Niles hesitated only for a moment before quietly entering the room adjacent from his. He had no right to be there, but he was feeling bold and what perfect time to say what was in his heart than at a romantic ski lodge? With any luck, Daphne would be in his arms, or at least sharing a few kisses by a roaring fire. The idea made his heart sing with joy. It was, by all accounts a dream he'd had again and again since they'd arrived at the cabin, and even more often back in Seattle. And now he wanted nothing more than for that dream to come true.

And so he stood at her bathroom door, knocking lightly. "Hello? it's Niles."

"Wait a minute!" Came the muffled reply.

"O-Okay." And then he shook his head. "A-actually no. I can't wait. If I don't say this now, I'll lose my nerve. I need you. I've wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you."

He paused, waiting for her reply. But why was she taking so long? Perhaps he'd upset her. Or maybe she was angry…

Dear God….

The door opened and he quickly prepared an excuse, which was certain not to be believed, but when he looked up it was he who stood there in complete disbelief. For it wasn't Daphne standing in front of him at all.

"Y-you're not…"

It was Annie, wearing the very sexy black and red nightgown that she'd announced was a birthday gift from Daphne. And then she moved toward him, attempting to cover his body with hers. But despite her sexy appearance, he couldn't help thinking that she wasn't really that attractive at all. Her read and black nightgown was nothing compared to the angelic white robe or the silk multicolored nightgown that Daphne had been wearing when he'd entered her room (which was obviously not this one) before.

She looked like an absolute angel, whereas Annie… did not. But he could barely open his mouth to speak.

"No… I'm not whomever you've mistaken me for. I'm Annie." She breathed. "And I'm all yours, Niles Crane. I feel the same way."

"A-About what?"

She laughed and ran her hand through his hair, content to watch him suffer. And then the worst thing imaginable happened when she gave him a scorching kiss. If he closed his eyes he could just imagine that she wasn't Annie, but-.

"Dear God!" he shouted, pulling away from her.

"What's wrong, Niles?"

"I-I can't… do this! It isn't right! D-Daphne-."

But she was unfazed by his actions. "Forget about Daphne. Tonight it will just be you and me."

"Y-you mean you and… I…don't… no… this is wrong. I'm sorry Annie, but Daphne-."

"I know." She said, surprising him.

"Y-you do? But h-how…"

"She told me that you were going through a divorce. And well, I've never been through a divorce; even with my last boyfriend, but I can see by the look in your eyes that you're not happy."

He stared at her in disbelief wondering how anyone could be so beautiful and yet so uneducated. "Um… no… I'm not. But Daphne…"

"Oh damn, that's right. She told me not to bother you, but I thought she meant the other guy; what's his name again? Frasier? Oh well… I guess I'll go back to my room."

"Um… I think that's a good-no wait…I'll leave. This is your room. I'm sorry. I must have-."

He turned to leave, eager to return to the comfort of his room. At least there he could curl up into a ball in his bed… and die.

"Goodnight, Niles."

"Goodnight… Annie.

The moment he was in his room, he removed his robe and climbed into the bed, sinking into the plush comforter. He was shivering uncontrollably, from the cold air but he didn't care. Nothing in the world could warm him now.

He looked out of the window at the falling snow. Like Daphne it was incredibly beautiful. But it was not his; nor would it ever be.