Disclaimer:  All characters that are taken from The Nanny in this story are the property of Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson.  Everyone else are only supporting players to the class act of Niles and CC. Please send any comments you may have on my story to IvanaBgood@aol.com - she will make sure I receive them - Thank You!

The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

by

Celia
(CeliaLater@aol.com)

 Niles outdid himself in the kitchen again. The delicious smells that have been wafting from that room in the last few hours made everyone’s stomachs grumble in ardent anticipation.  The Sheffield family and CC Babcock sat down eagerly to partake in the scrumptious dinner that Niles has prepared for them.  He served CC last, dumping a large portion on her plate.

 "Niles, I don’t want to make a pig of myself."

 "Here Babe, and I do mean the talking pig, have some more slop."

 "Oh, so you’re finally calling your cooking by its true name."

 The Sheffield family were cracking up.  Here they were about to have dinner and they get a free show too.  Niles was just about to demonstrate to CC who was grand master of witty repartees when the phone rang.

 "Sheffield residence…..speaking….WHAT?! Can you repeat that? Finally…..so now I can…….no, NO! You have to do something! There are children here!  You need to come and protect my family! Yes, YES, I understand….I’ll be here……….and please hurry!!

 The dining room was very still and quiet after Niles slammed the phone down.  All eyes were riveted to him. He seemed to be in his own little world. His whole body trembling. And he had the most frightened look on his face.

 "Niles? What is it, what’s wrong?" Fran asked.

 Barely hearing her, Niles just glanced at CC and excused himself. The door to the kitchen swinging behind him as he left.

 "I better go see if he’s okay," Fran says as she pushes her chair back.

 "No, no I will do it. You stay here. All of you stay here and eat your dinner," Maxwell replied placing his napkin on the table.

 The festive mood was shattered. The children were scared. Niles was always in control. He never raised his voice to anyone. Something must be terribly wrong. Fran seeing their distress tried to allay their fears.

 "Kids, it’s okay. Niles is just pulling another one of his practical jokes on us. He really had you going! Now, finish your dinner and then get ready for bed. Your father and I will be up to say good night, okay?"

 Brighton and Grace looked at each other and smiled because Niles tricked them again. Although Brighton really didn’t buy Fran’s explanation, he didn’t want Gracie to worry. Maggie didn’t believe any of it, but played along anyway. She watched Fran and CC leave, their dinner untouched. As soon as her brother and sister finished eating, she followed them upstairs to change into their pajamas and brush their teeth. Then she tucked Gracie in, said good night to Brighton and turned his light off. With a worried look on her face, she then went to her room, hoping that whatever was wrong, Niles would be okay. She loved him like an uncle and knew how much he cared for her and her siblings. Still picturing that scared look on Niles’ face, Maggie attempted to go to sleep.

 Meanwhile Fran and CC went into the kitchen. Not seeing anyone there, they went up the backstairs to Niles’ room. Tentatively knocking, Fran quietly asks, "Niles? Maxwell? Can we come in?"

 Maxwell opened the door, then turned towards Niles. He nodded slightly so Maxwell gestured towards the ladies to come in. CC paused at the entrance and then stepped inside. She looked around, not sure what to say to Niles.

 Fran broke the silence, "Niles, can you tell me what is wrong?"

 Niles looked up at Maxwell, "You never told her?"

 "No, I felt that it was something that should come from you."

 "Tell me what?" Fran was getting very worried now.

 "It’s a long story. So you better sit," Niles intoned.

 Maxwell pulled a chair out and Fran waited for him to settle in before sitting on his lap. CC was surprised when Niles reached for her hand and gently pulled her towards him. She sat down next to him on his bed. CC watched Niles as he spoke with a far away look in his eyes.

 "Picture a young man in a brand new suit waiting nervously in a wood paneled office. I had just finished a successful interview and was told that I had the position. I was elated. All my hard work was finally getting me to the place in life that I dreamed of. I was going to be his assistant and then in years to come I will be just like him, a barrister. I always wanted to get into law. I loved everything about it. The gathering of information. The debating back and forth. And yes, as trite as this may sound, I loved the fact that I could help to make this world a better place. I couldn’t wait to tell my parents that I would be working for Alec Randall. The Alec Randall. He had just left the office to retrieve some papers that I needed to fill out when I heard a loud crash. I quickly got up and in my haste, dropped my fountain pen. I did not want to stain his beautiful Persian rug and so I bent down to pick it up. I couldn’t find it anywhere. Finally, I spotted it under his desk, but it wouldn’t come loose. It was wedged on something. Chastising myself for my clumsiness, I went around the desk and found myself on my hands and knees crawling under. Not wanting to be found in such a ridiculous position, I tried to hurry, but only seemed to wedge the pen in deeper."

