Brief Encounters

by

IvanaBgood
(IvanaBgood@aol.com)

Fran smiles happily as she traipses down the hallway in 3 inch heels, now that she was pregnant she thought it best to be cautious. She taps gently on the office door, "Knock, knock."

Maxwell looks up, his mouth curving into a blissful grin, his eyes crinkle as he watches his wife enter. "Hello darling, how are you feeling?"

Wrapping her arms from behind as she rubs her cheek warmly against his, "Better. Ma gave me a box of croutons to munch on to fight off my morning sickness."

"Croutons?"

"Yeah. They’re made by Loaf and Kisses Gourmet Croutons."

"I thought that company stopped making them awhile ago?"

Picking her teeth with the tip of her finger, "Maybe. Ma had them stashed in the back of the cupboard with a twelve pack of TAB. But they still taste delicious!"

Lifting the corner of his mouth in bewilderment, Maxwell just shakes his head.

"Come on, we’re suppose to pick up your Uncle Duncan at the airport in an hour."

Glancing at his wrist, where his favorite watch should be, "Already? I hope he brings his kilt!"

Raising her eyes heavenward, "Oh yeah, Uncle Duncan and his magic kilt."

"It was magic!" Maxwell replies defensively. "I remember watching it rise mysteriously."

"Yeah, whenever a beautiful blonde passes by. Big mystery!"

Knitting his eyebrows at that comment. "You mean…"

"Uh huh," Fran pulls out a bit of paper from her mouth. "So that’s where that coupon for fifty cents off of Famous Amos cookies went!"

"Oh God! All that time…" Maxwell covers his eyes from the thought.

"Sorry to burst your bubble sweetie, but didn’t you ever wonder why he was always calling out, ‘it’s magically delicious’ whenever an hour glass figure walked by? Columbo could have figured it out with his one good eye." Fran then glances over at his business partner.

"Maxwell, does this mean no more work for the rest of the day?" CC smiles in anticipation.

"Yes. I think we accomplished a great deal." Picking up a sheaf of papers, he then places them neatly on the top corner of his desk. "I just need you to file this away for me."

"Umm…Miss Babcock, that shirt your wearing looks familiar," Fran bites the bottom of her lip as she pretends to remember. Her eyes twinkle with mischief. "I know! It looks an awful like the shirt Niles wore yesterday. And do I detect," Fran sniffs the air, "a hint of Paco Roban?"

"I don’t know what you’re talking about Nanny Fine." CC tucks a corner of the big shirt inside her pants, pulling her blazer to cover it. "I had to buy flea spray today." She pats Chester’s head as he lounges on the couch next to her.

"And if that doesn’t work, maybe this flea collar will," Niles grins as he walks inside holding a medium size black velvet case towards CC.

Taking the case from him, "Niles?" As she opens it, she gasps audibly, her eyes bedazzled by the beautiful diamond pendant necklace inside.

"Happy one month anniversary Sugar Lips!" He pulls her up and embraces her. "Surprised?" A huge smile overtakes his face.

As CC nods, he closes her mouth just as she opens it to speak, with a kiss. It didn’t take long for CC to begin to respond to Niles’ brand of magic. Her body melts against his in the manner that was peculiarly hers. At which point she hears Niles give a stifled groan, then a shudder, before he slides his arms tighter around her, taking them both on a journey of exploration that CC greets with equal passion. And just as Niles was about to lose all sense of propriety, he pulls away reluctantly with a groan, gasping for breath at the sound of Maxwell clearing his throat.

Fran’s eyes were wide open, her mouth gaping while Maxwell was covering his face with his hand. "Are they done yet?" He asks his wife.

A gurgle comes out of Fran’s throat as she nods. "The last time I saw something like that was on the Spice channel."

CC turns her back to Niles, her smile outshining the beautiful necklace. "Put it on me Niles."

"Put what on you?" He chuckles wickedly.

As CC joins his naughty laugh, they abruptly stop as they notice Fran and Max again gaping at them. CC then shivers as she feels his nimble fingers at the back of her neck as he fastens the clasp.

"Oh Niles that is so gorgeous!" Fran lifts up the pendant to examine it more carefully.

CC flashes Niles another smile.

"Yes it is very becoming on you CC," Maxwell compliments. "How can you afford it old man?"

