Niles rubbed her back so soothingly that the sweet gesture only made her cry harder. And in response, he held her even closer. After what seemed like forever, she slowly lifted her head and stared into his beautiful blue eyes.

"What's gotten you so upset?" He asked softly. "Is it Roz? Dad? Frasier?"

"No..." She nodded. "It's not your family."

He sighed deeply. "I should have known. You've have a fight with your mother, haven't you? Daphne, I'm so sorry. I know how difficult it must be. Come here."

She was in his arms again, her heart racing as the scent of his cologne wafted under her nose. Her cheek resting against his chest, she sighed at the touch of his fingers running through her hair.

"Thank you Dr. Crane, but it's not me mum at all. Actually it's... Oh, it's silly to even talk about."

"Daphne, something or someone's obviously hurt you a great deal and I can't stand to see you this way. Now I understand if you don't want to talk about it but you should talk about it with someone. It's not good to keep things inside."

"I know... I just..."

He took her hands in his. "What is it? I swear I will never tell another soul."

She nodded sadly. "I know, and it's so sweet of you. But it's not necessary. You were bound to find out about it sooner or later. I was seeing this man, Mark..."

"Oh, the man Frasier told me about!" Niles said, surprising her with his enthusiasm as well as the fact that he knew about the man who had broken her heart

"He seems like a nice guy. So how are things going with your new relationship?"

"Well, we..." Her voice broke and she began to sob into her hands.

"Oh Daphne, I'm sorry. I should never have... come here..." He took her into his arms, letting her cry into his chest once more.

"What happened?"

"I don't know." She sobbed. "I thought things were going so well! He took me out to the most wonderful Italian restaurant and promised to show me the most romantic night of me life! We were toasting to our future and I was so sure that he was going to make a bold move. Well, he made one all right."

Niles said nothing, but instead looked deeply into her eyes and rubbed her shoulder.

"What happened?" He asked again.

"H-he... He told me that he's been seeing someone else for the past two months! Right behind my back!"

"Oh Daphne..."

"How could I have been so stupid, Dr. Crane? I thought he really loved me! I thought-." She was in his arms yet again, soaking his shirt with her tears. "I'm sorry."

"Daphne, you have no reason to be sorry. If anyone should be sorry it's Mark, treating you so terribly. That's horrible, leading you on the way he did, and then lying about your relationship."

"Thank you." She said, sighing as she ran her hand up and down his arm. "You're being so sweet."

"Well, it's the least I can do for someone I care about."

She raised her head to look at him, uanble to believe what she was hearing. "Y-you care about me?"

He smiled and brushed the hair from her face. "Of course I do. You're kind, generous and the most wonderful person I've ever known."

"Thank you, Dr. Crane. I care about you, too. You're such a wonderful friend."

"Thank you, Daphne. You have no idea how much that means to me." He held her closer and slowly rubbed her back, prompting her to close her eyes. She relished the comfort she felt in his arms.

"Are you going to be all right?" he asked after a long while.

"I think so." She said, smiling at her friend. "I can't thank you enough."

"There's no need to thank me, Daphne. I just hate to see you hurting like this. And if you need me don't hesitate to call, day or night."

"But your brother-."

"Never mind what Frasier thinks. We're friends and there's nothing that says friends can't see each other when they want to."

His sweet words made her heart swell and when she looked at him again, she had a feeling that she couldn't quite explain.

"Well, I should go." He said finally. "Unless... you want me to stay."

"I'm sure you have plans." She said, strangely hoping that he didn't.

"Actually..."

"In that case, you should go. I don't want to keep you from whatever you have planned."

"Are you sure?"

Daphne sighed, wanting so much to tell him that she wanted him to stay. But it didn't seem right. She could see the way his eyes lit up when she asked if he had plans, and it wasn't right to deny him.

"I'm sure whatever you have planned is very special."

His expression changed and he looked almost... lovestruck. "It is! Heather and I are celebrating our one month anniversary tonight!"

Her heart sank with disappointment, although her premonition had in fact been correct. "Heather?"

He sighed dreamily. "I didn't want to say anything for a while, but I can't help myself. I think I'm in love!"

"Oh... That's... wonderful, Dr. Crane."

"Daphne... I'm sorry if I upset you. I know you're still hurting over Mark and I had no right-."

"It's okay." She said forcing a smile. "I'm happy for you, Dr. Crane. I know how difficult it must be, with your marriage not working out and all. I... wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you, Daphne."

"You're welcome." She said. Before she could stop herself she kissed his cheek, surprised at how soft it was.

"Well, goodnight. And I meant what I said, Daphne. Call me anytime."

"I will." She said, her heart fluttering.

When he was gone, she sighed deeply. Her fingers went to her lips where she'd kissed his cheek. Strangely when she closed her eyes she could still imagine what his skin felt like, so soft and smooth.

But as she stared at the closed door, she couldn't ignore the tears that filled her eyes, nor the heaviness in her heart. It didn't take a psychic vision to know that these tears and heartache had nothing to do with Mark and the way he'd hurt her.

These were the tears of someone who was in love with a man she simply couldn't have;a friend who had shown her more kindness than anyone she'd ever known. The thought made her tears flow even faster.

For Niles' heart belonged to someone else.