A/N: Sorry I haven't updated as expediently as usual. I have been having a hard time deciding exactly how I want each an every event to playout, not to mention I am thinking about another story. Anyways thanks to Starry Peaches, Lucky Starz, mewkazurinu2004 and kittensbreath for reviewing chapter 12. Hope you enjoy, things will look up soon.

Chapter 13- "I just need some time."

C.C. was immediately jerked from her sleepy slumber as Niles voice boomed through the phone against her ear. She didn't have to see his face to know that something was definitely wrong here.

Woken up from her groggy state, his words became clear. These words combined with his tone of voice clearly conveyed that he was furious about something. She listened as he spoke, ready to find out what that something was. She couldn't deny, however, that fear ran through her as she heard him speak.

"What is your deal, C.C.? Is my life just a sick game to you? I really thought we had something between us, but then I come to find out that the whole life I have built has been nothing but a lie these entire last 3 months."

Thoughts were running through C.C.'s mind as she realized that the lie he was referring to was the inheritance. She needed to explain to him her reasoning but she couldn't get a word in edgewise as the anger continued to boil out of Niles' words.

"I should have known this new life of mine was all just one big lie. I was so caught up in the fact that I finally had the opportunity for self-fulfillment that I never even questioned the source of this new acquired wealth. I should have known nobody in my family actually had that enormous amount of money."

"Niles….please….."

But he cut her off. Normally, she had no problem getting her 2 cents in when it involved some sort of verbal joust between them. However, it was different now. All the times before, her feelings had never been revealed and her heart had been guarded. Now, however, those gates were no longer closed and she had opened her heart, taking the risk of the possibility that it could be stabbed once more.

With this said, it was no surprise that in this situation she felt completely powerless as his icy words continued to plunge knives into her recently mended wounds.

"What is your game, Babcock? Give me the money, and then take it away under my nose. Clearly, there has to be some kind of trick involved in all of this. That is all that has ever been between us, why should I believe any differently now? Clearly, you enjoy having this power over me. I suppose you view me as some sort of peon and now you can hold this money against me.

"Niles, I would never do that….."

"Oh, I wouldn't put it past you, Babcock. You've done some pretty questionable transactions for the good of business."

"Niles…please….listen to me, I don't deny that isn't true, but I swear to God, I would never use my wealth against you. I planned on telling you about the inheritance today at lunch."

The need to get through to him was dire for her sanity. She could feel him slipping away and her heart ached at the thought that this issue could be the end of any relationship that these two had together.

"Niles, please, just listen to me. I have thought so hard about my life these last few months. You have to understand where I am coming from about all this. When Maxwell proposed to Fran, it really hurt bad."

"C.C. I can't believe you are still pining over him after all this!"

"Niles let me finish, please. Anyways, it hurt badly, but NOT because I was in love with him. I have been brought up in a world where status is everything and so I believed that Maxwell and I would end up together because that is the way things were supposed to be. So I built up this fantasy in mind for years, never even realizing that the person I am meant to be with had been right under my nose for 20 years…."

"C.C., you can't blame me for having a hard time believing all of this. I mean, I am guilty of it to, but we have done nothing but go out of the way to hurt each other for so long. Of course I figured it was only a game, a game I lived for on a daily basis, of course, but still a living hell nonetheless. I am just having a hard time believing that someone as cutthroat as you, particularly when it comes to money, would have no problem just giving a substantial amount to anyone, let alone me, someone you have supposedly despised all these years."

"I know that. I just need you to understand. Just let me continue. I'll feel better once you hear my whole perspective on this. Anyways, I sat in my apartment, alone, my mind in utter conflict as my ideals crumbled right before my eyes. I thought about my life and how I am getting nothing but older each and everyday. I thought about you and initially figured that you would use this fact against me. But then I pondered some more, and realized just how unfair your situation was in life. I would never have admitted this to you at the time, but I've always believed that you are more intelligent and talented than Maxwell Sheffield will ever be. I wondered just how different your life would have been if your circumstances had been different. It was an impulsive decision, to say the least, but I wasn't thinking with all rationality at that point and so I rushed to the bank straight the next morning to make the arrangements. You know the rest after that."

"C.C., I just need to know why?"

"Truthfully, there are so many answers to that question. I would say, I definitely did it because I needed to prove to myself that birth into a wealthy family does not determine how valuable you are as a human being. I wonder if I did it subconsciously as a way to make you fit the mold of someone in high society. Of course, now I realize just how silly and pathetic that is, for I have never been one to follow the status quo anyways. I never planned on doing anything malicious with that money. I just wanted a better life for you, because in my heart and soul, I knew that you deserved It.".

This was the most straightforward and honest she had ever been with him or anybody, for that matter, about her inner most feelings and emotions. She was surprised at how easy it had been for her to be honest. She reveled in the fact that she felt so strongly enough about him that she was willing to tell him anything in her heart and soul.

