For several moments neither of them spoke. They simply stared at one another, oblivious to the fact that just a few floors away, Mel was waiting for Niles to return. But it was clear that he was too enamored of the woman beside him to think about his new wife. Daphne to forget about her; to forget about everything except for that magical moment but it seemed an impossible task.

That is until it happened.

"You're so beautiful, Daphne."

His whispered words made tears fill her eyes. "Niles…"

Before she could take another breath, his lips were on her, his arms around her waist. She gave into his kiss completely, no longer caring that, at any given moment, Mel, Frasier, Martin or even Donny could appear in the lobby. Nothing else mattered… nothing at all.

The kisses deepened into something she'd only dreamed about. No man had ever made her feel this way before; no one except for Niles.

But like a cruel slap in the face, a million images entered her head (or were they visions?) and as she'd done the night before, she laid her hands flat against his chest and gently pushed him away, breaking the kiss and shattering the magical moment; perhaps never to have it return.

"Daphne-."

She couldn't bring herself to look at him, but she didn't have to see his face to know that he was deeply shocked by her rejection and most likely hurt once again. His face, she knew without seeing it, held a look of utter shock and surprise.

"Daphne…" He said again, but she stopped him before he could say anything more.

"I'm sorry, Niles. I-I can't do this."

"Daphne, if this is about Mel, I told you-."

"Of course it's about Mel! It can't be about anyone else! Don't you understand that?"

He stared at her blankly. "No, I'm afraid that I don't."

She swallowed hard. "Last night, when we were on the balcony, you told me that you would leave Mel in a heartbeat."

"That's right. And I meant every word. I will leave Mel if it means that we can be together. I love you, Daphne."

Her heart swelled with love for him. Why was it so hard to love her best friend when deep down she knew that it was wrong? Impulsively she pulled him toward her and kissed his soft lips, but then immediately drew back. Tears fell onto her cheeks and she smiled at him.

"Niles Crane that is the sweetest, most wonderful thing that anyone has ever promised to do for me. But it's not right."

"I-I don't…"

"I know that you love me, Niles. And I love you. But you also love your wife. I can see it whenever you're together. You are a wonderful person; a good, kind, loving man and you would never agree to marry anyone that you didn't deeply love."

"But I love you with everything I have, Daphne. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Of course it means something, Niles. It means everything. You have no idea. But I can't do this… not this way."

He nodded and she could see the tears starting to form in his eyes. The sight would have broken her heart if she had let it. But she had to stay strong. She had to do this.

"I see… So… does this mean that you're going to marry Donny?"

She was silent for a long time. "No…." She finally said. It was the only answer she could give.

He looked up and his eyebrows rose. "You're not? But you said-."

She took his hands in hers. "I do love you, Niles. I love you so very much. More than anyone, in fact. And I know that I always will."

"Then why-."

"Because I want you to be happy. And I know that Mel can do that for you. Please Niles, go back to Mel. She loves you and I know that you love her."

"What about you?"

She smiled through her tears. "I'll be fine. I just need time to sort things out. But in the meantime go and be with your wife. Go on your honeymoon. And if things don't work out, I'll be here waiting for you."

He blinked, seemingly unaware of the tears on his cheeks. But Daphne was all too aware. The sight made her cry even harder. "Please…"
When he held out his arms to embrace her, she took a step backwards. "Mel's waiting…"

Without looking at him, she turned and began to walk away. But something stopped her in her tracks. She whirled around and went to him. At once she threw her arms around him and brought her lips to his cheek, crying into his shoulder. He held her for what felt like an eternity until she knew that she had to let go. He didn't belong to her… not anymore.

"I love you." She whispered as she drew back.

This time she did not look at him when she turned to leave. To do so would have pained her to the core. She knew that she would have to face him again sooner or later, most likely the next time he came over to see his brother. Things were certain to be awkward but she knew in her heart that she made the right decision.

Telling Donny that she couldn't marry him seemed small in comparison to the confession that she'd just made to Niles, for that was by far the hardest.
Being on her own would take some getting used to and it was a bit frightening. But she knew in her heart that something good was coming and it would be worth waiting for.

THE END

A/N: This story took a completely different turn from when I first started it and as much as I love Niles and Daphne, it was kind of fun to write a story with a completely unexpected ending! Thanks for reading!