Disclaimer: I still do not own the characters.

A young, fresh-faced, newly- degree holding CC Babcock marched up to the mansion door with her game face on. The reviews were in, and they were not particularly kind. She had been working for Maxwell Sheffield for a little over a year, and Sheffield productions had just released its second show. Having been recently promoted from her god-awful position as secretary, CC had been hoping that the show would be a success. She felt that it would somehow prove her worth. However the show's flop was by no means her fault. She let out a soft sigh as she rung the doorbell. Today was not going to be a fun day at work.

The no-good butler answered the door. Even though she was dressed for the nines in a new Chanel suit and every blond hair was held perfectly in place by a diamond studded clip, she had no doubt in her mind that he would find some way to insult her. As she walked in, she was greeted with a huge smile. It was a shame really, with his fluffy copper-blonde hair and his stunning blue eyes similar to her own, she may have found him attractive… if he wasn't such a pompous ass all the time. And he was too old. And a butler. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"What's with the grin, servant? Inhale a little too much bleach today?" she asked haughtily as he took off her coat.

"No, Miss Babcock, I'm afraid I did not. Mr. Sheffield is expecting you in his office." Niles answered, still grinning.

CC was caught off guard. No insult? As she strode towards the office, she glanced back and saw Niles hang up her coat and then walk back towards the kitchen, whistling happily. She knocked on the office door before entering, and when she walked in, she was surprised to see two people in the room instead of one. Maxwell's wife Sarah was sitting on her husband's lap behind the desk, chattering away happily. CC didn't really mind the woman, but she didn't care enough to try to be friends with her. Sarah, however, saw things differently.

"Oh CC dear, I'm so excited you're here!" Sarah exclaimed happily, getting up and walking towards her. CC suddenly found herself being wrapped in a warm hug.

"I just have the best news, I couldn't wait to tell you! Maxwell said that it could wait until lunch, but I'm so impatient, I simply must tell you now! You're one of my closest friends after all"

CC shook the shell-shocked look from her face and attempted to be pleasant,

"What's the news, darling?"

"I'm pregnant!" Sarah shouted, beaming. She looked back at Maxwell, who seemed just as happy as he smiled adoringly at his wife. CC struggled to see what was so exciting about this news.

"… oh, Congratulations Sarah dear!" CC said, mustering up some fake enthusiasm "I'm so happy for the two of you."

"Thanks dear, I knew you would be!" Sarah replied. Just then, Niles entered with a bottle of Champagne and four glasses on a tray. He poured one for each of them, and then Maxwell stood and raised a toast.

"Hears to my beautiful wife Sarah, and the newest little Sheffield! May he or she be healthy, happy, and successful!" CC took a large gulp, suddenly feeling the need to have the burn of alcohol in her throat. As she swallowed, she almost choked the liquid back up.

"Niles, what is this? Its absolutely disgusting!" CC exclaimed, her face contorted in a mask of disgust.

"Why, its sparkling apple juice of course, what did you expect?" Niles answered innocently, smirking at CC.

"Sarah's pregnant CC, of course she can't have alcohol! And if she can't celebrate with a real drink, neither will we." Maxwell stated, putting an arm around his wife's waist. CC, still grimacing, excused herself from the room and headed towards the kitchen in search of something a little harder.

Her mind was racing a million miles a minute. She was happy for Maxwell and Sarah, she really was. Sure, she had a small crush on Maxwell but she would never act on it, she was no tramp. And Sarah had shown her nothing but kindness. She was just so dull, and CC didn't have time for any cookie cutter friendships. What was really bothering CC was that she just didn't get it.

What was the point in having children? She had taken history; back in the day, it was to pass on the bloodline and the family name… but that didn't really matter anymore, right? Maxwell and Sarah had seemed so happy that they were bringing another sniveling, whining, tiny person into the world. Why would anyone want to willingly have a child? They cost immense amounts of money, they're germy and sticky, and emotionally taxing. And what did they bring you in the end? Absolutely nothing. A child never repays his or her parents for all the money spent on them over the years. CC didn't see the appeal. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Niles, who was carrying the tray of empty glasses.

"What's the matter, Babs? You look like you've seen a ghost" He asked snidely.

