Sorry for the delay, people, but there was an idea to be developed, here, and I needed time to make it grow and turn into the message this story demanded. I hope the mega chapter is worth the wait.
Evidence
Chapter 20: Locked
CC entered the penthouse with some conflicted feelings, that night.
She wanted to be furious, first of all, because she had been waiting for Niles' call all day, planning and fantasizing and feeling happy and floating on air and all the stupid unexplainable things those good feeling were doing to her lately.
(She had even let the dancers out of the hook, in two occasions, that afternoon. It had never happened to her, before. Would it be possible Niles was sweeping her off her feet like that?
And shouldn't it sound frightening?)
However, fury was not the main thing going on.
To CC's utter annoyance, she felt disappointed, frustrated and sad, most of all, since she realized the call would not come and was time to go home alone.
(That sounded bitter.
And uncomfortably true.)
As fury was an emotion she dealt well with, she had called the mansion from the theater, before going to the penthouse, with the excuse she needed an opportunity to yell at Niles about why the hell he had given up their meeting.
(In fact, she had a pathetic hope that he had left some message that pointed to a nice surprise...)
The Big One had got the phone and said something about her father and Fran going out for dinner with the children later and Niles not being home, and that maybe those two things were related, but she was not sure.
CC hang up and called the penthouse.
(No, she had not given Niles her key, and it would be almost creepy, even if really nice, if he picked up the phone.
She felt all warm at the thought of him in the penthouse, without her. It would feel like the place was his, too. It would mean another huge step in their relationship, and she would be relieved not to be responsible for it: it would be a great thing if he had taken the initiative to enter her apartment and wait for her to tell him what her slave should do.)
No one took the phone in the penthouse. It had been a wild call, but she had to admit she had had some hope.
CC got worried, for a moment, thinking of all the possible reasons for him not to be in the mansion, nor in the penthouse, nor reachable to her, and none of them made sense.
(Accidents? There would be news about it, already. It was not like he would go to any place without his wallet and some identification. Besides, he had no reason to go out, once they had a meeting, and she said she would pick him up.
Second thoughts? They were very close, last night and today, making sure the misunderstandings from the party were clarified and being all nice.
A prank, old style? Maybe he had agreed with her just to let her hanging on his word and disappear, doing the contrary of what he had told her he would do…
This last one sounded really absurd.
What a change!)
After entering the penthouse, she still walked around, going to check all the rooms and making sure Niles had not been waiting for her.
(And she was frustrated tenfold when she was certain he wasn't, because she had already imagined some very enticing possibilities.)
When she was convinced, she went to take a bath.
She needed to calm down.
A long bath would help her relax, so she would not go crazy over the possibilities of being left alone by Niles, after all they had been living together.
It was when she was wandering around her bedroom, choosing something to wear after a long warm bath and feeling a bit better physically but still lost about her feelings, that CC heard her phone ringing.
ncncncncncnc
When she entered the Police Station, almost one hour later, CC was still feeling a lot of things. The difference was that, this time, she had no idea which were the emotions running through her.
Her hands were trembling, and she had to take deep breaths to calm herself before she was able to speak to the person behind the desk.
(All the scenes from the last hour came to the front of her mind when she had to choose the words to say why she was there, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
She remembered when she heard the ringing sound of her phone, and she ran to her living room to take it.
She saw she had a message, too, and the thought that someone had been trying to call her made her feel a strange pain in her heart.
The famous grip of fear.
She was certain something had happened.
She was certain it was something horrible, and someone was calling her to tell the news that would change her life forever.
Niles was probably needing her (or not needing anyone anymore) while she had been relaxing in her tube and feeling sorry for herself.
She took the phone, bracing herself for the worst, tears already in her eyes and prays in her lips.
She could barely believe when she heard the Nanny's relieved voice (Finally, Miss Babcock! Thought you were not home yet!) whispering a lot of information in her ear.
