"Niles, you didn't answer me! Perhaps you're just speechless to see me again! Well I missed you too. Very much in fact."

"M-Mel." He managed to choke out. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

She laughed and touched his sleeve, causing him to recoil in silent disgust. To think that he'd not only had physical relations with this woman but had promised to love her until death due them part, sickened him beyond belief. But he could only stare at her in disbelief.

"It's about time you answered the door." She said again. "Why are you so dressed up?"

He said nothing but the sound of his heart thundered in his ears.

"Niles…" she continued her voice uncharacteristically unsteady. "I wanted to see you one last time."

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

"I need to talk to you about something important and since you weren't answering your cell phone I thought I'd take a chance and see if you were home." She glanced around the apartment and smiled. "I see things haven't changed much. But remember how it used to be when we lived here together? As husband and wife?"

The familiar anger formed in his chest. "Mel, what do you want?"

"What makes you think I want something, Niles?"

"Because you always-look, whatever it is you want, you're not getting it. I already gave you your fabricated wedding reception-the one that I had to break my date with Daphne for-and enough money to live comfortably for years. What more do you want?"

"Niles is that any way to speak to a woman you once loved unconditionally?"

"Mel, you have used me for the last time! You've done everything in your power to ruin my relationship with Daphne but it's not going to work. Daphne and I are deeply in love and it's just a matter of time before-."

"You're still seeing that tramp?"

"Daphne is not a tramp!" Niles yelled. "And don't you ever call her that again! In fact, just get out of my home right now!" But his attempts to shove her away proved worthless when she shoved back, almost causing him to stumble in his Italian leather shoes. And then her hands went to her hips in an authoritative pose that he hated so much.

"I'm standing in the doorway, Niles. And the hallway is the property of the building. Don't you read your building codes? You seemed to know all about it when we were living here."

"What do you want, Mel? I'm very busy and I don't have time for-."

"I'm getting married tomorrow and he's a wonderful man. He's a doctor. In fact, you might even know him. Dr. Stan-."

"I don't care who he is!" Niles spat.

"Sure you do, Niles! Admit it, you're jealous! Another man wants me!"

"Mel-."

"But I've been thinking about us and the way our relationship ended so badly. Niles, I still love you and I know there's a chance for us. I want to give it another try."

"Mel, I really-."

He didn't hesitate in his reply. "No! Absolutely not!"

"Oh come on, Niles. You really think that you would be happier with Daphne than with me? She's a maid! I'm a doctor! I make more money than she does-and probably ever will see in her lifetime."

Niles swallowed hard, trying to force himself away from Mel's pathetic seduction attempt. But he couldn't move, couldn't even breathe.

"Mel-." He choked out. "If you don't leave now, I'll call…"

"Who will you call, Niles? Your dad? The old man who used to be a cop? Or your brother? The tired boring host of that awful radio show? What's it called again?"

"It's none of your damn business what it's called! Now get out! Before I-."

"Niles, Niles… Just forget about Daphne. She's worthless! Remember us, Niles? Remember this?"

He gasped as she cradled his face in her hands and her lips crashed down on his in a crushing, demanding kiss. The touch was familiar and loathsome at the same time and he struggled to break free, but her hold on him was simply too great.

"Mel, stop this! I don't love you." He said against her lips. "I love-."

"You love me, Niles! You know you do. Just say it! Admit it!"

He swallowed hard, sickened by the thought. "If I say what you want to hear, will you leave?"

"Yes." She said after a pause that was much too long.

"Fine Mel, but if you don't leave I'll…"

The kiss intensified until his lips felt numb with pain and he found himself wondering if every kiss in their relationship had been this excruciating. Once more he tried to break free, but he could hear her whisper against his lips;

"Say it, Niles. Say you love me."

Finally he knew he had to succumb to her demands. If he didn't, there was no telling what she might do.

"I love you, Mel" He choked out.

Mel smiled with satisfaction. "I knew it! I knew you still loved me!" And she rewarded for his efforts with another painful, demanding kiss.

But then the sound of rapid footsteps and a familiar voice broke the silence that followed. "Niles I'm so sorry I'm late, I-."

He broke free of Mel's kiss in one forceful motion and turned in horror. His perfectly planned evening had just come crashing down around him.