(Niles POV)

Niles could hardly believe this moment was real, for it was as though he'd died and gone to heaven. Here he was in his mansion's living room, illuminated by flickering candlelight, staring into the eyes of the woman he loved.

Her head rested on one of his plush sofa pillows as she looked up at him, telling him her wishes and dreams. Wearing Maris's white nightgown, Daphne had never looked more angelic. He stared at her, listening intently to her every word. His head propped on his hand, he could have listened to her all night and suddenly he didn't care if Maris ever returned from Arizona. So what if there was a horrible storm outside? If she had really wanted to come home to him, she would have found a way.

Daphne had gone to great lengths to make him happy, unlike his uncaring wife. When Niles wanted to do something nice for Maris, Daphne didn't hesitate to offer to come and make dinner for them. And so she'd braved the stormy weather, a gesture which touched and amazed him. But he certainly didn't count on them being alone all evening, let alone the loss of power and the fact that Daphne was wearing his wife's most revealing outfit.

As he listened to her speaking from the heart, he was aware of her full pink lips and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her, just once. The feel of her lips against his was enough to send him into a state of euphoria from which he might not ever recover. But it was a chance he was willing to take.

Their faces were so close now, that he could feel her warm breath. And at that moment, he'd never felt so brave. His heart racing he stared deeply into her eyes.

"Daphne, there's something I need to tell you."

She smiled at him then. "All right."

"Daphne, I-."

He closed his eyes and moved even closer until suddenly their lips touched. And the feeling it produced was even more euphoric than he imagined. Her lips were as sweet as wine and as soft as silk and he longed to stay here, in this moment forever.

But when he drew back, he suddenly realized what he had done. He'd kissed one woman, while married to another! How could he have done such a thing? Maris might never forgive him, but in time he would get over that fact. It was Daphne he was worried about now. What could he possibly say to her?

It was best to start with the obvious. "Daphne, I'm sorry, I…."

The clock went off, startling him and she sat up in surprise.

"What was that?" He asked in a disoriented state.

"Dr. Crane, your glockenspiel has sprung to life!" She cried.

He looked around in confusion. "What? Oh, the clock! It's magnificent! Maris will be thrilled! She-." And then his heart sank. "Maris…"

She sat up and smiled at him. "You really love her, don't you?"

He thought for a moment, his mind remembering a thousand memories. "I do."

"I thought so. Mrs. Crane is very lucky to have you. And so am I."

When he gasped in surprise, she knelt beside him and kissed his cheek. "You're a good friend, Dr. Crane and I'll never forget everything you've done for me."

"Thank you, Daphne. I cherish your friendship too."

"Well, it looks like the storm has started to subside so I should probably be going home now."

"Right… I'll get your clothes. But Daphne, there's something I need to say."

"What is it?"

"About that kiss…"

"Oh, the one in my dreams?"

"Yes, um… what?"

"While we were talking I must have dozed off. For I could have sworn that a handsome man was suddenly kissing me in a large house, just like this one. Isn't that silly?"

He swallowed hard, not knowing if he should be relieved or upset. He'd kissed her and had almost confessed his feelings and yet she'd had no idea. But he couldn't tell her the truth now. The truth would shatter everything.

"Not at all. It's good to have dreams."

And then she hugged him. "You're absolutely right. And I hope that all of yours come true."

If she only knew that she was his dream; his only dream.