Author's note: It appears the story idea well in my brain is overflowing at the moment. It appears that I've taken a brief vacation from "Command," but I haven't forgotten about it!

Also, I would like to say thank you to my friend xfilesfanatic, who gave me many great ideas for this story, some pretty major, so she deserves a lot of credit for this story! Anyway, enjoy!

Niles was more nervous than he had ever been in his whole life. His hands trembled as he straightened his tie.

Daphne had a new boyfriend; a wealthy man, a likable man, one that seemed to be good. But no matter how many times Niles tried to convince himself of these things, his heart still churned inside of his chest at the thought of Daphne with another man. Now, Joshua, the boyfriend, had invited Niles over to Frasier's apartment and had said that he and Daphne had an announcement to make. What if it was marriage? They had only known each other for three months, it was too soon, and his body would break if Daphne were engaged. He hoped and prayed that this wasn't the case, but he couldn't quit worrying.

Another question loomed in the back of his mind. What if it was…a baby? Daphne having some other man's child made his head swim. He felt queasy all of a sudden. Slowly, he walked down to his car and drove over to the apartment, his hands moving anxiously about the steering wheel. When he got there, he contemplated calling up to the apartment and saying that he was sick, and that he had to stay at home because of the cold weather outside. But he decided that he had to know what was going on, and he forced his way up the Elliot Bay Towers.

When he had arrived, Joshua shook his hand heartily. "Hello, Niles," he said with a smile. "It's good to see you here. Daphne and I were hoping you'd come." The looks of the young man taunted Niles. He was Daphne's age with hair a sort of strawberry blonde and a strong and fit body. He had caught the jealous eye of Roz on many an occasion, and Daphne often mentioned how lucky she was to have him.

"Hello there, Joshua," said Niles with disdain. "I'm very eager to hear this news the two of you have for us."

"Niles, you've let me call you by your first name, so I insist you call me Josh. Let's just do away from formality all together." He smiled again and Niles only stared.

Frasier and Martin had already taken their places in the living room. Niles sat next to Frasier on the couch and Joshua and Daphne stood up. "Daphne has been kind enough to let me tell you what's going on."

Niles felt his insides turn to quivering jelly and he bit the corner of his lip.

"The three of you are going skiing with Daphne and me!"

The three Cranes were silent for a few moments until Daphne spoke, "I know we just went on a skiing trip a couple of months ago and it was sort of hectic, but I promise this one will be better! Josh is paying for everything, and you three are all going to have your own cabins, we won't all have to share one and deal with that." She finished, and Niles thought about the ski trip they had taken where it seemed like all the guests had wanted someone else and it had all led to a very awkward scene… Now, it would just be his unfulfilled longings for Daphne on this trip, that is, if he even went.

"I've booked it for three weeks from now. I hope you can clear your schedules for then."

Maybe he could, but did he really want to go to see Joshua and Daphne holding hands and…other things?

"I don't know what to say, Joshua," said Frasier. "Thank you. I'm sure I can make it work."

"Yeah, thanks Josh," said Martin. "You're a good kid."

"Thank you, Martin," said Joshua. "Niles, how about you?"

"I'll think about it," Niles said flatly.

"All right," Joshua replied. He turned around and looked at Daphne, who was staring at him fondly.

"You're so sweet to do this for all of us," she said, inching closer to him. Before Niles could close his eyes, the two were locked in a kiss.

It was the first time Niles had seen Daphne kiss another man since Eric, a man she had dated a few months after he had met her. That had caused him to cry, and looking at this he wanted to cry. She looked so happy, her lips pressed against his as if they were magnetically inclined to do so. She obviously didn't know happiness. If she were with Niles, he'd make her so happy that she'd…

He lost his thought as he continued to stare. How long were they going to keep his up? How long had it been, hours? If this is what they did in front of people, the thought of what went on behind closed doors ate a whole inside of his lungs.

That was when Niles knew he had to go. This Joshua wasn't who he said he was, he was sure of it, and he had to go to make sure that nothing happened to Daphne.

"You know what? I don't need to think about it. I'm going," Niles said as soon as Joshua and Daphne had stopped.

"Great, Niles," said Joshua. "You look like you'd be a good skier."

Martin only laughed, but Daphne ignored him and said, "I'm glad that you're coming, Dr. Crane. I don't think it'd be the same without you."

Niles smiled as a feeling like sunshine erupted inside of him. "Thank you, Daphne."