Disclaimer: I don't own any part or character from The Nanny…but I'm still not giving up hope.

A/N: I was thinking of a way to throw Niles and CC together. This is what I came up with. It's dedicated to my friend Mel now visiting the big Apple. Well, she's home now, but NYC will always be in her heart. ;)

Scavenger Hunt

Chapter 16

"Joseph, are you ready to go? You're grandparents are waiting for us." Andrew called up the stairs to his oldest son.

The boy bounded down the stairs. "Geez, Dad, relax. It's not like they'll start without us." He flashed his father his boyish grin.

Renee joined them from the kitchen with a pale blonde girl of about two perched on her hip. "That's not the point Joe." She handed him his jacket. "This is a very important event for Grandma and Grandpa."

"Why is this one so much more important than last year?" Joseph asked his mother.

She handed Lizzie to her husband. "Andy, you put the baby in the car and I'll explain to Joseph."

"Alright, Love. But don't take too long, you know how my father is about keeping his schedule." Andrew winked at his wife and took the baby to the car.

Renee sat in the chair and looked into her son's deep blue eyes. His dark red hair nearly glowed in the sun that streamed in the window. "Joe…this event that we go through every year has a very important meaning for Grandma and Grandpa…"

"I know Ma, we've been through this. I just don't get why this year is so much more important." The boy sighed.

"Joe, this is a very special anniversary. This event…this little game…it's the fortieth year Grandma and Grandpa have played this little game. That's a pretty big deal…don't you think?" Renee looked at her son.

Joseph's eyes got very big. "Wow…" The boy looked thoughtful and tilted his head. "Geez, Mom…how old are Grandma and Grandpa?"

Renee laughed lightly. "I think that's a question you'd better ask Grandma and Grandpa." She shuttled her son out to the car and they were on their way.

"You know, Love. They're going to be livid." The man whispered to his wife as they entered the building.

She tossed out a light laugh. "Yes…I suppose they are at that. Do you think I should turn off the phone when we get upstairs?"

"Well, unless you've changed your mind since we left the house…I don't think we're going to need the phones." He waggled his eyebrows at her.

She shook her head at him. "You are an incorrigible old man."

"And you wouldn't have me any other way." He kissed her cheek and they stepped onto the elevator.

She let out another laugh. "I've already had you every other way."

When Andy, Renee and the children arrived at the house there was already a crowd out front. "Hey Brother…!" Andy called to his older brother where he stood with his family. "What's going on?"

"We were just waiting for you." Danny stood with the pale blue envelope in his hand. "What took you guys so long, you only live just up the road?"

Andy laughed at his brother. "We had to explain to Joe…again." Andy hugged his sister and his sister in law before shaking hands with his brother in law. "Well, are we all ready then?"

"Like, Danny, said, Andy…" Lauren was the oldest. Plus, she looked so much like their mother she usually took the role of leader among the siblings. "We were waiting for you." Danny handed his sister the envelope. "Here we go."

Lauren opened the envelope and read it aloud to her siblings and their families.

"Children…

Find your way on the 'family tree'.

Mom and Dad"

Andy laughed. "Well that's short and to the point."

"I know where they mean, Mom." Lauren's 12 year old twin girls practically sang together. Abigail and Kaitlyn looked just like their father, green eyes and light brown hair. Lauren married Tom Weston nearly 15 years ago. Their daughters were the eldest grandchildren.

Eve winked at the girls. "Well, then you two lead the way." Danny and Eve, Max and Fran's daughter, married almost 13 years ago. They have three kids; Matthew, Peter, and Rebecca.

Andrew was Niles and CC's little surprise. He and Renee have been married for nearly nine years. It wasn't long after Niles and CC relocated to England that Fran and Max did as well. It had actually been Fran's idea. Jonah married Val and Fred's daughter Janeen, and runs Sheffield-Babcock productions in London with Andrew.

"Ok, Mom," Abigail lifted the pale blue envelope from the tree when they reached it. "Here's the next clue."

Everyone stood in awe at the tree that was laden down with names. It was most assuredly their family tree. Niles and CC started the 'tradition' if you will, on their first visit to the house. One afternoon while taking a walk, Niles and CC found this tree and carved their names in it. Niles and CC. Then, on their first visit after the twins were born, their names were added; then, later, Andrew. As each one married, their spouses' names were added. Then, again, each child as it joined the family was added as well. There they all stood admiring their tree.

