When Niles returns home from the wine club, he's in a quandary. Louise, Frasier's new date, has been hitting on him all evening not very subtly, every time his big brother wasn't with them or looking their way. Niles has felt horribly uncomfortable, not knowing how to proceed and trying to escape her at every chance, but she's glued herself to his side whenever Frasier was busy with other people. She's been parading her large bosom in front of his face at the slightest chance, and she even has come as far as grabbing his arm in an apparently friendly and innocent gesture, resting her bosom on it as if doing it casually and caressing slyly his chest, shoulders and back. She hasn't been so bold as to reach more intimate parts of his body, but she's been just this short of fondling him intimately, and Niles has cringed internally every time she's pressed her ample breasts against him or her bold hands have ventured a bit too far to the point that he's felt invaded. Any kind of touch on her part simply has displeased him terribly and made him feel intruded, period, but he's been too polite and considerate toward his brother's feelings and mindful of not making a scene in the middle of the gathering. At some point, he excused himself, alleging tiredness, and left the club earlier than he usually does, pondering heavily what he should do next.
The first thing is to tell Daphne what's happened before everything explodes in their faces. He's aware that she's going to get furious and jealous, but it's much better to tell her firsthand than wait until she finds out by other means. Besides, he knows himself and he wouldn't be able to hide such a big issue from her perceptiveness.
The next step after that will be to tell Frasier. Perhaps he should have told him before leaving, taking him aside and revealing the naked truth about his new girlfriend. But Frasier was quite a bit in his cups and didn't have a clear mind at that moment. Niles couldn't predict what his reaction would be in that situation, but he's sure that it would have been much worse than if he was sober. So Niles regretfully decided to wait for a proper moment. Or maybe, as an insidious inner voice tells him, he was too coward to face Frasier with such a messed up matter. Look, Frasier, your girlfriend is a vamp who is flirting impudently with your engaged little brother and who knows who else she's attemptng to seduce. Hell, it isn't going to sound any better aloud than the way it sounds in his head. But there's no other way around it.
He goes to the bedroom to change into clothes to wear around the house, but he never changes into nightclothes until Daphne has arrived home. If she sometime needs him at short notice, for example, if she gets a flat tire or her car breaks down, not that he would be of much help, because he's completely clueless about changing tires or fixing engines, but the idea of her alone on the streets while waiting for the tow truck frightens him. Or any other eventuality that might come up. So he tries to be always ready for an emergency when she's out on her own.
With his inner turmoil, he won't be able to concentrate on the book he's been reading lately or on his work journals, notes or the latest psychiatric publications, so he resigns himself to simply wait for Daphne on the couch with his cell phone within reach.
He must have dozed off at some point, because he startles awake when he hears the door being unlocked and Daphne enters the living room. He jumps from the sofa and rushes to meet her. "Hello, my love. I hope you've had a great time with Roz," he greets, leaning forward to kiss her, before helping her take off her coat and hanging it on the coat hanger.
"I have, thanks, love. It's always a breath of fresh air for Roz and me to have some time just for ourselves." Niles senses something about her, but he can't put his finger on what it is. He'll have to find out, but she's faster, also sensing that something's up with him.
"What's happened, Niles? You look agitated," she states as he leads her to the sofa.
He inhales deeply, sitting down next to her. "Something's happened, yes. At the wine club," he starts, and Daphne interrupts in concern.
"Oh! Have you fought with Frasier again? That absurd rivality between you two is going to take the both of you to an early grave at this rate...," she rants, and he raises a hand to stop her wrong (though very feasible) assumption. If only it was just that...
"No, Daphne, it's not that. It's Frasier's new girlfriend, Louise. She's been hitting on me the whole time and I've had to escape from there earlier than expected, that's why I've arrived home so soon. It was horribly uncomfortable...," he reveals, but she doesn't let him finish.
"What? Hitting on you? Damn bitch! And you didn't tell Frasier? I should have been there to kick her arse, how dare she..." She takes a deep breath to try to calm herself, visibly with little success. "What did she say? And what was Frasier doing in the meanwhile? Leaving you alone with that... with that... two-bit whore!" As Niles predicted, she's brimming with fury and he regrets all this. He wishes that he hadn't gone to the bloody wine club, but then, it would have taken a bit longer for him and Frasier to find out how Louise actually is. The sooner, the better. That way Frasier will open his eyes before he's too invested in the relationship.
