Chapter 12

The next several days passed without much drama.

Daphne saw Gloria again, and they talked more about Daphne's current situation. It seemed like progress that Niles was going to stop going along with acting like a happy couple with Mel, but there were other things that Daphne wanted to talk about. Mainly about the feeling she couldn't live up to the image Niles had built up of her over the years.

Niles hadn't heard from Mel at all, although he knew that couldn't last forever. He did consider just biting the bullet and contacting her himself, to let her know he wouldn't play this game anymore, but the coward in him didn't want to invite trouble that could be put off. Instead, Niles focused on spending as much time as possible with Daphne.

Daphne was enjoying the increased attention from Niles. She knew he was feeling guilty for letting himself get so wrapped up with the drama with Mel, and was wanting to ensure that Daphne didn't feel second to Mel again. Niles popped over almost daily, whenever he had free time, and joined Daphne with whatever she was doing, whether that was cleaning, cooking, or walking Eddie.

Niles visited again Wednesday afternoon. Daphne was home alone when he arrived, and they went to her bedroom to chat while she folded her laundry. Niles sat on her bed, trying to keep a casual demeanor, as difficult as that was. If he was honest with himself, Daphne's room for many years had been a source of many a wandering thought or daydream. He'd often fantasized about sneaking away with Daphne to her room, fulfilling each other desires. Niles felt his face grow warm at that thought. Daphne watched him, noticing his fidgeting.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Niles chuckled nervously.

"Oh, no... I was just... um..." He trailed off, and tried to distract himself from his thoughts by putting clothes on the hangers Daphne had put aside.

Daphne laughed.

"Don't worry, I'm sure I can guess."

Niles spluttered, trying to deny his less than chaste thoughts. Daphne threw the shirt she was folding at his face playfully.

"Really, Niles. Such a dirty mind." Daphne teased, amused.
"Well, can you blame me? I mean, we're... in your room." Niles said it with a gravity as if that should explain everything.
"And? You've been in here before."
"I have not!" Niles defended himself, before realizing what she had meant. "Oh. Well, a couple of times, I guess. Briefly, i-in the platonic sense. But never... I mean... now that we..."

Daphne raised her eyebrows. Niles was properly flustered now as he continued rambling.

"It's not like you wouldn't be thinking the same thing if we were in my room," he huffed. "It's... you know - a place that used to be somewhat private, forbidden... it's hard not to..." Niles finished lamely, unsure where he was going with his point.

Daphne shrugged.

"Sorry, Niles. I don't think I've really thought about your bedroom before..." She paused, thoughtful. "Although... now you mention it, I guess I'm thinking about it now."

She grinned wickedly at him. Niles however, looked a little hurt.

"You've never thought about you and me... you know..."
"Oh, I wouldn't say I've never thought about it. But, possibly not as much as you have." She folded slowly, thinking. "Do you remember that heat wave a few years back, when I came over after a fight with Sherry? I thought about it a lot that night. And quite a lot for a few weeks after." She smiled suggestively at Niles, who looked stunned at this revelation. "And probably every hot night and heat wave since."

Niles swallowed, momentarily speechless at the thought. He remembered that night. Of course he did. It was the closest he had ever gotten to anything actually happening with Daphne, and the fact that they were interrupted was one of his greatest regrets. Niles wondered, not for the first time, how things would have turned out if they did end up sleeping together that night.

His thoughts were interrupted by Daphne asking him something.

"I'm sorry, Daphne. My mind was somewhere else."

She laughed.

"I bet it was. You know, you often drifted off mid-conversation, not listening to what I was saying. I used to think you were bored. Now I realize exactly what impure thoughts you were thinking, Niles Crane."
"Oh, well, I..." He looked at Daphne, and he could see how much she was enjoying teasing him. He smiled sheepishly. "What were you saying before?"
"I was asking what you imagined would happen in here? You know, before we started dating. Why was my room such a fantasy for you?"

Niles thought about it.

How on earth do I answer that question?

