He was so stunned that he could barely speak. And when he did, he found it difficult to say her name. "D-Daphne?"

When their eyes met, her expression revealed that she was as nervous as he. "H-hello, Dr. Crane."

"What are you doing here?" The question had an edge to it, for which Niles immediately regretted. And instantly he softened his tone and opened the door wider. "I-I mean… Please… come in."

She'd barely taken two steps inside his home when the scent of her perfumed hair began to waft in his direction. He took a moment to steady himself and then carefully helped her removed her coat, hanging it neatly in the coat closet.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane." She said. "I'm so sorry to wake you in the middle of the night like this, but I desperately need to talk to someone."

A mixture of elation and confusion filled him, for Frasier was always willing to talk to Daphne if she had a problem and Niles was almost positive that Frasier was at home, so why hadn't Daphne come to him first? Perhaps she had, and Frasier was of little help to her. But nonetheless, the fact that she'd taken it upon herself to drive all the way across town alone to see him at the Montana spoke volumes. Whatever she was going through was obviously something very painful. At once his heart went out to her and he vowed to help her in any way he could. It wasn't ethical for him to act as a therapist, but as a friend, he was more than happy to give her any advice that would help.

"Well, I've told you before Daphne, that you're welcome here any time, um... day or night, just say the word."

"That's very sweet of you to say, Dr. Crane. You're such a good friend and that's why I wanted to see you so badly."

He could feel his face flush from the compliment and he felt a bit dizzy. But luckily he was able to steady himself. "T-thank you, Daphne. I value your friendship too and I want to help you. Just let me-."

When she shivered, he felt a sense of remorse. "Oh Dear God, you're freezing!" That was an understatement, as he suddenly realized just how cold it had become in the apartment, which meant that the temperature outside must have been frigid. It worried him, wondering how long she'd been standing there before she decided to come into the building. "Come with me, Daphne." He said quickly as he ushered her to the fainting couch.

"I-I'm fine." She said. "I-I just…"

"Daphne you're shivering!. And your teeth are chattering!" When he touched her forearm in the gentlest way possible, he was shocked at how cold her skin was. Even with her coat on, she had to have been miserable. "Please, come here and sit on the fainting couch. I'll start a fire and make some hot chocolate. Or would you prefer tea?"

She did as he asked, smiling as he hurried to the hall closet and removed a wool blanket from the top shelf. He was beside her in an instant, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders.

"Dr. Crane, I didn't mean for you to go to all of this trouble for me."

"It's no trouble at all." He said truthfully, even though the words were spoken a bit too quickly. And before she could protest, he went to the fireplace and opened the glass doors, inserting pieces of firewood one by one. The strike of a match and a crumpled newspaper, ignited instantly, creating a perfect flame. He felt the warmth of it instantly. Or perhaps the warmth was that of his beautiful, yet unexpected guest.