She stared at the rose in her hand, unable to believe it was real. The sent wafted toward her and she closed her eyes, inhaling gently as the rose brushed her upper lip. The fragrance was completely wonderful and filled her senses like no other rose ever had.

There was no card attached, which peaked her curiosity even further. Surely there had been some mistake. This couldn't be for her. She couldn't imagine who had sent such a beautiful gift. But the boy had said that the rose was to be delivered in her name. The fact that someone would go to so much trouble to send her something so lovely brought tears to her eyes. It was something right out of one of her romance novels.

"Who was that at the door?"

Startled by the unexpected sound of Frasier's voice, Daphne whirled around to face him. "Dr. Crane, do you have any idea who sent me this rose? It's beautiful."

To her surprise, his expression changed and he appeared to be almost… angry.

"Damn it, Niles!" He shouted.

Daphne's eyes widened. What in the world could he possibly be angry at his brother for? Niles wasn't even there at the moment! And then it hit her, like someone knocking the breath out of her. The look on his face said it all… but there was no possibility, no way, that it could be true.

"Dr. Crane, are you saying that-."

"Yes, it was Niles, I know it was!"

"I-I'm afraid I don't understand. Why would he possibly-."

Frasier began to pace the room. "Damn it! I told him not to be so bold! I warned him repeatedly that doing something like this would only lead to trouble and did he listen to me? Of course not! He never listens to me unless he thinks he will benefit from it! Well, I have had it up to here with his hot-hotheadedness! I won't stand for it anymore! The next time he shows his face here, if he dares to show his face that is, I can guarantee you that-."

"Fras, shut up, will ya?" Martin bellowed as he entered the living room. Daphne stared at him in alarm, for he was moving much slower than normal. How could she not have noticed? Was his hip actually getting worse? Was he hurting? If so he never said a word and lately he'd been doing his exercises without complaint. But now…

She knew that she should say something, but at the moment, Frasier was on one of his rants, and once he got started there was no stopping him. Whatever his brother had done, he didn't like it one bit. But Frasier had no proof that Niles had sent her the rose. Even if he did, it seemed completely impossible. Niles wasn't attracted to her in that way. They were friends and nothing more.

Meanwhile, Frasier went on and on about this and that, but she was no longer listening. She was staring at Martin, who seemed to be waiting for just the right moment for Frasier to stop talking.

"I cannot believe that Niles would be so-."

"Fras, shut your big bazzoo, okay? Niles didn't send the damn rose!"

"Oh really? And how do you know that, Dad?"

"I'll tell you how I know, wise guy! Because the damn thing is from me!"