Amnesia?

by

Mary Ann
(maryanncleveland@prodigy.net)

"George how is she?" Maxwell Sheffield worriedly asks his friend Dr. George Patterson. Miss Fine was taken to St. Anne's Hospital with a concussion after hitting her head on the back of the taxi separator. She was on a mission to deliver Liz Taylor's black pearls. Fortunately, the pearls were recovered by the ambulance driver and returned immediately.

"She's going to be fine, eventually, Max. She has a slight loss of memory due to a bruised brain. She may not know you for a couple days, but that will be the only side effects. Just don't do anything to try to jar her memory, let it come back naturally. You know, just humor her." He says reassuringly. "You can go in to see her now."

"Miss Fine, how do you feel?" Max asks Fran tenderly.

"Oh, I married Pierce Brosnon! She cries excitedly. "Why are you calling me 'Miss Fine' hubby?" Wow, is he cute...am I lucky or what!

"Um, it's a pet name." Max smiles at her, remembering George's advice. "Miss Fine, I'm going to take you home now.

Fran and Max walk into the front door of the mansion. Niles, Maggie, Brighton, and Gracie run over to greet her. "Fran, are you OK?" Gracie asks worriedly hugging her nanny.

"Yes, sweetie...who are you?" She looks puzzled at Max.

"Don't worry, Miss Fine...it will all come back to you soon. Come, it's late let's get you to bed. You've had quite a day." He says leading her up the stairs to her room.

"Aren't you coming to bed, darling?" She asks Max as he takes her to her room. She cuddles up to him and looks seductively into his eyes.

"Um, later...you just get to sleep. You need your rest after that ordeal. I'll check on you soon." He says tucking her into bed. I hope she falls asleep soon and is over this bloody amnesia by morning. He thinks. She thinks I'm her husband...I don't know how long I can make up excuses for avoiding my husbandly duties. He thinks. He walks to his bedroom and into the bathroom where Niles had prepared a hot bubble bath. He gets in and lets the warm water relax his body. He puts the CD player earphones on and relaxes to the music of The Moody Blues CD. This music always made him nostalgic for his days at Eaton in the early 1970's.

"Hi Hubby!" Fran says playing with the bubbles.

Max looks up and is horrified to see Miss Fine sitting across from in. Bubbles are covering her up to her shoulders. " M-Miss Fine!" He gasps. "What are you doing here?" He nearly drops the CD player into the water. Oh, dear god, I can't believe she's sitting there naked!

"Oh Pierce, I don't remember much about our married life, but I figure there's got to be a reason this tub is big enough for two!" She playfully blows a handful of bubbles towards him revealing more of her shapely body.

Max heart skips a beat at her loveliness. He feels a definite jolt in his lower regions. "Happy tenth anniversary darling." He says smiling for a second; suddenly he realizes what he's doing. Oh, you cad...what the hell are you doing. You can't take advantage of this...she is not of her right mind! He thinks guiltily. Tell her the truth!

Before he has the chance to set her straight, she has glided over to his side of the tub. Fran kisses him on the lips passionately. He tries to pull away but the feeling of her naked body pressed against his is over whelming him. His heart is pounding madly as her tongue parts his lips while her hand caresses his chest. She starts rubbing her body against his and he is getting more than a little aroused.

M-Miss Fine...please, this just isn't right. He gasps desperately, his breath now coming in short spurts. Oh, we can't do this...she's my nanny! I can't take advantage of her like this!

Fran rubs her body against his now very abundant arousal. "It sure feels right to me, honey." She whispers. "I don't know why, but I feel like I've wanted to do this for a very long time." She says kissing him again even more passionately.

Oh, god...I can't take this anymore. I've secretly wanted her for so long! Max can stand it no more and suddenly holds her tightly in his arms and kisses her back ferociously. His heart was racing as her naked body was rubbing against him. It was almost more than he could take. He was about ready to just abandon his reservations about taking advantage of her. Fran suddenly stops and pulls away.

"Mr. Sheffield!?" She cries breathing heavily. She looked around the bathroom. "I remember!" She says looking at him wide-eyed. She looks down and sees his arms around her.

