The need for him was so great, so strong that she could feel her insides quivering once more as she made her way to her car. Driving proved to be an almost impossible task
but she managed to do it, albeit as carefully as possible. As much as she needed to be with Niles for some inexplicable reason, it was important that she arrived in one piece.
As she drove she realized that she needn't have worried about getting lost along the way. She knew the route by heart. But the closer she came to his home, the more
nervous she became. Strangely when she finally pulled into the parking garage, she was crying.
Trembling, she made her way through the lobby and into the elevator, grateful that she was alone. She brushed the tears from her cheeks but they kept coming, relentless.
The elevator started to rise and her mind began to turn. Her first thought was a sensible one. She could always go home. Her fingers somehow managed to push the button
for the lobby floor and the elevator made its way back down again. If she hurried she could be back at Frasier's before he or Martin noticed that she was gone. She could toss
her note in the recycle bin and no one would be the wiser. But she knew that she would still be pining for the youngest Dr. Crane.
She couldn't explain it, and perhaps she didn't want to. Suddenly she was reminded of why she'd gotten in her car and drove to the Montana. She needed him. And she hadn't
needed someone so badly in a very, very long time.
Ironing her racing heart, she walked into the lobby and circled the open area time and time again. Thankfully no one was around, for they surely would have thought her daft.
No, she had to see him, at least go to his apartment and thank him for allowing her to spend the night, as well as for going to the trouble to risk his career by getting her pills
at the pharmacy.
Once again she pushed the button that would take her to his floor, her heart pounding the entire time. When the elevator stopped, she gasped lightly. Suddenly she was
terrified. What would she say when he opened the door? What could she possibly say? Her mind raced, and yet she could not think. She had no recollection of walking into the
hallway and suddenly she was standing in front of his doorway. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
The seconds that followed seemed like hours and she was just about to turn away when she heard footsteps. The door unlocked and then opened, her breath taken away
once more. He was wearing a navy blue silk robe that made him look even more handsome than before. The blue of his robe made his eyes stand out in a way that she could
never have imagined.
"Daphne…"
"Um, hello Dr. Crane."
"What are you doing here? I-I mean you're always…"
"I…"
His smile disappeared and a look of concern washed over him. "Dear God…"
"What?"
"You're crying."
Instinctively her fingertips went to her cheek. "Am I?"
His hand went to her back and he ushered her inside. "Come in, please…"
"Thank you, I-."
"Let me get you something to drink. It's still dreadfully hot and you must be parched."
"Thank you, Dr. Crane, but I-."
"I won't be a moment, just make yourself at home."
That word again... home...
She looked around the apartment which had suddenly become so familiar. It had become her haven, a safe haven, where no one and nothing could hurt her; especially Niles
Crane.
Within seconds he returned with a pitcher of iced tea on a tray, bringing back memories of the night before, when the iced tea had been champagne.
"Here you are. I-."
She began to cry, prompting him to set the tray on the coffee table. "Oh Daphne..." Seconds later he was sitting beside her, holding her in his arms. The comfort was so
welcome that she leaned into him and cried even harder, dampening his beautiful silk robe with her tears. His hand moved up and down her back and she held him even
closer, almost afraid to let him go. After a long moment, he let go and slowly moved away.
She couldn't look at him. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane."
He was staring into her eyes with such concern that her tears kept falling, even as he handed her his handkerchief.
"You've absolutely no reason to be sorry, Daphne. No reason whatsoever."
She blotted her eyes with his handkerchief and smiled at him. "Thank you."
Without warning, his expression changed and he shook his head. "Dear God...".
"What?"
"You've had another fight with Sherry, haven't you?"
"What? No, I-."
"DAMN HER!"
His outburst startled her. "Dr. Crane, no! I-."
Helplessly she watched as he picked up the phone and began to dial. She didn't have to ask who he was calling.
"Damn it, Daphne, I love Dad, but this time he's gone too far! That woman is-."
"She's gone, Dr. Crane."
He put down the phone and stared at her. "She's what?"
"She's gone. Your father told me last night. He and Sherry broke up."
He sighed deeply. "Well, thank God for that. The idea of her hurting you again just-."
"It's my fault."
"Daphne, no."
"The things that Sherry said about me... Well they were true."
"No. Don't ever say that. Don't ever blame yourself for things that Sherry said to you. She's wrong. And I was wrong as well."
She looked up in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I should have never said those things to you last night."
She tried to smile but the gesture wouldn't come. If anything, she felt like crying again. "It's all right."
"It's not all right. I was horrible, Daphne. I've been thinking about it since you left. I had no right to say such things. I'm so ashamed and I'm so sorry. You're the most
wonderful person I've ever met. You're kind and-."
Something, she wasn't sure what it was, made her go to him and put her arms around his neck. Their faces were so close that she could feel his breath on her lips. And that's
all it took for her to bring her lips to his.