Together, Frasier and Martin put their arms around Niles to steady him and slowly helped him up the stairs and onto a nearby bench.
"You all right, Son?" Martin asked.
Niles panted, trying to catch his breath. When Eddie jumped on the bench and sat next to him, nudging him as though trying to help him. Niles closed his eyes and
leaned his head back while scratching the dog's head in gratitude.
"I'll be fine, Dad." Niles said. I don't want to ruin your trip. You two should be with Daphne. She could use someone to show her the sights."
"What about you?" Frasier asked.
"I'm fine right where I am." Niles said. "Now go."
"All right, if you insist." Frasier said.
"Come on, Fras. It'll be dark soon and like Daphne said, we've come all this way."
Daphne turned and looked at Niles with tears in her eyes.
Oh God, how could she have been so stupid? She should have known he had a fear of heights. She'd heard him talk about his fears many times. No wonder he was so
hesitant to go on this trip.
And then she'd almost caused a catastrophe by forcing him to look over the edge. Suddenly seeing the Grand Canyon wasn't so exciting.
And suddenly she wished they had never come. If she hadn't opened her big mouth, none of this would have ever happened.
While Frasier and Martin peered out at the canyon, she turned and walked up the stairs until she came to the bench where Niles was leaning his head back with his
eyes closed.
Catching a whiff of her perfume, he opened his eyes and looked at her in surprise.
"Daphne..."
Tearfully, she down beside him and took his hands in hers. "I-I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane."
"What on Earth do you have to be sorry for?"
"This is my fault. I'm the one who wanted to go on this bloody trip, but I didn't even think about your fear of heights. I mean, what was I thinking, subjecting you to
that?"
Niles stood, ignoring the rush of dizziness he felt.
"It's not your fault at all, Daphne. In fact, I feel terrible for ruining your trip! This was a dream of yours and I've managed to poison it by drawing attention to myself.
That was never my intention."
Daphne smiled and rose from the bench. "Oh Dr. Crane! Come here you sweet man!"
To his surprise, she pulled him into a hug. "You didn't ruin anything."
They held each other for several minutes, until he drew back.
"Daphne?"
"Yes, Dr. Crane?"
"You should go have another look before it gets dark. No telling how long it will be before you'll be able to see the Grand Canyon again."
"But I can't just leave you here by yourself!"
Niles was quiet for a long time. "I'll come with you."
Daphne turned to him in surprise. "Are you sure?"
He smiled and held out his hand. "Yes."
She grasped his hand in hers and slowly led him down the stairs to the fence that overlooked the canyon.
As they reached the fence, she could hear his breathing become staggered.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea." She said.
"I want to do it." Niles said as calmly as possible. "For you."
"Dr. Crane... That's so sweet."
She put her arm around him and guided him to the fence.
"Now don't look down. Just look out onto the horizon. I had no idea how large the Grand Canyon was. It's like lookin at a picture!"
Niles stood at the railing and attempted to follow Daphne's advice, but quickly turned around.
"I'm sorry, Daphne. I'm afraid I just can't."
She hugged him warmly and whispered into his ear. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. I'll take good care of you."
Slowly he turned and looked at her worriedly.
"Now, just look right out there at the top of those rocks." She said. "Aren't they beautiful?"
He did as she asked, amazed to find that she was right.
"Now, if you feel yourself getting dizzy or afraid, just bring your eyes right up to the horizon. The sunset certainly is gorgeous isn't it?"
"Yes. It certainly is." He said, sighing when she leaned against his chest.
"Thank you for sharing this with me, Dr. Crane."
Niles smiled. "It was my pleasure, Daphne."