A/N: This is a song fic based on the song Lips of an Angel by Hinder. Because I tried to incorporate the song lyrics into the dialogue/storyline, it may be a very strange/overly-sappy story, so keep that in mind as you read and I hope you enjoy it!


It was unusually late when Niles arrived home from work and he hoped that Mel was as tired as he. All he wanted to do was to crawl into bed with her and fall into a deep sleep while holding her in his arms.

They'd been married for only a few months but since their whirlwind marriage they'd barely had a chance to see one another. So Niles vowed to not only treat his new wife as a queen, but to relish every moment they were able to spend with each other.

He climbed the stairs and walked into the hallway, feeling a bit apprehensive when he saw the bedroom light on. Mel sat against the pillows engrossed in book.

"Hello, Darling." He said as he entered the bedroom and loosened his tie. She glared at him, but he chose to ignore it and dutifully went to kiss her.

"I would have been home earlier but I was on the verge of a breakthrough with a patient and-."

"A patient, Niles? So you're saying that your work is more important to you than I am?"

The question shook him. "N-no. Of course not, but-."

"You're three hours late, Niles. You could have called me!"

"I know. But I had no idea it was going to take so long and-."

"Niles, Niles, Niles... how many times are we going to have to go through this?"

"Go through what?"

"I am your wife and as your wife I expect you to come home on time! Or at least call! How hard is it to ditch your patient for five minutes and make a simple phone call?"

Niles bowed his head deeply ashamed. He wanted so much to please his wife and now he'd upset her.

He'd been through so much recently; a traumatic divorce... and just weeks before... Quickly he willed the painful memory away. He was married now and he had to focus on his wife, not on the past.

"You're right, Mel. I should have called. And I'm sorry. But this patient is special and I couldn't risk another relapse. I hope you can forgive me."

She sighed deeply and removed her reading glasses. "All right, fine. I forgive you. But only because it's late and I really don't feel like getting into some huge fight over it. Why don't you come to bed?"

Niles smiled mischievously and kissed her deeply. Amazingly the gesture made her smile and pull him closer.

"Mmmm... What was that for?"

"To show you how much I love you." Niles replied. "And perhaps..." He said between kisses. "...After I jump into the shower... and change into my pajamas..."

But to his dismay, she drew back abruptly.

"Niles, stop! I really need to finish this, all right?"

Defeated, he sighed. He considered saying something, but thought better of it and went to take his shower.

Feeling refreshed, he emerged moments later, hoping his wife would have a change of heart. But he'd no sooner returned to the bed, that his heart sank at the sight of her sleeping.

So much for wedded bliss.

A new wave of exhaustion hit him then, and he climbed into the bed and turned out the light, falling asleep just seconds after his head hit the pillow.