 "I then heard the office door swing open and a gruff voice declaring, ‘Nope, no one in here boss.’ "

 "The door was then slammed shut. Curious, I got up. The door was shut so hard that it bounced on the door jamb and remained open a crack. I walked quietly to the door hearing signs of a struggle going on. I saw Mr. Randall. He was in a terrible state. He was bleeding and the bruises on his face were already swelling and turning a ghastly shade of purple. One hood was holding his arms back while another one kept punching him. Then a voice came from the other side of the door. I didn’t notice him until he spoke. A man dressed immaculately in a well tailored blue pin-stripe walked slowly towards Mr. Randall. With his back to me, I listened as he demanded to know if Mr. Randall changed his mind. The poor man, struggling to catch his breath, just shook his head no. And then……oh my god I can still picture this so vividly, the man pulled a gun out and pointed it at Mr. Randall. He explicitly stated that in no uncertain terms could he allow him to live. The gun had a silencer, but to me each sound was like a canon going off. It was so eerie. I kept thinking to myself that this couldn’t be happening. But it was. I just stood there and watched Mr. Randall get shot six times. I can still picture his body snapping back as each bullet struck it. I was such a coward. I didn’t do anything. When I saw him being punched I was ready to run in and help, but there was something about that man’s voice that stopped me. And when I saw what he held in his hand, I…..I just froze. Cowardice, I suppose."

 "No, Niles! You did the right thing. It would have been foolhardy to rush out there when someone has a gun. You couldn’t have done anything. You….you could have been killed too," CC said still holding Niles’ hand, gave it an assuring squeeze.

 Niles smiled at her and squeezed her hand back, "Thank you." He was feeling better sharing his story. All these years he kept it bottled inside.

 "When the gunman turned around before leaving to pick up his briefcase, I almost gasped out loud. I knew him! They weren’t even in a hurry considering what just happened. They just sauntered out. Cock sure of themselves. As soon as they were gone I rushed over to Mr. Randall and felt for his pulse. Nothing. The man was dead. I know he was just shot several times, but I still held out hope. I remember dialing for the police, but I don’t remember what I said. It seemed like only moments when they got there. Two men dressed differently than the other policemen, approached me. They showed me their identifications and told me to come with them. Then they did something peculiar. They made me wear a beard, a hat and sunglasses. With each one flanking me they rushed me to an armored car. I didn’t know what to think. I was still in a daze and frightened as hell. I asked them where we were going, but they just said that I was wanted for questioning. It was a very long ride. The driver and one of the men kept looking behind us to make sure we weren’t being followed. The other man was on the phone the entire time. At last, the car slowed down. We were in the country. They escorted me into an old farmhouse with a patchy thatched roof. And that was when I finally understood the dangerous situation I was in. I suppose the fog that my mind was in finally cleared up. My mind started to recall who it was that pulled the trigger. He was the son of a very prominent and influential family. It was also rumored that they had ties to the syndicate. And I just saw him commit murder. Oh my god!"

 Niles nervously brushed his hair back with his hand. Maxwell, Fran, and CC were all watching him, hanging on to his every word. Maxwell knew what happened to Niles, but never heard the full story before. CC leaned against Niles’ shoulder and it calmed him as he felt her closeness. He took a few deep breaths and continued his story.

 "The men questioned me over and over. Just to see if I changed my story I suppose. But I know what I saw. I know who I saw. Afterwards, I noticed them looking at each other incredulously. I guess they were having a hard time believing who the murderer was or maybe it was the fact that they had me there, the key witness to the whole thing. They said that Mr. Randall was not only a very famous and well loved barrister, but he also was the childhood friend of the Prime Minister. She has given this case top priority. I asked them what would happen now. They said I was to hide out in this house until the trial. They would be guarding me, protecting me from any danger until I could testify. Just then the phone rang."

Part II.

In Hiding

 "The agent who introduced himself to me earlier as Robert answered it. His eyes widen with dismay at whatever the person on the other end of the line was saying to him. He didn’t talk, he just listened very carefully to what was being said to him. Immediately after hanging up he informed us that we had to leave. Confused again, I knew better than to ask questions after seeing the angry look on his face. So once again I was hustled in disguise back to the car. It was another long and very quiet ride. I hesitantly asked if I could call my parents, knowing that they would be worried. Robert nodded assent. I dialed quickly, anxious that at any moment he would change his mind."

 "Hello Maman. Yes, I am fine. No….no I can’t come home right now. Yes, the interview went well…..Maman, please listen to me. I have to go away for awhile……everything is okay. I just wanted you to know….that….
I love you."

