Before CC could leave the office to see Niles, Maxwell entered blocking her path. "CC! I'm so glad you're back. There's something we need to discuss."

"I'm happy to be back, Maxwell." CC forced a smile while inwardly groaning. She took the file she'd been reviewing and sat down on the edge of the couch. "Ok, shoot."

Maxwell sat at his desk. "So, the project in LA that we were looking at lost a producer and I agreed to put up a portion of the financing."

CC could feel the file curl as she clenched her hands.

"I'm sorry, CC. I know I should have consulted you, but with all you had going on. I didn't want to trouble you."

CC stood. "Of course, you should have consulted me. I was in mourning, not a coma!"

"We may be able to delay for a small bit of time, but we'll need to get eyes on the ground there as soon as possible."

CC threw her hands up. "Well, that's great timing."

"It's a good opportunity, but I don't want you to feel overwhelmed. So, I've arranged to work with some of the young consultants that may be available."

Those young consultants were pompous wanna be producers that Maxwell would occasionally show the ropes to between their other ventures. She had no idea why Maxwell wasted any time on them when Sheffield Babcock productions was clearly not their priority. She suspected that he did it partially to keep her on her toes.

CC blanched turning from the windows. "No. I can go. I won't have one of your unfocused preschoolers mucking things up."

"Ok, CC. I just thought with all that's been going on here-"

"Don't worry, Maxwell. I can do this." There was something that tugged on her as she spoke, but as usual, her competitiveness clouded her judgement, and whatever reservations she had floated right out of her head.

"One more thing, we're going to need to fix the situation with Chandler's theatre. Can you talk to him?" Maxwell pulled his chair into the desk and put on his glasses.

"You'd probably have better luck at this point than I would." She shrugged putting the file down on the couch.

He looked over his glasses at her. "Come on, CC. You're still wearing the man's ring."

She looked down at her hand and then touched the ring with a finger quietly. "True."

Shouldn't Niles have objected to the ring? But it wasn't as if they'd had time to talk. Something pulled at her again as she was mentally jerked back into the reality of what had happened in the last 24 hours.

"I'll see what I can do." CC pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and left the room.

She pulled up Chandler's number on her phone as she made it to the hall closet and took out her coat. She'd have Chandler meet her and get the theatre back somehow.

She froze before she shut the hall closet and slowly put her coat back on a hook. She needed a plan because she couldn't trust herself. She might say anything right now. She began to turn from the closet.

"Where are you going?" The low voice teased her, and she jumped as she turned to find Niles smiling deviously.

"None of your business." Her smile spread across her face as he took her by the shoulders and walked her backward into the closet, closing the door behind them.

"That's ok, I like you better when you're coming." He whispered in her ear and a chill went down her neck and straight down the front of her as they stared.

His eyes turned soft, and it made her aware of how much she wanted to say but wouldn't.

He slowly pulled her chin down and angled his head to the side slowly meeting her lips as if tasting her. Her body instantly angled into his and she sighed as her hands came up slowly to cup his face. He picked his head up and looked at her tenderly whispering, "Can I make you dinner tonight? Just the two of us?"

"You mean, like a date?" She smiled and nodded in slow motion as he came close again to kiss her, putting one arm around her shoulders and the other around the small of her back. She pulled him closer, her hips pushing into him again as the hand on the small of her back roamed down to form around her cheek pulling her into him until she thought they were going to repeat one of their earlier performances.

He backed away slowly and then shook himself off. He straightened his jacket and pulled at his cuffs before winking at her smirk and taking her hand. He opened the closet and peeked out. "Ladies first, "

She looked at him offended. "Let's not get boring, Rochester."

"Oh. I'm sorry." He took on his formal voice. "Perhaps you'd be more comfortable in the back. It's where we keep the trash."

She winced. "Ouch."

"I'll work on it." He gave her his big eyes.

