After getting Daphne's book signed, she and Niles listened as the author read from his latest novel and took time to answer questions from fans. Niles didn't pay much attention, because he was too busy watching Daphne. The whole time Richard Wilder spoke, Daphne couldn't take her eyes off him. Not only that, but she couldn't stop smiling. When there were no more questions, the event was over, just like that. The crowd quickly dispersed.

"Let's go, Dr. Crane. I'm sure you're anxious to get home," Daphne said. All of a sudden, she pulled him into a hug. "Thank you so much for bringing me here!" She kissed his cheek.

For a moment, Niles felt as if the room had begun to spin. When he'd recovered, he smiled at her. "You're welcome, Daphne." He was eager to get on the road, but not so much because he wanted to get home. He was hoping for another chance to learn about Daphne's thoughts and feelings.

They got back into the car and started to drive back towards Seattle. Daphne was quiet now, too busy staring at the autograph to talk. As they continued on down the highway, she began to yawn.

"If you're tired, you can go to sleep," Niles told her. "We'll be home in no time."

Daphne sighed, only then realizing how heavy her eyelids were. "All right," she said. A second later, she was out like a light.

Niles continued to drive, only allowing himself to glance at her from the corner of his eye. He was determined to get her home safe and sound. How could he not drive carefully, when the woman he loved was sitting right next to him?

But even his determination could not overcome the power of the dark, empty stretch of road in front of him. It also didn't help that he heard Daphne's slow, even breathing as she slept on. Niles willed himself to stay awake, and for a moment, it seemed to work. But that moment did not last.

He felt his eyes begin to close...he was almost asleep. The next thing he knew, he heard Daphne's voice. "Dr. Crane, look out!"

He woke with a start, alarmed when he opened his eyes and saw that he had left the pavement and was now headed straight toward a tree.