Chapter 37: Niles


Niles arrived at Frasier's the next morning, decked out in his squash gear.

He hadn't dropped by all week, and Niles was worried Daphne might think he was avoiding her. Nothing could be further from the truth, of course. Niles had been trying to adjust to his new lifestyle, which was draining him financially. As such, he had started trying to pick up more clients, to increase his cash flow a little. Unfortunately, Niles was left with too little energy after his long days, both physically and emotionally, to be able to visit.

He rang the doorbell, and Daphne answered.

"Good morning, Dr Crane." She smiled at him, and Niles thought he could detect a slight nervousness about her, as if something had changed. Niles didn't think much of it, considering their situation the last few months.

It's possibly due to my absence this week. I need to apologize for that.

"Morning, Daphne. Is Frasier ready?" She shook her head as she walked back towards the kitchen.
"He'll probably be a few more minutes."

Niles sat on the couch. Martin came out of the kitchen, sandwich in hand, and moved to his chair.

"Hey, Dad."
"Hey, Niles, good to see you. How's the new place?"

Niles shrugged.

"Much the same. Uh, I try to avoid being there as much as I can, but with my current financial situation, I can't really spend too much time away either."
"Ah, I'm sorry, son. You know, you're always welcome to come visit."
"Thanks, Dad."

Daphne had walked back out of the kitchen, with dirty dish towels and oven mitts. She popped them into the laundry basket on the table, and hovered, pretending to look busy. Niles thought he would use this opportunity to apologise. He addressed the room, but looked at Daphne as he spoke.

"Uh, I'm sorry if I haven't been around much lately. I've been trying to pick up some extra work. I need the money more than ever."

He kept an eye on Daphne, trying to gauge her reaction. Martin responded.

"Hey, that's okay, Niles. We understand. Just don't try and do too much. You don't want to burn out."

Daphne nodded, in agreement with Martin. She still seemed slightly nervous, and Niles knew he needed to make things up to her.

I know I've let her down this week. Maybe I should invite her over soon.

Frasier emerged from his room, and the two brothers left for their game shortly after.

Niles felt distracted all morning, which meant he missed more than a couple of shots that he usually wouldn't have let Frasier sneak past him. If his brother noticed a decline in his game, he didn't let on; Frasier gloated in typical fashion whenever he scored a point.

They returned to Frasier's place after the game. Martin was out when they returned, walking Eddie.

Frasier said goodbye to his brother, and headed off down the hall to get changed. Niles stood in the living room alone for a moment. He glanced about, but Daphne appeared to be out as well. Niles sighed, disappointed. He left, pressing the button for the elevator.

The elevator doors opened, and Daphne was standing there, laundry basket in hand. Niles felt his heart skip a beat at seeing her.

"Hello, Daphne."
"Hello, Dr Crane. Are you leaving?"

Niles nodded, as he stepped onto the elevator and pressed for the carpark. Daphne hovered in the hall for a second, before stepping back in with him as the doors closed.

They were fairly close together, and Niles felt sure that Daphne would be able to hear his heart, it was pounding so loud. Niles was hit with how desperately he had missed Daphne that week. He knew he missed her, of course, but didn't realise how much until they were together.

Daphne was staring at the laundry, not quite making eye contact.

I should ask her to meet somewhere private, so we can talk. Maybe she'll want to come over.

Niles was about to speak, when Daphne spoke first, her voice quiet, but steady.

"Would it be okay if I came over for dinner tonight?"

Niles stood in shock, surprised at the request. He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times before responding.

"Yes, of course. I'd love for you to come over." He paused for a second. "Oh, but I don't know what we will eat – my kitchen isn't exactly equipped for cooking much... my stove isn't working either."

Daphne looked up at Niles, and smiled.

"That's okay, you don't have to cook. I don't want you put you out too much."
"Nonsense, Daphne. I would love to cook something for you. Don't worry, I'll figure something out."

They reached the basement. Niles glanced about as the doors opened, making sure there wasn't anyone around. He turned back, and gave Daphne a kiss, lingering for a moment on her lips, before stepping out of the elevator.

"See you tonight, Niles." Daphne said, smiling at him as the doors closed.

Niles walked back to his car, that wretched hatchback, with a spring in his step.


Niles looked around his apartment. He'd done his best to straighten up and make it look as nice as possible, but there was only so much he could do. Baby was perched on her stand in the corner, preening herself. Some music played softly in the background – there was only so much he could do for the ambiance.

Niles had puzzled about what to cook. Like he mentioned to Daphne, the stove didn't work properly. He decided they would have to make do with a salad.

Unlike the previous time they arranged dinner together, Niles was more prepared. He had prepped the food already, and decided to splurge and bought dessert from one of his favourite French patisseries, although his budget lately didn't really afford him such luxuries.

He looked about the room again. Niles was suddenly quite nervous. Despite their efforts originally to try and add parameters to their... relationship? He wasn't sure if that was the right word, as much as he wanted it to be.

But any parameters they set seemed to get thrown out almost immediately due to his divorce with Maris, his financial situation... and the fact Niles had accidentally revealed his feelings. Their relationship, as friends as well as lovers, had gotten awkward and complicated almost immediately. Niles had been struggling and feeling adrift, unsure where they stood for a couple of months now. But, it finally seemed like things were moving in a positive direction, and like he had a firmer footing when it came to the two of them.

Niles found himself pacing back and forth a little, straightening the occasional object or one of the throws he was using to cover the chairs. On his third lap of the room, when he realised he was straightening the same statuette for the third time, he went and stood out on his small balcony with a drink. The night air was cool, compared to the relative humidity indoors. He sipped at his scotch, trying to clear his mind.

Impossible to do.

He stood there enjoying the breeze, eyes closed, and letting his mind wonder about why Daphne wanted to have dinner.

She misses me - She's sick of me - She wants to check up on a friend - She wants to end things - She's leaving the country - She hates me - She wants me to invest in a Ponzi scheme -

He knew speculating was pointless; that the endless possibilities would just drive him crazy. Niles wondered briefly if Daphne would want to stay the night.

Probably not. Who in their right mind would want to sleep on that bed?

He was still musing on these things when there was a knock on the door.