A/N: I hesitated about writing a Niles/Daphne breakup story because I do love them but I wanted to do something different, so this is what transpired.
He thought that they had put the nightmare behind them. But little did he realized that it was just the beginning; the beginning of the end.
It was supposed to be a quiet evening. A quiet evening, a simple dinner at Le Cigar Volante, some pleasant conversation and a romantic evening that would last long after they returned home. But during the course of their dinner, one-or both of them-said the wrong thing. And it only took a fleeting moment to shatter his world.
He couldn't remember ever being so angry. He could feel his face burning with rage. He was shouting words that he'd never dare shout at anyone, let alone the woman that he loved above all others. And the worst of it was that now, less than two hours later, he couldn't even begin to fathom what was said by whom or why he'd become so angry.
His mind went back to their evening and he tried to remember how it began. But all he could remember was the way he had continued to shout at her, as though she were nothing. And Daphne, being Daphne wasn't about to let him hurt her without striking back. Each time she snapped at him, he flinched a little more, not even embarrassed by the tears in his eyes. He knew he deserved everything she threw at him, if not more, but at the time he was just so angry that his mind raced for things to say that would wound her just as she had wounded him. He couldn't even bring himself to apologize. After all, he'd done nothing wrong.
Their argument, of course, attracted the unwanted attention of the restaurant patrons; some he knew by name. But surprisingly the maître did not throw them out. Niles knew that it was the right thing to do, given the situation and the disruption that they had caused, but the decision to let them stay was to be considered a favor for his continued patronage. Niles, of course, vowed to make it up to the man wholeheartedly as soon as possible.
He hoped that once they left the restaurant the argument would be forgotten, but instead it escalated. Their shouting and arguing continued well after they paid their check and in the enclosed space of his luxurious Mercedes, The car suddenly felt like a prison; the angry words resonating to almost ear-shattering decibels.
By the time they arrived home, his heart was racing like a freight train and his forehead beaded with sweat. They entered their home at the Montana and he slammed the door so hard that the walls shook. There was a shattering of glass as something fell to the floor but neither of them bothered to see what it was.
Before Niles could take another breath, Daphne flew up the stairs, her sobs tormenting him with every step. He hesitated only for a moment before bounding up the stirs after her. But of course she was much quicker than he.
He followed close behind, almost completely out of breath. "Daphne, please! I-."
But the bedroom slammed shut, feeling like a blow to his already wounded heart.
Dejected, he stood against the closed bedroom door, his cheek pressed against the grain of the smooth wood. It was then and only then that he realized what he had done. He'd ruined everything and he was determined to make everything right again.
Daringly he turned the knob, surprised at how easily it opened. He was certain that she would have locked him out and he was grateful that she didn't. As he walked into the room, he fully expected her to scream at him, to call him names, and even to strike him physically. It would be the first time that she'd ever laid a hand on him in anger, but he was prepared for anything. He had to be.
But Daphne didn't scream at him. She didn't call him names, nor did she hit him. In fact, she wasn't even awake. He couldn't help but smile when he saw her laying on their bed, clutching a pillow sound asleep. He crossed the room and went to her, pulling the comforter over her body. And then he knelt beside her and stroked her damp cheek.
"Sweetheart I'm so sorry." He whispered. "I-I don't know what came over me or why I said those things to you. I can't even remember what we were arguing about but I will never forget the way I hurt you and I will never forgive myself. I love you and I hope you will always remember that."
He brushed away tears and kissed her cheek. "I love you… always."
Biting back a sob, he turned and walked out of the room.