Hello-hello, people! This will be the penultimate chapter! I hope you've enjoyed it thus far! Please don't forget to review :)

CHAPTER 40

When they arrived at the rink, they were mesmerized by the music, the beautiful lights on the nearby trees and the numerous flags of various countries hanging around the rink at the plaza.

CC was smiling as Niles swung their hands to get her attention. She looked beside her and then down at their hands.

"Shall we?" He asked. She nodded and they went down to the rink to collect two pairs of skates.

"I haven't skated in ages." She said as they hobbled along the floor to the ice.

"Me neither." He said.

"But you've been rollerblading at least!"

"When?" He asked.

"I dunno... A while back. You skated into the mansion on rollerblades and wearing your silly little protective gear." She teased.

He smiled his signature lopsided grin, enjoying that she noticed things about him that she didn't store in her memory for taunts.

He stepped behind her to allow her onto the ice first. She stepped into the rink and held onto the surrounding wall as he stepped in behind her.

He moved around a little in the area to get used to the skates. She was still clinging to the side and barely moving.

"Ice Queen can't skate?"

"I can! It's been a while."

"That's what you said yesterday." He winked, "But you took to it like a fish to water." She was shocked that he was referring to their lovemaking with such candidness.

"You need to let go to find your frozen sea legs." He reached out and she took his hand.

"I'm wearing a skirt so don't you dare let me fall!"

Niles laughed. "I can't make any promises, Miss Babcock." He grasped her hand tightly.

"You'd better watch it, Spic 'n Span!" She said as she let go of the wall. "I have a very capable weapon on each foot!"

A skater sped by and bumped her towards Niles. She grasped at his body and he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her up. "And no idea how to use them. I'm shaking." He teased.

She was distracted by him holding her. She felt the blood rush to colour her cheeks. She pulled away from him and stood straight, still tightly clutching one of his hands.

"Ready?" He asked. She nodded, looking ahead of her.

"Ready to kick that kid's ass!" She said, looking to find the boy who had bumped her. Niles smiled and began moving while watching her feet.

She glided slowly, mostly with his help. After a few minutes, they were skating slowly, holding hands.

"Thanks for dinner." She said suddenly.

"No problem." He smiled.

"These skates are hurting," she said and began leading them to the wall. She held onto the wall with her free hand and leaned her back against it. She shook her foot a bit and watched as the kid who had tripped her, neared them at a speed with which she wasn't comfortable.

Niles saw the skater and saw CC's concern. He inched closer to her and put his free hand around her on the wall near to her own hand. If he were any nearer, they'd be hugging. CC looked up at him, forgetting about the boy who eventually sped past them.

Niles wanted to touch her. He moved his hand that was holding hers. "Don't let go!" She said, more nervous about his proximity than the possibility of falling.

"You're holding the wall."

"But I'll fall, Niles."

"I was hoping you already had."

He said the words so soulfully; she knew what he meant by them. She looked at him, thinking that perhaps James had been right. Maybe he was interested in her. Maybe she did need to decide what she felt for him.

She wasn't sure what to say. She bit her lip.

Niles shook his head and laughed nervously. "Sorry. You asked me earlier to stop. I didn't mean to say that... Are you ready for me to take you home?"

She frowned and then nodded. He guided her through the entryway and when they began walking on the floor, he let go of her hand. She clasped her hands together as she walked, highly aware of his presence behind her.

After returning their skates and getting their things, they headed to the street and hailed a cab. The ride was as quiet as their last had been. CC looked over at Niles. This time, he was the one staring out of the window. She looked back out of her own as the driver pulled up Park Avenue.

She wondered whether he would get out and walk her up to her door. She wondered whether she should invite him in. For a drink! She swiped her card to pay for the ride as the cab stopped.

Niles got out before she did. He ran to her door as she opened it and he took her hand to help her out. She rubbed her lips together as he walked with her into her apartment building. The doorman looked at them curiously. He had met Niles before. He knew Niles was working as her cook for the past week or two but he hadn't seen them holding hands. CC didn't worry. That doorman had likely seen rich socialites bringing young men or women to their apartments at all hours.

Niles pushed for the elevator and released her hand. "I hope you enjoyed your dinner, Miss Babcock."

He's leaving now? She looked over at him as they waited for the elevator.

Tomorrow I'll bring over some groceries before breakfast." He wrung his hands.

The elevator neared their floor. "Would you like to come up? I'll pour us some dessert..." she offered as the doors dinged.

He smiled. "Alcohol?"

She nodded and they grinned.

"Why not." He shrugged as the doors opened.

They glanced at each other in the elevator and caught each other smiling.

When the doors opened on her floor, she led the way to her door and unlocked it, her heart beating rapidly.

They walked in and he stopped between the living room and kitchen, waiting for her cue.

She locked the door and turned to walk in his direction. "You're acting like you've never been in here before." She laughed. "Sit."

