Therapy
Chapter 14: It's a dog's life?
CC had expected the ride to the party to be a difficult one, with Niles being tense and wary after their clinch in the Sheffield living room. She wouldn't be that surprised, if he got his distance from her, and she was kind of repentant over the possibility of being too forward and scaring him.
So, she braced herself for the worst.
(The irony of the situation was not lost to her: she was afraid of being too forward with a guy she had been calling insulting names for a decade.)
To her utter surprise, Niles not only managed to behave mostly normal, but accepting her teasing.
And for normal she didn't mean his recent borderline aggressive behavior, but the adorable ambiguous game they had before – the one she had started this story wanting to get back.
(Her mental checklist for Niles being himself confirmed it:
Light zingers meant to keep the conversation with her going – check.
Stolen glances disguised as over-critical glares – check.
Fond smiles coming out as superior smirks – check.)
After she had told the Sheffield/Fine Boring Combo from Hell they had to respect Niles for the night as if she had suddenly turned into his Knight in Shining Armor, CC got out of the mansion leading the small group, and found her favorite butler waiting for them at the door of the limo.
While walking up to him, their eyes locked, and her doubts about the night were erased by the promising expression on his face.
Once she reached him, CC stepped aside and made a gesture for the dark heads to enter. Thinking she wanted them to hurry and not wanting to be out of her good graces, they obeyed.
Niles observed it with an amused face and, when the others were out of sight, stretched his arm to offer her his hand, indicating he was there to help her if she wanted.
(She loved the fact he hadn't reached out to touch her, but had left his hand in the air for her to choose if she wanted it.
And of course, she wanted.)
CC rested her hand on his and spoke with a low teasing voice, 'Why are you pretending to be a gentleman? Afraid you'll miss the party if I hurt myself?'
'We both know you would use your magic powers to prevent it', he answered in a warm tone, his own hand enveloping hers and his fingertips caressing the skin, 'However, if you don't watch your mouth, I'll have to ask you to use your broom, tonight', he said and gave her an appreciative stare.
'Yes, that could prove difficult, in this dress', she smirked, getting the meaning of his stare, 'But you would enjoy it, wouldn't you?'
'Seeing you uncomfortable? Surely'.
'I meant seeing me exposed while riding something'.
Niles opened his mouth to answer and closed it again. It seemed he had teased her too early for his own good: she had quickly gone back to sexual undertones territory, and his eyes suddenly couldn't stop themselves from looking at her lips.
He breathed deeply and adjusted his tie with the free hand to straighten it.
Their eyes met again, he shrugged and smiled at her, in a surprisingly sweet gesture of surrender that made her knees weak, 'Touché, Babs'.
CC revealed in the fact that he was not afraid of touching her, after all the amount of almost there things they had experienced tonight. Instead of getting scared and hide himself, as she had dreaded, he was out to play with her; and not as if he had to keep her at arm's length, but as if they were back to the same ground level again.
(And the night was just starting... It was so promising it was almost unbelievable.)
'Hey, you two', Fran's voice called from inside the limo, 'I thought we were late! How is it you can stay chatting while we wait?'
'We're going, for God' sake, Nanny Fine!', CC turned and answered, not letting go of Niles' hand for fake support, while entering the limo, 'And don't you dare whining in such a close space, or I swear you won't make it to the party', she let go of Niles' hand and sat.
'I've spent hours getting ready and nothing short of a tragedy will stop me', Fran decided to challenge.
'Maxwell', CC asked calmly while Niles sat besides her, 'Is there any Dom Perignon in the minifridge?', she pointed to the object at the corner, and glared at Fran, 'I'd consider it a tragedy if something so expensive ended up in someone's sculptured hair'.
The Nanny recoiled in terror and the men decided to cut the situation off: Niles closed the limo door loudly, and Maxwell turned quickly to tell the driver they were finally ready.
The limo moved and Maxwell engaged Fran in a conversation about the beautiful night and bla-bla-bla, and Fran showed how excited about the party she was by starting non-stop considerations about how much of a good impression she hoped they could make and CC couldn't care less about it all.
