He led her up the stairs, eager to create a special night for her. He considered lighting candles and putting on some soft, romantic in the CD player, but perhaps it would create too much of a romantic atmosphere. It was best to save that for when they were ready to make love.

The thought blossomed into what it would be like, making love to the goddess beside him, but he vowed to keep his promise. He would wait for as long as she needed. He knew that when the time came, it would be worth it.

He stopped just past the landing of the stairs and realized that he was alone. Worried, he spun around and began to look for her. "Daphne?"
When he received no answer, his heart began to pound in his chest. Although he spotted her quickly, he couldn't hide his worry. She was leaning against the railing, staring down at the living room. Quickly he moved toward her. She was deep in thought and he didn't want to frighten her, but he was worried. When it came to Daphne, it seemed that he was always worried (although he realized that for the most part it was unnecessary), but perhaps it was a part of being truly in love.

He approached her quietly. "Daphne?" When he touched her forearm, she spun around to face him.

"Oh... Niles…"

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I… I was just thinking." She ran her hand through her hair, releasing that wonderful scent that he loved so much.

"What about?" He hadn't meant to ask, but it just seemed natural, given the circumstances.

She exhaled deeply, but said nothing for a long moment. It was as though she was trying to decide if she should tell him what was on her mind or keep it to herself.

When their eyes met, she smiled shyly.

"Niles, is this really going to happen? I mean, us… spending the night in your room?"

Slightly relieved, he returned her smile, not quite certain what he had expected her to say. But it certainly wasn't this. But he had been thinking the same thing. How was it possible that her thoughts mirrored his own?

They were both nervous about taking this step, spending the night together even though it wouldn't involve making love in any way. Within the course of a week, they'd gone from friends who saw each other on a regular basis only at his brother's house and on family outings, to people who were deeply in love and who had shared their deepest thoughts and feelings with one another. It was only natural to be nervous about sharing a bed for the first time; lovemaking or not.

Their relationship, although it had been in place for a long time, was at a new level and he wanted to treat it with care in order for it to grow. It was like a fragile heart that, if they weren't careful, could shatter into a million pieces, never to be replaced.

"Niles?"

Brought out of his thoughts, he reached for her hand. "Tonight will only happen if you want it to happen, Daphne. I want you to be comfortable. I meant what I said, I only asked you to spend the night with me for sleeping. But if-."

Her fingers went to his lips to silence him. "I know, and I love you for asking."

"If you'd rather sleep alone-."

Her eyes suddenly filled with tears, bringing some concern. But before he could respond, she took his face into her hands and kissed him.

"No, please… I can't bear to be alone anymore, I-."

His heart ached when he remembered all of the times that she'd cried in his arms over the past week and he wondered how many tears she'd cried when she was alone in his room. The thought was unbearable.

Without hesitation, he drew her into his arms. "Shhh… It's all right. You're not alone, Daphne."

But she clung to him more than usual. Her lips went to his neck, trailing kisses down his throat onto his collar bone. But it only took seconds for him to lift her chin with his fingertips, bringing their lips together. Breathless, he drew back seconds later, and gazed into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes.

"It's late. We should get some sleep."

Daphne smiled. "You're right. I can't believe that I'm going to fall asleep in your arms, Niles Crane. It sounds heavenly."

He brought her hand to his lips "It certainly does, my love. So let's not waste any more time."