"Morning, Daphne." Frasier said. "Did you sleep well?"

I couldn't bring meself to tell him that I hadn't slept at all.

"Hey, Daph did the paper come?"

"Of course, Mr. Crane. It's right there next to your chair. How many pancakes do you want?"

The face he made caused me heart to sink a bit. I'd been living here for four years and I knew very well that Frasier and Martin hated me cookin'. But it still hurt me feelings. I couldn't help it if I wasn't a gourmet chef like in those fancy restaurants that Niles and Frasier were always going to.

"Something wrong, Daphne?" Frasier asked.

"No, I'm fine." I said, retreatin' into the kitchen. "I'll get your breakfast right away."

I swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears that threatened to fall at bay.

Bloody hell, what was I cryin' for anyway? It was just a silly dream, and if I'd just told Clive that I had plans instead of lettin' him talk me into inviting himself over, none of this would have happened.

But there was no denying me feelings; as much as I wanted to.

"Daphne, can you get that?" Frasier asked.

At the sound of my name, I looked up. "Get what?"

"The door, Daphne!" Martin snapped.

Boy, I couldn't wait until he left for Rattlesnake Ridge and I was so tempted to-.

"Daphne? The door?" Frasier was askin.

"Yeah and where's breakfast? I'm starving here!" Martin yelled.

With a sigh, I glared at both men. "What do you expect me to do first? I'm not a robot you know!"

"Hello? Is anyone home?"

I turned to see Niles opening the door.

"Sorry to let myself in like this but there was no answer so-."

"You thought you'd just barge in!" Frasier finished.

"Noooo..." Niles said, clearly annoyed at his brother's tone. "Actually I was a bit worried because usually the door is opened right away."

"It was my fault, Dr. Crane..." I said; feelin me breath catch in my throat at the sight of him. Almost instantly I could feel my heart beatin' faster.

"Nonsense, Daphne. You can't blame yourself. Between taking care of Dad and all, you can't be expected to do everything."

"But Niles, that's exactly what I'm paying her for!" Frasier said, making no attempt to hide his annoyance. "Forgive me for expecting breakfast to be on the table! It is morning, you know!"

"Don't yell at her like that!" Niles said.

"Fine, I'll get it myself." Frasier said angrily, rising from the table.

Martin did the same; throwin' his napkin onto his empty plate.

"I'm not hungry anyway and besides, I'm sure those pancakes taste like cardboard."

I swallowed hard, tryin' to pretend that I hadn't heard his comment.

"I'm sorry." I said; the words barely a whisper. "I'll just clean up the kitchen.

"I'll help you." Niles said, quickly clearing the breakfast dishes from the table.

Alone in the kitchen with Niles, I could hardly breathe.

"I'm sorry Frasier talked to you like that." He said.

Niles said the words so sweetly and sincerely, I thought I might cry. Instead I hugged him; breathin' in the scent of his cologne. It was enough to make me dizzy.

Funny that I'd never noticed that he wore cologne before.

I drew back; my arms still around his neck and my mouth moved closer and closer until I could feel his breath on me face.

God, I wanted to kiss him so badly. Ever since Clive had come over, I could think of nothing but those kisses; so gentle, warm and sweet.

"Daphne-."

Abruptly I let go of Niles and turned in horror to find Frasier standing beside me.

Oh God, had he seen what I'd almost done?

"Dr. Crane... It isn't what you think. I was just..."

"Daphne..."

His tone wasn't forgivin' at all.

Oh great. He was going to fire me. I knew it was wrong, wantin' to kiss Niles like this; considerin' he's me boss' brother and all. And worse, he's going through a terrible time with his wife.

But it was almost impossible to ignore what my heart was feelin'.