Hours later, they were sitting in front of the television set, the game long over. Frasier woke with a start at the sound of the door opening and closing. In a blur, he saw a figure cross the room to the balcony and close the door. He sat up, somewhat alarmed.

Martin sat in his chair, sound asleep, Eddie in his lap. The dog stirred but didn't make a sound.
Outside, the sky had fallen from light to dark, save for the few streaks of pink that highlighted the Seattle skyline. However, something was wrong.
Daphne stood on the balcony, her back to the world.
Frasier rose from the sofa and stretched. Curious, he went to the balcony and closed the door behind him.

"Daphne?"

She turned to him, and her tear-streaked face took him aback.
"Daphne? What is it?"
"I'm sorry, Dr. Crane. I hope I didn't wake you. I tried not to make too much noise."

"It's all right. I must have dozed off while watching the game. The Mariners will do that to you."
However, she didn't even crack a smile.
He moved closer. "Daphne what is it? What's wrong?"
And that's when the dam broke. She started to cry even harder, prompting him to put his arms around her.
"Oh dear God, what's happened? Is it Niles?"
She looked up in surprise. "Your brother? Oh, I don't know... I haven't talked to him in a few days."
"I'm sorry; I don't know why I said that. I just-what's the matter?"
"Oh, it's awful!"
"Do you want to talk about it? I'm listening."

His trademark tagline did nothing to make her smile. "I'm sorry. If you don't want to talk about it, I understand, but I want you to know that I'm here for you."
"Thank you, Dr. Crane. That's very sweet. I don't know why I'm so upset. It's just that Joe and I had another fight. A bad one. I don't think he'll ever take me back now."
When she began to sob, he held her a little closer. "Oh Daphne, you don't know that. I mean whatever the fight was about, I'm sure that it will remedy itself if you just talk it out."
"I don't know…"
"Just try, all right? You and Joe have been together for a long time and I hate to see it end. I like him, but of course it's up to you."
"I don't know what to do."
"Just… why don't you sleep on it tonight? Give yourself a few days to settle. And then when you're ready, ask him if he wants to talk. I can't say that it will solve everything, but it might help."

Finally a small smile.

"Thank you, Dr. Crane." She kissed his cheek. "I think I'm going to go lie down for a while. Read one of me romance novels. Seems that it's the only way I'll ever get a man, is by dreaming about him."
"Daphne, that's not true. But I do agree that lying down for a while would be good. Don't worry about Dad and I. Ever since I showed him his chair, I think we've bonded a little."
"He really loves that chair, doesn't he?"
"Yes, and I love him. So much so that I-."
"You what?"
"Never mind. Just get some rest."

He kissed her cheek and smiled as she walked back into the condominium.

Hours later, he woke with a start and looked around his bedroom. It was dark, but the light cast a beam across his bedspread. And then he saw it, the bouquet of roses that he'd received at the performance of "Ten Little Indians." He had no need for roses, but he knew someone who did. He pulled on his robe and walked into the living room, carrying the bouquet wrapped in green tissue. His father's chair was empty, as it should have been this time of night. The living room was dark, but he saw a figure walk into the kitchen.

Quietly he crossed the living room and stood at the kitchen door. He entered, careful not to startle her. But when she closed the refrigerator door, she looked up with a start and turned to him.

"Dr. Crane..."

"Hello, Daphne."
"Did I wake you?"
"No, I was up. Actually I was-are you all right?"
She smiled. "I'm better. Maybe you were right. If I give it a few days, Joe and I can talk and maybe we can work things out."

"I hope so."
"Well, I was just getting something to drink, so I'll leave you alone." She started out of the kitchen, but he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Daphne, wait. There's something-."
"What is it?"
He handed her the roses, smiling at the expression on her face. "Dr. Crane…"
"I thought that maybe you could use those more than I."
"Dr. Crane, you didn't have to do this!"
"Actually I didn't. I got those roses from… well, it's a long story, but they're yours. Just know that the sentiment is the same. I'm sorry things aren't going well between you and Joe. But I have a feeling that everything will be okay, no matter what happens."
"Dr. Crane…" She started to cry and hugged him tightly, pressing her cheek against his robe. "Thank you, Dr. Crane. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, Daphne. Now get some rest, okay?"
"I'll put these in water."
"I can take care of that. Just get some rest."

"Thank you, Dr. Crane. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Daphne."

He watched her walk back to her bedroom and smiled. In the kitchen, he filled a vase with water and arranged the flowers. They were quite beautiful and he sat them front and center on the table.
As he walked back to his room, he looked at the darkened living room and smiled. He'd gotten his father's chair back, but not the way he had planned.
And the end result was even better than he anticipated.

~Fin~