She smiled at him with tears in her eyes and they joined hands. Together she led him through the dizzying ship until they arrived at her stateroom. At the door they started at one another awkwardly and he made a mental note of her stateroom number (562) in case he needed it later. "Well… goodnight, Daphne."

In response she smiled and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, Dr. Crane."

But when he turned to leave he heard her sweet voice. "Dr. Crane?"

His heart beating faster, he turned around "Yes, Daphne?"

"Would you like to come in?"

His heart rate increased once again and he quickly returned to her side. "Thank you, I-." He stopped and peered into the doorway, completely awestruck. It was without a doubt the biggest stateroom he'd ever seen. It rivaled even the room he'd shared with Maris on their last voyage to Europe across the sea… the voyage where he foolishly thought he loved her.

"Dr. Crane, are you all right?"

Brought back to the present he looked up in surprise. "Yes, I…" Once again he gazed around the room, completely mesmerized by its size. "The décor was warm and inviting, vastly unlike the stark, uncomfortable shoebox of a room that he shared with his brother and father. Slowly he stepped inside and got a better look.

Daphne smiled warmly at him. "I bet your stateroom is much nicer than this. I know how you and your brother like your luxuries."

"Actually this is far beyond the comforts of our room, Daphne. I'm afraid that Frasier's fame doesn't afford him any luxuries on Siren Cruise Lines and -." He shuddered, remembering, but then straightened. "This certainly is a beautiful room."

"It's the honeymoon suite."

"Oh, I…" He turned at the sound of the muffled noise, heartbroken to find her sitting on the bed, crying into her hands. "Daphne…" He crossed the room and sat down beside her. The moment he put his arms around her, she collapsed against him, sobbing into his chest once again.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I'm so sorry! It was all my fault!"

Her remorse and unnecessary words pained him and he kissed her cheek, giving no thought to the fact that it was the first time that he'd done so.

"Daphne, I don't know what happened between you and that man but there's no doubt in my mind that he's the one at fault here. Not you."

"I meant your father!" she sobbed. "I'm so sorry! I was supposed to pick him up and I just… completely forgot about it! I was so wrapped up in getting to be with John that I neglected the person that I really love and then it turns out that John doesn't even love me!"

His hand moved up and down her back but the tears still came. "I know, Daphne. He told me."

"I tried to apologize but he was so angry! I-."

"Daphne, come here."

He held her until she was all cried out; her eyes red and puffy, streaks of tears on her face. And still she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane, for being here. I don't' know what I would have done if…"

He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. "Finding you was like a breath of fresh air, Daphne. After the hell I went through with Maris and seeing her with that damn Olympian..."

"I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane." She whispered.

"Thank you, Daphne."

He held her for a long time, but when he glanced at his watch, he was alarmed to find how late it had become. Daphne's slow, steady breathing told him that she'd begun to fall asleep and he kissed her cheek once more. "It's late. I should be getting back to Frasier and Dad's, but I'll come by again in the morning. I prom-."

"No, please!"

Her outburst surprised him. "What?"

She sat up and looked at him through tear-filled eyes. "Please don't leave."

"But Daphne…"

She grabbed his hands and kissed them; a gesture that nearly caused him to take leave of his senses. Her lips were soft on his skin and when she drew back, he could still feel the touch of them on his hand.

"I don't think I can stay here another night by myself. Stay with me, Dr. Crane? Please?"