"Hey! Open up! I know you're there!"

Martin's voice, followed by a loud knocking, brought Niles out of his thoughts of how it seemed he was always in Frasier's shadow. Sighing, he reluctantly rose from the fainting couch. He didn't want to see anyone right and have to explain what had happened, but he knew Martin wouldn't leave until he got some answers.

"Where have you been?" Martin demanded the moment Niles opened the door.

"If you must know, my dear brother abandoned me, penniless, downtown just because—,"

"I know what happened, and believe me, I told Frasier in no uncertain terms what I thought about his behavior!" Martin said as he sat in a plush chair with a sigh of relief. "Still, you needed to let us know that you were safe! Do you know how worried I was when I went to pick you up and didn't see you?"

"Oh, did my brother finally remember me?" Niles said sarcastically.

"Don't use that tone with me," Martin replied snapped. "Frasier had us worried, too, but he at least called Roz and let us know what was happening!"

"And what great obstacle made him late for Frasier-fest this time?" Niles said bitingly.

His father gave him a look that made him shrink back.

Martin then filled in about why Frasier had been late; Niles felt a grudging admiration of his older brother giving up "Frasier Crane Day" to help the cab driver, but was still furious. That didn't change the fact that Frasier had left him stranded!

"I know I should've called, Dad, but I was just so upset about being left behind that I just didn't think. I would've called after I calmed down."

Even in his state of indignation, Niles knew that this excuse was a reach. Martin's cold glare told him that he was waiting for an apology. But Niles' injured pride was still greater than his remorse at the moment and he sensed that Martin knew this as well. His intuitions were proven when Martin delivered his next words.

"It's a pity you were in such a state of distress that you didn't think to let us know what was happening," he said with feigned indifference. "Daphne was worried sick about you. Well, I sure hope she'll be understanding about such a close friend leaving her hanging…"

Martin's words hit the mark; he knew his youngest son's weakness when it came to Daphne. Niles wilted visibly and let go of his injured pride.

"I'm sorry," he said with real remorse, "and tell Daphne I'm sorry, too. And Frasier."

The last sentence seemed tacked on, but Martin didn't push. Now it was up to his boys to sort things out between them.

"I'm glad you're safe, son," Martin said before departing.

Despite being penitent over worrying everyone (even Frasier), Niles found it harder to let go of what Frasier had done. He accepted his brother's apology civilly, but didn't have it in him to say anything more than that. Niles knew deep inside (especially as a psychiatrist) that his behavior was petty and would only be detrimental to their relationship, but his pride was winning over his conscience.

It was almost a week since the incident, but Niles still refused to talk to Frasier. Then, one afternoon, he got a call from Daphne when he was on his lunch break; she had an odd request—that he listen to Frasier's show.

Niles was certainly not inclined to do so, so great was his resentment, but he was helpless to refuse even this request from the woman he adored.

Niles half-listened to Becky from Colfax, who wanted to know how to control her near-obsession with collecting flamingo-related items, and Carol from Vancouver, who was convinced her boss could read her mind, before Frasier said something that made him perk up.

"I'm going to temporarily put our calls on hold to say something to someone who's very important to me," he said genially. "And this 'someone' is my brother, Niles. If he were listening, I would reiterate that I am deeply sorry for a selfish action I recently took, and that from now on I'll work extra hard on making him a priority in my life—because I only get one little brother."

For the first time in days, Niles smiled, feeling the resentment melt away.

After he left his office, Niles called Frasier.

"Hello, Frasier? I was just wondering if you'd like to go to dinner at Chez Henri on Friday. I managed to get a last-minute reservation."

"Nothing would make me happier," Frasier answered. "I love you, Niles."

"I love you too, Frasier."

The End