped out of bed, unfortunately waking him in the process. She had just enough time to grab her robe before his blue eyes found hers.

"Morning," he smiled lazily and then stretched out.

"My sister will be back, it's time for you to leave."

A frown replaced the smile on his face, one she had come to learn meant stubbornness. "No, I'm going to need a minute to wake up. Been feeling groggier since the heart attack."

C.C was starting to feel guilty when she remembered that he'd had no concerns whatsoever the previous night. "You were working just fine yesterday," she snapped "don't make me ask you again."

"Why?" he demanded, sitting up a little "You were enjoying yourself last night and now you're scared but I'm not going to budge C.C."

Growing increasingly annoyed at her inability to get rid of him she spat out the first thing that came to mind. "You set me up to see Maxwell and Nanny Fine in action. Now I've used you as a rebound. I'd say we're even."

The hurt in his eyes confirmed the success of her plan and a moment later he climbed out of the bed and began collecting his clothes. The ugly silence resounded around them while he was getting dressed. Then finally, just before leaving her room he turned to face her a last time.

"I never should've done this. I should've known that you were never capable of being in a mature relationship."