A/N: First of all shout outs to BlackSwoon, mewkazurinu2004, sim38, Vee22 and ladybrin for reviewing Chapter 4. Here we have the beginning of a little conflict; this event will start of chain reaction of course. I hope you all continue to enjoy this story because I am loving writing it. Oh, I also just had an interesting idea for a one-shot so expect to see that in the next few days or so.

Chapter 5-Things Don't Go as Planned

C.C. sat in the office and read Niles script cover to cover. She felt a variety of emotions as she sat reading and she felt somehow connected to the female lead of the play. It just seemed vaguely familiar to her, but she couldn't figure out why.

One thing she did know however; was that this play was a masterpiece and needed to be produced. As a reader, she had never felt more connected to a piece of writing. It brought out smiles, tears and some fits of anger as she read the play and internalized it in her mind. She figured Niles play would be good, but she had no idea just how wonderful of a writer he truly was.

She needed to convince Maxwell that this play was the one, and that it would bring in a very large and diverse audience this Broadway season. She knew that it would be difficult considering Maxwell was so damn stubborn about them needing to produce a play by a famous writer. Normally C.C. would have agreed with him, but Niles' play was just too poignant of a piece to pass up.

"Maxwell, I read all the scripts cover to cover and I have found the one that needs to be produced."

"That's wonderful C.C.! Who's the lucky author? I can't wait to get started. I knew you would find one in that stack I gave you after you thought it over."

"Well..Maxwell, here's the thing, the script I have chosen didn't exactly come from that stack you gave me to read last night."

"Then how did you manage to come by it C.C.? You know it's never a good idea to produce plays by authors that aren't at least somewhat known by the community."

"I can surely say you are familiar with the author. In fact you know him quite well."

"Well who is the author, C.C.?"

Of course Niles had been listening to this whole conversation through the intercom in the kitchen. He was pleased to hear that C.C. liked his play and even more pleased to hear her going to bat for him in the other room. Of course he couldn't take the anticipation much longer, so he ran to office and slowly opened the door. He figured if anything, Ms. Babcock could use some backup.

"I am, sir."

Maxwell just looked at them with his mouth hanging open equivalent to the expression on Fran's face the night they walked in on C.C. and Niles drunk and lip locked.

C.C. couldn't believe he just walked in the room. Surely I should have known he couldn't go 2 seconds without turning on that damn intercom. But she was glad he was in there just as well. It felt nice to have a support system. Frankly she had done so many things alone in her life and although she was an exceptionally strong person, having someone there made her exceedingly more so. She wondered if he felt the same way at this point.

Simultaneously they glanced at one another before Niles continued in his baritone voice:

"I wrote the play, sir! I was hoping that you and Ms. Babcock would be willing to produce it. I am even willing to invest a substantial amount of money in my own work to help with your production. "

Maxwell, slightly taken aback by all the craziness of what he was just witnessing said in a tone slightly louder than usual:

"What the hell is going on here? Where bloody am I? My butler wants to invest in his own play, which he wants my business partner and I to produce. Oh did I mention the fact that my business partner, who supposedly despises him, came to me with the idea and is actually backing him up? Am I bloody dreaming or has hell actually frozen over?"

Niles and C.C. both figured he may react this way and they both looked at each other again before C.C. opened her mouth to speak:

"Well truth be told, Maxwell, I would have normally been against the idea. But I know a great play when I read one and with this we have a hit."

"Niles we've been through this before. I don't produce plays that are written by relatives or friends or employees for that matter. I've always been taught to stick with what you know and I know theatre. Niles, you know housekeeping and that is what you should stick to. "

Niles was slightly angry by this considering Maxwell basically just told him he should be a butler for the rest of his life. He wanted to go off on him right then and there, but knowing that would only hamper the situation, he decided to hold his tongue and try and reason with his boss. Not to mention, he liked having C.C. on his side for once.

"Sir, I understand your viewpoint, however I am asking you as friend to make an exception. I have a substantial amount of money in which I am willing to invest and I can assure you the script is wonderful."

C.C. knew the situation was getting difficult so she continued after Niles finished speaking.

"Maxwell, I can guarantee you this play is going to be a hit. " She looked at Niles once more trying to reassure him of her support for him before continuing.

"This play is genius. I, myself, as a reader, have never felt more connected to a piece of writing in my entire life. Just imagine the response we'll get when this play is performed!"

"C.C., you know how I feel about this. I will not falter on my principles. I am sorry old man, but I stand firm on my values. I will not produce a play written by an employee!"

Niles was getting more infuriated by the second and C.C. could see it on his face. She wanted to do more for him but she felt powerless in the whole situation. It was a conflict between the 2 most important men in her life and she hated to have to take sides. If put in this same situation before her trip to "The Place" there is no doubt she would have had Maxwell's back 100% regardless of how mistaken his views might be. But with her new outlook on life, she realized just how flawed his thinking was. It was hard because she cared for Niles even though she could not admit it out loud. But she also loved her work and Maxwell was in control of that.

She hated this feeling of powerlessness because she generally always had control. So she just sat there conflicted in her mind as to what to do as Niles continued.

"Sir, I would think after over 25 years of service and loyalty to your family that you would consider me as a little more than just an employee. I understand your views about producing a play and can live with that. What I will not tolerate, however, is being seen as a less valuable human being than you. I am sick of being seen by you as a peon, and I frankly don't plan to stand for it any longer. Not to mention I have the means to support myself now, I have inherited a substantial amount of money and I received confirmation earlier that is has been successfully transferred into my account. Furthermore, you haven't even read my play so the fact that you judged it so soon makes you a piss poor producer."

"How dare you come in here and talk to me this way! If your so bloody rich now, then why don't you make other arrangements you smug ungrateful old man"

"You don't have to tell me twice! I quit, I am out of here!" and with that he took off his apron and threw it on the ground. He hurriedly walked out of the office, opened the door and slammed it shut.

Maxwell paced the room, still fuming. C.C. just sat down on the couch with the script still in her arms against her heart.

Of course, after it sunk into her mind what just happened, emotion started to get the better of her. The lump in her throat was making it difficult to hold it all in.

She quickly got off the couch, managed to muster out the words "I think I need a drink" and rapidly walked out of the room, almost running to the kitchen. Nobody was in there at the moment, although C.C. knew that wouldn't last if Sylvia was anywhere near the premises. She grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge, placed the script on the counter and immediately grabbed a pen.

She quickly grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote hurriedly:

Don't give up on this. The play is wonderful.

-C.C.

Emotions were getting the better of her and it was evident in the shakiness and slight choppiness of her handwriting. The tears were starting to fall slowly and one fell on the note as she walked to the table at the front of the house and placed the note and script on it.

Then she ran out the door, got into her BMW and cried her eyes out as she had a sudden realization that her feelings for Niles were a little closer to love then she cared to admit out loud.