A/N: This is a completely fictional rewriting of one of my all time favorite episodes, so some of the details may not be true to the show. However, this is a dreamy version, so I hope any "inaccuracies" won't be very noticeable!
As I changed out of my wet clothes, I shivered from the sudden cold. But I couldn't help but wonder if my chills were from my being soaked as a result of the horrific storm brewing outside my window...Or from thinking about my now-estranged wife.
Sadly, I feared that it was the latter.
Ever since the appalling "pirate incident", Maris has been impossible to live with.
I'm ashamed to say that I was somewhat relieved when she announced that she was fleeing to her favorite spa in Arizona.
Still, I couldn't help but think that this was my entire fault.
But actually that would be wrong; I blame Frasier for this fiasco. He's the one who suggested the role-playing nonsense!
I was just trying to spice things up a bit, but instead I've reduced our marriage to ruins.
Thank God for Dad, though. I know I thought his idea to do something romantic for Maris was ludicrous at first.
She would never accept my attempts at cooking dinner. But that's where Daphne came in.
She graciously offered to come over and make dinner and in return I promised to have her home in time for her date with Eric.
Eric, Eric, Eric! Just the sound of that man's name made me cringe! Imagine, the nerve of him hitting on my Daphne!
Well, she wasn't really mine, per say.
Still, I can't help but think that she deserves someone so much better than that... community college barista!
I glanced at the clock and shivered once more. Daphne was due here any minute. One look in the mirror told me that my attire would never do.
Quickly I reached into my closet and pulled my burgundy smoking jacket over my clean white shirt and dark slacks. Hopefully Maris would find my choice of clothing suitable for a romantic dinner.
In my mind it was perfect.
I only hoped this evening would be just as perfect. Maris would come home to a wonderful, romantic dinner and afterwards would be so happy that she'd shower me with kisses and lead me to the bedroom where she'd show me her gratitude by...
Well, let's just say that I'm grateful for the romantic touches I insisted that we add to our bedroom when we got married.
The thought of a passionate union with my wife caused me to shiver. The more I imagined it, the more I was certain that a reconciliation was bound to happen. I loved Maris and I was bound and determined to make our marriage work.
After all, I married her for better or for worse, right?
Outside the thunder crashed, causing me to jump in alarm. Seattle hadn't seen a storm like this in years! Oh why, tonight of all nights, did I have to subject Daphne to such horrible weather?
Thank goodness she had the use of Dad's car, although I use the word car lightly. It was more like a heap of scrap metal with wheels... and it was an American made car at that! Imagine!
Still, it served it's purpose, I suppose.
I was just coming downstairs when I saw a flash of headlights from the large picture window, and immediately my heart began to beat faster.
For it meant that my angel... my goddess would soon grace my doorstep with her divine presence.