Chapter 16: Daphne


Niles had insisted Daphne leave the kitchen so he could finish up. As she walked back out to the living room, Daphne saw the wine that Niles had opened earlier, and poured herself another glass. Daphne was already expecting to stay the night – even though Niles has said that this would be without expectations of sex, she couldn't help but want him. Hell, she'd been wanting him since they first slept together.

Daphne thought back to earlier in the kitchen. She had been enjoying helping him cook, when he kissed her. The kiss itself didn't surprise her - that was nothing compared to what the two of them had been doing together already this past week. What did surprise her though was that there was so much passion behind it, but Niles didn't try and initiate anything beyond the kiss. Daphne wondered, not for the first time, if there was something more than the sex between them.

Has it only been a week since this all started? It feels like we've been together for so much longer.

She looked around the living room, and noticed papers on the ottoman in front of the fainting couch. Daphne knew instantly what they were, and curiosity got the better of her. She wandered over. Daphne figured she'd just glance at them, reasoning that it would be okay if she didn't touch them. Niles left them out, and it technically concerned her if they were going to continue... seeing each other. She didn't know the best way to describe their situation yet.

Daphne glanced at them. It seemed pretty standard legal stuff; Maris Crane, Niles Crane, dissolution of marriage, pre-nup... She started to walk away again to go sit at the table when Daphne noticed a pen and notepad on the couch. There was some paper torn out, crumpled into balls and discarded to the side. Daphne tried to read those notes without touching them, barely able to make out what was written or scribbled out.

The only one she could see properly was the one still attached to the pad. She picked it up, her no touching rule forgotten, not quite believing what she was reading. Several sentences had been started before they were scribbled out.

Maris,

I have returned these divorce papers unsigned. -I won't beg you to reconsider, but I do so as a plea that we consider counselling as a final step. If you-

-I would like to continue to-

-Please reconsider-

Daphne wasn't sure what this meant.

Was he still trying to save his marriage? Is our fling really just that? A fling? Why did I think there might be more between us?

She knew she was telling herself that there was nothing but sex in what they had, but for some reason, a part of her believed that it meant more to him. To her. Daphne heard the door for the kitchen open, as Niles came out.

"All right, here we go. I'm..."

He trailed off when he saw where she was – what she was looking at. He put the plates down on the table. Daphne didn't know if he could see what was on her face, but she could see the pain on his quite clearly.

"I-I'm sorry, Ni- Dr Crane." Daphne suddenly thought it improper to call him anything else, if he's trying to win his wife back. "I didn't mean to see- I mean, I – "

Niles raised his hand, cutting Daphne off.

"It's okay. I should have put them away if I didn't want anyone to see." He looked hurt, sad. Daphne didn't know if it was because of the situation, or her.

They stood there for a moment in silence. Daphne broke it first.

"I should go. It's not right for me to be having dinner with a married man."
"Daphne, please stay. I want you to stay." Daphne looked at him.
"I don't think I can, Dr Crane."

As soon as his name left her mouth, it looked like Niles broke into a hundred pieces. She hadn't seen him so crushed before, and it hurt her to see him like that.

"Please? As one last favour to me. I want to enjoy dinner with you, and, if you are willing, we can discuss what you read after." Niles seemed to struggle to keep his composure.

Daphne stood there, torn. She wanted to stay; to pull him into her arms, hold him until he was okay again. But another part of her was telling her to run. To not mess in a situation with a man above her in class and status; one who was married and seemingly working at reconciliation with his wife.

"I'll stay for dinner. I'll listen to what you have to say. But I can't promise anything else."

Daphne walked over to the table. Niles pulled out a chair for her, and she sat. He placed her food in front of her, brought over the wine and topped up his glass before taking the seat opposite her. Daphne looked down. The food looked good. Her heart felt like it was in her throat, remembering them cooking it together less than half an hour earlier. She tried some, and was pleasantly surprised. As promised, there was no fishy taste indicating the presence of anchovies; instead it had a warm, full-bodied flavour.

They ate in silence. Niles finished his second glass of wine quickly, and poured himself a third.

"The food is very good, Dr Crane."

Daphne was afraid of going back to calling him Niles. She felt like she had been living some weird dream the last week, caught up in what felt like an addiction of the heart. Niles seemed to flinch at the sound of his name again, but quickly tried to hide it. He looked at her and smiled weakly, the pain he was feeling still showing on his face.

"Thank you, Daphne. It's only this delicious because of your help."

They settled into silence again, until they finished eating. Daphne topped up her wine glass. Niles coughed awkwardly.

"Um, d-did you want to sit…" He gestured to the couch. Daphne nodded, and they walked over.

She sat at one end of the couch. Niles seemed to consider where to sit for a moment, before deciding on the ottoman that held the divorce papers. He gathered it all up and held it on his lap as he sat there, facing Daphne.