The ringing doorbell was a welcome intrusion to Daphne's task and she happily dried her hands, content to leave the breakfast dishes soaking in the sink. If Frasier didn't like it, so be it. It was his bloody fault anyway, leaving her in the condo alone while he went to the 15th floor to pursue the affections of a woman he'd met while on his way to work.

She crossed the living room and went to answer the door. It was with some relief that she found Niles standing in the hallway. She'd been so worried about him when she'd seen him at Café Nervosa the day before. But judging from the smile on his face, she had no need to worry.

"Hello, Dr. Crane! This is a nice surprise!"

"Hello Daphne. You're looking lovely this morning!"

She blushed, smiling at him. Surely he was exaggerating. For her plain-looking dress and apron were no match for his beautiful grey suit and blue tie that matched his eyes. He always managed to look his best, no matter what the occasion. And it was one of the many reasons she loved him so much; as a friend of course.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane. You're always so thoughtful. Would you like some breakfast?"

She opened the door wider, allowing him to enter the living room.

"No thank you, Daphne. I think I'll just make myself a sherry."

She looked at him in surprise. It was awfully early for a drink, even for Dr. Crane. But in light of his impending divorce, she supposed that it was only natural for him to want to relax his nerves. She'd just be sure and keep a careful eye on him. She couldn't bear to think of something happening to him. She cared about him too much.

"All right, Dr. Crane. You just make yourself comfortable. If you don't mind, I'm just going to finish these breakfast dishes and I'll be right back to keep you company. This is your home too, so feel free to relax."

"Thank you, Daphne. Perhaps I'll just thumb through one of Frasier's books."

"Well, I won't be long. If you need me, I'll be right in the kitchen."

"I always need you, Daphne."

The words were soft and she wondered if they weren't meant for her ears. But they touched her just the same. He really was the sweetest man.

In the kitchen she hummed softly to herself; a familiar song that she'd heard Frasier play a hundred times. Funny that it stuck with her, for it was a classical piece and certainly wasn't her type of music at all. But there was no denying that it was beautiful.

She was on the second verse when the song in her head was abruptly disrupted by the harsh sound of shattering glass. Forgetting all about the dishes, she raced into the living room, where she was horrified to find him standing in the middle of the living room, a broken glass at his feet.

"Damn you, Maris! This is your fault!" he was yelling, oblivious to the blood flowing from his hand. "DAMN YOU!"

Daphne rushed to his side, determined to make sure that he was all right. "Oh, your poor hand! Don't worry about your brother's reaction to this. I'll take care of him." Staring worriedly at the bright red stain that would surely be permanent on Frasier's Summer Mist carpet, she prayed silently that Frasier would be more worried about his little brother's state of mind than of his precious floor.

"He'll get over it, but we really need to get your hand cleaned up. Come with me!"

Gently she took his arm and coaxed him to follow her into the kitchen. But to her consternation, he jerked his arm away with such force that she could only stare at him in horror.

"A-all right, but-."

"GO AWAY, DAPHNE!" he yelled. "I'm fine! I just... need another sherry!"

"A-are you sure that's a good idea, Dr. Crane?"

"Don't tell me how to live my life! You know nothing about my life, do you understand?" He yelled again, shaking her to the core.

She watched him as the worry crept into her chest. She'd never seen him this way before and she wondered if she should call his brother. But that was impossible, for she could see Frasier's cell phone sitting on the counter where she'd left it. And Martin was had taken Eddie for a walk. But knowing that dog, they could be gone for hours. Oh why weren't they back yet?

Daringly she approached Niles again and spoke as gently as possible. "D-Dr. Crane, I know you're hurting and I'm so sorry. But I really think you should let me clean this wound. It's bleeding and you might have glass in your... h-hand. I don't want it to get infected"

"I don't care, Daphne!" he yelled. "Don't you get it? I don't care about anything anymore! Or anyone for that matter! God knows that no one cares about me!"

She swallowed hard, trying to tell herself that this was his anger talking. He didn't really didn't mean the things he was saying. But there was no denying that the words hurt, as though she had been cut with glass as well.

"Dr. Crane, of course I care about you! And you can't possibly think... Now let me just take care of your hand"

"Go away! Just get out of here and leave me alone!" He yelled, yanking injured hand away from her.

By the time she reached the kitchen, she was no longer able to control her emotions and she grabbed a clean dish towel, and held it to her face. Within seconds it was damp with her tears.

What was happening? She simply didn't understand it. She knew that his marriage ending had been hard on him but he'd been taking it so well. Why just yesterday he was talking about taking an art class and looked happier than she'd ever seen him!

And suddenly she wished that she'd been more supportive. Could his anger been the result of her insensitivity? The thought made her cry even harder. And before she could go check on him again, she heard him release a string of swear words that even Bulldog wouldn't utter. Something was terribly, terribly wrong and she was more afraid than she'd ever been in her moments before when he'd arrived at the condo, Niles had been the same sweet and wonderful man she'd always cared about.

Now she barely knew him at all.