Her arm filled with packages, Daphne was eager to head home. Although an enjoyable activity, shopping was exhausting, to say the least. Combined with taking care of Mr. Crane, doing the laundry, making dinner and the multitude of other jobs that Dr. Crane was sure to assign her, she couldn't wait to crawl into bed. But it was still early and she wasn't ready to head home just yet.

As she walked down the sidewalk and crossed Third Avenue, she stared longingly at the familiar haunt. Like an old friend, the cheerful sign above Café Nervosa seemed to be calling her, asking her to come in for a warm cup of coffee. It wasn't exactly cold enough outside, and in fact it was quite humid for Seattle. But suddenly she couldn't resist the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and she headed into the café.

It felt good to sit down and she was grateful that she found a secluded table near the back. She would much rather be left alone with her thoughts, for she so rarely had a moment to herself. But she had to admit that it was much better to be with someone, especially when that someone was Niles. Just thinking of him made her heart beat faster. He was the sweetest, most wonderful man she'd ever known and she loved him without question. It hardly felt real, but when she closed her eyes, she could feel his lip[s on hers and she knew...

And he loved her as well. So why was it so hard to say the words in return? Four little words that she knew he longed to hear. There was nothing like the feeling she'd experienced when he told her that he loved her and it was only natural to tell him that she loved him too. It must have hurt him not to hear them, and hurting him was the last thing she ever wanted to do. Perhaps there was something she could do for him in return; some way to make it up to him. But how?

"Can I help you, ma'am?"
She looked up in surprise to find a friendly barista smiling at her.

"Oh, just a cup of coffee, thank you."
"Cream and sugar?"
"No thanks." Daphne replied. She dropped a dollar into the tip jar and smiled, eager to enjoy her coffee in peace. But when she saw Roz enter the café, she knew that peace and quiet just wasn't in the cards.

Daphne loved Roz and she always enjoyed her friend's company, but she wasn't in the mood for-

"Hey, Daphne!"

Daphne feigned a smile and waved, hoping that Roz's visit would be brief.

"What are you doing here?" Roz asked, pulling up a chair.

"Just trying to rest me feet." Daphne replied. "I've been shopping for Dr. Crane all day and even though I'm sure he'll give me tons of work to do when I get home, I'm sure-."

She stopped mid-sentence when she noticed Roz staring at her and the look on Roz's face told Daphne that she didn't approve.

"What's wrong?"

Roz looked Daphne up and down. "What is that?"

Daphne looked around the café in confusion. "What is what?"

"That." Roz repeated.

"Roz I'm afraid that I don't have any idea what you're talking about!"

"I'm talking about you, Daphne!"

Daphne blinked in surprise. "Me? What about me?"

"Well, you want to explain that outfit?"

Daphne felt her body turn cold and it wasn't difficult to know what was coming next. She swallowed hard, hoping that Roz wouldn't notice the uneasiness that filled her eyes.

"There's nothing to explain." Daphne said. "Black leggings, a denim shirt and a t-shirt."

"Yeah... about that." Roz said, dragging out the words.

"Yes?"

"Don't you think that outfit is a little... oh, I don't know... dumpy?"

"Who are you calling dumpy?" Daphne shouted, appalled by Roz's abruptness.

Embarrassed, Roz looked around the café, but Daphne didn't care who might have heard her outburst.

"Daphne, calm down! It's just an observation!"

"Yeah? Well, you can keep your bloody observations to yourself!" Daphne shouted.

"Look, I didn't mean anything by it! I just... well I can't imagine any man who would possibly find that look attractive!"

"Ni-." Daphne began and then quickly closed her mouth. But her heart finished the sentence in silence.

Niles thinks I'm beautiful no matter what I wear and he loves me!

"What?"

Daphne swallowed hard and began again. "I don't care what men think! I was shopping for Dr. Crane, not out looking for a bloody date!"

"Whoa, you're really upset over this, aren't you?"

"Well, it's not often that I'm called dumpy, Roz! Especially by someone who claims to be me friend!"

"I am your friend, Daphne!"

"So what's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Daphne demanded. "And I want the truth!"

"All, right. Well, that look is completely unflattering, not to mention outdated! And that shirt..."

"What about me shirt?"

"It's hideous!" Roz replied, mincing no words. "Come on, Daphne... I Heart Seattle? It's just a cheap, touristy shirt that people from small towns in places like Nebraska buy and then wear home to make them look important! It's like 'Oh, look at me; I went to a big city where the population is over fifty'!"

Hurt by Roz's sarcasm and ridicule, Daphne swallowed hard. "That's not true! I've seen lots of people buying these shirts!" She yelled having no idea if she was telling the truth. "Is what's written on it the only thing you find hideous about it? Because I happen to love this shirt! And it doesn't say I heart Seattle, it says I love Seattle, which I do! If it weren't' for this city, I would have never gotten me job and moved in with Dr. Crane! I would never have met Mr. Crane or Dr. Crane's brother or-."

A tear escaped and Daphne angrily brushed it away, no longer caring if Roz noticed.

"All right, I get it." Roz said. "But I still think it's hideous. Why would you even think of wearing something so-."

"Fine, Roz, you think I look hideous!" Daphne yelled, unable to keep her voice from quivering. "Are there any other things about me that you'd like to insult?"

"Daphne, I was just-."

The tears threatening to fall, Daphne grabbed her packages and headed for the door, leaving her coffee untouched.

"Daphne, wait!"

But Daphne kept going, determined not to let anyone see the tears in her eyes; the tears that barely waited until she'd turned the corner to unleash themselves.