Her soft crying became a bit more pronounced and she could feel his heart pounding in his chest.
"D-Daphne, what's wrong?"
"I-I'm so sorry to bother you, Dr. Crane. But I didn't know who else to call!" I tried your brother, but-."
"Frasier? Well, he's right-." Niles looked at the empty seat next to him, suddenly remembering that Frasier had left Café Nervosa quite some time ago. And it was then that Daphne began to sob.
"Dr. Crane, I need you, please! I don't know what to do! I-."
"I-I'll be right there, Daphne!"
"Please hurry!"
He wasted no time rushing out of the café, unsure of whether or not that what he'd just experienced was real. It was too coincidental. Yet, the urge to go to her was so strong that he forgot all about Mel and the fact that he was about to make a bold step and propose to her.
Once outside the café, he had no idea where he was headed, so he turned left and ran through the streets until he came to the corner of Pike and Bell. And that's where he found her in the darkness, leaning against the tall brick building, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Dear God! Daphne!"
He rushed toward her and as soon as he touched her, she fell into his arms, sobbing. "Oh, Dr. Crane, hold me!"
Obligingly, he held her as close as possible, unable to believe that this moment was real. "Daphne, what happened?"
She shivered beneath his touch and he was suddenly aware of how cold it was… like before…
Immediately he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, appalled that she would even dream of being in the cold without a jacket. But perhaps she didn't have a choice.
"Thank you, Dr. Crane. I appreciate this so much! I-." Her voice trailed away, replaced by sobs that racked her body once more. He continued to hold her, wondering if her tears would ever subside. And when a chilly wind blew past them, he wrapped his arm around her.
"Come on. I'll get you something warm to drink."
She smiled and kissed his cheek, her lips like ice against his skin as she wearily slumped against him.
"Thank you, Dr. Crane."
In a daze he walked to the counter and smiled at Taylor.
"Hey, Dr. Crane! You're back!"
"Um, yes I am." He said, turning his head to see Daphne sitting at the table, blotting her eyes with a napkin. The sight broke his heart. Dear God, what could have happened to her?