A/N: OMG, you guys are going to love this chapter, I think! Anyways, shout outs to Lucky Starz, Kittensbreath, mewkazurinu2004 and ladybrin for reviewing chapter 15. There is one more chapter in this story. Anyways, hope you enjoy and don't forget to review!

Chapter 16 – Road to Recovery

Niles approached the door of C.C. Babcock's apartment. Although he was determined to show her just how much he truly loved her, he couldn't deny that his nerves were getting the better of him.

He paced back in forth in front of her door a few times before he was finally able to gather his composure.

Here it goes. Hopefully she'll take me back. Oh God, I have been so stupid! I can't imagine how hard it must have been for C.C. to be honest with me. I just hope she will give me a second chance to prove to her how much I love her.

With these thoughts in mind he slowly approached the door and rang the bell.

C.C. heard it immediately and got up to go look through the peephole. She wondered who in God's name would be ringing her doorbell at close to 10 o'clock at night. She really didn't feel like dealing with her crazy neighbors at the moment.

She peered through the peephole and her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.

Oh Niles, God, I've missed you!

With that thought it mind, she quickly opened the door to reveal a clearly sleep deprived, and quite anxious British man. The two of them just stared into one another's eyes for several seconds, trying to read each other's thoughts and memorizing every little speck of color contained in each of their piercing irises.

Even sad and broken, he looks so handsome.

Finally realizing that they had been standing there looking into each other's eyes for several seconds, C.C. opened her mouth to speak.

"Oh, Niles, come in." she said rather quickly and anxiously.

He walked in and she locked the door behind him.

They stood in the front hallway area of her apartment face to face, continuing to take one another in before Niles finally opened his mouth to speak.

"Oh my God, C.C., I have been such an idiot! Please forgive me. I've missed you so much! Oh God, where do I begin. I need to explain…"

C.C. put her finger on top of his lips to shush him. He couldn't deny that even this very small amount of physical contact didn't cause his stomach to flutter and his heart to pump wildly. A lone tear fell from her eye and Niles raised his hand to wipe it away with his thumb.

"Don't cry, Babs", he said lovingly.

"Just cut the crap and kiss me, Butler boy!"

And with that she crashed her lips on top of his. He responded immediately, of course, as her lips parted ready for the entry of his tongue. Niles gently ran his tongue on her bottom lip before entering her mouth. Their tongues continued to dance fiercely around one another as they continued to explore each other's mouths. A melody could have been attached to the suction going on between them.

Of course their tongues weren't the only parts of their bodies doing some exploring. C.C. went from cupping his face, to vigorously running her hands through his sandy blonde hair, to running her hands down his back and along his shoulders and back through his hair again. She prayed this would be the second of many times she would get the chance to do this, but if not, she planned on memorizing everything about him.

Niles pulled her close to him and explored every contour of her curves. Although she had a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt on at this point, he had no problem taking in everything and was easily able to appreciate every little part of this woman's gorgeous figure. He continued to explore and his hands started moving under her shirt. He was ravished by feeling of her soft creamy skin and he needed to memorize everything about this feeling with his hands and fingertips.

They broke apart gasping for air and breathing heavily as desire flowed through them. Niles, however was still exploring everything about her with his hands. He slowly lifted her t-shirt over her head. He reveled in her touch as his fingertips brushed against her sides when removing the piece of clothing.

"So you are a woman, Babcock, and a damn sexy one I might add."

With that he scooped shirtless C.C. up into his arms and led her into the bedroom of the penthouse where he gently put her down.

"Glad you finally admit it, Butler Boy." she smiled clearly enjoying this twisted sort of foreplay they had going on.

"Now I just need to prove you're a man!"

"I think you already know the answer to that, Babcock!"

"Well enlighten me once more. I am slow learner."

"You and I both know that is a bunch of crap."

"Niles, stop the bullshit!"

