Title: "Snowflakes in January"
TV Show: "Ugly Betty"
Ship: "The Boss & the Butterfly"
Disclaimer: A one-of-a-kind cast... would love to have come up with this perfect mix ;) As always, not mine.
Summary: Snowflakes, spicy cider & the January Spread
A/N: Thanks a million! It's such a pleasure to wake up to a few words from all of you who enjoy a romantic tale… or two! I'm excited that the story is continuing to take on a mind of its own… I find that if I don't strap it down too tightly… it flies like the wind! Just like the chapter title… you might find a surprise or two! Bon Appétit! ;D
Chapter Two
(No Two are Alike)
The Mode office was a flurry of activity; camera crew at the ready, models, clothes, vans, etc... still Daniel was 'mum' about the whole operation, not willing to disclose the location to anyone, lest it fell through... or into the wrong hands. Betty completed each demanding task as easily as if she were conducting a great symphony, being only "the assistant", only Amanda and Marc had asked her where the secret location was, but were easily duped by her deception, believing that Daniel would hide something like this from even her. Finally, everything was in place from the hot food delivery van to the excessive number of commercial heaters rescued from various cafes around the city.
Making one last call, Daniel had all the vehicles load up with passengers and follow his lead. Grabbing Betty by the elbow, he opened the door to his work transport vehicle (aka... limousine & driver), allowing her to slide to the far side of the vehicle to give him room to duck in as well.
"Well done today, Betty" he said in a serious tone, causing her to look up quickly, crimson barely holding off in her cheeks as she bobbed her head twice in quick succession.
"Th-thank you, Daniel, it was definitely a group effort though, #$#$ in wardrobe handled the distribution of every outfit possible for unlimited combinations for each model for this evening, and Amanda even pulled through handling my phones from the front desk so I could be out and about... and-"
"Shhh..." his fingers faintly brushed her lips as he stilled her babbling with the gentle rebuke. "Just a simple, 'Thank You', that is all. I appreciate you- your hard work, effortless organization, and most of all, your cheery outlook on life...even when it's the most dismal task imaginable." He gave her his most charming crooked half-smile, winking conspiratorially as he let his hand fall back against the seat behind her head.
Realizing she was still staring at him like a love-sick teenager, she motioned to the driver who had been trying to vie for their attention since entering the vehicle, "Well... we better.. uh... better get going... lots more to do before the night is through... lots of stuff to prepare!" she ducked her head in the leather-bound notebook in her hands, the one Daniel had given to her when she had changed jobs and become a "$" girl. 'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!' the berating word sounded like a broken record in her head, 'Argh! Why don't I just shut up and take a compliment like all normal human beings do?! Instead, I run on, tripping over my words until I've made a complete and utter as- arse of myself!'
Daniel gave his cryptic instructions to his driver, hiding a tell-tale smirk behind a fist as he pretended to contemplate the coming event, looking out her window for the landmarks that had brought them to the perfect sight only last evening. 'Thank goodness for employees who actually have a good work ethic,' he thought giving a cursory glance at his busy assistant. Some days he wondered how ever he was lucky enough to find someone like her... so refreshing, exciting, interesting... willing... his mind began drifting down the well-worn path of destructive thoughts... reliving how 'willing' she could be, with a little push.
"Daniel... Daniel? We're here!" her excitement stole into his fogged brain as he pushed aside the inadmissible thoughts for what felt like the 50th time that day...
"Good. Good. Take this exit," he motioned for his driver to follow the single lane street.
Making a fairly unique convoy of vehicles of all types: vans, trailers, trucks, mandatory ambulance and of course, their 'mode' of transportation, he smiled in acknowledgement of the well-used pun, as they pulled up to the barricaded parliamentary grounds. Once at the formidable wrought-iron gates, he jumped out into the cool evening air to type in the security access code granted by the Mayor of this fine city. Proceeding through to the fountain, rising like a snowy mammoth in its unused state- its usual characteristic hidden by the fluffy blanket covering every inch of their 'find'... the beautiful parliament gardens which were now only used seasonally due to its distance from the new business sector.
