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

A/N: Chapters 61-70 of my 100 chapter response to the 100 Word Challenge. Let me know what you think. - D

100 Word Challenge

Chapter 61

'BROOM'

"Where is it, witch?" Niles asked.

CC grinned from her place on the loveseat. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Niles. why don't you go sweep something."

"I can't…someone has hidden my…equipment." Niles finished.

CC smirked. "It's just killing you isn't it? You know it is."

Max dropped his glasses on his desk. "Alright you two, I've got a mountain of work to get finished before I leave for my honeymoon, so will you please find somewhere else to play your silly games?"

"Sir, I have work to do myself that I am unable to accomplish because the witch borrowed something and refuses to return it." Niles snapped in CC's direction.

Max looked at CC. "Well?"

"Maxwell, I have no idea where Niles' equipment is…as I believe I've said for years." CC tossed out her sultry laugh.

Niles sighed. "Fine, I'll get it out of you yet…I have my ways." Niles raised an eyebrow as he left the office and CC was visibly worried.

"CC…what is all that about?" CC tried to explain, knowing that Niles would be listening at the intercom. "Niles and I have a little bet. The person who says 'a certain word' first, loses." CC enunciated clearly so Niles would get it in the kitchen.

Max looked at her questioningly. "What word?"

"Now way, Maxwell, I just know Tidy bowl is listening in on the intercom." CC shook her head. "It's the name of the item with which Niles sweeps."

"Vacuum?" Max frowned at her.

Niles voice was heard over the intercom. "It's the item that she needs to fly home on."

"Oh…broom." Max nods knowingly and CC is astonished because it was that particular clue that he could figure out.

"Great." CC starts. "I say the item he sweeps with and you guess vacuum by he makes a snide remark about it being what I need to fly home and you say broom."

"Success!" Niles screams through the house and immediately makes his way into the office. "Thank you, Sir. I'll see that the chef on your yacht has my recipe for my chocolate raspberry cheesecake." Niles nodded and practically skipped out of the office.

Chapter 62

'OFFICE'

Niles stood at the end of Max's desk and served his afternoon tea just as CC returned from the theatre. "I took care of everything, Max. You are all set for your month away. I hope you and Fran have a marvelous time."

"You know, CC…that almost seemed genuine." Max smiled at her.

CC actually looked hurt. "It was completely genuine, Maxell." Niles poured CC a cup of tea. "Miss Babcock, would you care for a cookie?"

"Thank you, Niles." CC took a cookie from the plate and dropped down onto the loveseat.

"You know, CC…" Max started. "You really should take it easy on that poor old loveseat; it's not as young as it used to be. Well, then again…neither are you." Max let out a burst of laughter unparalleled to anything Niles or CC had ever heard. "You're right Niles…this is rather fun."

CC sat in silence. Max was laughing and Niles was beside himself. He could see the devastation on CC's face. Yes its true Niles has said far worse to her over the years, but that was the nature of their relationship. There was a give and take. CC has never had a harsh word for Maxwell. In fact she'd just spent the better part of her day clearing up problems his recent lack of focus has caused so he could leave on his honeymoon with no concerns about the business.

Niles moved to where CC sat and he handed her his hanky and allowed her to make a discreet exit before he turned to face his friend. "What in the hell do you think you're doing?" Max looked at Niles in shock. "Have you completely lost your mind or has this room fallen into some bizarre alternate universe?"

"What? You two do that all the time." Max responded.

Niles rolled his eyes. "Yes…we TWO, the both of us, together, back and forth. When has that woman ever said a harsh or unkind word to you in the nearly fifteen years you've known her?"

"Well…I…I…I…and you…and then she… Oh bloody hell." Max sighed.

Fran ran into the room. "Niles! What the hell did you say to Miss Babcock? She planted herself at the table and she won't move. She says she's gonna eat that whole cheese cake you make for Max and me."

"Ask him." Niles pointed and left Fran to deal with Max.

Chapter 63

'ICE CREAM'

"Alright, Babs, put down the fork and step away from the cheesecake." Niles spoke softly as he entered the kitchen. He couldn't believe Max. He knows that with the wedding just a few days away that CC is feeling particularly unloved and then he practically verbally assaults her. "Chocolate Raspberry cheesecake won't help." Niles moved the untouched dessert away from her and.

"Yeah? What does?" CC asked still trying to hold off the tears.

Niles smirked at her back. "A man," He said softly and then he added. "What's even better though is two men." Then Niles dropped the pint of Ben & Jerry's on the table in front of her.

"So, the cheesecake won't help but this will?" CC asked as she peeled the top off the container.

Niles smiled at her. "Well, that…and this." Niles grabbed the salt shaker and doused the cheesecake liberally.

Chapter 64

'HOSPITAL'

"You promised. You lost fair and square, Babs." Niles walked through the halls he had traveled many times before.

CC wasn't really angry. "I know I lost, Niles. But this isn't what I thought you'd make me do for losing our little bet."

"What did you think I'd do?" Niles asked honestly curious.

CC flashed her sultry smile. "Well, there are more fun ways to make me pay off a bet."

Niles turned and grabbed her arms and looked into her eyes. "Don't think for a minute that I didn't consider that. But when that happens…it won't be because you lost a bet…it'll be because you've won. Now come on."

CC was visibly stunned by his words. "That was almost a promise." CC thought to herself and a smile crossed her face.

