"I had a lovely time Dr. Crane. I-I mean Niles."

As much as he loved hearing his name on Daphne's beautiful red lips, it pained him to the core. Her laughter, although music to his ears, was almost condescending. It was a feeling that he'd never thought he'd experience.

"Niles, are you all right?" She was asking now.

"Um, yes. Thank you for coming with me, Daphne."

As hurt and angry as he was, he was still grateful that he'd had the chance to spend time with an angel. And then she smiled, making his heart beat faster.

"I was glad to do it. And I got to wear me new dress."

For the hundredth time that evening, he looked her up and down, unable to hide the smile that formed on his mouth. but the smile was there for only a second before the disappointment returned. He wanted to say something... anything, but the words just wouldn't come.

Her hand was on his shoulder, her eyes sparkling with concern. "Dr. Crane, are you sure you're all right?"

He blinked, feeling his cheeks flush. "I'm sorry, Daphne. I was just... I mean... You look..."

"Like a vision? A goddess? Oh, Niles you've been fussin over me all night!" she laughed. "Complimenting me dress, me hair, me perfume, telling me how nice I look. If you keep this up, my head's going to swell up like a balloon!"

She laughed again, throwing her head back in that way that he loved so much. But now it didn't sound like the musical laughter he adored. It was the laughter of someone who is ridiculing a person who has been made a fool of, however intentional it might have been.

He looked away and sighed deeply. He hated this; the thought that someone he loved could make him feel so much hurt.

Suddenly he felt her hand on his chin, gently turning his gaze toward her. It was the first time in his existence that he couldn't bear to look at her. It seemed unfathomable. But his heart simply couldn't take it.

And then as though sensing his hurt, she spoke softly. "You know I'm nothing but flattered when you compliment me, Niles, but it's only fair that I return the favor."

His eyebrows rose in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Her hands were on the lapels of his tuxedo, slowly moving up and down. "You look extremely handsome tonight. In fact, you were the most handsome man at the Snow Ball."

He blushed deeply, his heart rejoicing at the compliment. But a black cloud of doubt shrouded his happiness. For he could no longer believe that her words were sincere. Still, he couldn't deny that simply hearing the words was a wonderful feeling. "Thank you, Daphne." He stammered.

"You're welcome... Niles."

For as long as he lived, Niles would never tire of hearing his name spoken in her beautiful English accent. If only she hadn't broken his already fragile, no... shattered heart.

"I had a wonderful time." he said hoarsely.

Were it not for the fact that his words held a shred of truth, his hand would have been clutched onto the handkerchief that was buried deep in his pocket, ready to hide the inevitable nosebleed that always came with a lie. But he couldn't deny that the evening had indeed been wonderful. Well, up until the end. Now his hand slid into his pocket, feeling the smoothness of the tiny business card belonging to the beautiful Claire Barnes; the woman whom he'd already decided would be the next person that he called. Tomorrow night, he vowed.

Or sooner, depending on how things went.

"So did I." Daphne was saying. It took him a moment to understand what she meant and he finally realized that she was saying that she had a wonderful time too. And then she laughed again. "Oh, we certainly had a time tonight, didn't we? And we showed those snobbish friends of yours, didn't we?"

He forced a laugh and a smile. "We sure did." It was the same kind of forced enthusiasm that he'd bestowed on Maris when her insistence on doing something he really didn't want to do was forced upon him.

And then a heavy silence loomed. It was the kiss of death of first dates. But this was not a date. Not anymore.

Tears stung his eyes and he was about to bid her goodnight when he felt her take his hand. Their eyes met and she smiled. "Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?"

The idea that she wanted to spend more time with him-to extend their evening-made him euphoric. He wanted to; with every fiber of his being he wanted to. But he just couldn't. Not now and perhaps not ever. He shook his head, instantly seeing the disappointment on her face. But perhaps it was his imagination.

Or hope.

"Oh no. I should probably be getting home. It's late and-."

She glanced at her watch and he knew that she wasn't fooled by his excuse. He'd stayed out much later than this... and so had she. But he realized that he simply couldn't stay there a moment longer. The pain was just too great.

However she was undeterred. "Now don't you worry about what your brother will think. I'll explain everything. Are you sure you don't want to come inside? It's your home too and you're more than welcome to-."

"It's late." he snapped, instantly feeling guilt for his abruptness. "Goodnight Daphne."

He heard her sigh and then feign a smile. "Well, all right. Goodnight, Niles. And thank you again for one of the best evenings I've had in my life."

He turned to leave but the compliment made his cheeks flush. "You're welcome Daph-." He gasped in suprise, when she kissed his cheek, just inches from his mouth, and he stared at her in surprise, unable to take his eyes off of her. The urge to stay and take her up on her offer to have coffee with her was almost too hard to resist but he simply couldn't do it. He couldn't bear to stay there a moment longer.

He'd simply had enough.