Don't Help Me Please by Patrick Councilor

Niles opened his eyes.

"Hey, there he is," Martin said in a cheery voice. "Time to get up sleepy head."

Where was he? He looked into Daphne's face as she sat beside him, looking down upon him.

"Have I died?" He stopped himself. He almost asked, 'Have I died and gone to heaven?'.

"You will, if you ever pull this again," Frasier said from somewhere in the room.

Niles found himself on his fainting couch. Daphne was sitting beside him pressing a cold compress to his forehead and holding his hand. Her touch felt so good. "Am I alright?"

She smiled down upon him like a warm shower. "You'll be just fine."

His heart melted into a puddle.

"You knocked yourself unconscious, you ninny," Frasier announced.

"That's enough Frasier," Martin demanded.

Daphne placed her hand on the side of his face and leaned into him. His heart skipped a beat. She was going to kiss him. No, she was checking his eyes, but it felt spectacular. What a glorious day, even for knocking oneself out. "What is your name?" she asked.

"Daphne, you know very well who I am."

"Just answer me question."

"Niles Crane."

"What year is it?"

"1990"

"Huh," she said.

"Huh? Huh what?"

"Just a trifle off."

"How did you manage to knock yourself out?" Frasier asked.

"I don't know." He thought for a moment. "I think I dropped my antique salt shaker and it rolled under the table. When I went to retrieve it, I must have hit my head coming up."

"What is me full name?" she asked.

How could she even ask that? Why, you're the only woman I've ever truly loved… "Daphne Moon."

"What is the best wine to serve with braciole?" Frasier asked.

"An Italian Dolcetto: Chateau Classico."

"He's fine." Frasier snapped.

Two men wearing white came into the room with a gurney. "Over here," Frasier instructed. They placed the gurney beside the fainting couch. Daphne got up to move out of the way, but Niles kept ahold of her hand. She moved around the couch to be out of the way, but to allow Niles to still hold her hand. They started to ask the same questions that Daphne had been asking: what is your name and what year is it. They, then, moved him over onto the gurney and raised it up. They were going to wheel him out of here.

"Is this necessary?" Niles asked, still firmly holding Daphne's hand.

"It's just for precautions," Martin answered.

Frasier added, "When you knock yourself unconscious, yes, you're going to the hospital."

The man shined a mini flashlight in his eyes. "He may have a slight concussion. He'll be fine."

Concussion? NO! Does that mean he won't remember any of this? Will he remember the time he spent with Daphne? How could he forget that?

And the worst part of all… the very worst part of it is when they started him toward the door, it pulled Daphne's hand from his. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want to ever let go. When their hands parted, his fingers reached out to keep contact with her as long as possible. Her warm and generously soft touch was the greatest feeling on earth.

They almost had him out the door when he yelled, "Stop! Stop! Give me a moment."

The paramedics granted his wish.

"Daphne? Daphne?"

"I'm right here," she said as she rushed to his side. She held his hand again.

"Come closer."

He kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you for taking care of me."

The paramedics whisked him away and out the door.

Daphne meant to say, 'You're welcome', but she didn't. She was a little lost for words. She held her cheek as she watched them leave with him. The kiss was so soft and gentle. It took her back for a few moments.

"Come on", Frasier said. "We'll follow right behind them." He glanced over at Daphne. "Daphne, are you alright?"

"Yes… of course. Why do you ask?"

"You look a little flush, that's all."

"It's just me concern for your brotha."

Frasier smiled. "He'll be fine."

"Sure," Martin said in an upbeat tone as he hobbled through the door behind Daphne. Frasier closed the door as they departed.

~ FIN ~

[Author's Note: Special thanks to Andrea. It was her story When Niles Met Daphne that inspired this one]