"Would you like some more eggs, Mr. Crane?"

"Um... No thanks, Daphne. I couldn't eat another bite." Martin replied.

Daphne's eyebrows rose at the sight of his plate which was still loaded with food.

"But you haven't even eaten half of your breakfast, so how can you say-."

"I've had more than enough, believe me!" Martin said.

Hurt by the annoyed look that Martin gave Frasier, Daphne yanked the plate away from him.

"Hey! I wasn't finished!" Martin replied; his fork in mid-air.

"Well you are now!" Daphne yelled. Quickly she headed into the kitchen mere seconds before the tears began to flow.

It was ridiculous to be crying like this. After all, she should be used to the cruel comments about her cooking by now.

When was Martin going to remember that she was a physical therapist, not a gourmet chef?

Suppressing a sob, she sat the dishes into the sink and began scraping off the leftovers. At least Eddie would enjoy them.

"Daphne, I'm sorry." Frasier's voice said from behind her.

Unable to meet her boss' gaze, Daphne wiped away the angry tears and busied herself with cleaning off the countertops.

"It's all right, Dr Crane." She replied in a barely audible voice.

"I know Dad can be outspoken and hurtful but he means well." Frasier replied.

She turned and glared at her boss. "How can you say that? Are you trying to tell me that you don't like me cookin' either? Well fine, you both can just-."

Frasier put his hand on her shoulder. "Daphne, wait. Look, I'm sorry. That didn't come out the way I intended."

She returned her attention to the dishes. "Fine, now if you don't mind, I'd like to be alone."

"Well, okay. But I'm going to talk to Dad about his comment. He needs to learn a little thing called-."

The doorbell rang, causing Daphne to sigh with relief.

"I'll get that."

She hurried past Frasier and into the living room, deliberately ignoring Martin who was already in his chair engrossed in the sports page.

When the doorbell rang again, Daphne swallowed hard and planted a fake smile on her face; Might as well look cheerful even if she was far from it. With one fluid motion she opened the door.

"Hello, all."

"Dr. Crane..."

Her smile turned genuine when she caught a glimpse of Niles, who was looking quite handsome in a dark grey suit and blue tie that made his eyes sparkle.

The mere sight of him caused her breath to catch in her throat.

"Hello, Daphne."

"Niles! What brings you here so early in the morning?" Frasier asked.

"Well, it can't be those disastrous things that Daphne calls pancakes!" Martin said from behind his newspaper.

Daphne sighed and swallowed the tears that rose in her throat. She didn't want Niles to see how upset she was.

But there was no mistaking the sympathetic glance he sent her way.