Author's note: Thank ya'll for your patience and all the amazing comments I've been getting. It's great to see that I'm getting good reviews from the authors of the stories that I read on here, it really inspires me. Well, this chapter's kinda short but I promise you won't want to miss the next one. Happy reading and please review ;-).

Chapter 11

The next morning Niles came downstairs promptly at 7 o'clock to begin making breakfast, as he did every morning. The night before had been rather eventful to say the least, and he still wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. Miss Babcock had made an extremely hasty and slightly awkward exit, leaving him to do the explaining for both of them.

Fran didn't quite buy Niles version of the truth; that they simply slipped on the newly waxed floor and Miss Babcock had fallen on top of him. Though this was strictly true, he had to say that if he were in Fran's shoes he wouldn't believe him either. To be completely honest- he didn't know what to believe. Miss Babcock had been acting strange all day. First with that unusual outfit she wore- not that he was complaining, of course- then with all that business in the office, and he definitely didn't expect that behaviour in the dining area. So why was she acting so strange?

Niles stopped in his tracks midway through frying some bacon.

"Shit!" he yelled to the empty kitchen, She read the book! Oh, this will not end well...

Niles spent the next hour making breakfast and setting the dining room table, all the while trying to figure out how to act around Miss Babcock. Should he pretend nothing was out of the ordinary and just go on with his day? Or should he talk to her? Yeah, because we always talk about awkward things that happen between us, he silently laughed at his own question, remembering the night at the McClanahan's, their kiss in the den, the night of the Sheffield wedding.

Although, maybe it is time you two talked about those things, that annoying voice in the back of his mind spoke up.

"Not in this lifetime," Niles once again spoke to the empty room.

You know you're dying to talk to her about it. I mean, you've been in love with the woman for God knows how long.

"I most certainly do not love Miss Babcock. The woman's a conniving, hateful, deceitful, old Witch!"

Yes, but don't you kinda wish she was your conniving, hateful, deceitful, old witch?

"Oh, shut up!"

"Well, that's a little out of order isn't it?" Niles turned around to see Maxwell enter the dining room, "I was only going to say Good Morning."

"Sorry, sir. Talking to myself again," Niles exited towards the kitchen to begin bringing the food through.

It had only taken a few minutes for the rest of the Sheffield family to enter the dining room and begin to eat every bite of food in sight. Yet another Jewish trait that seemed to catch on in the household. Niles was growing more and more nervous as he waited for the doorbell to ring signalling Miss Babcock's arrival.

"Oh Niles, Old man," Maxwell looked up from his boiled eggs and toast to address his Butler, "C.C. will be working at the theatre today, but I'll need you to deliver a few contracts to her."

"Sir, that's not fair," Niles pouted, "It would take her two seconds to hop on her broom and fly over here to pick them up. Or doesn't she have a black cat that can fetch them for her?"

"I think she'd prefer to turn into a bat and fly over here to get them," Brighton butted in.

"No, she's been studying magic for a few hundred years, she can just snap her fingers," Grace joined in.

"Children..." Maxwell warned, "Niles, why do act so hostile towards C.C., when we all know that you're at least somewhat fond of her."

Niles noticed the brief eye contact between Maxwell and Fran.

"Sir, I would prefer in future for you to ask for my account of a story rather than relying on information from yenta central over here."

"I'm not sure I find any significant difference between the two old man." Maxwell smiled wickedly

"Sir," Niles tone showed a hint of warning, "Miss Babcock slipped on the newly waxed floor, I tried to prevent her from falling. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful and ended up falling myself, with Miss Babcock landing on top of me. There is nothing more to the story."

"Nothing more to the story?" Fran gasped in disbelief, "She was practically grinding herself into you!"

"Alright children, time to get going or you'll be late for school," Maxwell hurried all three of his dumbstruck children out of the room.

"Niles, why even pretend that there's nothing going on?" Fran carried on talking as Maxwell continued to push the children out of the room, "I mean, if you and Miss Babcock really are together, I couldn't be happier for ya both. Meanwhile, it wouldn't kill ya to confide in your best friend every once and a while..."

"Fran!" Niles shouted a little louder then intended, "For the last time, Miss Babcock and I are not an item."

"Oh, come on dear boy. You two have been dancing around each other for years," Maxwell stated with the sly grin returning to his face.

Realisation struck Niles, as he stood staring dumbfounded at his lifelong friend. Everything began to make sense...

"You planned this all from day one, didn't you?" Niles asked, a hint of anger beginning to rise in his chest.

"What are you talking about?" Maxwell feigned cluelessness.

"It took years to get you to see that the woman of your dreams was right under your very nose, but when it comes to my love life all of a sudden you're an evil genius?"

"You think it took me long to realise the woman of my dreams was right under my very nose? Niles, how long have you known C.C.?"

"What are you two talking about?" Fran asked a confused look overtaking her face.

"It appears your husband has been scheming to get Miss Babcock and I together. He forced us to go on a double date with an investor, knowing full well that Andy would find our story interesting and write a book about it and..."

"OH MY GAWD!" realisation now struck Fran, "That book was about you! I thought the whole thing seemed familiar but... ewwww! First I walk in on ya in the dining room and now I find out about the office too? Can't the two of ya just stick to a bed like normal people?"

"Mrs. Sheffield, I can assure you that that part of the story was pure fiction. And need I remind you of exactly who's bra was found on the loveseat in the office?"

It was Maxwell's turn to blush.

"My point is- I don't think I'm completely comfortable with the fact that my boss, not to mention one of my closest friends, has been playing with my emotions the way he has."

"Oh, please," Maxwell once again found his voice, "This little game between C.C. and yourself has been going on for far too long. Is it such a crime for me to want happiness for two of my closest friends? I've seen the way you look at each other and I think it's high time you just admitted the fact that you actually have feelings for the woman rather than continuing to pull at her pigtails like some prepubescent schoolboy." and with that he stormed out of the room.

"Wow.. My husband's a yenta," Fran sat shocked, "this is a proud moment for me."

"Well, I'm glad you find it amusing," Niles pulled one of the chairs out and rested his elbows on the table, burying his face into his hands, "What am I going to do? I was perfectly happy pretending to hate the witch."

"Well Scarecrow, you're not gonna like it, but I agree with Max. I neva thought about it before but you and Miss Babcock- it seems like a perfect match. Why don't cha just talk to her? Tell her how you feel." Fran patted him warmly on the shoulder.

"Yeah, Babcock's really going to consider being in a relationship with a butler. I'm sure she's always dreamed about giving up her Park Avenue penthouse apartment and moving into my room." Niles spat bitterly.

"Sarcasm?" Fran asked cautiously

"No, I wouldn't do that," Niles smiled back sarcastically, "It would be so rude..."

Fran stood up to leave before saying "Well, you know what Ma always says..."

"It doesn't matter if it's fresh, food is food?"

"No-"

"If you're not married before 25, you're a loser?"

"No! She says: if you take yourself out of the race, there's no way you're ever gonna win. Meanwhile, have you ever seen her run anywhere?"