Round Robin Number One "Rocky Mountain Sigh" Contributing authors: Barb, Abby, Mike, Kerry, Connie, Luisa, Ari, Heather and Rachael October, November, December 1996 "Rocky Mountain Sigh" Part Two Retracing a bit, Abby adds: CC IS STILL ASLEEP UNDER THE AFGHAN. NILES TIPTOES OVER, SITS ON THE EDGE OF THE COUCH AND, MAKING SURE SHE IS STILL ASLEEP, GENTLY BRUSHES BACK HER HAIR AND FEELS HER FOREHEAD. HIS CONCERNED REACTION REFLECTS HER SERIOUS CONDITION. CUT TO: NILES ENTERS THE ROOM WITH A TRAY OF TEA, ASPIRIN, AND A WASHCLOTH. HE SETS THE TRAY DOWN, FOLDS THE WASHCLOTH IN THIRDS AND PLACES IT ON CC'S FOREHEAD. HE THEN TAKES HER WRIST AND TIMES HER PULSE. NILES Oh, my. HE TAKES HER HAND IN BOTH OF HIS AND STARES AT HER FACE, AS IF REALLY SEEING HER FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE BENDS OVER AS IF TO KISS HER FOREHEAD. SHE STIRS. HE BOLTS OFF THE COUCH AND INTO "BUTLER" POSITION, WHICH LOOKS ODD ON HIS IT'S-MY-DAY-OFF DENIM-CLAD BODY. CC (DELIRIOUS) Ohhhhhh. What happened? Where am I? Why is the room spinning? Who are you? NILES You passed out. The Sheffield's. A fever of 103. Your boss. CC TRIES TO RISE BUT FALLS BACK IMMEDIATELY. NILES Don't even think about it. HE PLACES A PILLOW UNDER HER HEAD, RE-COVERS HER WITH THE AFGHAN, AND POURS A COUPLE OF ASPIRIN INTO HIS HAND. NILES Here, take these and drink this. HE HELPS HER TAKE THE MEDICINE AND TEA. CC (SUSPICIOUSLY) OK.... what's in this? NILES Oh, please. Do you really think I'd take advantage of your pitiful condition? SHE STARES AT HIM. NILES As if. Even I have principles. And besides, it's no fun if there's no challenge. SHE SIPS THE TEA. CUT TO: NILES ENTERS AND SEES THAT CC IS SHIVERING UNCONTROLLABLY ON THE COUCH, THE AFGHAN SHAKEN ONTO THE FLOOR. HE RUNS OVER AND TRIES TO WAKE HER. NILES (URGENTLY) Miss Babcock..... HE NUDGES HER GENTLY. NILES Miss Babcock! SHE IS STILL SHIVERING VIOLENTLY, SWEAT NOW POURING OFF HER HEAD. HE STEADIES HER HEAD WITH HIS HANDS. NILES CC! HE GRABS THE PORTABLE PHONE AND DIALS FRANTICALLY WHILE PACING FURIOUSLY BACK AND FORTH. NILES (BARELY IN CONTROL) Send an ambulance! Quickly! 357 East 78th Street.... Hurry.... Please. HE TOSSES THE PHONE AWAY, RUNS TO THE COUCH, TAKES CC IN HIS ARMS AND HOLDS HER TIGHTLY, ROCKING HER BACK AND FORTH LIKE A BABY. NILES It's OK, it's OK. They'll be here any minute. Hang on.... SHE EXPERIENCES A LUCID MOMENT AND LOOKS INTO HIS EYES. CC Niles? SHE GRABS HIM WITH WHAT LITTLE STRENGTH SHE CAN MUSTER, THEN RETURNS TO DELIRIUM. NILES (PLEADING) Oh, God...... (SOFTLY) Please don't leave me. CUT TO: TWO PARAMEDICS WHEEL CC OUT OF THE HOUSE ON A GURNEY. NILES GRABS HIS COAT AND THE PHONE AND DASHES OUT THE DOOR AFTER THEM. NILES (URGENTLY, INTO PHONE) I need to reach Maxwell Sheffield right away... HE EXITS, BARELY REMEMBERING TO SHUT THE DOOR BEHIND HIM. CUT TO: NILES SITS IN THE HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM, BENT OVER WITH HIS HEAD BETWEEN HIS KNEES. THE PHONE, IN HIS COAT POCKET, RINGS. ******** BARB ADDS: Niles: Hello? Ranger: Niles? This is Ranger Redford. Niles: Yes. Yes. Did you get my message to Maxwell Sheffield? Ranger: Yes, sir, I got the message through, but there may be a problem. Just after I delivered it, it started snowing again here, and they are predicting a blizzard. I doubt anybody will be able to get off that mountain for a while, and I didn't want you to be too concerned. Did your party pack plenty of provisions? Niles: Provisions? The cabin was rented supposedly completely stocked. I assume they have provisions. Ranger: Well, I'm sure they'll be fine then. Don't worry. Just concentrate on getting your little lady well. Bye. Niles hung up the phone slightly dazed. He had to handle a sick C.C. by himself? He felt a little sick himself at the thought!! Meanwhile, back at the cabin, Max and Fran, after spending most of the night packing their stuff up, had just discovered their little problem themselves. They weren't going anywhere for at