Despite Eric's lack of musical talent, she had to admit that she was enjoying herself before Niles showed up and ruined her evening. Ignoring his annoyed expression, she smiled sweetly. Niles may have interrupted their date, but she was determined to have a good time. It was, after all a week shy of their one month anniversary. Perhaps if she approached the subject, Eric's anger would fade.

She was certain that talk of romance would bring them both into a better mindset. Eric was so sweet (most of the time) that she couldn't imagine him being angry for much longer. It must be difficult to be a struggling musician and her heart silently went out to him. In an attempt to soften him, she moved closer and seductively slid her hand down his arm, enjoying the feel of his soft denim shirt.

"You know Eric…" She began slowly. "Our one month anniversary is next month and I have something special in mind. Dr. Crane told me about this wonderful French restaurant that-"

"I DON'T CARE WHAT NILES TOLD YOU, DAPHNE!"

His harsh outburst startled her even more than the first one and she stiffened. Taking one step backwards, she stared at him with wide eyes. "I-I wasn't talkin' about Niles." She whispered hoarsely. "I was referring to his brother."

But Eric was unrelenting and the comment only seemed to anger him further. "THE HELL WITH HIM!" he yelled, causing her to jump.

"ERIC!"

"They're idiots, Daphne! Especially that jackass, Niles!"

"You don't even know him!" Daphne countered. "How can you say such a thing?"

"Oh, I know him all right." Eric grumbled. "He and his big-shot brother are always in Café Nervosa, talking about God knows what, demanding this or that. And what cheapskates they are!"

Despite her lingering annoyance with Niles, Daphne could barely stand to listen to the harsh words about her friend any longer.

"Dr. Crane and his brother may be self-centered and snobbish, but they most certainly aren't-." She stopped herself before saying what she knew all too often to be true. To say it now would be an outright lie. Even though they were both richer than she could ever aspire to be, they were as frugal as could be when it came to everyday items. And yet they thought nothing of spending hundreds of dollars on things that she could get for far less money.

"Oh come off it, Daphne! For God's sake, I'm not stupid!" Eric yelled.

"I never said you were." She said quietly.

"Well you damn sure act like it!"

"And just what are you implying?"

"You're the one who's stupid if you can't see what's going on here!"

The words stung, but she refused to let him see how much he'd hurt her. Instead she swallowed hard, fighting the tears that quickly rose to the surface. And she chose her next words carefully. "Well… maybe I am stupid but Dr. Crane and his brother are like family and-."
"Damn it, Daphne how naive can you be? How can you not see what is so obvious to the rest of the world? Are you blind and stupid?"

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" She yelled as the hot, angry tears spilled onto her cheeks.
"Then wake up, will you? Niles is an idiot!"
"Eric-."

"He is, Daphne! He made a complete fool out of himself at Nervosa the other day, going on and on to his idiotic brother and that stupid friend of his with the big hair from Boston about our date! And then the jackass didn't even leave a tip!"
"So what if he didn't leave a tip!" Daphne shouted. "It's not the end of the world, Eric!"
"That's not the point!"
"Then tell me what the point is, Eric! Why are you saying such horrible things about Dr. Crane? I told you already that I gave him a piece of my mind! I told him exactly what I thought about him interfering with our date and with my love life and Believe me if he has any sense whatsoever, he'll never do it again! But what's he ever done to you?"

"He was trying to steal you away! Can't you see that?"
Daphne was so stunned by his ridiculous accusation that she almost laughed. "That's the most preposterous thing I've ever heard in me-."
Eric scoffed. "Preposterous, huh? Is that another big word you learned from that jackass Crane?"
She flinched at the implication that she was uneducated. "No, I already knew-."

"Damn it Daphne, do I have to spell it out? Niles Crane is in love with you!"