Standing in line, I'd tuned out to most of the background noise and theatre crowd until something jolted me out of my daydream. I looked around. I could have sworn I heard my name. The movie theatre was slightly crowded, a group of people were filing out of one of the cinemas; the movie they had seen now over.

Must have been my imagination.

I shuffled forward in the line again; only one person ahead of me now. The board behind the registers displayed the movie times - Wuthering Heights started shortly at 4pm. I checked my bag for my purse when I heard it again.

"-ne!"

Now I was certain someone was calling out my name.

"Daphne!"

I looked up and around for the second time, and this time I spotted him.

Dr Crane.

Niles, to be accurate. I always called him Niles in my mind. Never out loud. That was a line that I couldn't cross. Who knows what would happen if we got to the point of being that informal.

I watched, amused as he unsuccessfully weaved through the crowd of exiting moviegoers. Niles bumped into a few of them, earning a couple of annoyed glances as he gave sheepish, but distracted apologies, not wanting to take his eyes off me, as if afraid he'd lose me in the crowd.

He finally reached me as I reached the front of the line. I waved the person behind me to go ahead as I turned to Niles. He had already started talking, flustered, gesturing a bit. I didn't register anything he'd said so far, and shook my head.

"Dr Crane, what are you doing here?" I was confused. "Didn't you have to watch the Super Bowl?"

"I left - thought I'd join you. I uh... wouldn't want you to have to sit through the movie alone."

I smiled. He was always so considerate. Very unlike his brother in that way. Niles was quite selfless to take the time to keep me company. Especially when I was sure there were other things he'd prefer to be doing instead of sitting next to me in a dark theatre as I sobbed messily at tragic romances.

"That would be wonderful. I do love having company during these kinds of movies. But won't your father and brother miss you at their party?"

Niles shook his head. "I don't think so. It..." He gave a slight grimace. "There was a bit of confusion around Roz's mother which made things a little awkward, so it ended early. I'll explain later."

The person I had let ahead of me finished their purchase, and I stepped up to the counter with Niles.

"Two adults for Wuthering Heights," I said.

The ticket seller rang it up. "That'll be $9.90."

I had already fished my purse out, and was pulling out the notes, noticing Niles was doing the same thing with his wallet.

"Allow me, Daphne."

"Oh, I can't let you pay, I'm the one who was coming to the movies." Besides, I knew he was short on money, what with his ex-wife bleeding him dry with their divorce. I hated that woman.

He'd already thrust out his hand, passing the money to the cashier, who handed the tickets back. Niles shot me a triumphant looking grin. I gave a half hearted frown, which he knew not to take seriously. Over the years, our friendship had become comfortable enough that these kind of gestures were second nature, and easily recognizable.

The usual battle for who paid for who was one just as well worn, playing out the same way each time. A well rehearsed dance.

"I insist on buying the popcorn, then."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he smiled.

Popcorn and other snacks in hand, we shuffled into the theatre together, locating our seats. This wasn't the first time we'd been to the movies together. Niles would accompany me and Mr Crane all the time, though if it was a movie of Mr Crane's choosing, Niles usually had some sort of reading light and book to occupy himself.

But when it was a movie that he was actually interested in, it was much more fun. When Niles was engaged and paying attention, there was a look - a certain look he would get. The way his face would light up, the subtle way the lines of his face would rearrange, and some of the tension Niles always seemed to carry around would lift slightly and you could see through to the man underneath it all.

I hoped this would be a movie he enjoyed.

Reaching our seats, we sat down and got settled. I'd insisted on buying the popcorn to share, but Niles wouldn't let me buy him anything else. Stubborn, prideful man. I'd have to repay him some other way.

"So you've seen this movie before?" The previews had started, but Niles was staring at me, waiting for my answer.

"Oh yes. Four or five times. I must admit I'm a sucker for romantic stories. Unrequited love, someone who cannot be with the other. Tragic endings - although only in the movies." I smiled at the last one as I responded. "I know I've spent years waiting for my own prince charming to declare his love and sweep me off my feet."

Niles had fixed me with a gaze, one I couldn't quite place. He probably thinks I'm quite mad.

"There's nothing wrong with waiting for the right man, Daphne. I'm sure the one you're meant to be with will do exactly that. Sweep you off your feet and declare his love for you. Just as soon as he is free to do so." His voice sounded slightly wistful as he spoke, and he finally looked away.

I felt myself blush a little. Niles always knew how to make me feel like I wasn't a fool for wanting romance. I just wish I had as much faith as he did. I used to, but not as much nowadays.

I hadn't had a serious relationship since Joe two years ago, and even that was on again off again. Before that was Clive, but he was content to sit around and let life pass him by. Though he did try to win me back, I always knew deep down it was too little too late. Clearly love, true love, was something I wasn't supposed to find. Maybe I'll have to settle for less one day.

I sighed as the movie started, the dramatic music announcing the title of the film. Niles glanced over at the sound of my sigh, and I gave him a reassuring smile. I didn't want him to know how lonely I was. He probably felt lonely enough himself since his divorce with Mrs Crane started, but I didn't want to remind him of that.