"Hey!" Joseph finally chimed in. "Ya gonna read that clue or what?"

Danny laughed. "You got a hot date or something, Joe?" Danny took the envelope from his niece. "Ok, everyone ready?" When he was assured that everyone was listening, he opened the envelope.

"Children,

Swimming brought the family together…find the place you all learned just the right technique.

Mom and Dad"

"Alright, the lake!" Matthew called from where he stood near his mother. "I'll lead the way."

They all followed Matthew to the lake they were all very well acquainted with. Niles taught each of his children to swim in that lake and all of his grandchildren. Even at 83 he's promised to teach little Lizzie to swim in that very lake in just a few years. Everyone looks forward to that day.

They all stood on the banks of the lake searching for the pale blue envelope.

"Honey…where do you think they are now?" CC called from her place on the sofa.

Niles looked down at his watch. "Well, I'd guess standing around the lake wondering where the clue is."

"Who do you think will find it?" CC asked as he joined her on the sofa.

Niles sighed as he sat down and handed her the cup of tea he'd prepared. "I'd have to say…Joey…he's like a hawk that boy."

"I see it!" Joseph called from the edge of the water. "Hang on." Joe followed something with his eyes and ran around the lake about fifteen feet and grabbed at something on the bank.

"Joseph!" His mother called. "Be careful!"

Joe started pulling at a string which in turn pulled up the well 'bagged' pale blue envelope. "What was Grandpa thinking with this?" Joe took the envelope to his father.

"I don't know, Joe." Andy took the clue from him. "Let's see what this one says."

Andy opened the envelope and read the clue.

"Children,

Find the book, you know the one; and read your final clue.

Mom and Dad"

"OK, let's get back to the house." Lauren led the family in the short trek back, from the lake, to the main house.

Danny moved quickly into the front parlor and right to the 'book' he knew his parents referred to. "Here it is." Danny pulled from the shelf the giant blue photo album where Niles and CC put all their most treasured family photos. Each of the children had their own very similar book. He opened it to his parents wedding photo on the first page, and there was the pale blue envelope. Danny opened it and read.

"Children,

This year we thought of only us,

We hope to have your pity.

We've taken off for parts unknown;

Well, ok, just the city.

The fridge is packed, enjoy the lake,

It's time for us to go.

Your dad has made your favorite cake.

We love you all, you know.

Love,

Mom and Dad"

Andrew frowned. "What in hell does that mean?"

"Grandpa made cake!" Kate and Abby called to their uncle and ran to the kitchen followed closely by the rest of the children, except Joseph.

Joseph looked at his father. "Don't worry, Dad. Grandma and Grandpa are just fine."

"How do you know Joey?" Andy asked his son.

Joe smiled at his father. "They went to the city…New York. That's where it all began…right?"

"What are you talking about, Joe?" Renee asked her son under the watchful eye of his father, Aunts and Uncles.

Joe smiled and looked at the photo album that sat opened on the table. "They went back to the beginning." Joe pointed to the photo of his grandparents at their wedding. "Grandpa was telling me the story just last week. How Poppa Max and Nana Fran challenged him and Grandma to that Scavenger hunt. I didn't know it was so long ago until you told me this morning, Mom. But I'll bet that's where they are."

"Joe…" Lauren asked the boy. "Where'd you get so smart?"

"Where do ya think?" Joe tilted his head and Andrew beamed at his sister. "Grandma and Grandpa…same as you…can I have some cake now?"

Renee nodded, trying not to laugh at her now frowning husband. "Go ahead, Joey."

Joey had barely left the room when the parlor phone rang. "Brightmore's." Danny answered. "Dad! We were wondering what the hell happened to you and Mom…where are you?" Danny listened intently. "Ok…do you want…" Danny stopped before he finished his question. "Uhm…yeah…Joey…" Danny laughed. "Ok, Dad…you and Mom be careful…Ewww…Dad…to much information…" Danny laughed and nodded. "I'll tell them. We love you to…kiss Mom for us, and happy anniversary." Danny put the phone back on the base.

"Well?" Lauren asked.

"They're at the penthouse in New York. They'll be home in two weeks and they assure me they are fine." Danny shrugged.

So, Niles and CC spent their fortieth anniversary in New York City. The city where they met, bickered, flirted, fought, played the game and fell in love. For Niles and CC it was the city of their beginning…nearly 60 years ago.

The End