Betty jumped up, startled as her sister and Alexis stumbled onto the patio. Daniel rolled his eyes, angry and annoyed at their timing.

He glared at Alexis, "What the hell do YOU want? Haven't you caused enough chaos today? You've just got to go around and keep screwing up everybody's lives? I swear, I wish you…"

Alexis looked at Daniel, her eyes red from drinking, but now full of emotion, "I knew you were just like him! Go ahead, say it, Danny. You wish I actually were dead, too, rather than being this freak, isn't that what you were going to say?"

"Don't put words in my mouth. That's not what I meant. But do you have ANY idea what the hell you put us all through? How could you do that? Mom has been completely destroyed. Me, too."

"Yeah, right! You said yourself, you were glad to finally get out from under my shadow, Daniel. You seemed pretty glad to me that you finally had good old Daddy to yourself."

"That's bullshit, Alex!. You have no idea the hell I've been through thinking I lost my only brother. And poor Mom just about lost her mind. God, you're so selfish! It's always all about you."

Betty and Hilda watched as Daniel and Alexis continued to argue. Hilda finally collapsed onto the table, looking ill. "I think I'm gonna puke! I hate Scotch! I don't know why I let her talk me into that stuff. She really drank me under the table! She may look like a lady, but she still drinks like a guy! Can you take me home?"

Betty nodded, putting her arm around her sister, "Sure. Let's go. I think they need to work this out by themselves, anyway. Come on, Sis."

Hilda gave her a drunken smile, "Thanks. You're a good sister, Betty. I'm sorry we interrupted you two. It uh…looked like Daniel was getting pretty friendly, huh?"

Betty looked back at Daniel, as he and Alexis were yelling at one another and nodded, "Yeah, friendly."

The next day, the press was in a frenzy around Mode. Betty was completely ambushed and ended up running into a pole as she tried to tell them "No comment!"

When she finally got into the building, she found Daniel, hard at work at his desk. "Hey, Daniel. How are you holding up?"

He shook his head, keeping it down, and hastily grabbing papers from his desk, "I called a meeting. I want everyone to know this isn't going to affect anything. I need to reassure everybody that just because my dad's in jail right now, things have to go on without him. We can't afford to look weak. As soon as I get done, I want to go see my dad and find out about getting him a lawyer. Maybe you could see if there are any criminal lawyers available that might take my dad's case?"

"Of course, Daniel. I'll get right on it." She started to leave, then turned to him, "Daniel?"

"Yeah?" he finally looked up at her. Betty could tell he was trying his best to hold it together and be the strong leader he knew the company needed right now.

"I know it doesn't seem like it at the moment. But…you will get through this, you know." She walked to him and pulled him down for a hug.

He sighed deeply, closing his eyes. "Thanks, Betty. I know. It's just…I feel lost with Dad in jail. And I don't know what's up with my mom. She called me early this morning and said she was taking Alex out shopping! Can you believe that?

Her husband was just arrested for murdering his mistress of twenty years and she decides it's time for girl bonding? What the hell is that? I'm worried she's going to start drinking again."

Betty smiled weakly, "Maybe she's just so relieved that her child isn't actually dead, you know? I wouldn't read too much into it, Daniel. Is there anything else I can do?"

He shook his head, trying to gather himself together again, "No, thanks Betty. I need to step up and do whatever it takes to rally the troops and keep things going. Listen, Betty about uh…us…" He held her hand and took a deep breath.

Betty shrugged slightly, "Daniel, it's fine. I know you've got so much on your plate right now. We don't have to talk about…"

He put his hand up to brush away a strand of hair, and kissed her forehead, "But that's just it, Betty. I want to talk about us. Thinking about you is the only thing that's keeping me from jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge right now. Promise me you'll go out with me tonight, okay?

Please? I don't blame you for taking off last night with me and Alex yelling at each other. I'm sorry about that. She just…gets under my skin so bad!"

Betty nodded, "I understand, Daniel. It was a shock to find out your brother wasn't dead, and …wasn't your brother anymore. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now."

He sighed, looking at her, "You're my little angel; you know that? I'd be lost without you. So…tonight, then? Uh…do you think your sister will let me pick you up and take you out without having me arrested?"

Betty laughed, rolling her eyes, "I think I can sneak out without her noticing. She's still hungover from getting drunk with your sister."

He smiled and ran his hand down Betty's arm, "Great. I'll pick you up at eight, then? Dress casually. I want to take you somewhere…fun."

"Sounds great. Casual. Are jeans okay?"

"Perfect." He leaned forward and pulled Betty closer to him. He held her face in his hands and slowly brushed her lips with his. After only a few moments, he slid his arms around her waist and deepened the kiss.

"Ahem…sorry to interrupt, but we need to talk, Daniel. Hello, young lady. I assume you're the Betty I've heard so much about?"

