Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Ugly Betty.

A/N: Ugly Betty version of the classic movie. Just when Daniel thought life was at its worst, he realized the value of what he had.

Somewhere far away, up above the starry night sky...

"Hello Joseph. Trouble?"

"Looks like we'll have to send someone down. Lots of people asking for help for a man named Daniel Meade," Joseph answered.

"Ah yes...Daniel Meade. Tonight's the night isn't it. Who's turn is it?"

"That's why I came sir. I believe it's Gabrielle's turn again," Joseph replied.

"Oh. She still hasn't gotten her wings yet, has she?"

Joseph shook his head. "Very well then. Send for Gabrielle..."

"You sent for me sir?" Gabrielle arrived in a matter of moments, looking anxious as she stared up at her superiors.

"Yes. A man named Daniel Meade needs your help. Tonight, in just a few short hours, he'll seriously think about throwing away God's greatest gift," Joseph informed her.

"Oh dear...his life. Well I've got to hurry then," she started to leave. "You'll spend the next few hours getting acquainted with Mr. Meade."

"Sir. If I am to accomplish this mission, would I be able to earn my wings? I mean...it has been 50 years. Some of the others are starting to talk," Gabrielle explained.

"Gabrielle, you do a good job with Daniel Meade and you'll get your wings," the wiser angel promised with a smile.

"Oh thank you...thank you."

"Alright then...sit down," Joseph told her.

"Sit down? But-"

"If you're going to help this man, you might want to know something about him first," Joseph said, shaking his head.

"Oh yes. Of course."

"Good. Now close your eyes..."

Where are we going?" Gabby turned toward her superior. "Manhattan," the older man answered with a grin.

"New York? Why?"

"So you can get your wings."

- - -

New York, August 2, 1976

A young man leans down to his wife, sitting up in the hospital bed. "He's beautiful, Bradford," the young woman beamed as she held the new baby in her arms. "Yes, he is. He's got your nose," the man named Bradford noticed. "But your eyes. Just like his big brother," she kissed the baby's forehead.

"Who are these people?" Gabrielle curiously asked, shifting nervously in the small room, invisible to the couple before her. "Just wait," Joseph said, "you'll see."

"I suppose he does," Bradford beamed with pride. "What should we name him?" she looked at her husband expectantly.

"Well we know the middle name but I'm not sure about the first. I liked what you said a few months ago," he said. "Daniel? He does look like a Daniel," she grinned. "It's settled then. Welcome to the world Daniel Bradford Meade," his father looked over his mother's shoulder with pride, as the baby let out a big yawn.

Manhattan

June 12, 1982

"Daddy!" Daniel ran as quickly down the steps as his legs would carry him. He finally caught up to his older brother and father.

Bradford Meade turned around, looking down into his wistful blue eyes. "I wanna come, Daddy! I wanna come!" Daniel tugged on his father's hand. "I'm sorry son. You're too little. Maybe next time," Bradford told him, wrapping an arm around Alex and guiding him through the front door. Daniel's big pools of blue welled with tears, as he ran to the large window in the sitting area. He leaned his forehead against the window, watching his dad and older brother drive away.

"Daniel?" Claire touched her son's small shoulder, spinning him around to face her. Daniel wiped at his face and sniffled. "He wouldn't let me go, mommy. He promised," the little boy pouted, giving his mother a hug. "I know son. It's okay," she patted his back. "Hey. How about you and I go get some ice cream? Huh?" Daniel nodded solemnly at her request, glancing back at the window once more as they walked away.

1989

Bradford glared at the sheet of paper, crumbling it up. He sat his drink down, and turned toward his son. "Three C's again. How many times have I told you not to show your face around here when you bring home grades like that?" Bradford yelled. "But Dad-" Daniel began.

"I don't wanna hear it. Your brother brings home straight A's semester after semester. How hard can it really be? Can't you do anything right?" Bradford threw the paper in the roaring fireplace, and Daniel forced himself not to cry. He should have been used to it by now. The criticism and constant comparisons to the brother he'd never live up to. Still, his words hurt. "I tried," Daniel said in a small voice, avoiding the eyes of his father. "No you didn't. Your brother- he tries. He works hard. Alex will amount to something. You, on the other hand-" the older man poured himself some scotch, "are lazy."

