Disclaimer: I don't own any part or character of The Nanny…but I'll never give up hope.

A/N: Answer to a RUNHP challenge.

The Rules:

1. Either Niles or CC is involved in an accident.

2. The accident victim believes they are married to the non-victim.

3. The 'spouse' and family must play along via doctor's instructions.

MIND GAMES

CHAPTER 2

"Doctor Rivers," CC started. "What did you find out?"

The doctor led CC to the waiting area and they each took a chair. "It would seem there was some trauma. Nothing serious and it should go away…eventually."

"What's causing his altered memory?" CC asked.

"Well," the doctor sighed. "I've consulted with Neurology and there aren't many reports of head trauma victims waking with false memories. As best as we can come up with he's crossed his dream memories with actual memories. Children have been known on occasion to replace unpleasant memories with their dream memories. That's the best we can do for now. Eventually Niles' real memories should return."

"Are you suggesting that at some point Niles has dreamt that we were married? Along with all the other things he's 'remembered' about our life together?"

"That is the best explanation we've got." The doctor asked.

CC stood up. "And in the meantime, we have to go along? What if we just tell him the truth?"

"It would be an incredible shock to his system. I have no idea how it would affect him." The doctor stood as well. "Just imagine if someone told you that everything you recall for the last year was wrong. I understand he has a heart condition?"

CC nodded. "He had a mild attack almost a year ago. But he's in excellent shape now. He exercises regularly and watches what he eats."

"I still think it's better if we just let his memory return on its own." Doctor Rivers finished.

CC agreed. "Very well, how long do you think it could take?"

"That depends. If his dream world or memories are more pleasant to him than his real life, well…it's hard to say." The doctor put his hand on CC's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"I'll manage, Doctor. How bad can it be?" CC shrugged and turned. "Doctor Rivers…when can I take him home?"

The doctor smiled. "I'd like to observe him overnight, so...tomorrow morning. You can stay with him tonight if it will make him more comfortable, Miss…what should I call you?"

CC sighed. "Well, for the time being, I suppose I'm Mrs. Brightmore." CC couldn't help but smile using the name even Fran didn't know. "Thanks."

CC turned and thought to herself, "What about making me more comfortable?" CC opened the door and found Niles smiling and laughing at something Nanny Fine must have said. "Hey, no having fun without the wife." "Did I just say that?"

"I'm sorry, Love. What did the doctor say?" Niles was watching her intently.

CC smiled. "He says you'll be back to your cantankerous old self in no time." CC resumed her place on the bed by his side. "He wants to observe you overnight, but I can take you home in the morning. He even told me I could stay with you…if you like."

The assembled group watched this exchange like they were watching a soap opera. "Uh…CC…" Max started. "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

"Where else should I be, Max?" CC turned and frowned at him. "I'll have to run home to get a change of clothes, but I'll be back in no time." CC stood. "Now, I think you should all give the man some rest…" CC shooed everyone out into the hall and turned back to Niles. "I promise, I'll be back soon." She tossed him a wink and left the room.

"CC…" Max started. "You aren't really planning on spending the night here with Niles…are you?"

"Maxwell, the doctor said that there is some concern if we just tell Niles the truth. He assured me that eventually Niles' memories will be restored and that this misconnection between the dream center of the brain and his memory center or whatever will go back to normal. But until then, as far as Niles' is concerned we've been married for six months. I need to stay here. Fran…you've got to make my apartment look like Niles' has lived there for six months…can you do that before tomorrow say…lunch time?"

"For Niles, Miss Babcock, I can do it before breakfast." Fran smiled at CC.

"Thanks. I'm headed there now so grab as much of his stuff as you can and meet me there." CC took off leaving the shock Sheffield and Fine clans in her wake.


Fran arrived at the apartment with the children in tow helping with Niles' things. "Thank you for helping, Fran. I don't want to upset Niles."

"Since when?" Fran tossed out.

