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

A/N: I don't know where this will go… Let me know what you think.

NewYorkDates:com

Chapter 37

Tea Room, Friday at Seven

"Hey Benson…" CC blew into the kitchen just after lunch on the day of the 'big date'. "Do you have anything special planned for tonight?"

Niles turned from his place at the stove and eyed CC suspiciously. "Why…I thought you had that big mystery date tonight?"

"How do you know?" CC asked him.

Niles dropped his shoulders. "You've been lording it over me all week."

"Oh…" CC dropped her deep sultry laugh. "Right. So have you got plans or not?"

"No." Niles waited for the shoe to drop, but needed to allow it all the same.

"Then could you do something for me?" CC waited for his response, when none came she continued. "I was wondering…" CC hoped there would be an easier way to do this, but he wasn't giving her an inch. "I was wondering if you'd go with me to the Tea Room…in case…"

Niles raised an eyebrow. Now it would be his turn. "Oh…what's the matter, Babs? Are you afraid Mr. Perfect will get one look at your fur and run for cover?"

"Never mind." CC turned on her heels. "I don't know why I'd ever thought you'd want to help…"

"Wait…" Niles was only slightly contrite. "Miss Babcock, I'm sorry. You're right, you shouldn't go there alone to meet a stranger. Even at the Tea Room. I'll go and I'll leave the moment you ask me to."

"Thank you, Niles. I'm a little nervous." CC dropped barely above a whisper.

Niles moved toward her. "You…nervous…why?"

CC sighed heavily hardly believing she was about to confide in of all people, Niles. "I've been emailing back and forth with Andy for some time now. What if I'm not everything he's expecting?"

Niles couldn't believe it; CC Babcock didn't think she was good enough? "Well, then he's a fool of the greatest caliber. You're CC Babcock, the bitch of Broadway…nothing intimidates you."

"Niles…" CC moved to the table and sat down. Niles remained standing behind her. "That's what worries me. Andy doesn't know who I am or what I do. I do tend to intimidate men; maybe not on the first or second date, but not long after. There's only ever been one man who wasn't intimidated by me and he's…" CC finally realized what she was saying and to whom she was saying it.

"He's what?" Niles asked quietly.

"Unavailable." CC answered as she stood up from the table. "I appreciate this Niles, thanks."

Niles kept his face neutral. "You're welcome, Miss Babcock. What should I wear?"

"I'll be in one of my black Armani dresses. Could you pick me up at the penthouse?" CC seemed so vulnerable.

Niles nodded. I'll be there at 6:45…alright?" CC nodded as she left the kitchen.

Not a minute later Fran came in. "Hey Niles…who spit in Miss Babcock's coffee…"

"Me…who else?" Niles tossed his impish grin at her.

Fran smacked his arm playfully. "Niles…I'm serious. She looked a little down. I thought her big mystery date with 'Andy' was tonight." Fran eyed Niles knowingly.

"It is…she's a little nervous." Niles smiled softly.

"Well, I wish I could be there to see the look of her face. She's gonna plotz!" Fran smiled. "I hope it goes well for her and 'An-dy'." Fran winked and headed out the back door.

"So do I, Fran…so do I." Niles went back to his work.

Niles knocked on CC's door at exactly 6:45. "Come in!" CC called from behind the door.

"That's not really wise, is it, Miss Babcock?" Niles tossed out as he entered the penthouse and was greeted by a tail wagging Chester. "Hello, Chester…where's Mommy?"

"Fran is back at the mansion. I'll be out in a minute." CC called from her bedroom. "I hope this thing isn't over the top." CC came out of the bedroom and Niles couldn't help but gasp. She was wearing a black Armani with a bateau neckline and long fitted sleeves. She looked amazing. "You like it?"

Niles nodded slowly. "Oh yes. You're breathtaking." CC smiled and handed Niles her wrap to help her with.

"Come on, Benson…I don't want to be late." Niles opened the door and they left the apartment without another word.

They arrived at the Tea Room in short order and Niles gave the keys to the valet and took the ticket. "Miss Babcock, perhaps it would be best if I didn't go in with you. If your gentleman is waiting, you don't want to walk in with me…he may get the wrong idea."

"That's sweet, Niles. But Andy won't know it's me until he Rudy introduces us." CC smiled and Niles followed her into the Tea Room.

"Miss Babcock!" Rudy greeted her. "Meeting your gentleman again?"

CC nodded. "I hope so, Rudy. He should ask for Claire. Seat him as we discussed and them come and get me. Alright?"

"Very good, Miss Babcock." Rudy eyed Niles. "Mr. Niles…will you need a table tonight?"

"No thank you, Rudy. I'm just going to sit with Miss Babcock until her date arrives." Niles smiled at the man.

