"Mauve Kincaid? What a surprise! It's been ages since I last saw you." His voice faltered for a moment. "I'm sure you've heard from Betty about our divorce. " The usually suave composed Don Draper stood awkwardly before the slender brunette who had been a friend of Betty's, uncertain of her reaction to him. Mauve drew him into a warm hug, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"No fears, Don. Betty told me all about what happened, and I'm sorry things didn't work out between you. "She smiled reassuringly at him. "I know Betty and how childish she can be. I don't judge you for what happened and though she is my friend I don't think she was right in how she has handled this whole thing."

Closing the office door to give them more privacy, Don pulled out a chair for Mauve and poured them both a glass of brandy. Passing one of the glasses to her, Don settled himself into his office chair and cast an appreciative glass over the lovely woman in front of him. Mauve had been the only one of Betty's friends with any substance whom he could stand being around for more than a few moments. She had known how to handle Betty when she went into her rants.

"So how are you doing, Don?"

Her question brought him out of his reverie. "Me? Okay I guess. "

Mauve put her hand over his. "Really? I can't believe that losing your family hasn't hurt you."

No one else would have dared to ask Don Draper about his family or personal life, but he didn't mind it coming from Mauve. He knew from the empathy he saw in her hazel eyes that she was sincerely concerned about him. He had always found her attractive and probably would have made a move on her if she hadn't been Betty's friend. He left his hand in hers, enjoying the feeling of connection between them.

"I have to admit that I don't enjoy going home alone to my apartment. "

"Ah, the loneliness...yes I can understand that. "

"Can you? I thought you were involved with that war photographer. The two of you seemed really in love. "

Her eyes brimmed with tears. "We were. He was killed in a landmine about a year ago over in Indochina. "

"I didn't know," Don said in a low voice.

"It happened around the same time that you and Betty were in the process of divorcing. I didn't want to burden anyone with my own problems."

Don rose and crossed the space between them, pulling her into his embrace. "I'm so sorry. If I had known maybe I could have helped, been there for you."

She sobbed into his chest and his arms tightened around her. "You're here now," she said between gulping breaths. For a moment, they just stood there, two lonely people clinging to one another mourning their losses. After her crying subsided, Don just held Mauve, enjoying the feel of her against him.

Reluctantly drawing apart, they finally sat back in their chairs and Don offered her a cigarette which she declined. "So you are going to do some photographs for our new campaign."

Mauve smiled. "So I am. I already talked to Peggy, your copywriter and she seemed to have some interesting ideas."

Don had a light smirk on his face. "The kid is pretty good. However, I think I should be personally handling this business with you. How about us having dinner together tonight?"

Mauve's face tightened and Don thought maybe he had overstepped his boundaries with her. After all she was Betty's friend. Disappointment filled him and he began to withdraw from her. "Nevermind. Stupid idea. I'll have Peggy meet with you and the two of you can plan this thing out."

Shaking her head, Mauve looked at him sadly. "It's not you, Don. I'm just very vulnerable right now and very cautious. I don't want to get hurt or hurt anyone else."

Relief filled Don, and he chuckled. "It's dinner between two old friends. I promise I will be on my best behavior." He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. "Scout's honor."

They both laughed and were gazing at each other until being interrupted by Don's secretary Allison, who looked perturbed at the camaraderie between the two. Mauve recognized the lovelorn look in the secretary's eyes and knew that Don was oblivious to it. She felt a pang of sympathy for Allison, who rushed out after giving Don his messages, leaving the door to slam behind her. Mauve shook her head at Don who noticing her stern look, shrugged his shoulders. "What?..."

"That girl thinks she is in love with you. And you act as if she doesn't exist."

He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "It happened around Christmas. I was lonely and drunk. I admit I took advantage and it was a mistake that should never have happened. She isn't dealing with it very well."

Mauve appreciated his honesty but couldn't look at him. Don rose from his seat and crossing to her chair, he put a hand under her chin, and raised her face toward his. Tears shimmered in her eyes and she whispered. "I don't want to be one of your mistakes."

Don felt as though he had been punched in the gut at the thought of causing her any pain. "You could never be a mistake. I have the utmost respect for you and though I want nothing more than to kiss you right now, I won't." Moving away from her before he broke his word, Don took a swig of his brandy. "Where do you want to go for dinner?"

"How about your place?" She laughed at his puzzled look. "You said you don't like going home alone so let's take care of that. It's almost 5 pm, so let's go to the market and pick out what we want for dinner.

Shaking his head, Don chuckled. "Ok. I can take off early. One thing I'll say, Mauve. Life with you in it could never be dull."

"Or with you, Mr. Draper." She touched his cheek. "I'm going to talk over a few things with Peggy which will allow you some time to wrap up any final details for the day. Let me know when you are done." Don watched her leave his office with the first genuine smile he had had in a long time. He felt a sudden lifting of the spirits and surge of hope. Lifting his glass of brandy to his lips, he changed his mind and set it aside. Drinking had become too much of a habit for him lately, one which he needed to change. If Mauve was around, he had a feeling he wasn't going to want to be in the usual drunken haze he was usually in during off work hours.