Honestly, Niles had spent way too much time thinking about Daphne and her bedroom, numerous scenarios leading to just as many numerous outcomes. He looked around the room, at the assorted objects, her belongings. The remnants of Frasier's old office and decorating touches long eradicated, the room was truly Daphne's - her personality, undiluted.

"Well, simply put, your room it the one place that is solely yours and yours alone. You spend the most time in here, it's filled with things that you chose, that you like. Each one tells a story about you. This room is you. An extension of you. So, I always imagined that being allowed in your room - a place that is yours alone would be like you were trusting me with a part of yourself. I guess I always hoped we'd become close enough for you to trust this part of yourself with me."

Daphne looked at Niles, not expecting that answer. She blushed, clearly moved by the sentiment.

"That's rather sweet. I wouldn't think my style of decorating would be to your taste, though." She glanced around shyly.
"It's very you. And, I love you." Niles said simply.
"That's a clever way to avoid answering that question." She laughed. " I love you too, Niles."

Daphne walked over and started putting her clothes away in the dresser. Niles stood, and took the clothes he placed on hangers over to the wardrobe, and hung them up. He felt arms snake around his waist, and Daphne press herself against his back. Niles' breath caught in his throat as Daphne leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you for helping me with the laundry."
"It was my pleasure..." Niles was distracted. He could smell her perfume. Combined with how close she was, pressed against him, he found himself thinking about the other fantasies he had about Daphne and her room. The ones he didn't voice.

Does she have any idea what she does to me...

"Penny for your thoughts?" Her voice was soft as she whispered in his ear.

Yes. Yes she does.

"They're... not exactly... um..." Niles found himself getting flustered again.

Daphne loved the effect she had on Niles. Although, it sometimes felt like a lot of pressure too. Gloria had touched on it in their last session, that Niles may be more fixated on his fantasy of Daphne, rather than the real version of her. After all, he had several years devoted to the fantasy, without know the real thing intimately. And that was daunting to her. Niles used words to describe her that made Daphne feel like she couldn't live up to what he wanted her to be. Perfect, goddess, unobtainable... Daphne didn't believe that she was any of those things, and didn't know what to do when Niles discovered that too.

But moments like this, where she could gently tease him about his fantasies, and bring the discussion out in the open, made them slightly less daunting.

Niles turned around in her arms, so they were facing each other, still pressed together. He stared at Daphne, a longing in his eyes, which Daphne knew hers reflected back. She stared at Niles, and it was almost like they were trying to see who would cave to their desires first. Daphne did, unable to resist. She pressed her mouth against his, and felt him reciprocate immediately, obviously seconds to giving in himself. She pulled Niles towards her and they stumbled back towards the bed, the kiss becoming more fervent and eager. Daphne found herself helping Niles shed his jacket as they fell against the bed.

Niles was on top of her, his weight pressed comfortably against her body. He started to kiss along her neck, moaning hungrily as he did so. Daphne's hands explored along his body, and she could feel him through his pants, hard against her leg. Daphne moaned, wrapping her leg around Niles' hips, and pulling him against her tightly. Niles' hand slid its way up under her shirt, and he moaned her name.

"God, Daphne. You're so beautiful. My goddess..."

Daphne found herself suddenly feeling self conscious. She wondered about Niles' fantasies of her, and wondered if she could possibly live up to this goddess version of herself.

"Niles, wait." She gasped, almost involuntarily.

Niles stopped and pulled back, looking at Daphne. He seemed to realize something.

"Okay." He rolled off her and laid on his back next to her. He closed his eyes. Pressing his hand to his forehead, he exhaled slowly.
"Niles, I'm sorry. I..." Daphne paused, unsure how to voice her fears, not quite sure of them herself. A nagging feeling that she couldn't live up to his expectations. That she would disappoint him.

Niles opened his eyes and looked at her, smiling weakly.

"Don't apologize. Out of everything I've put you through with Mel, you only asked for one thing - to wait until my divorce was done. I have no problem waiting until then." He sighed heavily. "I won't lie and say it isn't difficult. I really want you, Daphne."
"I want you too, Niles. I just..." Again, she wasn't sure how to say it.

