Chapter 11 - Niles


Niles laid awake for a while after Daphne had fallen asleep. He felt giddy, too nervous to sleep yet. He had started thinking about the parameters of their meetings since their second encounter, and thought he would make some suggestions if fate granted him a third. Which it did.

Daphne seemed receptive to his idea which gave him some control as well; the ability to request their rendezvous. The thought that he was able to ask Daphne to come spend the night with him made Niles ridiculously excited.

That's something I never would have dreamed of being able to do. But then again, I never dreamed we would be in this position together at all...

One of the things Niles knew he wanted to ask for was the option for the occasional dinner, just the two of them. No strings attached, sex not expected. Niles did notice that this request gave Daphne pause. He had almost backtracked out of fear he had asked too much, but she agreed. It was part of his plan to hopefully move this from a casual friends with benefits situation to something more – something like a relationship.

The last week filled with their sexual encounters had only enhanced Niles' feelings for Daphne tenfold. At this moment he was practically delirious, he was so happy. Niles knew he had already carelessly let slip his deeper feelings a couple of times - and came close many times more – but for now Daphne still seemed unaware. Niles wanted to work up to telling Daphne how he felt about her. He was feeling more emboldened by the day just by the fact that she was accepting and returning affection, even if it was just physical so far.

But, don't a lot of relationships start that way? The 'I love you' part usually doesn't come up on a first date.

He settled back in his bed, enjoying the warmth of Daphne to his left. He rolled over, and pulled her into an embrace. Daphne allowed him, sleepily settling into the curve of his body. Niles was more content than he had ever been. As he started to drift off to sleep, he didn't think anything could ruin his mood.

The next morning, Daphne had gotten up and was getting dressed when Niles awoke.

"Good morning, Daphne." He loved saying her name, slipping it into as many sentences he could.

Daphne jumped slightly, and turned around. She looked stunning to him, standing there in just her bra and skirt. Her shirt was still lost in the depths of the bedroom.

"Oh, good morning. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's quite alright. I'm glad I woke up before you snuck out." Daphne looked guilty.
"Sorry, Niles. I wasn't trying to sneak out - we overslept a bit. It's nearly 8. Your father and brother will be wondering where I am."

Niles rolled over and checked the time: 7:48am.

"God, I'm sorry, Daphne. I'll try to remember to set an alarm for next time." Niles suddenly grinned stupidly at the thought that there would be a next time.

Daphne noticed his smile, and returned it. She walked back to the bed, and leaned over and kissed him.


The time was now 8.21am.

"You are a terrible distraction, Niles Crane."

Niles didn't say anything, but just laid there happily, in pure bliss, as Daphne gathered her clothes and started dressing for the second time that morning. Niles watched, enjoying the small intimacies of the day to day things. His cell-phone rang. He rolled over to get it as Daphne shot him a slightly panicked look, possibly worried it was Frasier or Martin wondering where she was. Niles waved his hand at her apologetically.

"Sorry, I have to get this. It could be about a patient."

Daphne nodded, still wary.

"Niles Crane."
"Niles, it's Maris." His heart immediately sank. The feelings surrounding his wife and crumbling marriage were complicated to say the least.
"Oh, good morning. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" He must had sounded tense as Daphne looked over at him, concerned.
"I wanted to have lunch with you today – 1pm at La Chanson." Lunch with Maris was the furthest thing from his mind, but Niles guessed he should see what she wanted.
"That sounds great. I'll see you then."

The call ended. Daphne lingered by the bed, obviously curious.

"Who was that?"

Niles briefly thought about lying, but decided against it. No doubt he'll speak to Frasier about their lunch; in turn Daphne would find out. Besides, she knew about his current situation with Maris.

"Um, it was Maris. She wants to have lunch with me today."

There was a long, awkward pause.

"To discuss your marriage?"
"I assume so."
"What are you going to do?" Daphne was looking at her hands, as if she was unable to make eye contact with him.

Niles moved to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Honestly, I don't know. I wish it was a straightforward answer, but I don't know what Maris wants."
"What do you want?" Daphne now looked at Niles.

You, he wanted to say. I want you, I want this. I want to just live here, with you, like we are now, forever. Because I love you.

But he didn't.

"I don't know. I don't think there is anything left for our marriage. I... still care for her, but I don't think I love her anymore." Niles surprised himself, vocalizing for the first time how he truly felt about Maris.

Daphne didn't seem pleased with the answer though.

"This is why I never wanted to get involved with someone who is separated. There's too many confused feelings." Niles felt guilty.
"It's not your fault, Daphne."
"I know, but I feel like I'm just going to complicate things between you and your wife."

Niles sighed.

"Things between me and Maris were messy and complicated long before you and I slept together."
"But, I'm not helping. And us continuing things isn't going to make things easier when you..." Daphne didn't seem to want to finish that sentence.

Niles stood up and walked over to her, pulling her against him. Daphne let him, and they stood there silently for several minutes, deep in thought.

"Did you want to have dinner tonight?" Niles asked. Daphne looked at him. "Just dinner. Here, with me. Nothing else."

Daphne was silent for a moment before answering.

"Yes. I would like that."