Author's Notes

This must be the millionth different version of the story you've read/watched/heard, but I couldn't think of a good Christmas story for the Cranes this year, so I decided to use this. Also, the whole "nephew named Frederick" thing was too good a connection to not use. I hope you like this, and the Frasier characters used to represent the characters in the tale. Merry Christmas!

The Story

".'.... three spirits will visit you today' - oh, shoot!"

"'Tonight', Frasier," Niles interrupted. "The correct line is 'tonight'."

Niles was helping Frasier rehearse for KACL's production of A Christmas Carol. Every member of the on-air staff was playing a part. Frasier was Jacob Marley, Roz was the Ghost of Christmas Past and Bulldog had been roped in to play Fezziweg. Even Kenny was joining in, playing Bob Cratchitt. In the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge was KACL's new financial expert, Joseph Gillman.

"Let's take this from the top," Niles told his brother. He read the line of Scrooge. "'What is your purpose, Jacob?'"

"'I am here to warn you that three spirits will visit you tonight!'" Frasier smiled that he'd got the line right as Daphne came in from the kitchen.

"Sherry, boys?" she asked.

"Yes, thank you," Niles told her as he put the script down and headed over to his wife.

"I don't know why you want to remember it all," Daphne said to Frasier. "It's on radio, you're going to be able to read it."

"I don't want to read it, Daphne, I want to say it," Frasier said grandly. Suddenly there was a thud and a smash as something fell to the floor. Frasier and Daphne looked around.

"Niles!" Daphne almost screamed. Niles had fallen to the floor, his sherry glass lay smashed behind him. The two ran over to him.

"Niles? Are you OK?"

20 years later

Niles Crane sat in his office, looking at the clock before sitting down and counting the paycheques in front of him. Ah, psychiatry was a good business to be in. Today he had made over $1,000. That was the one good thing about Christmas - at this time of year many people became depressed, or felt lonely, and he could take their money whilst helping them.

"Uh, Dr Crane?" his receptionist, Kenny Daley, knocked on the door. Kenny had fallen on hard times over the past two decades. Ever since KACL had been bought by a large corporation, he had lost his job at the station and the only job he'd been able to find was with Niles.

"What is it?" Niles snapped at him.

"Your nephew, Frederick, is here to see you," Kenny said nervously. As he left, Frederick came into the office.

"Uncle Niles!" he said with a big grin. "It's so good to see you! Man, that flight from Boston was murder!" Frederick had moved to Seattle 7 years ago, and had gone back to Boston for a few days to visit his mother.

"Hello Frederick," Niles said bluntly to his nephew, and then carried on with his work. Kenny knocked on the door and once again came in.

"Dr Crane, the gasman just called. They're pulling the plug on our gas supply until you pay the bill."

"Bah, who needs them?" Niles snapped at Kenny. "Nosy meddlers! We can power this place by ourselves! Turn that light on, please."

"I can't," Kenny replied. "The electric company cut us off this afternoon, remember?"

"Fine," Niles said. "Light a candle. That will provide heat and light. And cheaply! Now get back to work!"

Kenny went back to his desk, walking past Frederick. "Merry Christmas," he said to Frederick, who returned the greeting with a smile. Once Kenny had gone, Frederick walked over to his uncle's desk.

"Uncle Niles, don't you think you're being too hard on him?"

"No, not at all."

"But come on! It is nearly Christmas after all....."

"Don't get me started on Christmas, boy!" Niles snapped. "There is only one good thing about Christmas, and that is that the mentally disturbed treble at this time of year! Thus providing me with a healthy income!"

"But you don't spend it," Frederick protested.

"There's nothing worth spending it on," Niles said.

"So I presume you don't want to come over to our apartment tomorrow for dinner? Julie's cooking!"

"No, I will be fine at home with my own dinner, thank you. Now please leave. My 4 o'clock will be here soon."

"Fine," Frederick was fed up with his uncle's behaviour. As he left he turned to Niles. "You know, I miss them too, but I didn't become a grumpy old git like you. Merry Christmas."

Niles looked at the doorway once Frederick had gone. Git. That was how his beloved wife Daphne had often referred to his father Martin. Until that Christmas.....

Niles wiped away a tear. This was no time for crying. His 4 o'clock would be here any minute.

"Daley, where are you?"

"Right here, Dr Crane." Kenny closed the appointment book. "Do you want me to reschedule your 2 o'clock tomorrow for the 26th?"

