(Niles POV)

Neither Niles nor Frasier said a word on the drive home, but the things they didn't say spoke volumes. Niles didn't need to know what his older brother was thinking because it was the same thing that he'd been thinking. They behaved like… well, to quote his father, jackasses. And in the processes had managed to embarrass him. In short, their behavior was downright despicable and Niles wasn't sure if his father would ever forgive him. Why should he, when his only sons had gone out of their way to insult not only the causal, rustic atmosphere, but the food and the clearly overworked and underpaid waitress.

And what had they gained from their childish behavior? Angry glares and a reputation that they would never live down. They'd be banned from the Timber Mill for life, not that Niles had any intent of returning to such an… interesting establishment. How could he have let his father talk him into trading an evening of fine dining at the hottest new restaurant in town, Le Cigar Volante, for a night at a place called The Timber Mill? But as Frasier said, it didn't matter where they had their meal, as long as they were spending time together as a family.

Ironically, the one bright spot was that Daphne had politely declined their invitation to join them. He supposed he should be grateful to his wife as well. He didn't even want to think of the chaos that would have ensued had his wife been there. Daphne's' company would have been much more pleasant.

Daphne…

His heart warmed just thinking about her. Daphne Moon… It was a name fit for a goddess. And what a goddess she was! From the moment he'd literally bumped into her at Café Nervosa, he hadn't been able to get her off of his mind. And as fate would have it, she turned out to be the woman that Frasier had hired to take care of Dad.

He could still remember how stunned he was when Frasier had introduced them. It was as though fate intervened, bringing them together once more in the most incredible way. Daphne had been right; they would be seeing a lot of each other. Is it possible that she somehow knew? He'd never believed in anyone having psychic powers, but now he wasn't so sure. But perhaps it really was fate.

However, fate could be cruel. Of course it was unethically wrong to pursue her when she was, in a sense, his employee. After all, he did pay half of her salary (and he would see to it that her salary was increased drastically), and he was married (happily, no matter what Frasier and Dad thought. He loved his Maris dearly. She meant the world to him, even though she'd flinched when he'd spontaneously kissed her for no reason whatsoever), but what was the harm in finding Daphne Moon attractive?

He certainly couldn't hide the fact. And the way she'd lit up like sunlight breaking through on a stormy Seattle day when he'd handed her the bag of Devonshire Clotted Cream made his heart sing. He knew that Frasier found his attraction unethical, but there was no way that Niles could simply forget that he'd ever laid eyes on her. And to ignore her would be extremely rude. He'd never want her to think of him that way.

But yet he was.

The street lamps passed by in a blur and he glanced at Frasier who kept his eyes fixated on the road. It was just as well. Niles wouldn't know what to say to Frasier anyway. He could only imagine what Daphne might think of this.

Daphne…

Dear God, what would he possibly say to her? Dad must be home by now and had most likely told Daphne about what had transpired at the restaurant. Niles shuddered, imagining how their conversation must have gone. So much for forming a friendship with Daphne. With any luck at all, the most he'd be able to get out of her now was a simple hello. He'd really blown it this time.

With a deep sigh, he touched what was left of his Hugo Boss tie, trying not to think of how much he'd paid for it. The money wasn't important. And besides, he'd paid an even bigger price tonight. He'd lost Daphne when he'd barely had her in the first place.

Dad had gotten a big laugh out of not telling them about the Timber Mill's dress code. Imagine the humiliation of having a perfectly good tie chopped off with a pair of scissors in front of so many people, all of whom were laughing as though it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen.

Well, Niles didn't find it so funny. In fact, it wasn't funny at all.

He was so deep in thought that he'd barely noticed that the day had arrived at the Elliot Bay Towers. At least he could go home and enjoy the peace and quiet. Hopefully Maris was over her episode, but if not, so be it. He'd just retire to his room with a good book and try not to think about….

"You coming, Niles?"

Niles looked up in surprise at the sound of Frasier's voice. They were the first words that his brother had spoken since they left the restaurant.

"A-actually Frasier, I should be heading home. Maris is… well, you know."

"Sadly I do, but Niles don't you think we should apologize to Dad? We behaved badly."

"Like jackasses!" Niles said, cringing at the thought.

"Exactly. So let's just go upstairs and apologize and then you can be on your way. I'm beat and I can't wait to get out of these clothes. As for this tie…."

"Right." Niles said, feeling a strange sympathy for Frasier, whose tie was even shorter than his own.

In the elevator, they said nothing and as Frasier unlocked the door to 1901, Niles' chest felt heavy. To his great relief the living room was empty.

"Well, Dad must still be at Duke's." Frasier said.

Niles glanced at his brother. "Should we be worried? It's after midnight!"

"He'll be fine. He's a smart man and he'll get home safely. I'm sure of it. Well, I'm going to bed."

"But what about-."

"I'll talk to Dad in the morning. Probably better to wait until he's cooled off some, anyway."

"Perhaps you're right, Frasier."

