Chapter 9

It was Thursday afternoon. Niles had finished for the day, his afternoon clear of appointments. He took this opportunity to come visit Daphne, loving the fact that for the first time since he had met her, he could be open about the reason for his visit to Frasier's. On a whim, Daphne decided they should go for a picnic at the park. The day was sunny and warm, and Daphne wanted to make the most of it outside. Niles fretted quietly as he helped Daphne put together a basket to take with them, thinking of insects, the heat, and the potential for grass stains on expensive suits. But Daphne seemed excited about the idea, so Niles pushed his worries back, and they left, hand in hand.

However, when they arrived and found a spot, secluded under the shade of a large tree, Niles found his initial unease about dirt and insects return. Daphne noticed this when he started looking for the insect repellent. He felt a little embarrassed about it, initially trying to avoid mentioning how he felt, but Daphne reassured him. So, with bug repellent applied, and a promise from Daphne that she would deal with anything larger than a fly that might find their way to them, they spread out a large blanket. It was large enough to accommodate both of them easily without having to have anything placed on the actual ground. They started setting out food and pouring themselves some wine.

Niles began to relax a bit more after a couple of glasses of wine, and once the food was eaten and put away.

This isn't so bad...

Niles watched Daphne as she laid back on the blanket, head propped up on one of the pillows she had brought. Initially cautious about getting covered in dirt and grass, Niles couldn't help but recline next to Daphne, staring at her face. Her eyes were closed, and sunlight dappled her cheeks. Daphne looked completely content. Niles sighed happily.

Daphne opened her eyes and looked towards Niles. It was somewhat amusing to her seeing Niles - so proper and put together, Armani suit and all - lying next to her on a picnic blanket in the middle of a park, on a Thursday afternoon. He seemed so out of his element. But this was also part of why she loved him. Niles always seemed so willing to do things like this with her, even when it was outside of his comfort zone.

Niles noticed her staring back at him, and smiled.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked, curious.
"Oh, nothing in particular. Just that you have always seemed to do anything just to make me happy..." A new thought occurred to her. "How long have you known?"
"Hmm?" Niles didn't quite understand the question.
"How long have you known that you've felt something... more, for me?"
"Known that what I felt was love? Or just known that I felt... something?"
"The second one. Though, I guess I also want to know the answer to the first one as well."

Niles thought for only a second, as if he already knew the answer.

"Well, I think I first realized I loved you the night of the Snow Ball. But as far as knowing I felt something for you..." He smiled. "From the start. I've know that there was something there the second we met."

Since we met? We've know each other for seven years...

"That long? Really?" Daphne's tone was slightly incredulous.
"Really. It was like a jolt of electricity, out of nowhere. From the moment I first saw you, I was drawn to you - to something about you. I didn't really know or understand what it was exactly. I just knew I wanted to be around you. With you."

Daphne had some idea that Niles' crush on her had existed for a while, based on what she'd already been told already by everyone by this point.

"Seven years is a long time to feel that way about someone."
"I know. But, I'd never met anyone like you." His eyes shone bright as he spoke. "And meeting you awoke me from the bland stupor my life had become with Maris. You were beautiful, smart, charming, funny..." He rolled onto his side, still staring at Daphne as he continued, running his hand along her arm. "Endlessly compassionate and understanding. Warm, friendly... You were like a beacon in the dark, welcoming anyone who wanted to know you. Even me. A fussy, stick-in-the-mud psychiatrist, who was hopelessly unhappy in his life without realizing it. And I fell head over heels with you. Instantly, and deeply. Unlike anyone else I've ever met."

Daphne leaned forward and kissed Niles, pulling him towards her. They laid there for a while, side by side, pressed against each other as they kissed. It deepened, as their lips explored each other's, and hands started to wander slightly. Niles was dimly aware they were still in a public place as he felt himself become aroused. He dearly wanted to take this further, wanted Daphne so keenly it almost hurt. They broke apart, staring into each other's eyes, Daphne's forehead pressed against his.

"You're amazing, a goddess..."
"I'm nobody special," Daphne said a little breathlessly. "I'm just a normal person."
"Not to me." Niles was equally as breathless. "To me, you are perfect. For so long, I thought being with you was impossible. But now, you've made me happier than I thought I could be."

They laid there a little while longer, to Niles' relief. He had let himself get a little carried away when they were kissing, so a brief repose before heading back was welcome.

Niles stayed for dinner. Daphne enjoyed having him help her out in the kitchen as she cooked. They were a lot more relaxed with each other around other people now, and were no longer feeling awkward about kissing or showing affection to each other where others may see. Frasier and Martin seemed to roll their eyes at their behaviour, even though they were happy the two of them were together, Niles and Daphne were somewhat loud about it, playfully joking and nudging each other, bursting into laughter over the smallest thing. Daphne didn't care. She was having fun.

They had a date planned on Saturday, dinner and the opera. Daphne wasn't sure about opera, but Niles seemed excited to introduce her to it, so she figured she would at least be open minded. Friday night, however, Niles had another social obligation with Mel. A familiar lump formed in the the pit of Daphne's stomach as she thought about it, but she knew there wasn't much she could do about it. Jealousy was a hell of a thing. Daphne couldn't wait until Niles' divorce was done.

