She looked into the full-length mirror, smoothing the sides of her emerald-green dress while her heart raced like mad. God, she was so nervous. This wasn't like her at all! And it wasn't like this was the first time she'd ever been to one of Niles' parties before. But now things were different. Before she'd gone because it was… Well, expected of her. Frasier and Martin usually attended, much to the dismay of Martin. She knew that the old man would have been much happier sitting in front of the television set in his beloved chair with a beer in his hand and a Seahawks game on the television. But he loved his youngest son, even if he wouldn't readily admit it. And if the two elderly Crane men attended, Daphne followed suit.

But now she wondered if this might be a test of sorts. Frasier was on a date and Martin was at Duke's, so there was little chance of either man arriving fashionably late to the party. So for the first time she'd be attending Niles' party as an invited guest. And she was certain that she'd be under the watchful eye of every snobbish and pretentious guest in attendance. The thought made her not want to go, but she'd made a promise that she'd be there and she fully intended to keep it.

Taking one last look in the mirror, Daphne spritzed her brush with Obsession, Niles' favorite perfume, and ran the brush through her hair and then reapplied her lipstick. Her heart beating even more rapidly than before, she put on her shoes, grabbed her purse and turned out the light.

In her car, driving was all but impossible, given her state of nervousness, but she drove carefully, knowing that Niles wouldn't mind if she was a few minutes late; especially if he knew the reason. He loved her. And she loved him… so much.

Before she knew it she'd arrived at the Montana and she wished that she had brought him a gift; a bottle of wine, perhaps. Isn't that what people did when they attended parties, bring a gift for the host? Well, she'd make certain to make it up to him in the future.

She stood at the door, her body trembling with nerves and her heart beating faster than necessary, waiting for someone to answer. And while she waited, she said a silent prayer; "Please don't let anything happen to spoil Niles' party. He deserves it more than anyone."

The door opened and her heart fluttered at the sight. Niles stood before her, looking even more handsome than he had last night. She didn't think such a thing was possible, and yet here he was, standing in front of her wearing a tuxedo and a smile on his face.

"Daphne…"

"Hello, Niles. I'm sorry I'm a bit late. I-."

His kiss made her forget the excuse she had so carefully conjured up and when she drew back, he lovingly brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. "Nonsense. You're right on time. Let me take your coat."

She turned around as he carefully removed her coat, but then he froze, looking her up and down. And suddenly she was self-conscious again. "I-I wasn't sure what I should wear, so I thought-."

He stopped her with another kiss; one that she would never forget as long as she lived. And when he drew back, she looked at him, almost too stunned to speak. "I-."

"You're absolutely striking, Daphne. You look so incredibly beautiful and if there were any doubt before that you were the most gorgeous woman that I've ever seen, then there is no doubting that fact now."

She kissed him more passionately than she'd ever kissed anyone, almost forgetting where she was. And it took all the strength within her to end the kiss before she was ready.

"Oh… Your party. I-." She stepped through the front door, looking around in confusion. And then she turned to him, even more confused. "I-I don't understand. You did say that your party was tonight, didn't you?"

He took her hand and bought it to his lips. "I did."

"But… where are your other guests? I thought-."

Silently he led her to the middle of the living room and gazed into her eyes. "This party… it's for you, Daphne."

"I'm sorry Niles, but I still don't understand. I-." She saw his smile deepen and suddenly she knew. "Oh Niles…"

And then it only took a second before her tears began to fall.