Niles and C.C. are the property of "The Nanny" creators, Dresher and Jacobson. I don't own them or any of the music I used for this story.

*Story takes place during 'The Pen Pal." It fills in some of the holes.

How Do You Talk to an Angel?

by

Rachel
(Ronandpercyweasley@yahoo.com)

Niles was busy ironing Max’s shirt for that evening. Despite all his assertions about working, and seeing his lawyer, Niles didn’t buy it for one moment. He knew that Max was going to tag along with Fran to make sure that she was OK, and that he was more than OK next to her infamous "Pen Pal." At the moment, however, Niles was singing softly to himself, as his radio played.

Niles knew deep down in his heart that the only person for him was C.C. Babcock. He met her 20 years ago, but each time he saw her, it was an exciting experience. She’s so lovely and elegant and…well…Niles saw more than most people saw. Everyone thinks she’s without character, without morals or a soul. Niles didn’t totally disagree with them, but he knew, or rather, he at least tried to tell himself that he was the only person in the whole who could look past those icy blue eyes and see the beautiful woman behind them. The problem is, and always was, he was poor. Yes, he’s lived the life of a servant, while she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. They were, and always will be, on different ends of the social circle. It was impossible to dream. It was crazy to even consider it. And yet…

Niles hung up Max’s shirt and went about his business. He knew that C.C. was on her way over sooner or later, and he also knew that Max was definitely going to be out all evening with Fran. Interestingly enough, he managed to keep everyone’s secrets to himself for once. It was all worth it when he closed the door behind Max and Fran, turned to his gorgeous lady and said,

"She can and she has."

C.C. glared at him, and he could see the embarrassment in her eyes. She went out of her way to look extremely decadent tonight. That was a recipe for only one thing: a prank. C.C. threw her coat at him and then disappeared into the office. Niles decided to give her some time alone to do who knows what without Max in there. Niles went into the kitchen and poured himself some juice. It then occurred to him that he really was all-alone in this big mansion with her. Maggie, Brighton and Grace were all at friends’ houses for the night, and Max and Fran wouldn’t be back for hours. It was as if fate brought them together that night. Maybe, maybe I should just tell her tonight. She must have some idea how I feel about her.

Niles sipped his juice, and a cut on the side of his tongue made the juice bitter in his mouth. Maybe I should stop fooling myself. I’m just good for a romp with her. Our catfights, our bickering, our, our, what’s the word for it, foreplay? Whatever it is, maybe I should just be satisfied that she goes along with it. I can see in her eyes how alive she gets whenever I rile her. Alive, yes, she’s alive, she’s a person, a real human being, when she’s…with…ME. He suddenly got a shot of hope. He washed his glass out and rushed over to the office to see her.

He opened the door slowly. This was it. This was the moment. He was going to tell her that he really loves her, that he’s always loved her, despite how she acts and what anyone says about her. Niles loves C.C. Babcock. He turned the handle and opened the door wide. She was standing over the desk; her bear back was facing him.

"Maxwell, darling, is that you?" she asked seductively.

"Oh, this is too good to be true, I can’t pass this moment up."

(Insert chicken scene here)

Niles laughed hardily to himself as he walked back into the kitchen. He left C.C. standing in the office, looking completely petrified. He realized he hadn’t told her he loved her, but he also knew that he’d carry this memory with him for the rest of his life. He sat down at the kitchen table and just LAUGHED.

"Gosh, I love that woman," he said out loud. He continued to laugh, but then got up and decided to make some dinner for himself. He saw that C.C. had some food in the office, but he didn’t think now would be a good time to steal eggs from the chicken. He flicked on the radio and started to make himself some pasta.

There's somethin' that I want to say
But words sometimes get in the way
I just want to show my feelings for you
There's nothing that I'd rather do
Than spend every moment with you
I guess you should know, I love you so

You are my lady
You're everything I need and more
You are my lady
You're all I'm living for

Back to his original predicament, Niles then snapped back and remembered that he wanted to tell her that he loved her that night, with no one else there. He’d have to make it up to her first for making fun of her, and then soften her up with a bit of liquor and-

-and then C.C. came though the kitchen door. She was trying her hardest to be firm.

"I saw you dancing in your underwear, you made me cluck like a chicken, WE’RE EVEN."

"That was easier than I thought," he thought. "Deal clucky. Want some dinner?"

