For a while, no one spoke, both reflecting on what had happened, feeling content to just lie together. Daphne's head rested on Niles's chest. His hand stroked her hair as his heartbeat hypnotised her. He inhaled her shampoo before speaking.

"You know..."

"Hmmmm?" Daphne smiled, feeling his voice vibrate in his chest.

"I imagined that going quite differently. I mean, I'm not complaining at all. It's just kind of funny."

Daphne had crossed her arms on his chest, resting her chin on them and gazing down into his eyes. "I know what you mean. I imagined seducing you with a delicious meal, but I suppose that'll never happen."

They both laughed, and Niles reached up to continue stroking her hair. "So, how did you imagine it?" She asked.

Niles sighed and looked at the ceiling. "Well, I imagined we would start with a romantic date, where we talked nicely to each other." They laughed, and he went on. "I imagined we would start kissing, and slowly undress each other." He laughed. "The way I pictured you..."

"Oh God. I'm sure I don't want to know," said Daphne.

Niles grasped her shoulders. "There's no way I could have imagined this," he said, indicating her body. "You are exquisite. I thought I was imagining a perfect body. But the real thing is better than perfect because it's real."

Daphne gave a wide grin. "I told you this was real. Now what else did you imagine about our first time?"

"Well, we'd get into bed, and I would kiss you, starting at your forehead, then your nose, chin, throat..." he touched each spot, then reached between their bodies. "All the way down, to about... here." As he touch the spot he knew aroused her most, she gasped and gave a dark chuckle. "And I thought I'd... get well acquainted with... that area. And... you would like it. You'd like it several times."

"I like the way you think," said Daphne.

"Then, you would... get to know Little Niles."

Daphne laughed. "Well, I feel I know Little Niles rather well," she said darkly.

Niles grinned. "Yes, but once again, I could never have imagined such gentleness, such pleasure, such... attention to detail."

"Those are all on my resume, you know," Daphne cheeked. "What else?"

"The lovemaking I imagined... isn't worth talking about. Daphne, I—it's never been like that. With Maris, it was like doing a chore. A pleasurable chore, but there was never any connection. With Mel, it was all just so... clinical. I mean, cunnilingus was more like an examination."

They laughed, and Daphne stroked his cheek as he sighed. "But with you... oh Daphne, it's everything that's been missing, and there's..."

"Connection," Daphne finished.

Niles cradled her face in his hands, studying it for a moment before drawing her close and kissing her deeply. They made love again, each taking extra care to make the other feel the greatest pleasure, connection, and love possible.

Niles awoke with a giant smile on his face. He got ready for work quicker than usual, leaving him with plenty of time for a quiet coffee and reflection on the events of the previous night.

He had not been able to stop smiling when Frasier found him at Cafe Nervosa, and it didn't take his brother long to work out why.

"You know the best part Frasier? It wasn't at all like I imagined it."

THE END