 Tears started to roll down Niles’ face as he told his friends about his conversation with his mother. Fran and CC were quietly crying and Maxwell unashamedly joined them.

 "Niles, what is it? You are worrying you mother," Niles’ father demanded as he got on the phone.

 "Father, I….I have to go away. I just wanted you to know so you wouldn’t worry. No, I can’t explain why."

 Robert gestured to Niles to hang up.

 "Father, I have to go now."

 Niles wiped the tears off his face. "My father must have known somehow that I might not be coming back. Because it got all quiet on his end and then he said something to me that I will never forget."

 "Niles….my son……I should have told you this sooner. I am very proud of you. I know you are a good boy…….I love you."

 "I love you too Father," I replied and then I hung up the phone. I didn’t know that that would be the last time I would be speaking with my parents.

 CC wrapped her arms around Niles. Feeling very sorrowful and wishing that she could take his pain away. She knew that it must seem odd to Maxwell and Fran to see her comforting Niles. But she knew that he really needed her now and damn it she didn’t care what they thought. Niles was surprised when he felt CC enfold him in her arms. It felt so good. He brought his arms up and hugged her right back. They sat there for awhile, just holding each other. Niles heard the alarm on his watch beep and looked at it, realizing that he didn’t have much time, he gently pulled away, sighed and continued with his narrative.

 "I looked out the window and saw that we were at Heathrow Airport. We didn’t park, the car drove right to the runway and there was a small passenger plane waiting for us. The other man who was with us, boarded the plane first. After a while, he came out and signaled to us. Robert and I then came aboard. As the plane taxied and I felt the customary stomach lurch when the plane pulled up into the sky, Robert told me something that changed my life even more."

 "Niles……..we didn’t arrest him."

 "What? What do you mean? Why the hell not?!"

 "Someone tipped him off. When we arrived at his place he was gone. Do you know what that means?"

 Niles nodded slowly, feeling his stomach lurch once again and it wasn’t because of turbulence. "Yes, it means you have a spy on the inside."

 Robert sighed, "Yeah. We caught him and we cut a deal. He told us what he knew about this whole fiasco and in exchange his sentence will be cut down to half. It’s not fair, I know….but, hell it happens. At any rate, we know that they know there was a witness. The murderer is a very astute individual. But he made one big mistake. Instead of checking the office himself, he sent one of his goons to do the job. That was a lucky break for you or you would be lying on a cold slab right now wearing a toe tag. They fished that goon’s body out of the Thames river a little while ago. As you can see, the man hates mistakes. Another lucky break, they don’t know who the witness is or what you look like. But as of right now, you are under the Witness Protection Program. You are being flown to your new home, to your new life, with your new name."

 Niles was angry. He always tried to live his life by the honor code. He knew the right thing to do was to testify, but at the sake of his life and his parents? He decided to cut a deal for himself too.

 "I agree to everything you just told me, except this. If you want me to ruin my life for justice then I have one demand."

 "What is it?"

 "My name shall remain the same. I refuse to change it. It’s my one link to my family. Besides they’ll expect me to change it."

 Robert agreed to the demand. Letting him keep his first name. He shook his head hoping he wasn’t making a mistake. "Okay, listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. There was a special request made to the Prime Minister concerning you. A very high up individual who is looking out for you and for his son. Apparently his son just recently moved to New York. That’s where we’re headed right now. You are to be his butler. That would be the perfect job for someone who needs to fade into the background."

 "A butler! But I don’t know how to be a butler! And who is this son?" Niles questioned.

 "A Maxwell Sheffield."

 "Maxwell? He’s an old school friend. I don’t understand any of this. His father requested this? I thought his father was a stockbroker."

 "Well, apparently he is much more. He felt this way you can support each other and look out for one another. You can learn to be a butler. We are assigning someone to work at the mansion with you. She will teach you how to cook, how to defend yourself, and how to watch your back. Here she is right now, let me introduce you."

 "Robert beckoned to someone who was sitting 3 rows behind me. I didn’t even notice that anyone was there. I berated myself for not being more observant. Soon standing before me was a beautiful brunette. She looked to be in her early 20’s. Her name was Alice."

 "What? Alice the cook was a federal agent?! And 20? She looked like she was in her 50’s!" Fran screeched.

 "It was her disguise Fran. While she was here, she guarded Niles," Maxwell explained. "She sure did love guarding your body," Maxwell snickered trying to cheer Niles up.

 CC didn’t like the sound of that. She recalled that Alice looked like the typical frumpy household cook.

