A/N: The sex scene in this chapter is meant to be symbolic of something rather than sexy, so it's not very "erotic" lol, sorry.

SCENE 9: Frasier's Apartment.

It is slightly later in the day. Daphne is wearing a creamy-white jumper as she sits on the couch watching television in silence. Suddenly the doorbell rings. She answers it to find Niles.

Niles: Hello, Daphne. My, don't you look stunning this evening.

Daphne: Why thank you Dr. Crane.

Niles: Is dad home?

Daphne: Actually no, he went to McGinty's. I was just about to take Eddie for his walk.

Eddie runs in and sits diligently at Daphne's side. She attaches the leash to him.

Daphne: Would you join me?

Niles: Gladly.

Daphne smiles. She exits the apartment with Niles and pushes the button for the elevator.

FADE TO:

Daphne and Niles walking outside with Eddie, Niles is lost in Daphne's radiance.

Daphne: Isn't it a beautiful evening.

Niles: [Looking at Daphne:] Very.

Daphne: How's work going?

Niles: Oh you know, the usual.

Daphne: I know the feeling.

Niles: …Well actually… There is one patient I'm struggling with at the moment.

Daphne: There is?

Niles: He and his wife are thinking of separating.

Daphne: That's too bad, how long have they been together?

Niles: Over 40 years.

Daphne: 40 years? Is he sure he wants to leave her after all that time?

Niles: Well, he wants to stay, but sometimes you have to know when to accept it's over.

Eddie jerks Daphne forward slightly. Niles looks at Eddie and doesn't take his eyes off of him:

Niles: Sometimes, no matter how much you want to hold on to something, it's just not possible.

Eddie jerks the leash violently.

Daphne: Calm down Eddie!

Daphne regains her composure and Niles begins looking at her again.

Daphne: How hard has he tried to make it work?

Niles: He's trying, though I think he could put in more effort, I did suggest couples therapy.

Daphne: Well then, if their marriage can still be saved, it would be wrong to give up now.

Niles: You might just be right.

The two reach the entrance of Elliott Bay Towers. Eddie sits obediently by Daphne's side as Niles and Daphne turn to face each other.

Daphne: I suppose you'll be heading home now. But I appreciated the company.

Niles: No problem Daphne. I appreciated the advice.

The two lock eyes. Suddenly they kiss each other on the lips. The mark of Daphne's lipstick is left on Niles's own lips. They stare each other in the eyes for a few moments more before Daphne leaves. She enters the doors to the building first, with Eddie following behind her. Niles continues to stare at her as she walks away and disappears from view.

SCENE 10: Streets of Seattle.

Frasier is walking through the streets of Seattle towards Café Nervosa. There are no other people around. He eventually reaches Café Nervosa, but just as he is about to enter he hears a voice call his name, beckoning him from the side alley. Reluctantly he follows the voice.

As he rounds the corner of the alley he sees a green dumpster, and a homeless man slumped with his back against the wall surrounded by beer bottles. A pale blue light projecting from a connected alley illuminates the back wall. The homeless man calls him over.

Hobo: Come here Frasier.

Frasier reluctantly approaches the man.

Frasier: Do you know me?

The hobo laughs to himself.

Hobo: I've been following you for some time, but you keep running away.

Frasier: Who are you?

Hobo: You already know... You don't know you know. But you know.

Frasier: Sorry but I promised I would meet someone-

The hobo, still sitting, grabs Frasier by the wrist with an almighty force, and draws a knife from his pocket with his free hand.

Hobo: I won't let you run anymore.

Frasier begins to panic.

Frasier: PleaseI don't want any trouble, look, you can take anything I have, I won't put up a fight.

Hobo: I don't want your possessions.

Frasier: Then what is it you want?

Hobo: Your ignorance.

Frasier: I don't understand! Take whatever you want, just please don't hurt me, my wallet's in my back pocket. I can write you a cheque-

Hobo: Can you hear the sirens?

Frasier: No I don't hear anything-

Hobo: Listen.

A faint siren is heard.

The camera cuts to a close-up shot of Frasier's eyes, full of fear. Then back to the hobo.

