(Daphne's POV)

She opened the door, revealing Niles and her heart skipped a beat. He looked especially handsome today. He'd come over for dinner and she found that was enjoying his visits more and more.

"Hello, Dr. Crane."

"Hello, Daphne." He said, returning her smile. "Can I be of assistance in the kitchen?"

She felt her heart warm at his thoughtfulness. "I have everything under control."

"Oh, well… lucky everything." He replied, making her smile once more.

"Where's Maris? And what's with the champagne?" Martin asked when Niles arrived, holding a bottle of champagne.
"I just put her on a train to Chicago." He replied.

As always when the subject of Maris was brought up, Daphne felt a bit disenchanted. From the tone of his voice, she could tell how much he loved her. And it wouldn't be the first time that she'd found herself wishing that someone would love her the way he loved his wife. But when she made eye contact with him, she hoped he didn't see her unease. Fortunately, Martin quickly broke the silence that followed.

Martin smiled. "Celebrating, are you?"

Niles frowned at his father. "No. I merely wanted to show my appreciation for Frasier's helping me with a difficult patient."

Daphne smiled and touched his shoulder. "Well, aren't you nice? I hope your brother appreciates it."

"A train, huh? That's a hell of a trip going from Seattle all the way to Chicago." Martin remarked.

"I agree, Dad. But Maris insisted." Niles replied.

"Dr. Crane, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Of course not, Daphne." He replied. "You can ask me anything."

"Well, it's none of my business, but I was just curious. Why did Mrs. Crane take the train instead of flying?"

"She's been afraid to fly since her harrowing incident." Niles replied.

Daphne gasped, for that certainly wasn't the answer she expected. "Oh dear, did her plane almost crash?" She dared to ask.

"No, actually, she-."

His voice was drowned out by a psychic flash… a vision…

She was watching a news report about a terrible plane crash, many, many miles from Manchester. But it felt much too close to home. And although Daphne had no problem in flying halfway across the world to The Emerald City, the memory of that plane crash haunted her to this day. There were no survivors and she'd never forget the interviews that the television station showed of the grief-stricken friends and relatives. She simply couldn't imagine losing someone that way.

She turned away from him, fighting the tears that rose to the surface. But when she felt his hand on her shoulder, the tears spilled onto her cheeks. She swallowed hard, turning to face him.

"Daphne, is something wrong?"

She blinked, horrified when more tears escaped, and she quickly brushed them away. "I'm fine." She lied. She wanted so badly to tell him about that plane crash but she didn't want to upset him. And so she simply smiled. "I guess I'm just a bit upset."

But he didn't smile and instead looked at her with concern. "I'm sorry, Daphne. I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't. I just… Oh, it's silly."

"Nonsense." He replied. "You're upset. If you want to talk about it…"

She sighed, hating that she'd almost broken down in front of him… again. He must have thought she was completely daft.

"I would never think that, Daphne."

Her mouth fell open in astonishment and she looked at him in surprise. It was then that she realized that she'd spoken aloud and she felt strangely shy.

"Dr. Crane, will you do me a favor?"

He smiled, a smile so sincere that she blinked back even more tears. "Of course, Daphne."

She swallowed hard, risking even more ridicule for she couldn't' believe she was about to ask such a favor. He was married, after all and it seemed wrong. But at that moment she wanted nothing more.

"Will you… hold me… for a little while?"

Without hesitation he smiled and drew her into his arms for the most wonderful hug imaginable. She rested her head against him and sighed. At that moment, she was right where she belonged.