Just finished the chapter, so luckily I'm posting today, which makes me happy. Of course now I really need to get my act together and start writing on the next chapter, so that I can post that next Tuesday. :-) Thank you all for reading and an extra special thank you to all of you, who are so kind to review - it means so much. :-) Hope you enjoy this week's chapter. Oh and by the way, Merry Christmas. :-)

To rx9872: As always thank you for reading and reviewing - it means so much. :-) Who says something's got to give? No one said that this fic belongs in the romantic category. *devil grin* Yes, they do love each other, but no one says they'll ever let the other one know. Well, CC's going to the benefit, but who says Niles is? He's got nothing to do with Sheffield-Babcock Productions, so your scenario will probably not happen - okay, I'll let you know that now - it's not going to happen - sorry to disappoint you. Sorry, but I can't promise you that anything will happen soon, or that anything will happen at all. *devil grin*

To amyb: As always thank you for reading and reviewing - it means so much. :-) I'm so thrilled you loved the chapter. Aaaww thank you for thinking I never disappoint *blush* - I'm honored. I'm glad Niles' fantasy could make you laugh - he's naughty that butler. :-D Ah yes, poor Niles - not sure though that he'll ever make a move - he just might never get the nerve to do so. Yeah, they sure are a lot alike those two, and it most certainly hit home for CC, though she still can't quite pinpoint her feelings towards it. It's my pleasure - it's the least I can do when you take the time to review. :-)

Chapter 14

The next morning when CC entered the kitchen for breakfast, Niles was surprised that she entered through the dining room.

"Morning, Hazel."

"Good morning, Crow. Why did you come through the dining room? Do you want breakfast in there?"

"No. I just took my bag down and put it by the front door." He looked at her surprised and then mocked her.

"You brought down your own bag?" She rolled her eyes at him. "My, my, my, aren't we efficient. I need to remember that from now on, because then I won't have to do anything for you anymore." She glared at him, but he merely smirked back at her. "What about the other two bags?" Now she looked at him confusedly.

"What other two bags? I only brought one. Unless you're referring to my handbag?" He shook his head.

"No, I was referring to those two." He pointed to her eyes, which made her gape at him before she glared at him.

"You made that idiotic comment once before, and do you remember what happened?"

"Oh I remember, but I'm prepared this time." He opened his jacket. "See, no suspenders. And you don't have a pencil stuck behind your ear."

She looked down at the table and picked up a fork. His smirk suddenly left his face as she started to smirk at him and gripped the fork tightly.

"You're right, Niles, I don't have a pencil. But I'm sure this fork will do nicely. And although you're not wearing suspenders I can snap back, I can just poke you really hard with this fork. I'm sure it'll go right through your jacket."

He swallowed hard and took a couple of steps away from her.

"So sorry, Ma'am. It won't happen again, Ma'am. Let me get your coffee right now, Ma'am."

He quickly went to get the coffee and CC let out a throaty laugh before sitting down with her back turned to him. She then picked up a spoon and started to see if her bags under her eyes were that noticeable. Niles noticed what she was doing and sighed inwardly. He thought the joke had been funny, and she seemed to think so too, or so he'd thought. He shook his head slightly at her insecurities and wondered if she'd ever realize just how beautiful, she was.

After breakfast Niles walked with Chester to the front door, as CC went to get the notes from the office. When she met up with them at the front door, Niles had already put the leash on Chester.

She gave him a puzzled look.

"Are you taking Chester for a walk?" He looked at her oddly.

"No, but since you're going home, I assume you're taking your dog with you."

"I'm only going home with my bag." He gave her a surprised look.

"You mean, you're coming back?"

"Of course I am. I've neglected work on the play to do this benefit, so I need to get back to it. I'd hardly think that would be surprising seeing as I also worked here before working on the benefit." He shook his head.

"It's not really surprising, but I just assumed you'd want to stay home and relax for the day."

"I can't afford to relax. All the time I spent finding a scene has cost me plenty of hours of work. I need to get back to it. Maxwell won't be back for another week, so I need to get plenty of work done by then."

"I see. Well, in that case I think I might as well take Chester for a walk now." He looked at Chester. "How does that sound to you?" The dog let out a small bark, which made Niles chuckle. "Glad you approve."

"Well, you two have a nice walk. Oh and don't let him out of your sight. He has a tendency to go wild when he sees a fire hydrant." Niles looked at her utterly confused.

