(Four Seasons Hotel, Boston)
Fras, are you sure you don't want a drink from the bar before we leave?"
"No, Dad. I can't imagine how alcohol could possibly make me feel any better." Frasier sighed.
"Well, a beer would make me feel better, that's for sure." Martin said.
"You go ahead, Dad. We'll get everything packed and meet you downstairs." Niles said.
They headed for the elevators and stepped inside, silently watching the numbers move as they were carried to the 15th floor.
Daphne watched Frasier as her chest filled with worry. She longed to say something...
anything...
But no words seemed appropriate.
Instead, when the elevator doors opened and they arrived at their rooms, she hugged him.
"Thank you, Daphne."
Frasier disappeared into his room, leaving Niles and Daphne alone in the hallway. They stared at each other in silence and Daphne couldn't help but notice the pain in
Niles' eyes.
Finding the right words suddenly became impossible, for he was hurting just as badly, if not worse than his brother.
But the words came out before she could stop them.
"Dr Crane, may I tell you something?"
His face brightened at the question.
"Of course, Daphne."
She stared at him once more in a painful loss for words. "Dr. Crane, I-."
"Yes, Daphne?"
She swallowed hard; the silence filling the space between them. Her heart raced in her chest as she moved toward him.
Finally, unable to think of the right words, she took him in her arms and hugged him warmly.
When he rubbed her back, she sighed, holding him longer than she intended. When she finally let go, she could feel her cheeks start to burn.
"W-well... I'll see you later, Dr. Crane."
"Y-yeah. I'd better go check on Frasier."
"O-okay." She replied.
Alone in her room, she lay down on her bed, and collapsed against the pillows, wondering why she couldn't stop thinking about him.