 "Yes, she did try to ‘guard’ my body a bit too closely," Niles recalled with a smile.

 "What do you mean by that?" CC demanded to know as she gave Niles a hard look.

 "One night she came into my room unannounced and uninvited," Niles explained warily. "But nothing happened."

 "Ummm….we arrived at the mansion, (Niles felt that it was a good time to continue his story), and Robert informed me that they would be watching out for me surreptitiously. That they will find the murderer soon and I could then continue my life as planned. But soon, four months turned to six. Six months became a year. Then five years and so on. I resigned myself to this life. It’s not a bad one. I’m surrounded by people I love and who love me. But tonight, after almost thirty years, they call and tell me, that they caught him," Niles exclaimed. "He was under their very noses. In Europe. He has been living all these years in Azores, that’s an island off the coast of Portugal. They were tipped off, ironic isn’t it, and he is now incarcerated at Scotland Yard."

 "Good show, old man!" Maxwell cheered.

 "Oh Niles, now you can see your parents!" Fran said delightedly.

 CC didn’t say anything. Her emotions were confused. She was happy for Niles, but she didn’t want him out of her life.

 Niles cautioned, "No, don’t celebrate yet. They also informed me that his family will not want their name dragged through the mud. And they might do something desperate to make sure that doesn’t happen."

 "What do you mean Niles? Are you in mortal danger?" CC asked her voice trembling.

 "Yes, I’m afraid I am. The agents are on their way right now to take me to an undisclosed location. They told me to pack some of my things. Enough to tide me over until the trial convenes, about a month. I need to be as far away from you all as possible. I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re in danger as long as I’m around. They assured me that they will post guards around the clock for you. CC, you better stay with the Sheffields until everything calms down."

 CC didn’t even notice that Niles called her by her first name, but Maxwell and Fran did.

 CC and Niles stared at each other. Her hands were shaking and Niles covered them with his own.

 "Niles, who is the murderer?" Fran asks.

The Abduction

 "I can’t tell you that. I’ve already said too much, but I needed to unburden myself as well as explain why I must leave. I don’t know when I will see you again. I want to thank you Maxwell for sharing your beautiful family with me and giving me a home. And Fran, I appreciate the friendship you have bestowed upon me. I enjoyed our little capers that we always ended up getting into."

 Fran reaches over and gives Niles a hug, fresh tears running down her face. Maxwell gives his old friend a squeeze on the shoulder, his eyes misting.

 Niles hands his old friend the infamous fountain pen that saved his life. "Maxwell, I want you to have this. May it keep you and yours out of harms way."

 Maxwell was deeply touched by the present and the sentiment.

 "And CC….," Niles pauses, unsure how to continue.

 Fran takes Maxwell’s hand and leads him quietly out the door. "Honey, let’s go check on the kids."

 Before Niles could continue, CC gets up also, "Let’s go and get a drink. You look like you could use one too."

 Niles follows her downstairs holding his suitcase and a duffel bag. It was almost time to leave.

 When they reached the kitchen, Niles set his things down. CC turned around and gave him a long look. Then she just rushed into Niles’ arms, enjoying the strength of the embrace and crying quietly into his shoulder. Just then the whole mansion was flooded in darkness. CC screamed. Niles heard the backdoor open and felt hands grabbing him. He wanted to struggle, but he couldn’t do that and still hold CC. He had to protect her.

 "Oh please, don’t do anything to CC or the Sheffields," Niles pleaded to whoever was out there," He then felt a scratchy material being pulled over his entire head.

 "Do not attempt to escape," someone quietly ordered.

 CC was pried from his arms. They were led into a van. Niles knew it was a van because he heard and felt the door sliding shut. After a few minutes, Niles felt someone tug on his hood and then it was off. He looked around, blinking. Searching for CC, he spied her sitting next to him trying to get her bearing as well. He sighed with relief. Then he did a double take.

 There was Alice sitting in front of him with a big smile on her face.

 "Hi Niles! Sorry we had to do that to you and Miss Babcock, but it was the only way."

 "Alice! What is going on?!" Niles was getting so fed up with everything.

 "We are taking you to your secret home away from home," she said gesturing to three men who were also in the van. "Don’t worry about anything Niles. We won’t let anything happen to you. The trial is top priority and after all that paperwork that has to be filled out and copied in triplicate, you should be testifying within the month."

 CC immediately sat up when she heard Niles say ‘Alice’. She looked at the woman seated in front of them. This was Alice?

 "Hello CC," Alice greeted her cooly. She remembered this snooty woman and how she was always putting down Niles.

 "Alice? So…..it was all a disguise?"

 "Yup, this is the real me."

