"Dr. Crane... Did you just say that you love me?"
He blinked, suddenly realizing that he'd spoken aloud.

"Oh..."

"Is it true? You're in love with me?"

Nervously he ran his hand through his hair.

"Um... Maybe we can just forget that I said anything."

"I don't think I'll be able to forget those beautiful words for as long as I live."

Before he could speak another word, she sat down beside him and touched his cheek with her hand.

"Thank you, Daphne." He said aware of just how nervous he really was.

Tears glistened in her eyes. "You're the sweetest man. Thankin' me when I'm the one who should be thankin' you. No one has ever done anything like that for me before."

Niles sighed deeply and shook his head. "I'm so sorry, Daphne."

"Hush, now. Please stop apologizing. It was an accident."

As gently as possible, he took her injured wrist in his and kissed her fingers.

"But you're hurt and I swore that I would never..."

"You didn't." She whispered, lightly running her hand across his cheek.

At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and kiss her.

But despite her reassuring words, he was deeply ashamed.

His eyes moved around the living room, landing on the kickboxing certificate that he'd been so proud of just hours ago. Now it was more of a slap in the face.

Who was he kidding, trying to be someone he wasn't? He wasn't an athlete by any means and he could vividly recall the way Mel had laughed at him when he'd first told her about his plan for taking kickboxing lessons.

She found the idea completely ridiculous and almost forbade him to continue but he refused to give in. And when he finally succeeded he'd been so proud, but now...

He rose from the sofa, aware of Daphne's confused expression as she watched him pick up the piece of paper and tear it in to pieces.

"Oh, Dr. Crane! Your beautiful certificate!"

"It's worthless."

She went to him, taking the pieces of paper from his hand. "You worked hard for this. You should be proud. Here. Let me get some tape. I'm sure if we tape this together, no one will ever notice-."

But his hand went to her arm. "No, Daphne."

"I don't understand."

He sighed deeply and held a piece of the certificate between his fingers. "Because of this and my... ridiculous ego, I've caused you pain. I'm a disgrace."

Daphne smiled and squeezed his hand. "You were thinking of Mel and wanting to protect her. That's not selfish at all. That's very admirable."

"Thank you, Daphne. I just wish that she felt the same way."

"Mel didn't approve?"

"I'm afraid that she doesn't approve of anything I do anymore."

"Dr. Crane..."

"I can't really blame her when it's my fault. Dad and Frasier were right. She's exactly like Maris, only I didn't see it... or chose not to."

"I'm sorry." Daphne whispered. "I know it hurts, being rejected like that. Donny never-."

Her voice trailed away, hoping he hadn't seen the tears in her eyes.

But of course he had.