The longer she sat there waiting, the more anxious she became. Her moods had run the gamut lately and she could go from deliriously happy to breaking down in sobs within minutes. Although Frasier and Martin had gotten used to her mood swings, she knew that things would only get worse and keep progressing the longer she waited.

But now she was terrified of the reaction that she would receive. After all it wasn't the sort of news that one heard every day. She hadn't seen him in well over a month, not even in passing. It was her choice, not his. She'd done an excellent job of avoiding him, but now she realized that not seeing him for so long made her heart ache. She missed him terribly, but she wished that they could have reunited under a different circumstances; any circumstance but this.

She had no idea what she was going to say or how she was going to say it. What had she been thinking, agreeing to meet him here as though it were a casual meeting? Why hadn't she come to his home or asked him to come to his brother's house? Either way he'd suspect that something was going on, but at least in familiar places he might be able to take the news a little better. But what if he didn't take it well at all? The worry about his reaction and response hit her full force. She couldn't even begin to imagine what he would do once she told him this news. Would he be angry? Would he cry and engulf her into his arms? Would he be happy?

Her mood changed again and she was filled with a sense of terror. She could barely sip her tea for the tightness that found its way to her throat. She'd spent the most wonderful, passionate and romantic night possible with the man who had long since become her best friend. And she was fully responsible for initiating it, giving him little chance to refuse her advances; which he had every right to do. Although their union had been completely and utterly wonderful; the best lovemaking she'd ever experienced in her life… she never imagined this…

She glanced out of the window, brushing back hot tears and saw him approach the door, thrusting it open. A rush of something; a feeling that she couldn't quite place, came over her. He wasn't wearing a white linen shirt and white pants as he had been the last time she saw him. Now he was wearing a blue dress shirt and a yellow tie. His jacket was slung over his shoulder; a sign that the temperature had once again increased just outside of the Café Nervosa windows, making it too warm for anything but a dress shirt. His khaki pants were impeccably pressed, as always. He was, without a doubt, the most handsome man she'd ever seen. And she'd seen all of him, and he of her… they'd formed a bond that she never thought they'd share and yet-

Her heart fluttered when she suddenly noticed that he was now inside the café. He spotted her immediately and smiled, walking toward her table.

"Hello, Daphne."

She felt incredibly shy around this man with whom she'd shared something so intimate and so sensuous. She stood at once, taking in the sight of him.

"H-hello, Niles."

It felt strange calling him by his first name, but after that night, the one that seemed like it had happened so long ago, addressing him so informally seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Her eyes moved up and down his slender body and her hand trembled. She wanted so badly to touch him. Oh, how she wanted to touch him. But she didn't dare.

He gestured to the chair opposite hers. "May I?"

"Of course. Can I get you anything?"

"No, I… I'll get something in a few minutes." As he sat down across from her, they gazed at one another. Her eyes moved to his mouth; his sweet, soft sensuous mouth and memories of that night; the kisses, the many hot, emotion-filled kisses that she wanted so much to relive; kisses that she'd dreamed about so many times since that night. More memories burned in her mind, bringing with them sensations that she felt everywhere, but especially in her stomach. Another sign perhaps. Despite the guilt she was feeling now, and had felt for some time, she would have given anything to relive that incredible moment just once more.

But she shouldn't be thinking such things. It wasn't the reason that she'd asked to meet him at Café Nervosa at all. And she couldn't back down from her promise. Not when so much was at stake.

"It's been a long time." he said after a silence that was much too long. How are you?"

"Oh... I'm..." Oh Niles, if you only knew...

"You look wonderful."

Another compliment. She should have known. "Thank you Niles. You look very nice as well. It's nice to see you. I've missed you. I-"

She barely had time to think another thought when he stood and walked over to her. They stared at each other for a moment and then kissed briefly; the way lovers who had parted ways long ago might greet one another. The touch caused her to draw in a breath, at the touch of his lips on hers, bringing with it a million fragmented memories. How was it that one brief touch of his lips on her hers was capable of making her feel this way? The kiss was sweet and suddenly she wanted more; she needed more. But it was hardly the place for such affection. And she feared that within minutes he would want no more affection from her anyway.

The thought brought tears to her eyes; tears that she barely knew were there. And when she looked down, she was surprised to find that he was holding her hand. Why did he have to be so incredibly sweet?

"Daphne, what's wrong?"

"What? Nothing." She lied. "I-."

"If this is about what happened between us that night at my home…"

"It's not."

Another lie, but one that made him gently squeeze her hand.

"Daphne…"

"I'm sorry, Niles. I really am."

"Don't be. Because I'm not."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What? I-."

He reached for her free hand and gazed into her eyes. And when he spoke, his voice was low, as though his words were meant only for her. "I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't surprised by what happened between us."

Another wave of guilt washed over her. "Niles…"

"But I'd also be lying if I told you that making love to you wasn't the most wonderful experience of my life, because it was something I'll never forget as long as I live. It was absolutely perfect. You were so gentle and loving the way you…."

He continued to talk, but his sweet voice trailed away while bestowing praise upon a subject that she was hardly her expertise. It was praise that she didn't at all deserve. And although his voice warmed her heart, the tears that filled her eyes began to make their way down her cheeks.