Maxwell came home from his walk. The fresh air had done him good. He had come to a decision. He went to his office. The answering machine was blinking. CC had left him some messages on it, he deleted them all. He had more important things to do. He rummaged out a large cardboard box and all the things, photos, gifts etc. everything that reminded him of Fran ended up in the box. Also her scarf. After cleaning his office of hers, as he called it, he went upstairs to his bedroom with the box. There a few items flew into the box too. From the bathroom he retrieved the bath lotion, candles and the CD that had been playing that night and packed that up as well. With some effort, he changed his bed. He stuffed the used sheets into a plastic bag. With the bag and box, he went back downstairs. He rummaged in the kitchen until he found the number of the dry cleaner. He ordered a driver to pick up the bag. When he couldn't find anything more that belonged in the box, he closed it and taped it shut. He carried it to the basement and put it on the back shelf. Now he felt better. He warmed up some pies Niles had prepared for him, sat down at his desk, and got out the manuscript.

Fran was in the elevator to her suite. She reapplied her lipstick, wiped the residue from her teeth, and arranged her hair. Outside her door, she paused for a moment, shook herself again, and entered. "Nigel? Are you there?" "Fran baby! There you are. Where were you for so long. Didn't you get my message?" "I was having lunch with Val. She's not doing so well. What message?" "I left you a message about when I'd be back." "Really? There was no message. Well, the technology in hotels is never quite the best. It doesn't matter. How was your appointment?" "All settled!" He took her in his arms, hugged her tightly "I missed you!" He began kissing up her neck until his lips touched hers. Fran deepened his kisses. Just as Nigel slid his hand under her sweater, she gently pushed him away. All at once, everything inside her rebelled. She couldn't stand him anymore. His scent, his closeness, his touches and kisses triggered a kind of disgust in her. Nigel stared at her in irritation. "Sorry I'm not feeling well." She rushed into the bathroom and locked the door. She cooled her burning face with ice-cold water. She had to hold on, she felt dizzy. Fran looked in the mirror. What was the matter with her? "Fran! Baby! What's wrong with you?" Nigel jiggled the handle. "Go on I'll be right there." Fran operated the toilet flush. Ran a quick brush through her face and hair. "My God Fran, you're so pale! Are you sick!" "Maybe, Val just had a virus. It's possible I caught it. But don't worry about it. I just want to lie down for a bit." "And the trip? You know, the harbor cruise with my old college class?!" Fran sighed, she wasn't in the mood for that at all right now. "Why don't you go by yourself, I'll rest in the meantime. I don't know anyone there anyway but you've been looking forward to it for days."

Nigel was disappointed. He had been looking forward to introducing Fran to all his old friends and showing her off. But well then, he'd just have to enjoy himself without her. "Whatever you say, I'll get ready now. Call room service if you need anything." Fran was relieved when the door flew shut behind Nigel. Finally alone. She got ready for bed. She didn't want to sleep in the big bed with Nigel. She felt queasy again at the thought of him snuggling up to her during the night. She went to the small bedroom they used for storage and lay down in one of the twin beds. She felt excruciatingly bad. How was she supposed to have a happy future with Nigel when she couldn't even stand another hug from him? Besides, she had lied to him more often in the few minutes they had been together than in their entire relationship. She wished everything was like it used to be, but deep down she knew the happy days with Nigel were in the past.

Maxwell leaned back in his chair, content. He had made a lot of progress with his work. Just then, the phone rang. "Maxwell Sheffield! Ah CC... dinner tonight?...Like you have good news?!...Yeah why not..well see you in a bit. Bye." Maxwell hurried upstairs to change his clothes. Actually he didn't feel like spending the evening with CC and listening to her chatter. But it was better than sitting around at home alone. A little later he boarded the limo and was on his way to pick up CC.

Nigel returned from his outing late at night. He was in a good mood and had a slight buzz. However, he was surprised when he found an empty bed. He looked in the bathroom. She wasn't there either. Then he discovered that there was a light on in the small room. Fran was lying in one bed sleeping. She seemed to be dreaming wildly. She was moving violently back and forth, moaning and breathing heavily. He sat down on the bed and kissed her. "Fraann, wake up!" Fran's eyes snapped open and when she recognized the man above her she slid away a bit in a panic. "Oyy Nigel you gave me a terrible fright!" "You're not usually this jumpy. Why are you lying here anyway?" "Ahem.. Well..I thought this was better. Here I have more peace and can't infect you either. Besides, I won't bother you if I have to go out." "I like being disturbed by you, though." He wanted to kiss her and take her in his arms. "Let me, Nigel. I'm miserable." Nigel stood up. "Then sleep well!" Mortified, he left the room. Was he imagining it, or was Fran acting strangely? He didn't know her that way.

