Hello everyone!:) This has taken me a little longer to write, but I hope it'll be ok seeing as it's longer than the last couple of chapters. Lots of stuff happening as well and Niles and C.C. are finally getting closer again. I just wanted to say again that this is where I start using certain moments from "The Nanny", but not in chronological order and also just as a point of inspiration. I hope you'll enjoy this, please read&review as my mum's getting annoyed at me for constantly asking "Are you sure it's still good?No-one's reviewing anymore."lol
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, but I'm weirdly obsessed with Niles and C.C.!
Chapter 15: Risky Business
For the very first time in a number of years Niles Brightmore felt happy. Thanks to Fran Fine's influence the Sheffields were becoming a family again and after all the arguments and the insult him and C.C. were on a fair level of acceptance. Sure, he wasn't feeling content because there were still things in his life that were missing, but at least it seemed as if Nanny Fine had taken some of the burden off of his shoulders. Her greatest accomplishment so far had been to somewhat reconcile Maxwell with the idea of his dead wife Sara. Niles had thought that his final hour had come when his employer had stumbled across the boxes he had so carefully hidden in the cellar. His shouts of anger and pain had finally drawn Niles downstairs but he had stopped dead, when he saw Sara smiling up at him from photographs scattered across the floor.
"Explain." Maxwell pressed.
"Well, Sir, I-"
"I thought I had asked you to get rid of these." he continued, not even waiting for Niles to reply.
"Yes, I do remember, Sir. But when I looked through Mrs. Sheffield's things, I came to the conclusion that they couldn't just be thrown away."
"So you decided to keep them?" he exclaimed, firmly gripping the frame of one of the pictures.
"What's all that screamin' about?" Fran interrupted, shimmying into the cellar and past Niles.
"Miss Fine, would it be of any use to ask you to stay out of this?" Maxwell asked, now not only glaring at the butler but also at the brunette.
"No, not really. Meanwhile, where is all this hostility comin' from?"
"When Mrs. Sheffield died, Mr. Sheffield asked me to dispose of all her belongings which I didn't do because I thought he would regret it someday. But somehow he is incapable of realizing that it was done with his best interest in mind!" Niles said, only looking at Maxwell.
"You didn't follow your orders." Maxwell barked.
"They weren't orders, you had asked me to do this as a friend, something that you so conveniently seem to forget." Niles bit back just as harshly.
"I think that Niles was being very sweet," Fran interjected and when Maxwell opened his mouth she hurried to say "however, however, maybe he shoulda told ya about it before you just found it by yaself."
"Miss Fine!" both men yelled in union and the young woman ducked, hands protectively over her head.
Fran hadn't let it go though and when Mother's Day approached and Gracie revealed to her father that she didn't remember her mother, Fran had given him a look that suggested he'd retrieve the boxes from his cellar. It had been a bittersweet moment and yet vital because now the topic could be addressed openly.
A year or so later the progress was remarkable and Niles found it easier to deal with the fact that he wasn't needed as much anymore as he used to. Actually, he was rather glad for the moments that he got to spend on his own and that was why he pretended to be sick when the rest of the family went on a trip to Atlantic City for a canasta tournament. He saw them off with a burgundy scarf wrapped around his neck and tissues up his sleeves, but the moment the door closed and he was on his own in the house he took off the stuffy clothes and did a little victory dance of freedom. He spent the entire first day doing nothing: no dusting, no cleaning, no cooking. On the second night while he was enjoying some Chinese take- away, he suddenly grew bored of the silence in the house and switched on the radio. He listened to a couple of tunes while finishing off his meal and then decided that a shower was in order. He slowly stripped out of his pants and began to unbutton his shirt when a song caught his attention. "Just take those old records off the shelf, I'll sit and listen to 'em by myself". At first he subtly began to move to the beat of the music but finally he threw all caution to the wind and turning up the volume, grabbed hold of his feather duster and began to dance and sing properly. It was crazy and nothing like the stiff butler everyone viewed him as but god, it was fun!
When C.C. Babcock entered the house that night the last thing she expected was to be confronted with a bum-shaking butler only dressed in a pair of white boxers and a dress shirt. Completely shocked though she was she somehow felt compelled to watch him and begrudgingly had to admit that he could move very well in an almost sexy way. She couldn't help it either that her eyes moved south to steal a glance at his booty he was so skillfully swinging right and left. Had she seen the look on her face though that was naughty, to say the least, she probably would've been incredibly dissatisfied. For now though watching the butler was all she wanted to do, no reflection needed. As she observed his movements she suddenly realized that his rich baritone mingled with that of the singer's. He was good, he was really good! Though she usually hated to admit that there was anything positive about the butler, it was a completely different story when she saw real talent. Though clearly she wouldn't let him know that just yet… Only a second later Niles finally turned around and C.C. was almost certain that she could see his blue eyes widen in shock behind the sunglasses he was wearing. She fixed him steadily, a wicked grin tugging at the corner of her mouth as she waited for him to speak.
