I just started this story tonight. It takes place in early season 4, dealing with the aftermath of that famous trip to Paris. ;) Feedback is appreciated, but please be kind, LOL. I'll post more when I have it.

Niles lay awake in bed, as he had for the past several nights. He knew that something had happened to change the relationship between Maxwell and Fran, he just didn't know what. "Whatever it is," he said to himself, "It had to have happened in Paris. Ever since they got back, Mr. Sheffield and Miss Fine haven't been themselves." What made this so frustrating was that Niles was used to knowing what was going on in the Sheffields' lives at all times. He had tried to ask about what it was, but no one seemed to want to tell him. He tried his best to recall what he'd overheard about their trip. "I heard Miss Fine tell her friend Val that there was a lot of turbulance on the flight back from Paris. She keeps talking about Mr. Sheffield taking back 'the thing.' But what is that bloody 'thing' she's referring to?" he thought out loud. All of a sudden, it hit him. "It was a turbulent flight. Mr. Sheffield probably thought he was going to die, so he told Miss Fine he loved her! And then when they lived, HE TOOK IT BACK!" Even though there was no one around to tell him he was right, he could feel it. "So that's it, he took back telling her he loved her," he said with a sigh. "First 'Cats,' now this. I better have a talk with him in the morning before he lets another good thing get away." With that, Niles fell asleep.

The next morning, Niles walked into Maxwell's office to have their 'talk.' "Oh, Niles, have you heard from Miss Babcock today?" the producer asked.

"Not yet, sir. So far, it is a good day," Niles replied with a grin. Max rolled his eyes. He was in no mood for Niles' wisecracks this morning. Even so, Niles wanted to speak his mind before he lost his nerve. "Sir, I'd like to speak to you, if I may."

"Yes, of course, Niles. What is it?" Maxwell asked impatiently.

"Well, sir, I know about 'the thing' between you and Miss Fine in Paris," he replied.

Maxwell jumped out of his chair immediately. "Who told you?!" he asked angrily. "Was it one of the children?"

"No, sir, no one told me. I deduced it for myself. With all due respect, I think you might have hurt Miss Fine's feelings unnecessarily."

"Look, Niles, I am in no mood for this," Maxwell said sternly. "First of all, I'm opening a new musical in two weeks; it's my chance to finally beat...you-know-who. I've got a great deal of work to do. Second of all, my relationship with Miss Fine is none of your bloody business!"

"I'm only trying to help. I think we both know that you really do have feelings for Miss Fine," Niles said gently.

"Well, in any case, I can't have this conversation now," Maxwell replied. "Just please do me a favor and let me do my job. And I would appreciate it if you'd do yours."

Niles could tell it would do no good to stay any longer. He quietly left the office and headed toward the kitchen.

"I don't know how that man ever got so successful in the first place. He doesn't even listen!" Niles grumbled to himself as he walked into the kitchen.

"Hi, Niles," Fran said as she came down the stairs. "Did you just try pitching your play to Mr. Sheffield again?"

"No. But I did finally figure out what happend in Paris," Niles said proudly. "I just tried to give him a piece of my mind, but he didn't want to hear it."

"Oh, Niles, that's so sweet of you," Fran said, kissing him on the cheek. "I love you for it, but you really don't have to fight my battles for me."

"But Miss Fine, I thought you were angry with him for taking back telling you he loved you," Niles said in surprise.

"Oh, I am," Fran replied. "But that doesn't mean I want my friend to go sticking his neck out for me."

"Well, I must say I'm surprised by your reaction, Miss Fine," Niles said. "I expected you to push me back in there to try again."

Fran shook her head. "No way. Just because I'm mad at him is no reason for you to get yourself in trouble with Mr. Sheffield."

"But you're always getting yourself in trouble with him."

"Yes, but all I have to do is sit on his desk in a mini-skirt and it's all over. I'm not sure that would work for you," she said with a smile.

"Well, I'm still upset. How long does he think he can keep running from a relationship?" Niles asked.

"Not too long, I hope. I'm not going to be 29 forever, you know," Fran said.

That afternoon, Niles went to bring lunch in to Maxwell and C.C. Max had stayed in his office all day, working. Niles had gone about his butlering duties, being careful to stay out of the office. As he dusted the various rooms of the mansion, he kept muttering things under his breath like, "Just because he's rich, he thinks he doesn't have to listen to anyone!"

Niles came into the office and brought Max and C.C. their lunch on a tray. He laid the tray down on Maxwell's desk. "Here's your lunch, SIR," he said. A second later, Niles picked the tray back up. "Whoops, I take it back."

"Oh, Niles would you just bloody well grow up?" Maxwell asked, annoyed.

C.C. looked on in surprise. "Well, what's gotten into you today, Butler Boy? Did they change the scent of Lemon Pledge?"

"Oh, don't mind him, C.C. Niles is just upset over something I said to Miss Fine," Maxwell said.

"Not just something he said," Niles corrected. "But something he said, and then TOOK BACK!" He glared at Maxwell.

"Oh, Niles, please. My relationship with Miss Fine happens to be very complicated," Maxwell said.

"The woman loves you, you love her. What's so complicated about that?" Niles asked.

"I agree with Maxwell," C.C. said.

"Oh, now there's a shocker," Niles said sarcastically.

"No, I'm serious, Mr. Belvedere," C.C. said snidely. "Maxwell happens to be a grieving widower. He has three children to support. He can't just jump into bed with any tramp who waltzes through the front door. What would happen to little.... and the other one....and the boy?" C.C. asked.

"In her own way, C.C. does have a point," Maxwell said. "My children have already lost one mother. If it didn't work out between Miss Fine and I, I -- I mean, they -- would be devastated."

"I know you're scared of getting hurt again," Niles replied. "But the point is, you love the woman!"

"Now, I wouldn't go that far!" C.C. exclaimed. "I mean, honestly, what does Nanny Fine actually DO around here? She just prances around here in little short skirts and tells you all about her insane family."

"Look, C.C., that's enough of that," Maxwell said sternly. "As for my feelings toward Miss Fine, I'm not sure 'love' is quite the right word. I do care for her, in fact I care a great deal. And it is true, she's the best thing to happen to the children in a long time..." Max smiled dreamily.

"But it's not love, right, sir?" Niles asked sarcastically.

"All right, so one might say that I....love her," Maxwell admitted. "But still, there's no need to rush into anything. After all, Miss Fine isn't going anywhere."

"Well, sir, Miss Fine IS young. And attractive. Do you really expect her to wait around while you make up your mind?" Niles asked. "I don't have to remind you how many men she's been out with in the last three years."

"Oh, Miss Fine wouldn't go off and marry one of her boyfriends," Maxwell said. "Would she?"

"May I speak frankly?" Niles asked.

"Yes, old man, what is it?" Max replied.

"Most people spend a lifetime searching for the right person. You've already found her. She lives in this very house. Do you really want to let her get away?" Niles asked. With that, Niles put the tray back down on Max's desk and left the room.