Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with The Nanny. Yet.

A/N I just wanted to do something really out there and different. I'm taking a lot of circumstances and just lumping them together in…High School…Let me know what you think!

High School Drama

Chapter 9

"That was really good!" Chastity announced as the group poured out of the small theatre. "Not that I didn't expect it to be."

Niles entwined his fingers with hers. "Yeah…I really enjoyed it."

"Oy, me too. And that 'Lenny' guy? Hoo haa! He was a hottie!" Fran added.

Max frowned and grabbed Fran's hand. "Hey!"

"Oh, Maxy, not hotter than you, Sweetie." Fran cooed at him bringing laughs from the rest of the group.

"Ok, gang let's get back to the house so we can change for the bonfire." Mr. Strom led the pack of teenagers the short distance to their cars and off they went.

Mr. and Mrs. Strom had a very nice house and the beach it sat just off of, was for the most part, a private beach. Which is to say, it wasn't part of the Wildwood public beach system and had very few visitors that didn't also have homes just off of it themselves. So, when the fire was started it was just the twelve seniors and the Strom's. Mr. Strom grilled more food than even the Fine's could've eaten and the music was amazing. They had a home karaoke machine with several 'theatre' selections.

Max and Niles watched as Chastity and Fran chatted with a few of the other girls and decided that they would check out the song list. "I think I've found something." Niles grinned at Max.

"What did you find?" Max looked over Niles' shoulder. "Niles…are you serious?"

Niles nodded and winked at Max. "It'll be fun, Max."

"I don't know if it's such a good idea." Max tried to warn Niles.

Niles clapped Max on the back. "You've got to trust me on this, Max. I know what I'm doing."

"Alright. Are you going to do it now?" Max asked his friend.

Niles smirked. "Seems as good a time as any, Max." Niles put on the head phones and got his song selection cued up.

The karaoke machine was set up on the deck about ten feet above the beach. The gang was sitting, standing, dancing whatever, around the bonfire which was about twenty-five feet away from the house.

Niles turned off the music and grabbed the microphone. "Hey guys!" He spoke into the mic to draw everyone's attention. "I'm gonna sing a little something." Everyone gathered near the deck. Niles cued the song just to the part he wanted to sing…his rich voice rang out over them. They had only just heard the song earlier that day at the theatre. This time though, it was different. Everyone had quite a genuine reaction; some shock, some nervous laughter, but Chastity…well she cried.

Niles

"Marry me. Come on and marry me.

Why not agree to be my blushing bride?

I know the neighborhood would give its consent,

And there's a cutaway I'm dying to rent,

The day you marry me.

Give in and marry me. I really love you, see?

We can't go wrong.

That diamond in the store I could pay monthly for.

Come on and marry me. Marry me. Marry me.

So marry me. Give in and marry me.

Though you don't love me now, you will in time.

You may not know it yet, but I'm the best you'll get.

Wake up and marry me. Marry me. Marry me."

When Niles finished singing the group clapped for him and most just returned to what they were doing, some made their way to the karaoke list to choose a song to do later. He clicked the stereo back on and music rang out of the speakers again as he made his way quickly down the deck stairs to where Chastity stood, now alone.

"Hey, are you crying?" Niles asked her. Chastity shook her head but the tear slipping down her cheek gave her away. Niles took her into his arms. "Please don't cry, Chas." Niles kissed away each remaining tear.

Chastity looked up at him. "That was beautiful, Niles."

"Let's walk a little and look at the water." Niles whispered. He took her hand in his and their fingers instantly entwined. They walked past the group and caught the attention of Max and Fran.

"Oy, Max," Fran started. "What's going on with him?"

Max shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, Fran. I've known Niles my whole life. I've never seen him like this. I mean he's had other girlfriends. Even one that was pretty serious for a while. But, he's never told me before he was in love. He's completely devoted to Chastity."

"You don't seem happy for him." Fran frowned.

Max looked down. "I don't want to see him hurt, Fran. Niles is my best friend. I know he seems like a very strong and confident man, but he's still only eighteen. If Chastity ever…"

"Max," Fran cupped his cheek with her hand. "You don't have to worry about Chastity hurting Niles. She'd give up everything for him. She adores him."

