The Therapy Cliff

The Fuel Coffee Shop was several blocks away from Café Nervosa. It was located on 19th and Mercer. Frasier arrived there first. Niles didn't want to meet at Café Nervosa on the chance of bumping into Daphne there. Frasier found a table and ordered a coffee. Since Niles is very seldom late, Frasier ordered his brother a double cappuccino.

When the drinks arrived, Frasier checked his watch. The thought that he could be at the wrong location ran through his mind.

Niles entered the establishment in his double breasted suit. He looked a little off. His suit wasn't as neatly pressed as he usually presented himself, his hair needed a once over with a comb, and there were bags under his eyes.

"Niles…" Frasier was about to say, 'Good Lord, what happened to you?', but quickly caught himself. He knew very well what dark cloud loomed over his brother's head. He tried pulling through his sentence, "…it's good to see you. Have a seat. I already ordered for you."

"Thank you Frasier," Niles set his brief case down as he took a seat.

"Niles, I've notice you are carrying your brief case."

"Yes, I'll be going to work shortly after."

"I thought that Dr. Schachter advised you not to have any sessions with patients this first week."

"I know, I know." Niles took a sip of his coffee. "I'm just trying to speed this process along. I'm falling apart Frasier. I can't live a life without Da…"

"Now Niles, it's best you don't use her name," Frasier cut him off. "I know you are going through hell…what's that Niles?"

"What? What's what?"

"That bandage on your hand. It looks as though you've crushed your hand."

"Oh that. It's nothing. It's just a coping mechanism."

"Oh, how so?"

"Every time I start thinking about Daph…" He caught himself before he spoke her name. "'her' when I'm in session, I try to refocus by applying a little pain."

"A little pain, it looks like you slammed your hand in the door."

"Frasier, I can't believe you. I would never do something that dramatic." He said with one eyebrow lifted. "I would slam it in my desk drawer to be more conspicuous."

"Oh Niles."

"Hi guys." It was Roz's voice. "What are you doing here?"
Frasier looked her way. "I might ask you the same thing."

"I was out shopping and noticed your car out front. It took me by surprise seeing how you never venture off your path 'that is Frasier'." She turned to Niles. "Hey Niles. Wowe, what the hell happened to you?"

"That's none of your concern," Frasier snapped. "Off you go."

"No," Niles stopped him. "It's perfectly okay. You don't need to protect me. It's healthy to talk about it."

In hearing this, Roz pulled up a seat in order to partake in some anticipated "juicy gossip". "What's going on?"

"I've been having trouble focusing at work. I'm having trouble putting Daphne…"

Frasier cleared his throat as if to signal to Niles that he shouldn't be using her name.

"It's okay Frasier," Niles assured him. "I can't seem to stop thinking about Daphne and my practice is suffering."

"You need to get laid," Roz suggested.

Niles stopped his explaining and batted his eyes at her.

"It's not that easy," Frasier noted.

"Oh bull," Roz jumped back in. "If you're having problems, just have Daphne show up at the office during lunch time to knock out a 'nooner' or two."

Niles again just stared at Roz.

"Roz…" Frasier protested.

"No-no, Frasier," Niles butted in. "Perhaps Roz is right. We should hear her out."

"Niles!" Frasier yelled.

"Oh, alright," Niles retreated. "Thanks for your suggestions Roz." Then he whispered to her, "I really like them." He then spoke back up, "I was just telling Frasier how I was coping with things; slamming my hand in my desk drawer when my mind drifted to Daphne while in sessions."

"Niles, why didn't you just stick yourself with a pin?" Frasier asked.

"I'm sorry Frasier, didn't you see me walk in here with a limp?" He took another sip of his coffee.

"You're doing all of this to put Daphne out of your mind?"

Niles giggled. "Yes. I'm sorry, you don't know how funny that sounds to hear you say 'out of your mind', BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT I'M DOING: GOING OUT OF MY MIND."

"Easy Niles," Frasier tried to calm him. He told Roz, "He's taken advise from another psychologist and he recommended Niles not see Daphne for a month."

"A month!" Roz said in astonishment. She reached for her purse and pulled out some money. "I want in. Give me two-to-one odds on him not holding out."

"Roz!" Frasier said in an accusing tone.

Roz looked over at Niles. "I'm sorry Niles. I just got carried away."

"Thank you Roz. I've tried everything: cold showers, hobbies, road trips, medication, overworking myself, underworking myself, reading, movies, theatre, I've joined a shuffle board team, holding my breath, standing on my head, and I'm seriously considering shock therapy."

"Oh Niles," Frasier said.

"WILL YOU STOP SAYING THAT!" Niles urged.

"I'm sorry Niles. Let's play a few games of squash this afternoon after my show."

"Oh I can't. I have a session with my therapist."

"Have you told your therapist," Roz asked, "about everything you're going through?"

"Yes, I must have called him about thirty times. He keeps reassuring me that I'm still in the 'detox phase'."

"Wow," she remarked. "Your therapist makes Daphne sound like a drug."

"Niles, have you been conducting my breathing exercises?" Frasier asked.

"Yes, but then again, deep and heavy breathing makes me think of her all over again."