Hi guys!:) So I had a wonderful flight and an even better time seeing David Hyde Pierce!;) But now on to the story, it's still on the fluffy side but it'll all stop with the next chapter, so I hope you'll take your time and enjoy this!:p And before you kill me, no, nothing's gonna happen between him and Katherine...and yes,Katherine is THE Katherine that was mentioned in one of the episodes by Maxwell oh...and Niles Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this and I'll have the next chapter ready within the next 3-5 days!;)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, only owe a big thank you to all of who are reading this!:p

Chapter 9: Christmas Gifts

After Sara had had her third child, little Grace, Christmas time was rapidly approaching. The kids were incredibly excited, so much so that even Maxwell got caught up in the Christmas spirit. Sara was sitting on the armrest of his chair, tenderly stroking his cheek while whispering: "I told you you would love Christmas once we have our own big family."

He nodded and gave her a small smile: "I know and I won't make the mistakes of my father. Christmas is all about us."

C.C. stood in the doorway watching the scene with her arms crossed in front of her chest when Niles breezed in through the front door. His blonde hair was disheveled and slightly wet and the black coat he wore was full of white spots where snowflakes had landed. To her surprise though he smiled genuinely for the first time in weeks.

"You look happy, old man." Maxwell said who had turned to look when he heard the door close.

"Just been Christmas shopping." he replied innocently with a light shrug of his shoulders.

C.C. still hadn't been noticed by anyone and so she could observe, in peace, how Sara gracefully got to her feet and moved over to him to take some of his bags and whisper something into his ear. She felt a sensation in the pit of her stomach again but reasoned that it was simply because she didn't like it when secrets were kept from her.

"Did you get what I asked you to?" Maxwell asked and Niles nodded.

"I will just put it away, Sir."

And he marched past the sofa, his eyes finally landing on C.C.

"Did your owner tell you to go fetch again, Niles?" she mocked once he was level with her.

As a response he simply shook his head quite roughly, so that some of the water hit her body. When he registered the look of utter shock on her face, he grinned:

"You asked for it."

C.C. rolled her eyes but followed him into the office. He didn't make any attempt to address her again as he walked around the desk to stow something away in one of the drawers. She, in the meantime, had positioned herself on the green loveseat.

"What's gotten you in such a good mood, Bellboy?" she asked, as if it was the worst thing that could've possibly happened.

"Why would I tell you?" he asked in return without looking up.

She conceded with a sigh and said: "Well, you were miserable all these weeks because you couldn't go home to see your parents, what has changed now, you are not going, are you?"

"Sorry, Babs, you're not getting rid of me that easily."

And he walked back around the desk , this time on his way out, but stopped when he noticed that she still hadn't cheered up.

"Do you really enjoy it that much to see my unhappy?"

She looked up at the butler who was now leaning against the desk, eyeing her closely.

"Yes." she said with a big grin "But truth be told I kind of enjoyed that we were miserable together."

This wasn't what he had expected and his eyes widened at her confession.

"Care to tell me why you are so miserable? I mean besides the fact that you have no love life and your career doesn't look too great either, nothing's new, right?"

She produced a low growl and jumped to her feet.

"Now you can just forget it and to think I would've told you." she snapped, stabbing her finger against his chest.

But before she could whirl around he grabbed hold of her wrist and pulled her closer again.

"What's going on?" he asked a second time.

"I have to spend Christmas with my mother, unlike you I haven't the perfect home." she hissed angrily.

"Don't you mean that you have the perfect home and that's where the problem is?" he asked but changed his tone once he saw her face "Why don't you just stay here and spend Christmas with us?" he asked softly, loosening his grip on her only to find that she didn't walk away.

Her blue eyes were locked with his as if she was trying to assess the sincerity of his proposal.

"We could be bitter together." he added, a lopsided grin appearing on his face.

"I'll think about it." she said more harshly than intended, but her eyes gave away how relieved she was.

He nodded, deciding that it was good enough for him, seeing as this was probably as close to an agreement as they'd get.

