A/N: Dedicated to Kristen for her love, support and friendship

Aware of her husband's slow steady breathing, Daphne buried her head against his shoulder and kissed him, gently running her fingers down the pink scar that ran down his chest. He awoke at once, returning the gesture, thus deepening the kiss.

"Good morning my sweet."

Daphne laughed and held him closer. "Niles, it's hardly morning. In fact, it's the middle of the afternoon."

"So it is..." He replied mischievously. "And I think we should spend the rest of the day in bed."

As he moved to kiss her once more, she pulled away, causing him a moment's confusion. "Is something wrong?"

She sighed trying not to let her hurt show. "I thought we were going to drop off the boxes at the food bank."

Niles gasped audibly. "I'd forgotten about that."

When he made no effort to move, she pulled out of his arms and reached for her robe. "Well, I might as well get ready to go. They won't be open much longer. I just thought... earlier you said we could distribute them together." She turned away, hoping he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.

It was silly to be crying like this; expecting him to help her. She was perfectly capable of doing it alone.

"Daphne?"

She turned when she felt his hands on her shoulders and the touch of his lips on her neck.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered. "I'll get dressed and we can go. There's still plenty of time."

Finally she smiled and kissed him. "Thank you." She took his hand and led him upstairs. Minutes later they were dressed and ready to go.

Niles hurried down the stairs and began gathering the boxes. "Are you ready my love?" He called to her when she appeared on the landing.

"Yes, Sweetheart. I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I just..." She stopped and stared at him in horror before rushing to his side.

"What are you doing?"

A large box in his hands, he looked at her in surprise. "Well, I was just-."

Angrily she grabbed the box from him, startling him even further. "Damn it Niles what in the bloody hell is wrong with you?"

"Daphne-."

"You never listen, do you? Damn it, Niles! How could you?"

Shaken from what she had seen, Daphne forcefully slammed the box onto the floor, rattling its contents. And then to Niles' horror, she sank onto the fainting couch and sobbed into her hands.

"Daphne, what's wrong?"

"Damn you." She cursed under her breath.

At a loss for what to do, he put his hand on her back, but she stood and walked out of the room. In the guest bedroom she glanced at the unmade bed, remembering the passion they had shared beneath the sheets and blankets just hours earlier. And the pain returned in full force, along with a hundred memories.

She sat down on the bed and cried until she was certain that she had no tears left.

And as expected she heard him enter the room.

"Daphne... Please..."

And when she glanced at her wedding ring she cried even harder; only this time out of remorse instead of anger. Still sobbing, she rose from the bed and engulfed him in her arms.

"Oh Niles.."

He held her close, his arms firmly around her trembling body as he stroked her back.

"Daphne, what is it?"

She looked at him through tear-filled eyes. "I'm so sorry for yelling at you. I just... You were lifting that heavy box... and your heart... I thought..."

Finally understanding, he sighed deeply. "I know... I should have known anyway. I'm so sorry, Daphne. I don't know what I was thinking, trying to lift such a heavy box. It's so hard not to be able to do the things I used to do. And I want so much to help you."

At his sad expression, kissed his sweet lips. "And you will. Just give it a little while. But in the meantime..."

He watched in confusion once more as she picked up the phone and began to dial.

"Who are you calling?"

Listening to the ringing on the other end, she smiled and squeezed his hand.

"Hi, it's Daphne. " she said into the phone. "I'm good, but... the reason that I'm calling is because I need a favor. Remember what we were talking about the other day, doing things for others? Well I have a lot of heavy boxes to take to the food bank and I know that neither Niles nor I can get them all into our car, so can you come over and help us? I want to take these to the food bank and Niles... Thank you... I love you too. We'll be waiting."

She hung up the phone smiling at Niles' confused look. Then on impulse, she took his face in her hands and kissed him. "Your brother and father will be right over."
Niles smiled and kissed her passionately, causing his newly mended heart to beat even faster than before.

"I love you, Daphne. And I'm so sorry for-."

"Hush." She whispered, putting her fingers to his lips to silence him. "It's my fault. I just over reacted when I saw you trying to lift that heavy box. I thought-."

He drew her closer and stroked her hair. "I know..."

"But you're getting stronger every day and soon you'll be doing the things you love to do."

"I love you." He whispered once more.

"And I love-."

Their kisses were interrupted by the ringing doorbell and she reluctantly let go of him to answer it.

"Hey, Daphne!"

Happily she embraced her brother in law and father in law, opening the door wider to allow Frasier and Martin to come inside.

"Hey Niles." Martin said, smiling at his son. "How are you doing?"

Niles grinned at his wife and took her hand. "I'm wonderful, Dad."

"You look good, Niles." Frasier said. "And don't worry. You'll be back at the office in no time."

"Thanks, Frasier." Niles replied with a smile.

"All right. Well, we'd better get started." Frasier said. He picked up a box and headed for the door, followed by Martin and Daphne. And when they reached the lobby, Frasier took out his keys.

"I'll just open the trunk and then we can-."

"Just put them in our car." Daphne said. "You can follow us to the food bank if you'd like. It's not too far."

"Nonsense. You and Niles can ride with Dad and I." Frasier said. "And then we'll take you home."

Daphne smiled and squeezed Frasier's hand. "That sounds wonderful."