"I've never noticed that Chester does that when I've walked him." She smirked at him.

"I wasn't talking about Chester." He gave her an un-amused look, which only made her laugh. "I better get going."

"We'll walk you out."

When they got outside Niles watched CC put her bag in the trunk, and watched her put her handbag and notes on the passenger's seat up front. She then went around to the driver's seat and opened the door, but looked up at Niles before getting in.

"See you later, Mrs. Doubtfire." He nodded.

"Yes, see you later, Trollop."

Niles watched her leave until he couldn't see the car anymore. He and Chester then went in the opposite direction.

In the late afternoon Niles was sitting on the couch reading a book when Maggie, Brighton, and Gracie walked through the front door. At the same time CC walked out of the bathroom.

Brighton threw his bag on the floor and groaned deeply.

"The trip sucked."

Niles chuckled putting his book down on the table and then stood up making his way over to where the others were standing. Brighton was pouting, Maggie was smiling from ear to ear, and Gracie smiled normally.

"Care to elaborate on that?"

"Well, you know how I had planned on having a girl on each arm during the weekend?"

Never having heard about it before CC had a hard time keeping herself from laughing, and it didn't make the situation better when she saw that Maggie and Gracie had a hard time trying not to laugh too. The three of them looked at one another, but quickly looked away from each other, so that they wouldn't burst out laughing out loud.

However, Niles kept a straight face and nodded.

"Yes."

"That didn't happen, and I don't know why." Everyone did their best not to laugh. "I've got the whole package. I'm good looking, I'm cute, and I'm rich. What girl in The Hamptons wouldn't want me?" Maggie was finally able to speak.

"A girl who has perfect sight, taste, and has her sanity. And every other girl for that matter." Brighton groaned and rolled his eyes while Niles looked at Brighton in surprise.

"You don't have a comeback for your sister?"

"No, because she actually met a guy during the weekend and now, he's her boyfriend." Niles gaped at Maggie.

"That's why you're smiling from ear to ear like that." Maggie nodded and started giggling like a schoolgirl.

"Yeah." CC smiled at her.

"Well, don't leave us all in suspense. Tell us about him."

"His name's Michael, he's absolutely wonderful, and he lives here in New York. And not to mention he's drop dead gorgeous." She giggled some more. "He's an underpants model."

"Oooh, nice."

Niles shook his head.

"There's nothing nice about it." CC looked at Niles confused.

"Why not?"

"Because when Mr. Sheffield finds out, I'm a dead man. I'm the one, who let them go to The Hamptons, so no doubt I'll be paying for that. And I'll be paying with my life. I might as well start packing my bags now, and get out of here before he and Mrs. Sheffield return home next Monday." CC rolled her eyes.

"Oh stop being such a whiny little girl. It's really annoying."

Gracie put a comforting hand on Niles' arm.

"Don't worry, Niles. Dad might want to kill you, but Fran will protect you." Niles looked at her.

"How do you figure that?"

"Because, Michael's Jewish." Niles sighed and nodded.

"I suppose that could save me. Though, I'm still not sure."

"Well, in that case I should buy a white dress." Everyone looked at CC curiously.

"Why? Margaret isn't about to marry the guy." CC smirked at Niles.

"Oh the dress isn't for Maggie's wedding. It's for your upcoming funeral. No point in dressing in black, since your funeral is something to feel joyful about."

Even though she never liked to joke about his funeral or make any death jokes about him, since his heart attack, she felt like she could joke about it now that he'd started it.

He sent her an un-amused glare.

"Shouldn't you get back to work?" She kept smirking at him and then pointed to the children's bags.

"Seems like you have your work cut out for you too." He groaned.

"Yeah, I guess I might as well take care of that now."

"I'm going to call Michael. I promised I'd do that when I got back." Maggie looked at Niles. "Oh and don't worry, Niles. Since Michael lives in New York, I can always tell Dad that I met him at the mall when I was there with some friends." He sighed again and shrugged.

"I'm not sure that'll do much good either, since I'm still the one, who let you go to the mall." Maggie shrugged.

"We can always give it a try."

"Yes, I suppose."

"Enough of this sweet talk." They all looked at Brighton. "I'm going to my room to play some videogames." Gracie shook her head at him, and then looked at Niles too.

"I'm going to my room too. I didn't have a chance to do a lot of reading, so I'm going to do that before dinner." Niles nodded and smiled at the children.

