Alone on the balcony, Daphne turned to the man she loved and stroked his hair. "Come on, Sweetheart. I'll take care of you."
He slipped his hand into hers and despite her bare shoulders; the warmth of his touch instantly warmed her.
"Let's go into me bedroom."
"Daphne, what is going on in here?"
"It's all right, Dr. Crane. I'll take good care of your brother." Daphne said, never taking her eyes off of Niles. Ignoring Frasier, Martin and the other party guests, Daphne led Niles to her bedroom.
"Just lie down and I'll be right back."
"I think I'm fine. I just... Oohhh..."
She cradled his face in her hands and kissed him deeply.
"I love you and I won't let anyone or anything hurt you ever again. I promise. Now, just rest my darling."
They kissed once more and she slipped into the hallway, en route to the kitchen.
"What the hell just happened?"
"Niles fainted and hit his head but he'll be fine."
Frasier's eyes narrowed. "Niles? Since when are you calling him Niles?"
Daphne smiled to herself. "Since I realized that I'm in love with your brother. I love him very much."
Her boss's expression instantly changed. "Daphne..."
"Now, I know this is a shock, but I'm sure you'll get used to it in time. After all, he's been in love with me for six years. We have a lot of catching up to do."
"But Daphne-."
She smiled and hugged him warmly. "Thank you, Dr. Crane."
"Why on earth are you thanking me?"
"For hurting your back and taking those bloody pills, and then asking for a mas-sage."
"What?"
But she was already leaving the kitchen with the things she needed.
"Dad, what is she talking about?" Frasier was asking.
Daphne looked back to see Martin smiling. "I'll explain it to you after all of the party guests have gone home. This could take a while."
She could feel her heart racing when she returned to her room and sat down on the bed beside the man she loved.
"Daphne.."
"Just rest, Sweetheart. Here... take these aspirin. I'm sure your head is throbbing."
She handed him the pills and helped him bring the glass of water to his lips for a drink.
"Thank you, Daphne."
"Now, just put hold this against your head. Oh, Niles I'm so sorry about all of this!"
"I'm not."
"I don't understand."
"Daphne, did you mean what you said? You love me?"
Tears slid down her cheeks. "Yes, I do. And I'm so sorry I didn't realize- Because I think I've loved you for a long, long time. I just wish-."
He brushed away her tears and then drew her into his arms, rubbing her back.
"Don't cry, my love. Everything will be all right."
"But if I had only known..."
She drew out of his arms and stared into his eyes.
"That doesn't matter, Daphne. What matters is that we're together now. And I love you more than I thought possible. It's never going to stop. I-"
The abrupt way that he stopped frightened her and for a moment she felt like this wonderful dream might come to an end.
"What's wrong?"
He brushed the hair from her face and stared into her eyes. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. You always have been, and you always will be."
"Oh Niles..."
They kissed then; wonderful, sweet passionate kisses unlike any that either of them could have imagined, and they were still kissing when the door opened.
"Niles, Mel's gone but I think you should at least call her and explain-."
"Leave them alone, Fras." Martin said, smiling at the happy couple from Daphne's doorway. "She'll figure it out."
THE END