Kissing Niles goodbye after dinner just reminded Daphne of their kiss earlier in the park. It had turned Daphne on a lot, and she knew it had for Niles as well. She remembered how she could feel Niles' arousal while pressed against him. It was, quite frankly, hot. She was always attracted to Niles, but the thought of sleeping with him was as terrifying as it was exciting. It was strange, she hadn't been so nervous about sleeping with someone for the first time for years. But there was something about being with Niles where it felt like there had already been so much build up, so much anticipation and longing. Like it was forbidden fruit, and she was worried that the taste might not be as sweet as they imagined.

Niles picked Mel up Friday evening to head out to the Devereauxs for dinner together. They had a property out at Snohomish; a horse ranch on several acres. Niles had visited the town a few times to browse the antique markets, but Peter and Annette lived there for the space. They drove together in silence, Mel staring resolutely out the window. Niles had turned on the radio to try and cut through the piercing silence a little, but after 10 minutes without either of them saying a word, he attempted to start conversation, if only to prepare himself for the rest of the night.

"So, who else will be at dinner tonight?"

Mel glanced at him, as if deciding whether to answer or to continue pretending he didn't exist.

"I believe the Kellers."

Niles furrowed his brow, trying to recall who they were.

"I met them the other night, right? John and... Claudia?"
"That's right."

They lapsed back into silence. Niles tried to continue the conversation.

"So, how did you meet Peter and Annette?"
"Through the Equestrian Club."
"Oh. Do you know them well?"

Mel turned to look at Niles.

"What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to- um, to make conversation."
"Well, stop it."

Niles sighed.

"You can't really be planning to ignore me the entire drive there?"
"I was."
"Well, maybe a bit of conversation will help me loosen up for the evening. I'm going to have to pretend we are happily married, we might as well start preparing now."

Mel sat silent for a few more minutes, and Niles resigned himself to this being the entire drive when Mel answered, still looking out the window.

"Peter and Annette are two of my closest friends. As you know, I have a membership with the club, and enjoy horse-riding. That's how I met them. It turned out we shared other interests in common. Opera, art, fine dining. We've attended many events together, and I've spent weekends in the past at their property trail riding or for other social gatherings."

She paused again for a moment before continuing, her tone slightly bitter and hard.

"They knew my first husband, and were a great support to me when we divorced. I expect they will be again, the second time around."

Niles felt guilty again.

God, I really am a terrible excuse for a husband. For a person. I never should have rushed into marriage with Mel.

They fell back into silence again until they arrived.

The evening itself went off without a hitch. Peter and Annette's home was large, and beautiful, the tour of the property showing exactly how much money and success they seemed to have earned through their horses. Niles was careful not to drink too much, as he wanted to drive back that night, despite Peter insisting the two of them could stay the night in one of their guestrooms. The promise of a mid morning horse ride the next day did nothing to tempt Niles, however. John and Claudia Keller were also lovely people, and seemed as equally well acquainted with both Mel and the Devereauxs. Mel, unlike Niles, had let herself indulge, drinking a fair bit, and seemed to be actually enjoying herself. That made Niles feel a little better about everything. He liked it when Mel was happy.

Niles, however, was struggling. He knew he would have enjoyed the evening more if he hadn't left Mel for Daphne. If he never knew Daphne had fallen in love with him. What made things especially hard for him was that Niles knew he could have had a good marriage with Mel. But, while he cared a lot for Mel, and they slotted into each other's lives so easily, he never felt the same kind of passionate, deep love and adoration that he felt with Daphne. That was probably why it was so easy for Niles to choose the unknown with Daphne over the ease and comfort with Mel. Anything Niles would have felt for Mel would have always been surface level at best. Watching Mel now as she laughed with her friends, Niles knew she deserved better than anything he could have given her.

Eventually, they left for the evening. Niles once again fought off Peter and Annette's offers to stay the evening, claiming early morning commitments in Seattle as an excuse to head back that night. The drive back was just as quiet as the drive up. Mel, who had been hanging off Niles' arm and looking at him lovingly all night, had done a complete 180 as soon as they left. She seemed unable to look at him any longer, her face stony as she reinforced the walls around herself. Mel fell asleep on the drive back. When Niles woke her after arriving back at her apartment, the façade slipped a bit when she opened her eyes and saw him. Her eyes radiated love for a brief moment before turning to hurt betrayal. Then the mask was back in place and there was only angry indifference left.

Daphne didn't care for the opera. She couldn't quite remember the name of the one Niles took her to that evening, but it was something Italian, long, and boring. She had dozed off somewhere during the middle of it, and Daphne knew Niles was disappointed that she didn't enjoy it, as much as he was trying to hide it. They were outside the theatre, and Niles was explaining the plot to her, adding his own commentary to it as they walked back to his car, trying to win her back over with the story. It didn't make much difference - a lot of it was still going over Daphne's head.

"I'm sorry, Niles. I just don't think opera is for me."
"Oh, well maybe this wasn't the best one to take you to for your first foray with it. Maybe we could try again another time with something a bit shorter?"

