Daphne and Martin stared at the closed door in silence, but Daphne knew that they were both thinking the same thing. Frasier had gone completely out of his mind. He of all people should have been able to tell almost instantly that Niles was on the verge of becoming severely depressed. But instead of sympathizing with his brother, he was pushing him away. And the last thing that Niles needed was yet another confirmation that he was alone.
Maris had really done a number on him, making certain that Niles was in as much misery as possible. The idea that someone would so such a cruel thing to a man whom she'd been married to for so long made Daphne hate Maris to no end.
Oh, she knew it was wrong to hate anyone, for even her family, who at times hadn't gotten along with plenty of people, never actually hated anyone. Even Lilith, whom was definitely not one of Daphne's favorite people, could at least be civil when she wanted to be. At least she never put Frasier in the same state that Maris had put Niles in. Although causing Frasier to almost end his life on a ledge was definitely monumental.
But Maris Crane was a completely different story. The woman was horrible; there was no other way to describe her. She was certain, however, that Martin and Frasier could find plenty of words to describe…
Suddenly she heard movement behind her and she turned in surprise, realizing that she had been so deep in thought that she'd forgotten that she wasn't alone.
"I know how you feel." Martin was saying. "I'm mad as hell about this too but worrying about Niles isn't going to help him. I just hope to hell that Frasier knows what he's doing and doesn't do anything stupid. Frankly he's done enough, if you ask me but no one did, so I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Daphne. Come on, Eddie."
She watched with a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes as Martin and his beloved dog headed for the hallway. But Martin wasn't fooling anyone. He was just as worried about his youngest son as she was.
"Mr. Crane?" she called to him.
He turned in surprise. "Yeah, Daphne?"
"Your son… You don't think he'll say anything… Hurtful to Dr. Crane, do you? I-I mean… he couldn't take it! Dr. Crane, I mean… I tried so hard to help him, but…"
"Just try not to worry about it tonight, Daphne. Everything will be okay. At least I hope so. Because if it isn't…"
A lingering silence fell between them that was much too long and Daphne felt her heartbeat increase with each passing second.
"Y-yes?" she managed to choke out.
"Well… Goodnight, Daphne." Was Martin's only reply.
With a tearful sigh, Daphne locked the door and turned out the lights. It was much too early for bed by her standards anyway, and she considered curling up on the sofa with a blanket and her often-played DVD of Sleepless In Seattle. It was a sad movie to be sure, but it never failed to warm her heart. The idea that two people who never even met could fall in love was the most wonderful thing she could ever have imagined. But she found that she could barely put the DVD into the player when she realized how tired she was. It was funny how worrying about someone could be so exhausting.
Minutes later she'd changed into her pajamas, content to climb into bed with her romance novel. She read until her eyelids grew heavy and then turned out the light. Her restless sleep was filled with silent questions about how to help her friend, but no answers came.
Sometime in the night she woke to a familiar sound. Bloody hell, who would be calling her on her cell phone at this hour? It could only be one person. In the darkness she fumbled for her phone and with a sigh of annoyance turned it on.
"Mum, I've told you a hundred times to check the time before you call! What's so bloody important that you had to call me in the middle of the night and-."
A barely audible sound could be heard through the phone. It definitely wasn't her mother.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
"Daphne… I'm sorry to call so late, but I didn't know who else to call. I-I need you."
Daphne bolted upright and she gasped in disbelief. "Dr. Crane?"