A/N: Many thanks to Dougie Zerts for assistance with the "I Love Lucy" references.

There she was in Café Nervosa; the one person that Frasier never expected to see. Perhaps she was a figment of his imagination. He looked and looked again, trying not to appear as though he was staring, even though he was in fact doing just that. And aside from being a little older, she looked exactly the same.

It all came back to him then; the struggle he'd had in trying to decide between two women. It was a dilemma that any other man would love to have, for there were so many lonely men in the world. He should know; he'd spoken to every depressed, lonely man in Seattle. But whom was he kidding? He himself was feeling rather lonely these days. His quest to test the waters of fate had not bided well. The impromptu flight to Chicago had been a mistake. Charlotte was indeed home, but he wasn't prepared to meet the man who answered the door. As soon as he saw her face, he knew that their relationship was not meant to be.

"I'm sorry Frasier." It was a line he'd heard countless times before.
And with that, despite the job waiting for him in San Francisco, he realized where he belonged. Within weeks, he'd moved to a new place (even nicer than the Elliott Bay Towers) and he was delighted that it was not only close to the KACL studio but also to Niles, Daphne, and his nephew David.

The view from his new home was not of the Space Needle, but of Elliott Bay. The sun hit the mountains every day at just the right time and it was the most beautiful sight imaginable. Yes, this time his life was going to be even better than before.

He glanced at her again-her being Claire, the woman he'd unceremoniously dumped after their wonderful trip to Belize. It seemed that he was the only one who wasn't affected by the breakup. Daphne cried for days over the loss of the woman whom she was sure was going to become like a sister to her. His father gave him lecture after lecture about the fact that he was getting older and that Frasier was a damn fool to lose a woman like Claire. And then there was Niles. His dear brother who was never afraid to speak his mind. And speak his mind he did; that is until Frasier put a stop to it.
Now he wondered if Niles-and everyone else-had been right.

He was grateful to Roz for offering him a job at the station. She was doing a wonderful job as the station manager and the place had never been run better. Frasier had his radio show back in a slightly different format, but it was only fair since the media industry had changed so much since he'd done his last show. In addition to taking calls, he also answered listener emails and he liked the challenge very much.

But now he had a different challenge ahead of him. The woman across from him in the café had not moved; her eyes transfixed on her book. It was most likely something fascinating, as Claire often read fascinating things. He didn't want to bother her, but he felt the attraction to her like a magnet. What would happen, he wondered, if he were to go to her? What would she say? How would she react?

There was only one way to find out.
Taking a deep breath, he gulped down the rest of his coffee and tossed the paper cup into the trash. He moved from his table and began to cross the room-just in time to see her leave.

Another missed opportunity.

He hurried outside but she was nowhere to be found. The story of his life. He'd lost her again. Not to be deterred, the radio psychiatrist did what any other person would do. He followed her. His plight seemed at first, almost impossible. That is until he caught a glimpse of her yet again.
He quickened his pace. His heart was racing, but he was determined to catch up. And an opportunity presented itself. There she was, on the corner of Third and Spring, waiting for the light to change. He prayed the light would take its time. And his prayers were answered.

Suddenly he was standing right behind her. The temptation to touch her back was simply too great, but before he realized that he'd done just that, she turned around. Her eyes widened and she engulfed him in the most wonderful, uncomfortable embrace known to man.

"Frasier!"
It was easy to hug her back.

"What are you doing here?"
"Oh, just getting a latte at Café Nervosa."
"It's over there." She pointed in the direction of the café.

"Um, yes, I've just come from there. And you?"
"I must have just missed you!"
"Yes, such a shame. But, here we are."
"Frasier, can we talk?"
He grinned. "I'm listening."
His radio show catchphrase made her laugh.

"You haven't changed at all."
"And you look wonderful, Claire, just wonderful. How have you been?"

"I've been great, Frasier. Busy. I've missed you."
"Would you like a drink? Let's go to Café Nervosa."
"But we were just there!"
"Yes, but not together, and an occasion like this calls for a drink!"

