Truth or Dare

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are owned by Fran Drescher, Peter Marc Jacobsen and High School Sweathearts. I just use the characters as a fan and for fun.


“I am bored” Fran stretches out on the couch with the remote control in her left hand. She and Niles had just watched a James Bond film and ended up flipping channels.

“There’s nothing else on Miss Fine, I have already checked the tv guide” Niles comfortably sits on the other site of the couch. A big bowl of popcorn separates the 2 Sheffield employees.

“That’s because normal people are out on a Saturday night” Fran sighs. “I think entire New York, besides us, is out tonight.”

“Well….” Niles starts as he points towards the office. “I know 2 duty heads who are also not having a great time’.

In the office Maxwell and CC are still working. “ Maxwell, I think we have it all set now”. CC finally says as she closes the files on the desk.

“Yes, I think we are all set for tomorrow. As far as I can see, there is nothing that can go wrooooaaaaaaaahng” Maxwell unsuccessfully tries to suppress a yawn. They have been in the office since early this morning preparing for a damn Sunday meeting. Who invents a meeting on Sunday? Well, you just can’t say no to rich potential backers.

“I could use a drink” CC states as she opens the door to the hallway. Maybe her favourite butler will be around to tease right before going to sleep.

“Well, just help yourself then CC” Maxwell calls after her. “Niles has the evening off”.

Cc feels a bit disappointed hearing that Niles will probably not be there. Reluctantly she walks into the living room to get herself something strong with ice. To her surprise she spots 2 people hanging on the couch.

Her heart jumps up a little. This could actually mean some fun before the day ends. “Well well well, the domestics having a wild Saturday night?” she sarcastically remarks as she pours herself a drink.

“I ain’t seeing you dancing the cha cha either, miss Babcock. Not that anyone would want to see that” Niles retards sharply as he sits up. Hmmm, finally something fun to do.

CC hides her grin as she coldly sits down with her double scotch with ice. “Just admit that the best date you can get is an evening watching soaps with the nanny.” With a big gulp she takes in half of her drink.

“For your information, I have an evening off . So technically I am not the nanny now.” Fran jumps in. “I am just a young woman spending a great evening with a good friend”.

CC eyes Fran coldly. It was her little play with Niles why did Nanny Fine have to butt in? If it weren’t for her things would be completely different in the house. With a second gulp she finishes her drink

“Well well well” Maxwell comes in. “Are we having a little party here?” he asks as he finds the three of them in the living room. “I did not know you were all in tonight.”

Fran couldn’t help but turning her head directly as she heard his voice. How did he do that to her? She tried to resist it ever since they came back from that Shakespeare event and had almost kissed. It seemed like everything between them had changed since then.

“A drink anyone?” Maxwell offers as he walks to the drink cabinet. “Another double scotch on the rocks” CC says as she stretches out her hand with her empty glass.

“Well, sir since you are so kind to ask. I would love a brandy.” Niles eagerly takes advantage of the rare opportunity of being served by his boss.

Maxwell takes CC’s glass and fills it with scotch and ice. He fills the 2 crystal glasses from the cabinet with his expensive brandy. “What about you miss Fine? Perhaps I can pour you some wine?” He knows how giggly Fran gets from a little alcohol and somehow finds it quite pleasant.

Well, I don’t know…” Fran starts. “Ah, come on miss Fine! Don’t spoil the evening. One little glass of wine won’t kill you.” Maxwell stimulates.

“Oh OK! But you’d be the one to carry me upstairs when I get all schnockered up” she laughs. “It would be my pleasure” Maxwell says with a broad smile as he places her glass on the table. He glances at her shortly and quickly turns his head away.

These teasing remarks seem to happen ever more often between them. They started long ago but somehow they were lifted to another level lately. It became flirtatious and Fran as well as Maxwell seemed to enjoy it. Something had definitely changed between them but Fran couldn’t tell how serious it was.

“Miss Fine!” Fran had been too occupied in her dream to notice her surroundings. Slowly she comes back to reality.

“Miss Fine, everything okay?” Maxwell asks as she finally looks his way.

“Uh I am sorry I was just lost in thought”. She thinks as she smiles at him. He looks adorable now that he has taken off his jacket and tie. The top 2 buttons of his shirt are undone, giving him some room to breathe.