Niles takes Daphne's hand reassuringly, aiming to calm her. "She didn't say anything. Just stayed close to me at every chance, taking advantage of Frasier's comings and goings, and she was all handsy, pretending that they were friendly touches, but I saw her intentions, and fled as soon as I could. I... I haven't told Frasier about it yet. I needed to get out of there and didn't want to make a scene. Besides, Frasier had drunk his share of wine and, knowing him, he would have overreacted. And I admit that I was afraid that he wouldn't believe me and would take it out on me," he adds as honestly as he can.
She's still seething. "I want to kick her twisted arse so hard that I'd send her to the whorehouse she comes from! I can't stand the thought of her filthy hands on you. You're to be my husband and she knows!"
Niles feels bad for Daphne's rage, but also, deep inside, flattered by her jealousy and her getting all territorial about him, to his slight shame.
"She of course pretended in front of Frasier, but whenever he turned his back, she renewed her covert assault, passing it for friendliness. But I doubt that anyone who payed attention to her would have missed what she was truly doing. I just hope that no one payed enough attention or assumed the wrong thing on my part, though those people aren't distinguished by their benevolence," Niles concludes, sighing heavily.
Daphne stares at him silently. Niles ignores if that's a good or a bad sign, but at least she's stopped ranting. "I can't understand why you and Frasier insist on belonging to that club if you don't have true friends there. They don't sound better than your ex's friends at the Snow Ball," she sentences, crossing her arms.
That's a good question. "It's not for the people per se, not currently at least. At the beginning, years ago, it was, yes. I was eager to please and be accepted. And of course, the prestige, tradition and antiquity of that club, added to my passion for quality wines, everything merged to make it a special place for me. At present, I go on attending mostly because of the culture surrounding vintage wine, and because I enjoy my brother's company in those gatherings even if we sometimes spend our time competing against each other for this or that. But I realized, after my separation and divorce from Maris, but especially since I started dating you, that I wasn't there anymore for the other attendants. I can't care less about the bunch of them." He's only too glad to discover that it's true. He'd stopped behaving nearly like an obsequious fool in front of those pompous asses long ago.
"Okay. Then you shouldn't care about a bunch of snobs judging you because of a tart," Daphne dismisses in disdain.
Niles shakes his head. "It's not them judging me what I worry about. It's them believing that I'm dishonoring you with that woman. I don't want anyone to think that you're being betrayed and laughed at, because nothing is further from the truth of my deep love for you."
Daphne squeezes his hands with a soft gaze. "Love, I don't care two shits about what they might think or say. Let them shake their idle, bored and malicious tongues. Ultimately, they are to be pitied because of their empty lives."
Niles admires her unwavering integrity more than ever. A rush of emotion runs through him. "What have I done to deserve such a creature like you?"
She smiles and kisses him. "The list is long." Then she sobers up. "If that woman is at Frasier's tomorrow or arrives sometime during the day when I'm still there, I'll spill the beans myself, and to hell with your brother's reaction. I can give him a run for his money regarding temper. And I can't promise that I won't skin the slut alive. She's messed with my man and she'll pay for that," she threatens, deadly serious.
"That's my lioness," Niles teases, feeling aroused by her possessivenes toward him when some outsider tries to take what is hers. Daphne senses the change in the air and as if on cue, they kiss hungrily. He's in heaven because she's always insatiable, as insatiable as himself. They never seem to have enough of each other. Daphne aims for his belt buckle and he trembles under her demanding hands. She unclasps it and unzips his fly, not wasting time to free him. And immediately after, she's gone down on him, making him jump in surprise and groan loudly. She's relentless, giving him a delirious, almost guilty pleasure, because the gentleman in him tells him that he should take care of her needs first, but she looks absolutely engrossed in her task, moaning around him in abandon and locking her eyes with his, and he surrenders and loses himself to the overwhelming sensations, until the most exquisite ecstasy takes him to the top of the universe, making stars shine and explode behind his lids.
