A/N: The end is near everyone, for this story that is. I have another idea brewing in my head for another chapter fic, so be on the look out for an update soon! Anyways, thanks to mewkazurinu2004, Lucky Starz, bogiedevil, ladybrin, rx9872 and Kittensbreath for reviewing chapter 13. Anyways, hope you all enjoy!

I love you.

These were the 3 powerful words that she said to him, not once, but twice during their extremely heartbreaking conversation. The conversation and the final declaration replayed in his mind as he sat on the brown leather loveseat in his apartment. He had heard her say these words right before he hung up the phone.

So powerful were these words, that it took all the strength he could muster not to forget the whole conversation they just had and scoop her into his arms right then. He was so captured by these words, that headed out the door of his apartment, keys in hand , even locking the door ready to head to her place. He did this several times, but every time he got to the stairs, the voice in the back of his mind told him to turn around.

The logicians in the back of his mind kept pounding the same thing over and over again. She's playing head games with you, man. Not to mention, she probably won't take you back after that brutal conversation the two of you just had. Just turn around, open the door and get ready for bed, you have a long hard day at work ahead of you tomorrow.

The voice in his heart had put up a commendable effort, but for now, the voices in the back of brain, had won. After debates he had with himself about whether or not to go get her or to just stay home, he finally chose the latter.

He headed into his room, put on his pajamas, turned on the television, and crawled into bed. Unfortunately, he could neither pay attention to the television nor get any sort of rest, for all he could think about was their conversation and how much he wished that she was there, in bed, next to him.

Hours and hours went by and each hour he would look at those big red numbers on his digital alarm clock. Before he knew it was 4 am and he had to get up in 2 hours to get ready for work. He tried desperately to fall asleep again, and finally dozed off for an hour before being awoken by the sound of his loud and rather obnoxious alarm clock.

Like a robot, he sprung up out of his bed , stripped out of his pajamas, and hopped into the shower. This shower was different from his usual morning routine however, because he made no effort to wash his hair or clean himself, but instead let the water continuously run down his body, hoping that maybe this would ease the pain he felt inside.

He stayed in the shower a while longer, before getting out and drying off. He didn't even bother to shave, just simply brushed his teeth and threw on the first suit he came across, not even considering or caring for that matter that it was not pressed and, therefore, extremely wrinkled.

He sat down at the table in his small dining area and waited for the coffee pot to brew his morning coffee. Most likely though, a simple cup of coffee would not cure him, for lack of sleep was clearly evident due to the puffiness under his eyes. Tiredness was getting the better of him, and he dozed off for several minutes before the coffee pot signaled that it was done.

He drank a cup of coffee, grabbed his wallet and keys and headed off to work.

Work, however, just wasn't as fulfilling when all he could think about was the beautiful blonde that he had somehow managed to majorly screw things up with.

…..

Although every inch and being of C.C.'s heart ached for Niles, she had managed to have a productive morning nonetheless. She was up and atom promptly at 7, where she showered, brushed her pearly whites, applied her makeup and got dressed.

She headed out of her apartment immediately thereafter, where she went to several different city offices in order to gather all the required documents needed to start her company. It would be a long and painful process filling out all of these papers, however she had never wanted anything in her career more.

As much as she loved Niles, she was thankful that this new career venture would give her an alternate focus. Even though she had been alone for many years and they had really only spent one night together, it was exceedingly painful to not have him in the bed next to her.

He was on her mind all night, and when she woke up in the morning, but now that she had gathered the necessary paperwork to start her company, she was able to rid of him temporarily. Of course, the long term effort to rid him from her mind forever would be futile, but she was thankful for the temporary fix nonetheless.

It was around lunchtime when she had finished gathering all the necessary papers for her company. Truthfully she was quite hungry and so she decided to go the nearby shopping plaza and get some lunch. Sleepiness was starting to overcome her, so she figured she could order a coffee as well.

She walked into the food court area of the plaza and ordered a sandwich from a little restaurant similar to Panera. She also order herself a nice big latte, hoping that would keep her awake and alert enough to begin her paperwork.

The sandwich was quite tasty and she finished it rather quickly. She pulled a pen out of her purse and decided to get started on the company paperwork. The stack was thick and she knew it would most likely take her several days to complete all of it. Determined to get started, she took another sip from her latte, before uncapping her pen and beginning to paperwork process.

She became so engrossed in her task at hand that she did not hear the voice calling her name.

"Miss Babcock. Miss Babcock, Miss Babcock….C.C.!"

Finally after hearing her first name, C.C. looked up from her paperwork and saw none other than the bubbly nanny smiling down at her.

"Hi Miss Babcock, care if I sit down?"

But before C.C. could answer, Fran had already pulled out a chair and sat next to her.

"How have you been, C.C.? I meant to call you actually. I heard about Niles' play and how successful it has been. He said he would try and get me a ticket to see the show. I know Maxwell is angry about the competition, but I am extremely happy for him nonetheless. C.C. I was going to send this in the mail today actually, but seeing as I bumped into you here, I mine as well give it to you now."

