Chapter 1


Niles sat down on the couch.

"So, forty-eight hours 'til the big day. You must be pretty excited."

Daphne swallowed.

"It's funny you should mention that." She sat down next to Niles. "You see, Dr Crane..."

Daphne hesitated, unsure what to say.

"Yes, Daphne?"
"Well, I guess there is no easy way of saying this." She looked straight at Niles. "Dr Crane, I know."

Niles looked a little stunned.

She knows about my marriage to Mel? Already? How-

"You do?"
"Yes."

Niles looked a little guilty.

"I'm sorry Daphne, I honestly didn't mean for this to happen just before your wedding day-"
"It's my fault. I've known for months, but I didn't say anything." She looked down.

Now Niles looked confused.

Months? What is she-

"Wait, what do you know?"

Daphne looked back at Niles.

"I know about your feelings for me."

Niles sat there, stunned. That was the last thing he expected to come out of her mouth.

"How? What? I-"
"I probably should have spoken to you about it earlier, but-"

At that moment, Frasier burst through the door, yelling at the top of his lungs.

"NILES!"

Both Daphne and Niles jump to their feet, shocked. Frasier stood in the doorway, trying to read the room and gauge what had been said.

Daphne, irritated at being interrupted, snapped at Frasier.

"Dr Crane, you're back awfully soon."

Niles stood there with a stunned look, unsure what to say. Frasier looked between the two of them.

"Ah, there's something I need to discuss with Niles."

"What, now? We were just having a chat."
"Well, I'm sure it can wait."

Daphne glared at Frasier.

What is he doing? He knows what I'm trying to say. It was his bloody idea.

Niles still didn't say anything, he just stood there frozen, trying to process what was going on. Frasier looked at him.

"Niles?" Niles looked at Frasier.
"Um, I think I'd like to finish talking to Daphne first, if you don't mind."

Frasier realized that he was too late - something had been said. He wasn't sure what would happen next, but Pandora's Box was now open.

"All right, I'll, uh, leave the two of you then, to-to chat. Um, I'll talk to you later Niles."

Niles nodded. Frasier left, closing the door behind him.

Niles turned slowly back to Daphne, still looking stunned. He had about a thousand things he wanted to say, but started with the most obvious.

"How did you find out?"
"Your brother."
"Frasier!?"
"He was on those pills for his back, and he let it slip while I was massaging his back. He didn't know he even said anything until I told him a few days ago."

Niles slowly shook his head, trying to make sense of everything over the past several months with this new context.

"You've known that whole time..."
"Dr Crane, I..."

Niles looked at Daphne, a mixture of guilt, embarrassment and misery etched on his face.

"Daphne, I'm so sorry you found out that way. I should have told you, long ago."

Daphne shook her head, forging ahead with what she needed to say.

"I have to say, it blew me away."


Frasier stood awkwardly in the hallway, near the door. The elevator door opened, and Martin stepped out.

"Frasier, what are you doing out here?"
"Oh, Dad. Um, Niles and Daphne are having a... talk. I'm trying to give them some privacy."
"Are they talking about Niles' marriage to Mel?"

Frasier looked guilty.

"Not as such..."
"What is it, then?"
"Well, Daphne found out about Niles' feelings for her. She wanted speak to Niles about it before her wedding."
"Ah, geez. That's going to be a difficult conversation."

Frasier nodded in agreement.

"Just wait, it gets better. Daphne thinks she has feelings for Niles."

Martin looked stunned.

"You're kidding."
"I wish I was. I told Daphne to tell Niles, but that was before he ran off and married Mel."
"Wait, you're not going to try and stop them talking?"

Frasier shrugged.

"I tried, but it's too late for that. I don't know what was said yet, but that particular conversation is happening. Guess we can only hope for the best now."

They stood there for a couple more moments in silence, when the elevator doors opened again, and Mel stepped out.

"Frasier, Martin. Or should I say, Dad?"


"I have to say, it blew me away."
"Daphne-"

Niles tried to interrupt to apologize profusely, feeling guilty about everything, but Daphne pushed on, not letting Niles derail her.

