Written In the Stars

by

-- justanotherfan2
(ysublime_soul@yahoo.com.au)

The dark night sky loomed ahead of them like an empty page. Niles and CC were quietly glaring at each other thinking the other was responsible for this mishap. If it was not for this idiot, why would they in the middle of a cruise with the Sheffield family and Fran, during the grand ball yet, where everyone was enjoying themselves in the golden lights, would they be drifting farther and farther away from the bright, beacon like ship in this dingy lifeboat….

“Niles you ass, you better not slack off now,” yelled C.C. to a Niles who was frantically pulling at the oars hoping to get the boat to move towards the ship.

“You seem to be slacking enough for the both of us, wouldn’t you say?” he mumbled under his breath watching her taking a swig from the water bottle, from the stored supplies of food and emergency equipment in the boat.

“What was that?” yelled CC narrowing her eyes at him.

“Miss Babcock, we would do better if you could get the other two oars and start rowing…” Niles suggested.

“Ha, servant, that’s what you’re here for. Besides that, the last 15mins of rowing I did has exhausted me completely”.

Niles gnashed his teeth silently.

C.C. nonchalantly pulled the blanket over her sleek black gown but the nippy night air forced her to draw the now crumpled lifeboat cover as a sheet over the thin blanket.

Niles sighed as he watched her close her eyes. He was sure it wouldn’t be long till someone noticed them missing. Well, at least him, who even on his holiday had to be at the beck and call of the family.

He did not feel particularly comfortable; he was still in his tuxedo. His jacket sleeves were pinching at the elbows with the effort he was putting in the rowing. His bow tie was in disarray, leaning to the left over his shoulder and the cummerbund was just about to give away in the vigorous motions of his stomach muscles.

Looking at the wide expanse above him he sighed, “There was nothing else left to happen, was there? To make me even more miserable!!”

He looked enviously at C.C. cowering under the blanket and the lifeboat cover.

In an hour he began to notice the heaviness in his arms…

He promised himself that he would leave the oars and shut his eyes just for a moment, just a short snooze and then get back to the task at hand. Saving them.

***********

When Niles woke up, it was dawn, a beautiful morning. If not for the precarious situation he was in, he would have liked to share this view with someone special. He shook his head, forcing himself out of his reverie, all he had for now was her, and looking at her in such deep sleep, it didn’t look like she was going to awaken anytime soon.

He gently touched the red, sun kissed waves with the oars. Now that he had resigned himself to the situation, he was suddenly able to relax more. The salty sea air that had stifled him the previous night now seemed surprisingly refreshing.

Niles felt the rhythmic effect of the oars upon the water have an unexpected effect on CC. In a gentle dream of hers she began to smile noiselessly in her sleep.

Niles genuinely thought to himself as he gazed upon her, “When the wicked witch isn’t about to maim or belittle me, she does look beautiful”.

Abruptly, a picture of his sister’s son came to his mind. Drake, the youngest child, had a significant age difference with his older siblings and thus was pampered and spoilt a lot.

“No wonder his namesake roamed the wild seas plundering and looting ships for the bounty!” Niles laughed at himself for comparing the little tyke he adored to the English Captain and pirate of the 16^th century.

“But what excuse was there for Babcock?” he questioned the sweet air as he drew his focus on the angel sleeping in front of him. He stared a while at the never ending horizon in front of him and then back to her. How was he going to bear the suffering of the many hours in front of him, huddled so close with her?

A sound that made her wake up - fully rested and aware of the world around her.

The first thing she noticed was a broad face with twinkling blue eyes smirking down at her.

“Niles!! What are you doing here?”

“Oh forgive me my dear queen, I forgot nobody was allowed to see you before your morning ablutions…What do you suggest? I jump into the sea for a quick swim, while you get ready?”

“Niles you filthy rat, I meant what are you doing leaning so close to me?”

“Well, I thought even a man such as you needs his sleep and was about to spread the discarded blanket over you, to keep you warm”.

CC suppressed the smile creeping up her lips.

“Well deckhand, your services are no longer required here, I am wide awake now”, she said stifling a yawn.

“Well as long as Captain Hook is happy!” Niles joked jovially, something he hadn’t done for a while.

Suddenly they heard what seemed like a bird’s cry.

“What the hell was that?” CC asked, clutching the blanket tightly around her.

“Miss Babcock, it is surprising that you frighten so easily from the sound of a seagull. Relax… this is real life, even though I wish you were in that Hitchcock movie rather than here with me.”

Niles grinned thinking he was clever.

Looking up in the direction he was pointing at and then turning back to him, CC replied with glaring eyes, “Can it Niles, you better save your energy for the rowing, you menial.”

