A/N: This is the second installment of this series of romantic short stories about Niles and Daphne that I have written in AU form to have them interact in every single episode (even when they had no scenes together!). Nine more of these will follow, but since they all will eventually, if not sooner, fit together in some way, like pieces to a puzzle, it might help to read Part 1 first. Each story represents a season (this one being Season 2) and each episode is a chapter title. Thanks for reading!
(Niles' POV)
Niles watched in surprise as Daphne stormed into the living room holding the book that everyone in the Emerald City seemed to be reading. It was the hottest selling book on the market today. But of course she'd be reading it, for he'd heard her speak often of the romance novels that she loved so much. She was a romantic in every sense of the word, or so it seemed.
He wished… oh how he wished that he could find out for himself, but for now he would have to settle for loving her from afar. And he did love her; he knew that in his heart. He wanted so badly to tell Frasier the truth at Cafe Nervosa when Frasier had posed the unexpected question about his feelings for Daphne. Niles loved her; there was no doubt in his mind. In fact, he loved her more than he thought he could love anyone, but if he were to say these words to his brother, he knew exactly what the reply would be.
His brother would lecture him and remind him that he was married (as if Niles needed reminding), and that it was wrong to be infatuated with another woman. But this was not infatuation, not by any se3nse of the word. This was true love. He loved Maris as well, but in a different way. But there was no explaining it to Frasier because Frasier's opinion of Maris left a lot to be desired.
But now Daphne seemed disgusted, almost angry. Perhaps it was due to the fact that the book Slow Tango in South Seattle, was about his older brother. It was a revelation that even Niles still couldn't believe. To think that Frasier had engaged in an affair with Mrs. Warner, his piano teacher at the young age of seventeen was, at best hard to believe.
"Shame on you, Dr. Crane!" Daphne yelled, causing Niles to turn around. He opened his eyes to ask what he could have done to make her so angry, when he realized that she was glaring at Frasier, pointing her finger at him.
Frasier eyed Daphne in complete confusion. "Daphne what on earth are you talking about?"
"You just leave in the middle of the night, leaving her bed as empty as a swallow's nest after fall's first frost! How do you think that made her feel? How could you?"
"Well, I'm glad to see that you've been enjoying the book so much that you not only find it appropriate to insult me but you've quoted it word for word!"
"Oh, I knew you'd find this funny, but I bet Mrs. Warner didn't!"
"I'd just been accepted to Harvard! What was I supposed to do?"
Frasier's defense of his teenage actions surprised Niles. His insistence on his innocence was intriguing given that Frasier hadn't been seventeen in a very long time.
But Daphne was unfazed by Frasier's attempt at honesty and sincerity.
"So you just leave in the middle of the night without as much as a kiss on the forehead?"
"She had an early lesson!" Frasier shouted.
Daphne turned in a huff and walked away, but Frasier was unrelenting. "I left a rose on her pillow!" he shouted as the door slammed in the distance.
"She's just over-emotional." Frasier observed, annoying Niles to no end. "She'll cool off in a minute."
But to Niles' dismay, Daphne was still out of sight several minutes later and he longed to make sure that she was okay. He'd never seen her so upset, except for the time when his father had told her the story of Gus, only to reveal minutes later that he'd made the whole thing up. Daphne had such a caring and kind heart that it was only natural that she'd feel compassion for someone that she didn't even know, let alone a figment of his father's imagination.
Frasier looked at Niles, his expression one of helplessness. "What was I supposed to do, Niles? I couldn't say goodbye! Harvard was calling my name!"
Niles said nothing and continued to stare at the doorway. Daphne certainly seemed upset and yet, he wondered if there wasn't something deeper to her surprising anger.
"What would you have done?"
Surprised, Niles looked up and surprised a grin. "Well, unlike you, I actually focused on the piano instead of the teacher!" and then unable to help himself, he giggled uncontrollably.
"I'm glad you think this is so amusing! I'm going to find Mrs. Warner and… Well, I don't know what, but I've got to get to the bottom of this! Goodbye!"
Niles was still laughing when Frasier grabbed his coat and slammed the door. Seconds later, Daphne returned to the living room.
"Was that your brother I heard leaving?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it was."
"Oh this was my fault, Dr. Crane! I'm sorry I was so harsh with him, but I just got so mad! To think that a man that you cared deeply for left you in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye or a kiss… I couldn't bear it if a man treated me that way. Someone that I loved… or thought I loved and the passion we shared! I'm going to finish this bloody book, but I'm not going to like it! I'd much rather read me romance novels where the couple leaves each other with tear-filled embraces and promises to return. I hope when I fall in love a man will love me as much as the men in these romance books, but I'm starting to think that my luck will be as good as your brother's. I'll fall in love with a man only to have him leave in the middle of the night without saying goodbye. And I'll always be wondering, what if…"
Niles swallowed hard, his heart melting at the emotion she expressed. She was an angel from heaven and the Gods above couldn't have made her any more perfect in his eyes. And as she stood at the window, staring at the Seattle skyline he saw her brushed away a tear. The gesture compelled him to go to her.
"Daphne, I would never-."
She turned to him and smiled, gently touching his cheek. "I know you wouldn't and that's why you're such a wonderful man. Mrs. Crane is very lucky to have you and I hope she cherishes every moment."
Overcome with love for her, he hugged her impulsively, not caring if it was wrong. If it was, the way she was holding him, resting her head against him told him that it didn't matter.
He did love Daphne, of that he was certain. But for now he'd simply keep it to himself.
