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 3

When they woke in the morning CC was still lying in Niles' arms and he still thought it was right where she belonged. "Good morning, Love. How did you sleep?"

"Better than I can ever remember, actually." CC announced shocking herself. "I'm sorry, Niles. I shouldn't have crowded you."

Niles smiled and kissed her lightly. "You can crowd me anytime, Love. Now when are they going to spring me from this place? I've got a family to take care of."

"Dr. Rivers said sometime this morning. Oh, I picked up our rings yesterday at the jewelers." CC didn't know why she mentioned the rings exactly. She'd just meant to hold onto them until Niles asked again. "Do you want to put it on now or wait until you're discharged?"

"Now of course. I hate that you took if off just to have it cleaned." Niles smiled at her and she pulled the box our of her purse. "Her ya go."

"Hey…" Niles frowned. "Why haven't you put yours' back on yet?" He asked as he opened the box and found 'her' diamond and band next to 'his'.

CC sat for a second and tried to think. "Well, I wanted you to do it." "Yeah…that's good, Niles is sappy like that." She thought to herself. "So, get to it, Butler Boy." CC held out her left hand and prayed that her grandmothers rings still fit.

"As you wish, Love." Niles slipped the diamond and wedding band on. "There you go." Niles lifted her hand to his lips and dropped a kiss on her knuckle. CC couldn't help but look down at her hand and then up at the man who had been the first to adorn that once barren finger. "Hey…are you alright?" Niles stroked her cheek.

CC half smiled. "I'm sorry, Niles…it's been a very rough couple of days."

"Well," Niles flipped his legs over the side of the bed. "I'm fine and everything is back to normal. I've got to use the little butler's room. I'll be right back. Why don't you see if you can get the doctor to start on the discharge papers?" Niles leaned down and kissed her lips so softly she wasn't sure it happened.

"Alright, Niles." CC smiled at this new and different Niles. She watched as he made his way to the bathroom and thought. "I never knew he felt this way or that it could be like this. But…it's Niles, and I have no idea what in the hell I'm doing."

CC managed to get the nurse at the early hour and was informed that Dr. Rivers would be in to examine 'her husband' as he made his rounds. "Well," Niles asked as he stepped out of the bathroom. "What did the doctor say?"

"The nurse said that Dr. Rivers is already making rounds and he'll be here in due time. Which I guess is hospital speak for wait until he gets there." CC smirked at this man who so easily takes on the role of husband, even if it is something he truly believes."

Niles cupped her face in his hands and CC couldn't help but notice how warm they felt. "CC…I know that face better even than you do. What's going on and what aren't you telling me?" Niles raised his eyebrow like he does.

"I promise you Niles. It's not important right now. All that matters is making sure you're ok and that we all get back to normal." CC couldn't meet his eyes. She loathed admitting it, but she just couldn't lie to his face.

"…get back to normal?" Niles questioned. "What exactly does that mean?"

CC silently scolded herself for letting that slip. "It's just…when you first woke up…there were concerns about your memory…you didn't seem to get everything just right." CC prayed to herself. "Please let that be enough."

"Well, Love," Niles pulled her tightly to his chest and her head rested on his shoulder. "Everything is just fine now. We have each other and that's all that really matters."

CC breathed in his scent and took in the feel of him. "I guess you're right, Niles. I don't mean to worry."

Niles kissed the top of her head. "No worries, Love. We'll be home in a few hours and all will be right with the world."

The doctor arrived and gave Niles the once over. "Well, Niles. You're fine, physically…let's just wait and see what happens when you get home. If you have any confusion or disorientation, come right back, alright?"

"I'm sure I'll be fine once I get home, Doctor. Besides, with a nurse like CC, here how can I be in better hands." Niles smiled and flipped his legs again, over the side of the bed.

"Very good, why don't you get dressed and I'll give a few instructions to your wife here." Dr. Rivers nodded as Niles made his way into the bathroom. "Are you really sure you're ready for this?"

CC sighed. "What choice do I have, Doctor? Is there anything he can't or shouldn't do?"

"I think I know where you're going with this." The doctor shrugged. "No there isn't…physically he's fine. You'll just have to determine how you deal with everything else short of telling him the truth. I'm not sure he could handle the shock. It really shouldn't last that long."

The doctor left and CC found herself standing at the window looking out over the late morning haze over the city. Her arms wrapped protectively around her. "Penny for your thoughts." Niles whispered in her ear as she wrapped his arms around her and dropped a light kiss on her neck.

CC turned in his arms and looked at him. "You really are an amazing man, Niles." She lifted her hand to stroke his freshly shaved face.

Niles frowned. "Not that I'm complaining…but, what makes you say that?"

CC chewed at her bottom lip. "I guess I just needed to say it."

Niles stepped back from her. "Chastity Claire Brightmore, I know what it means when you chew at your bottom lip. Something is worrying you. What did the doctor say?"

CC was still reeling from his use of her full and fake married name. "He's just concerned that they'll be some memory issues. I guess when we get…home we'll know if there's any need for concern."

"Are you sure that's it…really?" Niles pulled her lovingly close.

CC found herself smiling. "I'm sure…let's go home, Niles."

They arrived at CC's building and she'd already made the entire staff aware of the situation so there wouldn't be any problems. Charlie greeted them first as he opened the door to the building. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Brightmore. I'm glad that you've recovered from your accident, Sir."

"Charlie, it's still just me." Niles tossed out. "I'll never get used to him calling me Mr. Brightmore."