Just for that Niles decided he would keep his mouth shut. His extensive viewing of adventure films had equipped him with the knowledge that a seagull was a sure sign of land being close by. But CC deserved not to know, she never appreciated him, to hell with her.

Niles pushed his lips into a pout and quietly continued rowing.

After a strenuous 45 minutes of rowing CC muttered, “I’m tired Niles…”

Niles turned back to her and was about to give reassurance when he noticed something in the distance.

He gave a small smile, “It’s alright Babs…and don’t worry, the results are showing…”

CC widened her eyes expecting an insult to leap out at the end of that sentence. But fortunately for Niles and his dearly beloved warm dry feet and hair, none came.

“Look behind you Miss Babcock, LAND!!!”

“LAND!!” CC yelled as she tried to stand up and raise her tired arms in victory. Almost throwing both them and the tiny boat into the open mouth of the sea.

“Calm down and relax Miss Babcock!” Niles growled.

She laughed at his sudden grouchiness as she adjusted herself back into her seat.

She smiled questioningly.

“I’ve been rowing night and day since the last evening and you haven’t once asked how I’m doing”, he said dropping his shoulders.

CC suppressed a giggle. She knew he was exaggerating, but the shrewd business woman in her knew she had to give him credit for working harder than she had at this particular venture; at least to convince him to continue with the effort.

“No my ancient mariner…I didn’t”.

She cleared the amused expression from her face and sighed gently before asking, “How are you doing?”

“My arms are aching, I need a break and I will not row until then!”

“Suit your self, Niles” said CC as she commenced rowing, filled with a new enthusiasm since sighting the shore.

Niles was back to his old self again after the next 10 minutes.

The silence in the boat was a comfortable one as two pairs of arms worked two sets of paddles against the dancing, rhythmic waves.

***********

An hour later they were almost on dry land.

A tired and exhausted Niles jumped into the water as soon as the boat moved into the shallow water and hit sand.

CC stood up in the boat in shock as she tried comprehending what was going to happen.

Niles seeing the uncertainty winked back at her and with his bare hands pulled the boat with its lone passenger to the shore.

As soon as their feet touched the moist sand of the beach, two grateful souls held each other by the elbows and did a silly jig under the morning sun.

“Yay, we did it!!” bellowed Niles.

“Oh…I’m so happy Niles, I could just…” and grabbing him by the shoulders kissed him.

The happy moment felt so natural to Niles that he immediately responded.

As she pulled away from his hesitant lips, she commented, “Jees Niles!! You haven’t been kissed in a long time, have you?”

Niles observed her and smirked, “Not by a fork tongued serpent, I haven’t!”

CC rolled her eyes at him.

She knew he had enjoyed this kiss. Ha! Come on! this man was a domestic and knowing his social life…he hardly got around…

That this train of thought led to her opponent’s personal life distressed CC a little.

But what annoyed her even more were the pleasant feelings her just kissed lips were conveying to her mind…

As suddenly as that she was sullen again.

Niles read her thoughts, and before she could utter another word, he had his own announcement to make.

“Miss Babcock, again, do not think that just because we are on this island together, I will be attending on you hand and foot…You see, until now I had a responsibility towards you as my fellow man. But this is where it all ends”.

Niles was about to mentally congratulate himself on his false but dignified statement when he saw a smile creeping up the dragon lady’s face.

Looking into his frustrated face she laughed.

“Of course not Niles, I wouldn’t dream of depending on your poor service skills just because Maxwell does!! I’ll pay someone better to do it!!”

Niles’ puzzled face followed her eyes to where she was looking directly behind him.

Two young surfers were walking towards them with their boards. They were both muscular and tanned and started to trot when they realised the visitors from the sea had noticed them.

“Hello! You both look like you had a rough night! Are you guys okay?” the wavy brown haired man in his late twenties asked.

Niles and CC meekly nodded.

“Where are we?” CC screamed hoarsely.

“Oh, you’re on Sea Star Island!!” he exclaimed.

“We’re tourists ourselves…” the other man explained.

“Maybe we should get you to the local hospital and then you could check in with the tourist office”.

“And also, a good breakfast might do you both a world of good!”

CC was smiling at the hazel eyed man who gave her his arm.

As they walked away from the beach Niles couldn’t help noticing the way CC leaned into the man.

She herself didn’t notice, but Niles knew the man did, as his questions on her welfare, which CC in her tiredness politely answered, got more and more tender.

Niles kicked off a little sand with his left foot as he trailed behind them, walking next to the second man.

“Dude, do your shoes hurt?”

Niles just groaned.

By afternoon they had booked into a hotel and were lying in their respectful rooms.

The tourist office had gotten in touch with their ship and conveyed the message to Maxwell and Fran. To their good fortune, the ship was about to dock at that same island after two days. Maxwell expressly insisted that they both be taken very good care of and all expenses would be handled by him later.

