Once upon a chatroom and a flurry of emails ago, between continents far, far away a story was hatched. I discovered I wasn't the only one who thought that "Oh Say, Can You Ski" was glaringly missing a 'B' plot. You have Niles in a yummy gray sweater and an injured CC at his mercy, too much fun could have been had. And so, without further ado, SabineF, Maxie and I would like to present our version of that episode. We hope you like it!

To Snow You is To Love You

by

IvanaBgood
(IvanaBgood@aol.com)

"To show our gratitude for your support we would like to invite you and your family to Aspen," Maxwell finished reading ecstatically.

Unimpressed with his announcement, Fran picked up an almond cookie and inspected it. "Who baked these?"

"I did," Maggie looked over proudly. "I wanted to impress Michael with my cooking skills."

"Aww, that is so sweet!" Fran patted her daughter’s hand. "But Maggie honey, Michael has a great smile, tell him you made him a paper weight." Fran thumped the cookie on the counter and Niles tsked as it dented the tile.

"Fran, did you hear what I was saying? We’ve all been invited to the snow over the Thanksgiving holiday."

"Yeah, yeah," Fran answered. "Who with this time? I get so tired of watching that Irish dancer, Michael Flatulance stomping around making snow angel feet. I mean who ever heard of snow angel feet?!"

"That’s Flatley, sweetheart. And the invitation is from the Clintons," Maxwell answered patiently.

"Bill and Hillary?! Whoo-ha! Where’s my skis?!"

"Sweetheart, you don’t know how to ski."

"No, but they’ll look good propped up next to the cabin wall as I pose nearby in my ski outfit. You know, how firelight makes my skin look almost incandescent."

CC walked into the kitchen and overheard the conversation. "That will be a great opportunity to talk to the President about our producing a play at the Kennedy Center!"

"My thoughts exactly," Maxwell agreed.

"I thought your thoughts would be more in line with mine? Snuggling near the fire and …you know?" Fran finished suggestively as she rubbed her shoulder against her husband’s back.

"Nanny Fine! You two can get ‘jiggy’ another time. We’re talking about the Kennedy Center."

Fran arched her eyebrow at her.

CC reddened. "What? The Wayans Brothers show is funny."

"Miss Babcock…cookie?" Niles tilted the platter towards her.

"Mmm…"

~~~~~~

"Niles, my dentist appointment was bumped to noon so I’m running a little behind. But I’ll be there in thirty minutes. Wait for me!"

"Yes, Miss Babcock. I’ll be sure to tell Mr. Sheffield," Niles set the phone down.

"Is CC running late?" Maxwell asked as he walked down the stairs.

"Yes sir. She wanted us to go ahead without her and she’ll meet us there."

"Alright. I hope she doesn’t have trouble getting past security."

"Oh, me too sir, me too," Niles smirked as he picked up the suitcases and walked out the door.

~~~~~~

The sun’s rays threw a majestic display of colors across the landscape as dusk approached. Niles cast glances over his shoulder at the long line of people behind him waiting to meet the President and First Lady. He wondered again if maybe this time he went too far? Then he grinned.

"I can’t believe CC is going to miss what could be the most defining moment in her career – meeting the President of the United States!" Maxwell exclaimed to Niles as they waited in line, right behind Anthony Hopkins.

"Yes sir, I wonder what could have detained her."

"I don’t know about you two, but I do not want to share a table with that man," Fran remarked as she glanced over suspiciously.

"For heavens sake Fran, I keep telling you! He was playing a part. He doesn’t really eat people."

"You’re right honey, I was being silly…"

Maxwell smiled in relief.

"…I mean what am I getting so worried about. He’s a gentile. Obviously he’s not into kosher."

Maxwell rolled his eyes and then suddenly he whispered excitedly, "I’m next!"

"You are acting so cute!" Fran told her husband. "M eanwhile you might want to zip up your fly."

"Oh, I’m sorry," President Clinton said as he looked down.

"I meant my husband, Mr. President," Fran smiled. "Hello, I’m Fran Sheffield and this is my husband Max."

"Hello," he shook their hands.

"We live next door to your brother Roger and he was telling me stories about your youth," she waggled her finger at him.

President Clinton tugged at his collar nervously.

"I use to love watching ‘Love American Style’ too!"

He sighed with relief and grinned at her laugh.

Fran whispered to Max, "Although I didn’t take the show so literally."

"Hello, Mr. President," Maxwell managed to squeeze in. "Thank you for inviting us,"

"Thank you for your support. Your wife is very charming, Max. Mrs. Clinton and I have plans to ski tomorrow morning. Would you two join us at the slopes? Let’s say, ten o’clock?"

"Ohhh, YES!" Fran accepted giddily.

President Clinton glanced over at his wife nervously.

"Fran, you’re making the leader of the free world very nervous. And didn’t you forget, you don’t know how to sk-"

"Skip," Fran covered her husband’s mouth. "I never got the hang of skipping," she explained to the President. "You swing one leg and then right away you have to swing the other. And then the arms – what to do with the arms?…"

"Sweetheart, other people are waiting to meet him," Max interrupted.