Earlier today, he'd made arrangement with discreet company to set up the scene for the perfect rendezvous: candles (battery-operated, of course) lit up a trail to his 'Piece de Resistance'... a private dinner for two- twinkling lights, the dinner (also faux) steamed deliciously under the snow lit sky...
"You like?" he asked quietly as he followed her out of the vehicle, his breath bating as he waited for her response...
"Oh, Daniel..." her voice was hushed as his, her hands twisting in the air as she tried to convey the beauty of the scene... "It's... exquisite..."
As he let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his smile could have lit up half the city with the blinding wattage. She was struck by the intensity as his voice rumbled on her nerve endings, "I was hoping you would be pleased." Then without warning, he preformed a near repeat of the night before, "...and I owe it all to you!" With a whoop of contagious laughter he picked her up off her feet and swung round and round, this time remembering he had an entourage, he gave a quick squeeze before racing off to add the 'players'.
Dusting off her hat that had fallen in the snow with her boss' exuberance, Betty discreetly made her way over to the romantic sight... Daniel sure was good at creating 'the magic', she thought as a surge of jealously tore through her, '...he's had a lot of practice!' Peering into Christina 's Wardrobe trailer, her theatrical boss was being arrayed in all sorts of suitable winter apparel as the photographers were certain he was the only male model to "do the scene justice". Several hopeful female models lounged in effortless sophistication, hoping to be his "lead".
Brushing them all off, Christina to the crushed camera crew, Daniel withdrew stating, "No, no... this has to go to print... I don't want to be a glory hound! Just work your magic with the other men you've brought with you!" With that, he looked through the crowd to spy his trustworthy assistant faithfully writing in her book. That 'Book of Ideas' which never seemed to run out of supply. Before he could think of the consequences, he bend down and picked up a clump of snow, packing it into a perfect ball with practiced ease and aimed it towards the funny blue hat perched precariously on her head.
"Thwuump!"
Snow flew every which way, mingled with the scattered pages of her meticulously plotted notebook, now hanging hopelessly from a desperate two-fingered grip. Looking around at the debris, her yellow & blue knit cap, a casualty to the ground once again, she turned back slowly spotting the cause of her unfortunate situation doubled over, tears streaming down his face, wheezing with laugher as his arms cradled his middle for support, as if they would somehow keep it all in.
Scanning the mildly amused company about her with a kind of horrid fascination, she looked at her beautiful notes among the piles of snow already forming and bent down in deliberation.
"Thwack!"
No one was more surprised than Daniel as he jerked back, hands wind milling to grab hold of anything to regain his balance, when suddenly another deadly accurate puff of snow tipped his last defense, hands coming to rescue his unguarded face. Landing in an undignified heap, he cowered as snowball after snowball continued to whiz by or at his head.
"What the-?" trying to complete his sentence was near impossible as he spat out another perfectly aimed fast ball!
"Okay, okay! I surrender!" he hollered from beneath his protective jacket, "I'm sorry, I give up!" Stunned laughter could be heard from all sides as their esteemed boss peeked out timidly from the folds, he looked into the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen, twinkling merrily in triumph and delight! Betty's eyes seemed to glow in the aftermath of mischief making him wonder if it would match another kind of glow altogether.
"And that's how we do it in Jersey!" she crowed, tossing a snowball in the air nonchalantly, looking him over with a sly smile.
Raising his hand in continued mock surrender, he hailed the applause from the one-sided battle bowing to his conqueror, the applause louder this time as Betty to on the part of noble leader, graciously extending a regal wave to the masses.
"May that be a lesson to you fair knight, that appearances aren't all they seem!" The light hearted words sent a chill over his spine as he sensed the undertone of truth beneath them.
