AN: I've been re-watching Ugly Betty on Netflix, and then I started reading tons of UB fan fiction, and now I am writing UB fan fiction. I am totally gaga's for Daniel and Betty. The fic begins close to the end of season 3 and is AU from there. This story will have a plot, unlike my Daniel series (which is just to blatantly smut up Daniel and Betty! In my head they do IT all the time! LOL!), however it is a WIP so I am not quite sure where I am going with this yet. Rated M because it's me and please see parentheses above! I am just posting the first two chapters. I would love it if you guys would let me know if I should continue .
AN 2: I forgot to thank everyone who reviewed Daniel Meade's Town Car and Daniel Meade's Office. I am sorry I SUCK! You guys are all awesome and your reviews made me post this story which I was seriously considering deleting. I also plan on posting a third installment to the Daniel series eventually.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I'm just borrowing them for my sick, sad obsession
Summary: Daniel and Molly's wedding is affecting Betty in ways she never dreamed. Some Betty/Matt and Daniel/Molly, but this is a Daniel/Betty story.
I Wanna Set You on Fire So I Don't Have To Burn Alone
Chapter One: A Scratch in the Skull
Betty Suarez didn't understand what was wrong with her. She was in love with her boyfriend Matt Hartley. But she felt empty and cold since Daniel Meade's engagement to the lovely, terminally ill Molly. She was happy for Daniel and Molly. They deserved this time together. She began to wonder what kind of person she was becoming to even have these thoughts.
Her hands were shaking so she clasped them together in an attempt to stop the trembling. She was so lost in her thoughts Daniel and Molly slipped into Daniel's office unnoticed. When she looked up the couple were talking and laughing and Daniel leaned in to place a playful kiss on the blonde's nose. Betty quickly looked away.
She couldn't breathe.
The urge to flee was suddenly upon her and she quickly left her desk flying through the tube only to bump directly into Daniels mother, Claire Meade.
"Betty, dear, are you okay?" Claire asked, concern reflecting in her voice and eyes.
"I'm fine Mrs. Meade." Betty falsely assured her. "Can I help you with anything?"
"No dear. I'm on my way to see Daniel and Molly. They need my help with some wedding planning." Claire said looking at Betty almost calculatingly.
"Oh, great. Can you tell Daniel I needed to leave?" Betty asked.
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"Umm…I didn't want to interrupt him and Molly. They have so much to do. I didn't want to bother Daniel with my issues." Betty explained nervously.
Claire just stared at her to as if to say "Really".
Betty looked at her expectantly.
"No worries, I'll let him know you had to leave." Claire waved her away as she continued towards Daniels office.
Betty sighed in relief and got the hell out. Sometimes Mrs. Meade could be too intuitive, and for Betty that made her kind of scary.
Daniel showed up at the planetarium to offer his support to Betty during her final YETI assignment, and just a little selfishly was hoping to get some words of 'Betty wisdom' for himself. He found the place practically deserted and Betty in the middle of it all looking quite defeated.
Daniel listened as Betty explained her awful day and he came to one conclusion. Matt Hartley was not good enough for her. He also decided that he did not like that asshole one bit.
And then he watched her do a 180 and in her utter brilliance she talked him into getting married in the planetarium of all places. She single-handily gave Daniel and Molly the best day of their lives. Daniel realized he couldn't imagine his life without Betty Suarez. The thought frightened him, even though he was deeply in love with Molly.
Betty danced with Daniel and barely heard him complementing her wedding planning skills. What was she to say…"Oh Daniel, thank you! I only planned your whole wedding to prove I'm not pining for my boss and that I am still a good person!"
There was also the tiny fact that most of her concentration was focused on acting normal. She told herself the frantic beating of her heart was because she loved weddings…Almost as much as she loved baby ducks. It had absolutely nothing to do with Daniels overwhelming presence.
She was actually grateful when Matt stepped in. They made up, and she made a valiant effort to concentrate solely on her boyfriend. But she kept finding her gaze returning to Daniel and Molly. They looked so in love, so happy.
And Betty was so…She was so…Happy…
She was lying.
"I love you so much, Molly." She overheard Daniel say as Matt danced her past the happy couple. There was that damn word again!
