Author's Note: I know, I said I was finished, but I was re-reading the story and the reviews, and I just couldn't help myself. The thought of that poor duck left to burn eternally in the oven was more than I could bear. :) Enjoy this short post-script, dear readers.
Mr. Sheffield answered the door himself, mumbling about incompetent butlers, apologized profusely to Mr. Carstairs that he had been kept waiting at the door for so long, and offered him a drink while he checked on dinner. He hurried into the kitchen ready to yell at Niles, just to see the thin trail of black smoke coming from the oven. Hurrying over he grabbed a towel, pulled the burnt duck out of the oven, dumped it into the sink, started the water, turned off the oven, and waved the towel at the smoke hoping to avoid setting off the fire alarm and sprinkler system. After a very deep sigh of relief that disaster hadn't occurred, he returned quickly to the living room. He offered to take Mr. Carstairs to his club for dinner instead and they could talk there over a couple of cigars. The two men left, Mr. Sheffield cursing both his missing butler and business partner under his breath, while smiling for the backer who could make his show happen. A cab was quickly hailed and the two men were on their way.
Forty-five minutes later:
Niles and C.C. peeked out of the bathroom before stepping out. C.C.'s hair was in a state of disarray and her blouse not quite buttoned correctly. Niles was still re-buttoning the vest of his uniform and his hair was wildly disheveled as if a woman had run her hands madly through it - which of course, is exactly what had happened. Almost at once, Niles' keen nose picked up the faint smell of smoke and he gasped, "The duck!" and hurried to the kitchen. C.C. had a similar revelation, "The backer!" and headed back towards the study, assuming Maxwell had taken Mr. Carstairs back there since dinner wasn't being served, trying to smooth her hair and make herself presentable as she walked.
Niles frowned at the burnt remains of his duck sitting in the sink, under the still running tap of water. *How could you have lost yourself so completely like that, old man, its not like you to get blown away* He chuckled at the unintended pun, and turned off the water. Sighing over what would have been a lovely dinner, he tossed it in the garbage can before the thought struck him. *With Fran and the kids gone, and C.C. and myself... otherwise occupied, who pulled the duck from the oven?* Realizing it had to be to Mr. Sheffield, he turned and headed for the study.
C.C. frowned at the empty study. *They're not here. Why aren't they here? Where could they be? Had Carstairs not shown up?* She sat down on the green sofa and sighed, *Babcock, what on earth came over you, its not like you to be knocked off your feet like that* She chuckled at the unintended pun. Sighing, she realized that if Carstairs had shown up, Maxwell must have taken off with him somewhere and left her here with the Dust Mop. Her sad expression turned into a smile, slowly, as she realized she and Butler Boy had the house completely... and totally... to themselves.
She was just standing up from the sofa when Niles appeared at the doorway, an apology ready to be offered to his boss when he realized C.C. was the only one in the room. "Where are Mr. Sheffield and Mr. Carstairs? Dinner was ruined but at least he stopped it from starting a fire." C.C. shrugged, and let her jacket fall from her shoulders, "I don't know, and I just realized that I don't really care, Butler Boy." She stepped up to him, a sly grin on her face.
Niles took one step backwards out of habit when dealing with Miss Babcock, before reaching out his arms and pulling her to him, "And what do you care about, my little witch?" Her grin widened, "I think we need to continue our rehearsals for "Duck & Cover" someplace a little more private, no possible Nanny Fine interference. How about... your room?" There was a long pause, and Niles could see the self-doubt just start to creep into her eyes before he gave her a dazzling smile. "Frankly my dear, I can think of nothing I'd like more." He led her upstairs to his room, and with a loud resounding click, shut out the rest of the world while he and his little witch took up rehearsals where they had left off downstairs.
Tres Tres Fin