When he comes back down from his high, spent and languid, he caresses her hair in devotion. "Daphne, my love... You didn't have to do that." He understands why she's performed it on him. She's felt the pressing need to brand him as hers forever, though she wouldn't express it aloud that way. And he's so much hers. Completely. Devotedly. Louise or any other woman of her kind has never had, or ever will have, the slightest chance.
"I desired very much to do it for you, honey. I love you and want you so much," she declares, but something is still off with her. Then he remembers when he had that same feeling upon her arrival home, but he forgot about it with all the issue about the damned Louise. He puts back into place his underwear and pants, his flesh momentarily sated and humming in contentment.
"I love you and want you too, Daphne. So much that I'm crazy for you the whole day. But I sense that something is still bothering you. What is it, my love?," he sounds out tentatively.
She looks nervous and fidgets with her hands. "Niles, I... I think that I'm pregnant."
Suddenly it's as if someone has pulled a rug from under his feet. He gapes at her in shock. "A baby? Are you sure?" An all-encompassing joy is threatening to burst from his whole self.
Daphne nods, interpreting correctly his reaction and allowing a wide smile to brighten her features. "I'm totally sure. My period hasn't come and I've talked to Roz about my symptons. She's confirmed what I was suspecting. We are having a baby, Niles. A baby from our love." She's crying now and he wipes her tears gently. His own cheeks are wet too.
"You've made me the happiest man alive, my love. Oh, I... I think I'm going to faint." He indeed is feeling dizzy, and Daphne looks at him with worry and makes him remain seated on the couch until the dizziness passes. "I'm sorry for being this frail," he apologizes. "It's you who I should be taking care of right this moment and not the other way around..."
"Nonsense. You're my lion. Do you feel better? You want some water?," she offers, solicitous.
"No, thanks, my goddess. I just want to worship you and celebrate our good luck. Let's go to bed," he suggests with an ardent stare. His body is reacting again to her intoxicating presence and he wants to return the delightful favor she did him earlier, with the thrilling knowledge that there's a new life growing inside of her.
When he's sure that he isn't feeling dizzy anymore, they walk to the bedroom, smiling at each other all the way.
He returns the favor with interest.
The next day, Niles follows right behind Daphne in his car, accompanying her to the Elliot Bay Towers before heading for his office. Knowing Frasier, he most probably took Louise to his bed, for what Niles feels guilty, but there's no taking back that mistake now. The only thing he can do for his brother is tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may.
When he and Daphne arrive, they confirm the signs of Louise's presence at the condo. Her coat and purse are on the coat hanger; Niles recognizes them from the previous evening.
Unfortunately, it's still early for Frasier or his promiscuous lover to get up, so Niles resigns himself to wait. Daphne buries herself in her morning chores and he helps her. That's a good distraction.
He decides to tackle a subject that is worrying him, adding to the whole episode with Louise. "Daphne, we don't know how that woman is going to react. She'll probably lash out and lie through her teeth. Whatever she says, I want you to know that I'd never cheat on you, or even set my eyes on another woman, because I only have eyes for you, my love. Please, don't forget that and don't let doubt cloud your judgement."
To his relief and admiration, she shakes her head firmly. "I won't, don't worry, love. I know you and trust you. I won't let that woman poison our relationship. More like, I'm quite in the mood for kicking her ass than ever," she announces, crushing in her hands the rag she's holding.
After a while and a quick breakfast in the kitchen with Daphne, Niles calls Mrs. Woodson to reschedule the appointments with his first two patients of the day, alleging that some private issues have arised that prevent him from arriving at the office in time. He figures that all this nightmarish episode will take a while to come to an end.
Martin hobbles into the living room with his cane, accompanied by Eddie and looking puzzled. "Daphne? Are you there?" It's past the hour in which she usually wakes him up for him to start the day and do his exercises.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Crane," she apologizes. "But there's something that Niles and I need to take care of and can't wait."
"What's the matter?," Martin asks, worried.
