"Well, home at last." Niles said as they walked into the lobby at the Elliot Bay Towers. "This is so much better than my place."

"Oh Dr. Crane, don't feel bad. It's a perfectly nice place your brother found for you. And don't forget, it's only temporary." Daphne said.

"Temporary, right." Niles repeated.

"Yes, that's right. You won't be there forever and before you know it, you'll be back in that lovely apartment of yours at the Montana."

"Thank you, Daphne. I'm sorry for being so priggish about the whole thing. I just..."

"You miss your home." She finished.

"Yes, I do." Niles said as they got into the elevator and were whisked away to the 19th floor.

"Oh I can understand that. When I first left Manchester for the United States, I had no idea if I was doin' the right thing or not. I cried me eyes out for most

of the plane ride to Seattle." Daphne said.

"Because you missed your family?" Niles asked, wanting so badly to hold her and take her hurt away.

"No, of course not." Daphne laughed. "I was more than happy to get as far away from me mum as possible! Simon too for that matter! No, actually I

missed me boyfriend, Richard."

"Oh..." Niles said, wondering why he was jealous of a man who lived thousands of miles away.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped into the hallway.

"He said he'd keep in touch through letters and phone calls but I haven't heard a thing from him. Not even a simple email if you can believe that. And

here I thought he loved me." Daphne continued as she reached into her purse to find her keys.

"If another man loved you with all his heart for a lifetime, he couldn't love you more than I do in a single day." Niles said, horrified that he'd spoken his thoughts aloud. He

held his breath, waiting for a response.

"Oh Dr. Crane..." Daphne sighed. "That's the most beautiful quote from Wuthering Heights. How sweet of you to memorize it."

"But it's the truth" he said.

She looked at him, stunned. "W-what?"

He stared at her, unable to resist cupping her cheek in his hand. "Let all the world confess, there is not a more beautiful damsel than the Princess Daphne of

Manchester."

Daphne's eyes filled with tears. "Dr. Crane..."

He leaned over and kissed her lips; softly at first. He could hear her sigh as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him again; deeper this time.

When they pulled apart they stared at each other in amazement.

"Daphne I-"

"Kiss me again." She said, quoting another line from the movie.

He smiled and took her in his arms, kissing her until they were both breathless.

"I... I should probably go. Your father and brother will start to worry." Daphne said, leaning her head against Niles' chest.

"Oh... Okay. Well... I had a wonderful time." Niles said.

"So did I. I can't thank you enough, Dr. Crane." Daphne replied as they kissed one last time.

Niles turned to walk back to the elevator, unable to keep from glancing back at her. When the doors opened he stepped inside, his heart warming when

she blew him a kiss.

"Goodbye... Heathcliff." She said with a smile.

"Goodbye... My wild, sweet Cathy." Niles responded, just as the elevator doors closed.

The End