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

A/N: What would happen if the world as you knew it, changed over night? Well, that's what happens in this little tale. Niles/CC and Max/Fran.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE

Chapter 8

When they got to CC's room Niles went in and sat her on the sofa and stood before her. "Ok, what do you want to know first?"

"I want to know the whole story." CC got comfortable. She slipped her shoes off and tucked her legs under her.

Niles took a deep breath. "Nearly three hundred years ago there was a Viscount Brightmore. He built this castle, and he ruled this area. It's not large, but it was his to rule. The entire area he governed would fit on the ranch in Pennsylvania. It's a hereditary title, but without going into too much detail he was terrible at the job. He brought financial ruin and embarrassment to the name. Our family was forced into servitude. While the title remained, it could only be claimed after the mess was cleared up with the crown and the country. After I won the lottery, I knew I could fix it, and restore my family name. What I didn't know was that the title would then fall to me; and later to my…children. It's more of an honorary title now really, the estate as Charles mentioned is mine, its 138 acres. There are stables and a few private residences. All of which are leased by one or the other of my siblings. I am however for all intents and purposes Lord Brightmore."

"Wow. I guess that explains it then." CC dropped simply. "What about Prince Charles calling you 'cousin'?"

Niles sat down next to her. "Technically, I am his cousin, a very, very distant cousin."

"So, you're actually in line to the throne of England?" CC sat up and looked at him sternly.

Niles swallowed. "Well, yes I suppose you could say that, but I'm so very far down the line it's really not an issue."

"Good, cause I refuse to address you as Your Majesty in this life time." CC kissed his cheek.

"My Lord, will suffice." Niles kissed her cheek this time.


CC felt like she'd been welcomed by Niles' family with open arms. "Niles I'm so glad I got to meet your family. They're all wonderful…not at all like you." CC smiled and nudged him lightly.

"I'm glad you got to meet them too, CC. Especially my mother, she's been so worried about me…" Niles let his voice drift.

CC laughed lightly. "I can't believe my Butler Boy is speechless. I'll have to ask your mother how she manages that." CC slipped her arm into his as they walked the gardens behind the estate. "Niles, your mother is a lovely woman. She told me all about how she worries about you. I don't think she knows I'm the shrew in all those stories she's heard."

"Yes, she does. That's why she likes you so much. You've seen her and my father. She knows I'm just like him. None of my brothers have that same sharp tongue. Mother was worried I'd never meet…" Niles shook his head.

"A woman like her?" CC asked softly?

Niles grinned a little. "Sort of, more like a woman who could stand up as well as put up with me."

CC sighed and looked around the grounds from where they stood now on the large patio. "It's really beautiful here, Niles. It's a shame that it'll be empty most of the time."

"It won't be empty, Love. I've insisted that Maman and Dad move up here. They're not getting any younger and my brothers and sisters are here. Not to mention they'll have a full staff to see to their needs. This should have been Dad's title before mine anyway; he may as well get some use of the estate." Niles wrapped his arms around her. But they'll stay in the blue room downstairs. My room and your room are off limits. That way whenever we visit you'll have everything you need."

CC took Niles arm again as he led her inside. "Niles is it typical for the Lord and Lady of the manor to keep separate rooms?"

"No. Not after they're married. The Master's quarter's is the largest room in the castle, that's my room. Then the prospective lady's room is at the opposite end of the hall." Niles looked away.

CC smiled at his embarrassment. "That's my room."

The two rooms between are for the chaperone's. Later they usually become sitting rooms or offices or..." Niles voice trailed off.

"The nursery?" CC finished for him and he nodded while he offered CC a cup of tea as Henderson set the tray on the table in front of where they've sat.


Their flight back to New York was quick and uneventful. CC was so excited to tell Max and Fran all about the trip, the estate, Niles' title and the Prince of Wales, that she was nearly bursting. She had the pictures out before Niles opened the front door.

"We're back!" CC called to the empty foyer. "Where is everyone?" CC turned to look at Niles. "Didn't you call and tell them when we'd be home?"

Niles nodded in as much surprise as CC that the house seemed empty. Niles winked at CC and held up a finger before yelling, "Put that back on…anyone could walk in!"

In record time the entire family came literally out of the woodwork. "Oy…" Fran called with her hands over her eyes. "Is everyone decent?"

"Of course, we're decent, Fran." CC laughed. "What's with the hiding from us?"

Everyone had the goofiest looks on their faces. "What's wrong with all of you?" Niles asked his second family.

"Uhm…" Brighton was designated as the speaker for the group apparently. "We all had different ideas where you two have been for the last week."

CC looked sideways at Niles. "You didn't tell any of them?"

"Nope." He deadpanned.

"Not even Fran?" CC was shocked.

Niles grinned remembering how bothered Fran was by the secret keeping. "Nope."

"So none of them have any idea at all where we've been or what's been happening? Really?" CC was genuinely touched that Niles chose to share it only with her. "No one else knows?" Niles shook his head. "Thank you." CC whispered and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"So, are ya eva gonna tell us?" Fran asked.

CC took Niles arm. "We went to England. I met Niles' family, including his very distant cousin…the Prince of Wales. Niles was given his Viscountcy and is the Lord of Brightmore Manor and all her surrounding properties."