It didn't matter. Niles looped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

"Tell me a story."

Daphne looked at him.

"What about?"
"Mmm, anything. Tell me something about yourself I don't know."

They laid there for a while in each other's arms, as Daphne told Niles something from her childhood. Niles then told her something about himself. They traded a couple of stories like this, until they had to venture out so Daphne could prepare dinner. Daphne was glad they had spent the afternoon that way. It made her feel less worried about Niles' perception of her, when she could share things about herself that openly. By the time they left her room, Daphne almost felt silly for worrying. She glanced at Niles a few times that evening during dinner, still feeling that pull of lust, and considered just pulling him back to her room to continue where they left off. Daphne did want want him, badly. They should just jump straight into it.

She just didn't know why it felt so difficult.

The next afternoon saw Niles stop by his lawyers, and pick up the divorce paperwork he had them draft up. Niles had decided after his conversation with Daphne the week before to get the ball rolling himself. If he was no longer playing Mel's games, there was no point waiting any longer. It might be easier to drive the message home, and take the plunge if he had already commenced and signed the paperwork on his end by the time he spoke to Mel.

Niles still hadn't heard anything from Mel, which had to be some sort of record. Perhaps now her main social group were out of the state, she was biding her time, not wanting to see Niles. Or, maybe Mel had reconsidered the entire thing. Or, maybe she was trying to work out the best way to torture Niles further. Whatever the case, Niles was apprehensive about the prolonged silence, and the thought of having to contact Mel himself. He'd be quite content to ignore her forever, if not for the fact that he really, really needed this divorce to go through. The previous evening in Daphne's bedroom reinforced that for him.

That evening, Niles took Daphne out to dinner and the opera. He was aware she didn't enjoy their last outing, but Niles already had the tickets and Frasier had bailed last minute for a date. Niles promised Daphne that this one was not as long, or as Italian, as the previous opera, and while he knew she may still not enjoy it, Daphne accepted the invitation happily, looking forward to an evening out together. It was definitely going better this time. Daphne clearly still wasn't won over, but she was paying attention, leaning in to Niles and whispering small questions that he was only too happy to answer, if only because it brought them within a hair's breadth of each other; shoulders brushing against each other, her hand resting on his knee, a slyly stolen kiss.

At intermission they walked out together. Daphne excused herself to use the bathroom, while Niles went to the bar to buy some champagne for the two of them. He had just ordered when a familiar voice behind him sent a chill down his spine.

"Niles. Enjoying the opera?"

Niles turned, smile pasted on his face, and internal worry pushed back out of sight.

"Peter. I thought you and Annette were back in California?"
"We leave tomorrow, delayed our flights as we already had tickets for tonight's performance." Peter glanced around as if looking for someone, and Niles could have sworn his next question was almost an accusation. "Are you here with Mel?"
"No, not tonight. Just me."

The bartender returned with Niles' drinks. Peter stared at the two glasses of champagne pointedly, seeing straight through the lie. Niles cleared his throat.

"Ah. Well, I am here with someone else. I was supposed to come with my brother, but he bailed last minute, and I had an extra ticket, so..."

Peter's face seemed inscrutable. Niles had no idea whether he believed him or not. Peter collected his drinks, and gave a slight nod.

"Well, I must be getting back. Perhaps Annette and I will see you and your... lady friend after the show."

Niles smiled politely again, exchanging goodbyes and promises to try and catch up after, but internally he was panicking.

I didn't mention who I was with. He knows. He's seen. Oh god.

Niles made his way back to Daphne. She took her glass and smiled at Niles, before noticing his barely masked distress.

"Is everything all right?"

He shook his head slightly.

"I just ran into one of Mel's close friends. He knows I'm here with you."
"Oh." Daphne didn't know what to say to that. "What happened?"

Niles shrugged.

"Nothing yet. But Mel is going to be angry. I guarantee she'll know by the end of the night."

They made their way back to their seats, the mood of the evening now ruined. Niles glanced around the dark theatre, trying to see where Peter was seated, to no avail. He fidgeted nervously during the remainder of the performance. Daphne glanced worriedly at Niles. The show finally ended and Niles rose almost immediately.

