A/N: My own problems with my arm made me remember one of my favorite x-files stories (of the very same name as this one). And I thought the general idea of the story fit really well with N/D. I'd like to thank anyone who reads my stuff – and particularly the people who take the time to review. I hope you all enjoy this story. (I apologize for the shortness of the prologue.)

Prologue

It could have been so beautiful, Niles thought as he drifted in and out of consciousness. He saw it plainly before his eyes. If he reached out, yes, he could touch it. Well, he could almost touch it. The picture seemed to move – and it kept moving away from him. Suddenly he felt dizzy and he tried to open his eyes. As his eyes finally complied, he stared into darkness. Gone was the beauty; even the idea of beauty was lost to him.

'Hello?' He whispered and no one answered.

"He's going to be alright? Oh, I feel so guilty!" Wasn't that the voice of an angel? Of his angel? He heard the voice loud and clear, but he didn't see anything. Or anyone. He could have sworn it was Daphne. He would have recognized her voice in between a billion others.

"He's going to be fine. Is there anyone we should call?" A strange voice answered and Niles felt a stab of jealousy. Was this a nightmare? Did he once again have to suffer watching Daphne date someone who was so far beneath what she deserved?

"His brother and his father. They have no idea what has happened!" Niles wanted to ask them why anyone needed to be called. He was fine; didn't they just say so? No matter how hard he tried, his words weren't heard. Restlessness took hold of him, but he didn't feel like he could move at all. As he tried, a shooting pain went through his right arm. He tried the other side, but the pain only intensified. This had to be a dream. It had to be. Everything had been so beautiful. And Daphne… Daphne had been so beautiful, too. She always was. His thoughts mixed together like a bad cocktail and he struggled with consciousness again.

"Don't cry, Ms Moon. He's going to wake up soon."

"But-but-his hands!"

'What about my hands?' Niles asked into the darkness surrounding him. Still no one answered and he hated being ignored. His anger seemed to make him stronger and he saw little dots of light that connected like a puzzle. There was Daphne. There was a man dressed like a doctor. And there were his hands. As soon as Niles laid his eyes on his hands – one in a cast, one bandaged – he knew he was not fine. He wouldn't be fine for a while.

"Dr. Crane!" Niles registered Daphne's pleading voice, but he couldn't even hold on for her. He desperately tried to reach the picture of beauty, the one he had reached for all day. But it was too far away. The darkness caught up with him and it swallowed him whole.

tbc