"No, no need to do that."

"But tomorrow is Christmas Day!"

"People who need my help do not take a break for Christmas, Daley. Therefore neither do we. I will see you tomorrow - or else!"

"Yes, Dr Crane. See you tomorrow." Kenny picked up his coat and left. Niles locked up his office and walked through the streets of Seattle back to the Montana. The apartment was his only real luxury left. He couldn't bear to leave it, ever since that tragic Christmas 17 years ago in which almost everything he had had been taken from him.

Niles entered the empty apartment and sat down in his armchair. He turned on the TV and flicked through the channels, just like his father had used to do every Christmas. There was nothing on except one of the many film versions of A Christmas Carol. Niles turned off the television. The story reminded him too much about his losses. After all, he and Daphne had helped Frasier rehearse for that play 20 years ago.

After eating his evening meal, Niles sat down in his armchair and listened to some classical music whilst drinking some of the new 2008 bottle of wine he had bought recently. The wine tasted good against his lips. Eventually Niles fell asleep in his chair.

He woke up with a sudden. There were footsteps from upstairs.

"Hello?" Niles muttered. "Who's there?"

There was no answer. Niles walked half way up the stairs. "Hello?" he called again.

"Niles!"

Niles screamed in horror. It couldn't be!

"F...F...Frasier?"

Frasier suddenly appeared in front of his brother. Niles screamed again.

"Oh calm down Niles, haven't you ever seen a ghost of your dead brother before?"

"No, c...can't say that I h...have!" Niles stuttered.

"Take a seat," Frasier said to his brother. Niles sat back down in his armchair. "Niles, I've been watching you from above! And I am not happy with what I see!"

"Sorry!" Niles said.

"I have noticed that at Christmas you become a real Scrooge!" Frasier said to him. "Not paying your bills, treating Kenny rotten, snapping at your own nephew when all he wants is to be with his family. No Niles, I am not happy at all."

"But....it's Christmas..." Niles began.

"I know it's Christmas," said Frasier. "It's Christmas Eve! When you're a ghost, you know these things. But you've lost the spirit of Christmas, Niles."

"It reminds me too much," Niles said quietly.

"Niles! Listen to me! As your brother and a fellow psychiatrist, I don't want you to be sad. That is why three spirits will visit you today - oh, shoot!"

Niles smiled slightly, remembering the mistake Frasier had made 20 years ago. "You mean tonight, right?"

"Yes, yes, tonight. I know what I mean. 3 spirits though, Niles!"

"So, will the first one appear at 1am?" Niles asked, remembering the Dickens tale.

"Uh, no. It's our Christmas party then and everyone wants to be there," Frasier said. "It's one of those 'after hours' things, starts at midnight. Promises to be a hoot. So the first spirit will arrive at 11pm!"

"11pm?" Niles asked but suddenly Frasier disappeared. "Frasier?"

Niles blinked. He must have been dreaming. After all, tonight was the anniversary of that terrible evening, and watching that film on TV must have made him dream. Yawning, Niles turned on the TV.

"Coming up next, the news at 11.30, after these announcements."

Niles decided to go and refill his wine glass. He went into the kitchen and refilled it, picking up a snack as well. When he re-entered the main room, they fell to the floor.

"Roz? Next time, please knock!"

"Oh, sorry," Roz said. "But it's a bit hard when you're a spirit, touching things like knockers or doors."

Niles nodded his head before freezing. "Spirit?"

"Yes Niles, I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."

"But Roz is still alive! How can she be a spirit?"

"I took on the looks of Roz so as not to shock you," said the spirit. "But you can call me Roz if you like. Now come, for we have places to visit and things to see." Roz waved her hands and the Montana was suddenly empty.

"Roz, where are we?"

"We are at Bulldog's house, remember?"

"Bulldog? But I haven't been there in 18 years!"

"I know. Niles, welcome to the past."

Niles looked around. This looked very familiar. There was the tree, and Bulldog serving punch whilst telling rude jokes to Gil, and - Daphne!

"Daphne?" Niles almost shouted. "She's here!"

"Of course she is," Roz said. "And so are you. And Frasier. And Martin. And Roz - the real Roz, not me. And Kenny. This is 18 years ago, your last truly happy Christmas."

