The perfect picture
by Konnie
Disclaimer: see part one.
PART 4
Tenth item: The paper bag.
Fraiser knocked on the door, and heard his brother on the other side, in a muffled voice, telling him that it was open. Niles was laying on the couch, covered up to his neck with a blanket. His eyes were puffed and red, and he seemed he hadn't shaved in days.
"Oh, Niles, look at you!"
"Hi, Fraiser. Don't worry. I've stayed away from any alcohol, sleeping pills, razorblades or any other potential weapon. Actually, they are all in a paper bag in the kitchen. Would you be so kind and take it with you when you leave?"
"You are that bad, huh?"
"I've been worst, I think." He let out a smile, and Fraiser relaxed a bit. Niles wasn't as bad as he had expected him to be.
"Can I get you something? You look like hell."
"Yes. I think I'm coming down with something. A cup of tea would be nice."
When the tea was ready, they both sat down in silence. Niles was studying his cup intently.
"Niles, I don't know if this is the best time to ask, but. What happened when you,...tried to,..."
"Commit suicide?" he nodded. "If I tell you, you'll laugh."
"I don't see how that's possible."
"Well, it's just that,...It's not like I ended up in the hospital or anything. It was silly. I shouldn't have worried you with it." He look down to his cup once again.
"Obviously it meant something to you."
"Ok, but if you laugh, I'll kill you. I was feeling a bit depressed, that's obvious,...I had a bit too much to drink, and, well, decided to do it. I know that I'd meant it, I mean, I don't know anyone around here. No one was going to find me. If I did it, that was it. I didn't have any sleeping pills at hand, so I had the brilliant idea of cutting my wrists. As soon as my left wrist started to bleed, I hadn't even reached a vein yet, well, I passed out. You know I can't stand the sight of blood. When I woke up, the moment was gone, and frankly, I got really scared of my self."
"Oh, well...I think I've never been happier about your little phobias and aversions little brother."
"No kidding!" he laughed nervously.
"You thought about it again, though." It wasn't a question.
"Oh, I don't know."
"C'mon Niles. You made me travel across the ocean. I don't think that it was because you didn't see enough of me last month."
"Well, at least this time I'm doing something about it."
"And I'm glad for that. Did you talked to your psychiatrist about this?"
"Psychiatrist?"
"You did start seeing someone after that, didn't you?"
"Well..."
"Niles! Have you been keeping all this to your self, for how long?"
"Nine months."
"Are you crazy?"
"I hope that was a rhetorical question."
"Niles!"
"Oh well, It was embarrassing, I was afraid if I told someone, they'd laugh at me. I have treated enough suicidal people in the past to know I'm not one."
"Maybe you're not, but you're obviously not well. And while we're at it. Why on earth did you refuse Daphne the other night? I thought you said you loved her. Is it because she told you why she left you?"
"No. Actually we didn't get that far."
"Then..."
"She kissed me, and told me that she loved me."
"Now I see why is it that you are so mad. That's not something you want to hear from the woman you love." He said sarcastically.
"Frasier...I know, that's all I ever wanted, but I don't believe her. If I get my hopes up again, well...I wont be so lucky to pass out, next time she dumps me, if you know what I mean."
"But you don't know why she dumped you! She could have been scared, of commitment, you know? It wouldn't be something new."
"Could you talk to her? Tell her that I'm willing to talk to her, but that I'm not looking to rebuild our relationship?"
"Actually, I can't."
"Oh, Come on! I'm asking for a bit of help here, that's all!"
"No, you don't understand. I actually can't do it. I don't know were she is."
"What!?!"
"She didn't came home after you little encounter. She wrote Roz, telling her about it, but she wouldn't tell me where Daphne was. She asked her to keep it a secret. Don't worry, she'll be back, she just needed some time to think."
"I guess you called her family, right? I mean, she's either in Manchester or San Francisco."
"No, she's not. You should call Roz. If she doesn't tells you were she is, she could pass her a message from you. I'm sure."
"Well, Ok, that's what I'll do. Tell me one thing Fraiser. Did I make a mistake? In Amsterdam?"
"No, and yes. It's quite understandable that you don't trust her, but you should have talked to her. Find out what made her dump you."