When they reached the café, he ordered his usual and ordered Claire a black coffee. It made him smile. She was so… sophisticated.

They talked until closing time and then talked more on the way to her car.

"Well, I guess this is it."
"Claire, listen. I'm glad we got things out in the open regarding our breakup and all, and I was just wondering-."
"Me too, Frasier!"
"You were wondering something as well?"
"No, I mean I'm glad we got things out in the open. I hated the way things ended between us."
"Yes, well, I've been thinking about that, too. For a long time, in fact and I was just wondering… Do you have any favorite artists?"
"You mean like Van Goal, or whatever his name was? The guy with one ear?"

Frasier tried not to wince. Surely, she was joking. Van Goal? Really? "Actually I meant music artists. Singers, bands…."
"Oh, well now let me think… I like oldies."
"Ah, like Frank Sinatra-."
"More like Frankie Avalon. Oh, that man is so dreamy."
"I see… actually I was thinking about-"

She stood and crossed the café, returning seconds later with a newspaper. Instantly Frasier's curiosity was peaked. But when she opened the paper and turned the page, her eyes widened. "Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!"
Frasier was startled at her outburst. "Dear God, what's wrong? Bad news? Well, it seems there's just too much of that in Seattle. It's a shame, I tell you-."
"No! It's the best news ever!"
"Well, why don't you share this good news?"
"Frankie Avalon is coming here! Can you believe it? Oh, Frasier, can we go?"
"You mean, like on a date?"
"I'd give anything to see Frankie Avalon in person! Come on, Frasier, please!"

"Well…" He cringed. The last thing he wanted to do was go to some rock and roll show. He was hoping she would say that she liked someone more… sophisticated. But when he looked into her eyes, he knew that he couldn't say no. He reached into his pocket and ran his fingers over the tickets that he'd gotten from the station. It would be easy enough to exchange them, he supposed. And if it would make her happy. "Why not?" He said, feigning a smile.
"Oh Frasier, you're the best!" She grabbed him and kissed him like never before, and he was subconsciously aware of the entire café staring at him.

"Frankie Avalon? That's going to be quite a show!"
Frasier nodded. He should have known that his father would approve. If only Claire would like to accompany Martin to the concert.

"I don't know, Dad… A rock and roll show?"
"The man's a classic, Frasier! And this is Claire. I told you that you shouldn't have dumped her!"

"Dad, for the last time, I didn't-."
"Now's your chance to reconcile!"
"I have no intention of reconciling. I simply saw her in Café Nervosa and-."
"Ran out of there chasing her, flying like Cupid!" Niles quipped.
"Oh, stuff it! I did no such thing!"
"But you said that you followed her!"
"Yes, but I wasn't chasing her! I was just-Oh, all right, I was."
"So we were right about Claire all along."
Frasier rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Daphne, don't start this again, please."

"Don't speak to her that way!" Niles scolded. "Daphne brought up a good point. We were right about Claire all along. Why you insisted on dumping her for Lana of all people is beyond me!"

"All right, fine! I was chasing Claire! Are you happy now?"
"Not unless you get back together with her! And it sounds like going to see Frankie Avalon is the way to do it!"
"Well, I can't very well back out now. I suppose I'll go and try to enjoy it."

Two nights later Frasier and Claire were seated in the center Orchestra section of Benaroya Hall. The Orchestra was quite good, playing songs that Frasier had never heard but that Claire was clearly familiar with, as she sang along (quite loudly) to each one.

When Mr. Avalon finally came out on stage, the screaming-oh the screaming was almost unbearable! Is this the way grown women behaved, when a man who was clearly much too old to be a rock star was on stage? Dear God!

He pretended to enjoy it and he had to admit that some of the songs were quite catchy. He wasn't at all prepared for the reaction to the song "Venus" which he assumed was going to be about the planet. That was not the case in the least .Mr. Avalon was singing of the Roman Goddess of love and beauty. And it was quite touching. His gaze moved to Claire, who was staring at the man as though seeing him for the first time. Her eyes were transfixed on Mr. Avalon's perfect dark hair, his white shirt and white pants.

