Bad Timing

Category: Angst/Hurt&Comfort/Romance

Pairing: Detty

Summary: Daniel's Birthday party goes awry when Betty receives some unwanted attention.

Warnings: None

Disclaimer: own nudda :)

Authors Notes: An au where Betty turns down the job in London. Set about a month after she accepts Daniel's job offer instead.

Daniel glanced around the swanky VIP area his mother had booked for his birthday, taking an overly large swig from the neck of his beer.

Thirty-nine wasn't exactly something he'd wanted to celebrate but as he watched the older women mingling around the various groups, he suspected the party was just as much for her benefit as it was for his. Clearly she was enjoying the social gathering whereas he was more content nestled in one of the back booths.

He'd made the rounds about an hour ago but his heart just wasn't in it. He could put it down to birthday blues -aging another year- but he knew that wasn't the reason either.

Something... or rather someone was missing from the night and as he pulled out his phone he was slightly disheartened to see it read no new messages.

Tapping the object against the table he let out a sigh wondering where Betty had gotten to. When he'd spoken to her earlier she'd said she was coming but things had been slightly awkward between them lately and if he was honest, that had more to do with his somber mood than nearing the big four-o.

It had been nearly a month since she'd told him she was moving to London.

Nearly a month since she'd accepted his job offer and decided to stay.

He'd been so relieved at the time but over the course of the last few weeks the guilt had slowly started to ebb away at him. Sure it was a higher paying role with excellent opportunities but he still felt like he was holding her back. It was a large contributing fact to the tension that had started to grow between them and what made the situation even worse was the fact he didn't know why he was being so selfish.

Or maybe he did... and that was the problem.

His mother had alluded to the possibility that he was developing feelings for her but he didn't want to consider it. She was his best friend and heading down that road would only make things complicated. But the more he tried to distance the thoughts, the more it started to reflect in their current situation.

He needed to do something to get them back on track, he just didn't know what and when his phone vibrated on the table he picked it up welcoming the distraction.

'One new message'

He tapped the on screen envelope, doing a double take as he read the text.

MAKEOVER... B looks hot! - You're present. Be there soon. Happy Birthday love A xx

His stomach did an annoying flip -which he blamed entirely on the alcohol- as he quickly deleted the message. Amanda had jumped on the same bandwagon as his mother -inferring he had feelings for his ex-assistant- and he wouldn't be surprised if the two of them were conspiring together.

With another sigh he drew a mouthful of beer and brought the bottle back down to pick at its label. He didn't know why but all of a sudden he was feeling anxious and the arrival of his mother did little to ease his nerves.

"Darling what's wrong?" Claire regarded her son with a tight but knowing smile as she placed her hand against his shoulder. He'd been glued to his phone all night and despite asking the question she had a fair idea as to why.

"You know..." he offered, leaning back into her touch, "just reflecting on another year gone by."

"Come now dear, I'm not sure they've stocked enough alcohol for that." She was joking of course and her smile twisted into one of sympathy when he didn't take the bait. She knew he'd been having a hard time of late, coming to conclusions at his own pace but she'd thought his birthday might at least offer up a distraction for the night.

"Why don't you let your old mother spin you round the dance floor?" She extended her free hand and sensing his apprehension raised an eyebrow, "unless there's some other hot young women you're waiting for?"

"Ok fine, you win." He slid his beer across the table defeatedly, holding up his hands in mock defense as he edged his way out of the booth, "but you're leading."

She smiled broadly in response and he linked their arms, starting to feel the effects of the alcohol as they ambled back through the VIP section. It was roped off and separated by a red carpeted area but as soon as they reached the edge of the trimmings he stopped suddenly.

"Breathe Daniel..." he heard his mother whisper and would've shot her a glare had he not been so focused on the task.

He'd spotted her first, head back and laughing at something Marc and Amanda were saying. It was one of the few times he was grateful for so many people around and -weary of his mother beside him- he tried not to stare as they navigated the large crowd. But it was a futile attempt, his gaze lingering on the racy black dress his ex-assistant was wearing.

It was halter-neck something-a-rather with two black panels of fabric coming down to sit over a full lace skirt. It covered enough to still maintain class but it revealed just enough skin to make his heart beat faster.

As if sensing him, she lifted her gaze -sans glasses- to meet his across the floor and he felt his mouth go dry. "Umph-" a sharp elbow from his mother knocked the sense back into him and he straightened his jacket as the trio met them at the closed off section.

"Happy birthday!" Marc jumped exuberantly on his arm, placing a kiss to his cheek, "great to see you, got to go! Places to mingle and people to do!"

He propelled himself off into the crowd but before Daniel had a chance to recover Amanda was next in line flinging her arms over his shoulders, "happy Birthday D!" She leaned forward and he caught the distinct smell of tequila as she whispered in his ear, "hope you like your present, easy to unwrap... oh and you're welcome!"

She pulled back throwing his mother a not so subtle wink and he might have been annoyed had he not been so distracted. It was ridiculous but the second he caught Betty's gaze again his palms started to sweat and it was only when her smile widened that it urged him to do something.

"You made it." He stepped forward, pressing his hands to her arms and giving her a kiss on either side of the cheek. "You look great," he breathed out softly, having to force himself not to linger in the moment.

A faint blush rose over her cheeks as he pulled away and she dropped her head, fishing around her bag and hoping he didn't notice her embarrassment. When she finally found what she was looking for, she pulled out the neatly wrapped box and handed it to him excitedly. "Happy birthday Daniel!"

"You didn't have to-" he stopped, finding her grin was infectious, "who am I kidding, it's my birthday."

He tore at the paper like a five year old, eye's lighting up as they fell on... "Mr. Potato Head?"

"It's a USB stick-" she stuck her finger into the box, turning the mini version around, "cause you know... potatoes in a time of need. It lights up and everything."

He laughed candidly at the idea and she felt a wave of relief wash over her as the ice began to melt between them. Something had been off with them lately but the fun environment away from work seemed to be helping them both to relax.

"Come on, let's go get a drink." Daniel replaced the lid of the box, noticing his mothers sudden absence with an imaginary shake of his head. At least she had been more subtle than Amanda but he wasn't going to dwell, instead sticking his arm out and ushering Betty into the VIP area.

As far as Birthdays went, maybe this one wasn't going to be so bad after all...