"I guess you're right. But I can still fix that, can't I? Lets talk about something more cheerful."
"What's on your mind?"
"What do you say, if tomorrow, and if I'm not dying of whatever it is I caught, we both go to visit the Louvre?"
"You haven't been there yet?" he asked disbelieving.
"Of course I have! What do you think of me!? But it's not the same without my big brother to annoy me, you know?"
"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Now, Were do you keep the wine?"
"In the bag."
"Perhaps we should drink something else."
"Yeah, If you don't want to be dealing with me crying and throwing up. I vote for coffee."
"Coffee it is."
***
"Hey weenie!!
So, now you're asking for my help, huh?
It's ok. I don't know why, but I'll help you. There's no way in hell I'm telling you where she is, though. You were quite a pig to her last time you saw her. What was that all about? Have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea of how much she has missed you the past year? I don't know what happened between you two, but she hasn't been on a single date since you broke up. She does love you.
I'm letting her know you need to talk to her. It's all up to her after that. I'm not getting in the middle.
Use your head, weenie, don't ruin this again.
Good luck!!
Roz."
Eleventh item: The glasses.
The students were slowly leaving the class room. Some of them approaching Niles before leaving to clarify some doubts. As much as he grumbled about it, he loved to teach. He never thought he had it in him. And this was his favorite part, 'cause the students that stayed after class were the ones who really cared about the subject. Some of them were pretty smart, and he'd get wrapped up in passionate discussions, much like the ones he used to have with his brother. When everyone was almost gone, he noticed someone sitting on the last row. His sight was getting worst with age, but he refused to wear his glasses. A remain of his old vain self, surely. He couldn't wear contact lens either, because of his allergies. He reluctantly took his glasses out of his briefcase, and put them on.
"Daphne..." he called almost in a whisper. She got up from her seat and walked towards him. She was smiling shyly.
"You are a great teacher, you know that?"
"How would you know? You don't speak French."
"Oh, the faces of those kids were enough. They really are paying attention."
"I suppose you've got my message." She nodded. "I'm glad you've decided to come, even after..." he looked down. 'Why am I feeling guilty? She's the one that dumped me!' he thought.
"Niles, I'm to blame for last time. I was confused about my feelings, and I didn't count on you being the same."
"We never even got the chance to talk."
"That's why I'm here. I saw a lovely little café just outside, Would you let me buy you a cup of coffee?"
They sat on one of the outside tables. Somehow they felt more comfortable than the last time they saw each other.
"This is so lovely. I've always wanted to see Paris."
"I know. I'm really glad you are here. And I know we need to talk, but I'm not sure if there's anything for me to say. I mean, I don't even know what happened."
"I'm aware of that. I owe you an explanation. I can't tell you exactly why is it that I broke up with you, though."
"Was there someone else?"
"No, and yes."
"How come?"
"I was afraid. Afraid that I would ruin things with you, like I did with Donny. Afraid that I would hurt you as much. I loved you too much for that."
"Funny." He said with a bitter smile.
"What?"
"That's exactly what you did." She looked down, sadly, and put her hand over his, and squeezed it tightly.
"I know. I should have known, and I'm sorry. For what is worth, I turned out to be as hurt as you."
"So, you did love me?"
"Yes, and I still do, Niles. I mean it."
"I...I'm not sure I can say the same." She looked hurt, but nodded understandingly.
"I'm not expecting you to."
"I hated you, so much, for so long..."
"Do you still hate me?"
"No, I think I'm angry, disappointed, I guess."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Why didn't you...you know, try to get me back?"
"Oh, No! This is not my fault, and you wont make it sound like it was!" He started to get up to leave.
"No, Niles. That's not what I meant. Now sit down please. If you keep doing this, we'll never finish this conversation." He sat back, fidgeting on his chair. "Now, would you please answer my question?"
"I...I don't know. I was hurt, I guess, I always knew that was coming. No use in trying to fix it"
"What do you mean by that?"
"You were too good for me. I always knew you'd end up realizing that."
"Didn't you trust me? Didn't you know I loved you?"