He sat down on the sleek, leather sofa and watched as she went to the liquor cabinet.

"Whiskey?" She grinned as she held a bottle of Jack Daniels in front of her.

"On the rocks." He smiled.

She poured two drinks and brought them over to the sofa. She handed one to him and sat down. They sipped from their drinks and hissed at the burn.

"Not as bad as the jalapeño burger," he said.

She laughed. "Wimp."

He grinned into his tumbler.

She picked up a remote control and turned on the hi-fi. There was some old Billy Joel song playing. He recognized it. It was one that always reminded him of her. Always a Woman.

"I like this one."

"Me, too." She agreed.

It continued playing and she adjusted her skirt as she crossed her legs the other way around.

"Music, alcohol... Are you trying to seduce me, Miss Babcock?" He smirked.

"Nooo!" She said, highly defensive. She lifted the remote to turn off the music. He reached out to lower her hand, chuckling.

"I'm kidding. Leave it. It's nice."

She put down the remote and took another sip from her drink. He copied her.

"When did you and Damon break up?" He asked. She could hear the caution in his voice.

She had whiskey in her mouth and was glad the surprising question didn't make her spit it out. She swallowed. "Do we have to talk about this?" She asked, feeling uncomfortable.

"No."

When he said that, she realized if they didn't, it would be hanging in the air for the rest of the night.

"Before you and I- When I got back late and you were asleep here." She put her palm on the couch."

She watched him as he studied his drink and nodded.

"Why?" He asked.

"Why did I break up with him?"

He shook his head. "Why did you allow me- Were you on the rebound? Why did we-?" He looked at her and then back down at his drink. His breathing quickened.

She swallowed. "Don't ask me that."

"Why not?" He asked.

"Please, just don't." She pushed her lips together and furrowed her brows.

"Because the answer is cruel? I'm sure you've said worse to me."

She looked at him and grimaced.

"Why shouldn't I ask you?" He asked again, this time in a whisper.

"Because I don't know yet." She said quickly.

He looked over at her. Her eyes were closed.

"You don't know yet?..."

She licked her lips.

"When will you know?"

She looked at him. "Do you know? Why you slept with me?"

"I wanted to," he started to say.

She scoffed in annoyance. "Well, then. That's my reason, too."

He shook his head. "I wanted to ever since-"

"Ever since you realized you could get some from me without question or commitment? No strings attached. We spoke about how sex could be just sex and there I was, a woman ready and willing. I know, you don't have to say it, Niles."

"Let me finish."

She put her elbow on the armrest and leaned her head against her hand.

He slowly and carefully answered her question. "I wanted to make love to you ever since I realized that I might have feelings for you."

Goosebumps traveled across her entire body. Even her face tingled.

She looked away from his direction, towards the kitchen. Her eyes lifted to the ceiling as she tried to process what he'd just said.

"Miss Babcock?" He called quietly.

"And..." She sighed a ragged breath. "What feelings might those be?" She held her breath.

He didn't answer but she felt him take her whiskey from her hand and she heard him set it down onto the coffee table with his own. Then he took her hand in his.

"Miss Babcock. If you're not ready to hear it, I won't say it."

She finally looked at him. She was clenching her jaw as if trying to fight the emotions brewing inside of her.

She looked down at her hand in his. He followed her gaze and rubbed his thumb over her hand.

"I don't want to... do anything. But I don't want you to leave yet. Unless you want to?"

He caressed her hand with his thumb once more and said with a smirk, "Mr. Sheffield hasn't called looking for me, has he?"

She scowled at him.

He smiled and said. "It wasn't a question last time, either. I want to stay."

He saw a hint of a smile on her face even though she was narrowing her eyes at him. She ran her tongue over her teeth and looked at her whiskey glass as the music played in the background.

"We're going to dance now." She said and stood from the sofa.

"Oh, are we now?" He asked, rising with her hand still clutched in his.

"Yes," she said as the Billy Joel song ended. She grabbed the remote from the table and pushed to repeat the song on her CD. She tossed the remote onto the sofa and faced him once more, gingerly placing her free hand on his shoulder as she bit her lip.

He placed his hand on her waist with a smile and they began swaying to the music. She looked down now and then when she'd feel a shy smile bubbling up.

She couldn't stop thinking about the things James had said about her and Niles. She really needed to make a decision. Who was she kidding? She already had. She just had to stop fighting it.

She noticed Niles was slowly inching towards her, stealthily incorporating the move into their swaying.

She slid her hand up his shoulder and around the back of his neck and he grinned.

"Wipe that grin off your face." She scolded playfully.

"You like this. Admit it."

"I've always liked dancing." She said with a sly smile.

He licked his lips and continued grinning as he pulled her closer. She let go of his hand and joined it to her other hand behind his neck. He dropped his hand to clasp it around her waist with his other hand, too.

She was leaning back in his arms, watching him grin. "Stop it." She smiled.

