Niles starred out the window of Frasier's condo, where soft snow was blanketing the city. '

"It's so beautiful, isn't it, Dr. Crane?"

At the sound of Daphne's sweet voice, he turned and smiled. "It really is." He replied. "It's hard to believe that winter will soon be over. It seems like winter just

started; that yesterday was December and tomorrow it will be March 1st. Time sure does fly."

Daphne grinned and bit her lip. "Actually March won't start for two days."

His eyebrows rose. "Two-but it's February 28th!"

"Yes, but it's a leap year." She corrected him. "So that means that tomorrow is the 29th. Leap Day."

He couldn't help smiling at her dreamy expression. "Well, so it is."

"Yes, and something very special happens in Ireland on that day. Do you know about that tradition, Dr. Crane?"

"No, I'm afraid I don't, Daphne. But I'd love to hear all about it."

"Well, Leap Day is when the woman asks the men for their hand in marriage. Isn't that the most romantic thing you've ever heard?"

Before he could answer, she went on, just as dreamily as before.

"I can't even imagine asking a man to marry me, but wouldn't it be wonderful? No waiting around for the man I loved to ask me, if in fact he wanted to."

Yes, I want to, you have no idea how much I want to… he answered silently.

She continued on and on, but he found that he wasn't listening. He was dreaming… and what a wonderful dream it was. His heart was thundering in his chest

and it was easy to imagine his angel asking for his hand in marriage. He would kiss her passionately and whisper in her ear; yes, of course, I'll marry you.

"… Don't you think so, Dr. Crane?"

Suddenly her hand slipped into his and he blinked, returning to reality.

"Oh… I'm sorry, were you saying something?"

"It's all right. You were thinking about your ex-wife, weren't you, Dr. Crane?"

He was completely taken aback by her question and had no idea how to answer. He hadn't thought about Maris in as long as he could remember. But he couldn't

ignore the way Daphne was watching him in concern. "M-my…"

Her arms went around him and she held him close, rubbing his back with her soft hand. "I know… I'm so sorry if I upset you with my ridiculous talk of getting

married."

"It's all right Daphne. I'm not upset. Please, continue with what you were saying. You were talking about Leap Day and about being able to ask someone to

marry you?" The words and the idea that someone else could steal her away so easily hurt, but he had to be honest with her. What kind of friend would he be if

he wasn't?

"Yes, but I'm sorry for being so selfish."

"S-selfish?"

"Thinking only of myself when you're the one who's been hurting. I hope that someday, the woman of your dreams proposes to you on Leap Day."

Overcome with emotion, he hugged her tightly, breathing in her scent. And then he closed his eyes, content to hold her (and dream) while he gave her his most

honest reply.

"I hope so too, Daphne."

A/N: Thank you for reading this "condensed" story. I hope you enjoyed the bonus chapters. The next installment is the final one and it includes more episodes.