"Okay minions, you've had your entertainment for the evening... back to work!"
As the work crew scattered to make quick work of the first scene, Daniel crossed over to the battle ground where Betty was studiously retrieving her lost possessions.
"If you didn't like my hat, you just had to say so," she laughed lightly as they picked up the last of the debris. Daniel smiled as he handed back the bedraggled cap- changing his mind, he placed it on his own head, grinning impishly at her, "It's not that I didn't like it, I just figure it's better suited to a man of my stature."
Wagging his eyebrows in mock leer, he darted out of her reach as she attempted to make a fast grab of her poor mishandled possession. Eyes filled with laughter, Daniel danced just out of her reach till she threw down her recently 'rescued' belongings to give chase.
"Daniel, you are a piece of work!" her rebuke was softened by the laughter in her voice, finally flopping in the snow in defeat. Their trek had taken them to the water's edge where trees regally lined the immense property. City lights danced in reflection to a tuneless melody and shoreline was laced with ice and snow, covering the jagged rocks in unique formations.
"Winter Guardians-," Betty mused as she wiggled her toes in her warm faux-fur moccasin boots, 'last years model,' the thought came out of no where and she shrugged mentally knowing it was of no consequence anyhow, they fit better than ever now.
Daniel enjoyed the cozy picture his assistant made. An unfamiliar ache haunted his chest and he lifted a hand to rub at the non-existent pain, realizing in time it was anything he could reach physically. Clearing his throat, he stuffed his hands back in his pockets and stared out at the water blindly, hardly noticing the softening beauty of the snow on the landscape. Watching from beneath snow covered lashes, Betty stifled a giggle as she cradled her knees to her chest and took in the adorable sight of her boss in her cheery winter cap... he'd completely forgotten about it, it seemed!
"Sit..." the quiet voice caught him off guard, turning stiltedly, he felt that same strange trip in his chest before shrugging it off.
"Sit?" he parroted, "in all this-" he gestured widely, "...cold?"
"Mmmm... so you're afraid of a little snow?" her voice was devoid of challenge, but it egged him on regardless, just as she surmised it would.
"A little? Try a heap! Of course, I'm not afraid, just cautious..." even as he spoke he was tentatively bending down to inspect this new phenomenon- a seat in the snow.
Before he could properly investigate, the hard tug on his arm had tipped him over for the second time that evening, although this time his landing was a lot softer but just as noisy as his evil companion's bright laughter rang out merrily. Bracing his hand on the far side of her body, as he had collapsed partway on top of her, he lifted his head to stare at the snow-flushed cheeks, molten chocolate eyes and haphazard dark locks framing an angelic face- if an angel laughed as if their life depended on it, he amended mentally.
Unable to keep the stern face, he joined in with a deep chuckle of his own. Feeling the heavy weight abate slightly on one side, Betty looked up, her vision blurring the edges as the heat from his breath caused her glasses to fog. The laughter faded away, her breath hitching in her chest as she drank in the dream-like sight before her. Handsome, powerful, and perfectly devilish, her boss' impractical leather coat framed his grinning face.
"That's twice now..." he said softly, staring intently at the pulse building at the base of her neck, "I think it's time for you to pay a forfeit... of my choosing."
The husky words tingled every nerve ending, responding to the sensual energy, she let her tongue wet suddenly parched lips, not intending to tease, but succeeded greatly. A low groan tore from deep in his throat as he swore in hushed tones.
"What you do to me..."
Fixing his gaze upon the telling pulse pounding rapidly at the side of her neck, he felt the magnetized pull, his eyes boring into her unconsciously trapped ones. Warring a mental battle within, weighing the good and wicked - decidedly wicked thoughts and ideas... that all seemed to center on her as one very good idea to his lust-induced mind, giving in to temptation.
