A/N: OK, so Bradford Meade does not die in my reality...well for the purposes of this fanfiction. It does however, take into account that he's had a heart attack. So lets just say it's set after the episode 'I See Me, I.C.U' but in an alternate reality.
This will evolve into a romantic Daniel and Betty fic, please do not flame, I don't flame your ship so don't flame mine. Respect it for what it is...MY choice. So without further ado, cut past the disclaimer and straight into the story.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Ugly Betty or anything to really do with the production and writing of the show. I'm an avid viewer with an overexcited imagination. Please refrain from suing me!
Asking Betty
He wanted to be the one holding her, he wanted to be the one to claim her as his own, but standing on the sidelines was as close as he was going to get. Until now. Bradford Meade was holding the family retreat this year, with Claire Meade in prison he thought his father would have passed it, but he didn't. Recently recovering from his heart attack, Bradford was trying to reconnect with his children; especially him for some reason. He assumed it had to do with his father's ex-fiancée SheDevil and her body guard scandal. It didn't matter what had happened, only that he now had a week to find himself a girlfriend to attend with; he's father hadn't been forthcoming with much information, only that he should find someone to bring with him. Numerous names came to mind, but none that he could handle for a lengthy amount of time.
Sighing he knocked on his father's office door. 'Come in!'
'Busy Dad?' He poked his head around the doorframe.
'Not really, why?' Bradford put down his pen and faced his son.
'Uh...' He scratched the back of his neck. 'Is this date thing really necessary? I've been trying to build a better reputation, and I can barely stand half the woman on my list.'
'I appreciate you trying to build a better reputation Daniel,' Bradford smiled. 'Choose someone you can stand, someone who will benefit your 'new' reputation. Why not a girl from accounting, or Betty?'
'I thought you hired her because you knew I wouldn't date her,' he grinned, it was an option.
'You said so yourself Daniel, you're trying to promote a better reputation, isn't Betty the perfect candidate for your new reputation? In fact, I'll bet my entire fortune on her being the reason you're changing.' His father was smiling that smug smile one gets when they know they're right.
'So, let me get this straight, you want me to take Betty to the family retreat as my girlfriend?' He couldn't help but laugh. 'You don't want me to sleep with my assistants so you make me hire Betty, and now you want me to 'pretend' to date her?'
Bradford smiled. 'At least I'll be guaranteed to see you for more than a brief afternoon hello.'
'I'll ask but I'm telling you the woman has more morals than that.'
'I'm sure she does, which is why you're asking her,' Bradford picked up his pen again. 'Oh and Daniel, make sure she understands the concept of being the editor-in-chief's girlfriend. Buy her some nice things to compliment her wardrobe; I quite like some of her clothes.'
'Thanks Dad,' he sighed leaving the office. All he had to do now was ask Betty to be his girlfriend!
He knew the right time was crucial when asking Betty, too soon and she'd laugh him out of his own office, too late and she'd run for the hills. He was pretty sure that she was going to say no, his only back up after that was Amanda and well...he knew what would happen if he invited her. She'd think he wanted her like that, when all he really saw with her now was a great friendship waiting for her to realise it. No, he had to get Betty to be his date to this damn thing.
'Ah, Betty can you come in here for a minute?' He called through the open door.
She appeared at his door. 'What is it Daniel?'
'Come, sit. I need to ask you something.'
'I'm not going to like this am I?'
'Probably not, but I have to ask.' He scratched the back of his neck. 'You see, my Dad has organised the family retreat this year, it's his way of reconnecting with the family abroad and well this year Alexis and I are the main attraction. Now, the only request he has is for me to bring a girl.'
'You want me to put a list of eligible women on your desk by this evening? Daniel, that's not too hard!' She laughed.
'No Betty, I spoke with my father and he suggested that I take you. In fact, he was very adamant to you being my date and the more I think about it, the more logical the idea. You are the only woman I know whose company I can stand for a lengthy amount of time that isn't family. Alexis is bringing someone, and I'd really like to take you.'
'You're kidding right?' Betty gawked at him. 'Me, Betty Suarez, at your family retreat?'
'General idea is that yes,' he could feel the colour drain from his face when he saw 'NO' written across his face.
'This means a lot to you doesn't it?' She smiled softly, all he could do was nod. 'Alright I'll go with you.'
His head shot up. 'You will?'
'Yes.' She laughed when he raced around his desk and pulled her into a tight embrace.
'Thank you, thank you, god I could kiss you right now!' He laughed, a huge weight leaving him, only to be replaced with an unsettling feeling in his gut. He pulled away from her, letting her get back to work, when she reached the door he remembered one little bit of information he'd forgotten. 'Oh and Betty?'
'Yes Daniel?' she faced him.
'You're uh...well...you're going to need some new clothes, Dad said to get some to compliment the ones you've gotten.'
'Oh, alright, I can do that...when are we leaving?'
'Friday night.'
'Right, well I can get them Thursday then,' she smiled broadly at him, before leaving.
He sunk into his couch, head in hands. He'd forgotten to explain to her that she'd be there as his girlfriend, not his assistant. Crap.
A/N: I don't normally do this, but please review, I like reviews because most people suggest what they'd like to see come up...but since I've already written the second chapter, please just review. No flames about the pairing please.
fyre-anjel