Suddenly he realized that Mr. Avalon wasn't a rock star at all. He was a genius. This, yes, this man was the key to getting Claire back. Unable to help himself, Frasier slipped his hand into Claire's and enjoyed the rest of the show.

The applause was deafening but the man truly deserved it. Perhaps his father was right. This concert was absolutely perfect.

The lights came up and they stood to leave. "Well, that was most enjoyable!" Frasier said. "I'm not usually comfortable with music of that sort, but it's really-."
"Come on, Frasier! Hurry up!"
His arm was nearly pulled out of socket as Claire yanked him down the aisle and away from the crowds.
"Dear God, what are you doing?"
"I have to meet him, Frasier! I simply must!"
"Meet who?"
"Frankie Avalon!"
"Oh, but Claire, I don't-."
"Come on Frasier, you can do anything! Do this for me, okay? Please?"

"Well, I simply don't have the means to do so. I-I have no connections! It would be impossible!"

Suddenly a disturbing sound floated through the auditorium, growing louder and louder by the minute. Frasier looked over, startled when he realized that it was coming from Claire. It was the most obnoxious thing he'd ever heard.
"Dear God, what's wrong?"
"I wanted to meet Frankie Avalon!" She wailed. "I've wanted to meet him since I was a little girl!"
"Well, Claire, I told you, there's no way I can…"
She cried harder and he had no choice but to try to comfort her as best as he could.
When she was calm, he took her home and his efforts to apologize didn't go unnoticed. For she kissed him at the door, in much the same way that she'd kissed him previously.

"That was nice."
"Wanna come inside?"

"Oh, that would be nice." He could not hide his smile. As luck would have it, he didn't leave her apartment until late the next morning.

"Well, you're home late… Or should I say early!" Martin said as Frasier opened the door.
"Why Frasier, I'm surprised." Niles said.
"And why is that, Niles? It's because of you all that this happened!"
"You're not happy about it?"
"Of course, I'm happy dad. It's wonderful! Claire and I are back together, but there's just something-."
"How was the concert? Oh, Frankie Avalon is so dreamy!" Daphne sighed. "I'd love to see him in concert. He's so handsome!"
"I'll take you, Daphne! I-."
"Niles, knock it off, all right? You could never explain a thing like that to Maris."
"Oh, I suppose you're right Dad."
"So Frasier, was Claire the same wonderful person as before?"
"Well Dad, now that you mention it-."
"She was like a sister to me. Oh, how I miss her!"
At the sound of Daphne's sobbing, Niles walked over and put his hand on her back. "There, there, Daphne. Don't cry."

"Actually the evening was quite nice, but there's something different about her. She was pretty upset that I wasn't able to get her backstage to meet Mr. Avalon. In fact…" He went to answer the door and smiled at the sight of Roz.
"Hey, Frasier, Niles, Daphne, Martin."
They quickly filled Roz in on Frasier's date, but she seemed distracted.
"You okay, Roz?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm just exhausted. I got a babysitter for Alice and I thought I'd come over here and just watch some television. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, not at all. I was just going to read the paper." Martin said.

"And I'll keep you company, Roz."

"I'll join you." Daphne said.
"And so will I…" Niles looked at his watch. "Oh damn, I have a patient scheduled in thirty minutes. I have to be going. Enjoy your TV program."

When Niles was gone, Roz, Daphne and Frasier sat on his Coco Channel sofa and Martin sat in his beloved chair.
"So what would you like to watch, Roz? Here's the remote."
"Thanks Frasier. I don't care. Just something mindless."

She pointed the remote at the television until she came to a familiar program. "Oh, this is my favorite episode! It's the one where Lucy gets upset with Ricky because he won't take her backstage to meet-. Oh God, now she's gonna cry about it."

Suddenly a horrible sound floated from the TV.

"Waaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Horrified, Frasier covered his ears. It was the exact same sound that he'd heard the day before when Claire was upset over not getting to meet Frankie Avalon.
His love life had become an episode of 'I Love Lucy'.

He sank further into the couch and shook his head in disbelief

"Oh dear God…"

~Fin~