His heart was racing so fast that he could hardly breathe. "Daphne, what's wrong?"
"I-I can't really say over the phone, but … I need you! Please hurry!"
Without another word, Niles sprang from his chair flinching as it fell to the floor. But he made no attempt to pick it up. As fast as possible, he ran out of Café Nervosa in search of the woman he loved. When he couldn't find her, he began to panic, the fear settling in his chest.
He ran down the street, breathless after running only a few blocks. But he wasn't about to give up. And then, miraculously, he saw her. She was huddled in a dark corner against a building, shivering and crying in the freezing cold.
"Daphne!" He yelled. As fast as he could, he ran to her and gathered her into his arms, alarmed at how badly she was shaking. "It's okay, I'm here for you. You're all right now."
"Oh Dr. Crane!" she cried, sobbing into his chest. And there was nothing he could do but hold her close and rub her back.
"Daphne, what happened? Why are you out here in the cold like this?"
But instead of answering, she continued to sob.
"Daphne please… I can't stand to see you this way. Please don't cry. I'm here and I won't let anything happen to you."
"Dr. Crane, can you do me a favor?"
He couldn't help but smile as his heart swelled with love for her. "Anything Daphne, just name it. Anything at all and I'll do it." His heart was breaking at the pain in her eyes and the fear that was so evident. He couldn't even imagine what she'd been through.
"Just hold me, Dr. Crane… please!"
"With pleasure, Daphne. I'll hold you for as long as you like." '
"Oh… thank you, Dr. Crane."
She clung to him as though he would vanish into thin air if he let go, and he held her even closer than before. But around him he could feel the temperature dropping rapidly.
"Daphne, it's frigidly cold out here. Let's go back to Café Nervosa and I'll buy you something to keep you warm."
She smiled and kissed his cheek, her soft lips like ice against his skin. "You're very kind, Dr. Crane."
He lifted her into his arms and as he carried her through the streets, she was light as a feather. He relished the softness and scent of her hair as it brushed against his cheek. And minutes later, ignoring the stares of the Café Nervosa patrons through the front window, he gently sat her down and then ushered her inside.
"Okay, here we are. Just have a seat and rest."
But instead of doing as he asked, she stopped and stared at him.
"Daphne, is something wrong?" He asked, afraid that she might break down once more.
"No… I… I just wanted to say something."
"Of course. What's on your mind?"
She hugged him tightly, resting her cheek against his. "Thank you, Dr. Crane. Thank you so much. You're the kindest, sweetest, most handsome man I've ever known."
His mouth fell open in disbelief, but he was barely able to respond when he felt her lips on his, kissing him like no other woman ever had. The passionate kisses surpassing every fantasy he'd ever had about kissing her in tenfold.
When the kiss ended, he stared into her beautiful eyes in complete and utter shock. His trembling fingertips touched his mouth, which burned from the feel of her lips on his.
"Wh-why did you kiss me?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer.
She smiled through the tears that filled her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. "Because I love you… Niles."
He sank down into the nearest chair, unable to believe what he was hearing. He'd waited so long… since the first moment he saw her and now….