She grasped his hand in hers from the moment they left Café Nervosa until they reached the Elliot Bay Towers. And she was still holding his hand when they arrived at Frasier's front door.

"Well, here we are." Niles said nervously. To his surprise and utter delight, Daphne smiled and hugged him. "I can't thank you enough for this."

"Daphne, there's no need to thank me. I was glad to-."

"Niles! I didn't expect to see you so soon! I thought you'd be with Mel!" Frasier exclaimed, startling them apart as he opened the door.

Niles and Daphne exchanged awkward glances. "Well, Frasier I was planning on meeting Mel later, but… um… Daphne needed a ride home, so…"

Frasier looked at Daphne in surprise. "Home? But I thought that you were with Donny."

"Fras, what's with the twenty questions?" Martin asked. "If Niles says that Daphne needed a ride home, then she needed a ride home! Stop analyzing everything!"
"Dad, I wasn't analyzing, I was-."

"It's all right, Dr. Crane." Daphne said, holding Niles' hand a little tighter. "Your brother brought me home because I called him. You see, Donny and I got into a fight and I'm afraid it was a bad one."

Martin's fatherly instinct set in and he crossed the room, laying a hand on Daphne's shoulder. "Did he hurt you? Because I swear I'll-."

Daphne closed her eyes, the tears spilling onto her cheeks. "No… he didn't hurt me. But he made it quite clear that he never wants to see me again."

Frasier sighed deeply. "Oh Daphne, I'm so sorry. Are you all right?"

She smiled and took Frasier's hand. "I am now, thanks to your brother. I don't know what I would have done if-." When she began to cry, Frasier hugged her and smiled.

"I know it hurts. It'll take some time to get through this but we're here for you if you need us. And by that,I mean myself, Dad and Niles."

Daphne squeezed Frasier a little tighter. "Thank you, Dr. Crane."

"Well… I'm glad that Niles was there for you." Frasier said. "And I expect that in a few days, or even sooner, he's going to have a big announcement to make."

Daphne let go of her boss, her face brightening with interest. "Really Dr. Crane? What sort of announcement?"

But Niles couldn't return her beautiful smile. "Well, actually Daphne…"

"Now Niles, don't be shy! I'm sure that Mel will be thrilled when you pop the question!"

Niles gritted his teeth. "Frasier!" He dared to look at Daphne, who wore a look of surprise. But her expression was tinged with an emotion that he just couldn't quite read.

"Oh…" Daphne finally said after a long silence. "I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I had forgotten all about Mel."

"I wish I could." Martin grumbled, obviously thinking that no one could hear him.

"Actually Frasier, I-."

Daphne hugged Niles warmly and kissed his cheek. "That's wonderful, Dr. Crane. I'm so happy for you. Mel is a very… lucky…" Her voice broke and she pulled out of his arms. "I'm sorry… I…"

"Daphne-."

"I-I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. Excuse me."

Without another word, she turned, sobbing and headed for the balcony.