"I'll call when dinner's ready."

"Okay, Niles."

Niles grabbed the bags while the children went upstairs and CC went back to the office to work.

During dinner Niles and CC listened to Maggie, Brighton, and Gracie tell about, their trip to The Hamptons. And since the children still had a lot to tell, CC decided to stay after dinner, when Maggie asked her.

When they'd left the dining room to go to the living room for tea, Gracie had asked CC if she'd found a scene for the benefit. CC had told her she'd found a great scene, but hadn't elaborated any further, and the children had then gone back to talking about The Hamptons.

Around 10.00 CC and Chester had gone home.

The next day Maggie left after breakfast to meet up with Michael, and an hour after she'd left Brighton left to meet up with one of his friends. At lunch time a friend of Gracie's came to the mansion. CC stayed in the office to work, but did join Niles, Gracie, and Gracie's friend in the kitchen for their afternoon snack.

Gracie's friend stayed for dinner and CC did too. However, seeing as Gracie and her friend decided to watch a movie in the living room and that she was done with work, CC decided to leave after dinner.

The following day in the midmorning Niles returned home after having been out grocery shopping. As he walked in the kitchen from the backdoor, CC walked into the kitchen through the dining room.

"Hello, hello." He smiled at her.

"Hi." She gave him a curious look.

"What's with the over excited smile? Did you discover a new cleaning product at the store?" She laughed while he rolled his eyes.

"No." He put the bags on the counter.

"Then what?" He shook his head.

"I don't feel like telling you now." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh come on, Rochester. You know you can't keep whatever you're smiling about a secret. Just tell me." He sighed and then nodded.

"Okay, I'll tell you." He dug down in one of the bags and took out a saddle of venison. "This is what I got my hands on." She looked at it confusedly.

"It's meat. What's so exciting about that?" He shook his head.

"It's venison, which is very good meat. A friend of mine at the market gave me a great deal on it, and I couldn't pass it up." She shook her head still being confused.

"So you're this excited just because you got your hands on a dead Bambi?" He nodded.

"Yes." She chuckled and shook her head which made him frown. "Well, it happens to be excellent meat." She smirked and mocked him.

"Yes, it is, but seeing you all excited about meat, makes it obvious that you're really pathetic. Not to mention that you lead a miserable life." He pouted.

"I am not and I do not." She rolled her eyes.

"For crying out loud, Niles, it's meat. I haven't seen anyone being this excited about meat."

"Well, of course you haven't, because you haven't had a piece of meat near you since you went hunting for mammoth elephants. And that's the only kind of meat that would go near you." She gave him an un-amused glare, while he smirked slightly at her.

"Yeah well Bambi there is the only thing with a pulse that would go near you, and it's dead." Now he gave her an un-amused glare.

He then put the meat on the counter and started unpacking the rest of what was in the bags.

"So, I take it you're not staying for dinner then?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"It's just that you're not excited about the meat." She rolled her eyes.

"I agreed with you that the meat is excellent, but that still doesn't mean that it's getting me all hot and bothered." He shook his head.

"Okay, but I still don't follow. Are you staying for dinner or not?"

"Of course I am. I haven't had venison in ages, so I'm already looking forward to it." He smirked slightly.

"You're looking forward to it, but you're not excited about it? Isn't that a contradiction?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"No, Smartass. I'm not excited about the meat just as it is. I'm, however, excited, if you will, about the meal it'll turn into. And that includes everything else that'll go along with the meat." He chuckled slightly and shook his head at her.

"Okay, if you say so. Well, then I hope you'll be excited about the entire meal." She smiled and nodded.

"I'm sure I will be, but care to share?" He looked at her pretending to ponder on whether or not to tell her. She groaned. "Oh just spill, Belvedere!" He cocked an eyebrow at her and smirked.

"Impatient aren't we." When she merely glared slightly, he chuckled and nodded. "Okay then. We're having butter sautéed onions with blackberries, waldorf salad, new boiled potatoes, and gravy with blue cheese and currant jelly." He smiled at the look on her face being very pleased that she seemed to look forward to his cooking. He then smirked. "If you're going to drool, please stand with your head over the sink. That way there's no cleaning involved." She rolled her eyes.

"I think I better grab the bottle of water I came for, and then go back to work." She got the water from the fridge and then left, but looked over her shoulder before walking out and smiled a little. "Looking forward to dinner, Niles." He smiled back.