"Oy, I’m sorry. See ya tomorrow Mr. President… sir… your highness," Fran curtsied.

~~~~~~

The security guard had been trying to calm the scary lady since yesterday afternoon. "Here you go ma’am."

CC growled angrily into the phone. "Niles, you better tell this security man who I am. I don’t know how you got my name off the guest list, but-"

"I’m sorry, who is this?" Niles smiled into the phone.

"You know very well who this is!"

Niles heard a gruff voice in the background, "Ma’am, please put that taser down." The next thing Niles heard was the same voice painfully asking for confirmation.

Niles sighed. It was fun while it lasted.

"Yes sir, she’s with the Sheffield party. Perhaps if you checked the master list again, her name should be there under Boobcock."

Brighton looked away from the mirror as Niles hung up the phone. "So is CC on her way over now?"

"I’m afraid so," he replied as he dug into his pocket and peeled off some bills and handed them to Brighton. "Good work!"

"Thank you," Brighton grinned appreciatively as he pocketed the money. "I wanted a sexbot, I get a computer – where is the justice?" Brighton pulled a ski cap on top of the hair he had been meticulously combing for the past hour. "If I were you I’d be scarce and soon. If CC gets her hands on you right now, it won’t be pretty."

"I’m use to her ugly mug," Niles remarked. "And I’m way ahead of you."

Brighton watched him slip on his ski jacket over his wool sweater. And then joined him at the door. "I have a date with Chelsea Clinton." At Niles’ look, "Okay, maybe not a date, but I plan on skiing in front of her a few dozen times."

A few minutes later, the door to the room swung vigorously open.

Gracie looked as the shiny doorknob imbedded deeply into the wall. Bits of plaster fell on the white carpet.

"Where is HE?!" CC snarled as she strode angrily into the room looking behind and around furniture, a silver taser in her hand.

"Niles just left."

The enraged blond took a deep breath and dropped onto the couch. "Fine. I’ll get him later. When he least expects it, I’ll be there." She looked around the room. "Where’s your father?"

"He and Fran got invited to ski with the President and the First Lady. Daddy is going to use the opportunity to talk about the Kennedy Center."

"WHAT?! I’m suppose to be with him when he does that. I’M his business partner, not HER!"

Gracie stood up quickly, worried at the way CC’s eyes became all red and small. "Maybe you can catch up with them?" she squeaked.

"That’s just what I’ll do." She looked up as she spied movement at the doorway.

An overburdened bellhop pushed a pair of skis back up on top of the trolley full of suitcases.

"It took you long enough! Niles would have had my things set up by now…" her voice trailed off as she pictured Niles manhandling her luggage. "Where’s my room?" she asked tersely.

Gracie gave her directions.

"I can’t believe that he can give his brother Lincoln’s bed, but I have to share a chalet with this family and that butler."

~~~~~~

CC zipped up her jacket and made her way to the chairlift. Just getting there was a trial. The cold penetrated her clothing like hundreds of tiny icicles and her boots felt so heavy as she trudged up. She bent her head against the blowing snow, but the frigid air still managed to sting her face. Staring silently as the chairs approached, she willed them to speed up.

The noise of the gears as it grinded and the cables as it strained didn’t penetrate her thoughts of revenge against that butler and catching up with Maxwell and the President. She turned and hopped up, not interested in making conversation with her seatmate. A roar blasted in her ears and then an eerie silence as the chairs whooshed free and rose into a blinding white void of snow and sky.

She looked to the side and watched gloved fingers clamp hard on the seat edge. Slowly CC turned to glance up at the sound of a long unsteady breath and watched as her seat mate pushed up his goggles.

"Niles!"

His eyes widened at that voice. No, the heavens couldn’t be that cruel… could they? He turned towards the voice and groaned in aggravation.

CC peered at him and noticed a light patina of perspiration on his face despite the cold temperatures. "What’s wrong with you? I mean despite being the perfect stand-in for the hunchback of Notre Dame?" She cracked up.

Niles mumbled an incoherent reply and turned away, ignoring her. He had to get himself together. If she found out, there really would be hell to pay. The chairs stopped to give people ahead a chance to step off. He cringed as his chair swung in the air, his heart hit his toes.

But CC noticed it all and grinned wickedly. "You’re afraid of heights?!"

Niles closed his eyes without replying and recoiled inwardly.

"Oh, this is just too perfect," she cackled. "I knew I would get back at you for chipping my tooth and for ditching me, but I didn't know it was going to be this good!" CC held on to the sides and swung her legs about, causing Niles seat to do the same.

Niles wetted his lips nervously and hung on. If only this thing had a seatbelt. Or better yet a steel bar to hold him in. Yes, that’s it. A seatbelt and a steel bar – was that too much to ask?

There was a slight sound and the chairs continued on their way up.

"You know Niles, this may be a dumb question, but what the hell are you doing on a chairlift if you’re afraid of heights? Not that I care. I mean, wouldn’t it be perfect if we got stuck up here?" Her laughter rented through the air as she watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down nervously.

Just at that moment, their chairs dipped hard and a scream ripped from her lips as she grabbed her chair. Niles’ arm thrusted across, holding her in.

"Miss Babcock," he managed to say, his throat raw from the effort of trying to breathe normally, "If you paid off the attendant to get back at me, I surrender. You win this round. Now signal for him to start it up again."

CC sat there motionless in shock.

"Please," he lowered his face, uncertain what expression it held.

She turned towards him. She never wanted to hear Niles sound like that again. "I-I didn’t. This is real. Look!" She pointed down at the crowd of people gathering below, looking up at them, their shouts muffled by the weather and the distance.

"Oh God," Niles breathed in deeply.