Max looks at her in horror. "Oh, Miss Fine...I'm so sorry. I tried to stop you, I really did!" He cries thoroughly ashamed of himself for not being stronger. Oh, god, what she must think of me now! How can she ever trust me again? I tried to take advantage of her when she was ill. He is racked with guilt.

As Fran analyzes the situation she figures it's now or never. She is breathing heavily and her body is shuddering with pleasure and she can feel him against her. She smiles seductively at him and reaches over kissing him softly, her hands running through his thick hair. He moans softly as he feels her bare breasts on his chest.

"Oh, Miss Fine...we just can't...it not right!" He pleads, his heart pounding madly, but he can't bring himself to resist. His hands are exploring her body. I feel so guilty...but oh my, so good. He thinks desperately. "We really can't, Miss Fine." He says finally finding the strength to stop. He holds her shoulders gently and looks into her eyes trying to catch his breath. Oh, god!

Fran looks at him and makes a decision. Her heart is also pounding wildly. There is no way I can't not have him tonight. She thinks determined.

"Mr. Sheffield...I know that I would have a very hard time stopping. I want...no I need you right now...physically. I'm pretty sure you feel the same way, so, I have a proposal. She lies up next to him and whispers in his ear her voice still slightly husky with passion. "Take me to your bed...just this one night. In the morning it will be like it never happened. We will go back to exactly how we were before. I will never speak of it or refer to it. I swear to you...you will never have cause to regret it. It will be the same as a dream...a figment, a fantasy."

Fran kisses him again tenderly, her tongue exploring his mouth, her hands encircling his neck enticingly. Fran presses herself against him and he lets out another involuntary groan. She slowly stands up and takes a towel wrapping it around her as she gets out of the tub. She takes another towel and slowly dries herself off. Max is mesmerized as he watches her. He can't resist.

One night of pure passion and no regrets or commitments? He has now lost all resolve. She's right...I physically need her, too. He thinks his body shuddering also. He is surprised that his knees are trembling as he climbs out of the tub. He takes a towel and dries himself off, never taking his eyes off of her. Fran faces him and presses her body against him kissing him softly. They are only separated by her towel. Past the point of no return, Max lifts her and carries her to his bed. He gently deposits her there and quickly walks over to lock his door and turn off the intercom. The only light in the room is the crackling fireplace.

Max gets in bed and takes Fran in his arms. He no longer has any reservations or fears. His guilt has given way to primal animal lust. He looks down at her with a visceral passion in his eyes. Her heart beats faster as she sees this look of raw desire that she has not seen in him before. She sighs softly as he slowly pulls her towel off never breaking her gaze.

Max takes in the perfect body that is now bare to him. His chest is heaving as he lowers his mouth to her chest. A small guttural groan escapes him as his lips find her breast, letting his tongue explore the forbidden for the first time. His hand softly pinches and caresses the other one.

Fran can't believe this was really happening. Her body was trembling and she kept looking down at him to see if he was really there. She let her hands wander and explore his hard body. They find that ultimate forbidden spot. "Oh, Fran." He groans in ecstasy as her hand finds his manhood caressing him gently.

Fran gasps in excitement, and a little apprehension at this first introduction to him. Oh, my...I've never been with a man like this before. She thinks. He's unbelievable! She thinks shuddering as she suddenly remembers seeing him in the shower two years ago.

All of Max's guilt and inhibitions were now gone. His mind is in a primitive place, a place where physical need takes over every thought and action. He works his hand slowly down her body. Even in his present state, he wants to make sure she was as ready as he was. Then he presses into her. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield"... she cries as her first orgasm hit sending waves of pleasure throughout her entire body. She presses her hand over his and pushes it deeper, her hips desperately rising to meet it.

Her reaction has him in frenzy. He always knew she would be passionate, but had no idea of the depths. He knew she was more than ready for him and got on top of her. He had to have her...now, whatever the consequences. He plunges himself...deep. Fran cries out...in shock and ecstasy. He was so fierce. Not anything like she had always fantasized. Not rough, but not too gentle.

At the sound of her cry some of his senses came back. Oh, god...take it easy you'll hurt her. He thinks but he can't stop. Almost four years of wanting her have taken over his body and mind. He has lost complete control. He thrusts himself in one last time her kissing her savagely. That was all Fran needs to experience her second.

