Disclaimer: See part 1
A/N: This is the last part to the story. It's shorter than the last two parts, but I hope you enjoy! This is set towards the end of Daphne's annual vacation, after the Frasier episode "You Can Go Home Again."
…..
TWO MONTHS LATER
WASHINGTON D.C.
Daphne strolled through the lush grounds of a cemetery; carrying a bouquet of fresh roses in her hand as she observed the names on the headstones she walked by. After several minutes of eyeing many gravesites, she paused, finally having found the one she was looking for. The gray tombstone she faced stood erect before her, not yet showing any sign of wear, and bore the words:
MELISSA SCULLY
BELOVED DAUGHTER
REST IN PEACE
Daphne knew she had come to the right place; for the site was just as she had seen it in the dreams she started experiencing shortly after her chance meeting with Dana Scully. For many nights she saw the bold letters of Melissa's name etched into hard stone, but the flashes became most vivid only a couple days ago, when she decided she would leave England a little earlier than she had anticipated. Dr. Crane had extended her annual vacation by a week, and even though she left from Manchester early, she still had a few days to herself, which was time enough to allow her to come here.
"Hello, Melissa. It's me…Daphne Moon." She hesitated. She hadn't anticipated it would feel so awkward standing before the burial site of a woman she had only met once. Would Melissa have even remembered her from those few years back?
"Of course I remember you Daphne. How could I forget?" Daphne was shocked at the sound of a vaguely familiar voice, and the gentle touch of a soft hand on her shoulder. Her eyes darted in the direction of the voice, and sure enough, she found herself staring at the very woman she came to see. Her heart pounded and her breathing momentarily hastened, as she was unable to believe her eyes.
"Melissa?" she asked, still trying to manage her breathing to a normal rate. "I don't understand this…is it really you?"
Melissa stood there, wearing a long dark dress, a crystal necklace like the one she gave Daphne, and wore her hair in a tight ponytail. She smiled and nodded her head, "Yes, it's me Daphne. I'm here, but just not in a way most would wish. It's so wonderful to see you again. How are you?"
"Oh Melissa, me life is on such a great path right now, and I have you in part to thank for it. That's why I came to see you today. I'm only sorry this couldn't have happened at least eight months earlier. I met your sister recently and was so sorry to learn about your…passing." As she spoke, tears of joy and sorrow fell, for she was happy to see Melissa again with her own eyes, but on the other hand she knew deep down that Melissa was not physically there.
Once more, Melissa placed a comforting hand on Daphne's shoulder. "It's alright, Daphne. Don't cry for me. If anything, we get to see each other now, despite the…abnormal circumstances."
"I know Melissa; and truly I am grateful for that, more than I can say. Thank you so much for being such a friend to me that day at the airport, and especially for giving me the crystal. Many times it was a great source of comfort in moments when I needed it most."
"I'm so glad to hear that, Daphne. Thank you so much for coming to see me, today, and whatever life continues to bring you in the future, I wish you the very best. And don't worry, I could never forget you."
"I've never forgotten you, either, Melissa. And like I promised you that day in the airport, I never will."
And the rest went unspoken. Daphne embraced Melissa in a friendly hug, until her friend's transparent form slowly disappeared into nothingness. Then she laid the roses she had purchased earlier, her gift of gratitude, by Melissa's graveside before walking away and leaving the cemetery.
THE END
A/N: This fanfiction is not the only spin-off to crazysockmonkey's "The Crystal." In the Frasier archive, there is also the story "Paying it Forward" by Kristen3. It is a well-written fanfiction and I highly recommend her story.
