Chapter Three

Heart To Heart

The wind was blowing with such a force outside that Roz could hear it in her office, even with the windows shut and locked. But it didn't seem to phase her at all. She was stood at the file cabinet in the corner of the room, flicking through some folders, looking for some important paperwork she needed for a meeting in an hours' time.

She hadn't had anymore phone calls - not from Frasier, anyway - and for that she was extremely relieved. After their short yet difficult conversation just two days before, Roz was adamant that now she would be more focused on trying to move on with her life. No more dwelling on what had happened, no more 'what-ifs', no more wondering what could have been.

Of course, that was easier said than done.

Slightly annoyed at not being able to find her important paperwork, her hunt came to an abrupt hiatus when the phone on her desk began to ring. Slamming shut the file cabinet, she made her way over to her desk, pressing the speakerphone button on the phone. "Yeah?"

"Miss Doyle, you have someone here to see you." It was Mary, the receptionist.

Roz was now sat at her desk, thumbing through a huge stack of papers. "If it's Mr. Wiswell, tell him I'm still looking for those figures."

"No, I believe it's your old boss?"

Roz's eyes widened at that. Please tell me she means Kenny, please... don't let it be -

"He says his name is Dr. Frasier Crane."

Damn it. "Um, tell him I'm too busy to see anyone right now." Now she was on the floor, rummaging through the desk drawers, chucking about various pieces of paper and stationery in a desperate attempt to find what she was looking for. Not able to find it, she let out an angry yell, and slammed the drawers shut. "Just tell him I'm in a meeting or something!"

"Gee, Roz, you don't look like you're in a meeting."

Roz froze, recognising the voice. Slowly she got up from the floor, afraid of who she was sure she was about to see in front of her.

Sure enough, she was right. Stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the door frame was Frasier himself.

Leaning across her desk, she quickly pressed the button on the phone to cut off her conversation with Mary. When she looked up again, she had an angry expression on her face.

"What in the hell are you doing here?"

Frasier stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him. "Don't you think it's time we had a talk?" He was slightly surprised at how calmly his words came out. He was feeling extremely nervous at having to see Roz; after the way she'd ranted at him on the phone, he was sure she'd bite his head off when they spoke in person.

Roz shot Frasier an evil look; it was so bad that the phrase 'if looks could kill' suddenly popped into Frasier's mind.

"No, I don't," she said bluntly, before making her way back over to the file cabinet. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm busy."

Frasier just stood there, hands in his pockets, looking down at the ground. He felt rather awkward, not quite sure what to say or do.

"You know... it's not healthy to keep avoiding confrontation like this."

Roz stopped in her tracks, glancing back slightly but not turning all the way around to face Frasier. She sighed, shaking her head, not quite able to believe what she'd just heard. "Gee, that's something coming from a guy who thinks hanging up the phone is the best way to deal with things."

Suddenly Frasier was annoyed. "Oh, for god's sake, Roz! What else was I supposed to do? It's not like you were exactly being fair with all of this."

Roz spun around on her heel, finally deciding it was time to face Frasier. "Fair?!" she yelled angrily, "You think that being shoved out on your ass by your best friend because he cares about some girl more than you is fair?!"

"I did no such thing, Roz! You put me in a difficult position. Did you really think I was going to just give up the best relationship I've been in for a long time, just for you?"

"YES!" Roz's voice boomed even louder. "Because we're friends! That's what friends do! And besides, she's all wrong for you!"

"Well, who would you rather I be with? You?"

Roz was taken aback by Frasier's rather blunt accusation. "That... that's ridiculous."

Frasier raised an eyebrow. "Did you do all this because we're friends? Or because you want something more from me?"

Roz, suddenly angry, stepped forward so she was right in Frasier's face. "You shut the hell up! Why don't you just go back to Julia and leave me the hell alone!"

They stood there in silence, simply glaring at each other for a few moments. Roz stared at Frasier coldly, determined to let him see just how angry she was.

But as Frasier stared back, he could see that her anger was just a facade. He could see the true hurt in her eyes.

And then he felt guilty. Guilty for realising that he was the one who had made her feel the hurt she was obviously feeling.

He needed to make it up to her... somehow...

"I'm sorry..." he breathed, closing his eyes.

Roz's eyebrows raised in surprise, and suddenly all the anger seemed to drain from her. And when Frasier re-opened his eyes and looked at Roz, he saw a tear sliding down her cheek. He moved his hand up to her face, using his thumb to gently wipe the tear away.

"Are you, really?" she asked, "Are you sorry?"

"Of course I am, Roz," he said softly, "I'm sorry that I hurt you. You deserved better than to be treated so cruelly. You mean more to me than anyone, you know that."

They locked eyes, and for a second they both looked at each other again. This time not with hate, but with love.

It had gone silent again in the room, the only noise being the rain hammering down gently on the windows outside. Frasier moved his face in closer to Roz's. Roz drew a shaky breath; she had a feeling she knew what was coming next.

But as Frasier moved in closer again, his lips about to meet hers, he stopped. An image of Julia suddenly flashed through his mind.

Julia...

He slowly pulled back, and Roz looked at him again, a feeling of confusion sweeping through her.

"What is it, Frasier?" she asked, but he would not look at her anymore. She reached forward to grab his hand, but he pulled it away.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Roz," he said again.

And without another word, he turned and walked away, out of the office; leaving Roz standing alone in the darkness, wiping away the fresh tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes.