Daphne pulled out of the embrace. "What did you just say, Dr. Crane?"

Niles saw the surprise on her face. "N-nothing," he stammered. He immediately felt a nosebleed coming on.

"Are you all right?" Daphne asked, alarmed at how pale Dr. Crane had suddenly become.

Niles couldn't speak. He either had to admit to Daphne what he'd said, or pass out from loss of blood. Neither option appealed to him at the moment. He sighed, finally unable to stand it. "I said I'm in love with you." Just like that, the bleeding stopped.

"That's what I thought you said," Daphne replied. "But I wasn't sure."

Niles saw that she was still in shock. "I'm sorry if I upset you." He began to get up.

"Don't go," Daphne said, touching his arm.

Niles was stunned. He froze, unable to believe what he was hearing. The feeling of her hand on his arm sent his senses reeling. Breathing suddenly became difficult. "You-you want me to stay?" he asked.

Daphne nodded. "I think you're very sweet."

Niles grinned, thrilled by her simple compliment. He sat back down on the couch. He looked at Daphne and saw that she was wiping a tear from her eye. "No, Daphne, please don't cry." He immediately put his arm around her, wishing he could take back what he'd said. He'd obviously forgotten that Daphne had just had her heart broken. A person needed time to grieve for something like that. Niles remembered the first time Maris ran out on him. The pain he'd felt had been awful. If Daphne was feeling anything close to that, he would never forgive himself for making it even worse.

Daphne sniffled a few more times, then seemed to have regained her composure. "I can't thank you enough for putting up with me ridiculous tears."

"There's nothing wrong with expressing emotions. After what you've been through, you have every right to cry," Niles replied as he gently wiped a tear from her cheek.

Daphne looked at him and smiled. "Thank you for being so understanding. I have a feeling not even your brother would be so patient with me. And your father certainly wouldn't be." She chuckled, imagining how Mr. Crane would likely make a quick exit at the first sign of open emotion.

"No, Dad was never good at this sort of thing," Niles agreed. "And as for Frasier, he's used to dealing with other people's problems in a two-minute phone call." When Daphne didn't smile at his joke, he knew she was still feeling emotional. "Let me get you some tea."

"Thank you, Dr. Crane. I don't know why I'm letting this get to me."

"You just need to give yourself some time," Niles replied as he stood to go into the kitchen.

As soon as Dr. Crane was gone, Daphne heard a key in the door. It was the other Dr. Crane, along with Mr. Crane, returning from the movies.

"Daphne, are you all right?" Frasier asked when he saw the mound of tissues on the coffee table and Daphne's tear-stained face.

"I'm fine, Dr. Crane," Daphne replied, not wanting to worry him.

"Are you sure?" Frasier asked. "You don't look fine."

At that moment, Niles returned with the tea. "Oh, Dad, Frasier, you're back!"

"Yes. But it seems we're not needed here," Frasier replied, his eyes going back and forth from Niles to Daphne. "Hey, Dad, how about I buy you a cup of coffee at Nervosa?"

"But what about Daphne?" Martin asked. He then looked from one son to the other. He finally understood what Frasier was trying to say. "Oh, yeah, that's a good idea, Frase."

The other two Cranes left quickly. Niles walked over and set the tea down in front of Daphne. He sat down next to her on the couch.

Daphne smiled at him. "You're so sweet, taking care of me like this. Feels a bit strange to be waited on." She laughed.

"You deserve it," Niles replied, placing his hand on hers. He got a chill from the feeling of touching her soft skin.

Suddenly, Daphne leaned over and kissed Niles on the cheek. The surprising gesture made his head spin. Before he knew what he was doing, Niles kissed her back. Only this time, it wasn't on the cheek.

"Oh, God, Daphne. I don't know what came over me. I just-" Niles said, once he realized what he'd done.

"I'm not complaining," Daphne replied. "You really do love me." She said it almost as if she couldn't believe it was true.

"I do. So much." He waited, hoping she would say she felt the same. He was more nervous than he could ever remember being.

"I love you, too...Niles." This time she leaned over and kissed him. If this is a dream, Niles thought, I hope I never wake up.

The End