The pounding on Fraser's bedroom door startled him awake.

"Fras!"

Frasier squinted, trying to focus on his surroundings in the darkness, dismayed when reality hit.

The phone call, his son's melodic voice...

It had all been a dream...

Or more accurately, a nightmare.

He should be used to them because he'd had one every night since that horrible incident. His family suggested time and time again that he go see a professional

psychiatrist such as himself, but Frasier refused.

He knew that the moment he received a call from his son, everything would be okay.

Niles called it a case of classic denial.

"Fras! Open up!"

His dad's voice could be heard clearly through the door.

Reluctantly he rose from the bed, putting aside the book that had caused him to drift off to sleep. Dressed in his robe and slippers, he opened the door; greeting his

father with a smile.

"Dad!"

"Well it's about damn time!" Martin snapped as he stormed into the room. "I was about thirty seconds from calling the police chief to put out an APB!"

"I'm sorry, Dad!"

"Yeah? Well sorry just doesn't cut it! Daphne's been in the kitchen all morning making breakfast and you're in here sleeping soundly! Now get to the table and start

eating! I'm tired of smelling Daphne's cooking and not being able to eat it; even if it is the most horrible stuff I've ever consumed."

At the memory Martin cringed and shook his head.

"Dad, you could have started eating without me, you know."

"In this family we have a thing called manners! We wait for everyone to be seated before digging in."

"Exceptions can be made, you know!" Frasier yelled, knowing that his father was right.

When his father glared at him, Frasier knew he'd been defeated.

Reluctantly, he followed his father into the living room and sat down at the kitchen table.

"Oh, all right, but really Dad, since when have you ever complied with the rules of this home?"

"Well, not many, but I do a lot better job than you and Niles ever did!" Martin snapped.

"Oh, Dr. Crane, Good morning!" Daphne said, greeting him with a smile.

"Morning, Daphne. I trust you slept better than I did." Frasier said.

Daphne blushed. "Well, I did sleep quite soundly thanks to all those wonderful dreams I was havin'".

Martin rolled his eyes. "Dreaming about Jeffery again?"

At this, Daphne laughed. "Oh, Mr. Crane! I broke up with him weeks ago! Actually, I was having the most wonderful dream about Ni-."

The room was silent as Daphne quickly turned and went into the kitchen.

Frasier and Martin exchanged glances.

"Here you are, Dr. Crane. Freshly brewed coffee, just the way you like it."

"Thank you, Daphne." Frasier said, taking the cup from her. For such a cold morning, her skin certainly was flushed.

Shrugging off Daphne's unusual behavior, Frasier grabbed the Seattle Times and opened it to the Arts and Entertainment section.

"Ah, what have we here? The Seattle Symphony opening night gala is two weeks from Thursday. Ohh! Celebrity appearances and... Oh my... Senators Mark Robinson

and Todd Westbloom will be in attendance. Niles will be thrilled!"

Daphne smiled and took the paper from him. "I'll be sure and clip out the article for you to save for your brother. Would you like some more coffee?"

"Yes Daphne, thank you. Niles would be beside himself if he missed an opportunity to meet two distinguished senators on the same night! I only wish we could have

them over personally. Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

"No, it certainly doesn't!" Martin said, stuffing another piece of French toast into his mouth. "The last thing I need is a bunch of boring, stuffy politicians interrupting my

TV night again! All they do is jabber on and on about world peace and how much to raise our taxes!"

"Well your brother seems very fond of them." Daphne said.

Frasier couldn't help but notice how Daphne's face lit up whenever she mentioned Niles, and he had to admit that his curiously was peaked.

There was definitely something going on that he couldn't quite figure out. But right now, the less he knew the better.