Two weeks later... Saturday night/Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle

There was a round of applause as the emcee appeared at the podium and smiled brightly at the crowd.

"Good evening, radio family and friends. Welcome to the annual Seabee Awards! We've had another great year on the Seattle airwaves..."

"Another year, another boring speech." Martin said. "And this wine is pathetic! Tastes like it came from a can!"

"Dad, must you complain about everything?" Frasier said. "Can't we at least try to enjoy ourselves?"

"Is it really necessary for us to even be here?" Niles asked. "Because I for one am not looking foreword to being made a fool of in front of the entire Seattle radio

community! I'm a respected psychiatrist!"

"Oh Niles relax! It's not like any of your patients actually heard that disastrous production on Saturday night!" Martin said.

"It was not disastrous!" Frasier yelled, garnering the attention of a nearby group of attendees.

"Evening!" he nodded toward the group, as though the outburst hadn't occurred.

"It was not disastrous." He said in a much lower voice. "It just... didn't turn out the way I'd expected."

"Boy that's the understatement of the century." Came a familiar voice followed by laughter.

At the sight of Bulldog approaching the table, Frasier rolled his eyes. "Well, if it isn't the mute Mr. Wing! Is the dyslexic Maxine going to be joining us too? Or should I

say distempered?" He glanced at Niles, who burst into a fit of laughter.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm glad you think it's so funny!" Bulldog said. "I'll have you know that Maxine has real talent behind a microphone."

"I'll bet she does... and in a few other places as well." Roz said.

At her sarcastic comment, Martin laughed hysterically. "That's a good one, Roz!"

"You think so? Just wait till I have a few more glasses of this champagne." She said, downing her glass before pouring herself some more.

"You'd better slow down, Roz!" Gil warned. "That alcohol will go straight to your head and you'll be in no condition to drive home."

Roz smirked. "Well I'm not planning on going home if you know what I mean."

Noel's eyes lit up in anticipation. "You mean that?"

"Yes, but not with you! God, I don't go home with just anyone!" Roz said, clearly disgusted.

"Could a fooled me!" Bulldog laughed.

"And now we come to the moment you've all been waiting for. The awards presentation."

"Shut up!" Martin yelled. "They're giving out the awards!"

"Since when do you care about that? You hate these things!" Niles said.

"Exactly!" Martin replied. "As soon as they start handing out the awards, it means that this thing will be over soon!"

"Well I'll certainly be glad when it is. I can just feel the room staring at our table as though we're a bunch of incompetent fools!" Niles said.

"Oh Niles, really!" Frasier said. "No one thinks we're fools!"

"And the award for best radio show goes to-."

"That won't be us." Roz said, emptying another glass of champagne.

Martin looked at Niles who was glancing around the room nervously. "What the hell's wrong with you?"

"Has anyone seen Daphne?" Niles asked. "I thought she was coming."

"I guess she changed her mind." Martin replied. "Can't really say that I blame her, though. I'd much rather be at home in front of the TV instead of at this... media

circus. Look at all those cameras! Every reporter in the state of Washington must be here!"

"But it's completely unlike her to not show up!" Niles replied, ignoring his father's concern about the media. "What if something terrible happened?"

"Niles, just calm down." Frasier said. "I'm sure she's fine. She's probably out... on a... date or something."

At the word date, Niles flinched. Damn his older brother to rub in the fact that he'd never win Daphne's heart.

Suddenly feeling depressed, Niles poured himself a glass of the horrid champagne and drank it within seconds, ignoring the rush of dizziness that followed.

"I'm so sorry I'm late!"

At the familiar voice, he looked up; his heartbeat increasing rapidly at the sight.

"Hey Daphne." Everyone said their greetings staggered slightly.

"We were getting worried." Frasier said, ignoring the glare he received from Niles.

"I had a bit of trouble with me hair, and then me mum called and you know how she can be..."

But Niles wasn't listening. He stared transfixed at the woman he loved. She stood before him, more stunning than he'd ever seen her; dressed in an exquisite formal

gown that fit close to her body. Why it was almost an exact replica of the dress she'd worn to the Snow Ball in a mesmerizing shade of blue as deep as the sea. Her

hair fell in layers on her shoulders and when the perfume she was wearing wafted in his direction he was sure he would faint from the aroma.

"Dr. Crane, are you all right?" She asked, noticing his dazed expression.

At the sound of her voice he looked up. "What?"

"I was asking if you're all right. You look a little weak. It's not your stomach again is it?"

"You're an angel for remembering, but no. I'm fine. Please, won't you sit down? " He said, gesturing to the chair.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane. I think I will." Daphne said with a smile.

But to his dismay, she sat in the seat next to Frasier, completely out of his grasp.