She had no idea what time it was when she awoke, but when she looked out of her window, darkness had settled over New York City. She rose from her bed and went to the window, gazing out at the world.
From here she could just barely see the outline of the Empire State Building. It was so romantic; or so she'd imagined. She'd never actually been there but she'd seen movies that immortalized it, such as An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle.
And for the hundredth time she imagined how romantic it must be to meet the man of her dreams on the observation deck.
She barely stayed awake long enough to take a shower and change her clothes and then called in sick for a second straight day before climbing back into bed.
It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn't eaten in almost twenty four hours but what good was food if it didn't cure her loneliness?
As she settled under the covers, thoughts of Niles invaded her heart and once more she found herself wondering what he was doing right this very moment.
It was three hours earlier in Seattle; almost mid-afternoon. She could just picture him sitting in his office, looking so handsome in a dark suit and blue tie that brought out his gorgeous blue eyes. He was probably sitting in his chair, listening to some lost soul pour out their sorrows while he scribbled notes onto a piece of paper. And she wondered, as she often did, if he ever stopped to think about her.
Did he wonder, she wondered, what she was doing? Was she happy? Had she fallen in love again?
"NO!" She screamed to the empty apartment as the tears fell faster. "I'm not happy, Niles Crane! I love you and you are the only one who could ever make me happy! Don't you understand that? Oh why does Seattle have to be so bloody far away?"
She was sobbing now; deep, gut wrenching sobs that brought her to her knees but she didn't car. She didn't care about anything or anyone except for Niles. When she could cry no more, she rose to her feet and climbed into bed, curled up into a ball.
And once again she found herself thinking about the soon to be ex- Mrs. Crane. Her heart ached for Niles, remembering how painful it must have been for him to talk about her. She had no right to think such horrible thoughts about a woman she'd never even seen, but how could anyone fall out of love with someone so wonderful?
Did Mrs. Crane not realize what an amazing man Niles Crane really was? He was sweet, attentive sensitive and the most handsome man she'd ever met. She knew his impending divorce must have pained him to the core, for she couldn't imagine being married to someone only to have the marriage dissolve years later. Her parents thankfully had remained married despite their constant bickering. But she supposed that was the way marriage was supposed to be.
Unfortunately she'd never have the chance to find out.
Now completely drained, she carefully rose to her feet and climbed back into bed, hoping slumber would carry her into a dreamlike state; where nothing and no one could hurt her, and where Niles Crane loved her more than life itself.
But sleep did not come easily, nor did it come quickly. Instead it was accompanied by tossing and turning, and invading thoughts of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer taunting her.
As they laughed and pointed fingers, Niles appeared. And when he heard the horrible things they were saying about Daphne, he turned to her and shook his head. "I should have known better than to get mixed up with you. You're not my type at all. I'm just glad I found out when I did. Goodbye Daphne."
"Niles, don't leave! I love you! I love you so much! Please!"
She awoke with a start, the sobs racking her body as she clutched her pillow to her chest. And when she finally calmed down, she knew that she couldn't stay another second in New York City. She packed her bags and scoured the apartment for every penny she could find.
Once outside, her bags by her side, she hailed a cab and within minutes was whisked away to the JFK Airport.
She was headed to the Emerald City, to be with the man she loved... the man of her dreams.