As he gazed into her eyes, he realized that there was nothing that he could possibly say.

"I-I see…" she said, after a silence that was much too long. "Well, you certainly should write an apology after what you and your brother did! It was terrible, going through his personal belongings! I thought your so-called ethics were stronger than that!"

He bowed his head and nodded, stung by her harsh, but well deserved words. "I-I know Daphne, but-."

"Dr. Crane, I care about you a great deal, but I'm with your father when I say that I'm so ashamed of you and your brother! How could you?"

He looked away, horrified when tears filled his eyes. But he knew that those tears were in fact a type of punishment for what he had done. Daringly his eyes returned to hers and he noticed that her expression had softened. But he knew that it didn't mean that she would so readily forgive him, or that she approved of what he had done.

She'd already made her disdain abundantly clear. But to think that he had disappointed her absolutely crushed him.

"Dr. Crane, I-."

"You don't have to say it, Daphne. You're absolutely right. I-I'm a disgrace."

"Well…" She said, almost thoughtfully. "It wasn't entirely your fault; I mean your brother was equally to blame."

"Yes, but I started it."

She smiled (smiled!) sympathetically. "I see. Well, perhaps Mr. Houghton has forgotten about the whole thing."

Niles was grateful for the kindness that she was showing him, the kindness that he didn't at all deserve. Woefully he shook his head.

"I don't think so. We were absolutely terrible. I'm so ashamed. How could I have done that to a man I idolize?"

Her hand slipped into his, surprising him even more. "Well, sometimes our curiousity gets the better of us. It certainly gets the worst of me at times."

"I find it hard to believe that you would do something as terrible as what Frasier and I have done, but this is worse than anything I've ever dreamed of doing. And I can't blame Frasier. He just went along with my… stupidity."

She squeezed his hand, clearly surprised to hear him speak so low about himself. "Dr. Crane, you're not stupid. You're very smart."

He tried to smile, but it was impossible. "Thank you Daphne, but I don't feel very smart."

"Oh Dr. Crane, don't say that. What's really bothering you?"

"If I'm so smart, then why can't I write a simple letter of apology? I tell my patients to write them all the time!"

Her eyes moved around the living room. "Is that what all of this is on the floor? Your attempts to write the perfect letter?"

Once more he sighed deeply. "Yes. I just… I can't seem to get the words right!"

"Would you like me to help you?"

He'd already asked for her help of course, but hearing her offer made his heart sing. "Well, I-." He paused and looked into her eyes. "Would you?"

"Of course. What are friends for?"

Her brown eyes sparkled and before he realized what he'd done, he was holding both of her hands. His smile came easily and he squeezed her hands gently. "We are friends, aren't we?"

She returned the affection by rubbing her thumb across his hand. "Always, Dr. Crane. Always."