"You realize of course now I am going to have to kill you." he said dryly and she smirked.
As her eyes trailed over his face and to the skin that was revealed when his shirt had moved, she tried to remember where she had heard that line before. When realization finally dawned on her, she replied: "In the words of a certain butler: I am willing to take that risk."
The warmth of memories they had in common created such familiarity that C.C. found herself stepping closer towards him, until she could almost feel the rise and fall of his chest.
Though being caught dancing in his underwear wasn't something he was particularly proud of, the whole situation had taken a turn he hadn't expected. He wasn't sure what was going on in the blonde's head, but anticipation held him rooted to the spot, mere inches between them. Her light blue eyes darted nervously from his hairline to his lips and he could almost physically feel her nervousness. He, on the other hand, was still bowled over by her beauty. The dark blue coat she wore was tightly wrapped around her, pronouncing her gorgeous figure, and her blonde hair had grown slightly, one side was usually tugged behind her ear. He passed his feather duster to his right hand, lightly brushing over her body in the process and he swore he heard her sharp intake of breath. Then he slowly lifted his left hand to take off his sunglasses and to give her a chance to read the expression in his deep blue orbs.
"Would you like me to take your coat?" he asked quietly, when another minute had passed without either one of them speaking.
She vaguely nodded, still dazed by the intensity of the moment. He put the feather duster down on the table and then walked around her, placing both hands on her shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered into her ear, while she slipped one arm out of the coat.
She swallowed, the scent of his cologne making it impossible to think.
"I came to talk to Maxwell," she managed and instantly Niles stepped away.
She knew that he had taken off her coat and was now hanging it up and yet a part of her wondered if the distance had to do with the mentioning of her business partner.
"Mr. Sheffield and the rest of the family are in Atlantic City." he informed her politely "They won't be back till tomorrow evening."
"How come he just gets to take days off he can spend with that hussy while I'm struggling to find a possible actor for our backer's audition next week?" C.C. asked, walking over to the sofa.
"Well, maybe he just gets his priorities right." Niles suggested quietly.
"Yes, that's the kind of answer I'd expect from a butler. You have no idea how important work is in our circles." she snapped, nervously twisting her fingers.
"I think what you really mean, Babs, is that no-one realizes how important work is for you. But I can imagine what it must be like, home alone like a dog every night…" his voice trailed off and his eyes narrowed.
"Takes one to know one." she tossed out easily and smiled when he began to laugh.
"Well, at least I've got you to entertain me." he said gently and sat down next to her.
"So is that what you do whenever you've got time off?" she suddenly asked, eyeing him closely from head to toe.
"Surprised?" he growled in a low voice and she blushed.
"Actually I think "pathetic" is the word you're looking for…you and your feather duster, you must be very bored."
"I've said it once, I say it again, you just don't know what a good team her and I make." he said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
For a moment he had the great pleasure of watching her squirm in her seat, before she practically jumped to her feet.
"Maxwell isn't here so I should probably go back home."
And she walked around the couch and towards the closet. Niles let out a resigned sigh and followed her.
"Alright, good night, Miss Babcock." he said softly and following an instinct reached out to squeeze her hand "And you know, if you get too lonely…"
"I won't." she simply said, avoiding his eyes.
"But if you do," he persisted "then you know where to find me."
"Yes, dancing with your feather duster." she replied with an amused glint in her eyes "Good night!"
When the door closed behind her he did something rather uncharacteristic and leaned against it, closing his eyes and let out a sigh while a big smile swept over his face. The spark was back, that something that had made their relationship so special… and she had felt it too, despite the whole business with Maxwell..
Two days later Niles was still happy whenever he thought about that moment and so he kept humming different tunes while dusting as he attempted to commit all the nuances of her face to his memory.
"Maxwell, I'm telling you. if you don't jump on this we'll never make it." he heard C.C. say and instantly his eyes lit up by that wonderful opportunity for a zinger.
"Don't let her fool you, Sir," he said sotto voice, without even turning around to look at them "only because she's so desperate-"
"Can it, Niles, I'm actually trying to do something nice for you." she interrupted.
At this he finally looked up, wondering if it was worth hoping, what could she have planned that would have a positive outcome?
"C.C. just suggested that we should use you at our backer's audition, Niles."
"Why?" he asked, still not willing to show her how exciting this was.
"That's exactly what I was wondering, old man, it's rather unusual seeing as we don't even know what your singing voice is like."
"Why don't you just trust my judgment?" C.C. questioned.
"Because he's smart." Niles commented and she glared at him.
"I know that Niles can sing, alright? I heard him and I think he'd be perfect for the role, well, at least for the backer's audition."
Niles eyes widened and he still expected to find a camera team hiding behind the column somewhere.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Niles asked suspiciously.
"I'm only doing it for our show." she shrugged but averted her eyes.
"Alright, if you're so set on it, sing something for me, Niles."
His mind instantly went blank as he tried to live up to everyone's expectations, but finally an old tune came into his head and he began to sing. When he finished C.C., who still wasn't looking at him, was smiling and Maxwell looked quite surprised.