"Glad to hear it."

When she'd left, he couldn't help but smile broadly.

Some time after lunch Niles was sitting on the couch in the living room flipping through the channels when the doorbell rang. He was curious as to who it could be, and decided it was best to turn off the TV, in case it was someone Maxwell knew. Walking to the door he smoothed out his clothes, and when he looked at the door again, he was a bit surprised to see who was standing on the other side. However, he opened the door with a sincere smile.

"Hello, Niles." Niles gave a nod.

"Hello, Mr. Babcock. Please come in."

"Thank you." Stewart stepped inside and Niles closed the door after him.

"What can I do for you?"

"I was in the neighborhood, and I know that CC works here while Maxwell and Fran are on their honeymoon. Of course, I don't know if she's here at the moment, but I thought I'd just take my chances."

"She's here, Sir. She's working in the office at the moment. Do you want me to get her?" He shook his head.

"No that's not necessary. I'll go see her in a minute. Just thought I'd talk to you first. How are you, Niles? I was very sorry to hear about your heart attack. I know, it's well over a year ago now, but just thought I'd mention it. Though I must say you look great and look to be in excellent health."

Niles looked surprised at Stewart. He knew CC would've been the only one to have told her father about his heart attack, seeing as Fran didn't keep in touch with Stewart. And that surprised him. Fran had told him about how CC had reacted when he was lying in the hospital before he woke up, so he figured she somehow cared about him, or that she was at least somewhat concerned about him. But he never thought she'd tell anyone she knew, about what had happened to him.

Not really knowing how to react to that realization, he merely smiled warmly at Stewart.

"Thank you, Sir. Your concern means a lot. But yes, I'm fine now, thank you. My heart attack was a mild one, and I've made sure to exercise ever since. I also eat healthier, though I must admit that I indulge in some unhealthy stuff from time to time." Stewart chuckled softly.

"As you should. Life would be too boring without it." Niles nodded.

"My thoughts exactly. But I've been for a few check-ups since my heart attack and still go regularly, and so far I'm in excellent health. My doctor is very impressed and pleased and doubts, I'll have any problems later on. Though of course, I still have to watch out." Stewart nodded.

"Naturally. But it's certainly very good to hear that you've gotten so great news from your doctor. I'm very happy to hear that." He smiled.

"Thank you, Sir."

Coming back from the kitchen, CC heard Niles talking to someone. She got curious and decided to go see what he was doing. However, coming from the back of the living room, she didn't see who he was talking to.

"Who are you talking to, Rubbermaid? Did you get excited about seeing your own reflection in the mirror? Or are you trying out some new self-help exercise to improve your lack of masculinity?" CC laughed at her own joke.

"No, he was talking to me."

CC rounded the corner and was surprised to see her father standing next to Niles.

"Daddy? What are you doing here?"

"Well, hello to you too." She rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Hi, Daddy." They hugged.

"It's good to see you, Kitten." He looked at her. "You look radiant." CC was about to open her mouth, but Niles beat her to it.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Sir, but I do believe you need to start wearing glasses. It would be for your own good."

Stewart noticed CC crossing her arms and glaring at Niles. Instead of giving Niles a response, he waited to see what CC would do.

"You know what would be for your own good? You keeping your mouth shut." Niles looked at CC.

"But in order for me to do that, you'd have to keep your mouth shut first."

"I was not the one, who made a comment."

"No, because if you did make a comment, it would mean you'd have to say something intelligent. And we both know how low the odds are of that happening."

"And we both know how low the odds are of you behaving like a man."

"Well, Sir, you would know first hand what it's like, behaving like a man." She let out a frustrated groan.

"Why don't you just stick your feather duster up, where the sun doesn't shine?" He smirked at her.

"I would love to do that, but first I'd have to pull it out of your ass. And I'd rather not go there." He grimaced in mock disgust. However, she merely smirked back at him.

"But won't you get lonely without it?"

Having been thoroughly amused with their banter, Stewart thought, however, that now was a good time to interrupt them, seeing as Niles was about to open his mouth with a comeback.

"So anyway." He wanted to laugh out loud from seeing their surprised faces at realizing they weren't alone. But he merely smiled at both of them, and then looked at CC. "As I told Niles, I was in the neighborhood, and thought I'd just stop by."

"I can take some time off work. We can go out for coffee if you'd like? Or we can have coffee here." Niles nodded.