Though subtle, Betty sensed the change in his sea-blue eyes, now dark blue- lethal. Chills coursed down her spine and tremors elsewhere, but her voice gasped as firm lips descended upon her exposed neck, finding the electrified pulse hiding there.
"Daniel-" she hissed, impervious to the effect her words had on him, now nearly blind with need, he began tearing at the large fax-bone buttons blocking his entrance to the 'treasure' buried beneath. Unzipping partway, he slid his fingers expertly around her curvy form, lingering on the areas that created the most 'verbal' feedback and tension.
Betty was awash with sensation. One second she was shivering from the open mouth kisses tingling her neck, the next she was yelling out at the intense sensations rocking her entire body as he stirred her pleasure zones- and stir he could!
"Dan- iel..." her tortured gasp sounded loudly in the quiet night air, "Daniel!"
The insistent voice weaved a pathway through his fogged brain to his ears, stilling his hands where they were, nestled beneath her breasts, he stared into her cloudy eyes, moving his hands slowly, allowing one last touch to sear through her- her quiet moan of frustration forced its way through full pink lips.
Wanting...no, needing to see her eyes clearly, he reached up and gently lifted her trademark red glasses from her face. Suddenly naked of her most prized accessory, Betty blinked rapidly, trying to quell the rioting emotions raging inside her. Senses heightened to near unbearable heights, she could hardly stand the light caress of his fingers on her face.
Not realizing his hand was moving of its own violation, Daniel tried to make his brain work- he knew there was something he should say, but what... did one say, 'Thank you?' His mind flitted uselessly as he brushed tingly fingertips over her swollen lips again and again.
"Daniel-" her broken sigh had him halting his sensuous path, straining to hear the quiet refrain, he leaned close, scenting the apricot conditioner she used, with a hit of something else... something feminine.
"Daniel...you...must...c-cant...bear..." her words were as jumbled as her thoughts, trying to make him understand that she felt like she would explode into a thousand tiny pieces if he didn't stop now. Trying again, she raised her gloved hand to his unclad one, gently holding it in hers.
"I can't bear much more..." her simple words struck a protective chord within him, the truth in her beautiful eyes touching him to the core.
Shaking his head as if in a stupor, Daniel's cheeks tinged bright red as he heard the familiar raucous laughter of his old college pal- one he hadn't heard from in over 3 years, in fact, and now had to show up at this minute, what timing!
"So this is what you do with the hired held these days- I wondered!"
Biting her tongue to keep from joining in with the baritone's deep chuckle, coming from somewhere behind her, Betty watched the emotions filter across her employer/almost-lover's chiseled face... embarrassment, resentment, jealousy and fear before closing off into his neutral "Good Times" facade. The last two struck a chord within her. Filing it away under "undisclosed information" she wondered what the jealousy and fear had to do with her and this new party- invader, rather.
"Becks!" he greeted heartily, as he pulled his prostrate companion upright, brushing the snow from her small frame. Betty turned to the tall, seemingly attractive man looming a little larger-than-life hand extended in greeting.
"Hi, I'm Betty." Squinting slightly, realizing she had yet to have her glasses returned, she beamed a bright smile in his direction.
"You mean as in 'Suarez'?" Came the shocked reply, "You mean my old pard's faithful, perfect, 'ne'r-do-wrong' assistant? That Betty?!"
Becks expostulation had the tips of Daniel's ears turning redder by the second. Hiding her grin, she ducked and poked playfully at her employer-turned-playmate's side, "Honey, you dint tell me you had such a handsome and astute friend!"
Using an exceptionally flirty tone, Betty winked at her visitor, as Daniel tried to recover from the seemingly emotional attack from both sides, giving up, he threw his hands in the air and drew his old friend in for the time-honored male hug; quick squeeze and back-slap.
"I give up! You two will be the death of me! What are you doing in town anyways? And how the heck did you find us?!" Daniel covertly changed the subject, hoping to find steadier ground after the upheaval he had just gone through- in more ways than one.
