They walked out of the hotel and when the reached the parking lot, Niles turned to Daphne and smiled. "So, you're okay getting home?"
"Actually I came with your brother and father but they've long since gone, so..."
"Oh... well come on. I'll take you home."
"That's very kind of you Dr. Crane."
His heart was soaring and he had to keep reminding himself that this wasn't a date by any means. He was merely bringing home someone he cared about. He couldn't just leave her there, nor would he ever think of doing such a thing.
As they got into his car he could hardly take his eyes off of her. She was so beautiful that he wondered how it was possible.
But all too soon they arrived at Frasier's apartment and were standing at his brother's door.
"Would you like to come in?" Daphne offered.
"Um... No, I should just go home. I... have some paperwork to catch up-."
As soon as the words were out, Daphne gasped in surprise and pulled the handkerchief out of his pocket.
"Oh Dr. Crane, your nose!"
As gently as possible she blotted his nose, trying to stop the blood from flowing.
"Come on, let's get you inside."
"But Daphne-."
"No buts! You can't go home like this and it'll only take a moment!"
"But Daphne, I'm sure that Frasier-."
"Never mind your brother! It's your home too and you have every right to be here! Now come on!"
Willingly and reluctantly he followed his angel inside, cringing at the thought of what Frasier would say if he noticed Niles in his home after what had transpired at the Sea Bee awards. There was bound to be an abundance of friction and the sight would not be pretty.
Relief filled him when he saw no sign of his brother and instead found Martin watching television.
"Hey Dad."
"Hey Niles, Daphne... About time you got back! We were wondering where you were but we kind of figured you'd find a way home."
"Oh... Well, Daphne and I were just-."
"Having the time of our lives weren't we, Dr. Crane?"
He drew in a breath and tried to steady his rapidly beating heart.
"Um..."
"Of course we were! Thanks to your insensitive son and his ego, I found poor Dr. Crane here sitting all alone after everyone had left! So we went into the bar and danced the night away!"
"All right, I guess we were pretty insensitive." Martin said. "But Frasier's the one who-."
"Frasier's the one who what, Dad? Oh... Niles."
Niles acknowledged his brother with a nod of his head, taking note of the annoyed tone Frasier used when saying his name.
"Frasier."
"Niles... What are you doing here?"
"Well if you must know, I came to see Dad! Niles lied, sniffling a bit too late to stop the few drops of blood that trickled from his nose.
Discreetly, Daphne took his handkerchief and dabbed his face.
"Thank you." Niles whispered, giving her a heart warming smile.
"I knew you were lying, Niles! You never were a good liar!"
"Well... You're not so great yourself, Mr. big-shot radio host!" Niles retorted, if only to have something to say.
"Now don't start you two!" Martin yelled. "Why don't we all just forget the whole thing ever happened? I wish I could!"
"But Dad, he started it!" Niles yelled.
"What do you mean I started it? If it hadn't been for your ridiculous-."
"ALL RIGHT! ENOUGH!" Martin yelled, startling them all to silence and sending Eddie hiding under the sofa. "Now knock it off!"
Frasier shrugged. "Fine, I'm going to bed! Goodnight!"
"I think I'll go, too." Niles said. "Goodnight, Daphne. Dad."
But he'd no sooner turned to leave when he felt her hand on his arm. "You'll do no such thing!"
A shiver went through his body at her touch and he looked at her in surprise. But before he could open his mouth, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the kitchen.
He watched as she ran his blood-stained handkerchief under the faucet; the blood trickling in a thin watery line into the stainless steel sink.
"Now, I'll just pop this in with the laundry and have it back to you in no time."
"But Daphne-."
"And in the meantime, just sit right here and I'll take care of you."
"I'm fine, really. I just-."
At her pleading look he sat down on the bar stool as she gently blotted his nose with a wet paper towel.
"I'm not hurting you, am I?"
"You couldn't possibly hurt me."
The words left his mouth in such a dreamlike state that he wondered if he'd even said them.
"You're sweet, Dr. Crane. A lot sweeter than your brother, that's for sure!"
After a few minutes she smiled and drew back. "I think you're better now. Would you like a drink?"
"Oh... Well I should probably be going."
At his words, her smile disappeared; replaced by a look of ... could it actually be disappointment?
"Well, all right, but at least let me walk you to the door."
"Actually, Daphne I think I will have a drink."
The smile returned.
"Just help yourself. You know where everything is."
He entered the living room to find that Martin had gone to bed, leaving him alone with his angel once more. And minutes later with his drink in hand he went to sit down when he noticed faint music playing from Frasier's stereo.
Was he really that drunk that he hadn't noticed the music playing before? Come to think of it he hadn't had that much to drink unless one counted the drinks he'd had at the bar.
"I hope you don't mind." Daphne said, startling him a bit. "I had such a good time tonight that it seems that I miss the music. It's so soothing, don't you think?"
"Incredibly beautiful." He said absently.
"It certainly is."
He smiled, for she couldn't possibly have known that he wasn't talking about the music.
"Would you like to dance, Dr. Crane?"
He was so stunned by her question that he nearly dropped his glass of sherry.
"What, here?"
"Why not? Your father has gone to bed and we're all alone..."
He swallowed hard, unable to believe that this was happening, and thanking the gods above that it was.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm quite sure..."
With a trembling hand, he sat the glass down and walked toward her. And as he'd done before, he slipped his arm around her waist and took her hand.
They moved slowly to the music and for a long, enchanting and magical moment, he forgot that he was in Frasier's living room. Instead, he was dancing above cloud nine with the woman he loved so deeply.
And her kindness had somehow managed to give him the courage to say what was in his heart.
He could feel her cheek resting against his and he drew her even closer.
"Daphne-."
"Know what this reminds me of?"
He wasn't sure what surprised him more; the fact that she'd asked such a random question, or the dreamy sound it made when it left her mouth.
His mouth went dry and he licked his lips in order to speak.
"The Snow Ball"
"The Snow Ball"
He stood perfectly still, staring at her in stunned amazement. Had they really both spoken at the same time and had the same thought?
The only people who did things like that were soul mates... people who were meant to be together for a lifetime. He wasn't one who believed in fate and destiny but there could be no other explanation.
Dare he think he was a bit psychic as well?
Or could it be that that blissful evening meant as much to her as it had to him? The thought made him feel light headed and suddenly he stumbled over his own feet. And like a dream come true, Daphne caught him as he fell into her arms.
"Dr. Crane! Are you all right?"
She held him for a few heavenly seconds to steady him before letting go, but the concerned look on her face was still there.
"I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane! Perhaps dancing wasn't a good idea after all. What was I thinking asking you to dance when you're a bit unsteady?"
Niles forced his equilibrium to return. "I-I think I'll be all right... I-if you'd like to dance again."
"I'd love to."
A new song began to play and once more she was in his arms. His cheek resting against hers, his eyes closed and he sighed when her hair brushed against his neck.
"Daphne-."
"Yes, Dr. Crane?"
He drew back slightly and looked into her eyes. And for a long moment, he found it hard to speak.
"Are you all right? Dr. Crane? Were you going to say something?"
He stared at her, unable to believe how incredibly beautiful she was; and even more so, that she was in his arms.
"Daphne, I..."
He brushed a fallen lock of hair from her face, and slowly moved toward her until their lips touched in a kiss.