"While I'm honored that you trust my opinions enough to want to see me outside the office, I find it rather unusual that you want to meet me here."
"Don't be ridiculous, Dr. Crane. It's perfectly safe."
"Well... All right. I suppose I am a little uncomfortable with the whole situation. This place isn't exactly a five star restaurant."
"Just relax! Come this way, Dr. Crane..."
"Dear God, what is this? Wait, what's happening? Why are you doing this to me?
Help! Someone please help-."
Daphne woke with a start; her heart racing as she looked around the darkened bedroom. Beside her, Niles was sleeping peacefully.
Niles Crane... her husband. The man she loved with all her heart.
She smiled and reached over to cover him with the blanket, but something stopped her the moment she touched the fabric.
A flash went through her mind, conjuring up a most disturbing image; the one she'd just encountered in her sleep.
Or was it something else?
For two nights now, she'd had the same unsettling dream. And for two nights she'd been startled awake by it. Her first thought was to wake her sleeping husband. To
tell him about the horrible images that frightened her so. He was sure to take her in his arms and comfort her, making sure that she was safe. But when she looked at
him now, she thought better of it. Why bother him about something that was probably all in her head?
With a sigh, she settled herself back under the covers and closed her eyes, willing herself to sleep. But when it came, so did the unsettling visions. She tossed and
turned, unable to get them out of her mind. But still they came...
"N-now... look... I don't know what kind of sick joke this is, but I think we should go somewhere and talk."
"We are talking Dr. Crane."
"Um, yes. Right. But I mean really talk. You seem to have some issues that we should discuss in further detail."
"You're the one with issues, Dr. Crane."
"I'm sorry. I'm not following."
"Since you aren't willing to help me, I'll just have to take matters into my own hands."
"What are you talking about?"
"Just trust me."
"Of course I'm willing to help you! After all, I am your therapist and anything you say to me is held in strictest confidence. You do understand that, don't you?"
"It's you who doesn't understand, Dr. Crane."
"P-please... Don't hurt me! I-I mean, I'm not worried about myself but I have a wife and I hate to think of her being alone. I absolutely adore her. She's my whole life, so
please... I'm begging you..."
Daphne bolted upright in bed, pain settling in her chest. She blinked back tears and looked at her husband, amazed that he could sleep so soundly. Afraid to go back
to sleep, she pulled the covers back and climbed out of bed.
Wearing her robe and slippers she padded downstairs. Perhaps a nice cup of tea would do her some good.
In the kitchen, her hand trembled as she quickly heated some water and made herself some tea. The hot liquid soothed her rattled insides, but did nothing to scare
away the frightening dreams...
Or were they visions?
God knows, she'd had enough of those in her lifetime. Some were ridiculous, some were scary and some were completely wonderful. She walked over to the shelf and
picked up the metal dragon, cradling it to her chest. Her heart warmed remembering the moment she'd discovered it. If only Roz knew what she'd done by giving Niles
the statue as a gift.
No sooner had her happy mood come; it disappeared, only to be overshadowed by the now hauntingly familiar images. She crept back up the stairs and into the
bedroom, relieved to find that Niles was still sleeping. There must be a way to help him.
Next to the bed she could see his Italian leather briefcase. If these visions were as real as they seemed, shouldn't she warn her husband of the possible danger? After
all, she loved him with all her heart.
Her heart beat madly as she reached for the briefcase but then pulled her hand away.
No. It was wrong to go through his patient files. For one thing, they were personal. Niles would be furious if he knew she'd betrayed his trust a second time.
Once was bad enough. She still felt an enormous amount of regret for taking Roz's advice to find a patient of Niles who was in love with him; and all out of
pure jealousy. But this was different.
Ever so quietly she reached into briefcase...