Niles finds a nice quiet place near the water's edge and sits down. He pulls Chastity down to sit between his legs and pulls her back tightly against his chest. "Chas…I love you." Niles whispers softly and kisses her neck just below her ear. "You didn't answer me."

Chastity turns almost all the way around so her legs slip just beneath Niles' left knee. "I love you, too." Chastity leans in and kisses his smiling lips.

Niles looks into her eyes. "I know, Love. But, you still haven't answered me." Niles' eyes sparkled in the moon light and it danced off his reddish blonde hair.

"Niles…I don't understand…" Chastity looked at him a little confused.

Niles lifted the small opened black box up and presented it to her. "Will you marry me?" Chastity gasped and tears fell from her beautiful blue eyes again. "Chas…please don't cry."

"Yes." Chastity managed just above a whisper. "I'll marry you." She took his face in her hands and kissed him. He wrapped his arms around her and felt the tears in his own eyes. They kissed and their tongues danced and explored each other until the desire to breath overcame their desire for each other. "Niles…" Chastity touched her forehead to his. "You'll have to ask my father…"

Niles kissed her softly. "I already did, Love." Chastity looked up at him. "Did you really think I'd ask permission to take you to the prom, and not ask his permission to propose?"

"But…when did…" Chastity tried not to cry again.

Niles slipped a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "I asked him just before you and Fran came into the kitchen that day." Niles smiled. "If you'd come in two minutes earlier, you'd have spoiled the surprise."

"And he gave you his permission?" Chastity seemed just a little shocked.

Niles frowned at her. "Yes. Provided we wait until you finish college. I told him that had been my intention." She kissed him again. "After all, if I don't make it as an actor, you're business degree will have to support us." Chastity playfully smacked him.

"Hey, at least wait until we're married so I can hit you back." Niles winked at her. "So…will you wear the ring?"

Chastity hadn't really even looked at the ring. "Oh, Niles! It's absolutely gorgeous! How could you afford a ring like this?" Realizing how that sounded Chas winced. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"Chas…I'm eighteen, I'm still in school. It's a valid question." Niles stood and pulled her to her feet as well. Then he slipped the ring on her finger. "It was my grandmother's. She gave it to me just before she died and said, "Someday, mon petit, you'll find a young lady you would give your life for. When you do, give her this."

Chastity felt the tear slide down her cheek. "I love you…my little one." Chastity said playfully.

"You speak French?" Niles asked in shock.

Chastity raised her eyebrow. "Oui, mon amour. J'ai étudié en France pour l'été avant que j'aie commencé le lycée." (Yes, my love. I studied in France for the summer before I started high school.)

"Maintenant je peux vous dire je t'aime dans deux langues." (Now I can tell you I love you in two languages.) Niles kissed her softly. "So, do you want to go tell Fran and Max, now?" Niles cupped her face in his hands.

Chas kissed him lightly. "Absolutely!" Niles took her hand in his and they started back toward the house. "You haven't told Max?"

"Nope. I thought this was the kind of thing that you should know before Max." Niles winked at her and they walked a bit.

"Niles…" Chastity started as they walked. "Did you want to marry, Kate?"

Niles stopped dead in his tracks. He turned to face her and took both of her hands in his. "Chas…I cared a great deal for Kate, I won't lie to you, but I was only sixteen years old. I've never wanted to marry anyone but you." Niles looked into her eyes and knew the question she didn't want to ask. "No, I didn't love her either…Renee was the Sheffield's housekeeper, and twice my age. Her fiancé left her to 'marry up' and I'd just found out about…the arrangement."

"I'm sorry, Niles. I just…this is all new to me." Chastity looked like a child in the light from the moon.

Niles sighed. "Chastity, if you're not sure…we don't have to tell…" Her lips stopped any further doubt he may have had about her conviction.

"Never, for a single second ever doubt that I love you, Niles." Chastity smiled so brightly Niles feared his heart would burst from the joy. Chastity practically pulled him the rest of the way back to the group. "Frannie!" Chastity called to her dearest friend. "Fran!"

Fran leapt up from where she lay back against Max's chest and watched the bonfire. "What!" Fran stood as quickly as she could as did Max. "Whassa matta?" Fran watched as Chastity dragged Niles back to where the group was now gathering to find out what had Chas in such a tizzy.

"Niles proposed!" Chastity nearly screamed as she closed the last twenty feet to the group. "He asked me to marry him. Look!" Chas whipped her newly ringed finger out for the group to behold as she panted and nearly bent in half from her run up the beach.