It seemed that Niles had been helping the crazy slut with a scheme since he got back from the theater, and that it involved an important contract Maxwell somewhat gave to the brunette and that she had put in a purse she lent Val, and how that purse had been lent to another woman and how Maxwell now wanted the papers back and how she asked Niles to go in a secret mission with her to retrieve the purse from a woman who worked in a small shop and didn't want to give the purse back, and how Niles had heroically given Nanny Fine his wallet and distracted a policeman, so she could pretend she was buying something while she grabbed the purse, and how she had to run to get the purse with her, and how the woman went after her and Niles stayed behind with the policeman, and how he was in jail and without his wallet, and how he needed someone to pay the fee and he had called the mansion and Mister Sheffield must not know about it all, especially when he was so happy his nanny had managed to not loose the papers and had taken her to dinner with the children and...
CC interrupted to ask where was the damn Police Station and cut off the call.
The blonde didn't know how she had managed to drive.
She felt like smashing something, and the head of a certain Brunette would serve her well.
How was it that woman always managed to ruin her life?
It was not enough that she made CC look at Maxwell for what he was – an over conservative millionaire with a penchant for smiley sweet dumb women and a blind eye for independent brave bossy women; no! Now that she had given up Maxwell and started seeing Niles for the lovely, caring and – God forbid her for the years of denial! – sexy man he was, the Nanny kept making it impossible for them to be safely together.
CC wished she had a lesson to learn, at least. It would be nice if she had a sudden epiphany. However, maybe Fate was a bitch, and it was just a bunch of coincidences.
She must have seen that happening: Maxwell had been worried about something related to a contract he had forgotten to ask Fran all day long, if the number of times he had mentioned it during their phone calls was a hint. Even knowing how predictable he was, CC just decided not to question him why the hell he had given it to that woman, in the first place. She didn't care about Maxwell and Nanny Fine absurd plots, which were generally silly and, sometimes, nightmarish.
The truth was she had been in her own bubble since last night, thanks to the moments she had shared with Niles, and she thought that, if she didn't care enough, nothing could stop the amazing feeling she had.
Well, she was wrong.)
Noticing the person behind the desk was giving her the weird eye, CC settled for 'I'm here for a Niles', and waited while the man searched for the name in a computer. She added, as if to make things easier, 'He has a British accent'.
The man just nodded and kept doing what he was doing before.
CC frowned. It seemed strange that the officer would not remember such a name. More than that, Niles was probably the only British around.
She hurried to explain herself, 'I'm a friend, and it seems there's a fee'.
The man looked at her, nodded and went back to the damn computer.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, he turned to his side and started walking.
Seeing CC had moved as if to follow him, he raised a hand, 'Please, wait there, Madame'.
He went to talk to another policeman (who CC had not noticed until then), they exchanged some words and threw glances at her. Finally, the first guard came back to the desk, while the other disappeared in a corridor behind him.
She kept looking at the entry of the corridor, not understanding why she had felt like she should follow the man who had disappeared.
She heard a throat clearing.
She turned her head to discover it had been the office who had stayed. He had come back to his spot behind the desk, and was trying to gain her attention.
He started speaking, and she made an effort to follow what he was saying.
It was something along the lines of these foreign dudes who thought if they were arrogant enough they could get out of any situation.
He smiled at her in a condescending tone, probably thinking he would be in her good graces if he was empathic enough with her situation – after all, she was there to pay for that trouble-maker they had arrested.
CC glared at him.
Understanding she was not inclined to share his feelings, the man changed his expression to a dutiful one, and spoke about how it was important she explained to her friend his behavior was not acceptable, in this country – it was not expected that people purposefully created diversions to block a policeman from talking to a brunette who was making a fuss in a shop, as much as it was not expected that a foreigner walked around with no documents.
At her lack of reaction, the man licked his lips and winked, throwing a cheap hint about how she should prefer the company of people with better behavior.
Just then CC realized he had been flirting with her. Just then she permitted herself to notice he was tall, with dark hair and greenish eyes. His smile seemed to fit with the shining badge he was showing off at her when he winked and stuffed his chest.
CC opened her mouth in an urge to yell that no, that she didn't need someone who could behave, that she was not ashamed or bothered to rescue Niles if he needed, and that she was feeling more and more the desire of strangling the people who were keeping him far from her, and that this Policeman had just entered her mental list, his name written with his own blood under Nanny Fine's one…
Again, sensing he had not been well received, the man apologized and said she would see 'the lucky guy' in a while.
Relieved he was not that stupid, CC signed the forms he showed her and paid the fee.