Betty pulled away from Matt. "I need to use the restroom." She said too softly, practically running to get away.
"What's wrong with Betty?" she heard Daniel ask.
"Nothing." Matt answered.
And maybe that was her problem. Daniel just knew something was off with her. Matt didn't know and didn't seem to care.
HE knew her!
SHE knew him!
And that meant he would try to come find her. She chose the ladies room for the moment of privacy she so desperately needed, and was thankful it was deserted. Hoping he wouldn't just barge in like he tended to do at MODE.
Betty locked herself in one of the stalls. She turned around in a circle. Once. Twice. As if she was confused. She stopped just staring at the door with wide eyes. She didn't want to, but she couldn't help it. She just broke.
Betty Suarez was an admitted crier. She cried when she was happy or sad or angry. She had never cried like this before. Not even over Henry. As heart-wrenching sobs came from deep within, she knew they were the cause of a broken-heart. Even through her tears she wondered how she could be so incredibly stupid.
Of course Daniel followed Betty into the ladies room. He was Daniel Meade after all and things like the boundaries of his and hers did not faze him. Besides it was completely empty.
Her cries were painful to hear and he wanted nothing more than to kick open the door and hold her. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling that would just make things worse for her. Instead he pressed the palm of his hand against the door for the smallest amount of time and quietly left, leaving her undisturbed.
Decidedly ignoring the something inside of him that suddenly felt brittle and cracked, Daniel stopped next to Matt on his way back to Molly's side. "I don't like you, but Betty is going to need someone. I suggest you be there." He bit off. He walked away not allowing the younger man the opportunity to speak.
Matt glared at Daniel's back, but followed his advice and went to wait for Betty in the hallway. While he waited, he wondered if something happened between Daniel and Betty. He quickly shook the thought away. Betty may love Daniel, but she was in love with Matt. He found it hard not to be threatened by the older man. Hell, she would drop everything for the man no matter what. He couldn't help the nagging doubt he could feel scratching in the back of his skull.
When Betty exited the restroom Matt was waiting for her. She smiled at him and she even was able to convince herself it was genuine.
"Are you okay? He asked simply.
She grabbed his hand like it was a lifeline. "Fine, I just want to leave.
"Don't you want to say bye to Daniel and Molly?"
"No." Please stop with the questions. She silently pleaded.
"What about the YETI project?
Shit! Yes, she said it, SHIT! She actually forgot about the project. In her defense, she was currently in the middle of an emotional breakdown. She would have to stay in order to finish the project.
Betty spent the rest of the night avoiding Daniel like Wilhelmina avoids the discount mall. It was fairly easy as he spent most of the rest of the night next to his new wife. This was fine, because it was where he was supposed to be. And if Betty felt his eyes on her every so often, she ignored it. It was probably just her overactive imagination anyways.
Close to quitting time, Mark hugged her! Betty sputtered in surprise as it was so unlike Mark to voluntarily touch her.
"It will be okay." He said softly and quickly pulled away from her.
"Go home, I'll finish up. I can't stand next to you a moment longer! Your…whatever it is..." He gestured with disdain at her outfit. "…is burning my retinas!" He flounced away with his normal Mark dramatics, but his goal was achieved. His sorta friend was smiling again, at least a little.
Betty was able to leave without speaking to Daniel. She couldn't, she need to sort out what was going on with her. She told Matt she had a headache and she headed home without so much as a goodbye kiss or hug. The slight was glaringly obvious to Matt. That scratching in the back of his skull was becoming relentless.
Matt was not the only one feeling slighted by one Ms. Suarez. Daniel was definitely feeling neglected by his friend. She never said bye to him. In fact, she never said a god-damned thing to him the rest of the night. After hearing her cries earlier he needed to know what was wrong so he could fix it. How was he supposed to help her when she wouldn't talk to him?
"Are you ready husband?" Molly asked happily.
"I'm ready wife." Daniel smiled, but gave one last traverse of the room looking for Betty.
Molly knew Daniel well and got straight to the point. "Betty wasn't around much tonight."
"She was busy with her project." Daniel said non-committal. "Let's go home, wife."
Molly laughed and kissed him, letting him lead her out the door.
To be continued...