least a day, maybe more. As they stood and stared at the snow piling up ever deeper, they contemplated what they could do. Max: I really wish I could get a message through to Niles. Who ever figured that a fancy cabin like this one wouldn't have a phone? Fran: Or inside toilets!! Max: Well, it could be worse. Fran: How? About this time the electricity starts to flicker and then goes out. Max: Like that. Isn't this place heated with electricity? Fran: Well, we still have the fireplace. We can all keep warm around it. C'mon kids. This is going to be fun! Like Camp Kindervelt, well, not exactly like Camp Kindervelt, cause that was all girls and this.....well, the important thing is that we're all together! Maggie: The important thing is that it's an electric stove!! Fran: Well, we have the fireplace. Anybody know how to cook over an open fire? Brighton: Well, we did it in scouts, but, remember, that's the time you had to run me to the emergency room for food poisoning! Fran: Maybe I'll do the cooking after all. Fran and Max rustled up some hot dogs, cut some sticks and have a regular cook out over the roaring fire. Max finds an old chess board and he and Brighton settle in for a long match. The girls keep busy doing each others hair and make-up. Maggie: You know, since there isn't any heat in the bedrooms, we'll all have to sleep together out here. Gracie: Oh goody!! I get dibs on sleeping next to Fran!! Fran: Oh goody! ********* Luisa adds: We see poor Niles sitting down in the waiting room, sweat pouring down his forehead, a look of pure concern on his face.. When suddenly, a doctor comes over to him, "Hello. Are you with the woman who was just rolled into the Emergency Room?" "Yes.. How is she?!" "Are you family?" "I'm her husband." Niles hears himself say. "She... We don't know what she's got, it seems to be a rare disease, but it only comes from Africa, it's very strange that she has the symptoms... If we only knew where she got it, maybe we could find a cure." "She was just in Africa, doing some business!" Niles recalls. "Then, that's it! This information is very valuable sir, thank you! Although, the only cure is IN Africa... And, we don't have enough money here to go get it, or have a person that could go right now and pick it up..." "I'll go!" He says, without skipping a beat. "Are you sure, sir? There is a plane that leaves in about an hour. And, well, the medicine is worth $25,000." Niles sucks in a breath, $25,000?!?! But, he has the money, it's HIS money... And C.C's life... "I don't care, I'll go." "Very well then. We'll phone some people there, and they'll be waiting for you in the airport with the medicine." Niles starts dashing off, when the Doctor calls one last time. "Sir?!" "Yes?!" "Hurry, there isn't much time." And with this, Niles runs off like lightning, managing to call the ranger and tell him all about the problem... And making silent prayers for the life of C.C.... Meanwhile, in the cold, dark, and rustic cabin, the whole family is bundled up with tons of covers. Actually, with all the covers, and all the people, none of them is actually really very much cold, but Franny knows that she can't miss this opportunity, "I'm sooo cold!" She whines. "Is that so Miss Fine?" Max asks. "It's just that being next to Grace isn't giving me enough heat." Max ain't stupid either, and knows when he's wanted, "Why don't you switch places with Maggie, next to me?" "Grace, hon, do you mind?" "Um.. Well, I guess not. Are you really cold Fran?" Grace asks, obviously not wanting Fran to leave. "Dear, I think I'm getting frost bite." "OK." She agrees at last. After lots of effort, Fran finally makes it to the other side of the covers, next to Max. He greets her happily, and gives her a huge bear hug, that really gets her "warmer". After a while, all the kids fall asleep, but Fran and Max don't, they're too busy whispering sweet things in each other's ears. "Why don't we light up the fire again?" Max suggests. "Good idea, I