Unable to stand in the place where she would be facing the flirty officer, she turned her back to the desk and went to pretend she was interested in some notes and warnings on a nearby wall.
After some time she stopped pretending, read all the written things, re-read the most amusing ones and, even if she felt the longest time has passed, the other officer was not back with Niles, yet.
She was sure they were subjecting him to something degrading, just for the sake of keeping him there for a while more and teaching him a lesson about being submissive and gentle.
CC tried to control a pained expression at the thought of someone forcing him into submission.
Someone who was not her, and that did it without thinking of his pleasure.
(Well, that was an interesting idea…)
She closed her eyes and gulped down.
Niles could be wild and rebellious and disrespectful, of course, and she had learnt to appreciate these traits in him. However, he could be the nicest person in the world, too, and he was perfectly capable of choosing the right side to show when he needed to.
He had been better than her at that, in fact: she had been trying to keep people at arms' length through all of her life, while he let Maxwell, his children and Nanny Fine get to him, often. He had done the same for Sara, too.
And he had done it for her, CC, a lot of times, even when she was not able to do the same.
(She felt again that warmth she got in his room, when she realized, just last night, he had been trying to show her the best of him, and that it included his 'dark side', too.)
The idea that the world didn't understand him – them, in fact – made her eyes fill with tears, and she opened her eyes and bit her lower lip to get rid of them.
She was, in fact, worried sick about Niles. She was at a Police Station, and in theory there was no other place where he would be safer than there. However, she felt like all of this was the biggest proof she had ever had of how much the world was against them.
CC thought about her own position, in this: it was not just about Maxwell and his fake charms, deluding her; it was not just about Fran Fine crazy antics making a mess with everything; it was not just about her own upbringing making her deny Niles' worth for years…
…it was the strangers who looked at them and asked themselves why she was here, and why she could ever care for someone like him, that bothered her most.
And why did she care for someone like him?
Was it because he had put her in her place for years, never being afraid of her reaction?
Was it because he had made the effort to reach her when she had been isolating herself in a fortress?
Was it because he had made impossible not to notice him, with all the pranks and zingers and crazy antics?
No.
It was because of who he was.
He was dependable, loyal, affectionate, charming.
He had been, for years, to a lot of people.
Including her, in his own way.
Even if she had acted as a mad woman, running after millionaires, being cruel and hurtful, keeping herself apart from other people, he had tried to call her attention and integrate her into the world of living – because that was who he was.
All the evidences of his care that she had detected through the years were related to his spontaneity, then. Every thing he did that showed how much he cared for her was the result of an untamed urge of creating something between them.
He had been building things slowly for them, with her, for years; sometimes, she realized the things that were going on and how she could enjoy them, and helped him. Other times, she misunderstood him and the opportunities were missed.
Anyway, they had sticked together.
And that was the kind of partnership she wanted.
CC widened her eyes, the epiphany hitting her: she had been trying to form a partnership with Maxwell, too. She had been trying to make him see her as worth his attention, and, especially, worth sharing things. That was why she had wanted the business partnership – she wanted to have the same rights as him, the same recognition that her ideas were as valuable as his.
She wanted him and the world to understand they were the halves of a successful thing.
Well, maybe that was the lesson she had to learn, here: that the kind of partner she wanted was, definitively, not Maxwell. He was too proper and predictable, too accepting and limited to be the one to add to her life.
So, a partnership is not about completing the other, but about adding – both people are already complete, and no one need to change. What they need is another person who enjoys what they have to offer.
That was why Niles had pointed out how much we both needed spontaneity: because if we showed who we really are, there's no way we wouldn't be together...
Breathing deeply, CC started trying to put her thoughts in order: if she had found a partner in Niles, what was the next step in this relationship they had been slowly building? What do they have to do to make sure nothing will tear them apart? If they acknowledged what was happening, making the world know they were together, would it make clear they had the right to not be parted or looked as an improbability?
Was it what she wanted? Was it what they needed?
CC more felt than saw him approaching, and turned to see Niles entering the room from the corridor where Policeman #2 had disappeared.
He was disheveled and very serious, his coat on his arm and his hands still cuffed in front of him, but otherwise he didn't seem traumatized or terribly upset. His stormy expression said he was annoyed at the situation, and still he forced out a polite nod when the policeman freed him.
