The door opened suddenly, bringing Daphne to her feet. Embarrassed, she dried her eyes and looked at the man standing in the doorway. "Dr. Watson…"
"You can go in now, but don't stay too long. Dr. Crane needs his rest."
Daphne smiled and nodded. "Of course. Thank you, Dr. Watson. Thank you for everything."
The doctor returned her smile and touched her shoulder. "It was my pleasure."
She swallowed hard. "H-how is he?"
"Considering all he's been through, he's doing remarkably well. His shoulder will take several weeks to heal and he'll need extensive physical therapy for his leg. But in time he should be strong and healthy again."
The tears filled her eyes and she made no effort to brush them away. "Thank you… so much."
Dr. Watson smiled as she moved past him and entered the room. As expected, her heart was pounding but when she saw Niles staring out of the window, she watched him for a moment.
He was so handsome.
She crossed the room and went to him, doing her best to appear upbeat. Her smile, although genuine, took some effort and she fought the trembling of her lower lip. Instead she focused on what really mattered, leading Niles on the road to recovery.
When she reached him, she moved slowly, trying not to scare him. But to her dismay his gaze remained transfixed. With the utmost care, she laid a gentle hand on his forearm and spoke quietly.
"Dr. Watson says you're doing much better than expected."
She froze when he turned his head, startled to see the tears in his eyes and she wasted no time rushing to his side. The instant she touched him, he leaned against her.
The sight pained her heart and she drew him closer. "Oh sweetheart, what's wrong?"
He leaned against her and sniffled. "I…"
"Is this about what Dr. Watson said?"
"I… I could have died, Daphne. And maybe I was for a minute… I-."
She put her fingers against his lips to silence him. "Hush. You're a strong man. And you didn't die. You're here with me… with us…"
"But if I hadn't been so stupid…"
Aware of the bruises, Daphne gently took his face into her hands and forced him to look at her. "You're not stupid. You're the smartest man I know. You're sweet, handsome and I know we've had our differences, but if I had lost you, I-."
Now it was Niles who comforted Daphne, brushing away her tears with his fingertips. But no sooner had he done so, more tears fell.
"Don't cry, my love. Please don't cry."
Her fingertips brushed against his bruised cheeks. "You must have been so scared." She whispered. "I can't even imagine…And to think that you were coming to tell me. I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane. I didn't know, but-."
"You couldn't have. And don't blame yourself. I'm the one at fault. If I hadn't been so stupid, I could have just told you how I felt instead of…"
She drew him closer and held him as they cried together. "It's not your fault." She whispered, rubbing his back. "It's not..."
After several blissful seconds he drew back, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead. "You're so beautiful…"
"Dr. Crane…"
"Call me Niles."
"All right…But on one condition."
His eyes widened in surprise. "Oh… okay, anything, Daphne."
"Tell me, what you were going to tell me... before…"
He let out a breath and sighed deeply. "All right."
She waited patiently as he appeared to be gathering his thoughts. "Maris was… well, she was in Las Vegas with her latest man and I couldn't take it anymore. I was tired of… letting her run all over me and not being able to express how I feel without ridicule. So I picked up the phone and called Frasier. We got into an argument and I told him that I was coming over to tell you how I felt about you and I wouldn't take no for an answer."
Daphne sniffled and wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, not bothering with her own. Her hand in his, she brought it to her mouth and kissed it. "Niles…"
"So I… jumped in my car, despite Frasier's warning of the thick fog that had moved into the area. It certainly was thick. I could barely see five feet in front of me, but I had to… I…"
"Hush now." Daphne whispered. "You don't have to…"
He swallowed hard, the tears streaming down his cheeks. "I do, Daphne. I have to…"
"All right."
"So then, I drove as carefully as possible but I didn't see the black ice and the car…."
Daphne shuddered, remembering the horrific images she had seen on television. "It's all right. You don't…"
"I was scared, Daphne. God I was scared! I slammed on the breaks, but the car skidded and I saw my life flash before my eyes… A-and then a crash… it…."
Daphne was sobbing, embarrassed that she wasn't able to contain her emotions.
"Niles…"
He closed his eyes and lay against the pillow. "I love you, Daphne."
The words washed over her, filling her heart with unimaginable happiness and she kissed his sweet lips.
"I love you, Niles. I love you so much."
He stared at her for a moment as though in disbelief, and then kissed her once more. His lips were so soft, so welcome that she deepened the kiss, feeling a rush of love that brought even more tears. Her fingers splayed through his hair and for a moment she almost forgot about the circumstances which brought them here.
"I love you." She whispered as her lips brushed against his mouth. "I love you Ni-."
The door opened and she saw Dr. Watson watching them in amusement.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Daphne's cheeks flushed and she quickly looked away. "Oh… Niles and I were just…"
"I'm sorry if I startled you, Dr. Crane, Ms. Moon. I just wanted to let you know that your family is in the waiting room. Now I'm going to update them on your status but I'll be back momentarily."
"Thank you, Dr. Watson." Daphne said. When he was gone, Daphne turned to Niles and squeezed his hand. "Your brother and father were so worried about you. And so was I."
"Daphne?"
She moved closer and touched his cheek. "Yes, Sweetheart?"
"I want to go home."
He sounded so much like a little boy that she smiled. "I know you do. And you will, soon. I promise."
A silence fell between them that was a bit too long as she stared out of the window. "You must have been so scared." She said for the second time.
Niles swallowed hard, tears filling his eyes as his gaze met hers. "I was… and when I lost control of the car, all I could think of was that I might never see you again and I'd never get to tell you that I love you."
She kissed him everywhere then; his lips, his chin, the bruises on his cheeks. "I love you, too." She said, finding it hard to stop saying the words. Very gently she leaned her forehead against his. "Your brother and father should be here soon, so I'll go and get a cup of tea. I know they want to spend some time with you, but I'll be back."
After one last kiss she reluctantly pulled away and headed for the door.
"Daphne?"
His voice made her turn and she went to him in one fluid motion. "Yes, Darling? What can I get you?"
"Nothing, I…"
When he stared out the window, her concern grew once more. "What's wrong?"
He swallowed hard and sighed. "What if…. When I'm allowed to go home… What if I'm not the same? I mean, what about my patients, the wine club, and operas…"
She started to laugh but her smile faded when she saw his worried brow. And the hint of sadness in his eyes stirred something deep within her. As gently as possible she took him into her arms, using great care to avoid hurting his broken shoulder. He was truly the most wonderful man in the entire world.
"You will be." She said against his chest. "It may take some time, but I promise I'm going to work with you every day, just like I work with your father. And before long, you'll be stronger than ever."
He kissed her deeply and then brushed the tears from her cheeks.
"Thank you, Daphne."
His words, as silly as they were, made her smile. "Now what are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you, for saving my life."