Think of The Firefly

Again, thank you for your reviews! :) Here is the next part of their 'date' yay! :) like I said, this is one of my fave chaps so hope you enjoy it! :)

For entertainment only! :P


Chapter 8

Ripples, Sprinkles and Tingles

After half an hour of them dancing, Daniel decided to go outside to get some fresh air. "How about we step outside Betty?" "Ok. It's getting really loud in here anyways." They walked out the back to the patio that was overlooking a pool carved into the stone. The balcony was decorated in lights that reflected in the pool. "This is so pretty!" Betty said excitedly. Daniel laughed. "This is really nice, Betty. Nice choice." Daniel walked halfway down the steps when he saw Betty stand at the edge of the balcony looking over the city. He couldn't explain how lovely she looked from the glow of the lights. She looked at him and smiled. He smiled at her, and leaned along the wooden rail of the staircase. They somewhat just looked at each other for a few moments. Betty looked back to the city an almost shy smile on her face. Daniel just watched her thinking she was the most beautiful thing in the world. She walked over to the stairs; Daniel turned and walked down before she did, a smile making its way along his face.

They sat for some time along the edge of the pool just looking out into the city. Betty looked up to look at the stars and the moon. "The stars are so bright" Daniel watched her look at the stars, thinking she looked so beautiful from the glow of the moon and the reflection from the water. It wasn't just how she looked that made her beautiful; Daniel realized it was her light, her inner shine. Betty looked at him with a smile. "So?"

He looked at her eyes "So?"

Betty laughed. "This is kind of nice. Just sitting around looking at the stars." Daniel smiled. "I agree, it is Betty."

"I guess that is another thing that I like about Tucson. Being able to see the stars at night" Daniel nodded looking at her. He looked at her for a minute, and then remained quiet taking in the night air. He ran his hand through the water relishing its coolness, observing how the water flowed through his hand and the shine from the moon reflecting. Betty watched him, how his hand glided along the water, how it dripped from his hand, and the ripples they created. Then she looked at his face, he seemed so calm. His eyes clear and blue; they looked like the water. She smiled. She was happy that he was here with her, even just being in this silence. Daniel noticed that she was watching him and noticed her smile. He couldn't help the light smile that came across his face. He loved her smile. He didn't even have to look her way to see it. He wondered what she was thinking. He really loved this: the silence, the simple act of sitting next to one another. How they never just did this when they worked together Daniel regretted. But no, there were no regrets with Betty in his life. Everything was better just because she was there. Now she was far enough away that he would miss all this. He wished they could do this more. Suddenly Daniel felt her touch on his arm that instantly made his heart beat faster. He stopped his hand from gliding along the water and looked at her, her eyes bright even through her glasses. He wished he could take them off to see them more clearly. She had beautiful eyes. "Daniel..."

"Hmm?" he responded quietly. "What are you thinking about?" Betty asked curiously. Daniel smiled, noticing her hand still lightly on his arm. He placed his other hand on hers and looked at her "I was actually wondering what you were thinking Betty." Betty smiled. "I guess we were kind of thinking the same thing. Sort of..." he added.

"You look really calm." Betty said observantly. "Well I am. I like this. Just us...Sitting like this. It's nice." Betty smiled. "I agree. We should do this more." Betty said running her free hand through the water now. Daniel felt his heart race. How he loved being next to Betty. It wasn't anything big. It was so simple that it was perfect. He had never done something like this. Just sitting in peace and taking in your surroundings for more than what they were. He saw Betty. He knew her. She knew him. Like no one ever knew him. That in itself was perfect. Daniel slowly moved his hand from hers, so slow he even felt the coolness that ran in between their hands. Betty felt butterflies run through her from his soft touch. He leaned back his arms behind him. Now Daniel watched her hand run through the water. It was so playful; she ran her finger in a circular motion. It looked like she was trying to write in the water. He smiled. She looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. He saw something in her eyes. It was a glint of something he wasn't sure. It was like she was planning something in her mind. Then all the sudden she waved her hand through the water splashing him. Daniel gasped from the cool water hitting his face. "Betty!" he then just smiled and leaned forward. "I knew you were planning something" he said, his voice low.

