The perfect picture
by Konnie
Disclaimer: see part one.
PART 2
Fourth item: The lighter.
Niles waited in the airport's main hall, flipping his gold lighter in his fingers. He was surprised of how nervous he was. It was his family that he was greeting, the same people he used to see daily just a year ago. But his anxiety was a good one, he couldn't wait to see them again. He took the pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and looked at the time. He certainly didn't want Fraiser to see him smoking, fearing a long-condescending speech. But he still had time, so he lit one and took a deep breath. He then tried to remember how this vice, that he once had though as disgusting, had reached him. 'Well, certainly there's a lot of it going on around here', he thought. It had become his only pleasure, something that was only his, and wasn't clouded with memories from home. And not all the warnings of lung cancer in the world could made him change his mind. At the lack of an ashtray, he threw the cigarette under his feet, and squeezed it fiercely. He took a mint, to suppress the incriminating smell of his breath, and stepped close to the gate. Soon enough, his father, his brother, and an obviously moody Roz with Alice in her arms, walked towards him. Fraiser opened his arms and pulled him in to a hug, before he had time to protest.
"Niles! Oh, God, It's so good to see you, little brother."
"Why, yes, it's good to see you too." He said releasing him self from his brother's grasp, with a wide smile on his face. "Hi there, Dad."
"Hi, son. We've missed you. You look, well..." he stared at him strangely.
"Niles, are those jeans?" ask Fraiser, a little surprised.
"Yes. Fraiser, I've told you, I've been introduce in to the wonderful world of "Saving money". No more Armani suits. Unless it's a special occasion. I can't afford the cleaners, otherwise."
"You look bankrupt." Added Roz, with a smirk.
"Yes, thank you, Roz. You don't look that bad yourself. Judging for your mood, you didn't get your privileges as a member of the Mile High Club today. Did you?" she just let out a smile, and hugged him.
"I've missed you, you little weasel."
They collected their respective luggage, and climbed into Niles's car.
"Well, this is not a Mercedes, but it's not a hatchback either." Said Fraiser, who was sitting in the back, next to Roz.
"Yes, I'm not poor. I'm doing quite well for myself. You should come to see my apartment later. By the way, where are you staying?"
"The George V. We didn't want to spend too much money. That way we can stay a while longer."
"You know, Fraiser, I came here ,just passing, on my honeymoon with Maris, and stayed here for a while as a student. Living here is a totally different story. I actually like it."
"Well, son, it looks like this place did you good. You look changed."
"Yes, weenie, you almost look normal."
"Oh, don't be deceived by appearances Roz. I'm not changed, I've just adapted. I guess you could say I've got a bit stronger, but I'm not sure that has to do with Paris." He looked down for a moment, thinking about the obvious absence in the car.
As soon as he left them at their hotel door, and they had made proper arrangements for dinner, he drove away, searching for his lighter and pack of smokes.
***
"Dear Daphne:
You can't begin to imagine how beautiful it is out here. I know you had your reasons not to come with us, but I'm not sure it was worth it. Besides, you could use a vacation. I still can't get over seeing the Eiffel tower. It seems kinda dull in pictures, but in real life is just beautiful. The French guys are a bit rude, but there are a few that are really cute.
Fraiser is having a great time as well. He's quite smitten with a girl two rooms away from mine. And Martin has discovered a new passion for European football. That's soccer for us. Oh, well, I guess you already knew that. We've been out almost every night. Martin usually baby-sits.
I guess you want to know how HE is. Well, he's really changed. He doesn't even wipe his chair anymore, and I'm pretty sure he smokes, even if he hides it. And just in case you're wondering, No, he doesn't have a girlfriend.
I'm sure that you would have a great time if you came. You can still change your mind, you know? I don't think he'll mind.
Think about it.
Kisses.
Roz"
Fifth item: The quilt.
Daphne was sitting on Martin's chair, franticly passing each channel as the hope of anything decent to watch on that lonely Saturday night was subsiding. She dropped the quilt around her body, and opted for a book instead. Nothing on the book shell of her room seemed appealing. She gave up any attempt of entertainment, and sat back on the chair, enveloping her self in to the quilt again. She then remember why she had the urge to occupy her mind, since her thoughts drove right back to the one thing she didn't want to think about. "He smokes?! My Niles wouldn't smoke." She said, to no one. "But he's not my Niles anymore, is he? And who's fault is that? I wonder..." Maybe she should write to him, see if there was a chance to rebuild their friendship, at least. She shook her head. "I've caused him enough distress. I should let him forget he ever knew me." But he was still single, wasn't he? Maybe he still loved her. Maybe she could fix things.