Daphne shrugged. She didn't think the type of opera would make much difference. Plays she could get behind, the plots were easier to follow, no matter how obscure. Ballet was something she could enjoy easily - she had done ballet herself as a child and wanted to seriously commit to it before an ankle injury ended that dream. Even symphonies, where an entire orchestra was playing was something she could appreciate.

But operas...

Niles seemed convinced he could change her opinion. He was welcome to try, but Daphne didn't seem to think he'd succeed. Regardless of how the evening went, Niles still seemed to be in a good mood, however. As they reached his car, Niles leaned over and kissed Daphne. It deepened as Daphne allowed Niles to pull her towards him. Daphne felt the same pull of lust, the same heat of desire as she did two days prior in the park. She knew Niles felt it too. They broke apart, and he stared at her longingly, eyes heavy with lust for her.

"Did you... want to come back to my place tonight?" He put forth the question, hopeful. Niles brushed a stray lock of Daphne's hair out of the way, and his touch sent a tingle down her spine.

Yes.

She wanted to say yes. But there was still something holding her back. Doubt. Fear.

What if I disappoint him? What if I am not good enough, or he's expecting me to be something that I'm not?

Daphne had already disappointed him once tonight, with not enjoying the opera. She didn't know if she could stand to disappoint him again.

"I'd like to, but not tonight." She couldn't quite look him in the eye as she spoke, instead she leaned her head against his shoulder. "We promised to take it slow, and wait until your divorce with Mel was finalized. I... still want to wait until then."

She felt Niles release his tight embrace, and he planted a more chaste kiss on her cheek. Daphne looked at Niles, and he was smiling warmly at her. If there was any dismay at being turned down, it didn't show.

"Of course, Daphne. Let me take you home."

The two of them fell into an easy routine over the next couple of weeks. Niles was over for a couple of dinners a week, dropping by almost as much as he used to before he started dating Mel, or before Daphne was engaged. One or twice a week, Niles was busy with his faux marriage with Mel. It was wearing on the both of them a bit, but Niles was hopeful Mel would be satisfied enough to grant a quick, discreet divorce within the next couple of weeks.

Niles and Daphne enjoyed at least one evening out together each week. There was still a strong desire to be intimate with each other, but since the night at the opera, they were holding themselves at arms length a little more, trying to patiently wait until Niles divorce was finalized. It had changed the dynamic of their relationship slightly, but they had fallen into a cautious pattern, neither wanting to push too much just yet.

Niles was frustrated about how long things were taking. Mel seemed to be dragging things out. He lamented to Frasier over lunch, who wasn't much help on the topic.

"Tell her you're done playing along, and want to move forward with the divorce." Frasier said, like it was just that easy.
"It's not that simple, Frasier. Mel... She has a reputation she wants to uphold. I've hurt her, and if she needs to take a bit of time to get into a position where her divorce won't hurt that reputation, well, who am I to refuse?"

Frasier shook his head.

"Well, if you won't do anything about it, don't complain. How is Daphne taking all this, anyway?"

Niles sighed.

"She's frustrated, as am I. She thinks Mel might be dragging things out a bit now, to try and punish me."
"What do you think about that?" Frasier was curious.
"I don't think Mel would do that. But, I feel like there is an end in sight. We have another social obligation together on Saturday. Then, she said we can discuss our situation further over lunch on Monday."

Daphne vented her concerns to Roz when they met for coffee at Café Nervosa.

"It's just taking bloody forever. I know he doesn't want to hurt Mel, but it's starting to feel like she's doing this deliberately to hurt Niles."
"That's what I've been saying. She's a real bitch that way." Roz sipped at her latte. "Tell Niles that something needs to change. He needs to put his foot down."

Roz had no love for Mel. This didn't surprise Daphne, it seemed like the only person who thought positively of Mel was Niles, and even he was getting to the end of his rope.

"It's just starting to affect our relationship now." Daphne sighed, frustrated.
"How so?" Roz looked at Daphne, interested in this new development.
"Well, it's hard to spend time together, or think about being together, when I know that Niles is still technically married. And that they haven't filed for divorce yet." She grimaced. "It's a bit of a mood killer."
"You've been together for a month now. I think that's more than enough time to allow Niles to bend to Her Snootiness' demands. Tell him to just file for the divorce now."

Daphne nodded, agreeing.

"Well, Niles has something on with Mel on Saturday. And we've got a date Sunday - we're going to lunch then the art gallery."

Roz curled her nose up at that.

"Eww. Talk about a snoozefest."

Daphne shrugged, defending the date.

"It actually sounds interesting. Some exhibit for an artist who likes to paint dancers or something. Niles thought I might be interested." She picked at her muffin. "Anyway. Niles has lunch with Mel on Monday, apparently to discuss their current marriage situation. Niles seems to think Mel will be ready to file for divorce now."
"Well, I hope so, for both of you." Roz winked at Daphne. "Let me know if you need me to help you escape the art gallery though."

Daphne playfully batted Roz on the arm.

"I'll keep that in mind."