Disclaimer: We don't own any part or character of 'The Nanny'…but if we could choose…well, you know.

A/N: Just another little collaboration with DannyFan66. This one is about 80 percent improv and 20 percent discussed. Let us know what you think.


No More Pretending

CC was reaching over the top of the filing cabinet, precariously balanced on Max's desk chair, when Niles walked in the room.

"Caca," Niles started. "How many times have I told you the furniture in here wasn't built for your kind?"

Niles' voice startled her and she completely lost her footing. "Oh no!" she said as she could feel herself about to crash to the floor.

"Dear God, Woman!" Niles swooped in and caught CC just in time to prevent the worst damage, but not before she banged her arm on the corner of the filing cabinet. "Are you alright, Love?" Oh, shit did I just say that out loud? Niles waited for CC's cackle signaling she'd caught his slip of the tongue.

"Owww…" CC whined, "…that really hurt!"

"I'm surprised you didn't shatter completely," Niles smirked; relieved CC apparently hadn't heard his declaration. "Ice Queen and all..."

"Put me down!" Niles quickly reached the green couch and deposited CC on it none too gently. "Watch it, Hazel!" CC barked at him.

Niles glared down are her, secretly thanking God she wasn't seriously injured. "I just saved you from breaking your skinny chicken neck…you could at least say thank you."

"Thank you?" CC looked at him incredulously. "Thank you?!" She repeated more loudly. "The only reason you had to save my neck is because you put it in danger!"

"Me! Are you insane! Why am I asking you, of course you're insane." Niles turns to leave. "Next time I'll let your well padded backend cushion your fall."

"Don't let the door catch yours on the way out!" CC shouted to his back as he left the room. She was pacing the office floor rubbing her elbow as she fumed about what had just happened. "The nerve of that...that Servant!" she muttered. He's the one that caused me to lose my footing. If he hadn't startled me, I would have been fine.

Niles stormed up the hallway to the French doors leading to the terrace. "I can't believe I almost got myself caught." He sighed softly and made his way carefully around to peek into the office and check on CC. "She's really upset. I wonder why?" Niles leaned back against the wall out of sight and ran his digs over in his head. Chicken neck, padded backend…nothing too harsh. Niles shrugged and made his way back to his kitchen.

CC was still running what had just happened over in her head. She'd be loathe to admit it, but she was really happy that Niles had caught her. She knew that it wasn't really his fault that she fell, he was just bugging her like usual. Of course, I'll never tell him that. She chuckled to herself.

For a brief moment she let herself remember the feeling of being enveloped in his strong arms and she shivered. "God, it's Niles, get yourself under control CC!" She admonished herself. Well, you did enjoy it. Came that other voice that also lived inside her head. "No I didn't!" She spoke firmly to the empty room, hoping that if she did, *that* voice in her head would leave her alone. No such luck. He was concerned about you! *It* said. "Niles?" CC questioned the room again. "Where were you when he made his stilly Ice Queen shattering comment?" What about before? "What do you mean, before?" Think, CC… was all *it* would say.

CC sat with a confused expression on her face as she replayed the whole scene slowly in her head. The minute she heard him say 'Love', she bolted looking for him. "Niles!?"

"Whaaaat?" Niles yelled from where he stood in the hall dusting.

CC hadn't expected to find him right outside the office door, so she wasn't able to stop in time and crashed right into him. The collision sent them both toppling over onto the floor.

"Are you trying to kill me?" Niles looked up into the pale blue of her eyes which were barely inches from his own. He desperately hoped that this odd and very close proximity to her wouldn't cause any 'reaction' that could give him away.

"If I wanted to kill you, Lemon Fresh, believe me, you'd be dead." She retorted, pushing herself off him and heading back into the office.

Niles sighed and let his head roll to the side before dragging himself up off the floor. After dusting himself off, he followed after her. "Miss Babcock, you called me earlier, did you need something?" Niles stood and waited for her response, almost contrite.

Caught off guard by his request, the reason she had gone hollering after him came right back to the forefront of her mind. A puzzled look crossed her face as she started to speak "Yes, it was about before, when you caught me." Having him looking at her made her feel slightly off balance and her courage left her. "Never mind, Niles." She turned away and said, "You can go now, I have work to do," effectively dismissing him.

Niles turned to leave but something stopped him. "Look," he turned back to face her sighing heavily in his sudden resolve. "I'm sorry I startled you and caused you to fall, it wasn't my intention to hurt you."

"Not physically, you mean."

Niles frowned at her, not sure just what she meant. "Uhm…I…I…don't understand."

"I mean, I know that you didn't want me to fall down, that you didn't want to hurt me physically." CC didn't turn to face him, but continued rifling through the papers as spoke. "But verbally, you have no such qualms."