"Oh, Mr. Sheffield!" She whispers writhing into him. She clings to him...as if for dear life. Max could say nothing. He is completely out of breath. He lies on top of her, spent. His body is heaving, his arms wrapped tightly around her, his head buried in her neck.

Fran hugs him tightly; she was having a difficult time letting go of him. She cannot believe his passion...his ferocity. She closes her eyes and relives those waves of ecstasy that flowed through her body...twice. Well even if this never happens again, I will remember it for the rest of my life. Fran thinks happily her body still tingling.

The real Maxwell Sheffield is slowly returning...along with his apprehensions. He gently rolls off of her. Oh, god... I was such an animal...what the bloody hell came over me? Suddenly he starts to panic slightly. Did I hurt her? I've never ravaged a woman like that before! He is aware that she is breathing rather heavily and is slightly terrified that he may have hurt her.

He props himself up and looks down at her tenderly. "Miss Fine, I don't know what came over me. Did I, um...cause you any discomfort just now?" He whispers worriedly as he tenderly rubs her cheek.

Fran is stunned at his question. "What do you mean Mr. Sheffield?" She looks up at him wide-eyed. "I've never experienced anything like that in my twenty nine years on this earth! You were magnificent. You were so skillful and ...savage, yet gentle." She says a little shyly. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield, you were wonderful!" Fran remembers her promise, swallows and says softly. "Well, as per our deal, I'll go back to my room. Again, this is the most magnificent thing that never happened to me." She says kissing him tenderly on the lips.

Max is thrilled and a little embarrassed by her praise and blushes slightly. Suddenly he doesn't want her to leave. "Wait a minute." he says gently grabbing her wrist and pulling her back into bed. "The deal was that in the morning this never happened...it isn't morning yet. I have you for a few more hours." He cuddles next to her. He knows that in a short while, he can show her another side of his lovemaking. That he wasn't a complete beast.

Fran is surprised and excited that he wants her to stay...after all, she practically had to beg him the first time. She excuses herself to go to his bathroom and freshens up. As she heads back to his bed his heart starts pounding in his chest as her naked body walks slowly towards him. Oh, my she's just lovely. He thinks starting to get aroused again.

She climbs into bed with him and he takes her tenderly in his arms. He lays her on her back and kisses her softly, slowly. There was no hurry this time. They really got to know each other bodies intimately this time. They enjoyed pleasing each other. Max was now how Fran had always imagined he would be...skillful and gentle. Fortunately there was still a trace of that animal she had experienced earlier. He was here, as in everything else in his life, perfect.

Fran sighs when after hours of pleasure; Maxwell's forty three year old body finally succumbs and falls into a deep sleep still holding her in his strong arms. She was going to keep her word...no repercussions. This never happened. She is resolved to keep her word. Yes, it was worth it. Her body and mind never felt so wonderful. She would have this incredible memory for the rest of her life. Yes, I made a good deal. She thinks smiling. She gently wiggles out of his arms. Fran has to be out of this room before morning. She unlocks his door and peeks out. The coast was clear. She pads down the hall to her room where she draws a warm bath and relaxes. After a half hour reliving the evening's blissful events, she was ready for sleep. She put on her pajamas and falls into the deepest, most tranquil sleep of her life.

**********************

Max wakes up with a start as sunlight streams into his room. He had overslept. The memory of last night's incredible liaison suddenly floods his mind. "Miss Fine?" He looks over to her side of the bed and is surprised and a little disappointed that she is gone. As he starts to remember the details of their passion he is feeling more than a little disappointed that Fran had left his bed.

He sighs and gets up to shower. Hmmm...I suppose we'll both be a little uncomfortable facing each other this morning. He thinks slightly embarrassed as he steps into his shower.

"Good morning everyone!" Fran cries cheerfully entering the dining room.

"Good morning Miss Fine." Max and Niles greet her. "You and Mr. Sheffield overslept." Nile says looking at them suspiciously. "The children have already gone to school. Pierce...I mean Mr. Sheffield has told me that your memory has returned! How wonderful." Niles says handing her a full plate.

"Oh, thank you Niles! Yes, I think I remember just about everything. I'm just famished this morning!" She smiles innocently at Max.

Max looks at her a little uneasily. He blushes slightly. "Uh, did you sleep well Miss Fine?" He says awkwardly.