He raised his head after massaging his wrists and searched the room for the person who was there for him.
When he saw her, his expression turned quickly into surprised, and then into conflicted.
He gave some steps into her direction, and CC could see in his face he wanted to say something to her, but couldn't find the words.
She guessed he had expected Nanny Fine, maybe Maxwell to be there, and now he was faced with her and her deeply distressed appearance.
(She was sure her face was showing every confused emotion that had gone through her.)
CC raised her chin and said, coldly, 'Let's get out of here'.
She walked out and didn't stop until she reached her car; just then she turned to see if he had come after her.
She hoped he had.
Of course, he had.
She waited for him, who was approaching, walking quickly while putting his coat.
He stopped in front of her, looking at her face.
He seemed anxious to assess her condition, and afraid of doing so through touch. He spent some seconds moving his shoulders as if to fit better in his clothes.
'Are you all right?', he asked, finally, inclining his body into her direction and turning his head as if the change in point of view could unveil a truth.
She shoved the car keys at him, 'You drive'.
He nodded and ran to open the passenger door for her.
(She didn't know if she should thank him or slap his face for being a gentleman, so she ignored him and entered the car in silence.)
Niles closed the door after her, went to the other side and entered, occupying the driver's seat and starting the car.
As soon as they reached the street, he asked her, 'Where to?'
CC kept silent and looking forward, arms crossed, a pensive frowning the only visible reaction.
Niles decided to help, 'We can go to the mansion: it's the longer route, so you'll have more time to berate me and calm down', he shrugged, 'On the other side, if you choose the penthouse, you'll have the pleasure of leaving me in the street to search for a taxi at this late hour'.
She glared at him, 'Nanny Fine said you don't have your wallet. It's not like you could get a taxi without money or, at least, your documents'.
He shrugged, 'I could, even if it would be a bit awkward...', he turned to look at her and smiled softly, as if apologizing, 'I would understand, if you wanted to see me wandering the streets'.
She just squinted at him in answer. After some moments of locked stares, she shook her head and looked forward again, visibly trying to hide a smile.
'The mansion', he said, nodding in understanding and letting his own smile appear.
Niles put his focus on driving for a while; he was sure she would start talking any moment, now that the ice was broken. He was ready to hear her and accept his fault (no matter which one she would choose). All Niles wanted was to make sure she knew he was as disappointed by the change of plans as she was, and that he just needed to know she was ready to make new arrangements.
(He had had plenty of time to think of possibilities while he was in jail. Half of his time had been dedicated to that, in fact.
The other half was spent thinking of what he could say to Miss Fine to make her feel guilty as hell about all of this.)
The minutes went by, the blonde kept silent, and the butler got worried.
'Miss Babcock', he said, tentatively, throwing a glance at her, 'You should express your feelings'.
CC threw him such a dirty look he didn't know if he was relieved she had reacted or afraid she would order him to stop the car, so she could strangle him.
He resumed, 'I'm serious, here. We got so far because we decided to be spontaneous and say what we feel. If you don't talk to me, I don't know what to do to mend this situation'. Once there was nothing to loose, he added in a slightly more teasing tone, 'I doubt you don't have some really good ideas about how punishing me', he smiled tentatively, 'Just go ahead and tell me'.
CC kept silent, still, staring ahead.
He put a frown in his voice, 'Acting as a spoiled child won't take you anywhere, Miss Babcock'.
It seemed something had snapped inside her: she uncrossed her arms and turned to him, eyes blazing, 'What?!'
'If this is just annoyance about life not following your desires, there's nothing I can do', Niles forced himself not to look at her outraged expression, and just kept driving and talking, 'We had a meeting, and I'm sorry I was not able to attend and give you the slave time we had agreed upon. Things happened, and now we have to discover what is bothering you, so we can move forward. Are you furious with Miss Fine? Are you furious with me? What can I do to mend it?'
CC stayed looking at him for some moments, and then turned ahead again, arms crossed even more furiously than before.
Some more blocks went by, and the situation didn't change.
Niles breathed deeply, and exhaled slowly, preparing to attack again.