"Oh! Why can't I be in a date? It's a Saturday night for Pete's Sake! Instead I'm here, thinking about my ex fiancé, who I haven't seen in a year, and talking to myself!!" She started pacing down the living room, trying to sort her thoughts. Acting on impulse, she threw the quilt across the room, and found a pen and a sheet of paper.
***
"Dearest Niles:
The last thing I want is to hurt you even further, so, if you toss this letter to the fire before even reading it, I wont blame you.
I'm sorry about the way things ended between us. Even if I wanted them to end, I never thought that I would loose your friendship in the process. And I knew how much it would hurt you, but I didn't expected you to move half way across the world. I've heard you're doing great, I'm glad. I wish I could see you, just to talk. It kills me to think how mad you must be at me. If it makes you feel better, my life sucks. I miss my best friend.
By no means I want to get back into your life, now that you're found a new one. I don't want to get in the middle of that. I just think we might need some closure, and perhaps we can save whatever shreds of friendship there are left.
It's all up to you. If you hate me, and don't ever want to see me again, it's ok.
Love
Daphne."
Sixth item: The tie.
Frasier searched his bags for a silk tie he was sure he had brought. He was finally going out with Giselle, the girl he had met at the Hotel's restaurant the night they'd got there. "Oh, my...I'm sure I packed it!!!" he yelled. Items of clothe being toss around the room. Twenty minutes of worthless search made him quit, and he decided to call Niles for help. He got there ten minutes later, and stood by the door to admire the disarray with a grin.
"Oh, Niles, thank God you were home. Thank you so much. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."
"No, Frasier, really. I was just going over some exams I have to assay, you actually saved me from burning them, and with that set fire to my apartment. Here you go." Frasier reached for the bag, and took a closer look of his brother's hand. He then grabbed it.
"Niles, your fingers are yellow. Is there something that you want to tell me?"
"No."
"Look, the other day, when you showed up stinking of tobacco, and you said that someone had been smoking next to you, I dropped it. Then when your gold lighter fell out of your pocket, I dropped it. There's no way I'm letting this one go!"
"Oh, alright, Frasier. You win! I smoke, Ok?"
"Since when have you decided to slowly kill your self?"
"Since I got here. And I would appreciate if you kept your mouth shut about it. I'm old enough, I don't need your permission."
"Fine! But when you start treating your emphysema, don't say I didn't warned you!"
"Fine!...So. Big date, huh?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I will have a lovely evening with a French goddess named Giselle. How about you?"
"Oh, I have a date with the tests of an entire course of psychology 1. But I don't think that would be lovely."
"You can do that later. You should go out. It's Saturday night!"
"No, really. Besides there's a movie I've been wanting to see. You know, here French films aren't foreign."
"Very funny, Niles. Ok. Suit your self. I have to get ready. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ok. Bye."
"Oh, wait. Niles?"
"Yes?"
"Have you...you know, wrote to Daphne?"
"No, I haven't. I don't want to. She made it clear she doesn't love me, and I'm not taking any leftovers of her attention. And it's not like she ever tried to contact me either."
"You're pretty mad at her, aren't you?"
"Today, yes. Tomorrow I will probably don't even remember her, and the day after I will be struggling the impulse to call her and beg her to take me back. That's how the cycle goes."
"Well, as long as you say you have moved on..." he said sarcastically.
"I have. That's why I don't want to know anything about her. I have to go Fraiser. Good luck on your date."
"Yes. Good bye Niles."
***
"Dear Dr. Crane:
I appreciate the numerous invitations to go over there, but I don't think that would be wise. Besides, you'll be back in a week. There's no point on me doing that.
Are you having as great a time as you claim on your letters? How is Mr. Crane? As grumpy as always, I imagine.
I'm taking good care of your house, and Eddie. It's nice to have the apartment all for myself. Though it gets a bit lonely. I miss you all a great deal. I'm attaching a letter for your brother. If you think it would be ok, I would like you to give it to him. I'm leaving it up to you. Perhaps he said that he hates me. If that's the case, then don't bother. It's your call.
Send my best wishes to Roz, Mr. Crane, and little Alice. And give a hug from me to Niles, but don't tell him it is from me.
