"You're such a sweet man, Dr. Crane. No one has ever been as kind and considerate as you have. To think that you cared enough about me to make sure that I was all right just makes me heart soar. And then you made me that lovely salad. It was wonderful by the way and I was a bit hungry. I admit that I devoured the whole thing in your bedroom. I'm sorry it took me a while to come downstairs but I suppose I was hungrier than I thought."

He swallowed hard, unable to believe what he was hearing.

"Thank you so much." She was saying now. He attempted to raise his head to look at her but her lips met his neck and the feeling was like nothing he'd ever experienced. But he didn't deserve to be treated so kindly.

"I-I'm glad you liked the salad, Daphne. I-If you want more, I'd be happy to make you another... O-or anything else you'd like. Some pasta, or an omelet, perhaps?"

"I'm fine, but it's so sweet of you to offer. You're so thoughtful and kind and I'm sorry I keep saying this but I can't believe you cared enough about me to make sure that I was all right. I've fallen asleep in the tub before, but it scares me to think what could have happened. I never thought about the possibility of drowning, but I hear about it all the time on the news, so who's to say that it can't happen to someone like me?

And if you hadn't been there, trying to wake me up... Oh, I don't even like to think about it. Your brother let me use his gigantic tub a few times but he never bothered to check on me. I suppose it is a bit awkward, seeing your employee in a bathtub full of bubbles."

She laughed then, a sound that was music to his ears.

"What a sight I must have been, lying there with me body covered in bubbles, me mind far away in slumber! I don't even know what I was dreaming about, unless it was that a handsome man was telling me how much he loved me and how I was the only one he'd ever loved. Isn't that silly? And I could have sworn I heard the words I love you Daphne, as though the wind was carrying them through the air! I'm reading too many romance novels, I suppose. That's what Sherry says anyway. I'm too thin; I need a little meat on me bones... Apparently that's what men want but let me tell you I've heard plenty of them complain when a woman has too much. I wish they'd make up their minds. I know I shouldn't keep talking about this but I can't help it. Her words resonated with me, and as much as I don't want them to be true, I'm afraid they are. I am too rigid and I do need a man in me life. I can't go on being single forever."

"Daphne-."

She took his hand and squeezed. "Listen to me, carrying on as though I'm the most important person in the world. Then she looked at him thoughtfully. "You know, now that I think about it, I don't really need a man."

"Y-you don't?"

"I have you."

When his eyebrows rose in confusion she laughed once more. "Oh Dr. Crane, I'm sorry! Of course you are a man and I do need you in me life but I'm talking about a man with whom I can share me innermost thoughts, my desires and lots and lots of kisses. I know it's silly and I can't even believe I'm saying this to you, but I'm sure you've heard your patients go on and on about the silliest things. I guess Sherry and me mum are right. I do read too many romance novels. But I suppose having a wonderful friend like you is better than being alone all the time. And I value your friendship more than ever; especially since you saved my life!"

"Daphne-."

"Well, I suppose I should run upstairs and get that tray so that I can put it in the kitchen before I head home."

He gasped at her words. "Home?"

"Yes, I suppose it's time that I have a talk with Sherry, as much as I don't want to. Your brother is bound to make me do it anyway, but I'd much rather stay here with you."

When she rose from the fainting couch, he grabbed her hand.

"Daphne, wait... There's something I need to say."

Surprised, she turned to him. "Oh... All right. Shall I sit down?"

He sighed and took another gulp of champagne. "I think it's best."

She did as he asked and then looked into his eyes. "What's on your mind?"

The question made him smile and he squeezed her hand.

"When I disturbed you earlier while you were in the tub... I..."

"I'm sorry I went on and own about you savin'; me life and all. I suppose it's a bit silly anyway."

"It's not silly at all, Daphne. But you see... As happy as I am that you're safe, that wasn't the only reason that I was standing beside you."

"It wasn't?"

Once more he swallowed hard and took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss.

"No..."

The words were a whisper on his lips. "It's just that... I did come in there to check on you at first. And when I saw that you had fallen asleep, you looked so beautiful that I longed to know what it would feel like to kiss you."

The room was eerily silent, except for the oscillating fan, which to his dismay had dried him off completely and he was now as warm, if not warmer than he was before.

Daringly he looked at her, letting himself get lost in her beautiful brown eyes. "You... You wanted to kiss me?"

"Well... Yes... because you see, Daphne...I..."

"Oh, Dr. Crane... That's-."

But before he could stop himself, he moved closer and kissed her. But this was no friendly kiss. It was a romantic, passionate kiss; the kind he'd always dreamed of sharing with her.

When the kiss ended, he drew back and stared into her eyes. "I love you..."

She gasped in surprise. "Y-you what?"

"I love you Daphne. This isn't the way I had planned on telling you and I hope you don't think I'm being foreword, but..."

"You love me? As in..."

"Yes Daphne... I'm in love with you. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I understand. I just... wanted you to know."

There was a long silence before she spoke again. "Oh... I see... Well... I'd better go get that tray now."

"Daphne, wait..."

But she was already heading up the stairs. When his head began to spin, he knew it wasn't from the champagne. He'd managed to ruin things once more.

With a sigh he sat down his champagne glass and headed up the stairs. He had to talk to her, or at least plead with her to listen to him. He couldn't let his feelings ruin a wonderful friendship.

When he reached his bedroom, his heart was pounding and for a moment he couldn't breathe. But he gathered his courage, prepared to say what was on his mind.

However, nothing could have prepared him for what he found when he passed through the doorway.

Daphne lay on his bed, her hair splayed across his pillow, sleeping like an angel. The sight made his heart soar. With a smile on his face, he gently adjusted the sheets and comforter, allowing her to crawl into bed. Amazingly she barely stirred as he pulled the cool cotton sheets over her body and kissed her cheek.

He knew he should awaken her, because they had so much to talk about. But that could wait. He'd call Frasier in the morning and explain the situation and then hopefully they could resolve things with Sherry.

Right now, he was content to have her near him, where he knew that she would be safe. And as he quietly cleaned up the bathroom and glanced at the tub, he couldn't help but smile. For he would never think of bubble baths quite the same way again.

THE END