"Here we are." Daphne said when they pulled into the parking lot of the Emerald City Creamery.
"I remember this place!" Niles exclaimed. "Dad used to take Frasier and I here for ice cream after we'd gotten into a fight. It always made me feel better."
He led her into the building and they got in line, peering at the large menu that hung on the wall.
Daphne hugged her shoulders. "There are so many mouth waterin' things here that I want to eat them all!" Then she laughed nervously. "Of course it I did that, I'd be
as big as a house and then no man in the world would want me."
"I would." Niles said, feeling a sudden urge to hold her; one that he found very hard to resist.
"Oh Dr. Crane, that's awfully sweet. Thank you." She said kissing his cheek.
His face burned where her lips had been and he placed his fingers over his cheekbone.
Minutes later they sat at a small wooden table, sharing a delectable hot fudge sundae. "This is wonderful. I haven't eaten like this in years!" Niles said as he took a
bite of the velvety vanilla ice cream, covered in hot fudge. "But Daphne, are you sure you don't want one of your own?"
"Oh no. I'd much rather share one with you, Dr. Crane. It's rather of romantic, don't you think?"
Ironically, the temperature in the ice cream parlor seemed to increase at that moment.
"Um... yes, it certainly is." He said, tugging on his sweater to fan himself.
"Here, this will cool you off." Daphne said, dipping her spoon into the sundae.
"Daphne, what-."
Before he could answer, she shoved the spoon in his mouth.
"There, how is that?" She asked with a smile.
"Ohhh..." Niles answered, sighing with bliss.
"Don't you just love chocolate and vanilla?" She asked.
"Yes..." He breathed, barely hearing what she had said.
"Well... That was certainly refreshing." Niles said when the bowl was empty.
"T-thank you, Daphne." He added; his teeth chattering.
"Oh, Dr. Crane! I'm so sorry!" Daphne said, rubbing his arm.
He looked at her in amazement. "What on earth could you have to be sorry for? You've been nothing but an angel."
"You're shiverin' and now you'll likely catch your death of a cold. We'd better get you home."
To his surprise, she stood and pulled her coat from the back of her chair and put it over his shoulders.
"Daphne, what are you doing?" he asked.
"I don't want you gettin' sick because of me." Daphne said.
"But what about you? You'll freeze if you go outside without a coat on! I simply can't have the woman I lo-I-I mean...I can't have you getting sick. Who will take care of
Dad And Frasier?"
But Daphne just laughed.
"Oh don't worry about me, Dr. Crane. I can take care of meself! Now come on, Dr. Crane. Let's get you home and I'll make you some nice hot tea."