God I hate that woman.

I usually didn't hate people, but watching Mrs Crane over the years torture poor Niles had drawn that feeling to the surface. Niles had done nothing but try and appease her, to work on their marriage, and she stomped all over his heart time and time again. She never deserved someone so selfless, so kind.

I'd be lucky to end up with someone like Niles. But that isn't going to happen. I'm not that lucky.

I turned my focus to the movie, pushing all frustrating, pointless thoughts out of my mind.

By now I'd let the movie sweep me away. A black and white classic, focusing on the tragic romance between Heathcliff and Catherine. I'd read the book once, but preferred the movie. It was more romantic, less depressing.

We'd settled in comfortably together, and my eyes for the most part were glued to the screen. I glanced over at Niles partway through. He seemed to be enjoying the film, and I realized I forgot to ask if he'd seen it before. I made a mental note to ask him afterwards.

I was holding the popcorn, and although Niles was taking the occasional handful, I was eating most of it. And it was during one particularly emotional scene - Catherine had just spurned Heathcliff, who fled across the moors- that when reaching for more popcorn, my hand brushed against Niles' hand, who was doing the same.

Startled, I jumped and withdrew my hand quickly, noticing Niles had done the same. He glanced at me, awkwardly, and I, in an attempt to try and diffuse the moment, thrust the popcorn box into his hands.

"Here Dr Crane, you can take the box for a bit. I've been eating most of it so far." I returned my eyes to the screen, trying not to look at Niles.

His hand was soft and warm. Even though it was the barest of touches, it had sent a jolt down my arm, like a static shock. Thoughts had drifted slightly towards what it would be like to hold that hand, walking side by side... perhaps on a date.

Stop that! Mentally I snapped at myself. God, I really am desperate and touch starved to be thinking that way. Niles would never be interested in me. I'm too far below his station. In terms of status, I'm essentially Heathcliff, while he is more like Catherine. He wouldn't consider someone like me, not for a second.

I eventually managed to settle myself, and became engrossed in the film again. Despite seeing it several times already, the ending - Heathcliff running to be by Catherine's side while she lay dying - always had me crying.

This time was no exception. I went to try and find a tissue in my bag when I felt something soft pressed into my hand. I looked down at the handkerchief Niles had given me. I glanced back up at him, and he gave me a soft smile. One that I returned.

"Thank you, Dr Crane. Sorry, I always cry at the end."

"Quite all right, Daphne."

He somewhat awkwardly put his arm around me and patted my shoulder. The same jolt from earlier returned at his touch. This time, I decided to just go with it, and I leaned against Niles. Arm still around me, he rested his hand on my arm as I rested my head on his shoulder, letting the tears fall and dabbed at them unsuccessfully. I felt him relax a little as we continued to sit there as the credits briefly appeared on the screen, and people started shuffling out.

Eventually, recovered from my little crying session, I sat back up, shrugging Niles' arm from my shoulders. He seemed to stir from whatever thoughts he was having - probably about how dramatic I'm being - and the slight tension from earlier returned. He also straightened, and cleared his throat slightly.

"Are you all right now, Daphne?"

"Yes, thank you, Dr Crane." I handed back his handkerchief, which he carefully tucked away into his pocket. "And thank you for the hanky."

"Any time. I've always got one on hand."

We rose, and made our way out. I tried not to think too much on the fact we were the last people in the cinema.

I remembered my question. "I meant to ask earlier if you'd seen this movie before."

"I hadn't, actually. But I've read the book many times, so I was familiar with the story."

"I've read the book too. I think I'm more partial to the movie though."

"I noticed they ended the moving before the second half of the book."

"Yes, I prefer it that way. I don't like to think of Heathcliff making everyone miserable because of his lost love."

"Mmm." Niles seemed to be deep in thought. "It... I can't imagine anything harder than loving someone so deeply and thinking that they don't love you the same way. Then having to watch them marry and live their life with another person."

"I agree. Catherine truly cared for Heathcliff, but let status dictate who she married. I'm sure she had a fondness for Edgar though."

Niles didn't respond, seemingly deep in thought. Sometimes I wondered what he was thinking about that made him look that way. The slight pain in his eyes, that faraway longing.

"Dr Crane?" I wondered if he was thinking about his ex-wife again.

He seemed to snap himself out of whatever thought had preoccupied his mind, and smiled at me again. Such a warm, kind smile.

"Sorry, Daphne. I think we won't ever have to worry about watching the person we love marrying someone else. At least, I hope not." He gave a nervous chuckle, as if trying to remove any doubt on the matter. "How about we get something for dinner, before we call it a night?"

"Sounds lovely."

We headed off down the street together, trying to work out where to eat that wouldn't break our budget.

Just two friends. Nothing more.

A/N: As per the summary, I'm slowly cross-posting all my non-explicit fics from AO3 to FFN. Feel free to check out my AO3 for anything not posted here, or to give me some extra love there (link is in my profile).