"Oh, this is wonderful." Daphne said, putting another spoonful of soup into her mouth. "I've never had pumpkin soup before. And this bread…"
"Artisan." Niles explained.
"Where did you find it?"
"I stopped by the bed and breakfast on the way back."
"It's wonderful." She said again. "Thank you, Dr. Crane."
"It was my pleasure."
They ate in silence but there were a million things he could have said; a million things that he should have said. But instead he remained silent.
"Dr. Crane, May I say something?"
"Of course. What's on your mind?"
When she said nothing he became concerned. He leaned closer. "Daphne, what is it?"
Their eyes met and she paused. "I'm sorry."
He took a sip of his iced tea and then returned it to the table. "About what? You haven't done anything to warrant-."
"I'm sorry that I frightened you earlier when I went for a walk. I thought I'd be back well before you got home. I didn't go far, just far enough to surround myself in the woods. I sat on an old log and listened to the quiet. It was wonderful."
"It is beautiful." He sniffled, making her smile.
"You've never been into the woods, have you, Dr. Cane?"
"Oh, I-." he started to say something but anything that he could have said would surely be followed by a nosebleed. He saw her grin and he knew that she was thinking the same thing.
"It's all right." She said, most likely by way of reassurance. "But it is very beautiful."
He thought for a moment. "Well, perhaps I should venture out there someday."
"With your wife."
The words caught him off-guard. "Um… yes."
The room fell silent and Daphne finished the last of her soup. Her empty plate in hand, she rose to her feet. "It's my turn to do the dishes. Are you finished, Dr. Crane?"
"I am, but Daphne, you don't have to do that."
"But it's my turn. I-."
His hand covered hers. "Please. I insist. You're my guest, Daphne. I'll take care of the dishes."
For a moment, neither of them moved and their hands remained together.
"All right." She finally said. "Well, if you need any help-."
"I'm fine, Daphne. Just make yourself at home."
He watched as she left the room and then began to clean up the kitchen. He found her sometime later, sitting on the porch. She was wearing his parka. The hood was pulled up just enough to cover her ears and her hands were in her pockets. She looked deep in thought. And Niles didn't have to wonder what she was thinking about; or rather, whom.
Unexpectedly she turned around. "What is it?" She snapped.
Stung by her harsh tone, it took him a moment to reply. "Um, nothing. Can I get you some more apple cider?"
"I'd better not." Her voice was softer, but her laugh seemed less than sincere.
"It might help you to relax." He suggested.
Her eyes narrowed. "A re you saying that I'm tense?" Her tone was steady but she was clearly agitated. And truth be told, he was a bit agitated with her as well. After all, he'd done nothing but try to be a gracious host. He supposed he couldn't blame her for being tense. She had been through a painful breakup. He was all too aware of what it was like to end a relationship; even one that wasn't going well.
He did his best to keep his voice calm, but it proved to be impossible. "A little." He replied.
She didn't look at him, but he knew that he'd made her angry. He tried again. "Daphne-." But this time, even he could hear the agitation in his voice. "Do you remember what you once told me about secrets?"
She turned to him. "No. What?"
"You told me that you don't believe in secrets. You had a theory, if I'm remembering correctly, that people keep secrets because they're afraid that the truth will lead to rejection and heartbreak."
She scoffed. "I don't remember saying that at all."
But he could tell by her expression that she remembered it very well.
"Well, I do."
She swallowed hard. "Dr. Crane, what's your point?"
"Well, you also said that you felt that the world would be a better place without secrets. That if everyone just came out and said exactly what was on their mind, there would be less opportunity to judge others."
Another sigh. "All right. I suppose di did say those things, but I still don't understand-."
"I remember thinking a great deal about what you said and I found myself wishing that I had the ability to unburden myself of my secrets. Well, one in particular. It's a secret that I've been holding inside for far too long."
"And?"
"And it seems that instead of my adopting your gift for honesty, you've adopted my bad habit of keeping things bottled up."
"It's cold. We should go back inside." She rose to her feet and attempted to go through the door. But he purposely stood in front of her, blocking her way. He had to know the truth.
"Daphne, you've been hiding something for months; since just before Frasier's Christmas party."
"Just because I chose not to tell you something doesn't mean that I'm holding anything in, nor does it mean that it has anything to do with you, Dr. Crane!" She was yelling and, from what he could tell, doing her best to hold back tears.
"Daphne, you shouldn't do this."
"Maybe I will have a bit more of that cider." She pushed past him and went inside, giving him no choice but to follow her.
He found her in the kitchen, pouring another mug of cider. She added a touch of honey and much more than a splash of brandy. He was grateful that she wasn't in a position to leave. He knew without a doubt that if she were in such a position, she would have grabbed her bag, climbed into the car and driven off, leaving him to worry about her yet again.
"When we do things that aren't normal for us, it causes an inner rift that can have disastrous repercussions."
"You do it all the time!" She yelled her voice cutting through him like a knife. But when she spoke again, her tone was softer. "Would you care for more cider?"
He didn't answer her. "I may do it all the time, Daphne but I have had years of practice holding things in. Secrets just aren't normal for you. They are not your habit, nor do you believe in them. You were very adamant about that.""
Her eyes flared. "Don't tell me what I believe and what I don't believe, Dr. Crane! You have no right-."
"What is it, Daphne? Tell me, please. I want to help."
"Dr. Crane, please don't!" The tears that she'd been holding in began to make their way to her cheeks.
"This isn't like you, Daphne. I'm worried about you. Please, you can tell me any-."
"I know, Dr. Crane, I know, all right?"
"Well, then if you know, then why don't you just-."
"I mean I know your bloody secret!"
His mouth fell open in disbelief. "M-my… What secret, Daphne. I don't have any-what are you talking about?"
There was a silence that was much too long before she hit him with the unthinkable answer.
"I know that you were in love with me for six years."
The explosion that followed was blinding.