He was visibly shaken when he walked out of the pharmacy and he was glad that there were no other customers around. The tinkling bell rattled his nerves as it rang

overhead, announcing his exit. He half expected the small pharmacist to yell a falsely cheerful "Come again!" before the door closed behind him. There was no doubt in Niles'

mind that the man was glad he was gone.

When he'd entered the pharmacy, he was only thinking of Daphne and how badly she needed her thyroid medication. It made no sense to drive her to Frasier's or to go alone.

There would be questions and a confrontation, neither of which he was prepared to deal with. And Daphne certainly didn't need the added stress. Niles definitely had a few

choice words for his brother, his dad and especially Sherry, but saying them in front of Daphne-especially at this late hour-would only prove to upset her even more. He'd

already hurt her once and he vowed to make it up to her, no matter how long it took.

His hand clutched the white piece of paper on which he had written a prescription for Daphne's medication. It was, by all accounts, highly unethical and normally he wouldn't

dream of doing such a thing, but he knew that when it came to Daphne's health, Frasier would made the same decision.

Niles hadn't counted on the reaction he would receive from the pharmacist. The small man appeared to be relatively new to the United States; perhaps from somewhere in

the Orient. He'd long admired people of that culture, having visited several areas within in on his many trips with Maris. And he'd hoped to perhaps even strike up a friendly

conversation with the man while the prescription was being filled.

But a friendly conversation was not in the cards.

Instead the man (identified by his name tag as Huang) eyed him suspiciously and Niles knew that the man had been watching him from the moment he opened the door. As

he handed Huang the prescription, the pharmacist remarked that Niles didn't look like a doctor. It was of no use to explain that he was a psychiatrist, or to even bother

showing this Mr. Huang his license. Clearly the man wasn't easy to persuade.

However, Niles was forced to reveal his profession when Huang asked him point blank. The inquiry was followed by a rant from Huang as to why a psychiatrist would feel the

need to prescribe thyroid medication for a patient. After all, psychiatrists treated mental cases, not people with thyroid problems. Niles was mere seconds from storming out,

but there was nothing he could do. Daphne needed her medication and by God he was not leaving until he had it.

Huang threw even more questions at Niles. Some he could answer, some, admittedly, he could not. But Niles was too hot and tired to argue with the man.

Finally after what seemed like forever, Huang nodded. "Wait here."

Niles was overcome with relief when Huang turned and walked to the back. He was going to fill the prescription. Thank God. He should have been happy, but he couldn't

forget the way that Huang was so resistant to fill Niles' request. Most likely he would bring the issue to his supervisor. It was definitely something to worry about, but Niles

pushed the thought from his mind.

When Huang handed Niles a small white bag, Niles responded with the utmost thanks. But before Huang would even begin to ring up the sale, he grabbed a small legal pad

and began writing furiously. Most likely he was taking notes on Niles, information that he'd surely pass along to his supervisor. Niles should have protested, but Daphne was

more important. The sooner Niles returned home to her the better. He'd deal with the consequences of the pharmacy visit later.

He stepped into the balmy night air, cursing under his breath. Damn, it was even hotter outside than it had been before. He could only imagine how sweltering it must be in

his apartment. Daphne would be-

He froze as a wave of panic washed over him. Daphne…

Dear God! She'd told him that without her Thyroxine, she was liable to faint. His heart raced and a shot of adrenaline kicked in, sending him sprinting to his car.

I'm coming Daphne, Just hang on…