A/N: I totally got this idea from Last Chance Harvey. "Different way to meet" stories aren't really my cup of tea, but occasionally I like to write one. So without further chit chat...
Disclaimer: I do not own The Nanny, or any of it's characters. Nor do I own Last Chance Harvey.
Bickering Strangers
Chapter 1
kateandharvey
As Niles Brightmore entered a cab at the airport, he watched in amusement as a woman looked for her missing limo. She screamed, and fumed... Clearly having ordered the limo in advance, and now it was nowhere to be found.
Quietly, he chuckled to himself. Getting out of his cab, Niles walked over to the woman, who was currently screaming at an airport employee.
"Excuse me." He softly spoke, tapping her on the shoulder.
"You don't understand! I'm-" Stopping short at being addressed from behind, she turned.
"You're who?" He questioned her incomplete thought.
The woman would've answered, however, she was in a trance by the man in front of her. He was handsome, to say the least. Aged a little, sandy blonde hair, bright, sparkling blue eyes... She cleared her throat. "CC Babcock. What do you want?"
He chuckled, "I understand that you're missing your ride. I was just going to suggest, I'd be willing to share-"
"-Share?" She laughed, "Maybe you misunderstood, I'm CC Babcock. I don't share."
Niles sighed. "Fine then. Have a good day." And with a nod of his head, he was gone, back into his cab.
"Are you ready, Sir?" The cab driver asked.
Niles nodded, "Yes, I do-"
There was a knock on the window. There she was, CC herself. Openeing the door, she silently climbed in. She leaned forward, and rattled off an address to the cab driver. He nodded, and they took off.
CC stared at Niles for a moment, as he stared back. "So?" She questioned, "Do you have a name, or would you prefer to be referred to as 'it'?"
He chuckled, "Niles Brightmore." And he held out his hand.
Looking at it disgustedly, she just nodded.
"Where're you headed?" He questioned.
She shrugged, irritated, and rattled off the same address she had to the cab driver.
He sighed, "I'm aware. I suppose I should've said why are you going there?"
"You should have. Business."
"What kind of business?" He continued to question.
"M-Y-O-B." She responded.
"I'm sorry?" He played dumb, just to be irritating.
"Mind your own business!" And she sighed loudly, turning her head to the window.
He chuckled heartily. She turned to glare at him. "And just what is so funny?"
Her attitude only made him laugh more. "You're a trip and a half, you know that?"
She rolled her eyes, "So I've been told."
"Ma'm." The cab driver achieved her attention, "There's too much construction, and they've got an accident down near your hotel. I can't getchya there."
She sighed once again, "Look, I need to get down there, and I need to get down there soon-"
"-You hungry?" Niles questioned.
"Excuse me! Interrupting is very-"
"-You're excused. Yes or no."
She shrugged, "I'm a little famished. What's it to you?"
He shrugged. "Well you seem to be having a bad day, and my day's gone pretty much the same way... What do you say I make it up to the both of us and I buy you lunch?"
She ran her eyes down his body. "I don't eat McDonald's, thank you." And she turned back to the cab driver.
"Woah, ho!" Niles exclaimed, holding up his hands. "No need to be fierce! I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He turned to the driver, "Can you pull over up here?"
Niles turned to her, and handed her a twenty. "This should cover my part of the ride."
Confused, she frowned. "But you didn't-"
"-Can you let me out?"
She nodded, opening her door, and climbing out of the cab. Reaching into the trunk, Niles pulled out his suitcase, only to watch her also collect hers. At his look, she shrugged. "I'm hungry."
And they entered the restaurant right across the block. It was only a little Coney Island, so they seated themselves.
"So tell me," She began, looking over her menu. "Do you always decided to have lunch with strange women?"
He laughed, "Do you always have lunch with strange men?"
She smiled a little, looking back at her menu.
"I saw that." He informed her.
"I've got no idea what you're talking about." She paused, putting her menu down on the table. Leaning across it, she asked, "So are you a Jack the Ripper? Because I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me before I order."
He laughed deeply, "And just what are you saying about yourself? Something I should know?" He paused, "Because I only intend to pay for lunch."
She smiled, just as the waitress showed up.
"Hello, I'm Jessica and I'll be your server today. Do you folks know what you'd like to drink?"
"I'll have a coke." Niles told the waitress. "She'll have an iced tea."
The waitress nodded, and left to get their drinks.
CC crossed her arms. "Ordering for a lady is very unattractive."
He smirked. "I'm paying by the hour. Attractiveness isn't necessary."
She laughed loudly, "I suppose not." Their smiles were interrupted by a loud ringing, coming from CC's purse. Pulling out her phone, she glanced at the screen. "I'm sorry, excuse me."
"Hello?... Yes, hello Mother... No, I'm in England... Yes... No... I'm not sure just yet... Alright, kiss-kiss... Bye, bye."
Sticking the phone back into her purse, CC smiled at Niles. "Now, where were we?"
His eyes crinkled. "You're not on business." He stated.
Caught, she shook her head, her cheeks turning pink. "No."
"Vacation?"
She nodded, "Well...Yes."
He raised his eyebrows in silent question.
She took a deep breath. "My sister's getting married... for the eighth time... And my mother insists I be there."
"She's getting married, here? In England?"
CC nodded, "Yes."
He nodded, and the waitress came back to take their orders.
"So tell me," CC began, "Because you're obviously a native... Where are you coming from?"
"Well, you're partially right...I am a native, but I moved to America long ago. I've only come back today to visit my parents."
She smiled, "That's sweet."
He shook his head, "Not really. The last time I came to see them was... oh, probably a good year or two ago."
"Do they love you?"
"Pardon?" He was confused by her sudden question.
"Your parents. Do they love you?"
He nodded, "Yes, and I love them just the same."
She smiled sadly, "Then that's enough just in its self."
His eyes crinkled. "Your parents...?"
"Mother's vocabulary consists of my myself and I, and Daddy fades in and out as he likes."
Niles hurt for her. He didn't know, nor could he imagine, not having two loving parents. "I'm sorry." He told her sincerely, reaching across the table and taking her hand in his.
She shrugged, "You get used to it."
After their lunch, which went pretty smoothly, Niles and CC stood outside the diner, trying to part, but all at the same time not wanting to.
Niles smiled, "Well, I suppose this is it..."
CC nodded, "I suppose so..."
"Well," Niles moved his arms, "Have a nice time at your sister's wedding."
She nodded, I probably won't go... "Have a nice visit with your parents."
He smiled, and hugged her. She hugged him back, but as he pulled away, their eyes locked. Faces just inches away from each other, she whispered, "Please." And he leaned forward, letting his lips lightly graze hers. But that isn't what she wanted... She didn't know what was coming over her. This man, who she had met only a few hours earlier, had her drawn in like a moth to a flame. She moved her hand from his back to his neck, pulling his lips down harder onto her own. Kissing him fiercely, she eventually pulled away, releasing him.
Both breathing heavily, she realized what she'd done. "I'm sorry."
He smiled a crooked grin, "The pleasure was all mine."
She smiled shyly, and he pulled out a pen from his pocket. "Give me your hand." Willingly, she did. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"I don't have any paper." He said, as if that explained everything. Releasing her hand from his grip, he stepped forward, kissing her on the cheek. "Call me if you need anything." He winked, and walked away.
Glancing down at the inside of her wrist, she saw just what he'd written.
Niles
555-2236
And for the first time in a long time, she was giddy.
A/N: Alright, what do you think? Should I continue, or no? Let me know in your reviews!