Busses whizzed by her as though they were late for something important, but apparently none were important enough to stop and pick up passengers. What in the bloody hell was going on? The tears that she'd tried so hard to hold back were finally starting to surface and now she no longer cared who saw her. She was alone as it was, and she feared that if something didn't change soon, she'd be here in downtown Seattle all night.

When she'd regained her composure, she removed her cell phone from her coat pocket and called Frasier's condo. Just because they didn't care enough about her to call didn't mean that she couldn't take matters into her own hands. Perhaps Martin could tell her about the bus schedules, or if nothing else could send someone from the police station or one of his friends to pick her up. God knows she'd done the same for him time and again.

The phone rang repeatedly, giving her a strange sense of comfort and she anxiously awaited the sound of his voice. But the only voice she heard was that of her voice, prompting her to leave a message with the poetic and somewhat annoying I'm listening. The beep sounded and she hesitated for only a moment before speaking.

"Dr. Crane, it's Daphne. I know you're there, so please pick up! I'm in trouble! Or at least I think I am. You see, I've finished with me shopping and I went to me bus stop but the bloody busses have been rerouted due to some ridiculous tree lighting! Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas trees and all. In fact, me brothers and I-well, anyway, I can't find me bus and it's so dark and crowded out here. If I could just find me bus I'd be home now. I was wondering if-."

The tone sounded, indicated that she'd exceeded her message limit. Bloody hell, she didn't' even get to tell him where she was! Well, perhaps he was in the loo and didn't hear the phone ring, which was completely understandable. She'd just have to try again.

But her second attempt to call him resulted in a busy signal, which in turn, produced the lump in her throat, followed by hot tears that filled her eyes. However, she wasn't about to give up, no matter how hopeless the situation might seem. Determined to get home, she stood and picked up her bags. It was slow-going, what with the challenge of the crowd and the weight of the shopping bags she carried in her arms.

Soon she'd been home and she could hardly wait to indulge in a hot bath. It was just the thing she needed to soothe her aching bones. But right now she had to find her stop.

And so she went, trudging down the sidewalk, making her way through the crowds. But the closer she came to the main shopping district, the more the crowd changed. Gone were the upbeat and cheerful shoppers, replaced by somewhat shady and even frightening looking people; many of them transients. She certainly had nothing against homeless people and she could think of nothing worse than being out in the cold with no food or shelter at this time of year. But right now she was feeling apprehension instead of compassion. Who knew what these people were capable of? As a heath care worker, she made it her life's mission to help others and find good in all people, but now she merely shudder at the sight of them.

Suddenly she was pushed from behind by an impatient group of people and, unable to steady herself, fell to the sidewalk with a thud. The bags flew from her hands and scattered around her. Knowing that people would do anything for free merchandise, she forced herself to her feet and gathered her packages, taking note of the way absolutely no one showed a bit of concern for her.
Bloody hell to them then. She glared at the people around her, hoping that they would see how angry she was, but as she suspected, her glare was met with evasion.

Pain shot through her as she began to walk, even more slowly than before through the crowded sidewalks, praying for some sort of a miracle; a miracle, that she knew would never come.