A Web of Misunderstandings

Can Love Conquer All?

He felt her hands slip from his.

"Niles, its not that I don't love you, but…" she began.

He could tell from the sound of her voice that her back was to him.

"Don't." He cut her off, adding, "I understand." He sniffed and hoped he successfully concealed his disappointment from her.

But his sniff gave him away, as Daphne recalled what Dr. Crane had told her about Niles.

She turned to face him.

The small trickle of blood escaping from Niles' nose confirmed it.

"Niles, I just think we should wait. We already have a lot on our plate at the moment. I know for me, what I need more than anything right now is peace of mind. And until I get that, I can't even think about the next phase in my life, much alone try and plan a wedding. So, until we know the outcome of the trail and whether that piece of filth gets sent to prison for everything he has done to us..."

"And if he isn't?" Niles whispered, almost afraid of her reply.

"What do you mean?"

"Will my love for you be enough to conquer all that we have been through and be enough to help you move on?"

She didn't answer him right away.

Finally, in a low whisper, she confessed, "I don't know Niles. I honestly don't know."

Battle of the Voices

To those who didn't know him, and if he could see, he would be described as "just staring into space".

He sighed deeply and pensively as he recalled his proposal to Daphne a mere week earlier.

"Niles? Your usual?" Frasier, who was next in line called out, unknowingly interrupting his little brothers' thoughts.

"Of course," affirmed Niles and weakly smiled and mentally added, 'whatever that is'.

But his thoughts quickly returned back to Daphne.

Though it hurt and was extremely painful for him, he tried not to push her and instead, gave her the time and space she needed.

And he hoped.

He hoped that whenever the jury came back with its verdict (hopefully with a guilty one), they could then begin their new life together.

But on the flip side, he couldn't ignore the voice that offered its tenacious rebuttal.

The voice that argued that this (the trial) was just a front, and the truth was, Daphne just didn't want to marry him.

For once Niles was glad he had the protective shield of sunglasses. For they easily concealed his tears.

"Niles…" a third voice unknowingly interrupted, causing him to jump.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you. May I join you?"

The Turn Down

"…so I told him we should wait."

Audrey, while completely understanding and supportive of her good friend's reasoning, was shocked.

"You look surprised," Daphne commented.

"I guess I am. At least a little. I never thought you would turn him down and risk losing him again. So, how did he respond?"

"Like the knight he's always been since the first night we met." More quietly she added, "Honorably."

Both friends walked in silence.

"Understandingly, I knew he would be disappointed, but you would never know it by his actions. He hasn't pushed me and has given me the space and time I've needed to work things out in me mind. Especially if the jury doesn't come back with the verdict we hope."

"And if it doesn't?"

Daphne weakly smiled. "Niles asked me that very same question."

Looking for a distraction and upon finding it, "Hey, we're not that far from Café Nervosa, why don't we stop. My treat," Daphne offered.

"I know what you're doing Daphne. We can go to Nervosa," Audrey agreed. "But I still expect an answer."

My Coffee with Niles

Like she always did whenever she ordered one (which wasn't very often), she took a long sniff of the whole milk mocha with whipped cream and chocolate shavings she ordered.

Nearly intoxicated just by the inhalation, she inquired, slightly slurred, "I read about you in the papers and I just wanted to tell you how terribly sorry I am for everything you have gone through. Is there anything I can do?"

He was both dumbfounded and speechless.

This wasn't anything like the woman he remembered (or thought he remembered).

Reaching out his hand, he hoped to find hers so he could show his appreciation for her out of character declaration and support.

"I-I don't know quite what to say…" he sputtered and as he found her hand, "thank you." He squeezed her hand slightly in affirming his sincerity, just as Daphne walked in.

A Web of Misunderstandings

It was hard to tell which was more stirred, her café latte or her emotions.

"I don't believe he…" Daphne pouted as she vigorously stirred and watched her own distorted reflection spin in her café latte she had ordered.

"Daphne, you don't know anything. And you won't know anything either, unless you march yourself over there to his table and talk to him," Audrey urged.

"I don't know. What would I say?"

"Niles. Don't," she pleaded and reminded, "my webbing."

He quickly let go and withdrew his hand. "I'm sorry. I forgot."

"You'll think of something. Just go over to his table and talk to him. I'm sure this is not what you think and is nothing more than a simple misunderstanding. Remember it is you that he loves. It was you, not her, he asked to marry."

"You're right Audrey," Daphne agreed and set down her spoon. "I'm just being silly about the whole thing, aren't I?"

Daphne got up and started to make her way over to Niles' table, upon reaching it, she quickly cut to the chase before she lost her nerve, and declared with her anger, jealousy quite apparent echoing her sediments, "Hello, Niles, I hope I'm not…"

Upon hearing is true love's voice, and always the gentleman, he rose to his feet and accidentally cut her off, "Oh Daphne, I'm glad you're here, I'd like to introduce you to…"

For the third time in mere seconds and spotting Daphne from out of the corner of his eye, "Oh Daphne, I didn't know you were here. I was just about to call you…" Frasier announced upon arriving at the table.

"Niles, I just got a call from the prosecutor, the jury has reached a verdict…"

To be continued…