Hi, people. I'm really sorry for the delay – again. My internet was out with no explanation, and I just managed to do something effective about it almost one week later…
I must thank you for the lovely reviews. You've been really nice!
Evidence
Chapter 11: Touching
Fran entered the kitchen earlier than usual.
Niles didn't stop preparing breakfast. He knew she got out of bed so early in two occasions: when her mother was coming over with some bizarre urgency (what would put Fran to the front door, at this unholy time) and when she had something pressing to discuss with him before the family appeared for breakfast (what he believed had brought her that morning).
He was curious to see how she would approach the subject.
The brunette stopped at the island in all fluffy robe glory and demanded, crossing her arms, 'So?'
The butler stopped making pancakes for a moment and looked up, 'Good morning to you too, Miss Fine', he grinned in an exaggerated sweet way, 'Should I ask So what?'
She didn't miss a beat and kept a serious face, 'What time was it when you came home, last night?'
He looked into space as if confused, 'Gee... Does it mean we're married?', he wriggled his brows at her, 'Isn't it sad that I have amnesia over our nocturnal activities?'
The nanny put her hands on her hips and squinted at him, 'Don't even try to be funny, Mister. You said we should keep an eye on you, and that's what I'm doing'.
He resumed his task, wondering how was it that he really liked Miss Fine, but her non-nonsense attitude didn't have half the effect on him the same had when it came from Babcock. The realization made him smile, 'So, you think I'm acting queer'.
Fran counted on her fingers, 'You got out with Miss Babcock, I didn't see you coming back and now you're smiling at yourself while we talk about it. You tell me'.
Niles had the deer in the headlights look for a moment, then hurried to hide it and cleared his throat, 'I was home at an acceptable time. And there was nothing conspicuous about my visit to Miss Babcock's environment'.
'Oh, Niles!', Fran pleaded, 'Can't you see?! You're using big words! With me!'
He frowned, 'What are we exactly discussing here? I mean, besides your pretended inability to understand complex vocabulary?'
He winked at her, and she rolled her eyes and calmed down a bit, 'I'm just worried, Sweetie. I've seen you being nicer to each other and I don't get it. I'm afraid she's setting you up'.
The butler looked at his friend, knowing he would feel the same if he was not the one inside the situation.
(Sometimes he still doubted his own senses and memory – how could it be that he felt so safe with the Witch, after so many years of teasing? How was it that an argument over photographs had become these interactions he had discovered he lived for?)
Niles decided to put Fran in peace, while arranging some food in a tray, 'There's nothing to worry about. We're just acting a bit less childish around each other, after being mean for so much time. Everything gets old, even the funnier things. We reached a point where we just got over it, and... You're not buying it, are you?'
'Not a word'.
Niles sighed deeply, giving up, 'I don't know what is happening, either. What I know is that we tried to get along, and it went very well, and it seems we both have no sense, because we keep doing it, even if we don't have any idea where it's taking us…'
'You talk as if you thought it was dangerous'.
He shook his head, 'It's strange. It's new. Maybe it's risky…', Niles shrugged and took the tray, 'And that's enough for now. I'm not ready to deal with that'.
Fran was going to complain, but gave up and kept the swinging door open for him, 'Oh, all right, I can't discuss anything when you're hiding behind fresh made pancakes'.
He passed by her, thanked and started putting things on the main table, 'Maybe your mood would be better if you had gone to bed earlier'.
'I could have done so if you had come home early, so we could chat...'
'You waited for me at the living room sofa because you wanted to'.
'Oh, men! You keep awake, waiting for them, and all you get back is a I didn't ask you to…', she stopped talking, her eyes grew large and she pointed an accusatory finger at him, 'You knew I'd be there! You sneaked by the back door!'
'Yes', he grinned and waved, going back to the kitchen, 'And thank you again'.
'We'll discuss it after breakfast...', she yelled at him from the open door, that she was holding again.
'I have to buy groceries. Maybe later', Niles came back to the dining room, 'Good morning, Sir!'