"Well I found this very tacky gold tie pin at the bottom of my drawer. It was in the shape of a feather duster and it was festooned with all sorts of jewels."

"I gave that to you years ago in lieu of a Christmas bonus," Maxwell grumps as he walks over.

"Just funnin’ ya sir!" Niles elbows him. "Actually it’s a family heirloom. It was given to my father as a keepsake."

"From who?" Fran asks curiously.

"Oh a certain Duchess that liked the feel of cold marble flooring."

"Huh?…oh!" Fran arches her eyebrows and then laughs at Niles’ grin.

CC holds the pendant in between her fingers and rubs it fondly. Then she turns around and wraps her arms around Niles’ neck. Brushes her lips feather soft against his. "I love it Niles, thank you," she whispers. "But I don’t have anything for you."

Using his thumbs to tilt her head up farther, he then slides one of them onto her lower lip. CC’s mouth opens slightly as he slips his thumb inside to run it lightly over the edge of her teeth. CC touches the thumb with the tip of her tongue and Niles’ eyes comes up to hers.

"Erotic witch," he murmurs.

"Domestic," she responds alluringly.

"Bottle blonde," he whispers, leaning down to replace his thumb with his mouth.

Maxwell grabs his wife’s hand as she stands rooted to the spot. "Come along darling, there will be lots of traffic what with this beastly weather and all. We mustn’t keep Uncle Duncan waiting." He pulls his reluctant wife out of the room.

The chemistry that always erupts explodes as Niles plunders her mouth, sliding his hands down and pulling her hips against his. Finally pulling away, his ragged breathing joins hers, "I can think of something I really want right now."