"Daphne," Niles breathed again "She's beautiful." He watched as Daphne danced with Niles' past self around the table. Past Niles bumped into a table leg and fell to the floor. Daphne laughed with delight as she helped him up, and the couple kissed.

"Woah! Looks like some hot action here!" Bulldog laughed as he watched. "Hey Roz, wanna join in?"

"No thanks," Past Roz said. "I would rather hook up with a man, not a dog."

"You go, girl," Spirit Roz said to the real Roz, although of course no-one could hear her. Niles wasn't looking. He was watching Daphne with his past self. They were now laughing about something with Frasier.

"God, I miss them," he said. "I wish I could go over and say something.

"You know they can't see or hear us," Spirit Roz said. "Chill out Niles, just enjoy the party."

Some Christmas music was playing, and Niles found himself singing along to it. He turned to the spirit.

"You know, the only reason we went to Bulldog's place was because Daphne insisted," he said to her. "And we had a really good time. It was one of the best Christmases ever."

"I know," Spirit Roz smiled. "But we have other places to see." Again, she waved her hands and the two disappeared from the Briscoe apartment.

"Oh Roz, please! Not here! Please!" Niles begged the Spirit. But Roz stood defiant.

"This is someplace they said I had to take you," she said. Niles looked sadly at the scenes in front of him. His past self was standing with Martin in the waiting room of Seattle General Hospital. A doctor was talking to them.

"I am dreadfully sorry," the doctor said sadly, "but there was nothing we could do for either of them." Past Niles and Martin sat down in shock and both burst into tears. Future Niles also shed a few tears.

"This was the biggest loss of my life," he said to Roz. "hearing that my wife and my brother had both been killed in that car crash. And because they'd gone to get my present." He broke off.

"This was the start of a downhill spiral for you at Christmas," Roz told him. "Every year the holiday season brings back memories of this tragic day, and you try to forget all about it."

"That's pretty good psychiatry, Roz," Niles admitted.

"I am not Roz, remember? But the real Roz didn't spend all those years helping Frasier with his show for nothing," the spirit grinned. "But alas, my party draws nearer, and I still haven't got a date."

"Are you sure you're not Roz?" Niles asked. But he didn't get an answer. Roz waved her hands for the final time and Niles found himself back in present day Seattle, in his armchair.

"What a nightmare!" he said to himself. He looked at the TV. The 11.30pm news was just starting.

"That must have been a dream," he said to himself. "All of that could not have happened in just one minute." He looked over and spotted the broken wine glass on the floor.

"But if that was a dream, why is my glass on the floor?" he wondered. "I only dropped it because I saw Roz."

"Don't worry son, you're not going mad," Martin Crane said from the other side of the room.

"Oh, thanks Dad," said Niles before he froze again. He slowly turned his head around and screamed.

Martin and Eddie stood by the door. Eddie wore a little Santa hat, as he did most Christmases when he was alive.

"Oh jeez, I'd have thought you'd be used to this by now," Martin said. "You've already been visited by 2 ghosts."

"Dad? Is that you?"

"Sorta. I'm the Ghost of Christmas Present. But that's 'Dad' to you. And of course you remember Eddie."

"How could I forget?" Niles asked, remembering the time Eddie had knocked over his very rare antique 1872 vase.

"Are you going to take me places too?"

"Yep," Martin said. He looked at his watch. "Damn, we're late! The Daleys should be having dinner very soon! Eddie!"

Eddie came over and stood behind Martin. Martin bent down and took the Santa hat off the dog. He picked up some magical dust and threw it in the air.

"This is Kenny's house?"

"If you can call it a house," said Martin. "I'd call it a dump! But on the wages you pay him, this is all he can afford."

"Dear God!" Niles breathed. Kenny sat down at the table. Next to him was Kenny's son, Kenny Jr; his wife Helen and their kids Sandra, 10, and Mike, 8.

"Hey Gramps, guess what I got?" Sandra said. "A Barbie Deluxe! She comes with an adjustable dress that you can wear too!"

"I don't think Gramps wants to wear a dress for Barbie," Helen said. "Anyway, dinner's ready."

Kenny came in with a small turkey.

"That must be their starter, surely?" Niles said to Martin. Martin shook his head.

"No, this is the main meal. On the wages you pay him, Kenny can't afford much more. And he can't get another job either, no-one else will hire him because he works for you."

"Dad, I feel sick!" Mike said to Kenny Jr. He ran from the table to the bathroom.