Niles stood for a moment speechless at her emotionless recitation. "You're kidding, right?" Niles was now growing just a little angry. "You've spent the better part of fifteen years debasing not just what I do for a living, but what and who I am as a man. But when I choose to respond in kind, I'm being hurtful. Well, this is a side of the 'Bitch' of Broadway I've yet to see." Niles left the office leaving behind him an angry wake.

CC stood looking at the empty doorway where Niles had just been. In all the years she had known him, this was the first time she'd felt he was really angry with her and it wasn't just part of 'their game'. What do I do now?

Niles stood at the stove watching the special stew he was preparing simmer. "I just don't believe her." He spoke softly to the empty room, more hurt really than angry. "I've loved her for so long that I can't barely say my own name without putting 'and CC' on the end…at least, in my head." Niles allowed the visions of their times together to drift past his eyes. The sparring over Nanny Fine after she'd just arrived. CC snuggling into him when they were trapped at the Fine's. The look in her eye when she'd caught him doing his risky business dance. Niles shook he head free of his visions. "What do I do now?"

"Niles?" CC asked hesitantly, walking through the kitchen door.

He felt himself visibly flinch at the soft sound of her voice. "Yes, Miss Babcock?" Niles answered without turning.

"I didn't mean to imply just now that you've said or done anything in the past that I was undeserving of." When he didn't turn around, she backed away to the door again. "And though I've definitely said different before, I'm hoping that you know I truly believe Maxwell could have done much worse for a Butler." CC waiting just a moment and then headed back to through the swinging door to the safety of the office. Geez, I am getting soft. She chided herself, I just apologized to the help.

Niles remained at the stove for several minutes. That's it then. I'm even more a fool than I thought. She actually took the time to come all the way in here to reiterate that I am nothing more that Maxwell's butler. Niles finally, after taking a deep breath, and turning down his stew, strolled his way back into the office. "Miss Babcock, I wish to put your mind, such that it is, at ease. Thank you."

CC didn't even try to feign interest in the papers on Maxwell's desk; instead she looked at him dead on in utter confusion "What are thanking me for, Niles?"

"For opening my eyes." Niles started confidently. "All this time I've been such a fool. Desperately trying to discover who I am and just what I'm capable of. I'm nearing fifty years old and still hadn't found the answer. Yet, in barely one single sentence you managed to sum up my existence. A butler." Niles didn't wait for a response. He turned and moved quickly to the front door and was out in the street before CC realized what had happened.

"Wa-at? Wait Niles! That's not what I meant," CC called uselessly as she tried to catch up to him. She had only reached the living room when she saw the front door slam shut. Now you've done it, CC. "What I should have said is that I hope Maxwell realizes how lucky he is...to have you," she stated quietly.


Niles opened the door to Jack's as he'd done many times before. Usually it was to retrieve CC after one of her drunken binges. Niles and Jack had an arrangement of sorts. Jack would throw a Superbowl Party and Niles would do all the food for him, provided Jack called Niles anytime CC was in the bar and headed toward a stupor.

"Hey, Niles!" Jack called from behind the bar. "What brings you in today?"

Niles took a stool. "I just needed somewhere to go, Jack. Mind if I sit here and nurse a drink for a while?"

"Hell, no! Let me get it and I'll ya can bend my ear if ya want. Mineral water with a twist of lime, right?" Niles nodded in response and Jack made quick work of getting his drink. "Ok, buddy, now what's got your panties in a knot?"


CC was sitting in the office, staring blankly out the terrace doors holding paperwork in her hands when Maxwell walked in. "Oh good, you're here. I was just speaking with Philip Marshall about the set designs for the new play and..." Maxwell stopped, realizing that CC hadn't even budged. "CC?" Still getting no reply, Max went up to her and touched her shoulder. "CC?" he asked a little louder.

"Oh, Maxwell, you startled me!" she jumped.

"Is anything the matter?"

Looking up at Maxwell, the object of her quest for so long, she realized that although she found the grey streak appealing, and he eyes did have a certain sparkle, looking at him didn't take her breath away. Though they would make a perfect couple on paper, there was no spark, no pizzazz, no...fire. Standing up quickly, she almost knocked Maxwell over. "Maxwell, I'm sorry...I have to go."

"What? We have work...CC!" He shouted, but she was already out the door.

On the front stoop, CC took a deep breath. "It can't be that I...that I...oh my, I need a drink!"


Niles told Jack everything. How he had long harbored feelings for CC, which to be honest, Jack already knew. He confessed that he felt unworthy and she only served to make it worse each and every day by reminding him of his 'low station' in life. "What am I to do, Jack?" Niles finally asked.

"I don't know, Niles. But you'd better come up with something fast, she just walked in." Jack whispered.