CC chuckles, reaches around him, and locks the door.

~~~~

Afterwards…

She blows a kiss and waves to Niles, before opening the filing cabinet. Taking her fingers down from her necklace, she picks up the phone on it’s second ring, "Hello?…oh hello Mother." CC pushes the drawer closed at the sound of her mother’s voice.

"Hello CC. I haven’t heard from you. How have you been?" Her cultivated voice and pretentious tone wafts through the receiver.

"I’m fine Mother. Is anything wrong?" A feeling of discontent enters her body.

"Of course not. Can’t a mother pick up a phone and just want to talk to her daughter?"

"You never did before," CC pulls the phone away and gives it a distasteful look. "Out with it, what do you want?"

A long sigh is heard. A sound that was used to always instill guilt. But this time it doesn’t work.

"Now CC…none of that. Remember you were raised in the best of schools. We Babcocks remain courtly…you are still a Babcock aren’t you?"

"Of course I am! Are you threatening to disown me again? Well Mother, I’m happy to say, I don’t care anymore."

"No, of course not," BB’s voice clips back, "it’s just that your brother was here for a visit yesterday and he mentioned that you were seeing someone."

Meanwhile in the kitchen, whistling a joyful tune, Niles uses his hip to bump the dishwasher closed as he makes his way to reconfirm the reservation for a table for two at L’ornate. Hearing CC’s mother’s voice, he pulls the phone away to hang it up, until what she said about CC seeing someone registers in his brain. Bringing it quickly back to his ear, he listens.

Gritting her teeth. "And what exactly did Noel say to you Mother?" She pictures herself decking her dear brother next time she sees him.

"Absolutely nothing. For the first time your brother was rather closed mouth."

"Yes!" CC sends an apologetic mind message to her sibling.

"What was that dear?"

"Oh nothing," CC grips the phone nervously.

"Getting back to this man you are seeing. Do I know his parents?"

"No Mother, they aren’t from around here. I haven’t even met them yet."

"Details darling. Don’t make me interrogate you. What’s his name for one thing?"

Breathing deeply, she closes her eyes for a moment. "It’s Niles."

"Niles who dear? You say it like I’ve met him already."

"You have Mother. Remember, when you and DD stopped here for a few seconds on your way to Saks a few months ago?"

"CC, you must have your days mixed up. We were there for such a short time. Maxwell’s butler opened the door, we exchanged hellos with you and then we were off again."

"Yes, I know. That’s the day I’m speaking of," CC inhales apprehensively, blowing out her breath as she waits for her mother to comprehend what she means.

A long silence.

"Please tell me what I’m thinking is wrong. You are not having a relationship with the butler?!"

CC suppresses a chuckle at her mother’s astonishment. Surprised at the fact that her mother’s disapproving voice did not bother her like she thought it would. In fact it was amusing. "Ding Ding Ding! Congratulations Mother, you got it on the first guess. I’ll send you a box of Chico Sans rice cakes as a prize."

"CC, do not be impertinent! You can not be serious?! This is another one of you and your brother’s ploys to put me six feet under isn’t it?"

"No…but is it working?" CC grins evilly.

"Enough of this foolishness right now young lady," she answers haughtily. "I have the perfect gentleman in mind for you and he is on his way over right now."

Groaning inwardly, "Listen to me for once. I am seeing someone. Can’t you just be happy for me?"

BB continues talking as if she wasn’t interrupted. "It’s Trenton Bartlett."

CC’s face turns ashen. The quivering starting from within, quickly spreading throughout her body as her eyes widen at what she just heard. "No!"

Hearing the scared tone of her voice, Niles quickly hangs up the phone and rushes out of the kitchen. Entering the office, he watches as CC reaches blindly behind herself, pulling the chair under. "I will not see that man. Don’t you remember what he did?"

"All water under the bridge. If his parents can forgive him surely you can. And besides it’s too late. He is on his way over and there is no phone number to reach him with."

CC listens to her mother’s smug tone and hangs up.

"What’s wrong?" Niles walks over to her.

Holding tightly to her armrests and shaking her head faintly, her hand quickly reaching for the phone. Misdialing almost immediately, she slams the phone down and quickly picks it up again, her fingers ferociously punching down on the buttons. Her other fingers clutching tightly around the receiver, the redness of her fingernails in stark contrast to the whiteness of her knuckles. Waiting for her brother to pick up the phone, CC tries to calm down, her face once again a mask of control.

Niles stares at her other hand tapping nervously on the desk top. Her nails drumming a staccato symphony on the cherry wood finish.

Hearing her brother finally answering, CC covers the mouthpiece, "I can’t explain right now Niles. Please go away."

Dying with curiosity, he quickly turns around to head for the kitchen.

"And if you touch that intercom to try to eavesdrop, they’ll be fitting you for a body bag tomorrow." Her eyes were small and glaring.

Pausing for a moment at the doorway when he hears her threat, he gives her a quick look. Her eyes still look hard, but he could see that her eyebrows were furrowed more than usual. Then her face softens as she notices the hurt on his face.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’ll explain later, I promise."

Her lips had a slight quiver to them as she listens to her brother. And her fingers had stopped its incessant tapping. Instead she was continuously wrapping the same tendril of hair around her ear. What could be the matter? He walks in the opposite direction of the kitchen and makes his way up the stairs to try and stay away from temptation.

It was a good thing that Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield took the children out or he would probably be tricking one of them to turn the intercom on for him.

"Noel, repeat everything you just said to me slowly, my head is pounding right now."

"Well, he’s back. I saw him yesterday CC. Go ahead and meet him, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And I know how enamored you are of Niles, but it will never work. I think he’s a straight up fellow, but just not in our class. I remember what Trenton did to you, but we all make mistakes."

"I don’t want to see him, but it looks like I don’t have any choice," she replies forlornly. "Mother said he’s on his way over right now." She looks up, hoping to see Niles. Although she sent him away, the sight of that man would really help calm her nerves right now.

The house was quiet, feeling somehow eerie with the thunder clapping over and over again. Making it seem like the mansion was shaking on its foundation.

"Noel? Noel?" She slams the phone down. "Damn storm, now the phone line is down." Sucking in a calming breath, her eyes turn towards the terrace doors. The combination of the storm and the news were spooking the hell out of her. She rocks back in her chair, her mind on what her brother just said. The thunder finally ceases and now all she could hear was the hard pattering of the rain as it hits against the windows. No wait. There was something else. Something quieter. It sounded like suppressed breathing, low but distinct. Holding her breath, her heart pounding in her ears, a pervasive smell of alcohol and sweat suddenly assaulted her senses. She feels herself being swiveled quickly around.

