Now as he walked into Café Nervosa, he knew he looked less than presentable. His hair was disheveled and his clothes were mismatched. Who ever heard of wearing a Burnt Sienna tie with a slate grey suit? To be honest, he hated the color of Burt Sienna, but at Mel's insistence he had purchased the tie, only to make her happy
. It seemed that lately he was always doing things to please her, while things he enjoyed fell by the wayside. But meeting Frasier at Café Nervosa wasn't one of them. He couldn't stop smiling as he sat down beside his brother and ordered his usual drink.
"Niles!" Frasier exclaimed. "Well this is certainly a surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you until later this afternoon."
"Well, one of my patients canceled on me, so… here I am!" Niles replied a bit too cheerfully.
"Niles, I wasn't born yesterday!" Frasier snapped. "I can tell when you're lying!"
Feeling warmth under his nose, Niles quickly retrieved his handkerchief from his pocket and held it to his face.
"Good lord, not the infamous nosebleed!" Frasier groaned. "Your nose is perfectly fine but your face is a complete giveaway! You have liar written all over you!" To emphasize the word liar he drew an imaginary rainbow in the air.
When Niles didn't answer, Frasier sighed. "Judging by how exhausted you look, I can only guess that you spent another tiring night with Mel. And what is your explanation for that hideous outfit?"
Niles grinned at the mention of Mel's name and self-consciously touched the atrociously colored silk tie. "It was a gift…"
Frasier's eyebrows rose. "Oh Niles… it's really getting serious between you two, isn't it?"
"I think so, Frasier." Niles said, unable to stop grinning.
"Well, I'm happy for you, Niles. Even though I'm not fond of Mel, I hope she will make you very happy."
Niles was touched by his brother's sentiment. "Thank you, Frasier. I appreciate that. And you're right. Mel does make me happy. In fact I'd be so bold as to say that we're soul mates."
Frasier smiled in amusement. "So, care to share the details of what happened after the two of you left the party? I noticed that you wasted no time at all in rushing out the door."
Niles sniffled waiting for the nosebleed that would surely follow what he was about to say. "Nothing happened, really. I took her home and that was that."
"I trust that you enjoyed the party last night? If I might be so bold, it appears to have been a smashing success."
"Absolutely!" Niles said. "In fact, I think that it was the best one you've ever thrown. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and meeting the Samuels was the most exciting experience of my life!"
"Well, I'm glad, Niles. I know how much you enjoy their craft. What did Mel think of the party?"
Niles nearly choked on his drink. He wanted so much to tell Frasier what Mel had said about his party. After all, he wanted to be honest with his older brother. But that type of honesty would only cause more friction between Frasier and the woman he had become so fond of. He was well aware that Frasier didn't like Mel at all, insisting that she was too much like Maris. But that's where his older brother was wrong. Why, the thought was preposterous!
Niles, are you listening to me?" Frasier demanded.
"What? Of course I am." Niles lied. "And as for Mel's opinion of the party, she really didn't say. She was too preoccupied in our discussion about the Samuels."
it wasn't exactly truthful, but it certainly wasn't a lie either.
"Very well. I should have known. You know Niles, it's perfectly normal to pick the first woman who reminds you of Maris. After all you were married for twelve years! That's a long time, especially in this day and age. I mean, Lilith and I didn't even make it past five years but still, we-."
Niles phone rang an odd ring tone that even he wasn't familiar with. But there was no mistaking that the call was for him.
"Niles Crane." He said into the phone.
"Dr. Crane, thank God!"
His breath caught in his throat at the unmistakable voice that was tinged with panic.
"Daphne?"
She sniffled and he could hear her crying softly.
"Daphne, what is it?"
"I'm so sorry for botherin' you like this on your personal cell phone, Dr. Crane but I didn't know who else to call! I tried calling your brother, but-."
"Frasier? He's right-."
She began to sob, causing him alarm." Dr. Crane, I need you! Please!"