Maxwell had just entered the room, 'Good morning, Old Man. Miss Fine, you're up early. Decided to help the Yenta Central to dish?'
Fran made a face at the smirking businessman, 'Yeah, I had things to sort out', she threw Niles' way.
'Ah', Maxwell started folding his napkin, 'And did you get to do it?'
She had a self-assured smile, 'No. But I won't give up. It's a question of time'.
'And annoying insistence', the butler muttered from the serving table.
'What was that, Niles?', the producer asked, already opening the newspaper.
The butler turned, smiling at Fran, 'Nothing, Sir. I was just commenting on Miss Fine's endurance'.
The brunette stuck out her tongue at him.
'Yes, right', their boss murmured back, not seeing their exchange, 'Oh, before I forget, Old Man: CC called me to say she was going directly to the theatre. She wanted me to warn you she will be here at the end of the day'.
'She wanted you to warn Niles about the time she's coming?', Fran commented maliciously and looked at Niles, 'Why would she be so nice as to prevent him?'
'She said something about Niles getting all pesky when he didn't know if he had to cook for her', Maxwell explained, not even taking his eyes from the news.
'Oooooooh, I seee-ee', Fran sing-songed.
The high-pitched sound made the dark-haired man to look at his employees, 'What?'
Fran was giddy at finally getting his attention, 'Don't you think it's strange that she would mind if Niles got pesky or not?'
'I confess I prefer not to even try to understand them, anymore. She asked me to deliver the message, and so I did'.
'But what if it's part of a practical joke? Maybe she's setting him up. Don't you mind being used like that?'
Maxwell looked at his butler in time to see him squirming, and got worried, 'Niles, I had never thought of it... Do you think I should be concerned…?'
The butler came to serve his boss, 'It may sound surprising, Sir, but I think Miss Babcock has some sense in her. She knows that I must be warned about her presence, so I can prepare enough food', he straightened and went to serve Fran, 'I think the witch was just thinking of the quality of the service. What would we do if Miss Babcock and Sylvia came here by surprise at the same time? I have palpitations at the thought of it'.
'You didn't have to bring my family in this', Fran said and then smirked, 'But, once you did, I must ask: how is it you've known my mother for four years and you call her by her first name, while you know Miss Babcock for God knows how much time and still call her by her business name?'
Niles turned to the serving table to make a plate for her and went quiet for a moment. He had thought about it, but none of his honest answers could be said out loud.
(They all involved how comfortable he was about fantasizing with Miss Babcock, because he thought her public persona was the sexier thing he knew, and how uncomfortable he was when he fantasized about CC, because it made him all emotional and he still didn't know if he had the strength to face those feelings.)
Well, he could declare his reasons in a way that would not do any harm. So, he turned and placed the plate in front of her, 'I just think the business name really suits her strong personality'.
Fran didn't answer, and Niles went back to his position behind his boss, glad the subject was over, and starting to plan his day, now that he knew Babcock would be there just late in the afternoon.
'I still don't get it', Fran's voice surprised him, 'but I have to admit: it's kind of sweet when a guy smiles like this at a subject like her'.
Maxwell looked at her, 'Who, Miss Fine?'
Niles just stared at her, startled by the way she had read him, and a bit afraid that she would tell him on to the Broadway producer.
The Jewish woman smiled at both of them, 'Nothing. I was just musing about something. Tell me, Mister Sheffield, what are the plans for the day?'
Niles breathed in relief. He had tried to tease Miss Fine, but his friend was a very perceptive person. The evidences were too much already, and he had to be more careful if he wanted to preserve the precious thing he had with Babcock from the Queen's curious mind.
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CC Babcock had to go directly to the theater that morning, to her chagrin, and she was just able to get to the mansion in the beginning of the night.
She arrived tired, angry and frustrated, and couldn't think of any other thing than executing a very simple plan: to make a report to her partner about how the people of their play were stupid, for almost infinite reasons; to have a relaxing banter with Niles; to go home and try to forget the nightmarish day.
However, the butler himself took the door when she rang, and every reasonable plan went away.
