Niles brought his Mercedes to a screeching halt in the KACL parking lot. Please let Frasier be okay...
He hurried into the building; the sight of his father standing in the lobby bringing some relief.
"Niles" his dad said, embracing him.
"Hey Dad. How's Frasier?"
His father looked at him with concern. "He's hurting bad, Niles and so am I. I'm worried about him."
Niles touched his father's shoulder. " Have you tried calling Lilith?"
"Tried a couple of times, but I either get her voice mail or it rings non-stop. I could care less about that witch, but I'll be damned if I'm going to sit here and worry about
Freddie much longer." Martin said.
"I know, Dad, I miss Freddy too. But right now I'm concerned about Frasier's state of mind. Where is he?"
"Well, he's still in the studio. But Niles, I-."
At his father's worried look, Niles hugged him. "He'll be fine... eventually."
Niles pulled out of the embrace and smiled, trying to believe the comforting words he was telling his father.
"Look... Frasier's my brother and I won't let anything happen to him."
"You're a good boy, Niles." Martin said, patting Niles' back.
Niles headed down the hallway to the studio, glancing back at his father who was sitting alone in the lobby.
For a moment he considered persuading his father to check on Frasier with him, but then he thought better of it.
When he caught a glimpse of Frasier through the window, he felt a tinge of guilt at the sadness on his brother's face. He should have done more to help Frasier
instead of just standing by, doing nothing.
If it weren't for Daphne's phone call, he probably would have assumed that everything would be all right.
But it was too late now...
It certainly didn't say much for his character. He wasn't much of a brother, putting his career before his family. He vowed that when Frasier got through this, he'd make
it up to him.
Anxious to help his brother, he hurried to the booth, stopping short when he caught a glimpse of the figure sitting just outside the door.
Slowly he turned, and his heart beat faster...
"Daphne..."
When she saw him, she rose, smiling at him through tear-filled eyes.
"Dr. Crane."
At her outstretched arms, he went to her, hugging her warmly.
"Thank you for coming." She said against his suit.
"I can't thank you enough for calling me." Niles said. "How is he?"
"I'm so scared, Dr. Crane! I've never seen him like this before!" Daphne said, hugging him tightly as she began to cry again.
"He'll be fine, Daphne. I won't let anything happen to him, okay?"
After a few minutes she let go and touched his face, smiling through her tears. "Dr. Crane is lucky to have you as a brother."
Feeling a sudden sense of shame, he lowered his head.
"I hardly think he'd be proud of me, waiting so long to help him."
To his surprise, she kissed his cheek. "Nonsense. Your brother is proud of you."
Niles felt his cheeks redden. "Thank you, Daphne. That makes me feel a whole lot better. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to check on Frasier."
"That's a good idea." She said, giving him a tiny smile."
As he walked toward leave he heard her start to cry again.
"Oh Daphne..."
Within seconds he was holding her once more; sighing when she put her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her back, trying to calm the sobs that tore his heart in two.