Blue and red like the lights of emergency service vehicles now illuminate the alley, suddenly the commotion of a crowd can be heard.

Hobo: You won't run from me anymore.

The hobo goes to stab Frasier. But Frasier manages to dodge the knife. He kicks the hobo in the face injuring him severely, then grabs the knife and throws it out of sight. Rooting through the groaning and immobilized hobo's pockets he finds a wallet containing an ID card. The name reads: "Rodney Simpson."

Frasier flees the scene. The hobo, through pained breaths shouts after him.

Hobo: You can't hide forever. I will always find you.

SCENE 11: Frasier's Apartment.

Frasier gets back to his apartment and finds the door slightly ajar. He becomes apprehensive remembering his encounter with the hobo. He opens the door. We see from Frasier's eyes in first person now. The fire is lit. Slowly scanning across the room from left to right we see there is nobody here.

Slowly we walk towards the hall leading to Daphne's room. We cut a few times to a view of Frasier's blank face, then back to first person. Rounding the corner, we see the door to Daphne's room.

We walk to the door, and hear what sounds like a muffled voice coming from inside. We cut to a view of Frasier. He grips the door handle considering whether to open it. But instead he removes his hand and puts his head down.

Suddenly Martin appears from behind Frasier and the voices from inside Daphne's room stop.

Martin: What are you doing?

Frasier: Nothing.

Martin: Are you looking for Daphne?

Frasier: No… I mean, not right now at least. She's probably sleeping.

Martin: Well it is getting late. But I'm sure you'll see her in the morning.

Frasier: I guess you're right dad, I just lost track of the time. I really should be getting to bed.

Martin puts his hand on Frasier's shoulder and the two walk away as we…

FADE TO BLACK.

SCENE 12: The Alley.

It is broad daylight, and we watch as the camera pans very slowly around the corner of an alley into a connected alley. We see a dirty green dumpster and a homeless person lying down asleep against one of the walls surrounded by beer bottles. Police sirens can be heard in the road we approach.

We get to the edge of the alley and see a crowd has formed, they are crowding around an ambulance. There is a lot of commotion. As we approach the back of the crowd we begin to move through them until we get to the front.

We see paramedics lifting someone into the ambulance. We don't get a good look at the victim's face but they are wearing brown Italian loafers. As the ambulance doors close the scene cuts to a close up of a desk lamp.

The bulb of the lamp intensifies along with an electrical humming sound which becomes stronger and stronger.

SCENE 13: Frasier's Apartment.

Frasier bolts awake in his bed. He hugs his body tight, shivering in the intense cold. Rain water gushes in through his open windows and we hear the sound of strong wind. Frasier gets up, and, partly struggling while hugging his body to stay warm, walks to the windows. Against the resistance of the wind he eventually manages to close them.

Frasier goes to his wardrobe and opens it, searching for the brown Italian loafers he saw in the dream. He frantically roots through the rack of shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe, then says out loud:

Frasier: My brown loafers, where are they? Oh my God I probably lent them to Niles.

Frasier rushes out of his bedroom into the living room where Martin is on the phone.

Frasier: Dad, where's Niles?

Martin doesn't see or hear Frasier. He seems very concerned. We hear him talk into the phone:

Martin: What? My son's been shot?! Oh my God are you sure?! Is he still breathing?!

Frasier: Niles! It can't be!

Martin: Call everyone on my old precinct and tell them to get down there right away! I'm coming now! Don't let anything happen to him!

Frasier rushes out of the door before Martin has time to follow.

SCENE 14: Outside Café Nervosa.

A crowd is formed around an ambulance. We see Bulldog with Roz. Bulldog is holding an empty cup of coffee holding back tears. Roz is crying. We see the back of a man being placed into a police car which then drives off. Amidst the commotion Frasier arrives on the scene and addresses one of the women in the crowd:

Frasier: What's going on here?!

Woman: It's Dr. Crane, he's been shot.

Frasier: No! No, this can't be happening! Niles!

Frasier pushes through the crowd and gets to the front just as the ambulance doors are closing. It drives off. There are two police officers standing by. Officer #2 has a thick Southern accent and is chewing on a toothpick. Frasier addresses them.

