Ok this is my first attempt at Frasier fanfic, - any suggestions would be appreciated!! it's been a long time since I've seen the show in chronological order. I can remember scenes that I like, but I couldn't tell you exactly when things happened. Does anyone know when Niles was in the hospital, was it before he married Daphne? This story is going to assume that it happened before they were engaged. I'll have more chapters up shortly.

This takes place while Niles is hospitalized. Daphne, Frasier, and Martin are all sitting in the waiting room. No one spoke a word, because they didn't want to admit to their fears. Martin loved his son, even though he never told him that very often. Unlike his late wife, who wasn't shy in her adoration of her sons. The elder Crane started tapping on the silver cane that he'd been using for so many years. He couldn't help but flashback to the last time he visited the hospital via ambulance- the day that he was shot. Again he would have never admitted it to his children, but he thought he might have died momentarily. The one time he broached that subject with the boys was the last time- they just scoffed at him and his notion of the afterlife.

Of course, the one person that would understand that would be Daphne. Maybe Niles would not be so quick to criticize. He couldn't help but smile a bit. Daphne Moon had unknowingly cast some kind of spell on his youngest child. Better her than Maris. Better a witch than a…

"Dad." Frasier spoke up. "I think I would like a cup of coffee. Would you like me to bring you something?"

"What, you think I'm not capable of getting it myself?" He stood up with the help of his cane. "I'll get it myself thank you very much."

Daphne looked over at the two.

"Don't worry, Daphne. I'm praying he'll go for decaf this time."

She did not find the joke amusing in the least. Go ahead and pray for coffee, while your brother is undergoing an operation, she wanted badly to say. Maybe it was all the psychobabble she'd heard over the years, or perhaps it was her empathetic nature, that kept her quiet. They'd had Niles all of their lives; she'd only known him for several years. They'd only decided to start dating a few months earlier, when she had left Donnie at the altar. Now she surer of anything in her life that she'd made the right decision. Thank God it was her and not Mel nor Maris at Nile's side right now. The two Dobermans wouldn't have sacrificed a day at the spa to be there for him.

And who would know more about sacrifice than the Crane family? Frasier provided the comfort of his own home so that Martin could have a nice life. The fateful day when she was hired to take care of the elder Crane wasn't any easy one for the two Cranes. Martin could easily have been reduced to living in a retirement home, something that would have killed the proud man. She knew Frasier hadn't been crazy about the idea of Martin staying with him at first, and especially hadn't been prepared to take her in as well. Only recently did she learn of Niles' role in the matter. Frasier was depressed over a few terrible incidents that occurred that week. Daphne decided it was time to thank Frasier for what he'd done for her. She'd remarked that he was probably the least selfish person she'd known. And she tried to say it with a straight face. Frasier had just gone through another breakup, and Lilith had announced she was getting remarried. It was late at night and they shared a tea, while he poured his heart out to her. So when she told him about what a wonderful thing he'd done for his father, Frasier let it slip that it was Niles' idea.

"No, Daphne. You're wrong. I'm not responsible for how well things have worked out for my father. It was all Niles' idea. He made sure that Dad would have everything he needed. I was so selfish, but Niles hadn't even thought twice about helping. So you see, maybe I am the problem, not Lilith, or any other woman I've dated."

She didn't say anything. It had taken almost 7 years for him to mention that Niles had encouraged Frasier to take their father in? That was just like Frasier to take all the credit. But Niles, being the kind and modest person that he was, (at least with her!) he never dreamed of making the situation more uncomfortable for the whole family. While Maris would never have allowed for the elder Crane to live at her mansion, Niles contributed financially to his father's well being.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the voices of Frasier and his father fighting. "Oh for pete's sake." She muttered. They were standing at the vending machine apparently fighting over a piece of chocolate.

Daphne didn't think twice. She spotted a fire extinguisher and smashed open the vending machine. "There you go."

Neither man knew what to say. Frasier spotted a tear falling from her eyes, and approached her. "Daph.."

She turned around and hugged him. He patted her back , trying to reassure her. Her feminine ways had certainly helped in dealing with the tension. Her tears was the admission of fears that they all were feeling. They had something do other than just sit and be lost in their own thoughts.