Fortunately, the movement of the limo in the New York streets gave her reason to move a bit and pretend she had to adjust the scarf she had brought with her, and soon CC's side was touching Niles'. Seizing the opportunity, she moved her shoulders as if she was annoyed and wanted to get away, rubbing against him a bit more.
He waited for her to finish her little show with a smile lingering on his lips, and leaned a bit in her direction to speak just to her (not too low to be considered a whispered secret, not too loud that the other people would stop their conversation), 'Is there something specific you want me to do, tonight?'
She turned her head at him, pretending shock, 'You really want me to describe it to you in front of them?'
Niles threw a glance at the other two people, engrossed in themselves, and CC knew they shared the feeling that Maxwell and Nanny Fine's babbling had never been so convenient.
He looked at her again and raised a brow, 'Even if you really got me curious, now, I meant it to be a serious question. Is there something you want to talk to me about the party? Something I should do or not to do? We haven't discussed it'.
No, Niles, we haven't discussed clearly what I want from you. Maybe you would understand it without me having to say all that I have in mind if I just had the braveness to kiss you right here and tell the limo's driver to take us to the penthouse. Then we would have the entire night to discover there is no need to discuss anything...
Even if her heartbeat accelerated at the idea, deep inside CC thought it would be wrong to take such a harsh decision. She had planned this night, she intended to turn it into a decisive step to convince Niles he could be close enough with no danger to his dignity, and just then she would find a way to abduct him from the world. Not like this, in an impulse, just because he was being the most loving guy ever.
(Even if the shock on Maxwell and Nanny Fine's faces would be worth it.)
'Just be there for me, as you said', she answered, her eyes finding his and staying there, 'That's all I need'.
His Adam's apple bobbed and she could see the emotion taking him.
He looked at her hand and she could see he was fighting the urge to take it.
After some moments he just nodded.
(She loved their verbal sparring, but their silent communication always stirred something warm inside her. He wanted the closeness as much as she did, and he seemed to agree this was not the moment for impulsive decisions.)
In fact, their closeness proved handy as real support for her, once Fran Fine seemed to think she needed to include them in the conversation, decided that Chandler was a good topic, and CC had to explain why she was not dating him anymore ('He is too boring'), why she seemed not interested in discussing him ('He is too boring'), and why he was not in her list of ideal partners ('For God' sake, Nanny Fine, if he sounds so great, take him to yourself!').
That last one had rendered her a glare from Maxwell and one of those fond smiles from Niles.
Nanny Fine couldn't decide if she was happy because Maxwell had got jealous, or if she was offended that CC was suggesting she could pry into an ex of hers.
Luckily, they soon arrived at the party, with everybody alive and some laughs shared over Maxwell suggesting the possibility of him and Niles kicking Chandler's ass if he dared to discuss anything not related to business, tonight.
(CC had to suffer an affectionate You go, girlfriend! from the Nanny, who enjoyed the idea of 'our boys' chasing away some guy for 'their girls'. The blonde understood the need for reassurance the brunette had, regarding Maxwell, but seeing a confrontation between Niles and Chandler as the focus was not exactly the blonde's dream of the perfect party.)
When the limo stopped, CC breathed deeply. She had great expectations for tonight, as she had told Niles, and not just because there were lots of business opportunities ahead: she intended to prove to him they worked well as a couple.
(Yes, she gave up pretending she doesn't know what she wants from him. It happened some moment between seeing he had wore the deep red tie to match their clothes, as she had requested, and listening he would be there for her.
There was no way she could keep denying she wanted him for the man he is – for the person he is – and that she feels ready to accept whatever it means to be with Niles, once she liked a lot what she had already seen, and was eager to discover what else he had to offer.)
CC smoothed her dress and gladly accepted his hand to get out of the limo. It was another gentlemanly gesture he did and showed her he was all right with being with her for the night.
Once Maxwell and Fran were ahead and being assaulted by the press, CC grabbed Niles' hand and walked decidedly towards the big entrance.