"Fran!" Maggie tried her best to chastise the woman she actually agreed with.

CC laughed lightly. "It's alright, Maggie. I know what you all think of me and my relationship with Niles. But he and I have an understanding…we worked it out long ago and as mean as we may be to each other, we'd never really want to see the other hurt."

"Ok, kids you go back to the car, I'll help Miss Babcock get this stuff into the bedroom and be right back down." Fran watched as the kids left. "Look Miss Babcock, I remember how you looked when Niles had his heart attack. But even I have to be suspicious about this outpouring of concern."

CC sighed as she unpacked a few of Niles' things. "First of all, you'd better call me CC, Niles would expect that his wife and best friend were on a first name basis. Secondly, for all our name calling and sniping, Niles is the only man other than a my father, brother and Max, with which I've had any kind of long term relationship. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to him, really Fran…" CC had to stop and sit down…she was losing it and barely hit the bed before the tears streamed down her face.

"Oh, geez, Miss…CC. I didn't mean to upset ya." Fran put her arm around CC's shoulder. "It's just Niles is my best friend and I don't want him to get too invested in something that's just gonna hurt him later on."

"I know, Fran. I don't want that either, but the doctor insists that telling him the truth would do more harm than good. We'll just have to handle the fallout of his memory returning when it happens." CC wiped her face. "You better go, Fran. The kids are waiting. Here's a key so you can come back and finish up. I promised Niles I'd be back soon."

"Ok. I have no idea what's in these boxes. I grabbed his clothes and Maggie got his things from the bathroom. Brighton and Grace packed that box from his desk." Fran started out of the bedroom. "Call me when you head back to the hospital and as soon as I get the kids settled in bed I'll head back over and finish up. Give me a call if there's anything else you need done."

"Thank you, Fran." CC sighed and made room in one of the dressers and her closet. She decided to leave the clothes and toiletries for Fran and started unpacking the box from Niles' desk. "I wonder what could be in here?"

CC moved the box to the small 'office area' she'd set up in her room for her laptop and a few files. She quickly found the desk items a home and the other small personal items. A photo of the family, Niles' parents, Niles as a boy and then a photo she'd never seen before of her. "Now…when was this taken?" It wasn't what you'd call a glamour shot…far from it. CC was rarely 'dressed down' unless it was specifically called for, but in this photo she was in jeans and a loose pullover sweater. Her hair was up in a pony tail and she was laughing. Not her usually controlled, professional laugh, but a full on bust a gut kind of laugh. "When on earth…?" CC turned the photo over and read in Niles' handsome script… "CC as I always see her… Summer 1984 Central Park." CC could feel the tears starting again and put the photo on the desk so she could get back to her husband.

"Hey there." CC announced softly as she returned to Niles' room. "I'm sorry, Honey, it took longer than I expected. I brought a bag for you, in case you want to freshen up or anything."

"What did they do with my clothes?" Niles asked her. "I was wearing my argyle sweater vest…I love that vest."

"Me too." CC whispered. "I'll ask the nurse the next time she comes in." CC sat on the edge of his bed. "So, how do you feel? Any headaches or pain?"

"Just missed you. Come here." Niles opened his arms and beckoned CC to enter.

CC looked at him. "Uhm…Niles…are you sure that's a good idea?"

"You usually think so." Niles waggled his eyebrows.

CC lightly smacked his leg. "You're not usually in a hospital bed."

"You've got me there, Babs." Niles kept his arms extended. "Let's stop at a hug then, fair enough?"

CC took him firmly in her arms. "I'm so glad you're alright, Niles. I couldn't handle another scare like that heart attack."

"Don't you worry, Love. I finally have you, and I'm not going to let getting hit by some car take you away from me." Niles brushed her lips softly with his. CC felt her eyes instinctively close and they deepened the kiss. Suddenly CC pulled back. "What's the matter, Love?" Niles asked confused at the behavior of his usually affectionate wife.

