It was meant to be like the kiss she'd given him earlier; quick and indiscreet, to express his gratitude for her kindness, which he surely didn't deserve.

But something happened when his lips touched hers.

Suddenly every feeling he'd ever had, every longing, every dream rose to the surface and his lips caressed hers in a way that he'd only dreamed about.

His arm went around her back, drawing her even closer and soon they were kissing without resolve. When the kisses were over, he drew back, astonished at what he had done.

For a moment he couldn't look at her for fear that he'd made her uncomfortable. Instead he looked down at his feet.

"Daphne, I-I'm sorry. I-I don't know what came over me. I-I just wanted to thank you for-."

Her mouth was on his again, kissing him in much the same way as before. But this wasn't a friendly kiss. It was tender, sweet and even a bit passionate. His knees went weak and he held onto her for fear of fainting.

"You're welcome." She whispered as she slowly drew back.

Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before she looked away, but the faint sheen of pink on her cheeks did not go unnoticed.

He wanted to tell her that he loved her, wanted it so badly that he felt it in the very depths of his heart. But to do so might ruin this perfect moment. And the way she was looking at him told him all that he needed to know. There was no doubt in his mind that she was feeling the same kind of emotions as he.

At that moment he was so far above Cloud Nine that he'd have to look down to see heaven. For this feeling, knowing that the woman he loved felt the same way about him was so great that no words were needed.

He knew that in time they'd say the words that they'd both been longing to say but for now all he needed was right here.

Her fingertips brushed against his lips and her whispered words resonated in his ear.

"It's late..."

He swallowed hard, not wanting this blissfulness to end. But he didn't want to cause her any gratuitous unease.

"Yes. I should probably go."
He moved to kiss her again but she drew back.

"Don't-."

His heart sank and for a brief moment he thought he might cry. He opened his mouth to speak but the words wouldn't come.

"Dr. Crane, I-."

His reply, when it finally came, was a horse whisper filled with regret and sadness.

"It's all right, Daphne. I'll just leave."

Ignoring the heaviness in his chest, he searched for his coat and car keys.

"No."

He stopped in his tracks and returned his gaze to her.

"I'm sorry?"

"I-I mean... don't leave. Please... stay here with me."

His nervous giggle made her laugh and he found that he was slightly disoriented.

"I-I don't understand."

She laughed again, a sound that filled his heart with joy and when she took his hand, he once more found himself fighting back tears.

"I-I mean... Please stay here... with me."

Once more she'd managed to astonish him and he lowered himself onto the sofa.

"A-are you sure?"

"Well I can't have you driving home so late! It's not safe and I'd hate for anything to happen to-."

Her voice trailed away, and she gently let go of his hand, disappearing into the hallway a little too quickly.

When she was gone, he sank further against the leather cushions, thanking the gods who had brought this wonderful woman to him. It was the greatest gift anyone could ever have given him.

A few minutes later she returned, carrying a pillow, a blanket and a pair of pajamas.

"Now, these might be a bit big, but I think they'll be okay."

His heart warmed at her thoughtfulness and he kissed her sweet lips.

"Thank you, Daphne."

"I-I'll just be in my room...changing."

They kissed once more and then she was gone, leaving him to change in peace.

Quickly he slipped into the bathroom and when he was dressed he crawled onto the sofa content to lay his head onto the pillow. As he turned out the light, he had no doubt that his dreams would be sweet.

Sometime later he was awoken from a deep sleep by the weight of a hand on his shoulder. The touch startled him and he jumped, turning to find Daphne next to him. At the sight of her, worry filled him and he sat up straighter.

"Daphne, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just..."

Concerned, he took her hand and coaxed her to sit next to him.

"What's happened?"

She seemed nervous and he couldn't possibly imagine why she was acting so strangely, as she fidgeted with her hands.

"Is something wrong?"

She let out a breath. "Look, I know this is going to sound silly and you'll probably laugh but-."

Reassuringly he took her hands and kissed them. "I would never laugh at you. I hope you know that."

His words were rewarded with a kiss on his cheek and a beautiful smile.

"Thank you."

"Now, what's on your mind?"

"Well... I was in me room just now and I couldn't sleep. I-I couldn't stop thinking about you. I was... worried."

"Oh Daphne, that's very sweet but-."

"Well, you've had a rough night enduring the awards and I'm so sorry they treated you that way."

Overwhelmed with love, he leaned foreword and kissed her.

"Well, that's all I wanted to say, so I'll just go back to my room and-."

"Daphne-."

This time it was Niles who kept her from leaving by grabbing her hand.

She turned, looking a bit shy.

"Yes?"

"There's plenty of room here... if you want to..."

"Oh... well, all right. Maybe for a little while."

Niles adjusted the pillow against the back of the sofa and Daphne sat down beside him. He stared at her, amazed at how perfectly she fit against him as she snuggled next to his body.

"Sweet dreams, Dr. Crane." She said sleepily.

He kissed her mouth, her cheeks, and then her hair, taking a moment to inhale her sweet scent. Eventually he drifted off to sleep, but he wasn't at all concerned with his dreams.

For what he had was even better.

THE END