He straightened his back, 'So, you'll stay quiet? Really?', he shook his head slightly, 'You have the opportunity to tear my heart down to pieces, scar my soul forever and make me feel like I owe you everything I have and will ever have, and make sure I know whatever I have will always be less than an ounce of what you have, and you'll keep silent? Is this a new kind of torture? Because, if this is, I'd prefer you being your straightforward self, and reducing me to dust, than this silent treatment'.
CC detected something different in the way he spoke, and she looked at him again.
It was obvious he had started his tirade with the intention of making her react, but his final words were too close to the truth, and his voice had trembled slightly.
Yes, she knew he dealt badly with her ignoring him. She already knew it was the thing that hurt him most.
Decided it was something she didn't wish him to go through ever again, CC uncrossed her arms and kept looking at his profile, 'Why didn't you call me?'
Niles looked back at her, surprised by her calm tone and direct question, then looked ahead again, 'I'm really sorry', he said sincerely, 'We had plans, but I couldn't…'
'Forget the plans', she interrupted him angrily, 'Why didn't you call me?'
He frowned in confusion, 'I didn't have the time to. One moment I was in Queens' with Miss Fine, looking for a woman with a red purse, the next she was asking for my wallet, and then I was making a scene to distract the policeman, and then I was being arrested. It was all so quick I didn't see it coming…'
'Not that', her nostrils flared in contained fury, 'Later', her voice was low, and she looked away again, 'Why didn't you call me when you needed me?'
He frowned and looked at her, finally understanding, 'You mean… when I was in jail?'
She looked back at him, 'Yes, moron. Why?'
He opened his mouth, closed it again, looked at the streets, blinked, made a pained face – all the signs of nervous he could give her while driving – and then answered as quietly as her, 'They were really upset with me when they understood the situation. They felt like I was mocking them. I just had one call, and I thought that… that was not the call you wanted to receive from me'.
CC closed her eyes for a moment. Then, she shook her head, 'You don't get it, do you?'
They had to stop in a red sign, Niles looked at her and saw the contorted expression in her face. He reached out and took her hand with his right one, 'Let it out, Babcock. We're getting the longer route, remember? Maybe you don't feel like destroying me, as I wished you would, in order to vent out frustration in a healthy fashion, but you still must make me understand your point'.
She looked at him, bit her lower lip, looked down at their joined hands, turned hers to entwine their fingers and murmured, 'Let me think, please'.
Niles didn't answer, and CC lifted her eyes to his.
He had been waiting to lock stares with her and be sure of what she needed.
She rubbed her thumb on his hand, giving him sureness, while she maintained her gaze on his.
Understanding, Niles nodded.
The light went green, and he had to take his hand away. However, now they had an agreement, and they settled in a comfortable silence.
(Niles had battled with himself, while in his cell, over insisting to make a second call and warn Babcock of his whereabouts, when the first one had Miss Fine telling him hurriedly that she would do something, but she had to go or Mister Sheffield would find out sorry sweetie.
He didn't want to disappoint CC. He didn't think it would be fair to call her to help him out of a situation he had put himself in.
He had no idea Miss Fine would do it. He thought Mister Sheffield would soon discover the truth, and that there would be hell to pay.
The fact Babcock had got out of her way to free him was delightful in itself, even if Niles had been a bit panicked when he first saw her, not knowing what to do with the reality of her there, in a Police Station, to get him. However, what concerned him most was that the first thing she had to say when he asked for her feelings was that she wanted to know why he hadn't call her.
What did it mean?)
When they reached the mansion, Niles parked the car and got out of it, without talking to CC, and taking the keys with him.
She had her eyes wide, following him while he walked around the car and came to open the door for her.
His voice sounded insulted, 'At least be a gentleman and walk me to my door'.
CC huffed and accepted his helping hand, 'Seeing that I have paid so you could be here, I have already been a gentleman, tonight. You, on the other side...'
Niles observed her adjusting her coat, 'So, in your world, paying for company is a nice gesture?', his voice could only be described as gentle, while he rested his hand in the small of her back and locked the car door.
When he was finished, she moved to be at his side. For a moment, Niles thought she was just breaking contact, but soon he saw she was maneuvering to be able to take his hand again.
He let her almost pull him until they reached the area in front of the Sheffield's door. Arriving there, CC took his other hand, bringing them close to each other, and rested her cheek on his.
Niles knew exactly what she was doing: she was approaching slowly, lowering her walls and letting her fears aside, renewing their connection.
