"In light of Daphne's wedding, maybe we shouldn't tell her right now." Niles said.

"Oh Niles, we can't keep something like this a secret!" Mel said.

"Keep what a secret?"

Niles heart clinched in his chest when Daphne appeared in the dining room, looking beautiful as always; her hair swept up on top of her head and wearing a pink shirt

that brought out the color of her perfect cheeks.

How in the world was he going to tell her?

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Mel took his hand. "We got married!"

Damn that Mel... He should have known that she'd blurt out the words as though they were just that; words with hardly any meaning. It was almost as though she

was saying them in vain.

He watched Daphne's face for a reaction, but she only smiled and walked toward them, shaking their hands in congratulations.

"Well I think that's just wonderful!" She said a little too brightly.

Then to his surprise, she ran out of the room, saying something about getting a check to the caterers before they closed. Frasier offered to drive her but she refused.

And in that refusal, Niles heard an unmistakable quivering in her voice.

For a woman who was getting married within days, she certainly didn't seem very happy; and that concerned him.

It was almost as if-

No, it was impossible; wishful thinking even.

Feeling guilty for the unfaithful thought, he quickly shoved it from his mind and turned to Mel, who was beaming with happiness.

Determined to show that he was a good husband, he put his arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"I'll be right back." He whispered in her ear.

Immediately, she turned to face him. "Where are you going?" She snapped.

The tone of her voice stung him, but he brushed it off as just another one of her quirks that he realized he'd have to get used to.

"Niles!" She snapped again. "I asked you a question and as your wife, I expect an answer!"

Niles swallowed hard, knowing he didn't have to look at Frasier or his father to read the expression on their faces. The silence in the room told

him all he needed to know. Suddenly it was becoming clearer and clearer how similar Maris and Mel

were.

"Yes, Darling." He said. "I-I just wanted to ask Daphne... what time we should be at the hotel."

"But Niles, can't you just ask-." Mel stopped suddenly when she saw Martin and Frasier looking at her.

Then she turned to Niles and smiled sweetly.

"Of course, Dear. Go ahead." She added, grasping his hand in hers.

Niles could feel Frasier and his dad's glances on him as he opened the door and went into the hallway.

He looked around, dismayed when he saw no sign of her. He was about to return to Frasier's apartment when she emerged from around the corner.

"Daphne?"

She looked up and his heart ached when he saw that she'd been crying.

"Dr Crane... I thought you'd be inside with Mel."

"Well, I just wanted to-Are you okay, Daphne?"

She looked away, as though embarrassed and brushed the tears from her face. With a trembling hand, he reached out and touched her arm, causing her to

smile at him. "You're such a good friend to worry about me Dr. Crane, but I'm fine. Really I am."

"If you don't mind my saying so, you look quite upset for someone who's getting married in just a few short days."

"Oh... I was hopin' you wouldn't notice, but then again... you're always noticin' me new perfume or outfit." Daphne said.

"Anything I can do to help?" He asked.

With a smile, she reached out and gently squeezed his hand. "I'm afraid there's nothin' anybody can do. But it doesn't matter anyway, because-."

"Why don't we go somewhere and talk?" he asked quietly.

"For God's sake, I don't need a therapy session, Dr. Crane! Why is it that you people, whenever you find someone who's a little emotional-."

Niles wanted to kick himself. How could he have been so insensitive? Daphne wasn't a patient! She was a goddess!

"Daphne, I-."

Her voice broke and she began to cry. "I'm sorry for that horrible outburst. You're right. We should-Oh God... I'm just so confused right now!"

Not caring that Mel was in Frasier's apartment just feet away, Niles moved toward Daphne. "Come here." He said holding out his arms.

At first she resisted but then a sob escaped. "Dr. Crane..."

She stepped into his embrace; her tear stained cheek resting against his chest. He held her close, gently rubbing her back.

"It's overwhelming, isn't it? You've been working so hard, taking care of Dad and planning this wedding. But I know it'll all be worth it. Donny's... well... a very lucky

man and I just want you to know how much Frasier and I appreciate everything you've done for Dad."

Slowly she raised her head and smiled at him. "Thank you, Dr. Crane." She said, kissing his cheek.

He could feel his face reddening from the touch of her lips and he grinned shyly. "You're welcome, Daphne. I-I guess I'd better get back in there."

"Yeah. Mel's waiting for you." She said quietly.

He sighed deeply. "Right. Well, I'll see you later?"

"Of course." She said with a knowing smile.

He reached for the doorknob and was mere seconds from opening the door when-

"Dr Crane?"

He let go of the doorknob and turned to face her. "Yes Daphne?"

"I think we need to talk. A-about us."

He looked at her in surprise. "Us?"

"Yes, well..."

He could see how uncomfortable she was, and it touched him deeply that she felt she could confide in him.

But the words echoed in his mind.

"About us..."