For The Love of Daphne by Patrick Councilor

Daphne closed the door when Donny left. Frasier walked over to Niles. "Niles, can I see you in the kitchen?"

"Actually, I'm a little tired. I…"

"Thank you Niles," Frasier cut him off as he pushed his wheelchair across the floor and into the kitchen. Frasier had is briefcase in hand. "Niles, I took your yellow legal pad." He put his briefcase up on the counter and touched it. "Just what are you trying to afraid to find in these notes?"

Niles wheeled himself back out of the kitchen. "Frasier, you have no right to extract my notes from a private session from my office."

"I didn't read them, but what are you avoiding?"

Niles and Frasier looked around the room. They had everyone's attention.

"How about some ice cream?" Martin announced. "I'm buying."

"Oh that sounds good," Ronee said as she grabbed her coat.

"I love ice cream," Roz headed to the door with her purse.

"Oh yes, delightful," Charlotte followed suit.

"Let me grab David," Daphne as well as everyone else was out the door in a matter of seconds, leaving Niles and Frasier to talk.

Frasier scratched his forehead. "I guess we cleared the room."

"Frasier, I don't want to do this."

"I know Niles, but if you were to confide in me as an advising psychologist…" A technique they used to get around legalities in the past.

"I'm not a psychologist anymore."

"Niles, if this might keep you out of jail, do it for Daphne and David."

Niles shook his head. "Alright Frasier, alright. Well played. If you want to know what's in those notes, than okay. Professor Rebecca Williams works at the University of Washington. She's been my patient for about six months. Just about the time David was born. She was seeking therapy because she fell in love and started an intimate relationship with a married man. She was in love, but he wasn't going to leave his wife. She became obsessed. She told me that she became pregnant."

Frasier gasped beneath his breath. "Oh my God Niles, you're not saying…"

"No. I know what you are thinking. No, I did not strike down a pregnant woman with my car. The more she became obsessed with the failed relationship, the more she became unstable. After several months of not showing in her pregnancy, I tried to give her a push to allow her to realize herself that she was suffering from pseudocyesis. Rebecca was making great progress. A few days before the accident, she had begun splitting her personality into Professor Rebecca Williams the independent professional and Becky Williams the depressed and unloved expected mother. Becky was making independent appointments while Rebecca was not showing up for her sessions."

"I'm sorry Niles. No matter how hard we try… no matter how great we are… eventually, we find a patient that we can't help."

"Well, this is my first that I can't help and it almost cost both of our lives. I can't go back to that profession. I'm done with it."

"I'm sorry Niles. I'm sorry terribly sorry." He put a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Thank you Frasier," he put his hand on his brother's. "It feels like this took all of my energy from my very soul."

"But what will you do now?"

"I don't know. Perhaps I will go back to school and choose another field. I just wish I could recall that phone conversation and realize what she wanted me to do."

"I coin the phrase: Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things that I cannot change that, and the courage to change the things that I can."

It wasn't too long after that that Donny called for Niles' fax number and the consent forms came through. Niles signed them and sent them back. The others returned from getting ice cream. The ladies brought Niles and Frasier cones back. It was partially melted, but the men were very appreciative. Everybody stayed up late hoping Donny would call back with more news and he did. Daphne answered the phone. "Niles, it's for you. It's Donny."

Niles wheeled over and took the phone. "Hello Donny."

"Hey pal, how's everything on the home front?"

"You could say it's always calmest before the dawn."

"Well Niles, I wish I had better news for you, but I didn't want to leave you in the dark. The city prosecutor has thrown some major barriers up against us, but I'm going to bust us through them. I'll come by tomorrow and give you an update."

"Thanks Donny. We'll see you tomorrow." Niles hung up the phone slowly.

Everybody was silent, waiting for some news.

"Donny didn't have any good news, but he's still working on it. He sounded confident. He'll be by tomorrow."

Frasier bounded to his feet. "Well, let's have a drink."

"No thanks," Martin said. "I'm going to bed."

"Right behind you lover," Ronee said.

Niles' cell phone rang. He answered it. "Dad, it's for you. It's Frank."

Martin took the phone and went into the kitchen. "Frank what's up?"

"Marty, we've got to meet now."

"Now?"

"Right now. Right this very minute."

"In the lobby?"

"Not in the lobby. We've got to meet now. I'm on my way up. I should be there in a few…" There was Frank's knock on the door.

Martin hurried out of the kitchen and to the door to answer it. There Frank stood.

"Marty, because of our friendship, I don't have access to the case files, but I do have some bad news." He hung his head.

Martin swallowed hard and braced himself. "Okay Frank."

"THESE BEERS ARE WARM SO WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO WAIT 'TIL THEY GET COLD!" Frank pulled a six pack of bottles of beer from behind his back.

"What's going on?" Marty asked in confusion.

Everyone gathered around to see what the commotion was.

Frank took a few steps into the apartment and announced, "Becky's awake and she has feeling in all of her arms and feet."

Everyone cheered. Daphne hugged Niles so hard, she almost pulled him out of his chair.