"I've told you before, you are to refer to me as Miss Babcock, servant." She replied primly. He only rolled his eyes.

"Are you jealous that Mrs. Sheffield is having a baby with her loving husband, while the closest you'll probably get to a child's love is an adopted cat?"

She looked him dead in the eye and answered,

"No. I don't want children."

He seemed genuinely surprised by her answer.

"Really?"

"Oh don't act so surprised, Niles, do I really seem like the mothering type? You make it pretty obvious that I don't deserve any type of love, let alone a child's."

"Yes, but-"

"Listen, I really don't feel like standing here and discussing this with you. People can want different things, okay? I have found children to be far more trouble than they're worth. And they're worth a lot."

With that, CC turned on her heels and headed out the door without leaving time for Niles to respond.

Eight and a half months later, CC found herself in a cramped hospital room with too much pink on the walls. Sarah lay in the bed, breathing heavily and sweating profusely as Maxwell knelt by her side. Several nurses were bustling about, checking different machines.

"Okay Mrs. Sheffield, you're almost there! I'm going to fetch the Doctor and by the time I'm back, you'll be fully dilated" one of the nurses said cheerily.

Sarah groaned and leaned her head back.

"Oh Max, darling, make it stop"

"I'm sorry sweetheart, you know I would if I could!" her husband responded sympathetically.

CC looked on from the corner of the room, feeling out of place and nauseous. Over the past several months, CC had watched as Sarah had gotten extremely ill, incessantly moody, and ballooned up like a cartoon. CC was uncomfortable with the whole thing. She didn't know how to treat Sarah; the littlest comment could set her off. One day, Sarah had waddled up to CC and asked her if she wanted to feel the baby kick. CC had eyed her protruding stomach warily before agreeing, hoping this would keep Sarah happy. When Sarah had placed CC's hand on her belly, CC felt nothing. No movement of any kind.

"Oh, well the baby must have fallen asleep again," laughed Sarah "One minute she'll be kicking my bladder and the next she's completely still!"

CC frowned at the memory. Even before they were out of the womb, it seemed that kids did not like her. Well, no matter. It's not like she enjoyed their company either. Niles was standing near to CC, ready to fetch anything for Mrs. Sheffield if she asked. CC caught his eye and he stared at her for a minute before nodding towards the door. CC nodded in agreement.

"Sir, we're going to give you two some privacy. We'll be just outside if you need anything."

"Alright, Old Man, thank you," said Maxwell, without looking up. Niles gently guided CC towards the door, and the two walked down the hallway to the waiting room.

"You looked like you were going to be sick in there" Niles stated, turning to look at CC. She sank down into a chair and put her head in her hands.

"Just look at what this pregnancy has done to her! She's not herself any more and now… now she's been in constant pain for ten hours straight! It's upsetting and sickening at the same time!"

"Wow, that was almost touching, Babcock. Bravo, it seems you do have feelings under that layer of ice."

CC glanced up at him before questioning,

"What?"

"Oh, its just that based on my observations, you are made of ice. You're often cold, and distant, and people freeze when they see you. Out of fear of course."

"Are you trying to make me feel better? Because it's not working."

"Who said I was trying to make you feel better?"

CC sighed and closed her eyes. Niles sat down next to her and hesitantly put a comforting hand on her back. She instantly stiffened and he removed it.

Just then a beaming Maxwell, dressed in scrubs, came out and proudly announced

"It's a girl! We've named her Margret, Margret Sheffield!"

Niles instantly stood up and shook Maxwell's hand,

"Congratulations, sir, this is wonderful news!"

CC also stood up and walked over to Maxwell. He instantly enveloped her into a tight hug as she gasped

"Congratulations Maxwell"

He released her and beckoned them down the hallway to see the new baby. As they walked down the corridor, CC muttered

"A girl, well that's not even useful for carrying on the family name. And it will be harder for her to break into the business world, I mean it took a lot of connections and a prime education to get me where I am-" she stopped when she heard Niles chuckling next to her.

"What?" she asked

Niles glanced over at her and responded with a wry smile,

"Well, I feel bad for whatever sorry fellow accidentally knocks you up. He won't know what he's getting himself into."