The days passed slowly and they went about their lives, but Daphne couldn't ignore the unsettling feeling that was growing inside of her. Niles was hurting badly. She knew that, but she'd disturbed him enough. It was best to leave him alone for a while, as much as it pained her to do so. But after a few days her concern resurfaced, not that it had ever didn't feel right, not seeing him for so long. She was used to seeing him every day, smiling and happy. She'd kept quiet about it, knowing that either Frasier or Martin were bound to mention him sooner or later. But to her dismay, neither one of them said a word; at least not in her presence.
What in the bloody hell was going on? It was as though Niles didn't exist or that he was no longer cared about. Didn't Frasier and Martin love him at all? Yes, she'd managed to keep her opinions to herself, choosing instead to listen to Frasier's recounts of his radio show guests and what a brilliant response he had given them. Or Martin's bantering about the Sonics, the Mariners or the Seahawks. Both topics were equally annoying. But she couldn't ignore the fact that she expected to hear Niles' witty comeback, or a question of why the Sonics had never been to the World Series.
The random memories washed over her, reminding her of how much she missed her friend. His sweet smile, his flattering words, and warm hugs never failed to cheer her up. And suddenly as Martin and Frasier droned on and on about their respective topics, she found that she could take it no longer.
"Bloody hell, will the both of you just shut up about your boring radio show and the Seattle sports teams that never seem to win a game? I'm sick of hearing about it! All of it!" She yelled.
Both men fell silent, starring at her in shock. And then almost in unison, began yelling at her once more, each in their own way.
"How dare you speak to me that way?"
"What in the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Daphne knew that she should have kept her mouth shut, and she was treading on thin ice, But the rage inside of her was simply too great. She was bound to lose her job over this but at the moment Niles was much more important.
"Daphne, what's the meaning of this?" Frasier demanded.
"I'll tell you what the meaning of this is!" she shot back. "Have you forgotten that you have a brother named Niles Crane? Or are you so self-centered that you consider yourself an only child?"
"That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard!" Frasier yelled. "How can you insinuate-."
"Because you haven't spoken a word about him for weeks! It's like he's disappeared from the face of the earth!" Daphne yelled. "He's going through a terrible divorce and I'm worried about him even if you're not!"
"Well of course I'm worried about him, but you know what? Niles is a jackass who only cares about himself!" Frasier yelled. "I tried to help him, Daphne but he doesn't want my help!"
Taken aback, Daphne blinked. "How can you say that? What's he done to you that is so terrible? And what about you, Mr. Crane? How can you turn your back on your youngest son who needs you so desperately, even if he won't come out and say it?"
"He's done plenty!" Martin chimed in. "Hitting you was the worst, Daphne!"
"But he didn't mean to!" Daphne retorted. "I-it was an accident!"
"There are no accidents!" Frasier yelled. "Lilith and I may have had our differences and God knows we hardly ever got along, but I have never once laid a hand on her!"
"And I never laid a hand on your mother, Frasier!" Martin yelled.
"Haven't you at least called your brother to find out how he is?" Daphne asked.
"Well of course I have, Daphne. Plenty of times!" Frasier replied. "And when he answers the phone, which is a rare occurrence these days, the phone call ends up in a full-blown argument. I can't tell you how many messages are on his voice mail! I've left plenty, pleading with him to call me back. But does he do it? Of course not!"
Daphne's heart clinched in her chest and she sighed deeply. This wasn't right at all. The Crane men loved each other deeply and it wasn't like Frasier or Martin to disown Niles even if they did have a major falling out.
"Well, if you don't care about your brother, it doesn't mean that I don't!" Daphne said "And I intend to make sure he's all right!"
She turned on her heel and headed for her room, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Daphne if you have any contact with Niles... any contact whatsoever, you'll find yourself out on the streets!"
She stopped in her tracks unable to fathom what she'd just heard. Surely he wasn't suggesting…
"Frasier, what has gotten into you?" Martin yelled.
Slowly Daphne turned around and glared at her soon-to-be ex-boss. She expected him to display an expression of remorse for everyone said things they didn't mean from time to time. She certainly had. But instead of compassion, she saw a look of rage that she never knew he could possess.
And for the first time in her life, she was afraid.