She could barely see as she pushed the speed dial button and listened to the ringing phone. It rang repeatedly and she feared that it would go to voice mail. What good would it do to leave a message? But then, miraculously she heard his voice.

"Niles Crane."

Just the sound made her tears fall faster she took a deep breath, speaking faster than normal. "Dr. Crane, it's Daphne! I need help!"

"I-I'm sorry, what?" He shouted into the phone. But his voice was drowned out by the sounds of tinkling metal and voices, so many voices and she wearily sank against a brick wall.

"It's Daphne! I need your help! Please!" she cried, feeling suddenly weak.

"I-I can't hear you!" he shouted. "Hang on a second! I'll go into my office! Don't leave, just stay on the line!"

She heard movement and footsteps, followed by voices and then the opening and closing of the door. And then silence.

"I'm sorry for the noise. I'm having a party and-."

Oh God, his party. How could she have forgotten?

Tonight was the night of his dinner party, the one with all of the important guests. She'd overheard him talking to Frasier about it for months. Frasier was livid that he hadn't been invited, and it took some doing for Niles to explain to him that the party was exclusive. But it didn't matter now. She couldn't tear him away from something so important.

"Dr. Crane, it's Daphne!" she said desperately. "I-I need you! I'm in trouble, but I know you're busy with your party and all-"

"Daphne?" He repeated, in disbelief. "Dear God, what's wrong?"

At that moment she was cornered by a scraggly looking man, who smiled at her in a way she didn't like at all.

"I need you!" she repeated, no longer thinking about his dinner party. "I'm lost, and… please hurry!"

"Where are you, Daphne?"

Suddenly at a loss, she looked around, having no idea where she was. "I –don't know!" she cried. "I just-."

"It's all right." He said. "I'll find you. Just stay where you are! Don't move!"

"I'm downtown!" She blurted out. "O-on Fourth Avenue, but-."

"I'll be right there…. Just… don't move, Daphne!"

Her relief was short-lived as she looked around, feeling more afraid than ever. And as she clutched her shopping bags tightly in her hands, she remembered the advice that Mr. Crane once gave her. When in danger, don't make yourself too visible. Just stay still and don't draw attention to yourself. And get help as quickly as possible.

But it was easier said than done. Around her, people were starting to stare. She found a secluded spot, in a well-lit area, trhe way Mr. Crane had advised, but it proved to be useless. A homeless man approached her, shaking a paper cup in her face, the coins clinking from side to side. And yet he wanted more money. How could she possibly-.

"Get away from me!" She screamed at the man, aware of how dangerous her actions were. Mr. Crane would be livid if he knew what she had done. But she couldn't control her fear and anger. "Can't you see I have no money?"

But she instantly regretted her actions, fearing for her life. There was no telling what he would do. He could have been carrying a gun... or worse. Suddenly every crime drama and news story about muggings, murders and stabbings came to her mind, filling her with terror.

"Oh God, Dr. Crane… please hurry!" She sobbed.

And like an answered prayer in the form of a miracle, the familiar car came to a halt directly in front of her.