Niles had an idea. Today he would play the ultimate of pranks. He always liked to get one up on CC, but he wanted to get the ultimate revenge on her for sending him six months worth of Pledge. She always had to remind him of his status in life, that was her way. Always Bell Boy, always Servant, Always Butler Boy. Just for once he would love for her to see him for who he really was- the man who was desperately in love with her. He knew she had no idea how he really felt, and words were difficult for him. Not your ordinary words, he was rather quick witted if he said so himself. But words that came from the heart, they were another matter. Never one to wear his heart on his sleeve, he knew that any declaration of love on his part would only be met with mockery and disdain from CC so he had to take desperate action to get her attention, but what?
What would it take to get her attention? This would require more than the battle of the words between the two of them. Something simple she would just laugh at, she would not take seriously. Just like in words, the harsher the action, the more seriously she would take him, but what?
The one thing he loved about CC was that she had a sense of humor about herself. Anything he gave to her she could take. Her hair, her make up, her nose, her weight, (well normally; she had put on quite a bit of weight recently, but he hadn't commented on it), she laughed and responded with a quick comeback. What was the worst thing he could do to her? Maybe he could buy her a box of bleach to cover up her dark roots? No, too easy. Surely she must be sensitive about her weight gain. Perhaps he could buy her a dress too small, to acknowledge her weight gain. This way they could bring it out into the open and that way she could finally talk about what was really eating her instead of her eating what ever what was really bothering her. Who knows, this could be the turning point of their relationship that he'd been dreaming of for months.
Was this too cruel? Niles debated this for an hour before deciding to go for it. He walked into Lohman's and looked around before deciding on a classic little black dress, the kind every woman should have and the kind that CC preferred. He really hoped this would pay off, or else she would really kill him. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her, despite the hundreds of threats between the two of them. He picked out something he imagined her slipping on before a dinner out and the last thing she took off before their first time together. God how beautiful she must look, curves and all. Smiling to himself, he had to admit that he was partial to a woman with a little bit extra on the bones. Miss Fine had all the right curves in all the right places but there was something about CC that he preferred. Personally he hoped that she never lost a pound. And if he got the chance he would tell her so.
That was the true meaning behind all of this. He hoped that he would get the chance to tell her that she was perfect just the way she was, and that she shouldn't change for anyone. If only she saw herself the way he saw her- despite all of the insults and the playful banner and the pranks, CC Babcock was the only woman for him. If only she knew.
A/N: I may finish this up with an epilogue- what happens after the elevator and if Niles' prank paid off. Maybe he gets to have a more in-depth talk with CC! Thanks to EspoirDio and AmyB for the suggestions, (you were absolutely right!) and thanks for reading!