Disclaimer: We don't own any part of character of The Nanny…but if we could choose…

A/N: Well gang…the holidays have come and gone…but here's my and Ichbin's little Christmas/Hanukkah story. It's a different take on what happens after Max, Grace and CC got stuck in the snow. We did this a little differently than our usual stories…I'd do a section and then toss it to her, then she'd write some and toss it back. Let us know what you think - D

Home for the Holidays

Chapter 1

They were all gathered in the den on their second 'first' night of Hanukkah, listening to Sammy croon out "Home for the Holidays". Every so often, her gaze would cross his and they would smile shyly. This last time though, he did that cute little shoulder shake he does when he's particularly proud about a zinger, nudging her lightly, and she felt herself shiver.

Sammy finished the song and the family clapped lightly, enjoying each other's company and the safe return of Max, Grace and yes, even CC. As the applause died down CC turns to him, "That is one of my favorite holiday songs." In an uncharacteristic maneuver, mostly to reassure herself of his presence and her inability to resist his nearness placed her hand on Niles stomach. He's really here.

Niles felt the warmth of her hand on his middle and a breath caught in his throat. What the hell? "Babcock, are you copping a feel?"

"Yeah, right, you've been into the Christmas cookies, haven't you?" CC winked seductively and released her sultry laugh.

Niles couldn't help but join in her laughter as their eyes met. Thank God she's come back to me.

With one last glance CC said, "Excuse me everyone, I have presents. I mean, we can wait until Christmas, if you'd rather…"

Grace looked up at her father. "Is it ok, Daddy?"

"Of course, Grace." The children rushed to join CC at the tree. "CC, you really shouldn't have." Maxwell took a seat and Fran took her place on his lap.

CC handed the children their gifts and they tore into them immediately. CC moved back into the den. "I have gifts for everyone. Should I bring them in here?"

"Everyone?" Fran asked incredulously.

"Yes, Nanny…Fran, everyone." CC smiled genuinely.

Fran leapt up and eagerly moved to the tree. "I'll help ya." Fran and CC retrieved the adults' gifts from the foyer and returned to the den. "Here Honey," Fran handed Max the small box and returned to his lap with her own gift in hand.

After CC handed out the remainder of the gifts, she was surprised when Grace hugged her. "Thank you for the Freud Anthology, I've wanted this since I was little."

"Yeah, I really love this sweater, Miss Babcock." Maggie offered genuinely.

CC smiled softly. "Well, girls, you're both welcome." CC turned to find Brighton still staring at the gift certificate in his hand. "Well, Brighton?" Everyone looked at her slightly shocked that she knew his name.

"Is this for real?" He asked her, not taking his eyes from his gift.

CC grinned. "It's absolutely for real. Annabeth will meet you for dinner at 7 pm tomorrow night at the Russian Tea Room. The reservation is under your name."

"Sweet." Brighton pumped his fist. "I have to call the guys." He took off up the stairs.

"Uhm…CC," Max started. "Annabeth at the Russian Tea Room?"

"Oh, please, Maxwell, the girl is fifteen years old. Her parents will be there as well as at separate table." CC shook her head at her very British business partner.

XOXOXOXOX

Later that night, Fran found herself in need of a baby calming late night snack. When she stepped off the last stair, she saw Niles sitting at the table with her Ben and Jerry's. "Ya betta have a good reason for stealin' a pregnant woman's ice cream, Niles."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Sheffield. I wasn't thinking." Niles slid the pint to where she waited, spoon in hand.

After plunging her spoon into the sweet confection, she caught the pensive look on her friend's face. "Niles…what's got your knickers in a knot?"

"Oh…uhm…nothing, Mrs. Sheffield." Niles stood to avoid her interrogation. "I'm just glad that everyone got home safely."

Under normal circumstances, Fran wouldn't have let that go, but tonight with ice cream in her mouth and understanding the seriousness of the situation, she let it slide for now. "So, with all the commotion with Jocelyn having to catch that last minute flight and Ma tryin' to get Sammy and Yetta into the car, I neva saw what Miss Babcock gotcha for Christmas?"

A small smile crept across his face. "Oh, it was a gold tie tack."

"Somethin' cheesy?" Fran grimaced.

"No, actually," Niles smiled at the thought. "But entirely Babcock." Niles turned toward the stairs, "Good night, Mrs. Sheffield." And he was gone before Fran had the chance to inquire further.

"Well, that was less than informative." Fran dropped another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.

XOXOXOXOX

Niles sat back against his headboard admiring the 14 carat gold feather duster tie clip, and the memory of how she'd given it to him played across his mind.

Niles stood at the bar staring down at the small box in his hand. Why on earth did she get me a gift? We don't exchange anything but insults. "I wonder if something's going to jump out and bite me." Niles grumbled under his breath.

CC shook her head at him. "Don't be afraid, Butler Boy, it's not that big a box."

"Well, alright, I suppose it's safe. You wouldn't kill me in front of witnesses." Niles sighed and carefully removed the wrapping, still not sure he fully trusted her. "So far, so good." He lifted the cover off the box and was surprised at its contents. He raised a questioning eyebrow and looked at her.

"Do you like it?" CC asked easily.

Niles smirked, "Well, it's much smaller than my other duster, but I suppose it'll do."

CC actually felt a slight blush creep up her cheeks at the very private implication of his words. "Oh, Niles," she playfully smacks him on the arm. Holding his gaze a moment longer she added tentatively, "You do like it, don't you?"

Hearing the doubt in her voice he smiled warmly. "It's lovely, thank you."

Their eyes remained locked until both, preparing to speak, were interrupted when Fran pulled CC aside to gush about her gift. "Oh, Miss Babcock…a vip shopping spree at Loehmann's! I love it!"

