Back to Fan Fictionby
Mary Ann
(maryanncleveland@prodigy.net)
The Sheffield family and friends were at the 42nd Street restaurant anxiously waiting for the reviews to come out for Maxwell and C.C.'s new Broadway Revue. The audience had seemed to love it and had cheered through four curtain calls. Max and C.C. were feeling pretty relaxed and were finishing their second cocktail at the bar. Miss Fine was across the horseshoe shaped bar sipping a drink and talking to Val. The kids and Niles were at a table ordering a late dinner.
Max's eyes kept darting to Fran as he notices bloke after bloke approaching her. He can overhear them offering her drinks or a dance. For the past hour, to his great relief she has smiled beautifully, thanked them and shook her head no. Max is astounded at the sheer quantity of men that are compelled to approach her. He hadn't realized how she could practically have her pick of men. It has been three months since that fateful flight from Paris when he told her he loved her because he thought the plane was going to crash, but then took it back when they were safely on the ground. The first month or so he had absolutely no regrets for having taken back what it now referred to by just about everyone as The Thing.
The last few weeks though, he is discovering that he is experiencing some very strong feelings towards her. Seeing man after man approach her this evening is making him more than a little uncomfortable. He wonders if it is her feelings for him that is keeping Fran from accepting the advances of some very good-looking men. He suddenly realizes that he hopes it is. He's also starting to wonder how he is ever going to let her out of the house again without him. After witnessing her effect on the opposite sex, he is going to be quite uneasy when she goes out clubbing with Val from now on.
"Oh Val, have you noticed how Mr. Sheffield keeps looking over here!" she says excitedly. "I think he's jealous. I can't believe how popular I am with the men in here! We're going to have to start coming here more often," She says happily.
"Why don't you accept a dance with one of these guys. Maybe you can really make him jealous," Val says puzzled that Fran would turn them all down. Some had been really great looking.
"Val, this is Mr. Sheffield's big night. I don't want to do anything to ruin it for him. After I our time in Paris, I truly think I am in love with him. It took me three years working for him before I fell," she confides to her friend. "I think I first realized my feelings for him when he had such a crush on his beautiful publicist Sydney Mercer. Thank god Sydney turned out to be gay! I couldn't believe how happy I was when she told me her sexual preference." She looks over at Max fondly. She sees he's looking at her and gives him little wave and a sweet smile. God he's so good-looking. How have I been able to keep my hands off him all this time?
Max's heart skips a beat at her little smile and wave. The drinks have lowered his inhibitions and his thoughts are starting to go in another direction. God, she's so lovely. How have I been able to keep my hands off of her all this time? Fran has gone back to conversing with Val, but Maxwell can't seem to tear his eyes away from her. He is imagining what she would be like in bed, as he often has done lately. This was causing him to get somewhat aroused and he forces himself to turn away and think about the show's reviews.
"Val. I've been so depressed lately. I thought Mr. Sheffield really loved me and just needed more time. It's been three months since Paris, and nothing. Do you know how hard it is on my libido to know he's sleeping just down the hall every night? I mean, you know I haven't had sex with a man in over three years. Not since Danny. I really am ready, if you know what I mean. But any time Mr. Sheffield and me get close to anything remotely intimate, he always backs out," she says frustrated.
"Well then, why don't you accept a date with one of those guys over there? I wouldn't mind sleeping with some of them myself," Val says looking at some of the guys Fran had just turned down. It's been a while for Val also.
"No, I really have to know the guy first, and have some feelings for him," she says looking around. I've never been good at one-night stands. But, Val, I realize that I'm going to have to find a man sooner or later. I don't think I can stand it much longer! I've pretty much given up on Mr. Sheffield," she says a little sadly. "He simply doesn't want a relationship." She takes a sip of her cocktail. "I really shouldn't drink, it only makes me more amorous. God I'm frustrated!" She looks surreptitiously over at Max.
The news on the bar's television went to the Critic's Corner. Maxwell and C.C. hug each other, as the review from New York's toughest critic was quite flattering. They can now relax and have some fun. "Niles would you please take the children home, or did you want to stay? I can have Miss Fine take them home." He has been hoping to sneak in a dance with Fran and hopes that Niles is ready to turn in, since it is way past his normal bedtime.
