A/N: The last chapter! A huge thanks again to Dustinw522 for the prompt. I tried to stay true to the HiC episode, but eventually I forgot how it all went down and simply let the characters take over. This resulted. It was really fun to write and I'm glad so many of you read and reviewed! (please do so one more time)

When she finally came to, Daphne felt like herself again. She panicked for a second, afraid Mel might still be around. The glint she'd seen in that woman's eyes… even if she wasn't so deeply in love with Niles, Daphne knew she had to stop that woman.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Daphne was mildly surprised to see not only Roz, but Dr. and Mr. Crane as well. There were worry lines around their eyes and their mouths. Daphne wasn't sure, but she thought she saw guilt in their eyes too. She had no idea what either of them could feel guilty about. Frankly, she didn't have the time to think about it.

"We couldn't reach Niles," Frasier explained, "they must have left already. The good news is that they won't start without us."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that!" Mr. Crane threw in.

"Your father is right, Dr. Crane." Daphne said and her voice was so much stronger than earlier. She felt her strength and fighting spirit return to her second by second. When she tried to get up – she realized she was in a hospital bed – three pairs of hands reached out to help her.

"We need to stop the wedding."

"Daphne, you can't leave." Dr. Crane said gently.

"What?"

"You have to be checked out. We have no idea what Mel – what really happened to you. You could have inner-"

"I'm fine, Dr. Crane. Mel just tied me to the chair. As mean-spirited as that action was, she did not hurt me physically." Emotionally it was a whole different matter. She didn't have time to consider all that had happened in this short time. Right now she needed to save Niles.

"Daphne… you're not fine." Mr. Crane said. Daphne looked at Roz, who was unusually quiet. As soon as her eyes met hers, she turned away. That was answer enough. They were all against her too. They might not even believe her.

"So you're going to leave me here and watch Niles marry that… woman."

"When it's all over, maybe you and Mel can talk about your differences." Frasier suggested.

"Our differences?"

"Daphne, maybe you misjudged what happened. Roz told me you had quite a lot to drink last night and-"

"And that has nothing to do with what happened here today! Roz, you believe me, don't you?"

"Of course I do. I don't trust Mel." Mr. Crane rolled his eyes.

"See? Mel's not even pregnant."

"How would you know that?" Frasier asked.

"She admitted it!"

"Frasier, how about we take Daphne back right after we stop – I mean attend the wedding? Niles would want her there." Roz tried to plead with Frasier.

"You're a doctor, for god's sake," Martin finally gave in, "get her out of here." Daphne gave him a thankful smile."

"If anything happens to-"

"GO!" The other three yelled in unison. As soon as he was out, both Roz and Mr. Crane helped Daphne get up. She was surprised how cold the ground felt. Her legs felt less wobbly than before, but she realized Dr. Crane was right. She would have to be careful.

"I hope Niles listens to you." Mr. Crane told Daphne as he helped her put on her shoes. She couldn't have been there for long, because they hadn't even bothered to take off her clothes and put her in a hospital gown.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane."

"I never liked her, you know. She's like Maris. How does he always end up with women like that? If you can even call them women!" Daphne couldn't help herself; she quickly hugged the old man. She felt him smile against her shoulder. She definitely had his blessing – however this day would pan out.

"I really don't want to rush you, but we got to hurry. Niles might want you guys around, but Mel couldn't care less." Roz was adamant to stop this wedding.

"Let's go." Martin agreed and they were finally on their way.

"Mel, I can't get married without my family here." Niles' throat was dry; he'd been trying to calm down Mel the whole day. She was constantly checking her watch and kept pressuring him to finally get the wedding started. Niles smiled politely at the few guests. He hardly knew any of them. They were social friends and most of them were here for Mel. Niles didn't mind; he only wanted his family by his side – and Daphne. She, too, was family. Neither of them was there yet and he was beginning to worry about them. He knew they weren't happy with the wedding or the spontaneity of it all. Neither was he. He had to think of the child, though. His heart didn't flutter when he thought of the little human being he had helped create. Whenever he'd thought about having kids, it had felt different. It had been more than this.

"They're obviously not coming."

