Second Date, Part 1
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
This story is a continuation of 'Our Parents, Ourselves,' in season six. Thank you to David Langley for the transcript. For anyone who needs a refresher course:
Daphne: Well, I'm off to the cinema.
Niles: You're not staying for the game?
Daphne: Sorry, but American football's not for me, and they're showing "Wuthering Heights" downtown. I think it's the most romantic movie ever made.
Niles: You're going alone?
Daphne: Yes, unfortunately. It's more fun to go with someone, except of course it always ends the same way: Me weeping all over me date's shoulder while he does what he can to comfort me.
[fifteen minutes later.]
Niles: [grabbing his coat] OK. If anybody wants me, I'll be at the movies. [He rushes out.]
-------------------------------------------------------------
He didn't wait for the elevator. Daphne had a good head start on him but, spurned by adrenaline and love, he was confident he could catch up with her. No sooner did his feet hit the lobby than he was sprinting outside and down the street. He ran all twelve blocks, barely drawing breath until he saw the welcome marquee announcing: "Tonight: Wuthering Heights." Daphne must already be inside. There was a long line at the box office and, jogging over, Niles took his place at the end of it.
Niles suddenly remembered - or rather was reminded - of the cruel truth regarding his physiology. Punishing him for his callous mistreatment, his legs trembled at the joints and threatened to buckle under him while his feverish lungs desperately sucked vast and noisy amounts of oxygen into his body. Gasping, Niles braced himself against a lamppost, his arm being one of the few body parts still on speaking terms with him.
"Excuse me, sir?" A couple of teenage girls were looking at him with concern. "Do you need some help?"
Niles tried to wave them off, then noticed the line had moved aside, giving him plenty of space to get to the window. If he could move. "Can we get your ticket for you?" one of the girls asked kindly, enunciating each syllable.
His breathing still loud and labored, Niles was forced to answer with a nod, holding out a finger to indicate: One. Then he sank to the ground and put his head between his knees although he knew from the pounding in his brain that blood was reaching it just fine.
"Here, he can have ours." Someone shoved a stack of tickets into Niles' hand. "Keep the change, man."
His last conscious emotion was gratitude as Niles clutched the tickets and tipped over in fetal position.
When he came to the line had reformed in the opposite direction. He leaped up, his body kindly remembering the reason he had come here to begin with and, realizing it had a vested interest in the success of this mission, had decided to cooperate again.
He staggered through the lobby. Thankfully, there were still quite a few people hanging about, so he was not late. He handed his sheaf of tickets to the attendant.
"Keep the change," Niles said. It was a good line, even though he was unable to bring himself to add the 'man.'
The cinema had not gone dark yet and Niles scanned the rows.
"Dr. Crane, you made it!" He whipped around and his smile faded. There stood his goddess, laden with popcorn, sweets, a drink. and a male companion: One of those faux bohemian types Niles despised, with long hair, a trim beard and a studied cynical look. The kind who only came out when the moon was full, to listen to mediocre Jazz and regurgitate lay- philosophy. He was very tall and very thin and was hovering over Daphne like a lecherous umbrella.
"This is my date, Jerry." Daphne said. Niles felt a tantrum coming on. Why oh why oh why did this always happen to him? She'd been out of his sight for less than thirty minutes and had already found a date. He would rather watch football and eat Bonnie's processed pig loaf than spend two hours watching Daphne get pawed by this looming lout.
"How do you do?" Niles said at the same time Jerry asked: "You call your date Dr. Crane?"
Oooooh. Not, 'This is my date and his name is Jerry,' but 'Jerry: this is my date.' Daphne slipped her hand into his and Niles clutched it possessively. He was Daphne's date! It was all he could do to keep from sticking out his tongue and waving their clasped hands in Jerry's face.
"It's a term of affection," Daphne was explaining. "You know, like Sir Teddy Bear or Lord Vine . Mr. Muffin."
