Frasier scoffed. Scoffed! "Niles, that's ridiculous. How could Daphne possibly have broken your heart? You two aren't even a couple!"
Niles felt Frasier's words as though he'd been struck. "Thank you for that painful reminder, Frasier."
"I'm sorry Niles. I didn't mean that." Frasier said. But his apology was of no comfort whatsoever. "What did Daphne do that has you so upset? I've never seen you like this before. It sounded like the two of you had an enjoyable evening. From the way Daphne talked about it, I almost wish I had gone as your date!"
Great. His brother thought so little of Niles' feelings that he felt it appropriate to make jokes. Well, Niles didn't find it the least bit funny.
"That's very amusing, Frasier." Niles said, making sure that his anger and his hurt were reflected in his voice. "I'm glad that you can make jokes at a time like this. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving now." He rose to his feet, but Frasier stopped him.
"Niles, wait a second, okay? Tell me what happened."
Niles sighed audibly and lowered himself onto the arm of the sofa. He should have known that Frasier wasn't going to let him leave without hearing every detail. Damn… when was he going to learn? He'd always be in Frasier's shadow. Always. He might as well tell the whole sad story again, no matter how much anguish it caused.
"All right. Well, it's true that we were having a wonderful time. Actually the best night of my life. Daphne was… stunningly beautiful and I couldn't believe that I was lucky enough to be there with the most exquisite woman in the world."
"And then?"
"Well, she's a wonderful dancer and despite my reservations about getting out on the dance floor, she put me at ease as we danced the night away."
Frasier smiled, clearly impressed thus far.
"Yes, Daphne said that you were quite good at standing up to Maris' friends."
"I didn't really do anything. Because just when I'd grown tired of everyone telling me about Maris' appearances with other men, Daphne whisked me away from them and back into her arms. After a few songs I was really starting to relax and I was so wrapped up in the moment that I unleashed my feelings out loud."
Frasier gasped, his mouth dropping in horror. "Niles, you didn't!"
"I couldn't believe it either, but once I started, I couldn't seem to stop! She was just so beautiful and I blurted out that I adored her. And I do adore her, Frasier. I really do.
But I never expected her to say the words to me in return. And then it happened."
"What happened?"
"We kissed."
Frasier nodded. "I see. Is that why you're so upset? Because it wasn't everything that you thought it would be? Oh Niles, I told you before; you've conjured up this fantasy about Daphne that is completely-."
Niles' chest was aching. "She called me an actor, Frasier! How could she possibly think that I would make up words that were clearly said from the depths of my heart? I do adore her! I shared my deepest feelings that night! Feelings that I've kept inside since the day I met her. And when I finally find the courage to tell her, she thinks that I'm merely pretending! I just can't believe that she thought that I wasn't sincere! I've never said those words to anyone else in my life! Even Maris!"
"Niles, maybe if you just talk to Daphne-."
"I can't talk to her, Frasier! Not after what happened at the Snow Ball! And what would I say anyway? 'Hello Daphne you're a goddess and an angel and I'm completely in love with you'? I'm sorry, Frasier, but I just can't put myself through that pain again. It hurt too much the first time."
"Niles, wait…"
But he couldn't stay there a second longer. In one fluid motion, Niles rose from the sofa arm and walked out of the condo, slamming the door behind him.