Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of The Nanny…but I'm still hopeful!

A/N: I just love whipping out a one shot. We'll see if it stays a one shot. It didn't...Let me know what you think

The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade

Chapter 3

"I suppose you found it then?" Niles groaned at the thought.

"Your address book, yeah...it was in the side pocket." CC smiled at his worry. "Brightmore seems to have the most entries in England. Joseph and Marie…at the address you gave me for your parents. Patrick…I'm guessing your brother. There were others, but I didn't want to pry."

Niles worry softened. "Then you didn't actually open the bag?"

"No…" CC frowned a bit. "What's in that bag, Niles?"

Niles' got a very innocent look on his face. "Oh…nothing, I just wouldn't want you to see some of the things I wear when I visit my folks…very…earthy…type…stuff." Even Niles wasn't convinced.

"Do you think you can stand?" CC was genuinely worried about him. "You hit your head pretty hard on the floor." CC got Niles up and he did seem ok but was a little fuzzy. "Have you eaten? Maybe we should get some food in you."

"That's not a bad idea. I pretty much turned right around and left my parents after I discovered your bag. Oh, your bag is at the desk." Niles took a few steps and decided that he was alright to walk unaided. CC took his arm anyway.

"Excuse me," CC spoke to the clerk. "I believe you are holding my bag…CC Babcock?"

The clerk nodded. "Here you are, Miss Babcock. Would you like your key?" CC looked at Niles. "Yes…is room service still serving?"

"Yes, ma'am. They do full service until midnight, then a cold service until 2am." The clerk answered CC and handed her the key.

CC escorted Niles to the elevator and they pushed the button. "Ok, Niles. I think we'll get you upstairs and then I'll get some fresh ice for that bruise, I'd hate for your parents to think I'd hit you over a carry-on bag."

"Don't you worry about my parents, CC. They'll just love you." Niles didn't mean it the way it came out. "I think I need to eat."

CC grinned. She'd never confess it, but she did look in Niles' bag. Curiosity just got the better of her. She found much of what he said she'd find. A few changes of clothes; they'd both had airlines lose or misroute luggage often enough to know to always have a few changes in your carry on. But it was the other things.

There was a journal, like a diary but she didn't read it. There were photos of Max and Fran and the children. There was another photo, one of Niles and CC together. Someone at some function must have taken it of them dancing. CC had to admit it was a great photo of both of them. They didn't seem to know the photo was being taken, but they looked very happy. CC was touched not only that Niles kept the photo, but thought enough to bring it with him on his trip. It actually gave her pause.

"Ok, Niles…here we are." CC announced as they finally reached her floor. CC booked the penthouse suite for the week. She liked having all the necessities of home. It was really much like her apartment but with a smaller kitchen area.

CC helped Niles get to the sofa. "You just sit here and I'll get you some juice. When was the last time you ate, Niles?"

"Before the flight." Niles answered.

"Niles!" CC snapped. "That's more than 12 hours ago! Why didn't you eat anything on the plane?"

"I hate airplane food, you know that." Niles answered.

"Niles...you told me you had plenty when you offered me that sandwich. I could've eaten the in flight meal." CC sat on the coffee table and looked at him.

Niles frowned. "It was cold poached salmon with cous-cous. I know you don't care for salmon. And the roasted Chicken had sage in it...you're allergic."

CC touched his leg. "Niles...sometimes you're just too much of a gentleman for your own good." CC called down to room service and glanced at the menu quickly. "Yes, this is CC Babcock in the penthouse I'd like two number eights and a two pieces of chocolate cake. No thank you, no beverage. Thanks." CC hung up the phone. "They said it'll be about a half hour. Maybe you should call your parents and let them know you'll be staying here."

"Here?" Niles sat up abruptly and felt a little dizzy. "I can't stay here...how would it look?"

"There's that gentleman again." CC smiled. "You'll explain to your parents that you'll be in a guest room. As for my friends, they'd expect nothing less, we're supposed to be engaged, remember?"

"Engaged? No, I hadn't remembered that part. It must be the one thing Becky left out." Niles laughed. "I'm sorry I've ruined your evening, Miss Babcock."

"Niles...if you weren't there I'd have spent the evening making excuses for my missing fiancé...again. Even I'm getting tired of hearing them." CC stood up. "I'm going to go change. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I promise not to move." Niles sat still and sipped his juice and held the ice pack to his jaw.

