A/N: I can't believe that I'm on my 11th oneshot! Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments and encouragement. Special thanks to TMadison who went and reviewed every single chapter all at once. More Daniel and Betty. Enjoy!
Timeline: 2x09 Giving Up The Ghost
Disclaimer: Daniel can watch clouds, I would just watch Daniel. Wait. I think this is the part where I tell you I don't own anything. I don't own anything.
Cloud Watching
"Morning!" Betty chirped, dropping a danish and a coffee onto Daniel's desk.
She frowned when Daniel barely acknowledged her presence.
"Daniel…"
Glancing down, Betty caught the corner of the simple matte cover in Daniel's grasp.
"Do you want to talk about it?" she tested cautiously.
"Not really."
He looked at the magazine and gently ran his fingers across the silver letters. Impulsively, Betty reached across his desk and grabbed his phone. As usual her call went straight to voicemail.
"Hey Amanda, it's Betty. If anyone asks, Daniel took a personal day. Thanks!"
Betty hung up before dialing another number.
"What are you…"
Silencing him with a finger, Betty returned her attention to her call.
"Hi, yes, this is Betty Suarez. Can I request a car for Daniel Meade please?"
"Sure thing, Miss Suarez, there will be one waiting out front in two minutes."
"Thank you."
Replacing the receiver, Betty stood up and pulled Daniel to his feet.
"Where are we going?" he demanded.
"Out," she answered curtly.
"Betty, I can't do that. We have an editorial meeting in half an hour."
"Alexis can handle it."
Daniel could only gape at her as she literally dragged him out of the building.
"Where are you taking me?"
Betty continued to ignore his questions until their driver opened the door to the town car.
"Hey Nate!" Betty greeted.
"Morning, Miss Suarez, Mr. Meade. Where are we heading today?"
"Riverside Park."
Sliding in beside Daniel, Betty held out the danish in front of his face.
"I can't believe you're kidnapping me and taking me to a park," he muttered irritably.
"You need a break. I thought this would help you clear your mind."
Daniel looked annoyed with Betty's impromptu field trip but she wasn't deterred. The two remained silent for the rest of the drive until they reached their destination.
"We're here!" she announced cheerily.
Her smile faltered. Daniel remained motionless in his seat as he stared out the window.
"When we were little, Dad used to take me and Alex here. We'd spend hours lying on the grass and watching the clouds. Then one day, we just stopped coming."
"Your dad loved you, Daniel. He may not have shown it but he did love you in the only way he could."
"I wish it was enough."
"You know, we could go back if you want. This was a stupid idea anyway."
"No, it wasn't stupid. You always seem to know exactly what I need."
Betty visibly brightened. He smiled softly at her as they both got out of the car.
"So, what do you want to do?"
Finally taking the danish from her, Daniel broke off a sizeable chunk before popping it in his mouth.
"I was thinking we could just lie on the grass, watch some clouds."
Most of what he said was garbled but Betty managed to get the gist of it. She wrapped her arm around his as she grinned affectionately at him.
"I like the sound of that."
Fin for now, Detty forever
