Disclaimer: I don't own any of the fabulous characters from 'The Nanny'.

A/N: I've always wanted to be wooed this way...

Phantom of the Mansion

Chapter 1

Halloween Party

"I just don't see your point, Maxwell." CC tried her best to argue with Max.

Max smiled at her. "Oh come on, CC. It'll be great fun! Everyone will be in costumes and masks. It gives you a freedom, hiding behind a mask, don't you think?"

"I didn't say that I don't think costumes and masks are fun, but why a Halloween Party. It's just so been done." CC shrugged. "It's not a theme party is it?"

Max laughed. "Heaven's no, CC. You may wear whatever you like, only no business."

"No business!" CC snapped. "Then what's the point? I can't talk business with anyone?"

Max shook his head. "It's just a party for the fun of it, CC."

Niles entered the office with the tea tray. "Fun just for fun? I think that's a bit of a foreign concept for Miss Babcock, Sir."

"Stuff it, Merry Maid." CC tossed out.

"Niles…you have the night off so you better start thinking of a costume." Max explained to his friend.

CC laughed. "I'll bet he's got his Super Butler cape in his closet somewhere."

"CC…be nice. Niles is entitled to an evening of fun too." Max scolded. "I can't wait to see what Fran is wearing." Max and Niles both grinned at the thought.

"Let's just hope she doesn't decide to come as Lady Godiva…" CC laughs and Max and Niles both make silly faces like they're imagining the picture. "Alright, that's enough!" CC barked at the men.

Niles left the office and Max cleared his throat and went back to work.

When the night of the party arrived Fran had chosen to dress as a lady pirate, which was fine with Max who chose to come as her cabin boy. CC was astounded that Max would not only go along with it, but later told her he was really enjoying it. There were men and women dressed in everything from very tasteful simple costumes to very elaborate Victorian get ups. There were a few 'mascots' the NY Giants mascot and even a...ick…Barney costume.

"Nanny Fine?" CC started. "Where's Hazel? I thought for sure he'd never miss a chance to be someone else even for just one night."

Fran shook her head. "I just don't get you, Miss Babcock. I've known a lot of guys in my time…a lot. Niles is not only one of the nicest men I've eva met, he's smart, well educated, witty and a perfect gentleman. You blue bloods can't see the forest for the trees sometimes." Fran turned and left CC standing in shock.

"Hrmf…" CC shrugged. "What the hell does she know?" CC tossed back the remainder of her drink, when she heard a voice behind her.

"Is there a problem, Miss?" CC turned slowly at the resonant sound and came face to face with none other than the 'Phantom of the Opera' in white tie and tails, complete with mask, cape and black gloves.

A soft gasp escaped her. CC had decided to dress in a curve fitting sheath dress in a pale orchid color. She wore her hair swept up and kept her heels low to make managing the short train of her gown easier. The idea was to be like Eliza Doolittle from 'My Fair Lady' after her elocution lessons so if anyone pinned her down about 'who she was' she had something tell them. "Not anymore, Mr…Sir…what do I call you exactly?"

"Christine calls me Master." The deep even voice practically whispered.

CC found herself shiver at the sound of him. "Well, Christine Daae is just a child. I'm a woman."

"That's easy enough for even my eyes to see." He spoke so softly and almost painfully slow. Allowing each consonant and vowel to be fully formed and practically drip from his lips.

CC didn't recognize his voice but was taken in by the deep rich sound of it. His hair was beneath the black fabric keeping the white Phantom mask in place so she couldn't really tell the color or texture. His eyes appeared almost a silvery blue in the dim light of the mansion. "Why does Maxwell have the lights so low? He has to be some business acquaintance or maybe a backer." CC thought. In her low heels he was just barely taller than she and had nearly perfect posture. This was some damn hot Phantom that was certain. "My dear Phantom, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm…"

He cut her off. "A far more beautiful woman than ever I've laid eyes on." His soft whispering voice sent strange sensations through her and CC felt herself flush.

"Thank you, my good Phantom." CC couldn't help but be entranced by this man and she had no clue who he could be.

When the music started to play he extended his hand to her. "My I have this dance, dear lady?"

CC took his hand and they danced together as if they'd done it for their entire lives. CC breathed in the scent of him and it made her a little light headed. "Dear Phantom, have we met before?"

"Perhaps in a dream, my dear. Perhaps in a dream." His words were soft, massaging her almost.

After their dance CC took his arm and asked him. "Would you like to get some air on the terrace?"

"Where you lead, dear lady, I will follow." The depth of his voice and richness poured out and brought goose bumps to CC's skin.

They stood out on the terrace looking at the glorious full moon. "It's not every Halloween that we get a full moon." CC tried to keep herself grounded.

The Phantom stood decidedly close behind her. CC shivered slightly and he wrapped his arms around her and sang just above a whisper…

"Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation ...
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination ...
Silently the senses abandon their defenses ...

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor ...
Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender ...
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to the music of the night ...

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live as you've never lived before ...

Softly, deftly, music shall caress you ...
Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you ...
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which you know you cannot fight -
the darkness of the music of the night.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world!
Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before!

Let your soul take you where you long to be!
Only then can you belong to me ...

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation!
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in to the power of
the music that I write - the power of the music of the night.

CC was overtaken and off balance. The Phantom slowly stepped back leaving her to feel the chill of the evening. But she was powerless to move, or speak, or to turn to seek him out. She wrapped her arms around her.

"Miss Babcock?" Another familiar voice spoke from behind her. "Miss Babcock, are you alright?"

CC finally regained her composure and turned to see Niles standing before her with genuine concern on his face. "Where'd he go?" CC asked.

"Where'd who go, Miss Babcock? I just came out to get some air and you were behaving oddly. Well oddly even for you." Niles was wearing a tuxedo and had a monocle in his eye and white gloves.

CC looked around. "Where's the Phantom?" CC asked him again.

Niles frowned at her. "How much have you had to drink?"

"Nothing, Niles." CC shook her head. "There was a guest at the party dressed like the Phantom of the Opera. He was in white tie and tails like you with the mask, cape and black gloves. Not to mention he was charming and engaging...so nothing like you." CC noticed his 'costume'. "Who are you supposed to be anyway?"

"Colonel Pickering from 'My Fair Lady'." Niles raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Eliza wanna be, let's see if we can track down your Phantom. But we'd better not tell, Mr. Sheffield." As they turned to go back into the house they saw a single red rose tied with a black satin ribbon on the small table by the door. "Looks like he left you a little something." Niles lifted the rose and handed it to CC.