Although C.C. was touched by the butler's idea she put it off for as long as she possibly could to talk to her mother. Then, one day, the telephone rang, reminding her of the inevitable.

"Chastity, this is your mother."

C.C. stiffened immediately, as if the woman was actually in the room with her.

"Hello mother." she simply said.

"I just called to confirm the time you'll be arriving."

"Yes, about that. I think I will be spending Christmas here in New York." she tried carefully.

"Don't be absurd, Chastity." her mother laughed "Of course you're spending Christmas here, your sister is coming as well, the Hampton's son is attending…"

"With all due respect, mother, I don't care. I think I'm old enough to-"

"Chastity Babcock! Enough with this ridiculous behavior! Who put such thoughts into your head?"

Her mind was racing as the butler's name was already forming on her lips.

"Maxwell invited me." she ended up saying.

"Of course he did, he probably just felt sorry for you. Alone at Christmas without a husband or a family."

She felt tears of anger burning in her eyes as her mother's voice trailed off, it was always the same, and she couldn't very well argue the point without giving away that Niles had invited her.

"I will be there in the afternoon, mother." she quietly said and hung up.

Going to her mother's at Christmas was a thing she dreaded every year. It was usually celebrated somewhere on an exotic Island, where one would wear the latest fashion and show off one's trained body. It was like a dog show, where only the best breed won the prize. All she really wanted, which became especially pronounced at Christmas time, was some warmth and love. Sitting in front of a fire place, drinking eggnog while watching the snowflakes dance outside in the storm. She shook her head to clear it off the image that had been building up, that stupid butler was never leaving her alone now. She sighed, knowing that this year, like every other year, she'd be Chastity Babcock and just as one of her names, a vital part would be missing. As long as she could remember she'd always been Chastity to her mother, even before her parents had divorced. C.C. mused that this was because her mother did not appreciate Claire's behavior. Niles had been correct when he had stated that she had been named Claire after her grandmother, however, it was her father's mother, not her mother's. Claire had lived in the countryside and had never behaved as a proper Babcock would. She had been headstrong and beautiful, but with her own ideas that had angered many of her family members and had thus turned her into an outcast. As a child C.C. had had a fierce admiration for the woman and had loved nothing more than to spend some time with her. It was there that she had learned to adapt to the outdoors, how to bake cookies and how to be free. Now, as the years moved on, she felt that she was losing what she once had had. As if she was reaching out but her hands weren't quite able to grasp what had once been. She knew that it was her mother's doing that she didn't see her grandma once her training to become a lady had begun. She clearly viewed Claire as a bad influence on her daughter… C.C. sighed, just to be like that again…

Christmas day was rapidly approaching and he still hadn't heard from C.C. if she would join them or not. One part was telling him that he shouldn't have expected anything else but there was a different part that reminded him of the look in her eyes, the hidden gratitude of her tone. He had just finished decorating the tree when C.C. strode past him, approaching the door.

"Merry Christmas, Benson. I will see you in the new year."

He slowly walked down the stairs, asking: "What do you mean? I thought you were going to spend Christmas here?"

The sadness in his tone made her turn, finding his deep blue orbs.

"Niles-" she began, trying to find a way to tell him that she had really wanted to stay.

"What? Aren't we good enough for you? You Babcocks are even more arrogant than I thought." he tossed out, trying to hide his disappointment.

She snapped her mouth shut, replying: "Well, you weren't honestly thinking I'd be spending Christmas with you."

It was in that moment that Niles realized his mistake, that he had done her wrong and that it was now her who was protecting herself. Steadily holding her gaze, he softly asked:

"Will you wait a moment for me?" She was just opening her mouth to repute when Niles added: "Please, Miss Babcock."

She nodded and waved her hand in resignation and watched as he disappeared up the stairs. He returned a moment later looking clearly flushed and she was curious to detect an air of nervousness around him.

"Well, I thought I had time to think about what I was going to say, but seeing as you won't be around for Christmas.."

"Just spit it out, I don't have all day." she said, though this time it had nothing to do with annoyance but rather with the suspense that was building up inside her.

To her surprise he gently took her hands into his.

