The clock struck one, bringing her out of a subconscious state and she jumped in surprise when she realized how late it had become. Bloody hell, she must have dozed off! It had been much too long since she'd last checked on Niles and now her heart raced. How could she have been so stupid? Suddenly a million horrible thoughts filled her mind, increasing her anxiety in ten-fold. Without hesitation she raced up the stairs and into his bedroom.
As before, the room was dark, but it didn't matter. She'd just make sure that he was all right and then leave. Quietly she crept into the room and moved toward the bed. To her relief, she found him sleeping soundly and she'd never seen anything so beautiful. He looked so handsome sleeping so peacefully and she hated to wake him. But it was only for a few minutes.
She smiled as she stood beside him and gently rubbed his shoulder. "Sweetheart? It's Daphne. Are you all right?" She waited a few seconds for him to respond but when he didn't move, her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps he hadn't heard her.
Taking a deep breath, she tried again, moving closer to him. "Niles…" She whispered. "I'm sorry to disturb you but I just wanted to see…"
She drew back sharply when she realized that he wasn't moving at all. Her body went numb and her heart pounded beneath her chest. Please don't let his be happening, please… not now… She prayed silently over and over.
"NILES!" She yelled. "Wake up, please! Dr. Crane!"
Now her heart was racing so fast that her chest hurt and hot tears made their way down her cheeks. This couldn't be happening, not now… not when they'd just found each other. She couldn't' lose him… and she wasn't about to.
She placed her hands on his shoulders and shook him. "Dr. Crane! Wake up! Please!" She tried again and again with no response but just she was about to reach for the phone to dial 911, she heard a soft moan.
"Niles?"
Her heart still pounding, she turned to see him moving restlessly in the bed. And then his eyes opened.
"Daphne?"