She crept down the hallway, passing room after room until she came to the familiar number; 1901. It was funny that she hadn't noticed it last night. But surely Niles had. How could he not? It was the same number as his brother's condominium. She might have laughed at the coincidence were she not so nervous. She was more than nervous; she was absolutely terrified. It hurt to laugh or even to breathe.

She stood at the door, pondering the many outcomes of her unannounced visit. He was sure to be angry, even furious perhaps. How could he be otherwise, seeing her the morning after she'd broken his heart? But then another thought occurred to her; a much worse one.

Oh God, what if Mel was there?

Daphne didn't even want to think about how that scenario might play out. Had Niles told Mel about what had happened on the balcony? How they'd kissed and he'd offered to leave Mel for Daphne? She supposed not, but he might have said something, even if it was a lie. But she had to do this, there was no other way.

Boldly she knocked on the door, preparing herself for anything. It was much too early to be knocking on anyone's door and she'd make certain to apologize; a trifle compared to the other apology that she had to make. She just hoped that in time he'd understand. And more importantly that they'd remain friends.

It was then that she realized that the door hadn't been answered so she knocked again, a bit harder. And that's when she heard muffled voices.

"Oh God, who in the hell is knocking on our door at this hour? It's not even 6:30!"

"It's probably the maid." Niles' muffled voice answered. "I'll take care of it. Go back to sleep."

Daphne knew that he wasn't speaking of her. He wasn't even aware that she was standing outside the door. But Mel had called her a maid enough times to warrant such thinking. It was as though whoever was on the other side of the door didn't count at all.

"Well I can't sleep now, Niles! All I wanted was some peace and quiet and now look what's happened! Why did we even have to come here anyway?"

"Mel, you know we have a wedding to attend. And Daphne-."

"You know what? The hell with Daphne, Niles! I'm sick of talking about her! I just want to get the damn thing over with so that we can get on with our lives."

Tears fell onto Daphne's cheeks as she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. She should have known this wasn't a good idea. She should just go back to her room, sleep for a few more hours, wake up, get dressed and marry the man of her dreams. The man she agreed to marry months ago. It was easier that way. But she didn't love Donny; not anymore.

She loved Niles.

"Mel, please don't talk that way!" Niles was saying.

Daphne had no idea what Mel had actually said but it wasn't hard to guess.

"I know that you and Daphne haven't been the best of friends, but-." His voice was closer now and Daphne could hear the deadbolt turning. "But can't you just try to get along? I-." He froze his mouth opening in surprise at the sight of her and she couldn't help staring into his warm blue eyes.

"Daphne…"

"H-hello, Dr. Crane. I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to talk to you."

"O-of course. Just let me… One moment, okay?"

She nodded and tried to smile. And then the door closed. It opened less than a minute later and he was no longer wearing his robe, but a button down shirt and a pair of jeans.

He looked so handsome that she wanted to kiss him. But that was uncalled for, even more so than it had been when they were on the balcony, just hours earlier. She tried not to think about it. Thinking about it only made what she had to do that much worse.

"Okay, I'm sorry about that." He said. "Let's go down to the lobby. It will be easier to talk there."

She wanted to cry (even more than she already had, that is). This man, this wonderful man whose heart she'd just broken, was being so….

"You don't have to be so kind to me, Dr. Crane." She blurted out as he escorted her to the elevator, his hand pressing lightly against her lower back. "I don't deserve it."

He said nothing as they stepped into the elevator and rode down to the lobby, which seemed to take forever. But she hardly noticed. A million thoughts swirled through her head, making it ache.

Was he angry? Irritated? Annoyed? What would happen when they got to the lobby? Would a shouting match ensue? Would she be in tears for the rest of the day and all through her wedding?

When they finally reached the lobby she darted across the tiled floor, taking refuge in a retro sea foam green sofa that sat in the corner. He sat down beside her, making her heart beat faster and for the first time in her life she was afraid of what he might do.

"So… what's on your mind?"

She sighed deeply, wanting to cry again. She had no idea how she was going to get through this.