Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to any of the characters of 'The Nanny.'

A/N Ok peeps, this one is yet another in a long line of Niles and CC fictions. It's also a little out there… I just don't want anyone to get bored. LOL Let me know what you think. - FoG

Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 13

The wind was starting to blow and CC still didn't understand. The moon was nearly at its apex and it was lighting the area almost like a spot light in the sky. CC knew the beast before her was Niles or at least it had been Niles. She knew that she should be terrified, but instead she was worried, concerned for Niles. "Grace…I don't understand…what's going on? Why is this happening?" CC turned to face Grace.

Grace shook her head. "I can't help you, Miss Babcock. You have to be honest with him and with yourself. I'm only here in case."

"In case…in case what?" CC asked as the wind seemed to be whipping up a bit.

Grace shook her head again. "I can't answer that…just be honest."

"Honest! Honest about what?" CC didn't know what that meant.

Niles was pacing back and forth almost like he was caged. He wasn't really angry, he didn't have time to explain or prepare, she'd stood there, watched him change, let him grab her, took the roar…well, like a man really. How could he make her see? How could he scare her enough?

"Niles!" Grace yelled at him. "You're wasting time. The moon is nearing the apex; you'll be harder to control."

His anger caught up with him and he swatted at a garbage can and sent it flying as if it was a rag doll. He saw CC jump and her eyes grew large. She was afraid. He'd been to gentle with her…really? Well, ok. He was about twenty feet away now and he turned toward her, fire in his ocean blue eyes, teeth bared, growling and storming toward her. He only hoped he could stop himself if she didn't do it for him. He charged her, not at a full run, but as he got closer he could see the fear building in her eyes and as he raised his clawed hand to strike the minute he was close enough…

"Niles!" CC slapped him hard across the face, her fear forcing her hand. "How dare you charge at me like that? Me, CC Babcock, the woman you love. And don't you dare try to deny it, Mister. I've loved you too long to stand here and take this crap from you. Do you hear me in there?" CC stood now with her hands firmly on her hips. "Niles! I asked if you heard me."

The eyes of the beast held her answer. They had 'dear God woman' written in them. CC smiled, reached up and took the face of the beast in her hands. The hair she found there was soft, not coarse like a beard. CC looked into the eyes of the beast and saw the man she loved. "Niles…if you'd just told me what I had to do, it would've saved us all a lot of time. I love you, Niles. I always have and I always will; from the tip of your hairy head to the soles of your hairy feet." CC leaned in a little. "And the hairy parts in between too." Then she pulled his face closer and kissed him softly on the odd feeling lion like lips.

The beast slumped again to the ground. Grace smiled and handed CC pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. "He's going to need these in a minute." Grace turned and faced away.

After a few minutes Niles, the real, regular old Niles, looked up into the pale blue eyes of the woman who saved him, and his family, from a three hundred and twelve year old curse. "I love you, CC. I have since the minute you barged into my life. Thank you, for standing your ground with me."

CC laughed that sultry laugh as she helped Niles to his feet. "When have I not stood my ground with you, Butler Boy?"

"You just wait." Niles tossed off a throaty growl.

CC glanced 'down' as Niles slipped into the sweat pants. "It's nice to know that everything wasn't…enhanced."

Grace cleared her throat. "Hello…child still in the vicinity."

"It's alright, Miss Grace, you can turn around now." Niles spoke softly. "Thanks for bringing the sweats, but I could've just used CC's denim jacket."

"Like hell, this is a Versace." CC chided him.

Grace laughed at the still bickering couple. "No, Niles. I had to be here. Grandpa Joe called early this morning and told me not to leave. He warned me that I would be needed for your face off, I think he called it. I told Dad I wanted to stay at the Mitchell's just in case."

The three sat on the bench. "I'm not sure I understand, Grace." CC questioned.

"All I know is that Grandpa Joe said that in the event you…" Grace paused uncomfortably.

Niles smiled. "Go on, Grace."

"If Miss Babcock, didn't stand her ground or denied you…well with the closeness of the moon, not to mention the eclipse, your ability to control yourself may not have been strong enough." Grace was definitely dancing around the topic.

"Grace, are you saying that if I'd tried to run or told Niles I didn't love him, that he'd have hurt me?" CC looked amazed at the possibility. "I don't believe that."

Grace sighed. "If he didn't get what he needed the belief is he'd have taken what he wanted." Grace felt strange even saying something like that about Niles. "He eventually wouldn't have been able to stop himself he'd have attacked…and…"

"It's alright, Grace." Niles knew it was too difficult for Grace to say. You had better wait over there for CC and me. Grace moved away and picked up Niles shredded clothes and put them in a nearby trashcan while she waited for him to explain.