"I wonder what’s going on?" She leaned over to see better.

"Please don’t do that."

CC looked at him and smirked. "Niles, you’re green."

"Must be your perfume." Niles gave her a quick look. "I didn’t mean that!"

CC laughed hard. "I really have you in a corner."

Niles’ lips twitched.

She looked at him and smirked. "Go on, what were you going to say?"

"Nothing."

"Niles. Any second now we could be falling down to our death. Don’t you want to go down in a blaze of glory?"

He glared at her.

"Fine. Why don’t you tell me why you’re afraid of heights?"

"Just like your date last night."

"What?"

"You really have me in a corner – just like your date last night."

A small smile appeared on her face. "See, was that so hard? Now that we’ve got that out of the way, tell me why all of a sudden you’re Chicken Little?"

"Why would you care?"

A devious look appeared on her face.

"What?" he licked his lips nervously.

"Oh, nothing. I’m just imagining all the hundreds of little fibers inside that cable up there, stretching from the tension and pulling apart bit by bit, fiber by fiber until-"

"Okay!" Niles gulped. "I’ll tell you why I’m up here."

"You don’t have to," CC commented, her eyes wide with exaggerated indifference.

Niles rolled his eyes. "In my last therapy session, the doctor told me to face my fears, that’s why I came. I haven’t skied in a very long time because the last time I did, I suffered panic attacks because of these chairlifts."

"Go on."

He took a deep breath. "A long time ago, when Jocelyn was still a teenager-"

"Jocelyn?"

"Mister Sheffield’s sister."

CC nodded.

"Her kitten ran up a tree and wouldn’t come down. She was panicked because her mum told her not to let the animal out. So she asked me to save him. There I was climbing higher and higher, from branch to branch, my shoes slipping every now and then. The stupid creature kept climbing away from me. Finally, when it had no where else to go, I stretched to capture it when it leaped and attached itself onto my neck. Needless to say, I was unprepared for that and I let go to pry it off, lost my hold and fell all the way down."

Niles grimaced as he still could feel how each branch struck and whipped about him as he fell. "I ended up breaking my leg and fracturing a few ribs."

"What about the poor kitty?" CC smiled.

The poor kitty was snacking on imported halibut that night, while I had to sip my dinner through a straw because my jaw was bruised."

"You know what they say Niles. Nice guys finish last."

"I suppose it was too much to hope that you would sympathize with me."

"This from the same person who fed me a concrete cookie!"

Niles chuckled.

They felt the cables above swing and they looked up worriedly, but then they felt their seats move and they both heaved a sigh of relief.

"Look!"

Niles followed her finger to a pair of men who stood in front of the control box. They clapped one another on their backs.

As their chairs rose closer and closer to their destination, the wind picked up and the snow fell harder.

Niles looked worriedly up at the sky, "I think a storm is brewing."

"All the forecasters said that it was going to be a beautiful weekend. Just perfect for skiing."

"Yes," Niles replied wryly, "and we both know they’re never wrong."

Finally they reached the top of the slope and almost as one, they jumped down. Snow crunched underneath and flakes swirled vigorously around them. Visibility became worse.

"We need to get back to the cabin," Niles said as he watched many people turning away, heading for shelter.

"Niles, you worry too much. The President and Maxwell are around here somewhere and I intend to find them."

He turned to look at her. For a moment, a small frosty cloud blocked his view as she spoke. Her red wool ski cap was pulled down over her ears, her nose was shiny from the cold. His eyes followed her perfectly sculptured neck down and noticed that she had stopped speaking.

Their eyes connected until he pulled away, embarrassed.

"Look around, Babcock," he tried to say gruffly, "all the sane people are heading for warmth. We’ll wait for the storm to pass."

"We? There is no we. There’s just me." She pushed her ski poles down and glided away. "The real men are down there."

"Far be it for me to prevent you from joining the testosterone club," he called after her. "After all, you are the founder and president," he mumbled as he admired her backside. Niles pulled himself away from the sight and watched the many people pass by him, probably heading towards a hot cup of cocoa and a roaring fire. The weather worsened and the snow swirled angrily around him. An argument raged in his head, before he swore under his breath and followed CC down.

It didn’t seem possible, but the snow fell down even harder and Niles had a difficult time keeping that red cap in his sight. He tucked his arms in closer and sped up, easily dodging the few remaining skiers who were making a final trip down.

Where is she? Niles shook his head, trying to knock flakes from his goggles as he looked frantically around. I should have caught up with her by now, he thought. Just as he was passing a copse of trees, he glanced over his shoulder towards them, but saw nothing. He went a few feet farther down when he stopped himself and again looked back. Quickly making a decision, he skied back to those trees, yelling for CC. His heart pounded erratically.

Niles looked down and tried desperately to spot ski tracks, but the storm made it difficult at best. "Miss Babcock!" Niles pushed his goggles up and peered around. "Miss Babcock!" His voice echoed.

Nothing.

Niles felt his body grow numb and not from the temperature. "Miss Babcock, where are you?! Answer me!" His fingers wiped the frozen flakes from his lashes. "Please answer me," he said to himself. Niles turned and looked in the distance. Maybe she made it down there? No. Something was telling him to follow his hunch. His eyes looked around at the trees and he pushed off, slowly searching around the trunks, his hands shoving low lying branches aside. There – something bright! Niles rushed over and spied CC lying on her back, her arm thrown across her face.