CC took the carry-on bag into her room and changed quickly into her silk pajamas. They were very tasteful and looked quite lovely on her. She returned to the room just as Niles was getting off the phone.

"I know, Maman, I'm sorry. I promise I'll be there in the morning. Well it wasn't really anyone's fault. No, I believe he just had too much to drink and I must have done something he didn't like. Yes, Maman. I will. I'll see you in the morning." Niles hung up the phone.

CC smiled at the sheepish look on his face. "I'm guessing that didn't go over well?"

"She worries about me. I'm her oldest son and she considers me her project. I'm incomplete as far as my mother is concerned." Niles glanced up at CC awkwardly. "She'll be fine."

There was a knock at the door. "That must be dinner." CC opened the door and the delivery man rolled the cart in and set up their dinner on the small dining table. "Thanks." CC signed the bill.

"Wow, thank you, Ma'am." The delivery man smiled. "If you need anything, you just call and ask for Thomas." The man left with the cart and CC turned to find Niles laughing. "What?"

"I'm guessing you're a very good tipper." Niles stood and made his way to the table where he pulled out CC's chair for her to sit. "I appreciate good service."

Niles raised his eyebrow and looked at her. "Are you implying that my service is otherwise?"

"Not at all, Niles, but you and I have an understanding." CC looked more softly at him that he could ever remember. "Just eat something...it's too easy picking on you when you're weak."

Niles muttered under his breath. "You always make me weak." CC's eyes popped up to his face but she pretended not to have heard him. "How did you know?"

"How did I know what?" CC asked as she lifted the cover off her plate as well.

Niles looked at his dinner and then up at CC again. "How did you know to order this?"

"Niles...how long have we known each other?" CC smiled. "You always get cottage pie when you're in a real English restaurant. It's supposed to be very good. I hope you aren't disappointed."

Niles is moved beyond words. Even Max doesn't know his tastes or how he misses real English cooking. "I suppose it can't be that bad." Niles winked.

The sat and ate their meal in relative silence. When they were through Niles sat back satiated and feeling much better despite the bruise he sported on his right jaw. "That was very good, thank you."

"You should probably go and change." CC offered. "I'll open the sofa and make the bed."

"No need, I can sleep on the sofa just as it is." Niles stood. "I've put you out enough already."

CC frowned. "Niles, don't be silly." CC grabbed his carry-on from her front closet and handed it to him. "You defended me to a horrible man and took a shot on the chin for your trouble. You strolled politely around the hall and allowed me to show you off to all my friends as my charming English fiancé. You saved me quite a bit of embarrassment and behaved like a perfect gentleman. You hardly 'put me out'."

"Why are you being so nice to me...should I be worried?" Niles made a face of concern.

CC narrowed her eyes but not evilly. "Just go change your clothes, Benson."

"There's my CC." Niles turned and started into the bathroom.

CC watched as he closed the door behind him. "Your CC?" She thought to herself. CC reached into her purse and pulled out an all too familiar photo. It was the same photo she'd found framed in Niles bag. "I was your CC that night. I remember every bit of it. We ended the evening dancing in the den. You tore up the check. What is this strange relationship we have Niles?" CC let her mind wander as she waited for Niles to return from changing.

Niles came out of the bathroom. "That bathroom is bigger than my entire room in the mansion. What is it they expect you to do in there?" Niles stood before her in his royal blue pajamas and robe. "What?"

CC shook her head. "Nothing, I was just thinking about something." CC stood up. "Are you sure you don't want me to make up the fold out?"

"I'm sure, it's probably more comfortable this way, just show me where the pillows and blankets are and I'm good to go." Niles smiled at her.

CC moved to the front closet and grabbed Niles a pillow and blanket. "There are more in the closet if you get cold or need another pillow. Make yourself at home and if you need me, you know where I am."

Niles just looked at her for a moment and his thoughts streamed through his mind. "Need you? I absolutely need you. Need you, want you, desire you..." She pulled him from his thoughts.

"Niles? Are you ok, you look a little funny?" CC was genuinely worried.

Niles shook his head lightly. "I'm just tired. I'll let you get some rest now as well. I suppose you have a full day of activities scheduled tomorrow."

CC smiled. "Good night, Niles. Sleep well."

"Pleasant dreams, Miss Babcock." Niles offered and watched as she retreated down the hall to her room.