"Never better!" She says cheerfully looking him unwaveringly straight in his eyes. "You?"

"Um, yes...very well thank you." Amazing! She gives no indication of being the least bit uncomfortable...like it all never happened! For some reason, this was beginning to bother him. Max is now totally confused.

Fran was chattering on obliviously about one of her ridiculous relatives to Niles. Max wasn't hearing a word. Suddenly he remembers their deal. She couldn't just really go on as if it never happened...could she? I mean, it was so incredible. I know she felt it too. Well, I have to find out what the bloody hell she is thinking. He finishes his breakfast and gets up to go to his office. "Miss Fine, when you're finished, could I see you in my office please." He says still stunned by her demeanor.

"Sure Mr. Sheffield...I'm almost done!" She says smiling up at him as she pours more syrup on her pancakes.

"Come in, Miss Fine. Please sit down." Max says motioning to the loveseat. "Um, Miss Fine...about last night..." He begins now very embarrassed.

Fran furrows her eyebrows in confusion. "Last night?" She asks tilting her head to the side a look of confusion in her eyes.

"Uh, yes, I don't know quite how to begin. I'm a little uncomfortable talking about it." He rubs his hands together nervously and sits next to her. He takes her hand in his looking at it.

"Mr. Sheffield, I don't know what you're talking about. You dropped me off at my bedroom door when we got home from the hospital. I went right to sleep and slept till just an hour ago." She says a puzzled look on her face.

"Oh, Miss Fine...you don't have to pretend any more!" He says suddenly remembering that silly deal they had made in the bathtub. Like anyone could really stick to that! He thinks. He was relieved that she really hadn't forgotten, and was quite impressed by her integrity as she tried to keep her promise.

"I don't understand, pretend about what, Mr. Sheffield? Did something happen while I was sleeping? Did I do something wrong? I do sleepwalk sometimes, but only when I'm drinking." She says a little nervously. She absent-mindedly touches the bump on her forehead.

He notices her touching her injury. Oh, no! Her amnesia...her poor bruised brain. Perhaps that's what is causing her to forget! Well, that should make me happy. He thinks, but he's surprisingly not at all happy at the prospect. If she doesn't remember then it is almost like it never happened. I don't have to be embarrassed about it. But, why do I suddenly feel so bloody lousy? He suddenly realizes. I want her to remember, damn it! What happened in my bed last night was the most incredible thing I have ever experienced. We shared something absolutely incredible. What a waste it would be if I were the only one who knew it. He thinks, stunned by his own reaction.

Max suddenly takes a very surprised Fran into his arms and kisses her tenderly. "Does that bring back any memories?" He whispers softly.

She looks at him in wide-eyed disbelief. "Mr. Sheffield, while that felt very good, I am very confused. Please tell me what I did last night, and why you're acting like this! You're starting to scare me a little!"

"Oh, Miss Fine!" Max was now distraught. "How could you have forgotten...it meant so much to me!" He says looking imploringly into her eyes, silently begging her to remember. She just looks at him, a very confused expression on her face.

Max now realizes that she has forgotten last night's incredible events. He sighs and takes her in his arms again, defeated. He hugs her lovingly to him and kisses the top of her head. He makes a decision. "Miss Fine, would you like to go out to dinner and maybe dancing with me tonight?" He looks tenderly in her eyes.

Fran's mouth drops open and her heart beats faster. "You mean like a date?" She cries looking like an excited teenager.

The look makes his heart soar. He is starting to admit to himself the feelings he has suppressed for so long. Oh, god, I think I'm in love with her...no, admit it Maxwell...you're bloody crazy about her! Last night was the best thing that's happened to you---ever!

"Yes, a date!" He says mimicking her teenage-like excitement. He chuckles as he pulls out his Platinum Visa and hands it to her. "Go buy something absolutely smashing, all on me! Money's no object!" He says handing it over to a stunned Fran. Well, if she doesn't remember last night...I'm going to start making new memories for her, starting right now! He thinks. He is starting to get over his disappointment at her memory loss. Admitting to himself his true feelings for her gave him a surprising feeling of peace.

"Mr. Sheffield...so, are you going to tell me what you were talking about before? What about 'last night'? She asks innocently.

