Neither Niles nor Daphne had the will to do anything the rest of the night. Niles stayed in the apartment, drinking wine heavily. Daphne did something similar, only she wasn't drinking as much. Eddie stayed by her side all night.

Niles finally dropped the bottle of wine when he collapsed against his sofa. The bottle smashed against the wood floor.

"Life sucks," he muttered over and over again. The words Frasier told him kept replaying in his head. "Daphne is in tears right now!" And "She's crying over the fact that you did something to her you feared she was going to do to you! Rejection hurts, Niles." Niles groaned as he sat up. He picked up the remnants of the bottle and placed it on the table.

"Perhaps I should talk to her," he said to himself. He tried to haul himself to his feet, only to fall back against the couch. "Ugh… hangover. Maybe tomorrow."

Niles was feeling better (more or less) the next day, unless you counted the unnatural speed at which his heart was beating hard against his chest. He gulped loudly when he knocked on Frasier's door.

"Niles, what are you doing here?" Frasier asked.

"Why are you here?"

"I've already done my show. Come in." Niles glanced out the window, realizing how much the sun had dropped; he had no idea it was so late.
Niles stepped into Frasier's apartment. "Where's…?"

"She's in her room."

"Thank you."

Niles nodded curtly at his brother and walked slowly to Daphne's room.

What was he going to say to her? After what he said to her at the party, he wouldn't be surprised if she didn't give him the time of day.

"Daphne?" He asked softly, opening her door.

Daphne was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, Eddie lying on her stomach. Her eyes flickered over to Niles, and she exclaimed, "Dr. Crane!" She sat up so fast, Eddie slipped to the floor. "Sorry, Eddie."

He barked and sped out of the room. Niles closed the door after him.

"What are you doing here?" Daphne asked.

"I have come for forgiveness," Niles said. "I was a fool for saying what I said. However, you can't blame me for not believing in your feelings. You told me yourself; you fall in love too fast. How'd I know it wasn't just some crush or spur of the moment sort of thing?"

"How'd I know your love wasn't just some crush?"

"Ouch. Daphne, you have to realize." He sat next to her on the bed. "I have been harboring these feelings for seven years. Every time I see you, passions stir in me that I have never felt before, not even when I was with Maris."

"I do love you."

"What made you fall in love with me?" He was very curious.

"I just realized it at the party. When you asked me to dance. I realized you were always there for me, and the party was no exception. When I was sad about Nicolas, you pulled me to my feet. When Eric broke up with me, you were so kind. It was so romantic." She smiled.

"Oh, Daphne." He brought his hands to her face, wiping the tears that were dripping out of her eyes.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane."

"Please, call me Niles."

"Thank you, Niles," Daphne said, feeling a weird sensation on her tongue as she said his first name.

Niles let out a shaky breath as his hand moved behind her head. He moved his head closer to hers until he caught her lips. He parted his lips and deepened their kiss. Daphne lay upon the bed, and Niles hovered over her, savoring every single moment. His free hand unbuttoned the top button on her nightshirt. He wanted her. No, he needed her. Then, the door opened. Frasier, Martin, and Eddie entered the room.

Niles immediately jumped off the bed, blushing a beet red. He crossed his arms, a comical pout on his face.

"Aw, how cute!" Frasier said, clapping.

"I always knew it would end like this," Martin commented.

Eddie barked happily and jumped on the bed with Daphne.

"Oh!" She giggled as he began to lick her face.

"I'm sorry, do you want privacy?" Frasier asked, laughing at Niles's red face.

"Why don't we all go out for dinner?" Niles asked loudly.

"Dinner sounds nice," Daphne replied.

"Alright, we don't have any reservations, but I'm sure we can get in somewhere." Frasier smiled cunningly. "They don't call me Dr. Frasier Crane for nothing, you know."

They all left the room, except for Daphne, who had to change.

She emerged wearing the same magenta dress she had worn to the party. Niles was, once again, mesmerized by her beauty. They locked arms and smiled at each other.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you, too."

Eddie sat on Martin's recliner and watched as the four of them walked out of the apartment.

Niles couldn't help but feel like the happiest man of the world at this moment as Daphne pressed her head against his arm. Frasier winked at him; he knew it would all work out.

Notes: Sorry, it's so short! Originally, this was going to be the end of the story, but I am extending it.