Fran's eyes nearly popped out of her head at the sight of Chas' new adornment. It was a platinum setting with what had to be a two carat emerald cut diamond with an aquamarine baguette on each side. It was stunning and practically glowed in the moonlight.

The group rapidly divided. The girls swarmed Chastity and her ring. The boys gathered around Niles. Max clapped him on the back. "Well, done, Old man." The rest of the boys were more undecided about how they felt. Gene was very happy for Niles. Scott thought they were both still so young.

Matt and Cal thought he was insane. "You're going to tie yourself to Chas three months before you start college? What about all those girls at college just waiting for you?"

Niles glanced at Max. "When you've been given a Venus di Milo…why would you waste your time with gargoyles?"

Matt and Cal looked very confused. Max laughed. Gene and Scott shook their heads. Niles grinned and explained. "When you've found the best, forget the rest."

Matt and Cal walked past the group of giggling girls muttering softly… "What did he mean Venus versus a gargoyle?"

Chas and Fran heard just enough to turn and look at Niles and Max. They excused themselves from the group of girls who were going to go and hassle their boyfriends. Slowly Fran and Chas made their way to where Niles and Max stood. "What the hell are Matt and Cal talking about?" Fran asked in no uncertain terms.

Max and Niles nearly burst with laughter. "They couldn't understand why I would get engaged three months before starting college." Niles' and Chastity's eyes met. "I simple said that when one has been given a Venus di Milo why would they want a gargoyle?"

"Oy…" Fran translated for only herself. "When you've found the best, forget the rest."

Niles nodded and grabbed Chastity into his arms. "So ends the lesson."


That night, after the bonfire and the dividing of the couples to their appointed rooms, Niles waited restlessly for everyone to fall into a deeper sleep. He'd been lucky enough to convince Max to let him have the bottom bunk. After a few hours, Niles slowly got out of his bed and quietly went into the bathroom and slipped easily out the window. He walked around to the window of the girl's bathroom and waited for the light to click on. When she appeared at the window he feared his heart would stop. She was radiant. She was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt and had a light sweater over her arm.

She slowly slid the window opened so not to disturb the other girls. "Niles!" She leaned out the window to where he stood on the wrap-around porch. "What's going to happen if we get caught?"

"We aren't doing anything wrong, Chas. We're just going to sit on the beach and watch the sunrise." Niles had a blanket from his car and was dressed much like Chas, in sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Chastity took his hand and kissed him lightly. "What if we fall asleep and don't get back?"

"I promise you we will not fall asleep." Niles looked at her. "Hey…your dad trusts me, right?"

Chas make a face at him. "I don't think that trust included sneaking out of the house at 3am to watch the sunrise."

"I know, but I've never seen a sunrise over the ocean." Niles pulled out his best pouty face.

Chastity practically burst into laughter at her fiancé…wow that was going to take some getting used to. "Oh, alright…let's go."

"I promise to do my best to keep you from getting bored." Niles waggled his eyebrows.

The young couple made their way down toward the water stopping about half way between the house and the water's edge. "This should be a nice spot." Niles stopped and laid out the blanket. Then he sat himself down and held his hand to Chastity so she could join him on the blanket. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing…I'm just looking at you." Chastity loved the way the moonlight danced off his reddish blonde hair. It had gotten a little shaggy since he'd had it cut for the show and Chastity decided she liked it that way. He was going to have it cut again before the prom, but she happened to mention that she thought it was kind of sexy the way it just lapped at his collar.

Chastity sat down facing the water and he tucked her into his chest, between his legs. Just the way she was sitting when he proposed. Chastity leaned back into him and felt his heart beating. "Niles…"

"MMMmmmm?" Niles responded breathing her in.

Chas wrapped his arms around her. "Was it my really my father's idea that we wait until after college?"

"Yep. "Why do you ask?" Niles could hear the worry in her voice.

Sighing heavily Chastity whispered, "I wonder why he wants us to wait."

"He's probably just worried that if we were to marry before you finish school that you won't be focused enough on your studies. It's not a bad idea really. I know I'm pretty irresistible, but don't you think you can wait?" Niles wanted to lighten her mood.