"Oh, no sir. I can barely keep my eyes open. I'll be happy to take them home." He ushers the children out the door.
Max is relieved and turns to C.C. He is surprised that one of Miss Fine's castoffs has cozied up to C.C. She is in deep conversation with him. Max decides to go over to join Fran and Val. He picks up his drink and glances over to them. He suddenly stops in his tracks. "Oh, no! Oh my god...not him," he whispers nearly spilling his drink. Oh god! Anyone but him! he thinks desperately. I thought we'd seen the last of that bloke! Max sits down hard on his seat and he can only watch in horror as Miss Fine's ex-fiancé Philippe is sitting next to her kissing her hand. She is smiling from ear to ear and is making no attempt to remove her hand from his French lips.
Of all the men that Max had watched Fran date over the last three and half years since she came to live with him, this philandering Frenchman had, by far, made Max the most jealous. He absolutely loathes Philippe with all his heart. When Fran had been engaged to him, Max nearly lost his mind. He had never been so relieved as when Philippe had admitted to Fran that he could never resist a beautiful woman. As a Frenchman he would, of course make love to other women, even while married to her. One of the happiest moments in Maxwell Sheffield's life was when he had witnessed Fran throw Philippe out of the house. The whole Paris flight incident had happened only a month after that. As he analyzes his feelings, Max now realizes that his jealously of Philippe had probably brought his deep feelings for Miss Fine out to the surface.
Fran is smiling at Philippe and laughing at something he is saying. Suddenly Philippe grabs her hand and leads her willingly to the dance floor. Max's mouth drops open as he pulls her close into him. They are dancing slowly and looking deeply into each other's eyes. What the hell is she doing? Has she gone bloody mad? She admitted to me that their whole relationship had been a horrible mistake. He remembers the lobster dinner they enjoyed the night she threw Philippe out of the house. Fran had admitted that she hadn't really been in love with Philippe. She was just so excited to be engaged to such a handsome and sexy man. This had relieved Max enormously.
Max catches Val's eye and crooks his finger motioning her to come over to him. He has to find out what this horrifying situation is. He knows Val will tell him.
Val is surprised and a little nervous that he is beckoning her. She and Mr. Sheffield had never really had any one-on-one conversations. Truth be told, Val was so totally in awe of him that she was somewhat uneasy in his presence. Oh, I wonder why he wants me to come over there? she thinks nervously. Val takes her drink and walks around the bar to sit next to Mr. Sheffield.
"Hello, Miss Toriello." Max says cheerfully. "Please sit down." He gives her is most charming smile. Fran once told him that he intimidated Val, so he wants to put her completely at ease. He motions the bartender to freshen her cocktail.
"Um, Mr. Sheffield," Val says shyly. "Congratulations on getting great reviews on your new show." Val's heart is beating a little faster at being alone with him for the first time.
"Thank you Miss Toriello...may I call you Val?" He asks gallantly. Her heart starts beating even faster and her eyes fly open. "Of course Mr. Sheffield!" She says slightly flattered, but somewhat confused.
"Max." He corrects her.
"Of course, Max," she smiles shyly. Boy, he's so charming. Fran's so lucky! she thinks enviously.
"Val, now that we're friends, I need you to confide in me. I see that Miss Fine is dancing with Philippe." He practically spits out the Frenchman's name. God I hate him. He thinks getting more and more angry seeing Fran in his arms.
Val looks disgusted, also. "I know Mr. Shef...Max." This is going to take some getting used to, she thinks. "I personally can't believe that she is being so nice to him after he was such a jerk. I mean, he was engaged to her and made a pass at Miss Babcock in the kitchen!" Val says shaking her head watching them.
Max is thrilled that Val seems as disgusted as he at the whole thing. He suddenly feels a comradery forming. "So, Val, dish! What was the conversation just now between them?" He looks at her conspiratorially.
"Oh, Mr. Sheff...MAX." Damn! "You wouldn't believe it. Philippe's rich uncle died and left him a fortune! He is working at the United Nations. He told Fran that he had made the biggest mistake of his life when he let her get away. He apologized profusely for making advances on C.C. and says that he is ready to settle down with one woman." She says looking worriedly at him. Val doesn't trust Philippe and hates the idea of him hurting her best friend.
