She arrived at the hospital emotionally drained but she was determined to be in good spirits. She had to be, for Niles' sake. The closer she came to the enormous hospital entryway, the more nervous she became. It was still late into the night, and there was a slight chill in the air but she hardly noticed.

It was well past visiting hours, but she didn't care. If she didn't do this now, she never would. And so, when the elevator arrived on the ICU floor, the doors opened allowing her to sneak past the Admissions desk en route to the now-familiar room. But she shouldn't have worried about being caught, for there wasn't a soul around; just a calmness that could only be found in a place such as this. Save for the faint beeps of the various machines, the stillness was almost eerie.

She paused only to glance at herself in a nearby window, the reflection confirming her fears. She looked completely awful. Her hair that she'd worked so diligently on to style was now a flat mess and the rest of her wasn't much better. But perhaps he wouldn't notice. The irony of the terrible thought made her gasp and she leaned against the window, crying softly. After a few moments, she'd regained her composure and headed for the room that was only a few doors down.

As seemed to be an ongoing trend, her hand trembled as she reached for the door handle and slowly opened it. The room was surprisingly dim and in the stillness she could hear the whirs and beeps of the machines that were working diligently to keep Niles alive. She walked inside, almost smiling in gratitude. "Thank you." She whispered to the machinery that would never have the knowledge of her gratefulness.

Her eyes moved from the machines to the bed where Niles lay as still as death. He looked so peaceful, so distracted from the rest of the world. He didn't deserve this, didn't deserve any of it. No one did, of course, but especially Niles. He was a good man, someone who devoted his life to helping others.

The tears resurfaced once more and she moved toward the bed, sitting in the chair beside him. She reached for his hand, lacing his fingers through hers. The warmth of his touch was comforting in an odd sort of way.

"H-hello, Dr. Crane. It's me… Daphne. I know you can't hear me but if you can, you're probably wondering what I'm doing here in the middle of the night. Of course you probably don't have any idea what time it is or where you are. I wish I knew…"

She rubbed his hand with her thumb as tears spilled from her eyes, splashing onto the blanket. "Look at you. So peaceful, so…"

Unexpectedly, her voice broke. "Oh, Dr. Crane, I'm so sorry! When I heard what happened, I-I couldn't believe it! It felt like some sort of a terrible nightmare! I couldn't bear the thought of losing you! Not after…" She brought his hand to her lips and trailed kisses across it.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She whispered. "I would have understood. I admit that I was stunned when I heard your brother say that you're in love with me, but it was only because… well, you've become me best friend. I never told you that before and now I would give anything if you could hear me, because it's true. You are me best friend. Oh, I know that I am always saying that Roz is, but she is nowhere near as kind and thoughtful as you are. I know we've had our differences and I'm so sorry for anything cruel I might have said or done to you because I would never… You're a wonderful man."

She sniffled as her fingertips slowly stroked his cheek. "Look at you, bruised and battered. If it weren't for me, this never would have happened. I should have known how you felt long before now. The signs were all there, I just didn't see them. Me, a bloody psychic!"

His hand still in hers, she turned his palm up and kissed it softly. "It's all right that you didn't tell me, because I know now. Perhaps I've always known. If you could hear me, you'd probably think I'm daft, and I am. I just… I got all dressed up to see you, knowing that you can't possibly see… I'm wearing me new dress, the one you bought me after the accident at Café Nervosa. And it was an accident, so don't blame yourself. I was more worried about you than of me bloody dress! Damn your father for making you feel guilty about it! I mean, I love your father and he loves you. I hope you know that. He's been crying over this, a lot. He doesn't think I notice but of course I do. Your brother cries as well. I know you and your brother think that when a man cries, it a sign of weakness, but I think it just makes you stronger."

As expected, he said nothing, and she stroked his soft hair. "Oh Dr. Crane, I'm so sorry! I've been praying every night, even during the day. Please… wake up! If you do, I promise to love you the way you were meant to be loved. I –I never thought I'd say those words to you, but now I know that me feelings are real. And it's not just because you're in this dreadful hospital, oblivious to the world around you. I do love you, Dr. Crane. I love you so much."

She rose from the chair and leaned over him, placing a gentle kiss on his sweet lips, wishing so badly that he would kiss her in return, or at least acknowledge that the woman he loved was kissing him. But instead he lay dormant.

She began to sob quietly, resting her head against his lean body. And if she closed her eyes, she could just imagine him holding her, his arm around her shoulder. But the blissful image brought another wave of sadness.

"Don't cry… Daph…ne."

She blinked in surprise at the faint words that broke the silence. Her head slowly lifted from his chest and she looked up in stunned amazement. Surely he hadn't…

As if in slow motion, his fingers moved to her cheek, brushing against them ever so lightly and her heart raced. She'd imagined this moment, dreamed about it more times than she could remember.

"Dr. Crane?"

"Daph…ne…" He said in a raspy voice.

Her hand flew to her trembling mouth and she gasped as tears fell in rivers down her cheeks. "Oh my God…"

It was a miracle.