Aghast, Niles' mouth fell open and he stared at his angel. Her beautiful dress was ruined.
What had he done?
"Oh... Daphne..." He managed to say.
"Niles, you damn fool!" Frasier yelled, startling Niles with the outburst. "Have you completely lost your mind?"
Daphne looked down at her dress. "It's all right, Dr. Crane. I think I'll be fine."
"The hell you will! Martin yelled. "Those drinks were hot, Daphne! You could have third degree burns!"
Niles gasped in horror, as the realization of what he'd done slowly began to sink in.
"Oh dear God!"
"Dr. Crane, it's fine, really! I -."
But Niles was already rushing toward the men's room. As he pushed the wooden door open, he said a silent prayer of thanks when he found the restroom empty.
With trembling hands, he turned on the water and grabbed a handful of wet towels, and then stared into the mirror.
The face that stared back at him registered exactly what he was feeling. Pure, intense shame and humiliation of which he might never recover.
"Those drinks were hot, Daphne! You could have third degree burns!"
His father's harsh but all too true words went through his mind like a freight train and without giving it another thought he rushed into Café Nervosa, dismayed to find Daphne attempting to clean her dress with the tiny napkins that bore the logo of the beloved café.
"Daphne, Daphne, Daphne... here..."
"Thank you, Dr. Crane."
He handed her the wet paper towels and watched with great remorse as she blotted her dress. Swallowing hard, he knew that what he was about to do would send his thoughts in all sorts of directions-places he shouldn't venture-but he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
His mouth went dry as he held the remaining paper towels in his hands.
"M-may I?"
She looked at him in surprise. "Oh...of course."
His fingers trembled as he slowly moved the wet paper towel toward her dress. And as carefully as possible he touched the soft fabric, blotting the fabric as he willed the stains to disappear. But it was no use. He and Daphne both knew that there was no possible way those stains would ever come out.
"This is very kind of you Dr. Crane but I'm afraid it's no use."
"Damn it, Niles, are you proud of yourself? You've ruined Daphne's brand new dress!" Frasier yelled.
"Dr. Crane, don't be ridiculous! I-I've had this dress for ages!"
"Like hell you have!" Martin said. "You just bought that dress two days ago!"
"Mr. Crane, don't-."
"What? I remember the day you came home with it! You couldn't wait to model it for us!" Martin continued, despite the horrified look on Daphne's face. "You said you were going to wear it on your date with... um... what was his name again?"
"Frank." Daphne answered quietly.
"Right... Frank. He's the guy you met at the mall, right?"
"Yes." Daphne said in a voice that was even softer.
"How'd your date work out?"
"I-it didn't."
The words were barely audible, but the hurt in her eyes was overwhelming.
"Damn shame. It was such a nice dress." Martin continued.
Niles could barely look at his angel or his family, for this was without a doubt the worst thing he could have ever done. And he was certain that he'd never be forgiven. Nor was he worthy of it.