"Hello CC! Miss me?"

CC gasps. She tries to get up, but his hands pin her down.

"Trent!"

"What’s the matter CC, do I look so different from the last time we were together? I’m fitter, stronger, and definitely wiser."

She stares at his wavy black hair. His unshaven stubble combined with his gray eyes staring bitingly into hers gave him a wild sinister air.

"What do you want Trent?" She asked quietly, trying very hard not to show her fear towards him.

"What do I want?! CC, what do you think a man like me would want after being separated from you for 20 years? I want some love and affection from my woman." He picks her up and crushes her tightly in his arms. "Oh CC, you don’t know how many times I’ve dreamed of this moment all these years." He feels her pulling away. "I know I must look like the cat just dragged me in. I should have stopped to get cleaned up, but I just could not wait to see you." He knew with his rakish good looks, that women found his stubble to be dangerously appealing.

"Trent, let go of me."

"Never. CC I’ve come to rescue you from all this." His hand sweeps across the wood paneled room.

"As you can see, I’m perfectly fine where I am."

"I know you’re working for Maxwell Sheffield the Broadway Producer, but CC you deserve more than that. You deserve a life of leisure, where you don’t have to worry your pretty little head over anything."

Pulling away from him and backing up towards the terrace doors, she glares at him. "How did you get in here anyway and how…"

Grasping the cord and giving it a quick tug, Trenton turns on the desk lamp. The glow bounces off his face, revealing a whisper of the young man that CC remembers from her past. "I walked in the door of course. The butler let me in. You were sitting here in deep contemplation about something with your eyes closed."

Staring at the whiteness of his smile, CC’s anger lessens.

"Excuse me," Niles had been standing at the doorway for a few moments and was witness to their exchange. "He rushed past me as I opened the door," he glares at the intruder.

"That’s because I just had to set my eyes on my lucky charm once again."

CC glances over at Niles and nods imperceptibly, a tentative look on her face.

Against his better judgement, he nods back. "I’ll go get the tea."

Niles dashes into the kitchen. Not wanting to wait for the water to boil for the tea, he instead transfers the coffee from the pot to a silver coffee pitcher. he then quickly throws some cookies from a tin onto a silver platter, places them with a clang onto the tray and returns to the office in split seconds.

Carrying the tray in, he glances back and forth at them. After pouring the coffee into two china cups he hands one to CC knowing she takes it black.

And then glares as he hands the other one to the guest.

CC looks thoughtfully into her drink as she sips it. Niles notices an imperceptible straightening of her shoulders just as she was about to speak.

"Trent, what makes you think you can just waltz into my life as if everything is okay and believe that I would just go with you? You just left. Just like that. And I heard nothing from you. Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing? I wrote you ten letters CC. You were the one who returned nine of them, all unopened. At least you read the first one, so I knew that you could contact me if you wanted to. But zip. I realize that life is different for both of us. But CC I still love you and I believe you love me too."

Niles stares at this man. So many unanswered questions floating in his mind. Studying his face, Niles felt like although this visitor’s voice seemed sincere there was something about his body language, his eyes, that made Niles leery of him. He glances at CC. She was too smart a cookie to fall for it…wasn’t she?

Setting her cup down with a clatter, CC looks fixedly at Trenton. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t get anything from you Trent. One day you were there and then next day you weren’t. If it wasn’t for Noel, I probably would have hunted you down like the skunk you are."

Striding towards her, Trenton grasps her on each shoulder. "I did mail you letters. I wrote asking your forgiveness. I didn’t want to leave you behind, but certain circumstances prevented me from taking you with me like I wanted. You must believe me CC."

Niles knew that he should leave, his serving duties were over. But he didn’t like the way this man was pawing CC. And to hell with his butler duties anyway! This man was handling his woman!

"Trenton don’t start. I’m not the young innocent 21 year old who fawned all over you anymore. And let go of me!" CC pushes him away and moves closer to Niles. "I know exactly why you look the way you do. Still the same Trent. How much money did you gamble away this time?"

"Will you please excuse us?" Trenton looks at Niles pointedly.

Glancing at CC, he sees her shake her head. "I believe I’ll stay sir."

In exasperation, "CC, you don’t really believe that I would harm you again do you?!"

Harm! Again?! What was he talking about? Niles moves closer to her until their shoulders touch. His hands turning into hard fists waiting for this man to just turn his face closer to CC so he could smash it in.

"I was young then too. A hothead. Yes, a slight temper. But no way would I hurt you. You’re my lucky charm. You know that. My life has been empty without you. I kept hoping year after year you would contact me. I didn’t realize you could be so stubborn. And then I finally deduced that it’s your family. They convinced you to stay away. And now I hear that you didn’t even know about my letters! Don’t you see - it’s a conspiracy."

"No, granted my mother hasn’t always been there for me. And my father works very hard, but DD cares for me and so does Noel. He was right about you all along."

"CC, that money was MINE! If my parents were telling the truth and saying that I swindled hundreds and thousands of dollars from them, why didn’t they prosecute? I earned that money in the family business, I didn’t funnel it out through bogus dealings."

"If that’s true, why did you leave and run off to Canada? Why didn’t you fight to prove your innocence and…why didn’t you take me with you?" Her voice falters, the hurt evident in her face.

"Darling…" Striding towards her, Trenton stops abruptly as she puts her hand out.

"No, stay away from me Trent!" Oh god, what am I doing? First I’m frightened and then apprehensive. And then I tell him that I wanted to run away with him! It just doesn’t make sense.

"I believe that it’s time for you to depart sir," Niles grimly announces.

"Alright I’m going. I know all of this is a shock to you and you don’t mean what you’re saying. But I’ll be back again around 8 o’clock CC. I’ll meet you at your place."

"How do you know where I live?"

"My parents. See they believe me. I straightened everything out with them."

Sighing, "Just come here Trent. I’ll meet you here at 8."

He grins back at his victory. "It’s a date."

CC watches him depart, only relaxing once Niles shuts the front door behind him. Sitting on the couch in the office, she closes her eyes and allows herself to reminisce. Rubbing her temples as if in pain.