And again she pressed her lips on top of his as he pulled her towards him. She ravenously removed his suit jacket and quickly undid the buttons to his button down, pushed it over his shoulders, revealing his strong shoulders and broad chest. She played with the light curls on is chest, memorizing every inch of him as she ran her fingers along him.

Swiftly, however, she moved to his pants and fumbled with the belt, button and zipper. Pulling the belt out of its loops and quickly undoing the button and zipper, his pants fell to the ground revealing his black boxer briefs clad to his tone butt.

Niles had no trouble at all quickly removing her loose fitting pajama pants and revealing nothing but her red silky panties.

The two fell down into the bed together, and entangled themselves in C.C.'s off white bed sheets and removed each others' undergarments. They teased one another before making passionate love several times that evening and falling asleep while cuddling together, Niles strong arms were wrapped around C.C.'s waist as the two of them slept against one another.

Needless to say they both slept quite soundly that evening, falling asleep with, what appeared to be, smiles on their faces.

…

C.C. woke up the next morning feeling rested, although quite sore from their passionate lovemaking. She noticed the spot next to her on the bed was empty and she wondered for a brief moment if everything that had happened had been nothing but a dream, for it just seemed too wonderful to actually have happened to her.

It can't be a dream though. I wouldn't be sore, stark naked and feel this rested. Oh, God, did he leave?

She frantically got up and slipped a robe on, before quickly pushing the bedroom door open and urgently running to front of her apartment. She was greeted however, by the smell of the coffee pot brewing and Niles cooking breakfast.

He could clearly see the fear in her eyes and as if he read her mind, he said simply:

"Babs, did you miss me?"

"Am I that obvious?"

"Well the fact that you just barged through the door and ran into the room sort of gave you away. Don't worry, I am not going anywhere, I just came out here to make us some breakfast. I didn't want to wake you. You're so peaceful when you're asleep. Can't say the same when you are awake, however."

"Can it, dust buster! What are you making anyways?"

"Hungry are we? Well I am making the works for my queen, of course. Eggs, bacon, some pancakes, maybe I'll throw in an omelet. Whatever you want, I live to serve, only you though, because my butler days are over."

"I'll have it all, Niles, thank you." She couldn't help but smile at how much of a gentleman he could be through all their games and banter.

"Would you like a cup of coffee? I am still in slight shock that you own a coffee pot at all."

"Just so you know, I can make my own cup of coffee, Niles!"

"Oh I am sure you can Babs. In fact I know you can do a hell of a lot more than that", he said with a wink.

He finished making her breakfast, put the plates on a tray and brought it to her coffee table. They both sat down on her black leather sofa and didn't say much to one another as they ate, for they were both starving. When they were finished eating, Niles got up about to collect the dishes and clean up, but was stopped as C.C. put her hand on his forearm.

"Niles, I'll get those. This is my place after all and you were kind enough to make me breakfast. I'll do something domestic and clean up."

She took the plates and put them in her sink before returning to her seat next to him.

"Babcock, you are about as domestic as Fran Fine is quiet."

"Speaking of Fran, she invited me to her wedding. Did she invite you?"

"You asking me to be your date, Babs?"

"What do you think, Butler boy?"

"I think I would be honored to have you as my date" he smiled and took her hand in between his. C.C. responded by placing her head on his shoulder and nuzzling slightly against his neck.

"God, Niles, I had missed you so much these last few days. Things just aren't the same without you in my life."

"Ditto, Babs. But I am here now and don't worry, I don't plan on leaving. I love you so much Chastity Claire Babcock!"

"Niles, how do you know my name? I have never mentioned it to anyone."

"Chas, I know everything and anything that went on in the Sheffield mansion. I have my ways of knowing these things."

"Well, as much I have tried to hide that name all these years, it sounds quite nice coming through your lips!"

"So, it is ok if I call you Chas once in a while?"

"Of course, and since when did you ask my permission anyways?"

"Babcock, you make a valid point." He smiled at her once more before putting his arms around her and pulling her toward him. She laid her head in his lap as he played with the strands of her hair.

"Niles, don't you work today? Oh I don't want you to go, but I couldn't help but wonder."