"I have my ways!" Becks said cryptically, winking back at Betty before turning to face his buddy again, "Actually, I have that young blonde thing you are using for the snowball fight scene on speed dial!"
"Snowball Fight?!!" Daniel's brows drew together in confusion, "What snowball fight scene?" Dawning enlightenment hit him as Becks words hit home, "Well, apparently that is what's happening right now as we speak," he said nonchalantly.
"Oh no!" Daniel broke into a gallop as he hurried across the snow covered grounds to assess the damage being wrought on his set, $ figures draining in his mind's eye.
Left behind with the 'rogue' and apparent charmer Daniel called friend, Betty assessed the situation and decided to take him into her confidence- hoping it wouldn't come back to haunt her.
"Becks, is it?" she asked by way of introduction.
"Yes... all my friends call me such," he said a tad too warmly, "that or just 'Big'." waggling his eyebrows indecently.
Breaking out in giggles, Betty smiled her 1000-watt smile, causing his devilish facade to slip. 'Wow,' he thought bemusedly, 'Daniel has hit the jackpot...'
"Well, Becks or 'Just Big'," she said impishly, purposely misunderstanding his suggestive comment, "I hope I can trust you... I can, cant I?"
Her smiling yet serious question took him aback, he should have known she wasn't as naive as she seemed to be.
"Yes, m'lady, of course!" he replied with a flourish, bowing low, he ruined the courteous gesture with a rakish wink, "Of what or whom are you entrusting to me?"
"Ahh..." suddenly at a loss of words, Betty looked around, trying to formulate her answer. "Secrecy." she finally stated firmly, her big brown eyes solemn and hesitant as they bore into his own steel grays, "Secrecy of all you heard and saw."
Not needing her to elaborate further, Becks smiled lopsidedly and raised his hands palm up as he spoke, "What's in it for me?" A dangerous eyebrow arched as he dared her for an answer.
"Your honor befitting to a lady, and loyalty as a friend." her reply was swift and firm, though held a teasing not.
"Ah, touché! You have my word... now to seal the agreement-" leaning in purposefully eyes shut, lips pursed expectantly, Betty bypassed them for the safer option, a firm jaw roughened by 5-o-clock shadow. Giving him a quick peck, before darting back out of reach, knowing him to be sly if given half a chance.
Just as she'd expected, his arms closed quickly believing he'd caught her. Narrowly escaping his arms as he over extended and flailed grandly before falling in an artful heap at her feet. Brushing her hands together as if she'd just handle a great feat, she laughed boisterously, side-stepping her fallen comrade, before admonishing him.
"You over step your boundaries, Sir, I would not rise the ire of my employer on your behalf! I sense quite a history between you two already!"
Chuckling despite himself, Becks braced his gloveless hands on his splayed knees as he took her measure, "You are quite the gal!: he mused truthfully.
Smiling mischievously over her shoulder, Betty waved and trotted on towards the chaotic scene before her. Yes, there indeed was a snowball fight going on... and how!
"...wish I had met you first..." the heartfelt words twisted in the air before fading into nothingness, never intending to reach her ear. Brooding, Becks stared at the retreating figure- lush, full of zest and open, such like he'd never seen before.
"He'd better damn well know what he's getting into!" he mumbled ominously, not realizing the jealous tone beneath his words, "...or he'll have to answer to my own pals 'One-Two'!" Jumping to his feet, he feinted a double punch as he spoke, looking up in time to see her cute grin spread across her face. Dropping his fists sheepishly, he pushed his hands deep into his pockets and kicked the snow before making his way over to the hub of activity.
"An extraordinary night, for an extraordinary girl...who'd think it would happen like this?" his question drifted off into the night, twisting and twirling among the falling snowflakes.
...Who would've thought the "Girl from Queens" would wreak so much havoc in our beloved Mode males ;) much props to our 'Butterfly'!
