She woke much later than normal to the shrill ringing of the phone, feeling as though she were suffering a terrible hangover.

If only she had been drinking all night instead of sobbing into her pillow and pacing the living room.

After several rings, she reached for the phone and answered it weakly.

"Hello?"

"Daphne? It's Frasier."

"Oh... Hello."

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Why?" She lied.

"Well, I was just calling because Dad and I were expecting you hours ago. Dad's due for his exercises and you know how stubborn he can be when-."

Daphne rolled over and squinted at her alarm clock, bolting out of bed when she noticed the time.

"Bloody hell! Don't worry Dr. Crane! I'll be right over!"

"No, Daphne... Wait! I-."

But she'd already hung up and was dressed and out the door within seconds.


The drive to the Elliot Bay Towers was agonizing.

Frasier was most likely furious that she was now hours late for work and he was sure to fire her.

Normally the thought of losing her job didn't worry her. After all, she had Donny and his high profile lawyer status rewarded them with more than enough money to live comfortably. And prior to her wedding, Niles would have resorted to desperate measures to keep Frasier from firing her.

But things were different now and she wasn't even sure if Niles even considered her a friend. She had no one and the prospect of being unemployed scared her to death.

Her heart clinched in her chest when she slowed her blue sports car into the parking space at the Elliot Bay Towers garage. What would the elder Dr. Crane think of her, showing up for work several hours late?

She climbed out of the car and walked into the lobby, preparing herself for whatever awaited her. Feeling a bit like a frightened child, she rang the doorbell and waited rather impatiently until the door was opened.

"Daphne, I thought I told you-."

"H-hello, Dr. Crane."

"Well, it's about damn time!" Martin yelled.

"Dad, please!"

"You're defending her? Fras-."

"That's enough!" Frasier yelled as Daphne crossed in front of him to go to the kitchen.

"I'll get your lunch started right away and then we can do your exercises, Mr. Crane." She said quickly. "I'm so sorry."

Unable to look at Frasier or Martin, she hurried into the kitchen and began searching for something to make for lunch. But no sooner had she opened the refrigerator when the sight of the food made her nauseous once more, causing her to double over in pain.

"Daphne, are you all right?"

Startled by the familiar voice she turned to find Frasier watching her from the doorway with concern.

"Dr. Crane, I'm sorry I was so late. I don't know where me head was. I just-."

"Dear God!"

"What?"

"Forgive my saying so, Daphne but you look awful. Why didn't you tell me that you were sick?"

"I'm fine, really." She lied again.

"You're awfully pale. I can't expect you to take care of Dad in this condition, but you're more than welcome to stay here. Why don't you go lie down and I'll bring you something to settle your stomach?"

"But Dr. Crane-."

"Damn, there's the doorbell. Now at the risk of sounding parental, go lie down. Doctor's orders." He added with a smile.

"All right." Daphne said; blinking back tears that she hoped he hadn't seen.

Weakly, she sat down on one of the kitchen stools and put her hand on her forehead, willing the dizziness she felt to go away.