Niles was quietly looking at the rich bottle green ceiling. The decorative green and gold blades of the overhanging fan took him back to a kiss with CC a year earlier.

***********

The recollection had managed to relax him.

Niles’ eyes were drowsy now…the silence around sucked him in and cradled him in her arms as he fell asleep.

***********

It was evening when he awoke. He decided he had just enough time for a shower before meeting CC at the Coconut Hut downstairs for dinner.

He groaned as he looked at the closet. He was astounded at the selection. Khakis? stonewashed jeans? He had clearly specified asking for some formal wear, something he thought the concierge could have easily provided, something he was used to wearing.

To his surprise he finally decided on the dark blue stonewashed jeans and a crisp yellow shirt. Niles liked what he saw in the mirror and thought he looked rather handsome.

CC was already at the table with the young man from the morning when he walked in. He could recognise her laugh anywhere. It was Mark who saw Niles first and waved him to come over.

CC wore a blue summer dress which gave her a soft but eloquent look. “Oh, Nilesy, how’ve you been?” she asked. Niles smirked. Mark had his hand on hers…and CC didn’t seem to mind.

Niles replied, “I’m still a little groggy, from yesterday, I think. I’ll just have a quiet dinner and retire”. He pointed to a table at the other end of the restaurant. They waved him goodbye.

CC was trying hard to keep her interest in the hazel eyes of the man across the table, but somehow she found them strangely wanting. She listened to the jokes he was telling her and laughed at them feeling nothing. She attributed it all to the condition her body was in because of the unexpected adventure the previous night. Her eyes sometimes drifted to a lone man at the table a long way from hers. He was quietly tucking away into his food and observing the people walking by on the street. She wondered what he was thinking. She sometimes thought the man had no feelings. The rare times he was warm to her, he would suddenly go cold the next moment. Maybe it was the way he was trained. Always behave appropriately according to the circumstance and the company.

She thought he observed her in his gaze but when she turned, his eyes were busy elsewhere. He should have realised that she was bored with Mark by now. Something, to her misfortune, she never was with the butler. She sighed. Mark took it as a sign of her tiredness. He kissed her hand gently and asked if she wanted to retire.

“Maybe we could meet up tomorrow morning, take a tour of the island, if you’re interested?”

“Maybe Mark,” she told him as they walked arm in arm, away towards the exit.

A man with blue eyes quietly blinked a tear away and concentrated on ordering a dessert to take him away from the scene that had enfolded before him.

A couple of minutes later, a hand patted his shoulder.

“Hey butler boy, why so glum?”

“I thought I saw you walk away with your minion…” Niles muttered.

“Oh, I was so bored, thought I would rather trade zingers with you”, she winked.

Niles’ eyes grew wide.

“Oh come on Niles, you’ve been moping like a puppy since we got settled on the island. You should have come to the evening bazaar earlier, the one Mark asked us to this morning,” she paused, wondering if she had actually seen a light dimmed in his eyes.

“Babs, just go away. I couldn’t be bothered making conversation with reptiles”.

He signed the bill when it arrived and rose to go from the table.

CC followed him quietly.

They were out in the night air in the sprawling gardens of the hotel.

The moon was a shade of copper and it slunk through the clouds as if peeping on two clandestine lovers.

“Why’re you following me Babcock? Just leave me be.”

“Niles, I’m a little worried about your mental state…the doctors gave us the all clear this morning, but I still wonder…” CC drifted.

“And why do you suddenly care, Babcock?”

CC laughed as she flicked a small moth that had settled on Niles’ right shirt sleeve, as if to decrease the tension in the air.

Being so close to him made her realise just how handsome he looked tonight.

“If Maxwell and Fran return to find you this way, they will think it’s me who’s responsible…and I wouldn’t want that buster!!”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a minute. There was nothing else to be said really. They could never really say what had to be said, there would not be enough words, the right kind of words. And there was a fatal flaw in this love story. The hero knew if all his feelings, thoughts and needs were given wings to fly into reality they would fall like moths in the fiery flame of her mind’s objections to him. The heroine could not convince herself to give herself totally to anyone, all her feelings, thoughts and needs, were hidden silently inside her, a door whose key she had yet to find.

The two tentative lovers kissed as the moon hid behind the coconut palms, abashed at their passion.

A few minutes later they were safe inside Niles’ room. Hands and buttons flew everywhere as they acquainted themselves with each other’s bodies. Lips met lips and skin met skin, as they fell into the soft cottony sheets. Niles hands were nervous and the watchband on his left hand caught in the gauzy necklace on CC’s neck. He slowed his movements and gently untangled his hand from her necklace. He felt her eyes on his face. When he looked into them he was surprised at the deep look they held. He wished she would express the thoughts they held, let them come together both in body and mind. But she wouldn’t. She immediately seized his lips to distract him. He nibbled on them provocatively but did not give her the passion she demanded. He slowly slid down to her throat and rid her off the jewelled hindrance between them and pounced upon her soft flesh.

