Disclaimer: I don't own any of the fabulous characters from 'The Nanny'.
A/N: I've always wondered if this could ever really happen. Not just Niles and CC but anyone, anywhere.
Phantom of the Mansion
Chapter 2
House Guest
"Are you sure it's no trouble, Max? I realize Thanksgiving is just over a week away and you and Nanny Fine are starting to really make a go of the relationship thing." CC offered him an out.
Max shook his head. "You'd be here for Thanksgiving anyway, CC. Not to mention, think of all the extra work we can get done without you having to travel back and forth."
"I really appreciate it, Max. And thank Nan…Fran for me, too. I can't believe it's finally happening." CC was nearly giddy.
Max smiled at his partner and friend. "It's not a problem, CC. You're always welcomed in my home. You know that."
Niles came into the office. "You wanted to see me, Sir?"
"Yes, Niles. CC is doing extensive renovations on her penthouse and she'll be staying here until it's finished. If you could take her home, help her pack up whatever she needs and bring it back here, please." Max instructed as a matter of fact.
Niles looked back at CC on the love seat. "Finally decided to put in the sub level for your coffin?"
"Niles…" Max cautioned. "Better go now so you'll be back to prepare dinner."
Niles nearly groaned out loud. "Of course, Sir, shall we Miss Babcock?"
CC stood and cackled at Niles' obvious discomfort. "Don't worry, Butler Boy. I promise not to bring more than five or six bags."
In the car, Niles and CC were almost cordial. "Miss Babcock. I thought the owner of the other penthouse on your floor refused to sell?"
"She did, haggard old crone. But she sold it to some company six months ago and they never used it so I finally convinced them to sell to me." CC laughed loudly.
Niles smirked. "Really? How'd you manage that?"
"I did my research and found the bank that held the mortgage told them to contact the owners and offered a full 25% over what they paid." CC boasted.
Niles nodded. "What company owned it?"
"I have no idea, we did it though the bank. I never even saw a signature." CC laughed. "Ya gotta love this country."
Niles pulled the limo up in front of CC's building. "I'll find a place to park the monster and meet you up stairs."
"Don't be long, Hazel. I still have a lot of work to do back at the mansion. I mean…at home." CC stepped out of the limo when the doorman opened the door.
"Good afternoon, Miss Babcock." Charles the doorman offered.
"Yeah, yeah, how are ya, Clive." CC blew past the man and into her building.
Niles carried nearly all of CC's bags up to her usual guest room and she followed behind with a small make up and toiletry bag and her briefcase. "There you are, Miss Babcock. Would you like me to unpack for you?"
CC was half way out the door and tossed back. "Oh yeah, thanks Niles, that would be great." She was nearly gone before Niles realized that she'd been almost nice about it.
Niles started unpacking CC's bags. He was meticulous in his work and had done it for her before so it wasn't anything new until she found the leather bound book in one of the bags. He turned to put in on the night stand when the item fell on the floor. He carefully picked it up and returned it to the book. A carefully pressed red rose tied with a black satin ribbon. "Hhmmf," Niles thought to himself. "If Mr. Sheffield knew how taken she was with the Webber character he'd fire her on the spot."
Niles headed down to the kitchen and made quick work of another fabulous dinner for his family. "Niles…" Fran started. "Once again, dinner was fabu!"
"Thanks, Fran." Niles dropped flatly.
Fran saw that Niles seemed out of sorts. "Hey, Niles…whatsa matta?"
"Hmm? Oh I'm sorry, Fran. Nothing's wrong, really. I think I'm just a little tired." Niles started the dishwasher and stifled an uncharacteristic yawn.
Fran looked at the clock on the wall. "Well, it's after 8, you're officially off the clock. Go to bed and get some rest." Fran planted a light kiss on his cheek.
"I think I'll do just that. Thanks, Fran. I'll see you at breakfast." Niles grinned and started up the back stairs to his room.
The next night CC had a date with her newest beau, Colin. Niles answered the bell when it rang.
CC had her compact in hand. "Colin, Darling, I'll be right with you I'm just fixing my face."
Colin sighed, "Don't bother, Angel, if Earl Shibe couldn't knock those dents out I doubt you can." He was rude, handsome and well dressed. Niles hated him immediately.
CC laughed with him and pushed him out the door then turned back to Niles. "He can go on like that all night."
"Oh yeah? Well when your clothes come off the insults just write themselves." Niles was visibly saddened by their little exchange.
The mansion was dark when CC returned from her date and made her way up to her room. The house was very quiet, almost too quiet. "I don't remember this house ever being this quiet." CC thought. "It's a little creepy." CC quickly got dressed for bed, slipped beneath the covers and was asleep within moments. Then she heard the voice floating on a whisper.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion basking in your glory!
Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, coaxing your love from me!"
CC sprang up from her bed. "Who's there? Who is it?" She looked around her room and saw nothing. "Well that was weird. I could've sworn I heard someone." CC lay down and went back to sleep, and dreamed. CC found herself in a large banquet hall filled with candles. She was wearing her long white lace negligee. The pounding beat of a familiar song started coming from all round her and nowhere at the same time. She could feel her heart racing and her breathing getting rough and shallow when he appeared before her. Strangely she wasn't at all afraid, but excited and found herself singing…
"In sleep you sang to me, in dreams you came ...
that voice which calls to me and speaks my name ...
And do I dream again? For now I find…
The Phantom of the Opera is here inside my mind.
CC and the Phantom circle each other slowly as they sing.
The Phantom sings to her…
"Sing once again with me our strange duet ...
My power over you grows stronger yet ...
And though you turn from me, to glance behind,
the Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind."
The Phantom reaches for CC and she takes his hand. They dance together for the rest of the song as they continue singing. It's a very heated dance, much like the tango. Rhythmic, passionate and very sexual. CC is lost to the power of this dream and amazed that she can breathe let a long sing and dance. She sings again as he leads her around the floor.
"Those who have seen your face draw back in fear ...
I am the mask you wear."
The Phantom sings again.
'It's me they hear."
CC and the Phantom sing together.
"Your/My spirit and my/your voice in one
combined the Phantom of the Opera
is there inside your/my mind
The Phantom and CC dance.
He's there,
the Phantom of the Opera,
Beware the Phantom of the Opera.
The Phantom stops the dance and pulls CC's back into his chest and slowly caresses her arms as he sings.
"In all your fantasies,
you always knew that man and mystery."
CC's head drops back onto his shoulder as she sings her confession.
"... were both in you."
The Phantom slowly releases CC and steps back from her as they sing the last part together.
"And in this labyrinth where night is blind,
the Phantom of the Opera is there/here - inside your/my mind"
CC sings alone as the dream Phantom fades…
"He's there the Phantom of the Opera."
Next morning CC woke before her alarm and stretched in her bed. She checked the clock and knew that she had just enough time to shower and dress before Niles would have some luxurious breakfast on the table. She flipped the blankets off her legs and that's when she saw it. A single red rose tied with a black satin ribbon sitting on her nightstand. CC gasped softly, strangely excited and still not afraid.