Rain Rain and yet more Rain

Daphne turned the key in the ignition and listened again as the car choked and died . She looked out at the empty road and rain bouncing of the tarmac , the dark thunder clouds hovered overhead and it was beginning to get dark .

"Oh bloody hell !" She shouted to no one in particular "Why does this stupid car always break down when it's raining and I'm on my own ?" She lifted her cell phone from the glove compartment and dialled the number of the apartment . After a few rings the answer phone clicked on and Frasier's voice filled her ear ,

"Dr Crane ñ she said after the message had finished "it's me , look this bloody car has done it again , I swear it doesn't like to be out in the rain . I'm on Samson Avenue about two thirds of the way down there's a petrol station across the road but it's shut , when you get home could you come pick be up . Oh and bring the tow rope !"

She sat back and switched on the radio , she knew he'd be home within the half hour he had a date at 7.30 and it always took him at least two hours to get ready . He was worse than a woman . it was request hour on some local station that wasn't KACL and she relaxed back in the seat listening to the romantic greetings and songs . The rain pounded on the roof of the car beating out a slow rhythm in time with the music.

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On the other side of town , Niles sat alone in his car listening to the same station pictures of Daphne dancing in his head . He had been so close to losing her forever and now with her engagement broken off he sat staring at the murky waters of Puget sound contemplating his next move . The sound of the soft romantic pieces of music lovers were dedicating to each other filled the car . "If only it was that easy for me" , he thought "If only ever all I had to do was pick a song and shed hear it and she'd know I loved her , worshipped her even , probably more than any of these people ever could" . He stared out at the rain wondering what she was doing now . "Probably picking up after my lay about family " he sighed "God Frasier had no idea how lucky he was just to wake up under the same roof as her" . He reached for the volume control on the radio , sitting back he turned it up , trying to drown out the incessant drumming of the rain.

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Daphne listened to the requests , ever since she'd broken up with Donny she'd convinced herself she was destined to be alone and listening to the loving messages of so many people in the same city as her , she saw herself as the old maid she thought she was going to become . She didn't know even now what had prompted her to end the whole thing with Donny it had just seemed to happen . Somewhere inside she knew she was meant to be with someone else and it didn't seem fair to keep him hanging on , so when he pressed her to set a date she heard herself say it was over and in an instant he was gone from her life . Somehow she'd expected him to put up more of a fight . To at least ask why , but he didn't he just left her to her visions . "So" she told herself

"here you are again , alone and frustrated , well where's you're mystery man now ? You're a fool Daphne Moon you never know what you have until you throw it away" The radio played a familiar song as the rain marked time . Daphne closed her eyes and let them merge , two sounds . one rhythm , one aching heart .

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Niles looked from the radio to his cell phone and back again . He knew nothing about the type of music the station was playing , but he knew he needed to tell someone , anyone , how he was feeling. It wasn't as if she'd be listening and not many of these people were admitting who they were anyhow . The presenters bubbly voice came on again reciting the number and inviting people to call and tell her about the people they loved . He dialled and listened as a recorded message told him he was on hold and Cindy would be with him in just one minute . He was about to hang up when he heard he was on ;

"You're on the air with Cindy . Tell me about the love of your life"

"Hi ...." Niles said nervously "I've never really done anything like this before ..."

"Now don't be nervous , who would you like to dedicate our next song to ?"

"Well you see there"s this woman , she's just amazing . I've known her for quite sometime now , I see her everyday , and well I've been in love with her since the first second I laid eyes on her"

"That's great ! A story of love at first sight , so does she feel as strongly about you?

Niles Sighed as the sound of the rain soothed his nervousness

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Daphne opened her eyes, something about the voice was familiar but she just couldn't place it . She listened intently ;

"No , she doesn't know" The voice replied "I've tried and tried to tell her lots of time but I always back out"

"And she hasn't a clue , not after all these years ?" Cindy asked with a note of scepticism in her voice

"No" he said again "And you see she was engaged to someone else until recently . When she met him I was just divorced and I was going to tell her but then he came along and I couldn't . Now she's single again and I want to tell her but I keep losing my nerve!"

Daphne tried to concentrate on the voice , she knew she knew it but she couldn't think of anyone she knew whoíd be in love with someone for so long without telling them .

"Well caller , my advice is tell her , and quickly before someone else snaps her up. So what's the name of this wonderful woman ?"

"It's Daphne" the voice said lovingly "Daphne Moon"

"Well thanks for calling . And Daphne if you're listening , there's a guy out there who sounds pretty wrapped up in you , this is for you from you're secret admirer"

Daphne sat bolt upright in the seat she stared out the window listening to the first bars of Reo Speedwagon's "I can't fight this feeling" as they filled the car . She tried to focus on the voice that was now drumming in her head . Panic was beginning to set in as the rain fell harder drowning out the radio and making it impossible to focus her thoughts .