Taken Back by Patrick Councilor

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'd like to dedicate this story to Dustinw522 for pitching this idea to me. I hope this holds up to your expectations.]

"My name is Doctor Niles Crane." His words seemed to echo throughout the off-white hospital room where he lay in bed. "Why do you keep asking me that?"

The only other two people in the room were the nurse and a medical doctor. "Because you didn't know that thirty minutes ago. I'm Doctor Shivers." He produced a pen-light from his pocket to check the dilation response to Niles' eyes. "Doctor Crane, can you tell me what year it is?"

The pain was more evident to him now and Niles touched his finger tips to the bandage on his head. His left arm was in a sling. "My wife… is she alright?"

"She's fine."

"Is she here? Can I see her?"

"She's waiting to see you, but first things are first. Can you follow my light with your eyes?"

Niles did as directed.

"What year is it, Doctor Crane?" That question surfaced again.

"2015."

"Well, you're getting closer."

Niles turned to the nurse as if he had known her. "It's not 2015?"

She shook her head.

He noticed the IV in his arm. It was a clear solution with a slow drip. "My wife… when can I see her?" His voice carried an undertow of great concern.

"She's waiting to see you." The doctor said. "What do you recall of the accident?"

"The accident?" Niles looked off into nothingness trying to recall it. "I don't know."

"Can you tell me what you had for breakfast this morning?"

Niles looked into the doctor's eyes with concern and helplessness. "I don't know doctor. What is going on?"

"You have been in an accident involving a head injury. You've bruised a portion of your brain. What is the last thing you can remember?"

"I… I just got married."

"I see." He nodded to the nurse who headed out of the room. "Your family is eager to see you. We're going to bring them in to see you now. Doctor Crane, you have a concussion and I want you to take it slow. If you're feeling overwhelmed at any time, please let us know. You will need plenty of rest."

"Thank you Doctor Shivers."

The doctor seemed to like the fact that Niles could remember his name.

"Hey sleepy head," Martin tried to keep his voice from cracking from the fear of seeing his son in such a condition.

"Hi Dad."

The doctor stepped back, but stayed there in the room.

Daphne was by Niles' side in a fleeting moment. She carefully held his good hand and kissed it.

"How do you feel Niles?" Frasier asked.

"A little sore and awfully tired."

"We won't stay long." Martin said. "I brought you an Archie comic." He tucked it in the bed beside his son.

"Thanks Dad."

Tears fell from Daphne's eyes. "I was so worried Niles." She was always so caring… so sweet… so wonderful.

"Where's Mel?"

Daphne gasped. It was if someone just threw a bucket of cold water on her. Why would her husband ask such a question? "Why are you asking about Mel?"

"The doctor said she was waiting to see me?"

They all looked toward the doctor.

"Niles was asking to see his wife," the doctor said.

Suddenly Daphne couldn't breathe. It was as if someone had just socked her in the stomach. Oh God, this wasn't happening. The tears fell onto his bed.

"Perhaps it's a good time for us to let him get some sleep," the doctor suggested.

Daphne kissed his hand again and held it to the side of her face for a moment. "I'll be back later," she managed to say before releasing his hand and carefully placing in back on the bed beside him.

Frasier was there by Daphne's side. If not, she just may have collapsed right there on the floor. "Niles, you just relax and get some sleep. We'll be back later."

"Where is she?" Niles reached out and took Martin's arm. Was there something that they weren't telling him? "Is she okay? Was she in the accident with me?"

Martin tenderly put a hand over his son's hand. "Mel is just fine. She wasn't in the accident."

"Why isn't she here? Where is she?"

Martin was lost for words.

"Doctor Crane," the doctor spoke up. "There'll be more time for questions later. It's best that you get some sleep."

"Dad," Niles whispered as if to get his attention secretly. He wasn't letting go of his father's arm. "In case they ask me again, what year is it?"

Martin's eyes almost started to water, but he held the waterworks back. "It's 2005 son."

"Thank you." With that, Niles drifted off to sleep. He didn't even realize he had let go of his father's arm. The next time he woke up, the room was empty and the only sounds were those machines with their soft beeping and humming. He looked down at his arm in the sling. He reached over and touched the gold wedding band. Where was his wife and why hadn't she come to see him yet? There was a good reason, he knew it. It was comforting to know she wasn't injured. "Oh, Mel. Where are you?" he whispered as he drifted off again.