I made two final chapters. If you enjoy it enough, leave reviews.

Evidence

Chapter 22: Final

'Sweetie, you shouldn't do it'.

Niles raised nervous eyes to Fran, 'What? What is wrong?'

They were at the Sheffield's living room, where Niles had been waiting for whatever way CC Babcock had decided to pick him up.

He had no idea what she had planned, but he was sure it would be something surprising. He even gave up guessing when he realized he would love anything she chose.

He loved everything about her.

He loved her.

(When the thought first striked him, he had just started opening his bag on his bed.

He froze mid-movement.

'I have admitted it', was his first coherent thought, after several moments only able to hear the strong beating of his heart while a warm sensation invaded him.

'I'm doomed', came to his mind – she was a witch, after all.

'It's the best feeling I've ever had', he concluded, grinned, went back into motion and started singing.)

The butler had been pacing from one side to the other of the living room for the last fifteen minutes, nervously looking at the door from time to time. He had finished his tasks and managed to get ready ridiculously early, and now was there, trying to cope with the need to meet Babcock and tell everything that was going on in his heart, while his mind told him to take care to not blow everything off.

(By the way: among the tasks finished ridiculously early were meals for the family that should last the three days of his absense, even with two visits from Sylvia.)

At Fran's hesitance to answer his question, Niles looked at himself, near panic, 'Is it my clothes? Do you think I should wear something more formal? Os less formal? Is it my hair?'

'Calm down, Niles', she got closer and started tidying his coat up, more as a reassuring gesture than anything else, 'You're very handsome, don't worry'.

He breathed deeply, stopped fussing and looked at her, 'Do you think? Is she going to like it?'

'I can't speak for her, but you know very well that blue brings out your eyes', she smirked at his shy expression for being so obvious.

He was wearing a deep blue suit with a royal blue tie. His shirt was a bit lighter tone of blue, and he appeared very elegant and refined, like that. To add some contrast, his hair was just slightly tousled, giving his appearance an informal touch. He considered they were probably going in a trip, and being nicely dressed seemed the logical choice.

(And, of course, blue brought out his eyes.)

'So, what is the problem?', he asked, eager to know, 'What am I doing wrong?'

'I could list some things', Fran raised a finger in the air as a teacher, 'First, you're taking just one bag'.

Niles looked at the medium sized bag he had left besides the sofa, 'I don't even know where we are going to. What should I take besides the essencials?'

'Oy, you amateur! You should be prepared!', Niles rolled his eyes and Fran went on, 'But more than that: I heard you singing while packing'.

'I'm happy', he shrugged, 'What's wrong with singing?'

She gave him the eye, 'Don't get me wrong, you have a beautiful voice, but... Spice Girls, Niles? Really?'

He smiled, 'It has a special meaning for the two of us'.

'Uhmmm...', Fran elbowed him lightly, 'You have shared some moves, then?'

Niles just smirked, 'Uhm... Yeah'.

Fran noticed he was not going to tell, and put her hands on her hips, 'I guess I won't have the details'.

Niles shook his head. He was not going to tell her the complete version of the facts, no matter how much she pried on. He considered his first dance with CC in her apartment, after they had decided to spend time together without any excuses, something private and precious.

(And, if Fran was judgemental of his choices in music, it just proved she was not ready to understand the type of thing he was building with his witch.)

She raised her hands in surrender, 'I can wait'.

He nodded in a vague compromising, 'Anything else I should know?'

The nanny smiled, 'No, Sweetie, I won't pester you anymore. You look great, and I'm sure everything is going to be all right'.

He just made a I hope so face and went to the door to take a look at the street through the glass.

'Why are you so nervous?', Fran asked, following his anxious movements with expert eye, 'Wasn't it what you wanted? To be alone with her, even if it means she can finally kill you and dispose of the body without any problem?'

He turned and came back to the middle of the room, mumbling, 'You have no idea how much I want her to do what she wishes with my body...'.

Fran just raised her eyebrows at that.

Niles didn't notice. He sighed, sat on the sofa and started fussing with his bag, 'I've been waiting for her for so long that I'm afraid something will happen to prevent us from meeting and finally sort it out how we feel for each other. I mean, now I know how I feel, but I have yet to...', he let go of the bag and covered his face with his hands, 'I can't even speak about it! I'll make a fool of myself when we meet!'

Fran decided not to comment on the feelings part, because it seemed things were really hard for him the way they were, and walked a bit closer – enough to rest a hand on his shoulder and warn him, 'You're hyperventilating, Sweetie'.

'I'm trying not to!', he got up and faced his friend, 'But I wish I could plan something to tell her. This is so special... I never thought she would even look into my direction, and now she is letting her work aside for three days just to make sure we'll have time to ourselves and to finally discover what is it we have between us...'

Fran took him by the arms and shook him, 'Niles, please! Don't disappoint me! You can't act like Mister Sheffield and let her waiting!'

He realized her reaction was misdirected, and calmed down himself, 'It's different, Miss Fine. I don't know if she wants to hear... what I have to say'.

The nanny managed to breathe and let go of him, 'It doesn't matter. Just tell her how you're feeling'.

He gave a foolish smile, 'I'm giddy as a schoogirl'.

'Oy. Don't start with that'.

'Oh. All right'.

A honk sounded and both turned to the front door.

Niles went to look through it again, followed closely by Fran.

He turned to her in shock, his mouth wide open, as soon as he saw the origin of the annoying sound in the street.

Fran grabbed his arm, 'There's a limo out there!'

Niles just nodded and looked at it again, not quite believing.

(And, at the same time, feeling it made all the sense in the world.)

The nanny was the first to recover, 'Take your bag and go! It's time!'