Max is starting to get a little queasy at how this is going. So now he's not just incredibly handsome and sexy, he's also wealthy and has a prestigious career! Oh, god! Well, he's still a philanderer, which will never change, he thinks starting to feel a little better.
"Max," Val continues. "Philippe is trying to win her back. He was swearing up and down that he would never look at another woman if she would take him back. He claims to have missed Fran terribly, and Mr. Sheffield...he has his Green Card! Now I know he's not going after her to get one!" Val says. The look of sheer horror in Max's eyes at her last statement startles her. Max had always believed that the main reason Philippe wanted to marry Miss Fine was to get a Green Card.
"Oh god!" Max cries. He is suddenly terrified that he may have pushed Fran away once too often. He watches in disgust as Fran and Philippe are tenderly gazing into each other's eyes on the dance floor. I should be the one receiving that loving gaze from her, he thinks glumly.
"Max, are you upset about all this? Fran told me you didn't love her," Val says a little surprised at his obvious discomfort. She's had quite a few drinks and tends to talk a little more freely when she's tipsy. Oh god! I can't believe I asked him something so personal! You idiot! You better quite drinking before you say something really stupid! She thinks embarrassed that she was so forward with Mr. Sheffield of all people. Her cheeks turn pink.
Max's head snaps in her direction. "What do you mean Val? She told you I don't love her? Why does she think that?" Because you are the blithering idiot who took back saying I love you on that blasted plane, he thinks dejectedly.
"Max. She told me all about The Thing. It's been three months and she just told me she is giving up on you." Val makes a quick decision. "I shouldn't tell you this, but she really was broken up over the whole incident when you guys got back from Paris. You really hurt her," Val says shyly. I can't believe I just confided that to him! I hope he doesn't get mad at me. She looks down at her hands.
"Oh, Val. I had no idea she was that hurt. I knew she was angry, and she had every right to be. I don't know what I am so bloody afraid of. Of course I love her!" He declares to a very stunned Val. Maxwell's heart suddenly hurt at the realization of the pain he had caused Miss Fine.
Val smiles brightly. I can't believe he confided in me! She thinks happily. Wow! She realizes I know before Fran even! Suddenly she remembers how Fran is feeling at this particular moment. Oh, boy, Fran is really ready for sex soon, and Philippe is definitely in the right place at the right time. Should I tell Mr. Sheffield this? She thinks starting to worry. THAT wouldn't be too embarrassing! How on earth would I even word it? "Um, Max. I think you'd better tell her sooner rather than later." Val doesn't want to tell him Fran's current condition, but she definitely thinks Max should tell her tonight.
Max is still staring at Miss Fine and Philippe on the dance floor. "Val! They're going to sit back down. "Go over there and spy for me. Tell me everything!" he says excitedly.
"OK, Max." Val is so thrilled that they are really hitting it off so well. They are naturally tied together by a common goal, Fran's happiness. Val walks around to the other end of the bar and takes her seat next to Fran. Fran wasn't even aware that Val had been gone. She only has eyes for Philippe.
"Cheri, Je adore!" Philippe exclaims taking Fran's hands and looking lovingly into her eyes. "Please let me take you out of here. You must see my beautiful new penthouse apartment. I have my limousine waiting right out front," he says kissing her on the cheek.
Oh, god! It's almost as if fate has brought him here. I am so turned on after dancing with him. Fran felt how much he wanted her when they were dancing. Should I go? What about Mr. Sheffield? Suddenly she is a little angry and realizes. What ABOUT Mr. Sheffield. How long did he think I'd be pushed away? I have needs too! She thinks more determinedly. Fran makes a decision. My body needs this. She looks sweetly at Philippe. "I'd love to see your apartment. Let's go." She takes his hand and gets off of her seat at the bar.
Val looks over in horror to Mr. Sheffield. Unfortunately he wasn't there. He was in the restroom.
"Val, tell Mr. Sheffield that I've left. Tell him not to wait up, I probably won't be home until very late." She gives Val a naughty wink.
Val's mouth drops open. Oh, no! How do I stop her? She thinks starting to panic Where's Mr. Sheffield? Val can only watch horrified as Fran and Philippe walk out the door.
Max returns to his seat. Where did they go? He wonders as he sees the empty seats across from him. Val runs over when she spots him. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield! Where did you go? She's left with him!" Val cries, her heart now pounding madly.
