(Niles POV)
He stood at his brother's doorstep, his fingers over his mouth. He tried not to think about what he'd just seen in the elevator (a half-eaten lizard. It was enough to make him shudder-and it did) and concentrated on the task at hand. And with any luck, he'd have the good fortune of seeing his angel once more. He really should apologize for catching her off-guard by calling her an angel to her face, when she'd tended to his hand; the hand he'd injured while grating carrots. But then again, he was merely speaking the truth and the reward of being pulled into her arms for the most glorious embrace was more than he could have ever hoped for. He rang the doorbell and waited patiently. Sure enough the door opened and he saw his brother's face.
"Niles…"
Without being invited in (for after almost three years he assumed that it was implied), he walked right in, pausing to reach into his jacket pocket.
"Oh, Frasier, I had a breakthrough today with one of my compulsive gamblers and as a reward of sorts, he gave me two tickets to the Emerald Downs racetrack on Saturday. It's a luxury box. I thought that you might want to go."
"Oh, I would love to go, Niles." Frasier replied, but why don't you want to use them?"
Niles lowered his head. "Well, the jockeys, if you must know."
Frasier was understandably confused. "What?"
"Diminutive, underweight figures in expensive skills, wielding riding crops. It just reminded me too much of Maris."
"Niles, when are you going to get over this?" Frasier asked. "It's been weeks now since you moved out!"
"Fras-."
"It's all right, Dad. You're right Frasier, I should get over it. And I will… in time. I-."
As before he found himself in Daphne's arms, wondering only for a minute when she had entered the room. But at that moment it didn't matter, nothing mattered.
Nothing at all.
"Don't listen to your brother, Dr. Crane! You take all the time you need. And I meant what I said before. If you need to talk or anything at all, I'm here for you."
Niles inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of her hair. "Thank you, Daphne."
He expected her to move away, but she stayed as she was, holding him. And he was only too happy to remain in her arms.