"The power of the moon as close as it was would have been too much for me to control. If you'd have denied me or run, the beast would've taken over. I'd have chased you down, taken what I wanted and probably torn you apart. Grace was here to keep you safe."

CC touched his now smooth face. "I don't believe you could ever do those things to me, Niles."

"You're right, I couldn't. But under a full moon, I was fully consumed by the beast, I was self aware, but had very little control. With the moon as close and strong as it was tonight…well why take the chance." Niles kissed her softly. "My father discovered that the same overall calm that you gave me in the 'off phase' Grace held for me in the moon phase, the week up to and including the full moon, when your affect upon me changed." Niles smirked. "Every Brightmore man had two facilitators; at least that's what Dad called them. One is the 'object of his desires'. She causes the most turmoil, calming effect in the off phase, and unbridled desire in the moon phase."

CC grinned. "I guess that was me."

"The other facilitator is referred to as the 'guardian'. She causes the least turmoil, an air of protection during the off phase and a cloak of calm during the moon phase." Niles stood and extended his hand to CC.

"That would be me." Grace joined them back at the bench.

Niles draped his arms around his 'facilitators' as they walked back to the mansion. When they got home, Grace went to bed and Niles and CC went into Niles' room to talk about everything that she'd witnessed and what it meant for them.

Niles recounted the story of Jeremiah Brightmore and the traits and abilities that would 'remain' for him. CC seemed rather intrigued at the prospect of these traits and abilities. "How extensive are these, powers or whatever?" That's when Niles' phone rang.

"Hello?" Niles answered, and then laughed. "It's for you."

CC frowned and spoke into the phone. "Hello?" A smile spread across her face when she heard the voice coming out of the phone.

"So, me darling, you slapped him in the face did ya?" Joseph asked her.

CC laughed lightly. "Yes, Papa Joe, I did." CC shook her head. "So, how long with these enhancements of Niles' last." CC's eyes got big. "Really? Well now I am intrigued. Ok, ok…yes I promise. We'll see you then." CC hung up Niles' phone.

"What was all that about?" Niles asked only a little concerned.

CC snuggled into him. "Well, he told me that your gifts and 'enhancements' will last forever and will improve over time. He made me promise to make you keep your promise to your mother. Then there was just the last little bit, nothing important."

"CC…" Niles was pulling the 'magnetism' on her.

CC looked up at him almost doe eyed. "Niles…that's not fair." Then he kissed her softly. "He made me promise to give you at least one son." They fell asleep quite content with all that had happened.

The proposal came over a romantic dinner at the Rainbow Room. Niles didn't even have to use his powers to get CC to go or to say yes. They didn't have a lot of time. They still had to be married before Niles' 45th birthday. CC thought it would be nice if they got married at sunset beneath a full moon, now that Niles would stay Niles and all. Well provided they did it before November 26th. The November full moon fell on the 14th and was a Friday. Sunset was predicted to be at about 4:30 pm and 'moon rise' was just after 5:00 pm.

Max had some pull with the city and asked if they would cordon off the part of the small park near the mansion where Niles had revealed himself to CC. For a 'small' donation to the Parks and Recreation department, the city couldn't have been more accommodating. The invitations were sent and Niles' parents were flown in from England as promised. It was a beautiful service. Niles and CC stood beneath a canopy just as the sun set over the city and took their vows. It couldn't have been better timed. Just as Father Thomas said 'you may kiss your bride' the moon had risen to its fullest. Max and Fran stood as best man and maid of honor, Grace stood just behind the two as flower girl, and also as guardian since Niles was going to be less focused on keeping control of himself.

After the service, the bride and groom met with their guests. When Niles finally introduced CC to his mother, both women cried. Niles couldn't have been more pleased. It was a thing with his mother. Each time she met one of his brother's girlfriends they waited for the tears. If she didn't cry, well the relationship didn't usually last. His brother, Quentin went through two very serious girlfriends, each one breaking it off before the wedding. Then his mother met Pegeen, and she cried like a baby. He was the first of Niles' siblings to marry and thus started the 'barometer' for spouses. CC already had a lot going for her, considering she broke the curse and all.

Then Joseph leaned in and whispered something in CC's ear making her blush. "Are you sure?" She asked him.

"Oh yes, Lass, as sure as I'm standing here." Joseph winked at her and moved to where his wife was chatting with Max and Fran.

Niles looked at his bride. "Honey, what did Dad say to you? I've never seen you blush."

"He thanked me for keeping my promise." CC smiled as her hands rested on her very flat belly.

Niles laughed lightly. "I told you about the baby a week ago, why are you surprised?"

"Because you didn't mention he had a sister." CC purred into his ear.

Niles eyes shot to the top of his head. "Well, I guess my work here is done, huh?" Niles did that little shoulder shake and waggled his eyebrows.

"Done?" CC nipped his earlobe. "From what Dad tells me, you're work here is just getting started."