Everyone was surprised that to see Noel down so late yet nobody said anything at the dining table.

Algernon was serving lunch at this point and even he was exceptionally quiet.

Stefan sat at the far end of the table while Feliciana was on the right corner seat beside him.

"You slept in late I see.

Trouble sleeping?"

Stephen pretended to be uninterested so as to appear he wasn't becoming too nosy about his nieces whereabouts.

"I always struggle with my sleep.

I'm a bit of a insomniac as of late.

I hardly sleep at all nowadays."

"Did you have a late night out again?"

Feliciana flashed a huge pearly grin.

Noel's pupils were the size of quarters.

"What do you mean again?

Is there something you'd perhaps care to explain, Noel?"

Stephen now looked very irritated.

"I do tend to go downtown to soak up some of the night life".

Noel nearly gulped the last few words.

Feliciana felt the tension and tried to ease it by giving a few words of encouragement.

"Oh how exciting. It's so nice being a adult, staying out late, going from club to club and then sleeping in till noon.

I mean Stephen our little niece is growing up.

She's found her independence.

It's healthy and shouldn't be discouraged.

She after all needs her freedom.

She needs room to express herself."

"Yes Feliciana, I don't believe I gave any objections.

You don't have to convince me.

Obviously she's done nothing wrong.

Just as long as she is safe and drinks responsibly I don't see the harm.

However if you do in fact have insomnia you should get some help for that.

That's not healthy for you to be up all hours of the night".

"I'm afraid I am to blame for that Sir.

You see I sort of ran into her during her nightly excursions and I decided to step in as her chaperone eventually one thing lead to another and I took her out to a late dinner.

So I do apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused".

Algernon explained still trying to be proper however his speech was rank with a informal nervousness.

"Thank you for your honesty.

I'd much prefer she have a proper chaperone from now on".

"Oh I intend to provide that for her unless you have any objections sir".

"No I don't at the moment.

Noel, you can call me old fashioned but I think it would be proper if you had someone to serve as your chaperone unless you have any objections on the matter".

"No uncle I have none.

I think it's a Mighty sensible idea.

In fact Algernon was generous enough to offer his services last night."

"Well he's definitely a perfect candidate.

He used to chaperone me when I was a young boy.

He taught me how to pick up girls, gave me dating advice, instructed me what to say when I was on a date.

He was quite the lady's man in his day of course I was too.

We were quite the pair, going from Club to club.

We were the dynamic duo if you will.

So I'm sure he'll take good care of you because he certainly took a good care of me when I was out and about."

"You were a lady's man?"

Feliciana gazed over at Stefan.

"Yes I was.

Is that so hard to believe?

I owe it all to him."

"I wasn't talking to you sweetheart, I just so happened to be addressing Algee". Fell spoke to her husband in a matter of fact sarcastic fashion.

"Then why were you looking straight at me?!" Stephen's voice burst with a nearly furious edge of frustration.

"I was tilting my head towards Algernon.

Try to keep up darling". Fell smiled in secretive way much like a young school girl would smile at a boy she had a crush on.

"Well in that case yes I was.

I used to pick up a girl every night.

Are you surprised?"

Algernon pursed his lips in amusement.

"You have a face like Burt Lancaster and the voice of a sports announcer.

So no I'm not surprised but my husband that surprises me.

He didn't even start telling he loved me until 4 years passed us by.

He started flirting on year 2,.it wasn't until the 5th year he showed me a ring.

Believe me I'm shocked."

"Yes thank for your input Feliciana." Stephen almost snarled at her.

"Oh anytime sweet heart".

Fell said in a sickly sweet sing song voice.

"Oh uncle I was wondering if I could speak to you in private later perhaps after lunch".

"Of course.

I'm already finished with my meal, so now is a good time as any".

Stephen daintily dabbed at his mouth with a handkerchief.

Stephen went to the end of the hallway where his lush and lavish office was located.

"Well I assume this important"

Stephen raised his brow expectantly.

"Oh yes quite important.

It's about Algernon.

You know I'm quite attached to him.

We've always had a special bond and he's been here so long that he's practically family.

Anyway it's come to my attention that he looks rather worn out, tired and overworked.

You probably haven't noticed but his hair is slightly thinning especially in the front.

I just hope it's not due to any stress.

I say this only out of my concern and compassion for him.

This is no reflection on you, I just think he's rather overworked.

I think he could use a hand."

"If you're suggesting I hire a maid I refuse to do so".

"Oh no you wouldn't have to hire a maid.

See that's the beauty of my solution.

When I was a child I always admired Algernon.

I'd often watch him work, sometimes I'd watch him for hours.

I once tried to help him one time, no doubt you remember, he was waxing the floor and I offered to help him.

You weren't too happy about if I recall."

"Yes I remember and I'll admit I was wrong that day.

It wasn't fair, I wasn't fair to Algernon.

I suppose I'm still a little hard on him."

"Well maybe you could give him a little slack, give him a break, span out his hours or perhaps you could allow me to help him every once and awhile.

I'd be more than happy to give him a hand.

Plus it's not as if I have much to do around here.

It would give me a sense of accomplishment.

It would keep me from being idle and bored out of my mind.