"I tried to put it out of my mind, tell myself that you were over me."
"Daphne-"
"Countless times I wanted to speak to you about it, but I just couldn't get the courage up."
"Daphne-"
"And there were even a few times that I thought you were going to tell me. Hoped you would tell me. Like at my surprise bridal shower."

Niles stopped trying to interrupt, now curious.

"What did you think I was going to say?"

Daphne shrugged.

"I don't know... I didn't know about the shower at all, it was quite a shock. I was expecting a completely different evening. I mean, you invited me over, alone, on a Saturday night make pudding. I thought that you were planning something romantic. Or were going to confess... before I got married... I don't know..."

Niles was quiet for a moment. This was all so overwhelming.

"I do have feelings for you, Daphne. But I understand I missed my chance at something with you." He looked at her, looking heartbroken. "I don't want to jeopardize your wedding. Or our friendship. So I wasn't going to say anything."

Daphne swallowed. She couldn't stall any further.

"Well, it might be too late for that."

Niles looked upset at the thought.

"Daphne, I'm sorry. I never meant to-"
"Please, just let me finish what I'm trying to say. Otherwise I might never be able to."

Niles nodded, silent. Daphne took a deep breath before continuing.

"Dr Crane, I think I have feelings for you too."

The door to the apartment opened, and Frasier, Martin and Mel entered. Frasier looked apologetically towards Daphne and Niles. He guessed from the look on Niles face that Daphne had confessed how she felt.

"Niles!" Mel was completely oblivious to what was transpiring. She walked over to Niles and kissed him.

Daphne suddenly felt incredible awkward and stupid. What was she doing?

He's in a relationship, and you're about to be married.

"I brought some champagne to celebrate." Mel held up the bottle. "I see you've told everyone already."

Niles glanced between Mel and Daphne, looking guilty.

"Um, perfect. Listen, I was just talking to Daphne about something, we just need to finish that conversation-"

Daphne interrupted.

"What are we celebrating?"
"Oh, Niles hasn't told you yet?" Mel grabbed Niles' hand and turned to face Daphne, her face beaming with happiness. Mel wasn't able to see Niles face. He looked completely miserable. "We got married!"

Daphne took a second to process that news. Her face gave little away.

"Oh."

She was suddenly very aware that Frasier and Martin were looking at her sympathetically from behind Mel, and Niles looked like he was halfway between a panic attack and breaking down in tears. Only Mel seemed happy, totally oblivious to what everyone else seemed to know - what was going on in the moments before they entered.

I have to get out of here.

Daphne smiled, doing her best to try and seem happy.

"Congratulations, you two." She walked up to them and took their hands. "I'm very happy for you both. I wish I could stay, but I've got to get a cheque to the caterers. They're closing early today."

She released their hands, and realized Niles was still holding hers, not wanting to let go. Daphne pulled her hand away, and Niles released her, reluctantly.

"Save some for me," Daphne indicated to the champagne bottle, and headed towards the door.
"Daphne, let me drive you over." Frasier offered.

Daphne shook her head.

"Oh, no. I'm fine. Stay, and celebrate."

She opened the door and stepped into the hallway, closing it behind her. Daphne pressed the button for the lift, and waited. She started to cry as the lift doors opened. Mrs Richman, who had heard Daphne's and Frasier's previous conversations immediately put her laundry basket down and opened her arms to hold Daphne as she broke down sobbing.


Back in the apartment, Niles stood frozen in place, still not moving, barely registering Mel talking to him.

"Well, let's get some glasses and get this champagne open." Mel looked at Niles. "Niles, darling. Are you okay?"

Niles shook himself out of the stupor he was in.

"Ah, yes. Listen, why don't you start pouring. I've uh, got something I forgot to speak to Daphne about, I'm just going to try and catch her before she leaves. I'll be right back."

He had made his way to the door and left by the time he finished speaking, Mel's confused protests silenced by the closing door.

As soon as he stepped into the hallway, Niles went into panic mode. He jabbed wildly at the lift button for a couple of seconds, willing it to open, before he took off to the stairs. Niles ran as fast as he could down more than 19 floors, until he reached the parking garage. Out of breath, he glanced around. Daphne's car was still there.

