Before I post my story, let me explain some stuff. This is my first time writing "Nanny" fanfic, and I'm really desperate for feedback. But please be nice. :) This story probably takes place in the first or second season of the show, I haven't decided. As I'm sure you'll notice, it's not finished yet. But if I get some feedback on what I have so far, I'll post more. OK....now my story.
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"Matters of the Heart" (Working Title)

It was early evening in the Sheffield household. Niles was doing dishes, and Fran was at the table reading a magazine. The phone rang. "Sheffield residence," Niles said, answering it. "Yes, she's right here, I'll get her." Fran looked up, figuring it was for her. "Who is it?" she asked as he handed her the reciever. "Your father," Niles answered. "It sounds urgent." Fran looked puzzled as she put the phone to her ear. "Hi, Pop. What's wrong?" Fran paused. "Oh my God! I'll be right there!" She frantically hung the phone up. "Niles, can you give me a ride to the hospital?" "Of course, Miss Fine. What's the matter?" Fran couldn't believe what she was saying, "It's my mother. She was having chest pains, and my father called the ambulance!"

Just then, Maxwell entered. "Niles, how is dinner coming along?" he asked, unaware of the situation. Then he looked at Fran. "Miss Fine, what's the matter?" Fran was too hysterical to answer, so Niles spoke for her. "That was her father on the phone. Mrs. Fine had to be rushed to the hospital with chest pains." Max walked over to Fran and tried to comfort her. "Let's all go to the hospital. We can take the limo." Ordinarily, Fran would've been overjoyed at the chance to ride in Max's expensive limousine, but this was no time for that.

After informing Maggie of the situation, and asking her to watch her brother and sister, the three of them set off for Queens General Hospital. The kids had wanted to come along, especially Gracie. She and Fran were extremely close, and Grace wanted to comfort her Nanny. Maxwell told the children to stay home, and he promised to call as soon as they knew anything. On the way to the hospital, they stopped and picked Val up. Not only was Sylvia like a second mother to Val, but Fran wanted her best friend by her side at a time like this.

When they got to the hospital, Fran immediately found her father and ran to him. They hugged. “Have you called Yetta?” Fran asked. Morty nodded. “I called her at the Home, but she said something about it being bridge night over at the Petries’, whatever the hell that means. Your grandmother’s crazy!” “What do the doctors say?” Fran asked. “She’s in surgery right now,” Morty told her. Maxwell could tell by the look on her face that Fran was upset. "Don't worry, Miss Fine. Your mother's a strong woman. I'm sure it’s nothing serious. She's getting the best medical care available," he said reassuringly. "Oh Mr. Sheffiled!" Fran sobbed, throwing her arms around him. Without thinking, Max put his arms around her to comfort her. Though he had never been exactly fond of Sylvia, he knew that she and Fran were close. After all, Sylvia spent more time at the Sheffield’s visiting Fran that she did at her own house.

For the next half-hour, the five of them sat in the waiting room, not speaking. They all just stared at each other, afraid to say anything. Finally a doctor came in to the room. "I'm Dr. Goldstein, are you waiting for news on Sylvia Fine?" he asked them. "Yes..." Fran said nervously. "We just brought her out of surgery. She's stable right now, but we'd like to keep her overnight," the young doctor told her. "Well that's good news, isn't it Miss Fine?" Maxwell asked, hoping to cheer her up. "Yeah," Val piped up, "Her doctor is Jewish!" Everyone looked at Val. "What?" she asked. "I just thought I'd point that out." Morty turned to the doctor. "Can we see her?" he asked. "She's very tired right now, so it would be better to let her rest," the doctor answered. He walked back into the operating room.

"Well, I'd better phone the children. They must be worried sick. I know how fond they are of Sylvia,” Maxwell said, as he started to walk towards the hallway. Fran turned and gave him a "Please don't leave me" look. Max walked back over to her. He put his arms around her. "Oh Fran," he said, almost unaware that he'd called her by her first name. "Everything's going to be fine, no pun intended," he said with a smile. Seeing his smile, Fran forgot for a moment what she was so upset about. Maxwell's words brought her back to Earth. "I don't want Gracie to worry unnecessarily. Her therapist says she doesn't deal well with stress. I'll only be gone a minute, I promise."

Niles broke in. “Sir, if you’d rather stay here with Miss Fine, I could go home and wait with the children.” He cast a knowing glance from his employer to Fran. Maxwell thought for a moment. “Oh…yes, Niles, that might be a good idea,” he said, catching on to Niles’ meaning. “Oh, and do me a favor and call C.C. Tell her I won’t be able to come to the business dinner tonight.” “Well, all right, Sir,” Niles replied, “But I don’t think she’s gotten out of her coffin – I mean bed- yet.” Max was used to the verbal sparring between his butler and his business partner. “Oh Mr. Sheffield,” Fran exclaimed, “I don’t want you to miss out on an important business meeting because of me!” “Nonsense! Sylvia is practically a member of the family,” Maxwell said. “She certainly spends enough time at our house to qualify,” he joked. “And besides, I would much rather be here with you than at some stuffy dinner party with C.C.”

After dropping Val off at her parents’ house, Niles returned home. The three Sheffield children, Margaret (Maggie), Brighton, and Grace, were sitting on the living room couch, unusually quiet. When Niles came in, they ran to him eagerly. “How is Sylvia?” Maggie asked. “Mrs. Fine is out of surgery, and she’s stable right now. The doctor wants to keep her overnight for observation.” The children were certainly glad to hear that Sylvia was out of immediate danger. “Where’s Dad and Fran?” Brighton asked. “Miss Fine is still at the hospital. Mr. Sheffield is keeping her company. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go call Miss Babcock and tell her that Mr. Sheffield won’t be coming to their dinner party tonight.” With that, Niles went into the kitchen.

The kids exchanged “looks.” They had suspected for some time now that there might be something going on between their father and the nanny. “Do you think Dad might actually make a move tonight?” Brighton asked. Maggie shrugged. “I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to be in any kind of rush to get into a relationship with anyone, much less Fran.”

In the kitchen, Niles picked up the phone and dialed C.C.’s number. Even though Niles didn’t like the idea of Sylvia being in the hospital, he couldn’t resist having a little fun at C.C’s expense. It was sort of a hobby for him. On the other end of the phone, C.C. Babcock picked up. “Hello?” she said. “Miss Babcock, it’s Niles.” “Is this an obscene phone call?” “You wish! Mr. Sheffield has asked me to call you to say that he can’t make your dinner engagement for tonight.” Miffed, C.C. asked, “Well why the hell not?! He’d better have a good excuse for backing out at the last minute!” “Miss Fine’s mother is in the hospital; she was having chest pains. Mr. Sheffield is staying at the hospital to keep her company.” “My God,” C.C. breathed, momentarily sorry for her outburst. Niles grinned. “They’re alone in the hospital together. Just the two of them. Miss Fine is in a very vulnerable state right now. Anything could happen.” Niles could practically hear all the color run out of C.C. Babcock’s face.