"Oh really? They why didn't you stop me?" Betty asked mischievously. "Eh...I wanted to see what you were going to do."

Betty laughed lightly making Daniel smile. He just watched her as she continued to play with the water. He wanted to hug her. He just wanted her to know that he cared about her. "Betty...can I um...ask you something?" he asked still watching her hand. "Mhm" she said looking at him, her hand still gliding along the water. "Can I hug you?" he asked sweetly. Betty looked at him surprised that he would ask. "Okay" she responded. Daniel smiled and leaned over hugging her briefly, when he was about to pull away he felt Betty's arms encircle him and hug him back to her.

"Thank you" Betty said when she pulled back. "For what?" Daniel asked confused. "I should thank you, Betty." he looked at her confusion written on his face. "Daniel...you're so sweet. I know you wanted to hug me to let me know you care about me."

"What? How...how did you? What?" he asked surprised and confused and amazed at how Betty knew exactly what he was thinking? Betty laughed "I saw it in your eyes." He looked at her in amazement and then smiled. "You, Miss Suarez, are unbelievable."

"I know." Betty said playfully looking away. Daniel laughed. "Now Betty, as much as this is amazing just sitting here with you like this, do you want to get some dinner and maybe ice cream after?" he said with a grin. "That sounds great. I'm really hungry, too. And I'm always up for ice cream" Betty said smiling. Daniel laughed. "Great" he got up and held out his hand for her and helped her up.

They got in a cab and told the driver to take them to a place to eat. They ended up at a pizzeria. When they got in and sat at a table people watched them. "Why are people staring at us, Daniel?" Betty whispered. "Do you think they recognize you or something?"

"Betty...it's because you look gorgeous." He said simply, taking Betty by surprise. "Umm...uh..." she was speechless. "We both are really dressed up. They're probably all wondering why we are at some not-so fancy pizzeria." Betty just smiled. She was still stunned by the fact that Daniel said she was gorgeous. She had never had someone call her gorgeous other than Alissa and Robert today. Now Daniel. It was...interesting. She still couldn't believe it.

"Betty, are you okay?" Daniel asked noticing her distant expression. "Oh. Uh. I'm fine. It's just weird. I guess."

"Don't worry about it, Betty. Just ignore them and they will stop looking here." Daniel said nonchalantly. They got their pizza and wine. "This kind of reminds me of our date in New York" Betty said taking a sip from her wine. Daniel laughed. "Ya, it's too bad they don't do karaoke here."

Betty laughed. "That was fun. Admit it, you had fun."

"I did." Daniel said smiling. "So, Betty, are you excited about your interview tomorrow? What time is it at?" Daniel asked curiously.

"Oh. Uh, actually... You know, I almost forgot about it. You've been keeping me busy all day, I would have not even remembered if you didn't tell me right now." Betty laughed. "Sorry I was such a distraction" Daniel said lightheartedly. "It's fine, Daniel. It's been great. I needed this. Today has been so great. I am excited. I guess. I'm more nervous though. I have to be there by 1:00pm."

"Don't worry, Betty. I'm sure you'll get it as soon as you walk in the door." Daniel said optimistically. "Daniel..." She rolled her eyes.

His eyes lit up, "Do you want me to come pick you up and we can go together?"

Now Betty's eyes lit up, "Would you? I would love that Daniel."

"Absolutely Betty. I'm here and have nothing better to do. And besides I'm sure you could use a familiar face to ease your nerves."

"Thank you Daniel." Betty smiled. They both ate their pizza just talking and telling jokes. After dinner they went to an ice cream shop close by. "I can't believe everything is closed. I'm glad this place was open" Betty said surprised that places closed so early here. "It's kind of weird that there is nothing open now. I mean it's only midnight." Daniel added.

