Niles made it back to the stateroom in practically no time at all, eager to at least attempt to get a good night's sleep (in dry clothes), but he was certain to receive a chiding from his father and brother for the way he'd left the restaurant so abruptly, but he simply didn't care.

Without even bothering to knock, he slid his key card into the lock and opened the door. Frasier and his father were oblivious to his presence, instead carrying on and laughing hysterically at the tiny television set.

"Hey Dad… Frasier... What's going on?"

But both men continued to laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, this is hilarious!" Martin laughed. "Robin Williams is such a character, isn't he?"

"He certainly is, Dad." Frasier agreed. "Even when he's in character!"

The ridiculous joke had both men in stitches and they laughed uproariously, but Niles was not in the least bit amused. "Look, I'm sorry about leaving the restaurant so abruptly. I just-."

"It's fine, Niles." Martin replied without ever turning around. "But you missed a hell of a show, didn't he, Fras?"

"Dad, I thought we agreed that we weren't going to discuss-."

"Oh come on, Fras! She deserved it! Lighten up!"

Niles chuckled in mock amusement. "Oh… so in addition to a buffet the size of Rhode Island, there was a show as well?"

"No, smart guy, I'm talking about Daphne!"

Niles head rose in shock at his angel's name. "D-Daphne? What about her?"

"Boy, imagine my surprise when I felt someone bump into me-spilled my damn food all over the place! And then I turned to see Daphne standing there!" She must have really had her head in the clouds although I still have no idea what the hell she's doing on this ship! She sure as hell isn't single!"

Niles' heart sank at the words but he took a moment to process this unexpected information. And then he laughed out loud at the ridiculous thought that was swirling through his head. "Dad, that's hilarious! You must have eaten yourself into a drunken stupor! Daphne couldn't possibly be-."

"Actually, Dad's right, Niles. Daphne is on the ship, although I admit that I was surprised to see her as well."

Niles swallowed hard, unable to believe what he was hearing. But then reality sat in. Even if she was on the ship, she certainly wasn't alone, a though that tore his heart even further. When was this humiliation going to end? Must everything be thrown in his face, in more ways than one?

"Well, thank you for clarifying, Frasier, but it's only fitting that she be here. I-I mean... with that… man. I mean… he is her-."

"You mean John?" Martin asked.

"Um, yes… I-I believe that's his name." Niles stammered.

"It damn well is his name, but I think she's alone. It was the damndest thing… I asked her about him and she went ballistic! Started screaming and yelling, making a scene in the restaurant and-."

"Dad, give it a rest, will ya?" Frasier chided. "You know that is not at all how it happened!"

"All right, fine! It isn't the way it happened, but believe me; I really let her have it! The nerve of her, leaving me soaking wet-By the way; you look like you jumped ship, Niles! What happened to you?"

Niles nervously rubbed the back of his neck, which was still damp and he felt his clothes clinging to his weary body. "Um, never mind. What about Daphne?"

"Oh right… well, we got into this huge shouting match-which she started of course, and then she took out of there so fast that I bet she's still running! But it serves her right, the way she was carrying on!"

Niles' heart began to race. Could this really be possible? Could the woman he loved really be on the same moving ship as he?

The argumentative voices of his father and brother faded away, replaced by the rapid beating of Niles' heart. He could just imagine what horrible things his father had said to Daphne and how much she was hurting. Or perhaps it was just his hopefulness, not that she was hurting, but that his father and brother had been telling the truth and that she was actually on the ship.

Suddenly he longed to go to her. He knew it was wrong but if he didn't act on his curiosity, it might kill him.

As his brother and father quickly returned their attention to the television, Niles quietly slipped out of the stateroom, intent on searching for his angel. She needed him… he could feel it in his heart.

And he needed her…So desperately.