"Thank you, Daphne. I think I'm all right now." Niles said. He moved to sit up, but she put her arm around him, cradling his head against her shoulder.
"Daphne..."
"Shhh... Don't try to talk." She whispered, tenderly stroking his cheek. "Just lie still and rest for a minute."
"But Daphne, I'm not-."
"I know you're not feeling well, Dr. Crane. I'm so sorry! That man is horrible and... Well... I'm glad your brother did what he did to him! He deserved it!"
"Daphne I really-."
Again she glared at Frasier. "Stay out of this, okay? Can you stand up by yourself, Dr. Crane?" She said to Niles. "What am I saying, of course you can't! After a fall like that you're bound to be dizzy! Now, just put your arm around me waist and I'll help you up!
Just move very slowly, Dr. Crane. I know it hurts."
"Look at this guy's pathetic attempt to-."
"GET OUT!" Daphne yelled at Mr. Harvey, startling the Café Patrons into silence.
"Haven't you done enough?"
"Fine! I'm out of here!" Mr. Harvey yelled. "But this isn't over! Not by a long shot!"
When he stormed out of the café, there was an eruption of cheers and applause, but Daphne chose to ignore them, for she was too busy helping Niles to his feet. When he was steady, she began brushing off his clothes with a sympathetic look in her eyes.
"Oh, your beautiful suit!" She said, paying no attention to Frasier's protests. "Are you in any pain?"
Niles swallowed hard, feeling as though he was trapped in the most wonderful dream imaginable. "I-I think it might be best if I sat down."
Once more she put her arm around his waist and guided him across the café to a secluded table near the window. "Here we are. Now, just sit down nice and slow. You've had a terrible fall."
He had to admit that his muscles and bones ached a bit as he lowered himself onto the chair, but he certainly didn't want to cause her alarm. "Thank you Daphne. You've been an absolute angel."
He saw her blush deeply and she took his hand squeezing gently. "That's very sweet of you to say, Dr. Crane, but I'm hardly an angel and I'm just trying to make sure that you're all right. That's more than your brother can say." She muttered, giving Frasier yet another stern glare.
"Daphne how can you be so naive?" Frasier shouted. "Niles is-."
"Feeling a bit light-headed." Niles lied. "A-and I think I might be coming down with something."
Frasier's eyes narrowed. "A cold, Niles?"
"Um... yeah." Niles replied, holding the handkerchief to his nose.
Daphne placed her hand on the top of his, causing him to shiver. "Here, let me see that handkerchief. Oh, Dr. Crane! Your nose is bleeding! Are you sure you're all right?"
"He's just fine, Daphne!" Frasier shouted. "He-."
"Look, don't you have something else to do like... count your precious bottles of wine?" She snapped.
"Well... Off I go!" Frasier said, turning on his heels. But seconds later he turned around glaring at his little brother. "Niles... I trust that you'll handle this situation properly?"
Niles sighed. "Of course, Frasier."
"Goodbye, Dr. Crane." Daphne said, barely glancing at her boss. Disgusted Frasier walked out of Café Nervosa, leaving Niles alone with the woman of his dreams.