For The Love of Daphne by Patrick Councilor
Daphne stood outside of Niles' hospital room just staring at the door frame and listening to the heart monitor. One of the nurses was passing by and stopped. "Mrs. Crane, you can go in."
She took a deep breath and let it go. "I know. I just need a moment."
The nurse left her to gather her thoughts. "Be strong Daphne," she said to herself under her breath as she moved her hair out of her face and retrieved a tissue from her purse to wipe the tears from her eyes. She just wasn't prepared to see the love of her life in the condition he was in, yet her heart ached for him. She stepped into the room to find his bed was concealed by the curtain that surrounded it.
"Jump in Daphne," Aunt Bessy would say.
When Daphne was 12, they had gone to the lake and Daphne didn't know how to swim. Aunt Bessy knew best. "Just jump in. That's the way to do it."
But no, here came Simon and pushed her in without warning. She should have listened to Aunt Bessy when she had the chance.
"Just jump in Daphne," she told herself as she opened the hospital curtain and stepped inside.
Her heart sank as she saw Niles with a bandaged head, the breathing tube, and his casted leg hanging in a brace. She hurried to his side and gave him a half hug, so not to hurt him. She held his lifeless hand and kissed it. She leaned over to whisper to him. "Niles Crane, I love you. Can you hear me in there? I will never leave your side. I will always love you, so you'd best be getting' better so we can chase each other around." She hated to see him with the breathing tube stuck down his throat, but all the same, she tenderly kissed his cheek.
Pulling a chair next to his bed, she held his hand. She knew she was going to be there for a long time. Her tears hit the back of his hand that she caressed. "I love you so much Niles. I am so scared."
Martin was alone in the waiting room. He used Niles' cell phone. "Frank… Marty. Hey listen, the doc said there was a second passenger in Niles' car. He couldn't get into the details, but he later referred to the passenger and HER injuries. This whole thing stinks to high heaven."
"What do you mean?"
"Niles left his phone and wallet on his office floor, he left the coffee pot and lights on in his office, the office unlocked and he was thrown from the vehicle."
"Yeah."
"I know my son. He is particular about tidiness and wouldn't leave his office the way he did. And he always wears his seat belt."
"What are you saying Martin? It was in the middle of the night. Maybe he was too tired to think straight. Maybe something made him leave his office in a hurry."
"Yeah, this Becky girl did. She called him just before midnight. Do me a favor and find out who was in the car with him. If it was Becky, I want to find out why. I don't believe for a second that Niles would cheat on Daphne."
"Marty, I can't do anything on duty, but I sure can check it out after work. I'll do some research and see if I can question her co-workers, neighbors, and friends."
"Thanks Frank. I owe you one."
"I'll call you later tonight. We can meet for a drink if I have a debrief for you."
"And I'm buying," Martin added. He hung up and when he turned, he found Frasier coming in the door with bags still in hand. He was followed by Charlotte and Roz.
Frasier dropped his bags and hurried over to give his dad a hug. "How is he? Any news yet?" he asked as Charlotte gave Martin a hug followed by Roz.
"Ah, they got him all hooked up with all of these machines. I haven't been in to see him yet, but he is stabilized and has his own room now. Daph is in there now."
"Thank God he is stabilized." Frasier sighed. "Alright, everybody sit down. Dad, tell me everything and leave nothing out."
They sat in the waiting room and Martin told his son all about Niles current status. Frasier wiped away a tear as he listened. "Is there anything I can do… anything we can do?" he gestured to Charlotte and Roz. "Does Daphne need anything from the apartment?"
"Maybe you could go and bring David for a short visit. It would be nice for Daphne to visit with him for a short spell. You could bring Ronee over as well."
"Alright Dad, I'll do just that. Why don't you let me visit with Niles next and then we'll make that trip?"
"Alright, but give Daphne a bit longer with him."
"Sure Dad. I can only imagine the hell she's going through."
Martin motioned. "Frase, why don't we go down to the cafeteria to get some snacks for everyone. It'll give us a chance to talk."
"Well… okay Dad." He gave Charlotte a quick kiss. "Would you ladies like anything in particular?"
Both Roz and Charlotte shook their heads.
A little while later, Frasier was able to go see Niles. It really hurt to see his brother in such a condition. "Hello Niles," he said half choked up as he stood by the bed. "I won't take up too much of your time. Dad still wants a chance to see you." He took the chair that Daphne had moved next to the bed. "You know, if you wanted me to come visit so soon, you didn't have to do anything this elaborate." Frasier cleared his throat. "Sorry, that sounded funnier in my mind. Dad informs me that you overturned your car on the outskirts of the city. A lot of people here want some answers. Like why you were at that location in the middle of the night, why you left your office the way you did, and such. But even more than their need for those answers, they love you more than you may know and they are willing to wait for those answers. You take all the time that you need to get better." Again he tried to clear the lump in his throat. "You're my brother and I love you. You're actually more than a brother to me. You're my best friend. I will always be here for you." Frasier smirked. "If I break into a verse of You've Got A Friend, will you come to and join me?... please, Niles. Because if you ever thought of the world without you… well, let's just say that mine is a bleak planet…"
Frasier started to sing softly,
"If the sky above you should grow dark and full of clouds.
And if that north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together
And call out my name out loud
Soon I'll be knocking at your door.
You just call out my name
And you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall
All you have to do is just call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend."
Frasier wiped a tear from his eye.