"You loved Donny, and Clive, and Joe, well, Joe dumped you, I guess. But still, that didn't mean you were going to stay, and in fact, you didn't."
She remained silent for a moment, pensive. Then looked straight into his eyes and squeezed his hand even tighter.
"I did left you for the same reasons I did with Clive and Donny, I suppose, but, for what is worth, I did not loved them half of what I love you."
"I...Daphne, my life is starting to take form again. I never thought I could live without you in my life, but I'm making it alright, and..."
"I know, I can't expect you to forgive me, and after today, you won't see me or hear from me again, but I needed this, and I think that you did too."
"Let me finish, please. As I was saying. I'm making it alright, I don't depend on seeing you everyday to feel good about my self. For the first time I don't depend on anyone's company. I swore to my self I would never be friends with you after having been your boyfriend. It hurt too much just to think about it. But.."
"There's a but?" she asked, her face lighten with hope. He smiled.
"Yes, there's a but. I'm free from you, and how much you've hurt me. I'm over it. I've been doing some thinking lately. And there's a reason for me to have loved you for so long. I like who you are, I like you. I wish that, if you want to, we could be friends again. It won't be easy, but we had a good friendship, didn't we?"
"Oh, Niles!" she hugged him, tearing up a bit, and laughing at the same time.
"Now, now. Don't get all mushy on me. How long are you staying? We have to catch up for a year of gossip, don't we?"
"I'm staying as long as you want to. Dr. Crane owes me a vacation, and Mrs. Flanaghan, well, she can wait, or fire me, I don't care."
"Good."
"Niles?"
"Yes?"
"Has anyone told you how handsome you look with glasses?"
"Don't push your luck!" She slapped him playfully in the arm, and they laughed. They talked for hours, and things started to look a lot like old times before too long. Though Niles was struggling with his emotions. He wasn't over her, not even close. But he did loved her, as a friend beyond everything, whether or not he wanted to admit it.
***
"Dear Roz:
Everything is turning out marvelously. Maybe not as good as I would like. If you can keep a secret, I would get back with Niles without even thinking about it. But he is speaking to me again. He is showing me around Paris. It's almost as if nothing had happened. It's almost like right before we got together. The difference being, that before I would caught him looking at me lovingly, (or did you think I didn't notice?) and now, I catch him looking at me painfully. He's still hurt, he says he's not, I guess out of pride, but I know better.
I don't know how long I'll be staying. Probably a month. I hope I can convince him to go back to Seattle, once the semester is over. Even if it is for a visit. Do you think I can?
I can't believe Niles Crane is my friend again!! And I owe most of it to you and Dr. Crane. THANK YOU; THANK YOU; THANK YOU!!!
I would write to you as soon as I can, telling you everything.
Love, and a lot of thank yous!
Daphne."
Twelfth item: The T.V
Ever since their agreement to rebuild their friendship, Niles had managed to keep things as casual as possible. He had tried to avoid meeting her privately, and it seemed to be working out just fine. That was until he came down with the flu again. His health hadn't been the same for some time, partly because he didn't look after it anymore, and partly because he had been weakened enormously by the distress of the past year. He had been sick four times already in the past three months, which gave him the impression that it had been just one long decease all together. When he called Daphne to cancel their plans for the afternoon, she had insisted on dropping by, and see how he was. He reluctantly agreed. He didn't want to see her alone, because it would be far more difficult for him to restrain his feelings. Since things between them were getting better, he was realizing that he still loved her, and needed her, and was scared to death to have his heart broken again.
He heard the door bell, and clumsily made his way towards the door. He could barely remain standing, so he just turned the handle, and walked back to the couch, where he promptly let himself drop. Daphne push the door open, and saw him fall on the sofa. She closed the door, left a bag with chicken soup on the coffee table, and kneeled beside him.
"You look like hell." She said teasing.
"Hello to you too." Somehow, he fell too ill to be uncomfortable with her presence. "When I left Seattle, no one told me that lonely people get sick as well."
"Miss having someone taking care of you, Don't you?"
"Oh, God. Yes!" he said, half whining, half laughing.
"Don't worry, at least for a while I'll take care of you."
"Thanks, Daphne. You are an angel."
