Daphne sighed deeply and stared at her boss. "Dr. Crane… I know..." The door opened suddenly and Martin stepped into the hallway. He looked … different. He was pale and his eyes were rimmed with sadness. And it terrified her.

"How is he?" Frasier asked.

Martin swallowed hard. "He's… he…" His voice broke and he could barely speak. "I'm going to the cafeteria."

Daphne moved foreword and reached for his hand. "Let me go with you."

"No Daph. I need to be alone."

"But Mr. Crane, I-."

"Daphne-."

She turned when Frasier put his hand on her shoulder.

"Fras…"

"Go on, Dad. Are you sure you'll be all right?"

But the old man said nothing; just headed for the elevators.

When he was gone, Daphne and Frasier looked at one another. "Did you want to go in, Daphne?"

Her heart rate increased. Of course she wanted to go in. she had to know that Niles was okay. But it was wrong. "You should go, Dr. Crane. He's your brother."

Frasier touched his hair in a nervous gesture and smiled. "Thank you." He whispered brokenly. He returned and opened the door of Niles' room, leaving her alone in the hallway.

The hospital was eerily quiet and almost tranquil, were it not for the uncertainty and sadness… and the guilt.

Suppressing a sob, she sank into a hard chair. Almost instantly the tears spilled onto her cheeks but she quickly wiped them away. A worn magazine lay on the old wooden table beside her and she picked it up, thumbing through the pages. But she couldn't concentrate.

Her eyes repeatedly darted to the door. And finally she rose from the chair. As quietly as possible she opened the door just a crack. She could see Frasier. His back was to her and he was sitting on the bed. Niles was hidden from view except for the outline of his body covered by a blanket. And when Frasier rose from the chair, Daphne stepped back, leaving the door open only a few inches. His hands were on his head and he began to pace the room.

"Damn it, Niles why did you do it? You knew how I felt about it! I just… if I had known that you felt so strongly about this I would have … Oh hell, who am I kidding? When you love someone you'll do anything it takes to let them know how you feel. But damn it, Niles…"

When Frasier began to sob, Daphne opened the door a bit wider.

"Why Niles?" Frasier cried. "The storm would have passed in a few hours and Daphne would have understood."

She gasped at the sound of her name and she moved her face closer to the door. What on earth was he talking about? Understood what? She had to know but she couldn't let him see her. And it was with some relief that she heard Frasier's voice again.

The silent question repeated itself; understood what? Please, Frasier… what are you talking about? She pleaded silently.

"Damn it Niles…" Frasier continued. You had a whole lifetime to tell Daphne that you're in love with her, so why now? Now look what you've done… I can't lose you, Niles. I just can't!"