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.

The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade

Chapter 8

CC emerged from the bathroom like she was ready to take on the world. The dress was stunning if simple and she kept her hair down and it moved slightly as she walked. She sat next to the wardrobe and slipped into her shoes. She hadn't noticed Niles sitting in the chair across the room reading a book. When he stood it pulled her attention to him. "Wow!" CC hadn't really paid attention to the suit as it hung on the door of the wardrobe, but now, wrapped around Niles, it was amazing. "You look really handsome, Niles."

"Thank you. You're stunning, as always." Niles made his way to the vanity and lifted the jewelry CC had selected. "May I?"

CC smiled. "Yes, please." CC turned her back to him and he slipped her necklace around her throat and hooked it for her. When she turned to thank him he held the ring.

"I wasn't sure if I should wear it in the shower. I don't have to wear it…if you don't want me to." Niles took her left hand and he slipped the ring onto her finger again and kissed the back of her hand. "There you go, Love." Their eyes locked for only a moment when there was a light knock at the door.

Niles sighed lightly and went to answer the door. "Becky, James it's good to see you again. CC and I were just getting ready. CC, Love." Niles called back to the bedroom. "Becky and James are here…are you ready?"

CC moved up the hallway to the front door and nearly took Niles' breath away. Becky mentioned her newly adorned finger. "Oh, I didn't notice your ring before. My God, Ceec, it's gorgeous!"

"Niles surprised me this afternoon." CC smiled. "They was his grandmother's ring. I was really quite surprised when he presented it to me."

"Presented it?" Becky laughed. "That sounds more like a business transaction than a proposal."

CC took a deep breath to calm herself. "Well, a proposal is a rather personal thing, Becky."

"I just slipped it on her finger and said 'There you go, Love.'" Niles winked at CC.

"Niles…" CC blushed knowing that's exactly what he'd done only a few moments ago.

"Really?" Becky asked.

"Of course not, Becky." CC laughed and then became rather serious. "Niles is the most romantic man I've ever known." Niles turned and looked at her strangely.

"Then why not tell me how he proposed?" Becky looked at her suspiciously.

"Well I suppose if you're going to force it out of me…" CC stood turned and locked the door to their room and gave herself a few seconds to come up with something.

Once again, Niles diffused the situation. "Becky, we've had a busy afternoon with my parents, and I'm starving. If I give you my word to tell you tonight, can it wait until after we've eaten?"

James clapped Niles on the back. "Good show, Niles. I'm about to drop dead away if I don't get myself something to eat. Becky can wait, can't you Becks?"

"Yeah…I guess." Becky nearly pouted.

Niles offered CC his arm. "Shall we, Love?"

"Thank you, Niles." CC smiled at him softly and he returned the smile. They made their way down to the banquet room and found their table. It was one of the few set for only four and CC was thrilled that she'd only have to deal with Becky and James who she actually favored of the two. "Niles…" CC remained on her feet as the others were about to take their seats. "Do you want me to get your plate, Honey?"

"Don't be silly, Love. Why don't you sit with Becky and visit and James and I will see to serving you." Niles looked at James. "Is that alright with you James?"

James nodded. "Sure, as long as I get to eat, I can bring Becks a plate." James turned toward the buffet.

"I won't be a minute, Love." Niles kissed CC softly and followed after James. "So, James, tell me how you and Becky met."

James laughed. "I was playing football in college on a scholarship, which is code for I needed a tutor." Niles laughed remembering how many times he had to help Max.

"So she helped you get through school?" Niles asked as they waited in the line at the buffet.

James nodded. "Yeah…Becks was great. I was drafted immediately after graduation…big contract. I loved her from the minute she stepped into the library the first day she tutored me. Don't get me wrong, Niles. I'm no brain surgeon I know, but I'm not your typical dumb jock either. I just didn't have as much time to study with football."

"You don't coach or manage now?" Niles asked as they finally reached the beginning of the buffet.

"Nah…I graduated with a history degree but I didn't want to teach, so I went to the police academy after football and I'm actually moving up pretty fast." James was a good person and Niles liked him right off.

"What about you?" James asked and Niles froze. "Well, I work with CC and Max Sheffield."

James nodded. "Right, I remember Becks saying Ceec was a big shot producer or something. Is that what you do?

"No…I'm more behind the scenes. It's hard to explain." Niles hoped that James would drop it. "Are those ribs?" Niles mentioned.

A smile spread across James' face. "Yeah, man." James loaded his plate with ribs. They moved quickly through the line and made their way back to the table where their ladies waited with drinks in hand.

"Hey, Becks…they have ribs on the buffet! Did you get me a beer?" James looked at the table and saw the tall bubbling glass. "Thanks Becks, you're the best."

Becky eyes the plate that James placed in front of her. It had several ribs, a piece of roast beef, a pile of three bean salad and something she wasn't really sure she recognized. "Jimmy, what is this stuff?"

"It's from the buffet, what do you mean?" James asked.

Becky shook her head. "Sometimes you amaze me James…I'm a vegetarian." Becky sighed. "Ceec, let's go up and get our own plates."

CC looked a little confused as she sat eating quietly. "I'm actually ok, Becky. Niles did a wonderful job." Becky smacked James lightly as she crossed behind him.

"I'm sorry, Becks…" James looked confused. "Ceec…how long has she been a vegetarian?"

CC laughed lightly. "She told me the day we met here for orientation."

"Seriously?" James looked at them. "How could I not know that?"

"I wouldn't worry about it, James. Becky gets over these things pretty fast." CC winked at Niles.

They chatted lightly as they ate. Niles and CC watched as James hit the buffet three or four times just to get more ribs. Becky was a vegetarian because it made her feel healthier, so it wasn't so much about the animals. This was a good thing for James, that man liked his meat.

After dinner, the band started playing dance music and the buffet was eventually cleared away. James hated dancing so Niles, at CC's request, offered and danced with Becky a few times just to keep the peace at their table. It was getting late and Niles could see in Becky's eyes she wanted to know about this proposal.

"Chastity, Love…" Niles forgot himself and used her name. "Would you like another white wine?"

"Actually Niles, could you get me a mineral water…" CC started.

Niles finished. "With a twist of lime?"

"You know me so well." CC smiled and watched as he headed to the bar.