"Oh dear," Helen said. "He's getting worse."

"Is the treatment not working?" Kenny asked.

"It does," Helen said, "But ever since BigCorpLtd took over the company making it and raised the prices, we can't afford as much of it."

"They're the same company who now own KACL," Kenny said bitterly. "And Dr Crane has shares in them."

Niles gasped. "That poor kid! What's wrong with him?"

"He has cancer," Martin said sadly. "The same type your mother died of. But they can't afford the new treatments for it."

"Dear God!" Niles muttered as Mike came back in.

"I'm feeling better now," he said.

"That reminds me, I have work in an hour," Kenny said.

"He's making you work on Christmas Day!" Kenny Jr could not believe it.

"The more hours I do, the more money I earn, the more treatment for Mike we can get," Kenny said.

Niles choked back tears. "Poor kid," he said. "What happens to him?"

"I don't know," Martin said. "Wait until the next spirit comes."

"I don't want them to suffer a loss like I did," Niles said.

"Cheap codger," Kenny muttered. "I wish I could get another job with someone who values and respects me, like when I was at KACL."

Martin took Eddie's hat off once again and threw more magical dust in the air.

The three of them flew through the streets of Seattle until they arrived at a posh apartment near Elliot Bay Towers, where Frasier and Martin had used to live years ago.

"This is Frederick's house?" Niles said, uncertainly.

"Very good, Niles," said Martin sarcastically as they entered the apartment.

"Well, I haven't been here for ages," Niles said. They watched as Frederick entertained his guests. They were playing Charades. Frederick was with a beautiful girl and laughing with her as they tried to guess which film title their friends were acting out.

"Who is that?" Niles asked.

"That's Julie," Martin explained. "Your nephew's girlfriend of nearly 2 years, whom you still haven't met."

Frederick and Julie correctly guessed the film - Back to the Future - and the party sat down to dinner.

"Attention everyone!" Frederick called. "I'd like to propose a toast!" Everyone raised their glasses. "To friends and family, all over the world, at Christmas and into the New Year."

"Hear, hear!" the crowd said as they all took a sip.

"To those who have left this world, like my Dad and Aunt Daphne, God rest their souls."

Again the party raised their glasses.

"And to those who couldn't make it for various reasons..."

"Like your cheapskate uncle!" someone muttered. Frederick turned to them.

"Don't be like that with Uncle Niles," he said. "Christmas is a hard time of year for him, losing his wife like that. You know, beneath that crusty exterior is the kind man from years past I once knew and loved."

"He's defending me," Niles whispered. "After all I said....."

"He loves you, son," Martin said. "You're his uncle and he loves you to bits. After all, that's what families are for."

"But I lose anyone I love," Niles whispered.

"One person is still here," Martin said gently, pointing at Frederick. "Your brother wants you to take great care of Frederick for him."

"He does?"

"And so does Daphne."

Niles was lost in his own thoughts for a minute at the mention of that name, remembering the happy times they'd had. He turned back to face Martin and Eddie.....

.....and they were gone.

Niles looked around. He was no longer in Frederick's apartment. He was now in the streets of Seattle.

Frightened, Niles looked around. There were a few buildings he did not recognise. And was that a flying car in the sky?

He turned around and saw a very thin, pale figure standing behind him. The figure wore all black and had a veil over its face. It pointed a bony finger at Niles.

"Maris?"

The figure nodded.

"I guess you are the Ghost of Christmas Future."

Maris nodded again.

"But you were in my past! Why are you the ghost of my future?"

Maris shrugged her shoulders, and beckoned Niles to follow her. Niles followed his ex-wife through Seattle until she held up her hand to stop. Niles stood behind her.

Ahead was the cemetery.

"No, Maris, this is much too creepy!" Niles blinked. They were in the cemetery, standing behind a group of people around a tombstone.

"You always did have a way of making me do what you wanted," Niles said to Maris. He thought he saw a slight smile on her face under the veil.

"Look at him, down there!" a voice said from the crowd. Niles recognised it as the voice of an (older) Kenny Daley Jr. "Good riddance!"

"Tightwad," another man said.

"That man helped cause the deaths of my father and my son!" Kenny Jr continued. "The low wages he paid meant my father could not afford to pay his heating bills, and we could not afford the treatment to make my son better!" He kicked the gravestone. "May you rot in hell, Niles Crane!"

