After a night of tossing and turning she found herself rushing to the door. Funny how she knew that before the doorbell even rang that her boss's handsome younger brother would be on the other side. But then again, she was physic, no matter what anyone else believed. She just wished that her psychic powers could tell her what to do about the ache in her heart. And better yet, why her powers hadn't worked earlier, when she needed them most. Perhaps if they had, she would have been spared this heartache.

But it was too late now. The ache was brought on by the actions of a man; a dull, constant ache that brought memories of that night. The horrible night when he confessed, rather abrupt, that he did not love her.

Now, she did her best to be strong, the way everyone thought her to be. But as her trembling hand turned the doorknob and she pulled open the door, she caught a glimpse of his face. He was almost identical to his older brother in mannerisms, quirks and insufferable snobbishness. But he was much softer in expression. And it was the expression he was wearing now, a warm smile on his face; a smile that showed that he was truly happy to see her, that nearly caused her to break.

His smile instantly faded when he realized that she was hurting. How he knew, she had no idea. Perhaps he too was psychic. Or perhaps it was just his nature to know how people were feeling on the inside. But the mere thought of it is what made her burst into tears.

He asked no questions, made no judgements. He simply held her as she collapsed into his arms, stroking her back until she was all cried out. And then she cried some more.

And still he held her, never once letting go. When she finally pulled out of his arms (not wanting to but knowing that he couldn't stay like this forever… although she wanted him to, oh how she wanted him to) she looked into his eyes of blue.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

The question was soft, filled with friendship and concern and (dare she think it?) love. Tears spilled onto her cheeks, but his hand was instantly there, holding out his handkerchief. And she took it gratefully.

"Thank you." She managed to say.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

The repeated question, like the first time, was soft, and not judgmental. It was just a question; one that deserved an answer.

She shook her head, embarrassed at how emotional she'd become. "No, I…"

His hand, the one that had been holding the handkerchief, reached for hers and squeezed, filling her with warmth.

Or was it love?

His words made her cry once more. She wanted so much to talk to him, to tell him what she was feeling. But she couldn't do it here; not in the very room where the man, the one she thought she loved, had broken her heart. It was too painful, and even Frasier and Martin had no knowledge of it. She was glad for that, for they would never understand, not the way Niles understood. Somehow he always understood.

He squeezed her hand once more. "Daphne?"

"I-I can't!" She said, her voice quivering. She looked around worriedly as though Frasier and Martin would magically appear in the room, demanding an explanation. She expected Niles to become annoyed; angry, even. But he was neither of those things. Instead he squeezed her hand yet again.

"I understand."

His voice was soft and gentle, and then he continued. "But I mean it, Daphne. I'm here for you always. I want to help you. Please."

Her worried brown eyes went to his. "I-I…"

"I would never make you do anything that would make you uncomfortable, Daphne. I hope you know that."

"I-I do." She stammered. "And I appreciate it so much, Dr. Crane. I really do, but…" She looked around the room once more. She wanted to talk to him so badly, to get the feelings of hurt out in the open. She was lost; so lost and she didn't know what to do.

He sighed. "All right. This is highly unethical and I don't make a habit of it, but I want you to feel comfortable."

Her eyebrows rose. "I-I don't understand."

"I came to see Frasier, but I can see that he's not here."

She swallowed hard, feeling strangely nervous. "Um, no he's not. I-I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. Of course you came to see him. I-I don't know what's wrong with me today. It's only natural that you'd come over to see your brother. I don't know why I thought..."

"Daphne…"

"I'll tell him that you stopped by."

He smiled. "Thank you Daphne."

They stared at one another, neither of them saying a word. And yet there was so much she wanted to say to him.

"I should go."

Her heart sank, but she nodded. And the pain in her heart, the pain that amazingly had been forgotten, had returned. However now it was not the pain from the man who had broken her heart but the pain of knowing that the man in front of her, the man who in the course of only a few moments had shown her more love than she deserved (if only in friendship), was leaving.

"Thank you Dr. Crane." She said once more. She opened the door wider to allow him to leave and bade him farewell.

But he surprised her by turning in the doorway. "Daphne?"

"Yes?" Her heart was racing, although she wasn't quite sure why.

He seemed hesitant to continue as she stared into his eyes. "Yes, Dr. Crane?" she repeated.

"I'm going to head to my office for a while."

"O-of course. I don't want to keep you from your patients."

"Why don't you come by about three? I'll let Mrs. Woodson know to expect you."

She was so surprised that she was yet again at a momentary loss for words. "Come by?"

"O-only if you want to come, that is. If you need someone to talk to, it might be more comfortable in my office."

New tears sprang to her eyes, and she could hardly believe what she was hearing. "Dr. Crane…"

"I-I know it's something out of the ordinary. I don't normally give advice to people that are f-family, but…"

"Did you just say that I'm part of your family?"

"Um, yes… of course you are…"

The tears were streaming down her cheeks. No one had ever called her family before, even her own family. This man, this wonderful man cared about her enough to include her in his family. She threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek not once but twice. And when his hand moved up and down her back, she held him a little tighter.

"You're the best friend I've ever had, Dr. Crane. And I'm so happy to be a part of your family."

The faintness of his heartbeat could be felt against her own as he held her even closer.

"I feel the same way about you, Daphne."

No words could have ever been more wonderful.