He turned around and his mouth opened in surprise.
"Daphne..."
"I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I just... didn't expect to find you here."
"It's my fault, Daphne. I know Frasier hates when I come in unannounced like this but you see, Dad and I-."
"I thought you and your father went on a stakeout."
To her surprise, his smile disappeared and he averted his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, we did, but-."
"You know, I just don't see the point in those silly things!" Daphne said. "They're completely ridiculous if you ask me! I mean who wants to sit in their van or bloody car for hours on end, completely hidden from view while you spy on other people? It just doesn't make sense! Wouldn't it be easier if-."
She stopped when she saw him cross the room, holding a glass of sherry and slump onto the sofa.
"Dr. Crane?"
Curious as to his strange actions, she moved to the sofa and sat down beside him.
"I'm sorry, Daphne. You were saying?"
"Oh... Well, I was just-."
But she couldn't bring herself to continue. Not when she saw the way he was avoiding her gaze.
And then she heard him sniffling.
Immediately she turned to him, placing her hand on his back.
"Are you all right?"
He nodded as though unable to speak.
"Whatever I said to upset you, I'm so sorry. You're me friend and I care about you. I'd never intentionally hurt you. And yet..."
In an extremely gentle manner, she touched his face and turned his head toward her.
"It looks like I have."
He ran his hand across his cheek, as though he were brushing away a tear and sighed deeply, shaking his head.
In an extremely gentle manner, she touched his face slowly turning him to face her.
"It's not you Daphne. You're such an angel, you could never hurt anyone."
At the sweet words, she gasped in surprise. "Dr. Crane..."
It was so unlike him, calling her by such an unsuitable name; unsuitable because she was hardly an angel... of any kind.
But to say so would only increase his pain so she remained silent, choosing instead to smile and lightly touch his cheek with the back of her hand.
"What a sweet thing to say to me. Thank you. Donny never-."
The heat rose in her cheeks and she cast her eyes downward.
What was she thinking, bringing up Donny at a time like this? Dr. Crane was hurting and needed a friend. Instead she was wallowing in her own selfishness.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I didn't mean to-."
When she raised her eyes to meet Niles', she was shocked to see the faint sheen of tears.
Her hand moved from his back to his shoulder and squeezed gently.
"What's wrong?"
But again he shook his head. "I don't want to bother you. I've disturbed you enough for one evening. I think it's best if I just go home."
He attempted to rise from the sofa but she gently nudged him back down.
"Please don't leave, Dr. Crane. You could never bother me. I always enjoy your company. I was planning on spending this evenin' by meself but now I'm feeling a bit lonely."
"Lonely? But I thought you were spending the evening with Donny."
This time it was Daphne's turn to look away. "Well, I was... but..."
His hand covered hers so gently that she found herself blinking away tears.
"Daphne..."
"It's so confusing."
"What is?"
She looked up in surprise, unaware that she had spoken out loud.
"What is what?"
"You said It's so confusing. Is something bothering you?"
His concern made her smile. He was always so thoughtful.
"I'm fine." She lied. "Look at me, going on like a patient of yours when you're the one who's so upset."
"It's all right, Daphne."
She just couldn't let him keep whatever was bothering him bottled up like this. She was no psychiatrist, just a poor healthcare worker from Manchester, but she knew that it couldn't be healthy.
And suddenly she was worried about him.