"What were you going to say, Babcock?" Niles questioned, wishing Fran hadn't interrupted. He sighed heavily and looked down at the tie tack again. "I wonder what it means."

XOXOXOXOX

The previous night…

CC watched as Max and Grace ran into the waiting arms of Fran. That's what love is, needing to feel that another person misses you, that another person would care if you were gone. CC didn't want to interrupt so she slowly made her way around to the back door.

CC entered the kitchen and Niles turned toward her from where he stood at the fridge. Their eyes locked, and they just stood in that moment and took each other in. Niles swallowed the lump in his throat and thought, Thank Heaven she's really alright.

CC sighed with relief. I wonder if he'd miss me? They stood, relieved at the sight of each other, each took a single step, but said nothing.

"Niles!" Sylvia blew into the kitchen ruining their moment. "Their back!" She turned and left the kitchen without realizing what she'd interrupted.

Niles smiled softly and waved his arm toward the door. "Shall we?"

CC crossed to the door. "Just follow me, Butler Boy." She returned his smile.

"Anywhere you lead, CaCa." Niles answered and followed her into the Den.

XOXOXOXOX

The next morning, CC strolled into the dining room and grabbed a piece of toast from the rack on the serving table. "Thanks for asking me to stay last night, Maxwell, but I've got to run. I've got a lot of errands to take care of today." CC started into the kitchen.

"CC…" Max stopped her. "You're joining us for Hanukkah tonight, aren't you?"

CC turned and smiled at him. "Of course, Maxwell, I wouldn't miss it."

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" Niles asked as CC entered the kitchen. "Are you late for your Coven Christmas party?"

"Now, Hazel, you know we hold that on the winter solstice." CC smirked and left through the back door.

Niles smiled as she left until he realized she didn't toss off a retort to his insult. "Hmmm…that was different."

CC blew into her penthouse like a woman on a mission. "A quick shower and I hit the streets." She laughed as she thought about what Niles might have said to that. "No time to day dream, I have to go shopping."

XOXOXOXOX

CC walked out of Loehmann's with the VIP pass in her hand. Fran will love this! CC put the envelope in her purse and headed over to the men's section. "Ok, only Max left and the whole family will be done," CC said to no one in particular, "Well, except for Niles" she sighed.

CC's little adventure in snow had given her some time to think. She decided last night that she was not going to let this Christmas go by without at least trying to show those around her how much she did appreciate them in her life. How she was going to do that had kept her up most of the evening, especially when her thoughts would only seem to focus to one person in particular.

Still now, as she had the clerk ring up an absolutely perfect and completely dull Wednesday tie for Maxwell, she still had no clue what the perfect present for Niles would be. "What does he really need? What does he want? Why can't I think of something?" CC said softly to herself as she walked through the store.

"What's that Ma'am?" A saleswoman inquired.

Realizing someone was speaking to her, CC quickly replied "Oh. Nothing really…still have one more present to get, I have no idea, and I'm running out of time."

Smiling, the woman offered, "I've always found the best presents are those that come from the heart."

CC looked at her, a spark of an idea forming at the back of her head. "You know, you're absolutely right." Thanking the woman, CC turned and walked out of the store, "Ok, so now, how do I that?" She stopped dead in her tracks. "Wait, I still need something for tonight." A grin crossed her face and she turned back into the store. "And I know just what to get."

XOXOXOXOX

Her words moved across his mind like a movie on repeating loop, "You do like it, don't you?" Niles shot up from where he had fallen asleep. Looking down at the tie tack still in his hand he says, "Why does she care?" His eyes grow large as he realizes… "She cares!" Before he could react to this new discovery, his alarm sounded the beginning of another day. "Ugh…duty calls."

Niles made his way down to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast for the family, when much to his surprise Max strolled in. "Niles, forget about breakfast! I'm taking the family on a long trip to celebrate life."

"Oh, that's wonderful, Sir." Niles turned very excited about the prospect of a trip.

Max handed him an envelope. "And you, Old man, have the rest of the month to yourself."

"I'm not sure I understand, Sir." Niles frowned now hoping Max wasn't suggesting what it sounded like he was suggesting.

Max started toward the back stairs. "You don't want to spend the rest of the holiday with us, Niles. Go visit your parents."

"My parents are taking a cruise to Greece." Niles offered quietly.

Max nodded that he remembered. "Oh right, well, you can do whatever you'd like. You'll have the mansion to yourself, no family to take care of. Have a wonderful vacation, Niles." Max clapped him on the back and headed up the stairs.

"Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir." Niles sighed and put the still unopened envelope into his pocket. He put the carton of eggs back in the fridge and took the skillet off the stove top. He grabbed an apple and headed out into the living room.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!" the whole family shouted as he came through the door. Niles was so shocked he almost choked on the bit of apple he had bitten off.

"What's all this?" Niles inquired when he finally was able to breathe properly again.

Fran rushed to his side and grabbed his arm, "You didn't think that I'd agree to not bring you along without being able to give you your gift first, did ya?"

"Yeah Niles, I wanted to see you open the present I got you too," Grace added, wrapping her arm around the other side.

The next few moments were full of unwrapping, shared smiles and a lot of hugs. Niles was quite moved by the thoughtful gifts his family had given him. Yes, they were his family now, thanks to Fran. Sure, he had always been an important part of the household, but now, seeing how they looked at him, he knew they loved him as more than the butler. A slight frown crossed his features at the mere thought of the word, creating another more depressing one to take its place. Yeah, the family that is going to spend the holidays without you.

Niles made a concerted effort to shake the mood that was threatening to fall, and joined in the bustle of getting the bags out to the car. Max, in his desire to give Niles a holiday break, had called a rental limo, so Niles wasn't even needed to take them to the airport. As he waved them off from the front door, Niles had never felt so lonely.