The drive to Café Nervosa took virtually no time at all, but Daphne couldn't seem to stop the tears from falling. She gazed out of the rain-splattered passenger side window brushing the tears away as the scenery moved quickly past her.
They came to a stop in the small parking lot next to the café and Niles immediately got out of the car to help her out. The seemingly insignificant gesture was probably something that he did without thinking, but it meant the world to her. Few men she'd ever been on a date with had ever been so considerate. But this was definitely not a date and she'd do well to remind herself of that fact. It was just a wonderful and selfless gesture on his father's part for Niles to take her out for coffee.
Oh, she supposed that Niles would have offered to take her for coffee had his father not done so, but the fact that it was at Mr. Crane's instant was something she'd never forget.
"Thank you, Dr. Crane." She said as he took her hand and helped her out of the car. She couldn't help noticing the way her heart beat faster when she realized that she was still holding his hand as they arrived at the familiar green and red awning that framed the familiar green door with glass panes. But she stopped mere seconds before they went inside as a bad feeling came over her.
"Daphne, what's wrong?"
She turned to him, ashamed to be feeling this way. "I-I don't think I can do this, Dr. Crane."
"Do what?"
"Go inside! What if your brother's in there? What if-."
She was in his arms once more, the now-familiar touch of his hand moving in circles on her back. "Don't worry about Frasier, all right? I'll take care of him. And if in fact he is in here and it makes you uncomfortable, we'll leave. We'll go anywhere you want, Daphne. There are plenty of other café's in Seattle and-."
Her lips went to his cheek, just inches from his lips and she drew back in surprise; his stunned expression mirroring hers. "I… let's go inside." She said quickly, taking his hand and leading him into the café.
Relief filled her when she looked around and saw no sign of her boss but she wasn't about to take chances. Her hand still in his, she led him to a secluded table near the back. But when he removed his handkerchief to wipe off his chair, she walked away, causing his eyebrows to rise. "Is something wrong?"
"No, I-."
"What is it?"
"I'm going to the ladies' room."
"Oh of course. By all means…"
"I must look horrid."
"No you don't, Daphne. You could never look horrid. You look absolutely beautiful."
She gasped at the familiar, and yet heart-warming compliment, turning to hug him tightly. "Thank you so much, Dr. Crane. That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."
But saying thank you didn't feel like enough.
Minutes later, in front of the mirror in the ladies' room, her cheeks damp with cool water, she found that she simply couldn't stop thinking about her friend, who had shown her such kindness.
And she wondered what it could possibly mean.