A/N: The end is nigh... in one more chapter.

I still don't own it. Any of it. Well, maybe the occasional plot bunny, but the characters are definitely not mine.

Knowing the other's work routines made avoiding each other easier. Niles and CC were certain to cross paths on occasion, but one always found a barrier to keep some amount distance between them. Often the barrier was a physical item like a tea tray or a folder of paperwork, a table or a counter top. Sometimes the barrier was an excuse to leave the room. They kept up enough sniping to keep everyone from thinking there was a problem, but neither's heart was truly in the act of tearing the other down in the same way they used to. One evening nearly two and a half weeks following their return home, Niles overheard Miss Fine and Mr. Sheffield talking. For once he had not intended to be a yenta. He was just passing by the office at the right time.

'I'm worried about them. Did something happen in England?' Fran asked her employer. 'It's not like Niles or Miss Babcock to shy away from a challenge.'

'Miss Fine,' Mr. Sheffield said, 'Maybe they have just softened toward each other. Has he mentioned anything to you?'

'No. And that's the problem,' Fran Fine said loudly. 'He tells me nearly everything. Hey, you don't think they…' she trailed off.

'Don't think they what?' Mr. Sheffield said.

'You know,' she said suggestively. Niles could picture the head nod that likely came at the end of the statement.

'What, Miss Fine?'

'Do I have to spell it out for ya?' Hands on her hips now, Niles figured.

'Yes,' Mr. Sheffield said, his voice rising. He probably stood as he spoke, that vein in his neck starting to become more prominent.

The nanny probably leaned in when she slowly said the words 'slept togetha.'

'Niles and Miss Babcock? Have sex?' Mr. Sheffield made a dismissive noise, likely backing away from the nanny. A moment passed. 'Now you mention it,' Mr. Sheffield finished. Concern crept into the producer's voice. Niles walked away. He had heard enough.

In the safety of his room, Niles dialed Miss Babcock's number. He was surprised when she picked up.

'What do you want, dust rag?' CC spit at him.

Niles spelled it out as clearly as possible. 'I just heard Mr. Sheffield and Miss Fine talking about us. They think we've been acting strange.' He opted not to add an insult, though he had one on the tip of his tongue.

'And you're calling me why?' She sounded annoyed.

He sighed. 'They think we slept together.'

'We did,' CC stated plainly.

'Think beyond sharing a bed while fully clothed, Babcock. I know you're not that naïve.'

'Oh,' she said. Then, a few seconds later. 'Oh!'

'She's on to it now,' Niles said, the sarcasm creeping into his voice out of habit. 'Since I couldn't share with Miss Fine, I thought I'd gossip with you, Babs. Have a good night.' He knew he sounded more cheerful than he felt. Niles realized he could have told her in the morning, but some part of him found the idea absurd enough to share immediately. At least now he would not be the only one agonizing over the idea of the two of them and whatever their relationship actually was these days.

:p:P:p:P:p:P

'Miss Babcock, you look lovely today,' Fran said as CC waltzed into the dining room for breakfast. 'Doesn't she look nice, Niles?'

Niles trailed in behind CC having answered the door for her. 'Um, yeah,' Niles said dispassionately. The socialite had breezed past him without acknowledgement when he opened the door for her moments previous. He had not really had time to appreciate how she was dressed as yet.

'Thank you, Nanny Fine,' CC said as she took her seat at the table. 'What do we have on today, Maxwell?'

Mr. Sheffield looked up from the paper. 'I thought you were finalizing contracts today. I have to run to the theatre this morning. I should be back for lunch, Niles.'

'Very good, sir,' Niles said as he placed a plate of food in front of CC.

'So I'll have the office to myself this morning?' CC said with a wink to Niles that Mr. Sheffield missed but Fran definitely caught. The nanny's mouth become a shocked 'o' for a moment. She collected herself when Niles gave her a death glare.

'Kids, time for school,' Fran said. The children all hurried off as their nanny shooed them out. She followed. CC watched them go before settling her gaze on the butler who was staring back at her from near the buffet.

Mr. Sheffield finally noticed the tension. He cleared his throat. 'Perhaps I ought to get going as well.' He backed out of the room slowly at first then in a rush, no doubt to consult Miss Fine.

'Well, servant, that's cleared the room,' CC said as she slowly ate her breakfast.

'Deviously played, trollop,' Niles said. He had a hint of a smile on his face and a teasing tone. He let her eat her while he cleared the rest of the table. The tension that hung around them since returning to England finally started to relax. If she was willing to play on the gossip, he could too.

:P:p:P:p:P:p

Other than briefly around lunch, CC did not see Niles most of the day. She had a productive half a day with Maxwell out of the office, but she was waiting for her business partner to return since she needed him to make a few decisions before she finalized everything.

The phone rang. CC picked it up. 'Sheffield – Babcock Productions,' she said robotically.

'CC, darling, is that you?' a vaguely familiar female voice with an English accent said.

'Yes, this is CC Babcock.'