"See that you do." She pulled her jacket down and turned on her heel in a beeline for the office as he laughed behind her.

By the end of the day, she and Maxwell had firmed up their plans for the California trip, and she had put in an unanswered phone call to Chandler.

As she packed up her bag for home, Maxwell looked up at her. "Any luck?"

She shook her head.

"I don't suppose there's any chance of you and Chandler getting back together?" He looked at her gingerly.

"Mr. Sheffield!"

They both jumped and Maxwell looked at the doorway to see the nanny making her way to him.

"That's very rude! Not to mention, Niles and Sophie left hours ago, and I'm sure Miss Babcock wants to get home to—you know, the man she actually lives with."

"Well, we're not-" CC flashed an embarrassed smile.

Fran stopped and stared at her. "-You're not what?"

CC stood. "Never mind. She's right. I better get home. After all, I have a baby to raise." She singsonged the last part and made it out the door.

Out in the hall she could hear some sort of whispered fight behind her as she left.

When she opened the door to DD's mansion, she was instantly hit by warmth from the living room fireplace and the smell of something delicious that wafted in the air.

She walked into the living room and glanced at the lit fireplace as she set down her briefcase and coat on the couch.

Down the hall from the kitchen, she could hear Niles speaking to Sophie, and then Sophie babbling back in affirmative and negative responses.

As she entered the kitchen, both of their heads turned with huge smiles on their faces and they both lit up when they saw her. Niles put down the butter knife he was using to cut pastry dough. "Sophie, look who's here."

"Hello." She surveyed their matching smiles and felt that little warm emotional welling inside of her.

Niles took her by the hand and led her to one of the stools at the island. "You're early. I meant to have her in bed by the time you got home."

She shrugged, "You can thank Nanny Fine."

Niles lit the fireplace on the kitchen wall behind her and then went to the other side of the island and set to opening the chilled white wine and pouring a glass for her.

Sophie took a piece of the pastry dough she was playing with on the tray of her highchair, and held it up for CC to eat.

CC smiled playfully. "Sophie, don't you know proper young ladies don't play with their food."

"Since when have you been proper?" Niles set the glass in front of her, and she gave him her salty look.

Sophie shoved the dough towards her more insistently and CC caved. She leaned over toward Sophie and pretended to taste it. "Mmm. Thank you."

Sophie giggled and crinkled her nose at her.

Niles washed his hands and went back to stuffing the little pastry in front of him. "Just let me finish these. Once I pop them in the oven, I'll put her to bed."

CC watched him skillfully work as she took a sip of her chilled wine and wondered if she should bring up the California situation.

He stopped and squinted an eye at her. "What's up Babcock? You're too quiet, even for today."

"Um. Nothing. I'll take Sophie up." She stood up and began to fumble with the highchair. He came over wiping his hands on a towel.

"I'll do it. You know you can't work this thing." He unfastened and removed the tray for her and then stepped to the side.

Sophie bounced up and down as CC picked her up and put her on a jutted hip, then narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes, but there's one thing you know I can work just fine."

Niles' jaw dropped and she turned to leave the kitchen.

CC put Sophie to bed and then changed into a nude silk dress and a nude silk flats.

She made her way back to the kitchen to find the small kitchen table formally set and Niles just finishing lighting the candles.

He'd also freshened up and she could catch a faint hint of his after shave as she neared him. His tie was removed but he'd put on a new black jacket.

Niles' head turned and the flame went out on the lighter as he stared at her from bottom to top until their eyes met and her breath quickened.

He was quiet for a moment before he cleared his throat. "I hope you don't mind. I thought this would be more intimate than the dining room."

She shook her head. "No, it's wonderful, except-"

He straightened up to look at her as she walked to him smiling. "I like you better, without this." She slowly put her hands under the jacket feeling his chest and slid the jacket back as slowly as she could over his shoulders and down his biceps until they were very closely staring at each other's eyes and lips.