"Yes." Jerry looked doubtful but no longer sorry that he'd missed his chance with Daphne. He backed away, shooting a sympathetic glance in Niles' direction. "Nice meeting you. Good luck." Niles beamed back, his smile stretching his lips too wide for him to answer.
"Thank you for rescuing me, Dr. Crane, Jerry struck up a conversation with me in the refreshments queue and then followed me in here. He seemed nice enough and all, but I didn't feel comfortable at the prospect of weeping all over a perfect stranger. What are you doing here?"
"Ensuring that you don't have to weep all over a perfect stranger. Let me help you with that." He took her popcorn from the crook in her arm. Daphne squeezed his hand and his heart at the same time.
"How sweet. But, what about the game? And your dinner? Shall we sit over there?"
"Perfect. Well, as tempting as that was, I have not yet seen the film version of one of my favourite books, and I did not want to miss out on the opportunity." The lights dimmed as they sat down and Daphne finally pulled her hand away. She extracted a small packet of tissues from her pocket. Niles handed her his handkerchief.
"It's softer," he whispered.
"I was going for absorbent."
"Well, if it becomes waterlogged there's always the old shoulder."
Daphne laughed and took his handkerchief. Niles' heart began to sing. He was sitting in a dark movie theatre with Daphne! The seats were narrow and Niles could feel heat where their arms touched. It could not get any better than this, he thought. Daphne finished her stash of junk food (before the previews were over) and as she bent down to tuck the empty containers under her seat her hair brushed Niles' lap. So he'd been wrong. Niles admitted his mistake with a quick and reverent prayer of thanks.
The movie finally started. Despite the lip service Daphne had paid it, Niles wondered that anyone could anguish over any aspect of the film save for its gross deviation from the novel. Then he heard snivelling sounds next to him. He glanced at Daphne whose face was already twisting with pity for Catherine and Heathcliff. Niles looked back at the screen in case he was missing anything but quickly decided that his companion was far more interesting.
He had not taken his eyes off her more than a few seconds but already tears were rolling down her cheeks. Niles' heart pinched painfully. She looked so sorrowful, so compassionate, so lovely. He touched her arm, which proved too much for Daphne and she fell weeping against him.
Stunned but delighted by this turn of events, Niles eased his arm around her, even more thrilled when Daphne wriggled closer to him. She was sobbing audibly now, occasionally pressing her face into his chest to muffle the sounds. This suited Niles just fine. He gently patted her shoulder and twice even touched his lips to her hair, taking advantage of the best and longest opportunity he'd ever had to breathe her in.
There were some parts of the film which apparently did not warrant waterworks and during those times, Niles's arm tightened to discourage Daphne from moving away from him. But she didn't even try. She watched and wept in turn, but always stayed right where she was, nestling warmly against him. The ending of the film was particularly tragic. Niles knew this because Daphne continued crying after the credits had ended, the lights had gone on and half the theatre had emptied.
"I'm sorry Dr. Crane." She used his handkerchief to dab her eyes. They were red and swollen and her hair was a mess from rubbing against him. She'd never looked more beautiful.
"Nonsense, I had fun. We should do it again tomorrow."
Daphne laughed and blew her nose, completely unaware that he was serious. They stood up. "Wasn't that wonderful?" Daphne sighed.
"Wonderful doesn't begin to describe it."
He stood to let her pass and they left the cinema together. Niles walked slowly to prolong the evening and Daphne seemed content to stroll at his pace. If only he could find the courage to ask her for coffee. Or dinner. Or marriage.
It wasn't the first time he thought about spending the rest of his life with Daphne. What he felt for Daphne had long surpassed anything he'd ever felt for anyone and every moment they spent together tugged at his heart just a little deeper.
He didn't have a lot to show for the past six years but there were some things. They had been out dancing together, they had shared a candle-lit dinner, she had worn his robe. all momentous occasions because they were the kinds of things people did when they were in love. And tonight they had been to a movie together. If only he could work up the nerve to ask her to dinner.
