Slowly, gradually the darkness began to fade and along with it, the silence. The pain was still there but it was a numbing pain; the kind that hurt but not excruciatingly so. She soon found that if she stayed completely still, the feeling would subside, if but for a moment. But even in the stillness she could feel something brushing against her cheek, soft and gentle. And then the feeling of movement through her hair.

What was happening?

She tried to open her eyes, but the task proved to take more effort than it was worth, so she simply kept her eyes closed. It was better this way, not knowing. But that only increased her curiosity. Oh God, was she dead? She couldn't bear to think about it… all the things she had wanted to do, the people she never got to say goodbye to…

But then she heard voices, muffled and distant. She couldn't make out what they were saying but she wanted to. She had to know what was happening, where she was, even if it meant-

With all the strength she could muster she moaned softly and turned her head. And as if by fate, the muffled voices became clearer.

"Frasier, she's awake!"

She could feel something soft and warm against her forehead and as she tried hard to open her eyes, she could just barely make out three shadows moving in front of her.

"Thank God, it's a miracle."

"Hey, you came back to us… about time."

Those voices… they sounded so…. Familiar. If she could just ask what had happened- where she was. Her efforts were minimal and met with another response, along with the feeling of warmth on her hand. "Shh… Don't try to talk. Just rest."

"I-."

"It's all right, Daphne."

That voice… it sounded so small and afraid, but so familiar. Unlike anything she'd ever heard before. But how could she possibly have recognized it in the first place?

And when she heard her name once more, she knew… Niles.

What was he doing here? And where was she anyway?

"You're safe now. No one can hurt you any-." His voice broke and she could hear him sobbing. But why? And then Frasier's strong voice, telling Niles that everything would be okay and please not to cry. It wasn't his fault. Another voice then, saying that this wasn't anyone's fault except for… and then the voice faded away.

What were they talking about?

She had to find out what was going on. Her strength renewed she forced herself to open her eyes. But when she did, she got the shock of her life.

She gasped and bolted upright, aware of six pairs of hands, coaxing her back against something soft.

But she was unrelenting. "What happened? Where am I?" She cried, now fully awake. "What-."

She felt her hand being squeezed and she looked down to find Niles holding it; a gesture that warmed her heart. It was so like him to take care of her, for he'd always been so sweet and kind even when they'd had their differences. He was always complimenting her every outfit or her hair or her perfume. But now he seemed different… smaller.

She could see everything clearly now but she still didn't understand. "Where-."

"You're in the hospital, Daphne." Frasier said. "But you're going to be just fine, thank God."

"What? What happened? What-." She recoiled into the mattress, clutching the blankets to her chin. "I don't understand!"

Frasier sighed deeply and looked at his father. "Daphne, you've had an accident."

"The hell it was!" Martin yelled. "This was no accident! That jackass did this on purpose and if he wasn't in jail right now, I'd-."

Her heart was racing now, trying to understand. But the Crane men were scaring her.

"Accident, what sort of-."

Roz rushed into the room and went to Daphne's bedside. "Daphne, thank God! I came as soon as I heard!"

"Heard what?"

"About your-."

"Roz, I thought I told you that you weren't welcome here!" Frasier bellowed, startling Daphne. She'd never heard him speak so harshly to her friend before.

"Frasier, this isn't my-."

"The hell it's not your fault! You're the one who made Daphne go out with that… jackass!" Martin said. "I hope he rots in hell and if I ever see his face again, he's going to wish he was dead!"

"Dad-."

Daphne looked around, more confused than before. "I don't-."

God, Daphne I had no idea, seriously! I mean, Mark's a good guy and he said that Bruce really liked you!"

Bruce…

Suddenly it all came back. The fight… the hard, painful kisses… the things he'd said to her… the way he'd gotten so angry….

Oh my God…

"Daphne, I just wanted to make sure that you were all right. When I heard-."
"Roz, you're not welcome here, so just… go home! Daphne's going to be fine, so hopefully that will clear your conscious!"

"What does that supposed to mean? I love Daphne and I would never-."
"If you love her the way you say you do, you'll leave this hospital and never come back." Frasier said; his voice steady and bold.

"Well, since Daphne's awake, I think she should make that decision, don't-."
"STOP IT, ALL OF YOU!" Daphne yelled, sobbing uncontrollably. I can't take this anymore! I can't! I don't…. I don't know what's going on and I feel bloody awful, like I've been hit by a truck so just leave me alone, all of you!"

Her outburst startled them into silence and she regretted it immediately. But it was the image of Roz breaking down into tears with her hand over her mouth that hurt her most of all.

"Roz-."

"I'm leaving Daphne. I never meant for this to happen. I hope you know that. I…."

She turned and ran out of the hospital room and then the silence resumed.

"Well… I'm going to find the doctor, tell them that she's awake." Martin said quietly.

Frasier nodded. "Yeah, I should go and find Roz. I was pretty rough on her, but damn it Dad…"
To Daphne's surprise, Martin hugged Frasier in a rare display of affection. "I know… You were just scared. We all were. When I got that call from Morrie, I…. Damn I owe him big for this."

"We all do." Frasier agreed. "But right now, I need to make things right with Roz."

"Come on, we'll go to together. I was pretty ticked at her myself." Martin said. "You coming, Niles?"

Niles looked up absently. "Um… yeah, I…"

He turned to her, his face filled with worry and his hand moved to her forehead, brushing the hair away. And then when he was certain that his family wasn't looking, he kissed her softly before turning toward the door. "I… I'll be back in a little while. Just rest."

The effort was great but she squeezed his hand, feeling suddenly exhausted. "Thank you." She whispered. And when she watched him walk out of the room, her tears returned, as did the loneliness.