She didn't answer right away. Niles could feel her tense up. "It's not that…really. But what if…"

Niles turned her in his arms. "But what if…?" He coaxed her to continue.

"What if you meet someone else in college? There will be so many girls at Julliard, singers, and dancers and actresses and cellists…" Chas really didn't know what she was saying.

"Cellists?" Niles tried his best not to laugh at her concern. "You mean you're afraid I'll fall for some cello player?"

Chas tried her best not to cry…she didn't know what was wrong with her. "I'm just afraid that when we don't see each other all the time that…you'll find someone else. I mean, it's not like I really gave you a chance to meet anyone else this year."

"Yeah…you literally threw yourself at me that first day in Cannon's class." Niles smiled his broadest lopsided grin.

Chas frowned. "Fran tripped me and you know it!" She playfully smacked his arm.

"Chas…I love you." Niles lifted her chin so her eyes met his. "I met lots of girls. I was in Home Ec. and Concert choir. The ratio in those classes alone gave me ample opportunity to change my mind." Niles kissed her lightly. "Besides, we'll be seeing a lot of each other."

Chastity still looked a little sad. "What makes you so sure? Your apartment is in Murray Hill and Fran and I will be in the village."

"I don't think so." Niles kissed her. "I just happened to mention to your dad that the apartment just above ours will be available August 1st."

Chastity looked very excited. "Really? What did Daddy say?"

"He was glad that you wouldn't have to live in the village. And he made me promise that Max and I would live in our place and that you and Fran would live in yours." Niles grinned. "I assured him that we would keep the living arrangements just as he wished."

Chastity frowned a little. "Well, I guess that's better than living all the way across town from you."

"Not to mention, he didn't say a word about sleep-overs." Niles winked.

Chastity sighed and turned around again to lean into Niles' chest. "I feel so much better now."

Niles leaned forward and whispered to her. "Chastity, I've made my choice. It doesn't matter where we live or when we marry. I'm already yours."

They sat for a short time longer and waited for the sun to rise. They weren't disappointed. It was spectacular. It was beautifully clear that morning. As the sun ascended into the sky the colors changed from deep purples and oranges into paler shades of lavender and peach until the palest of blues took over.

"Wow…" Niles started. "That was almost as beautiful as you."

Chastity kissed him softly. "We'd better get back before we're missed. I don't want to have to explain to anyone."

Chas leaned forward and Niles stood up and helped her to her feet. He gave her just one deep soul joining kiss before he pulled up the blanket and shook out some of the sand. They walked back to the house in near silence. Niles tossed the blanket into the back of his car and they climbed the stairs and moved around to the girl's bathroom window which Chas was careful to leave opened just enough to get her fingers in to open it again.

"Thank you for the sunrise, Niles." Chas kissed him softly.

Niles grinned his goofy grin. "Well, actually that was God's doing, but I'm glad I took you to see it." He helped her climb back into the bathroom and whispered, "I'll see you in a couple of hours. Rest well, Chas. I love you."

"Love you, too, Niles." Chas watched him walk slowly around the porch.


Niles had barely pulled the blanket up over his waist when Max's foot was dangling off the top bunk and came to rest on Niles' mattress below. "Hey…" Max whispered. "Where'd you go?"

Niles yawned. "I don't know what you're talking about." Niles tried to roll away from his friend.

"Come on, Niles. I got up to go to the bathroom and you weren't in your bed." Max whispered as quietly as he could.

Niles sat up. "If you swear not to tell a soul…" Max nodded. "I went down on the beach to watch the sunrise."

"That's it?" Max asked, wondering what the big deal was. Niles nodded. "Well, why didn't you just say so?" Max shrugged and went again to the bathroom.

Niles shook his head. "Thank God he's easily satisfied." He rolled over and went to sleep.

In the girl's room Chas had finally gotten settled into her bed and was just about to drift off when Fran's voice whispered from above her. "Chas…are you ok?"

"Shhhh…Frannie, I'm fine. Go back to sleep." Chastity didn't want to talk and risk waking the other girls.

"You were in that bathroom for a very long time." Chastity could hear the concern in her best friend's voice.

Chastity shook her head and rolled her eyes. "I couldn't sleep and took a warm bath. I fell asleep in the tub."

"Ok, then get some rest, Honey. Tomorrow we hit the boardwalk." Fran yawned and dropped quickly back to sleep.