He wasn't sure how he managed to make it to the train station alive, for he was barely functioning as it was, but he was grateful that the ticket booth was open. Wearily he walked up to the window where a less than pleasant man sat reading a magazine. What kind of man read Good Housekeeping? As long as there was a seat available on the next train to Seattle, he didn't care.

"One ticket to Everett, please." He shouted into the small circle that was cut through the window. But then man continued to read his magazine. His patience worn thinner than the holes in his socks, Niles pounded on the window. "HEY!"

That certainly got the man's attention. "What's the big idea, banging on my window?"

"Well if you'd put down that article about…" Niles peered into the window to get a glimpse of the colorful picture on the page-"…decorating on a budget you'd know that I need a ticket to Everett!"

"That'll be two-fifty."

This had to be a dream. There was no possible way- perhaps his luck was changing. He glanced up into the sky and closed his eyes. "Thank you God."

"Name's Harry" The man snapped.

Niles almost smiled. "Oh, what a coincidence! Harry is my father in law's name!"

"Yeah? What about it?" Harry barked.

"Um, nothing." Niles dug into his wallet and produced a crease-free five dollar bill which he shoved under the tiny slot. "There you are."

The bill was yanked from his hand almost immediately. "What's this?"

"The fare for the ticket."

"Are you some kind of wise guy?"

"What? No, I-."

"You really think that a ticket to Everett costs five measly bucks?"

"But you said two-fifty!"

"That's two HUNDRED and fifty, Dummy!"

Niles was appalled. "What? That's false advertising!"

"I never advertised nothing!" Harry shouted. "Now do you want the damn ticket or not? Train's gonna leave in fifteen minutes!"

"I-I…'" he couldn't believe he was hesitating. What was wrong with him? He'd pay a million dollars if it meant seeing Daphne again. "I'm sorry. Here you are." He handed over his credit card and prayed that it went through. When the receipt automatically printed out, Niles thought he might faint. He could barely read the signature that he scribbled on the paper and seconds later he heard the train whistle. "Dear God!"

"Better run like hell!" Harry shouted. "Train ain't gonna wait!"

Niles could barely walk let alone run but he clutched the roses tightly in his arms and moved as fast as possible. He no longer cared about his luggage or his missing shoes. Nothing else mattered except for the roses. By the time he got to the train, he was beyond exhausted and was sure he would faint, but fortunately there was a line of people waiting to board. Another miracle. He'd made it.

He ignored the looks of the passengers who were looking for their seats and he slumped into the first empty seat he found. It was a four hour train ride to Seattle and he planned to make the most of it. His cell phone was useless, so unfortunately he couldn't call Daphne. But there was one thing he could do. He laid his head against the plush blue seat and closed his, barely noticing the train attendant taking the ticket from his hand and returning it to him.

It was the best sleep he'd had in years... or at least since this nightmare of a journey had begun.