Paper towels in one hand, a damp cloth in the other, Daphne returned to the living room. Niles was still sitting on the fainting couch in the same position as before, staring
into space. Perhaps her unexpected presence in his home was making him uncomfortable. He had every right to ask her to leave and the fact that he had shown her such
kindness was touching. She stood in the doorway and stared at him.
"Dr. Crane, are you all right?"
He looked at her and sighed. "I…"
She went to him at once, wondering why he was acting so strangely. "Here, let me get this cleaned up." She began wiping the champagne with the paper towel and then with
the damp cloth, hoping that his beautiful coffee table wasn't damaged. Oddly enough he didn't seem to notice.
She took his hands in hers and began gently wiping away the sticky liquid. But then a flash went through her, producing an image that had no right to come. She had a
sudden, almost erotic urge to bring his fingers to her lips and taste the sweet liquid. A chill and a shiver followed and she forced herself to think about something else-
anything else. What was wrong with her, thinking of Dr. Crane this way?
It took some effort but she managed to push the thought from her mind. However, her hands were trembling and it was hard to concentrate. Slowly she began wiping the
champagne from his hands, trying not to think about how soft his skin was or how cool his hand felt against hers. Instead she focused on what she was supposed to be doing.
When his hand was clean, she went to work on his other hand.
"You spilled an awful lot of that champagne, didn't you?"
His worried expression amused her, but she could tell that he was genuinely concerned. And in response she squeezed his hand, giving him a reassuring smile. He seemed at
a loss for words when she couched down on the carpet and began to wipe the champagne. When the coffee table was clean, she took the wet cloth and pressed it onto the
floor.
"You have such beautiful carpet. I'd hate for it to be ruined."
He stared at her for a few seconds. "You didn't have to go to all of that trouble, Daphne. But thank you."
They were the first words he'd spoken in quite some time. And hearing his voice (his oh so sweet voice) made her smile.
"You're welcome, Dr. Crane."
He glanced at the champagne bottle and then his eyes met hers. "I-."
I think there's still enough champagne left for two more glasses. May I pour you a glass, Dr. Crane?"
"Um, yes. Thank you, Daphne."
His nervousness made her laugh. "You don't have to keep thinking me, Dr. Crane. In fact, I should be thanking you."
"But Daphne, you already-."
"I know, but being here with you is an imposition and I'm sorry."
"No. Please don't say that. Don't even think it. I'm honored to have you as my guest."
She reached out and touched his cheek. "You're so sweet. I think we should have a toast."
He picked up his glass to allow her to pour the bubbly liquid into it. "All right. What should we drink to?"
Daphne smiled. "To us."
His mouth fell open and the glass in his hand wobbled, causing the champagne to slosh back and forth, dangerously close to spilling over the sides.
She reached out to steady his hand, relieved when the champagne did not spill. What was she thinking, making such a silly toast? It implied…. "Oh, I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I
didn't mean-."
He smiled and lightly clinked his glass against hers. "Here's to us."