Of course, there had been urgency in this case, for she knew that if she did not explain everything soon, she could lose him forever, but even so, the fact that she finally felt connected enough to him to share her deepest darkest secrets was definitely a great feeling.

She just needed to make sure that he was believing what she was saying. Considering, they were talking on the telephone, however, she could never know for sure and not being able to look into to his eyes and reassure him of her authenticity, worried her tremendously.

"So are you saying you gave me the money because you felt sorry for me, because honestly the last thing I want is pity, particularly from you."

"Niles. That is not what I am saying at all! I've never pitied you. I've pitied myself and my own circumstances more than anything. I am the poster child for the uptight career woman who has put her work before everything and look what I have to show for it. No family, no real friends, not to mention I am not even working right now. Part of me was just curious to see what a well liked, talented and did I mention devilishly handsome would do when given the opportunity and look what you've done. "

She hoped that handsome comment would lighten the mood, because at fiery as her temper was most of the time, she knew keeping it light would be the difference between him coming back to her or him fleeing for the hills.

The other end remained silent, as Niles took in her words. Conflicting views were running through him. Of course his heart was telling him to let it be, forgive her for not telling him sooner, and go straight to her apartment. His mind, however, was telling him to be wary, for C.C. surely had some sort of ulterior motive. What, he did not know, but his mind told him that she should not be trusted.

C.C. sat there waiting for his response. She told him everything and if he would let her have the chance, she would do all in her power to make this right.

"C.C. I just don't know…..I am just going to need some time. I am having a hard time accepting all this."

"What does that mean, exactly?"

"Just time, alone, to think. I just don't know whether I can trust you yet."

C.C. felt him slipping away from her as the words came through the receiver. She didn't know what to do. She had been completely honest with him about everything about the inheritance. She needed to see him, but clearly he didn't want to see her judging by the words coming out of his mouth. Her heart hurt as, fresh new wounds were added to it. They were wounds, in which, only he could mend.

She had never put up a fight in keeping a relationship before. Her fighting skills had been used for other things, business and making his life a living hell, mostly.

Because of this inexperience in dealing with matters of the heart, it was not surprising that she had no idea how to handle this current situation. No question, she loved this man, however, she was questioning whether or not she was ready to fight for him or if he wanted to be fought for.

Because if he didn't want that, then this whole issue would be a lost cause.

She didn't know what to say, but she knew that something needed to be done quickly, before she lost him for good. She needed to keep him there. It took all the strength she could muster to say these words:

"Niles, I know you need some time, but I just need you….I…..I love you."

With conflict still running through his mind, Niles took in her words carefully.

Although he had been waiting for her to say these words for so long, the cynical side of him still wondered if she was truthful. Again, his heart told him that she was, but the brain was leery.

Tears were building up in his eyes as the mixed emotions poured out of him. It took all the strength he could muster to not just run over there, scoop her up in his arms and forget that all of this every happened. Hearing her say those words, if she indeed meant them, was the most unbelievable experience of his life.

"Oh, God, C.C. I want to believe you, so badly, I have loved you for what seems like forever, but I just don't know if I am ready to take the risk yet."

C.C. was starting to become on edge now. Urgency became clear in her voice as she continued to try and get through to him.

"Please believe me! I am ready to be with you now. I have never felt for anyone like I feel for you. Niles, what do I need to do to prove this to you?"

"C.C., if you truly love me, just give me a little time to work things out…please."

As much as she hated it, she knew then that having him this very moment was not going to happen, she just hoped that with a little time he could see things differently.

"Alright…" C.C. said in a slightly defeated voice.

"Niles, just promise me one thing?"

"Yes?"

"Just promise me you will notify me as soon as you figure things out.

"I promise."

"I love you, Niles", she said to him softly, but with major feeling nonetheless.

But there was no answer on the other end, for he had already hung up the phone. Tears started pouring out of C.C.'s eyes before she could stop them. She was so worried about Niles' and her relationship, that it didn't even cross her mind to think about who had been the one to tell him about the inheritance.

She would give him the time to think, because she knew that he needed it, however, her heart would not break any less on the days she would spend without him. She needed to do something to divert her time waiting for his answer.

Wit that thought in mind, she realized just how much she missed being a career woman.

She would never go back to Maxwell Sheffield's company after the falling out they had. No, she wanted to be her own boss. With that, she knew what she needed to do. She would start her own company. Theatre had been part of her life for so long, and being away from it for these last couple months have been difficult on her.

Financially, she wasn't struggling, however she needed the self-fulfillment in her life. The feeling of accomplishment she got after producing a successful run of a show could not be topped by anything (except Nile's love).

With this in mind, she planned on going out first thing in the morning and getting the necessary papers to begin the process. She would get her career back on track.

C.C. Babcock productions would be well on the road to success soon enough.