Daniel and Betty pulled apart, and saw Claire Meade coming into Daniel's office, carrying bags of clothing. Alexis came in behind her mother, smiling.

"What is SHE doing here, Mom? Look, I don't have time for another argument. I've got the staff waiting for me now to try and clean up the mess you made having Dad arrested."

"Oh, and you were talking to them through Betty's mouth?" Alexis rolled her eyes, laughing.

Claire put down her bags and extended her hand to Betty, "Hello, dear. I'm Claire Meade, Daniel and Alexis's mother. Pleased to meet you. Alexis has told me what a good influence you've been on my son. I'm so happy to hear he's finally met a nice girl."

Betty shook Claire's hand warmly, "Thank you, Mrs. Meade. It's a pleasure to meet you, too. I'm so sorry about your husband."

Claire went about taking out some of the clothing and putting it up to Alexis, "He didn't kill that woman. I'm not worried. Oh, darling, with your boobs this will look fabulous!"

Daniel made a face, "Mom, could we not talk about…boobs, please? Do me a favor and don't use that word around me. What is it you have to talk about, anyway? I need to go in and conduct the meeting. I'm already late."

"You and Alexis should go in together, Daniel. You both will be in charge of Mode."

"I don't think so, Mom. Dad was about to make the announcement at the end of Fashion Week that he was promoting me, actually. Before SHE had him arrested, that is."

"SHE is your sister, Daniel and your father may control Meade Publishing as a whole, but I own Mode, remember? And I want my two children to find a way to work together!"

Daniel looked shocked, "You're kidding, right? There's no way I'm working with her! Besides, I know how that would go. Alex, you never shared anything in your life and you know it!

And I happen to know what you were planning. I hear you've been scheming to try and get rid of me and put Wilhelmina Slater in as the Editor-in-chief!"

"Where did you hear that?" Alexis narrowed her eyes and looked straight at Betty.

Betty stood her ground, "You may not remember, but you told my sister yesterday."

Alexis laughed, "Oh, right. I should know better than to drink on an empty stomach. Look, Daniel, I admit, that's what I had planned all this time. But…that was before I talked to Mom and saw how much you've changed. I know you're still mad at me. I don't blame you.

And I don't expect us to be…chummy right away. But, Mom has a point. No matter what Dad did to me, you're not him. I see that now. Seeing you with Betty and hearing how you've at least tried to step up at Mode to do a good job for a change instead of just partying with Becks and whoring around like usual has me convinced that maybe we could…try to work together like Mom wants us to. I'm willing to give it a chance, if you are, Daniel. Hopefully, you really have changed for the better."

Betty saw the tension between Daniel and Alexis and tried to intervene, "You of all people should understand how people CAN change, Alexis. Yes, he has changed for the better. Daniel has worked really hard to become a good Editor-in-chief. He's done a great job, too."

Alexis smiled, "Looks like you've got your own little fan club here, Danny. Tell me Betty, is that just because my brother is such a good kisser?"

Betty blushed, "My relationship with Daniel has nothing to do with how capable he is. In fact, we've just been friends until very recently."

Daniel ignored Alexis' comments about he and Betty, "What about Wilhelmina? What are you going to tell her?"

"She could…still run Mode. You and I could split up the rest of the business. It's a huge company. There's still plenty to do, Daniel."

"So, just give her Mode?"

"Isn't that what you had in mind, anyway? Look, we can each get our own offices. Believe me, you can have Dad's old office. I don't want it."

"You do know Dad's coming back, right?"

Alexis shrugged, sitting in Daniel's chair and swiveling it around, "We'll see. I think that depends on the trial, don't you?"

"Where are you off to?" Ignacio asked Betty. "I made empinadas. Walter's coming over soon."

Betty took an empanada from the plate her father was tempting her with, and grabbed it, but shook her head, and waved her other hand, "Why is he still coming over? I told him a hundred times, I'm NOT taking him back! He can keep trying to give me batteries and discount things from ProBuy all he wants; that still doesn't make up for him cheating on me!"

Hilda nodded, as she came down the stairs, "No, it doesn't. Papi, I think Betty's right. We need to put a stop to Walter trying to worm his way back to Betty through us. I know you are too polite to tell the guy to get lost, so why don't you let me do it?"

Betty smiled at her sister, "You will? Thanks, Hilda."

She nodded, grinning and shrugged as she grabbed an empanada off the plate, "Hey, don't worry about it. That's what sisters are for, right? So, where is Daniel taking you? Nowhere too fancy, I hope. They'll kick you out." Hilda motioned at Betty's tee shirt and jeans.

Betty shook her head, "I don't know for sure. He didn't say. He just said to dress casually, because we were doing something fun."

Hilda raised her eyebrow, "Hmmm... casual, huh? I don't know, Betty. With his kind of fun, are you sure he didn't mean naked?"

