Daphne was sitting out on the balcony, smoking a cigarette. She knew it was bad for her and that Dr. Crane would disapprove, but it had been one of the worst nights of her life. Joe had just broken up with her, and she had a fight with her mother. So to ease her nerves, she lit up a carefully hidden smoke that she'd kept hidden in her drawers for an occasion such as this.

But then the most terrible, awful thing that she could have imagined happened to her... the wind caught ahold of an ash and before she knew it, her hair was engulfed in flames. Realizing what was happening, she tried desperately to put out the flames with her hands, but that burned too badly so she ran into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Unfortunately for her, the showers that she took were always set to a very nice and hot temperature, so she tried again with one hand desperately to put out the flames and then the next thing she tried to do was to hurry up and change the temperature of the water to a much cooler one. Finally feeling comfortable that the flames were out, she ran out to call 911. As she ran out of the restroom, she took one look at herself and almost passed out. Gone were her luxurious locks of hair that had been her pride and joy; in its place was tufts of hair, so badly burned out that she wanted to cry. But she had to stay focused.

Finally the squad arrived and took her away. She was seen right away, and was asked if there was anyone she wanted them to call.

"Dr. Crane..."

"The radio host?"

"No.." she sobbed. "his brother. Niles Crane."

With that, the morphine kicked in and she blissfully fell asleep.

000

When Niles saw Daphne it was all he could do to keep from breaking down, crying. Even in her disfigured state she was still the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, but he knew how much pride she'd taken in her appearance. Thank God she would be all right...second, third degree burns on her head, ears and hands, but fortunately no skin grafts would be needed. Still knowing how close they'd come to losing their precious Daphne had left Niles feeling more helpless than he ever had before.

"Daphne?" he whispered, so softly she wasn't even sure if he was imagining it.

"Dr. Crane?"

"It's me. I'm here. I'll be here as long as you want me to be."

"Where are you? I can't see you? I can't see anything!"

"It will be okay, Daphne. This is only temporary. Your eyes have swollen shut due to your injuries, but after a few days you will be okay. I promise. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Tell me the truth...you wouldn't lie to me would you?"

"Never."

"Am I hideous?"

"Daphne you are simply beautiful, amazingly so. Nothing could ever change how I feel ab...how I or anyone else that knows you will see you."

She started to cry. "I'm so scared, Dr. Crane."

"Ssh now. You can call me Niles if you like. I'm sure you will be visited by plenty of doctors. I'm not here as your doctor; I'm ere as your friend."

"Oh Niles..you're me friend. You're me best friend, aren't you?"

"You have no idea."

"Does Dr. Crane know? He'll have me job, I knew I wasn't supposed to smoke but I had such a bad day and then..."

"It's okay, Daphne. Get your rest. Frasier's just as worried about you as I am. So is Dad. They are out in the waiting room. I can get them if you like."

"No!" Daphne protested. "I don't want anyone to see me like this. Oh Niles, I must look such a fright."

"Daphne, you're perfect. I ...guess there's something you should know. I love you. I always have and I always will."

"I love you too, Niles." With that, Daphne drifted off into another short lived bout of sleep.

TBC