Chapter 8: Daphne


Daphne parked her car in its usual spot at the Elliott Bay Towers. Her head was still filled with thoughts from last night. It had been harder than she expected to call an end to their tryst, even thought it had only just been one night.

Niles had seemed crushed, which made it even harder. Daphne thought for a moment that he looked like he was going to fight her request. Instead he agreed to end it, without argument.

She reached the front door of apartment 1901. She paused briefly, getting her story straight in her head as to where she had gone the night before.

She opened the door. Frasier, Martin and Sherry were all at the table eating breakfast when she returned. They turned at the sound of the door and, when they saw her, they all stood up and came over to her. Talking all at once; apologies and concerns about her whereabouts last night greeted her.

Daphne held up her hand to silence them.

"I'm the one who should be apologising, I shouldn't have left without a word about where I was going."
"Where did you go, Daph? We were worried." Frasier looked at her with concern. "We tried calling a couple of your friends, but they hadn't seen you."

Damn. Which friends had they tried calling?

"Who did you call?"
"Annie, Holly, we even tried Roz."
"Oh. I hope they weren't too worried. I stayed with... Caroline. She let me sleep on her couch."

Martin and Sherry looked at Daphne. Martin spoke first.

"Daphne, Sherry never meant to upset you. This whole thing is just a big misunderstanding."
"No, I don't think I misunderstood. She was trying to set me up with a complete stranger."

Daphne felt her anger from the previous night return, and she just wanted to get herself to her room. Sherry seemed intent on continuing the fight, however.

"He's not a stranger, I see him at the bar all the time."
"Oh, a barfly, that's much better."
"There you go again!"
"Me!?"

Daphne felt outraged. She was about to say something else, when Frasier interjected.

"Alright, enough! Sit down." Frasier glared at them.

Daphne and Sherry sat down at opposite ends of the couch, as far from each other as possible, Martin sat in his chair. Frasier stood in front of them, clearly annoyed at the bickering.

"Now, it's clear what is going on here."
"Is it?" Daphne asked sarcastically. Frasier shot her a look.
"Just allow me to explain."

Daphne sighed, resigned, and allowed Frasier to continue.

"Daphne's primary role in this household is to take care of Dad. Sherry also enjoys taking care of Dad. I suspect that Sherry's attempts to find Daphne a boyfriend are an unconscious ploy to get her out of the way. Daphne, this makes you feel like you are no longer needed."

Daphne thought about what Frasier was saying. She had assumed last night that she was upset because she hadn't been intimate with someone for a while, and Sherry had reminded her of that sad reality. But what Frasier was saying felt true too. And the arguments hadn't ceased when she had gotten home; in fact it was like they picked up where they left off.

"Yes, I have been feeling a bit unwanted lately," she agreed hesitantly.
"Daphne stormed out of here last night, because a strong emotion like not feeling wanted can drive anyone into a rash and impulsive act."

Daphne nodded, not wishing to vocalise her 'rash and impulsive act'.

"But at the root of all this, the both of you are just feeling insecure."
"Exactly!" Martin chimed in, evidently pleased at the revelation.

They all turned to look at him. Frasier glowered at Martin.

"Though it could probably have been avoided if Dad had been sensitive enough to remind you that you are both important in his life."
"What are you saying? That it's my fault?" Martin looked outraged at the turn the conversation had taken.

Daphne decided to poke at Martin's indignation a little.

"Well I must admit, a few reassuring words might just have done the trick."
"Marty does have difficulty expressing his feelings." Sherry agreed.

Daphne nodded along with her, glad that the attention was off her about the night before.

"Oh, yes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go change my clothes, and perhaps lie down. I didn't sleep very well last night."

Sherry and Martin didn't hear her; they were bickering with each other over who was more at fault. Frasier answered, after shooting a quick glance at his father.

"Yes, I can imagine the quality of sleep on a couch is not the best." Frasier paused, still looking slightly concerned. "We're glad you're back, Daphne."

Daphne smiled at him.

"Thank you, Dr Crane. I am too."

She exited to her room. Shutting the door, the noise from the living room died out, and she found herself in silence with her thoughts.


Three days. Daphne managed to last just three days.

The first day back she napped, and found herself dreaming about the encounter with Niles from the night before. When Daphne woke, she was all hot and bothered, unable to satisfy the feeling. She had the same issue that night too. Whatever Frasier had said about the reason for her storming out yesterday may have been true, but Daphne had also been sexually frustrated as well.

Daphne thought about last night with Niles. The two of them both seemed to have the same pent up desires, having been far too long since either of them had sex. Daphne thought that one night would be enough of an outlet for her. But she hadn't counted on the experience being so damn good that she was left wanting more. It felt like an addiction.

Day two wasn't much easier. Daphne woke up grumpy. She tried to work off her frustrations in the shower, without much luck. Previously, this would have been a good outlet for her sexual needs - not many people had been able to satisfy her as well as Daphne could satisfy herself. But this time, something was missing.

It's missing Niles.

Her mind drifted to Niles, picturing him from their night together. Daphne was finally able to get herself off, but was still left wanting more. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was find Niles, tear his clothes off, and give in to her desire.

No. He's off limits. It was a one time thing. It probably shouldn't have even been that one time. I shouldn't even be thinking of him like this. It's wrong.

But then, why does it feel so good? So right? A small voice in the back of her head kept pressing this point. Daphne shut it down, but it hung about, whispering; loudest when no one else was around.

For the rest of the day Daphne worried that it was noticeable something was amiss - she was irritable and short with everyone. Luckily the heatwave was a good excuse for her mood.

The heatwave had finally broken by the third day. Niles popped over in the morning to drop something off to Frasier. He wasn't there long and didn't say anything more than greet Daphne, but it seemed like the walls she had be trying to reinforce so hard crumbled at the sight of him. Picturing the Niles under the suit, now she had experienced him. She tried to escape to the kitchen, but her heart was pounding. Daphne's mind kept tempting her, pulling memories of their night together back.

If I knew it would be this damn hard to resist, I wouldn't have slept with him in the first place.

That's a lie. If I knew it would be as good as it was, I would have slept with him sooner. Where did that thought come from? Daphne pushed it away, but the desire was still there.

By the mid-afternoon, she couldn't resist anymore. Daphne made an excuse to go out, needing to pick something up from the shops. No one questioned her, why would they? She drove through Seattle, almost in a trance. Before long she found herself ringing the doorbell at the Montana again, fidgeting impatiently. Niles opened the door with a look of surprise on his face - and she could have sworn there was a hint of hopeful desire as well.

"Daphne-" was all he managed to say before she had thrown herself at him, her lips locking with his. He barely managed to close the door before they were eagerly, hungrily kissing each other, stripping their clothes off. Not bothering with the bedroom; Daphne instead decided to mount Niles right there on his fainting couch.

When it was over, she dressed, and found herself repeating similar words to those she uttered three days earlier.

"I'm sorry, Niles, I don't know what came over me. This can't happen again." She stared at him, almost pleading, even though she knew she was the one who caved.

Niles nodded slowly, as he buttoned his shirt, lost in thought, looking slightly dazed. A small smile was on his face - clearly he enjoyed this as much as Daphne did.

"Did you want to stay for dinner?" Daphne shook her head. He seemed disappointed. "Ah. Well, what kind of host would I be if I didn't ask?"
"I'd like to, truly, but I better not. I don't want your brother and father wondering where I am."

And staying will just lead to more sex.

"I understand."

Daphne walked to the door, Niles followed her, and kissed her tenderly on the cheek as she said goodbye.

By the third time Daphne showed up unannounced, less than 48 hours later, Niles proposed a different approach to their current situation.