A/N: I got the idea for this story from a near-tragic accident that occurred on May 23rd in Washington Sate and made national headlines. No disrespect is intended.

Niles clutched the small wrapped box tightly in his hand as he waited rather impatiently for the elevator doors to open on the nineteenth floor. The elevator had barely come to a stop when he sprinted into the hallway, anxious to get to his brother's apartment. After all this was a very special day. With a somewhat unsteady hand, he rang the doorbell as his heart beat wildly beneath his chest.

"Niles, what brings you here?"

Niles rolled his eyes at his brother's lame attempt at humor. "Very funny Frasier. It's Daphne's birthday and I'm sorry to be such a party crasher but I just had to-." He stopped and looked around, confused by what he saw. "What's this?"

"What's what?"

His eyes searched the condo for any sign of a celebration but to his dismay he found none. Something was definitely amiss. The place looked completely normal with nary a balloon or streamer in sight.

"Niles, what's going on?"

"Well, I'd rather hoped I'd find myself in the midst of a rousing celebration! It is Daphne's birthday and I'd say that's a rather monumental occasion, wouldn't you?"

"I suppose it is Niles but Dad, Daphne and I did our celebrating at breakfast. I tried to call you to see if you wanted to join us, but you didn't pick up the phone."

Disappointed, Niles sighed. "I'm sorry Frasier. I don't usually go into the office so early in the morning but I had a last minute appointment with a patient. You see, he's struggling with-.

"It doesn't matter." Frasier said cutting him off. "But not to worry. Daphne made it perfectly clear that she didn't want any sort of elaborate celebration this year. I protested, I really did, but you know how persistent she can be and... Well, it is her birthday!"

"My point exactly!" Niles said. "Frasier you of all people should know how special she really-."

His mouth fell open and he could feel his heart skip several beats as he stared at the vision that had just entered the room. She was an angel; a goddess and he'd never seen her looking quite so stunning.

"Whoa, Daphne! Look at you!" Martin exclaimed.

"Why thank you Mr. Crane!" Daphne said, blushing as she turned in a circle to allow everyone in the room a chance to admire her outfit; a black and grey dress adorned almost entirely with sparkles.

"Must be some party!" Frasier added. "No wonder you didn't want a big celebration with us!"

"Actually it's not a party at all. I'm just going out with Roz." Daphne explained. "There's a new casino not too far from the Canadian border that is supposed to be a great place to meet men."

Niles couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at Daphne's comment. It was true that he wasn't exactly single, but his divorce was due to come through any day. And when it did, he vowed to tell her what had been on his mind for longer than he could remember.

"That sounds wonderful." Niles lied, keeping a firm grip on the handkerchief that was tucked neatly into his pocket. Thankfully the impending nosebleed had yet to occur and signs were good that it wouldn't. But he wasn't about to take chances as he clutched the soft cloth, his eyes taking in her appearance.

"Something wrong, Dr. Crane?"

"N-no." He said, the word coming out in a breathless whisper. "I-I... you look so..."

"You're exquisite." Frasier said, irking Niles by finishing his sentence and thus taking the credit for the compliment. And just as Niles figured, Daphne's cheeks flushed, making her even more beautiful.

"Oh... Thank you, Dr. Crane. That's quite an over-exaggeration."

"Nonsense, Daphne. You really do look stunning." Frasier explained.

"Well, thank you. I'm quite nervous about this actually and I think I might have overdressed a bit but Roz insisted on me going through her closet to see if something struck me eye. Maybe I should go and change."

"NO!" All three men shouted at once.

"Oh... Well, I'm flattered. Thank you." Daphne said, unable to stop grinning.

The doorbell rang, bringing her out of her trance. And when the doorbell rang a second time, Daphne turned and walked away. "I should get that. It's probably- Roz!"

"Happy birthday, Daphne!" Roz said, pulling Daphne into a tight hug. "Well, are you ready? Because believe me since it's your birthday, you're in for a night to remember-and hopefully a morning after as well!"

This time it was Niles who felt his cheeks burning with discomfort. The very idea of his angel going home with some man whom she just met and then spending the night with him while he had his way with her made him shudder. Why, it was completely ludicrous! Daphne simply wasn't that kind of woman!

And Roz, wearing such a revealing low-cut emerald green dress adorned with sequins made Niles even more uneasy. He could just imagine the type of men that Roz would introduce Daphne to.

However, to his dismay, Daphne's eyes lit up like diamonds at Roz's crude comment that implied nothing more than a one night stand.

"Sounds like my kind of night." Daphne replied, making Niles feel even more uncomfortable.

Discreetly he adjusted his blue and yellow tie; the one he'd worn just for her. But as usual, she didn't seem to notice other than a casual glimpse which was acknowledged with only a friendly smile.

"Daphne, I know you said you don't want an elaborate birthday celebration but would you at least allow me to have a small dinner party in your honor?" Frasier was asking.

"Dr. Crane, no!" Daphne said firmly. "I meant what I said. I don't want you making a fuss over me birthday! I said the same thing to Roz here but obviously she doesn't listen!" With that, she threw her friend a mock look of annoyance.

But Roz was unfazed and merely rolled her eyes. "Oh come off it, Daphne! You know you're dying to meet a hot and sexy man who will find you so attractive that he'll find it impossible to wait until he can rip that dress of you in a moment's not-."

Niles began to cough violently, suddenly struggling to breathe as he wheezed in and out. As he staggered across the room, Daphne rushed to his side in an instant; her comforting arm around his waist.

"Dr. Crane! What's wrong?"

When he continued to cough and wheeze, she patted his back. "Oh you poor man, come here! Sit down for a bit and relax."

"A-all right." He said sinking into the chair. He tried to calm himself but when he looked into her beautiful eyes, his heart beat even faster. "T-thank you, Daphne." He said, sighing at the soothing way she continued to rub his back.

"Well are we going to go or not?" Roz said rather impatiently. "The casino isn't going to stay open all night!"

All eyes went to Roz in disbelief.

"All casinos are open 24 hours!" Niles pointed out. "At least that's what the commercials say. But why a casino would sponsor a documentary on PBS about schizophrenia is beyond me!"

"Oh get real, Niles! You know what I mean!" Roz said, clearly annoyed with him. "The eligible men aren't going to be there all night! And if Daphne's going to have any sort of memorable birthday-."

"Okay, I've had enough of this!" Martin said rising from his chair in one fluid motion.

"You kids have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

As Martin grabbed his cane and walked to his room, Roz glanced at Daphne. "I wouldn't count on that! Come on, Daphne. Let's get out of here. Bye Martin! Frasier, Niles!"

In a last minute plea, Frasier hurried to catch up with Daphne and Roz who had barely reached the door. "Daphne please, won't you reconsider a celebration in your honor? No one deserves it more!" Niles said, almost desperate. "You've done so much for Dad. And for me!"

"No!" She replied glancing at Roz as they both burst into laughter. "Come on, Roz. Let's get out of here!"

Niles swallowed hard, rubbing the small wrapped box nervously in his hand.

"Daphne, do you have any obligation to gifts? Because I-"

"Goodbye, Dr. Crane!" She called to him, laughing as she and Roz headed for the hallway.

He flinched as the door slammed shut, like a blow to his heart.