A/N: Thanks once again to Kristen for giving me the idea for this story!
"Isn't this great?"
Niles rolled his eyes at his father's unbridled enthusiasm. How one could be so excited about grown men chasing a basketball across a court was beyond him. If it weren't for the fact that it was his father's birthday gift, he wouldn't even be here right now.
The idea of being somewhere else (anywhere else) was sadly of little consolation. Niles loved his father and knew how much he was looking foreword to coming to a game.
And so, in gratitude Frasier and Niles had purchased season tickets. Needless to say, their father was ecstatic about being here, whereas Niles was not.
If all basketball games were as dreadful as this one, it was sure to be a long, cold season. However, there was one bright spot to this ordeal. His angel had graciously joined them. But unfortunately she was sitting next to Frasier, out of Niles' grasp.
Niles had tried to no avail to persuade Frasier to change seats with him but it was no use. His elder brother flatly refused, saying that it would disrupt Dad's concentration.
But Niles knew better.
Frasier was adamant about his little brother having any possible chance of getting close to the woman he loved. It simply wasn't fair.
So what if Niles was still married? Not all marriages were happy. His certainly wasn't. And speaking of marriages, was it truly considered a marriage if the couple had separated?
He didn't intend on asking Daphne on a date, although his heart beat faster just thinking about it. He merely wanted to get to know her better.
He loved her and there was no refuting that fact. He'd do anything for her, even if she only saw him as a friend.
"All right!" Martin yelled, startling Niles out of his thoughts. He was mere seconds from excusing himself when he heard Daphne's voice. And when he rose from his seat his eyes widened in horror.
"You're cute. What's your name?" A surly looking fellow was asking her.
"I'm sorry, but I don't talk to strangers." Daphne replied sweetly.
The man grinned, causing Niles to cringe at his grungy appearance.
"Well Sweetheart, if you'd tell me your name, we wouldn't be strangers anymore, now would we?"
Daphne sighed deeply.
"No... I suppose not. All right. My name's Daphne. What's yours?"
"The name's Rupert."
Always cheerful, Daphne smiled "Pleased to meet you Rupert. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get back to the game now."
Niles watched as Rupert extended his rough and calloused hand and then looked at his own, perfectly manicured hands. How could anyone let their skin get so disgustingly dry?
Daphne smiled and ignored Rupert, who was gulping down what had to be his third or fourth beer. Clearly the man was anything but sober.
"Whadda ya say we go somewhere and talk?"
"Um, no thank you. I think I'll sit right here and watch the game." Daphne replied.
But then Rupert grabbed her arm. "Come on doll; don't play with me like this!"
"Hey! Let go of me!" Daphne yelled, pulling her arm away.
Niles rose from his seat, prepared to inflict harm on Rupert for hurting his Daphne. But as expected, Frasier intervened, easing Niles back into his seat.
"Frasier are you crazy? Look what that man is doing to our Daphne!" Niles yelled.
"You're just going to sit there and let it happen?"
"Niles, Daphne can take care of herself." Frasier said. "She doesn't need-."
"BLOODY HELL! Now look what you've done!" Daphne yelled.
Niles could only stare in shock at the sight of his angel, her clothes drenched in Rupert's beer which he had purposely thrown on her.
"Aw, come on, it was just an accident!" Rupert said.
"Some accident! I'm soaked!" Daphne yelled. "And me new outfit is ruined! I should have known better than to speak to the likes of you!"
"Daphne calm down! It's just beer!" Martin said. "It'll wash out!"
"Bloody hell..."
"Daphne-."
But Niles' plea went unnoticed as he watched Daphne maker her way down the steep concrete stairs.
Anger boiled inside of him and he successfully fought off his brother determined to face the bully. But the grip on his arm from Martin's hand stopped him.
"Niles, don't do this! You'll only be sorry!"
Angrily Niles yanked his arm way from Martin's grip. "I have to, Dad! For Daphne's sake!"
When he was free of his father's grip and found himself face to face with Rupert, he swallowed hard. The man was much larger than he had anticipated.
"Hey! You're blocking my view!" Rupert yelled.
Niles stood in front of him, his hands on his hips. "Yeah? Well, that's just too damn bad!" He yelled back in a wobbly voice.
"Get out of my way, jackass!" Rupert yelled.
"Not until you go down there and apologize to that beautiful woman for spilling your disgusting beer on her!"
"She deserves it!" Rupert yelled. "She's a -!"
Niles' eyes grew even wider and a red hot flame burned inside of him. "How dare you call Daphne such a horrible name? Apologize! Right now!"
"Niles, knock it off!" Martin yelled. "You're interrupting the game!"
But Niles ignored his father and brother's protests and continued to glare at Rupert.
The flame inside of him grew hotter and hotter and with one move of his fist, Rupert stumbled amid gasps from the crowd. He rose unsteadily to his feet and glared at Niles.
The anger Niles saw in Rupert's eyes made his knees buckle from underneath him and he grabbed his father for support. But not before Rupert's fist moved toward Niles' face.
In a moment that seemingly unfolded in slow motion, the left side of his face was met with excruciating pain. He could feel his father and brother holding onto him and his father yelling for security.
"Niles, are you all right?" Martin asked.
Niles looked at his father through blurry eyes and his face was throbbing.
"Yes, I-I'm fine." He slurred.
"I think we should go." Frasier said. "I'm sorry about this Dad."
"Oh, it's all right." Martin replied. "There's always the next game and... whoa! Did you see that? Henderson stole the ball!"
Niles sighed as Martin sank into his chair, caught up in the excitement of the game.
"Dad, you really want to stay, don't you?"
"Niles, you stay with him and I'll go."
"No Frasier. I'll go." Niles said. "I'm the one who caused this mess. I'll just get a taxi home."
Frasier looked at Martin who was having the time of his life cheering on the Sonics.
"Dad, we can't just leave Niles here by himself. He's injured!"
"He's a big boy; he can take care of himself!" Martin snapped.
"It's all right." Niles said. "See you later, Frasier. Dad. Enjoy the game!"
As Niles turned to walk down the frighteningly steep concrete stairs, he gasped. And to his relief he felt Frasier's hand gently holding his arm.
"At least let me help you."
Niles smiled gratefully at his brother as they made their way to the foyer.
"Thanks, Frasier."
"Are you going to be all right?"
"I'll be fine." Niles said, feeling a bit dizzy. "I'll just... get a cab and go home."
Frasier sighed. "All right, but be careful, okay? Look, the men's room is right over there. Go wash your face and then go to the concession stand and see if they can give you some ice for that eye. Dear God, Niles. I love you, but I don't know what you were thinking-."
"I was thinking of Daphne." Niles said adamantly.
"Fine, Niles. I"ll see you later. I'd better get back to Dad."
Niles extended his hand and smiled. "Thanks, Frasier."