Love
Daphne."
tbc
by Konnie
Disclaimer: see part one.
PART 2
Fourth item: The lighter.
Niles waited in the airport's main hall, flipping his gold lighter in his fingers. He was surprised of how nervous he was. It was his family that he was greeting, the same people he used to see daily just a year ago. But his anxiety was a good one, he couldn't wait to see them again. He took the pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and looked at the time. He certainly didn't want Fraiser to see him smoking, fearing a long-condescending speech. But he still had time, so he lit one and took a deep breath. He then tried to remember how this vice, that he once had though as disgusting, had reached him. 'Well, certainly there's a lot of it going on around here', he thought. It had become his only pleasure, something that was only his, and wasn't clouded with memories from home. And not all the warnings of lung cancer in the world could made him change his mind. At the lack of an ashtray, he threw the cigarette under his feet, and squeezed it fiercely. He took a mint, to suppress the incriminating smell of his breath, and stepped close to the gate. Soon enough, his father, his brother, and an obviously moody Roz with Alice in her arms, walked towards him. Fraiser opened his arms and pulled him in to a hug, before he had time to protest.
"Niles! Oh, God, It's so good to see you, little brother."
"Why, yes, it's good to see you too." He said releasing him self from his brother's grasp, with a wide smile on his face. "Hi there, Dad."
"Hi, son. We've missed you. You look, well..." he stared at him strangely.
"Niles, are those jeans?" ask Fraiser, a little surprised.
"Yes. Fraiser, I've told you, I've been introduce in to the wonderful world of "Saving money". No more Armani suits. Unless it's a special occasion. I can't afford the cleaners, otherwise."
"You look bankrupt." Added Roz, with a smirk.
"Yes, thank you, Roz. You don't look that bad yourself. Judging for your mood, you didn't get your privileges as a member of the Mile High Club today. Did you?" she just let out a smile, and hugged him.
"I've missed you, you little weasel."
They collected their respective luggage, and climbed into Niles's car.
"Well, this is not a Mercedes, but it's not a hatchback either." Said Fraiser, who was sitting in the back, next to Roz.
"Yes, I'm not poor. I'm doing quite well for myself. You should come to see my apartment later. By the way, where are you staying?"
"The George V. We didn't want to spend too much money. That way we can stay a while longer."
"You know, Fraiser, I came here ,just passing, on my honeymoon with Maris, and stayed here for a while as a student. Living here is a totally different story. I actually like it."
"Well, son, it looks like this place did you good. You look changed."
"Yes, weenie, you almost look normal."
"Oh, don't be deceived by appearances Roz. I'm not changed, I've just adapted. I guess you could say I've got a bit stronger, but I'm not sure that has to do with Paris." He looked down for a moment, thinking about the obvious absence in the car.
As soon as he left them at their hotel door, and they had made proper arrangements for dinner, he drove away, searching for his lighter and pack of smokes.
***
"Dear Daphne:
You can't begin to imagine how beautiful it is out here. I know you had your reasons not to come with us, but I'm not sure it was worth it. Besides, you could use a vacation. I still can't get over seeing the Eiffel tower. It seems kinda dull in pictures, but in real life is just beautiful. The French guys are a bit rude, but there are a few that are really cute.
Fraiser is having a great time as well. He's quite smitten with a girl two rooms away from mine. And Martin has discovered a new passion for European football. That's soccer for us. Oh, well, I guess you already knew that. We've been out almost every night. Martin usually baby-sits.
I guess you want to know how HE is. Well, he's really changed. He doesn't even wipe his chair anymore, and I'm pretty sure he smokes, even if he hides it. And just in case you're wondering, No, he doesn't have a girlfriend.
I'm sure that you would have a great time if you came. You can still change your mind, you know? I don't think he'll mind.
Think about it.
Kisses.
Roz"
Fifth item: The quilt.
Daphne was sitting on Martin's chair, franticly passing each channel as the hope of anything decent to watch on that lonely Saturday night was subsiding. She dropped the quilt around her body, and opted for a book instead. Nothing on the book shell of her room seemed appealing. She gave up any attempt of entertainment, and sat back on the chair, enveloping her self in to the quilt again. She then remember why she had the urge to occupy her mind, since her thoughts drove right back to the one thing she didn't want to think about. "He smokes?! My Niles wouldn't smoke." She said, to no one. "But he's not my Niles anymore, is he? And who's fault is that? I wonder..." Maybe she should write to him, see if there was a chance to rebuild their friendship, at least. She shook her head. "I've caused him enough distress. I should let him forget he ever knew me." But he was still single, wasn't he? Maybe he still loved her. Maybe she could fix things.
