A/N: A somewhat experimental piece of work I did at work because I was bored out of my mind.

"Care to dance?" Mel, looking exquisite in her blue dress, extends her hand to Niles. With a smile that matches hers, he takes it. The slippery dance floor almost trips him, but Mel's grip on him is so tight that he's afraid she won't even let him lead. As it turns out, he is wrong. Mel surrenders herself in his arms and lets him do all the work. Which, thanks to the soft, slow music, is not hard to do. Niles doesn't mind anyway. Mel, surprisingly, fits perfectly against him. Even more surprisingly, they're doing this quite well. They're in rhythm, they're in sync. All of this, for lack of a more adequate word, is simply perfect.

Except one thing.

"Where did you learn to dance like this?" Mel asks him dreamingly. This could be a test (he knows she likes to test him; she thinks he doesn't know) to determine if he's good enough to be taken to various social gatherings. This is not their first outing as a couple, however, this is the first time that dancing is involved. She could have asked him about his dancing skills, but that would have been easy and Mel doesn't exactly do easy.

"Niles?" Her voice is still soft, but there's a pressure behind it now that he's come to know all so well. Patience isn't really her virtue either.

"Hm?" He, however, is quite good at stalling.

"Where did you learn to dance like this?" She repeats without missing a step. But Niles does; they're no longer in rhythm, no longer in sync.

"Oh, a long time ago," he answers cheerily, "I guess I'm a natural." It's only half a lie, he convinces himself, because he's just throwing the words at Mel Daphne once told him. It's not a lie; someone believed it once, even if that person was never Niles himself.

"Whoever it was," Mel nuzzles his cheek, "tell them thanks."

Daphne.

His legs didn't feel like his own. They didn't even feel like actual legs. There was no way he could move like this. He watched and wondered (and lost his train of thought, because clearly no one danced as gracefully as Daphne).

"Come on, Dr. Crane! I know you can do this!" Her optimism as she extended her hand to him was refreshing. Usually his shortcomings were met with rolled eyes, and a knowing look saying 'I knew you'd fail'. Maris was very good at that. Maris didn't cross his mind as Niles took Daphne's warm, soft (and slightly sweaty) hand.

"It's just the one dance. I won't ever go dancing again, Daphne."

"Don't say that, Dr. Crane. I can see you have talent. It's just a bit more hidden and we might have to tickle it out of you." Her radiating grin distracted him and before he knew what was happening, she was actually tickling him. Niles shrieked (in a manly way, of course, he would always claim just that) and his legs started kicking and moving.

"You're doing it!" Daphne exclaimed.

"What?"

"You're dancing, Dr. Crane."

"No, I'm not. I just – I was trying to get away. I think."

"You moved in rhythm with the music and you didn't even notice. I'm so proud of you, Dr. Crane. Now let's try another waltz. I want you to be the best dancer at that Ball," she blushed and giggled, "even if I can't be there to watch it."

"Maybe we can go dancing some time. After – after the Snow Ball, I mean. If you're not too embarrassed to be seen dancing with me."

"Oh Dr. Crane, you mean it?" Hardly ever had he seen her this excited, this happy. As so many times, Niles was ready to promise her the sun, the stars and the moon. A dance, however, would have to do for the time being.

"I mean it."

"Then let's practice some more. You know, practice makes perfect.

"Yes, Daphne." Yes, dear.

"It's a foxtrot, Niles, do you know how to do that, too?" Mel's voice rips him away from his colorful memories, away from Daphne.

But not entirely.

"Foxtrot? Yes, why, of course." His feet follow the required movements as Mel whispers words into his ear that he can't process. His mind is struggling with the demands of the past and of the present. It's always trying to steer him towards Daphne. And as his feet follow the music, his mind follows its natural path.

Daphne, again.

"Don't be afraid, Daphne won't let anything happen to you." And he believed her, he trusted her. While she made everyone (including himself) believe that Niles was leading her, he simply followed. He copied her every movement until they were dancing as if they'd been doing this for years. For the first time ever, Niles didn't think; he simply felt. His emotions led the way, turned him into exactly the man Daphne thought he could be.

Niles was used to people staring at him; usually not because they were awe-struck. Not that evening, though. They were looking at him and Daphne and even though he couldn't see their faces, he knew they were jealous. This was his moment; it was the most glorious, most satisfying moment of his life. At that moment, he knew no fears. He knew no defeat. And the moment stretched on even after their feet stopped dancing.

"I knew you were a good dancer, but I had no idea you were such a good actor!"

It wasn't Niles' heart that broke, not quite. Rather, her words shattered his dreams. His legs felt heavy, hurt as if someone had broken them instead of his heart.

"'Daphne, you're a goddess, Daphne, I adore you...' we fooled everyone, didn't we?" Maybe if her voice hadn't sounded so snidely that it all sounded so trifling. Maybe then he could have kept a sliver of hope.

"I'm surprised it was so easy!" Never had he wished more for her to stop talking. He loved hearing her voice, normally. Niles couldn't bear it anymore when her words caused him so much pain.

"Well, given the right circumstances, anyone can be fooled." Niles was fully aware that he was taking part in this conversation. Just like he had danced with her; he followed her steps, never once did he lead.

When she asked him for another dance, her voice so full of joy, he had to deny her. In all his dreams (and didn't she star in most of them?) he never denied her anything. But part of him was injured; she couldn't see it, no one but he knew. The dance had ended.

"Niles? You're awfully absent-minded today."

"I'm sorry. What did you say?" They're still gently swaying, but to a music only Niles can hear.

"The band is taking a break. The dance is over." She grins at him and when his legs, once again so many years later, feel weary, he lets himself be led away. While Mel chats happily away, Niles merely pretends to listen. Being with her is nice enough, much nicer than being with Maris. She, too, of course is not Daphne. But Daphne is happy with Donny. And shouldn't that be enough for him? Knowing that she is happy? She has found a man who will most likely not deny her a second dance – ever. A pinching pain, but Niles realizes it does not come from within, no, it's Mel again.

"Let's go home. I really wonder where your mind is today."

"I'm so sorry, Mel. I think I'm just tired." He picks these words carefully; the truth is he does feel exhausted. Seven years of unrequited love will do that to man who tries so hard to move on with his life.

"Well, I know exactly what you need." The tone in her voice is unmistakably seductive. And Niles, tired as he is, smiles at her. This time it's Niles who extends his hand to Mel and she takes it. Somewhere in the past, Niles thinks he remembers taking Daphne's hand. Or did she take his? In the end, he decides, it doesn't matter. He leaves with Mel and he leaves Daphne behind here with the memories of their dance. Soon she'll be out of his reach forever. The memories, however, will not leave him as readily.

All he has to do now is make new ones. And never, ever dance again.

THE END