"Miss Babcock - Miss Babcock!" he unsnapped his skis and ran over. Carefully he lifted her head and laid it upon his leg as he kneeled down. She had a deep gash on her forehead and she hissed as her eyes slowly opened.

It was the most beautiful sound Niles ever heard.

"Niles," she mumbled, "what happened?" It was so hard to talk.

He stared at her, as she tried to blink her vision clear. She looked like a fallen angel. "I don’t know, but we need to get out of the cold. Can you stand?" He hurriedly removed her skis for her.

"I-I think so," she slipped her arm around his shoulders and felt his hand travel around her back to her side. "Ow!" she winced and lifted her right foot gingerly off the ground. "I think I twisted my ankle."

"I truly hope that’s all it is." Niles looked at their surroundings, the snow was falling faster. "I’m a bit turned around, not sure which direction we should go," he said almost to himself. Leaving their skis behind, he easily lifted her in his arms and carried her beneath a thicker overhang of branches. Slowly he lowered her down and sat next to her, his arms still wrapped around her body, keeping her warm.

She must be groggy with pain to allow this, Niles realized and softly patted her cheek. "Miss Babcock… CC… you must keep your eyes open."

My eyelids feel so heavy though, CC wanted to say but only managed a quiet moan.

"Come on CC, please open your eyes," Niles pleaded with her.

"I’m so cold," she rasped.

Niles smiled encouragingly at her blue eyes. Faintly she heard a zipper and beneath her lashes she watched Niles wrap her in his jacket.

"Slip your arms inside," he softly directed, as he helped her lift them inside the sleeves. He then wrapped his arms back around her and held her close. As much as he enjoyed the feeling of her body so near to his finally, he knew this wasn’t good. Their situation was very precarious. Staying under this tree until someone found them would be foolhardy. They had to make it down the hill before the storm worsened.

CC felt Niles zip his jacket, enclosing her body and then felt his arm tuck itself underneath her legs and the other around her back.

His boots trudged across the deep snow, as he tucked his chin against CC’s face. Slowly, he walked, his muscles ached with every step. The minutes went by sluggishly and to his eyes it didn’t seem like he was making much progress. He was tiring and it had been so long since he heard CC speak.

No, this can’t be. It can’t end like this. Please, not now, he prayed. His thoughts scampered to the many moments he shared with this beautiful woman he carried in his arms. His eyes desperately looked around for a miracle. Everything was so white. Niles swallowed the lump of worry in his throat and squeezed CC even closer. The cold began to seep into his bones and a shudder went through him. He pressed on.

As the long minutes went by, Niles felt so weary, so bone weary. Maybe it would be okay to rest for a moment, he thought to himself. Just a moment, that’s all. His footsteps slowed. But he knew, down deep he knew, once he stopped. Once he placed CC down, that would be it. He wiped his eyes against her hair and took one more grave look around. His eyes widened.

"CC," he softly asked, his lips chapped with cold, "are mirages possible in the snow?"

Not expecting her to answer and with his last reserve of energy, he turned left and walked on. It almost seemed like it had to be a mirage. What looked like a cave, seemed to be close, only to dance farther away a few minutes later. Niles looked down at CC’s closed eyes as she trembled and with a determined resolve, he managed to speed up until finally they reached it.

Carefully he stepped inside and leaned her gently against a wall and sat beside her with a moan, his head against the hard rock wall. It felt delicious. Even better than the pillow in his room. He took long deep breaths, his eyes closed with fatigue. He licked his lips and winced at the pain before turning to check on CC. He slid closer and nudged her face nearer.

"CC…" he softly spoke, "Everything will be okay. Wake up. You need to wake up." He took her gloves off and rubbed her fingers between his hands.

She opened her eyes and stared at his snow-covered hair as he ministered to her.

When he saw her fingers wiggle, his eyes snapped to her face and they shared a small smile. With a groan, he slowly rose up and inspected their surroundings. It wasn’t really a cave, more like a crevasse in the hill. His back was stooped to prevent hitting his head on the low-lying ceiling. They had about four feet inside in which to navigate and lengthwise it was about the same. Still, it blocked them from the snow. Now all he needed to do was get them warm.

Niles patted his pants pockets and pulled a lighter from the left side. His thumb flicked it open and a small flame appeared before he snuffed it closed with the lid.

Through it all, CC sat quietly and watched him. His shoulders and chest filled out his gray sweater quite well, but it was more the man than his physical features that she was appreciating. He seemed so determined. She knew she owed her life to his dogged resoluteness in not allowing the elements to beat them.

"Where are you going?" she asked as he stepped pass her.

"I’ll be right back. I’m going to look around for some sticks and such," he turned away.

"Wait! Niles…" her voice dull with fatigue, sharpened to get his attention.

He looked at her curiously.

"You can’t go out like that. Here, help me take this off." Lethargically she reached for the zipper.

He put his hand out, "No, you need that-"

"You need it more," CC replied sternly.

Their wills clashed, both determined to get their own way. The loud howling of the wind escalated outside, ending the silent argument. Niles sighed and helped her off with the jacket.

She watched him put it on and zip it tightly. His eyes suddenly lit up and from inside the breast pocket he pulled out a chocolate bar and quickly handed it to her. Then he ducked his head down before it bumped against the rocky ceiling, and turned away once again to step outside.

"Niles?"

He slowly spun towards her.

They shared a soft look. He nodded and left.

