Café Nervosa

"Are you Niles Crane?"

Niles looked up from his coffee to find a messenger holding a stark white envelope.

"I am." He replied.

"Here."

Before Niles could respond, the messenger was gone, and he studied the envelope thoroughly.

"Who's sending me this? And at Café Nervosa of all places?"

He could feel Frasier watching him intently as he carefully opened the flap and removed the contents.

"Well?"

Niles rolled his eyes at his brother's impatience, but he refrained from making a sarcastic comment. Instead his gaze went to the bold header at the top of the first page.

"Petition for Divorce." He read.

His entire body went cold and he daringly glanced at Frasier who wore a look of unease.

"Oh Niles... I-I don't know what to say."

Niles swallowed hard, fighting the tears that rose in his throat. How would it look for a man of his stature to be crying in a well-respected Seattle café? Instead he forced himself to remain calm.

But inside he was a complete mess.

"It's all right. It would have been nice if we'd given therapy a try, but... so be it."

Suddenly he felt his brother's hand on his forearm.

"Niles, I know this is of little consolation but you are to be applauded for the way you're handling this. A lesser man would panic."

"Frasier, I'm perfectly fine. If anything I was expecting this. In fact, I'm surprised that Maris didn't do this sooner."

Frasier smiled sadly. "Well then... I'm happy for you, Niles. Really I-."

"Oh GOD, who am I kidding?" Niles yelled, startling Frasier and the patrons of Café Nervosa with his flare-up. He rose from his chair and began to stagger around the table. "I-I can't be divorced! I-I just can't!"

He was mere seconds from hyperventilating when Frasier shook him vehemently, forcing him back into his chair.

"Niles, get a hold of yourself!"

A barista approached, watching them with concern.

"Dr Crane, are you all right? Can I get you anything?"

"No, thank you Taylor." Frasier replied. "We've already been served."

Niles looked at Frasier in horror and began to cry.

Realizing what he had said, Frasier's face turned white. "Oh Niles..."

"Dr Crane, how could you?"

At the outburst, they turned to find Daphne and Martin watching them in disbelief.

"What's going on here?" Martin yelled.

"Dr Crane how could you?" Daphne yelled.

Frasier and Niles exchanged confused glances and Niles looked down at the floor in shame; for he'd humiliated himself in front of Daphne once more.

"Not you, Dr. Crane. Dr. Crane!" Daphne explained.

"How could I what, Daphne?" Frasier asked.

"How could you be so cruel to your brother?" Daphne yelled. "Do you have any idea what he's going through?"

Niles looked at his angel; touched beyond words at her concern. And wait... were those tears in her eyes?

"Now Daphne-."
Angrily she yanked her arm away from Martin's grip. "Stay out of it old man! Or there will be double exercises for you tonight!"

Like a criminal, Martin held up his hands in surrender and walked away.

"Daphne of course I know what Niles is going through. Or have you forgotten Lillith and Nanette?"

"Of course I remember!" Daphne snapped. "But you didn't love them as much as your brother loves his wife!"

Frasier's mouth dropped in horror. "What? How dare you say that-."

"Come on Fras. I'll buy you a beer at Duke's."

"But Dad-."

"Just come on!" Martin said. "Bye Niles, Bye Daphne!"

Against Frasier's protests, Martin dragged his eldest son out of the café, leaving Niles and Daphne alone.

Noticing how quiet the café had become without Frasier's presence, Daphne breathed a sigh of relief.

Niles meanwhile, seemed oblivious that his brother had been there at all. Instead he stared at the papers in his hand; his eyes filling with tears that he had no idea where there.

The sight caused Daphne's heart to ache and she reached for his hand; squeezing gently.

"Oh Niles..."