"Never mind" He says looking at her lovingly. He doesn't want to embarrass her. She probably wouldn't believe it anyway. It really was starting to feel like a dream...a figment, a fantasy. He thinks.

"OK" Fran says. "I'm off to Bloomingdale's! I better call Val, she'll want to go." She says excitedly jumping off the loveseat and trotting out the door.

Max sits at his desk. His mind keeps taking his thoughts back to her and what an incredible lover she was. She certainly brought out the best in him. He realizes. He thinks back to the second time they made love. All he had wanted to do was please her. As he is remembering, he is starting to get aroused. "Stop it old man!" He whispers to himself. "You won't be able to get through dinner without ravaging her again!" Suddenly he smiles, he was genuinely happy and at peace with himself. He loves her, no doubt about it. I just pray she feels the same way. He thinks slightly nervously.

***********************

Max is standing in the living room with Niles. He had earlier confided in his trusted friend and butler. Max was shocked as tears came to Niles eyes when he told him about last night...well, all a gentleman could reveal...and his discovery of his true feelings for Miss Fine. "I'm so happy, sir." Niles had said as he hugged his boss. "You deserve each other!"

Max was sipping his scotch standing by the fireplace. His eyes open wide as saucers as he watches Fran descend the staircase in the most breathtakingly beautiful white gown he has ever seen. The front was cut straight across her shoulders with long sleeves that went to a 'V' at the hands. But, the back plunged very deep. His heart starts beating madly at the sight of such loveliness. How the hell am I going to control myself this evening? He thinks nervously.

"Oh, Miss Fine! You make my heart stop!" He says putting his hands over his heart, shaking his head, his eyes soaking in her loveliness.

"Why, Mr. Sheffield, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me!" She says smiling, a surprised and touched look on her face.

Max walks over to her and offers her his arm. They walk out to the waiting limo. Niles sighs happily watching them go. As it should be. He thinks closing the door behind them.

Max and Fran arrive at the fabulous Plaza Hotel. They are led to the best table in the hotel restaurant. Max is a little nervous...his newfound feelings for Miss Fine has him at a disadvantage. He has no idea how she feels about him. Last night she had wanted...'needed' him. But she remembers none of it. Perhaps it was her injury that made her want me. Oh, god, I hadn't thought of that! He thinks starting to panic a little but he felt more at ease when she looks at him and gives him her most beautiful smile.

He smiles back tenderly. "Would you like a cocktail or perhaps some champagne, Miss Fine?" Max offers looking at the wine list.

"Oh, Mr. Sheffield...you know what happens when I drink too much! Remember last time, a year ago? I ended up in your bed! She says winking at him.

"Yes." He smiles as he recalls that unbelievable incident. I wonder what would have happened if C.C. hadn't walked in and screamed? He ponders. Don't go there Max...you're not helping yourself. You still have to dance with her! He realizes that the astonishing lovemaking they shared has opened a whole Pandora's Box regarding his libido. In the past he didn't have a problem controlling his lust for her. But, now that he has experienced those awesome feelings, it was all he could think about. It practically consumed him.

Max ordered a bottle of Crystal Champagne from the waiter. He definitely could use a drink or two. He hoped the arrangements he had made earlier were taken care of.

After a wonderful lobster dinner, which he enjoyed almost as much as watching Fran enjoy hers, Max took her hand. "May I have this dance, Miss Fine?" He says gallantly leading her to the dance floor. The orchestra was playing Night and Day as he took her in his arms. His heart starting beating faster as he felt her body so close to his again. The memory of the first time he felt her against him in the bathtub threatened to betray him and he backed away slightly. His hand on her bare back was starting to have a drastic effect on both of them.

"Mr. Sheffield, you are such a marvelous dancer! I almost had forgotten. I'll never forget that dance we shared at my camp reunion. You rescuing me that night was the most incredible, astonishing thing anyone has ever done for me. She says looking up lovingly into his eyes. "Can I admit something to you? She says shyly. "I had such a crush on you after that night. Silly, huh...like a man like you could ever be with a girl from Queens!" She smiles, a little embarrassed by her confession. "I really shouldn't drink, champagne makes me lose my inhibitions." She says bashfully.

Max is thrilled at her little confession. But he didn't like her thinking so little of herself. "Don't ever say that Miss Fine! You know how grateful I am to you. You made us a family again! Can I tell you a secret? I had a crush on you that night too. I was terribly jealous when Eric Estrada took you out my door that night."

