A/N: Yes this is it everybody, the final chapter. Commenting on a previous review, I know it feels like it went by pretty fast pacing ways, butno, it was never meant to be a long story. That being said, I'm actually upset that it's over, LOL! But I am definitely excited. Another storyboarded, planned, and ready idea is coming up soon, expect lots of Babs as it is about her. In the meantime, a thanks to all my reviewers, I love you all: bellamegs, TrudiRose, the Anons :-), xxooEriklovesChristinexxoo, Bozievich, Knux, Imaginarylady, BookRose, Lyndsi05, and everyone! Hope you enjoyed it!

Chapter Five

Hours ago, there was time to spare, but nothing is strong enough to make time truly stand still. Now, guests were being led into the ballroom where soft music began to fill the air, while elsewhere, in a nearby sitting room, Cogsworth anxiously paced the floor. He needed to settle the argument with Lumière,if onlyfor the gala's sake. If either of them remained in a negative mind frame, nothing would go right; others should not suffer because of their misfortunes, especially the master and mistress.

When Lumière finally joined him, Cogsworth sighed at the displeased look the Frenchman hadon his face, although hehad not expected anything less. If Cogsworth himself had been called to a meeting with someone he was angry with, he would be very upset as well.

"May we get this over with?" Lumière asked, taking a seat.

"I do hope so," Cogsworth agreed.

There was a pause then, neither man willing to give in and say the first word, until Lumière could take no more of the silence.

"If you have nothing to say, then I will take my leave," he said. "For I myself have nothing to say to you, trust me."

"No," Cogsworth said with authority. "Not until we settle this."

Lumière rose from his chair. "I have stood for your antics before, letting them go like water under a bridge, but this time you went too far!"

"Now you know what I go through with your mishaps," Cogsworth snarled. "How angry I feel whenever you deliberately disobey anything I tell you, but if you sincerely needed to apologize, I would not turn you away."

"Apologize? You actually know what that word means?" Lumière asked sarcastically stunned.

"Hard to believe at present, I know," Cogsworth mumbled. "I did not mean to upset her so, truthfully."

Lumière was silent before he answered, "I still stand by my words: you only see what you wish to see. But now you know. I work as hard as I can, but there is more in my life than work. Babette means the world to me; this is not just a passing fling."

"I know."

Lumière opened his mouth, about to retaliate the expected argument, but he stopped when he heard an agreement.

"You…know?"

Cogsworth nodded. "I saw that earlier. She would not have been so upset if it were anything less than true love. As for work, well, once again you are right. You…do more work than I tend to acknowledge sometimes. I caught sight of the corrected menu earlier; thank goodness one of us knows the kitchen and dining room as well as you do."

Lumière listened, but responded uncertainly. "You do not mean that…do you?"

"Have you ever heard me talk so seriously?"

"No, that is why it is difficult to believe."

"Well, I meant every word," Cogsworth replied. "Between the menu and what happened with Babette…I have never seen her like she was. Before this chaos, I'd never heard her say anything with a point to be honest; it was always about one of your shameless displays!"

Lumière stared at him blankly, hardly able to comprehend what he was hearing before he offered a small grin. "She is quite a smart one, among other traits she does not always show."

Cogsworth smiled faintly. Between the two of them, that was as close to an acceptance of apology that they would ever have. Holding out his hand to offer a handshake, Cogsworth's smile grew as Lumière returned the gesture.

"While we are being honest," Lumière said, laughing. "I must ask how you keep your sanity remembering every fact and detail, like the seating arrangements pour example!"

"Many, many years of practice and teachings," Cogsworth chuckled.

"I was listening to you earlier, believe it or not," Lumière said with sincere respect and admiration. "Dieu, you made it sound so easy! My head wanted to explode just hearing you organize your thoughts!"

"Gossip does have its finer points when put to good use," Cogsworth explained conspiratorially. "Couple that with learned experience, and that's my secret! After a while, it feels like common routine."

"Bless you for it," Lumière said, shaking his head in amazement. "I never could have imagined such madness. When we return to normal, I promise, I will be so much more understanding."

"As long as you keep your word, I will be too."

"You have a deal then, mon ami."

Cogsworth nodded in agreement. "Now, it appears that we are not switching back tonight, but we can not let that stop us. If you have any trouble, do not hesitate to send for me immediately."

"Likewise, absolument."

As they headed for the door, the two men heard a familiar laugh behind them.

"Hold that thought, boys."

Turning around, they discovered the imp sitting comfortably on the windowsill.

"I have heard what I needed to hear, and as the spell called for a mutual understanding, I am bound to my word to make things as they were before." She grinned playfully. "I think you two had enough for one day."

Cogsworth and Lumière glanced at one another, not daring to hope.

"You mean…?" Lumière asked.

The imp nodded, mockingly forlorn. "Yes, my fun is over; you must be returned to normal."

"Honestly?" Cogsworth added happily.

"Of course!" the imp laughed. "I am an imp, not a witch! I had my fun and you two learned your lesson well enough. Now hold still!"

Raising her hand in their direction, as concentrated as a hunter with his prey, the imp gave her wrist a sharp turn, and in a flash of blinding light, Cogsworth and Lumière immediately returned to their true selves.

Opening their eyes warily, they both laughed heartily to find they had indeed switched back, and the imp smiled at a job well done. Surely when she returned home, her sister would be proud aside from being perhaps a tad upset.