Maxwell loves catching his nanny off guard. She always looks so adorable when she is lost in thought. He had to take control of himself. He caught himself thinking of miss Fine way too much. Since they came home from that Shakespeare evening and were robbed, he had initiated a kiss. Maybe it was the Champaign or the way she had looked but he jut couldn’t help himself. He thanked God that Niles had interrupted them otherwise there would have been a lot to explain after.

“Well, what were you two talking about before we came in?” Maxwell asks as he looks at Niles and Fran.

“It couldn’t have been very interesting” CC chimes in before they could answer.

“Actually we were discussing several political topics. But we are already done with that so no need to go over them again” Fran says with a big grin on her face.

“Yeah right” CC gulps down the last bit of her second scotch. Niles and Maxwell had also finished their drinks quickly. Fran did not want to appear like an outsider so she finished her wine with one big swallow.

“Well, who wants another drink?” She says rising up.

Maxwell looks at her as she stands there in full length. She is not so tall but her legs never seem to end. They look perfect under that short black skirt.

“I think we can all use a refill miss Fine” after Maxell’s words Fran gathers all the empty glasses to refill them with the various alcoholic contents. When extending a full glass to Maxwell his hands end up on her warm fingers instead of the cold glass. He holds his fingers still on hers and looks up. “Thank you miss Fine” he softly says while studying her eyes intently. “You’re welcome” she replies with a dry mouth. His hand is still on hers.

Slowly without breaking his gaze he takes the glass with his other hand and releases her fingers. He smiles at her “Well….. is anything on tv tonight?” he mumbles to no one in particular as he looks away shyly.

“No sir, Miss Fine and I have flipped all channels three times but there is nothing interesting, or would you like to see the Wizard of Oz again?” Niles answers as he takes the glass from Fran’s hands. The smell of cold brandy fills his nostrils. The small satisfactions in life is what he lives for.

“Yugh, no way we will watch that!” CC moodily replies as she gulps down another bit of scotch. “Although I don’t want to take Niles’ small joys in life away from him” She couldn’t help herself she just had to get a shot at him.

“No, doesn’t matter” Niles replies dryly. “One scare crow this evening is more than enough”.

“Come on people, can’t we all act civilised?” Maxwell couldn’t imagine living without their small fights but sometimes it just became too much. After a long day’s work it was certainly too much.

“Why don’t we go and play a game?” Fran suddenly rises upright as looks around expectantly. “That could be fun, right?”

“A game?” Maxwell sounds surprised. “We are all adults, Miss Fine. I don’t know if we are the crowd to play a game with.” He chuckles as he looks at a chagrined Niles and CC.

“Nanny Fine, you cannot be serious on this one. You can roll out your twister-set but don’t expect the grown ups to play along” CC laughs out loudly as she comfortably lays back in the chair, finishing her scotch. “I would never play any game with you.”

“Don’t be afraid. No one ever wants to play a game with you” Niles cleverly remarks as he too takes his last gulp of brandy. The expensive liquid leaves a pleasant burning taste in his mouth.

Fran too has already nearly emptied her glass. She hardly ever takes alcohol but she just can’t help but wanting to keep up with the pace of these more skilled drinkers.

“Oh is that right Miss Babcock? Then I might have dreamed our little stay in the wine cellar?” she sharply looks at CC as she swallows the last drops of wine. Just like Niles she loved to drive this woman op the walls. She wasn’t as good at it as her loyal friend but she could give a shot every now and then. Especially when CC tries to put her down.

Niles and Maxwell suddenly sit upright. “Do I want to know what happened down there in the cellar between the two of you?” Niles looks both mockingly and curious. “Wait, I just need a drink along with what is coming now”.

Niles gathers the glasses as Fran pats him is ais arm. “Oh Niles get your mind out of the gutter, will you? Keep your fantasies to yourself” She just had to spit out the last part. Maxwell chuckles looking at Niles who acts like he hasn’t heard her.

“When we were down in that basement, boring ourselves to death….” Fran starts.

“And I was supposed to be in Gene Shallot’s” CC chips in.

“Yeah, like you would get some action there!” the alcohol has already taken its toll on Fran who became even bolder than usual.

“Anyway, Miss Babcock literally begged me to play truth or dare. She even let me do her hair in exchange!” Fran looks triumphantly at CC.

“Hmmm, Thank you old man” Maxwell takes his refilled glass from Niles and starts to get interested. “That would have been an interesting conversation to overhear between the two of you.”

