Chapter 11 Chocolate, Cherries, and a Smile

A/N: I like to keep the names of the chapters vague. I don't know about you but I hate spoilers. Anyway, here's another chapter. Enjoy! Oh, and review please.

Why must this stupid train chose today of all days to be running late?
The train arrived only five minutes but Niles was feelong particularly nervous that afternoon. The day had gotten off to a good start as far as the weather was concerned; it was March but it felt more like a warm June afternoon.

Niles, who was always prepared, decided to play it safe by wearing a light sweater. He had no idea where the night might take them after all. But as he saw the day before, spontaneity made life more exciting.

Especially when one had a beauty like Daphne by this side.

Niles jumped off the train as soon as the doors opened. It was already five after five and so Niles, not wanting to risk losing even one minute with Daphne, ran as fast as his legs allowed him to. He made plenty of apologies to the pedestrians he bumped into along the way.

When he finally arrived at the tea room, Niles nearly collapsed from exhaustion. But he held on to that ounce of strength left in him when he spotted Daphne coming up the street.

She looked positively stunning in her black pants, white tank top, blue cardigan and flats. Nothing like the way she was dressed the day before when they met but just as breathtaking.

A warm smile appeared on his face as Daphne approached him but when she greeted him with a sad smile and a lukewarm hug, he grew concerned.

"Is something wrong, Daphne? You seem worried...or sad."

"I'm fine." She forced a smile and gave Niles a brief kiss on the lips. It didn't necessarily put him at ease.

"So how was work?" He offered his arm and the two started walking.

"Fine, I guess."

"Where do you work anyway? I guess I should've asked that first."

Daphne laughed lightly. "At a record store selling to stoners and little trouble makers." Niles' eyes widened in alarm. "I'm kidding. Our clientele is pretty random. From old ladies looking for old Frank Sinatra albums to people like me who love punk rock." She paused. "I like working there because it's only for a few hours on weekends and I get to listen to the music I love."

"That explains how you know so much about music." She looked at him confused. "You knew the name of every song they played at the club last night."

"Oh, right." Niles turned, finding Daphne's expression growing somber. Something was bothering her but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable by asking repeatedly if she was okay.

Still, he cared about her too much and it worried him to see her like this.

"Daphne, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes." She looked him in the eyes. "I'm fine. Just a bit tired."

"How did you sleep?"

"I didn't but I don't care. I had a great time last time." She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and surprised Niles with another more affectionate kiss.

There's the Daphne I know.

People stared and commented on their very public display of affection but they didn't notice.

After a few breathless seconds, they parted and kept walking until they passed by a candy store.

"Ooh candy!" She sounded very childlike...and happy. "Can we go inside, Niles?"

"As you wish." He pulled the door open and led her inside.
The place was like every child's fantasy of what a candy store should be: wall to wall displays of every type of candy in existence. Even Niles who didn't have much of a sweet tooth couldn't help but be impressed by the excellent job the owners had done at organizing their candy by size, shape, color. He was also more a bit tempted by the pyramid of caramel-filled chocolates located towards the back of the store.

By the look on Daphne's face as she waved him over, she was in heaven. "Niles, come here!" She was standing by a display case near the cash register with a look of pure joy in her eyes. "It's chocolate covered cherries! My favorite. I haven't had these since I was a little girl."

Niles called for the cashier, much to Daphne's surprise. "May I have a box of those chocolate covered cherries?"

She put a hand on his cheek. "Aww Niles." He was just glad to finally see that beautiful smile again. The cashier quickly filled a box with Daphne's favorite candy and handed it to her in a small red paper bag.

"Here we are. Have a good one you two," the cashier said.

"Thank you," they said and exited the store.

She kissed him again as an unspoken "thank you".

"Anything for you Daphne." As she wrapped him in a warm embrace, Niles noticed a tiny bistro across the street. "Do you want to get something to eat so you can have your candy for dessert?"

"Come to think of it, I am kind of hungry," she responded with a raised eyebrow.

Once across the street, Niles suddenly stopped, faced Daphne, held her hand and looked her in the eyes.
"Daphne, I have something very important to ask you." She nodded, trying not to laugh at his mock seriousness. "Would you...would you like to dine on the patio or inside the restaurant?"

She burst out laughing. "You're silly." She thought for a moment. "Um, I think inside is better. It's more intimate and I want you all to myself."