"Oh! Why can't I be in a date? It's a Saturday night for Pete's Sake! Instead I'm here, thinking about my ex fiancé, who I haven't seen in a year, and talking to myself!!" She started pacing down the living room, trying to sort her thoughts. Acting on impulse, she threw the quilt across the room, and found a pen and a sheet of paper.
***
"Dearest Niles:
The last thing I want is to hurt you even further, so, if you toss this letter to the fire before even reading it, I wont blame you.
I'm sorry about the way things ended between us. Even if I wanted them to end, I never thought that I would loose your friendship in the process. And I knew how much it would hurt you, but I didn't expected you to move half way across the world. I've heard you're doing great, I'm glad. I wish I could see you, just to talk. It kills me to think how mad you must be at me. If it makes you feel better, my life sucks. I miss my best friend.
By no means I want to get back into your life, now that you're found a new one. I don't want to get in the middle of that. I just think we might need some closure, and perhaps we can save whatever shreds of friendship there are left.
It's all up to you. If you hate me, and don't ever want to see me again, it's ok.
Love
Daphne."
Sixth item: The tie.
Frasier searched his bags for a silk tie he was sure he had brought. He was finally going out with Giselle, the girl he had met at the Hotel's restaurant the night they'd got there. "Oh, my...I'm sure I packed it!!!" he yelled. Items of clothe being toss around the room. Twenty minutes of worthless search made him quit, and he decided to call Niles for help. He got there ten minutes later, and stood by the door to admire the disarray with a grin.
"Oh, Niles, thank God you were home. Thank you so much. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."
"No, Frasier, really. I was just going over some exams I have to assay, you actually saved me from burning them, and with that set fire to my apartment. Here you go." Frasier reached for the bag, and took a closer look of his brother's hand. He then grabbed it.
"Niles, your fingers are yellow. Is there something that you want to tell me?"
"No."
"Look, the other day, when you showed up stinking of tobacco, and you said that someone had been smoking next to you, I dropped it. Then when your gold lighter fell out of your pocket, I dropped it. There's no way I'm letting this one go!"
"Oh, alright, Frasier. You win! I smoke, Ok?"
"Since when have you decided to slowly kill your self?"
"Since I got here. And I would appreciate if you kept your mouth shut about it. I'm old enough, I don't need your permission."
"Fine! But when you start treating your emphysema, don't say I didn't warned you!"
"Fine!...So. Big date, huh?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, I will have a lovely evening with a French goddess named Giselle. How about you?"
"Oh, I have a date with the tests of an entire course of psychology 1. But I don't think that would be lovely."
"You can do that later. You should go out. It's Saturday night!"
"No, really. Besides there's a movie I've been wanting to see. You know, here French films aren't foreign."
"Very funny, Niles. Ok. Suit your self. I have to get ready. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Ok. Bye."
"Oh, wait. Niles?"
"Yes?"
"Have you...you know, wrote to Daphne?"
"No, I haven't. I don't want to. She made it clear she doesn't love me, and I'm not taking any leftovers of her attention. And it's not like she ever tried to contact me either."
"You're pretty mad at her, aren't you?"
"Today, yes. Tomorrow I will probably don't even remember her, and the day after I will be struggling the impulse to call her and beg her to take me back. That's how the cycle goes."
"Well, as long as you say you have moved on..." he said sarcastically.
"I have. That's why I don't want to know anything about her. I have to go Fraiser. Good luck on your date."
"Yes. Good bye Niles."
***
"Dear Dr. Crane:
I appreciate the numerous invitations to go over there, but I don't think that would be wise. Besides, you'll be back in a week. There's no point on me doing that.
Are you having as great a time as you claim on your letters? How is Mr. Crane? As grumpy as always, I imagine.
I'm taking good care of your house, and Eddie. It's nice to have the apartment all for myself. Though it gets a bit lonely. I miss you all a great deal. I'm attaching a letter for your brother. If you think it would be ok, I would like you to give it to him. I'm leaving it up to you. Perhaps he said that he hates me. If that's the case, then don't bother. It's your call.
Send my best wishes to Roz, Mr. Crane, and little Alice. And give a hug from me to Niles, but don't tell him it is from me.
Love
Daphne."
tbc