Disclaimer: I do not own any part of The Nanny.

A/N: Those of us who are fans of Niles and CC, this is just another crazy story about their very strange…connection. Set in a partially alternate universe so not completely in sync with the show. Read and Review please!

Powerful Connection

"Hey, Miss Babcock, where's Niles?" Fran asked as she came down the back stairs.

"He had to go pick up Brighton, he missed his ride. Why?" CC asked.

Fran had the phone and was already dialing. "We're ordering Chinese and I'm not sure what he wants."

Fran started talking to Mr. Wong. CC closed her eyes for just a minute. "Fran…" This use of her first name got her attention quickly.

"Yes, Miss Babcock?" Fran asked with caution.

"I'd like the Moo shoo pork and fried wonton and get Niles the chicken lo Mein and crab Rangoon." CC instructed.

Fran just looked at her for a second. "Uh…ok. Yeah, Mr. Wong, add to that a large Moo shoo pork, fried wontons and a large chicken lo Mein and crab Rangoon. Ok, thanks." Fran hung up the phone. "I hope you're right, Miss Babcock, Niles has never ordered lo Mein before."

About fifteen minutes after Fran placed the order Niles and Brighton walked in the back door. Brighton walked right up the back stairs and CC didn't even notice them. She was wearing head phones and following along in a score of some sort.

Niles stepped up quietly whispered in CC's ear. "Boo!" The warmth of his words on her neck made her flush and feel dizzy. CC sat very still for a moment clearing her head. "Are you ok?"

CC nodded that she was, stopped the music and removed the headphones. "Fran ordered Chinese. So you're off the hook for dinner."

"I hope she didn't get me the General Tao's chicken again." Niles groaned.

It wasn't another fifteen minutes and the Wong's delivery boy arrived with their food. CC paid the boy and helped Niles carry everything into the dining room. "Order up folks." CC called to the family in the den. "Let's see…" CC started reading off the boxes. "The Family Feast was for the kids, right?" They all nodded. "Moo shoo pork and fried wonton, that's mine, crispy prawns and walnuts is for Fran." CC handed Fran her box. "Max got the orange chicken and fried rice. That leaves yours." CC handed the bag to Niles.

Niles sighed and lifted out the boxes. "Chicken lo Mein and crab Rangoon? Who got me this?" Niles looked at Fran.

"Hey, don't look at me, mista. I was gonna get ya the General's Tao's chicken. That's all Miss Babcock." Fran dug back into her crispy prawns.

"Ok, how did you know that's what I wanted?" Niles looked flabbergasted. "I was thinking about this exact order all the way home."

"I just had a feeling." CC shrugged and took a bit of her Moo shoo pork.

Everyone finished their Chinese and helped to clean up the mess. Max and Fran were going on a 'date' and the children all had plans of their own, once again leaving Niles and CC to fend for themselves.

"So," CC asked Niles as he finished loading the dishwasher. "What do you usually do on your night off? I haven't seen you in your…element." CC nearly stammered which was not normal for her.

Niles laughed as he clicked on the dishwasher and removed his apron. "Work is my element." He pulled out a chair and sat at the table with her.

"Oh." CC dropped, a little disappointed.

Niles eyes her suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm bored and I thought I'd go slumming and let you show me what the servants in New York do for fun." CC sat stoically but secretly cringed at how terrible it sounded out loud.

Niles just sat and looked at her for a few seconds. "Is CC Babcock asking me on a date?" He thought.

"You don't have to think of it as a date or anything." CC fumbled as Niles eyes got big when she nearly word for word repeated his thought.

"How does she do that?" Niles grinned with his lopsided smile.

"How do I do what?" CC looked up into his deep blue eyes.

Niles looked back and their eyes locked. "Um…nothing. Never mind." Niles checked his watch. "Give me ten minutes to change and I'll show you what this servant in New York does for fun."

"Deal!" CC grinned at him. "Do I need to change?" Since it was Saturday, CC was dressed casually in jeans and a light sweater.

"I'll grab you one of my sweaters when I change." Niles took the back stairs two at a time.

Niles came down the stairs in short order dressed in well fitting jeans, sneakers, turtle neck and pullover sweater. He had one of his cardigans for CC. He stood over her in her chair. "Ready?" CC looked up into his blue eyes. After a few moments she shook her head. "Sorry. I lost my train of thought."

"Yeah…that's been happening to me too, lately." Niles smiled. "Let's go."

CC's eyes grew large when Niles pulled into the lot at the ice rink. "The Long Island Ice Rink?"

Niles just smiled and walked her inside. He nodded at the receptionist and headed into the arena.

"Please tell me you don't…figure skate." CC asked carefully.

Niles laughed out loud. "Sit here. I have to change."

CC sat in the bleachers and wrapped her arms around herself. He turned and wrapped his cardigan around her. She smiled at him and he headed to the locker room. CC sat in silence for a short time. She could smell him on the sweater. She breathed in deeply. "Mmmm, I love that smell."

"What smell?" Niles in his full hockey uniform appeared beside her.

"Hot dogs!" CC tried to cover. She eyed him up and down. And she liked what she saw. CC shook her head out of the cloud. "Hockey? You play ice hockey?"

"I try. Well, me and the rest of the servants." Niles winked at her and headed out to the ice.

"Don't believe him." The voice came from just behind her. "Niles one of the best forward's in the Association's league." A player dressed like Niles continued out onto the ice.

CC watched as this man, who she thought she knew so well, played hockey. He hit and got hit, made shots and missed shots. After their practice, when he met her at the ice's edge he looked ten years younger. His face was flushed from the exertion and his blue eyes shone like a kids on Christmas morning.

"Did you have fun?" CC asked him nearly laughing at his boyish grin.

"Very much! Now it's your turn." Niles growled and waggled his eyebrows.

Niles changed out of his uniform, showered and dressed while CC begrudgingly got fitted for a pair of ice skates. Niles found her waiting on a bench just outside the locker room. "Having second thoughts?" He asked her.

"I didn't give it a first thought." CC looked up at him in his faded jeans, turtle neck and pullover sweater. He still wore his hockey skates, but she expected that, and she was still wearing his cardigan.

"Come on. You're telling me you've lived in New York all these years and you've never skated?" Niles smirked.

CC stood up very carefully. "Not on the ice."

"Good, then I have the advantage." Niles took her hands in his and led her onto the ice. "It's just like rollerblading…on ice."

"Just don't let go." CC looked up at him again.

"I promise." Niles skated backwards and kept her hands firmly in his own. "See? You're doing great."

"I guess it isn't too bad." Her words were still lingering on her lips when she 'toed' a little too deeply and tripped right into Niles' arms taking them both down to the ice. CC lay on top of Niles with her hands on his chest. "Oh my gosh, Niles, are you ok?" CC was so embarrassed she could barely look at him.

Niles loved that little girl look she'd get he thought to himself. "I wonder if I should kiss her."

"Yes!" CC whispered softly.

Niles was caught off guard; which is no small feat when you are lying under a beautiful woman on a giant ice cube. "What?"

CC leaned in close and practically moaned. "Yes…you should kiss me."