Niles was on cloud nine. Even weeks later, his heart was soaring at the memory of his angel sticking up for him to Maris.

Maris. What a distant memory. He had tried and tried again to reconcile and to make her happy, and although he suspected her of having affairs throughout their marriage, the fact that she was sleeping with their marriage counselor was too much. Looking back on it, Niles was glad. It had given him the push he needed to leave her and move on. He was trying to be happy, and he was...at least to an extent. Although Daphne was not his, he so enjoyed the time they were spending together. He reflected back to a time when he and Frasier discussed happiness. He had not known true happiness, but he could honestly say that this time with Daphne had made him happy.

He would have never guessed that the Snow Ball would have changed his life so dramatically.

Daphne was now a regular in his social circle. He had taken her to half a dozen charitable gatherings, dances, and balls. He enjoyed having her on his arm, and she took to the society life more easily than he expected. She handled conversations with grace, and she had made friends with several of Seattle's debutants. He knew she only thought of it as a way to help him through the first months of his divorce and to save him from taking Frasier as a date. His working class Venus was not only beautiful, she was thoughtful. And, he loved her more and more.

These past few months were heaven. He remembered a ravishing red dress she wore like a second skin and how they danced cheek to cheek. The whole room was enchanted by her. The scent of her hair surrounded him until he thought he might pass out right there on the dance floor. Or the time they walked to Frasier's apartment after a party at a colleague's home, where he overheard her telling a new friend how proud she was of him and his latest groundbreaking article. He felt tears sting as he thought of all the kindnesses she had shown him. Surely even a close friend would not go through all of that trouble for his comfort and social standing. Daphne was generous and kind, but there must still be an end to the lengths she would go to as a friend. He wondered, as he always did, if there might be a spark of something more there.

The thought made him break out into a cold sweat. He felt like a lovesick teenager. He was struggling to pay attention to his patients. He found excuses to visit Frasier's. He had butterflies every time he saw her.

Ding! Niles' thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. As he stood from his fainting couch and set his glass of sherry on the table, he hoped it was a surprise visit from Daphne. He walked to the door, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

"Frasier!" Niles called out a little too loudly. "What brings you by The Montana?"

"Niles, you can stop with the fake hospitality," said Frasier. "I have a matter of some delicacy to discuss with you and I thought it would be better for you to hear it in person."

"Wh-what is it?" Frasier's tone made him nervous, and his mind began to race.

"It's Daphne."

"Is Daphne alright? Good God, man! Tell me!" Niles breath was quickening as he tried to stave off a panic attack.

"She's fine, Niles! Get ahold of yourself! I know about your charade, and you know I think it is completely inappropriate. But, you're my brother. I love you, and I love Daphne. So, I feel that I must tell you. She has a date with a well-known attorney."

Niles fell to the couch. How could that be? He always had such a watchful eye on her at the social outings to which she had accompanied him. He never noticed anyone looming.

"Who is it?"

"Donny Douglas, the divorce attorney."

Niles remembered Donny well. He was not the type to be invited to the parties that he and Daphne had attended. He was an attorney to the wealthy but being a divorce lawyer caused some politically precarious relationships.

"Donny Douglas? That man is a cheat! A troll! His profession consists of other peoples' misery! Daphne deserves more than that," Niles choked out trying not to burst into tears.

"I know, but he somehow charmed Daphne. And, anyway, have you indicated your feelings to her? She believes she is helping you, Niles! You can't expect to her to wait around for you. I knew this would not end well for you. Daphne needs more than you can give her."

He knew that Frasier was right. He put his head in his hands as Frasier gripped his shoulder.

"What will you do, Niles?"