Depressingly, the one thing that had not changed was that Niles was still the coward he had always been and he knew that matter how slowly they walked, they would eventually reach home and once again he would spend the night kicking himself for another missed opportunity.
He glanced at Daphne and became flustered when he saw she was also glancing at him. Ask her out, he pleaded with himself. Ask her out. It's the most natural thing in the world. You both spent dinnertime in the cinema and anything must be preferable to digging leftovers out of Frasier's refrigerator. Granted, that tub of popcorn was a meal and a half in itself, but still.
"Dr. Crane, would you let me take you out to dinner?" Niles stopped dead in his tracks.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I know you missed your dinner and I'm a little hungry myself. There is this little restaurant I always thought you might like. It's a bit out of the way, but if you don't mind walking."
Walking would be fine if he could bring himself down to touch the ground.
"Why, not at all. Thank you, Daphne." She smiled, looking both pleased and relieved. Niles was elated. And touched. He couldn't remember the last time someone had asked him out. Sure, there was the frequent 'let's get together on Thursday' et cetera from colleagues and acquaintances with the obligatory polite grappling for the check at the end of the evening. 'Would you let me take you out to dinner?' The straightforward sweetness of her invitation made his heart melt.
Niles wondered where they were going. He felt like skipping, like laughing out loud. Perhaps they were going to one of those restaurants where people stood while they ordered. Niles grinned. That would be wonderful. Anywhere would be wonderful. He stopped walking and gazed at Daphne, drinking in the vision she made. It was as if by imprinting this moment in his mind he would also always remember the way he was feeling. And the way he was feeling was. happy.
Daphne had stopped and stood looking at him as well. He must have still been smiling because she smiled back. Astonishingly, she seemed to be enjoying his company every bit as much as he was enjoying hers. Niles sighed contentedly then offered Daphne his arm. Daphne wove her own arm through his, hugging it close as they continued on their way.
Last updated 4/21/03
By Amy (amydekanter@yahoo.com)
This story is a continuation of 'Our Parents, Ourselves,' in season six. Thank you to David Langley for the transcript. For anyone who needs a refresher course:
Daphne: Well, I'm off to the cinema.
Niles: You're not staying for the game?
Daphne: Sorry, but American football's not for me, and they're showing "Wuthering Heights" downtown. I think it's the most romantic movie ever made.
Niles: You're going alone?
Daphne: Yes, unfortunately. It's more fun to go with someone, except of course it always ends the same way: Me weeping all over me date's shoulder while he does what he can to comfort me.
[fifteen minutes later.]
Niles: [grabbing his coat] OK. If anybody wants me, I'll be at the movies. [He rushes out.]
-------------------------------------------------------------
He didn't wait for the elevator. Daphne had a good head start on him but, spurned by adrenaline and love, he was confident he could catch up with her. No sooner did his feet hit the lobby than he was sprinting outside and down the street. He ran all twelve blocks, barely drawing breath until he saw the welcome marquee announcing: "Tonight: Wuthering Heights." Daphne must already be inside. There was a long line at the box office and, jogging over, Niles took his place at the end of it.
Niles suddenly remembered - or rather was reminded - of the cruel truth regarding his physiology. Punishing him for his callous mistreatment, his legs trembled at the joints and threatened to buckle under him while his feverish lungs desperately sucked vast and noisy amounts of oxygen into his body. Gasping, Niles braced himself against a lamppost, his arm being one of the few body parts still on speaking terms with him.
"Excuse me, sir?" A couple of teenage girls were looking at him with concern. "Do you need some help?"
Niles tried to wave them off, then noticed the line had moved aside, giving him plenty of space to get to the window. If he could move. "Can we get your ticket for you?" one of the girls asked kindly, enunciating each syllable.
His breathing still loud and labored, Niles was forced to answer with a nod, holding out a finger to indicate: One. Then he sank to the ground and put his head between his knees although he knew from the pounding in his brain that blood was reaching it just fine.