"Now, I think you are needed at the party downstairs," she said. "Better hurry before you are too late!"

Cogsworth reached into his pocket, his own pocket thank goodness, and took out his watch, gasping upon seeing the time.

"You are absolutely correct!" he said, delighted to hear his own voice again when he spoke. "If we hurry, we can just make it!"

Before the pair headed for the door again, they turned to thank the imp, only to find that she had vanished.

Lumière shook his head staring at the window. "I do not think I will ever get used to this magic business."

"My thoughts exactly," Cogsworth agreed.

And with a shrug, they quickly left to join the party downstairs.

ooo

As always, the gala was a great success, enjoyed by each and every guest present. As Cogsworth made his supervision rounds, he took a deep breath, relieved to be backto a sense of normalcy. This had indeed been quite an experience, and one that he would not soon forget. But home was where the heart was, and it felt wonderful to be "home" in his own body again.

Glancing across the room, however, he remembered a bit of unfinished business. Babette, normally quite bubbly and carefree at parties, walked rather solemnly around the room as she served wine.

Checking his watch, Cogsworth sighed with a grin. Lumière should have completed all his duties by now, preparing for the dinner to be served momentarily, he thought walking towards the dining room. Opening the door slightly, Cogsworth gestured Lumière to join him, and the latter did so without objection.

"What is it, mon ami?" Lumière asked, ready to be of assistance.

Cogsworth miraculously managed to keep his manner of authority as he answered. "I need you to complete a vital task, one that I myself am not able to do."

Lumière smirked. "That important, oui?"

"Quite," Cogsworth reaffirmed, nodding in Babette's direction. "You have only a short amount of time to correct my wretched mistakes. Remember, there is still work to be done…but this is an especially crucial job that needs attention immediately, if not sooner."

Lumière looked at him, debating if Cogsworth meant what he was saying. He was not yet accustomed to the older man's heartfelt understanding just yet, but the look in Cogsworth's eyes and his amused grin were certainly genuine.

"Well, time is wasting, and I believe it was you who once said 'love will not wait,'" Cogsworth laughed before looking at his friend with compassion. "So go to her, you ninny."

Lumière smiled, sincerely grateful. "I will be right back then, I swear; if all goes well, it will not take long."

Racing across the room, Lumière stood behind Babette, knowing better than to just approach her when she was upset.

"Do you have a moment, ma plumette?" he asked quietly, though still startling her. When he saw her expression grow threatening, he quickly added, "To hear out an old fool?"

Babette turned away. "I do not think he has anything to say that I want to hear."

As she began to walk away, Lumière followed, continuing earnestly. "Even if it was the most humble and serious apology you have ever heard and assuredly deserve?"

Babette halted in place, whirling around to face him angrily. "'I am sorry' is not going to be enough," she warned. "What you said…Dieu, Lumière, did you hear yourself? You never used such an awful tone with me, nor said anything so merciless and hurtful…"

Unaware that he was drawing her into his arms until now, Babette trailed off, about to protest. Lumière's lips, on the other hand, were faster than hers, and she found herself in an irresistible kiss that neither could ever be immune to.

Attempting to appear coherent and steadfast in her anger, and failing rather miserably, Babette murmured, "You…are so sure of yourself that you believe…a kiss would be all it takes?"

Lumière smirked, enraptured by the feel of her in his arms again. "I was rather hoping it would take more than that."

"You have quite a lot to atone for," she said, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Later in the sitting room then?"

"As soon as possible."

Lumière nodded. "The very second everyone has left."

Babette gave him the once-over before fully reflecting his smile, bestowing a great sense of relief on his nerves. Seeing her look that way, Lumière knew he had struck the correct chord and everything would be all right.

"I think we can work something out," she agreed.

"We shall indeed," he replied with promise before he took one final kiss from her.

After they parted ways, Lumière returned to the dining room, grinning victoriously as Cogsworth walked to meet him.

"That was faster than expected," he said with surprise.

Lumière nodded. "I told you it would be. I promised to finish the apology later on our own time when the gala is over. For now, there is still a party to attend to."

Cogsworth was quite impressed. "I could not agree more…although…"

Lumière looked at him curiously. "Although what?"

"You have caught onto better work ethics after one day of being me," Cogsworth said, taking some pride in the thought. "Perhaps I could offer an extended teaching on the best way to court a lady."

Lumière laughed. "I think one day in my body has gotten to your head if you think I need that lesson, mon ami."

Cogsworth looked at him indignantly. "I beg to differ, old friend, but my way would be so much more enjoyable with a lady friend than your way."

Lumière's laugh faded a bit with realization. "You…seriously believe that?"

Cogsworth nodded, clearly not jesting.

Lumière shook his head. "Non, merci; there is no way that I would take romantic advice from you. You might as well throw my good name into the river should I even consider it."

"Afraid that my way, the better way, would work better than yours because I am the better man?"

"Of course not," Lumière scoffed confidently. "Because I know that such a thought is not possible!"

"Coward!"

"Dreamer!"

On this final note, our tale has ended, but one can rest assured. Despite their continuing bickering, a strong part of their friendship, Cogsworth and Lumière did learn quite a lesson. From that day forward, they first thought of each other, remembering how the other's life was not as easy as it seemed.

The End