A/N: I got the idea for this story after a somewhat frightening experience that happened to me on Black Friday in downtown Seattle, fictionalized, of course!
"Daphne, are you sure you'll be all right?"
Daphne smiled and touched Frasier's hand. She loved him so much; especially when he was like this; worrying more about her well-being than his wine club or his radio show.
"Dr. Crane, I'll be fine, I promise! It's just an ordinary trip downtown! I know there's a lot of work to be done around here, but I can't tell you how much I appreciate your letting me take a night off to do some Christmas shoppin'."
"It's my pleasure, Daphne but I wish you'd let me drive you."
"Nonsense! How am I supposed to find the perfect gift for you if you're tagging along?"
Frasier's eyes darkened and Daphne instantly realized her mistake. Taking his hand in hers, she squeezed gently.
"Oh, don't get me wrong, Dr. Crane. I love your company. But I have to do this on me own. And I'll be fine! I won't be gone that long."
"But it's Christmas and the streets are awfully dangerous. Are you sure there's nothing I can say to change your mind?"
"No. And besides, what about your big date with Elizabeth?"
"Well I can cancel it. I'm sure she'll understand."
"No! Absolutely not! You've been trying to get her to go out with you for months and there's no way I'm letting you get out of this date!"
Defeated, Frasier sighed. "All right, you win. But at least take my cell phone number."
Before she could protest, he crossed to the kitchen and scribbled on a piece of paper.
"Here. If you have any trouble at all, call me immediately and I'll come and get you."
"The bus will be perfectly fine. I already looked up the bus schedule and I know exactly where I'm supposed to be when I'm ready to come home."
The mention of the word bus made him cringe. "Oh Daphne, really! The public bus? At least let me get you a cab."
"The bus is perfectly fine! I take them all the time with Roz. She says it's a great way to meet men. Only problem is that it always seems to work for her but never for me."
"If the men she meets on the dreadful city buses are anything like the people I've seen riding them, it's probably a good thing. Now please, take my cell phone number. If nothing else, I'll feel better about your being downtown."
His concern touched her deeply and she hugged her boss, gratefully accepting the piece of paper.
"That's very kind of you, Dr. Crane. But I already have your number in me cell phone. Remember how worried you were the night I went out with Roberto and you insisted on buying me a phone in case things became complicated? Oh, if only I had listened to me visions instead of going out on that date. It was a complete disaster! There I was trying to eat me dinner when-."
He cut her off by holding his hand in the air. "Daphne, please. We've heard this story a hundred times already. Don't burden yourself by bringing up bad memories. That man is in the past and I sincerely hope he stays there. You know, the more I think about it the more I feel like I should go with you."
"Nonsense. Like I said I have your number right here, but I'm pretty sure I won't be using it tonight. I wouldn't dream of disturbing your date!"
"Now you're positive that you don't want someone to come with you? I'm sure Dad wouldn't mind at all, would you Dad?"
Martin eyed his son in surprise as he entered the living room making a beeline for his chair.
"Mind what?"
"Accompanying Daphne downtown while she does her Christmas shopping."
Martin groaned. "Oh geez, do we have to go downtown? All those crazy street people and weirdo's that hang around there?"
"Dad, we go downtown all the time! Why just yesterday you, Niles and I were enjoying lattes at Café Nervosa! And the people who frequent that fine establishment are perfectly wonderful citizens!"
Martin scoffed. "If you say so, but I'm talking about the people who hang around Forth Avenue! It gets dark too damn early around here in the winter, if you ask me!"
"Well nobody did! Just answer the question I originally proposed, will you? I have to finish getting ready for my date!"
"But tonight's the season premiere of Antiques Roadshow! I can't miss that!"
"No, of course not." Frasier groaned. "We can't ignore the finer things in life!"
Daphne laughed and clutched Frasier's hands in hers. "I'll be fine! Don't worry about me at all! I won't be gone that long."
Frasier eyed her worriedly. "Well, all right Daphne, if you insist. I really should be going."
"Yes, you should. It's not polite to keep a lady waiting."
"I'll see you later, Dad. Daphne... but with any luck, you won't see me until tomorrow afternoon!"
At Frasier's mischievous laugh, Martin cringed. "Just... go, will ya? My show's gonna start any minute!"
"All right. Well... I'm off! Dad, Daphne..."
"Goodbye, Dr. Crane." Daphne called to her boss.
When he was gone, Daphne sighed with relief.
"You know, I love your son but he can be so overprotective! He's worse than me brother, Stephen! He was always trying to keep me from trouble, but I keep finding it anyway. But I should go as well. It's Black Friday and the stores are sure to be packed, what with Christmas just around the corner. I can hardly believe-."
"Daphne, wait."
Martin rose from his chair and went to her.
"Something wrong, Mr. Crane?"
He said nothing, and instead reached into his pocket to retrieve his wallet.
"I want to give you something."
"Oh, Mr. Crane I don't need your money. I have plenty saved up."
"I'm not trying to give you any money, Daphne. I have something much more important."
"I don't understand."
"Just... take this."
She looked down at the card he'd placed in her hand.
"What's this?"
He averted his eyes, indicating that he was uncomfortable with the situation. "It's the phone number to the Seattle police department. Much more efficient than 911."
"But I told you, I'll be fine! I'm just going to take the number 38 bus into downtown and come right back again! The stop isn't even two blocks from here!"
"I know, but you can't take chances. Now be sure and keep that in a safe place so that you don't lose it. And don't hesitate to call either; even if it's just a false alarm."
"But Mr. Crane-."
"No buts Daphne, I mean it! Seattle is a dangerous city and I don't want anything to happen to you!"
This time Martin couldn't escape her grateful hug or the kiss on his cheek, but that didn't stop him from trying.
"Go on now, before the stores get too crowded!"
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"
"Nah. Eddie and I will just stay here and watch Antiques Roadshow. It's the season premiere! From Miami! Boy, I've always wanted to go there!"
Daphne smiled and squeezed his hand. "You'll get there some day. I know it."
"Having a psychic vision, huh?"
The comment made her laugh. "Something like that."
She was still smiling at she walked out of the Elliot Bay Towers and suddenly she couldn't wait to get downtown so that she could buy Martin and Frasier a very special gift. For they'd already given her the most wonderful gift she could ever imagine; A home and a family.
And she knew that she could never fully repay them, but she was going to try.