He chuckled and she leaned closer and rested her chin on his shoulder. She felt him turn his face to her neck. He couldn't kiss the dip of her neck with her mandarin collar clothing the area but her hair was up and he rested his temple against her cheekbone. She felt his eyelashes flutter against her cheek every time he blinked.

She smiled and closed her eyes. They swayed slowly to the music until it ended. It was the last song on the CD and she knew that meant it would be quiet after it finished.

She pulled back from his shoulder and looked down at the floor between them and then up at him.

He'd never seen her so calm. She wasn't smiling; she wasn't angry... Her mind looked to be at peace. She looked as though she'd just woken up from a dreamy sleep. At least, that's how he imagined she'd look.

He smiled at her and she returned the gesture. "Trashy TV?" She asked and motioned towards the couch. He nodded and they sat once more.

She turned off the Hi-fi and tossed him the remote to the television. "You pick something."

He flipped through a few channels until he found one that played sitcoms all day.

"You like this stuff?"

"I get some of my best material from here. It's why I'm always two steps ahead of you."

"Two steps ahead?" She scoffed. "Please! That's just so that you can open the door for me when I want to leave." She laughed.

"And when you don't." He smirked and looked at the screen once more.

"That guy is so annoying," she said.

"Who? Frasier?"

"Yeah." She nodded.

"You were judging me for watching this stuff but it sounds like you know the show?"

"I get some of my best material from here." She imitated his deep voice with a grin. "It's why I'm always two steps ahead of you."

He shook his head, smiling.

"It's not a bad show. It's actually quite witty," she relented. "But the only thing more annoying than that Frasier guy is the other one."

"Who? Niles?" He asked.

"Yes, but the one who's a butler."

He bit his lip to stop from laughing. "Well played, Caca." He looked back at the screen as a woman began talking and he added. "He's in love with her."

"Who? The woman who works for them?" CC asked.

"Yeah, Daphne." He said. "I like her."

CC looked at him. She'd never heard him talk about liking a woman. This one was fictional, but still.

"Because she's British and you can understand her accent and terrible English humor?" She teased.

"No, because she's employed by them and still doesn't take their crap." He smirked.

She shook her head, smiling at his response. "Does she know how he feels?"

"How Niles feels about her?" He asked.

"Yeah," she nodded.

He shook his head. "Niles is too afraid to tell her."

"Why?"

He looked at CC as if to say 'wouldn't you be?'

"She's beautiful and they've know each other for a long time. He's afraid of what rejection could do to their relationship. They'd still have to see each other in their everyday lives."

CC didn't say anything. She glued her eyes to the screen and watched as Niles Crane smelled Daphne's hair without her realizing.

CC and Niles watched and laughed together until the credits rolled. When the show ended, Niles switched over to a movie channel and put the remote down on the table.

He leaned back and sipped the rest of his whiskey. CC set hers down and leaned back next to Niles, kicking off her shoes and pulling her legs up to her side on the sofa. She spread her loose skirt over her legs and glanced at Niles. He spread his arm out around her on the backrest of the sofa.

"Don't try anything funny, Mister." She warned with a smirk.

"I wouldn't dare," he smiled.

She surprised him by leaning against his side. "I'm just getting comfortable. You're like my pillow and pillows don't move, so you'd better sit still."

"Or else?"

She smirked. "Or else I'll kick you out."

"Okay," he laughed, "then can I get a second to get into a comfortable position before you hire me as your pillow?"

She lifted her weight off of him so that he could move. "Hire you? How much does linen go for these days?"

"This one's on me," he winked as he shifted closer to the armrest and leaned his back a little towards it. CC waited for him to give her the go-ahead. He gestured for to come nearer with his arms open.

She shifted on the sofa and rested her side against him.

"No, now I'm not comfortable!" She groaned.

She faced him. "Turn more!"

"Like how?" He asked.

"I want to lean against your-. Shift your...hips this way. You can put your legs on the couch, I don't mind."

He kicked off his shoes and she watched him as he turned his back even more towards the armrest and almost fully reclined on the sofa. "Better?" He asked. He was nervous but acted as if this situation was the most natural thing in the world. One of them would have to act that way.

She looked at him shyly and then leaned against his chest. He could feel that she was holding back. "Yeah, um. Better." She smiled.

They watched the screen and, as the movie played, Niles felt CC relax against his chest. She splayed out the fingers of the fist she had rested on his chest. He sighed.

He enjoyed that she couldn't see his face unless she looked up. It gave him the opportunity to look at her. He took in the sight of her head rested on his chest. He looked at her hair and the hand she had on his chest.

She moved her hand from his chest and placed it around his side as if hugging him. It reminded him of the time they were snowed in at Sylvia's house and she'd thought it was Maxwell lying in the pullout sofa bed. His heart began beating quicker than before. He knew she could feel it but she didn't utter a word.

They continued watching the movie, enjoying the feel of being in each other's arms again.