"What? Val! Tell me everything they said!" Max's mouth drops wide open in sheer horror as Val relays the conversation. "...so, then she told me to tell you not to wait up! That she would be home very late!" Val swallows. Should I tell him the rest? Oh, he should know everything, maybe he can stop her somehow! "Max, she gave me a wink as they walked out the door." She decides to completely confide in him. "Um, Max, Fran hasn't had uh...relations with a man in three years." Val starts shyly. "You should be aware that she was just confessing to me tonight that she is more than ready to have them." Val turns a little pink. "She turned down all those guys who approached her this evening because she's not good at one-night stands."
Max stares at her as the realization of her confession hits him.
"Max. It was some kind of awful fate that Philippe showed up at the worst possible time. She had tonight just decided to give up on you, and was really, well you know, um, well she hasn't had sex in a long time!" Val finishes, now really embarrassed.
"Oh my god! You mean? Oh, Val! I have to stop her! This is my entire fault. Of course she has needs! She's a normal young woman! What the bloody hell was I thinking all this time?" Max suddenly realizes that he has teased her and then pushed her away. What human could be celibate after that? "Val, where's his flat?" He looks desperately at Val.
"I don't know. He just said he had a penthouse apartment and that his limo was out front. Oh, I wish I could have found you. You could have stopped them before they left," she says dejectedly.
Shell-shocked, Max takes his seat. Val puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Max. Maybe nothing will happen," she says looking at him sympathetically. Of course she doesn't really believe that.
"Val! Wait a minute!" He says brightening slightly. "You said she hasn't slept with anyone in three years! That means she hasn't had relations with Philippe! I can't believe it. They were engaged. I mean, if she didn't sleep with him then, she certainly wouldn't now...would she?" He looks at her hopefully. The sad look she gives him is terrifying him.
"Oh, Max. I have to be honest with you. From what Fran confided in me this evening, I don't think she would be physically capable of not doing it. I'm so sorry. If only you had told her how you feel an hour ago," she says sadly shaking her head.
Dejected, Max downs his drink in one gulp. He realizes that he is now defeated. He knows of no way he can stop what is surely about to happen. "Come, Val. I'll have my limo drop me off at home. Then my driver can take you to Queens." He offers her his arm and escorts her to the car. "I don't want you taking public transportation this late. By the way, Val thanks for trying tonight." He is numb and more than a little depressed.
Maxwell gets out of the limo and waves goodbye to Val. He opens the front door and heads right for the bar. You idiot! You selfish coward! You just had to push her away. You knew how she felt about you! Did you think she would wait forever? He takes the bottle of Chivas Scotch and slowly climbs the back stairs to his bedroom. As usual, Niles had prepared his room for the evening before he retired. There is a crackling fire and soft music emanating from the hidden speakers.
Max sits miserably down on the huge sofa in front of the fireplace. He wants to get blindly drunk, but he knows he has to stay awake. He has to be conscious when she comes home. He takes a sip of the scotch then sets the glass on the coffee table. His mind is now forming his worst nightmare. Maxwell Sheffield puts his head in his hands and weeps softly.
*****************
Oh, god! It's after three! Fran thinks a little nervously. I've never been out this late. I hope Mr. Sheffield isn't mad! Suddenly she realizes. I'm a grown woman. I can stay out as late as I like. It's not like he and I are lovers or anything. She thinks a little angrily. She tiptoes up the front stairs. She tries to be as quiet as possible as she passes by Mr. Sheffield's bedroom. Suddenly she lets out a gasp as a hand reaches out and grabs her arm, dragging her into his room.
"Mr. Sheffield! You scared me to half to death! What are you doing up?" she says putting her hand on her racing heart.
"Do you know what the hell time it is?" he hisses, holding her against the door.
The anger in his eyes stuns and frightens her a little. "Mr. Sheffield, I told Val to tell you I would be home late. Didn't she tell you?" She was stating to worry a little. She could tell he had been drinking. "Um, why are you so angry?"
"Just where have you been?" He tightens his grip on her slightly. He wasn't hurting her, but he was definitely starting to scare her.
"Oh, Mr. Sheffield, I'd rather not discuss this evening if you don't mind. I'd really like to just go to bed." She tries to get out of his grip. No use.
"OH, but I do mind, Miss Fine," Max looks fiercely into her eyes. He takes her over to the couch and sits her down, none too gently. He stands over her looking down angrily.