"Really? I had no idea" She says her heart skipping a beat. She moves in closer to him putting her cheek on his, kissing it softly.

Max's heart was now pounding and he gently kisses her on the lips. "Miss Fine." He says his voice slightly raspy with rising passion. "I have a little surprise for you... would you like to see?" He looks deep in her eyes.

Fran looks up at him. What's he up to? She thinks getting excited.

Max leads her back to the table and gives the waiter a nod. He pays the check and adds a generous tip. "Come, Miss Fine." She takes his arm and he leads her out to the lobby. He rings for the elevator and presses the penthouse button. She is looking at him curiously. It can't be! She thinks stunned. "Um, Mr. Sheffield, where...?"

"Shhhh"...He puts his finger to his lips mysteriously and puts his arm around her waist. They get off the elevator and Max put the key in the double door to the fabulous suite. There is a huge fire in the fireplace, the wrap around windows have an astonishing view of the New York skyline. There is champagne chilling, soft music, dim lights and the bed is turned down invitingly. It is the most beautiful room Fran has ever seen.

"Oh, Mr. Sheffield...what are we doing here?" She says innocently looking around the gorgeous room.

"Miss Fine...I thought we needed some privacy...you know, to get to know each other better." He says leading her to the huge couch in front of the fireplace. "At home Niles or the children would always be around. This way I have you all to myself." He hands her a glass of champagne and sits next to her. He's a little nervous at what her reaction to this obvious seduction will be. His heart leaps as she gives him a another beautiful smile.

They sit on the couch looking into each other's eyes. Max's heart is pounding madly as he reaches over to give her a soft kiss. She returns it as she puts his arms around his neck and plays with his thick hair. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield...this is so much more romantic than last night!" She says seductively, kissing him softly on his very surprised lips.

"MISS FINE!" He says holding her at arms length, a look of total disbelief in his eyes. "You were FAKING? You remember everything?!" His mouth drops open as he shakes his head incredulously. This woman is really something else!

Fran's eyes twinkle and she is delighted with his reaction. "Of course, Mr. Sheffield. But really...I had no other choice. I knew that after last night only two things could happen." She explains her reasoning. One-- you would be terribly uncomfortable around me...you are slightly repressed, you know. She says smiling. "That would threaten my position as your nanny. Remember, you couldn't look me in the eye for days after I saw you in the shower! I figured if I pretended not to remember it would be as if it never happened. That's why I touched the bruise on my forehead...so you would come to that conclusion."

Max is listening to all this in total disbelief. He is impressed beyond belief.

She continues..."Two--you would realize your feelings for me and try to seduce me." She looks around the beautiful room. "I guess you opted for 'two'...huh?" She looks at him smiling and bats her eyes.

Max couldn't love her more if he tried. She really is a genius of sorts! A master strategist! He suddenly takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately. "Oh, Fran...I'm in love with you...did you know that?" He figures she must have now that he had discovered that she is truly a genius.

"Of course I did Mr. Sheffield...but, boy! A girl sure has to go to drastic measures to get you to finally realize it! By the way, I love you too!" She says hugging him.

"I can't believe you put me through that this morning! You had me completely convinced that you really forgot last night. You are a marvelous actress!" He says admiringly. "I'm so glad you didn't forget." He whispers taking her in his arms and kissing down her neck.

"Mr. Sheffield. There isn't anything on earth that could make me forget last night." She looks at him shyly. "I never experienced anything close to how you made me feel." She says sincerely, tears of happiness now threatening to fall.

Max's heart skips a beat at her expression. He can't resist any longer. He picks her up and carries her to the huge bed. He quickly undresses and gets in, slowly undressing her.

As Max falls asleep, completely spent again, Fran ponders something. Should I admit to him that the whole amnesia thing was phony? I was just going to wander into his bed while he was sleeping last night...but the bathtub thing really worked out much better. I thought I would just get a little action, I didn't expect a marriage proposal! She thinks gazing at the beautiful diamond he had placed on her hand before he had fallen asleep.

Nahh...he already thinks I'm a genius...I guess, maybe I am! She smiles and cuddles up to him, falling into a peaceful sleep.