Frasier: I'm Dr. Crane's brother, you have to tell me what hospital they're taking him to?!

Officer #1: You're Dr. Crane's brother?

Frasier: Look, where is the ambulance going? I need to get to that hospital!

Officer #2: Don't look like Dr. Crane's brother.

Frasier: For God's sake can you just tell me what hospital they're taking him to!

Officer #1: Northwest Hospital.

The hobo emerges from the side alley. Frasier locks eyes with him for a moment. The hobo smiles, swigs some of his beer, then retreats back into the alley. After this, Frasier rushes off from the scene.

Officer #2 flicks his toothpick away.

Officer #2: I know Dr. Crane's brother when I sees him, and that sure ain't him.

SCENE 15: Frasier's Apartment.

Frasier runs into the apartment in a manic state.

Frasier: NILES HAS BEEN SHOT! THEY'RE TAKING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL! COME QUICKLY!

Branching paths below, two different endings:

ENDING A:

Frasier sees Niles calmly emerge from the kitchen, he walks over to Frasier.

Niles: Hello Frasier.

Frasier: What on Earth is going on here?! I just saw you taken away by ambulance!

Niles: No Frasier, I'm fine. I was just helping Daphne in the kitchen. Dad told me you wanted to see her.

Frasier scowls with confusion but focuses on the entrance to the kitchen.

After a few moments Daphne walks out of the kitchen wearing nothing but white lingerie. Niles turns towards her.

Frasier's face takes on an expression of shock, mouth agape. But he does not speak. Instead he simply watches as Niles walks over to Daphne and reaches out to her. The pair immediately begin kissing, passionately.

Daphne removes Niles's suit jacket, their breathing becomes heavier, and their kisses more frantic. Niles begins kissing her neck as Daphne moans in delight, before tearing open his shirt to reveal his chest.

Frasier continues to watch intently, his eyes widen. He seems to be enjoying the scene.

Niles removes Daphne's bra and begins kissing her bare breasts to which she reacts with pleasure. Both are breathing very heavily.

We cut to Frasier's now smiling face, and then back to the two lovers.

Niles throws Daphne down onto Frasier's Chanel couch. Both are completely naked with Niles on top. Niles makes love to her with an extreme and boundless passion.

Niles begins to cry out "I want you Daphne!" repeatedly. With each exclamation their breathing becomes louder and their lovemaking more frantic and intense. Daphne then gets on top of Niles and cries out: "so take me!"

Frasier is still smiling. The fire burns more intensely than ever. Frasier turns and walks out of the apartment, closing the door behind him.

The camera then cuts to and focuses on the fire, before zooming into it.

We fade into a new scene in a hospital. A patient is being operated on although we do not see them. Instead we hear the sound of a flatline and pan to the heart rate monitor. In the background of the scene is the electrical hum of the working hospital machines. Moments later we hear and see a pulse return on the monitor.

Fixed on this scene the credits roll over the top.

ENDING B:

Martin walks calmly out of his room with Eddie. Eddie is off his leash and follows Martin obediently.

Martin: Hi Fras.

Frasier: Dad did you hear me! We need to go!

Martin: I know.

Martin sighs in sadness.

Martin then walks over to the fireplace with Eddie. Frasier and Martin look each other in the eyes for some time before both begin to cry in unison. Superimposed over a shot of the fire are other scenes: The childhood production of Hamlet, Frasier seeing Niles as a newborn in the hospital, and finally the smiling face of Hester Crane.

Eddie walks over to Frasier and sits at his feet. Frasier has a bittersweet smile as he bends down and pets Eddie.

Martin: Let's go son…

Martin puts out the fire and takes Frasier by the hand and they leave the apartment together, with Eddie following. The elevator doors are open and the two men and Eddie step inside.

The elevator doors close and the camera stays outside. As we hear the workings of the elevator the scene dissolves into a clear view of a desk lamp. We are looking directly at the bulb. It flickers at first, then becomes a constant beam. The beam intensifies slowly and an electrical hum becomes louder and louder, then cuts to silence.

The credits roll over this light which now engulfs the entire view.