"Let's make a speedy exit. They want to try and corner us after the show."
"Niles, this is ridiculous. Just be honest with them. Tell them you and Mel have separated."
"Mel will hate that." Niles had Daphne's hand, and was trying to navigate them both through the crowd. "Besides, while it's bad enough that they're going to accuse us of having an affair, I'm not going to subject you to being treated like you're just my mistress. You deserve better than that."

Daphne felt a wave of shame.

We are having an affair. I am his mistress. Why sugarcoat it?

They stepped outside, and she felt Niles relax his grip on her hand a little as they started walking back to his car. She tried talking to him again.

"Well, it's the truth. Maybe we should just-"
"Niles!" A man's voice shouted across the courtyard.

Niles dropped Daphne's hand.

"Just keep walking. I'll meet you at my car."

He turned around and walked back to the couple that were approaching them. Daphne glanced at them, and saw their faces. The man was unreadable, but the woman looked less than pleased. Daphne watched as Niles walked up and greeted them, to face whatever they were going to say to him alone.

He wants to protect me from that...

Daphne made a decision.

"Peter, Annette. How lovely to see you again." Niles tried to smile, but it felt forced, insincere.

Peter cleared his throat, not wanting to bother with pleasantries.

"Niles, we want to talk to you about-"
"Who is that woman you were with?" Annette cut Peter off, a lot more direct than her husband. "We saw you fawning over her all evening. I want answers, Niles. Mel deserves to know what her husband is up to behind her back."

Niles stared at them, and opened his mouth to answer, unsure exactly what he was going to say, when he felt a hand slip into his.

He glanced over, and saw Daphne standing next to him, looking resolutely at the Devereauxs.

"Mel already knows." Daphne said quietly. "She's known for weeks."

Annette looked like she didn't believe a word of it.

"Nonsense. Who are you?"
"Daphne Moon. Niles' girlfriend."
"You of course know Niles is married?" Peter's tone was even, yet hard.
"I do. But what you don't know is that Niles and Mel have been separated for two months." Daphne's tone was calm, matching Peter's.

Annette was less calm.

"That's a lie. They've been married for two months. We've been dining and socializing with the both of them the entire time."

Niles interjected here.

"It's true. Mel and I have been separated the whole time. I married Mel, but it was a mistake. I've been in love with Daphne for years. We... just never had the chance before to be together. So, when the opportunity to be with Daphne finally happened a couple of days after my marriage... I took it." The couple stared at Niles coldly, as if they didn't believe what was being said. "Mel wanted us to pretend that we were happily married for several weeks until she filed for divorce, to protect her image. I'm sorry I lied to you. I would have preferred that we filed quietly weeks ago without any of this deception."

Annette glared at the two of them, before turning and leaving. Peter shot Niles a look.

"Your behaviour is truly abhorrent, Niles. I don't believe your story. We'll be speaking with Mel about this tonight."

Peter turned, and went after his wife. Niles let out the breath he was holding.

"Oh, my god." Niles notice Daphne was still holding his hand. He looked at her. "Daphne, you didn't have to come back. I didn't want them to-"

Daphne shook her head as they started walking back to Niles' car.

"Niles, I know you wanted to protect me, but I knew what I was getting into when I decided to leave Donny for you. I knew you were married. I knew that this is technically an affair."
"You didn't deserve that. Their hate, the judgement..."
"That was barely anything. They were too angry with you to bother about me." Daphne noticed Niles was shaking. "Are you all right?"

Niles nodded.

"Yes. Just a bit... nervous. Oh, god." He started to breathe heavily, and Daphne recognized that he was starting to hyperventilate, to panic. "Mel, she's going to be furious. She's going to try and ruin me. What-"

Daphne pulled Niles against her in a tight embrace. He started to calm down, his breathing slowing.

"It's going to be all right," she murmured. "Whatever happens, I'll be here. By your side."

She felt him nod as he relaxed against her.

"I love you, Daphne."
"I love you, too. With all my heart."