Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to any of the characters of 'The Nanny.'

A/N Pretty much my all time favorite TV couple. I've been running this over in my head for a while and finally got it out. I hope you like it! Let me know...Read and review, please! - D

Snowed In

Chapter 1

"I'm not sure it's a good idea, Maxwell." CC informed him from her place on the love seat.

Max dropped his glasses onto the desk. "Why CC? Fran and I have been trying to get away for quite some time now and with the children spending this month with Sara's parents its perfect timing."

"What about the business, Maxwell? Hmmm? Has your relationship with Nanny Fine caused you to completely forget about Babcock-Sheffield Productions?" CC questioned him.

Max smirked. "Nice try, CC. Sheffield-Babcock Productions will be just fine without me for a couple of weeks." Max lifted his glasses and returned them to his face. This was usually the sign that the conversation was over.

Niles brought in a tray with tea. "Sir, will I have to accompany you and Miss Fine to…Oregon?"

"No, Niles. We're not staying at any resort. I've rented a private cabin way up in the mountains." Max smiled at his old friend. "It'll be as close to 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' as we can get. I've already had the place stocked with enough supplies for six months, just in case." Max waggled his eyebrows at Niles.

"Six months!" CC popped up off the love seat, "Why in the hell would you need enough supplies for six months?"

"Has it been that long since you've been alone with a man, Babs?" Niles winked at Max and left the office.

"CC, it's just in case. The cabin is well off the grid and we could get snowed in if there's a blizzard or avalanche. There is only one access road and if it's washed out or buried under several feet of snow we could conceivable get stuck in the cabin until the spring thaw." Max smiled mischievously.

CC rolled her eyes. "I don't understand why you can't just go to a resort somewhere."

"Fran was quite taken with our production of 'Seven Brides…'" Max explained. "She said how romantic she thought it was."

CC stood up and shook her head. "Well you'd better hope that you don't get stuck up there. We're going to have to start working on our new show next month."

"CC, I'll make you a promise. If I get stuck in that cabin with Fran and you have to handle getting 'Bedroom Window' on stage alone, I'll make you a full partner." Max extended his hand for CC to shake.

"You're on, Max." CC cackled and left the office to bother Niles in the kitchen. "Hey Hazel, did you catch that offer on the intercom?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss Babcock." Niles continued his work at the sink.

CC smirked at him. "I know how you listen in at the intercom, Niles. Max is the clueless one in our arrangement." Niles looked up. "I know of no other way to guarantee Max's timely return than it being paramount in keeping me from getting a full partnership out of him."

"I'm sure Mr. Sheffield and Fran will have a lovely two weeks in the mountains and return happier for it." Niles went back to his work.


Two days after Max and Fran arrived in Oregon Niles was chatting with his employer on the phone. "Yes, Sir. The children arrived at your former in-laws this afternoon. They seemed quite happy to be going, Sir. I'm sure they are very happy that you and Miss Fine are taking some time together. Yes, Sir. Miss Babcock hasn't….Sir? Hello? Max?" Niles checked the connection again. "Hmmm, I wonder what that was about." Niles hung up the phone determined to find the number Max had left him and try the call, when the door bell rang. Niles headed to the door.

"Hello, hello!" CC sang upon her entry. "Has Max called to talk to me yet, Niles?" Niles helped CC with her coat rather absentmindedly. "Hello? Niles?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Babcock. I was speaking on the phone with Mr. Sheffield just before you arrived and we were disconnected. I was just about to try to get him back." Niles reported politely.

CC frowned at him. "You're worried." Niles looked at her strangely. "Not one insult or zinger, you've got to be worried."

Niles looked away. "Don't be ridiculous. He probably just dropped the phone. You know Max, standing, talking and holding the phone in Fran's presence couldn't have been easy for him."

CC started into the office with Niles hot oh her heels. "Well, we'll just call him back. What did he say before you were cut off?"

"He said that they arrived in Oregon safely and they were on their way to the cabin. Then he asked if the children had arrived at Sara's parents yet, and that's it." Niles detailed the call as CC tried several times to get through to Max's cell number.

"Where ever they are, they must be out of service area. I have a contact out in that area let me call and see if she can get any information." CC was decisive and in control. Niles was oddly comforted by it.

"I'll go start a fresh pot of coffee. Shall I bring it in here or would you like something to eat?" Niles offered.

"I'll meet you in the kitchen in fifteen minutes." CC sat at Max's desk and pulled out her little phone book. Niles left her to find their friends.

When CC came into the kitchen she didn't look happy. "Niles…I got in touch with my friend in Oregon. There was an avalanche in the mountains near the cabin Max rented. They are doing a cursory air search to see if anyone got caught in it. Max and Fran aren't at the cabin so it could be they're in some hotel somewhere. I'm sure we'll hear something soon."

Niles poured two cups of coffee and placed one in front of CC. "How long before they'll know anything?" Niles had a far off look on his face. "Should I call the children?"

"Niles, there isn't anything to tell them. Why scare them? I'm sure Max and Fran are just fine." CC was finding it hard to convince herself. "Why in hell would he go off there in the middle of winter? I should've tried harder to stop them."

Niles sighed. "I'm going after them. Max wouldn't just hold up in a hotel and not call. If he'd changed his plans he'd call." Niles took off his apron and turned to head up the stairs. "Are you going to help me?"

"What the hell do you expect me to do?" CC asked.

"I expect you to hire a helicopter to haul our asses to Oregon so we can find Fran and Max." Niles spoke firmly but wasn't angry.

"I can do that, but what do we do then?" CC stood and asked him.

Niles shrugged. "I've gone to Vale with him every holiday for more than 20 years. I've taken more classes in winter survival than even I care to remember. We'll find them."

"Ok, Benson. I'll make the airport arrangements and pack. Meet me at my place in an hour." CC stood and dumped her coffee and put her cup in the sink.

"Just wait here for fifteen minutes and I'll be ready to go." Niles went upstairs. As good as his word in fifteen minutes he was back down in the kitchen dressed in jeans, a dark green turtle neck and heavy wool fisherman's sweater carrying a good sized duffle bag.

"Wow," CC started. "Is that what all the best dressed rescue workers are wearing these days?" CC smirked at him thinking how sexy he looked.

"It's the warmest sweater I've ever owned. I have three." Niles held up his bag. "Come on, Babs, we need to get your stuff and get to the mountains." CC followed the new take charge Niles to the front door.