Fran, meanwhile, sat up in bed and was a mess. She had dreamed about Maxwell. They had been on a deserted island. They had sat by a fire and she had fed him pineapple. Suddenly they had been lying together in the sand, kissing wildly. She could still feel his tender hands, as he had caressed and touched her all over her body. Her arousal rose as she remembered how he caressed her breasts in her dream and teased them with his tongue. How they had finally melted into each other. With his skillful movements he had made her moan and scream. Breathing heavily, she lay in bed and completely absorbed in her dream, she fell asleep again.

Maxwell came home annoyed. The evening with CC had been terrible. She had only talked about herself and what they two could do now that everyone was gone. When would this woman finally realize that he wanted nothing from her? He had been thinking about Fran all evening. He had wished she had been with him. She would have talked about everything, joked around, laughed and danced. At the same time, he could have pulled her tightly against him to feel her. Completely lost in thought, he went to bed.

Fran woke up the next morning feeling exhausted. Again and again Maxwell had appeared to her. Why wouldn't he leave her alone? Then a thought occurred to her. Maxwell and she should talk things out and settle the situation once and for all. After all, they had been avoiding each other until now. She would explain to him that things between them were over for her. Surely she could straighten out her life with Nigel once the Maxwell chapter was closed. She got up, Nigel was already awake and dressed. "Hey doll, feeling better?" Fran just shook her head and without hugging him she sat down at the breakfast table. "I wanted to tell you, I'm not going to New Jersey with you today." Nigel had been planning to open a club around here for a while. There was one for sale in New Jersey right now, and they were supposed to visit it today. Nigel was upset. "Don't be mad, if the club is really that great, I'll check it out another time." Nigel conceded defeat and soon went on his way. "I'm sure it'll be late, traffic and all!" Fran just nodded. Nigel had the impression her mind was elsewhere. On the way to the car, he mused. He hoped Fran's aloofness would not become a permanent condition. In Paris they had been together day and night and now they hardly saw each other and when they did she was terribly distant.

Maxwell blinked sleepily as the alarm clock rang. Grumbling, he buried himself deeper into his pillows. He had just had such a nice dream. Fran and he were married and had been trapped in a cave in the middle of deep snow. Fran had been freezing and he had held her tightly in his arms to keep her warm. In love they had kissed, more and more stormy and demanding. In the middle of the snow they had given themselves to each other. Tenderly and yet full of passion. When they reached their climax and Fran's cries grew louder and louder, he had sealed her mouth with his lips. The dream had been so real. Now he needed a cold shower first. While he was getting ready, he tried to shake off the thoughts of his dream. He didn't want to think about her. He couldn't let himself be seduced. Suddenly, an idea came to him. Yesterday morning, Fran and he had barely spoken to each other. He needed to talk to her to be able to close the story. Calmly and objectively, he would explain his point of view to her. Determined, he went to his study, looked up the number and dialed. Mh busy! Well, later then.

Crap busy! Fran hung up the phone. At first she had not been sure whether it was a good idea to call him. First she had dressed, done her hair and make-up. Then she had crept around the phone for a while until she finally found the courage to pick up the receiver. Fran waited ten minutes, then she called him again. It rang but no one answered. Strange, he had just been on the phone. Confused, she hung up again. Maxwell ran to the phone, but the ringing stopped. Just as he was making himself a cup of coffee, the phone went off. He wondered who it could have been. Maybe Niles or the kids or just CC. Well it was not so important now. Again he dialed Fran's number. "Fran Fine!" Hello Fran this is Maxwell, (Fran almost dropped the phone in shock) can you talk? "Yes Nigel is not here!" "Good, I think we have something to sort out. It would be good if you could come over." "I'll be on my way in a minute. See you in a bit!" See you in a minute!" Relieved, he put the phone back on the hook. He had managed the first part. Fran was wounded. Maxwell had been so cool and reasonable, just like when he was her boss. She got into a cab and thought about what she would say to him.

Maxwell paced restlessly in the living room. In his head, he was forming his speech. Instinctively, he hoped she would take his decision well. Just then, the doorbell rang. Maxwell let Fran enter and took her coat from her. Silently they went into the living room. Fran turned to him and they were face to face. The sight of her left him speechless. She looked amazing again. Her faithful dark eyes seemed to hypnotize him. Fran couldn't take her eyes off him. She was immediately attracted to him again. Without another word, they fell into each other's arms and sank into an intimate long kiss.