CC wanted to be ravished by him since she had seen him off this afternoon. His eyes were always transparent no matter how much he tried to hide himself behind his pleasant voice and practised manner. The longing in his eyes was unmistakable. She didn’t know how to handle this vulnerable Niles, the Niles she had to handle when they were alone together, the Niles who was playful, mischievous, clever and witty without the cruel streak that ran through him when they had company watching.

Sometimes she had thought he was attracted to her. That she could understand, though she had never thought it appropriate to respond. But then again, most times she thought she saw more than that in his eyes, and that she could not handle, that she was scared of.

But suddenly out of nowhere they were equals. They were equals when they struggled against the waves to reach safety the previous night, equals when they set foot on this island and now equals as they set about matching each other’s passion in bed.

And then, they came in waves of pleasure, one followed by the other. Afterwards they lay spooning in their afterglow.

Niles wondered at the magic. This was definitely worth it. He would make her see, if not now, then in the future. That they were meant to be. He had not chosen his destiny, but destiny had chosen him. It was written in the stars.

As he lay holding her in the darkness he wondered what was going through that mind of hers. He pressed his lips into the back of her head and whispered, “I love you”.

CC was surprised how natural it felt to be held by him. His chest rising and falling against her back, the light pressure tickling her into a fuzzy warmth. Before she fell into a deep sleep, she thought she felt him murmuring something against her hair, but the words were indistinct.

A few hours later she was wide awake, the dream of the same invisible man who left his heady scent before disappearing.

CC noticed a man’s arm around her. She tilted her head up a bit to come in direct sight of Niles’ sleeping face. She suddenly felt all these conflicting feelings. This was wrong. She held her mouth to keep from yelling. She softly untangled herself from him, limb from limb, and sat on the side of his bed.

Niles missing the warmth of the body beside him awoke abruptly, blinking and making out images in the darkness.

“Babs, what are you doing? Come here”, he groaned.

“No Niles”.

“What?” he whispered as he sat up fully awake in bed.

“You said it, remember?”

Niles trying to keep his voice from breaking, “What did I say…?”

He did not like the freezing tone of her voice.

“That no man asks me to stay the night, after he’s had his way with me.”

Now all dressed she carefully made her way to the door.

Niles stared at the back of her as she exited. Lies, lies, all lies. After all they had been through together, the only excuse she could dredge up to leave was an old insult he had thrown at her in their old battle room of Maxwell’s office?

Her inability to accept him tugged at his heart.

Her side of the bed was still warm. Her light floral fragrance still lingered on his sheets.

He gently put his face on those same sheets.

And sobbed.

A little while later, in another room in the same hotel -

A woman held her head in her hands.

She had already showered, but she still couldn’t get his scent off of her.

***********

The next morning Niles headed down for a late breakfast. She was nowhere to be seen. In the afternoon he had decided to go for a stroll. As he walked through the still crowded bazaar, he smelt a whiff of her perfume. But when he turned around there was no one there.

As he walked back to his hotel he noticed Mark and CC arm in arm in the lobby.

“Niles, mate, hope you haven’t been lonely”, gushed Mark.

“Tell him we went and knocked on his door after breakfast, hoping he’d join us on this tour, CC!!” exclaimed Mark.

“That’s true, Niles” CC said chirpily.

“Join us for a drink, man!” invited Mark.

Before he could answer him, Mark put his free arm through Niles’ and dragged him along.

Mark went to the bar to order drinks for the three of them.

CC had lost the confident look she had, now that they were alone.

“Niles, Maxwell and Nanny Fine don’t have to know what happened…uh…last night, do they?”

“Miss Babcock, I do not believe it is any of Mr. Sheffield or Miss Fine’s business to know whatever took place last night.” His voice was pleasant, his manner cold.

CC looked away from his blue eyes; she could not bear the guilt. Hopefully he would get over it soon.

“So…Boy Wonder, huh?” Niles smirked in the direction Mark had gone.

“Let me know…Batman or Boy Wonder…who’s better?” he grinned.

Shocked by his question she blushed. “Just get out of here Niles.”

“Oh, no, not till I’ve finished a drink with whats-his-name and Mrs. Robinson”.

Just then Mark arrived with the drinks.

CC stood up.

“I’ve changed my mind, Mark, I’d rather drink outside, preferably without the company of this person”.

Mark placed Niles’ glass on the table, “Hey, you’re her friend, not mine!”

“Good Luck, Niles!” he winked, before putting his arm around CC’s waist and following her out the door.

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