AM cold." "Are you warmer now?" He asks, giving her a sweet kiss, complimented with a tighter hug. "Hhmm... Yeah... I'd still like that fire though." He grumbles as he gets out of the covers, and works on the fire. As Fran watches him, she can't help but stare at his tush.. And, feel that she's very lucky, too. Max gets back into the covers, and Fran greets him eagerly. "Is that better?" He asks. Fran wraps his arms around her and says, "Better than ever." he gives her another sweet kiss, and he kisses him back. After a while of playful-sweet kisses, she pulls apart, and just leans further into his chest, feeling the comfort of his arms, and never wanting to leave it... Soon after, they fall asleep, very close to each other, never wanting to break apart. ***** Ari adds: "Sir? Sir?" a disembodied voice called to Niles. He jumped to his feet, staring the doctor before him, straight in the eye. "Hello, I'm Dr. Cary," the woman introduced herself, shaking his hand. How is she?" he asked, having waken himself instantly. He had to be there for C.C. now. "She's got pneumonia. She was pretty bad when you got her in here. We've covered her in hypothermal blankets to brig down her body temperature, and I've ordered antibiotics to help her fight this off. She's young and strong. That is in her favor, but I can't really say anything till I see how she responds to the medicine," the doctor finished, somewhat apologetically. She could tell this man was looking for reassurances, she couldn't honestly give. "Can I see her?" he asked. He really should find out more to tell Mr. Sheffield, when next he got in touch with him. "I'm sorry, only family are authorized for visiting," the woman informed. For a moment his face fell, then he remember his uneasy dream. "I am family. I'm her husband," he said quickly. "According to the records her doctor faxed over, she's not married," the doctor said, shaking her head. "We're newlyweds. We eloped five days ago," Niles found his mouth saying to this healer/beauracrat. He tried to convince himself it was just all those years of sparing with Miss Babcock that made his wits so quick, and not desperation. The woman frowned, then slowly smiled a conspiratorial smile. "Okay, follow me," she said, walking away. She led him down the hall into a room, pulling aside a curtain. A nurse was fixing an IV at her beside, and looked up, smiled a practiced reassuring smile towards him, then silently walked out. He looked down at C.C., and seeing her with tubes up her nose, covered by a plastic cover and plastic blankets, he knew had cold water pumping through them, the heart machine beeping, the reality of the situation hit home again. He sat beside the bed, his knees giving way. When he looked up, he discovered Dr. Cary gone. He was alone with her, and looking at her now, his heart caught in his throat, tears slowly finding their way to his eyes. He held them back, and put his hand over her free one that lay calmly by her side. Her fingers gently moved under his palm, and he smiled slightly. Even in delirium, she fought his will. He began to fight the feelings running though him. Sappy, gentle, romantic, all for this thing beside him. To feel this way, to admit that he would run off to Africa and spend almost all his life savings to save her, as he had in his dream, would be to succumb to her designs, and to leave himself open to her almost viral disposition, which would ultimately kill his very soul like any such vapid disease. As he studied the face before him, he saw the eyelids flutter again, and her fingers gently balled up defensively. He kept his hand just where it was. * * * Abby adds: INT. CC'S HOSPITAL ROOM - NEXT MORNING NILES IS ASLEEP, HIS HEAD RESTING ON CC'S ARM, HIS HAND STILL HOLDING HERS. SHE STIRS, AWAKENING HIM. HE SHAKES HIS HEAD TO CLEAR HIS MIND, THEN SLOWLY REMEMBERS WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED DURING THE LAST 24 HOURS. HE WATCHES INTENTLY AS CC TOSSES HER HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE, HER SOAKING WET HAIR FALLING IN HER FACE. HE GRIPS HER HAND TIGHTER. NILES Miss Babcock. SHE MOANS INCOMPREHENSIBLY. NILES Miss Babcock. Can you hear me? SHE SQUEEZES HIS HAND. NILES (CALLING) Nurse! Nurse! She's coming out of it! HE PRESSES THE RED CALL BUTTON HANGING BY THE SIDE OF THE BED. A NURSE AND DOCTOR RUN INTO THE ROOM (yeah, right). THEY QUICKLY REMOVE THE TUBING AND INTRAVENOUS DEVICES WHICH CURRENTLY INVADE CC'S BODY. THE DOCTOR FEELS CC'S FOREHEAD, THEN HER PULSE. DOCTOR (TO NILES) Good news. The fever broke. I think she's going to come out of this just fine. NILES SIGHS A BREATH OF RELIEF. DOCTOR Are you the husband? NILES Uh... yes. The husband. That's who I am. DOCTOR Well, you're a very lucky man. NILES I am? (PAUSE) Yes, I am. DOCTOR AND NURSE EXIT. CC AWAKENS, LUCID FOR THE FIRST TIME. CC Ohhhhh, my head. SHE LOOKS AROUND, NOTICES NILES, AND GASPS. What the *hell* are *you* doing here? (PAUSE) Oh my God. Did we finally put each other in the hospital?! NILES No. I put *you* in the hospital. CC Lucky punch. NILES I wish. (PAUSE - THEY GLARE AT EACH OTHER) You got pneumonia, then went delirious from the high fever. Then, I called an ambulance and... voila. No big deal. SHE NOTICES THAT HE IS STILL HOLDING HER HAND, BUT DOESN'T PULL IT AWAY. CC Yes... it was. NILES A purely selfish act, I assure you. Without you around, I'd have no hobby. Just get better soon - I'm going through withdrawal. THEY BOTH CHUCKLE. CC Yeah, well... so am I. THEY LAUGH AGAIN. THEN, HE SUDDENLY LEANS FORWARD AND KISSES HER ON THE MOUTH. SHE STROKES HIS CHEEK WITH HER OTHER HAND. THEN, HE SLOWLY BACKS AWAY, AS IF FRIGHTENED. NILES Don't scare me like that again. CC I'm not going anywhere. Your life is too easy as it is. MAXWELL AND FRAN ENTER BRISKLY. MAXWELL CC! The doctor just gave us the good news! (TO NILES) Good work, old man! NILES SMILES SHYLY. CC Him?! *I* did all the work! ******** Heather adds: Fran and Max both leave to go home from the hospital, Niles is still in the room. Niles: I will not leave you. CC: Tell me something Niles, when did you ever start to care about me? Niles: Ever since.... I met you. CC : Why then, did you treat me so nasty for the longest time? Niles: I wanted to turn Mr. Sheffield away from you, so I could have you. I knew that I was meant to have you, and Miss Fine was meant to have Mr. Sheffield. CC: (Smiling) You have thought that all of this time? Niles: Ever since Miss Fine showed up at the front door. They both smile at each other, and hold hands. Fran and Max have just gotten to the mansion, the kids were all at their friends. Fran: I have no idea where all of them get this energy!! I am exhausted!! Max: Me too. Fran: I think that I am going to go and take a nap. Max: I think that I will join you.... I mean take one too. Fran: You can join me if you want. Max: I can?! Fran: You betcha, I would like to finish what we started yesterday night. Max: Would you? Fran and Max look at each other, and then run up the stairs gleefully. They arrive in Fran's bedroom. Fran: Here we are! Max: My bed is bigger. Fran: Good point! They run into Max's room, and jump on the bed. Kissing, hugging, the whole works. As soon as they have had their fun, they cuddle and just listen to each other breathe. Suddenly Max whispers: Max: Fran, I want you. Fran: You do? As much as I want you? Max: More. Fran: Not possible. She smiles at him and kisses him very tenderly on the lips. They think to each other how happy they are with each other, and that sometimes change is VERY good. Meanwhile...... CC and Niles are hugging each other as tightly possible. They both think how happy they are with each other. Suddenly Niles Whispers: Niles: I love you. CC: I love you back. Niles: You do? CC: Yep. Niles: I want you. CC: I want you right back. They smile at each other, thinking (and knowing) what happens after this. THE END ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