~~~~

Trenton Bartlett was a dashing young man with a gregarious wit. Too handsome for his own good combined with a magnetic personality, oozing charisma, he had the world at his feet. CC still remembers meeting him. Noel brought him home for a visit and with his disarming smile and suave ways she fell for him immediately.

Trent visited her frequently at her alma mater and she remembers showing him off to all her classmates who weren’t nice to her, which was most of them. He was fresh out of college and working for his father at a Wall Street firm. He had an unlimited bank account, fast cars, and a bright future. CC was in wonderment at how lucky she was that he chose her to be his girlfriend and more. He loved going to the race tracks and countless casinos. And with CC by his side, he constantly won. Then that day happened. Out shopping with her sister, CC spots him coming out of a five star hotel. That’s when she found out that he not only loved riding fast cars but also fast women. Quickly breaking up with him, she nursed a broken heart.

~~~~

The knocking on her dorm door became louder. "Go away!" she yells.

"CC, sweetheart, open the door. It’s all a misunderstanding." Trenton pleads, his voice going down an octave. "You know it’s only you I love. You’re my lucky charm. With you by my side, the sky is the limit."

"That’s all you want me for - to gamble with."

"CC, I really need to talk to you about something of the utmost importance. Please, you know I love only you. That other girl was just a dalliance, nothing more. If you want I promise not to do it anymore. But sweetheart please open the door, a crowd is gathering."

A moment later the door is flung open with so much force that it crashes against the opposite wall, denting it, missing Trenton’s perfect nose by a smidgen of luck.

Trenton walks in and closes the door, locking it with determination. "You’re making me look bad CC. Now come here."

She turns her back on him and looks out the window instead, her hair flailing to one side at the quick motion.

"We really need to talk. Now stop being so stubborn." Angry at being ignored once again, he grabs her arm pulling her hard towards himself.

"Listen to me damn it! You’ve been so busy studying and taking your finals, you haven’t had any time for me lately. I’ve had a stroke of bad luck and…"

"Good. You deserve it. Now get out - we’re through!"

Bringing her arm back behind her, he twists it painfully. Gritting his teeth, his voice bites back, "Don’t ever, EVER talk to me like that again!" Pushing her back with such force that she trips on a small table, a ceramic vase crashes down, cutting her arm.

CC looks up at him with fright. Gone was the charming, sociable young man about town. The man staring back down at her had his lips pulled back in a sneer and she trembled at what he may do next.

"We’re a team CC, you and me. And you know that for a fact. I have to tie up some loose ends and then I’ll be back." Unlocking the door quickly, Trenton leaves without a backward glance.

A crowd of onlookers gather at her door. CC watches as the whispers get louder and louder. Pushing people gently aside, a young woman makes her way into the room. Taking in everything in her quiet way, she turns and closes the door. "Are you alright CC?" Her kind-hearted demeanor breaks through CC’s defenses and she starts to cry.

Carefully helping her up, she sits next to CC. Going to the bathroom she returns with a first aid kit and wipes up the blood and gently patches her up.

"Thank you Sara, you’re a true friend," CC was finally able to say.

"Your welcome. Can I give you some advice?" She asks as she pats her arm.

"Of course," she takes a tissue and blows her nose, feeling a bit better now that someone was there with her.

"That man is trouble. You can do better than him CC. You’re a strong, intelligent woman who will go places. I can tell that right off. Because instead of vicariously going through life attending party after party, you’re here studying hard. Forget him and concentrate on yourself."

Smiling forlornly, CC wishes it were that easy.

The very next day she was contacted by Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett. Apparently Trenton had a gambling problem and he funneled money out of the business and was in debt up to his eyeballs. They were going to turn him in, but he just disappeared. Knowing that he’ll turn up soon when he needs money, his parents decide to just let it all go for now. They were also reluctant to drag the family name through the mud. Better to bury it.

And that’s the last she saw and heard of him.