"Here, he can have ours." Someone shoved a stack of tickets into Niles' hand. "Keep the change, man."
His last conscious emotion was gratitude as Niles clutched the tickets and tipped over in fetal position.
When he came to the line had reformed in the opposite direction. He leaped up, his body kindly remembering the reason he had come here to begin with and, realizing it had a vested interest in the success of this mission, had decided to cooperate again.
He staggered through the lobby. Thankfully, there were still quite a few people hanging about, so he was not late. He handed his sheaf of tickets to the attendant.
"Keep the change," Niles said. It was a good line, even though he was unable to bring himself to add the 'man.'
The cinema had not gone dark yet and Niles scanned the rows.
"Dr. Crane, you made it!" He whipped around and his smile faded. There stood his goddess, laden with popcorn, sweets, a drink. and a male companion: One of those faux bohemian types Niles despised, with long hair, a trim beard and a studied cynical look. The kind who only came out when the moon was full, to listen to mediocre Jazz and regurgitate lay- philosophy. He was very tall and very thin and was hovering over Daphne like a lecherous umbrella.
"This is my date, Jerry." Daphne said. Niles felt a tantrum coming on. Why oh why oh why did this always happen to him? She'd been out of his sight for less than thirty minutes and had already found a date. He would rather watch football and eat Bonnie's processed pig loaf than spend two hours watching Daphne get pawed by this looming lout.
"How do you do?" Niles said at the same time Jerry asked: "You call your date Dr. Crane?"
Oooooh. Not, 'This is my date and his name is Jerry,' but 'Jerry: this is my date.' Daphne slipped her hand into his and Niles clutched it possessively. He was Daphne's date! It was all he could do to keep from sticking out his tongue and waving their clasped hands in Jerry's face.
"It's a term of affection," Daphne was explaining. "You know, like Sir Teddy Bear or Lord Vine . Mr. Muffin."
"Yes." Jerry looked doubtful but no longer sorry that he'd missed his chance with Daphne. He backed away, shooting a sympathetic glance in Niles' direction. "Nice meeting you. Good luck." Niles beamed back, his smile stretching his lips too wide for him to answer.
"Thank you for rescuing me, Dr. Crane, Jerry struck up a conversation with me in the refreshments queue and then followed me in here. He seemed nice enough and all, but I didn't feel comfortable at the prospect of weeping all over a perfect stranger. What are you doing here?"
"Ensuring that you don't have to weep all over a perfect stranger. Let me help you with that." He took her popcorn from the crook in her arm. Daphne squeezed his hand and his heart at the same time.
"How sweet. But, what about the game? And your dinner? Shall we sit over there?"
"Perfect. Well, as tempting as that was, I have not yet seen the film version of one of my favourite books, and I did not want to miss out on the opportunity." The lights dimmed as they sat down and Daphne finally pulled her hand away. She extracted a small packet of tissues from her pocket. Niles handed her his handkerchief.
"It's softer," he whispered.
"I was going for absorbent."
"Well, if it becomes waterlogged there's always the old shoulder."
Daphne laughed and took his handkerchief. Niles' heart began to sing. He was sitting in a dark movie theatre with Daphne! The seats were narrow and Niles could feel heat where their arms touched. It could not get any better than this, he thought. Daphne finished her stash of junk food (before the previews were over) and as she bent down to tuck the empty containers under her seat her hair brushed Niles' lap. So he'd been wrong. Niles admitted his mistake with a quick and reverent prayer of thanks.
The movie finally started. Despite the lip service Daphne had paid it, Niles wondered that anyone could anguish over any aspect of the film save for its gross deviation from the novel. Then he heard snivelling sounds next to him. He glanced at Daphne whose face was already twisting with pity for Catherine and Heathcliff. Niles looked back at the screen in case he was missing anything but quickly decided that his companion was far more interesting.
