Alone in the hallway, Niles felt the wrath of his older brother glaring at him and he wished he had never come.
"Frasier, I can explain. You see..."
"Oh yes, I see exactly what you're trying to do! You're trying to make a fool out of yourself in front of Daphne! Have you forgotten that she's not only my employee but Dad's physical therapist? Dear God, Niles you're married! How could you possibly think that Daphne has feelings for you? It's preposterous!"
The words hurt but he knew that they were most likely true.
Don't you think I've accepted that possibility? I just... after what happened yesterday
I had to come over and apologize once more. I can't stand the thought of her being hurt like that!."
"She's going to be hurt worse if you don't leave her alone!"
"Frasier that makes no sense whatsoever!"
"It makes perfect sense, Niles! Now go home to your wife; as much as I loathe saying that word."
He swallowed hard. "Maris is in Las Vegas, in case you're wondering. Apparently one of her colleagues hit the jackpot and insisted that she come stay for a week in his luxurious penthouse, which I have no doubt-."
"His penthouse?"
"Yes."
Frasier shook his head in disbelief.
"Oh Niles, how could you be so naive? Do you really think that this man is a colleague? Hasn't it ever occurred to you that Maris could be having an affair?"
Niles mouth fell open in horror. "How dare you even suggest-."
Frasier sighed deeply and rolled his eyes.
"Niles, just... go home!"
"Fine... if that's the way you feel..."
"Goodnight, Niles."
Unable to look back at his brother, Niles pushed the button for the elevator and was grateful when the doors opened right away. He stepped inside willing the doors to close.
And as he walked to his car, he didn't bother to wipe away the tears that fell onto his cheeks.
He drove blindly to his house, barely aware of the path he had taken to get there. And when he arrived, he walked into the mansion and slammed the door. Although he loved Frasier deeply and respected his opinion, his older brother was wrong this time.
Daphne was a caring, warm and wonderful person and she deserved to know the truth. Even if her reply wasn't what Niles wanted to hear.
He walked through the cold, empty house and made himself a sherry, which he drank in one gulp.
And then he made another, and gulped it down as well.
Maris was gone and he had no idea when she was coming back... or even if. Their marriage was in shambles and as much as he tried to deny it, they were on the brink of divorce.
But he refused to be the one to give in. He wanted so much to talk to Frasier about his marital problems, but his words would only be met with ridicule. He was all too aware of how Frasier felt about Maris, and he couldn't say that he blamed his older brother.
His estranged wife was perhaps the most difficult woman he'd ever encountered and often he'd found himself wondering why he'd married her-let alone fallen in love.
But as he sat alone on the sofa in the living room of his cold, empty house, he realized that none of it mattered now.
The only thing that mattered to him was Daphne and how much he loved her.
And suddenly he knew what he had to do.
Outside, the clouds were darkening and a thick haze of fog had settled itself around the house, casting an eerie scene. Any minute there was sure to be a horrific storm; the kind that made him grateful to be inside where he could settle into his bed and catch up on his reading.
The storm instantly reminded him of another storm; one that occurred many years ago, when his angel so graciously offered to come and cook dinner for he and Maris.
Little did he know that Daphne had just experienced a terrible break up with that... community college barista, Eric from Café Nervosa, and yet she still found it in her heart to help him.
It amazed him how that someone could be so completely selfless.
When he saw her there, crying on his sofa, his heart went out to her and anger burned within him at the thought that someone could hurt an angel like Daphne.
And yet, Niles had hurt her even more.
When he looked around the living room, his eyes went to the piano where a memory unfolded.
Daphne stood there wearing Maris' white nightgown, looking so angelic that she took his breath away.
Without giving it another thought, he picked up the phone, grateful when it was answered almost immediately.
"Frasier, I know you don't want to hear this right now, but I have something to say!"
There was a long pause, and then his brother's calm voice.
"I'm listening."
The ridiculous over-used phrase only increased Niles' anger and made him more determined than ever to do what he'd set out to do. He wasn't even sure why he was calling first. After the way Frasier had treated him, he hardly deserved respect.
"Frasier, I can accept the fact that you aren't fond of Maris. In fact, I don't like her very much myself. But this has nothing to do with her. This is about Daphne."
"Oh, for God's sake, Niles... Will you please forget about-."
"I can't forget about her Frasier! She's the most important thing in the world to me and as soon as I change into something more suitable, I'm going to get in my car and drive over to your place. And when I get there, I'm going to go to her and tell her exactly how I feel about her."
"Niles, that's ridiculous! In case you haven't noticed, there's a sea of fog outside that's so thick, I can barely see the Space Needle! How can you possibly think that driving in such dangerous conditions is a good idea?"
"My mind's made up and there's nothing you can do to convince me that telling Daphne the truth isn't a good idea!"
"Niles, wait..."
"Goodbye, Frasier."
And with that, he hung up the phone and smiled. With any luck at all, his life was about to change dramatically.