~~~~

"Okay Babcock, explain." Niles’ angry voice cuts through the air. His ire lessening as he watches her sitting there, her arms around herself looking like a lost little girl. Sitting down next to her, he takes her in his arms. "What was that all about? From all that I witnessed, he is an old beau, but it seems to me that you still harbor some feelings towards him."

"I…" CC wipes a stray tear as it rolls slowly down her face. Still trying to get use to showing her emotions, she turns away embarrassingly.

Pulling her closer, "What is it love? You know you can tell me anything."

Winding her arm around his back, she takes comfort in his embrace.

"He’s a ghost from my past. I just didn’t realize what an impact it would be to see him again."

"Obviously," Niles replies dryly. "You just made a date with him on our anniversary."

"Oh Niles, I’m sorry! I completely forgot. I just did not want to be alone with him. At least here with Maxwell, Nanny Fine, you and the children I’ll feel safer."

"Safer? What did he do to you?!" His hold tightens protectively.

"Never mind. It’s…nothing."

"If it takes you that long to say nothing, than it’s something."

CC places a kiss on his lips, trying to put off from answering his question.

"It’s not going to work Babcock, I want answers."

She meant to use it as a slight diversion, but as she moves her lips all over his face, kissing him with all the loving tenderness she was feeling, she croons soft words of love to him. Stroking him with her hands, feeling his chest tighten under his thin buttoned up shirt. She was sure he was torn between the pleasure of receiving what she was giving or abandoning his pose, so that he could have the pleasure of touching her too, but still he resisted.

"Niles," CC baits him in a whispery, sexy voice. "We have the house to ourselves still. That doesn’t happen often." She watches as he closes his eyes tightly, trying to be strong.

Slowly his lids open and his blue eyes fiery with passion bathes her in a glow that warms her from her very blonde head to the tips of her pedicured toes. In that glow she saw love and the beginnings of a sweet passion that ignites her own.

"You win. You know I can’t resist your wicked charms," he murmurs and there was no teasing in his voice, but rather a wondering anticipation as he begins to realize how much this woman really means to him.

"What do I win?" she asks, as she cups his face in her hands and nibbles on his bottom lip.

Niles shakes his head in wondering incredulity at his good fortune. "And to think I spent all these years attacking you with words when there was an even better way to…"

"…jump down my throat?" CC’s smile was warmly enveloping. "I like you too," she says simply, and then gasps as Niles raises his body in a powerful movement to crush her to his chest and take her mouth in a kiss that spells out his love and his need and his gratitude that she was his.

