He was so deep in thought that he barely noticed the soft hand that covered his. Nor was he aware of the magical scent that wafted in his direction.

"Dr. Crane, are you sure you're all right?"

He blinked in surprise, almost smiling at the irony. For the woman who was speaking to him was the very woman that he'd been thinking about mere seconds ago. And now he found himself getting lost in her beautiful chocolate brown eyes.

"Dr. Crane?"

"I-I'm sorry. What?"

"Are you sure that you're all right?"

"I'm sorry, Daphne. I guess I was-."

"You look like you're a million miles away."

He nodded, quickly averting his eyes. What was he thinking, avoiding the woman whom he loved so deeply? He tried to blame it on the alcohol but he was sure to obtain a nosebleed.

"I guess I was." He sighed.

The hand that covered his moved slightly and he looked down to discover that their fingers were entwined. He was once again holding hands with an angel.

"I'm sorry." He said again, boldly raising his eyes to meet hers.

"Don't be sorry. You've done nothing wrong!" Daphne said. "It's understandable that you'd be a bit distracted. Thinking about the Sea Bee awards, were you? Well don't! If you ask me, those people don't know talent when they see it-or hear it as the case may be!"

"But Daphne-."

"Oh, don't get me wrong, Dr. Crane. I love your brother and I'm eternally grateful to him for hiring me to take care of your father. But when I think of the way he was carrying on out there, gloating about his bloody radio show! Why, Nightmare Inn was a disaster from the very start, if you ask me!"

Niles lowered his head in shame, wondering once more if his guilt attributed to the alcohol he'd consumed or the pure humiliation of what he had done. But regardless, it hurt either way.

Instantly her hand went to his arm.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I didn't mean it like that! I just meant-."

He shook his head sadly. "I know what you meant; Daphne and you're an absolute angel for trying to cheer me up. But unfortunately it doesn't change the fact that I ruined Frasier's big moment."

Unexpectedly he found himself enfolded in her embrace as the heavenly scent of her perfume wafted under his nose. He loved the feeling of being held like this, for it had been far too long since a woman had comforted him for any reason.

"I know it hurts." Daphne said as she rubbed his back. "But please believe me, you did nothing wrong! Your brother is the one who forced you into doing the show, not even bothering to tell you that you'd be playing more than one part! If you ask me, that's a dirty trick to play on someone you're supposed to love."

"But Daphne-."

She drew back slightly and kissed his cheek. "But you were a wonderful brother for doing it. Correction... you ARE a wonderful brother!"

Niles cheek burned from where her mouth had been and he longed to kiss those sweet lips. Slowly he moved closer and closer to her until-.

"Oh, Dr. Crane, listen!"

Her sudden enthusiasm made him gasp and he looked around in confusion.

"Daphne, what-."

Her hand slipped into his and he felt as though he was floating as she led him to the dance floor.

"I love this song." She said, her eyes sparkling like chocolate diamonds. He recognized the song instantly. It was one that was playing on what he'd called the most glorious night of his life. The night he'd danced in Daphne's arms, and kissed her for the first time.

But then his world came crashing down when she assumed that his words of affection were just an act.

"Dance with me?"

He was tempted to decline her offer, for he certainly didn't want to risk being hurt twice; even if it was unintentional.

But when he saw the pleading look in her eyes, he simply couldn't say no. And truth be told, there was nothing he wanted more than to be in her arms, even if it was only to dance.

"I would love to!" he replied, trying to calm his trembling voice.

He offered her his hand and together they began to spin around the dance floor, much to the delight of onlookers. He was floating on air and he wasn't entirely sure that he wasn't dreaming.

"I love the waltz, don't you?" Daphne sighed. "I feel like I'm floating on cloud nine!"

The words made him smile and he repeated a phrase that he'd uttered on the night of the Snow Ball;

"I'd have to look down to see cloud nine!"

But instead of the reaction he expected, she smiled and held him even closer.

"You always say the most wonderful things."

The song ended but he barely noticed the applause they received, nor did he realize that they had been the only ones on the dance floor.

"Another dance?"

He gasped when he realized how close she was standing to him and it took all the strength he had not to bring his lips to hers.

As if on cue the music changed, but it wasn't a tango or even the samba.

It was a slow, romantic song; the kind he'd always dreamed would play as he held her in his arms.

And finally the moment was real.