"Why don't we all go out for dinner?" suggested Niles. "There is a wonderful new Italian place that I have been dying to try out". After much discussion and a small bribe to persuade Martin to cancel poker night so he could baby sit, and a large argument over was going to drive and in whose cars they would be travelling in, eventually the group made their way to the restaurant.
"Welcome to Chez Nico, do you have a reservation?" said the maitre 'd, "Yes, Crane, a table for 10 at 8pm" replied Frasier. When everyone had settled at the table there was the inevitable discussion about which wine to order, natrually the brothers couldn't agree and there was almost a fist fight, made all the more bizarre given who the potential puglilsts were, until Gwen suggested they flip a coin to decide.
The meal was going well, both the wine and the conversation were flowing freely until, there came from across the table the quiet exclamation (if such a thing is possible) "Bloody hell, that's the skinniest woman I've ever seen!" from Owen. Without looking up Niles knew immeditley whom it must have been. Despite protestations from Niles that they should keep a low profie, which garnered much questioning from the Welsh contingent which was rebutted with a quiet "It's a long story I'll tell you later", Daphne sneaked a quick look at the table where she was sat and said to Niles in a hushed whisper "I hate to tell you this but Maris isn't alone,
"Who is she with, some impeccably dressed escort who is barley out of college?"
"No worse", seeing the look of confusion registering on Niles' face Daphne quickly continued, "No she's with...Mel". At this news Niles, understandably, became quite withdrawn.
"Well we managed avoid a visit from your two ice princessess, so I
think we can deem the evening a sucess" Frasier said, unfortunatley tempting fate beacuse, no sooner than he finished his sentence the two 'ice princessess' as he had dubbed them, rather hypocritically Daphne thought given his marriage to and subsequent encounters with Lillith, started to come towards the table. Perhaps sensing the potential furore to come Frasier suggest he bring the cars round, and that they leave Niles and Daphne to their little reunion, with the look Daphne gave him, he sensed he may live, or not as the case may be, to regret that little suggestion.
The conversation began amicably enough with both parties greeting each other and making polite small talk whilst Niles and Daphne waited for the car to be brought round. As they were leaving Mel made a comment under her breath, but intentionally loud enough for Daphne to hear, that she was surprised that Niles was still with 'that Cockney maid'. Daphne balled her hands into fists and was ready to punch Mel when Frasier fortuitously appeared at the door, and Niles guided a still seething Daphne out the car for a journey that was going to be uncomfortable, and lond, in his perception back to the Montana, where earlier in the evening he suggested that everyone reconvene for coffee.