Although he refers to them both he only looks at Fran when addressing this remark. There were a few truths from her he would be very interested in hearing. He lets his eyes wander over her outfit. A grey and red tight jacket matches her skirt perfectly. CC wears a jacket and skirt as well, very classy but Miss Fine always seem to give all her clothes a sexy touch. It’s tightness is one of causes next to the shortness of her skirt. Last but definitely not least, she seemed to wear nothing under that jacket as the low cut front showed no evidence of anything other than her soft light skin. The outfit showed off her perfect figure to all its advantages. Maxwell couldn’t recall the moment he had seen a woman more perfect than his nanny. God, why did she have to be his nanny? Nannies are supposed to be broad shouldered, unattractive and rather old. They should not parade around with their goddess bodies and crossing their legs alluringly on their bosses desk. Yet she did, and he had no intention of stopping her.

“It wasn’t as interesting as you little schoolboys might think” Fran looks smilingly at the two men in the room. Catching Maxwell recovering from a dreamy stare. “We only got to one Truth, CC’s, and it wasn’t a big shocker.”

CC grumbles a bit. “Don’t you dare…..”

“She finally told someone that she used to be a man?” Niles just could not let the opportunity go.

“Yeah, just like you handy whipe” CC sneered back.

“Well, Truth or Dare sounds like a fun game to play.” Maxwell states as he swirls his brandy around in his glass. “We might get to know each other a bit better”.

Mouths drop as Maxwell speaks these words aloud. Not being used to any kind of spontaneous action from her boss Fran can’t hide being pleasantly surprised. “Wow Mr. Sheffield. I never knew you were such a ‘daring’ person … I like it!”

“Maxwell? Since when do you engage into silly games with the staff?” CC never likes Maxwell having a few drinks. He gets out of her control. He is usually predictable and stuffy which makes it almost impossible for Nanny Fine to get him into doing weird, out of character things. Ok, she does start to have more influence on him but somehow Maxwell always remains Maxwell, quite untouchable for any woman. Which is pretty safe. If CC can’t have him, no one will. But, after a few drinks he always seems to loose his reserves and that pushes the door right open for Nanny Fine’s ridiculous ideas.

“Come on CC, it’s Saturday night, we don’t have much to do so let’s just have some fun. We cab ssee a whole other side of each other.” Fran watches Maxwell as he explains his motives to CC. Oh God, she must hold in her craving desire to get him to do some ‘dares’ with her. She knows she loses all her inhibitions after a few glasses of wine and she might get just a bit too truthful with Mr. Sheffield. This may not happen! If she would speak out loud how she felt, she would definitely be fired. But this game is just too much fun to let pass. Ok Frannie, think straight and keep your fantasies to yourself.

“Maybe Miss Babcock is scared that her ‘Truths” are way too boring for us” Niles just has to make this easy shot. He knows very well he can expect some back, but that’s all part of the fun.

“Like your feather duster dreams will be so exciting. Come on let’s play this game and I’ll show you the real CC Babcock. I might surprise you.” She really didn’t want to play this game but Niles has just pushed her right over the edge. Now she has to. She has to show that .. that… that…. Aargh why did he get to her like that?”

“Okay, let’s play then! I always played this as a combination with ‘spin the bottle’, because we never had dices. Niles do you have an empty bottle?” Fran stood up and put her hands on her hips.

“Of course Miss Fine, just take a look in Miss Babcock’s bag” he just could not let it go. The drinks, the excitement over the game … yes he was definitely sharp tonight.

“I’ll just check in the kitchen” Fran knew enough of where Niles was heading and this could take forever. She might just as well get everything started as soon as possible, before Mr. Sheffield would come to his senses and put the game off.

Fran quickly explains the rules as Niles fills up the glasses again. Every person gets to spin the bottle, to whom its pointing they may ask “Truth or Dare”.

“Okay who starts?” Maxwell lookke ake an excited little boy as he eagerly sits upright looking at the bottle. The last few weeks had just been work, work, work. He was really up for some fun right now. Although he never likes games in which he has to reveal so much of himself, the danger in this allured him. Especially with Miss Fine in the same room.

Fran watches Maxwell with amazement. He looks so different from how she had seen him during the past weeks. He had been working so hard, so absorbed in his thoughts. Of course se noticed the glances, the flirtatious comments but he was always so much in control. Tonight he seems to let his guard down and just enjoy the evening. She really likes him like this. The relaxed smile on his face was something she could definitely get used to.

