A/N: Thanks again for all your fantabulous reviews. Sorry for the slight delay but I'm super busy with schoolwork anyway…enjoy!!!!

Not Normal Is Nice

Daniel rolled over in bed, stretching and rubbing his eyes; he did not feel like getting up at all. When he forced himself to sit up he realized just how bad his head was throbbing from his drinking binge the night before. It's mornings like this I regret drinking he thought bitterly. Then upon remembering why he was drinking in the first place took it back.

Finally deciding he was thoroughly awake and there was no chance of drifting back off into a peaceful sleep he threw the covers off, slung his legs over the side of his bed and stood up to face the mural of a beautiful woman on the beach.

Wait! "MY MURAL" he yelled suddenly taken aback. Whipping around he saw the rest of his apart. I'm back he thought a brilliant 100 watt smile appearing on his now childlike face.

He stopped himself before he got too excited. How do I know I am really back and this isn't some amazing dream?? He paced back and forth for a moment lost in thought. Thats when he saw it. My phone of course…if I look onto my call list and Betty's number is there than I know I'm really back.

Walking toward his nightstand, where his cell phone sat in blissful ignorance, he couldn't ever remember a time when he was more nervous. Maybe on his first real date or when he asked Sofia to marry him. Then there was that time that Betty had quit and he wasn't sure if she was going to come back. I'm losing my train of thought he mumbled grabbing the phone and swallowing hard. Now or never…moment of truth. He flipped open the phone and clicked on calls he held his breath...it read…Friday 2:23 p.m. Betty. He let out a deep sigh, he was back.

For a moment he stood there in complete shock and amazement. Had it all been a dream? Had he really been here the whole time????? Contemplating this question for a minute he decided to check his cell one more time. He decided that if it said it was Saturday then it had all been a dream, but if it said Monday it was real…and he had to go to work.

For the first time in his life he actually prayed it was Monday, work day. He needed to see Betty, to talk to her. Regardless of if it was real or not they had a LOT to discuss.

Finally working up the courage he opened his phone. It read Monday 9:18 a.m. Crap he said mentally cursing himself. I'm late for work.

Thirty minutes later he was on the elevator thinking about how to approach Betty. What am I supposed to say to her? Fell into an alternate universe over the weekend and realized I'm in love with you… want to go out for drinks?...she would think I was drunk…or on drugs…or both. Maybe if I took a more strait forward approach. Betty can I see you in my office…could you get me a coffee and a bagel and if you have the time fall desperately and madly in love with me? He chuckled to himself at that one.

Just then he heard a ding. It was the elevator letting him know that he had arrived at his destination. He stepped out of the elevator and into MODE. Even the sophisticated white and orange walls of MODE that usually left him feeling slightly detached gave him a feeling of longing and nostalgia.

"Good morning, Amanda." He said with a cheery smile and wave.

Confused but delighted at being spoken to especially by Daniel she jumped up and waved.

As he walked the short distance down the hallway and towards his office and Betty's desk his heart reached an alarming pace. Breathe...just...breathe he told himself swallowing hard as the distance between him and his office grew unsettling short. He could see her now, Betty, sitting at her desk typing away on the computer with coffee and an untouched bagel, his bagel, nearby.

"Betty!" he yelled partially to get her attention and partially out of sheer happiness at seeing her there. Now he knew for sure he was home. She looked at him and smiled. A smile that made his heart melt with delight.

"Daniel, you're here. I got your coffee and bagel. Of course its probably cold now but I can heat it up if you want m…" she trailed off as he grabbed her quickly and yet gently pulled her into a warm hug. Confused but secretly delighted she let this continue for longer than necessary. People were starting to stare and Betty knew how rumors got started so she pulled away.

"Daniel what was that for?" she said turning an especially adorable shade of pink. Tickle-me-pink he decided. Maybe later...he thought a mischevious look appearing in his icy blue orbs.

"Just needed that." He responded with a smile.

"Okay…" she said trailing off at the end. She gave him her best what are you up to look and to her surprise he seemed unfazed.

"Betty can I see you in my office for a moment?" he said turning and walking into his office, his adorable assistant not far behind.

"Shut the door behind you." He said still not facing her. If he was going to do this he had to do it now. He walked over to the white couch in his office and took a seat.

"Daniel look before you say anything I want to say something." Betty said determinedly sitting close, make that extremely close to him on the couch.

"Okay…" he said her close proximity making his palms sweat.

"I'm really sorry about Friday." She said her generally powerful presence dwindling.

"Sorry? About what?" he questioned a look of sweet confusion on his handsome face.

"About…well you know Henry…he just…its hard to explain." She said looking at him with big brown eyes full of sadness. He took her hands in his. To his delight and hers they were a perfect fit.

"Betty, there is nothing to be sorry about…I understand. Its okay." He said looking at her with a look she couldn't read, which was odd she thought she knew all his looks.

"Anyway what did you want to tell me?" she questioned. Not realizing she was still holding his hand.

"Well it's a favor so…"

"Go ahead."

"I need you to meet me at my Dad's grave tonight around 6:00." He said fear apparent in his voice and eyes.

She didn't understand. It showed. "Why?"

"Look I know you're confused and it doesn't make much sense, but trust me it will. Just meet me there tonight. Please." Looking into his eyes so full of pleading and care she couldn't muster up a no.

"Of course I will." She smiled.

"Thank you Betty. You have no idea how much that means to me." He said smiling and standing up.

"Okay Daniel…how about that bagel and coffee now?" she questioned with a smile.

"That would be wonderful." He said flashing her a million dollar smile.

As Betty walked out of Daniels office she smiled to herself. When would he figure out that she was in love with him? When would he know that his smile could brighten her darkest days. Of course with Betty things never got to dark. Not to even mention his gorgeous icy blue eyes. God did she love those baby blues. And the way their shade changed with his mood. Just thinking about them made her sigh. She wondered how long she could go on being his friend. Not long she thought. It's too hard. I need him to know how I feel.

Little did Betty know as these thoughts rolled around in her mind that her boss was setting the scene for her to do just that.


Hope you all loved reading it as much as I loved writing it...please review...it makes my day!!!!