She'd been sitting on the bench outside of the Elliot Bay Towers staring at the stars for so long that they seemed to meld into one big blur, and when she blinked, the

tears that blinded her streamed down her cheeks. She'd made a complete fool of herself. Why had she made herself believe that ridiculous lie? She should have known

better than to trust a man who was so drugged up that he'd confided to a dog! And worse, why had she let her heart believe that a handsome, intelligent man like

Niles Crane was in love with her? From the way he was speaking so fondly of Mel, it was clear that Niles' heart belonged to her and no one else. The selfish thought

pained her even more and she was grateful for the darkness that hid her tear-streaked face.

"Daphne?"

At the sound of his voice, she rose in one fluid motion.

"Dr. Crane..."

He moved toward her, the moonlight illuminating his handsome face. "Oh, thank God..."

"Dr. Crane, what-."

His strong arms went around her in a fierce hug and she could hear his labored breathing as he held her close. "Oh God... I was so worried about you. I looked

everywhere..."

"You did?"

"Oh Daphne... You have no idea..."

The realization of what was happening caused a sob to escape. "I-I'm sorry..."

"Oh Daphne, please don't cry... It's all right. I'm just so glad that you're safe. I don't know what I would have done if..." His voice trailed away, but the words he didn't

speak were priceless.

She clung to him, relishing in the soothing way he was rubbing her back, knowing that she couldn't have him.

"Daphne, about what Frasier told you..."

She drew back and brushed the tears from her cheeks.

"Oh God... Dr. Crane, I'm so ashamed of meself. I should never have-."

"No... Don't blame yourself."

"But your brother said-."

He brushed the hair from her face and smiled. "Well, actually Daphne... what he told you is true."

She gasped lightly at the words she'd longed to hear.

"Dr. Crane, I-."

"I'm sorry. I'm making you uncomfortable. I just-."

"You mean it's true? You're really in love with me?"

His mouth curved into a smile and he took her face in his hands to kiss her.

"Does that answer your question?" He asked when the heavenly kiss ended.

For a moment she wasn't quite sure how to respond.

"I just... I can't believe this... I mean... what about Mel?"

He let out a long, exasperated breath. "Mel... Dear God, I'd forgotten all about her."

Daphne was astonished.

"How could you forget about someone that you love?"

"I could never forget about you, Daphne."

His comment brought a smile, but clearly he wasn't getting the picture.

"Mel's very lucky to have you. You're a wonderful man... and anyone would be-."

"I don't want just anyone and that includes Mel. I may have spoken quite admirably of her earlier, but the truth is... I don't love her."

"Oh..."

Once more he took her face in his hands and kissed her.

"I love you, Daphne. From the moment I first saw you, you are the only one I've ever wanted."

Her mouth trembled and she stroked his cheek with the back of her hand.

"Oh Niles..."

"So... How do you feel about me?"

Overcome with love for him, she kissed him deeply, releasing all of the emotions she'd been holding inside. His mouth on hers was warm and soft; even more so than she'd dreamed.

"I love you, Dr. Crane..." she breathed. Her eyes closed and she arched her neck in anticipation of what was coming, what she'd wanted for so long...

She gasped lightly as he kissed her mouth, her jaw line, and trailed kisses to the hollow of her neck.

"I love you so much..." She said, barely able to catch her breath.

Finally he drew back and chuckled to himself.

"Dr. Crane, what's so funny?"

"Well..." He said as he continued to kiss her neck, her cheeks and her mouth. "I think under the circumstances, you can call me Niles now."

She smiled at his humor. "All right... Niles."

The kisses stopped without warning, and she felt a strange sense of loss.

"I suppose we should be getting back to the party. Dad and Frasier were so worried about you when you left."

The magic moment broken, Daphne looked down at the ground and shook her head.

"I'm so ashamed."

"Daphne..." He gently turned her chin toward him. "You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"But your brother and father-."

"Frasier feels badly for blurting out my secret but frankly, I'm glad that he told you. I'm only sorry I wasn't able to tell you myself. I was just... afraid."

She held him close, wanting this moment to last forever.

"We should go..." He whispered into her hair.

After giving him one last hug, she took his hand and together they returned to Frasier's apartment; their lives completely changed by one simple moment.