by
Aimee
(aimeed@earthlink.net)
He stood awaiting her answer, his green eyes politely admiring. Philip was very handsome. He was a successful lawyer specializing in issues related to the theater. He stood before her impeccably dressed in a charcoal gray Armani suit. In short, the most intriguing man to notice C.C. in quite a while.
She gave him a dazzling smile, and opened her mouth to accept his invitation for dinner and a concert. But then, some demon possessed her to say, "No, thanks, Philip, I'm afraid I can't. It was kind of you to ask, though." She offered no further explanation or justification.
Disappointment flitted across his features, to be replaced by a smile. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Good night, Miss Babcock." He turned and exited the front door of the Sheffield mansion.
C.C. breathed a sigh of relief. He'd taken the hint. She didn't even hear the steps behind her, she was so lost in thought. "What's the matter with you, Caca? A handsome, successful man just asked you out and you didn't have to pay him, and you turned him down."
"I don't know, Niles, did you drug me or something? Because I just wasn't in the mood."
"You, not in the mood? This from the woman who tried to bribe Miss Manners to declare that sex on the first date is a social responsibility?"
"Who knows? Maybe it's a case of use it or lose it. God only knows you lost it a long time ago."
"The moment I saw you."
"That's it! Niles, you're a genius. Philip does not turn me on because seeing you every day has finally killed my sex drive. Thanks to you, I'm ruined for all other men."
"Oh, nonsense, maybe you just don't go into heat for another couple of months."
"If it's that long, I'll -- damn, I can't think of anything to say that won't set you up."
Fran came in from the office, out of which she and Maxwell had banished C.C. so they could "discuss the children." "Hey, you two, what's up?" Her sparkling dark eyes and jaunty step answered her own question, at least as far as her husband was concerned.
"Miss Babcock got asked out by Mr. Sheffield's new lawyer."
"Way to go Miss Babcock! Where's he taking you?"
"Home for a drink and some quality time with Chester. I turned him down."
"What? Why? He was adorable, and so charming! If I wasn't married, I'd have been all over him."
"I really really believe that, but a man has to be more than just breathing and human to interest me," C.C. informed her with a haughty glance.
"She's gone frigid," said Niles.
"Niles, stop that! There is no such thing as a frigid woman. Now Miss Babcock, don't you think you ought to call him and go out with him, just for fun? You can't spend all your time working."
"No, she spends the rest of her time wearing out batteries."
"Actually, Niles, I have many enjoyable hobbies, not the least of which is plotting your death. And why are you two making such a big deal out of this? He asked me out, I wasn't interested, end of story!" C.C. stalked over to the couch and sat down. She opened her briefcase and began riffling through some papers to indicate that the interview was at an end.
But C.C. hadn't accounted for the fact that she was sitting on the sofa flanked by the two biggest yentas on the planet. "So what was it about him that didn't interest you?" Fran asked. "His looks, his money, his successful career, or his charm?"
"All of the above." When they looked at her in surprise, C.C. flopped backward onto the sofa cushions and sighed. "He's a great guy. On paper, he's damn near perfect. I should be eating oysters and giggling at his dumb jokes right now. But there's just something missing, some spark, some connection. I don't know, something I needed just wasn't there. Oh, thank you Niles, I needed that." C.C. took the drink he offered her and sipped at it. "Niles, what the hell is in this?"
"I figured since you weren't getting any tonight, I'd arrange a little menage a trois for you with Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker."
C.C. wrinkled her nose in disgust at the combination. "So who're you doing the group thing with, both Spic and Span?" A low, devious laugh bubbled out of her. "I don't know why I said no, I mean he's a lawyer, I'm a business investor, where else am I gonna find such a perfect pair?" Niles looked pointedly at her blouse. "By the way, Niles, Max wants us to work together to plan that backer's party."
"I'm on the case. I'll plan the food and hire the help, you arrange the entertainment and send out the invitations?"
"Perfect. Well, thanks for the yentafest, but I think I'll be running along now." She dug her cigarette case out of her purse and offered it around as she rose to go. Only Niles accepted her offer. "Damn, I can't find my lighter. Niles, could you light me up?"
"Burn, baby, burn." Niles flicked her Bic, but his hand slipped and he dropped it in her lap.
"Damn, Niles, you almost set my thighs on fire!"
When Niles lit her cigarette, C.C. headed for the door. "Good night, all. Niles, have fun with your hand puppets."
Just then, Maxwell appeared. "Just a moment, C.C. Put out that disgusting weed and come here. You too, Niles. Now, since the children were at school all day and Fran was out shopping, would you two care to explain how coffee got all over my office carpet and a rug just happened to appear and cover it up?"
"We tried to take each other out," said C.C.
"Unfortunately, sir, in attempting to kill each other, we accidentally made a mess of things and I'm not sure how to fix it."
At Maxwell's look of irritation, C.C. told Niles, "I think we've gotten ourselves into something we'll never be able to get ourselves out of."
"I'm very much afraid so."
Niles handed C.C. her beret and she stopped to achieve the perfect tilt. Finally, she gave up and went to step across the threshold of the door that Niles held open for her. A warm, tempting breeze caressed her face and ruffled her hair as she stepped past him. "Good night, all."
Niles watched her cross the threshold. "Good night, Miss Babcock."
Max, talking with Fran, didn't respond to C.C.
Alone outside, C.C. frowned. Something kept teasing at the back on her mind, but she just couldn't figure out what it was. Oh, well. She shrugged and went on her way, eager to escape the mess she and Niles had made. Maybe if she ignored it, she'd never have to face up to it.
Inside, Niles frowned. Something strange had just happened, and he couldn't figure out what was going on. Oh, well. He shrugged and left to try and figure out how to clean up the mess he and Miss Babcock had made. Maybe eventually he'd figure out how.
The End
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