A/N: For Kristen to say thanks for her friendship and support! *hugs*

Holding the rambunctious puppy in her arms, Daphne couldn't help but laugh remembering the way the dog was kissing Niles behind the ears. It was the sweetest thing she'd ever seen.

A slight panic set in when Frasier returned to the living room and glared at her.

"Daphne, where are the Thomasons?"

Her cheeks colored fiercely, remembering the kind family who wanted the puppy so badly.

"Oh... Well it turns out that they weren't interested at all."

Frasier's eyes narrowed and she knew that he was onto her obvious lie.

"Really... From what I could tell they seemed very enthusiastic about having a new puppy."

"They were... but as soon as they saw Eddie, they changed their mind." She said quickly, hoping he would buy her ridiculous explanation. But as usual he saw right through her.

"Daphne, that's ridiculous!" Frasier yelled. "I know what you're doing!"

She looked up sharply. "And what exactly do you think I'm doing?"

"You've become attached to that mangy dog, haven't you?"

"Basil's not mangy!" Daphne yelled back.

"Basil? Dear God, Daphne! I told you not to name him!"

"But-."

"No buts, Daphne! Now get the Thomason's on the phone and tell them to come and get their dog! And apologize to them for lying about the dog not being available!"

She blinked in surprise wondering how he could possibly know that she'd said those very words to discourage them.

Her first thought was to come up with something clever, but she knew that no amount of protests would change his mind. It was his house after all, and he was her boss.

Reluctantly she picked up the phone and dialed. As she suspected, the Thomason's were overjoyed at the news that the puppy had miraculously become available. Thirty minutes later she was sitting on the sofa, stroking Basil's soft fur.

She was so engrossed in an old Audrey Hepburn movie on television that she barely heard the doorbell ring.

Not surprisingly, Frasier came out of the kitchen and glared at her in annoyance.

"Aren't you going to get that?"

Her concentration broken, she turned toward him.

"What?"

"The door, Daphne!" he snapped.

When she remained seated, he crossed the room and went to answer the door.

"Dear God, do I have to do everything around here?"

As he opened the door, his stern expression softened when he saw the Thomason's smiling enthusiastically.

"We're here to pick up our new puppy!" The young daughter said enthusiastically.

"Yeah!" a young boy beside her chimed in. "We already picked out a name for him, too! We're going to call him Rex!"

Daphne cringed at the thought of such a horrible name for such a sweet puppy.

Frasier had just launched into a tirade about the joys of owning a pet when the doorbell rang.

"Hello all!" Niles greeted them when the door was opened.

Daphne smiled, grateful to see a kind face. "Oh, hello Dr Crane."

"Niles, I'd like you to meet the Thomason's." Frasier said. "They're here to pick up their new puppy."

"Pleased to meet you." Niles said to the family.

"His name is Rex!" The young boy yelled.

Niles was clearly not amused.

"Well, Frasier. It seems that once more you've proven me wrong. You've managed to find homes for all of Eddie's off-spring!"

Frasier smiled and patted the dog that sat in Daphne's arms. "Thank you Niles. And once this little guy leaves, we'll return to one dog."

To prove his point he turned and glared at Eddie.

"And believe me, one dog is more than enough!"

"Well, I guess we should be going." Mr. Thomason said.

In response, Daphne clutched Basil to her chest, sighing as he kissed her face. And suddenly she didn't want to let him go.