Author's Note:Usual disclaimer, blah, blah. Many thanks to Leigh Ann (leighann415) and Sydney (Sydney3) for their feedback/encouragement as I wrote this. :) Also thanks to Andrea (iloveromanice) for writing so many melt-worthy N/D stories which helped "inspire" certain elements in this one! Enjoy!
Frasier answered a knock at the door to find his younger brother standing there, with a pair of tickets in his hand. "Ah, just the man I wanted to see!" Niles said. "I have two tickets for the opera tomorrow night, and I just dropped by to see if you wanted to go."
Frasier looked at the tickets and shook his head. "I'd love to go, but I'm afraid I can't. Roz and I have to go a broadcasting conference tomorrow. Kenny insists that we be there."
Niles sighed, slightly disappointed. He had been looking forward to going out to the opera with his brother. It might not qualify as typical "male bonding," but it was something both Crane brothers enjoyed doing together.
Just then, Daphne walked in front door, carrying a load of laundry. Niles immediately smiled at the sight of her. "Let me help you with that," he said, reaching for the basket.
"I can manage it, Dr. Crane," Daphne replied. "I appreciate the offer, though." She smiled back at him. He was always doing things like this, offering to help her with her chores, or asking how her day was.
"Say, Daphne, are you free tomorrow night?" Niles asked. He had asked the question without even considering the consequences. He had mentally rehearsed a dozen different ways he could ask Daphne for a date. None of them ever included blurting the question out while she was folding his father's underwear!
Daphne nodded. "Why do you ask?" She wondered what Dr. Crane could want to know about her plans. It wasn't like him to invite her to anything.
"N-no reason," Niles stammered. "It's just that I have these two tickets for the opera tomorrow, and Frasier can't go. If...you're not interested, I understand. But I'd really hate to see this ticket go to waste. I've heard it's quite good," he added.
Daphne hardly knew what to say. Dr. Crane was inviting her to the opera? It wasn't exactly her idea of a good time, and she couldn't believe he would rather go with her than with someone else. He had to know women who would feel more at home at an opera house.
"Niles, may I see you in the kitchen?" Frasier asked. He wondered what his brother could possibly be thinking, asking Daphne out on a date! And to the opera, no less! He knew Niles was rather infatuated with his father's healthcare worker, but this was simply not a good idea. The poor woman was speechless. Frasier was sure Niles was making a complete fool of himself here.
Niles' heart raced as he waited for Daphne's answer. It seemed like an eternity had passed since he'd first asked the question. Reluctantly he turned his attention to Frasier. "Can't it wait?" he asked. Niles was not sure he could live another minute without hearing Daphne's answer.
"No, Niles. It can't," Frasier replied sternly. He walked into the kitchen.
Niles reluctantly followed his brother, leaving a very confused Daphne alone with her laundry.
"What are you doing?" Niles asked as soon as he was in the kitchen. "I was just about to-"
"Make a fool of yourself?" Frasier finished. "I just don't think this is a good idea."
"Well, even if I agreed with you, which I don't, what can I do now?" Niles asked. "It's not like I can un-invite her!"
Frasier sighed. His brother had a point. There was no way out now. He walked back out into the living room.
Niles followed, eager to hear Daphne's answer. For a moment, he was speechless, just watching as she folded the laundry. Even while doing a simple household chore, she was radiant.
Daphne hadn't been able to hear the conversation in the kitchen, but it didn't take a genius to figure out that they had been talking about her. "Is...everything all right?" she asked with a nervous laugh.
"Yes," Niles replied. "Frasier just had something he wanted to say to me, but we're done talking." He paused, now almost too nervous to even think straight. Finally, he blurted out, "So...would you like to go with me?"
Daphne was speechless for a moment. She briefly considered letting him down gently, but something about his shyness seemed almost endearing. "All right," she replied. "But what does one wear to the opera?" Daphne doubted she owned anything appropriate, and she wasn't sure she could afford to buy a new dress.
Niles grinned, thrilled that Daphne had accepted his invitation. "I'm sure anything you wore would be just fine."
For the rest of the day, Niles found it difficult to concentrate. He had finally managed to ask Daphne out, and she'd said yes! From the first moment he laid eyes on her, he knew that she was an angel, and the chance to spend an evening together away from his father and brother seemed like a dream come true.