He made it back to the parking lot in record time, feeling more apprehensive than before. He glanced across the street where the jazz club's neon sign was emblazoned for all to see. Safe in his car, he stared at the seedy establishment for a moment and then hastily made his decision.
He wasted no time in climbing out of the car and with boldness that he had no idea existed, stormed across the street until he reached the club. Panic struck him when he could find no sign of Eric's poor excuse for a car. Dear God, where had they gone? Surely he wouldn't have…
At that moment he was so terrified that the tears welling up in his eyes began to make their way down his cheeks and he forcefully brushed them away. This was no time to break down. He simply had to find her.
And that was when he spotted Eric's car. He should have returned to his own vehicle right then and there but something stopped him. Before he realized what he was doing, he approached the club's door and forcefully pulled on the door handle. Almost instantly a blast of music drifted toward him causing him to cringe as he made his way inside.
The club was dark, dingy and surprisingly crowded. And the smell of cigarette smoke was enough to make him gag. How could Eric possibly allow Daphne in a place like this? The thought caused a rush of anger to flow through him that moved faster than a raging river. And it was then that he spotted them, sitting in a darkened corner. The kisses that Eric bestowed on Niles' angel made him sick and he wasn't sure it was because of his own jealously or because it simply wasn't right. Eric didn't love her, not like Niles did, and he doubted that anyone ever could.
He was so close to them now that he could almost hear their conversation. He did his best to stay hidden from sight as he watched the couple holding hands, but it wasn't easy. And when Eric whispered something into Daphne's ear, she laughed; a melodic sound that made Niles' heart sing. Oh, how he wished he could say something that would make her laugh, just once. But even if he did, he knew that she would never think of him as anything other than a friend. He was so fixated on this fact that he jumped in surprise when he felt someone bump into him.
"Oh hey, Dr. Crane, good to see ya! I didn't know you were a jazz fan!"
"I-I'm not, actually. I just…"
"Hey Daphne! Look who's here!"
Damn… he'd missed his chance to escape! And as soon as Daphne looked up, their eyes met. The expression on her face told Niles that she was completely stunned to see him, and rightfully so.
"Dr. Crane!"
"H-hello, Daphne."
"What are you doing here?"
He swallowed hard, grateful for the dim lighting that hid his embarrassment. "Um… well, I was just…"
"You what?"
Her beautiful eyes were boring into him and he had no choice but to explain his actions. "A-actually Daphne, the reason I'm here is-."
A swell of music stopped him mid-sentence and he turned to find an eccentric- looking fellow standing on the stage. "We have a special treat for you tonight. Well, he's here every night, actually!" The man laughed as though he'd said the most hilarious thing in the world. "Give it up for the man, Eric-."
The so-called musician's last name was drowned out by the cheers and applause that were deafening in the small club as Eric held up his hand and smiled. He made his way to the stage, pausing to kiss Daphne. It was a sight that made Niles wince with jealously and his chest tighten. Almost immediately, Eric began his performance and Daphne was by far the most enthusiastic. Niles had to admit that the man had talent. In fact, he wasn't bad at all.
When the performance was over, Daphne clapped and cheered more than anyone and willingly embraced Eric as he made his way off of the stage… and into her waiting arms.
