"Take care. And remember, I'll be there for you in any way I can. Just try to get some rest and I'll call you tomorrow. Okay. Bye Roz!"
Daphne smiled and hung up the phone. She loved Roz and she really felt for her friend. She could only imagine what Roz must be feeling; frightened and uncertain.
If she herself had been in the same situation, she wasn't sure if she could handle it. Roz was so much stronger than she. But even so, she vowed to do everything she could to help Roz through this.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.
"Oh! Hello, Dr. Crane! What a nice surprise!"
Niles' handsome face was tinged with worry. And despite the fact that she held the door open, he made no attempt to enter Frasier's condo.
"Is something wrong?"
He didn't answer right away, choosing instead to stand in the doorway and look at Daphne with the same troubled expression.
"Dr Crane?"
"Daphne, before I come in, I just have to say that I am mortified by my behavior last night."
"As well you should be!"
They turned to see Frasier glaring at them with a look of disgust.
"Niles, what in the hell were you thinking last night? Daphne isn't pregnant, Roz is!"
Like a little boy who'd been scolded, Niles lowered his head in shame.
"I know..."
Daphne smiled and reached for Niles' hand. "Don't pay any attention to your brother, Dr. Crane. I thought that what you did was very gallant."
Niles blushed and couldn't hide his smile. "You did?"
"Your proposal was lovely and if the circumstances were different, I might have accepted."
Niles stared at her in disbelief. "Daphne... y-you-."
But to Daphne's' surprise he suddenly began to wheeze in and out, clutching his chest as he staggered around the living room.
"Dr Crane!"
When she was able to reach him, she led him to the sofa and coaxed him to sit down.
"Are you happy with yourself, Niles?" Frasier yelled.
"Oh sod off, will you? Your brother was sweet enough to come over and apologize even though he has no reason to and you make him feel worse!" Daphne shouted as she rubbed Niles' back.
With annoyance, she turned to Frasier. "Don't you have something you could be doing?"
"Actually yes I do! I... have a... date!"
Much to Daphne's delight, Frasier stormed out of the condo.
"Thank God he's gone!" Daphne said. "Can I get you anything Dr. Crane?"
"I-I think I'm fine now. Thank you, Daphne." Niles said, having a bit of trouble catching his breath.
"You certainly don't seem fine. I'll get you some tea and you'll feel better in no time."
"Let me help you."
"No, you just sit right there and relax."
Daphne smiled at the way Niles shivered when she touched his cheek in a feather-light gesture and then disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with a pot of tea and two cups.
As she set the teapot and cups on the coffee table she glanced at the floor.
"What's this?"
Niles looked around in confusion. "What's what?"
"This."
Daphne held up the bouquet of flowers. In shades of red, orange and yellow they were the most beautiful flowers she'd ever seen.
"Your brother must have dropped them when he went out. I knew he was lying when he said he was going on a real date! Doesn't even have the courtesy to remember to bring her these flowers! They're gorgeous!"
As she stared at the flowers, she couldn't resist bringing them to her nose to inhale the sweet scent.
"And they smell wonderful."
"A-actually Daphne, those aren't Frasier's. They're mine. I-I brought them... for you."