Daphne looks down, blushing once more. "I... I think so. Even though I couldn't see clearly that man's face, his figure was yours, as well as his hair, and that tuxedo was the same you wore at the Snow Ball years ago... And the dragon..." She visibly shuddered. "The dragon was exactly like this one, detail by detail. And everything around me was so... vivid. None of my previous visions have ever been so well defined." She raises her eyes shyly at him, as if suddenly doubting herself. "But on the other hand, it wouldn't be the first time that one of my visions fails to show the truth, and of course you must think that I'm nuts, up to now you've always been so patient and understanding with me, but even I realize that all this sounds like madness, and by all means you're no entitled to harbor romantic feelings toward me..." She stops herself and covers her face with her hands. "Oh, God, I'm rambling again..."
"Daphne, I don't think you're nuts. And it's... it's very good that you're opening yourself, you can ramble all you need." Niles smiles tremulously at her, on the verge of hyperventilating, but he struggles firmly to control himself. He won't be able to help Daphne or their current situation if he suffers a breakdown in front of her.
She snorts softly and smiles at him gratefully and with brilliant eyes, as if about to cry.
His mind has practically blown off. He can hardly believe what Daphne is bringing to the surface. After six years of loving her in secret (well, it isn't as secret, at this point everyone but Daphne has found out about it since long ago) she finally seems to have discovered his feelings. Does it matter much that she pleads that she's seen it in a vision? He as a psychiatrist reasons that her supposed visions are a manifestation of her subconscious, like dreams are. If she's seen his love for her in one of them, that means that she's noticed it unconsciously, and if that's the case, what in all probability is, then he's elated by the fact that throughout all these years she hasn't been so oblivious and in spite of that she hasn't ever shown displeasure or hasn't run for the hills yet, what is a good sign.
But none of that means necessarily that she returns his feelings. She might be deluding herself. She's a firm believer in her visions and they can mislead her. Niles has learned to adore her with all her eccentricities and peculiarities from the very beginning and has become used to all her traits, but he must make sure that, if there's a chance at a relationship between them, that it happens for the right reasons and not because she's following one of her visions hook, line and sinker. It would be wrong. It should happen because she's fully aware of her own feelings and embraces them. As much eager as he is for starting a romantic relationship with her, he shouldn't rush anything. Niles can almost hear Frasier's chastisement in his head if he takes the wrong step. However, it's not just his brother's reprimanding voice what makes him take pause; it's also that, if he missteps, he might lose Daphne forever.
He breathes deeply, trying to soothe down his own turmoil and to reflect carefully on his next words. This is one of the most important conversations of his life and he can't ruin its outcome because of a bad choice of words. He's absolutely certain of what he feels and wants, but the important thing now is what she feels and wants. His desires don't matter now. "So, what do you think you should do?"
"For starters, breaking up with Donny. He's a wonderful man and I feel horribly for hurting him, but it's the fair and right thing to do. All this issue about the engagement ring has helped me see that he deserves much better than what I can give him. I was just fooling myself, because I at first got swept away by his charm. Being with him was exciting and funny. But with time, I've realized that my heart isn't in it enough. That I've been repeating to myself the reasons why I should remain with him. We've even begun to develop some issues and we've had fights about this or that, and he always tries to charm me and emotionally blackmail me into forgiving him, though I think he does that unintentionally. I also have my share of flaws, it's not all his fault. All in all, our dynamic has become unhealthy. Things aren't going as well as they seem." She trails off and Niles does his best to keep his professional attitude, though inside he feels anything but calm. Part of him feels bad for Daphne's suffering, and another tiny part feels sorry for Donny. He doesn't look like a bad guy. And Niles can relate to a certain level, though his situation during his own marriage was very different. His relationship with Maris was unhealthy from the start, because Maris never loved him, there was no reciprocity and Niles was always exerting himself and groveling after her so she would deign to throw scraps at him. Maris had resorted to all sorts of cruel methods, manipulation and blackmail to keep him under her foot.
It had been extremely hard to break the vicious cycle, but he had succeeded in the end.
He can understand why Donny is fighting so hard for the relationship to work, even resorting to unhealthy means. As far as Niles knows, Donny is a man madly in love and he must be sensing that Daphne doesn't feel the same. People tend to do desperate things when they're afraid of losing their loved ones. Instead of admitting defeat and stepping aside, most can't put up with the truth.
Daphne only confirms that with her next admission. "I fear that he's going to propose so hastily because he believes that by doing so things are going to get fixed magically. As if marrying each other was going to be the solution to all our problems, when it would be the worst mistake we might make."
"I'm sorry, Daphne. I don't like to see you suffer. And I feel sorry for Donny too," he adds honestly.
And although he is dying to tell her about his own love for her, he forces himself to hold back. She's upset and her wellbeing comes first. He doesn't want to make her uncomfortable or disturb her more than she already is.
Daphne smiles sadly but sincerely. "Thank you, Dr. Crane. You're one of the best men I know." She surprises him reaching for his hand accross the desk. "Now I understand why my vision showed you to me."
Daphne stands up and Niles follows suit, walking to the front side of the desk to join her. "You have no idea how much you've helped me, Dr. Crane. Today I'll put an end to my relationship with Donny." She sobers up again. "And by the way, I haven't forgotten about the other elephant in the room. The matter about... the message conveyed by my vision concerning you. You don't have to answer, but I... I'd like to know... God, this is embarrassing." She covers her face with her hands once more.
Niles's heart is racing as he spares her having to utter the question. "The answer is yes. I have feelings for you, Daphne. Your perception is right. But don't worry about that. The important thing now is that you feel better," he dismisses, and he's marveled by the fact that he hasn't fainted or started hyperventilating. He's just admitted his truth to Daphne! Well, not the vast depth of his truth, because he doesn't want her to panic, but one huge step has been taken.
Now the ball is in her court, and his heart is in her hands. There's no turning back.
Daphne hugs him and kisses his cheek. He relishes her warmth and her scent enveloping him. "We'll talk about this, I promise. But I need time to sort out my current situation and process all this. I suppose I'll see you at your brother's, as always?," she asks, and she looks genuinely glad to keep seeing him as usual. Niles's relief is almost crushing.
"Of course, Daphne. I wouldn't dare stop bothering Frasier. He'd go mad with boredom without me," he jokes.
She laughs, and it's like music to his ears. It's so good to make her laugh. "See you soon then, Dr. Crane," she says, heading for the door.
"See you soon, Daphne." He accompanies her to the door and opens it for her, and when she steps outside, he waits until she's disappeared around the corner to close it, with a goofy smile on his lips.