"No, C.C. I took the day off so I could spend it with you. Mr. Webber wasn't too happy, but what can I say. As dedicated as I am to play, it is so much more fulfilling to be with the real thing than the idea of it. Get my drift?"

"Yes of course, and I am so glad you are here. Oh, speaking of work, do you see that stack of papers on the countertop over there?"

"What about them?"

"I just finished filling them out before you came over last night. I am in the process of starting my new company, C.C. Babcock productions. I am thinking about what show I going to do for my first production."

"You asking me to contribute, because I would love to."

"Nothing gets past you", she laughed. "Anyways, the company should be up and running within the next month or so. I plan on turning in the paperwork, first thing tomorrow morning."

"C.C. that is really great! I am so happy for you. You deserve success after all the hard work you have put into theatre all your life", he said sincerely.

"Niles, I know you are working for Andrew Lloyd Webber right now and the run has been very successful, but I would love for you to be involved in my company as much as possible. Maxwell was blind to it for so long but I believe you are not only talented as a writer and performer, but as a producer as well."

"Oh God, C.C., you don't know how much it means to me to hear you have so much faith in me. God, I love you so much!"

"I love you too, Niles Brightmore. You know, maybe this inheritance thing wasn't so bad after all."

"You're right! It brought me to you."

"If you don't mind me asking, Niles, what made you change your mind?"

"Well, I think I knew along, but in all honesty I didn't see the truth until a certain yenta helped me see!"

"Oh Fran, I could hug her right now."

"She has a way of somehow majorly screwing things up, but fixing them ever so nicely in the end."

"Well, she did a great job with us." C.C. smiled warmly at him.

"She did, didn't she?" He smiled and planted a loving kiss on her lips.

"So do you believe now, C.C.?"

"Believe in what?" she asked questioningly.

"My love for you." he said simply.

"I think so, but I may need to be shown again later on", she winked at him before throwing him a devilish smile.

"I think that can be arranged, Babcock!" he said and planted another tender kiss on her lips.

The two of them continued to sit together throughout the day, spooning on her big black sofa. C.C. shared with him her reasoning for the inheritance again and this time he was much more understanding. They talked about events in their lives from their pasts, their presents and their plans for the future. They watched old movies together some that made them laugh and others that caused them to use up the rest of her tissues.

They ordered takeout and ate it peacefully while watching another comedy. It was getting late and Niles realized he didn't have any extra clothes to wear for work the next day.

"Chas, as much as I hate to have to leave you, I need to go to my apartment and get something to wear for work tomorrow."

C.C. was quite not ready for him to leave and an idea quickly popped into her head as she came up with an excuse not to leave his side.

"Niles, why don't I just pack a bag and come to your place for the night. We can even take my car and I can drive you to work in the morning before I go turn in this paperwork for my company."

"Babcock, you really can't live without me, can you?"

"Well I just thought it would be easier than you coming back to my place. You were planning on coming back, right?"

"Of course, and your idea is wonderful. Truth be told, I love having my baby by my side every minute."

With that said, C.C. rushed to pack a bag, gathering the necessary clothing items as well as a few minor toiletries. She came into the kitchen and scooped up her paperwork before grabbing her car keys.

"I am ready to leave, Lover."

With that they headed out her door where she quickly locked it and rode the elevator hand in hand. They continued to walk this way until they approached her vehicle and were forced to briefly break apart in order to get into the car.

The rest of the drive to his apartment was spent in silence as they held one another's hands. They arrived at his apartment and headed up together still hand in hand. This would be the third of the many nights they would spend together.

C.C. Babcock's enormous heart had suffered many blows throughout the close to 40 years she had been walking planet Earth.

Tonight, however, would be the beginning of the mending process. Niles made her believe in love that previous night for the first time in her life. With each reinforcement of that belief would come another patch, as each wound on her heart would continue to heal. With Niles' love, she was on the road to recovery.

And this time, her heart would grow to be bigger and stronger the second time around!