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

A/N: Just another idea I couldn't let go of…N/CC and M/S…later M/F LOL Let me know what you think. – D

A/N This is another transition chapter…it will propel us forward. - D

First Impressions

Chapter 14

CC couldn't believe where she was, but she couldn't not pay her respects. She stood well back at the funeral, but her heart broke when she saw him. Niles…her Niles; still as handsome as ever, more so if she was completely honest. His eyes were clouded over with the pain he felt at the lost of his friend. He stood with the children, holding the youngest in his arms. CC couldn't help but think how natural he looked holding the little girl. There was a time when she imagined their children. To be honest, it wasn't so very long ago. Each time her sister DD announced she was expecting CC allowed herself to wonder, however briefly, how many children she and Niles may have had.

Shaking her head free of the thought she scanned the gathering for any sign of Max. Finally she saw him. He sat off alone, distraught. CC felt helpless. She realized that she'd hurt them all. She left their lives with no explanation. She just dropped off the face of the planet. While that may have affected Niles more than Sara and Max, she knew from the few sporadic letters that her mother allowed her to read that they were all desperate for word from her. She wasn't sure what would happen if she made her presence known, but she had to do something. She couldn't deny she still loved them all.

CC wasn't expecting to be so very affected by this. She'd waited until everyone had left, Niles had to practically drag Max away and allow the workmen to do their jobs. She stood, she watched and she waited. When the men finished and left the grave, covered over in flowers sent from so many people who knew and loved Sara Sheffield. When she stood alone over the grave of her dearest friend, she wept. CC Babcock wept like she hadn't wept in than fifteen years.

Max and Sara had married shortly after Sara finished school. Nana Lauren had sent the newspaper announcement of their wedding. Then with the birth of each child an announcement came as well. No word of Niles ever marrying, but CC thought that Nana Lauren may have kept that from her to spare her feelings. For while CC dated often, throughout college and since, her heart would always belong to Niles. She'd resigned herself to that fact long ago. She never confessed it to another living soul, but she knew. If someday she married, it would be for convenience, or more practical purposes. She'd have to like the man of course, be well matched, but love…CC never expected to have those feelings ever again. But then, she'd never expected to see Niles again.

So, now she found herself standing at the door of the mansion. Her finger hovering over the bell as the thoughts rushed through her mind. "What will I say when I see him? What will he say? Oh God, please…this is a bad idea." CC turned to leave. But she knew she couldn't. No matter how difficult this was going to be, she couldn't let Sara's death go unacknowledged. She turned and rang the bell before she could rethink it any further.

When the door opened she was spared a confrontation with Niles. Whoever this man was he seemed rather sad as well so CC asked simply. "Where's Maxwell? I'm an old friend."

"Follow me, he's in the office." The man led her to the office, but only took CC as far as the door. "He's in there, but I wouldn't go in…I'm not sure he'll appreciate it."

CC looked at the man. "It's not going to get any easier, so I may as well do it now."

"I'll be out here if you need anything. I'm Max's brother, Nigel." Niles introduced himself.

CC took a deep breath and entered the office. When she stood in front of the desk, Max's head was in his hands and he didn't bother to look up. CC spoke as softly as she could and still be heard. "Max?"

Max flinched just a little and the sound of a woman's voice. He knew he recognized it, but he didn't know why or from where. He slowly pulled his head up from his hands. He looked monumentally older than the fifteen years should have aged him, but still the same handsome features he had as a teenager. "Chastity? Is that really you? Where've you been? What happened? Sara thought..." Max fell apart and started sobbing just from mentioning her name.

"I'm so sorry, Max…for everything." CC made her way around to him and pulled in into a warm hug. They stood and the sobbed, at the loss of the woman they both loved so very much. CC didn't know how long they'd been standing there before there was a light tap at the door, then the voice.

"Max…" Niles spoke softly and they pulled apart. Niles froze, the shock at seeing her evident in his whole body from expression on his face to the stiffness in his arms and his tightly clenched hands. He could feel the very air being pulled from his lungs from the intensity of the emotions at seeing her again, now with all that's happening around them. "Uh…Nigel and your parents need to leave for the airport."

Max nodded. "I'll be right back." He whispered softly to CC. As he made his way past Niles he paused. "Remember, Old Man…and take care."

CC turned and held his focus. "Hello, Niles." CC whispered barely audible, desperately trying to hold back the flood of emotions.

Niles thought his very heart would burst just at the sight of her. His thoughts wreaked havoc on his mind. "God just look at her, still a vision. I need her so badly. I…I… No, it wouldn't be proper to be so forward. What would she do? How would she respond? So much going on…" Finally he spoke. "Miss Babcock, you look well." Niles swallowed hard holding in his emotions.

"Niles…I'm…" CC took a single step toward him. "I'm so sorry…" CC hoped that would be enough for now…her heart breaking at the lost look that was masking his handsome features. "Please, Niles…"

"It's alright, Miss Babcock. I understand, really. Please…you don't have to say anything. It would be better if you didn't." Niles looked away from her gaze.

"I loved her you know." CC dropped onto the little green sofa and once again found herself shedding tears for more than just the loss of her friends life, but the life she herself may have enjoyed. "Niles…please." CC managed through the tears…as she slipped to the floor.

Niles was lifting her into his arms before either knew what was happening. "I know, I know…it's alright, Chastity…she understood…she really did. She loved you…" They cried together for their friend and many things lost.

It wasn't long before they felt the eyes on them and Niles pulled back from her arms. A place he'd so longed to be. But now, so much has happened, so much time passed, so much space between them. Niles looked at the tiny set of eyes that needed so much of him. "What is it, Miss Grace?" He held out his arms and the small girl moved into them.

Grace couldn't take her eyes off CC. So to were CC's eyes locked on the small face that so resembled her lost friend. "Lady, sad?" Gracie's small voice offered.

"Yes, Miss Grace…the lady is sad. She misses Mommy." Niles spoke softly to her and CC felt her heart break again at lost possibilities. "This is…"

"CC…" She interrupted his introduction. "You can call me CC, Grace."

"CC." Grace smiled and softly touched CC's cheek. "Niles…" Gracie spoke and turned herself in his arms and dropped her head on his shoulder.

"I think our little miss is ready for a nap." Niles stood from the sofa. "I uh…" Niles wasn't sure what he wanted to say. Well, that's not true…he wanted to say…you look amazing…I've missed you…I need you…please don't leave…but that's not what he said. "I hope we get to see you again soon." Their eyes locked for a moment and both felt the embers still burning inside. "I'd better take Gracie to bed." Niles turned and left her standing in the office.