He had not taken his eyes off her more than a few seconds but already tears were rolling down her cheeks. Niles' heart pinched painfully. She looked so sorrowful, so compassionate, so lovely. He touched her arm, which proved too much for Daphne and she fell weeping against him.
Stunned but delighted by this turn of events, Niles eased his arm around her, even more thrilled when Daphne wriggled closer to him. She was sobbing audibly now, occasionally pressing her face into his chest to muffle the sounds. This suited Niles just fine. He gently patted her shoulder and twice even touched his lips to her hair, taking advantage of the best and longest opportunity he'd ever had to breathe her in.
There were some parts of the film which apparently did not warrant waterworks and during those times, Niles's arm tightened to discourage Daphne from moving away from him. But she didn't even try. She watched and wept in turn, but always stayed right where she was, nestling warmly against him. The ending of the film was particularly tragic. Niles knew this because Daphne continued crying after the credits had ended, the lights had gone on and half the theatre had emptied.
"I'm sorry Dr. Crane." She used his handkerchief to dab her eyes. They were red and swollen and her hair was a mess from rubbing against him. She'd never looked more beautiful.
"Nonsense, I had fun. We should do it again tomorrow."
Daphne laughed and blew her nose, completely unaware that he was serious. They stood up. "Wasn't that wonderful?" Daphne sighed.
"Wonderful doesn't begin to describe it."
He stood to let her pass and they left the cinema together. Niles walked slowly to prolong the evening and Daphne seemed content to stroll at his pace. If only he could find the courage to ask her for coffee. Or dinner. Or marriage.
It wasn't the first time he thought about spending the rest of his life with Daphne. What he felt for Daphne had long surpassed anything he'd ever felt for anyone and every moment they spent together tugged at his heart just a little deeper.
He didn't have a lot to show for the past six years but there were some things. They had been out dancing together, they had shared a candle-lit dinner, she had worn his robe. all momentous occasions because they were the kinds of things people did when they were in love. And tonight they had been to a movie together. If only he could work up the nerve to ask her to dinner.
Depressingly, the one thing that had not changed was that Niles was still the coward he had always been and he knew that matter how slowly they walked, they would eventually reach home and once again he would spend the night kicking himself for another missed opportunity.
He glanced at Daphne and became flustered when he saw she was also glancing at him. Ask her out, he pleaded with himself. Ask her out. It's the most natural thing in the world. You both spent dinnertime in the cinema and anything must be preferable to digging leftovers out of Frasier's refrigerator. Granted, that tub of popcorn was a meal and a half in itself, but still.
"Dr. Crane, would you let me take you out to dinner?" Niles stopped dead in his tracks.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I know you missed your dinner and I'm a little hungry myself. There is this little restaurant I always thought you might like. It's a bit out of the way, but if you don't mind walking."
Walking would be fine if he could bring himself down to touch the ground.
"Why, not at all. Thank you, Daphne." She smiled, looking both pleased and relieved. Niles was elated. And touched. He couldn't remember the last time someone had asked him out. Sure, there was the frequent 'let's get together on Thursday' et cetera from colleagues and acquaintances with the obligatory polite grappling for the check at the end of the evening. 'Would you let me take you out to dinner?' The straightforward sweetness of her invitation made his heart melt.
Niles wondered where they were going. He felt like skipping, like laughing out loud. Perhaps they were going to one of those restaurants where people stood while they ordered. Niles grinned. That would be wonderful. Anywhere would be wonderful. He stopped walking and gazed at Daphne, drinking in the vision she made. It was as if by imprinting this moment in his mind he would also always remember the way he was feeling. And the way he was feeling was. happy.
Daphne had stopped and stood looking at him as well. He must have still been smiling because she smiled back. Astonishingly, she seemed to be enjoying his company every bit as much as he was enjoying hers. Niles sighed contentedly then offered Daphne his arm. Daphne wove her own arm through his, hugging it close as they continued on their way.
Last updated 4/21/03