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She stood there in silence after he left. She couldn't speak, couldn't think. The only thing she could imagine was the look of sincerity on his face that seemed to be mixed with a dash of doubt, a smidge of jealousy and a sense of longing. In addition to the sadness in his eyes as he spoke. It wouldn't be an easy decision. For the old CC Babcock there wouldn't have been a single ounce of doubt as to whether or not she was going to take the job. Something inside her changed, however. There was something holding her back that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

The tapping on the glass door startled her. It didn't take much to startle her today it seemed.

"CC, you are planning on working today aren't you?" Maxwell asked almost impatient and rude considering he had barely done any work all day.

"Actually Maxwell, I believe I am going to take the rest of the day to myself." She said hastily as she entered the office to gather her belongings.

"But CC, it's the middle of the day and there is still a ton of work to be done."

"Maybe you should have said that to the Nanny and the children that have been traipsing through the office all morning, keeping us from reviewing scripts and filling out paperwork."

"CC, I do believe that is uncalled for. This is my business remember. I will allow whomever I want in my office." Maxwell started to get defensive and when he got defensive there was no sense in arguing with the brute.

"So you have said time and time again, Maxwell. But a tip for success may be to limit your distractions and do some actual work." CC huffed as she gather some papers from the green leather sofa.

"If you don't like the way I handle things around here, CC, perhaps-"

"You're giving me an out? Oh this is perfect!" CC laughed sarcastically. "The only person that could quite possibly do you any good around here in the business sense. The one who does all your paper work, handles all of the backers, actors, choreographers, dancers, set and design crew? You want me to leave? Fine!" She huffed. "I was going to resign anyways."

"You're bluffing! You tried walking away before CC and you came running right back."

"Not this time, Maxwell. I always did stay too long at the fair." She lifted her bag over her shoulder and flipped her hair. "Perhaps, John Norman will appreciate the work that I do."

"John Norman? The producer?"

"Yes, the one and only John Norman called this morning to offer me a job. I was only considering it until you left me no other choice."

"Don't you think that you are being a little rash, CC? You can't possibly be thinking of working for him, can you? I doubt you even know the man?"

"It just so happens that I had a marvelous conversation with him a few months ago when you refused to attend the Whittaker's annual charity auction because you simply had to take Nanny Fine to her cousin's wedding. Your precise words were 'I'm sure you can handle it on your own, CC.' "

"So one evening with the man and you are working for him already?"

"It only took me one lunch with you to join your staff."

"If this is really what you want, then there is nothing stopping you."

"Thank you, Maxwell. My resignation letter will be on your desk in the morning." She was through the door when she called back. "Oh and Maxwell-"He looked up with her with fire in his eyes. "When I beat Weber, I will be sure to send you a picture with the award." He looked defeated and soon her boisterous laugh rang through the hall.

She made her way through the living room and was met with Niles who was cleaning the top of the piano.

"So you pulled out all the stops there, huh Cruella?"

"It was only a matter of time until he realized that he was pushing us too far. And lucky for me it just happened to be when I had another offer on the table."

"You are going for sure?" He asked.

"I will be calling John in the morning." Niles looked almost down as it finally hit him that she was leaving. "You look awfully depressed, there Butler Boy, for someone who has been trying to get me out of the house for years I would have expected you to be jumping for joy."

"Well who else am I going to have to put gym socks in their coffee? Or put itching powder in their underwear when they stay over?"

"Hate you." She smiled slyly.

"Hate you more." He replied. He helped her slide her coat over her shoulders as he thought of all the things he had wished to say to her over the years. "Would you like to stay for dinner, Miss Babcock?" Was the only thing that slipped out instead.

"Huh! Please, Lemon Breath. The last thing I need is to have Maxwell staring at me through dinner because the pompous ass didn't get his way." She thought though for a second. "I am going to miss your cooking though."

He opened the door quickly and looked outside.

"I think you have finally lost your marbles, Niles. What in God's name are you doing?" she asked.

"Oh you know, just looking to see if any of your relatives were flying. You know when pigs fly?" She gave him a confused look. "You just complimented me, Witch."

"Oh, I suppose I did." She flashed him a bright smile.

"Are you really going to miss my cooking?" he asked slightly hopeful about her answer.

"I am." She gave him a gentle smile as he placed her coat over her shoulders. "I'm sure that Sylvia will love having my share of the meals now."

"I could always cook for you before you go?" He offered.

"You want to cook for me?"

"Do you want me to cook for you?"

"Fine. 8 o'clock tonight. And you better make something divine." She stepped out onto the stoop.

"Better yet, make it 7. We'll have drinks."

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