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 7

New Years Eve - Night

CC was in her room at the Plaza putting the finishing touches on her costume. She purchased a perfect period gown in a deep ivory and was wearing her hair down and very curly. Her opera gloves and fancy jewelry added to the picture. She looked at herself in the mirror. "It's good, but there's something missing. I don't scream 'Christine Daae'. Not to mention I'm about twen…ten years too old." There was a knock on CC's door and she went to answer it. "Yes?" CC said when she pulled the door open only to find no one, then looking down she saw it. CC gasped lightly at the single red rose tied with a black satin ribbon. This time there was a note. CC closed the door to her room and read the note. She could almost hear his voice in her ear.

"My dearest CC,

Please, if you wish to see me this evening, carry this rose as a sign.

That's…all I ask of you.

Phantom"

CC carefully clutched the note to her bosom and sighed. "He's here…and he knows I'm here. Well that actually stands to reason."

Niles opened his door to the limo, stepped out and walked around to make arrangements with David, their driver. "Mr. Sheffield, why don't you and Fran go in and I'll join you shortly. I think I'm going to check on Miss Babcock."

"Very good, old man, give her our best." Max took Fran's arm and led her into the hotel and to the coat check counter.

Niles sighed and walked up to the front desk. "Excuse me, I've got an urgent message for CC Babcock, could you tell me her room number please?"

The desk clerk looked up and saw Niles in his white tie and tails, white gloves and monocle. "I'm sorry, Sir. We can't give out room numbers, but I believe that's Miss Babcock, there." The clerk pointed just over Niles' shoulder.

Niles left the desk and met her as she stepped off the elevator. "Miss Babcock, I see you've had a visitor?" Niles noticed the rose in her hand.

"No visit, Niles. He left it at the door with a note that said for me to carry it if I wished to see him. See, I told you, I'm in no danger." CC smiled. "Care to escort me into the ballroom?"

"I don't know…is your Phantom jealous? I don't want to lose my head." Niles smirked.

CC nudged him. "Well, I haven't seen Colin lately, but I don't think my Phantom had anything to do with it."

"Then let's make an entrance." Niles offered his arm, CC took it and they made their way into the grand ballroom. Niles put his monocle in his eye and they made their way into the ballroom and to their table. Niles pulled out CC's chair and took her seat. CC did a quick scan of the room and didn't see 'The Phantom' anywhere. "Miss Babcock, would you like a drink?" Niles asked?

"Just a club soda and lime, please, Niles." CC smiled at him.

Niles did a polite little bow. "I won't be a moment." Niles made his way to the bar and ordered CC's club soda and a scotch for himself when the lights suddenly dimmed in the ballroom. A spot light came up in the far corner of the dance floor opposite Max's table. No one moved; the music, all activity just…stopped. Fran and Max sat with jaws hanging and just watched and he stepped into the light.

There he stood. He was dressed just as he'd been at every other occasion when CC had seen him; white tie and tails, the mask, the cape and the black leather gloves. The small orchestra started to play and the room was literally frozen around them. He took slow steady steps toward her and the soft glowing light followed him to her as he sang.

"No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you my words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you."

CC stood and took his offered hand and found the voice from her dreams singing with him.

"Say you love me every waking moment, turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you, now and always promise me that all you say is true
that's all I ask of you"

He drew her into him and walked her to the center of the dance floor.

"Let me be your shelter, let me be your light.
You're safe, no one will find you your fears are far behind you."

CC and the Phantom danced and sang together as if they were alone in the room. It was just like in her dreams as she sang with her Phantom.

"All I want is freedom, a world with no more night.
And you always beside me to hold me and to hide me."

Their eyes met and were fixed upon each other. Their hearts were beating in a single rhythm of love and devotion. The words of his song begging her to be forever his.

"Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Let me lead you from your solitude.
Say you need me with you here, beside you.
Anywhere you go, let me go too,

That's all I ask of you."

CC could feel her eyes filling with the unshed tears of the joy from years of unshared love and affection; ready to pour forth into the very soul of this incredible man. A man whose face she hasn't seen but who possesses her, body, mind and heart when her song answers him.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Say the word and I will follow you."

As they sing together they are still in the middle of the dance floor. Professing their love and desires observed by all in attendance.

"Share each day with me, each
night, each morning."

CC whispers her request.

"Say you love me."

Her Phantom whispers his response.

"You know I do."

Their eyes meet and they step a bit closer.

"Love me, that's all I ask of you.

They kiss and dance sweepingly around the room.

Anywhere you go let me go too.
Love me, that's all I ask of you."

CC's hand rests on the cheek of his mask as their eyes lock. The lights are still low and he whispers. "Not here, my love. Please." He brushes her lips softly with his own and when the lights return to normal CC is alone on the dance floor.

Niles makes it to her just as she faints. He lifts her carefully and takes her out of the ballroom. "Miss Babcock. Are you alright?" Max and Fran are right behind them.

"Oy, what was all that about?" Fran felt flushed herself.

Max tried to take control. "I'm calling security and having the hotel searched for that man."

CC reached up from the chair Niles had placed her in just outside of the ballroom. "No, Max. I'm fine, I just got a little over excited."

"CC who in the hell is that?" Max barked at his friend, worried.

Fran grabbed Max's arm. "Leave her alone, Max. Niles will stay with her until she's ready to come back. Let's go, you have guests to greet." Fran literally pushed Max back toward the ballroom. She leaned down to CC. "That was the sexiest thing I've ever seen." Fran winked and caught up with Max.

"Well, that was exciting." Niles grinned at her. "Are you sure you're alright?"

CC felt like she was practically floating. "He was really there, wasn't he, Niles?" CC looked up at him. "I'm not going crazy, right?"

"Oh, no. He was definitely there. But why didn't you take his mask off?" Niles was compelled to ask.

"He asked me not to," CC said softly.

"Well, as long as you're sure you're alright." Niles stood and extended his hand to her.