"Ah...now for some peace and quiet." He turns off the TV and gets in the shower. To quiet, he thinks to himself. Niles' mind: Why do I do this? I push away people who are just trying to help? CC help? That's a new one. He remembers what he said to Max earlier, 'I've hurt all of you.' It's true. I just hurt the last one of 'you' a minute ago. My last friend/enemy. How could I? I've really blown it this time. He lays on the bed thinking to himself about the past 24 hours. Do I want to live life like this? Is it really meant to be for me to be alone? He jumps out of bed. I'll change, that. But will Ms. Babcock still be here? I think I'll wear jeans and t-shirt since I'm not working any more. He gets dressed again.

He walks around inside looking for any sign of her. He doesn't see her anywhere.

Now where? I don't want to wonder each floor that would take forever. Um... if I were her where would I go what would I do? He snapped his fingers. "The bar. That's where she is. That's where she always is." Still no CC. I guess I'll sit in the lobby for a few minutes. Maybe she has left the building. Maybe she doesn't even have a room here. Would she sink that low though. What if she did run away from this? Away from me? He sat down on the couch in the lobby starting to remember. The kiss that they shared while they were drunk came to mind. He decided he had one last try, that was to ask the guy at the front desk if by any chance CC was staying here.

"Name sir."

"CC Babcock."

"Babcock let's see. Babcock, Babcock, Babcock." He reads down the computer screen.

"Yes, one CC Babcock. Room #111. It's to the left of the bar." He points to a hallway that was curved.

"Thanks."

"Do you need a key sir?"

"Um..." Niles thinks, a key? I could have some fun with that. Na, I don't want to blow it again by sneaking up on her like that. "No,"

Niles walks over to the bar and sits down. He had to get his nerves up again. The bartender sees on his face that he is lonely.

"Hello again sir." He places a napkin down. "Oh, did the blond bring you your keys?"

"Yes,"

"Why the long face? What can I get for you?"

"Champaign. Do you deliver?"

"To a room?"

"Yeah, I mean I know it's late in all."

"Well, our room service does." The bartender picks up the phone. "Had a fight with girlfriend uh..." he smiles at Niles.

"Just a friend." A bellboy arrives with a chart.

"Where to sir?" Niles thinks about it. Should I be bringing her anything, I mean I don't want this to end up like it did last time. The time... .oh what a time it was though, when she got drunk and we ended up kissing. This time there will be no Max or Fran to walk in on us. I don't think this is the right time for that. Not after what happened earlier. Maybe...I don't want to have our relationship start out like this, I mean with the booze. Maybe I should just go back to my room...I don't know. I do need someone to talk to...

"umm...never mind. Thanks anyway." Both the bartender and the bellboy just exchanged looks.

Since Fran was now at her mother's house the Sheffield's mansion was a mess. A hurricane blew things all over the place. Cloths toys and other things were spread all over the floor in the den. Even cloths were hanging off the railing of the stairs. Dirty dishes piled in the sink along with take out boxes left on the countertop.

"I like it when Niles orders it." B complained.

"Yeah dad. When are we getting a new butler?" Maggie added.

"No one can replace Niles." Gracie started to cry. She thought all of this was her fault. "I want Fran." She took off running to her room.

"Yeah dad Gracie's right. You're never going to replace him. He was one of a kind." B and Maggie leave Max with his thoughts. The kids still don't know why Max fired Niles. they just want Fran and Niles back home. Gracie had some idea and wished she'd never opened her mouth. Both my kids are right. I do miss Niles and Fran. Both in their own way are one of a kind but...I can't allow their behavior. What even really happened? Why did our lives get all complicated? Maybe work will do me some good.

"Now where's my business partner." He said out loud as he headed for his office. He played back the messages on his phone. One was from CC. "Max this is CC,"

"Well, duh." Max said as he sat down at his desk. "I took a few days off to let this "thing" what ever it is blew over. Since I was left out once again I might add, I thought I go and work from home call me on my cell if you need me.

Niles slowly walks down the hall to her room. He stops a few times thinking that this was not such a good idea. Will she even be there? What if she doesn't want to talk to me?

"Well," he breathed in deep as he reached room 111. This is it. He knocked. CC wasn't expecting anyone at her door. She looked through the circular peephole.

CC's mind: It can't be? Why is he here? What does he have to say to me now? What else did I do wrong? Maybe, since he is dressed in jeans he wants to talk to me. Should I open the door or just let him talk through it? Let's just see. She grinned. He knocked again.

Niles' mind: Maybe she's not there? He started to turn away. She unlatched the chain on her door. He was expecting the door to open. When it didn't he stood there and shrugged.

"What do you want?" He heard her say. Why was she talking though the door and not facing him. Did he burn too much of the bridge between them? Niles' mind: This is stupid. Why is she doing this to me? It must be to embarrass me. Well, at least we are talking to each other. That's a start. A couple walked by hand in hand down the hall. That made him blink. Why is this happening to me of all people?

"You still there? Why do you want me?" CC yelled.

"We need to talk. Have dinner with me."

"W-Wha did you say?" just the sound of his seductive voice made her deaf to the words that he actually said to her. CC's mind: Did he mean it? Was he willing too take a chance like that? Am I? She swallowed.

"Have dinner with me?" he repeated huskily. "We must talk."