She didn't let go when the reporters asked for them to stop, so they could take shots of them; she even grasped it a bit stronger, to show him she had not changed her mind about being with him.
Again, being the lovely guy he had decided to be for the night, Niles stayed by her side, posed with her, and then gave a tiny step aside when the journalists started the questions.
She spoke about the next play she was producing and was able to throw some vague words about how important to support causes as this one it was, and how her company would always be in events like these to show its social engagement.
Niles didn't make horns behind her head or any other childish prank, what she found great and not that surprising anymore, but the tiny step aside was what made her smile genuinely while she talked to the press: it was meant to show the spotlight was hers, and that he was only the guy who escorted her, by the moment.
After years of dating men that wanted to be as seen as herself, even when things were about her, CC found it proof of real respect.
She could feel his supporting stare on her face while she spoke, and she asked herself how could it be that Niles kept going beyond her expectations – how could he know that was what she needed? Did it mean he had been fantasizing about being by her side and had planned on how to behave accordingly?
One daring reporter recognized him from a previous press reunion in the mansion and threw the question loudly, 'Miss Babcock, isn't your escort Maxwell Sheffield's butler? And why is he holding your hand?'
There was a sudden silence while everybody suddenly seemed to realize who the man by her side was and the way their body language had changed from previous situations like this.
The harsh words came out of her mouth before she could think them over, 'His name is Niles, and he is my date, tonight. That's all that matters'.
The reporter who made the question was open mouthed at that, and the others started talking all at the same time, demanding answers about their status and what his presence there meant.
Niles let go of her hand and rested his on CC's lower back, speaking firmly, to be heard over the noise, 'You better listen to the woman, people. She already said what there is for you to know. Now, if you'll excuse us'.
He looked at her to see if she agreed with his initiative, she nodded at him with a smile and they turned, quickly joining Maxwell and Fran at the door of the big place and disappearing from view, letting a trail of excited reporters behind.
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CC felt like walking in the clouds when she entered the building, with Niles' hand a warm presence in the small of her back, and the protective way he kept looking around them.
(She knew he was worried about Chandler. It was curious that she wasn't, but the way they had behaved in front of the reporters was still making her too giddy for her to think of any menace.)
They had to stop in a halt, because Maxwell and Fran had done it suddenly, in front of them.
Hearing the gasps from them, she knew something was amiss, and looked around.
They had expected a ballroom, special lights, some music, people dancing, maybe a buffet by a corner; however, there was just conversation and the lights were one hundred percent on.
CC frowned and looked over the Nanny's shoulder: there was a small arena, circled by some grids, right in the middle of the room, where the dance floor should be.
Stretching her neck a bit she was able to see what was in it: at least twenty big dogs walking, playing and doing all sorts of doggy things, while being cared for people wearing strange uniforms.
CC was wide eyed, and gripped Niles' arm, 'What the hell is happening?', she gave a step ahead to hiss, 'Maxwell?!'
Her partner seemed as surprised as her, raising his shoulders in confusion, 'I have no idea of what is happening, CC'.
Niles pointed to the big banner in a wall, a tone of mirth in his voice, 'It's the annual meeting of the New York Trainers Association. Haven't you read the invitations?'
'Trainers?', Fran asked, 'You mean people who grooms Lessie and other animals for TV and movies?'
'I think it's more as in people who teach dogs to guide blind people, or to help police and firemen', Niles answered, freeing his arm from CC's grip and circling her waist instead.
She knew he was trying to support her, once she must have such a shocked face he probably couldn't decide if it was worth pity or a fit of laughter. She was not for pulling the poor damsel in distress act, and he must know her shock was sincere.
Fran got curious, 'How do you know they aren't Broadway or Hollywood dogs? Singing and dancing dogs can play very important parts', she turned to CC, 'You could use them in shows, sometimes, couldn't you? Everybody likes artistic dogs'.
CC looked at Fran as if she was crazy.
'We haven't really thought about it', Maxwell answered, and looked at the arena as if pondering over the idea.
CC looked at him as if he had gone crazy.
Niles brought her closer to him using the arm he had wrapped around her waist, 'Stop doing the face of a cartoon character who has just discovered it is in a small island surrounded by sharks'.