“As Miss Babcock is the expert on emptied bottles, let her have the first shot” yes Niles was definitely hot tonight.

CC sighed but to everyone’s surprise she leans over to the bottle and spins it around.

Niles holds his breath. He hopes he is not the one the bottle will turn to. He gets a little nervous about the questions CC can ask him.

The bottle seems to feel his uncertainty and obviously stops pointing right at the face of a scared butler.

“Hoho butler boy!” CC can’t hide her excitement. She is gonna get this butler good tonight. Repay him for everything he has ever said to her.

“The question is Truth or Dare?” she wickedly smiles at Niles who, for once, looks a bit off guard.

“Uh ….. “dare’ would be public suicide, so ‘truth’ is the only other option” he stammers cautiously.

“Come on, you don’t have to be scared my poor servant..” CC teasingly said “I will be gentle this first round”. She has no idea what to ask him. What does she want to know of him? Or even better, how can she embarrass him?

“Don’t be CC, Niles can handle some fun, right old man?” Maxwell chimes in as he takes another sip of his brandy.

“Okay, okay, okay ……. Tell us one thing Mr. Sheffield may never find out about you” She wanted to ask him much more personal things but she did not dare. She knows she would get it back ones he would spin the bottle towards her. Now she has chosen a soft opening.

Niles sighs in relief. Thank God it was nothing personal… but still… he hid many things from Mr. Sheffield. Which one would be the least bad to tell?”

Maxwell bites his lower lip and lays back in his chair, looking straight at Niles. “Oh, I am very curious now” he says while nonchalantly crossing his legs. Fran looks from Niles to Maxwell. God, does he look sexy or what, like this? She loves his slight arrogance which gives him an incredibly irresistible look. Especially because she knows that arrogance is just on the surface.

“I already know you are drinking my brandy, smoking my cigars and use my Jacuzzi, so I want to hear something new now” Maxwell continues, already enjoying this little game. “Oh, and don’t mention the eavesdropping either. Everyone knows.” Fran and CC both laugh out loud as they look at a surprised Niles who quickly tries to recover himself.

“Okay, okay I will be honest. What I didn’t want Mr. Sheffield to find out, but he will now anyway is ……… I sometimes order take out instead of cooking”. Niles smiles smugly. This was definitely a safe choice.

“Aaaaaaaahhwwww, come on Niles! Everyone knows that already” Fran screams disappointedly.

“You really ARE boring” CC sighs as she lets the scotch touch the inside of her throat. Okay, her question was too dull but she could not start off with something more personal, could she?

“Okay, Niles now you spin and please be a bit more ‘daring’ than Miss Babcock will you?” Fran softly puts her hand behind Niles’ back and pushes him forward so he can reach the bottle on the floor.

With a big spin the bottle is set in motion. Everyone is silent as it slowly loses velocity. After a few slow turns it stops pointing at… Fran.

“Okay, just my luck” Fran sighs. “I encourage the man to be more daring and who is his next victim? Me!”

Yes just what Niles had hoped for. Of course this game is a great opportunity for him to get his boss and the nanny a bit closer. Since he had witnessed their almost kiss the other night, he knew they were destined to be together. All they need is just a push in the right direction. This game might give that push.

“Alright Miss Fine, now we come to the interesting stuff. Truth or dare?” Niles jokes at Fran. Either one is okay for him. He already knows something for both options.

“Well, to keep this game a bit interesting I choose truth. Bring it on baby!” Fran excitedly slaps her knees with both hands.

Maxwell rises from his relaxed position. He is very interested at what is coming now.

“Alright Miss Fine, what is the most romantic moment you ever had?” Niles just prays it isn’t a moment with one of her former boyfriends, although he doubts that she ever had a romantic guy.

Fran’s face freezes. She does not need to think. She knows ….. but she can never tell…

Maxwell watches her closely. He actually does not want to know. Why did he engage in this silly game? To hear all about Miss Fine’s boyfriends, her romantic dates and passionate nights. If he could just run away from this. But he’s in too far now. Maybe the brandy can intoxicate him enough to handle.

Also Fran takes a big gulp of wine. How can she get out of this one? Lie about a romantic night with Danny she can’t recall ever experienced. She has to tell the truth. But how? God, why did she engage in this game. That traitorous Niles. He knows… Oh, God does he know! Why has he tricked her into this?