She put clean sheets on his bed, and dragged him there, bringing the T.V set to the bedroom. She brought a tray with a cup of soup, and something for herself, and sat next to him. He shifted uncomfortably, and moved slightly away from her.
"So, do you want to watch a movie?"
"Uhm, I guess. Though I am a bit tired, perhaps I should try to sleep."
"Do you mind if I stay here while you rest? I rented "Sleepless is Seattle", it would be a shame to returned it unwatched."
"Why did you rent that? You have seen it a thousand times."
"I got homesick. Doesn't that happens to you?"
"Why don't you take the TV back to the living room?" he said nervously.
"Are you ok?"
"Daphne...I..."
"Am I bothering you?"
"No, no. Er...I just, well...this is kind of weird."
"What is?"
"You sitting here, in my...bed, I kinda feel..."
"Oh, I see. You're right. I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry."
"Oh, no, no. Daphne, please stay. I'm going to have to get use to this sooner or later."
"Get used to what?"
"Being, uhm...close to you, I guess." He said, blushing a bit.
"Can I hug you?"
"What?!"
"Please, I really want to hug you. You are so cute when you're uncomfortable." She said with a smirk.
"Oh, well..." with that, she hugged him tight. It took him a few moments to return the hug, but he did, and they ended up cuddled in bed, watching the movie. Daphne fell asleep half way through it, and Niles, who was still holding her, started stroking her hair. He kissed her forehead, then her cheek, and then he kissed her softly on the lips, and accommodated her head on the pillow.
"I love you." he whispered, and fell asleep next to her.
***
From the diary of Daphne Moon
May 15/2003
I woke up next to Niles!!!
Oh, well, I just slept next to him, not with him, but still. I haven't got sleep as good as that in a year. And I had this wonderful dream in which he kissed me, and told me that he loved me. I hope it's one of my premonitions. I know I'm driving him crazy. He won't resist me for too long. I'm so close to brake him. But he's driving me insane as well. I can't stand being so close to him, and not being able to kiss him. That day will come, I know it, and soon.
I can feel it!!!"
tbc
by Konnie
Disclaimer: see part one.
PART 4
Tenth item: The paper bag.
Fraiser knocked on the door, and heard his brother on the other side, in a muffled voice, telling him that it was open. Niles was laying on the couch, covered up to his neck with a blanket. His eyes were puffed and red, and he seemed he hadn't shaved in days.
"Oh, Niles, look at you!"
"Hi, Fraiser. Don't worry. I've stayed away from any alcohol, sleeping pills, razorblades or any other potential weapon. Actually, they are all in a paper bag in the kitchen. Would you be so kind and take it with you when you leave?"
"You are that bad, huh?"
"I've been worst, I think." He let out a smile, and Fraiser relaxed a bit. Niles wasn't as bad as he had expected him to be.
"Can I get you something? You look like hell."
"Yes. I think I'm coming down with something. A cup of tea would be nice."
When the tea was ready, they both sat down in silence. Niles was studying his cup intently.
"Niles, I don't know if this is the best time to ask, but. What happened when you,...tried to,..."
"Commit suicide?" he nodded. "If I tell you, you'll laugh."
"I don't see how that's possible."
"Well, it's just that,...It's not like I ended up in the hospital or anything. It was silly. I shouldn't have worried you with it." He look down to his cup once again.
"Obviously it meant something to you."
"Ok, but if you laugh, I'll kill you. I was feeling a bit depressed, that's obvious,...I had a bit too much to drink, and, well, decided to do it. I know that I'd meant it, I mean, I don't know anyone around here. No one was going to find me. If I did it, that was it. I didn't have any sleeping pills at hand, so I had the brilliant idea of cutting my wrists. As soon as my left wrist started to bleed, I hadn't even reached a vein yet, well, I passed out. You know I can't stand the sight of blood. When I woke up, the moment was gone, and frankly, I got really scared of my self."
"Oh, well...I think I've never been happier about your little phobias and aversions little brother."
"No kidding!" he laughed nervously.
"You thought about it again, though." It wasn't a question.
"Oh, I don't know."
"C'mon Niles. You made me travel across the ocean. I don't think that it was because you didn't see enough of me last month."
