this is my first attempt at a Frasier story, it's actually my first attempt at posting any story. This story will lead into a Niles/Daphne relationship.

Chapter 1

Frasier let out a sigh as he poured himself a glass of sherry. He had been looking forward to this night alone for three days; it was even marked on his calendar. He turned on his music and lowered himself onto the couch as the soothing classical music echoed through the empty apartment. Empty apartment. The thought put a broad smile on Frasier's face. It wasn't a term used very often in Frasier's life nowadays. It just so happens that tonight Daphne was on a date with a new boyfriend, Josh and his father had taken Eddie to the V.E.T to get his annual shots.

It made Frasier frown when he realized that his father would be home soon. Going to the vet usually only took an hour and a half, but with Eddie stalling once he realizes they actually aren't going to the circus may bring the time total up to two hours.

The music was shut off once the sound of dog paws and metal from Martian's cane was heard outside of the door.

"Back so soon?" Frasier asked, placing his sherry glass down, glancing behind him.

"Eddie must have gotten over his fear of the vet because he didn't fuss at all."

Frasier glanced at Eddie who sat on his father's chair staring at him. "Wonderful." He said dryly.

"Daph still out?" Marty asked as he limped over towards his chair which Eddie had now vacated.

"Yes, she probably won't be home until late."

Martian nodded and lifted up the foot rest. "Or early tomorrow morning,"

"Oh dad, please. This is Daphne we're talking about. She would never spend the night with a guy on the first date."

"I guess you're right."

Frasier nodded. He was about to say something when the doorbell rang. Frasier sighed and walked over towards the door. Opening it, he was greeted by Daphne standing next to a tall brunette man, Frasier guessed to be Josh. He noticed Daphne holding her eye.

"Oh, what happened?" asked Frasier, leading Daphne towards the couch. Martian looked over and quickly stood and walked by the pair.

"Daphne fell outside the restaurant." answered Josh. "I'm sorry if we interrupted anything, but she couldn't find her key."

"You didn't interrupt anything." Said Frasier. "Dad, why don't you go and get Daph some ice."

"Oh sure, sure." Said Martian as he hurried into the kitchen, Eddie trailing behind him.

"That's what she get's for wearing such high heels." Smirked Josh.

Frasier looked at Daphne and noticed she wasn't saying anything, just staring blankly ahead holding her eye.

"Here's the ice." Said Martian.

Snatching the icepack from his father, Frasier placed a hand on Daphne's shoulder. "Alright, let's see the damage."

Daphne removed her hand to reveal the lightly bruised skin that was beginning to swell.

"Oh, you're gonna have quite the shiner in the morning." Said Marty.

"Daphne, how did you manage to do this by falling?" Frasier asked.

"Oh, you know me, Doctor Crane." Spoke up Daphne, her voice low. "If it's alright, I'd like to go to bed now."

"Do you need help sweetie?" Josh asked.

Daphne shook her head. "No thanks….honey."

Frasier glanced between the two. "Well, goodnight Daphne." Said Frasier.

"Keep that ice on your eye." Piped in Martian.

"I will." Said Daphne before disappearing in her room.

Frasier walked Josh towards the door.

"Will you tell Daphne I'll see her tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? Isn't that a bit too soon? She may not want to go out depending on the way her eye looks."

"That's Daphne's decision." Said Josh before slipping out of the large wood door.

"Poor Daph." Said Martian sitting back in his Laz-E-boy.

Frasier, still facing the door, turned around. "You know, there is something I just don't trust with that…Josh."

"What are you saying?"

Frasier shook his head. "Nothing."

"I hope you're not insinuating that Josh did that to Daphne."

"Well do you honestly believe she fell and that was the direct result?"

Martian remained silent. After a moment or two, he took a large sigh. "She was pretty quiet, the most quite she's been in years."

"Now we shouldn't go assuming this is what happened."

"I agree."

"We should have all our facts straight."

"Maybe we should ask Daphne,"

"Ask Daphne what?" came a voice. Frasier turned around to see Niles snaking through the semi-open front door.

"Niles, I wasn't expecting you tonight."

"Are you ever?" smirked Niles.

The noise coming from the back of the room caught all three Crane men's attention.

"Sorry." Said Daphne. "My ice was just melting."

"Daphne!" cried Niles, walking towards the woman. "What on earth happened?"

Daphne cracked a smile. "Just had a nasty spill outside of the café. It looks worse than it feels."

"Daphne..." started Frasier. "Are you sure you're alright."

Daphne paused, her nose flaring a bit but soon nodded. "I'm great."

Frasier nodded slightly and watched as Daphne placed the icepack back in the freezer. Once she was back in her bedroom, Niles whipped around and looked at Frasier.

"That poor woman, her soft skin now bruised because of some horrid crack in the ground, we should sue this city for doing that to such a wonderful..."

"Niles, we don't know if the ground was the direct cause of that black eye." Said Frasier.

"What are you saying?" Niles asked slowly.

"We think it may be Daphne's boyfriend Josh."

Niles remained silent. He licked his lips than curled them in. He felt the anger boiling inside of him and he felt like he never felt before. "You don't say."

"We're not sure Niles, but just the way the two acted together when he brought her home."

"He was here?" asked Niles. "And you let him get away?"

"Niles, we said we're not sure if he did do it."

"Of course he did, are you blind? There is no way a simple fall would cause her to get a black eye."

"You see that's what I said, but we mustn't assume."

Niles sighed. "I suppose you're right." He glanced towards the direction of Daphne's bedroom and sighed a second time.