Niles couldn't take his eyes off of Daphne all night. Tonight was a big night, it was the Snow Ball, and he had somehow managed to wrangle a date with Daphne. It was all he could do to burst with excitement. She looked absolutely a vision in her ruby red gown, and with her hair flowing all around her, she looked like a queen. He didn't believe in past lives, but he knew that Daphne did; perhaps it was in one of those previous lives that she had been royalty. She was in his eyes, anyhow, and the sad thing was that she didn't even know it.

"Are you having fun, Dr…Niles?" Daphne smiled before taking another sip of champagne.

"I can honestly look at you and tell you that I'm having the time of my life!" Niles exclaimed before nearly spilling his own drink.

"Oh, look at you, Niles," she laughed as she straightened out his tie. "Aren't you a sight- aren't we both?"

"You most certainly are."

"Oh Niles, you always say the sweetest things. Any woman seen on your arm is a lucky woman indeed."

"I only wish Maris had felt that way."

"I'm sorry Niles, I didn't mean to make you feel badly! I just wanted to let you know how special I feel when I'm with you. Why, you treat me as if I'm the only girl in the room."

"In my eyes, you are the only girl in the room."

Their eyes met, and before he knew it he had sat his drink down and found himself kissing Daphne softly on the lips.

"Why, Niles…."

Oh no! His secret was out. He could no longer tolerate being just a friend, or invisible, or living a lie. He just had to let Daphne know how he felt.

"Daphne, there is something I must tell you…"

"Yes, Niles?" Her heart skipped a beat as she waited with baited breath for him to finish his statement.

"I…I… I love…your dress."

Disappointed, Daphne looked herself over once more. "Thank you, but you've already told me that tonight…several times in fact!"

"Well, it's true. You are simply the most stunning woman I have ever seen." Realizing what he had said, Niles got up and walked outside, with Daphne trailing him.

"Dr. Crane…Niles…I get the feeling that there is more you want to tell me. Maybe me psychic visions are off, but is there something that you would like to say to me?"

"Oh Daphne, if you only knew…"

"Knew what? You can tell me anything. You're me best friend, you know."

"I am?"

She took his hand in hers and nodded her head.

"Tell me, Daphne, do you think it's possible for friendship to turn to ..something else?"

Daphne stared at him. "I believe so. In fact, me mum and me dad were best chums before they got together. The fact that she was pregnant also helped, I suppose," Daphne laughed.

"I have so much to say but I don't know where to begin," Niles sighed.

"Why don't you just tell me what's in your heart?"

Niles looked at her. "Oh, Daphne. If it were only that easy. I'm not like you. You're so brave and you tell people what's on my mind. But me, I fear my feelings and I don't like to take risks…you have an open heart and are so loving and caring, but I… I'm nothing like you."

"You're so sweet Niles. You don't give yourself credit. You're kind and sensitive and so tender hearted. Why, a woman would be a fool if she were to turn away from you."

"Okay, then, Daphne…hear it goes. I…adore you Daphne. Just saying your name gives me thrills unlike anything I've ever known. I have tried to hide it from you time and time again but after tonight, well, I'm afraid I'm just not very good at pretending."

Daphne lit up. "Oh, Niles, I feel the same way about you."

"I understand how you feel, and I'm sorry that I put you on the spot…wait a minute, what did you say?"

"I said that I feel the same way about you. I adore you, Niles. I just never realized how much you meant to me until you took me out on the dance floor and treated me the way you did. You always make me feel so special. I just…what about Maris?"

The name of his wife hung over them like a dark cloud.

"Come on, now, Dr. Crane. It's getting late and I promised your father that I'd be getting home at a decent hour."

Crestfallen, Niles opened the door for Daphne and followed her. This was a night he was going to remember, one way or the other.

TBC