Yes, Niles definitely knows now that he hit the right button. He watches Miss Fine struggle and hopes she will just be bold enough to stick with the truth.

“Maybe Nanny Fine never had a romantic boyfriend” CC lazily says as she watches Fran. This is getting boring. She did not have to know about all Nanny Fine’s exciting dates.

Fran thinks hard. She must tell the truth, it’s the game…..

“The most romantic moment I had in my life was not so long ago…” she cautiously starts.

Maxwell swallows hard. Damn, a recent date! He really did not want to know it.

“It was short, but it felt incredible…” Fran does not realise anyone else in the room now. She does not dare looking at Mr. Sheffield so she has decided to just look straight ahead to the wall. The wine has wrapped her emotions around the words and they just come through her lips as she dreamingly stares into nothing.

“I felt him coming closer to me as he read out his lines..”

Lines, lines? Is this guy some kind of actor? Someone from his show? Maxwell is really gritting his teeth now.

“I went numb as his face was just inches from me and he did something I never expected to …”

Fran swallows before speaking it out loud.

“He kissed me, it was so soft and tender. I could feel his tongue against my teeth for a very small moment. I knew it was no acting. At least for me it wasn’t…..”

With the last words she looks at Maxwell.

The knot in his stomach disappears as he catches her eye. He had wrenched at her description, feeling those stings of jealousy that became ever more familiar to him, when she described her magical kiss.

“Go on.. Miss Fine” he softly says as he put his glass down without ever breaking her gaze.

“It was the best kiss I ever had” the words had escaped her mouth without her notice, she was caught up in Maxwell’s stare.

“And who was it Miss Fine?” Maxwell boldly asks as he becomes surer of the moment she had described.

She quickly comes to her senses. She smiles broadly at Maxwell who eagerly leans forward to make sure he can catch every single word.

“No one asked me to tell who it was. I just had to describe the moment.” Maxwell rises one eyebrow as he looks at her with a mock smile.

“Come on Miss Fine, you can tell us…” he tries with his most charming smile.

Fran melts when seeing his smile but decides she cannot give in. It might be better to lave some truths unspoken. She reaches out her hand to him and puts it over his hand that is resting on his knee. “Just let me tell you, Mr. Sheffield, he is a genuine Romeo”.

Maxwell’s breathing stops for a full ten seconds as he looks from her hand up to her beautiful face again. He could lively remember that moment… that kiss but he had never expected Miss Fto cto cherish it like he did. He hadn’t known what happened to him. He just wanted to show off his Shakespeare knowledge, his acting skills and love for this particular play. That was why he choose to help Miss Fine. But when he came close to her, using the words from the greatest love story of all times, he was drawn. He did not even think about it, he just did it. And it was incredible. She had felt so soft, so warm … so hot! When he draw away his whole body had gone numb and it took him some time to recover. It felt great, but strange. The rest of the day went by cloudily, he could not remember anything about it. Like he was part there and part of him was still caught up in that kiss. But after a while it had faded. He had discarded it like an incident. His feelings had been so strong because he had not been close to a woman for so long. His lips hadn’t touched another woman’s for ages, so his feelings were natural and had nothing to do with miss Fine in particular. Darn, he knew he was wrong.

Niles looks at his two friends. Maxwell blushing while looking at Fran as she touches his hand. This was only the beginning.

“It’s your turn Miss Fine” Maxwell clears his throat and moves his hand away from under Fran’s. “Give that bottle a good spin!”

Fran spins it and prays that it won’t hit Mr. Sheffield. She is dying to ask him to most personal things but she wouldn’t dare, especially not after what had just happened. Why did she always have to be so honest and get so caught up in the moment. She had just relived that kiss again in front of him. He knew, he had seen right through her now. But she had seen right through him as well. She just saw a hint of love and tenderness in his eyes and it made her hunger for more. If she could just get past that confusion and denial which was equally evident.

“Nanny Fine! Can you please get started with this embarrassing moment? Give me some silly question and get on with it.”

Fran looks up in confusion. The bottle is pointing towards a very moody CC. Fran quickly recovers. Let’s have some genuine fun!.

“Ok, Miss Babcock, I guess it you choose truth, very interesting….” Her words come out slowly as she grins at CC.