"Yes, I can go to the kitchen and make some right now. And I baked a cake earlier." Stewart smiled.

"It's kind of you to offer." He looked at Niles. "Both of you." Niles nodded kindly, and Stewart looked back at CC. "But unfortunately I don't have the time right now. I have a meeting, I need to get to. But I'm free for dinner tonight, which is the reason I stopped by. I wanted to hear if you were available for dinner. So are you?"

CC didn't know what to tell her father. She didn't want to tell him no, because she did want to spend time with him. She didn't want to lie to him either and tell him, she was busy. She also didn't know what Niles would say if she suddenly turned down her father. Niles would probably also find it strange if she suddenly said, she had other plans, and that it then turned out that the only plans she had was to have dinner with him and the children. She didn't need for Niles to tease her for turning down her father in order to spend time with him and the children. If she did end up having to turn down her father, it meant that she couldn't stay at the mansion for dinner either, and she really wanted to stay for dinner, but couldn't bring herself to say no to her father. Seeing as she had no valid reason for turning down her father, she realized that she'd have to say yes.

But before she got a chance to say anything the front door opened and Brighton walked in. He looked at Niles, CC, and Stewart a bit surprised but smiled.

"Hi." Stewart smiled at him.

"Hello, Brighton. Nice to see you again." Brighton smiled politely.

"You too, Mr. Babcock. What brings you by?"

"I came to ask if CC's free for dinner, and she was just about to answer." Brighton looked at CC.

"If I were you, I'd ask what he's planning to serve, and then ask Niles the same. You can then decide what sounds more delicious and make your decision based on that." Niles rolled his eyes.

"I think that's a bit immature, Brighton." Brighton shrugged.

"Just an idea. By the way, Niles, what are we having for dinner?" Everyone looked at Brighton amused.

"Planning on eating somewhere else tonight?" CC and Stewart chuckled while Brighton rolled his eyes.

"No, I was just curious now that we were talking about dinner."

"We're having saddle of venison." Stewart looked at Niles.

"That sounds delicious, Niles."

"Well, why don't you just join us for dinner?" They all looked at Brighton. Stewart then smiled at Brighton.

"It's kind of you to suggest, Brighton, but we wouldn't want to impose." Brighton shook his head.

"You wouldn't. Besides, Miss Babcock has been eating with us the last couple of weeks, whenever she's been working here. One more won't make a difference." Stewart chuckled.

"I think that's something Niles should decide." He looked at Niles. "I don't want to impose, Niles, or want you to go to any extra trouble." Niles smiled sincerely.

"You wouldn't impose at all, and it's absolutely no trouble. I'm used to cooking more food than necessary, because I always expect Mrs. Sheffield's mother to turn up." They all chuckled.

"Well, what you're having for dinner does sound amazing, so if it's really no trouble, I'd like to have dinner here." He looked at CC. "That is if it's alright with you?" CC smiled at her father.

"Yes, it's alright with me."

"Well, it seems it's settled then." He looked at his watch. "I should get going." He looked back at Niles. "Would 6.30 be fine?" Niles nodded.

"It's perfect."

"Good. I'll bring the wine." He then hugged CC. "Bye, Kitten."

"Bye, Daddy." He then looked at Niles and Brighton.

"I'll see you all in a couple of hours."

"Looking forward to it, Sir."

"Bye, Mr. Babcock."

Niles stepped forward and opened the door. Stewart gave Niles a warm smile.

"I'm looking forward to it too." They gave each other a nod before Stewart left.

"It was nice of you to let Daddy come over for dinner."

Niles noticed CC giving him a small smile, and he gave his lopsided grin in return.

"Well, he's nice to me unlike someone else, I know. You know, you could really take some lessons in manners from him." She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah well, if I'm going to take lessons in manners, you should too."

"My manners are impeccable." She snorted.

"Yeah, right."

Brighton rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"I'll be in my room if anyone needs me."

They both watched him as he ran up the stairs. They then looked at each other and smirked.

"I guess I better get back to work." He nodded.

"I'm off to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. Would you like one too?"

"Yes, thank you." He smirked at her.

"Well, well, well, look at that. Your manners have improved already." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh shut up, Pottymouth."

"Touché." They both chuckled. "I'll get that kettle on."

She simply nodded, which caused them both to chuckle again. With one last smirk directed at each other, they went in separate directions.

TBC