A/N... This story is a little different from my others in that it contains a lot of dream sequences. To make for easier reading (and hopefully easier to understand), I've put all the dream sequences in italics. Let me know if you get confused at all and I'll try to figure out an easier way to relay the fact that Niles is dreaming. As always, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read and review!

Niles took Mel's hand as they drove home in silence. "It was so good of you to come, Mel. I can't tell you how much it meant to me that you made it to Frasier's party."

Mel leaned her head against the plush leather seat of the BMW and sighed. "God, I am so glad to get out of there. Have you ever been to a duller party?"

Her comment caused Niles to do a double take. "Are you serious? Surely you can't be referring to Frasier's party."

"You're damn right I am." Mel said.

"Well, I thought it was a wonderful party, considering that Frasier went to great lengths to make it a success."

"You certainly seemed to be enjoying yourself." Mel snapped.

Niles looked at her in surprise. "What does that mean?"

"Well, you went out of your way to make sure that Daphne had a good time. Apparently you'd been entertaining her long before I arrived."

"Mel, that's ridiculous! Daphne is just a friend and-."

Mel held up her hand to silence him. "Never mind. I'm just happy to be going home."

When they reached her apartment, they got out of the car and walked to her front door. Niles took Mel's hands and stared into her eyes. "Look, Daphne and I are-."

"Friends, I know." Mel finished.

"Yes, and I was merely trying to help her deal with a difficult situation. There's no need to be jealous, Sweetheart."

Mel looked at him in disbelief. "You actually think I'm jealous?"

"Well it was just an observation. You have been rather tense since you arrived at Frasier's. I know we've had our differences and I regret our breakup

tremendously-even if it was just for a little while. But I assure you, there is nothing but friendship between myself and Daphne. She's happily engaged to Donny and

they're getting married soon. You'll always be the one I love."

At this she smiled. "You're right, Niles. We'll always be together, no matter what. It was silly of me to think that you and Daphne... Just forget it."

Niles kissed her cheek. "There's absolutely nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure you don't want to come in for a drink? It's still early." Mel asked.

He looked at his watch, surprised at how much time had passed since they left the party. "I really should be getting home, but I'll call you first thing in the morning."

"You'd better." Mel said.

Her tone left Niles wondering if she was being humorous or patronizing. He could never tell sometimes.

Niles took her in his arms and kissed her. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Niles."

As he turned to walk back to his car, he heard her calling him. 'Oh, Niles!"

He whirled around to face her. "Yes, Mel?"

"Don't forget that we have the Society Club dinner tomorrow night."

Niles sighed, wishing she hadn't brought up her notoriously dull club that consisted of nothing but inconsiderate, rude members who had no respect for the

Shakespearean operas that he and Frasier loved so much. He cringed remembering the last Society Club meeting he and Mel had attended. He was merely trying to

strike up a conversation, but when he mentioned how amazed he was at the exquisite transformation of A Midsummer Night's Dream into an opera, he'd endured

comments of disdain and disgust.

Funny... when he mentioned it to Daphne, she actually said she found it romantic.

Not surprising, considering that she was a bit of a romantic herself. She was always speaking wistfully about some movie she'd seen or something she'd read in a

romance novel. Usually he found such things ridiculous, but Daphne made them seem adorable.

"Niles! Did you hear me?" Mel was yelling now, breaking into his thoughts. "The dinner starts at 7:30 and we simply cannot be late!"

He sighed loudly, not caring if she heard him or not. "Of course, Mel. I'll pick you up at 6:30 and we should make it there in plenty of time."

Then he blew her a kiss and climbed into his BMW and turned the ignition.

He loved Mel... more than he loved anyone... maybe even Maris.

But as he drove back to the Montana, he found himself unable to get Daphne out of his mind.