'It's more like discovering I'm in a small cage surrounded by baboons', CC said, her hand going naturally to cover his on her waist.
'The baboons are inside or outside the cage?', Fran asked, 'And why are you two so touchy-touchy?'
Niles and CC didn't move apart, just raised their brows innocently, 'What do you mean?'
'I mean that...', Fran made a gesture towards them, '… hug thing'.
'Oh, dear, did I get it wrong?', Niles looked at CC, 'Isn't this how a escort should treat his companion?'
'The right expression should be his lady', CC corrected, nudging him playfully, 'No, you didn't get it wrong. It's some of Maxwell's difficulties with physical things that had rubbed on Nanny Fine'.
Fran put her hands on her hips, 'Wait a minute! There is no one rubbing anyone, here...', she trailed off when she realized both blonds were looking at her as if she was missing an opportunity, and turned to Maxwell, 'This is how an escort should treat his lady, yeah! You have no reason to be that far from me, Mister!'
The man blinked and fumbled with an answer, until he decided he had to counterattack, and glared at Niles, 'You're not fooling anyone here, Old Man. Please, answer Miss Fine's question'.
'Oh, well, that's easy', Niles shrugged nonchalantly, 'I think they are not what you call artistic dogs because they are all big breeds – German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers. The kind of dogs you expect for a diversity of no artistic jobs, as difficult rescues and helping people to navigate among crowds'.
Maxwell squinted at him, realizing Niles had pretended not to get which question he was referring to, and CC decided to speak before the personal subjects were brought up again, 'If this is the case, why would they want Broadway supporters, Hazel?'
'It seems people have been discussing exactly the use of animals in artistic shows. A good part of the trainers is against it, defending it works as a circus, just stressing the animals to learn tricks for the superficial amusement of the public. In other jobs, the animals are heroes, well treated, fairly rewarded and not doing anything against their own natural behavior'.
Three pairs of eyes were on Niles when he finished his statement, and Fran sounded almost indignant, 'How do you know all of that?'
'I've been reading about the subject since I knew I was coming. I didn't expect the arena, but I suppose it makes sense to show people how the right training works'.
CC smiled at how clever her escort was and how delicious it was that he was hers, then remembered her previous shock and looked seriously at Maxwell, 'How is it you didn't know we were coming to a place full of beasts?'
Niles smirked, 'Yes, Sir. You should always alert people about the possibility of them finding family members in events'.
Maxwell glared at Niles before answering to his business partner, 'You knew about the party as much as I did, CC, and didn't exactly do rehearse before coming, either'.
'That's all right, people, let it go', Fran waved a hand dismissively, 'Niles did it, anyway', she looked at the arena, 'You know, they are very cute and all, but I'm a small dogs girl. No poodles and pomeranians, no fun. How are we supposed to take them in our arms and walk around, as it should happen when elegant women and dogs meet?'
CC was looking at the arena, too, and sounded worried, 'Are they going to stay all night?'
'It would be a new experience for one in your field of work, wouldn't it?', Niles grinned cheekly at CC but, seeing she passed her tongue by the front of her teeth, her trademark I'm going to kill you expression, he softened his voice, 'Don't worry, witch. It would be too tiring for everybody. They'll probably go away soon, and then we'll have a big dance floor and a buffet'.
'Do you think?', she asked hopefully.
'Of course', he sing-songed, 'If you're already hungry, we can always ask the trainers for something they have at hand'.
'I'm serious, Niles', she said, frowning, but not sincerely angry.
He gave a reassuring squeeze in her hand, 'It's a fair assumption', he said, 'That's how I would have planned things, at least'.
'All right', she relaxed, 'Let's wait and see'.
Maxwell decided to seize the moment of a placated business partner, 'We better start making rounds and discover what is it they expect from us, then'.
CC nodded and they parted ways, with Fran going with Maxwell just after throwing the blonds a knowing look that was a promise of new questions later.