The crowd suddenly disappeared and Niles and Maris found themselves in front of the gravestone. Niles looked at it in horror. It simply read:

"Here Lies Niles Crane, 1957-2030."

"I wanted my gravestone to be more elaborate than that," Niles muttered. "But I guess that since they hated me, they saw no reason to give me a decent tombstone."

Maris nodded.

"Oh Dear God!" Niles fell to his knees. "That kid, Kenny's grandson - died? And Kenny too?" The full horrors of the conversation he had heard set in. "Kenny Jr must be feeling really rotten! Losing his father and his son. A loss.....I know the feeling of," he said quietly. "What a jerk Kenny Jr is though!"

"You are turning out the same way," Maris said. Only it wasn't Maris' voice. It was.....

Niles turned around. Maris was transforming into the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

"Daphne!"

"You're ending up like Kenny Jr, Niles," Daphne said. "A bitter man, upset at his losses, and ignoring everything else - like those family and friends you still have left!"

"But Daphne....." Niles sobbed.

"Listen to me, Niles. I don't want you to be unhappy. I loved you lots. And I know you loved me and Frasier. But we want you to be happy."

Frasier suddenly reappeared besides Daphne. "We do, Niles," he said. "We really, really do."

"But Christmas brings back so many horrible memories," Niles told them.

"Yes, but it's also a time of happiness and joy," Daphne said, "and rebirth. Don't forget whose birthday Christmas is. It also means you can start your life again. We know you miss us, but we don't like the Niles Crane we are looking at right now, the cold hearted man. Niles, learn to love again."

"You're right," Niles said. "You're right! Merry Christmas Daphne! Merry Christmas Frasier!"

The two spirits smiled. "Merry Christmas Niles!" they said, and suddenly Niles found himself back in his armchair in the Montana. He looked out of the window and saw he was back in the present. It was daylight outside, which could only mean one thing.

It was now Christmas Day.

"Merry Christmas!" he said to himself happily. He picked up the phone and called today's patient to cancel their session. Then he called Kenny. "Kenny, it's me. Listen, don't come to work today! I've cancelled my session. Have the day off with your family!"

"Uh, thanks!" Kenny said uncertainly.

"And Kenny, tomorrow I want you to call the gas company and get us reconnected. And also, since it's Christmas, have a pay rise!"

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm going to double your wages. Merry Christmas Kenny!"

"Merry Christmas Dr Crane!"

Niles hung up and called his nephew. "Frederick, it's me. Have you got a place at the table for an silly old man?"

"You're coming? Great! More the merrier!" Frederick said happily. "See you soon!".

After washing and changing, Niles looked in the mirror to make sure he looked presentable. Daphne and Frasier stood next to his reflection, along with the 3 spirits, Roz, Martin and Maris.

"Merry Christmas, Niles," they smiled.

"Thanks," Niles said. "Merry Christmas to you too!" Happily, he walked out the door to Frederick's place.

"He forgot to lock the door," Martin said to the other spirits. "We'd better call him back and tell him."

"Niles!" they called. But the happy Niles had already gotten into the elevator and left.

"Right, let's catch up with him," Daphne said. "Niles! Niles....."

-----

"Niles? Niles? Are you OK?"

Niles opened his eyes and groaned. He looked around and saw Daphne and Frasier looking concerned at him.

"Daphne!" he say joyfully. "Am I glad to see you!" He hugged her. "Wait, you're not a spirit....."

"Spirit?"

Niles looked around and saw he was lying on his couch.

"No Niles, it was sherry you dropped. That was quite a fall," said Frasier. "You were out cold for a few minutes."

"Fall? Out cold?" Niles repeated. He looked around again. "It was all a dream."

"What was?"

"I guess listening to you with A Christmas Carol made me dream up a version of it myself, with me in the main role."

Frasier and Daphne chuckled. Daphne smiled and kissed him. "How's your head?"

"It's fine," Niles said. "I tell you what, let's forget about the play for a while and just have fun together. I've had enough Christmas Carol for one night."

"All right then," agreed Frasier. "I'll go get more sherry and clean this lot up." He went into the kitchen and got the cloth, wiped up the sherry and then poured 3 more glasses before re-entering the main room.

Niles and Daphne were cuddled up together on the couch. Niles was fast asleep with a big smile on his face.

"Don't wake him," Daphne said. "He looks so cute." They both smiled.

"Merry Christmas, Niles," they said.