He gave her the time she needed, just showing his feelings through a slight pressure he was making in her hands.
(Obviously, she could say he was as invested in this as she was by the change in his breathing.
The thought that he was incredibly bare before that woman crossed his mind.
Shouldn't it be scaring?)
CC's mouth traced his cheek until it reached his lips. She pressed his hands in answer to his previous moves, as if warning him it was all right.
He hummed slightly, in understanding.
She let go of his hands to support her arms on his shoulders and bring their bodies even closer.
He circled her waist with his arms, joining his hands on her back and keeping her snugly against him.
She pressed her lips on his, tasting him, then opened them slightly, putting her tongue into contact with his, that seemed to have come to greet her by its own volition.
(That was what both thought, because he seemed startled by the first contact, as if he hadn't realized he was moving accordingly.)
CC smiled – her previous thoughts about how spontaneous he is around her came to her mind.
And, to be even to him, she stopped thinking and chose to do whatever she felt like doing.
They lost themselves into each other and, if she was a religious person, CC would have thought that was what a blessing felt like: her negative feelings from earlier (fear, confusion, fury) were chased away by an amazing sense of belonging and pleasure.
At some point, CC felt things were getting out of control (When did his hand came to my ass? And when had my thigh found this spot between his…?)
She made an effort to separate them: she put her hands on his chest and pulled lightly, managed to part their mouths and rested her cheek on his shoulder, her lips against the side of his neck.
Both were panting, and Niles curled one of his hands in a fist, to gather some strength and resist the urge to plead that she didn't stop.
(He had done something similar when they kissed in the mansion living room, and he would never know if it would have been effective. Probably tonight he would discover.)
'I'm glad you are all right', she whispered into his skin.
Niles shivered, 'And I'm glad you went there for me'.
'It must teach you a lesson', she said, straightening and facing him, 'About who you should call'.
'Ghostbusters?', he teased.
She rolled her eyes and pecked his lips, 'Do you have the keys?'
'Thank God, yes. I won't have to call the people inside'.
She nodded, 'I'd certainly be very upset to see any of them, right now'.
Niles got serious and resumed his questioning about her feelings, taking her hands in his as she had done earlier, 'Is this the problem? That they were… between us, again?'
CC stomped her foot and gulped down a sudden wave of emotion, 'The problem? I'm not even sure there is a problem'.
Niles frowned in confusion, tilting his head.
'No, I know there is a problem', she explained herself, 'I just can't decide who to blame, and it's getting hard to deal with it'.
'You can always blame it on me', he softly suggested.
'Thank you', she smiled sincerely, 'But it's not the point. I'm frustrated because Nanny Fine always manages to get you in the middle of her absurd things, and I'm even more frustrated because you will let her, and there's nothing I can do about it'.
Niles nodded and held her hands a bit more firmly, as if he was grounding her.
'I was worried because I thought you could be pulling a prank, and then I was confused because you should have called me when you needed me'.
He nodded again, noticing that keeping her hands in his was getting more difficult, due to her agitated state.
'And then my phone rang and that crazy woman told me you were in jail. In jail, Niles! Do you have any idea how I felt?'
'Worried?', he suggested, grinning happily.
'Those policemen could be rubbed the wrong way and do something to you!'
He laughed and brought her to a quick hug, 'Miss Babcock, the only person interested in doing something to me out of annoyance is yourself'.
Once he finished his sentence, he noticed CC had her eyes fixed on his.
She seemed transfixed by something.
'Miss Babcock?', he called her, 'Is something the matter?'
'You don't annoy me'.
He smiled at her, 'The fact you went to rescue me is a good evidence of that', he made a surprised expression, 'You were my knight in shining armor, tonight. It means you were the gentleman all along!'
CC opened her mouth to answer, but Niles let go of her hands and took her face, so he could press a kiss on her lips.
A kiss as the one she had given him in the beginning of their relationship – tender and full of meaning.
He separated their lips for her to see the very serious expression on his face, 'Thank you for doing this for me'.
CC nodded and put her hands on those comfortable spots on his chest, 'And?'
'And to me', Niles wriggled his eyebrows, letting his hands slide on her arms until thy covered hers on his chest, 'You can do magic, baby'.