CC watched as the storm seemed to swallow him up and she closed her eyes and did something she hadn’t done since she was twelve. She prayed. Her fingers tightly gripped the candy bar in her hand as her eyes searched vainly for his form.

The seconds ticked by, slowly turning into minutes and still no Niles. The minutes connected from one to the next, making the wait interminable.

He’s going to freeze out there if he doesn’t come back soon! Where is he?!

CC looked at her watch and shook her wrist. "Weatherproof my ass!" she remarked as she stared at her watch angrily, the hour and minute hands inside hadn’t move.

"There’s not enough tarp in the world to cover it, Babcock," Niles grinned as he stepped inside. His arms full of kindling.

"Niles!" CC exclaimed happily, then followed it with a terse remark. "It’s about time, you boob. I’m freezing."

Niles chuckled as he dropped the twigs and stomped his boots on the ground, to speed up his circulation.

"Come here," she ordered.

His forehead furrowed, but he walked over and kneeled in surprise as she rubbed his arms, her hands stroking back and forth. He couldn’t help but close his eyes at the pleasant feelings it brought. His eyes snapped open, when he felt her pull his gloves off. Her fingers massaged the back of his hand as her thumb kneaded his palm. Then she did the same thing to his right hand, her eyes on the job she was doing, avoiding his reaction.

When her fingers finally stilled, he slowly pulled away and gathered up the campfire material that he managed to find.

"Um…here," CC handed him the candy bar.

"You were suppose to eat that while I was gone."

"I’m on a diet."

"Well, I’m on a no Babcock diet, but sometimes even the best plans are dashed." He remarked, hiding his smile as she rolled her eyes at him. He took the sweet, broke it in half and gave the other part back. "Eat," he said brusquely.

He took the wrapper, placed a piece of it on the pile, flicked his lighter open, bent down and carefully blew at the sticks, pine needles and paper. His hands prudently blocked any wind that may enter and ruin his efforts.

"Come on," he urged as he pushed the pine needles closer to the lit paper and pursed his lips, measuredly blowing. The needles were wet and the job seemed hopeless.

CC held her breath, not wanting to accidentally wreck what could be their only chance at some comfort.

Niles carefully added a bit more paper to it and his breath fanned the little fire until it began to grow and gather into a bigger flame. He added twigs and sticks, and before long a nice blaze of heat was before them.

He turned and beamed proudly at CC.

She covered up her delight and asked, "Did you bring something to cook?"

Niles glared at her. "I’m sorry. Between the blizzard and possible avalanche, I forgot to stop at the grocery store next to the big rock."

"Looks like they didn’t teach you anything at that big fat butler school you went to," she remarked as she nibbled on her candy bar. "What did all you future Mr. Frenches do to relax – hold contests to see who could fold a napkin into a swan the fastest?" she chortled.

Niles sat next to her, leaning his tired body against the wall. "I suppose you’re telling me that you and your débutante compatriots were a bunch of party animals? I can see it all now. There you all sat, perfectly poised and coifed, discussing the merits of some chap named Chas or Milton the Third. Hug hugging and kiss kissing one another. Yeah, some fun." He bit into his candy.

"That’s not all we did!"

Niles laughed. "You mean I was right?!"

"Stop laughing."

Her annoyance made him laugh even more.

"Okay, maybe I did do that," she relented, "but it was a ploy so that at night my friend and I could sneak out the window, shimmy down the vine-covered trellis and into town."

Niles stopped mid-laugh. "You what?! What on earth would you do there?"

CC shrugged. "We would catch a flick, buy a magazine at the drugstore."

"Thrilling."

"Most of the time though, we would make out with these cute guys that we picked up at the movie theater."

Niles stared at her in surprise. He had a hard enough time picturing her Batgirling her way down an ivy-covered wall. But the idea of her kissing some strange boy, even though he knew it was years before they knew one another, filled him with jealousy.

"Hold the phone. You had a friend?!"

CC scowled. "Her name was Andrea Frentzen and she was my best friend. Until she got herself pregnant by some townsboy and decided to keep the rugrat. They got married and last I heard, her husband wrote for the local paper. Glengary Gazette or some stupid thing like that. What a waste," she shook her head.

"Were they happy?" Niles asked quietly.

"Hmm…?" CC was still lost in her memories.

"I asked if they were happy?"

She shrugged. "I don’t know. I suppose so."

"Then that’s all that matters isn’t it?"

CC looked at him as if he had grown an extra nose. "Of course not! You marry for prestige, affluence, fame. You don’t marry some poor hick and end up having your family and friends disown you."

Niles stared at her and sighed. "I’m tired. I’m going to rest for awhile. I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield will come looking for us soon."

CC watched him lay down, his back towards her as he faced the wall. What did I say? Giving his prone figure one more quick glance, CC carefully laid down, wincing at the pain that lanced her foot as she moved it. Then folding her arms beneath her head, she rested her back against the ground and closed her eyes.

The flames cast flickering shadows against the wall, illuminating the soon sleeping duo as their even breathing filled the air.

Hours later, when the only light available was from their campfire, Niles awoke. His arms were wrapped around a warm bundle. Groggily he tried to remember where he was and what was happening.

A slight mumble caught his attention and he looked down at the figure he was spooning. His fingers shook as he moved the blond hair aside. CC?! I must be dreaming.

CC mumbled once again and pushed back into him and Niles inwardly groaned as his body reacted to her closeness.

