This is the first part of a series and It is called "Once Upon A Moon" (the inspired title provided by Sharon :o) It picks up from the end of Mixed Doubles and as you will see more particularly from a statement made by Daphne. The main action takes place back in 1992 and it is a little odd so bare with me and if you hate the first part you can avoid the rest

Once Upon a Moon Pt 1

Niles closed the door of his apartment at the Montanna and looked around. How he hated coming home to no one and after the evening he'd had all he wanted was to sink into bed and forget how spineless he had been. As he entered the bedroom he moved to the window to close the blinds , looking out at the moon shrouded in clouds he thought back to her words ;

"If only it had been a different time in both our lives maybe we might have met"

Oh how he wished it were a different time , looking up at the moon as the clouds began to clear he spoke to no one in particular and the whole world in general ;

"If we'd met before , if she wasn't Daphne moon my father's health care worker but just Daphne Moon a beautiful woman at the next bar stool , it would have been different. I would have been different. If only life were that simple. If only I could turn back the clock and have a chance. If only , if only's were reality.Ñ

He sighed dropping the blind as the last of the clouds cleared and for an instant the moon in all itís fullness shone directly in his window illuminating the room. Niles closed his eyes as he slumped on the bed

"I just wish I had it all to do again" he said as sleep swept over him and the clouds covered the moon once more. Little did he know that under the right circumstances wishes can come true and if only's can become reality.

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The alarm on Niles night stand beeped into life and he wearily reached out to switch it off. Rolling on his back he say the tiny bump in the covers next to him. Maris as always had slept right through. Getting up he moved around the ornate furniture toward the elaborately decorated ensuite bathroom. Looking in the mirror he gasped a little at the bleary eyed version of himself that looked back at him. He was exhausted. He seemed to spend his entire life at the office , or his father's apartment or some one of Maris' stupid charity events.

"thank god Frasier will be back permanently in a couple of weeks" he thought "At least I'll have some help with Dad"

As he showered and dressed he thought how his life lately seemed to be all about fixing other peoples problems and playing the diplomat. He spent all day listening to his clients , doing his best to help , then what did he come home to ? On the one hand he was trying to be nice to Maris' friends and sympathetic to her social climbing and on the other he had to justify the time he spent with his father who's disdain for Maris and her set was only out weighed by her dislike of him and his friends.

He was at the breakfast table when he finally heard her stir above his head her foot steps were barely audible as she made her way slowly down the stairs. When she entered the kitchen she glared at Niles and he could feel the tension in the air before she even spoke.

"You were late last night" she said "Is there something I should know about ?"

Niles sighed "No" he said deliberately "I was working. My 6.30 ran on late and then I spent the evening with Dad. I did tell you I was going. He had some paper work he needed help with , to do with his police pension. Surely you remember?"

"No I don't" Maris replied sulkily "Just be sure to be here tonight I have the Williams coming and I want to make a good impression."

Niles cringed thinking hard before he spoke. "I can't I have to take dad to dukes and then pick him up again, and in between I arranged to met with the editor of the American journal of psychiatry to discuss my submissions for this quarter. I did tell you that as well"

Maris' eyes flashed with anger. "you never put me first" she shouted slamming the cup she was holding down on the breakfast bar. The sound of china hitting marble reminded Niles of the bell between rounds of a boxing match. "Seconds out , round two" he thought. "What am I supposed to tell the Williams?" Maris continued "They are very influential in the country club and if I want to have any hope of being chosen to host next years summer barbecue I need to have them on my side"

Niles wasn't in the mood pandering to the desires of the country club stuffed shirts in order to get picked to host a party that would cost them a small fortune and for which they'd get no thanks and he'd have 6 months of head aches while Maris tried to out do every other person who had ever hosted the event.

"I don't know" he said finally "I'm sure you'll think of something but right now I've got to get to work." He was trying to sound as amicable as possible.

"Oh yes you just leave me to it" she shouted after him as he heard the smashing sound of her cup hitting the floor.

"Just another quite morning in the Crane household" He thought as he screeched out of the drive way. Sometimes he didn't know why he bother to come home at all.

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It was late in the afternoon when his secretary buzzed him saying there was a call from the editor he was due to met that evening.