Niles stood there, wheezing, wondering if he should wait here. Daphne did say she was going to the caterers, so she would be leaving in her car. Niles' attempts to catch his breath turned into hyperventilation as he realized the situation he was in.

Daphne has feelings for me, and I, like an idiot, married Mel...

He bent forward in an attempt to put his head between his knees, not wanting to sit on the dirty ground. It helped slightly.

"Dr Crane?"

Niles glanced up. Daphne was standing there, her face puffy and damp from crying. He felt a wave of guilt over being the one to have caused that, and his wheezing increased.

"Da-Daphne." He managed to stutter between breaths.

Daphne looked at him, slightly concerned.

"Oh, dear. Here, sit down." Daphne unlocked her car and opened the front passenger door. Niles moved to sit and put his head between his knees.

"Deep breaths, Dr Crane."

Daphne rubbed his back as Niles started to breathe again, his panic attack subsiding. He looked up at Daphne.

"I wanted to finish our conversation."

Daphne felt like crying again at the thought.

"I'm sorry, Dr Crane, we should just forget about what I said. I didn't realize that- about you and Mel. I'm sorry I said anything."
"No, Daphne, I don't want to forget about it. I love you."

Daphne stood there, stunned. She knew from what Frasier had already told her, and their earlier conversation that Niles had feelings for her, but hearing those three words come from his mouth made it seem more real. She shook her head.

"You shouldn't say such things, Dr Crane."
"It's the truth. I have tried to deny it, tried to pretend that I am over you. But I'm not. I don't think I'll ever be. Not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of you. Your smile, your beautiful eyes. The sound of your voice, your laugh. What it would be like to hold your hands. To just be with you and-"

The sound of footsteps interrupted them as one of the residents of Elliott Bay Towers walked through the garage. Nervous, Daphne moved to the driver's side and sat in the car. Niles followed suit, sitting in the passenger seat. He closed the door.

Daphne looked at Niles, suddenly frustrated.

"I don't understand why you never said anything before?"

Niles looked heartsick.

"Daphne, I wanted to. I just... the timing just never seemed right."
"Oh, and the timing's right now? You literally just got married! I'm getting married in two days! Why not just wait until I'm standing at the bloody alter instead?"
"I know. But I thought I'd lost my chance, months ago. But now..." He looked into Daphne's eyes. "I wouldn't have married Mel if I thought that there was even the slightest chance you might feel the same way about me. If you do, I'll leave Mel in a heartbeat."

Niles phone rang. He pulled it out, and glanced at it, debating on what to do. He put it down without answering. They sat there in silence until the phone stopped ringing. They sat a little longer in silence. Niles broke it first.

"Daphne? I meant what I said when I said I would leave her."

Daphne shook her head in disbelief.

"That's crazy..."
"I don't think it's crazy. I'm serious about everything I've said." Niles took a deep breath, feeling like everything hinged on his next words. "Daphne, you started this conversation today, and said you think you have feelings for me. If there is a chance that you do, I'll take it, without hesitation. I love you. But I need to know. Do you feel the same way about me?"

Daphne sat there, her mind racing for a second. She looked about to answer, when a knock at the window startled the both of them. They glanced over, and Simon was standing there, trying to get their attention. Daphne rolled the window down, annoyed.

"Simon! What do you want?"
"Hallo Stilts, I was hoping, seeing as you're going out, if you wouldn't mind getting me a few things so I can top up my provisions in the Winnebago, so to speak. I need-"

Daphne looked exasperated.

"I can't, Simon. I've got to... give Dr Crane a lift. I haven't the time."

She wound up the window and started the car, backing out of the space before Simon could argue. Within seconds they had pulled out of the parking garage. They drove in silence for a couple of minutes, neither of them daring to speak. Niles phone rang again, and he grimaced, before picking up.

"Hello? Yes, Mel... No, I just realized that I needed to duck out and pick something up... Yes, I'll be back soon... Okay, bye."

