In her room, the stifling temperature had cooled considerably. But Daphne wasn't thinking about the heat. She was thinking about Niles and all that had happened the night before. If it hadn't been for Sherry's harsh words and cruel comments, she would have been perfectly happy staying at home, hiding in the confines of her room. At least there she wouldn't be judged on what she read, wore or did. The painful memory brought threatening tears but she willed them away. She didn't want to cry, not tonight, not anymore. There was no need to cry. Sherry was gone and most likely wouldn't be back.

The guilt weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she repeatedly reminded herself that whatever had happened between Sherry and Martin wasn't her fault. Besides, she was still a bit hurt that Martin had chosen to take Sherry's side instead of hers. But there was nothing she could do about it now.

She sighed, staring up at the ceiling until she came to a decision. There was absolutely no sense in laying there, unable to sleep any longer.

Knowing that Martin and Frasier were most likely asleep (it was rather late, after all), she threw back the covers and rose from her bed. Despite the fact that the weather had cooled somewhat, it was still much too hot for her favorite nightgown; the thick cotton one that was adorned with black stars. Instead she wore another favorite; one made of much thinner, more breathable cotton; this one adorned with tiny white hearts. It was sleeveless and barely covered her hips. She only wore in on certain occasions; those rare nights when Frasier and Martin were gone and there was no chance of them seeing her in such a revealing nightgown. Heaven only knew what they would think or what comments they would blurt out where they to see her. But tonight she decided to take her chances. It was so late (or rather, early in the morning) that she doubted that anyone would see her. Even if they did catch a glimpse of her, she was certainly under no obligation to explain. She was, after all an adult, although Sherry had failed to notice that fact. Cursing under her breath, she forced that awful woman from her mind. And then as quietly as possible, she walked into the hallway.

The living room was dark, but the lights from the city skyline provided a dim pathway to the balcony door. Taking great care not to make a sound, she opened the door and stepped outside, and left the door ajar. A light breeze moved across her body, causing her to close her eyes and tilt her head back. In this position she could almost imagine that the wind was the touch of fingers moving gently and the sensation it brought could be felt everywhere; one place in particular. Oh, how she wished that she didn't have to fantasize...

After a few moments, she opened her eyes and sighed once more. Although it would be quite peaceful to spend the warm summer night on the balcony under the stars, it was, of course, impossible. Frasier and Martin were sure to spot her sooner or later and there was no way she could come up with a believable explanation, if Frasier demanded to know why she was on the balcony so late at night when she should be in her room, asleep. Really, it was none of his business, but somehow he always managed to make it his business just the same.

Yes, she should definitely go inside, but a few more moments enjoying the peaceful drone of the traffic below and the warm summer air wouldn't hurt her. She stared at the city, which seemed to have grown more beautiful since the night before. How was that possible? And then she thought of something else; of someone else. The same someone she'd been thinking about for hours. She just couldn't get him out of her mind.

Niles…

In his white shirt and pants he'd looked so handsome. Of course, he'd always been handsome, she just hadn't seen it; not the way she had seen it last night. He'd always been so sweet to her, even during the times when he'd driven her crazy with his pretentiousness. And he never failed to compliment her on her appearance. He was always there for her, even when she didn't need or want him to be. It was certainly a lot more than she could say for a lot of people.

And then she had a thought. It was a thought that startled her back into reality and a cold chill swept over her body, causing her to shiver. Perhaps Sherry had been right all along. Maybe she did need a man. It was no secret that Daphne had been with men before; lots of men, more men than Sherry could only attest to. But none of those men meant anything to Daphne. Not really.

The truth was that there was only one man who made her feel like she was worthy, like she was beautiful and that she could do anything at all; the man who had somehow become her best friend.

She wondered what he was doing right now. Sleeping, she imagined. She hoped that his lavish apartment had cooled enough to allow him to sleep. The poor man, he worked so hard and he needed his rest. And suddenly an image came to mind; the image of him in his bed, only a sheet over his body; his nightclothes loose, if, in fact he wore any clothing at all. Her heart actually fluttered and then she gasped lightly. Her face burned with flushed embarrassment, even though the only witness to her thoughts was the ball of light in the sky; the one that shared her name.

The moon.

Perhaps it was a sign….

How could she think such things? But the image refused to leave her mind, and instead became more and more vivid until it devoured her entire being. The feeling of warmth, then the familiar quivering in that coveted place, sending waves through her. It was a feeling that she'd experienced before, but one that she hadn't had in a very long time. Her heart rate quickened and she took a deep breath as though to will the feeling away. But it remained, more determined than ever to overcome her.

No…

The whispered word did little to quell the feeling and surfaced long before her mind knew what she was fighting, if only subconsciously. But she knew one thing. She couldn't do it; she couldn't just appear at his doorstep again as though she was on an everyday visit. It was the middle of the night! What excuse could she possibly have?

It wasn't hot (not nearly as hot as it had been, anyway), she hadn't had a row with Sherry (since Sherry was no longer in the picture) and she wasn't having a rift with Frasier. Martin, she suspected, was still angry with her, but she was sure that he'd forgive her, in time.

The feeling became stronger and stronger ; the need for her boss' younger brother so great that she had to fight to make it go away. But it continued to grow and she swallowed hard, willing it to leave. And still it persisted, staying like an unwanted intruder, pushing back harder and harder as she tried to shove it away.

And after a while she gave up. There was only one thing that she could do to quiet the feeling that raged inside of her. She had to go to him.

She needed him, badly.