Disclaimer: I don't own Ugly Betty or any characters..except the ones I made up for this story.

Author's Note: Hi everyone! I'm going to update my other fics shortly...I just randomly woke up with yet another idea for a Daniel-Betty story and I had to get it out of my system. This is probably a three chapter story. Enjoy...and PLEASE tell me what you think :P

Oh yeah...memories are in italics. That's it.

Daniel stood in front of her place, his heart pounding with anticipation.

The December cold was finally starting to affect him and he wondered why he had been bold enough to come in the first place. He'd been over it a million times in his head…finally he'd decided to drive himself over here. He should be able to tell her…it shouldn't be this hard.

But the situation had gotten complicated recently…she was getting married now. Before long she would officially belong to someone else and he'd no longer refer to her as his Betty, although…he'd always think of her as such.

He shivered again, and let out a sigh when he noticed fresh snow start to fall. He took another look up at the light coming from her apartment and shook his head. What was he thinking? He needed to give it up. It was over.

Daniel turned in defeat, watching the visible puff of air escape his lips as he treaded back to his sports car. "Daniel?" the voice that always managed to make his heart jump caused him to turn around.

"Hey Betty," he smiled sheepishly, knowing she was wondering why he was here so late and why he hadn't tried to see her.

Betty wrapped her purple scarf tighter around her neck and walked to where he was standing on the sidewalk. "What are you doing out here?" her contact-covered coffee eyes gazed up into his curiously.

Daniel contemplated her question and opened his mouth to answer, knowing his response likely would illicit another question from her.

How had he gotten here? How had be become the pathetic loser that stands outside of his best friend's apartment in the snow? It was a long story…

- - -

It happened on a Friday in the second week of August. The week had been hectic for all involved in putting together the big fall issue of Mode. Models were still being selected for the fifth annual Mode fall fashion show, not to mention the numerous prospective layouts and articles that still needed approval from the editor-in-chief himself.

Needless to say, Daniel was very relieved when he realized it was six-thirty. The week was over and a much needed break was in store. The majority of the Mode employees had left later than usual, but the floor was practically empty anyway.

He loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair, glancing at his assistant's desk. A small grin came to his face as she pushed her red-rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose. Of course she was still here. Betty was so hard-working…so dedicated to her job.

In the four years she'd been working at Mode, she'd learned the ins and outs of the fashion industry and gained the respect of her co-workers, even if they didn't all agree with her fashion sense at times. But that was one of the many things that made her Betty. It's what made her so great.

He noticed she seemed to finish whatever it was she was typing and got up from her desk. She sauntered into his office, always wearing that wonderful smile of hers.

"Well we made it Mr. Meade…the week is finally over," she sighed, leaning over his desk. "I know…I'm so beat. I can't wait to get to sleep. And don't call me Mr. Meade…it makes me sound old," Daniel told her, as he relaxed in his chair.

"You mean you're not gonna party the night away to relieve some stress?" she teased him, grinning.

"Now you know Jessica wouldn't have any of that," he replied, letting out a light laugh. His girlfriend of seven months was a real estate agent. She was smart, successful, fun to be around…not to mention beautiful. Daniel really liked her, but something was keeping him from taking their relationship to the next level.

"This has been a very busy week. Daniel, there's something I've been waiting to tell you and I don't know if I can keep it in any longer," she smiled at him as only she could, Daniel amused with how unsuccessful she was at hiding her excitement.

"Well tell me already!" he smiled. "Okay. Robert proposed last weekend and I said yes! I'm engaged!" she excitedly showed him her left hand and the beautifully cut diamond ring on her finger.

Daniel sat upright in his chair, the smile on his face now mixed with confusion. "You- you're engaged." he repeated her statement almost like a question.

She nodded with glee. "Wow…Betty. This is-" he paused searching for a word that fit how he should've felt for his best friend. Something like wonderful. Great. Fantastic. But that's not how Daniel felt as he held her small hand in his, critically examining the ring. It's not like he was going to find any flaws. Robert was a successful lawyer…it's not like he couldn't afford the best.

He was definitely getting the best.

"I know what you're thinking, Daniel," his blue eyes moved from the ring to hers. "It's just…are you sure? I mean…you've only known him for a few months," he added, reminding himself that he was ready to do the same with Sofia a few years ago. But this was different…this was Betty.