"With you?" she snarled and turned the radio off out of spit, even though she liked the song that was playing.

"Well, Mr. Sheffield isn’t here to feed you, so I guess I’m you only friend tonight."

Niles finished cooking the pasta and C.C. poured herself some wine.

"You could make yourself useful and set the table."

"I wouldn’t dream of taking your job from you," she laughed.

Niles make a fake laugh and set the table as she watched. Finally she did realize that it would go quicker if she helped, so she set out a glass for him and put hers down. They were in the dinning room, sitting where Fran and Max usually sit, except now Niles was in Fran’s chair, and C.C. was in Max’s chair. They sat and ate in silence for a while, until Niles realized that it was now or never.

"Miss Babcock," he said suddenly. C.C. looked up from her plate and gazed at his face. She was so lovely, even if she did have sauce on the side of her mouth. Instead of speaking, he reached over and with his napkin, dabbed the sauce away from her chin. C.C. was startled by his intimate action, and she blushed slightly. After that, he felt much more comfortable when he saw that she wasn’t repulsed by him touching her. He flung a wad of sauce and it hit her on the neck, and that’s when the food fight started. They started throwing everything, pasta, bread, napkins, you name it. The dinning room table was under siege. Niles was having too much fun to ruin the moment. Maybe this was all they really needed at that point in their lives. He knew that one day he’d tell her, it just didn’t have to be tonight. Not that he didn’t feel it, of course he did, but he also loved to just play around with his best friend. Yes, his best friend, who incidentally won the battle. They were laughing like crazy, and she went off to the bathroom to clean herself off. He wasn’t too much of a wreck, only some pasta here and there. He sat in his chair and laughed again for the second time that night.

After C.C. came back, he was already cleaning up. He was in the kitchen, so she decided to take one of Max’s bottle’s of rum and get some glasses. She sat in the living room, somewhat out of breath, and tried to look like she was disinterested in spending any more time with Niles. Eventually, Niles came into the living room.

"What’s all this about?"

"I felt like having a drink," she said as she opened the bottle.

"There are two glasses here, did you want me to join you?" he asked, standing over her, trying to keep his eyes from wandering.

"Oh, um, that glass was already there, you must have left it from before. No matter, since it’s there, and you’re here, sit down." And so he did.

"Niles, I don’t make it a habit of drinking with the help."

"I’ve never been any help to you."

"Exactly," and they clinked glasses.

Niles looked up at the ceiling and pondered what she meant by that last word.

"So tell me Rochester, what’d you do to kill a day before I came along?"

"Well, truth be told, my life was a little empty, but now I have a hobby." This was it, he thought, this is where the sparks start to fly; he could see it in here eyes. She was ready to fight: Niles and C.C. style.

"I loath you."

"I despise you."

"Servant."

"Trollop."

"Bell boy."

"Brunette," oh screw this! I’m alone with the most beautiful, sexy, fabulous woman in the world, he thought, and without thinking for another moment about anything or anyone, he went in for the kill, and he kissed her as passionately as a man extremely in love can. She didn’t resist. She didn’t even flinch…she, she’s kissing me back! She has her hand on my face, her other on my back, her lips pressed onto mine. They were lost in the moment, or however long it was, he lost track as soon as it happened, it could have been a moment, it could have been eternity. Maybe it was both. All he knew was, he was kissing the woman he loved, and she was enjoying it. Suddenly, though, he heard the sound of the door close….

And they pulled away, looking terribly embarrassed and startled. Fran’s face was beyond words, and Max was stunned. Without looking each other in the face, C.C. pulled away from his arm that she was in for eternity and headed for the door. Niles was on her heels, his eyes involuntarily drawn to her behind. She opened the door to leave. This was it. All that happened is over. When suddenly, she turned around.

"Swine."

"Chicken," and he puckered his lips once more. C.C. shivered, as if turned on. A smile was suddenly glued to the right side of his mouth as her closed the door behind her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. He wiped her lipstick from his lips. Her lipstick…yes her lipstick that was on his lips because they were kissing.

"Good night, people," he said, not needing to explain what they just saw. If they couldn’t understand it, he wasn’t about to tell them. They had problems enough with each other. Niles headed for his room, the handkerchief still in his hand, and to this day, he still carries it around with him in his pocket.

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