"Merry Christmas, witch."

And her eyes widened when she felt something cool and small pressing against her skin. Once Niles had let go of her she looked at her palm to find a silver necklace lying there with a broom as its charm. She gingerly ran her thumb over it, feeling the edges and its smooth surface. Noticing that she looked somewhat flustered and caught off guard by his present, he quipped: "Just like you it's small, spiky and a complete pain in the butt."

She finally laughed at this and the fire returned to her eyes.

"Hate you." she replied almost tenderly.

"Hate you more." he said easily, not knowing that every year at Christmas they'd be saying the same words.

C.C. was having a dreadful time spending Christmas with her mother. This year it was on Barbados and she wasn't certain if it was worse because she had been given a different option or if it had always been this bad.

Seeing that her mother was engaged in a conversation with the cook, she hurriedly snuck out via the terrace. When she reached the beach she took off her shoes to feel the sand underneath her feet. She came to a halt on a spot where the water had already drenched the sand, trying to acclimatize to the cool of it. Nonetheless when the first wave washed over her feet she flinched slightly because of the stark contrast between the water temperature and the general weather. She stood like this for a very long time, just enjoying the peace far away from the hectic Christmas preparations, until the water had become simply refreshing. She watched the steady rhythm of the waves licking the shore, allowed it to calm her up to the point where she wanted to close her eyes.

"C.C.!" somebody called but she decided to ignore it, already aware who the voice belonged to.

The person, however, didn't take the hint and placed a hand on her shoulder, calling her again.

"Michael, how lovely to see you." she lied through her teeth without looking at him.

"I'm so glad I found you, I have seen you hardly at all, one would think you were avoiding me." he let out a laugh that suggested that he clearly thought this impossible.

She already had a fitting retort ready when she remembered that this wasn't Niles and that her energy and wit would probably be wasted on this man. Furthermore, this was Michael Hampton, she'd never hear the end of it if she dared to offend him.

"Of course not Michael, don't be silly." she said with a fake smile.

"Wonderful, well now that we're here, would you accompany me for a walk on this beautiful beach?"

C.C. sighed, quickly choosing between two evils.

"I'd love to but it's already so late, mother will be furious if I keep her waiting."

"I understand completely, though I'm certain she wouldn't mind if I'd walk you home."

She couldn't shake him for the remainder of the day and , of course, he was present at the Christmas dinner her mother had organized. So she sat wedged between her sister who showed off her wedding ring and told anyone who would listen about her recent engagement and Michael, who tried desperately to flirt with her. Several times she found herself reaching for the silver necklace whose charm was resting above her heart. She had selected an appropriate length so that her mother would not notice it and ask questions. Yet the cool metal against her skin was much more soothing than she liked to admit, as well as a reminder that Niles cared enough to give her something. She had felt bad, knowing that she didn't have anything for him and suddenly an idea struck her. She quickly excused herself from the table to go into the kitchen where she dialed a number of an old acquaintance.

"Jim, this is C.C. Babcock, I'm so sorry if I'm interrupting, but I have a favour to ask of you. There is something I need you to make…"

Niles wasn't exactly having a better time, although he tried his best to hide it from Maxwell and Sara who were perfectly happy to have him there. It was late at night and he was just clearing away the dishes from the Christmas dinner that had taken longer than he had thought, when somebody knocked on the door. He squinted trying to make who the figure in the dark was but eventually gave up and carefully opened the door.

"Merry Christmas, Niles." Lucy said, hugging him "I have a present for you that you're not going to believe."

"Lucy, you didn't have to get me-"

"I didn't, it was a coincidence, how quickly can you be done here?" she interrupted, a broad smile on her face.

"Well, I just need to wash up those dishes and then see if the Sheffields need anything else, so about an hour I'd say." he replied and frowned when Lucy began to chew her lip, muttering: "Ok, I think I can stall her that long.."

"What are you talking about?" he asked, his interest peeked.

"Just meet me at the restaurant as soon as you can, ok?"

Niles could only nod as the whirlwind that was his friend left him alone again. Half annoyed though he was with her, he still did his job faster than usual, then changed into a pair of comfortable jeans and a red sweater.

