The kiss was unintentional but oh so pleasurable. When he drew back, Niles' expression was one of disbelief. They stared at each other for what felt like a long time, until she
forced herself to say something. "Thank you… Dr. Crane."
"Daphne, you've already thanked me enough."
She moved forward and kissed him again. "I could never thank you enough."
"I-." Clearly he was dumbfounded. Of course he was. She had just kissed him twice;' once unintentionally and once simply because she wanted to. It should have bothered
her, kissing him when she had no right to do so, but she wasn't concerned in the least-not at the moment anyway.
"Thank you, Dr. Crane. For being my best friend." Nervously she ran her tongue across her dry lips. After what she'd said, after what she'd done, what more could she
possibly say? She carried the champagne and fruit over to the fainting couch and sat down.
"Why don't we sit over here where it will be more comfortable?"
His gaze and then his body followed her to the fainting couch and he dutifully sat down beside her.
She sat the champagne and the fruit on the coffee table. His glass was empty so she poured him some more. "Here you are, Dr. Crane." But he didn't move. He just started
at her as though catatonic. After several seconds passed, she began to worry. "Dr. Crane?" Gently she patted his cheeks, relieved when his eyes moved. "Dr. Crane?"
"What?" He blinked at though he'd returned to the present.
"Are you all right?"
"Oh, yes. I'm fine."
She picked up a piece of fruit and handed it to him. "Perhaps this will help."
"Thank you." He ate the cold strawberry but his eyes did not move from her face.
She in turn picked up a strawberry and slid it into her mouth, letting the coldness soothe her. The taste was so refreshing that she leaned against the fainting couch and
closed her eyes.
"Oh, that is absolutely wonderful."
"I-yes, I'm glad."
"It's so hot, isn't it?"
"Dreadfully. But you're welcome to use my fan."
"That's very nice of you, but-."
He brought out a standing fan that was barely bigger than Baby's perch. When he turned it on, the air barely reached the fainting couch. Still it was a lovely gesture.
"Is that better?"
It was not and it was best to be completely honest. "I appreciate your efforts, Dr. Crane but I'm afraid it's not helping much in this heat. Do you have a larger one?"
"Unfortunately it's the only one I have. I should have bought a larger more powerful one, but the truth is that I haven't had to use a fan very much. I don't remember the last
time Seattle had such a heatwave."
She grinned, but felt ashamed for asking. He was doing everything he could to make her feel comfortable and she was complaining. He'd already done so much more than
she deserved. "You're right. I don't remember it ever being this hot, even in Manchester, but especially not in Seattle."
The heat was beginning to creep inside her and she felt a touch of light-headedness. Perhaps it was the champagne, although the coolness of the liquid helped. But her shirt
was drenched with perspiration and once against she leaned against the back of the fainting couch. "It's so hot…" she said again, as she closed her eyes.
"I know." He agreed. "It's stifling. I'm sorry about that. Unfortunately as luxurious as the Montana is, they neglected to put in air conditioning. But they didn't compensate for
it in the price. Air conditioning would be perfect on a night like-."
Daphne couldn't take it any longer. She rose from the fainting couch and stood as close as possible to the fan, moving the hem of her white t-shirt up and down. It wasn't
very ladylike and she shouldn't be doing such things in front of poor Dr. Crane, but the heat was absolutely miserable. She wanted so desperately to take off all of her
clothes.
"Dear God it's hot in here."
The sound of Niles' voice caused her to turn around just in time to see him gulping down another glass of champagne. Again she started to worry. How many had he
consumed in the short time she'd been in his apartment? Three? Four?
"I'm afraid we won't be getting much sleep tonight." She admitted. "There are two of us and only one fan."
"Take it. I insist."
"No, Dr. Crane. This is your home. I want you to have it."
"We could share it."
She turned around slowly. "What?"
"T-the fan."
"Oh…"
"It does… oscillate."
"What does?"
"The… fan."
Her cheeks flushed. "Right. I-." A wave of the dizziness came over her and she attempted to steady herself. But before she could even think, Niles was at her side, his arms
around her. "Daphne! Are you all right? What's happening?"
She put her hand on her forehead, alarmed at how warm she was. The heat was becoming intolerable. "I-I'm not sure what's wrong. I-I think it's the heat."
He lowered his head as though ashamed. "Look Daphne, I'm sorry. If you want to go to a hotel I don't blame you. The rooms are air conditioned and-."
"No."
His eyebrows rose.
"I mean… I don't want to leave."
His mouth curved into a boyish grin. "You don't?"
"No…" She slipped her hand into his. "I was wondering… would it be all right if I took a cool bath?"
He stared at her only for a moment before springing into action. "Of course. That would be wonderful. I-I mean-I'll run upstairs and start a bath for you."
"Oh that's not necessary, Dr. Crane. I can take care of i8t. Unless you don't want me to."
"Yes of course you can. Straight up the stairs and it will be the third door on your left."
Her heart fluttered as she hurried up the stairs and she paused on the landing to smile at him. "This is… so sweet of you. Thank you so much." She was halfway up the second
set of stairs when he called to her again.
"Daphne?"
"Yes, Dr. Crane?"
"Use the Indian Cotton towels. They'll be gentler on your skin."
His words warmed her heart. "You're always thinking of me. Thank you."
"Daphne, you don't have to keep thanking me."
Tears filled her eyes. "I haven't thanked you nearly enough."