She crept up the stairs and walked into the bedroom, where, true to his word, Niles was in bed. But he wasn't asleep, a fact that perturbed her a bit.

"Darling, can I talk to you about something?" She asked quietly.

He sighed and laid down his book, glancing at her with a scowl on his face. "Can't it wait, Daphne? I'm exhausted, and I was just getting ready to turn in. Goodnight." He turned onto his side and was reaching for the light switch, but paused when he heard her voice.

"Niles-."

He turned to look at her again, this time with annoyance. It was as though he wished that she wasn't there and it wounded her. But she had to remain strong if they were to get through this… whatever it was.

"I think we should talk… about what happened downstairs."

"There's nothing to talk about." He snapped.

Her mouth fell open in disbelief. "Niles, I can't even believe you're saying that! How can you possibly think-."

"Daphne, it's late and I need to rest. I have work to do in the morning!"

"Oh and I don't?" She yelled. You think all I do is sit around here all day and watch soap operas while David does whatever he wants?" Her outburst had startled him but suddenly she couldn't stop. "And what about your father? Do you honestly think that his hip improved on his own? I had a lot to do with that, you know!"

"Goodnight, Daphne!" He said turning out the light. But the darkness didn't faze her one bit. She had to get to the bottom of this.

"I thought you loved me." She said slowly.

"Dear God, Daphne of course I love you. Would I have married you if I didn't?"

She swallowed hard, grateful that he couldn't see her tears. "I don't know… you tell me!"

"Well I do, all right? Now just… Let me sleep!"

Angrily she flipped on the overhead light switch, causing him to squint from the sudden brightness.

"Damn it, Daphne-."

"No, I'm not going to let you sleep! Not until you tell me what's going on, Niles! How can you be so loving and affectionate one minute while I'm trying to sleep, and then when I come downstairs and try to return the favor, you practically push me out of the room? I was hoping that we could share a few rare moments of passion, even they were in the guest room, away from our sleeping son, but I guess I was wrong about that! Niles, what's going on? I want an answer! Now!" her tears were falling quickly now, hot rivers of pain and sadness that trickled down her cheeks, and she had no idea how to stop them.

Angrily he thrust the comforter away from his body and stormed over to her, frightening her with his look of rage. "All right, you want to know what's going on? I do love you, Daphne. I've always loved you, but I don't think you love me!"

"What? Niles, that's ridiculous! You can't possibly think-."

"Why don't you spend the night somewhere else, all right? I need to be alone!"

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Niles, I-."

"Get out, Daphne! Now!"

"But-."

"GET OUT!" he yelled, angrier than she'd ever seen him. For the first time in her life, she was truly afraid of her husband. She thought she knew him, but she had never seen such rage before and she was afraid of where it would lead.

"Where do you want me to go?"

"I don't care! Just… go to your mother's or something!"

She sighed deeply, trying desperately to calm her shaking nerves. "Me mum's in Manchester, and besides that, she's on a second honeymoon with me dad. I thought that maybe one day, you and I could go on a second honeymoon."

"Well, you ruined that, didn't you?" He snapped, his words cutting though her like a knife.

"Niles, how can you possibly-."

"I thought I told you to leave, Daphne! Now!"

"A-all right… But where-."

"I don't care! Just… get out! I want to be alone!"

Her sobs increased and she no longer cared what he thought.

"Okay." She said the word barely audible. "I'll just get David and-."

"Leave him here." Niles ordered, stunning her.

"What?"

"You heard me! Just pack your bags and leave! I'll take care of David. He's my son, too!"

"I'm not leaving without him!" she cried, the sobs racking her body. "Can't we just talk about this?"

"Get out, Daphne! Now! I can take care of David by myself. I'm his father!"

"And I'm his mother." She replied. "Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

He was silent for a long time, a silence that was louder than anything she had ever heard before. And finally he spoke.

"Of course it does. And that's what hurts the most. Goodbye, Daphne."