A/N: This story is written in the tradition of the movie "Groundhog Day", but if you've never seen the movie you should still be able to follow the story. (although I highly recommend the movie because it's absolutely hilarious).

(The 1st-First meeting)

Niles glanced at the wall clock and rubbed his eyes. Although it was not quite ten o'clock, it had been a trying morning. He was grateful to have a chance to leave the office, if only for an hour or so. Lest he admit it, this was his favorite time of day. Frasier had moved back to Seattle weeks earlier, but as far as Niles was concerned, they were still becoming reacquainted. As all brothers did, Niles and Frasier had rarely gotten along but this time he vowed that he would work on their relationship. At the very least they could become good friends. And what better way to become reacquainted then with daily meetings at Café Nervosa, Niles' favorite coffee establishment? As luck would have it, Café Nervosa was right across the street from KACL, the radio station where Frasier did his silly radio show. Of course, Niles did his best to keep his opinion of Frasier's newfound Pop Psychology to himself. But sometimes it wasn't easy. Still, he was determined, and so he kept trying.

As soon as he entered the café, he smiled at the sight of his older brother. He and Frasier rarely saw eye to eye on things, but Niles enjoyed the chance to talk to someone other than Maris. At home it was impossible to do anything else, what with Maris chiding him at every waking moment over this or that. Of course, he loved his wife with his whole heart. But sometimes...

"Niles! Over here!" Frasier called, waving from what had become their usual table and thus saving Niles from having another unsettling thought. Niles waved back and crossed the café. When it came to romantic relationships, Niles loved that Frasier completely understood where he was coming from. Both he and Frasier had encountered difficulties in their marriages, although Frasier's was more complex. Sadly it had ended in divorce. Niles' heart went out to his brother.

Niles, of course had not been fond of Lilith at all,specially after she'd embarrassed him to no end at his own wedding as she burst out laughing while he was taking his wedding vows. He made another vow on that day. He would never forgive Lilith Sternin as long as he lived. But that didn't mean that he had no feelings of sympathy for Frasier's lost marriage.

In a very small way Niles was grateful that the marriage didn't work out. Of course he'd never admit to such a horrid thought, but in all selfishness, it gave him a chance to have his brother back. Moving back to his hometown of Seattle couldn't have been easy for Frasier, what with leaving Frederick in Boston with his mother. But Frasier seemed to be handling it extremely well.

Niles knew what was coming the moment he took out his handkerchief and sat down in the wooden chair (after thoroughly wiping it off of course). He and Frasier had the same conversations day in and day out until it felt almost routine. But on that day, things seemed different, and he couldn't figure out why.

"Niles, how nice to see you." Frasier said in greeting. It was the same greeting Niles had heard nearly every day.

"Likewise Frasier." Niles replied. "So, how are things at the office?" He summoned the barista and ordered his usual half caf nonfat latte with the faintest hint of cinnamon watching with some disdain at the couple next to them who ordered plain tea with cinnamon. Never in his life could he imagine anyone enjoying such a thing. It just seemed so… well, plain, for lack of a better word.

As they sipped their drinks and exchanged their usual words of wisdom from the world of psychiatry, Niles quickly changed the subject to something more personal.

"So, how are you and Dad getting along?"

Frasier sighed. "Oh well, you know how it is, Niles… Dad is… well, Dad."

"And how is this new home healthcare specialist working out? What was her name again? It starts with a D…Um…Diane? No, that's..."

"Daphne." Frasier corrected, his voice becoming agitated. Niles immediately felt guilty for inadvertently mentioning the name of hte woman who had left Frasier at the alter. But if Frasier was angry, that anger had yet to surface. "Daphne Moon. Well, she's… interesting to say the least."

"Interesting how?"

"Oh Niles, I'll just go ahead and say it. She's a kook!"

Niles put down his paper cup in interst. "A kook, you say?"

"Yes, Niles! A kook! She's... Oh, she's completley riduclous. That bag of hers for one thing..."

"Bag?"

"Must you repeate everything I say?"

"Well, I... why did you hire her if she's so... kooky?"

Fraiser shook his head. "Well, Dad insisted and by that time it was too late! What choice did I have?"

"It's your home!"

"I know that, Niles, but you don't understanmd! This Daphne Moon... she's a kook!"

"Yes, you mentioned that. But what's so wrong with her?"

"What's so wrong with her? Everything! For one thing, she's English! Isn't that enough?"

"I-I suppose so, but I don't understand… There are lots of English people in Seattle and-"

"Oh forget it, all right? It's not important! You'll meet her sooner or later and you can see for yourself what a kook she is."

"What does Dad think about all of this?"

"Dad? Well, honestly he likes her for some insane reason. And as much as I hate to admit it, she's quite good with him. I supose that's the most important thing, isn't it?"

"And you're not home that much anyway, right?"

"Right. That's what Dad said."

"Well then, when do I get to meet this English kook?"Niles chuckled at his joke, but Frasier, of foures did not.

"How about tonight?"

Niles was momentarily taken aback. "T-tonight?"

"Sure, why not? Actually I was thinking that you and I could take Dad out to dinner. It's been a long time since we've done that. Why don't you ask Maris to come along?"

Niles couldn't believe what he was hearing, for Frasier had nothing but disdain for his wife. He almost felt like a kid on Christmas. He grabbed his brother's hand and shook it enthusiastically. "Really, Frasier? Of course I'll ask her! I'll ask her right now! Thank you so much, Frasier!"

Frasier nodded, smiling in what looked to be satisfaction. But Niles didn't care.

"Certainly Niles. After all Maris is family."

"That she is." Niles replied, taking note when Frasier seemed to ignore him. Suddenly his enthusiasm died down a little, but he kept smiling. Apparently the point was taken, if only subtly.

After bidding his brother farewell, Niles returned to work, but he found that he could barely concentrate. The day seemed to move slower than molasses and by the time his last patient walked out of his office, Niles was more than eager to go home.

The moment he walked into the mansion, he rushed upstairs and changed into his best suit and favorite tie, eager to enjoy a night out with his brother, father and his wife. Maris and his dad and Frasier rarely got along but Niles knew that tonight would be different. Tonight would be the best night of his life. He would make sure of that.