I mean I love being here but there's only so many times I can watch The Young and the Restless with my aunt.

Most of the time I busy myself in the Library but I need other ways of keeping busy.

I know you don't want me to work but really what would be the harm?

You wouldn't have to think of me as a servant.

I'd be more of an assistant to Algernon.

Let's face it uncle, Algee is not getting any younger and I'd hate for him to wear out, be put out or burnt out.

If I were to assist him I'd be able to lighten the load for him.

Who knows he might even be Happier with an extra hand around the house."

"Well since you put it that way.

Are you sure you want to be doing household chores?

I mean none of my children even did chores.

They hardly even cleaned their rooms. In fact they still don't make any effort to clean their rooms. Oh that's right they aren't here but that's besides the point.

I just don't want you to be burnt out, put out, worn out or grossed out, however you said that."

" Oh I'm not going to be either of those things.

I'm not afraid of little hard work.

I used to do chores at my house when I was a kid".

" Oh really? I must say that's exceptional. Well I suppose there wouldn't be any harm in it.

You know I never told you but on that day I apologized to Algernon.

I was rather terrible to him.

You were always a very generous child.

You were always wise and empathetic.

So very well I'll allow you to aid Algernon in his work but if he tries to take advantage of you in any way please let me know.

I don't want him relying on you for everything.

I do not want him working you to the bone.

You are not just my niece, I see you as one of my own children.

You are family and you always will be.

Remember you're very important to this household.

Please don't over work yourself.

Whatever you do don't do any heavy lifting, Algee nearly lost a shoulder that way.

Just pace yourself.

I Don't want you to have your arm in a sling like Algernon did for a week.

Be safe alright".

"Yes of course I will Uncle.

Remember it's Algernon, he's not some sassy nitpicky Housekeeper.

I won't over do anything.

I'll be safe.

I'm only going to be working in the house I'm not working in a war zone in the middle of a mine field."

"Hilarious.

You should become a comedian.

Maybe you two should do stand up comedy.

Not very many people have seen much of the humor of a overworked Butler.

You should be his stage manager."

"I'll think about it.

I'll have to discuss it with Algernon but I'll keep you updated".

"Yes you better".

Noel gave a soft peck on her uncle's cheek which Stephen took gratefully.

Noel rushed over to Algernon and practically dragged him to the kitchen.

"This is highly inconvenient, highly irregular highly unorthodox and highly irritating".

Algernon snatched his hand away from hers rather angrily.

His voice was on the verge of shouting and he had harsh edge to his tone made his voice thin and threatening.

"Oh don't be so upset.

I have excellent news.

I simply couldn't wait to tell you."

"I was working.

I was in the middle of serving lunch.

Couldn't you have waited 5 minutes?"

"No I couldn't have.

My uncle said yes".

"Yes to what?"

"Yes to me assisting you".

"You're kidding.

If this is a joke I'll kill you and I'll make it look like an accident".

"Algee I'm serious, it's no joke.

I'm not kidding around this time.

Honestly you watch way too many true crime shows".

"Oh shut up, girl.

I haven't watched a crime show in quite a awhile.

However did you convince him?"

"I'm rather important to this household remember.

He said that he saw me as one of his own children.

He didn't want me over doing anything.

He also says he didn't want you taking advantage of me."

"Oh I get it, he's afraid I'll over work you.

Let me guess he didn't want you to do any heavy lifting either".

"Yes because you were in a sling for over a week".

"Oh that was a joke.

Of course I was the only one that was laughing about it.

I never injured my shoulder.

He told me to go to the doctor, I went out to eat at a casino instead.

Then I bought myself a sling and I told your uncle I'd torn my rotator cuff.

All I'd done at the time was strain it.

I did over elaborate and I told him the doctor said I was very close to losing my shoulder.

I could have had surgery, it was that serious.

Okay I lied through my teeth.

It's a slight variation on the white lie if you think about it.

So no you most likely will not have any injuries while working with me.

You won't have anything to worry about.

Who does he think I am some old crochety old slave-driver?"

"Well you are old and crochety but a slave-driver you are not".

"Clever, Noel, very clever.

Guess what you get to do?

You get to try out my new septic cleaner.

It's all natural and it's made only with the finest ingredients.

Think of it as you being my product tester.

I'll give you a cleaning product and you can try it out.

Make sure you clean the outside while you're at it".

Algee's face was glowing with glee as he handed her a spouted bottle of some naturally lemon scented toilet cleaner.

"Oh made of lemons, at least it should smell nice.

So I thank you for the task.

This should be fun.

Which bathroom should I start with first?"

"Start with the downstairs.

I'll handle the upstairs.

Oh don't forget your gloves."

"Oh splendid and to think I almost forgot.

You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"For the time being yes.

It's also a comfort to know I'm not the only one that has to deal with such delicate matters.

Let's just say I'll enjoy this a lot more than you will".

He smiled a smug almost predatory grin.

"Do You wish to supervise or am I in this alone?"

"How about you Tell me when you're finished and I'll supervise after you're done.

Just dive right in and I'll see how you did".

"Clever Dad Joke.

I almost laughed.

My uncle will be so pleased".

"No he won't be pleased he'll be proud of you."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that".

She then headed to the closest bathroom so she could clean it.