He was in such a state of euphoria at the anticipation of possibly seeing his angel that he was hardly aware that he'd arrived on the nineteenth floor. Nor did he have any recollection at all about how he'd gotten there. But now that he'd arrived, there was no turning back. It went without saying that he didn't want to leave; he couldn't.

He crossed the hallway and rang the doorbell, waiting for the familiar sound of footsteps and the click-clack unlocking of the door. But when the door opened, his heart began to dance in his chest.

"Daphne…"
She stood before him, looking so beautiful that he thought he might faint. "Hello, Dr. Crane. I didn't expect to see you this afternoon."

Immediately he lowered his head as the realization struck him hard. He'd become so accustomed to showing up unannounced that it had never occurred to him that he might be intruding. And as though she'd read his thoughts, he felt the soft warmth of her hand slip into his.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I didn't mean to upset you. It's always nice to see you."

His heart, as always, warmed at her sweet words. And combined with the scent of her hair (she had turned her head slightly, affording him the intoxicating aroma), it was a moment of pure elation. He felt his face flush.

"Thank you, Daphne."

She opened the door wider, allowing him to come in and he smiled at the familiar sight of his father, who was sitting in his beloved well-worn chair.

"Hey Dad."

His father looked up from the game where Niles could hear the noise blaring from the television. Baseball or football, it didn't matter. Sports were all the same; loud and annoying. But he wouldn't dare mention it to his dad. Not in front of Daphne.

"Would you like some tea or-."

"No." he said, sharper than he'd intended. "I'll just make a sherry."

The guilt settled in his chest immediately and he smiled at her thoughtfulness. He didn't want to come across as ungrateful for her kind offer and although he regretted speaking in haste, therefore interrupting her question, he was relieved when his smile was returned. It was a small, yet satisfactory feeling; one that told him that she wasn't hurt by his rudeness. But he vowed never to interrupt her again, just the same.

"Of course." She finally said. "Just make yourself at home."

"Thank you Daphne. I –." He paused, looking her up and down once again. She was wearing an outfit that he'd not seen previously, in a color that was strangely unfamiliar to him. It was incredible; a mixture of soft blue and turquoise and he was amazed at how it brought out her eyes.

"Is-is something wrong, Dr. Crane?"

He touched his forehead, feeling a bit woozy. ""I'm fine. I'm just-." When he stumbled slightly, she took the glass from his hand and replaced it with her hand. He felt her leading him to the sofa where she coaxed him to sit. "It's not my place to say, but perhaps you shouldn't drink alcohol just now. I'll get you some water."

He sat down, blinking as he waited for the living room to still. And when he looked up his angel was nowhere in sight. His father, however was looking at him, wearing an expression that Niles knew all too well.

"Dad, are you okay?"

"Niles, I want to talk to you."

Niles froze, amazed at how those stern words could affect him. He glanced toward the kitchen where he could hear his angel moving about. "But Daphne-."

"Daphne will be fine."

"But-."

"Your water will be there too, but I want to talk to you now. It's important, okay?"

A strange sense of worry came over him and he swallowed hard. His father wasn't getting any younger and although he'd improved remarkably since the devastating shooting that ended his career with the Seattle Police Department (the improvement thanks to an angel named Daphne Moon), there was the constant (and very real) worry that his father's health could take a turn for the worst at any moment. And it was impossible to push the thought away.

He swallowed hard, his heart racing. "Okay, Dad. What did you want to talk about?"

His father looked around as though feeling uneasy. "Um, not here. Let's go out on the balcony."

The answer surprised him. "Th-the balcony? But it's-."

"Aw, it's not that cold, Niles! And it will only take a few minutes. Come on!"

"But-."

"Come on son. It won't take long."

"You said that, but-."

"It's important!"

As Niles helped his father out of his beloved chair and they slowly made their way to the balcony door, his heart raced. Never before had he been so worried.