"No way!" Brighton called as the others stood in silent shock. "All this time you've been a royal?"

Niles laughed lightly. "Not exactly, my ancestor brought disgrace upon the Brightmore name and for many reasons the family allowed the title to fade. After I won the lottery, I had the opportunity to restore the family name and with that came the title and position." Niles looked into the faces of those he held so close to his heart. "I'm still just the same old Niles."

Grace hugged him tightly. "Congratulations, Uncle Niles…I mean Lord Brightmore." Grace stood back and winked.

"Please, Grace, Uncle Niles is more than fine with me." Niles smiled at the rest of the family, and each of them hugged him in turn.

Fran looked at him as she waited for everyone to move down to the sofa on the den where CC was passing around her photos of the trip. "So…does this mean…you're…leavin'?"

Niles smiled. "Of course not, Fran, this is where I belong. It's just another property I happen to own. When I'm in England I'm officially Lord Brightmore. Otherwise I'm just plain old Niles."

"Well, I don't know about plain old Niles…but just so you're stayin' here…at least most of the time." Fran grabbed his arm and they joined the family in the den.


Later that night Niles and CC were sitting up in bed chatting about the events of their return. "Did Brighton tell you about the bet?"

"No…what bet?" Niles asked CC.

CC laughed. "Well it would seem that a wager was placed with regards to where you took me on vacation."

"Really?" Niles was intrigued. "Who won? Wait…let me guess…Grace."

CC frowned. "You're right, it was Grace. How did you guess?"

"She's a very intuitive little girl. Plus the hug did give a little away." Niles smiled.

CC laughed. "Well, she was the closest. She guessed that you took me to meet your parents. So they gave it to her."

"What did everyone else guess?" Niles slipped down into his bed and pulled CC into his arms beside him.

Max thought you took me to see the horses…he's so very slow sometimes." CC laughed. "Fran…ever the romantic, thought Vegas for a quicky wedding."

"I have to admit, it sounds like them." Niles kissed the top of her head. "What about Maggie and Brighton?"

"Maggie thought Niagara Falls. And Brighton was certain we'd gone to Paris." CC answered simply.

"Both pretty good guesses." Niles admitted. "But I liked my plan better."

"Me too." CC cooed and rolled on top on Niles. "Now, Butler Boy, I have a few plans of my own…are you up for it?"

Niles grinned rather evilly at her. "Do you really need to ask?"

"Oh, Niles…I guess not." CC leaned down and kissed him.


Niles and CC had been back for a little more than a week and both were back in their usual routines. There was still a housekeeper to do all the cleaning, but Niles was steadfast about doing all the cooking himself, with CC's occasional help. It was what he enjoyed most.

"CC!" Fran called from the den. "There's a call for you."

CC came in from the office and Niles joined her in the den just in case it was something she thought he needed to hear. "Hello, this is CC Babcock. Yes, I used to live there. What is it?" CC looked at Niles and shrugged. "Sure I suppose I can come by this evening. Ok, thank you." CC hung up the phone and turned to face them. "That was the new owner of the penthouse. Apparently he found something that belongs to me and would like me to come by and 'take possession of it.'" CC explained.

Niles frowned. "How come it took so long for him to call you?"

"How did he say it?" CC thought for a second. "'The house was finally well appointed enough to welcome guests'. So I agreed to meet him there this evening."

Niles raised his eyebrows. "Not without me you're not."


That night they got to CC's old building and Charles the door man greeted her warmly. "Hello, Miss Babcock. It's been quite a while since we've seen you. You look well."

CC almost frowned thinking she'd never been anything but terrible to Charles over the years. "Hello, Charles…thank you, it's nice to see you too."

Charles opened the door for them and they made their way to the elevators. Niles took care of the 'button' and the doors closed. They rode up quietly until the elevator reached number 25. "Well, here we are. Ready?" Niles asked as CC stood only slightly puzzled. The doors opened revealing a small entry room, rather than the hallway that CC remembered.

"Wow…this guy really has made some changes." CC looked around there were a few plants in the corners and the walls were painted a pale peach. "It's rather welcoming, but not overdone."

Niles stepped up to the door and thought silently, "Please let this go well." Niles pressed the button and they heard the doorbell ring on the other side of the door. When the door opened there was an older rather distinguished looking man on the other side.

"May I help you?" He asked in a tempered manner.

"Yes, I'm Niles and this is CC Babcock. We were invited here by the owner to retrieve something that belongs to Miss Babcock." Niles responded in his own tempered manner.

"Geez, what do we have here a battle of the butlers?" CC nudged Niles. "Is the owner at home?"

"I'm Michael, if you'll just follow me the Master will be with you shortly." Michael stepped aside and allowed them to enter the home.

CC thought to herself. "This is almost exactly how I imagined it would be when I wanted the whole floor."

"If you'll just wait here, I'll fetch the Master." Michael started to leave when Niles stopped him.

"Uhm…Michael…could I use the bathroom please?" Niles winked at CC.

CC stifled a laugh. "If you'll just follow me, Sir, I'll show you to the restroom and then I'll collect the Master for you Madam."

"Geez, do I really sound like that?" Niles whispered to CC as he followed Michael out of the room.