The next day...
Niles' chest was tight with nerves as he pulled into the Elliot Bay parking garage. It was ridiculous, feeling this way. He'd been to his brother's place hundreds of times before and not once had he ever felt the level of anxiety that he was feeling now.
Perhaps he should just leave.
But as he glanced into the backseat at the plastic bag that lay on the brown leather seat, he knew that he had to face the consequences.
Suddenly he was haunted by the memories of what he'd done at Café Nervosa, and he certainly didn't need to be reminded anymore. The pain was just too great. And besides, insomnia had taken care of the disturbing memories quite nicely.
He'd tossed and turned all night; the horrible scene repeating itself over and over, each time ending with a different scenario. Unfortunately every scenario was more like a nightmare, leaving him more upset than before.
When morning had come, he found that he was so distraught that he'd immediately called Mrs. Woodson and insisted that she cancel all of his appointments. He simply couldn't see patients in his condition. He was slowly beginning to realize that he was in almost the same depressive state that they were.
It took some doing on his part, but he finally convinced Mrs. Woodson that it was best if he just stay home, but he was touched by her concern and assured her that he would be fine in a few days.
If only he believed it to be true. But after what had happened at Café Nervosa, he doubted he'd ever be okay again.
Despite the kindness and compassion that Daphne had shown him, he knew deep down that Frasier and his father's anger had been justified. Why hadn't he looked before he picked up the beverages? It didn't take a PhD-or even a high school diploma to asses ones surroundings for any objects that might cause a fall! Instead he'd turned on his heel, trying to appear calm and collected in a subtle way to get Daphne's attention and then...
He shuddered, trying to shove the image from his mind.
But when he looked into the backseat once more, a new found confidence came over him. He opened the door and retrieved the plastic bag and then quickly walked into the building.
His heart raced as he entered elevator and in an effort to quell his nerves, he removed the item from the bag, folding the plastic into a neat square before shoving it into his coat pocket.
When the elevators opened on the nineteenth floor, he took a glance in the hallway mirror, making sure that his appearance was impeccable.
Of course he needn't have worried.
He always tried to look his best, no matter what the occasion.
But this was no ordinary occasion.
He was here to apologize profusely to his angel, and no matter what her reply, he vowed to speak from his heart.
For she had a special place there and he hoped that some day he could have a place in hers as well.