Slowly he walked into the kitchen; his heart pained at the sight of her tear streaked face. Without a word, he went to her and hugged her warmly.

"Daphne, I'm so sorry. I hate to see you hurting like this. This is my fault."

"Thank you, Dr. Crane that's very sweet of you and-what did you just say?"

"I'm sorry I ruined your evening. I never expected it to end this way. The last thing I'd ever want to do is hurt you." He said quietly.

"How could you possibly think that you ruined me evening? I had a lovely time!"

"Y-you did?"

"Well of course I did! Oh, you're such a silly man!" She hugged him again, a gesture that brought a smile to his face.

"But Daphne, why are you crying?"

Daphne blotted her eyes and smiled. "I'm sorry I upset you. I guess I just overreacted, what with the ballet and all."

"I can't tell you how sorry I am about the mix up with the tickets and all. I feel terrible that you had to sit all alone. I'm sure that was uncomfortable for you."

"But that wasn't your fault! You had no idea that the tickets were for two different seats."

"Well yes, but I made that horrible scene and then that man practically insulted you!"

"Oh, forget about him, Dr. Crane. He's just a stuffy old sod!"

"Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to forget about him that easily. You see, he's a friend of Maris. It seems that fate dealt me a bad hand when I was assigned that orchestra seat. I hadn't expected to be surrounded by friends of my ex-wife."

"Oh, Dr. Crane I'm so sorry. I had no idea!"

"It's all right. But I feel terrible that I've upset you so."

"Now, I told you already this has nothing to do with you." Daphne reassured him.

"Then why are you crying?"

When she saw the concern on his face, she smiled.

"I just can't stop thinking about Swan Lake. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! Prince Siegfried fallin' in love with Odette, the swan queen. And the ending is absolutely heartbreakin'. I could barely see the stage for the tears in my eyes. Silly isn't it?"

"Not at all, Daphne. It was a beautiful production." Niles said, feeling more love for her than he thought possible.

She looked at him and smiled. "I should have known you'd say something sweet like that. What was your favorite part?"

Niles swallowed hard. "Oh... Well I-."

"I loved the way Prince Siegfried looked in his blue uniform with the gold trim. So handsome! And Odette in her black ballerina outfit nearly took me breath away! What did you think of the set designs? I loved the orange moon in the background. Made me feel like I was right outside with them!"

"Well..."

"Something wrong, Dr. Crane?"

He sighed deeply. "Actually I wasn't paying attention to the performance at all."

Her eyebrows rose. "But why?"

"I couldn't take my eyes off of you."

"Dr. Crane..."

He moved closer and daringly touched her cheek. "Forgive me if this is foreword, but you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"Dr Crane... That's such a lovely thing to say. I have to admit I felt terrible watching you down there, knowin' your heart was hurtin' so."

"You mean... you were watching me too?"

She blushed deeply. "I'm afraid I was."

He grinned. "Thank you, Daphne. That means... so much to me. Well, at least that fiasco of a night is over and we won't have to worry about it again. But I am relieved that you enjoyed the ballet."

"Oh, I enjoyed it very much, Dr. Crane. And I can hardly wait for the next one."

"The next one?"

"I was just hoping that next time-."

Niles breath caught in his throat. "Next time? You mean-."

"I hope you'll ask me out again." Daphne said, touching his cheek. . "I had the best time of me life."

"Thank you. I-."

His words were silenced by the most incredible kiss he'd ever experienced.

When they parted, he stared at her in stunned amazement.

"I should be the one thankin' you, Dr. Crane. You made me dream of seeing a real ballet come true!"

"Daphne-."

"Hey Niles!"

They looked up to see Frasier and Martin.

"Oh, hello Dr. Crane... Mr. Crane." Daphne said, pretending to busy herself by putting away a few items.

"Niles, I'm sorry about what happened." Martin said. "I know that hurts like hell; Robin breaking up with you like that."

"But how-."

"I told him, Niles. I'm sorry to break your trust, but I felt that he should know."
"It's all right, Frasier. Thank you Dad. I guess after Maris, I should be used to having my heart broken by now."

Daphne hung the dishcloth on the oven handle and touched Niles back. "I'm sorry, Dr. Crane." She whispered into his ear.

"Well, don't be so hard on yourself, Son." Martin said. "You'll find someone else before you know it. ."

"Actually Dad, I've already found someone. And I love her more than she'll ever know." he replied, smiling at Daphne's surprised reaction.

"I'm glad to hear it, Niles!" Martin called from the living room.

"Dr, Crane, what's going on?"

Relieved to find his father already engrossed in a TV program and Frasier on the phone in the living room, Niles cupped Daphne's face in his hands and kissed her tenderly.

When the kiss ended, she smiled as he brushed a tear from her cheek.

"Still crying over Swan Lake?" He asked softly.

Daphne shook her head. "No..."

"Then what's wrong?"

She kissed him again; longer this time, and then touched her forehead to his.

"Dr. Crane... Niles... I love you, too."

THE END