Niles woke up from his reverie, opened the door and waved at the car in hopes to signal he had seen it. The honk went silent and he went running to take his bag.

Back at the door he stopped, put the bag on the floor and took Fran's hands, 'I must tell you something'. She nodded fiercely at his serious tone, and he went on, 'I want to thank you for helping us. You're a great friend, even when you do bizarre things and mess with all of our plans'.

She smiled but raised a brow, 'Are you teasing me?'

'Yes', Niles smiled back, 'And I just tease who I really like'.

Fran hugged him, 'Aw, Sweetie!', she parted from him and grabbed his forearms, 'You have done so much for me since I arrived here...', she got serious, 'And I count on you to keep doing that'.

'You can always count on me, Miss Fine', he guaranteed, 'And, if everything goes right between me and Babcock, I promise you'll have one more ally in your battle for that danzel in the tower'.

'You mean I'll have the witch to side with me?', Fran grinned at him, 'That will be something to see...'

The honk sounded again.

'It seems I have to go', Niles said, taking the bag and opening the door.

'Just one thing more', Fran called.

'Yes?'

It was her time to be very serious, 'This thing between the two of you always worked well through words. I'm sure, whatever you decide to tell her, she will understand'.

He smiled softly, 'If I'm at a lack of words, I'll use the I just tease who I really like line'.

'I'm already a bit jealous, but I think any teasing start can be a good start with a couple like you two'.

Niles opened his mouth to answer, but had to gulp down his emotion at being considered a couple with CC Babcock. After all, he had just admitted to himself how much he...

The honk was heard again, this time more insistent.

'My Gosh, you're so married!', Fran exclaimed.

'From your lips to God's ears!', Niles answered and got out of the mansion in a hurry.

Fran was going to follow him and see if she could tease Miss Babcock, but stayed behind, baffled at the idea that Niles wanted to marry Miss Babcock – the woman he had claimed to despise in a daily basis for a decade, and with whom he was going to spend the next three days in a secret location.

The Nanny decided she had to talk about it with Mister Sheffield. It was always good to have a reason to discuss feelings with him, and the fact those two had managed to get over their differences was a very good topic.

(As it was how much time they would wait before they used the phone number Miss Babcock had left as the contact call. Just to make sure their friends were all right.)

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Niles reached the limo and was greeted by a driver wearing a very formal uniform, 'Good afternoon, Sir. I suppose you're Niles'.

'Yes'.

'I'm here to pick you up', the man opened the door for him, 'Please, enter, Sir. Miss Babcock left instructions in the back seat'.

'So, she is not here', at the man nodding in agreement, Niles faced him, 'Just one thing: it was her who asked for you to honk instead of ringing, wasn't it?'

'Yes, Sir. Her direct orders. She said I was free to be annoying'.

Niles smiled, 'I'll tell her you succeded'.

The man was confused for a moment, and then seemed to decide the correct answer was a polite, 'Thank you, Sir'.

Niles entered the limo and sat. The door closed behind him, and he quickly took the envelope that was on the seat by his side.

Niles opened it, guessing what the witch had planned for them. Would he find plane tickets? If so, to where? And why?

He found a key and a letter, inside the envelope.

He opened the letter to read it.

Dearest Butler Boy

We have been tiptoeing around this thing between us for a while: when we let something happen, we used to pretend it didn't, and life went on – our dignities unscated, our hearts in denial.

Lately, we realized it would be better if we aknowledged it and set it free, so we could see where it would lead us. We knew it could never be easy, but none of us wished to be blind anymore to how much we want each other and, especially, of how much we make the other happy.

Me, especially: I have been a better person, and it doesn't annoy me as it did before I let my desires lead the way. I found out I rather enjoy this side of me, in fact.

Well, this new thing has been nice, but not enough. I want more, and I have been trying to get more, in the last days.

That is why each interruption and change of plans has put me on edge. I'm not patient, you know, and I feel like I have been waiting forever for this – for you –, even if I had no idea how great it would feel.

(Now I realize 'waiting forever' is a set up for a vampire zinger. And the worst part is I can barely wait to hear what you have to say about it.)

I hope you don't get too disappointed that I won't be paying for a fancy vacation, but I thought there was just one place I wanted to be with you, to start things with calm and peace of mind. I've sent the limo to create a diversion in the mansion, but you are, in fact, being brought to the penthouse.

It all started because you decided I needed you to survive a freezing night, and because a little girl had proof of how much I enjoyed it. I say we don't need anyone pointing it out to us,anymore, but maybe I still need you to take care of this cold that sometimes surrounds me.

Yours,

CC

PS: I swear I'll strangle you if you mock what I wrote. I was espntaneous and put on paper everything that came to mind, and then spent hours re-reading it and gathering the corage to not rip it off.

It means that I really do things for you.

Niles finished reading and closed the letter with shaking hands.

He felt like he was going to burst with happiness.

They were in synch, as always, with both wanting to admit their feelings for each other, and not just their attraction; more than that, she had decided to be open with him, unguarded, and he felt honored and moved by her initiative.

No, he was not disappointed about going to the penthouse. It just felt right, in fact.

He rested the letter on his chest, supporting it with one hand, and took the key with the other.

It felt like he had in his hands the keys to CC Babcock: the one to her home, the place she usually preserved from everyone, and had decided to open for him; and the one to her soul, through the sincere words she had chosen to write to him.

Niles remembered reading once that if a human being was able to be completely sincere in a text, when the final dot was written the text would burst into flames, because the truth of the human soul was too much for the written word.

Mister Edgar Allan Poe was right: he felt like the sincere words in that letter could burn through his chest and reach his heart.

There was nothing more he could want: CC Babcock had permitted herself to be open and unguarded, and he had all the intentions of honoring it.