Sighing deeply she returned to the living room carrying a bowl of popcorn and two glasses of champagne. And when their gazes met, she smiled. It was hard not to

notice the way his eyes lit up when he saw her.

But that was probably her imagination running rampant once more.

She sat down beside him, feeling strangely comforted by his presence and her hand trembled as she picked up the remote.

"I know you're anxious to see how this ends, so..."

Unexpectedly she started to giggle.

At his amused stare, she felt her cheeks redden.

"What's funny?"

"I'm so sorry, Dr. Crane. I don't mean to laugh. It's just..."

"What?"

"Nothing. Never mind. Let's just watch the movie."

She picked up the remote and pushed the button, bringing the film to life once more.

He reached for her hand, a gesture that caused her to shiver. It was so sweet and... unexpected.

"You can tell me anything, Daphne."

The statement was so sincere that she couldn't help but smile.

"Well.. I just never thought a man like you would find a movie like this enjoyable. I mean, your brother and father are always makin' fun of me when I watch Pretty

Woman. I guess it is a bit silly, watchin' a movie with a storyline like a fairy tale. The rich and handsome man fallin in love with the girl from the wrong side of the

tracks."

"But Daphne you're not-."

"Oh, I know I'm not in the profession that Julia Roberts's character is in, but I'm not exactly a princess either. I mean the very idea of a man like him fallin in love with

someone like me is just ridiculous. Don't you think so, Dr. Crane?"

When he didn't answer, she turned to find him staring into her eyes.

"Dr. Crane, is something wrong?"

"No..." He said brushing a fallen lock of hair from her forehead. "In fact, everything is perfect."

She swallowed hard, her heart beating faster. Surely this was the champagne, making him act so strangely. But they'd barely touched their glasses...

Before she could say anything else, he moved closer to her until he was so close she could feel his breath on her face.

"Daphne..."

"Yes, Dr. Crane?"

"I-I know it's past midnight but there's something I need to tell you."

"A-all right. You know you can tell me anything too."

"That's good because I..."

"Yes?"

He touched her cheek, ever so softly and his mouth slowly descended on hers. The touch was so unexpected she gasped in response. But then she found herself

swept up in the moment, his lips caressing hers in the sweetest kiss she could have ever imagined. She closed her eyes and splayed her fingers through his blonde

hair, sighing contentedly as the kiss deepened.

But suddenly reality set in, causing her to pull away, breathless.

"This is wrong." She said, unable to look at him. And when her eyes finally met his, the hurt she saw there was almost unbearable.

"Oh, Dr. Crane I didn't mean... I just... your wife..."

"Right... Maris."

"Yes." She said softly.

"Well.. I'm afraid that she doesn't love me."

Once more her heart went out to him and selfishly she found that she couldn't hide her disappointment. Clearly the kiss they had just shared was a sign of his extreme

loneliness. What other reason would he have for kissing her?

Her hand trembled as she reached out to stroke his cheek.

"Please don't say that. I know that Mrs. Crane has done some terrible things to you and this has hurt you deeply but I'm sure she still loves you. If you try to work it

out than surely-."

"I'm not sure I want to work it out with her."

"What?"

"I just... I don't think I'm in love with her, anymore Daphne. She's made it clear that she doesn't love me."

"Oh Dr. Crane..."

She took him in her arms and held him as she rubbed his back.

"It's all right. I know you're hurting but everything will be all right."

"Daphne-."

"Yes?"

"About what I said before... or rather what I didn't say..."

"All right..."

He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through hair; a gesture that sent her emotions whirling.

"I'm not in love with Maris anymore because there's someone else. I think there's always been someone else."

"Well that's wonderful Dr. Crane. I'm so happy for-."

Just then the clock struck one.

"So who's this lucky woman... your someone else?"

"You, Daphne. You're the woman I love."