"Hello, Rosemary. I've brought a friend to help today. CC Babcock, this is Rosmary Thomas, the best nursery nurse in the business." Niles winked at Rosemary. "CC doesn't have a lot of experience; she may need a little help."

"Well then," Rosemary began. "You'd better stick close to Niles here. He's the best volunteer we've ever had. In fact, just between you me and the babies, he's better than a few of the nurses."

CC smiled at the older woman who seemed so very fond of Niles. "Where should I start, Rosemary?" CC asked.

Niles moved quickly to the fussiest baby and picked him up. "He's warm again, Rosemary. Has he taken a turn for the worse?"

Rosemary nodded slowly and left Niles to care for the small boy. "So, you're the famous CC Babcock, huh?"

"I'm sorry, the famous CC Babcock?" CC frowned as Rosemary showed CC the fine are of burping a baby.

"Niles isn't aware I know, but he talks to the babies when he's feeding them. You're name comes up quite a bit…especially with John." Rosemary handed CC a small pink bundle and pointed to the rocker next to Niles. "Niles can help you with the feeding if you have any questions."

CC took her seat and started feeding the baby, but her eyes…never left Niles.

Chapter 65

'BEAUTIFUL'

"…'bout twelve." Niles drained his drink and put the glass on the table. "Dance with me." Niles practically commanded.

CC grinned. "Ok, Butler Boy." He swept her into his arms and lead her around the dance floor.

Chapter 66

'DREAM'

Niles lay uncomfortably against something that was pushing lightly on his chest. "Santa…this is making me very uncomfortable."

CC adjusted to the odd something in the bed with her. "Roll over. Oh come on. It won't hurt." She whispered.

Niles softly stroked the face in front of him. "When did you shave off your beard, Santa?"

CC giggled in her drowsiness. "Ho, ho, ho."

Chapter 67

'DANCE'

CC addressed the gathered reporters. "I can assure you that Maxwell Sheffield and his wife are just fine and all reports of them missing are unsubstantiated."

The voice in CC's head prayed her words were true. "Miss Babcock, what's will happen to Sheffield-Babcock productions if something happens to Mr. Sheffield?"

"As I said, nothing has happened to Max and Fran. It's their honeymoon; of course they are out of contact. How many of you want reporters or your mother-in-law calling you on your honeymoon?" CC looked accusingly at the swarm.

"Isn't it true that you're in love with Mr. Sheffield and have carried a torch for him for years?" The reported asked.

"That's ridiculous…I love Max, he's my business partner and very dear friend. His first wife was my best friend and I adore Fran. I have my own personal life which has nothing to do with Maxwell and Fran Sheffield." CC couldn't believe the words that flew out of her mouth. It was exhilarating. "In point of fact, I was just saying to him this morning as we got out of bed, I wonder what Max and Fran are up too." "Ok, CC that may have been a little much."

The reporters glanced at each other. "Miss Babcock…didn't you stay here at the Sheffield home last evening?"

CC looked like a deer caught in headlights. "That's it. When Fran and Max finally come up for air…I promise I'll issue another statement."

Niles couldn't help but smile from his place just inside the vestibule as he listened to CC give a fairly accurate account of their morning. Well at least the getting out of bed part.

Chapter 68

'SONG'

"Really? That'll turn you on?" CC giggled into the phone. "I'm Popeye the sailor man…I'm Popeye the sailor man…I'm strong to the finach 'cause I eats me spinach…I'm Popeye the sailor man…"

"Toot toot!" Niles stood in the doorway of the office. As CC turned to see him, he turned and headed into the den with her hot on his heels.

"You are a pathetic excuse for a man if you think for one second that I'm gonna sell you my car now." CC barked at him.

"Oh what's the matter Popeye…did you forget your spinach this morning?" Niles smirked at her fury.

"I'd sooner give my car to the doorman of my building than sell it to you." CC turned on her heels and headed into the kitchen.

Niles frowned and reprimanded himself. "That was stupid old man. Now you'll never get that car. Not to mention the owner." Niles shook his head and headed up the front stairs deciding it was best to avoid the blonde in the kitchen right now.

Chapter 69

'MISSING'

"Darling…" Max started. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Fran sighed and propped herself up in their bed. "I guess it's like the saying goes, Honey. You don't know that you want something until you lose it."

"I know, Fran. But we'll keep trying and I'm sure it won't be any time before we're pregnant." Max leaned in and kissed her softly.

Fran kissed him warmly. "I love you, Honey. I just can't believe that it could feel this way. I only thought I was pregnant for a day."

"You, my darling, have an incredible capacity for love. Any baby we have will be the luckiest baby in the world to have you for its' mommy." Max smiled and pulled Fran into his arms.

Chapter 70

'FAITH'

Niles took the phone from Fran. "Now you listen to me…there are three people I love very much in that car…well two people I love and one person with whom I have a very complicated relationship. Now you get out there and you find them." Niles pressed the button firmly.

Niles eventually made his way into the kitchen and sat down at the table. "Alright, God, I know you have your reasons and while I would never dream of questioning you, those people are my family…you know better than anyone. One in particular…is my very life. I know it doesn't seem that way on the surface, but you know the truth. You know how I feel about her, right? You know why I can't tell her, not yet." Niles swallowed hard to keep his emotions in check. "Please…bring them home safely. I can't lose her…" Niles felt the tears threatening to fall. "Please, not before I have the chance to tell her how I feel."

Maggie burst into the kitchen. "Niles! They're home!"

He released a breath he didn't know he was holding.