10 Minutes

Author: Glorybox

Rating: Teen.

Author's Note: So, this is my first piece of fanfiction in along while. I've been reading a lot of Ugly Betty fiction, and I wanted to write something about Daniel apologizing to Betty after calling her "stupid" in the last eppy that aired. I love all the Detty moments in the show, I don't want them to get together right this moment. It's more fun to see them build up a strong friendship, then end up together. I might continue this, I dunno. We'll have to see what comes up. Constructive criticism is gladly accepted, flames are not. If you completely hate this story, then don't leave a review like, "this is gay." I mean, seriously. I'll probably laugh.

Now, I'd like to thank everyone for getting this far. And I hope you enjoy the fic!

10 Minutes

There were only two opinions I really cared about. One was that of my father, the only man who I had ever truly wanted to impress, the other, was that of my assistant, Betty. Optimistic heartwarming, Betty. God, it seemed like if I wasn't screwing somebody I was screwing up. Can you believe how excited I was, just thinking about seeing Betty's wide metal smile—just to see her eyes light up and her petite frame bounce as she'd jump up and down in overzealous enthusiasm, "Oh My God Daniel….!" She'd be speechless, "You did it without using sex! I'm so proud of you!" I had smiled at the thought.

But then I saw her with Henry. Henry. Who broke her heart for his ex from Tucson, Cherry? Was that her name? How could she go back to him, just like that? I couldn't let him hurt her, not again. And I saw, a opportunity, I guess. A possibility to make up for all my mistakes, all the ones she had to fix. I could be there for Betty this time.

But, as usual, I screwed up. I said she was stupid! Stupid! And she walked away crying. If anyone was stupid it was me. I should have been there for her, instead of dragging her down, treating her like my father treated me.

Ten minutes, if she would grant me that, was all I needed. I called her cell, and she didn't pick up. It wasn't until I was thinking straight enough to remember she didn't have her purse with her, or that I had left the advertiser waiting in the lobby. So I went back to Miss…god…was I that bad at remembering names? And dropped her off in the town car, the least I could do.

It was a while before I got to Betty's. I told my driver, Freddy, to park a little ways off to the side of the front of her house, a good vantage point. I spent a while just sitting in the car thinking of what stupid excuse I'd come up with this time, what stupid apology I could offer up that would make things right again. Paranoid that this would be that one day I was anticipating, the one time Betty wouldn't forgive me.

My train of thoughts crashed as soon as I heard the front door rattle open, and my heart started beating faster (because I was nervous, I told myself). I looked up to see Betty, frowning (and I hated it when I made her frown), wearing that same red polka-dot black dress, and god, she looked so beautiful. Henry would be crazy to leave her again. I watched her as she reached up with the sleeve of her sweater to touch her eye, and was she still crying? Had I hurt her that much? My heart ached. I watched her as she wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her shoulders. She turned around, seeming to go back into the house, but stopped. Her jacket was still at the theater. I opened the car door.

My walk become a run, I reached her in no time. Towering over her, I draped the puffy powder blue jacket over her shoulders, "I think you forgot this." I whispered.

"Daniel!" her voice was a high pitched shrill, she wiped her eyes vigorously, "What are you doing here? Where's Sandra?" I smiled slightly and ran my hand through my hair; I could always count on Betty to remember a name. My smile faded at the thought. Was there anything she could count on me for? Would there ever be a time when Betty would let her guard down, even for a second, so I could take care of her?

"Betty, I…I'm sorry." It was that easy. It always was. It was just so hard to confront her, so hard to face her disappointed eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore." Betty said, turning to face me. Her eyes were red rimmed and swollen; her lips plump and turn downward. She was still mad. "Thank you for brining my jacket. Now if you'll excuse me I have something to take care of." She tried to push past me but I wouldn't let her.

"Betty, please, I want to talk about it."

"No Daniel. There's nothing to discuss. You think I'm stupid for chasing after Henry, and you're right. I am." She fixed her eyes on me then, in such away that I had to look away. I was too ashamed to face them.

"Betty, I didn't—"

"Didn't mean it?" She finished for me, "You…I….excuse me. I need to go." She pushed past me and was nearly down the steps, but reflex took over and I grabbed her arm and swung her back to me. Just like all the women I had pulled back into bed. Only this time, it felt different; she brought something the 5 foot 9 super models couldn't, warmth. I turned her head to face mine and stared into her eyes, already fresh with more tears. I wiped them away with my thumb. She didn't flinch, didn't try to pull away. She simply stood there, still as stone, staring into my eyes, waiting.

"Betty." I said, "I know you know I didn't mean it. And, at the time maybe I DID. But, you're always there for me—with Alexis, Sofia, my mother, my father, all those times you helped me out. I wanted to be there for you too. And I guess the whole Henry thing just went to my head. I wanted to protect you; I didn't want him to break your heart again. Because, it'd break my heart too."

