Daphne stood on the balcony, wiping the stinging tears from her eyes and looked down at the white foamy mess on her hands.
She wanted so much to laugh about this whole incident but all she could do was cry.
She was only trying to help her best friend... but she never expected to-
"Daphne?"
She looked up, embarrassed when a shaving cream covered Niles held out a towel to her.
"Thank you." She said. Smiling through her tears, she took the towel from him and wiped her eyes.
"I sure made a mess out of things, didn't I?"
At this, Niles smiled.
"Nonsense. You did nothing of the sort. If anyone's to blame for this... catastrophe, it's me."
By the look on his face, Daphne knew he wasn't referring to the shaving cream.
"Dr. Crane, please don't blame yourself. You had every right to be upset! Your wife gave you those horrible divorce papers and made you feel worthless!"
"Well that's true. But Daphne-."
"Right. They were just a trick. But if you ask me it was downright cruel. No one should ever hurt you the way she did!"
"Thank you, Daphne. That means a lot to me. And I can't begin to find the words to tell you how much your kindness touched me. Not just because of the wonderful dinner, but the soothing things you said, your warm hugs... all of it."
Daphne smiled and took his hand. "You're me best friend. And I hated seeing you hurting so badly. But I'm happy for you now that you and your wife-."
Her voice quivered and she quickly turned away so that he wouldn't see her crying. But when she felt his hand touch her back, she turned to face him once more.
"Daphne, what's wrong?" Niles asked quietly.
"Nothing. I just...Oh bloody hell! Why did this have to happen now? I tried to fight it, but when I heard that awful explosion, I thought I'd never see you again!"
When Daphne's voice broke, Niles breath caught in his throat and he took her in his arms.
"Oh Daphne, I'm so sorry I scared you. I would never-."
"Dr Crane, there's something I need to say."
"All right, Daphne."
Wordlessly she took his hand and kissed it; her lips lingering on his soft skin for several seconds.
"I-I think I'm falling in love with you!"