Niles hung up, his emotions were all over the place. The last hour of his life had gone from one extreme to another, and he kept mentally beating himself up for his rash decisions. He wanted to blame Frasier and his advice before he went away with Mel, but knew deep down he was the only one responsible for the choices he made. He didn't know what would happen next, or where they were going, but at least he had finally said how he felt. Niles would wait for Daphne to decide. There wasn't anything more he could do for now.

Daphne pulled into the carpark of a local park. Wordlessly she got out, and started walking. Niles followed her. After a few minutes Daphne stopped. Niles looked around. They appeared to be in a secluded part of the park - there didn't seem to be anyone else nearby.

"Oh, this is a beautiful spot. I don't think I've been to this park before. And it's so close to Frasier's."
"Yes. I come here often for a walk. Or just to think..."

Daphne took a few more steps forward, standing under one of the trees. Niles joined her. They were standing close to each other in the shade, side by side, not quite daring to look at each other. Daphne glanced nervously at Niles, before looking away again, still not daring to answer.

"Well, it's a lovely spot to do so. It's quite peaceful." Niles started talking, trying to fill the tense silence with something, to get his mind off the looming question. "You can hear the fountain from here. And look, the azaleas are in bloom. You know, there is a whole language that uses flowers to convey different meaning?" Niles indicated to the flowering shrubs bordering the path. "Azaleas, for example, mean abundance, especially of beauty or intelligence. Quite fitting, considering that I'm here with you..."

Daphne interrupted him.

"Dr. Crane, I still haven't answered your question."
"Yes, I know. That's why I keep talking. In case I don't get the answer I want, I can at least make this moment last a little longer."

They stood in silence for a moment, before Niles continued talking about nothing in particular.

"Roses are probably the most commonly known in Victorian flower language. Depending on the color, they represent love, beauty-"
"Oh, for god's sake, Dr Crane!"

Daphne couldn't take it any more, and just gave in to what she was feeling. She threw herself at Niles, and kissed him passionately. Momentarily stunned, Niles returned the kiss, and it deepened. After a few minutes, they broke apart.

"I think you can call me Niles now." His voice was shaky and full of emotion. They moved back into another kiss, lost in the moment and each other's arms.

Daphne broke the second kiss.

"No. I don't think I can. I love you, but I can't do this."

Niles looked at her, imploring her to reconsider.

"I know it will be difficult, but I can get a divorce, and you can call off the wedding."

Daphne shook her head.

"I can't! I'm engaged! That's a promise I made to Donny, a promise that I would marry him. I can't break that... And what about Mel? You've been married barely a day! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

Niles looked down, saddened.

"I married Mel because I didn't think I could cope seeing you marry someone else. It was selfish, but I felt I needed to prove, to myself more than anyone else, that I was over you." He looked back up at her. "But I'm not. I can't lie to myself anymore. Regardless of what happens here, I don't think I can stay married to Mel."

Daphne stared back at Niles, unsure what to do with that information.

"So, we - what? Break marriages, promises, expectations? Disappoint family, friends - everyone who's expecting me to get married in two days? For what? We've never even been on a date. How do we know if this would even work out?"
"But what if it does work out? Isn't it worth finding out? Daphne, take it from someone who knows. You don't want to spend half your life thinking about a chance you didn't take. Wondering about the what-ifs, and missed opportunities."

They stared at each other for a moment, neither one wanting to speak. Daphne broke the silence, and with it, Niles' heart.

"I should drive you back. It's getting late, and I really do need to get to the caterers."

Niles understood. He knew why she made this decision, even though he wished she hadn't. He started to open his mouth as if to try and convince her one last time, but then closed it, simply nodding to her. They walked back to the car, and drove in silence. Daphne dropped him off in front of the apartment building.

"Goodbye, Dr Crane. I'll... see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Daphne. I love you."

Daphne looked at Niles, and seemed like she was about to cry. For a moment Niles hoped she would say it back to him, change her mind.

But she didn't. Daphne turned back to face the road, and drove off.

Niles felt devastated. He replayed every moment since he met her where he could have told her his feelings, regretting not taking that chance every single time. And there were a lot of times, a lot of missed chances, each one feeling like a heavy blow. Niles slowly made his way back up to Frasier's apartment, trying to work out how to explain his absence for the last hour to Mel.