"They wouldn't do that to me." He took her hands into his hoping to calm her.

"Are you sure? They never really liked me." Her haunted look pained him. The memory of their disapproval still weighted heavy on his heart. However, when it mattered they would be there for him. Wouldn't they? Mel kept staring at him and he began to question his own certainty.

"We're going to wait another hour. If they're not here by then…" Mel sighed, but kissed him gently on the lips. Her lips were cold; or his were. They were so tangled up by now, he could no longer tell. Instead, he tried reaching Frasier's cell again. Wasn't this supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life? Why did it feel more like and ending?

"I thought Niles gave you the directions to this place!" Martin yelled at Frasier.

"They weren't precise enough!" Frasier defended himself. Whether it was the yelling, or the remnants from her ordeal, but Daphne started to feel sick. Roz gently put her hand over hers and it helped.

"Would you two shut up?" Roz leaned forward and looked at the road. "Just go left." She told Frasier.

"The directions clearly said-"

"I clearly don't care, Frasier. We've been trying to find this place for over twenty minutes now. Just try going left."

"Do what she says, son." Frasier grumbled, but did as he was told. Daphne mouthed a thank you to Roz, who just smiled. She turned away from her friend and checked her watch. If they didn't find the place soon, they'd be too late.

Daphne contemplated on what she'd do if they didn't make it in time. She knew now what Mel was capable of. A part of her was convinced that it didn't matter when they'd get there; they were too late. Mel would coax him into getting married right away. Just thinking of her tight grip on him made Daphne feel even sicker. There was another part of her, though, that believed they could make it. She tried to concentrate on that. Except. Niles might not believe her and who could blame him if he didn't? Daphne didn't have any proof. In the end, she feared, it didn't matter either way. All of this was simply too late.

"There it is!" She screamed so loud that Frasier almost lost control over the car. Daphne felt the gentle flutter of hope inside her and she hoped it was enough.

Roz and Frasier helped her out of the car, but as soon as Daphne felt solid ground under her feet her heart began to lead the way. She followed the path of roses; the beauty of it brought tears to her eyes. How could someone as malicious as Mel have thought of something as gorgeous as this?

"Daphne!" She crashed right into Niles. He gently pushed her away and smiled joyfully at her.

"I was so afraid you wouldn't make it!"

"So am I." Daphne got out; her breath was short and she was beginning to see stars. Maybe it was just the joy of catching him – finally. She registered that there was no ring on his finger. At least she had a chance now.

"Were you crying? Daphne, is everything all right?"

"I- I have to tell you something." She saw Niles' lips turn upwards as he recognized his family in the distance.

"Can it wait? You're a little late and Mel is getting anxious."

"No. I mean it can't wait. It has to do with – it's about Mel." His smile slowly went away and Daphne swallowed hard. He wouldn't believe her and she couldn't even blame him. Mel always treated him respectfully.

"I'm glad you guys made it." Before Daphne could even begin to tell him, Frasier, Martin and Roz approached them. They all wore worried expressions.

"We wouldn't miss your wedding." Frasier told him and looked at Daphne.

"We better say hello to Mel and uhm, tell her we're here."

"Tell her I'll be right there."

"Will do, Niles. Will do." Frasier said and Roz huffed. Niles just stared at her.

"I have a cold." She lied. Niles nodded and watched them leave before he turned back to Daphne.

"You look pale," he said, "Do you want to sit down?"

"I'm fine, Dr. Crane. I really need to tell you this before-"

"Niles, darling! There you are!" Mel practically ran towards them. Daphne gasped. Previously she hadn't had the time to really contemplate what Mel had done to her. She rubbed her wrist where the duct tape had left a light red mark. It itched as the other woman looked her up and down.

"Daphne," she said with that sugary voice of hers, "for some reason I thought you wouldn't come today."

"Daphne's my friend." Niles said and took Mel's hand. "She was just about to tell me something."

"Oh well, we don't have the time for idle chit-chat now. It can wait until after the wedding." Mel tried to drag Niles with her.

"No, it can't. Niles deserves the truth." Daphne swallowed her fear and all the painful memories.