"I heard that! Father in the house!" Ignacio yelled from the kitchen.

Justin complained, "Me, too! Please! I'm trying to watch Fashion News here. They're talking about Bradford Meade's arrest again. I can't believe I was actually there to see it! Aunt Betty, when can I go back to Mode with you?"

Hilda shook her head, as she walked into the kitchen, "Justin, most of those women are skinny, crazy people who stick their fingers down their throats to stay skinny and crazy. Don't idolize them too much!"

Justin jumped up, "Daniel's here, Aunt Betty!" He seemed almost more excited than Betty as he answered the door to usher Daniel inside.

"Hey, Justin!" Daniel high-fived Betty's nephew, who just blinked. "Hi, Daniel. Betty's ready, I guess. I didn't dress her this time."

He looked at Daniel, who was also dressed casually. Justin frowned, "You're not taking her to a square dance, are you?"

Daniel laughed, "No. It's a surprise, though. Hey. You look...great." Daniel smiled as he saw Betty, in her well-fitting jeans and tee shirt, looking young and beautiful.

"You KNOW I know where you live, Daniel!" Hilda teased.

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief, "Wow, that was actually not as bad as I was afraid it was going to be. I pictured your dad and Hilda both yelling at me. What changed Hilda's mind?"

Betty shrugged, "I'm not sure. I'm wondering if your sister said something to her."

"Alexis...saying something positive about me? I doubt that."

Betty shook her head, "Well, I was as surprised as you were that Hilda seemed to be so supportive about you and I going out. She even told me she was going to get rid of Walter for me!"

Daniel grinned and squeezed her hand, kissing it as they got into the car, "Good! Now if I can keep that goofy Henry from accounting away from you."

Betty rolled her eyes, "He's not as persistent as Walter. He only asked me out a few times after our disastrous sushi date.

Besides, I heard he got back together with his ex. Some girl with a guy's name he knew from Nevada or Texas, I think. Wherever he's from...I want to say, New Mexico?"

Daniel shrugged, "Beats me. So...I got rid of the competition, huh? Good, maybe I can actually kiss you without getting interrupted constantly."

He scooted closer to her as Betty drew in a breath, her heart beating fast as he continued to close the distance between them.

She smiled, "Well, I think my old orthodontist sort of had a crush on me. He kept staring at me with a goofy look on his face and blowing me with the spit sucking thing."

Daniel laughed, "Good thing you got a woman now. Or I'd have to go kick his ass, too! I want you all to myself. Are you over your little crush on Becks?"

Betty blushed, and smiled, "Daniel...I never really had all that much of a crush on him. I was just acting like I did to...make you jealous, mostly."

He put his arm around her, "Oh, really? Well...it worked. I was. I'm a very jealous guy, you know."

"I've noticed. What about you, Mister? Are you done going through the alphabet of single women in New York yet?" She raised her eyebrows, challenging him.

He made a face, "Touche, Betty. I have no defense. That was old Daniel, though. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. That's not who I am anymore. At least...I'd like to think I'm not that Daniel now. You've changed me into a better man. Hopefully, one that deserves a woman like you."

Betty bit her lip, as he held his lips just next to hers, "That's really sweet of you to say, Daniel. Thank you."

"I mean it, Betty. You're incredible. You're so sexy. And sweet, and kind..." he began kissing her face, as he stroked it with one hand, pulling her closer to him with his other arm. "...and smart, and clever...and funny."

"Mmm...Daniel! That...tickles!" She giggled as he nuzzled her neck. But then, he found a spot that didn't just tickle and as he worked his way back to her lips, she found herself like so much putty in his hands. Very talented hands, it seemed.

After several minutes the driver tactfully slid the window down, and announced quietly, "So sorry to disturb, Mr. Meade. But we've arrived."

Daniel reluctantly pulled away, smiling as he looked into Betty's eyes and saw his whole life flash before him. He saw the man he had been, shallow and selfish, only out for a good time.

Someone who didn't think anyone cared about him and didn't know any better than to use women and throw them away, carelessly.

But in the months since Betty came crashing into his life, he had changed. He finally felt like someone cared if he lived or died. Someone saw something valuable in him and actually looked up to him as something more than a famous face, or a rich guy to 'hook' or a good time in bed.

Betty valued him and it made him start to value himself for the first time in his life. He began to see himself through her eyes, and to actually see the other people around him, too.

He in turn, valued her and her opinion. She didn't look like every other girl he was used to, perhaps. But that didn't mean she wasn't beautiful.

She had opened his eyes to her way of NOT judging a 'book by its cover' and it had made him happier than he had ever been. This woman...had made him a better man, and he knew it.

Not only that, he loved how she looked at him, how he felt strong and powerful when he held her in his arms. She was enticing and her wonder and excitement at all he had shared with her was contagious. He saw everything through new eyes, thanks to Betty.