It makes the blonde confident woman uneasy. “What does Nanny Fine have in mind for me? How much does that woman actually know of me?” Nervously CC grabs her glass. “Butler boy can you please refill my scotch. We’ll be waiting hours before Miss Fine can finally come up with a clever question.”

“Well, I think it’s you turn to refill miss Babcock as Niles is off tonight and while you refill you can answer my question” Fran knows exactly how to get at her.

“I want you to name 5 good features of Niles, and be honest!” Fran winks at Niles who instantly turns red.

Niles is not happy. “How can she do this? Maybe she thinks she is helping me but she damn well is not! He doesn’t want to hear nice things about himself from that witch! The bantering and fighting keeps their wall safely intact. Why would he want Miss Fine to force CC to break off the wall they both need?”

Maxwell, clueless as ever, can’t suppress a laugh. “Wow CC this is a good one! Now you can finally make up to Niles for the mean things you say to that man”.

CC’s mind goes blank as she gathers the glasses. Good features of Niles. She has to be very careful now. Say a few innocent and clever ones that won’t hurt her. Damn Nanny Fine, why did she have ask these stupid questions?

“Ok, ok I am a grown woman. Although it’s VERY hard, I can find something good in Niles.” She fills her own glass pretty generously.

“ For one thing …. Niles is a good…uh…… coffee maker… well at least when he does not put dishr inr in. It really tastes good”

Pff, that was a safe one.

“Come on Miss Babcock! You know we are not satisfied with this. Choose something else than his domestic skills please” Fran gets irritated. She won’t let Miss Babcock get away so easily.

“Yes Miss Fine is right CC, there are more good things about Niles and it wouldn’t be so bad to tell the man” Maxwell sees it more as a moral repayment to Niles.

“Ok” CC gets really angry now. She just wants to get rid of this stupid and childish game. “Ok, 4 more good things about Niles. God, getting Bob Dole elected is easier but here goes… I have to admit he is funny ….. some rare moments. He is well dressed, although he usually wears Maxwell’s old suits, he is ……… pff still 2 to go…… uh…….. good with children, if you actually see that as a good thing….. and… he has beautiful blue eyes …. uh… I mean… too bad of that big head around it……” CC curses inside to herself as she is to late to catch her slip. That damn alcohol!

Niles smiles smugly, without wanting it. He likes the compliment about his eyes. He doesn’t want to be happy with a good word from her but he can’t help his heart from leaping.

Maxwell laughs along. “See, Niles? Next time she teases you, just melt her with your eyes”

“Come on teenagers! Move along! I am going to have my next victim and if it’s you Nanny Fine. I’ll be sure to let you sufferrrrrr”

“Oh… don’t scare me!” Fran sarcastically retards. That was a nice diversion. CC’s blue eyes-slip was even better than she expected. Niles red cheeks made it all worth while as well.

CC gives the bottle a good spin, not really knowing who she wants to hit. Her mind is still on the little slip with which she showed just a little too much of herself. She still didn’t know why she had engaged in this game but there was no way out now. Next time she hit Niles she would really get his goat. Instead the bottle held still in front of her companion Maxwell Sheffield.

God, what did she have to ask this man? She already knows a lot about him and is not really interested in any personal stuff. Ok, she does want to marry him but that’s something else right? She does not believe in all that mushy romantic crap that people assumed to came along with marriage. Marriage is just about business and finding an equal match, preferably getting financially better of it. In that way she and Maxwell fit perfectly and she knows that when he is at the end of his rope he would turn to her. She’s all he has. He must feel attracted to her. Ok, he does have a thing for Nanny Fine but that is nothing to be worried about. She’s not of cla class and he knows that. CC is one good looking woman with brains, if they would have one magical night alone he would definitely eat out of her hand. If it would be the last night of his life it would be CC he would turn to. Was it?

The alcohol creeps through her veins and makes her head spin. She looks at Maxwell who looks expectantly at her. He is damn sexy, sitting there with a brandy in his hand and having his top buttons undone. She might not be all that interested in his thoughts and worries but she knows that they’d have a terrific night together if they would be given the chance. Maxwell knows that as well, he just wants to wait. But for how long? Maybe it’s time to throw a little alcohol on the fire.

“Maxwell” CC says trying to smile as seductively as possible to the man opposite her.