"Mmm… Niles," CC said as she slept.

Niles swallowed hard as he willed himself to wake up from this wonderful, but tormenting dream. It had never felt so real before. And her clothes never stayed on this long before either.

"CC?" he quietly spoke, waking her up.

She turned dazedly up at him, "Hmm…?"

She breathed into his neck, his voice shook, "W-weren’t you farther away when we fell asleep?"

"Sscold," she muttered intelligibly. "Don’t let it go to your head," she then remarked sleepily.

A risqué retort almost escaped his lips, when she snuggled back into him and he struggled to withhold yet another groan.

"Don’t tell anyone or I’ll squash you like a bug," she quietly threatened and closed her eyes.

Now he knew he was awake. Dream CC would have made a remark about his virileness, torn off her clothes and straddled him by now.

His eyes cast about. The craggy interior filled in the gaps of his memory. That’s right, we’re stuck here. His arm tightened around her and she made a sound of contentment.

"I thought I had lost you," she whispered.

Did he hear her right?

Niles moved a bit until she lay flat on her back, he drew his elbow up and looked down at her. He was hypnotized by the anguish in her gaze.

"I thought I had lost you too," he replied slowly, remembering the interminable time he suffered through as he looked for her and then found her still, prone figure.

They both fell silent as they stared into each other's eyes, the distress of the past few hours slowly faded away to be replaced by other, more disturbing feelings.

"Niles…" she whispered longingly, her fingers strongly gripped the front of his jacket, pulling him towards her.

"CC, don’t…" he replied, his voice almost a croak. The desire he could see on her face stole his breath away. Never had he considered that his feelings for her would be reciprocated - never but in his wildest fantasies, at least. Yet here she was, lying next to him, giving every evidence of wanting him as much as he wanted her. But the chivalry inbred in generations of Englishmen prevented him from taking advantage of someone so obviously upset and distressed. "You're not thinking clearly."

"Don't tell me what I think, Niles," she replied as she flattened her palms and pulled his zipper down. And then hers. "I know myself better than anyone..."

He groaned as she slipped her hands around his waist underneath the jacket and pulled him towards her. He could feel the soft mounds of her breast. "CC, we can't..." he replied, even as his arms tightened around her.

"Why not?" she whispered, raising her head to trail kisses down his neck.

She was going to use him like she used the past men in her life. He wanted to be different. He wanted to be special to her like she was to him. Niles looked down at her and opened his mouth to speak.

She gazed up at him, eyes shining, lips slightly parted, soft and swollen with the evidence of her passion. All logic and rationality flew from Niles' mind as he moved infinitesimally closer, hypnotized by her beautiful eyes. "CC," he breathed.

He brought his lips down to meet hers, tentatively at first, but then more assertively as he became caught up in a wave of desire. He crushed her to his chest, knowing that she craved more than soft touches. His tongue plunged into her mouth and he savored the hot, wild taste of her. She squirmed against him as she attempted to get closer, and the feel of her taut derriere in his hands was nearly his undoing. Groaning, he tore his lips from hers and looked down into her dazed, hungry eyes. "CC, are you sure?"

Her answer was another deep, ravenous kiss. The rational, logical part of his mind vanished beneath the burning flames of their mutual desire, and all coherent thought ceased.

It took all the willpower that Niles possessed, but he somehow managed to tear his lips from hers, all the while averting his eyes to avoid seeing her face. He couldn't believe that a kiss from her could affect him so, but CC really knew how to kiss. He stifled the jealous irritation occasioned by that thought.

"Niles-"

"No," he managed to get out through clenched teeth.

"No?" she asked starting to get annoyed. Then she leaned forward and lightly nibbled his neck.

He groaned. "Don’t. We shouldn’t CC."

"Why the hell not?" She tilted her head back to look at him, and he finally managed to meet her gaze. The naked, eager passion in her eyes was nearly his undoing. She licked her lips in an unconsciously provocative gesture. Or perhaps it was conscious?

"Because you’ll regret it. Come morning, you’ll hate me even more."

"Why would I regret it? It’s cold, Niles," she dragged her fingers underneath his sweater.

Niles shivered at her intimate touch.

"I’m a big girl. I can admit that I want you," she kissed his jaw, "and I can tell you want me," she looked suggestively down at the evidence.

It took all of his strength, but Niles managed to push himself away and walk to the small remaining space to separate as much as possible from her. "There’s someone else."

CC felt a stab of jealous rage. "Who? I don’t recall you dating anyone lately."

"You don’t know her," he replied quietly as he stared into the fire, throwing twigs into it.

"Your loss," she retorted spitefully before turning over, away from him.

Isn’t it always, he thought darkly.

A long silence filled their small shelter.

There was someone else. The CC he envisioned in his mind all these years. The one who would look at him with love in her heart as well as lust in her eyes. He wanted it all, the whole package. Niles held his head in resignation as he sat down without looking. His mum always did say he was a dreamer.

The coldness penetrated his sleep and Niles shivered awake. The fire was gone and he swore at himself for the lapse. On his side he scooted closer, pulled his lighter out and did the whole long, precarious process all over again.

CC covered her eyes with her hand as the dawn’s brightness squeezed in under her lashes, waking her from an uncomfortable slumber. She had slept much better earlier, although she refused to admit to herself why that was. She lay quietly, watching beneath her lashes. Niles was so capable. People naturally gravitated towards his warmth and humor.

