Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Nanny…yet.

A/N I just love to put the ideas out there. Niles and CC are my favorite TV couple…This story is really out there. But it's fun…so stay with me…author's POV. R&R please!

Me and the Blue Eyed Butler

Chapter 7

Niles and I made it quickly to the balcony. "Hey, are you ok?" Niles showed that very genuine concern and took my hands in his.

"I'm fine, Niles. It's going wonderfully." I couldn't believe it, but it really was going beautifully. CC heard what another woman thought of both Mr. Chandler Graves high society man about town and Niles the butler handsome decent true gem of a human being. "That Chandler Graves is just as horrible in person as he is in all the stories I've read."

"What stories?" Niles asked. I can't imagine the look on my face.

I couldn't very well say all those Fan Fiction stories that we freak-a-zoid fans write. "I've heard stories about him, you know…around the city, new paper." Dear God please let that be enough.

"I see. Well, I don't particularly care for him myself. I can't imagine what CC sees in him. I think he owns a theatre that Sheffield productions used once." Suddenly there it was again, the look. He was going to kiss me. CC must have been standing at the doors or something. It was a sweet little kiss, his hands on my waist, my hands on his chest. "You're beautiful."

I thought CC has got to be back there, no one but my husband and my mother have ever told me that. Well, my kids too, but they have to. "And you are the sweetest man I have ever met."

"Does that mean you don't think I'm handsome?" He made 'that' face and I knew CC was back there.

I put my hand on his face. "I told you that yesterday…I thought it was understood."

CC cleared her throat again. "Uh…Niles…Donna, we should probably leave for the theatre now."

Niles kept his eyes on me. It actually freaked me out a little. I turned slightly in his arms, and he kept his hands on my waist. "Ok, CC. We're ready when you are."

"Ok. Then I'll meet you in the lobby." CC turned and left us.

I waited for a few seconds. "Niles…how long was she standing there?"

"She got there just before I kissed you, why?" He responded.

I thought for a second. "It just seemed to take her a while to interrupt us. I guess she was trying to be discreet."

Niles rested his hand on the small of my back as we headed into the ballroom. "Did she have 'that look' again?" I couldn't believe how hopeful he sounded. It was really sweet.

"Yes, but, she seemed a little sad too. I think we should tone it down a little." That's right people; I suggested we tone it down. So I'd better get two chapters without complaints for the kissing.

Niles stopped for a moment. "Why tone it down, it's working perfectly."

"Niles, we want her jealous, we don't want to make her sad or for her to think that she's too late." I explained.

We continued down into the lobby. "Too late? Too late for what?" He was starting to sound like Max.

"Niles…" I started as we saw CC standing at the front doors. "We don't want her to think she's already lost you. Where's Chandler?"

We get to the door and CC asks, "Are you ready?"

"Where's Chandler?" I wondered if I'd scared him off. That would be so cool!

CC sighed lightly. "I didn't like the things he was saying about you and Niles. I told him to go home."

"I'm sorry, CC. I didn't mean to cause trouble between you and Chandler." I had to say something other than 'I think he's a pig and you're better off without him'.

CC laughed lightly. "It wasn't you, Donna. I've known for some time that Chandler was a bore. I just needed and escort." I started to panic. I was running episodes over in my head. What if this was an episode where CC took Niles to the benefit? Could I have screwed up an episode? Is that even possible? Did I bring the Tylenol?

"Honey? Donna?" Niles was trying to get my attention. "Are you alright? Where were you just now?" He asked me as we made our way out to the car where David was standing at the ready.

"I'm sorry, Niles. I was just thinking about something." I winked at him to let him know I was fine and ready to go. "CC, if you'd rather not go to the show, Niles and I can go alone."

"Thanks, Donna, but I have to go. I'm supposed to be working the room at intermission." CC still seemed a little sad, but I really couldn't fix it. I could, however, make sure we didn't make it too much worse.

Niles sat across from CC and I, at my urging…there's less 'romantic' contact that way. I noticed that whenever CC wasn't paying attention, Niles was looking right at her. Yep, he had it bad. And, considering how upset CC's been looking lately, she does too.

If this is some sort of weird mission for me, then I should be back in my living room picking up matchbox cars and the pieces to Mr. Potato Head in no time. Did I mention I have kids? Not to mention I was getting a little…well…frustrated, if you know what I mean. A girl's got needs after all. And there has been a lot of kissing going on even if it was acting.


The show was wonderful and I didn't even have to beg Niles to tone it down since CC was alone. After all, he loves her. He wants to make her jealous not break her heart. We held hands and he was 'attentive' at intermission, but he was fairly attentive to CC as well when she wasn't 'working the room'.

The drive to CC's penthouse was quiet, almost eerily so. It was like she was dreading the idea of leaving us alone. I guess I see why, but did she really think that after two days and two dates that I'd drag Niles into bed? Shut up.

"Niles…I think you should walk CC up to her apartment." I offered when David pulled the car up to her building.

Niles got out of the car as soon as David opened the door for him. "Let's go, Miss Babcock. I'll see you to your door."

"That's not necessary, Niles." CC took his hand and he helped her out of the car. "Thanks anyway. I'll see you both tomorrow at the mansion." CC did a little wave over her shoulder and went into her building.

