CHAPTER 25

Niles had finally got dressed and looked a little better by the time lunch had rolled around. He was in the kitchen, drawing up a list of groceries they needed for the home and his mind kept wandering down the winding path of what had happened the night before.

Fran entered the kitchen and saw him sitting at the table.

"What are you smiling about?" She asked.

"Wha-? Nothing. I'm not smiling."

"Yeah, you were. So? Who is she?" Fran said with a sly grin and pulled out a chair to take a seat alongside him.

Niles felt cornered. "Nobody. I don't know what you're talking about, Miss Fine!" And he began doodling on his notepad.

"Oh ho ho, I'm on to you, mistah! I can spot an unavailable man from a mile away - true story. And you, sir, definitely have your eye on someone."

He looked at her with his best blank expression and then began scribbling again.

"Aha! Pancakes!" Fran shouted, pointing at him.

His eyes bulged out of their sockets. "What? How did you... Shhhh!" He flapped his hands up and down, gesturing for her to be quiet. He looked around and worriedly asked, "Who told you?"

Fran laughed, triumphantly. "So I'm right!"

He frowned.

"You kept writing over the word 'pancake' on ya grocery list there, genius." She laughed. "I'd say it's bold enough!" she honked through her nose.

He looked down, embarrassed when he realised she was right. He'd practically decorated the word.

He turned over the notepad, set the pen down and rubbed his eyes and the bridge of his nose in gloom.

"Aaaww. Niles, don't get upset! I'm only teasing. Meanwhile, is that why there were leftover pancakes this morning?" She squealed. "Is that why you were happy to stay home last night?" Her excitement was growing.

"No, I stayed home because I was feeling a little under the weather. Still am. I'm not seeing anyone." He said carefully.

"Not seeing anyone doesn't mean you're not having fun with someone..." She grinned. "So, who's this girl that you're messing around with so casually and who's having pancakes with you at night?... And who seems to sneak out before we can meet her... Oh my gawd, did she stay over last night? Did ya get lucky?" She winked.

Niles's nervous energy made him smile. "Yes, Miss Fine, I had pancakes last night. Nobody stayed over afterwards. There's nobody for you to meet." He was being honest. She already knew CC.

"Yeah, yeah. I don't believe you but I don't care coz I got some of ya spy equipment so don't think you can hide this woman from me, scarecrow." She poked a finger at him. "It's not like I won't notice a strange woman walking around this house... Oh, Miss Babcock!"

Niles's jumped. He calmed himself quickly when he realised Fran was just greeting CC, who had entered the kitchen.

"How're ya feelin'? Niles is looking a little better already. You should use his secret coz it seems to be working wonders for him!" Said Fran, winking at Niles.

"I've already tried that, Nanny Fine. Niles and I did it this morning. We steamed up his entire bathroom."

Fran stared at her, mouth agape.

CC looked over, confused by the silence in a room containing a Fine woman.

"What?" She asked, perplexed.

"You and Niles?!" Fran squeezed out in a long breath, shocked.

CC's eyes widened slightly. Shit! What is she talking about? What did I say? What did he say? Does she know? He told her?

Niles jumped in to clarify things before too much was uncovered. "Miss Babcock is referring to the shower steam trick to loosen phlegm, Miss Fine. I showed her this morning."

"Why? What were you guys talking about?" CC asked, still unsure what she had walked in on.

Fran burst into fits of laughter and almost fell off of her chair. "Oh My Gaaawd! You guys! I almost had a seizure!" She looked at CC and began laughing again. "I thought you were saying you were fooling around with Niles! Haaa!"

Niles and CC glanced at each other "Why would you think that, Nanny Fine?" CC asked with fake laughter.

Niles joined in, laughing loudly and hoping Fran wouldn't say anything or that, if she did, his laughter would drown it out before it could reach CC's ears.

"Because that's Niles's secret for looking much better!" Fran laughed. "He's got some pretty young thing on the side and he seems to be getting some uh... TLC if you catch my drift!" Fran winked and continued laughing. Niles's laughter turned nervous but still loud.

CC, on the other hand, stopped laughing. She looked over at Niles. He wouldn't meet her eye. "Well, yes I suppose you're still right, Nanny Fine. I have been using that secret too." Niles looked at her.

"In fact I'm just about to call Damon right now. I too need a little TLC." She stressed the last part by punctuating each letter as she walked out.

Fran was still laughing and looked over at Niles. He quickly laughed with her but inside he was most definitely bothered by what had just happened.

CC stood near the outdoor table on the terrace, chatting to Damon on her cellphone. Maxwell called over the intercom in the office for a lunchtime sandwich from Niles.

As Niles entered the office, silver tray in hand, his eyes automatically scanned the room for her. He noticed her hair reflecting the sunlight outside as she looked out over the wall. Her back was to the door.

He served Maxwell his roast beef on rye and left the office, turning towards the second entrance to the terrace. He silently stalked his way outside to spy on her.

She sneezed a few times. Likely still sick. "I hope you'll forgive me for what happened last night," she said into her phone as she dabbed at her nose with a tissue.

Niles became curious. What happened last night? She didn't tell him about us, did she? Did he figure it out? Had he seen it on her face? The latter made him somewhat excited. He'd love to know he could have had such an effect on her.

"Well, I'll admit I did practice a little dirty talk but apart from that, I don't want to make any promises," she said.

She told him about our dirty talk too?! Promises about what? Not seeing me? She did tell him, didn't she! Oh I have got to get equipment to tap her cell phone! Niles thought, ever the snoop.

"Well I'm kept quite busy here at work and I haven't been feeling very well but we should definitely make plans if you want to get me away from the distractions here at the mansion..."

Is she trying to upset him? Niles wondered in surprise. She's basically telling Damon he needs to take her away from here... Away from me! This is not good! What if he comes over here looking for a fight!

Damon said something.

"You never know where things could lead... You can't plan these things." She giggled evilly.

She turned and Niles ducked back around the corner but not before she caught a glimpse of him.

"Bollocks! Did she see me?"

"Chat later, Damon. Gotta go, mwah, mwah!" She said quietly and air kissed before quickly hanging up, then she lifted the phone to her ear again.

"Yes, Damon... You were amazing!" She giggled, hoping Niles would believe he was still on the line.

"Oh, you dog! I thought about you all day and night yesterday! ...Oh, you thought about me too?" She gasped extra loudly for effect, certain that Niles was still listening. "Damon! I didn't realise you enjoyed my dirty talk that much!... Really? The best you've ever had, you say?" She laughed. "Well, I'm glad I keep you so satisfied."

Niles had ducked and stayed hidden. CC giggled audibly and peered her head around to check if she could see Niles.

"Aw, you're so thoughtful! Yes, chicken soup would do wonders for my cold! Bring some over to my place around 8pm? ... Great! I'll see you then, you sexy thing, you!"

She 'hung up' the phone and grinned to herself before turning to walk back into the office.

Niles emerged from his hiding place and sulked his way back to the kitchen. I need to get myself out of this ridiculous Babcock rut. I need to move on. I need to find someone who'll accept me with open arms.