 CC knew this wasn’t the time nor the place to get jealous, but she couldn’t help it. This lady in front of her was very self assured. She had long shiny brown hair that cascaded past her shoulders and almost to her bum. Her figure was spectacular. Not only did she look like a size 5, but she also looked very strong. I could take her, CC thought to herself not quite sure why she was thinking like that.

 Alice turned to the muscular man seated next to her, "The orders were to take Niles and only Niles, why is Miss Babcock here?"

 The man shook hands with Niles and CC, "Hi, the name’s Nick." Then he answered Alice’s question, "Well, we tried to take just him, but he wouldn’t let go of her."

 CC smiled at that and placed her hand on Niles’ thigh.

Alice saw the gesture and frowned, "I don’t see a wedding ring on her finger Niles. So you can’t be married. Did she finally go too far and they caught you in the midst of suffocating her?"

Niles smiled, "No Alice, nothing like that," enjoying CC’s gesture, he put his own hand over hers and left it there.

Alice looked on in dismay, "Don’t tell me you two are…..," she couldn’t finish the question.

Niles gave CC a very loving look, "Well, lots of things are unresolved right now, but…..," and Niles just left it like that. Both women were trying to understand what he meant, filling the end of his statement with what they both wanted to hear.

"It’s going to be a long ride, so you two might as well get comfortable," Alice says quietly.

Niles and CC were exhausted. All the events of the day finally caught up with them. After Niles was assured that the Sheffields were informed that he and CC were okay, he relaxed. They both soon fell asleep with CC nestled against Niles, his arms wrapped loosely around her.

Nick looked at them, "They look very much in love, don’t you think Ali….," Nick didn’t finish his question. When he looked at Alice, she seemed to be very angry. Oh, oh what’s wrong with her, Nick wondered to himself.

Alice looked at the sleeping couple with anger and distaste. All these years, the only thing that helped her get through the day was that soon she would be reunited with Niles. She was the one who searched fruitlessly all these years for the murderer. She knew that once he was caught and tried, Niles would be a free man. Still upset that her superiors removed her from the inside job of guarding Niles years ago, she looked at dear Niles as he slept. He still looked the same. Thick reddish blonde hair, very fit, and an endearing crooked smile. "Smile?! Hmmmm….I wonder what he is dreaming about," Alice mutters to herself. Could it be that hag CC? I didn’t in all my plans think that he would or even could be interested in her. If only they didn’t pull me off the job. Imagine them thinking that I was getting too close to the subject of my mission. That it was impairing my judgment. What a crock! If it wasn’t for me, Niles would still be a butler. He is much too good for that! Maybe he’s just comforting CC through all this. That’s the kind of man he is. And probably drawing comfort through her too because she reminds him of the home that he has had all these years. He just needs time to adjust and then…….. Alice lets her train of thought drift, smiling in the wisdom that Niles will come to his senses soon.

Night was turning to day when they finally drove up to their destination. The driver made a lot of U-turns to make sure that they weren’t being followed and so the ride was a long one.

Niles feeling the motion of the car stop, woke up with a silly smile on his face. He whispered in her ear, "CC, time to wake up, we’re here." And then he tightened his arms around her.

She just snuggled in more, not wanting to open her eyes.

"C’mon you. I know you’re awake!" Niles whispered again his breath tickling CC’s ear.

CC opened her eyes, turned and gave Niles a soft kiss. "Hi!" she greeted, her smile just captivating him.

That kiss sent him reeling. "Hi, you look……," before Niles could finish what he was about to say, Alice interrupted.

"Okay, it’s time to see your new home for the next month," she said scowling. It annoyed her that the two didn’t even seem to notice that she was there.

Nick gave them the grand tour. There was a cobblestone walkway that led to a porch of a quaint log cabin. He led them to the three bedrooms and the one bath. There was a small kitchen, a comfortable size family room with a stone fireplace. Very charming.

"I guess you two should take the master bedroom," Nick indicated the room that was at the end of the hallway. "It doesn’t have a connecting bathroom, but it’s the largest bedroom."

"Maybe CC would like to share this room with me instead. It has twin beds, that one only has a double?" Alice interjected quickly after hearing what Nick said.

"No, no this one will be fine," CC replied with a smile.

"Okay, then Alice you take that one at the other end of the hallway. It has a captains bed in it and it’s just perfect for one person. Then me, Marvin, and Reggie will take this one with the twin beds. That way there will always be one person awake at all times," Nick stated.

"All right," Alice agreed unhappily. "I’ll start breakfast while everyone gets settled. CC, you can borrow some of my clothes, until we get you your own."

"Thank you, Alice. I appreciate that," CC said gratefully.

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