Chapter 26: Daphne


Daphne was humming to herself while folding laundry. She found herself thinking about Niles, and she smiled to herself, still humming. Frasier opened the door, home for the day. Daphne looked up from the washing, and smiled in greeting.

"Oh, hello Dr Crane."
"Hi, Daphne. Uh, is Dad around?"
"He's just taken Eddie for a walk. He should be back shortly."

Frasier crossed the room and poured himself a sherry, before sitting down at the couch. He flicked through a book, waiting for his father. Daphne continued with her folding.

She had spoken to Roz a couple of times over the past two weeks since Niles told her that he loved her. She was still trying to work through her own feelings, but having Roz to speak to helped a lot. Daphne wasn't feeling quite as overwhelmed about everything. It was still hard; almost daily one thing or another would remind Daphne of some previous interaction, now seeming completely different with new context and she would feel lost again, wondering how she never noticed before. But Daphne also found she would just think of Niles throughout the day and smile, like she was now; sometimes without even realising it.

Martin entered with Eddie, and let him off his leash as he greeted the household.

"Hey Fras, Daph."
"Hi, Dad. I've got something to talk about with you. And, uh, you too, Daphne."

Martin finished hanging up his coat, and sat in his chair. Curious, Daphne put down the clothes she was folding and sat down on one of the dining chairs. Frasier cleared his throat, and stood in front of them both.

"Listen, I've just been to see Niles again. His financial situation has really gotten worse. He's, uh, struggling with his bills at the moment, what with the lawyers' fees and Maris freezing his accounts. We decided - Niles decided that he was going to sublease his apartment and look for somewhere more affordable while he is finalising his divorce."

Daphne felt horrible. She knew how much living at the Montana meant to Niles.

"Poor Dr Crane. Is there anything we can do to help?"

Frasier nodded.

"Actually, I know someone who can take on the sublease almost immediately. And I was thinking that Niles could stay here for a little while until he finds a new place, to help him out a bit."
"Sure, Frasier. Anything to help him out." Martin agreed, happy to help his son.

Daphne wasn't sure what to say.

"For how long?"
"Oh, I don't think much longer than a week or so."

Daphne's face didn't give anything away as she agreed. Frasier was pleased.

"Great, I'll call to let him know. I thought we could all go out to dinner tonight; Niles could use a bit of cheering up."
"Sounds good to me." Martin turned on the TV.

Daphne shook her head.

"Oh, I can't go to dinner tonight, I've got plans with a friend."
"Okay Daph, I'll book a table for just the 3 of us then." Frasier grabbed the phone, and Daphne disappeared down the hall. She decided she would need to get in contact with Roz.


"So, what are you going to do?"

They were sitting in Roz's studio apartment, drinking wine. The Crane men were out to dinner – apparently Niles was set to move in the next day. Initially, Daphne hadn't intended to tell anyone about her and Niles, but she was glad she did. Roz had been a godsend, and happy to listen to Daphne talk incoherently about how she felt. Like now.

Daphne shrugged in response to Roz's question.

"I don't know. I can't very well tell Dr Crane I'm not comfortable with his brother staying - he would want to know why, and I'm not ready to tell him anything."

She softened, thinking about Niles.

"But Niles is going through a tough time and needs our support. We should give that to him. Besides, it's just awkwardness because of our situation, nothing else. Niles has been very respectful of my needing time."

Daphne looked down at the wine glass in her hands, feeling guilty.

"Although, I know I'm dragging things out. I feel like I only really have one chance to work things out. I don't want to rush into anything. I don't want to ruin our friendship."

She sighed.

"And I never thought I would consider anything like this with a married man. I mean, he's separated and going through a divorce, but still technically married."

Daphne downed the rest of her wine.

"But I don't want to have to have this discussion yet, or have him ask if I'm ready to talk about it or not, or where I need to tell him that I'm not ready."

Roz topped up her wine glass, and Daphne took another sip before continuing.

"Oh, I know I'm being unreasonable. Things were so much easier when I didn't know. Sometimes I wish that I never slept with him in the first place."

She got a slightly dreamy look on her face, remembering.

"But, I'm also glad that we did. I still can't resist him. I don't know what will happen if we're under the same roof together."

Daphne made a frustrated sound, and took another big swig of her wine.

"Which is part of the problem. I don't know what we are going to do; living under the same roof. I need some more time to figure out what this is. I just want us both to ignore it for a little while longer. Until I know what I'm going to do."

Roz sighed, frustrated. Every conversation with Daphne so far had been like this, mostly one-sided and going round and round in circles. Roz liked simple - it was easier to just cut to the chase and let things sort themselves out. But she also understood why Daphne was more cautious.

Daphne was about to continue her rambling train of thought again when Roz cut her off.

"Fine. Do you want me to tell Niles for you? That you need more time?"

Daphne's eyes widened.

"I can't have him knowing I've spoken to you about this!"
"Oops."

Roz looked guilty.

"Roz! What did you tell him?"
"Nothing really. I ran into Niles at Nervosa the other night. He looked so down in the dumps, I threw him a bone. So sue me."

Daphne stared at her. Roz raised her hands in front of her in defence.

"All I said was that you told me about his feelings. And that you told me about everything else that happened between the two of you before that. And.. that he hadn't ruined everything with you yet. But that's it."

Daphne sighed.

"Well, it can't be helped. I just don't want him bugging you for info."
"I already told him I wasn't going to tell him anything, and he didn't ask. In fact, I last spoke to Niles about a week ago."

That was good. Daphne hoped Niles wasn't mad at her for telling Roz, but she needed someone to work through this with. And Roz knew the both of them, so there was less explaining on why the situation was tricky. And even though Roz didn't see what Daphne saw in Niles, she had been supportive of the idea that Daphne wanted a relationship with Niles.

Maybe. Possibly. Potentially.

Daphne still didn't know. She wasn't completely sure how she felt about Niles yet. There was a lot to unpack and she was torn between wondering if this was love or lust. Just friendship or just a crush. Or if it had the potential to be something more.

"Thanks Roz. I'd appreciate if you did let him know."