"I'll get it!" Daphne said in response to the ringing doorbell.

"Why Dr. Crane! How nice to see you at this time of the afternoon!"

"Hello, Daphne. My! Don't you look simply breathtaking in that exquisite dress!"

Daphne looked down at the light blue flowered dress she'd bought ages ago at Nordstrom Rack, suddenly wondering why she'd always found the dress so dreadful. It sat in

the back of her closet for the longest time.

Now it didn't seem to look so bad.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane. It's one of me favorites." She said, pleased when he smiled at the little white lie.

Wow, was it just her or had the temperature suddenly risen several degrees?

"Why Daphne, you're flushed!" Niles exclaimed with a grin.

"No, it's just another one of me hot flashes. Gettin' older all the time you know." She said with a nervous laugh.

"Nonsense. You're the essence of youth. Why I bet every woman in Seattle would-."

"Niles." Frasier said as he entered the living room. "What are you doing here? I thought we just spoke on the phone."

"Well, we did, but I have some news. I took your advice and I called her." Niles said.

"Holly. Isn't her name delightful? I must mention the significance of her name being the same as a famous movie and book character."

"What movie is that?" Daphne asked.

"Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's." Martin explained. "Boy did Hester love that movie! She thought it was so romantic."

"Sounds lovely." Daphne sighed.

"Oh yeah, it's a great flick. And that Mickey Rooney made a great Chinaman. I don't care what those critics think." Martin said.

"Yes, well as much as I'm enjoying this cinematic discussion, I believe Niles was about to tell us the outcome of his monumental phone call." Frasier said.

"Frasier I was a complete success!" Niles said proudly. "I simply called her up, made a few witty remarks which madder her laugh, and then I came right out and suggested

that we go to Le Cigar Volant, to which promptly turned me down."

"Really... Did you tell her what an elegant restaurant it is?" Frasier asked.

"Oh absolutely but she said it's not romantic enough" Niles said. "I have to say that I quite agree. Le Cigar Volant is no place for a romantic evening."

Daphne's cleaning towel stilled on the kitchen table and she glanced at her boss' brother. She'd heard him talk about women hundreds of times, but never in the romantic

sense. A strange feeling swept over her at the thought of him discussing romantic restaurants with a complete stranger over the phone, but she quickly willed the feeling

away.

"So I guess Le Cigar Volant is out." Frasier said.

"Yes and The Pink Door is in." Niles said with a proud smile.

"Come again?" Frasier asked.

"Holly is making reservations for us at The Pink Door. It's a unique Italian restaurant in Post Alley and I simply cannot wait to try it." Niles explained.

"Pink?" Frasier repeated, saying the word as though it were tainted with poison.

"Now I know it's a bit eccentric, but Holly insisted, and well.. I just couldn't disappoint her. She was so enthusiastic about it. Apparently there's not even a sign out front.

Just a big pink door." Niles said.

Martin scoffed. "What guy wants to be seen walking through a pink door? Sounds like a place that has bunnies and teddy bears."

Martin's comment caused Niles to laugh out loud. "That's a good one, Dad! I'll have to tell Holly while we're out on our date tonight."

At the word date, Daphne's chest began to ache and she put her hand over her heart. To her dismay, Niles noticed and immediately rushed to her side.

"Daphne, what's wrong?"

She felt her body go numb as his arm went around her back to steady her.

"Oh, I'm okay. Just a little..."

"Here, sit down. We can't have you getting sick on us. We depend on you and... Well... we care about you a great deal."

Daphne's breath caught in the back of her throat at his kind words, and she bit back a sob. No sense in looking like a blubbering idiot.

"Th-Thank you, Dr. Crane." She managed to say.

"You're most welcome." Niles answered giving her a heart-warming smile. "Oh my! I had no idea it was getting so late! I really should be getting home!"

"So Niles, what time are you picking her up?" Frazier asked.

"Um..."

"Niles?"

"Eight o' clock." Niles answered with a sheepish grin.

"Well, then you'd better get going." Martin said. "Hey! Did you tell her about that big house you live in?"

"Heavens no, Dad. Actually Dad, Frasier. I wanted to talk to you about that."

"What's going on?" Martin asked.

"Well, yesterday when Holly and I were talking, we discovered the most amazing coincidence. It seems that she lives in this building as well."

"Really? My, that is a coincidence! Isn't it Dad?" Frasier asked.

"And the really amazing thing is that she lives exactly eighteen floors below us!"

"So, what's the problem, Niles?" Martin asked.

"Well, I might have stretched the truth a bit." Niles said.

"How much is a bit?" Frasier asked, his eyes narrowing.

"I told her that I live here."

"What's wrong with your place?" Martin asked.

"Dad, I can't tell her that I live in that monstrosity of a mansion. It's a complete turn-off to women!"

"Not to me." Daphne mumbled.

"Niles, this is terrible. You lied to that beautiful woman!" Frasier said. "She deserves so much more than lies!"

"It was just once! Okay... twice." Niles said. "But what harm did it do?"

"Did your nose start to bleed?" Martin asked. "Because if it did, that would have been a real conversation starter right there."

"Dad, please! Must you make light of the fact that your son lied to a beautiful woman?" Frasier asked.

Martin's eyes narrowed and he looked at his son. "You know, from the looks of it, I'd say that someone around here is jealous!"

"I am not!" Daphne and Frasier said at the same time.

Daphne froze, realizing the question was meant for Dr. Crane and she silently prayed that no one heard her.

"Well, I'm off." Niles said. "Wish me luck. I'm sure I'll need it."

"You'll be fine." Martin said. "Just relax! Compliment her hair, her clothes her perfume, her-."

"Dad I think she gets it." Frasier said, opening the door for his brother.

"Have a wonderful time, Son." Martin called to Niles.

"Yes, Niles. Have a splendid evening." Frasier added.

"I plan to make this the most romantic evening of my life!" Niles said with a smile.

Suddenly Daphne's chest began to ache again, only this time much worse than before.

"Goodbye, Frasier, Dad." Niles called to them. "Goodnight Daph-."

Before he could finish, she disappeared into the kitchen, hoping he hadn't noticed the tear that slid down her cheek.