Set immediately after "Daphne hates Sherry".


I couldn't bare to see her again tonight, not after getting as devastatingly close as we were a mere half hour ago, so I took a few moments to sit in Frasier's empty room and contemplate the evenings events. How could I forget about my prescription pad? I had gotten so close, so frustratingly close to her and then I blew it through my own incompetence. Tonight was my chance, I mean I knew she didn't share my feelings exactly, quite the understatement there I might add, but I could have at least shown her how I felt and in time she could have grown to love me, one way or another I would have won her heart. Daphne loving me, oh it is taking all my effort not to get lost in that thought. But Frasier's insight tweaked my curiosity, even if it was a little too Freudian for my liking, stating that I knew it was wrong to take advantage of Daphne and so that was the reason I drove her back to Frasier's apartment. It pains me to admit that I actually think he could be right. I mean there is just no way I could have simply 'had my way' with Daphne, not while she was coming to me for comfort and in such a vulnerable state too.

Sitting on the corner of Frasier's bed I heard a door close, dad and Sherry must have resigned to their bedroom and hopefully Daphne to hers. Eddie ran through the room towards the bathroom and I decided to escape another of Frasier's lectures so I started meandering towards the kitchen to make a quick coffee to go, God knows I needed something to perk me up for the drive home that I had to look forward to. All the while struggling past the dark and unearthly thoughts that kept showing themselves when thinking about tonight, Daphne on that couch, in that dressing gown, all hot. God, it is currently impossible to keep track of which are fact and which are fantasy. These thoughts, however, must be overcome because, for some unknown reason, tonight Daphne wanted me and I had to understand why. But could Daphne have really wanted me? I mean if it was simply about the sex surely she wouldn't have thought me as her first choice, well not unless there is a slight underlying attraction on her part. Whether she is fully aware of it or not there just must be a spark of something, no matter how small it may be. Arriving at the kitchen I decided against coffee, I felt the sooner I fall asleep the better. Water should suffice, actually I better make that a scotch, it might make the rest of the evening more bearable, and the daydreaming more real. Two glasses later and I could feel my body finally ready for rest, I was becoming relaxed again. Well there was no way I could drive home now, I could get a cab and pick up my car in the morning or on the other hand I could stay on the couch and make sure I'm up and out before anyone else notices their new lodger in the living room. Hmm...Cab it is! Finding my balance again as I slipped down off the stool took a moment or two, then I set off for the front door. Walking through the darkened living room the scotch made itself known. Damn, why didn't I wait until I was home to drink? What a rash and impulsive act that was.

Oh my God.

I collapsed onto the couch and inadvertently hit myself in the head a little too hard. "A rash and impulsive act", that's what she called it. Daphne thought that I couldn't control myself with her, she genuinely thought that I could easily take advantage of her for my own ill-gotten gain. Was it obvious how desperately I craved her? Did she sense my true feelings for her? I had to find out. Checking my watch I saw that it wasn't too late, she might still be awake. Spending an entire night with these questions in my head would be unbearable. Walking over to her bedroom door I was sure she would hear my pounding heart from the hallway. Quietly clearing my throat and pleading that this was not simply paranoid delusions brought on by the drink, however I was becoming thankful for the liquid courage that it also provided. The strength it took to raise my hand to the door was tremendous. Constant thoughts of the sleepless night awaiting me if this matter wasn't resolved forced my hand into a fist and then to the two light taps on the wood.

No answer. Before I could plan a coherent spiel, my mouth had gotten ahead of itself and out stumbled an embarrassingly broken sentence.

"Daphne, it's me, um...if you're still awake would you mind if I could...just er, talk to you for a moment..or two..please?"

Speaking in a tone that wouldn't wake her but she could hear if she was still awake. A moment passed, she must be asleep. Just as I was about to turn I noticed the dim slither of light coming from under her door, she must be awake. The only reason she could be awake in her room and still not answering the door was because she must be avoiding me. My breathing got heavy, I started panicking, oh no. I've lost her! I can't let this happen, my Daphne unable to even talk to me.

No, I pulled myself back from these thoughts and whilst inadvertently shaking my head slightly I came up with other reasons she hadn't answered her door. Maybe she fell asleep with the light on, or she was in the bathroom, that must be it. Or maybe Daphne could be showering, or drying herself, or starting to relieve her own tensions...

"Dr. Crane? Are you alright?"

I hadn't even noticed her opening the door, standing there in a towel. I felt my face burn at both my previous thoughts and to her attire. Her wry smile showed me that she noticed. Damn those relentlessly irreverent bad thoughts.

"Oh, I'm sorry I must have drifted...um...Daphne about tonight, are we stil-"

"Look Dr. Crane, I'm sorry for imposing myself on you tonight."

As I was about to tell her how flattered I was that she came to me tonight she put her hand on my chest, causing me to fall silent as I couldn't help but take a small, sharp breath and clench my jaw.


Please R&R =)