"It's about Louise. She did something she's going to answer for," Daphne explains in a rush, and Martin looks more puzzled than before.
Just then, Frasier makes an appearance at the living room with Louise under his arm, both wearing his robes and looking relaxed.
"You!," Daphne shouts, pointing an accusing finger at her. "You dared to put your paws on my fiancé, you lecherous cheater! What about I put my paws on you now, eh?"
To her credit as an excellent actress, Louise looks genuinely surprised and offended. Niles feels the urge to strangle her.
"What? That's a lie! It was him who put his paws on me but I was too polite and scared to talk!"
The nerve. Where has Frasier found this bitch?
"What are you talking about?," Frasier intervenes in bafflement, shouting too.
"That liar you like so much spent the night at the wine club sexually harassing Niles whenever you turned your nose anywhere else, but he was too shocked and embarrassed and didn't want to make a scene and shame you in front of your snob friends! That's what I'm talking about! And you didn't even notice a thing! Weren't you mystified that your brother left so early?," Daphne lunges.
Frasier turns to Louise in confusion and mortification. "What's she referring to, Louise? What happened?"
"I've already explained what happened! It was your brother!," she attacks, convincingly enough to win an Oscar.
"You wish! Niles would never do anything of the sort! He's a gentleman!," Daphne defends ardently.
Frasier is staring at the woman in suspicion, shaking. "If that's true, why haven't you told anything until now? Why have you acted as if nothing has happened? You were so happy at the club, and haven't said a word or looked at all as a harassed person! And Daphne is right, Niles is not that sort of man! I know him since he was born! You couldn't have targeted a most wrong man! I would have believed that of other guys, but not of my brother. What are you playing at, Louise? Don't you have enough with digging your claws into my money, that now you were aiming to dig them into Niles's too? What kind of woman are you?"
"I... I... You bunch of losers! You rich jerks, you believe that you own the world? You don't know who you're up against!," Louise lashes out, grabbing her coat and purse in fake offense.
"Grab your clothes and get out of here! I don't want to see a single hair on your dishonest head ever again," Frasier commands in cold rage.
The woman runs back to the bedroom and everyone else looks at each other in perplexity.
"Frasier, I'm very sorry for everything," Niles apologizes. "I didn't know what to do, I wouldn't have ever expected her to try to seduce me, and even less right under your nose."
Frasier shakes his head, looking defeated and resigned. "It wasn't your fault, Niles. I'm the one to blame for not seeing her for what she genuinely is. The... The question is that I think that that's not the first time she's tried something like that. The signs where right in front of me but I didn't want to believe them. Now I'm one hundred percent certain that she's cheated on me at least with one of my acquaintances, if not with more. She's very cunning and knows how to make it all look like something innocent and harmless. I've been such an idiot," he regrets, rubbing his face with his palms.
Niles puts a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "As you've said, she's very cunning. And you were an infatuated man. It's easy to fall prey to that sort of people. Don't punish yourself for this."
Louise strides straight to the entrance door, fully dressed and looking the standard bearer of offense and hurt dignity. She doesn't dare turn her eyes to anyone or utter a word until she opens the door and slams it behind her.
"Good riddance," Martin congratulates, heading for his armchair.
"Have you eaten breakfast, Niles?," Frasier offers, making an effort to return to normality.
"Yes, I have, thanks brother. I should set off for my office now. With luck, I won't miss all my morning appointments," Niles announces, turning to Daphne. "See you later, my love. And I'm sorry for everything. By the way, you were magnificent! I'll never forget the way you stood up to that woman for me," he praises, kissing her.
"Always, Niles. I won't ever allow anyone to pester or slander you," she states firmly, caressing his cheeks. Niles has never felt prouder of her. "See you later," she adds in farewell.
"Have a good day, Niles. And again, I'm sorry," Frasier says just before Niles turns to the door, patting his brother on the shoulder.
And with that, Niles leaves, making an effort to shake off all the disagreeable episode.
Then, the news from the night before pops into his mind, brightening his mood. I'm going to be a father! He regrets that the joy of that discovery has been tarnished by Frasier's evil ex girlfriend, but nothing can truly decrease his absolute happiness.