"Oh Roz, really? How could you?" Frasier yelled.

"Yeah, I want to know that, too!" Martin chimed in. "So that I can thank you!" He added, laughing at his comment.

"Dad, please! Enough of the sarcastic comments!"

"Well Fras, Niles being with Daphne is a hell of a lot better than him being with Mel! You know, I never liked that woman from the moment I laid eyes on her!"

"Dad, that's enough!"

"Boy, she made Maris look like-."

"DAD! STOP!"

"While you two get this argument out of your system, I'm going to find Daphne." Roz said. "Coming, Niles?"

He sighed deeply. "No, I'll just stay right here. She was upset earlier and I don't want to cause her any more pain. Although I wish I knew-."

"I'm all right." Daphne said, emerging from the doorway.

Frasier suppressed a smile and turned to his younger brother. "Niles, I have to admit that I wasn't too fond of Mel either and I'm very happy for you and Daphne."

Niles moved toward Daphne and gathered her in his arms. The comforting way he held her caused her tears to return. She could see Frasier, Martin and Roz glance at

one another in awkward silence.

"You know, Frasier... There's something I wanted to show you and Martin." Roz said.

He looked at her in confusion until she grabbed his arm and pulled Frasier and Martin toward the door.

"Oh, right. I'd forgotten about that. Come on, Roz... Dad. I'll buy you dinner."

"Ooh... sounds wonderful!" Roz said. "Daphne, call me if you need anything."

Daphne smiled and nodded. "Okay."

"Bye Niles."

"Bye Roz, Dad. Frasier."

When they were alone once more, Niles held Daphne even closer and rubbed her back in a soothing circular motion. And then ever so gently he drew back, brushing a

tear from her cheek.

"Daphne, what's upsetting you?" He asked quietly.

"It's all right. Just a bit stressed I suppose."

"If this is about Donny..."

She sniffled, prompting him to embrace her once more.

"I know this is hard and if you want me to come with you when you talk to him, I'd be happy to-."

His handsome face blurred by her tears, she kissed his lips and did her best to smile.

"Don't you worry about me, I-I'll be fine."

"I love you." He whispered into her ear.

"Oh Niles..." She whispered, her voice quivering.

"I should go." He said when their kisses ended.

"But-."

"It's all right, my love. I just... I need to take care of some things."

"Mel."

Niles sighed deeply. "I can't just ignore her. She's bound to make this difficult."

"It's my fault, Niles. I'm so sorry."

"Nonsense." He kissed her cheek and buried his face in her hair. "I'll be back soon."

Finally she smiled. "I can hardly wait."

After one last kiss, Niles walked to the door and smiled at her.

"I love you, Daphne. Now why don't you lie down and try to get some rest?"

Tears slid down her cheeks as he returned his smile.

"All right. I love you too, Niles."

When he was gone, the tears fell even faster despite her attempts to will them away. Even though she knew that he loved her, she couldn't shake the feeling that if

she didn't tell him how she truly felt, she was going to lose him forever.