Maxwell looks at CC who becomes more and more like a blur to him. The brandy hits him hard and organising his thoughts is harder now than ever. He usually is very good in structuring his brain a way that insane thoughts were kept in the back. But now everything is blurry except for Miss Fine. He sees her clearer than he ever has. Her smile, her eyes, her alluring lips and perfect shape. But most of all he sees her love and passion. Her love for life, for his children and…. for him? How easy these feeling are to suppress during the day the harder they are to conquer at night. When he lays alone in his bed and his mind is giving its own priorities, Miss Fine is always there. More moremore with every day that passes. She creeps into his blood … into his heart. The brandy makes his blood flow quicker through his body and carries Miss Fine into his entire being. She has become a part of him. She has become his life elixir. The one he wakes up for in the morning, the one he waits for to jump on his desk to tell ridiculous stories about her family. In the last 2 years his heart has started beating again. It was a good but scary feeling. She has dragged him out of that dark corner that made him feel so comfortable during the past years. It wasn’t a happy place to be but it prevented him from harm. The more he came out in the sun, the more change there was to get burned. And darn it, Miss Fine is a too bright sun. She is all he wants yet all he fears. This night the alcohol drowns his fears and makes him crave to touch the sun.

Maxwell can hardly recover from his thought trying to focus on CC. She seems to be smiling but he isn’t sure. He closes his eyes and reopens them again. Still he cannot entirely focus but it is just enough to see her speak.

“Maxwell? Truth or dare?” She asks fully knowing what his answer will be. Maxwell is not the type to give himself up for a dare. Truth is already scary but somehow manageable. But CC found a way to finally put his feelings for her to the test. If he will be honest at least.

“Truth” it comes out slurred. His voice is as unfocused as his vision. He breathes in deeply trying to recover and get himself in control again. A question from CC is something he can handle. She will just be fishing for his romantic feelings for her, which did not exist. He and CC would be a nightmare together, a relationship far from any romance or sweetness. So, he will let her down gently like he always does.

Ok, here goes. CC takes a deep breath. “If you were to face the last night of your life, how would you spend it?”. CC rethinks her question to see if it came out the right way. “And with whom…” she quickly adds to push his answer into the preferred direction.

Niles looks at CC. God, this is another pathetic try for Mr. Sheffield’s affection. Will that woman ever give up? On the other hand, with this question she has unwillingly pushed him in the wrong direction. Niles knows his boss quite well and has an inkling of how he would spend his last night, but he is sure he will never tell a living soul.

Maxwell narrows his eyes and lets the question be digested by his brains. The last night of his life? How could one know?

“How would I know that it is the last night of my life?” Maxwell asks. Wanting to stretch his thinking time.

“Oh come on Maxwell, that doesn’t matter. It’s just a game…. Maybe a fortune teller told you that you would in an accident the next day or… you’re being called into war or something.” Why does he have to be so rational?

“Ok, well although I find it a bit silly because you never know when your last day will be…..”

“Ah Mr. Sheffield” Fran chimes in. “It’s just hypothetical, come on play along. I think it’s a good question”.

Maxwell swallows hard. Ok, now it comes to managing his thoughts and come to the perfect answer. He looks at Fran smiling at him. God, she is beautiful. How can he ever spend his last night without….. oh darn, there he went again. Let’s get back on track.

“Well, I would first spend the evening with my children and comfort them and tell them how much I love them. I’d tuck them all in and tell them about the great future that lays ahead…” okay, this went fine. This is safe… Thereby he meant it, he feels his eyes fill with moist, it is almost like it IS the last night of his life. Like he lives that night now. Maybe because of Sara, maybe because of the brandy, he was there in a dark place were he is taking his last actions in the light of life before everything is over.

Fran looks adoringly at him. His voice sounds strange, like he isn’t quite there. She has already noticed the alcohol taking as much toll on him as herself, as on everyone in this room. He is in his own little world now and describes what he sees. She can almost feel his pain. She fights the urge of touching his hand, afraid to take him out of that place and scare him.

“I would take a last walk through the house and touch all the things that are dear to me. Relive all the memories, good and bad. Recall the places in the house that Sara loved, where the children took their first steps and spoke their first words, where Miss Fine always hopped on my desk.” A slight smile breaks through his face.

CC does not like this at all. She isn’t mentioned in the story yet and she wrenches at hearing the name of her rival. She has to wiggle herself into his story.

“And the place where we produced so many wonderful shows together. Sharing so many beautiful moments.” CC tries.