And as she responds, she tunes out the troubling thoughts of Trent’s return from her mind.

~~~~

"Maxwell needs to buy a new couch, this one has had it," CC grumbles as she holds her lower back and stretches as her unbuttoned shirt flaps open.

Chuckling, "I like this couch. It has a lot of stories to tell." Niles picks up the phone at CC’s look of trepidation. "Sheffield residence. Oh hello sir. Uh huh, I see. Have a good time." As he sets the cordless down on the desk, "Mr. Sheffield wanted to inform me that he will be taking Mrs. Sheffield, his uncle and the children out to dinner and then to a play."

"Tonight? Well, at least you’ll be here."

Niles watches her closely. She was projecting such an air of vulnerability right now although she was doing her best to hide it.

"Yes and I think it’s best that you do not tell your guest about our relationship."

"Why?" CC looks at him quizzically.

"Let’s wait and see him put his cards on the table first. I want to know what his plans are. I smell a bluff and I’m just the kind of gambler to call him on it."

A worried expression enters her face.

"Niles, be careful. He has a temper."

"No worries." He replies convincingly. "So it looks like I need to make some appetizers.

She stares up at him in surprise. "Appetizers?"

"We could go with bruschetta crostonis and canapes? Or we could have pigs in a blanket and cheese whiz on crackers a la Sylvia Fine?"

Her deep laughter seems to really pick up her spirits and Niles’ eyes smile with amusement.

"Pigs in a blanket are too good for him. How about a bag of pork rinds from the corner liquor store?"

"Ah…I have a recipe from Mrs. Sheffield that she gave me years ago that I think would be perfect to try tonight. Porko de Pruno."

Smiling, "That’s sounds perfect Niles."

He grins as he walks back to the kitchen.

Making her way to the chair as Niles exits the room, CC stares down at the desk. The piles of paperwork to file had lost its allure. The silence of the room seem to magnify by the second until it became unbearable. Her heels tap quickly through the hallway, tripping a little on the rug in her haste. As she pushes the kitchen door open, she spies Niles just about to close the back door after himself.

"Niles!"

Sticking his head around the door, "Hmmm?"

"Where are you going?"

"To the grocery store to purchase some beanie weenies for our guest."

Opening the door a little more, Niles backs up just inside the door frame. CC once again projects an aura of utter woe even as she lifts her chin up in an attempt to seem more in control.

"Babcock?"

"What?"

"You better go with me. I might pick out the wrong brand of dog food for you."

A small smile forms in her face before she squelches it. "Ha! You just want me to pay for the taxi since the towncar is in the shop and Maxwell has the limousine."

"I thought I would just jump in after you as you stand in your usual corner waiting for your regulars."

The sound of CC’s biting retort is abruptly cut off from the kitchen as Niles closes the door after her. He jiggles the knob quickly to make sure it’s locked.

~~~~

The doors slide open and CC walks through. The bright fluorescent lights and the strains of folk music assault her senses.

"Miss Babcock, you have to push through the turnstile to go in." Niles prods as she stops abruptly in front of him.

Glancing down, CC pushes through. The colorful displays of various fruits and vegetables to her immediate right captures her attention.

"You act like you’ve never been in a grocery store before." Niles comments at her look of wonderment.

"I haven’t."

"What?!" Niles retorts incredulously. "How can you live to be a hundred and not know what a grocery store looks like?"

"Easy. Maids, butlers, restaurants. Well, I have seen them in TV shows and movies, I’m not entirely clueless."

Shaking his head. "Welcome to my world."

CC follows Niles as he disconnects a cart from the rows of carts parked in a special section marked by bars.

"Here why don’t you drive while I navigate."

She scrunches her nose in disgust.

Sighing, "What’s wrong now?"

"It looks so dirty," staring at the push bar of the cart.

"What do you want me to do - disinfect it for you?" He asks sarcastically.

"Yes. Don’t you carry a pocket size bottle of 409 or something?"

"No, I don’t."

"What’s that in your pants pocket then?"

"Well, it’s not a bottle of cleaner."

Her eyes widen. "Oh."

Niles smirks. "Mr. Sheffield wants me to get his watch fixed." He pulls out a leather case and opens it to reveal the Rolex inside.

Giving him a quick frown that doesn’t match the smile in her eyes, CC pushes the cart forward.

"Okay, first thing on the list…cantaloupe. Miss Margaret is on this new health food plan."

CC follows closely after him as he walks towards the melons.

"Yeowch!"

Too close.

