It was well past 10:30, almost mid-afternoon, when Niles arrived at the corner of 3rd and Pine. The scene was familiar; comforting, even as he approached the brick

building. He stood, watching as patrons passed him by; each of them laughing or wearing a smile-a sure sign that their lives were filled with

happy moments. Unfortunately, their happiness only reminded him of the emptiness that loomed inside.

Don't be ridiculous, Niles. You've been coming here every day for the past eleven years. Why should today be any different?

"Because... my life is different. Everything has changed." Niles said, unaware that he'd spoken out loud.

That's preposterous! Change is something to be embraced!

Niles sighed. "I suppose, but it certainly isn't making this any easier."

He looked around, as though expecting his subconscious to answer, but his comment was met with silence.

Slowly he reached for the door handle.

Come on, you can do it. Just go inside.

He took a deep breath and opened the door. Almost immediately the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air. How was it that he'd

forgotten how heavenly it was?

He looked around the café, feeling a mixture of pleasure and apprehension and the fact that he saw no familiar faces was both comforting and disturbing.

Go on...

"Welcome to Café Nervosa!" a barista said in a much too cheerful voice.

"Table for one?" She asked, gesturing to a small table near the doorway.

Niles winced as though he'd been wounded by her words.

"I'll just... sit right over here if you don't mind." He said, sliding into the booth by the front window.

"Dr. Crane! What a nice surprise!"

The recognizable voice caught him off guard and he turned around to find Meredith smiling at him. But the mere sight of the kind waitress brought

back memories that he quickly pushed away. She'd been working at Café Nervosa for as long as he could remember. And she was always there for

his 10:30 coffee meetings with Frasier.

The thought made his chest tighten...

"Hello, Meredith. How nice to see you." He said, hoping she didn't hear the sadness in his voice.

"Where's your friend?"

The question made him smile.

"Well, he accepted a job offer in San Francisco."

"Wow! That's great!" Meredith said. "But I sure am going to miss him around here! I listened to his show all the time. He has no idea how much he's helped me over

the years."

"So you called in often?" Niles asked.

"Oh, God no." Meredith said. "But I thought about it plenty of times. Just never got up the nerve."

At Niles' confused look, she blushed. "Oh, well... I listened to his show so often that eventually someone would call in with the same problem that I

had. So... I just applied Frasier's advice to my own life."

"Ah... Well, I'm sure that my brother will be happy to know that he was able to help you." Niles said.

"I just wish I would have told him. I had no idea he was leaving." Meredith said.

"I can tell him for you. In fact, I'll tell him as soon as he-."

Niles stopped suddenly as a harsh realization began to set in.

"Something wrong, Dr. Crane?"

He felt light-headed and grabbed onto a nearby chair for support.

"You look pale. Let me get you a drink." Meredith said. "Did you want your usual?"

"That would be wonderful. Thank you." Niles said. He touched his forehead in hopes that the dizziness would cease. He could feel his body

temperature begin to rise.

Dear God... what was happening to him?

Then even faster than his body warmed, a cold chill swept through him and he began to shiver.

"Here you are, Dr. Crane." Meredith said, smiling as she handed him two drinks. "A latte just the way you like it; with the faintest hint of cinnamon,

and some ice water. Are you sure you're going to be all right?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. Thank you. I think I'm coming down with something." Niles said; not sure if what he'd said was the truth or a lie.

"Well, if you need anything just let me know." Meredith said.

"You're very kind. Frasier thought very highly of you, Meredith." Niles said.

To his amazement, her cheeks turned a bright red. "Wow... that's... the nicest thing anyone could have said to me."

Wordlessly she turned and went back to work, leaving Niles alone at the table. Meredith was a wonderful asset to Café Nervosa. He made a mental

note to contact the manager about giving her a raise. It was the least he could do for the kindness she'd shown him and Frasier for the past eleven

years.

Without warning, he suddenly found himself consumed by thoughts of his older brother...