A/N: I did not manage to write individual Christmas stories this year and I am so sorry for that. This is dedicated to all my fellow writers and in particular to iloveromance, Kristen3, leighann415 and crazymonkeys. You guys are awesome human beings and you inspire me!


Nothing would have changed had Daphne not forgotten her scarf at home. It was the week before Christmas and everything was stressful enough as it was. The weather, however, did not seem to care. The cold hit them in the middle of the night without warning and in the morning the first layers of snow had settled on every possible surface. The gentle whiteness could have been a beautiful distraction, but Daphne simply lacked the time. Gifts had to be bought, food had to be prepared and a stubborn Mr. Crane, who battled a cold, had to be taken care of. This Christmas the snow was nothing more than a nuisance.

"I still need to pick up your father's pills," Daphne informed both Dr. Cranes who seemed eager to get her out of the house, "Do you need anything else why I'm out there, Dr. Crane?" Daphne put on her coat and searched for her gloves in the pockets.

"Now that you mention it…" Still in search of her gloves, Daphne let Dr. Crane rattle on about needing this and that; she knew from experience that in the end he would decide to write it down for her anyway.

"Is that all?" Daphne asked automatically.

"Yes. I'll better write it down, though. I would hate for you to go out twice in this dreadful weather." Daphne rolled her eyes and caught the younger Dr. Crane looking at her. He quickly looked away, as he often did. Daphne couldn't help but smile at his continuing shyness around her.

"You could go out yourself, you know." The younger Dr. Crane said.

"I don't mind, Dr. Crane. I have to go out anyway." She touched his arm in a friendly manner and took the note the elder Dr. Crane held out to her. She couldn't tell him that part of the reason why she needed to go out was so she could pick up his Christmas present. Distracted by the note and the younger Dr. Crane it happened; Daphne finally found her gloves, completely forgot about her scarf and simply left. She didn't have to wait for the elevator and only when she stepped outside where the wind bit her in the face did she notice the missing scarf.

"Oh bloody hell." She mumbled and turned back around. Upstairs she could hear the two brothers' voices through the closed door. Daphne made a mental note to quickly dash inside, pick up her scarf and leave before either of them could even direct another word at her.

"Daphne is not your personal assistant." Daphne's hand rested on the door knob as she caught the voices from inside. She knew she wasn't supposed to hear this; despite the fact that they were talking about her.

"This again, Niles?"

"What if she slips outside? What if-"

"Your infatuation with Daphne is getting old." Frasier interrupted his brother. Outside the door Daphne gasped. Dr. Crane infatuated? With her?

"It's not an infatuation. I love her, Frasier." Daphne thought her knees would no longer support her. For a moment she was unable to even breathe; her whole world tipped sideways so that nothing was as she'd known it before.

"Don't be ridiculous, Niles. How can you be in love with her?" The words didn't hurt Daphne because she thought the same thing. He had never said anything. Never shown any indication that he had feelings for her. And how could he have? Most of the time he had been married! Caught in her own web of thoughts Daphne forgot to listen to what the two men were saying inside. Carefully she pressed her ear against the door to hear better, but they were silent suddenly. All she could hear was the constant drum of her own heart. It seemed so loud that she was afraid they could hear it inside the apartment.

"What did you get dad for Christmas?" Just like that. They were no longer talking about her. Daphne knew she had missed a crucial part of that conversation. Or maybe she had imagined it all? She was certain Dr. Crane had talked of love. He loved her. Mentally repeating what she'd heard she couldn't grasp her own feelings. These words caused a strange emotion inside her. Like something had been opened by these words. Afraid of what any of this could mean, Daphne stepped away from the door. Her scarf was forgotten once again. She needed answers; she needed help. Often when she had a problem she would ask Dr. Crane. This time he himself was the problem. Just thinking about him now felt different. It felt almost new. She was beginning to see a new person, a new Dr. Crane. Daphne knew she needed answers and she needed them quickly.

Luckily Daphne knew one person who was well educated in all things concerning relationships: Roz.

Tbc