"I know it seems kind of fast, but I feel that the timing is right. I wouldn't rush into something I wasn't comfortable with," she explained.

"I know you wouldn't Betty. I trust your judgment. I'm happy for you," he stood, watching her walk around the side of his desk. "Thanks Daniel. That means a lot to me." Betty gave him an appreciate smile.

He moved closer to his assistant-turned friend and wrapped his arms around her small frame. He was happy for her. Or he wanted to be more so. What was his problem anyway? Betty deserved to be happy. Daniel rested his head on hers momentarily, wanting the uneasiness he felt about Betty's engagement to go away.

- - -

"Well what are you doing out here?" Daniel asked her. She shrugged, "I wanted to get some fresh air. Even if it is cold fresh air. But that's not fair…you still haven't answered my question," Betty raised an eyebrow at him.

"I just…wanted to see you I guess," he admitted, glancing at the snowflakes accumulating on her pea coat. She grinned at this. "You see me almost everyday, silly. What's this really about?" Betty asked.

Geez. Daniel had forgotten that she could read him like a book. "I need to talk to you." There…he'd said it. That was a good start.

"Okay. We can go inside. Or we can walk around the block. It's not that cold," she suggested. "Let's walk," touched the small of her back, leading her down the sidewalk.

- - -

Daniel sat on his couch early that morning, unable to sleep. He flipped mindlessly through the channels, not really looking at what was on the screen.

He turned towards the hallway when he heard footsteps approaching. "Come back to bed. I thought you had a long week. Aren't you tired?" Jessica asked, sitting next to him on the couch.

"Yeah…we did. Maybe I'm not as tired as I thought," he shrugged. "What's wrong?" she wondered as he sighed.

"Nothing really. I actually uh…got some good news today. Betty…she's umm…she's engaged," Daniel forced a smile.

"Wow...that's great. I like Betty…she's nice. They make a cute couple," Jessica wrapped her arms around him.

Daniel leaned his head back on the head of the couch, staring at the ceiling. "Yeah…"

- - -

They walked side by side in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the other's company. "So. Are you ready?" he broke the silence first.

"For the wedding? I know…only a week left. I'm more nervous than anything, I guess. It's a big step," Betty told him.

He nodded, "is that why you needed to get some fresh air? You a little stressed?" Daniel's gaze drifted to her. She hesitated, then answered, "Yeah. I just needed to clear my mind." He noticed her voice change a bit and her eyes shift downward, just like they always did when she was trying to lie convincingly. He'd let it go for now.

"How'd you know? That Robert was the one you wanted to take that step with?"

Betty stopped in her tracks and looked at him puzzled. "Why do you wanna know?"

He shrugged, "Just curious."

"I mean…when you know you know. We're right for each other. He loves me, and I love him. He's the one for me…I know it," Betty's reply sounded as if she were trying to convince herself. "I never said he wasn't the one for you," Daniel said, watching her frown.

"What's with the interrogation? Is this what you needed to talk about?" His blue eyes found her brown ones. He knew that look; she was angry. The last thing he'd wanted to do was make her upset. She probably wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

- - -

"What's your problem?" Daniel asked Jessica angrily, taking his shoes off.

"You're my problem, Daniel…the fact that you're in some serious denial is my problem!" she stood in front of him with her hands on her hips.

"I'd like to see where you're gonna go with this one," he loosened his tie.

"You're not the same man you were three months ago. Ever since Betty got engaged, it's like your mind is always somewhere else!" Jessica said.

"What? Whatever," he got up and walked into the kitchen, pouring himself a drink. "I don't think a drink is going to cure the feelings you have for your assistant, Daniel. You might forget about 'em for awhile, but it won't get rid of them."

"Feelings? So now you think I have feelings for Betty?" he shook his head, swirling the drink in the glass.

"No. I know you have feelings for her. Ever since the engagement, she's become the topic of almost all of our conversations, you're spending more time at work than ever before, and when you're with me, it's like you want to be somewhere else. I wasn't sure until dinner tonight, but now I know it's her that you'd rather be with," Jessica accused him.

"Jess, you're talking crazy. Betty is my friend…that's it!"

