"Daphne, can I talk to you?" Niles had asked a few days earlier when they were alone in Frasier's apartment.
Daphne looked up from the pile of laundry that she was folding. "Certainly, Dr. Crane, What's on your mind?"
Niles grinned. "Well... I just wanted to say thank you."
She put down the towel and looked at him.
"Thank me? Whatever could you be thankin' me for, Dr. Crane?"
"Remember last week when I told you about that patient of mine who was having those disturbing visions?"
"Oh yes. I remember quite well." Daphne replied.
"Thanks to your expertise on the subject, she's made a remarkable recovery. And I owe it all to you." Niles said with a smile.
Daphne blushed. "That's sweet of you to say, but I really didn't do anything. I just gave you some insight on me psychic visions."
"Apparently your insight is brilliant! I've never seen my patient so happy before!" Niles said; his voice bursting with delight.
"I'm glad I could help you." Daphne said resuming her folding.
"Well... I'd like to repay you, somehow." Niles said.
"That's not necessary, Dr. Crane." Daphne replied. "After all, what are friends for?"
"I insist!" He answered, a little too quickly.
"Oh... Well, if you feel that strongly about it, then I accept. What did you have in mind?"
"How about dinner?"
She stopped folding Frasier's shirt and started at Niles in surprise. "Dinner?"
Niles laughed nervously. "Oh God, that's much too foreword. Almost sounds as though I'm asking you out on a date, doesn't it? Because, although that would be
heavenly, I wouldn't want to be too-."
Daphne's heart did another little flip in her chest. "I'd love to have dinner with you!"
He looked down at his feet. "I didn't think you would... wait... what did you say?"
Daphne smiled at his shocked expression. "I'd love to go out on a date with you, Dr. Crane."
For a moment she feared that he might faint, and she reached out to steady him. "Dr. Crane! Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you, Daphne. So... I'll call you later?"
"I'm looking foreword to it." Daphne replied.
When he'd gone, she leaned against the door and sighed. Suddenly she felt like a teenager who'd been asked out by the boy of her dreams. However, her blissful
state soon turned to momentary panic at the realization that they were going to spend the evening alone. Spending the evening at his brother's apartment was one
thing, but a restaurant was quite another.
For God's sake, Daphne, it's just diner with Dr. Crane! He just wants to say thank you, and that's all. Besides, you've said it yourself a hundred times... he's only a friend.
But if that was true, then why did she get a warm, nervous feeling inside her chest whenever she thought about him?