(Daphne's POV)
The ringing doorbell made her groan and she forced herself off of the sofa to answer it. As she opened the door, she gasped in horror. "Oh, Dr. Crane…"
She hoped that the sight of him was a dream, for if it was real and he was indeed standing there, he would surely hate her. But he was smiling. How could he possibly smile when she'd completely forgotten about the evening he'd promised her?
She was reluctant to accept his invitation but she couldn't resist his pleading and she knew how lonely he'd been feeling. The way his eyes brightened warmed her heart, letting her know that she'd made the right decision by accepting.
"Hello, Daphne. I-." he froze, staring at her appearance, and suddenly she was deeply ashamed. He'd generously offered to take her to the opera when Frasier had backed out due to a billiards tournament of all things! At her pub! Since Frasier had been frequenting her pub… a place that she liked to call her own and liked having a place to get away from things, she hadn't been feeling right. Perhaps it was psychological, but the thought that Frasier had essentially taken over her beloved Fox and Whistle Pub literally made her sick.
He moved closer and it was hard not to stare at him, the way he was so handsomely dressed in his tuxedo and she in her terrycloth robe. His hand went to her cheek, making her tremble. "Are you okay?"
She sighed deeply, wanting so much to cry. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane, but actually I'm not. I feel terrible… I mean about this… You were looking forward to it and so was I, but… now I've ruined it for you."
"You didn't ruin anything, Daphne."
"But-."
To her amazement he smiled. "Now, can I get you anything?"
The guilt overwhelmed her but she was feeling so weak. "Some tea and soup would be nice. I was just-."
"Coming right up. Why don't you go lie down and I'll bring it to you when it's ready?"
Unexpected tears filled her eyes and she moved to hug him, wanting so badly to kiss him as well. But she didn't dare. She knew how badly germs bothered him. "I… Thank you so much, Dr. Crane."
When he smiled at her and went into the kitchen, she turned to go to her room. And she promised herself that as soon as she was well again, Dr. Crane would receive the hug and kiss that he deserved.