"Yeah, your friend that you can't stop talking about or keep your eyes off of. I think you looked at me twice during dinner tonight. At any other moment, your eyes and attention were given to her. And what's so funny is that Betty is oblivious to the fact!" Jessica removed her heels and picked up a few of her stray shirts off the floor.

"What are you doing?" Daniel watched her grab a suitcase out of the closet.

"I can't do this anymore Daniel. I can't be with someone who is obviously doesn't want to be with me. It's too much to deal with right now," she gathered a few of her items and stuffed them in the bag.

"I don't believe this. You know what? Maybe you should go. Maybe this is for the best," he crossed his arms.

"What would really be best is if you would wake up and realize that you're in love with her before it's too late!"

- - -

"Look Betty, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," he rubbed her arms. She sighed, bringing her gaze back to his. "It's okay. I overreacted."

"The reason I came over here tonight-I wanted to talk to you about…some things," he swallowed hard.

"Okaaay. More specific please," she grinned slightly.

"When you…told me about your engagement, I had these mixed feelings about it. I didn't like it at all…I wanted to be truly happy for you, but I couldn't. I'm still not," Daniel saw the surprised and hurt look on her face.

"Wha-"

"Just let me finish. Please. He's not good enough for you, Betty. He doesn't give you enough of his time. His job requires a lot of him…he's always gonna put his job before you and that's not right. You deserve better than that."

Betty stood aghast, looking at him with her arms crossed. "Wow. How can you say these things, Daniel? I thought we were friends!"

"We are friends!"

"Then why won't you just drop it already! Yes, okay…Robert is a very busy man. But he's very supportive and he loves me very much," tears had filled her eyes now.

Daniel was pretty sure Robert didn't love her as much as he did.

"Betty-"

"And what makes you such a great judge of character anyway? Look at all the women you've hurt! What happened with Jessica? I bet you weren't giving her enough time!" he took a step back, looking at the hurt expression on her face. Betty's cheeks were flushed, her nose was turning red, and her chocolate eyes were filled with tears.

"Oh this is funny. Suddenly we start talking about your relationship and you're speechless," she yelled.

"Alright. Fine…you really wanna know what happened with Jessica?" his pulse raced as he stepped closer to her.

"I asked, didn't I?"

"She left because…she realized that I wasn't in love with her…" he began as confusion spread over her delicate features.

"Huh? Well who-"

"I'm in love with you, Betty," Daniel told her softly, caressing her cheek.

Betty stood frozen, gazing up at him stunned. "What?" her small voice asked, uncertain.

"I love you," Daniel whispered, slowly leaning into her, pulling her closer and warming her lips with his own. He kissed her softly at first, feeling her respond after a few moments. The kiss became more passionate, as Daniel's hands made their way down her frame.

Betty suddenly pulled away, resting her hands on his chest. He leaned his forehead against hers, letting his eyes rest on the moist, swollen lips that were pressed against his just moments before. He dipped his head again, his lips barely grazing hers.

"Stop," she told him angrily.

"Betty…I-"

"Don't. Just don't say anything, Daniel. You've said enough," she removed his hands from her waist. She turned on her heel and started walking towards her apartment.

"Betty…wait! Would you just stop!" Daniel quickly caught up with her, grabbing her arm and spinning her around to face him.

"You're selfish you know that?" she pushed him forcefully in the chest.

"What?" he asked, hurt by her comment.

"All you think about is yourself! You wait until a week before my wedding to tell me something like this! And how do I even know it's true? This is…coming out of nowhere!" Betty yelled in frustration, tears springing to her eyes.

Daniel shook his head and pulled her close, forcing her to look at him. "Why would I lie to you Betty? This isn't coming out of nowhere…I've felt this way for a long time. It's just took me awhile to realize it, is all. You're the reason I'm a better man Betty. You're the reason why I could never take the next step with Jessica and why I compared every woman I've been serious about in the last few years to you. They could never match up." Daniel confessed, his blue eyes a sea of emotion.

"So don't try to tell me I don't love you. Because I'm sure of it."

Daniel got lost in her teary eyes, waiting for her to say something. "I'm sorry Daniel…I- I think you should go," she cried. Tears spilled down her rosy cheeks as Daniel loosened his grip on her.

He stood on the snowy sidewalk as she walked back to her apartment, his fresh tears feeling warm against his cold skin. His world was falling apart…and he wasn't sure how to fix it.

Push the submit review button...thanks :P