Niles could hardly believe what he was doing when he drove over to his brother's building to pick Daphne up for their shopping trip. The idea of spending an entire afternoon (or possibly more!) with the woman he loved was more intoxicating than anything his wine club could possibly offer.
He couldn't resist pinching himself as he knocked on the door of apartment 1901. Maybe it was yet another extremely vivid dream. But the sharp pain he felt told him otherwise. Good, he thought. He'd hate to wake up back in his horrible apartment when all of this was over.
"Let's go, Dr. Crane," Daphne said. She was already carrying her purse and had a jacket on. She seemed as eager as Niles was to leave.
"What's this?" Frasier asked, his eyes wide with alarm as he saw the two start to walk toward the elevator.
"Daphne and I are going shopping!" Niles said, boyish excitement evident in his tone.
"For what?" Frasier asked.
"Your brother's having some trouble getting used to his new apartment. I thought I could help him redecorate a bit," Daphne replied.
Frasier could hardly believe this. How had Niles talked Daphne into this? It had to be another ridiculous plan to win her affections. Frasier was amazed that Daphne couldn't see that.
"It's me day off, Dr. Crane. What I choose to do on me own time is no concern of yours!" Daphne said when she saw her boss begin to voice an objection.
Frasier was now absolutely speechless. He hadn't expected an outburst like that from her. But, much as he hated to admit it, she was right. "Well...just don't stay out too late then," he muttered.
Niles felt as if he were flying, hearing Daphne stand up for him that way. He'd known that she cared for him as a friend, but he'd never expected this. For a brief second, he wondered: Could she possibly, by some miracle, share his feelings? He wanted so badly to ask her, but one glance into her beautiful brown eyes made his knees weaken so that he could hardly stand. Clearly, this wasn't the moment to tell her of his feelings. Instead he simply stood there in silence, waiting for the elevator to arrive.
Daphne could feel Dr. Crane's eyes on her. She could tell he was nervous about their shopping trip. She smiled. "Don't worry. Everything will be all right. You'll see."
When she reached over and gently squeezed his hand, Niles was sure he was having a massive heart attack.