(Of course, she had rung to make sure he knew she had arrived, but she couldn't guess how this would change her previous plan – the one she had considered the only safe possibility.)
He greeted her politely, throwing her a glance that made clear he noticed she was not in the mood.
She wanted to say something about her day, but he raised a hand, 'Why don't you come to the kitchen once you're done in the office? I have something for you'.
And he turned around and left.
And now, here she was, getting out of the office after throwing on Maxwell all of her frustration and annoyance, and not offering a single solution.
(Phase one in the process of saving a horrible day: venting out her business annoyance on Maxwell, who had spent the day comfortably at home while she dealt with such stupid people.
Completed.
Phase two: having some good times with Niles in the kitchen.
Going!)
CC walked to the kitchen in firm and quick strides, feeling already the tingling of meeting the man that kept preventing her from concentrating.
When she entered, there he was at the small table, a newspaper open in front of him.
He raised his head and kept staring at her.
They grinned at each other.
They had obviously missed each other.
'I hope your promise was not related to show me you finally can read', CC commented, breaking the moment and going to take some water from the fridge.
(She still couldn't deal very well with this sincerity/good feelings/tenderness combo they were living in.)
Niles got up, folding the newspaper and adjusting his tie, 'I was not trying to impress you. I just was not able to read it in the morning. I went out to buy some things'.
When she turned to him, ready to say how little she cared about what he usually did with his spare time (and not referring to the newspaper, but to the groceries), she saw what he was doing and stopped, mesmerized.
He was at the island and had, in front of him, some chocolate sauce and a selection of grapes and strawberries beautifully arranged in a big plate.
And his smile said he was ready to feed some of them to her.
She came walking slowly to the island, occupying the place across from him. She felt the need to keep some distance – she still quite didn't believe that was for her and, at the same time, she was drawn to the possibility of it.
He noticed her hesitation, 'I guessed you could enjoy some sweetness in you, now and then', he took a strawberry with his hand, showed it to her and added, 'But I can't imagine anything more delicious than the mix of bitter and sweet'.
'You are for the strong tastes, then', she leaned on the island, turned to him.
Both had the sensation she was offering herself, and both licked their lips at the thought.
'You have no idea', Niles said, rolled the fruit on the chocolate and extended it to her.
CC looked at the offer, at his face, shook her head, said 'No', and straightened herself.
Niles lowered his hand, feeling like he had been crushed.
Last night, he couldn't sleep, even after he had been tired of reviewing their dancing meeting from earlier; even after he had fantasized about every possibility that teasing offered… He just managed to relax and rest when he had the idea of buying something delicious to feed her and make her feel cared.
It seemed he had missed the mark.
He hung down his head, not able to meet her stare.
He saw, by his peripheral vision, that the blonde had started walking.
She circled the island and stopped at the side that was closer to the kitchen table…
(Closer to him, Niles noticed)
… and said, 'No, I still have no idea'.
'What?', he looked at her, confused and hopeful.
'You said I had no idea how much you like the strong tastes', she looked him up and down, 'And I agree, because I don't know much about you, in fact'.
His confidence came back, and with it his smile, 'Will you let me show you something, or you'll keep wandering around and trying to hypnotize me with your moves?'
She lowered her tone, 'Do you have any problems with me moving?'
Niles raised his hand with the strawberry slowly to her, 'Not when I'm sure you'll come to me'.
They giggled at that, and she leaned slightly on the island, supporting herself on her hip, to accept the strawberry covered in the chocolate.
He observed, enchanted, that she nipped at the fruit delicately, biting the tip, and then came back for more, with her lips grazing his fingers every time.
'Is this good?', he asked, hearing the trembling in his own voice while he watched her licking her lips.
'Uhum'.
'Let's try another one', he murmured, selecting a grape, 'I don't want you to get bored'.
'I would be really exigent if I were to get bored so quickly'.
This time she took the fruit all at once, and Niles' heart went mad. He shivered.
'I can make sure we won't get bored', she smirked at his reaction.
