The next morning Fran rolled lazily over in her bed. She hadn't slept well and now had an intense craving for a chocolate Almond Hershey bar. She slapped at the intercom next to her bed to page Niles. She opened her mouth and stopped short. Niles wouldn't hear her….Niles was gone, for a week. The truth hit her like a splash of cold water in the face. And suddenly she felt a bolt of pain tear through her insides. Wow. She already missed him like crazy.

Well it's your fault, a little voice in her head reminded her. You drove him away, scared him off. But no, he had had vacation time coming up. He was already planning on leaving. But funny, how he chose to bolt out of here like a scared rabbit as soon as you went to talk to him last night, that voice came back to tell her.

Oh this was ridiculous. She wasn't going to let the voice in her head control her thoughts. She needed food. She threw on one of her loudly colored bathrobes. A hot pink and baby blue one. She trotted on downstairs and sniffed as she neared the dining room, expecting to be greeted by the warm smell of bacon and eggs or Belgian waffles and syrup (a personal favorite of Niles'). But instead she was greeted with no smells at all. The dining room felt cold and she entered to see Grace, Brighton, and Maggie hunched over their cereal bowls. Oh…right. No Niles here to cook. Man. And she'd been really itching for those waffles.

"G'morning kids," she said listlessly.

"Mornin'," they replied in unison, in much the same tone. Fran sighed and plopped herself down in her usual chair. "Grace, can you pass the Lucky Charms?" She asked indifferently.

Suddenly Mr. Sheffield walked in looking as sharp and handsome as ever in his buttoned form-fitting navy vest and white dress shirt. Fran sat up a little in her chair.

"Good morning children," he said. "Good morning Miss Fine," he said with a charming smile and a wink in her direction.

Fran ducked her head shyly, "G'morning Max- Mr. Sheffield," she caught herself just in time.

Mr. Sheffield gave her an amused grin. "Miss Fine, I need to uh…see you in my office after breakfast. To discuss um…uh well you know…" he looked around him, "The children! Yes that's it." He glanced over at her knowingly.

Fran smiled warmly back at him. "Of cooourse, Mr. Sheffield. Immediately after breakfast." She thought about it for a second, "After I freshen up."

The kids exchanged glances.

MR. SHEFFIELD'S OFFICE

Fran knocked on the door.

"Come in," was Mr. Sheffield's reply.

Fran sauntered in wearing a sexy and daringly short silver skirt, a black long-sleeved zippered sweater that was open enough to entice, and black strapped-heeled pumps.

"Ohh Miss Fine," Mr. Sheffield breathed as he saw her.

She smiled broadly at him as she plopped herself on the corner of his desk.

"Ya like?"

"Mm hmm. Ver much." He sized her up and down with a gleam in his eye. He suddenly stood up and scooped her in his arms.

"Ohh Maxwell!" She shrieked surprised.

His soft eyes looked down at her, "What are you doing to me?" he murmured huskily.

"Moi?" Fran asked innocently, pointing at herself.

"Mmm…" His eyes never leaving hers, he bent down and softly kissed her. She responded to his touch passionately and threw her arms around him. The couple embraced, kissing each other feverishly. Fran found herself leaning backwards as Mr. Sheffield laid her down on the desk. Wow, was he ever on fire! Suddenly Fran heard something fall over and then it rolled underneath her head- whatever it was.

"Ahh…" she moaned uncomfortably.

Unfortunately Maxwell mistook the meaning in her moan and began kissing her more earnestly, his lips trailing down her neck.

"Ouch!" She cried feeling the thing pushing her neck upwards.

Maxwell pulled away breathlessly, "What's wrong?"

Fran struggled to sit up, pushing her skirt down, and twisted around to see what was behind her.

It was a can of something.

She picked it up and rolled it over in her palm.

'LEMON PLEDGE' the label read.

"What is it?" Mr. Sheffield peeked over her shoulder.

Fran paused, "Just polish. Furniture polish." She muttered quietly while looking down.

Mr. Sheffield sensed something was wrong. "Fran?" he gently put a hand on her shoulder.

Fran didn't want to answer to him. Suddenly she felt a wave of sadness overcome her. She felt she was about to lose her composure, lose control. No one else could understand how a typical household cleaner could hold so much subtext. But apparently it did for her. She began to feel tears welling up in her eyes. Her mind flashed back to a moment between her and Niles. She was laughing in his arms after he told her he was wearing "Lemon Pledge Baby". The two of them in high spirits, eager to start their mischievous plan. The 'Before Story' Fran thought bitterly, before I messed it all up.

It was all too much to take in. Fran furiously tried to blink back her tears as she hopped off Mr. Sheffield's desk. She had to get out, had to talk to someone before she exploded. And she needed something to sustain her. Something chocolate. The one obvious place for help stuck out in her mind—Ma's.

"Fran?" Mr. Sheffield tried in vain to get her to look at him.

Fran swallowed and began heading towards the door, "Gotta go. Ma's." She said quickly as she exited, leaving a bewildered Mr. Sheffield behind her.