He looked away and she wondered if he'd even heard her.

"Dr. Crane… I love you and care about you so much. I hope you know that."

"Thank you, Daphne. But sometimes…"

"What?"

"I'm nothing, Daphne. I-." He stopped abruptly and looked at her with an unreadable expression.

"What's wrong, Dr. Crane? What is it?"

He began to tremble and he reached out, his fingertips brushing across her cheek. "Oh my God…"

"What is it, Dr. Crane?" She asked her heart beating madly against her chest.

"Daphne I… Oh my God... Frasier was right! I'm a terrible person!"

She drew back in horror and stared at him in disbelief. "Is that what your brother said to you? Well, he's wrong Dr. Crane! You're not a terrible person! You're wonderful!"

He shut his eyes hard and then opened them again as though remembering something. "I hit you, Daphne! Oh God… the bruise on your cheek. I did that! I never…."

"But you didn't mean to, Dr. Crane! It was an accident!" She pleaded. But he broke away from her grasp and rose to his feet. To her horror, he moved around his cluttered living room, yelling words that she'd never heard him utter before. Her attempts to reach him were unfounded, for he yanked his arm away and began throwing things across the room, flinching as they smashed against the walls.

"Dr. Crane, stop this! Please!" she yelled, somehow managing to distract him by wrapping her arms tightly around him. It was strange, the way her touch seemed to comfort him so. And she had to admit that it did the same for her. She could feel his rapid heartbeat against hers as he struggled to catch his breath. There was nothing left to do but rub his back in small, slow circles in a desperate effort to calm him.

"It's all right. I'm here." She said softly, the way she'd heard his brother speak to his patients. It seemed to help, but when Niles unexpectedly pulled out of her arms, her concern resurfaced.

"What's wrong? What is it?"

His fingertips touched the bruise on her cheek, stroking softly. She knew how guilty he must feel for hitting her but she couldn't blame him. He was distraught and hurting. But she also knew that it was best to let him talk when he was ready. But suddenly his beautiful blue eyes filled with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Daphne. I'm so… I love you so much and I can't believe I-." His voice broke and he began to sob uncontrollably, covering his face with his hands. She'd never seen him this way and it frightened her.

"Oh God, oh God… oh God…" he sobbed.

"Come sit with me." She said quietly, slowly moving them toward the sofa. "Sit with me and I'll hold you for as long as you like."

Together they sat down on the sofa where she held him closer, the way a mother might hold her child. Now he was so close she could once again feel his heartbeat. His face was pressed against hers and she increased her hold on him, stroking his soft blonde hair.

"Just let it out, Dr. Crane, let out all the pain. It's all right."

Her soothing words brought even more tears and deep, painful sobs racked his body. The sound broke her heart and within seconds she was crying along with him, rocking him back and forth. It was a moment that she'd remember all of her life, the way they were both releasing their sorrows. And she found that there was nowhere on earth that she'd rather be than in his arms.