A/N: Thanks to Kristen (Kristen3) for allowing (and encouraging) me to continue your wonderful story "Doctor's Orders" and to Mary (Jan2StaMuse) for your encouragement as well! I hope this sequel has been worth the wait!

"Damn you, Maris!"

The words left Niles' mouth with a vengeance. He wasn't a man who cursed often, or so easily, but he knew that his anger was justified.

In yet another blow to his self-esteem, Maris had managed to drive their marriage deeper into the ground by announcing that her month-long tour of Europe had been extended to three.

In other words, she'd met some rich and handsome man who catered to her every whim and she couldn't bear leave him in order to fly home to her husband.

It was a familiar scenario, but there was no denying that it hurt. He'd tried so hard to be a good husband and this was the thanks he received?

So much for the vows they'd taken to love and cherish one another.

With an exasperated sigh, he stared at the expansive driveway, wishing it would vanish in to thin air. That way he wouldn't be reminded...

Slowly the anger inside of him began to grow until he could take it no more.

The glass of sherry left his hand, crashing to the ground, leaving a trail of bright red liquid that would surely leave permanent stains on the pristine concrete. The staff was certain to be furious and no doubt that Maris would be livid.

But Niles could have cared less.

For it was here, not twenty-four hours ago, that the woman he'd loved for so long had fallen and injured her precious wrist.

If he closed his eyes, he could still picture his angel standing on his doorstep. She was soaking wet; the mud spattered on her clothes.

It was quite typical, given the massive storm that had occurred. Even now the aftermath was evident. The fallen tree branches scattered across the driveway and the trash cans lying on their sides; the contents scattered by the wind.

But once more the image of his angel filled his mind; her frightened tear-streaked face broke his heart even now.

When he'd asked Daphne why she was crying, she'd explained that she'd slipped and fallen in his driveway (news that increased his anger toward his wife-the woman who repeatedly said that she loved him but, in fact, did not) and upon reaching out to break her fall, had managed to injure her wrist in the process.

With a sigh he returned to his home feeling more unworthy than ever. Not only did Maris find him a poor excuse for a husband, but Daphne surely must be harboring some anger for him as well.

She said she was grateful for his going to such great lengths to get the medial attention that she needed, but even so, the injury was his fault.

Had he refrained from venting his frustrations about not having the house in order by the time Maris returned home, Daphne would never have offered to help him.

And none of this would have happened.

But, as it was, it did happen.

And as he sat in his favorite chair sipping a glass of wine, he wanted so desperately to help his angel. Merely getting her medical attention didn't seem like enough. She needed additional care and support.

Suddenly he realized that Maris wasn't worth the time and effort. But Daphne was. And he'd do everything possible to make sure she was taken care of.