As soon as Maxwell and Fran were gone, CC went out of Niles' arms and turned to him with a businesslike posture, 'So, I tell them I'm against dogs in Broadway and that's it?', she made a face at his smile, 'And, please, be serious. I'm really at a loss, here'.
'Sorry. I'm just happy at you trusting my knowledge', he clarified.
She frowned in fake superiority, 'You must be, once you know I have never been a fan of working with another beasts'.
His grin was so spontaneous she considered grabbing him and kissing that mouth right there, but decided to maintain her businesslike façade, 'In fact, I'm used to working with people that are worse than beasts, and that's hard enough'.
He started snickering and got closer to her in a mix of worry and fondness, 'For God' sake, Babcock, refrain from saying worse than beasts around people who seem to love animals so much'.
'Oh, all right', she agreed (knowing the concept of being really offensive to other people often deluded her), and settled her palms on the lapels of his tuxedo, 'What more?'
Niles noticed her gesture and, after a brief moment, settled his hands on her hips. He looked at her pensively and spoke softly, 'Maybe it would be useful if you had in mind why you are against animals in Broadway, in order to emit something that could pass as a convincing argument'.
'Dogs are too filthy to be permitted in the theater', she quickly said, shrugging. Seeing that he raised a brow at her, she asked, 'What's wrong?'
'They are animal lovers', he reminded her, 'You should have an argument that praised the dogs'.
'Oh, right!', she looked at the arena, considering the animals and the people around them, then to Niles again, and spoke with conviction, 'Putting animals under the stress of a fruitless training, just for the amusement of ignorant people who think all they can do is cheap tricks, it's an absurd notion. If they can be themselves and even have fun while saving lives and being treated with respect and dignity, there is nothing left to discuss'.
Niles was wide-eyed for a moment, then got over his shock, 'Wow... Very good!'
'Isn't it?', she grinned, 'It seems all it takes to gain their good graces is saying I don't want animals close to my shows', she stated joyfully, 'It's a win-win situation, once I never really wanted them'.
'Not everyone can see the bright side of things and use it to their favor so easily', he praised, 'It takes talent to turn the tables like that'.
'I learned from the Master', she complimented back, caressing him with her palms resting on his chest, and adopting a serious tone, 'Thank you for giving me the hints'.
'You're welcome', he answered in a hoarse voice.
'You know… I could get used to you being helpful to me like this', she said, 'Things would be a lot easier if I could count on you telling me what to do'.
'We both know you're not one for taking orders, Miss Babcock'.
'Until I'm sure of how to act, I'm totally open to yours', she almost whispered.
Emotion was clear in his voice when Niles spoke, 'It would be the perfect moment to state that, in this case, I am the trainer and you're the dog, pat your head and say Good girl...'
'But for some strange reason, you don't feel like doing it'.
'No, I don't', he stayed looking at her for some moments, then spoke with a hesitant voice, 'I should worry'.
She bit her lower lip and brought one of her hands to the middle of his chest, 'I know it may sound out of character for me, but I can't think of a better occasion to use this line', she looked into his eyes and smiled, 'Listen to your heart'.
He smiled back and the hands on her hips moved in a feathering caress, 'What if it says I should worry?'
'It won't', she winked at him.
He kept looking at her, his expression turning serious. He was obviously taken by the emotions they were sharing.
CC realized they were close to kissing, again, and started adjusting his tie to brush away the affectionate moment but still keep Niles close to her.
(She didn't want to give more steps further than she considered safe, and the situation was quickly getting out of hand, with their attraction taking the lead and bringing them too close for people who were used to a slower and more tentative pace. She had to stop it before they were hit by more than they could take.)
Niles searched her face for answers, confused by her sudden retreat. He must have detected her nerves, because he cleared his throat and asked, changing the mood, 'It's business time?'
'Yeah, it is', she answered, grateful he had found a way to justify her change in attitude, and gave a step back, 'Come on, let's show this people who's boss'.
He nodded, 'After you'.
CC noticed Niles still sounded a bit unsure, but willing to follow her.
She had to be careful and keep things under control; and, even if she already missed his touch, keeping some distance was the only way to do it.