"Well, goodnight, Niles."

"Right. I should be going, too."

"No need, Niles. Just make yourself at home. You know where everything is."

"Well, I could use a glass of sherry. Thanks, Frasier. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Niles. And… I'm sorry for my behavior this evening."

Niles smiled sadly. "We acted as one, Frasier."

"That we did, Niles. Goodnight."

When Frasier was gone, Niles went to the bar and poured a glass of sherry. The living room was too quiet, but he wasn't in the mood to turn on Frasier's stereo, or even a light. So instead he sat in the darkness, the only light being the glow from the lights of the Seattle skyline, and sighed deeply.

"Dr. Crane, I didn't know you were here!" Daphne exclaimed.

Embarrassed, Niles opened his eyes and lifted his head from the sofa. "Daphne… I'm sorry, I must have dozed off."

"It's awfully late. I'm sorry for intruding." He said gathering his coat from the arm of the sofa. "I'll just be on my way."

"Nonsense. You can stay here as long as you like." Daphne said, leaning to turn on a lamp. "This is your home too and you're welcome to...What happened to your tie?"

His hand flew to his chest and he felt a wave of shame. "Oh… Well…"

She moved toward him, making him shiver at the unexpected touch of her hands on his shirt, as she carefully untied the knot at his throat. And in no time at all, the piece of fabric that was once his tie, was now in her hand. She touched it with her fingers, almost caressing it before handing it to him.

"It was such a nice tie, too. It made you look very handsome, not that you aren't without it."

His heart warmed. How was it possible that in his darkest hour, she could be such an angel? Because she had no idea what he'd been through tonight.

Once she found out, she was likely to throw him out on the streets. It wouldn't be the first time he'd been thrown out of a home, although it was usually his own. Still, he relished the compliment, for he'd so rarely heard them.

"Well, thank you Daphne. And you look-."

She smiled and touched the collar of her terry cloth robe, the one that looked so soft he longed to touch it. "Oh, I look horrible, I know. I guess I just felt like curling up with me romance novel after I got home from playing poker with me girlfriends."

"How'd you do?" He asked nervously.

"Oh you know, not too bad, considering. Only lost $100 this time!"

He reached into his wallet and opened it. "Well, now we can't have you going around without any money, now can we?"

She gasped at the sight of the hundred-dollar bill in his hand. "Dr. Crane, I can't possibly take this!"

"Please… It will make me feel better, Daphne. Anything would make me feel better after…"

Her hand on his shoulder made him shudder. "Are you all right?"

He sighed deeply. "No, actually I'm not."

"Well, I'm no psychiatrist, but I'm a pretty good listener. At least that's what me brother Steven says. Now as for Simon…"

Niles smiled and rubbed the remains of his Hugo Boss tie between his fingers.

"I'm sorry. What happened? Is it about your tie?"

"Well, actually…"

"I understand. If you don't want to talk about it, I'll just leave you alone. You're welcome to spend the night. In fact, I'll get you a blanket and a pillow. I'll be right back."

"Daphne, wait…"

She turned and looked at him, her face beautiful even in the darkness.

"Yes, Dr. Crane?"

"We were terrible." He said quietly.

She sat down in Martin's chair. "Now what makes you say that? I know we've only just met… formally anyway, but you're a very nice man and a wonderful son and brother."

"Well, thank you Daphne, but I'm afraid we weren't very wonderful tonight. In fact, we were horrible."

"Look, I know that The Timber Mill isn't yours or your brother's style, but it was very nice of you and Dr. Crane to take your father out for dinner. I know he appreciates it, although… it's strange that he's not home yet. I was starting to worry, that's why I got up."

"It's my fault that he's not home, actually. Mine and Frasier's."

"I find that hard to believe."

He wanted so much to tell her but he e know that once he did, it would be the end of their small but growing friendship.

"Dad was right about us. We really are snobs. We were rude and disrespectful to the waitress and complained about everything, even the atmosphere! Dad was furious!"

Daphne's mouth fell open. "Don't tell me he did that to your tie!"

"Oh no, no, that was the restaurant's fault! Apparently there is a dress code that Dad neglected to mention!"

Her eyebrows rose. "A dress code? But you looked so nice when you left the house!"

He smiled at her sadly, sighing when she touched his hand. "I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I meant…"

"I know what you meant, Daphne. I guess I'm still upset over what happened. But Dad will never know that we tried to make it up to him. That's why we got home so late. We stayed until we finished every bit of food on our plates. And believe me, it wasn't easy!"

To his utter surprise, she hugged in the most wonderful way imaginable, and he couldn't help but notice how heavenly her hair smelled. "That's very sweet of you, Dr. Crane. And I'm sure your father will feel the same way. Don't worry. Everything will be just fine. Now, let me get you a pillow and a blanket and I'll be right back."

As Niles watched Daphne walk out of the living room, he couldn't help but smile. And he had a feeling that their friendship would continue to grow, like an English rose.