1993

"Partaay!!!" a young man announced, a few six-packs in his arms. "Thanks, man," Daniel grabbed a beer and took a big gulp. "Daniel," he heard a female voice call.

"Who's that?" Gabrielle asked. "Daniel's first girlfriend. The first of many," Joseph explained.

"Hey," he wrapped his arms around her, giving her a kiss. "So...did you clear it with your parents to go up to their cabin this weekend?" the young lady asked mischievously. "Yeah," Daniel lied, "it's all ours," he grinned deviously, hoping he wouldn't get caught.

1998

"Congratulations, little brother," Alex Meade gave his younger brother a hug. Daniel returned it with a grin, catching his father's stern gaze from across the large room. "Thanks," Daniel answered, taking a small sip of his drink. Alex furrowed his brow, "dude what's wrong? It's not everyday you get a degree from Harvard," he lightly punched him in the arm. Daniel chuckled lightly, shaking his head slightly. "It's like it'll never be enough, you know. I can't do anything to please him," Daniel replied honestly.

Alex let out a sigh, nodding in understanding. "You know how he is. He's not exactly a guy who wears emotions on his sleeve. Don't let him ruin your day. Just know that we're all proud of you. Especially me," he told him. Daniel broke into a small smile.

"Thanks Alex. That means a lot."

2004

Daniel opened the front door to his childhood home, still wondering what was so urgent. "Mom?" he called out, glancing around the living room. He finally found both of them in the study, mom curled up on the sofa nursing a glass of scotch, his father sitting in his favorite chair with his head in his hands. "Dad?" his heart thumped in his ears. Something wasn't right.

Bradford looked up, realizing he was there. Claire didn't move. "What's wrong?"

"You'd better sit down," Daniel did as he was told. "We got word today that your brother- that Alex was badly injured. He had some sort of accident on the slopes. They tried to revive him, but... he was already gone. Alex is gone," Bradford whispered the last three words.

Daniel swallowed hard, the blood draining from his face. He felt sick. Tears filled his eyes and he shook his head. "No...this can't be happening..."

2006

"Excuse me, Mr. Meade. Hi...I just wanted to come in and introduce myself personally. I'm Betty Suarez. It's an pleasure to meet you," she smiled broadly, extending her hand.

"Hi Betty," Daniel shook her small hand, still flabbergasted by his first meeting as editor-in-chief. "Um...who do you work for?" he inwardly cringed at her choice of attire.

"I...work for you. I'm your new assistant." She beamed up at him, braces and all. Her excitement matched his confusion.

- - -

'I quit!' Betty's words echoed in Daniel's head, as did the look in her eyes and how he felt knowing he made her feel like that. What kind of person was he? He rested his face in his hands, hoping with all his heart that Betty reconsidered the assistant position. As if on cue, his blackberry vibrated against his nightstand. It was her.

"Hello?" he answered the phone fairly quickly, a sharp contrast of how he usually reacted to most females. Hopefully he didn't sound too anxious. "Hi. Daniel? It's Betty," he could hear movement on the other side of the phone. "Hey. How are you?" Daniel rolled his eyes as soon as the words were out of his mouth. 'It's 12:30 in the morning and that's the best I can do?' "I'm fine. I've given what you said a lot of thought. And... I decided to come back."

Daniel let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Oh, this is great, Betty. I promise this is going to be worth it. Thank you," he smiled genuinely for the first time in awhile.

"You're welcome. See you bright and early."

"Sure thing. Goodnight."

-

"Wow. That was surely admirable of Daniel, going to Betty's place to apologize and putting himself out there like that. Especially after what he did," Gabrielle observed. "Indeed," Joseph replied, watching as Daniel let out a sigh and slipped under his comforter, still wearing a small smile. "She seems to bring out a side of him that no one ever sees," she noted. Joseph nodded, "Well there's plenty more where that came from."

This chapter may be a little slow, but things will speed up soon enough! Stay tuned...and as always review!