"Simon , what can I do for you" he said clicking on the speaker phone. He listened as the editor made his excuses and rain checked on the evenings meeting. "No ,No" he assured "that's no problem. I'll see you next week."

He switched off the phone and sat back in his chair looking at it. He knew he should call Maris and tell her his meeting had been cancelled and he would be able to have drinks with her and the Williams after all but somehow he couldn't bring himself to pick up the phone. He stared at it a moment longer and then as there was a faint knock at the door and his 5pm client was ushered in by his secretary the decision was made for him. Besides he told himself it would be a nice surprise for her when he arrived home unexpectedly.

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At 8.30 he pulled up outside Dukes his father's favourite bar and the place where he met with his friends from his days in the police force. They had been arguing all the way there and it wasn't over yet Niles could tell.

"All I'm saying" he said looking at his father "is it would be wise to invest a little each month from your pension. It wouldn't have to be a lot just enough to ensure you're comfortable if anything goes wrong"

"You mean like being shot in the hip and having to take early retirement and listen to my son yapping at me day and night about investments?" Martin Crane said with an angry look to Niles. He got a hold of his cane and opened the car door.

Niles sensing he was beat sighed "What time shall I pick you up?" he asked

Martin who was already half way out of the car thought for a moment. "better make it 11.30 , this is the night Duke sometimes likes to have a little poker on the go" he slammed the door before Niles could answer and hobbled toward the bar..

Looking out the windscreen of the car Niles thought about going home. He gave it all of 30 seconds thought before he realised there was no way after the day he'd had that he was going anywhere near the Williams , but his meeting was cancelled and he certainly wasn't going into Dukes so were? Looking across the street he saw a small wine bar it was discreetly lit and looked quite enough. He could take in some of the case notes he was working on and find a corner table. They would easily keep him occupied until it was time to pick up his father. He found a parking space and lifting his briefcase from the back seat.

When he entered the bar it was everything it had promised from the outside , but unfortunately the only seats available were at the bar. He couldn't work there he told himself the case notes were confidential and he need a little privacy at least , but this was the only place he'd seen and maybe if he sat a while a table would become free. He perched himself on one of the stools and smiled at the bar tender as he approached

"Iíll have a glass of the house white please" he said and as the jolly looking man went to fill his order he looked around. There was a pianist in the corner playing soft tunes and the lighting was dark enough to give the place atmosphere but not so dark as to make it uninviting. All around him couples sat engrossed in their own conversations and the gentle sound of clinking glasses and babbling voices made it so relaxing he felt he had drifted into another world.

The bartender set the glass of wine in front of him and disappeared leaving Niles staring into it's depths. Somehow nothing seemed to feel right in his life. Looking at the calendar on the wall. Here he was in 1992 a successful man in his own right , at the top of his profession being dictated to by his father and his wife. He felt so out of control at times.

The was a cold gust of air as the door opened behind him. He was too wrapped up in his thoughts to notice as the chair beside him became occupied , but when she spoke his attention was caught

"I'll have a glass of red wine" she said . Niles was immediately struck by the broad English lilt to her accent. He turned to look at it's source. She was , he though instantly , quite stunning . Her chestnut brown hair fell in gentle waves around her shoulders and she had the deepest of brown eyes. He must have looked desperately unhappy for when she looked at him the smile faded from her lips.

"It can't be as bad as all that" she said looking at him with concern

"I beg your pardon?" Niles said a little surprised

"You look like the world is about to end" She said the smile returning. "Surely nothing can be that bad?"

He was taken aback by the fact that his feelings where so obvious to her and the warmth of her smile seemed to somehow relax him.

"Oh" he said returning her smile however weakly "It's a long story" He stared back into his glass as the bar tender returned with her drink.

"I'd be happy to listen if you want to talk" She looked at him the smile still firmly on her lips

"I couldn't" Niles said "thank you but I don't want to ruin your evening I'm sure you have better things you could be doing"

"Not really I just moved here a few weeks ago and I was on my way home when I thought I'd call in here for a drink. Besides my mother always said a problem shared is a problem halved."

Niles turned a little toward her in his seat and smiled again . "I'm Niles" he said

"And I'm Daphne" she replied.