A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! This chapter took me more time than I expected, but I think that the result pays off. I don't think I'll be writing for every day of their experiment, but for now, here are days one and two. Enjoy, and comments are always welcome.

DAY ONE

As Frasier said his famous catchphrase "I'm listening", he was able to glue a little piece of paper so she could see it through the glass while still doing her job.
It was a cute handwritten note, with the words "Forty to go, are you ready?" in the same delicate, flourishing calligraphy. She smiled, amused by his
enthusiasm.

He spent the day with a smirk on his face, like a little boy after making a prank. He'd take her out for their very first date, and Roz was afraid she'd end up in
a opera or a fancy french bistro or some other Frasier-like place that she would feel terrible at. She was happily surprised by his choice: a simple bar, with
nothing pompous.

"Just two friends having a drink and getting to know more about each other tonight", he said, as they seated.

Spending time together was easy and fun, and never felt like an obligation nor a duty. They talked and laughed between glasses of wine, enjoying each
other's company as usual. She told him stories about Alice's achievements while he told her about how empty the apartment would feel without Daphne, once
she moved out for her life with Donny. Time passed quickly, and before they knew, the barman told them they were closing.

"You know Fras... I feel good about this, for now." Roz said, as he opened the door of the cab for her. "This night was... very good."

"Absolutely delightful, I'd say", Frasier added, smiling.

She rolled her eyes at the fancy word, but cracked a smile after. "Yeah, whatever."

DAY TWO

Niles was grinning awkwardly as he opened the door to receive his newest clients. He couldn't believe his brother had the guts to do such an idiotic
experiment. He greeted Frasier and Roz, who took their seats right in front of him.

"Well, well, well." He finally said, smiling. "The two birds arrived."

"Look, Niles, first rule of this thing is," said Roz, using her hands "no jokes. Not about my sex life, not about the way i handle romantic things, okay?"

"Okay, Roz, calm down. It's therapy, I'm not allowed to say anything that's been heard in those four walls. Doctor-patient confidentiality."

She crossed her legs, annoyed. She had been keeping this a secret from the Crane brothers for the last seven years, but truth was, she was terrified of being
analyzed. The very thought of a professional pointing out your flaws was, in her mind, frightening. Frasier gently put his hands on her knee, as a way to calm
her down, which always used to work.

"Are you guys one hundred percent sure you're doing this, right?" Niles sat in his chair, looking deeply into his brother eyes. After all that time, pursuing
something with his co-worker wasn't logic, and definitely not something Frasier would do.

"Yes, sure, why not", Roz said, as her boss laughed.

"Okay, so we're going to start by answering some questions. First of all... why are you doing this project? Why don't you two just.. you know, date each other
for real? What's the real goal?"

Both gasped at the sudden load of questions. Niles watched, amused, as his brother and his assistant tried to come up with answers. Frasier finally spoke.

"Well, we are doing this to... to try to heal each other, right Roz?"

She followed his lead. "Yeah, we realized how messed up we are in terms of relationship. We're getting tired of meaningless flings- Niles, don't you dare!" She
added, as Niles' face twisted at the statement, trying hard not to make jokes about it. "Frasier and I are in opposite sides."

"By doing this, we think we can help each other to be normal dating human beings that are not so... dysfunctional around others. So we can finally find
someone, settle down... the whole thing."

Niles took notes, shaking his head while the duo talked some more. He finally raised a finger. "Are you two even attracted to each other?"

The psychiatrist studied his patient's expressions for a moment. Frasier was blushing in a almost-girly way, avoiding to look at his experimental-date. Roz
looked at the ceiling, calculating her words, while her hands twitched on her lap, in a nervous way. After some awkward glances, she finally broke the silence.

"Frasier is very charming."

He looked at her, surprised. "You really think so?"

"Yeah, I've said a thousand times that I think you're a great catch, Fras."

His face was lit with excitment. "To be honest, I thought you were only doing your friend duty. I always thought you'd never... well, anyway." He looked at
Niles. "Yes, the attraction is mutual."

"Why is this an experiment, then? Do you want do date each other?"

Niles was shooting these questions straight at their faces, and he could see how unprepared they were. He thought he would get honest answers in that way,
which seemed to be working. He was surprised at most of it, really. The patients looked at each other.

"We are coworkers. We all know office romances never work out, and are extremely complicated. And most of all, we are friends. Good friends." Frasier
smiled at her. "We're established in this way, and I would never risk our friendship."

Roz nodded, agreeing. "Yeah, me neither. Also, I think we have so many different views on life itself. It would never work for real. It never seemed.. organic,
with us."

Niles was now quite taken with the courage of his bother in doing something so... strangely awkward. And somehow, it was appealing. He wondered again if
this was just a sick trick made up by Frasier so he could fulfill his desire for Roz. His thoughts immediately drifted to Daphne, and to how sshe would handle this
situation had he proposed the same deal to her. Would've she said yes? Would've worked?

He looked at the portrait of Mel, on the right side of his table. Her pale smile and cold, beautiful eyes stared right into his soul. Judging him. Niles was suddenly filled with shame for his awful thoughts. Turning his attention back to the semi-couple standing next to him, he decided to throw some other questions.

"Are you ready to be hurt?"

Roz swallowed hard. Truth being told, that never occurred to her. All of this time, she wasn't actually taking seriously the whole deal thing, because it didn't felt
real. The questionnaire stupid Niles was doing made her really nervous, feeling the pressure for the first time. She didn't like that at all. Biting her lip, she
looked at Frasier, trying to look for an answer in his eyes. He noticed how unsure she was.

"It won't happen." He said, firmly, looking at her. There was a real honesty in his words, and most of all, in his eyes, which calmed her down, making her
smile a little. "I'll try my best not to, at least. I think we are safe from all the actual drama."

Niles looked at his watch. "Okay, we only have time for one more question. What do you think will happen at the end of the fortieth day?

This time, neither dared to answer. Roz really hadn't though about it, which made her really anxious. What were they getting into? The silence went awkward
as both Frasier and Roz tried to figure that one out, but nothing came out of their mouths.

"You know what, it's okay. Too soon to say anything." Niles tried to light up the very terrified faces standing in front of him. "I know these questions are harsh
and direct, but it's because otherwise you two wouldn't get to the honest answers we got today. I guess I see you next week? As patients, of course. I'll see
you later at the opera, Frasier." He added, opening the door with a wink.

As they were leaving the office, Frasier noticed how quiet Roz was. With small talk, he tried to make her talk about the session on the elevator.

"This was very... eye-opening, I'd say."

"I guess. I just feel... pressured. Do you?" She looked at him with her big, brown eyes.

"It's weird, in a way. I gotta say, Niles ability was impressive. For a Jungian, I expected a lot less." He smiled at her. "Hey, you're free to leave whenever you want."

"Yeah, and let my obvious problems continue to get in the way of my life? No way. It's just... weird, I guess."

"Hopefully it will all be worth it. Hey, 2 down, 38 to go!" He said as he was leaving, waving at her.

It sure felt like a whole lot to go through.