Martin looked despondently at his son. "Damn, I'm sorry, Fras. This is my fault. I should have known they'd bring up Lilith and Freddie. Do you want me to say something?"
"What are you going to say, Dad? Frasier asked in a trembling voice. "Are you going to tell them about how I ruined a small child's life by encouraging him to fight a child
bigger than himself? A child who may never be able to live a normal life? All because of some stupid advice! And now I may never see my son again."
"Fras, I'm sorry, I-."
"It's fine, Dad. But if it's all the same to you, I think I need to be alone." Frasier said, climbing off the bar stool.
"Come on, Frasier, let's talk about this." Niles said.
"That's very kind of you, Niles, but there's nothing left to say." Frasier said.
Feeling helpless, Niles hugged his brother warmly. Frasier was always the strong one; the one who held the family together.
"Is there anything I can do?" He asked quietly.
Frasier looked at Niles with tear-filled eyes. "All I want is my son."
Martin watched with a heavy heart as Frasier pulled out of Niles' embrace and disappeared into the men's room. "That poor kid." He said sadly.
At the sound of sniffling, Niles looked up; his heart aching when he saw her standing in the corner, crying.
"Daphne..."
Niles climbed off the bar stool, desperate to comfort her, but he was stopped by his father's hand on his arm.
"Leave her alone, Niles. She'll be fine." Martin said as gently as possible.
But the words still hurt. And seeing Daphne so upset hurt even worse.
With a sigh, Niles sipped his beer and pretended to find interest in Cliff's excruciatingly dull story about his most recent mail misfortune.
This was going to be a very long trip.