In a few moments, a fire blazed forth, another sign of his clever efficiency. She observed him as he stood up and walked towards the entrance. He cupped his palms and blew into them before crossing his arms and burying his hands in his armpits. CC admired his physique once again in that soft gray ski sweater. Her eyebrows knitted and she glanced down at his jacket tucked around her body. Damn. Why does he have to be so thoughtful?

And then other thoughts tumbled in her mind. The same thoughts that prevented her from a fitful sleep. Who was he seeing? What did she look like? And why did she have this deep-seated need to scratch her eyes out?

Niles heard movement and he looked behind and watched CC sit up, his jacket falling down to her lap. She stretched her arms up and he turned quickly away before the sight could affect him. His watch told him it was six in the morning. He was sure that they would be rescued soon and then he could put this whole debacle behind him.

CC felt emptiness. A half of a candy bar could only go so far, she thought. That’s right CC, convince yourself that it’s food you want.

She called out to Niles, hoping he might have another squirreled away. A surprised look overtook her face. She raised her hand out to Niles. Still nothing. Panic began to set in. Her fingers picked up one of the many rocks on the ground and she winged it at him to get his attention.

Niles jumped as he felt the projectile him in the shoulder. He strode angrily towards CC and stopped short as she grabbed her throat with both of her hands. Now, what’s wrong with her, he wondered. She can’t be choking, unless she had extra food that she didn’t share with him. He wouldn’t put it pass her to do something that heinous.

CC grabbed her throat again with her hand and gestured with her other.

Niles looked at her oddly, and then he figured it out. She had laryngitis! She lost her voice! It was just too priceless and Niles opened his mouth to laugh. Only no sound came out.

CC’s mouth gaped open in glee at the startled look on his face. A smug look appeared on hers. Niles with no wit to repartee with. Perfect! She watched as his Adam’s apple bobbled up and down as he tried to get his voice to cooperate. A small gasping sound escaped instead. It made him sound like an airhose.

He turned to look at her and tears rolled down her face, as laughter twinkled in her eyes. He threw her an annoyed look as he paced around, only he forgot to duck.

CC rocked with more mirth as he exclaimed silently, his hand rubbed the top of his head.

Niles sat down near the fire and cursed at the situation he found himself in. His head filled with four or five good zingers and he couldn’t use any of them on her. Plus his shoulder throbbed. That woman had some arm. He peered over at her where she sat.

CC caught his eye. With a goofy look on her face, she mimed like she was walking and suddenly slammed her head on an imaginary wall. Then she grabbed her sides and laughed silently some more.

Niles’ grounded his eyes at her, his lips pursed in displeasure and then suddenly, it extended in joyous gratification.

When she looked at him again, she felt her mouth go dry. An evil grin slowly lit upon his face. It grew and grew until it overtook his whole countenance. He bore a striking resemblance to the Grinch from the Dr. Seuss book. Lines from the story sprang to her mind.

‘Then he got an idea!

An awful idea!

THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!’

She watched as he jerked his boot in front of himself and with exaggerated precision, he began to untie it. His fingers pulled the laces from the top five eyelets and then tugged the tongue down. Her face grimaced in horror as he wrenched his very fragrant sock-covered foot from the confines. CC turned her head away in disgust as the odor wafted to her senses.

Niles lifted his foot up and waggled his toes at her, his hands gestured beneath, fanning the fumes her way.

"You’re disgusting!" she tried to say.

Niles cradled his hand behind his ear and tilted his head towards her, pretending not to understand. He pointed at his sock and offered it to her.

She scowled. Then she began to worry as he slid the garment down, rolled it into a ball and threw it at her, catching her face in surprise. The sock bounced off her nose and down to her lap.

This time Niles grabbed his sides hard, his body bounced in soundless laughter at the look of disgust then fury that flit through her face.

Forgetting her ankle for a moment, CC took advantaged of Niles’ inattention, scooted quickly over and shoved the sock squarely on his face and held it there. Niles’ hand came up to pull it off as CC continued to squish it all over. His hand grabbed at her body and her arms flailed as he rolled her over, trapping her arms above her head. He smirked as she tried to wiggle her way out, but he was too strong. Her leg kicked up and Niles just managed to dodge it. This time he brought his entire body over hers, effectively trapping her this time.

Almost immediately their bodies reacted to their close proximity to one another. He stared down at her wordlessly for a long, endless moment. CC released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. He liberated her wrists. Her palms slid down his cheeks to caress his shoulders. Then she curled a hand around his neck to toy with the hair at the nape. He closed his eyes. CC reached up to frame his face between her hands. Niles slowly opened his eyes and gazed down into hers. She watched a pained look flash across his face. She wanted to immediately cradle him in her arms. She instead traced his eyebrows with her index finger, a rueful smile appeared on her face.

She then took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. Niles’ heart expanded with hope. Was she trying to convey what he thought? What he longed for?

CC pulled away and Niles’shoulders sagged. He watched her curiously as she looked around at the ground, searching for something. Seeing a twig nearby, CC stretched her arm out but was unable to reach it. Niles scooted over and handed it to her, his head tilted in befuddlement.

He watched as she held the stick and scratched something on the hard dirt ground.

He read it and looked at her. She who? He mouthed his face quizzical.

CC gave a sigh of exasperation and scratched a line underneath. Who is she? Then turned to look at him in annoyance.

