The Fourth Time:

When Frasier's third anniversary on KACL came around, he was, no doubt, thinking of that day. Niles knew he was, even though as he looked back on it, nothing really eventful happened. To him, at least. He was proud of how far his brother had come, despite his feelings for pop psychiatry.

As Niles drove home from work that day, he recalled the moment he and Frasier met at Café Nervosa. That time it was purely by accident because all Niles wanted was to have his alone time. He was glad now that Frasier had interrupted. Having coffee with his brother was one of the highlights of his day.

That day, they had talked about Martin, and Niles had to lie and say that getting shot in the hip changed their father. It seemed to be the only way to get him to visit, and lord knew they needed to patch up their relationship, which was damaged way before Frasier moved to Boston.

Niles recalled talking about Maris, and he spoke of her so fondly. It was often a mask to hide his feelings of unhappiness with her. He exclaimed he would never even look at another woman, and at that moment, he turned away. When he turned back, there was the scent of cherry bark and almonds in the air, and it was intoxicating.

Back then, he thought nothing of it. Now, he realized that the scent came from Daphne who had arrived at the table at the moment he was turned. He smiled at the irony of it. Even before he met her, she was there. His earlier claims that he would never look another woman were refuted, and they were even more refuted when he not only looked at another, but he fell in love with another.

Remembering that moment made Niles come to a decision. He could tell Daphne how he felt about her. That moment was fate; he was destined to be with her, and she had to know it.

He was on his way to the elevators to the 19th floor of the Elliott Bay Towers when they opened and Daphne stepped out.

"Daphne!"

"Oh, hello, Dr. Crane."

"What are you doing?"

"Going for a walk," she answered. "It helps clear my mind. I can't decide where to go for vacation."

"Can I join you?" he asked.

"Sure. I thought you were visiting your brother?"

"Well, I came to see you." He smiled, and the two of them left outside. The air was cold and refreshing. "Difficult decision?" he asked.

"Yes. Acapulco or Manchester! It's so hard!"

Niles chuckled. "It'll come to you."

"Let's hope so."

"You know… I was thinking about my life three years ago from today. Frasier's probably doing it too since it's been three years since his radio show."

"Right! He had talked about that."

"What were you doing three years ago?"

Daphne bit her lip to think. "I was trying to find work here. I remember I was in the café, looking over newspapers." She suddenly laughed loudly. "Oh, I asked someone for sugar! It was your brother! Oh, my gosh!"

Niles laughed with her. "Funny how things work out, huh?"

She nodded. "Oh, wow. You were there, too. Who would've thought we'd be here?"

Yes, who would've thought he would have fallen for this charming woman? "Daphne, that day got me thinking that I need to do something drastic."

"What's that?"

"I need to tell you…" His voice failed him. Not now! It had been three years; it was time to tell her he loved her! "I…" His face was hot, and he had to fan himself with his hand. "I need to tell you that I want to give you a hug to celebrate our three year anniversary of knowing either even without knowing!" He laughed nervously.

"Oh!" She put her arms around him. "Happy anniversary, Dr. Crane!"

"Happy anniversary, Daphne." Damn it.