She sat upright in bed, not entirely convinced that she wasn't dreaming. But when she heard the unmistakable sound of Niles' staggered breathing (a sure sign that hyperventilation was coming), she knew that this phone call was all too real.

"Dr Crane, what's wrong?"

"I-I don't know, Daphne. I-I just can't deal with this! I-I can't… I keep thinking about Maris and-."

"I'll be right there."

Without hesitation, Daphne hung up the phone and climbed out of bed. In record time she was dressed in a pair of jeans and a Seattle Seahawks sweatshirt. She grabbed her keys and scribbled a note to Martin and Frasier before sprinting through the lobby and to her car. She had no idea what time it was and was only barely aware that the streets were all but deserted. She had to get to him quickly. She prayed that he was all right, although he certainly didn't sound like it and that's what terrified her. As she came closer and closer to the Shangri-La, her heart was beating so fast that she could hardly breathe. He had to be all right. Because if it wasn't…

She'd barely reached the parking lot when she parked the car and grabbed her purse and keys. And before she knew it, she was knocking on his door. Almost instantly she heard footsteps and the fact that he was about to answer the door so quickly was but a small relief. But nothing could have prepared her for what happened next.

There was a rattling of the door knob and when the door opened she found herself looking into the eyes of the very handsome Dr. Crane. But something was vastly different. He was pale, unshaven, his hair was disheveled and his pajamas were wrinkled beyond belief, as though he'd been wearing them for quite some time. His blue eyes were red and puffy and his cheeks were streaked with tears. He looked so helpless that she instantly dropped her purse and took him into her arms.

"Dr. Crane, what's happened?" She whispered.

As expected he said nothing, allowing her to hold him for a long time while she stroked his back. It was hard not to notice the desperate way he clung to her, as though she would vanish into thin air if either of them drew back. She knew that she should pull back and allow him to talk when he was ready, but she didn't dare let go. So they remained as they were; holding onto one another. And in those moments she realized that she needed him almost as badly as he needed her.

His strong arms held her close, reminding her in a silent way that he cared for her. And she hoped that she conveyed that same message to him. But this wasn't about her. He needed her desperately and she was going to do everything she could to help him, with no regard whatsoever about what Frasier thought. However, now she was beginning to fear that her best efforts wouldn't be enough.

Unexpectedly he drew back, his eyes filled with tears and the sight shattered her heart. "Oh Dr. Crane, what's wrong?" She asked quietly. She already knew the answer of course, but it was the only thing she could come up with to get him talking. His blue eyes met hers and he sniffled. And when he finally spoke, his voice was like that of a little boy.

"Oh Daphne, Maris doesn't love me anymore. I don't think she ever did!"

Daphne swallowed hard, forcing her tears away. She couldn't cry now, not when he was so fragile. She had to be strong, no matter how difficult it was. Very gently she moved away from him, turning to make sure that his front door was securely locked and then led him to the sofa. Her hand still in his, they sat down together and she softly brushed the tears from his cheeks.

"What happened with Mrs. Crane?"

He shook his head in dismay. "It's not Maris, Daphne. It's me. I'm a failure. My patients hate me, my wi-um… my ex-wife hates me… I'm a disgrace to my profession, my family and-."

"Hush now!" she said, holding his cheeks gently in her hands. "I'm not going to listen to any more of this, nor am I going to give you the satisfaction of speaking this way! I don't know how many terrible thoughts that Mrs. Crane put into your head or how many degrading things that Frasier has said to you! I'm guessing there were a lot, but Dr. Crane please believe me, you're none of those things!"

"But I'm horrible, Daphne! I've lost my temper so many times at work and-."
She squeezed his hands gently. "I know…" At his stunned expression she smiled. "Mrs. Woodson told me, when she called the other day. Dr. Crane, I'm sorry for answering your phone against your wishes, but she was just so worried about you. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because… I was ashamed, Daphne. I'm a professional… or I was and-."

"It's nothing to be ashamed of! You've seen me angry plenty of times and it's only natural not to be able to control your emotions on occasion. That rage you feel when… Well, it's happened to me again and again, but it doesn't matter. There are so many people who love you. Your brother and father for starters…. And me…"