He breathed deeply. "Babcock, I want to try and make it through dinner."

She pulled his jacket the rest of the way off and deposited it on the back of the chair glibly. "Good because, I'm famished."

"Wait." She smiled deviously again before she took his shirt cuffs and unbuttoned each one, rolling them up on each side and then reached for his collar while he stared at her skeptically.

She found herself more attracted to his resistance and the way he tried to play oblivious to her undressing of him.

As she unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt collar, his hot breath blew down the front of her chest and sent a chill right down her front. She also maintained her oblivious state and continued to smirk until it grew into a full toothy grin.

As she ran her fingers through his hair to give it a slight mussing, he gave her his half-squinted grin. "What are you up to Babs?"

She shrugged trying to hide how turned on she was and rested her forearms over his shoulders. "The thing is, Beula, I like you best this way."

His eyes shut slightly before she felt his wide shoulders and arms scoop around her like a gorilla.

He kissed her hard and then released her slowly, leaving her dazed and wanting more. He backed up smiling lazily. "Now behave yourself."

"Ok, but only if we eat at the island."

He shook his head and moved the two plates to the island. "You're the damndest woman."

She giggled. "The table is beautiful but maybe we should sit closer together."

He smiled. "Ok but keep your hands on your side."

He didn't blow out the candles at the formally set table. He pulled her chair out for her and took out a few wide candles and lit them on the Island in front of them. It completely bathed the dark kitchen in candlelight.

She realized that she'd never really appreciated how quick and resourceful he was. He'd always seamlessly adapted to whatever she threw at him, whereas Chandler had always been rigid even in the best of times.

Niles sat next to her, turning sideways on his chair to face her. "Now we eat."

She raised an eyebrow at him, and he put his hand over her hand that had somehow sneaked onto his thigh. "And so, help me, Babcock. We are going to have a conversation."

He put a spinach pastry to her lips and let her take a bite. She complied and he put the pastry down.

"No, that's goood!" She grabbed the hand with the pastry and pulled it toward her mouth again and took the other bite.

He gave her his signature laugh and they began to eat.

After a moment she stopped. "Niles, since we're trying to talk here, I just wanted to say…" She took a deep breath and looked at him. "I really appreciate how you've been here to support me."

He put an elbow on the table, his hair still slightly tousled. "I'm glad you were here too."

She smiled softly and all the sexual tension that had been driving her mad, dropped to the background. Suddenly there was that very foreign, very odd, warm feeling that made her feel…

A vision of him from what seemed forever ago flashed in her mind. They were in Maxwell's office before their rift. He was questioning her marriage to Chandler. His eyes; gentle, soft, pleading. It made her want to kiss him, hold him, never let him go, and these were all very foreign feelings at the time. She couldn't even say if it was a lack of understanding or complete denial.

Then there was the horrible moment when she told him that she wanted to marry Chandler. He stood up, his eyes became flat and he physically and emotionally left her for what felt like forever.

Her eyes welled thinking about it and back in this moment she leaned forward to kiss him.

Niles smiled before looking at her. "Babcock, I told you- "

He examined her look and seemed to understand. His finger went to her chin sliding it under as he met her lips with his.

She thought a tear squeezed out of her eye and she dabbed at it and sat up. He looked emotional but slightly confused as if waiting for more, but she couldn't tell him about that with her words.

She recentered herself, there were things she could talk about and resolve, things like her work in California. It came out in a whisper. "So, Niles- "

The doorbell rang and Niles looked at her apprehensively. "Could it be Mrs. Greene?"

CC rolled her eyes. "Oh no!"

Niles stood, "Let me see if I can get rid of her."

"Why bother? Let's pull up a chair." CC followed him down the hall.

Niles looked through the small window at the front door. "It's Chandler."

'That's worse,' she thought as he immediately set to unlocking the door before CC could think of the appropriate action.

At the last moment, she moved in front of him. "I'll get it."