Niles stared at her. She was angry about something. In fact, as he peered at her more carefully and noticed the way her mouth tightened, he could swear she was jealous.

CC was jealous?! His heart soared and he remembered what he told her last night. He extended his hand out and she handed him the stick. Using his right hand to cover what he was doing from her, he wrote three letters down, all the while grinning as she hit him in the shoulder for being so secretive.

The stick lay on the ground as his hand cupped his writing. CC folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. With a twinkle in his eyes, he slowly lifted his right hand.

CC read it and looked at him, her eyes still unsure.

Niles picked up the stick and drew a heart around the word.

Her eyes kept looking at him, unblinkingly and helped him come to a decision. His hand reached out to cup her cheek. His touch was light and delicate. CC responded by crushing him to her, kissing him, wanting to be as close to him as possible. Niles deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping her mouth in a blatantly possessive carnal gesture. They fell to the ground. CC moaned low in her throat and wrapped her legs around his, locking her ankles behind him.

Niles reached blindly around her, his arms wrapping her tightly to him, his vision clouded with passion. Her hands roamed over his body at will, finding all his secret sensitive places. A heady feeling of power overcame her as she realized how much her smallest touch affected the normally unflappable butler. Although the reverse was also true. But dimly she realized that he was allowing her to accustom herself to his body, and she took every advantage of the invitation, driving him wild with her adventurous fingers... and lips.

Behind them, Fran, Maxwell and a party of five secret service men appeared.

"Hi, you guys! Taa-daa, the Rescue Rangers are here!" Fran exclaimed.

Maxwell looked in shock at his butler and business partner locked passionately in each other’s arms. One of Niles’ feet was bare. He tried to get their attention.

"Niles?… CC?"

"Umm… sweetie, I think maybe we better leave them be. They look like they survived the night."

"Yes, but will they survive one another?" Maxwell turned and gave them one more traumatic glance before allowing his wife to lead him away. The five men in matching suits and walkie talkies followed afterwards.

CC regarded Niles hotly from underneath her eyelashes. His face was flushed, his eyes dilated with pleasure as he fought to control his harsh breathing. She lay under him like in every forbidden dream he'd ever had, her golden hair splayed across the ground, her fair skin flushed and moist with desire. But something still held him back.

CC watched the different emotions dance across his features. She knew what he was thinking, the same thing she tried to convince herself against earlier. But the long night gave her much time for contemplation and she realized something. All the various men that passed through her life with all their perfectly groomed backgrounds and perfectly large billfolds proved one thing to her. There was no one who fit her perfectly from their shared hothead stubbornness to the way his tolerant and sensitive nature was the perfect compliment to her selfish impatience. Niles was perfect.

Meanwhile, Niles was trying to come up with a way to disengage himself from this madness without subjecting his groin to a quick kneecap.

CC pulled him down to her and whispered in his ear, "Niles… I-I," her voice faltered. And just as she felt him try to move away, she whispered it, "I love you."

He pulled up and stared at her. Her declaration aroused him more than the most experienced courtesan ever could. His whole body trembled. This moment was almost more than he could bear as he heard his heart hammer in his ears and was sure she could hear it also. Was she toying with me?

She took his face in her hands. "I love you," she rasped again.

Their lips met. Both of them forgot time, the storm, the fact that they were just about to be rescued. The kiss merged them into one and Niles closed his eyes and drew his arms around her, letting the fingers of his left-hand rest on the back of her head.

He nuzzled her neck, for once words wouldn’t come. Couldn’t come. He felt her body shake and he looked at her.

She was laughing silently. Then in soft tones in his ear, "I finally cause you to be speechless and I have no witnesses." Her throat hurt from forcing the words out.

"Unless you have an exhibitionist streak, it’s probably good that there is no one here but us," he rasped back, rubbing his throat with one hand.

"Poor baby," she mouthed and kissed his throat.

Jesus! Niles was never more excited in his life. And that was just a kiss. He arched his left eyebrow at her and smirked. His head turned to whisper in her ear.

CC waited in anticipation for the insult.

"Love you."

CC gasped. She knew deep down that Niles loved her. But to finally hear him say the words. It was too much. Tears escaped.

Niles’ rubbed his own moistened cheek against hers and their bodies stilled in each other’s arms, in thrall by the seemingly endless waves of pure pleasure that true love could finally bring.

"You think it’s safe to go back in there?" Maxwell asked his wife.

"Well, I haven’t heard any moaning in the past five minutes. Usually we can’t shut those two up, but when you think they’re going to be really loud, they’re as silent as a couple of lambs." A thought occurred to Fran. She grabbed her husband’s arm tightly, "You don’t suppose…?"

Maxwell shook his head and said sternly, "Fran, Sir Anthony Hopkins did not eat Niles and CC."

"You never know. Maybe he likes to shop in the frozen food section."

"Fran!"

"Okay, okay. Meanwhile, I wish they would hurry up. I want to put my skis on and swoosh over a model," she pantomimed pushing off with ski poles."

"That’s mogul, which is a snowy hill," Maxwell explained. "And you are still relegated to the beginner’s slope."

"I was right the first time. I saw how that red-haired ski bunny flirted with you yesterday. If I see her again, I’ll invert all over her scrawny self."

Max rolled his eyes and tried to peer in. "Do you think it’s safe to peek in now? I’m getting cold."

A pair of pants flew past them and landed on the hard-packed snow.

"Uh…I’m thinking no."

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