When he arrived at the restaurant he saw that all the lights were switched off and was beginning to wonder if he had been the victim of some colossal prank, when somebody put their hands over his eyes.

"Guess who!" a soft voice said and he felt his body responding, before his mind could fathom who the person was.

Her hands smelled of lavender and vanilla and slowly a memory stirred.

"Katherine?" he asked incredulously, to which he heard a chuckle.

"Surprise!" Lucy exclaimed when the other woman removed her hands.

"My God, what are you doing here?" he asked, pulling her into a fierce hug.

"Working for the Donas'! Seems we have a mutual friend in Lucy." the young woman replied with a smile.

She was a little bit smaller than Niles with gorgeous red curls and sparkling green eyes. And for the first time, since C.C. Babcock had entered his life, Niles felt himself drawn to another woman. He gently rested his left hand against her cheek, whispering:

"You haven't changed, Kathy."

Lucy, who's grin was becoming bigger and bigger, chose this point to interject.

"Have you been lying to me, Katherine? You said Niles and you were friends at one point."

But it wasn't Katherine who answered, for she was too captured by the butler's blue eyes.

"Friends? We were lovers." his baritone was as tender as a caress.

C.C. Babcock was standing in front of the Sheffield's door, her hand raised but unable to knock as an usual burst of nervousness flowed through her body. The gift neatly wrapped which she kept in her coat pocket, seemed to weigh much more than it did when she had picked it up. She feared that once she strode into the house somebody would notice the bulk and what would they think if she had to admit that she, a Babcock, had bought something for the butler? She sighed, forcing her knuckles to touch the wood, musing that it was probably Niles himself who would answer the door, but she was wrong.

"Chas!" Sara exclaimed, looking somewhat startled "Happy New Year, I didn't expect to see you until the 6th!"

"Yes well, I know. There is something I need to discuss with Maxwell." she improvised, deciding that there was always time to make something up "But I'm parched, where is Niles?"

Sara eyed her for a moment and C.C. knew that she didn't quite believe her.

"He's in the kitchen but he isn't alone."

"I didn't ask for his life story." she said curtly and seeing that Sara opened her mouth again she simply walked past her.

She found him where Sara had said he'd be, chatting to a petite red-haired woman.

"Oh this was delicious. I can't believe how I could go without your cooking all these years." the young woman said, before she noticed C.C.

Niles, following her glance, saw her too and instantly said with a grin: "What, was the Island too hot for the Ice Queen?"

"I…" she began, unable to come up with anything better, for her eyes were still busy assessing the situation.

"Cat got your tongue?" he mocked and got to his feet, shrugging into his coat which had been resting on the seat next to him "Listen, Babs, you know where everything is. Kathy and I really need to get going."

"You will have enough time to make me some tea." she stated firmly.

Niles' features hardened and his mouth was a thin line as he was trying to bite back a retort. Then Katherine lightly touched his shoulder and C.C. could see how he relaxed again.

"Don't worry, I'll wait outside." she whispered and with a nod in C.C.'s direction, left via the backdoor.

"For your information, Babcock, I have the evening off." he said coolly, while angrily pouring some water into the kettle.

"Niles, forget the damn tea." she snapped, suddenly furious for no apparent reason "I just came by to drop this off."

And she extracted the gift from her pocket and threw it onto the table. Turning around to leave she froze when she heard him say: "Wait."

She could hear the ripping of the wrapping paper and knew what he was doing.

"You know, witch, maybe you should behave differently in the future to indicate that you're actually being nice." he said gently and she could tell, without turning around that he was smiling.

"Yes well, don't flatter yourself; I just don't like owing someone a present."

It had taken him one look at the feather duster that had the initials B.B. engraved at the bottom to know that this was no ordinary gift. She wondered what he was doing, until she felt his body press against hers and his warm breath tickled her skin.

"Who are you fooling?" he asked and quickly pressed his lips to her cheek.

It had only been a matter of seconds and yet she held her breath until she heard the door close behind him.