"Mr. Sheffield!" she cries quite surprised at his obvious rage. "Why are you acting like this?" She is looking up at him wide eyed.
Max could see he was frightening her and was feeling a little guilty, but damn it, how could she have done that to him? He sits next to her and holds her arms again. "You went to the Frenchman's flat tonight, didn't you! Didn't you!" he cries shaking her a little.
Oh, no! How does he know that...VAL! Oh, this can't be good! She can only nod gently. She casts her eyes down, not wanting to look at him. For some reason she is now feeling a little guilty.
"DID you?" He forces her to look at him by putting his finger under her chin and lifting her head up.
"Um, did I what?" she says lamely, stalling for time.
Max just narrows his eyes and glowers at her. Her heart starts pounding madly and she can stand it no longer. He is definitely scaring her now. Max is horrified as he witnesses tears suddenly stream down her cheeks.
"Oh my GOD!" he cries. "How could you? How could you do that to me?" He quickly stands up and starts pacing. His whole body starts shuddering as he realizes that his worst nightmare has happened. She made love to that fucking Frenchman! Oh, god! Oh, GOD! He runs his hands through his hair and continues pacing.
His reaction has completely stunned Fran. She is so humiliated that she just turns over and starts weeping into the sofa pillow. She starts trembling. Oh, now he hates me! He's probably going to fire me! Oh, I don't want to leave here. She thinks as she buries her head into the pillow.
Max sees her shivering and sobbing. He sits down next to her and turns her over to face him. He is holding her upper arms. "How could you?" he asks again shaking her but more gently. Tears are now falling out of his eyes also. "Fran. How could you do that to me?" He sobs. The look of betrayal in his eyes shakes her to her core.
"Oh, Mr. Sheffield. You told me you didn't love me. Why are you so mad at me? I don't understand!" She sobs looking deeply into his eyes.
"When? When did I say that?" he cries. "I just took back saying I loved you! I didn't take back loving you!" Suddenly it comes back to him. This is really all my fault! If I hadn't pushed her away these last three months, none of this would have happened! What the bloody hell did I expect? Oh, god! But the thought of her...and him! STOP IT! Don't go there! He orders himself. It's over. Now I just pray that she hasn't fallen in love with him.
Max looks at her tear-stained face and his heart breaks. "Oh, Fran. I'm so sorry!" All of a sudden he takes her into his arms and holds her tightly. "Fran. Can you ever forgive me?" He kisses her on the cheek. They are now trembling in each other's arms.
"I don't understand, Mr. Sheffield. Forgive you? I thought you were mad at me!" She looks at him now thoroughly confused. "What do I have to forgive you for?" She wipes her eyes.
"For pushing you away the last few months. I thought you knew I loved you and just needed more time. It's my fault. I drove you right in to Philippe's bed!" He buries his face into her neck. Sobs are now racking his body.
"Mr. Sheffield," she sniffles. "Did you think I had sex with Philippe tonight? Is that what you meant when you asked if I did?"
Oh god! His head snaps up and he looks hopefully in her eyes. Max's heart starts pounding madly as a glimmer of hope forms. "Of course," he whispers. "What did you think I meant?" He is absolutely stunned at how this may actually turn out.
"I just thought you wondered if, you know...." she says a little embarrassed. "You know. Um, if I made out with him." She looks shyly down and her cheeks turn bright pink in embarrassment.
Max mouth drops open and his heart explodes with joy and relief. "You marvelous little thing!" he cries hugging her tightly to him. Fresh tears form in his eyes. "Oh, darling, I'm so sorry. I love you so much. Please say you don't love Philippe!" He kisses her tenderly.
Fran feels his tongue for the first time and her heart skips a beat. Wow! Did he just say he loves me? This evening has certainly worked out rather well, she thinks happily. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield I couldn't make love to him, I kept thinking of you. I guess I was still in love with you. I'm sorry I made out with Philippe. I was just..." Ooops! What are you going to tell him? That you were horny? That's classy!
Max is beyond relieved that she didn't let that Frenchman have her, he doesn't care what she did. "Shhh." He gently picks her up and carries her to his bed. He gets in with her and starts applying soft kisses to her. "Val told me," he whispers. "I guess I'm just going to have to do something about that."
The End
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