"How dare you come here?" Niles' mind: What? Why did her mood change all of a sudden? What did I do that was so wrong? Maybe she's just back to normal. He tried to force a smile.

"Why, will your mother disown you if she finds out you've been talking to me?"

"Probably."

"She wouldn't do that and you know it. Now, how about dinner? My treat."

"I can't," she answered bluntly giving her mind time to search for an appropriate excuse. CC's mind: Why should I lie to him? I'll just tell him the truth. "I don't want to actually."

"Actually," he mocked her. "I don't think either of us has much choice, unless you want me to make another scene cause I'm not leaving until you open this door." She looked at him though the peephole. More people went down the hall passed him. Seeing them he thought if he stood there smiling right up against the peephole she would have to let him in. CC's mind: How dare him? What is he doing? Trying to get me into trouble. Why is he being so persistent? A little while ago he wanted to be alone. He's trying to embarrass me isn't he?

"All right, I accept that something has to be done here and perhaps you and I are the only ones that can do it." Niles' mind: Only ones to do it? Well, if that's the way she wants it. "But you just have to understand that I can't afford to be seen anywhere alone with you. The cost will run too high."

"What cost?" his anger whipped at her. "What is wrong with being seen at dinner with me? I don't have some dreaded social disease, you know."

"I never meant to imply that you..."

"Look..." Niles' mind: Was this her way of getting back at me? Was she trying to hurt me even more? Maybe dinner was a bad idea, maybe to fast, to soon. But why would she care that much? She met me at the bar down here. That's it. I'll just ask her for a drink at the bar. "A drink," CC's mind: Did I hear him right this time? "Meet me for a drink then."

"At least that way we have less of a chance of being recognized," she added. She couldn't help it.

"I'm quite prepared to meet you anywhere and in front of anyone," he thought for a second. Why was she so worried about being seen with him? "Since when have you become so damned protective of your so-called reputation? If they saw what I see everyday..."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, never mind." Niles' mind: If she doesn't see it by now or worst doesn't care

then I shouldn't even bother with her. I see anther side of her that not many will. I guess it's all just an act. How... "I'm out of here..."

"No Niles," She opened the door. "Don't go." CC's mind: Not again. How come we push each other away like this? It's more my fault then his, I guess. She grasps his arm trying to pull him back her direction instead he was dragging her in the opposite direction.

"Niles...this way. I thought we were going out?"

"I'm going this way. Let go of me." When she did she fell back on to the floor. He turned to look at her and threw the flowers he had gotton her, at her and then just walked away leaving her there. "Niles..." Tears formed in her eyes but she shook her head. CC's mind: Flowers? He...No I want to let him know. She started to follow him again. She stopped when she heard Mr. Sheffield's voice talking to him.

That is not Maxwell. How did he know where we were? I have to make sure. She peers around the corner and sees Maxwell talking to Niles. When Niles turns her direction she ducks back around. I can't let them see me. Max is telling Niles that his whole life is a mess without his butler and nanny. He tells Niles what happened since they left.

"I want you guys back." Max smiled. "I need you." CC stood there watching Niles for a few seconds. "My nanny came back, will you? Ms. Fine told me what happened that night." Niles' mind: And you believe her. What did she tell the man? If she was able to stay then why couldn't I?

"What did she tell you?" Niles was intrigued to find out Fran's side of the story.

"Oh, let's sit down." They both sat in some chairs against the wall. "She told me everything. Something about she went to dinner with Frank something another and meeting you and your date there at um...I can't remember where she said you guys were but that doesn't matter. She said that you two where dumped by your dates."

Niles' mind: Oh how sweet she lied to him about what really happened. She didn't want to get into trouble either I see. This will be between just us. Our secret. "She said that she was devastated about all of this. I think she was really getting to like the guy. Anyway, getting back on track again, she said that the two of you talked in her room and you held her till she fell asleep. She told me that that helped her get through the night. I mean you being there with her. I just don't understand one thing."

"What's that sir?" not really wanting to know what he was thinking. He was, fearing the worst was yet to come.

"Why she didn't tell me this earlier? And why she didn't come for me that night? She always likes it when I hold her." Niles' mind: You have got to be kidding. He is starting to open up to me that he really does have feelings for her. So why doesn't he just act on them? If he doesn't then this might happen to her again but it won't be me in her bed.

"Thanks old man. I...We owe you one. I over reacted about the situation. I guess I was jealous of you." Niles nods. Niles' mind: You should be jealous of me sir. Ms Fine is well, let's just say "great" in the bed. She will not have a hard time making any man happy. He smiled. "I have an idea." Max continues, "Let's all go on a vacation. I sure the hell need one."

"What about..."

"I had to make some phone calls. Ms. Fine well, you know where she is."

"With the kids," they both said and laughed.

"And..." Niles looks at Max.

"Oh, CC...ummm. I would like to invite her to come along but I can't seem to reach her." Niles looks down at his watch.

"Well, by this time she's probably refueling her broom." CC who, has been watching them from a distance of the hallway corner, over heard him. She sees a cleaning lady come by. She decides to give them a laugh. CC's mind: Why do I do the things that I do? To see him laugh, to put a smile back on his face that's why. It's all worth that. We always make each other laugh; I'll just give him one on me. She took the broom and came around the corner.

"See what I mean sir." CC stood there holding "her" broom.

"I'm back and ready to go." They all laugh and shook their heads.

"That's my CC." Niles responded with a smile.

The end...