As the Crane family wandered around the halls of the Titanic museum, Niles couldn't help but notice that Daphne was unusually quiet. Of course, she responded to David's enthusiastic comments, but he could sense her heart wasn't in it.
He pulled her aside for a second. "Is everything okay, honey?"
She smiled wistfully and nodded. "I suppose so."
"Aren't you having fun? I admit this is a rather depressing and tragic time in history..."
"Don't you see? This is not just history..this is my history. The Titanic set sail from England...me own home country."
Just then the lights came on for Niles at least. "Oh, I understand. You're feeling a bit homesick."
"You could say that."
"David, would you come here for a second?"
"But Dad, I'm looking at Chief Engineer Thomas Andrews. Doesn't he look like a nice man?"
"He looks familiar, Niles. But that's impossible. There's no way we could have seen him before, could we have?" Daphne smiled at her family.
"Maybe in an alternate universe..."
"Anyhow," Niles cleared his throat. "David, do you know what The Titanic and Mommy have in common?"
"They're both old?"
Martin couldn't help but break out into laughter. Ronee playfully nudged him to stop.
"No, son, that's not it at all. The Titanic and Mommy are both British. While Mommy is from England and …."
"I know, the Titanic was made in Belfast, Ireland, which is like a cousin country to England," David declared proudly.
Even Daphne lit up. "That's right son. But more importantly, or at least just as important, the Titanic was taking off from England. You remember, that's where Mommy is from?"
"Yes Mommy. Why are you so sad? Is it because so many people on board died?"
"Yes. It could have happened to me...if I were on board I suppose I would have been on the lower level of the ship," she sighed.
Niles stared at wonderment at his wife. She would be so sensitive to others as to put herself in their place. "But you're here, safe with us, and that's enough to make David and I happy."
"You're right. But just suppose, Niles...suppose if we met under different circumstances. We could have been Kate and Leo!"
"Trust me, I would never have let anything happen to you."
Daphne wiped the tears from her eyes. "Excuse me. I just need a minute to meself. David, would you mind going with Grandpa and Ronee back over to Thomas Andrews? He looks like he needs a friend right now."
"Sure, Mommy."
With that, the rest of the Cranes were off, leaving Daphne alone with her thoughts, taking her back to a very different time and place.
TBC
A/N: bonus points to those who gets the Thomas Andrews references!