"So, what ice cream do you want, Betty?" Daniel asked looking down at her noticing her beautiful eyes scanning the flavors. She was so cute. He didn't know why all the sudden he found her so adorable. Maybe it was the fact that she was in this absolutely stunning dress and getting an ice cream cone. It made him feel like everything inside him was smiling. He just wanted to hold her and never let her go. He loved how genuine she was. Betty looked up at him smiling brightly "I think I will try the Tiger Tracks ice cream" Daniel smiled and looked at the description "that sounds pretty good. Vanilla and Orange with Chocolate swirl" Daniel ordered two. "Can I have sprinkles on mine" Daniel said to the 'Creamer'. Betty looked at him and nudged him playfully. "Sprinkles Mr. Meade?" she said teasingly. "Hey, I can be a kid too." Daniel said laughing and taking the two cones in his hand. "For you" he said holding out the ice cream to her. "Thanks Daniel." She laughed taking it from him. "Mmm... this is so yummy" Betty said happily. Daniel smiled and ate his. "How are the sprinkles?" Betty asked jokingly. "Good, wanna try?" he said holding the cone out to her. "Nahh..."

"Ok." They both had their ice cream and started walking back to Betty's house. "Daniel...I'm tired. Can we sit for a bit?"

"Betty, we're not that far. Come on"

"Daniel, my feet hurt. I don't think I can walk anymore." Daniel looked at her and picked her up "Daniel! Put me down" she said trying to get her feet back down. "Betty, I'll carry you." He said looking at her. Betty just laughed. "You're so crazy" she said slapping his shoulder. She put her arm around his neck. "You better not drop me."

"I will never drop you, Betty." Daniel said looking at her. She looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Aren't I heavy? I don't want to hurt you."

"Betty! Don't worry. And believe me, you're not heavy." Betty just smiled and looked at him. They made it to the house 4 minutes later. "Are you sure you want me to put you down Betty? I kind of like you holding on to me." He said teasingly, but actually serious. "Daniel. Put me down." Betty said bluntly. "Alright, alright." He slowly let her loose. "You're free now Princess Suarez." He said mockingly. "Ha-ha, very funny. Thank you, Daniel. This was a lot of fun." She said sincerely.

"It really was. Well, I guess good night Betty" Daniel leaned in and kissed Betty sweetly on her cheek. His lips touched her skin so lightly that it sent butterflies through her. It felt like wind blew across her face. "I had to kiss my date good night." Daniel whispered in her ear making Betty feel shivers down her spine.

When he pulled away to look at her, she looked at him not sure if she just imagined that. It felt so...it felt like she was dreaming. She didn't even know how she was standing. She felt like she was floating. She smiled "So, this was a date?" Betty asked curiously.

"It felt like a date. We went dancing, we had dinner...and ice cream...and you look gorgeous...and I walked you home...well, carried you to your door..." he laughed. "If that isn't a date then I really don't know what is." She had a look on her face that Daniel instantly understood.

"I know what you're thinking; we haven't had sex, so this can't be a date to me. Well you're wrong Betty. I don't have to have sex to consider going out with someone a date." He said taking Betty by surprise, her eyes wide. "Umm...I...uh...how did you?" Betty was stunned that he knew what she was thinking. She just smiled. "Betty, I know you. You're my best friend. We worked together for two years. We pretty much saw each other every day. We just get each other. So, yes, I knew what you were thinking." He responded surprising Betty, yet again.

"Well, umm...thank you Daniel...for the nice date." Betty said slightly teasingly. "I really did have a good time." She touched his arm and reached up to kiss his cheek. Daniel smiled. He never felt so at home before. He felt the tingles in his cheek. It was so soft. "Good night Daniel."

"Good night Betty. Sweet dreams." Betty walked in her house a smile on her face. Daniel called a cab and headed to his hotel. "That was definitely the best date ever. Today was amazing. God, I love Betty." Daniel smiled getting into the cab.

"I can't believe Daniel Meade said I was gorgeous and kissed me." Betty said to herself walking up to her room. She knew he meant it and wasn't just saying it. She knew Henry thought she was beautiful and said it to her all the time, but coming from Daniel was...different. She thought it was cute that he was trying to say it discreetly. She smiled looking into her mirror. She touched her cheek. Betty went to sleep feeling really nice and not really concerned that Henry couldn't make it. She had a wonderful time anyways.

Daniel made it to his hotel 15 minutes later since it was so late and no one was on the streets. He walked in his room and felt happy. He touched his cheek still feeling the warmth of her touch. "I love Betty!"


AN: :) :) smiles!