Niles sighed lightly. "Take us home, David." Niles got back into the limo and sat next to me. David rolled up the privacy glass so we didn't have to 'act' for him. I don't think Niles had it in him anyway. "Not a single zinger…not all day."

"This was a short day though. Tomorrow you'll both be a little better." I could see he was a little down. "You can't let the insults die altogether; just keep them playful. Come on, Niles. You love this woman. You've loved her for years. You know the difference between playful banter and hitting too close to home."

We would surely have to 'work it' for Fran when we got 'home', so I thought we should discuss it a little. "Ok, so how do you want to handle Fran? Shall we kiss good night at the front door again or a kiss good night at 'my door'?" I asked him softly.

"I'm thinking at your door." Niles thought for a minute. "We should head into the kitchen and have a slice of my raspberry swirl cheesecake. Then we can head up the back stairs and I'll kiss you at your door. It's more personal, more intimate."

I swallowed down the lump in my throat. Wow, he was quite the romantic, even if we were just pretending. Fran may not even be awake…yeah…right. "That sounds fine, Niles."


The house was rather dark when we got home and I thought maybe everyone had gone to bed, but Fran and Max were watching a movie on the sofa when we came through the front door.

"Hey, you guys, how was the show?" Fran stopped their movie and joined us in the foyer.

I had Niles' arm. "It was every bit as much fun as I remember from high school. Thanks, Max, for giving us your tickets."

"It was my pleasure, Donna. CC called a few minutes ago and said she's got a whole list of potential backers for our next production." Max wasn't hinting, because he just wasn't good at that sort of thing. "She asked if you were home yet. I guess she wanted to make sure you got in safely."

I shot Niles a sideways glance and caught his eyebrows flinch a little. "That CC is just too sweet. Niles…is there any of that raspberry cheesecake left?"

"Let's go see, shall we?" Niles and I went into the kitchen and Max and Fran returned to their movie. "Did you hear that?" He asked like a kid in school. "She called to see if we were home or if we were…off somewhere."

I laughed at the boyish grin on his face. "You're so in love, Niles."

"Yes, I am…and I owe it all to you." He grabbed me and literally spun me around the kitchen a little.

Fran burst into the room. "Oh, I'm so happy for you both!" We stopped dead. If Fran had heard that conversation then she was definitely going to think that he and I…that he meant…that it's us and we're…where is the Tylenol?

"Huh?" Niles and I both looked at her.

She hugged us together. "I didn't mean to listen, but I was comin' in for a nosh and I heard ya's talkin'. I'm so happy for you both!"

"Whoa…Fran…you need to calm down…" I tried to settle her. But really…she heard what she heard. I told Niles he was in love, he said he was and that he owed it all to me then the spinning thing. If I didn't know what I know I know, I'd have thought the same thing. Oh, God…now I sound like Max.

"Fran…" I got the impression that Niles was just going to spill the plan to her. I have to admit, that it would've solved a problem, but once she told Max and…well let's be honest everyone else, the secret would be out and CC would know it was a ruse.

I stopped him, and took his arm. "You have to promise us that you won't say a word to anyone, not even Max." I glanced at Niles. "It's all very new and fresh for us and we'd like some time to get used to the idea ourselves."

Fran smiled and then sighed. "Well, ok, I guess I can keep it a secret for a while." She looked really disappointed, but I had a feeling her love for Niles would really help this time. "I promise."

"Thanks, Fran." Niles hugged her. "I'd better see my lady to her door." We skipped the cheesecake and headed up to 'my room'. When we were at the top of the stairs Niles looked at me. "Donna…I really appreciate everything you're doing for me. I hope it isn't making you too uncomfortable." He held my hand as we walked up the hallway. He had a funny look on his face.

"Niles, I promise, I'm fine. I want you to be happy." He pulled me to the window seat, and we sat down. You remember where he and Nanny Meuller had their 'review' of everything she'd taught him. "Niles…what is it?"

He looked up at me with another one of those looks I couldn't really describe. "I'm…I'm afraid I may be getting a little confused." He turned to me. "I can't imagine what the pretending is doing to you."

"Confused? What does he mean confused?" The thought ran through my head. "Niles...I'm only going to say this once." I couldn't believe what I was about to do, but I had to be honest with him, sort of. "I could easily fall in love with you, hell I probably already would have. But you're in love with CC." I smiled and thought to myself, "And I'm in love with my husband." "I understand more than you know. You can't give your heart to someone when it already belongs to someone else."

"But what if she never comes around?" He took my hands and looked at me with those eyes. "What if I miss out on an incredible woman because I'm waiting for CC?" He touches my face again with his hand and I instinctively lift my hand to cover it.

I can't help but smile at him. "You and CC belong together, even I can see that. She will too." I stood and he walked me the rest of the way to 'my room'. He looked, I don't know defeated. Like that episode where CC leaves the house with Colin and says 'he can go on like that all night'. I can help but reach up and cup his face. "It's going to be wonderful for you, Niles. You'll see." Then I kissed him lightly and turned into my room. It felt really strange. I stood at the door for a moment and I could tell he was still standing there. Maybe this plan wasn't such a good idea after all. I sighed and got ready for bed.