Rudy nodded. "Right this way, Miss Babcock, Niles." Rudy took CC and Niles to a small table in the bar area. CC had arranged for Rudy to seat Andy, when he arrived, in the regular dining room. "Would either of you care for a drink?"

"Uhm…" CC responded still nervous.

Niles looked up. "Rudy, if you could just bring us both a mineral water with a twist of lime, for now, please."

"Very good, Sir." Rudy gave his standard nod and left them.

"Miss Babcock…you really should relax. This man can't possibly be all that big and scary." Niles smiled at her.

"Niles…" CC tilted her head and thought for a moment. "How did you know I drink mineral water with a twist of lime?"

Niles frowned. "Miss Babcock…I'm a butler…it's kind of what I do."

"I never ask you for that kind of thing." CC offered.

Niles laughed. "Not just the serving part, Babs…the being observant part too."

"Really? Give me a few examples of what you think you've observed over the years." CC challenged.

Niles sighed. "Are you sure? You're waiting for a date."

"Please, Niles. It'll take my mind off waiting." CC sipped at the drink that was now before her.

Niles smirked. "Well, you chew on your bottom lip when you're concentrating. You're terrified of thunder storms although you do hide that rather well now. You know all of the children's names and birthdays as well as you know your own. And every day you give ten dollars to the homeless man that sits on the bench just outside your building."

"How could you possibly know all that?" CC sat in sheer astonishment at this man before her.

Their eyes locked for a moment and Niles knew it had to be then or it would be never. "I know everything…about you." Niles waited. "I know that while you pretend to hate Chester you secretly love him. I know that you flirt with Max as a security blanket because you know he's safe. I know that while you insist you're all about business, you want to be married and have a family of your own."

"Niles…I" CC could feel her eyes filling.

"I know that you secretly attend every one of Andrew Lloyd Webbers productions at least once. I know that you prefer Aquafina to Poland Springs; that your favorite meal is mushroom risotto and that you loathe arugula. I know that you prefer orange roses to the usual red and that your favorite color is green. I know that your favorite person in the world was your maternal grandmother…"

"Nana." CC whispered.

Niles stood and moved next to where CC sat. "I know that when the sun catches your hair just right it shines like spun gold. And when I hold you in my arms on the dance floor I feel like the man I always knew I could be. I know that for more years than I can remember…I have loved you. You, as you are inside…not the mask you wear…"

"Excuse me, Miss Babcock." Rudy joined them. "Your gentleman has arrived." Rudy nodded and left.

Niles waited only a moment. "Well, it would seem your date has arrived. I should go." Niles offered his hand help CC to stand so she could move into the dining room.

"Uhm…yeah…" CC stood and took a step toward the dining room and stopped. Then she looked at Niles. He nodded and moved toward the bar. CC turned and stepped again toward the dining room before she stopped and the thought grabbed her. She turned again to see Niles walking out of the room. "Niles!" CC called just loud enough to stop him. "It's you…"

Niles moved to where CC stood. "I'm sorry?"

"Please say it's you." CC whispered trying to keep her tears from starting again. Her eyes scanned his handsome face for some sign that he understood, knew not just what she meant but that it was all true. "Niles…I have to know…please." CC nearly begged.

"What is it you want me to say, Miss Babcock?" Niles stood his ground. He needed to know that he would be enough, just plain old Niles the butler, but he let the boyish grin slip across his face giving him away.

CC flashed her Cheshire smile. "What's your middle name, Niles?" CC closed the small space that remained between them and toyed with his lapel.

"Andrew." Niles answered never leaving her gaze.

CC smiled. "And would you like to hear know what I've observed after all these years?" Niles nodded. "You pull at your fingers when you're nervous about something, like now. You take great care in finding ways to keep me at the mansion when there's a thunderstorm, so I won't be alone. You love the children as your own, although Gracie is your favorite. And every day you bring lunch to the homeless man that sits on the bench just outside my building .

Niles was amazed. "How…" CC shook her head stopping him.

"I know everything about you, too" CC smiled. "I know that even though Maxwell presented Chester, he was really a gift from you. I know you talk to Sara every day out on the back terrace. I know that while you complain about being a butler that you wouldn't leave Maxwell or the children for anything in the world. I also know that for everything you know about me, I know something about you.

"But…" Niles tried again.

CC stroked his cheek with her thumb. "I know that I adore the way your hair gets a little bit curlier when it's wet. And when you hold me in your arms on the dance floor I feel like a woman, not a Broadway producer. I know that for more years than I will ever admit I have tried not to love you. But it just isn't working. I love you, Niles Andrew Brightmore, and I always will."

"Can we go now?" Niles smirked.

CC looked confused. "Go where?"

"We do have a reservation."