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

A/N: I don't know what else to say...Thanks to those of you who've embraced this story in your favorites, alerts and especially with your reviews. I really appreciate it. - D

The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade

Chapter 6

"See ya!" Gin ran off and left them.

"Why didn't you tell me you saved the prince's life, Niles?" CC asked as she joined him where he stood brushing Champion.

Niles looked away from her. "It just happened. I didn't even know it was Prince William until I stopped the horse and slid us off." Niles turned and sat on the tack box that CC had just vacated. "I was out riding. It's what I did whenever I needed to think. I just saw a boy out of control. I acted on instinct. I knew that I couldn't stop his horse and mine before the river bed so I just jumped on behind the boy and turned away. Prince William had gotten away from his riding party. They caught up to us about the time...Buster jumped. I really thought he would stop...he hated jumping. He'd have never tried that jump if I was on his back, but I wasn't. He broke three legs in the fall. I...I had to put him down." Niles eyes still filled with tears at the thought of killing his beloved horse.

CC sat next to him on the box. "I'm so sorry, Niles. I know how much it hurts putting down a horse...especially one you really love." CC rubbed his back lightly and rested her head on his shoulder. "What were you thinking about that day?" CC felt Niles stiffen. "I'm sorry; you don't have to tell me. I shouldn't have asked."

CC stood and tried to move away but Niles caught her hand. "I'll tell you...if you really want to know." Niles smiled a little bit.

"I'd like to, if you're sure." CC sat back down.

Niles swallowed. "I was trying to make a decision about...whether or not to return to the states."

CC sat silently trying not to judge. "This trip was...two years ago?"

"Yes..." Niles avoided her gaze.

"That was just after..." CC recalled that night in the den of the Sheffield mansion. "That was the night you kissed me in the den and I felt my heart stop. Why would you have wanted to leave the states for good? And what was it that made you return?"

"Would you like to go for a ride?" Niles asked her hoping to change the subject. "We could share Champion, he's more than able, or I could take Andre." CC looked at him sadly. "What?"

"Niles..." CC swallowed before continuing. "Why were you thinking of returning to England?"

Niles sighed heavily. "My parents aren't getting any younger and Patrick had lived over an hour away. I was worried about them. But..." His voice trailed off.

"But what?" CC coaxed him to continue.

Niles laughed. "Well, you've seen them. Plus, Patrick was already planning his move to a house less than ten minutes up the road. That and..."

"What...geez, Niles..." CC rolled her eyes.

"It's not that..." Niles tried to explain. "They wouldn't let me stay. My mother in particular, told me I couldn't stay." Niles avoided her gaze. " 'Niles...' she said. 'You've got unfinished business and you can't finish it here.'"

"Really?" CC asked him and he nodded.

Niles shrugged. "Now...you want to take that ride?" CC nodded. "Shall we share Champion or would you rather I ride Andre?"

"Are you sure he can handle both of us?" CC asked.

Niles nodded. "Well just take a nice slow walk. You want the saddle or bare back?"

"Either is fine. Bare back might be easier with the two of us." CC offered.

Niles put the reins and bit into Champion's mouth and led him out to the mount box. Niles got up onto Champion. "You want to be in front or in back?"

"In front, I like to see where I'm going." Niles extended his hand to CC and helped her onto the horse sitting just in front of him. Niles reached around her waist and held the reins. "Let's go, Champ, nice and easy."

Champion was a very good horse and very well trained. Niles and CC rode a ways in silence. "Niles..." CC started softly.

"Hhmmm?" Niles breath on her neck made CC shiver slightly. "Are you cold?"

CC sighed lightly. "No, I was just wondering...would you come to the banquet with me tonight? I know you're supposed to be visiting with your parents, but I'd really..."

"Yes..." Niles whispered softly in her ear rendering her silent. "I'd be honored to escort you." They rode a little longer, again, in silence. "C...Chastity, take the reins." Niles felt her hands slowly slide along the back of his hands and take the reins from him. CC felt Niles adjust himself on the back of the horse. Then she felt his arms wrap around her waist and lock together in front.

CC moved the reins to one hand and rested her other hand on top of Niles' hands. She felt Niles stiffen slightly. "I can't remember the last time I rode bare back." She whispered trying to put him at ease.

"I can't remember the last time I rode two astride." Niles relaxed a bit again.

CC made an adjustment and moved herself back closer into Niles making him groan a little. "I was getting a little too far forward, I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"

"Not exactly." Niles fought for control of the body that was betraying him.

CC recognized Niles reason for embarrassment and decided be flattered in silence. "We should probably head back. You're mother will have lunch ready and waiting."

"Alright. Do you want me to take the reins?" Niles asked softly, his breath grazing her neck and bringing an odd sensation over her.

"I think you should." CC felt Niles hands softly caressed their way down her forearms to her hands and take the reins. She suddenly felt very warm all over. "Niles..."

"Yes?" Niles turned Champion around to lead him home.

"Could you stop for a minute?" CC asked softly.

Niles stopped the horse. "Are you alright?" CC could hear the concern in his voice as his hand pulled her closer into him.

CC turned around to face him as much as she could astride a horse. "I'm fine. I just wondered..."

"What?" Niles smiled at her.

CC was suddenly a little embarrassed. "Well, since we're engaged and all, I was wondering. Would you kiss me?" Niles leaned in and softly touched his lips to hers in what most would call a chaste kiss at best, but then their lips parted ever so slightly and they deepened the kiss. When their lips parted their eyes met. "Thank you."

"Anytime." Niles whispered. CC turned around again and Niles' arm wrapped around her pulling her into him. CC sighed and rested her hand on top of his, her other on her leg. They rode the rest of the way home in a new and comfortable silence.

As they made their way up to the house hand in hand, it didn't go unnoticed. "Joseph, I think it's time you had that talk with Niles."

"For crying out loud woman, the man is in his 40s you don't seriously think that..." Marie smacked Joseph's arm lightly.

"Joseph!" Marie nearly shouted. "That's not what I mean and you full well know it."

Joseph winked at his wife. "My dearest love, if you really think that it's time for that, it's your place to do it."

"I suppose you're right. If it's to be done correctly I should be the one to do it." Marie kissed her husband's cheek as Niles and CC came in the back door.

"Heaven's don't you two ever take a break? It's a wonder I only have one sibling." Niles smiled at his parents.

Marie looked at Joseph and nodded. "Chastity," Joseph started. "Let me introduce you to the rest of the family." Joseph led CC out of the kitchen leaving Marie and Niles alone.

"Niles..." His mother began slowly. "I'd like to ask you something."

"What is it, Maman?" Niles turned and met his mother's eyes. "Maman, are you alright?"

"No, son. I fear I'm not. I'm worried about you, Niles. You're well into your forties and still not settled." Marie saw the look on her son's face. "Don't tell me that you're happy and everything is fine, I don't believe you now anymore than I did two years ago. You've still not settled that same business you came here to avoid. Now I think it's the time to move on."

"Maman..." Niles tried to reassure his mother that's just what he was trying to do, finally. "There are many things, I need to take care of Maman, but I assure you I am working on it."

"Come here, Niles." Marie took his hand and led him into the small sitting room off the kitchen. "Sit down." Niles does as instructed. He didn't live to be 'well into his forties' by arguing with his mother. Marie opened a small drawer and removed a box that she then handed to Niles. "Open it."