"Tonight, when Orpheus descends into hell, I'll be there waiting for him with a fruit basket!" Niles yelled as he angrily walked out of his brother's apartment.
"Dr. Crane, wait!"
Daphne's sweet voice stopped Niles cold. "Yes, Daphne?"
"Did I just hear you say you had tickets to the opera?"
Niles nodded. "Yes, but -"
Daphne cast a glance at her boss, who, at the moment, wasn't one of her favorite people. "I'll go with you. I mean, if you think me outfit is all right. I can change into something else if you'd like."
Niles looked her over, hardly knowing what to say. Her simple sweater and short skirt wasn't exactly common attire for the opera, at least not among Niles' friends. But, on Daphne, he couldn't imagine anything more beautiful. "I'd say what you have on is...just fine."
Daphne grinned. "All right, then. I'll just grab me coat, and we'll be off."
When Daphne's back was turned, Frasier glared at his younger brother. What are you doing? Frasier mouthed.
"It's just an opera!" Niles retorted, just loudly enough for Frasier to hear.
Daphne walked back over to where Niles was standing. "Well, I guess I'm all set now, Dr. Crane."
Niles nodded, hardly able to believe it when Daphne slipped her hand into his.
As they stood in the hallway, waiting for the elevator to arrive, Daphne turned to him. "It's so nice to be out for once without your brother."
Niles looked down at the floor, remembering the way Frasier had abandoned him in favor of his new "pub friends."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I know how close you and Dr. Crane are," Daphne said immediately. "It's just...that pub is where I go to get away from me job. If your brother's there, it's like I've got no escape!"
"I completely understand, Daphne. My own social life hasn't exactly been a picnic, either. With Frasier spending so much time down at your pub, I've hardly got any friends at all!"
"Oh, Dr. Crane! How can you say that? You've got friends, haven't you?"
Niles couldn't look at her. He was ashamed to admit that Frasier was his only real friend. His other so-called "friends" had left him the minute he and Maris separated. Unable to respond, Niles simply got into the elevator.
Daphne followed him in, her heart breaking at his expression. "I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I suppose I've been so wrapped up in your brother barging into me pub that I forgot about you. Can you forgive me?"
"Forgive you? Daphne, there's nothing to forgive. You're a good friend."
His compliment warmed her heart immediately. "So are you." She hugged him quickly.
When Daphne let him go, Niles was sure the elevator had begun to spin. He couldn't help smiling as he smelled the sweet scent of her shampoo.
"Now that that's settled, why don't we just enjoy our night out at the opera?"