"You did that on purpose! I bet you purposely swerve and crash into a formation of geese with your broom when you go home too."

Trying to stop from laughing. "I did not do it on purpose. It’s not my fault you have a butt the size of a rhino."

"At least I don’t have the face of one." He grimaces at her again before he walks away.

She follows him more slowly, a smile plastered on her face as she watches him still rubbing his backside. She loved the fact that they still continued to insult each other. It was like throwing kindling to their growing embers of lust.

~~~~

Standing up once more to look out the window on the door, CC paces nervously back to the living room. "Where the hell is he?!" Looking down at her watch she double checks the time once again.

"I don’t know, but the beanies are dry and the weenies are hardening."

"He’s almost 45 minutes late. If he thinks I’m going to stay here and wait for him he is mistaken. I’m going home."

"Isn’t that where he said he wanted to meet you in the first place?"

CC’s arm falters as she reaches for her coat in the closet. "Yes. You don’t think that he’s…"

"Waiting for you at your penthouse? It’s a possibility." He stares at her as her hand shakes, knowing it wasn’t the weight of her coat that made it tremble.

"Babcock, I know that this Bartlett fellow is another man from your sordid past, but why do you seem so nervous around him? Did he hurt you terribly? His voice hardens at the last question as he wonders if it was a more physical than mental hurt.

"Why do you care?" She snaps back, not wanting to think about the way she was reacting to this whole Trenton Bartlett fiasco. "I saw you flirting with the bag girl at the A&P."

"I was not flirting! You’re just trying to sidestep my question again. I am getting tired of you hiding something from me." Niles fires back, wishing he could retract his concern.

"Good because it’s none of your damn business! Blonde hair peeks from beneath a red beret as she shoves her arm quickly through the sleeves of her matching coat.

Niles helps her with it, seething as he pretends not to care. Slamming the door behind her, he peeks out as he watches her signal for a cab.

CC turns back and walks towards Niles apologetically as he opens the door.

"I need to sort this out on my own right now Niles, okay?"

He nods resignedly, accepts her kiss and walks with her to the curb. Helping her safely step inside a taxi.

~~~~

Mulling over all the events of the day in his mind as he wipes the counter down, Niles gets worried as he remembers the way that man grabbed CC by the shoulders earlier.

The Sheffields had come home a few minutes ago and Fran was ecstatic over the cheez whiz beer dip. Maybe he should have warned her about the alcohol, but no, it’s okay if she ends up in bed with Mr. Sheffield this time.

Niles chuckles at the memory of CC screaming and the look on her face when she discovered the nanny in bed with their employer. He thought for sure she was going to string him up after he wished her Happy Birthday. Then as they walked down the stairs he was prepared to be pushed. But the blonde harridan was just lulling him into a false sense of security. As soon as his right foot stepped off the last riser, she gave him a wedgie. An atomic wedgie as they use to call it when he was a child. Pushing aside his coat, she reached in quickly, and grabbed his underwear tightly. Pulling it up with such force he felt like he was at his own brist. His eyes gets smaller at the remembrance of the pain. Well, he did have it coming to him, he grins a second later.

The ringing of the phone interrupts his thoughts. Niles quickly answers it after the first peal, aware of the late hour. "Hello, Sheffield residence."

"Niles - this is Noel. Is CC there? I’m not getting an answer at her place when I call."

"No, she left hours ago. Mr. Bartlett was expected for dinner, but he failed to appear."

"That’s because he was at his parents’ house. I was there and so was my father. I thought he was a changed man. Trenton was as charming as ever and he entertained us with stories. We sat and talked, but as soon as he found out he was not going to get another penny from his parents, he became very agitated. He just left a few minutes ago."

"Do you think he went to see Miss Babcock?" Niles inquires very concerned.

"Yes, he must be."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I was just outside ready to go home when I realized my Jaguar wasn’t parked where I left it. That’s when I noticed that my keys were also missing. Niles he has a key to CC’s place."

A deafening roar of dread filled Niles’ ears at Noel’s words. Dropping the phone at once, he grabs the keys to the Alfa Romeo and is quickly out the back door.

"Niles? Niles?…" The phone bounces on the hard kitchen floor. The faint voice of CC’s brother calling out for the butler, could still be heard.

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