'It's Isabella, dear. Daddy still hasn't decided if he wishes to invest. We heard you have a new production going soon. Gareth, Marie, and I shall be passing through New York City around the time you premier. We hoped we might get tickets.'

'I, yes, that could be arranged,' CC said. If the production went well then maybe, finally, CC could get some investment money from Lord Henley. She saw Niles watering the plants on the terrace, but he moved out of sight before she could wave him in.

On the other end Isabella said, 'Excellent. And how are you and Niles? Did you have a good trip back across the pond?'

CC sat in Maxwell's chair, having been pacing just before answering the phone. 'We're engaged now,' she said, the lie rolling easily from her tongue to her own surprise. 'We had a quick trip. No problems.'

'Glad to hear it. Marie will be in touch regarding the dates of the visit and to deal with other arrangements as needed. She's pleased to see you and Niles especially since they are old family friends. I'll pass on the happy news. Bye, darling.'

CC looked at the slowly opening door as she hung up the phone. How long had he been outside and she had not noticed? Should she be glad Niles and not Nanny Fine was the one to overhear the conversation? CC stood and smoothed her skirt. 'That was Isabella. They're still thinking about investing and want to see the new show next month.'

'That's excellent news,' Niles said a bit distantly. He stared at CC, trying to read the woman in front of him. 'What about the rest of the conversation?'

'I'm sorry,' CC said, doing her best to feign ignorance. She did not know how much he overheard.

Niles stepped into the room properly and was moving toward the desk, careful to keep something between them as had been their custom of late. 'It's just that I heard you say something about an engagement. Since you were speaking to Lady Henley, I must surmise she inquired after us.' He pointed to himself then to CC to clarify the 'us' as if it were a necessary step.

'I panicked,' CC said quickly.

'You. Panicked,' Niles said in measured tones. He brought a hand to his face to rub his eyes then pinch the bridge of his nose. 'And we shall have to…' He sighed. 'I need a moment, Miss Babcock.' Niles walked away. CC was about to follow when Maxwell came through from the foyer.

'Maxwell, you're back,' CC said in a forced cheery voice.

'Bloody waste of a morning,' Mr. Sheffield said as he began unpacking his briefcase. 'I hope you got something accomplished.'

'Huh? Uh, a fair bit,' CC said as her thoughts were split between her employer and the butler. 'Lord Henley may be investing. His daughter called to say they'll be visiting when the new production has started next month. I promised tickets.'

'So no pressure to deliver,' Mr. Sheffield said as he sat at his desk.

'No. None,' CC said knowing her words were false. She realized Maxwell was actually paying attention to her. 'What?' she asked feeling self-conscious as he continued to look at her.

'CC, is everything all right?' Mr. Sheffield asked. CC sighed to herself. Of course he would notice this emotional distress.

She looked at the door then turned to her business associate. 'I need to speak with Niles about – well, you'll find out one way or another soon enough.' CC left the office and went up the stairs in search of the butler. 'Niles,' she said out loud, but not so loud to gain the attention of the rest of the household.

'In here,' he said, his voice muffled since he was in one of the guest bedrooms down the hall. CC found Niles sitting on the bed with a semi-vacant stare and absently worrying one of his fingernails. 'Is this when you tell me to play pretend again?'

CC sat on the bed next to Niles. She thought back to their time playing a married couple. Ever since that kiss on the train she had tried to convince herself of their unsuitability.

'No,' she said. 'Niles, this is when I tell you I don't want to lie anymore. I want the lie to be the truth. I knew what I was doing when I told Isabella that we're engaged. I want to marry you, Niles. No one kisses someone like the way you kissed me if they're not in love with the person they're kissing.'

Niles looked into CC's eyes and saw the truth behind her words. He brushed a stray tear from her cheek. 'May I kiss you again?' he asked. She gave a small nod, leaning further into his touch and, hopefully, into their future.

'I love you, Niles. Will you marry me, you adorable Pledge wipe?'

His response was to kiss her. Niles kissed CC Babcock in a slow-simmering way that told her he wanted her for the rest of their lives. He kissed her gently, but passionately. He kissed her and discovered her kisses were the most amazing kisses of his life, especially as her tongue darted into his mouth teasingly.

An audible gasp from the hallway broke them apart. Niles rested his forehead against CC's. 'I will marry you, CC. How could I not want you, my beautiful witch?' A high pitched squeal from the hall followed.

CC squeezed her eyes shut. 'Well, that's the most short-lived secret we'll ever have,' she said flatly. Her hand entwined with Niles' hand. He looked at her adoringly. 'Nanny Fine, you might as well congratulate us.'

Niles and CC exited the room hand in hand to find Miss Fine, Mr. Sheffield, Sylvia Fine, and Grandma Yetta waiting for them.

'Hoo-wa!' Yetta said. She sidled up to Niles. 'I can get you a deal on some herbal supplements should you need.' She gave him an exaggerated wink.

'Ma!' Sylvia said at the same time Fran said 'Yetta!'

Niles laughed. To CC he said, 'I assure you that won't be necessary.' CC blushed in response, already regretting the afternoon.

End Part 9