CC shrugged as they stepped onto the elevator. "It's the rules, Niles. How many times am I going to have to tell you that?" CC suddenly thought to herself. "Dear God, I'm even starting to sound like a wife."

"I know, Love. But he's called me Niles for years. It will take more than six months for me to get used to it." Niles reached into his pocket as they got to the door and to CC's shock unlocked the door with his keys. "Finally we're home." Niles tossed his keys into the dish on the foyer table like he'd done it every day for well, six months. CC still stood in shock wondering where he'd gotten a key and knowing she couldn't very well ask. "Are you hungry, Love? I'm sure I could whip us up something. I didn't have a chance to get to the market before my little run in with the car, but there has to be something." Niles made his way to the fridge and opened it. "CC? Did you go to the market?"

"Uhm…no, I had Fran run to the store for me while I was at the hospital. Why?" CC was worried.

Niles smiled. "I should have known. I can't imagine you buying some of these things." Niles pulled out some pre-made chicken salad. "How about a chicken salad sandwich?"

"Niles…you don't have to make lunch…" CC moved into the kitchen. "Even I can put some chicken salad on bread."

Niles sighed. "It's alright. I want to get back to doing the things I usually do. I know the doctor said that I couldn't go back to work for a few days, but I can make a sandwich for my wife."

"Alright, Hazel, don't get your knickers in a knot." CC grabbed two glasses. "Is iced tea alright or would you rather grab some grapes and stomp out some juice?"

Niles smirked. "Iced tea is fine, thank you." CC poured two glasses and moved to her small table. Niles joined her shortly with the sandwiches. "Thanks."

"Doesn't Max expect you back at the mansion?" Niles asked as they sat together and ate.

CC swallowed and shook her head. "My husband was just released from the hospital with a head injury. Max gave me a week off, same as you." CC worried that this pretending was becoming all too easy. Then she noticed Niles yawn. "Maybe you should go lie down. You're still in recovery."

"I am a little tired. I'll think I'll change and lay down for a while. You could join me?" Niles turned and winked at her.

CC shook her head. "Go and get some rest, Butler Boy. I have a few calls I can make."

"Very well." Niles moved into the bedroom and with little fanfare changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed.

CC stood at the door to her bedroom and just watched as this man slept in her bed. He lay rolled slightly to his side facing the center of the bed. He looked perfectly comfortable, perfectly content, perfectly…normal. CC sighed and thought to herself. "I can't believe he's had dreams this extensive…not just the dirty, sexy dreams that most men have. He's dreamed up an entire life…with me."

"I need to think." CC whispered softly so not to disturb Niles. She moved quietly through the room and into the master bath. She filled the large tub and added some of her favorite lavender bath salts before climbing in and closing her eyes. It wasn't long before the exhaustion of the last few days caught up with her and she drifted off to sleep.

CC had no idea how long she'd been in the tub before she felt his soft kiss on her lips. "Wake up, Love." Niles smiled softly sitting on the edge of the tub.

CC smiled keeping her eyes closed. "I wondered when you'd show up." CC whispered.

"You told me to get some rest, I was just following orders." Niles kissed her softly again.

CC shot up in the tub and grabbed the towel to cover herself. "Niles! What the hell are you doing?"

Niles frowned. "I just came in to see if you wanted me to cook something or order something in. What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout. I'm just not used to…" CC caught herself just in time.

Niles stood up. "Not used to what?"

"I was…dreaming and you…startled me…that's all." CC saw his dejected look. "I'm sorry, Niles. I just wasn't expecting the dream to be sitting on the edge of the tub." "Nice save, Babcock. Not that it's isn't true."

Niles raised an eyebrow. "I could join you IN the tub if you'd prefer."

"No!" CC winced at the harsh sound of it. "The water's cold now anyway. How did you sleep?" Niles extended his hand to her and she took it, carefully keeping the towel pressed to her.

"I'm fully refreshed. So, again I ask shall I cook or should we order in?" Niles smiled at her.

CC wrapped the towel around her and released the pony tail keeping her hair up. "Oh, order something. No sense in working yourself to death the first day…right?"

"The first day of what?" Niles asked as he started shedding his pajamas.

CC turned as she answered him. "Your first day home...what are you doing?"

"Changing out of my pajamas." Niles looked at her like she was insane. "Why?"

CC turned away. "No reason, I just figured since we're staying in, may as well be comfortable."

"Good idea." Niles pulled up his royal blue pajama pants and slipped back into his slippers. "I'm going to get a bottle of water and grab the takeout menus. Are you feeling like anything special?"

"Oh, nothing special." CC toyed with her hair waiting for a chance to change the second Niles left the room.

Niles strode off and CC leapt into action. She quickly slipped into a pair of panties and her pale blue silk pjs. Finishing with the buttons just and Niles returned. "Awww, pajamas? I just got home from the hospital…why not that little black number I love so much?"

CC couldn't get over how incredibly adorable Niles was when he pouted. "Because you just got home from the hospital, that's why. We've got lots of time for that, Niles. We're married, right?"

"I guess." Niles frowned.

CC just had to smile at him. "Niles. My husband was hit by a car and the doctors are worried that maybe his thick skull wasn't enough protection for his tiny brain. I don't want the blood flowing away from it any sooner than necessary. Alright?"

"I ordered from Chin Lao's…I hope that's ok." Niles still pouted.

CC stroked his face softly. "That's perfect. I kind of felt like Chinese."