Alone in her room, Daphne sat on her bed and picked up the phone, dialing the number she knew by heart. Her pulse raced as she waited, albeit impatiently, for

someone to answer.

Come on... Come on...

She was overcome with relief when the ringing stopped.

"Dr. Niles Crane's office."

"Um, hello. This is Daphne Moon. May I speak to Dr. Crane please?"

"Daphne, how nice to hear from you!" Mrs. Woodson said. "I'm sorry but Dr. Crane is in a session right now but I'll have him call you back the minute he-."

Daphne felt her heart beat increase and she blinked back tears. "Tell him it's an emergency. Please?"

"Well all right, but he specifically told me not to interrupt-."

When a sob escaped, Daphne's hand flew to her mouth.

"Please, Mrs. Woodson! Look, I know this is unusual for me to be calling like this but I have to talk to him. It's about his brother."

"Oh dear. Well, all right. I'll get him but it may take a few-."

"It's fine... Thank you."

Daphne could feel the hot tears stinging her eyes as she tried desperately to remain calm. She was being ridiculous. Frasier would be fine. He was fine when he went

missing for a few days, wasn't he? He was just at the beach, but that was weeks ago! He'd be fine this time as well... But suddenly she wasn't so sure she believed

that anymore...

(Meanwhile at Niles' office)

"You were... singing in Heaven?"

"Yes, Dr. Crane and there were angels all around, playing harps and birds flew around us." Miss. Madsen said.

Niles rose and paced the room, making notes on his notepad. This was by far the most interesting patient he'd had in weeks.

"And you found this dream disturbing, because..."

"It was terrifying, Dr. Crane!"

"All right Miss Madsen; let's review what you've told me. First of all-."

The intercom on his desk buzzed, causing Niles to sigh irritably. "I'm sorry. This will only take a second."

"Yes, Mrs. Woodson?"

"There's a call for you, Dr. Crane."

Anger boiled inside of Niles. He was so close to reaching the surface with Miss Madsen, only to be interrupted. It took all the strength he had not to blow his top. In the

many years he'd never lost his temper, but there was a first time for everything.

"Excuse me, Miss Madsen." He said to his patient.

"Of course."

"Mrs. Woodson, I've told you over and over again that I am absolutely not to be disturbed while I'm in a session."

"I know, and I'm so sorry Dr. Crane. I would never go against your wishes, but you really should take this call. It's of a personal nature and it's an emergency."

"Maris." Niles said to himself.

Damn, did that woman have no shame? The divorce was humiliating enough but now she'd been calling him at the office day after day only to tell him what a horrible

husband he'd been. Well she wasn't going to get away with it this time!

"Did you tell them to call 911?" Niles asked sarcastically.

"Excuse me? Dr. Crane it's not that kind of emergency but I really think-."

"Well, tell whomever it is that they're just going to have to wait!" Niles yelled "I'm in session here!"

"Dr. Crane... Daphne's on the phone. Something's happened..."

Dear God...

At the mention of the name of the woman he loved so deeply, Niles' notepad fell from his hand, startling Mrs. Madsen.

"Is something wrong, Dr. Crane?" She asked.

Niles rubbed his tired eyes, no longer caring about Mrs. Madsen's dream.

"I'm afraid an emergency has arisen and we're going to have to cut our session short."

Mrs. Madsen sprang from her seat on Niles' sofa. "What? But you can't! I'm paying you good money and-."

"Mrs. Madsen I promise I'll reschedule just as soon as I-."

"Like hell you will!" She yelled. "I'm finding another psychiatrist! And I'm reporting you to the Seattle Psychiatrists Association!"

When she walked out of the office and slammed the door behind her, Niles sank into his chair and sighed.

Damn...

The only comfort he found in losing a patient was that there was no Seattle Psychiatrist's Association... or at least he didn't think there was. He made a mental note to

ask Frasier about it.

"Dr Crane?" Mrs. Woodson's voice came again. "Daphne's still holding."

Dear God, he'd completely forgotten about his angel!

He picked up the phone, ignoring his trembling fingers.

"Daphne... What a pleasant surprise! I'm so sorry to keep you waiting. I was-."

To his horror, he heard her sniffling.

"Daphne? Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Oh Dr. Crane I'm so sorry to bother you at work, but I thought you should know..."

Niles heart pounded in his chest. "What's wrong? Is it Dad?"

"It's your brother."

At this news, he gasped and he had to remind himself to breathe.

"Frasier? Wh-what's wrong?"

"Well your father and I were listening to his show this afternoon and he got a call from a man about his son."

Niles winced. "Not that Gordon character again."

"No, but he was barely able to make it through the call before he broke down in sobs. I'm really worried about him, Dr. Crane. I mean what if... what if something..."

Niles rose from his chair and grabbed his car keys and raincoat. "Just relax Daphne. I'm sure Frasier will be fine. Where is he now?"

"Um... Still at work I think, but..."

"Where's Dad?"

"He's watching the ball game. Insensitive old man. You'd think he'd be more concerned about his own son than he is about the Mariners."

Niles couldn't help but smile. No wonder his father would find a football game more exciting than helping his son.

"Oh, Dr. Crane, I'm so scared!" Daphne sobbed.

Daphne's sadness pained his heart and he wanted so desperately to hold her.

"Take Dad and meet me at the studio."

When Daphne sniffled, Niles felt his eyes fill with tears. "Daphne, I know how much you love Frasier and I'm eternally grateful. I love him too and I won't let anything

happen to him. I promise."

"I love you, Dr. Crane. We'll see you soon."

He sat there in stunned silence, barely aware that she'd hung up and he was now listening to the dial tone.

His goddess, his angel had just told him that she loved him. But as wonderful as that idea was, he couldn't help worrying about someone he loved just as deeply, in

another way.

And as he ran out of the building in the pouring rain to his Mercedes, the familiar pain burned in his heart.

Oh Frasier...