"As you wish." He was clearly agitated and backed up from the door.

She cracked the door. "Chandler? What are you doing here?"

"I was on a plane today and it had horrible reception. I'm sorry, I missed your call."

"Chandler, it's not a good time."

Chandler looked down at her dress in the crack of the door and looked past her to Niles. "I see."

"Hold on." She shut the door and turned back to Niles. "This is about the theatre. I'll take a walk to the park with him."

Niles' face soured. "The last time you did that you came back engaged."

"Niles." She let her head fall to the side.

He glanced at the ceiling. "Babs. I'm going to clean up dinner. I hope when I'm finished, we can enjoy a drink?"

She gave him a small smile. "Okay."

He walked back toward the kitchen, and she turned opening the door quickly. She shut her eyes and raised her hand toward the living room. "I find it hard to believe this couldn't wait until tomorrow."

Chandler entered and CC slammed the door before walking past him to the living room and plopping herself on a couch.

Chandler remained standing. "Well, as you may recall, you let me walk out of here, gave up the use of my theatre, and left our engagement somewhat dubious because you were in love with the butler."

Chandler backed out of the living room and looked down the hall to see the flickering of the candlelight on the walls in the kitchen. "The butler, who I see has wasted no time in wooing you!"

She crossed her arms. "What's left to woo, Chandler? According to you, I'm already in love with him."

Chandler made two fists and seemed to be more worked up than before and stepped down into the living area. "It's small comfort that you're still wearing my ring."

Niles appeared in the doorway. "Miss Babcock, would you like any assistance?"

"No!" She turned around annoyed.

Chandler nodded and gave Niles a slight smirk before turning back to her. "It's Ok, darling. I've invested in the same project that Sheffield Babcock has, and you and I will have plenty of time to talk about the theatre while we're working in California."

CC stood. "How did you know- "

"Things get around, dearest." He walked up closely to her and whispered. "Don't forget, you and I, equal success." He gently kissed her hand and then turned quickly as he could feel Niles taking closer steps into the foyer.

"I'll show myself out." He walked quickly past Niles who was staring at CC, and he slammed the door.

CC looked up at the ceiling hoping for some type of miracle.

Niles was silently staring as she turned to him. "Maybe I should have taken his ring off."

"Babcock."

She met his eyes.

"Are you going to California?"

She could barely deal with what that idea meant, but she surrendered. "Yes."

"When?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Soon?" She dropped her hands. "Nothing is set in stone."

Niles walked deeper into the living room. "Of course, it is Babs. Not to mention, this is the perfect way out."

"Who said I wanted out, Niles?"

"Well, you weren't exactly thrilled about playing house with me, were you?"

"It was just easier for you to adjust, Niles. You've always wanted this."

"I see." Niles sat down on a living room chair, and she hated how betrayed he looked.

"That's not how I meant it." She ran a hand through her hair. "I was going to discuss it with you first."

He quieted. "But you didn't. Because you wanted to go."

She didn't know what to say. "Niles."

"It's ok, Babcock. I knew you couldn't stay here forever. I just didn't know it would be this quick."

"Niles." She walked toward him and sat down on the corner of the couch closest to his chair. "You have to believe me. I love Sophie."

He sighed. "I know. It's just me you don't love." He got up and headed across the foyer to the upstairs. "I mean, with my clothes on."

"Niles, stop it." She gritted her teeth.

He turned as she followed him to the banister. "I can hold the fort down for you here. I'll always do whatever you want, blonde. I'll never keep her from you."

CC's eyes closed and her heart imploded as he headed up the stairs. "Niles!"

He stopped and turned looking at her with his blue crystals and all her ineffectual, stiff, idiot-headed self could do, was stare.

He finally turned away and headed more quickly up the stairs. She quietly watched until he disappeared down the upstairs hall. For the second time in two days, her feelings betrayed her, but this time she felt no relief.

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