For The Love of Daphne by Patrick Councilor

There was a knock at Niles' and Daphne's residence at The Montana. Charlotte answered the door. Donny Douglas stood there with a confused look on his face. He looked back at the elevator wondering if he had gotten off on the wrong floor.

"Excuse me," he said, "I'm Donny Douglas. Is… Is this the home of Dr. Niles Crane?"

"Why yes it is?" She reached out her hand to shake his. "I'm Charlotte Connor. I'm Frasier's girlfriend. We're visiting from Chicago."

"Pleasure to meet you."

"Please come in."

When Donny entered the apartment, everyone was there: Roz, Daphne, Niles, Frasier, Martin and Ronee. They all stood up to greet him, with the exception of… "Niles, don't get up," Donny quickly walked over to Niles' wheelchair to shake his hand as everyone laughed at his comment. He stopped in his place when he laid eyes on Daphne. "Hello Daphne," he said almost too formally.

"Donny." She hurried over to give him a hug. "It's good to see you."

"And you too. Gosh, you guys all look great. Oh, I haven't met you yet." He extended his arm to Ronee.

"Sorry Donny," Martin spoke up. "This is my wife: Ronee."

"Great to meet you," she smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine." He turned to Martin. "And Marty!" He gave Martin a hug. "It really is great to see you all." He turned to Frasier who offered his hand. "I'm done with the handshakes," Donny said and gave Frasier a bear hug that Frasier didn't know what to do with.

"Oh… thank you," were the first awkward words out of Frasier's mouth.

"Can I get you something to drink Donny?" Daphne asked.

"I usually don't drink while I'm interviewing a client, but in this case, a scotch on the rocks wouldn't hurt, would it?" He licked his lips subconsciously.

"No," almost everyone answered him all at once.

While Daphne went to get him a drink, Niles offered, "Donny, come have a seat."

"Sure." He went over and sat on the fainting couch next to Niles in his wheelchair.

"Donny, thank you for taking my case," Niles said. "I know you normally don't take criminal cases."

"Well when Frasier told me it was for you, I couldn't refuse. And don't worry, I've got the criminal law shark Everett & Associates as a consultant and Everett is loaning me two of his paralegal minions to help with the case. You are in good hands, my friend."

Daphne brought Donny his drink. "Thanks Daphne," he stood up to get the drink in respect to her. "Now Frasier filled me in on most of the details, but before we dive into that pool of litigation, how are you guys? What have you been up to? Look at this, Marty is married now. And what a catch Marty."

Ronee smiled. "A silver tongued lawyer," she said. "How cliché."

"We have a six month old son. He is our pride and joy," Niles said.

"Let me go see if he's done with his nap," Daphne said and off she went.

"Oh Daphne, you don't have to bother him on my account," Donny said, but she was already up the stairs.

"How long has it been?" Niles asked.

"Since we last saw each other?" Donny asked, "Two and a half years, hasn't it?"

"Yes, I believe that is correct."

Daphne returned with David.

"Oh my gosh." Donny stood up. "He is a handsome little man isn't he?"

"Would you like to hold him?"

"May I?"

Daphne put David in his arms. He looked into David's big blue eyes. "Hey buddy. I knew you were this beautiful."

"What do you mean by that?" Daphne asked.

"Oh, Bridgett and I saw the three of you walking down third street about two months ago. David was in a stroller and we couldn't get a good look at him."

"Why didn't you stop us and talk to us?"

"I don't know. You and Niles are so happy together. We just didn't want you to feel uncomfortable. I didn't want to tempt fate."

"What do you mean by that, Donny?"

"You and Niles. You can tell just by looking at you that it was in your destiny to be together."

Daphne smiled. "You're so sweet. Thank you."

Niles spoke up, "So you're still with Bridgett? We met her two and a half years ago, didn't we?"

"Yes," Donny handed David back to Daphne. He pulled out his wallet and flipped to a picture to show Niles. Daphne moved over to sneak a peek.

It was Donny and Bridgett's wedding picture. The wedding cake was in the shot and Niles notice the top of the cake was the bride being carried by the groom. "Can't blame him for wanting a one piece wedding cake topper," Niles thought. "The cake topper from Donny's and Daphne's wedding cake had two pieces. The groom Donny used to carry around to remind himself what a 'chump' he was after Daphne dumped him. He even had a name for his little plastic friend: 'Mr. Chump'."

Niles commented, "That's a nice picture."

Donny turned it to face him for a look himself. "Yeah, we've been married for a month now."

Daphne thought that was strange since Donny said that after his breakup with Daphne, he didn't believe in long engagements anymore and he was engaged to Bridgette two and a half years ago. Then again, Donny did make a scene in front of her saying that after being dumped by the love of your life, 'Good luck finding Ms. Right, 'cause she just ain't out there'.

Donny shot his eyebrows up for a second, subconsciously licked his lips and tucked his wallet away. "Alright Niles. Tell me all about this accident? How did it happen? I know you've had a head injury, but what do you recall?"

"Nothing. I was working late. My cell phone rang. That's the last thing I remember other than waking up in the hospital."

"That… that's not much to go on."

"I redialed that incoming call and it turned out to be from a Becky," Daphne added.

"This is the woman in intensive care?" He pulled out a pen from his pocket and a blank folded piece of paper to write on.

"Yes, Professor Rebecca Williams. She is a patient of mine so I can't diverge anything I know prior to the accident," Niles chimed in.

Donny jotted the name down before turning to Niles in disbelief. "Really?"

"That's right," Niles said.

"Is this some type of joke?" He looked around the room checking the faces to see if anyone was holding back any laughter. "Are you serious? This is all you have for me?"

"It was a rollover accident just on the outskirts of town," Martin added. "We found Niles' cell phone and wallet on his office floor with the coffee pot and lights on and the front door to his office unlocked."

"So whatever this Williams woman said, it made you leave in a hurry."

Niles said, "That must be right."

"So you hit her car or her car hit yours?"

"According to the medical reports, he hit her with the car," Martin answered.

"Why was she out there on foot on the outskirts of town?"

Niles and Frasier looked at each other. Then Niles and Martin did the same. "That's a good question," Niles said.

"Alright," Donny stood. "I have enough to start working on. Niles, I'll call for a fax number. I will fax you consent forms to allow me to access your medical report as well as the police report. I'll be able to get her medical and police reports from the prosecutor. I am assuming, due to the victim's status, that it is the city prosecutor or is the family trying to sue?"

"The city," Frasier got his two cents worth in.

Donny shook Niles' hand. "I'm on this Niles. Don't worry. We'll have this wrapped up within the year."

Niles' eyes widened.

"Just kidding Niles." He held up his hands. "I'll call you within 24 hours. Keep your cell phone charged and within arm's reach."

"Thank you Donny. Thank you so much." Niles said.

Daphne walked Donny to the door and gave him a bid hug. "Thank you Donny. And it was so great seeing you again. Once this is all over, you must bring Bridgett by for a visit."

Donny returned her smile. "Good-bye Daphne."