Her heart thundered in her chest as she stood in front of his office door. At least she hoped it was his office. Her vision was so blurry that she could hardly see, but she'd been here before so it must be-
"Daphne, how nice to see you."
Daphne blinked at the familiar voice and then her eyes slowly focused, bringing the image of Niles' kind-hearted secretary Mrs. Woodson into view. Funny, she'd barely remembered opening the door, much less walking inside.
"How have you been?" Mrs. Woodson was asking now. But the mere question made Daphne's stomach quaver and somehow she managed to contain herself.
"Actually, I'm… Is Dr. Crane here? I really need to see him."
Mrs. Woodson's smile disappeared. "Oh, I'm sorry Daphne. Dr. Crane is very busy and he gave explicit instructions not to be disturbed.
Tears stung Daphne's eyes and fell onto her cheeks. She should have seen this coming. "Please, Mrs. Woodson? It will only take a moment. I promise I won't hurt him anymore. I just-Oh…"
"Daphne, I know you would never hurt Dr. Crane. Why on earth would you say such a –." Mrs. Woodson's hand grasped Daphne's in an effort to steady her. "Oh dear, are you all right?"
Seems that people were forever trying to steady her today, although she couldn't understand why they were going to such a fuss.
"I'm fine." Daphne said for what had to be the hundredth time that morning. It was a lie of course, but it seemed to satisfy the person asking the question. However, Mrs. Woodson's question seemed sincere and so she followed it with a smile.
"Thank you. I was just… I really need to see Dr. Crane, please?" Finally Mrs. Woodson smiled. "All right. Just have a seat and give me a moment. I'll let him know you're here."
Wearily Daphne sat in the cushioned chair and closed her eyes willing the room to stop waving. It was definitely causing havoc on her stomach. When would this horrible feeling go away? And she was suddenly very tired. She was almost sound asleep when she heard voices.
"Dr. Crane? I'm sorry to disturb you but you have a visitor." Mrs. Woodson was saying.
"Mrs. Woodson, I thought I made it clear that I was not to be disturbed!" Niles yelled. "I'm very busy and-."
"I know you are and I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane. I would never go against your wishes, but she says it's urgent!"
"Then tell her to make an appointment like everyone else!" Niles snapped. "I don't have time for-."
"Well, I would of course, but-."
Daphne pushed her way past Mrs. Woodson and into Niles' office. "Dr. Crane?"
He looked up in surprise. "Daphne…"
Mrs. Woodson smiled. "I'll hold your calls and leave you two alone. Daphne, are you sure you're going to be all right?"
Touched by the woman's concern, Daphne gave a genuine smile. "I will be. Thank you."
"Very well then. Just let me know if you need anything. Either of you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Woodson." Niles said as she closed the door behind her.
Daphne smiled at Niles but the smile disappe3ared when she saw his pained expression.
"Daphne, I think I know the reason you're here and I know you mean well, but I really need to be alone right now." He said sharply.
The tears filled her eyes once more blurring his face before her. "Dr. Crane I know you don't want to see me and I don't blame you but I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."
He sighed deeply and walked toward the window staring out at the view of Puget Sound. It was even more beautiful than she anticipated. "Thank you, Daphne. Now if you don't mind, I'm very busy and-."
Her eyes followed his movement as he crossed the office once more. His hand reached for the doorknob and thrust it open. He was throwing her out. It just didn't seem possible.
"Dr. Crane if you'll let me explain, I-."
Her stomach heaved, but she breathed deeply, willing the feeling away.
Niles meanwhile exhaled in the same manner, letting her know that he was more than a little irritated. But he sat down in a chair and gestured for her to do the same.
"Thank you." She said, smiling at his kindness as she sat down next to him. She tried to reach for his hand but then quickly pulled her own away, thinking better of it.
"Since you came all this way, I suppose I owe you the respect of hearing you out, don't I? I don't mean to sound cruel or bitter but I was deeply hurt by-."
"Dr. Crane… about what happened yesterday, when you brought Mel over?"
"Yes?"
She swallowed hard, unable to ignore the way her stomach was fighting her. "I… Oh… Do you have a restroom nearby?"
"Of course, it's right over-."
Her hand flew to her mouth and she ran toward the direction in which he pointed, barely making it in time. Her stomach lurched again and again and she kneeled on the carpeted floor, becoming violently ill yet again. But this time it seemed even worse.
"Oh God, will this ever end?" she cried.
And she'd no sooner said the words when her suffering began all over again.