"Did you just call me Niles?" But neither woman paid attention to him.

"No one cares for your lies, Daphne." Mel said darkly.

"Mel, honey, Daphne hasn't even said anything yet." Niles told her. Quickly she turned to him.

"Don't listen to anything she says, darling. You know, Donny broke up with her and now she's determined to break us up."

"That's not true! I broke up with Donny."

"You did?" Niles asked in disbelief and Daphne nodded.

"Don't listen to her, Niles," Mel repeated, but Niles only had eyes (and ears) for Daphne.

"Why did you break up with Donny?" He asked her.

"Because he deserves someone better. Someone who loves him the way I – I don't love him that way. I'm not sure I ever did. You see, I recently found out that-"

"Niles! Look at me!" Mel shrieked. Her hands were in her hair; she looked like a crazy woman and Niles recoiled. He had never seen her like that. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Frasier rushing towards him as Mel was about to jump Daphne.

"Don't destroy this for me! Niles belongs to me!" She yelled angrily. Instinctively, Niles stepped in front of Daphne just as Frasier grabbed Mel by the arm.

"I think Niles and Daphne deserve some privacy."

"This is my wedding! Niles is my man. Mine!"

"I'm not your property." Niles told her. He was beginning to see a different side of her. It was as if someone had removed a bad set of glasses; this was her. This crazy, possessive woman who didn't love him for who he was, but simply for what he presented. Just like Maris.

"You're making a big mistake listening to that- that- that tart!"

"I was so blind," Niles told Mel and sadness dripped from every word, "I thought you loved me. Ha, I thought I loved you too. I didn't realize that – I'll provide for the child. Of course I'll do that."

"There's no child you idiot!" Mel screamed and realized her mistake a moment too late.

"Ah." Was all Niles said. "Frasier? Could you please escort Mel to her car?"

"Of course." Frasier dragged the screaming Mel away. Daphne and Niles watched in awkward amazement until they could no longer hear and see her.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Crane."

"I thought you were calling me Niles earlier." He smiled, but it was still tainted with sadness. All Daphne wanted to do was free him of his gloom and each and every memory of Mel.

"That's what I meant to tell you. About Mel, I mean." Niles nodded and took her hand. Daphne looked at him questioningly.

"Let's sit down. You may not need to, but I certainly do." He helped her sit on a small stone wall. Their hands were almost touching and Daphne reveled in the warmth that emanated from him.

"I'm sorry about the words Mel said to you."

"Oh, that's nothing." Daphne rubbed her wrist again. Just the mention of the woman's name was enough to start the itching.

"You knew about the pregnancy? Is that what you wanted to tell me?"

"Part of it," Daphne admitted, "I wanted to tell you right away, but Mel stopped me."

"That's why you were all late."

"Not exactly." Niles raised his eyebrows.

"It's not important right now."

"But-"

"I'll explain later. I promise. There's something else I need to tell you and it doesn't have anything to do with Mel. Do you remember when your brother had his back troubles?"

"Of course I do, but I don't understand what this has to do with anything."

"That day I found out that," she took a deep breath, "that you had feelings for me."

"What?!" His breath caught and Daphne feared he might hyperventilate. Quickly she put her hand over his.

"I wish I'd known sooner. I wish none of this happened. Because Niles…" The threat of tears constricted her throat and made it impossible for her to go on.

"Are you trying to tell me that – you have feelings for me? You broke up with Donny because…"

"Yes and yes." She hiccupped and laughed.

"Are you serious?" Daphne nodded. She felt the heat on her cheeks and hoped she didn't look too ridiculous.

"I think you just made me the happiest man on earth." He whispered before he finally captured her lips. All the unspoken words and questions were kissed away in this first, soft confession of feelings.

"And I'm the happiest woman. Niles."

"Never stop calling me that." He breathed against her lips.

"Would you rather I call you Niles or kiss you?" He answered her question by kissing her again; this time more passionately. In the distance, Roz gently punched Frasier's shoulder who complained. Martin smiled broadly, knowing he'd finally get a daughter-in-law he loved.

And Niles finally realized that it was indeed one of the happiest days of his life.

THE END