Decisions, Decisions

By Mary

Summary: This is my take on the finale "Jump". I decided to write what possibly happened when Betty made her decision that we didn't/probably won't see. In writing this even though most everyone knows which Ugly Betty couple I ship, I'm being fair to both Gio and Henry and writing each of their chapters without bias.

Rated: K

A/N: Since it doesn't say in the finale, I'm having the MODE softball game on Saturday in my story. Enjoy!!

Chapter One – Saturday and Gio

Gio stood in the kitchen of the deli putting the finishing touches on the sandwiches for him and Betty. She had called him after the softball game and told him she wanted to meet with him and talk. Betty had gone home to shower and change as Gio went to the deli and decided to fix them dinner. Nothing fancy, Gio thought. Betty wasn't really into all that fancy stuff. Gio was setting out their sandwiches and chips when he heard a tap on the window glass. Betty waved and smiled at him, but to Gio it was a sad smile. He opened the door for her as she walked over to the table Gio had set. Gio thought she was probably upset at having to tell Henry she wasn't going to marry him and that she was going to Rome. Gio smiled at her as she sat down and looked over at him.

"Man, that was some softball game." Gio said, "Are you sure you're all right? You really took one for the team." Betty laughed nervously.

"I'm fine Gio, but the softball game is one of the reasons that I came here tonight. I need to talk to you about something." Betty said, pushing chips around on her plate.

"I'm all ears." Gio said, "What's up?"

Betty sighed as she looked over at Gio. She didn't want to say what she'd been thinking about all afternoon ever since she'd woken up from that crazy dream when she'd been knocked out at the game. But it wasn't fair to Gio or to Henry to drag this out. When she'd woken up she knew what she had to do. But knowing it wasn't making it any easier to say what she knew Gio wouldn't want to hear.

"Gio….it's about the trip to Rome. I've made my decision." Betty said.

"How did Henry take it?" Gio asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Take what?" Betty asked.

"Take it when you told him you were going to Rome with me." Gio smiled at her.

"Gio….this is really hard for me to say. I'm…..not going to Rome with you." Betty said quietly. Gio looked at her as he slowly chewed and swallowed. After a long moment, he wiped his mouth and looked at her.

"You're not going with me?" Gio said. Betty shook her head.

"Does this have anything to do with Henry?" Gio asked, hurt. Betty bit her bottom lip as she thought about it.

"Not as much as you would think." Betty replied, "Gio please try and understand; this whole year has been so crazy. First Daniel and Alexis in the car accident and Santos getting killed. Then my father stuck in Mexico and the whole Claire Meade trial. Then to top it all off, all the drama lately with Charlie and the baby, it's been too much for me. I like you, I do; but I've realized that while I was taking care of everyone else and putting out fires at MODE and trying to help clean up other people's messes I forgot about someone." Betty said.

"Yourself." Gio said. Betty nodded at him.

"Gio, I care about you. You've been a good friend to me this year. I don't know what's going to happen with us, if there even IS and us. But right now I need some time to myself. I just….need to be." Betty said softly. Gio reached over and placed his hand over one of hers.

"Betty, I'm not going to pretend that I'm not disappointed that you're not coming with me. But if this is what you feel that you need right now, then I'm not going to try and change your mind. You know yourself better than me or Henry or anyone else does, so you take your time and do what you need to do for yourself right now." Gio said. Betty smiled over at him.

"I'm glad you're OK with this." Betty said. Gio nodded.

"So what are you planning on doing?" Gio asked.

"I think I'm going to move out on my own. Christina says there are some apartments in her building that are very affordable and I'm going to look sometime this week." Betty said.

"So where are you staying until you get your own place?" Gio asked.

"With Claire Meade." Betty replied, "She's offered to let me stay with her until I can find a place and I'm going to help her with her magazine and maybe try writing another article."

"Well I expect the grand tour of your new place when I get back from Rome." Gio said.

"As long as you bring me back something great from Rome it's a deal." Betty said. They smiled at one another as they finished up their meal. Betty helped Gio clean up the table and close down the deli. As they exited the deli and Gio locked the door, he looked at Betty as he opened his arms to her. Betty let herself be enfolded in his arms as he hugged her tightly.

"Take care of yourself. I'll see you around in about a month." Gio said.

"I will. You have fun over in Rome and take lots of pictures." Betty said as she hugged him back. They broke apart as Gio let her go and Betty headed for the subway. She walked down the steps and waited on the platform as she thought about the evening. She was glad that Gio understood how she felt. He really was a great friend, she thought as she felt a tightening around her heart. It still wasn't over yet.

One down and one to go, Betty thought as the subway train for Queens pulled up.

TBC…………..