Thursday Morning

"Hello, All!" Niles said when the door was opened. "Frasier, I'm so excited about this dinner party tomorrow night! Those water crackers will go wonderfully with the \

cheese plate that I ordered from the Blue Heron Creamery."

"Actually, Niles. I've wanted to talk to you about that." Frasier said.

"You know what? You're absolutely right, Frasier. I've been selfishly taking over the planning. This is your party too, and I wouldn't dream of forgoing your expertise

and-."

"Niles, please!" Frasier interrupted.

At his little brother's surprised look, Frasier sighed. "I'm afraid we're going to have to cancel our party. Something's happened, and-"

Niles' jaw dropped. "Cancel? But we can't! Do you know how hard we've worked-"

He stopped suddenly and looked up at the beautiful sight that entered the living room.

"Good morning Dr. Crane."

"Daphne!"

"Hello..." She said shyly.

"Daphne, thank God..." Niles crossed the room and went to her, taking her face in his hands. "I was so worried! I thought you were..."

"Dr. Crane that's very sweet that you were worried about me, but I'm not quite sure what you mean. I'm perfectly fine." Daphne said, ignoring Frasier's glance.

But Niles gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

"Niles! What in the hell are you doing?" Frasier demanded.

"Are you okay, Daphne?" Niles asked.

"I-I think so, but why..."

He continued to stare into her eyes, and then brushed the hair from her face.

"I-I know about what happened and I'm so sorry, Daphne."

"Well that was nice of your brother to fill you in, but-."

"Actually, I haven't told him anything." Frasier said.

Daphne blinked in surprise and moved her gaze from Frasier to Niles. "Then how-."

"Because I was there." Niles said.

"Dr. Crane how could you possibly have been there? I mean there were so many people and-."

She gasped and put her hand over her trembling mouth. "Oh my God... It was you, wasn't it?"

"Yes. I'm the one who pulled you to safety. But Daphne, I couldn't bear to let you go. Because... you see... I love you."

When she turned away and began to cry, he looked helplessly at his father and brother.

"I'm so sorry, Daphne. I knew it was wrong to come over like this. I've embarrassed you and you deserve better than me. I'll just be going now. Goodbye Dad; Frasier."

She watched as he turned and walked out the door; a sad expression on his face.

"Niles, wait!" Martin said as he and Frasier watched in surprise.

After a long silence, they looked at each other. "Can you believe that?" Martin asked.

"I knew he loved Daphne, but I never dreamed he loved her this much." Frasier said.

"Wait a minute... You knew about this? How could you not have told me?" Daphne demanded.

"Daphne, I had no idea about what happened on the way to the store. But Niles was very clear about his feelings for you. He's tried to tell you so many times and I'm

afraid I wasn't very enthusiastic about the idea. And I admit I was wrong about that."

Just then the door opened and they looked up to see Niles standing before them.

"You know what, Dad? I think we should go check out that broken light in your bedroom." Frasier said.

"Oh right. Yeah that's really been bothering me." Martin said, following Frasier into the hallway.

When they were alone, Daphne looked at Niles through tear-filled eyes.

"Daphne, I'm so sorry, I had no right to come barging in here and-."

Daphne ran toward him and threw her arms around him; sobbing. "Oh my God..."

"I-I'm so sorry, I just-."

Daphne raised her head and touched his face. "I can't believe you saved me life. You're me guardian angel."

"Well I simply couldn't -."

His words were stopped by Daphne's lips on his; kissing him over and over.

When they parted, they stared at each other.

"Daphne..."

"I love you, Dr. Crane."

He stared at her in shock. "What?"

"If there was ever any doubt that I loved you, I know in me heart that this is real. You saved me life, and there's no way I could ever repay you. But I plan to spend the

rest of me life tryin. If you'll have me that is." Daphne said tearfully, running her hand through his blonde hair.

Niles brushed the tears from her cheeks and kissed her tenderly.

"Of course I'll have you. I love you too, Daphne. And I'd save your life a million times over. But can you do me one favor?"

Daphne laughed. "You're askin me for a favor? After what you did for me? I'll do anything for you; anything at all. Just name it."

Niles touched his forehead to hers. "Call me Niles?"

"I love you... Niles..." Daphne sighed, as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

As they kissed again and again, they were blissfully unaware of Eddie, who was sitting in Martin's chair, watching them contentedly.

THE END