Martin forced a smile and pushed the door open. "Hey! I hear that someone is awake! It's about time! You know I always had the damndest time getting you kids up for school and look at you, sleeping away your days in this hospital. Well I can't blame you, but you'll be home before-."

He stopped when he saw the look on Niles face. It was a look of pure terror.

"Hey, Niles I was just kidding, I…" He moved closer. "Niles? What's wrong?"

"Was that Daphne I heard in the hallway?"

Martin glanced at the door and then back at Niles. "Um, yeah it was. She's just a little upset and-."

Niles struggled to get out of bed. "Dear God, she was screaming hysterically! What happened?"

As fast as he could, Martin hobbled to Niles' bedside, trying to keep him from moving. "Niles, stop. She's fine. Frasier's with her."

"The hell she is! She's… OW!"

"Now, look, hurting yourself isn't helping anyone and I'll be damned if I'm going to stand by and watch you suffer again! I can't! I …" He paused, trying to maintain his composure.

Damn… he told himself he wouldn't do this. He couldn't break down in front of Niles. He just couldn't.

"Dad, what's wrong with Daphne! I have to know!" Niles yelled.

Martin was painfully aware of the heart monitor that was beeping at an alarming rate.

"Dad, what is it? Tell me!" Niles yelled again, his voice filled with panic.

"All right, I'll tell you, but you need to calm down!" Martin said. "Can you do that?"

"But Dad, I-."

"Can you?

"Dad-."

"Can you?"

Niles sighed deeply. "Please, Dad. I love her."

"All right. Look, Daphne's upset because… Well, she's upset because Maris isn't here."

Niles eyebrows rose. "What? Maris? But what does she have to do with any of this?"

"Daphne feels that if Maris really loved you, she would have been here by your side, waiting for you to pull through this. I have to say the idea that she's not here burns me up as well, but she's your wife, and-."

"Dad-."

"I'm sorry, Son. I know it hurts."

Niles ran a hand through his hair. "But…"

"Daphne's scared Niles. We all were. I mean, when I remember the look on your brother's face as he got that phone call I-." Suddenly Martin's voice broke and he could no longer maintain his composure. He could feel Niles' arm go around his back, stroking it lightly.

"Don't cry Dad. Don't cry. Everything is okay now. I'll be fine."

"I love you, Son. I love you so much." Martin cried as Niles stroked his gray hair. "I was so afraid that-."

"I know, Dad. I know. I was afraid, too."

A short time later Martin raised his head and wiped his eyes. "Get better son, so you can come home, where you belong."

As Martin quietly walked to the door, wiping away the reminder of his tears, he heard Niles' voice.

"Dad?"

He turned and looked at his son, who was wiping away his own tears. "I love you too."