She looked at him, trying to read his expression, "What's wrong?"

He shook his head, smiling widely, as he stroked her face "Nothing. Nothing at all. I was just thinking. How much I love y...love how you make me feel, that's all. You're so cute. You get me excited about the silliest things. Things I haven't done, or even thought about. So...I thought tonight for our first 'official date' we would each teach each other something we know.

First, I'm going to teach you something I know how to do pretty well. I'm going to teach you how to hit a baseball. Then, well, I have something lined up for you to teach me."

Betty looked up at the Yankees stadium. "How did you arrange this?"

He shrugged, "It's off season. I made a few calls. We have an hour and a half. That should be enough time for me to teach you how to hit a ball, anyway. You told me you never got picked in school because you were afraid of the ball.

I always liked baseball. I think I can at least get you to second base. If not all the way home. We'll see how quickly you pick it up. But I'm a pretty good teacher. I'm very patient. Then, I have something else lined up for you to teach me. Something you're good at."

Betty looked at him, curiously, "Is this a metaphor? Or are you serious?"

He smirked, "Hey, if I wanted to 'score' that way, I would have kept you in the car all night, Betty. Come on, girl. Let me teach you what I know."

She laughed as he helped her out of the car, "That's what I'm afraid of!"

"All right. I may have a dirty mind, but I swear, my intentions are pure here. I am actually going to play baseball with you, okay? No making out behind the bleachers. Although, if you're up for it later, I suppose we could go up to the box seat suite Meade has up there." He teased.

Betty hit his arm, "Very funny, Daniel."

He raised his eyebrows, "You think I'm kidding? I may have changed, but not THAT much, Betty."

She shook her head, and pulled him towards the stadium, where they were ushered quietly inside by a man who seemed intent on pleasing Daniel, "Here we go, Mr. Meade. You know the deal. You get two hours. We get our ad space."

Daniel nodded, and smiled, "You'll get your full page, Jeff. Thanks! This is great! Don't worry, we'll be out of here quickly. I don't want you to get in trouble."

"Thanks. I'll make sure and lock up when you leave. Just give me a call when you're done. Enjoy!" He handed Daniel two Yankee caps, two shirts, and a bat, glove and baseball.

Betty bit her lip in excitement, "Daniel…this is amazing! I can't believe you really went to all this trouble for me!"

He frowned, handing her the bat, and shirt, and placing the cap on her head, "Why not for you? You don't think you deserve a little special treatment once in a while, Betty? I know I didn't get you much for Christmas and I never got you flowers. I just wanted to make you see that you can do anything you set your mind to. Because you always do that for me. You make me feel like I can do anything."

"But, Daniel. You're...you. You're Daniel Meade. You know people who know people who could take a date to Yankee Stadium, for goodness sakes! And whatever else you have in mind for us tonight! You're a millionaire and you have connections. You CAN do anything."

"Money isn't everything, Betty. You of all people should know that. You're the one who taught me that. You shared your family with me at Christmas. I got to decorate the tree with them and I hadn't ever really done that before. I got to see how a real family spends the holidays together.

Plus, you never let not having money slow you down or keep you from having dreams. So...I'm going to help you at least not be afraid, okay? Here, put on the shirt, so you look official."

He grinned at how big the shirt was on her, and he walked to her, then tied it in a knot in front, then tipped up her chin to give her a kiss as he placed the cap on her, then smacked her bottom, "Cute!"

They walked down to the field, looking around. Betty shook her head, "Wow! I feel so small here. This is...really intimidating!"

He nodded, shoving the cap on his head further, "Yep. Exactly, Betty. Just think, once you hit a ball here, you can say you've done something only major league ballplayers get to do, hit a ball at Yankee Stadium! Then, in comparison, any other field is going to seem easy, right?"

She smiled and nodded, swinging the bat around. "Right!"

He laughed at her and came around behind her, wrapping his arms around her and guiding her arms to hold the bat in the right position. "Don't choke up on the bat. Hold it a little looser. It should feel like an extension of your arms. And let's get your hips positioned, square off on the plate, like this."

He moved her hips in place, then pointed to the pitcher's mound, "Okay, I'm going to go pitch to you. Nice and easy at first, then once you get the hang of it I'll make them a little faster. Remember, NEVER take your eye off the ball. Even if you're tempted to look at me."

She rolled her eyes, "Of course, Daniel. I got it, keep my eyes on the ball at all times."

He grinned and patted her bottom as he picked up the ball and glove, "You look adorable, by the way. I should have brought my camera."

She shook her head, and tried to stand as he had shown her, while he walked to the mound. He yelled out, "Stick your butt out more."

She gave him a dirty look, "Why?"

He laughed, "Because it's cute, why do you think? No, seriously, it'll help you hit the ball. I promise!"