Fran reached into her purse and pulled out and elegant looking envelope. C.C. was about to open it to find out what was inside, but Fran, bursting with excitement revealed the contents before C.C. could even break the seal.

"It's me and Max's wedding invitation! I hope you and Niles can come. I know you both ended things badly with Maxwell, but I really would love it if you two came. Not to mention, I think that Max will find room in his heart let it all go."

Being so excited about her wedding, Fran hadn't yet noticed the pain and discomfort on C.C.'s face at the mention of Niles' name. Not to mention, the fact that Fran had just said 'you and Niles" as if they were a couple, had made this blow even worse.

Fran's beaming smile down-turned quickly into a huge frown as she noticed the look of extreme longing and sadness on C.C. Babcock's face She knew then, that something was desperately wrong.

"Miss Babcock, whatever is that matter?"

C.C. wasn't sure if she wanted to get Fran involved in her heartbreak, so she just tried to brush it off.

"Nothing, just a little stressed. Family matters, nothing important."

"Oh, I understand. Well, are you and Niles coming to the wedding?"

C.C. had been trying so hard to fight back the tears that were about to erupt all over her company paperwork. She didn't want anyone to see her cry. Even though, her and Fran had developed an amicable relationship over the last few months, she still had no desire to pour all her problems onto this, clearly deliriously happy woman.

Fran looked into the eyes of C.C. Babcock and knew right away that something else more serious was the matter. She could clearly tell that C.C. was on the verge of a breakdown, for her eyes were wet with tears on the verge of pouring out.

"C.C. what is the matter? Please tell me, we can talk in Val's car, its right outside in the parking lot."

And without giving her too much of a choice, Fran waited as C.C. stood up from her chair and grabbed her paperwork to head to the car with Fran. In efforts to comfort her, Fran wrapped her arm around the back of the taller women and rubbed her shoulder with her free hand.

The two of them exited the mall like this and got into the car.

"C.C. what happened? You look like you just lost the love of your life…is it something to do with Niles?"

C.C. knew she could hide it no longer. At least now she was in the safety of the car so the whole world wouldn't have to see her lose her composure.

"Oh, Fran, it has everything to do with Niles. We got into a huge argument because he found out about the inheritance. I don't know who told him, but that is besides the point. I planned on telling him that very same day and somehow he found out before I got the chance. Just wondering, but did you tell him. I wouldn't be angry, it just would be nice to know."

A lone tear rolled slowly down her angelic looking cheek.

"Of course not, sweetie, I figured he should know, but I knew you needed to be the one to tell him, and as angry as Max was about all of this, he is not the type of person to get involved in other people's lives."

"Well, anyways, that doesn't matter. It just hurts so bad. I hate this feeling we humans call heartbreak. When Niles and I talked about it last night, he said he just needed some time, but I felt him slipping away. I hated the fact that I couldn't see his face when I told him I love him. I feel so terrible and I tried to convince him that there was no malicious intent behind the money I gave him. I am not sure if I got through to him. I have been rich all my life and proud of it, but now I hate what money does to people. I hate the fact that is has the power to dictate relationships."

Fran really felt for her and could see all the heartbreak in orbs of her eyes. She tried in all her power to reassure C.C. that things would get better.

"Oh Ms. Babcock, I know for a fact that Niles loves you. In time, he will come back to you because as much as I would have questioned it in the past, I know for a fact that you two belong together. He will come to see that this whole inheritance thing, however impulsive and twisted it appears to be, was a way for you to show him how much you care about him and how much you believe in him. You were adamant about him getting his play produced even when my fiancé turned him down. He will realize that C.C. and he will come back to you, I promise you that."

"Oh, Fran I hope you are right. It just seemed so hopeless after the awful conversation we had last night."

"C.C. believe me, things like this are never hopeless. I am living proof of that."

"Thank you Fran!"

"For what?"

"For listening."

"Anytime, C.C. as much as we have had our differences in the past, I still believe you aren't as cold hearted as you appear."

Fran gave her a warm smile.

C.C. managed a chuckle through all the pain and sadness she felt.

"C.C. do you need a ride home? Or did you bring your car?"

"I took a cab, are you offering?"

"Yeah."

And with that, they sat , not speaking to one another. Fran turned to the radio on and it played softly in the background of their silence.

They arrived at C.C.'s apartment building sometime later. C.C. thanked Fran for the ride and exited the vehicle. Before she walked away completely however, Fran opened her mouth to say one last thing:

"C.C. are you coming to the wedding?"

"Yes, I'll be there."

"Niles will be with you too, sweetie."

And with that said, she drove away and headed back to her home.

Arriving there, she though about C.C. and her clearly evident heartbreak. Here I thought all these years, Miss Babcock never had a heart. Truth is, I think her heart is bigger than all of ours.

With that, she picked up the phone and vigorously punched in the numbers.

A sleep deprived British man answered the phone:

"Hello."

"What the hell are you thinking? Mister we need to have a serious talk!"

His mouth dropped open in shock as the normally bubbly nasal voice had been replaced with that of a firm and solemn one indicating that she was not in a very pleasant mood and clearly meant business.