The blonde smiled, but insisted, 'And?'
He got serious again, 'And I'm sorry about the circumstances. I can't say it won't happen again, but I can promise I will not let you out of the loop, if this is what you want'.
'I want to know you trust me'.
Wow was written in both their faces, because they recognized how important it had been that she was able to tell him that.
'I do', he said sincerely, and pulled her, so he could touch their foreheads, 'I just wanted to preserve you from the things that were happening. It won't happen again. We're partners in crime'.
CC smiled at how in synch they were again, 'All right', she sighed and turned her head to kiss his temple, 'No offense taken'.
They smiled at each other, sealing the agreement.
CC licked her lips and gave a step behind, separating them completely, 'You're home, finally, and I think it's time to end this hell of a night'.
Niles was sincerely concerned, 'Are you calm enough to drive?'
'Yes, now I am'.
'How can I be sure?', he looked at her in doubt, 'You haven't done anything evil to me'.
'Isn't evil enough that I'm going away?', she asked, tapping his nose lightly with her pointing finger.
'I'm not convinced, yet'.
'Just give me the keys, Niles'.
'No', he took the car keys from his coat pocket, showed them to her and put them on his back, 'No need for more bad surprises, tonight'.
She squinted at him and licked her lips, 'I suppose you want me to snatch them from you'.
'You have two options', he said, 'You can let me prepare the guest room for you, or you can spend some of your evil energy before going home'.
She put her hands on her hips, 'It's almost midnight, we're in an open space with the moon above us, you owe me slave time, I just paid for your freedom. I'm powerful and you're really in debt with me. Are you sure you want me to use my charms on you?'
The smirk on his face was unmistakable, 'More than anything, witch'.
CC plunged at him, pressing Niles against the front door of the mansion. She molded her body against his, kissing him hungrily and making him moan in surprise and then in a shock of arousal.
He moved to put the car keys in his pocket again, freeing both his hands to touch her, and things got heated again.
This time, with all misunderstandings put aside, they just enjoyed an aggressive making out session.
(Niles had talked about CC being the one who needed to vent out frustration, but it was clear she was not the only one.)
When their mouths parted, Niles managed, through his panting, 'Much better. Now I have something to make me suffer'.
'The memories of this violence?', CC asked, biting his lower lip and extracting a moan from him.
'The memories of this pleasure', he held her head in place to look into her eyes, 'The possibilities we couldn't have tonight', he tilted his head and his lips found the skin of her neck, 'The slave duties I couldn't know...'
CC grabbed the lapels of his coat and pulled him for an open mouthed wet kiss that started hungry as their previous ones, but quickly turned into an intimate caress.
As incredible as something like this could be, they were soothing each other through that kiss.
When they parted again, they locked stares, and Niles raised a hand to caress her hair, 'Would you want it today?'
'Uhm?'
'The slave time. It's past midnight, we've agreed tonight had enough emotion... I'm asking if you'll want it next night... Technically, it's today'.
'Oh'.
She kept thinking for a while.
'Yes'.
'Yes what?'
'I'll want it today. I mean, next night'.
He found it strange that she had a very serious mood, and decided not to comment on it, 'It's settled, then', he took her hand in his and kissed it, 'I'll make sure nothing will get in our way'.
'No', CC said, taking her hand from him and giving a step back, 'I will'.
Niles kept looking at her, waiting for her to explain herself.
She didn't.
She just kept looking at him back, as if her mind was going miles per hour.
'What do you mean?', he finally asked, missing her warmth and giving a step forward.
CC gave another step, putting their bodies together, and sustained his glance, while her hand went to his pocket.
Niles realized what she was doing, but the pleading way she looked at him prevented him from reacting.
She grabbed the keys, pecked his lips, murmured 'Thank you' and went to her car.
Niles stayed there, in the porch, observing while the blonde entered the car.
She had an air of decisiveness.
She threw him a glance before pulling out, showing him she didn't want to go, but had to.
He still stayed there for a while, looking at the silent street and wondering if he should be worried.
He turned to the door, took his key and decided that he shouldn't. If CC Babcock had plans that involved him, he was sure they would be to his gain.
Niles smiled to himself while he opened the door: he had been happy to own her slave time! Why should he worry when things were in her very capable hands?