"That was, "he said clearing his throat "not bad at all, you will sing at the audition on Thursday night."
"Ya know, Mista Sheffield," Fran said who had just entered the scene "I don't have any plans for Thursday, if you still need someone to play the female lead." And as she opened her mouth to sing all three people instantly went to silence her.
In preparation for the backer's audition Maxwell had not only told him what the musical was about, but him and C.C. had also spent an entire evening listening to the different tunes. She was tired and he could see it and yet she explained every detail of the songs to him with a patience that was surprising.
"Miss Babcock," he softly said, reaching out to pat her knee "it's past midnight, I think I'll be fine for tomorrow."
She looked from his hand to his face and smiled weakly.
"You do realize how much depends on this."
"Miss Babcock…" he sighed and she chuckled softly.
"Alright, Butler Boy, I'll see you tomorrow and you better be good."
"Oh Miss Babcock, I'm not known to disappoint." And he winked at her.
The next day, however, he was feeling incredibly nervous and was often found pacing up and down in the foyer, trying to remember the lyrics.
"Niles, there has been a change of plan!" Maxwell said half an hour before the backer's arrived "C.C. and I decided that you should sing "Drawn to you" rather than-"
"You're telling me now?"
"Yes, well, we decided that a romantic song tends to be more influential and you know it all, old man."
And with that he patted his back and left. Niles swallowed, suddenly more nervous than before, which had only to do with the song choice. He couldn't perform this, not with C.C. in the room, not when the words had carried a deeper meaning from the first time he had heard them. But having been given such short notice, there wasn't really anything he could do about it. He caught a glance of C.C. just before he had to go on stage and it took all his strength not to stare. She wore her trademark high heels as well as black business pants, but underneath the black blazer she only wore a white corset that pushed up her breasts far too high for any man who still wanted to think properly.
"Without further ado, I give you Niles Brightmore."
And as everyone clapped he took his cue and entered the stage. The entire den of the Sheffield residence was filled with people and to his right in the back he saw C.C. and Maxwell, watching him expectedly. He gave a polite nod to the audience and swallowed, this was it. The pianist played a short introductory melody and then it was time to sing.
"I'm drawn to you as a moth to the light.
I'm drawn to you as a nightingale to the night.
And it's not just that you're beautiful though heaven knows you are,
but something between us goes deeper I find.
I'm drawn to you by some strange magic art
that has to do with the mysteries of the heart,
just as though I had known you when dark and dawn were new,
I'm drawn to you!"
Throughout all of this he was looking at the audience, avoiding by any means possible to look at C.C. or his employer, or the curious nanny who had sneaked into the room and was now listening, her mouth agape. As the pianist played his solo, Niles closed his eyes, oblivious to the smile that slowly crept across his face, only feeling the sensations the music created again. As he sang the final line he opened his eyes and instantly found a pair of light-blue ones. While Maxwell was looking around the room to observe the effect, C.C. was only focused on Niles and she was smiling. When the song came to an end the room was filled with the sound of polite applause and Niles took a bow and exited.
"Nyules," Fran exclaimed slapping him playfully "why didn't ya eva tell me you could sing!"
"I didn't think it was of importance." he said humbly, although he was having a hard time hiding his grin.
"Ah you just happen to live in the home of a Broadway produca and ya didn't think it was important? Oy, ya gentiles can be so dim sometimes!"
"Good job, old man!" Maxwell said, bursting through the door behind him "you won them over, they are willing to invest in the musical!"
He nodded, somewhat disappointed that C.C. hadn't turned up and absent-mindedly began to play with the towel.
"Oh and by the way, old man, we are running a little low on dip, could you possibly buy some more?"
"I guess my five minutes of fame are over." Niles sighed and left the kitchen to get his jacket.
Just as he had made his way through the crowd of backers and reached the door, someone touched his shoulder. He turned around, still putting on his jacket and observed the blonde woman in front of him who seemed at a loss for words.
"Satisfied?" he asked smoothly, raising an eyebrow.
"It was alright considering the short amount of time you had." she smirked "But why are you leaving? Hopefully not thinking you can win the next Broadway audition."
"No, I'm out to buy some dip…a butler's duties are never done."
For a moment he saw something like pity flicker in her eyes but then she shrugged and said: "Good, wouldn't want to quit your day job."
"Anything I can get for you while I'm out?" he asked, turning to open the door.
For a second she had the crazy idea of telling him that anything he'd get would be fine, but then she decided to shake her head.
"Alright, you should probably get in there and threaten…sorry, I mean, woo some backers." and he smiled at her before leaving the house.
Unbeknownst to C.C. she still had a dreamy smile on her face and she walked back into the den.
"Miss Babcock?"
"Yes?" she asked, eyeing the dark-haired man who had approached her.
"I would love to discuss the possibilities of investing in your play…over dinner ,perhaps?I'm Chandler Evans." and he lifted her right hand to his lips.