Disclaimer: I have no ownership or hold over any of the characters of Ugly Betty

All the While

Daniel glanced up from the ever so riveting copy list of "The Ten Top Designers of 2008" and sighed for the 12th time in 15minutes. Not that he was counting. And for the 15th time in 15minutes his distracted gaze slid over to where his assistant sat. Outside his office. Much too far away in his opinion. He watched openly as she scribbled quickly all the while nodding as she listened to whoever was talking to her on the phone. She had a slight frown between her eyes. He perked up for a second, hoping whatever was causing the frown for her would soon lead to him to be on the receiving end of it. Hopefully. His first real smile of the day started as she finally, not quite, slammed the phone down, frowned at her notes and then shot a glare thru the fishbowl glass window at him. He grinned wider.

She then stood, took a breath, smoothed down the non-existent wrinkles on her woollen pleat skirt and started marching. Towards him. The best part of his day was beginning!

Betty sighed. Her ears were still ringing. The last think she felt like doing was going to and confronting Daniel with the latest rumour mill. She Really Really didn't want to spend the rest of the afternoon and likely a good portion of her evening sorting out his personal problems, again. He had been working so well all day. Not disturbing her at all with inane requests. In fact he'd been hard at work trying to sort out next issues "Top Ten" whatever. She really was loathe to disturb him. Her mind battled momentarily. Sighing again her good side won and she stood. Preparing herself she marched towards the door and the man that was beyond.

Daniel quickly cast his eyes down and shuffled some paper around his desk as Betty appeared in the doorway. He looked up questioningly as her voice rang thru the room towards him.

"Are you busy"? She looked hopeful. He glanced down smothering a grin then back up. She still looked hopeful. Hmmm couldn't be good then.

"Nope. Just finished actually." He shut the file and leaned back crossing his hands over his stomach. A grimace crossed her face momentarily and his eyes glinted with a repressed smile.

"Have a seat. Something come up?" She moved slowly into the room, finally coming to a halt before his desk. she dropped heavily into a chair.

"In a manner of speaking." She was clutching a folded piece of paper and gnawing on her bottom lip.

"Spill it Betty. What's wrong?" Narrowed eyes and a lifted head greeted the question.

"Nothing's wrong..."

"There has to be. You're all fidgety."

"Hmph" She straightened and glared, "I don't fidget."

"Yes, you do. No, don't argue. You're wringing that poor piece of paper like you were wishing it was Amandas neck. And you're biting your lip." Wide eyes stared at him. Her mouth opened, closed. Then she sat back in her chair arms crossed defiantly.

"Ok, so maybe there is something. And I know you're not going to like it at all." He let out a humourless chuckle, stood and slid his hands into pockets as he wandered over to stare out his window at the impressive view beyond.

"What else is new?" Dry and ironic the comment was mumbled, not intended to reach Betty's ears. It did.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself Daniel. It could be worse. And there are people out there with worse problems than yours you know!" She had straightened and was mentally preparing herself for a battle.

Daniel closed his eyes and rested his head on the cool glass. He should've known not to fall into self pity around his friend. She was known to just kick the legs out from underneath it and then haul you up kicking and screaming. why he kept trying he could never understand. But she was here with him, so why was he moping? Best to get whatever this was over with and move on.

"I know, I know sorry. So, what's the problem and how do we fix it?" He turned to face her. Smiled when he saw she was now standing, leaning against the front of his desk.

"There's no WE in this one mister. YOU"RE going to fix it." With that Betty held out the now more than crumpled paper. He moved over to her, parked his butt on the edge of the desk so they leaned side by side. Shoulder touching and hips brushing. He raised an eyebrow and she just shook her head, hair gliding over his arm. she handed the paper over and watched while he read.

He didn't like where this was heading at all.

The words gossip, Renee, fire and asylum jumped out from the paper, wrapped themselves around his neck and proceeded to squeeze out any ability to speak. Or breathe. He screwed his eyes shut as the words jumbled in front of him. High pitched buzzing screeched thru his ears and he wavered as he was knocked off kilter. His wound was too raw and someone had just shoved a dirty, infected bloody stick right into the middle of it. It was going to fester.

Betty stared, shocked as Daniel lost all colour and became a shade only common to paper. She watched as sweat beaded across the top of his forehead and gaped as the began to sway. So, being the practical, kind-hearted woman she was she took the most logical action known. She wrapped around Daniel both arms, drew his head to her shoulder and started rocking.

"It's ok Daniel. It's going to be alright. We'll work something out. There's nothing you could've done. She can't hurt you anymore. Shhh Daniel, it's ok. I'm still here." She started as his arms come up and clamped behind her back drawing her even closer. They were pressed together too uncomfortably so Daniel just dragged the warmth that was Betty, onto his lap and held on tight. He pressed his face into her neck and let the moisture pool there. He became aware of fingers running gently thru his hair and a calm voice whispering comforts.

Betty felt the moment Daniel began to relax and drew back enough to see his face. He tried to drop his eyes in embarrassment. How could he just lose control of himself like that! And at the office in full view of whoever cared to watch! Poor Betty, she must think he's a complete disappointment. Can't control his business. Can't control his life. Can't deal with the consequences. He began to shift and move her off when two hands released his back and gripped his face. Shocked his eyes shot to hers. Stating into them he couldn't see anything but concern and warmth. Thumbs tracked over his cheeks wiping away the offending tears. He dredged up a smile and let out a small laugh.

"I'm so sorry Betty"

"You have nothing to apologize for." She leaned towards him and placed a small kiss of his forehead. He closed his eyes savouring the tender affectionate gesture. And as it lingered a voice rang thru the office.

"I see I'm interrupting. Shall I come back?"

A/N: I've only seen the first season and half of the second so im not going to follow any real plot line so if things are a bit random don't freak ok. Thanks.