Never before had she felt such deep and utter humiliation. When at last she dared to meet Niles' gaze, she saw what she expected to find; shock and utter disbelief. There was absolutely no way to take the words back. No way to-
He blinked, running his hand through his hair. "H-how did you possibly-."
"Dr. Crane, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to blurt it out like that! I-."
Niles ran his tongue across his lips. "B-but h-how-."
"Your brother."
"Frasier? But why-."
"Oh, Dr. Crane if I could take that moment back I would! I swear it was completely my fault! Your brother had taken these pills for his back and he was in the living room talking to Eddie!"
Niles' face registered even more surprise. "Eddie?"
The thought made her smile, but only for a second. "Yes. You see, I just happened to walk into the living room and I overheard him telling Eddie that he was going to miss me when I move out. And when he said the words I love Daphne, I just assumed-."
"Assumed what?"
"Well, I though it meant that he was in love with me! So then when he decided to take me up on me earlier offer of a massage, I hesitated. And then I asked your father about it and-."
"You told Dad?"
He'd shouted the words, making her feel even worse and it became nearly impossible to keep her eyes from filling with tears. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane! I just… I had to know what he meant and when your father told me that it had been coming on for six years… I thought he was talking about your brother. So that's why I heisted before giving him the massage! But while I was working on his back, he told me that he loved me as a friend. I was so relieved that I asked him what he meant when he was talking to Eddie, and he said I meant Niles. He's crazy about you."
Niles exhaled deeply. "Dear. God…"
"Dr. Crane, I'm so sorry!" She blurted out a second time. "I never meant-." She sighed and quickly brushed the escaped tears from her cheeks.
"It's all right, Daphne. I'm sorry if I upset you."
"No, it's not all right! I-."
"Um, Daphne… Now that you know…"
Her heart skipped a beat. "You mean it's true? You're in love with me?"
He hesitated only a second before responding. "Yes."
This news… This validation was almost more than she could bear and after a brief silence they both spoke at once.
"Dr. Crane-."
"Daphne-."
She smiled nervously. "Go ahead."
"Um, now that you know, there's something that I need to say."
"Of course." She braced herself for every possible response. A kiss, perhaps or the confirmation that he'd changed his mind.
"Daphne, I'm sorry I never told you before. I was… I am a coward. I had so many chances to tell you."
"It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself. And Dr. Crane, I'm sorry… about you and Mel splitting up. Roz told me what happened. I know it's none of my business but I also know how much you loved her." Her eyes fell to her feet.
"I do love her."
Daphne's head rose. "Of course you do. And I'm sure you always will."
"Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you about."
"I don't understand."
"This is… so difficult." He began.
"Dr. Crane, you can tell me anything. I hope you know that."
He smiled then. "I do know that. Thank you, Daphne. It makes what I have to say a little easier, although I don't quite have the words. I'll just say it."
Again she braced herself. "All right."
"Daphne I need my present back."
She was so stunned that she could hardly breathe. "You what?"
"I-the gift that I gave you earlier. The earrings..."
She smiled remembering the way she'd hugged him and kissed his cheek in gratitude for the gift. He was always so thoughtful. "They're lovely, Dr. Crane. I can't thank you enough."
Again he ran his hand through his hair, indicating that she'd said the wrong thing yet again. It seemed that she was always doing so.
"Dr. Crane, what's wrong? What is it?"
"Daphne, the earrings… they weren't meant for you. Not at first anyway. I bought them for Mel."
At that moment her heart deflated. "Right… Well, I can certainly understand-."
"Please, let me explain. You see, I brought your gift with me and sat it on the table, but Dad… Well, I don't want to blame him for this, but anyway what it boils down to is that your gift fell to the floor and broke. I felt terrible… I do… feel terrible and I took Dad's crazy suggestion that I switch the nametags, since it was apparent that Mel wasn't coming."
And then even more reality sank in. "But she is… coming."
"Um, yes. You see she called and we worked things out. But Daphne-."
Again tears filled her eyes but she prayed that in the darkness that he wouldn't see. "It's all right. I completely understand. You looked so much in love that it was hard to imagine-."
"Thank you, Daphne."
"Daphne, I promise I'll replace the gift. And I'm so sorry."
"It's all right. It was the thought that counted anyway." She removed his jacket from her shoulders, shivering when the chill returned. She wasn't sure if it was from the weather or the fact that things between them had changed. "Well, I should get back to Donny. He's probably wondering where I've gotten off too. And thank you… Dr. Crane, for letting me wear your jacket. And for telling me about the earrings." She handed him his jacket and turned to leave, feeling both relief and heartache. But then she heard his voice.
"Daphne, Daphne, Daphne… You never told me what you were going to say."
She turned around, her heart racing. It was pointless to say anything now. He had obviously gotten over her and it was just as well. "It was nothing, really."
"With all due respect, I think it's more than nothing. If you want to talk about anything… anything at all.. I'm here for you… always."
The urge to hug him was great, but she remained as she was, staring into his eyes of blue. "I just… about what your brother told me…"
"Daphne, I'm so sorry you found out that way. I wanted to-."
"I know. And I want you to know that I'm flattered, really. I mean… a man like you being in love with someone like me for six years…"
"Daphne-."
"Please, let me finish."
"Of course. I'm sorry."
"Dr. Crane, you're a wonderful man. And I really am flattered by all of this. I care about you, so much. But I don't love you in any way other than friendship. I don't feel the same way about you that you feel about me. I'm sorry and I don't want to hurt you but I hope we can still be friends."
He was silent for a long time before speaking and when he did speak his voice quivered. "Of course we'll always be friends, Daphne. I would never let anything change that. But-."
"I'm glad that you and Mel are back together. You deserve to be happy."
He reached for her hand and squeezed gently. "Thank you, Daphne. That means a lot to me. Donny's a very lucky man and it's nice to see you so happy."
More tears spilled onto her cheeks and she looked away yet again. "Thank you, Dr. Crane. I need to-." She gasped when she saw Frasier open the front door. "Your…
Mel is here. I'd better go and find Donny."
Quickly she retreated into the living room, brushing past Roz who was calling after her.
"Daphne, what happened? Did you tell him? What did he want? Where are you going?"
She made a beeline for her room and closed the door, just as the tears began to fall like raindrops.