"Nothing, Niles…it's just…I don't like hospitals…so this…is giving me the creeps a little." CC tried to be convincing. "I'm going to put on my sweats and I'll be back in a minute."

"Sweats?" Niles asked.

CC laughed. "Did you think I was going to sleep in my Donna Karen?"

"Well, no…but sweats?" Niles seemed rather disappointed. "Why not your negligee or your silk pajamas?"

CC shook her head at him. "Niles…need I remind you, again, that we are in a hospital and any number of people could be traipsing in and out of this room all night?"

Niles thought for a moment. "Good point, I guess." CC went into the bathroom and quickly changed into her pale yellow sweats, and went back into the room.

"You're beautiful as always, my Love." Niles patted the bed next to him. "Come and sit with me a bit, please."

CC frowned. "Niles, shouldn't you be getting some rest?"

"I can't, I've slept most of the afternoon, and I'm all off kilter. It's going to take forever to reset my body clock." Niles again patted the bed next to him. "Come on, I promise not to take advantage of your vulnerable state."

CC climbed into the bed next to Niles deciding that she'd move to the chair just as soon as he fell asleep. "What do you mean MY vulnerable state?"

"Well, your husband of six months was hit by a car…I would think you'd be a little worried. Plus you hate hospitals so you're uncomfortable. And…from the sounds of it…" He paused for a moment so they could hear the sounds outside. "We're in for one heck of a thunderstorm. You hate thunderstorms."

CC looked at him a little shocked and thought to herself. "How did he know I hate thunderstorms? I don't ever remember telling him that. There was that one time at the house, but I don't remember saying anything…but then, I knew I wasn't alone…Fran was in the house…and…Niles was there."

"CC!" Niles said more loudly than intended. "Where'd you go?"

"Oh…" CC decided not to cover. "I was thinking about that night at the mansion when we had that terrible thunderstorm and Fran thought you were trying to kill her."

Niles laughed softly. "I remember that night too. I was rather worried about you, but you managed to get through it like a trooper."

"Niles, I can't remember ever telling you my fear of thunderstorms…" CC started.

Niles kissed her cheek. "You didn't, Love. Something's you just don't have to speak about. I've known for years."

"Really?" CC found herself resting her head on Niles' shoulder. "Tell me."

"Well, it was just after Grace's third birthday in the park. You were staying at the mansion and there was a terrible storm. And Grace started crying for…Sara. You got to her room just before I did. I overheard you telling her that you were scared too and that you would keep each other safe. It wasn't until later that evening when you'd returned to your room that I realized it wasn't just a story to ease Grace's fears." Niles paused before continuing he story.

"Miss Babcock? Are you alright?" Niles peeked into the room where CC slept.

CC rolled to face him. "Daddy? I'm scared…please…sit with me."

"Shhh, it's alright, I'm here." Niles whispered softly so not to wake her and sat on the edge of the bed.

CC shot up. "Niles?"

"I'm sorry, I heard you crying and I was worried. You were dreaming about your father, so I just thought I'd…I'm sorry." Niles stood to leave.

CC grabbed his hand. "Niles, wait. That's very sweet, but my parents weren't the comforting type. They'd just send me back to bed. Could you sit with me…just until I fall asleep?"

"Of course." Niles sat back down on the edge of the bed. "Now, you go to sleep and I'll be right here."

CC rolled toward him. "Thank you, Niles."

"So you see, I am well aware of how you feel about thunderstorms." Niles pulled her tightly into him.

CC sighed. "I don't remember any of that. But it does explain a few things."

"What's that?" Niles asked yawning a bit.

"Why I always feel safe when you're around." CC answered before she was aware of it herself.

Niles kissed her head. "I made it my job to keep you safe years ago, Love. It's only just now become official." Niles turned off the light over his bed and finally allowed himself to fall asleep with his 'wife' sleeping in his arms.