She moved closer to him and touched his shoulder. "I'm all packed and ready to go. I just want to say goodbye to a few-."

To her surprise, he waved her off. "Can't we stay here for a while?"
"What's so important about staying here?" she demanded.

But his gaze, along with most of the other women in the room, was transfixed on the television screen.

"So how'd you do it, Dr. Crane?" Brenda was asking; staring intently into Niles' eyes.

Daphne felt a surge of crazy jealousy run through her veins.

"Well I just concentrated as hard as I could and focused all my attention on getting that ball into the basket. Like I told the boys at McGinty's, if you're focusing on the reward, that's energy you're not using to make the shot."

"Wow... you're a hero, Dr. Crane." Brenda sighed.

Niles held up his hand. "Please, no formalities. Just call me Niles."

"Niles, can we go? I'm really anxious to see your brother and call Roz. I'm sure they've missed-."

"In a minute, okay?" Niles said waving her off.

She glanced at the television screen, gasping in surprise when she realized who she was seeing.

"Is-is that you?"

Niles beamed with pride. "It certainly is!"

"B-but what were you doing at a basketball game? You told me you were going to the Northwest Chamber Ensemble with Frasier!"

"Well, I thought so too, but it seems that Frasier and Dad deceived me into going to the game."

Daphne shook her head in disbelief. "But you loathe sports, especially the ones your father likes!"

"How did you get down on the court?"

"It was complete fate! I switched seats with Frasier and then with Dad. All of a sudden, they called my seat number over the PA system and I was summoned down to the playing surface, put on a Sonics jersey and attempt to make a touchdown!"

"Basket, Dr. Crane!" Donna corrected when the group of women tried unsuccessfully to hide their laughter.

"And the playing surface is called a court!" Brenda added, not even bothering to disguise her amusement.

"Niles..."

"Daphne, you have to see this, okay? I was brilliant!"

Dutifully but reluctantly Daphne returned her attention to the screen where Niles stood in center court holding a basketball; his eyes focused on the basket above. The ball left his hands, and in slow motion it sailed through the air, landing in the basket.

Once again the lobby erupted in cheers and applause.

"How did you do that?" Daphne asked without thinking.

"Like I said if you focus on the reward-."

"I didn't mean that!" Daphne snapped. "I meant why did you agree to do that? The only court you're familiar with is a squash court!"

"Until now, Daphne." Niles said proudly. "And I didn't agree to it, per say. Actually I had no choice. The entire stadium was counting on me! And you won't believe what I received in return!"

Niles, what's going on?"

"Come on, I'll show you." He said.

Daphne sighed and held out her hand, expecting him to take it. Instead he opened the lobby door and headed out to the parking lot, followed by almost every patron of the spa.

And to her horror, they stopped directly in front of the huge pickup truck.