Chapter 9: Niles
It was maddening.
After Daphne left that first night, Niles called his office to cancel his appointments for the day. He spent the remainder of the day sleeping, or moping around, feeling utterly dejected. It was near impossible to keep Daphne out of his mind now. She invaded his every thought, her scent still lingering within his bedroom.
Should I have confessed my feelings? Why am I always so afraid?
Niles avoided Frasier's apartment as long as possible, unsure if he would be able to face Daphne yet without letting everything spill out. But three days later, Niles couldn't avoid his brother any more. Frasier was demanding the return of a book Niles had borrowed. Weak pleas of feeling ill to avoid visiting were no longer working. He reluctantly agreed to meet Frasier at Nervosa that morning.
He had just parked at the café when Frasier called.
"Niles, sorry to change things on such short notice, but can you swing by my apartment instead to drop off the book?"
"Oh, this is so typical of you, Frasier, changing plans at the last minute. You know-"
"Niles, please. I have to take Dad to an appointment this morning. I don't have time to come by the café first."
Niles sighed. He knew he couldn't avoid everyone forever, and any further resistance might raise suspicion.
"All right, I'll be there in about 10 minutes."
They hung up. Niles pounded his fists against the steering wheel in frustration before starting the car again and driving over to Frasier's. Soon, he found himself outside the door to the apartment. Niles stood there for a few minutes, trying to compose himself, repeating the same words over in his head.
I'm just dropping off a book. I don't need to stay too long. Daphne might not even be home. It'll be just a quick in and out.
He rang the doorbell, unsure who he hoped would answer. Frasier opened the door.
"Niles, thanks for meeting me here instead."
"Oh, no trouble at all. Here's your book." Niles handed Frasier his book, who happily took it.
"'Thank you. Tell me, what did you think of Goldman's hypothesis?"
Niles gave him a quick overview of his thoughts on the book. Distracted, his eyes searched the apartment for Daphne. He thought he had managed to avoid her, when suddenly she came down the hall with Martin.
She froze, staring at him. Niles stared back.
"Uh, hi, Dad... Daphne." Her name flowed off his tongue easily, and Niles briefly pictured whisking her away to her bedroom. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms.
This is going to be so much harder than I imagined. Damn...
"Hello, Dr Crane."
Daphne's response sounded almost natural. Niles thought only he would be able to detect the hint of tension, if only because he's always so in tune with her. Daphne headed towards the kitchen, as if to hide from him. Niles didn't blame her, even though he wanted nothing more than to bask in her presence.
"Hey, Niles. What brings you here?" Martin settled himself into his chair.
"Oh, I was just dropping off Frasier's book. I can't stay, I've, uh, got a session with a client in less than an hour."
Niles shifted nervously, which Frasier misinterpreted as impatience.
"Well, don't let me keep you, Niles." Frasier checked his watch. "And Dad, don't get too comfortable. I'm taking you to that doctor's appointment in 20 minutes."
"Yeah, yeah..." Martin grumbled, clearly not looking forward to it.
Niles headed out the door. He pressed for the elevator and, once inside, let his emotions hit him. He was only at Frasier's for five minutes, but just the mere sight of Daphne has caused him to almost break apart. He honestly didn't know how he could go on. Once again, for what seemed like the thousandth time in three days, Niles lamented the what-ifs and the might-have-beens.
It was late afternoon when his doorbell rang. Niles hadn't been home for long, and was still dressed in his suit from work. He opened the door, knowing who he wanted it to be, but didn't actually expect it to be her.
"Daphne-"
Niles had barely uttered her name when she flung herself at him, locking her lips with his. Niles managed to shut the door, and he returned her kiss with as much passion as he felt. Niles didn't question what was happening, but went with it, elated. There was almost a sense of urgency about their actions, as if neither of them could hold back their eagerness any further.
They started to tear each other's clothes off, Daphne seemed to take great delight in running her hands under his suspenders and looping them off his shoulders. Niles relished unbuttoning Daphne's blouse. Not having the opportunity to undress her the other night, this added an extra layer of desire to their actions for him. Daphne pushed Niles down onto his fainting couch. He sat there, dumbstruck, as she straddled his lap; her skirt hiked up, his trousers still fastened. Niles had grown hard almost immediately, and Daphne started to grind herself against him.
He moaned her name, and they continued the dance - this tango - removing clothes until they were both naked and entangled in each other's' arms. Niles liked this position. It gave Daphne a greater level of control, and he could take in the sight of her on top of him - riding him. It also gave Niles easy access to Daphne's body. Her breasts, ass, hips, clit... Niles exploring her body in its entirety with his hands and his mouth. They both held out as long as they could, but came rather quickly, within seconds of each other.
It was absolute perfection.
Afterwards, as they dressed, Daphne reiterated that this wasn't to continue. Niles felt like he was going crazy. He didn't know if he could handle the possibility of further dalliances, especially if they came after they both agreed - well, sort of agreed - that they would not continue. He felt like whatever tentative footing he had finally found over the last few days had been ripped away completely, and he was as unbalanced and unsure as he was the first time she showed up at his door three days prior. Niles was trying to build walls, but Daphne was coming and tearing through them as if they were made of crêpe paper.
Niles asked Daphne to stay for dinner. She turned the offer down, worried about being missed at home. Niles stole one more kiss before she left, before collapsing back onto the couch, silently bemoaning everything.
The next evening, around 10:30pm, his doorbell rang again. Niles made his way to the door, and when he saw Daphne standing there again, he was less surprised, but still in disbelief that she kept returning.
"Daphne..."
"Hello, Dr Crane. I'm sorry to intrude again, but-" He stopped her, and waved her in.
"You... You're always welcome, Daphne. I'm here for you - for whatever you might need."
She turned, and looked at Niles as he shut the door. He could see the now familiar glint of lust in her eyes, and knew her reason for visiting. Niles stepped forward, and pulled Daphne close, his lips eagerly meeting hers. Afterwards, when Daphne started to apologize and claim that this would be the last time - for the third time that week - Niles decided that they needed to work out a different arrangement.
He would go completely mad otherwise.