Betty's posture relaxed, like a solider commanded to "at ease". I smiled at her; she always tried to stay so strong. Her voice broke, "Daniel—"

"And I know I'm a screw up, and I disappoint you all the time. But, I hate doing it. I didn't sleep with…with…um….I didn't sleep with that lady tonight. I saw this jacket." I reached for the one around her shoulders and lightly tugged at it. " I saw this jacket and thought of the look you'd give me tomorrow if you knew how I'd gotten that account. Betty, you're not stupid. If…if you love Henry, then love him. Who cares what I think anyway, you know I'm a real shitty judge of character, I'm the stupid one. You, Betty, are brilliant."

"Daniel…I just…" And she cried. I pulled her body close to mind and held her as she sobbed.

"I keep hoping Daniel," She sobbed, "I keep hoping that'll he'll stay with me forever. I love him so much. But, I know it can never happen. I don't want to pretend anymore. I don't want to fight it. I rather get hurt in five months than live a lifetime regretting."

I hushed her and rocked her back and forth. "It's okay Betty" I whispered in her ear. "I understand…"

"And I lied to you," She went on, her voice a muffle and her hot tears seeping through my shirt "Because I was afraid you'd do what you did. That you wouldn't understand me, that you wouldn't understand us. And everyone else was calling me crazy and I didn't need that from you too." She pushed away from me and looked up at me, "I know you said that your opinion doesn't matter. But, it matters to me. You're my friend and I want you to be okay with who I date. I want you to like Henry just as much as I like him."

I wiped at her tears and smiled at her. "I do like Henry." I said brushing her hair out of her face, "Henry, he's a good guy. He means well….I just don't want to see him hurt you again."

"But, it's my decision Daniel." Betty replied, "If I want to get hurt, it's my choice. I just need you to support me. Please? That's all I want."

I looked at her pleading, and smiled, ran a hand through my hair, and whispered, "Okay."

"Thank you Daniel." She smiled, her eyes shining brighter that usually due to the tears. Her hair was messy, and her eyes were red and swollen. But she looked so beautiful. She pushed away from me, and the long embrace we had been sharing, all that warmth, was gone. I felt a bitter coldness, a shiver, trace itself up my spine, and settle in the pit of my stomach, maybe a little got into my heart too. I felt uneasy. And I wasn't sure why.

"I'm going now," She said, and she walked pass me. I turned around, "Going, where?"

"To Henry."

"Oh." I said, "Um…do you want a ride?"

She smiled, "Really, that'd be great!"

I walked her to the car, and opened the side door for her. She slide in, and I slide in beside her. She gave Freddy the directions and we were off.

We sat in silence for the ride. It was a different kind of silence than I was use to, not awkward like it was with the models, or my dad, or a client. I felt completely at ease, comforted by the fact that Betty was beside me. I looked over at her to see her head leaning back, and her eyes closed. She wasn't asleep, but she looked tired.

I opened my mouth to say something, but found I couldn't. I let my eyes trace over her: her plump lips, red rimmed glasses, small nose, her tan skin. If only I could see her eyes, and that smile. I caught myself watching and shook my head. She's a friend Daniel.

"Daniel?" Betty spoke, startling me to the point where my heart did a back flip in my chest. Weird, what was that about?

"Yeah, Betty?" I said turning to look at her. Her eyes were open and her head was turned to face me.

"You're not a disappointment to me." I blinked, puzzled, and waiting for her to continue on.

"I mean, you do disappointing things sometimes. But, you're not a disappointment to me. We all make mistakes Daniel. I wish you wouldn't beat yourself up over everyone you make."

I was about to say something when Freddy pulled over. I looked away to see a somewhat shabby apartment building. We'd reached Henry. I felt that chill, again.

"Looks like we're here." Betty smiled. She did something unexpected then. She leaned toward me, and kissed me, lightly, merely touching her lips to mine like a kiss for a brother. I found my cheeks heating up, and my feet, thank god for the car, had gone limp. "Betty?" I asked.

"Thank you Daniel." She smiled at me, her cheeks seeming redder than usually. Was she blushing too?

She reached for the car door, and stepped out. She was gone. I was too perplexed to chase after her, or even move. I touched a hand to my lips and smiled. Fred voiced his presence, the first time for the entire ride, "Where to now, Mr. Meade?"

"Home." I said, turning my head to catch a glimpse of Betty entering the apartment building. "Take me home." I looked down once she was gone, and found her purse situated between my feet. Betty had forgotten her purse. I decided to swing by the next morning and drop it off at her place—or would she stay the night at Henry's? I felt that chill again, only this time it came with a friend of it's: jealously.

Alone in my apartment building, I reached for the telephone. I was lonely; I needed someone to keep me company. Which model would it be tonight? I looked over my shoulder and around the room for my telephone book. But, in all the searching I saw Betty's purse. I looked at it, like I had done in the coat closet with…Sandra. I remembered the smile, the kiss Betty had given me. "You're not a disappointment to me"

And I didn't want to be one. I put the phone aside and reached for the purse. Set it on my nightstand and stared at it. I had never felt this alone in my life.

Betty….I need you.

End..or…maybe not?