The words made her feel light-headed and she could hardly believe that she was hearing them.

"Y-you love me?" She asked, squeezing his hand to make sure that she wasn't dreaming.

"More than words can say."

She sighed deeply, new tears forming behind her eyes.

"Oh, Dr. Crane... I don't quite know what to say. I... can't even believe that this is really happening. We've been friends for so long, and I just never imagined that you felt... how long have you felt this way?"

"Since the first moment we met."

Her heart swelled at the admission. How could it be possible that he'd loved her for so long? It had been six years since she first saw him walk through Frasier's front door.

"I-I..."
"That's all right, Daphne. You don't have to say anything. I just... well I wanted you to know how I feel and- Daphne? What's wrong?"
When she looked at him, his handsome face was blurred by tears, prompting him to move closer and touch her shoulder.

"Dear God, I've upset you. I'm so sorry, Daphne. That was never my intention. I just-."

"I'm not mad, Dr. Crane. Far from it."

"Then what's wrong?"

She was silent for a long time... so long that she knew she was scaring him... for she was scaring herself.

She opened the velvet box and stared at the jewelry. "I don't think I can wear these. It wouldn't be right."

Niles swallowed hard; his expression turning to one of sadness.

"Oh... I see..."

"It's not that I don't love them... I do. And I love you too. I just don't have any place to wear them."

When she handed them back to him, he gently pushed her hand away.

"No Daphne. I bought those for you. I want you to keep them you deserve-wait... what did you say?"

She blinked in confusion. "When?"

"After you said you love the earrings and necklace."

"I said I don't have any place to wear them."

"Before that..."

"Oh... I said... I love you, too."

He gasped deeply.

"Daphne... You mean you really..."

She looked at the jewelry and then kissed him tenderly; a quick kiss that left her wanting more.

"I love you, Niles."

Leaning closer, he brushed a tear from her cheek and kissed her deeply, again and again.

When the blissful kisses ended, she leaned against him, sighing as he stroked her hair.

"I wish I had known..."

"Known what?"

"That you loved me."

"Oh... I'm sorry Daphne, I know it was wrong of me to surprise you like this."

"No, I mean, I wish I had known that you loved me before, because I fell in love with you a long time ago.

Only, my mind didn't know it. But my heart definitely did."

THE END