"Well, at least this time I'm doing something about it."
"And I'm glad for that. Did you talked to your psychiatrist about this?"
"Psychiatrist?"
"You did start seeing someone after that, didn't you?"
"Well..."
"Niles! Have you been keeping all this to your self, for how long?"
"Nine months."
"Are you crazy?"
"I hope that was a rhetorical question."
"Niles!"
"Oh well, It was embarrassing, I was afraid if I told someone, they'd laugh at me. I have treated enough suicidal people in the past to know I'm not one."
"Maybe you're not, but you're obviously not well. And while we're at it. Why on earth did you refuse Daphne the other night? I thought you said you loved her. Is it because she told you why she left you?"
"No. Actually we didn't get that far."
"Then..."
"She kissed me, and told me that she loved me."
"Now I see why is it that you are so mad. That's not something you want to hear from the woman you love." He said sarcastically.
"Frasier...I know, that's all I ever wanted, but I don't believe her. If I get my hopes up again, well...I wont be so lucky to pass out, next time she dumps me, if you know what I mean."
"But you don't know why she dumped you! She could have been scared, of commitment, you know? It wouldn't be something new."
"Could you talk to her? Tell her that I'm willing to talk to her, but that I'm not looking to rebuild our relationship?"
"Actually, I can't."
"Oh, Come on! I'm asking for a bit of help here, that's all!"
"No, you don't understand. I actually can't do it. I don't know were she is."
"What!?!"
"She didn't came home after you little encounter. She wrote Roz, telling her about it, but she wouldn't tell me where Daphne was. She asked her to keep it a secret. Don't worry, she'll be back, she just needed some time to think."
"I guess you called her family, right? I mean, she's either in Manchester or San Francisco."
"No, she's not. You should call Roz. If she doesn't tells you were she is, she could pass her a message from you. I'm sure."
"Well, Ok, that's what I'll do. Tell me one thing Fraiser. Did I make a mistake? In Amsterdam?"
"No, and yes. It's quite understandable that you don't trust her, but you should have talked to her. Find out what made her dump you."
"I guess you're right. But I can still fix that, can't I? Lets talk about something more cheerful."
"What's on your mind?"
"What do you say, if tomorrow, and if I'm not dying of whatever it is I caught, we both go to visit the Louvre?"
"You haven't been there yet?" he asked disbelieving.
"Of course I have! What do you think of me!? But it's not the same without my big brother to annoy me, you know?"
"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Now, Were do you keep the wine?"
"In the bag."
"Perhaps we should drink something else."
"Yeah, If you don't want to be dealing with me crying and throwing up. I vote for coffee."
"Coffee it is."
***
"Hey weenie!!
So, now you're asking for my help, huh?
It's ok. I don't know why, but I'll help you. There's no way in hell I'm telling you where she is, though. You were quite a pig to her last time you saw her. What was that all about? Have you lost your mind? Do you have any idea of how much she has missed you the past year? I don't know what happened between you two, but she hasn't been on a single date since you broke up. She does love you.
I'm letting her know you need to talk to her. It's all up to her after that. I'm not getting in the middle.
Use your head, weenie, don't ruin this again.
Good luck!!
Roz."
Eleventh item: The glasses.
The students were slowly leaving the class room. Some of them approaching Niles before leaving to clarify some doubts. As much as he grumbled about it, he loved to teach. He never thought he had it in him. And this was his favorite part, 'cause the students that stayed after class were the ones who really cared about the subject. Some of them were pretty smart, and he'd get wrapped up in passionate discussions, much like the ones he used to have with his brother. When everyone was almost gone, he noticed someone sitting on the last row. His sight was getting worst with age, but he refused to wear his glasses. A remain of his old vain self, surely. He couldn't wear contact lens either, because of his allergies. He reluctantly took his glasses out of his briefcase, and put them on.
"Daphne..." he called almost in a whisper. She got up from her seat and walked towards him. She was smiling shyly.
"You are a great teacher, you know that?"
"How would you know? You don't speak French."
"Oh, the faces of those kids were enough. They really are paying attention."
