Hello, Hello. So sorry I didn't make the promised update deadline yesterday ;) but I kinda didn't get anything written on Thursday, as we flew back from Sweden to Germany. Now the next update will be for "Fabric" again, hopefully on Tuesday...however, I am flying to Italy on Monday, so I'll see how much I'll get done while on vacation. ;) R&R please!:)

Disclaimer:They aren't mine and if I messed it up I'm gonna blame it on watching Lauren Lane in Positive I.D., still haven't recovered!lol

Chapter 9:

When he woke up in the night she was still by his side. He inhaled deeply, burying his face against her neck and pulled her closer against his body. She was soft to his touch wherever he grazed her skin... His lips pressed against her neck, tasted her, his forehead got tickled by her hair. It was an intimate gesture and he certainly felt closer to C.C. than he ever had before. He stayed like this for a while until he was fairly certain that she wouldn't just disappear and slip through his fingers. Then he noticed that holding her like this was pleasing but not enough. And so he placed another kiss against her neck and then gently ran the fingertips of his hand along her side. She stirred a little but remained asleep. Niles smiled against her skin and began tracing patterns across her stomach. Her skin felt almost silky there and so he let his fingers venture further, across her waistline and to the border of her soft curls. Her lips curved upwards but her eyes remained closed. His lips now followed the path his fingers had drawn before, kissing down her side and only halting at the perfect mound that was her bottom. There fingers replaced lips again and he explored her right down to her smooth thighs. An inaudible gasp escaped him when she rolled on her back and willingly spread her legs for him. He sat down on his knees and observed for any signs that might indicate she was awake, but her eyes were still closed and her breathing regular. He moved with a cat-like grace to sit between her parted legs and just stared at her. She was so beautiful that his heart swelled with warmth and silent pride, feelings so strong that those of the prince who had found Sleeping Beauty paled in comparison. He trailed his index finger down the valley between her breasts, then followed their contours. He had made so many cruel jokes about her looks and weight, but her curves were perfect in every sense of the word. He kissed her stomach gently and then buried his face between her legs, keeping a firm hold on her hips. First he teasingly ran his tongue down her slit, tasting her growing excitement. Almost nervously he then directed a quiet glance to her face to see if she objected. Finding nothing but pure content he continued and lightly spread her open further with one of his hands to lap at her again. This time she elicited a sleepy purr that brought a smile to his face. Moistening the tip of his index finger with his tongue he gently touched her clit. Emboldened by the continuous stream of whimpers that came from her throat, he moistened his thumb also and drew small but firm and deliciously excruciating circles around it. She was growing wet by now and he couldn't resist the urge to taste her again. A throaty moan escaped her and she bucked her hips but he stopped her from moving more. Instead he parted his lips and took her throbbing nub between them and lightly sucked. C.C. dug her nails into the sheets and bucked her hips upwards again, clearly needing him to do more. He sucked softly at first, then used his teeth to tease her more roughly. She started writhing on the bed, throwing her head back and he could feel the tension of her body increase. So soothingly he ran his tongue over her reddened clit to calm her down. She relaxed fractionally and he noticed it with a satisfied grin, licking his lips. There was still no sign that she was awake, but he doubted that she couldn't be, based on her reaction. But everything felt so unreal to him too that he decided to leave her in her dreamy haze if she wanted. After giving her a moment to breathe, he spread her wide open again and slowly slid his tongue into her. She moaned loudly and encouraged him to continue. He alternated between soft and gentle strokes and rough teasing and finally brought her over the edge by rubbing her clit in rhythm with his tongue strokes. He felt her orgasm, pressed his whole face so strongly against her core, that he didn't miss a single trembling until her climax had subsided. Then he tenderly kissed his way up her stomach, to her breasts and then finally her neck. He hovered above her, their chests lightly touching until her breathing had grown less frantic. Then he rolled off her to lie by her side again, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other around her shoulders, displaying the strong protectiveness over her he felt. His member was throbbing with the pressure to be released but he didn't dare do anything more in fear of ruining the beautiful moment. So instead he remained by her side until his desire disappeared and he drifted off to sleep.

It was beginning to get light outside, the rising sun brightening the room but not enough to erase all the shadows. C.C. sat, her back leaning against the headboard, her legs drawn to her chest, by Niles' side and observed his sleeping form. She was dressed again but her feet were bare and in close proximity of his skin, so that she could still feel its warmth. She would leave him, of that she was certain, she just had to find the energy to do so. But he looked so peaceful, so calm and dare she think it? Happy. It would almost be cruel to leave him now…and yet. He had found his woman and it wasn't her and she certainly wouldn't take the risk of staying too long and being replaced by some young floozy. She'd leave now, with her head held high and her dignity intact. But despite her best efforts she couldn't ban the images altogether. He had understood her without words, had silently agreed to meet her needs and had almost loved her with his body. Almost… she didn't dare hope. But it had been different, they had been different. And then whatever it was that had transpired a couple of hours later… she still wasn't quite sure if it had been a dream or not. But he'd been so gentle and loving, pleasing her without making a sound and without any care for his own needs. She sighed sadly and shook her head, it was no use thinking about this now, not if it only served to weaken her resolve. Carefully she shifted on the bed and sat down on her knees, Niles didn't move. She sighed deeply and gently ran a hand through his hair and then placed a kiss on his forehead. Then she moved out of the bed, picked up her purse and shoes and silently tiptoed out of the room.

His sadness when waking up without her by his side was akin to panic. He buried his face against his pillow, assuring by scent that she had indeed been with him. But the warmth he felt at the memory was fleeting and soon turned into nausea. She had left him again…but why? Had he misinterpreted her motives? Had she merely come for sex again? Maybe his other actions had been inappropriate, uncalled for. He sighed and rubbed his tired eyes and swallowed to remove the lump in his throat. He should've known better…known that one couldn't simply be with C.C. Babcock and go back to normal afterwards. His need for her was all consuming and impossible to maintain. He didn't want her with other people, didn't want them to do to her what he had long since made his own task. She was his, he had made her his, had loved her with everything he had and yet he failed to bind her to him. He would never have her completely… Climbing out of bed he grabbed hold of a robe and put it on, before walking down to the kitchen. He had just started to prepare breakfast when the quiet swing of the kitchen door indicated someone's arrival. Thinking it was only a member of the family, he didn't even lift his head but continued working.

"Good morning," her voice startled him and the knife in his hand shook so hard that he almost dropped it.

"Good morning," he paused and met her eyes "Miss Babcock."

She wordlessly remained in her corner of the room and fidgeted nervously.

"I was wondering, Niles, if I might have a word."

He was simultaneously annoyed and intrigued by her formal tone. He carefully placed the knife down and took a step towards her. "C.C., I…I have some questions too…"

She nodded and gave him a little smile. But then the backdoor burst open and Fran and Lily entered the scene.

"Look at you, Mister!" Fran exclaimed and let our her honking laugh "I heard that your first date was a full success, but you didn't tell me it went this well!"

He kept his eyes glued to C.C. and ran a hand through his sleep disheveled hair to smooth it out.

"Stop Fran, you're embarrassing him." Lily argued and nudged her ribs.

"Niles, I wanted to have a word." C.C. reminded him sternly.

"Yes, Miss Babcock." he nodded "should we-"

"I just wanted you to tell Maxwell that I'm taking the next two weeks off. Gary is whisking me away for a marvelous cruise!"

Her jaw felt like it was aching from the effort to smile.

"Of course," he agreed quietly, with a visible slump of his shoulders.

"Goodbye…" and seen by only Fran she squeezed his hand and slipped away, before her tears could get the better of her.