Betty glanced up at the clock on the wall, it hands indicating five past six. The offices were quiet; most had gone home for the day, off to enjoy their evening, but Betty was still at her desk. Daniel had told her to go home twenty minutes ago, but she was preoccupied, her dark eyes transfixed at a piece of paper in her hand. It was an internal office memo; a posting for a junior editor position open in beauty. Betty has received it the other day and it had been in the forefront of her mind ever since. Normally, it was not the type of job she would pursue—she didn't even know the difference between lipstick and lip gloss—but it was too good of a chance to pass up. Positions like this rarely opened up at Mode, and after a year of working hard as Daniel's assistant, she wanted to chance to move up the ranks; to prove she could be more than a glorified secretary.

Even if she couldn't tell the difference between blush and bronzer.

But she would learn.

She looked up into Daniel's office; he was still there, leaning back in his chair, swiveling back and forth as he tossed a red foam football up into the air. It was obviously the perfect time to approach him—he wasn't even pretending to be busy—and she got up and walked to his office, rapping on the door lightly before opening it. The knock was soft enough that Daniel did not notice, and was quite startled when he heard Betty's voice.

"Daniel, are you busy?' She asked out of courtesy, knowing full well he was not.

Daniel snapped to attention; he looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar as the ball landed with a soft thud onto his desk. "Oh, Betty—it's just you." He sighed, relaxing instantly. He grabbed the ball and squeezed it. "I thought I sent you home already?" He asked, a tinge of embarrassment evident in his voice. "I needed a break from going over all these photographer's portfolios," He gestured to a stack of them on his desk. "And you just caught me in the middle of some stress relief." He squeezed the ball tighter. "See, great for stress relief."

"Yeah, goofing off is great for stress." Betty smiled, crossing her arms and giving him a teasing look.

"Yeah, yeah." Daniel tossed the ball aside and leaned forward. "So why are you still here?"

"There's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"Oh yeah?"

Betty felt a surge of nerves, but knew she couldn't chicken out. She had worked hard—she deserved a chance—and the worst thing he could do was say no. "I saw there was an opening for a junior editor," She took a step forward, brandishing the very memo. "And I wanted to be considered for it."

Daniel gingerly took the paper from her hand and began to read silently. "You want to leave me?"

Betty felt her insides melt. "I don't want to leave you Daniel. And I won't. I mean, I'll still be working with you at Mode—just in a different capacity. But I think it's time for me to move on."

"To beauty?"

Betty knew exactly what he was thinking, and she felt herself subconsciously smooth out her hair. "I know it's not my forte', but I'll learn."

Daniel didn't say anything and Betty soldiered on, undeterred.

'I know I've only been working here for a little over a year—and while I hate to toot my own horn—I think I have worked hard and shown that I am dedicated, loyal, and willing to do anything for this magazine." Betty took a deep breath and felt her cheeks begin to burn. She wasn't used to being so forward. "And I think I deserve a promotion."

"Consider your horn tooted." Daniel smirked, tossing the paper aside. "And consider the job yours."

"What? Really?" Betty squealed, failing to keep her composure. She felt like a giddy schoolgirl.

"I knew one day this would happen." Daniel stood up and made his way over to her. "That you wouldn't be happy just being my assistant anymore." He placed his hands lightly on her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. "Truth is, as much as I hate to lose you, I'd hate it even more to hold you back." He smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "Plus, you have worked very hard—you deserve it."

Betty did her best to fight back the tears in her eyes and threw herself into Daniel, wrapping him up in a giant hug. "Thank you so much. You don't know what this means to me." As she felt his arms pull her in tighter, hugging her to him, she couldn't hold back any longer and felt the tears slide down her cheeks. "I won't let you down."

"I know you won't."

Author's Note: This is my first D/B or Ugly Betty fanfic ever! I hope you like! I kinda know where I am going with this, but not entirely sure. But will be D/B definitely. Will update when I can so stay tuned! Feedback appreciated but not necessary!