Daphne was sitting on the sofa in Frasier's apartment, sewing a hole in one of her favorite dresses. Eddie sat on Martin's empty chair, staring longingly at the plate of cookies she had on the table.

"Oh, Eddie, you'll get sick if you eat one of those," Daphne told him. She set down her work and went into the kitchen. She came back with a bag of beef jerky. Eddie started to jump. Daphne opened the bag and threw him a piece.
The door opened suddenly. Frasier entered.

"Hello, Daphne," he said. "What are you feeding Eddie?" He asked, full of worry.

"It's just some jerky, Dr. Crane," Daphne explained, throwing Eddie another piece. It landed behind the chair; Eddie jumped over to retrieve his treat.

"Oh, it's Dad's, then. I would never buy that," Frasier laughed, putting his coat on the coat rack and setting his briefcase next to the sofa. "What are you doing here?"

"Just fixing up me dress. It got a hole in it somehow." Daphne sighed, returning to her work. "It's one of me favorites."

"Ah." Frasier went to get some wine. As he was pouring his glass, he asked, "Where's Dad?"

"He's taking a wee nap," she said, jerking her finger toward the hallway. "How was your day, Dr. Crane?"

"Interesting. I had a caller from Portland…" He trailed off. "But, I'm sure you already know it, don't you?" Daphne said nothing. "Oh, come on, doesn't anyone listen to my show?"

"I'm sorry, Dr. Crane! I was very busy today!"

"Well, anyway, he called about his teenage son, who was really distant. As I was giving the caller advice on his son, he was yelling something about how he hated his father. Needless to say, my advice did not get listened to as they were arguing. I just disconnected them."

Daphne was about to reply, but the sound of the doorbell caught her short. Frasier put down his glass and went to answer it.

"Hello, Niles," Frasier said, opening the door all the way.

"Hello, Frasier," Niles replied, letting himself in. "Hello, Daphne."

"Hello, Dr. Crane! There, all done!" She said happily, holding up her dress. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"You certainly are," Niles said in a sort of daze.

"Niles!" Frasier barked, flicking his brother's shoulder. "Daphne, I think Niles could do with some coffee."

"Oh, of course," Daphne said, getting up from the sofa and heading into the kitchen.

"Niles, can you control yourself?" Frasier hissed at Niles, who had just gotten out of his daze.

"Well, excuse me. I am no longer married to Maris, and so I am free to make my feelings known," Niles replied, sitting down.

"Like you're going to do that."

"Probably not, but she is beautiful, isn't she?"

"Yes, I'll admit that."

"Bad news," Daphne said, coming out of the kitchen. "We're all out of beans. I'll just go get some more."

"I'll come with you!" Niles exclaimed, nearly jumping out of his seat. "I mean, if you don't mind…"

"Of course not, Dr. Crane."

Niles opened the door for Daphne when they made it to Café Nervosa. They waited in line behind some guy wearing a baggy t-shirt and jeans.

"Hello! I'd like to get some beans, please," Daphne said to the cashier when it was her turn.

"That will 5.25," the cashier said.

Daphne fished out her wallet and gave her the money. "Well, I'm done here, Dr. Crane, if you want to head back."

Niles did not say anything. Ask her for a cup of coffee. You're both here. "Uh, Daphne, since you're here, would you like have a cup of coffee with me?"

"But, I thought you wanted me to make you some."

"Oh, what's the difference? You were going to buy the beans anyway! Excuse me, miss," he said to the cashier. "We would like two cappuccinos, please."
"Coming right up."

Niles and Daphne sat (he, of course, wiped his seat before sitting) at the table next to the window, the table he and Frasier usually sat at.

"I like this café," he commented.

"I do, too; it's very quaint." There was moment's silence as the waitress put their coffees on the table in front of them. Niles immediately grabbed his and began drinking. Daphne, however, was only stroking the sides of her cup. "Dr. Crane?" She asked quietly.

"Hmm?"

"How do you tell a person you love them?"

Niles nearly choked on his coffee. He grabbed his handkerchief and coughed into it. "Oh, sorry about that. What was the question, Daphne?"

"How do you tell a person you love them?" She repeated.

"Why…" He felt his face flush. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Well, you were with Mrs. Crane for a long time and…"

"Are you in love?" It pained him to ask that question because he knew it wasn't him.

"I think so. But, I'm afraid he might feel differently. His name is Nicolas. He's a dentist."

"I'm sure psychiatrists make more money," Niles muttered bitterly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Tell me, how did you two meet?"

Daphne smiled as she recalled the memory. "We met at a small party. All me friends had dates to dance with, and I was sitting alone. He came up and asked me to dance. We made a few dates since then." She blushed.

"Oh, Daphne, if you made a few dates, surely he must feel the same way?"

"Maybe. But, I've dated a few men who I thought loved me. I told them how I felt, and they said they liked me, but they didn't love me. They wanted to date, not a commitment. It's painful. I fear that he will be the same way. And that's hindering me from saying what I want to say."
Niles cleared his throat. "Well, I sat Maris down at a fancy restaurant, and I looked deep into her eyes, holding her hands." As he said this, his hands held onto Daphne's and he gazed into her brown eyes. "And I told her how much I loved and cared for her." He blushed, seeing his hands on top of hers, and he quickly withdrew them. "I was slightly nervous, but I was able to say what I wanted to say."

"You know," Daphne said, "I think it's more painful for a person to love someone and know it can never be. There was once a time when I fell for this boy, Thomas, back in Manchester. I was sixteen then. I knew he didn't feel the same way."

"Why would you say that?"

"Well, he was dating a girl I knew. He confided in me with his feelings. It so hurtful, you know?"

"Yes, I know," he said, thinking of Daphne confiding in him. "Daphne, do you think this Nicolas might be the one?"

"I think so," she replied.

"Then, I think you should tell him. I'm sure he feels the same way. Frasier's having a party tomorrow night. Invite him. Dance with him. Confess during the dance. You two met during a dance; it's seems only right that you tell him you love him during a dance." Niles smiled warmly at her, despite the fact that he wanted to tell her how much he loved her. Daphne smiled back. Niles reached into his pocket and handed her his cellphone to call Nicolas and invite him.

Daphne took the phone from his hands. "Hello, Nicolas! It's Daphne! Good, good! And you?" For about five minutes, they talked about the weather and what was going on in their lives at the moment. She then told him about the party and where it was. "Apartment 1901. I'll see you at seven then. Bye!" Daphne buried her face in hands, giggling madly.