'Yes, I know you can', he admitted, 'But I don't want to take any risks by not doing my part'.
He was reaching out to choose another fruit, but she put her hand on his, 'And how would you feel if it was about you?'
'What do you mean?'
CC extended a hand and took a strawberry herself, rolling it in the chocolate. Then, she extended it to him, 'I said I know almost nothing about you. Why don't you really show me something, too?'
Being the clever man he was, Niles understood exactly what she had in mind, and he didn't disappoint her: he leaned his head and took the strawberry with his lips, while looking at her in the eyes.
Then, he closed his eyes and savored the taste of fruit and her from her fingers.
And she felt all hot at the way his lips and (almost not there) tongue touched her.
And she felt a pressing thing in her heart, a mix of tenderness and arousal, at the idea of his eyes closed with pleasure while his lips touched her.
When he heard her gasp, he opened his eyes, still teased with a slight nip at her fingers, and drew back, 'I don't mind being exposed if the reason is fair', he looked down at the island, a bit shy for the things he knew he couldn't help but saying, 'And this thing between us is the fairest of all things I have ever felt'.
When she didn't answer, Niles looked at her to see what had happened, and was surprised.
She was looking at his lips, and at the chocolate, and she seemed not to know what to do.
Suddenly, Niles realized she was imagining that chocolate on him. That she was pondering over the possibility of letting go and simply come to him.
He gulped, not knowing what to do, either.
He wanted her to want him, but he had no idea how they should deal with all that desire.
Spontaneity dictated he should do everything without really thinking, but he couldn't move.
The tension was delicious, and was stretching, what made it even more intense.
It was like they were very close to the point of no return, and neither of them wanted to give the next step.
And, at the same time, it was almost intolerable not to give the said step.
The intercom went on, 'Niles, is CC there?'
Maxwell's voice brought them out of the reverie, and Niles looked at the machine on the wall as if he didn't know how it worked.
'Old Man, are you there?'
Fortunately, the businesswoman still had something of her mind with her. She walked to the intercom and pressed the button, 'I'm here, Maxwell. What do you want?'
She had sounded annoyed, but her partner didn't notice, 'Oh, great. I have some doubts over the things you told me, and I would like to clarify them as soon as possible. Would you come here in the office for a moment? I thought you had gone home, but we're lucky you're still here'.
'Going', she answered curtly and turned the thing off.
CC groaned at herself about how she had never said she was going home, and how that man never paid attention.
Her stare went to Niles, and she realized he was lost, and she knew exactly why..
There was no way to know where they stood, in this: they were close, Niles was making her relax after a horrible day, they were having a good time, with sexiness and understanding; but Maxwell called her, and she was going, even if he annoyed her, because she felt like she had to.
If it was hard on CC, who couldn't decide how she felt about the usual things, she could barely understand how it was for Niles, who had to witness her being torn between his niceties and an infuriating Maxwell.
She looked him in the eye, trying to sound the more regretful she could, 'Thank you for the offering. It was really nice of you to do something like that for me. I was needing it'.
He had to clear his throat before he could speak, 'Maybe we could... try it again. Another time'.
'I don't know…'
'You... don't?'
'Do you think we can stand any more of these interruptions?'
He smiled and gave one step into her direction.
She smiled back and stepped closer, too.
'Sometimes I wonder what would happen if we were not interrupted', Niles whispered.
'Sometimes I fantasize about it', CC grinned.
The butler opened his mouth as if to speak, but the intercom sounded again, 'CC? Is there any problem?'
'You can bet there is', she groaned at it and went to the swinging door, 'Think of what I've told you, Butler Boy. See you later!'
When she disappeared, Niles went to the intercom, pressed the button to inform his boss of her imminent arrival and 'forgot' to press it again.
He needed to hear her voice, now. He was not ready for the loss, after she said she fantasized about being with him.
With no interruptions.
She went away asking him to think about it…
As if she needed to ask!
However, the fact she had asked made things sexier…
Niles sat besides the intercom, sparing a glance at the strawberries, and sighed at this deliciously twisted situation.