She was staring at him in absolute horror, wearing a look he'd never thought he'd see-or wanted to see. But how could he blame her? What other reaction could she have possibly had, after walking into her room to find the three men whom she trusted most going through her personal belongings? And Niles was the guiltiest of them all, holding her lacy (and very sexy) nightgown against his chest. He couldn't even imagine what she must be thinking and while his father and brother dared to attempt an apology, Niles remained silent. What could he say? He'd violated her privacy in one of the most demeaning ways possible-and all because of his selfishness.

"Get out! Get out! All of you! Right this instant!" She screamed, sending all three Crane men scrambling. Even Eddie was startled. The bra fell from his mouth and despite the rush to leave the room, it was hard for Niles not to look at the lacy fabric without wondering if he'd ever get the chance to see how beautiful Daphne must be when she wore-

His arm was nearly pulled out of joint when he felt his brother dragging him into the hallway. The door slammed shut, causing Niles to wince at the sound.

"Well, that didn't go as planned." Frasier said, running his hand over his brow.

"It sure didn't." his father agreed. "We should give her time to cool off."

"That's a good idea." Frasier agreed.

"Frasier, I'm sorry. This was my fault." Niles admitted.

"You're damn right it was your fault!" Frasier snapped his words stinging.

"What in the hell were you thinking, wanting to sneak into her room like that?" his father demanded.

He stared at the two men, at a loss for words. "I-I…"

"Well, there's no sense in sitting around here. Daphne's b0ound to be mad as hell for a while." Martin said. "Maybe we should just… get out of here for a few hours."

"I agree, Dad." Frasier said. "Why don't we go to McGinty's? I'll buy. I sure could use a beer."

"Me too." Martin replied.

Niles sighed deeply, watching his father and brother head for the door. Both men paused and then turned around. "You coming, Niles?"

"Um, no. I think I'll just… head home."

"Well, whatever you do, don't talk to Daphne. Come on Fras. Niles, I mean it! Don't talk to her at all! She's already furious enough! In fact, you should probably leave now before she comes out of that room. She's liable to kill you!"

"Dad, honestly-."

"What, you think I'm kidding, Frasier? Did you see the look on her face?"

"Yes, I did, Dad. And tomorrow we'll go first thing and buy her a new car."

"Bribery, huh?"

"Well, call it whatever you want, but I prefer to think of it as a peace offering."

"There'll be no peace in this house for a while, you can count on that. Niles, leave Daphne alone!"

"Dad, I-."

"I mean it son! Just go home!"

The door slammed shut, leaving Niles alone in the living room. But he had no intention of leaving, not until he'd made things right with Daphne; if that was even possible. He knew he was staking a huge risk, even bigger than before, but this was something he had to do.

He sat perfectly still, his heart still racing from her unexpected outburst. As a distraction, he grabbed one of Frasier's books from the shelf and settled onto the sofa, feigning interest in the words on the pages.

Suddenly he heard a door open and close and felt someone enter the room. He turned, realizing instantly that it was a mistake. His angel stood there, staring at him, her expression one of annoyance, anger and hurt. And-were those tears in her eyes? Dear God please don't let it be so. But she immediately looked away.

"I thought you'd be gone." She said, her face turned away from him.

"Well, I was, but I wanted to-."

"I have nothing to say to you, Dr. Crane. Nothing at all."

Again he was stung, much worse than before and he swallowed hard. "I understand."

"Do you, Dr. Cane? Do you really understand? I need me privacy! I thought you, your brother and your father understood that!"

"Daphne, I'm so sorry. I-Please don't blame Frasier or Dad. The fault was completely mine."

"It's nice of you to stand up for your brother. It's more than me brothers did for me, but-."

"It's true, Daphne. I'm the one who went into your room. Dad and Frasier tried to stop me! I wasn't going to enter your room at all, actually. I just wanted-."
After a long silence she glared at him and crossed her arms. "Well? Aren't you going to tell me what was so important that you had to go into me room?"

"I-I…"

"Fine, don't tell me! I don't care! I don't feel like talking to you anyway! I'll be in me room, so I suggest that you leave! And I'd appreciate it if you didn't come back for a while."

The knife cut deeper into his soul, but he knew that he deserved it, and he felt tears stinging his eyes.

"All right." He said, barely able to hear his own words.

She walked off and slammed the door, shaking his nerves yet again. Eddie was nowhere to be found, most likely hiding, which was what Niles ought to be doing. But he couldn't leave; not just yet. He glanced around the condo but for a moment until he found a slim notepad and the words "shopping list" on the top. It was hardly appropriate, but it was the best he could do. He grabbed a pen and sat down at the table, composing a note.

Dear Daphne, I cannot express to you enough how deeply sorry I am for invading your privacy. However, there was a reason for my actions, even though my reason is certainly not enough to warrant forgiveness. If anyone knows about privacy it's I. As a psychiatrist I deal with such issues all the time, at home and at the office and you of all people deserve only the best.
As for my own reasons for entering your room, I'm sure you will find this pretentious, and you'll probably think that I'm completely psychotic but please believe me when I say that what I'm about to tell you is the truth.

Like I said earlier (and was too cowardly to finish; seems to be a constant with me), I wasn't planning on going into your room. I only wanted to press my cheek against the door and feel the wood grain against my skin. If I can't have you for my own, being as close to you as possible is the next best thing.

By now I gather you're reading this in disbelief and even I can't believe I'm saying it but I swear, Daphne, it's the truth. You see, I'm in love with you. I know it's too late now, but I just wanted you to know, for whatever it's worth. I do love you Daphne Moon. I've loved you since the moment I first saw you, folding laundry right here in this living room. And I will love you forever.

With love,

Niles Crane.

With a sigh he carefully folded the note and moved slowly down the hallway until he came to her room. He started to knock, but he didn't care, choosing instead to attempt to slide it under the door. He leaned down just a bit, in time to see Eddie scampering into the hallway. "Go away!" he hissed, praying that the dog would leave. But, as he expected the Jack Russell Terrier would not budge. He left the note where it was, smack in the middle of the hallway. She was sure to see it, as soon as she opened her door. But by then he'd be long gone.

He returned to the living room, his heart racing with ridiculous visions of her picking up his note and reading the words. She was sure to be stunned, but it was the only way he knew to tell her how he felt. He certainly couldn't tell her to her face. Not now anyway, and perhaps not ever. Hopefully in time she would, as his father said "cool off" and they could talk about his note; that if she ever wanted to see him again.

He was just about to pick up his keys and walk out the door when Eddie appeared beside him, the paper between his teeth. Disgusted, Niles reached into his pocket for his handkerchief and covered his hand with it, before gently prying the note from the dog's mouth. It was shredded beyond belief. Daphne would never be able to read it.

But perhaps that was a given. He walked out of the condo and headed for his car. He didn't deserve her, not after what he'd done. And he doubted he ever would.