Maxwell wakes slightly from his daze, “uh, yeah of course but work is the least important I guess when you rethink your life” he was dead serious now.

“Go on sir, the last night of your life is still long” Niles is sitting on the edge of the couch wondering where this story is heading.

“Then I would go to Niles and have a last brandy with him.” Maxwell continues falling deeper and deeper into that lake of emotions he feels while thinking of his life and his last hours on e. It. It was somehow also comforting living the very last night of your life. It is a complete wrap up. You can be totally honest. There will be nothing to take back later, nothing to worry about. Everything will be erased after that night.

“I would recall our Eton days with Niles and tell him how much he has meant to me. I would tell him to walk away from the Sheffield obligation of serving and start a career as a writer or actor which I know he dreams of.”

Niles looks up. His stomach feels like stone. Was Mr. Sheffield telling him now to walk away from him and go for his dream? It sounded so easy but Niles knows it will never happen. It was too complicated. He was destined to be what he was and anything else was out of his reach. Nonetheless he is shocked by his boss truthfulness and wondered if he is aware that he speaks these words out loud.

“After that I would go upstairs and knock on Miss Fines door.” Maxwell continues without hesitating a second.

Fran holds her breath. Of course he would say goodbye to her on his last evening. That was not surprising but with all the tension that had been going on lately she and him together for the last time ever could just not eith ith a simple hand shake.

“I will tell her how much she has meant to this household. How I will be eternally grateful to her for all she has done for my family…. for me.”

Maxwell’s blurred vision is focussed on Fran. He sees her clearer than ever. Her beauty, her warmth, her attractiveness. God, he knows that if they were to spend the last night together like he has fantasised secretly before, he could actually die as a happy man.

ighsighs. What is he thinking? He can never tell that. He might be on the verge of being drunk, his mind still has a sane place. He will wrap this whole thing up safely now and it will be over. At least he had been honest about it, just not to the fullest but a man was entitled to have hidden fantasies. They were far to dangerous to share. His friendship with miss Fine would be immensely at risk.

“I would ask her to take care of my children for me, make sure they end up well. I would ask her to take care of herself, not falling for the wrong man. Then I would give her a kiss on the cheek and le Spe Spending my last night alone like I have done for the past years.”

Maxwell is looking straight at her. Fran sees it in his eyes. They mirror a whole other scenario than he explained. He might think that these silent declarations are enough but it makes Fran hungry for hearing the truth.

She rises from her chair and goes to sit on the coffee table right in front of him taking both hinds nds in hers. God, did that walk make her dizzy or what? The room is spinning around her but steady in front of her was Maxwell Sheffield.

“Mr. Sheffield, if it would be the last night of your life …” she does not even know what she is about to say, like her mouth has a mind of his own. She tries to stop it but her mind is taking over. Her wine-soaked brains are too lazy to hide anything this evening, they onlyonly transport the truth to her mouth, demanding the least brain activity possible. Lying concerns much more effort.

Maxwell’s lips go dry as this amazing woman fills his view. He does not know where to look. Her eyes, her mouth, her hands that were touching his, everything is so close that he can almost feel her presence on his skin. He realises it is her warm breath condensing on his cheeks as her face is just inched from his.

“Tell me in all honesty. If it were the last night of your life, do you think I would just let you walk away to the next room waiting for the end alone?”

His heart skips a beat as he looks at her serious gaze.

He opens his mouth but nothing comes out like his tongue is twisted. It feels like he remains open mouthed for ages, before he chooses to close it again and just shakes his head.

She raises her hand and traces his jaw line with her index finger ending up under his chin, her mouth dangerously close to his.

Maxwell closes his eyes just feeling her all around him. She intoxicates him so much more than any liqueur can. She is dangerous, she is fire and his mother had always told him not to play with that. But how alluring did it make coming closer to the heat? The more dangerous the more appealing. He has to do something, has to say something to stop her from taking control of him. He needs to get out before he gets burned so badly that the wound would still be painful tomorrow.

“I don’t think I could spend the last night alone knowing the most beautiful woman I have ever known was sleeping in the room beside me. But fortunately it is not the last night and until it is I think I can manage.” He isn’t sure if what he said was good or bad for him or for Fran or for anyone. He doesn’t even know if he has spoken a coherent sentence, but all he knows is that Fran draws away with a wink and the game is over.