"I suppose you've got my message." She nodded. "I'm glad you've decided to come, even after..." he looked down. 'Why am I feeling guilty? She's the one that dumped me!' he thought.
"Niles, I'm to blame for last time. I was confused about my feelings, and I didn't count on you being the same."
"We never even got the chance to talk."
"That's why I'm here. I saw a lovely little café just outside, Would you let me buy you a cup of coffee?"
They sat on one of the outside tables. Somehow they felt more comfortable than the last time they saw each other.
"This is so lovely. I've always wanted to see Paris."
"I know. I'm really glad you are here. And I know we need to talk, but I'm not sure if there's anything for me to say. I mean, I don't even know what happened."
"I'm aware of that. I owe you an explanation. I can't tell you exactly why is it that I broke up with you, though."
"Was there someone else?"
"No, and yes."
"How come?"
"I was afraid. Afraid that I would ruin things with you, like I did with Donny. Afraid that I would hurt you as much. I loved you too much for that."
"Funny." He said with a bitter smile.
"What?"
"That's exactly what you did." She looked down, sadly, and put her hand over his, and squeezed it tightly.
"I know. I should have known, and I'm sorry. For what is worth, I turned out to be as hurt as you."
"So, you did love me?"
"Yes, and I still do, Niles. I mean it."
"I...I'm not sure I can say the same." She looked hurt, but nodded understandingly.
"I'm not expecting you to."
"I hated you, so much, for so long..."
"Do you still hate me?"
"No, I think I'm angry, disappointed, I guess."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Why didn't you...you know, try to get me back?"
"Oh, No! This is not my fault, and you wont make it sound like it was!" He started to get up to leave.
"No, Niles. That's not what I meant. Now sit down please. If you keep doing this, we'll never finish this conversation." He sat back, fidgeting on his chair. "Now, would you please answer my question?"
"I...I don't know. I was hurt, I guess, I always knew that was coming. No use in trying to fix it"
"What do you mean by that?"
"You were too good for me. I always knew you'd end up realizing that."
"Didn't you trust me? Didn't you know I loved you?"
"You loved Donny, and Clive, and Joe, well, Joe dumped you, I guess. But still, that didn't mean you were going to stay, and in fact, you didn't."
She remained silent for a moment, pensive. Then looked straight into his eyes and squeezed his hand even tighter.
"I did left you for the same reasons I did with Clive and Donny, I suppose, but, for what is worth, I did not loved them half of what I love you."
"I...Daphne, my life is starting to take form again. I never thought I could live without you in my life, but I'm making it alright, and..."
"I know, I can't expect you to forgive me, and after today, you won't see me or hear from me again, but I needed this, and I think that you did too."
"Let me finish, please. As I was saying. I'm making it alright, I don't depend on seeing you everyday to feel good about my self. For the first time I don't depend on anyone's company. I swore to my self I would never be friends with you after having been your boyfriend. It hurt too much just to think about it. But.."
"There's a but?" she asked, her face lighten with hope. He smiled.
"Yes, there's a but. I'm free from you, and how much you've hurt me. I'm over it. I've been doing some thinking lately. And there's a reason for me to have loved you for so long. I like who you are, I like you. I wish that, if you want to, we could be friends again. It won't be easy, but we had a good friendship, didn't we?"
"Oh, Niles!" she hugged him, tearing up a bit, and laughing at the same time.
"Now, now. Don't get all mushy on me. How long are you staying? We have to catch up for a year of gossip, don't we?"
"I'm staying as long as you want to. Dr. Crane owes me a vacation, and Mrs. Flanaghan, well, she can wait, or fire me, I don't care."
"Good."
"Niles?"
"Yes?"
"Has anyone told you how handsome you look with glasses?"
"Don't push your luck!" She slapped him playfully in the arm, and they laughed. They talked for hours, and things started to look a lot like old times before too long. Though Niles was struggling with his emotions. He wasn't over her, not even close. But he did loved her, as a friend beyond everything, whether or not he wanted to admit it.