"There, there, Daphne. He'll be alright. He may not look it but he's one of the toughest guys I've ever met. And believe me, I've met some men that John Wayne wouldn't even fight." Martin told her. That's not quite what he was thinking. Niles is so scrawny, how could be expected to make it? I may lose my son and there's nothing that I can do. I can't even say all the right words like Frasier does, so the best I can do is make a dumb joke.

As the two men continued to stand around her, offering words of support, Daphne's tears fell down, almost as if a dam had burst. It isn't fair, I've never really told Niles how I truly feel about him. I have felt comfortable knowing that he's crazy about me. But it's not about me-not anymore. This man has given and given. It's time for me to show him how special he really is…if I have time."

While the two men understood her grief, they had no way of knowing how guilty she felt.

Frasier, of course, suspected that she was flooded with emotions she'd never faced before. True, she'd been courageous for not marrying someone she hadn't really loved. And now it was time for her to show that same courage for a man she truly loved. It was as if he were seeing her for the first time. Now he knew how his brother must have felt the first day that he saw her. This woman wasn't afraid to show feelings, she was as capable of giving love as she was receiving it. It had obviously taken her a long time to come to this place, and his brother's patience had undoubtedly taught her a lot.

Niles is really lucky to have you in his life, Frasier grudgingly admitted. You're completely different from any other woman we have ever known. Except, perhaps, for Mom. She encouraged us to be the best we can be. He smiled at the memory. It had been a long time since he allowed himself to acknowledge the grief he'd felt when his mom passed away. Dad was just crazy about my mother. No wonder he has taken a liking to you. Mom would have liked you. No, she would have loved you like the daughter she'd never had. You make my brother happy, and really that's all any parent wants for their child.

Suddenly the doctor appeared. "I'm sorry to disturb you. But I wanted to let you know that Dr. Crane's operation was successful. I have to be honest with you, he stayed under the anesthesia longer than we'd liked. But he's come to, although he's obviously a little groggy. He's not making a whole lot of sense. He's asking for his father. Instead of Dad, he's saying "daff."

The Cranes looked at Daphne, whose face lit up with joy.

"Can she see him now?" Frasier asked.

"Is she family?"

Martin placed his hand on her shoulder. "She sure is."

In the recovery room….

"Niles…can you hear me. It's me…" she took his hand and rubbed it gently, "We're all here now."

He smiled. "I'm glad you're here."

"Oh Niles, you always know what to say."

He had no strength, but he appreciated Daphne's support.

"Ssh, honey, don't say anything. You need your rest. And I need you." She accidentally blurted out something she'd never said to any man before.

"Do you mean it?" Women had used him, had selected him. But they never really needed him. Until now, he hadn't been able to identify what it was that had been missing in the relationships.

"Of course I do, silly. I just….I didn't want you to think badly of me. " She couldn't help crying. "I'm sorry, you must think I'm a fool. Here you are, so brave, and I just keep babbling on."

Here was the only woman who had ever cried over him. "Cry and babble all you want. I don't mind. In fact…I love that about you."

She kissed his forehead. " I'd better dash off now. Your father and brother have been patiently waiting outside."

"When has my brother ever been patient?"

She laughed. "and anyways, I have to go take care of Eddie for a bit. While I'm there, would you like me to fix you something?"

"No thank you, I'll take my chances with the hospital food."

Ordinarily a comment like that might have hurt her feelings. But she was so happy that he was okay, nothing could have burst her bubble.

"I'll be back. I …I love you. I'm a lucky woman indeed to have you. Where have you been all my life?" she teased.

He raised an eyebrow, ready to protest. He'd been in love with her for so long, he'd sometimes thought that she was just a dream. But here she was, taking care of him, asking what he needed. No woman had ever loved him like that. He'd always been the gardener, tending to both Maris' and Mel's wants and needs. Now here was Daphne, by his side when he needed her the most. "Thank you.."

"Shh. I'll be back. And you don't have to thank me. It's impossible not to love you."

He grinned his boyish smile, before drifting back to sleep.