"Welcome home, Dr. Crane, Mr. Crane!" Daphne said as she opened the front door. "Hey, Daphne!" Martin said with a smile. "Boy, it's good to be home, isn't it Fras?"

"Oh yes. I'm thrilled to be away from my poor little boy!" Frasier said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. Angrily he pushed his way past Daphne and headed for the bar.

"Look, when are you going to give this up?" Martin asked. "He told you a hundred times that he was sorry, what more do you want? Besides I'm thrilled to be away

from Lilith! That alone was worth the price of the plane ticket back to Seattle!"

"How is that woman, anyway?" Daphne asked with a roll of her eyes.

"Still riding the same broomstick!" Martin said with a laugh.

"I'm glad you both find this so amusing, because I certainly don't!" Frasier said.

"Niles is your brother and you can't stay mad at him forever!" Martin said.

"Like hell I can't! Frasier yelled as he hung up his coat. He's a disgrace, that's what he is!"

Daphne turned away, unable to listen to anymore. She walked into the kitchen and pretended to busy herself by spraying the already-sparkling clean-counter with

foam cleanser.

"Frasier, will you listen to yourself?" Martin was saying from the living room. "Niles is a good kid and you know that this whole thing was an accident!"

"Well in my family there are no accidents!" Frasier yelled.

Martin waved Frasier away. "Oh, why do I even bother talking to you, anyway?" He walked over to his chair and sat down.

Seconds later, Eddie came bounding into the room and jumped onto Martin's lap. "Hey, buddy! How're you doin'? I missed you!" Martin said, scratching the dog's head.

Daphne tried to focus on her cleaning but she couldn't stop thinking about Niles. He was so sweet, kind and generous and he loved everyone; especially his nephew.

She wanted so desperately to give Dr. Crane a piece of her mind, but she didn't dare. To do so would surely land her on the streets. Better to pretend that nothing

had ever happened.

She peeked into the living room, relieved to find that Frasier was gone. "Here's a beer for you, Mr. Crane!" She said to Martin.

"Whoa! Thanks, Daphne! You're a real pal!" he said; his face lighting up as he took the beer from her.

"So you had a good time in Boston, did you?"

"Oh yeah. It was okay. It was nice to see Freddy. I sure did miss that kid." Martin said.

"He's a very sweet little boy." Daphne said.

"He sure is." Martin agreed. "But how about you? How was your visit with your Uncle Jackie?"

Daphne sighed. "Well, actually Uncle Jackie made other arrangements without informin' me."

"Oh Geez, I'm sorry." Martin said. "If I had known, you could have come and spent Thanksgiving with us. I hate that you had to stay here alone."

Daphne smiled, hoping Martin hadn't seen. "Eddie and I managed quite well by ourselves!"

"Well if it's any consolation, I missed you." Martin said.

Touched by the sentiment, Daphne kissed Martin on the cheek. "Thank you, Mr. Crane. I missed you too."

Just then the doorbell rang. "I'll get that." Daphne said.

"Dr. Crane!" Daphne said; her heart warming at the sight.

"Hello, Daphne. It's so nice to see you... again. I mean..."

Daphne smiled. "It's nice to see you too, Dr. Crane. Won't you come in?"

"Thank you. I trust you had a pleasant holiday?" Niles asked.

"Oh... yes. It was... lovely." She said, knowing it wasn't a complete lie.

"Niles?"

"Hello, Frasier. I'm glad to see that you made it back safely. You too, Dad."

"Thanks, Niles." Martin said. "I'm just sorry you couldn't stay longer."

Niles looked away. "Oh well... you know..."

"Niles, what are you doing here?" Frasier asked.

Daphne looked up, shocked at Frasier's harsh tone. It was as though he were speaking to a child instead of his own brother.

"Well I just wanted to come over and-."

"You're not welcome here." Frasier said.

"What?" Niles asked; clearly hurt by the comment. "I know I should have called, but-."

"I mean you're no longer welcome here at all!" Frasier said.

"Now Frasier, I know things haven't been exactly hearts and roses, but if you'll just let me explain, I'm sure that-."

"Niles, I want you to leave." Frasier said.

"Frasier! That's horrible!" Martin said, rising from his chair. "Now Niles is my son and I say that he can stay!"

"Dad this is my house, and as the one who pays the bills here, I'm ordering him to leave! I don't want anything more to do with him and you shouldn't either, after

what he did to Frederick!"

"B-but Frasier, you have to believe me!" Niles cried. "It-it was an accident, I swear it! I love Frederick!"

"There are no accidents!" Frasier yelled. "Now get out!"

"Dr. Crane, its not me place to be stickin' me nose where it doesn't belong, but I can't keep quiet any longer!"

Daphne said.

"What is it, Daphne? Can't you see we're having a family discussion here?"

"She is family!" Martin said.

"Thank you, Mr. Crane." Daphne said. She turned to Frasier. "Look Dr. Crane, I wasn't going to bring this up but I know all about what happened in Boston on

Thanksgiving Day with your brother."

Niles looked at Daphne in horror.

"Your brother, he came over, distraught over accidentally hurtin' Frederick." Noticing Frasier's outraged glare, she continued. "Yes, Dr. Crane, I said accidentally! If he

says it's an accident then I believe him! He was terribly upset and I couldn't let him go home in his condition!"'

"You spent the night with her?" Frasier asked.

Niles backed away, suddenly terrified of his older brother. "Frasier, it wasn't like that, I swear! I just-."

"GET OUT! Both of you!" Frasier yelled.

Martin was stunned at his son's outburst "FRASIER! This is Daphne's home and as for Niles, he's my son and I say he can stay!"

"I should be the one to leave." Niles said. "Goodnight, Dad. Daphne. Frasier, I'm sorry. I really and truly am and I hope that one day you'll find it in your heart to

believe me."

Daphne watched helplessly as he headed for the door. "Dr. Crane, please don't leave. Look, I'm sorry I spoiled our secret, but I couldn't keep Your brother, he really

does love you. I know he does! If you stay I'm sure you two can work this out."

Overcome with love for her, Niles walked over and kissed Daphne on the cheek. "Thank you Daphne, but I think it's best for everyone if I leave."

When he was gone, Daphne stared at the closed door for a long time, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Oh Niles...