***
"Dear Roz:
Everything is turning out marvelously. Maybe not as good as I would like. If you can keep a secret, I would get back with Niles without even thinking about it. But he is speaking to me again. He is showing me around Paris. It's almost as if nothing had happened. It's almost like right before we got together. The difference being, that before I would caught him looking at me lovingly, (or did you think I didn't notice?) and now, I catch him looking at me painfully. He's still hurt, he says he's not, I guess out of pride, but I know better.
I don't know how long I'll be staying. Probably a month. I hope I can convince him to go back to Seattle, once the semester is over. Even if it is for a visit. Do you think I can?
I can't believe Niles Crane is my friend again!! And I owe most of it to you and Dr. Crane. THANK YOU; THANK YOU; THANK YOU!!!
I would write to you as soon as I can, telling you everything.
Love, and a lot of thank yous!
Daphne."
Twelfth item: The T.V
Ever since their agreement to rebuild their friendship, Niles had managed to keep things as casual as possible. He had tried to avoid meeting her privately, and it seemed to be working out just fine. That was until he came down with the flu again. His health hadn't been the same for some time, partly because he didn't look after it anymore, and partly because he had been weakened enormously by the distress of the past year. He had been sick four times already in the past three months, which gave him the impression that it had been just one long decease all together. When he called Daphne to cancel their plans for the afternoon, she had insisted on dropping by, and see how he was. He reluctantly agreed. He didn't want to see her alone, because it would be far more difficult for him to restrain his feelings. Since things between them were getting better, he was realizing that he still loved her, and needed her, and was scared to death to have his heart broken again.
He heard the door bell, and clumsily made his way towards the door. He could barely remain standing, so he just turned the handle, and walked back to the couch, where he promptly let himself drop. Daphne push the door open, and saw him fall on the sofa. She closed the door, left a bag with chicken soup on the coffee table, and kneeled beside him.
"You look like hell." She said teasing.
"Hello to you too." Somehow, he fell too ill to be uncomfortable with her presence. "When I left Seattle, no one told me that lonely people get sick as well."
"Miss having someone taking care of you, Don't you?"
"Oh, God. Yes!" he said, half whining, half laughing.
"Don't worry, at least for a while I'll take care of you."
"Thanks, Daphne. You are an angel."
She put clean sheets on his bed, and dragged him there, bringing the T.V set to the bedroom. She brought a tray with a cup of soup, and something for herself, and sat next to him. He shifted uncomfortably, and moved slightly away from her.
"So, do you want to watch a movie?"
"Uhm, I guess. Though I am a bit tired, perhaps I should try to sleep."
"Do you mind if I stay here while you rest? I rented "Sleepless is Seattle", it would be a shame to returned it unwatched."
"Why did you rent that? You have seen it a thousand times."
"I got homesick. Doesn't that happens to you?"
"Why don't you take the TV back to the living room?" he said nervously.
"Are you ok?"
"Daphne...I..."
"Am I bothering you?"
"No, no. Er...I just, well...this is kind of weird."
"What is?"
"You sitting here, in my...bed, I kinda feel..."
"Oh, I see. You're right. I shouldn't have come. I'm sorry."
"Oh, no, no. Daphne, please stay. I'm going to have to get use to this sooner or later."
"Get used to what?"
"Being, uhm...close to you, I guess." He said, blushing a bit.
"Can I hug you?"
"What?!"
"Please, I really want to hug you. You are so cute when you're uncomfortable." She said with a smirk.
"Oh, well..." with that, she hugged him tight. It took him a few moments to return the hug, but he did, and they ended up cuddled in bed, watching the movie. Daphne fell asleep half way through it, and Niles, who was still holding her, started stroking her hair. He kissed her forehead, then her cheek, and then he kissed her softly on the lips, and accommodated her head on the pillow.
"I love you." he whispered, and fell asleep next to her.
***
From the diary of Daphne Moon
May 15/2003
I woke up next to Niles!!!
Oh, well, I just slept next to him, not with him, but still. I haven't got sleep as good as that in a year. And I had this wonderful dream in which he kissed me, and told me that he loved me. I hope it's one of my premonitions. I know I'm driving him crazy. He won't resist me for too long. I'm so close to brake him. But he's driving me insane as well. I can't stand being so close to him, and not being able to kiss him. That day will come, I know it, and soon.
I can feel it!!!"
tbc