Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Ugly Betty characters or rights to the show.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in forever. I stay busy. Those of you who are still reading and reviewing this story, it means a LOT to me : ) I said before this was unlike any story I've written and Daniel and Betty may seem a bit out of character at times, but hopefully you'll enjoy it. Okay, on with chapter TWO!

Betty's thoughts in Italics

Betty had gone back to Chicago, wanting to focus on her new engagement and work…anything to get her mind off of the intruding, persistent thoughts of Daniel.Why'd I have to kiss him back? Why couldn't I just push him away? She knew the answer to her own question…she just wasn't ready to deal with it.

Things had been fine the first few weeks back. Being back at work meant keeping busy. The busier she was, the less time she had to think about him…about the way he made her feel. And that was a good thing. For the most part. Then came the phone call.

"Betty, there's a call for you on line two. It's some representative from Mode," her assistant Lauren poked her head in the door.

"Mode?" Betty asked herself quietly, hesitantly picking up the receiver and pushing the button. "This is Betty Suarez…"

"Why hello Ms. Suarez." She paused when she heard his voice. "Daniel. Hi." She gripped the phone with her hand, noticing her stomach was doing flip flops.

"How are you?" She heard him ask. "I'm…I'm fine. You?" Betty wondered how her attempt to sound nonchalant was being perceived by Daniel. "I'm…okay." He'd said it simply enough, but she knew the tone of his voice too well to believe it. "Good," Betty replied, nervously twirling the phone cord around her index finger.

"You surely are hard to catch nowadays," he commented. "Oh…well. I've just been, you know…pretty preoccupied since I've gotten back," she said, knowing he was referring to the two messages he'd left on her cell phone.

"Right. Life can be hectic at times. Well, I know you probably want to get back to what you're doing…" Not so much… "I just, the reason I called-besides getting to hear your voice-" Daniel, please don't say things like that…"there's an up and coming designer, Harper James, he's got a fashion show in Chicago next Saturday and I'm flying in to check out what he has to offer. I was planning on going alone, but…I figured you might be interested in coming with me. Maybe you'd like to write an article on him…or something."

Betty put her head to her forehead. She'd totally forgotten about the show. "Of course I want to go! I was trying to get tickets last month, but they'd already been given out to all the major, big-time fashion magazines. Wow, Daniel…thanks for thinking of me," she told him appreciatively.

"I always think about - it's no problem, Betty. Really," he quickly fixed what he was about to say, unknowingly making her blush on the other end. "Maybe you can show me around Chicago. I've only been once and it wasn't for too long," Daniel suggested.

"Sure, yeah. I can do that. Umm…when are you flying in and where are you staying?" she asked, grabbing the nearest pen and paper. "Umm…Friday evening around 6 and I'll be at the W," he said.

"Alright…great. I'll see you on Friday then," Betty said enthusiastically, feeling very giddy at the thought of seeing him. "Okay. Great. Take care."

"You too. Bye," she placed the phone back on the receiver, letting out a content sigh and leaning back in her chair. Daniel's so sweet sometimes. Well…all of the time… "What are you cheesin' about?" her assistant brought some folders to her. "Huh? It's nothing," Betty waved it off. "If you say so. But no one smiles like that for nothing," Lauren grinned, handing her the folders.

-

The following Friday had come quickly, and before she knew it, she was on her way out the office and headed to Daniel's hotel. Her fiancée was out of town on a business trip, so she didn't have to worry about explaining why her ex-boss had gone out of his way to let her see a fashion show. 'Of course it was a friendly gesture,' Betty told herself, but didn't want him to think otherwise. She definitely didn't need her thoughts drifting to the 'otherwise'. Betty sat in one of the colorful, plush sofas in the lobby and took in the interior design of the hotel.

"Hey stranger," she felt strong hands grip her shoulders and tried to brush off the shock that ran through her. "Hey," she smiled, and turned in her seat, standing up to greet him. He tentatively wrapped his arms around her. It was a brief hug, but long enough to make Betty's heart beat faster. They pulled away from each other, his blue eyes meeting her brown as they had so many times before.

"So…you ready to see a little of Chicago? I'm sure you're hungry," Betty broke the silence. He nodded and smiled at her. "Of course, let's go." He grabbed her coat, grazing her shoulder as he helped her into it. She tensed momentarily when the chill went down her spine. It's just Daniel, Betty. Your friend- Daniel. Just breathe. Betty smiled thankfully, clutching her purse and leading him out of the hotel.

-

"Whew…it's cold," Betty stuffed her gloved hands in her pockets, giving Daniel a sideways glance. She caught his deep blue eyes on her again, as she had a few times earlier that evening. He quickly turned his gaze back in front of him. "I know…it'll be nice to get back inside. Not that I haven't thoroughly enjoyed my tour guide," Daniel grinned down at her and bumped her shoulder playfully, making her laugh.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the mini-tour…and I won't take offense to the fact you can't handle a little cold weather," Betty joked with him. "Hey…I'm from New York…I can handle it! We were just…outside longer than I expected is all," Daniel said, acting offended. "I'll just take your word for it," she replied, watching him shake his head and grin. She'd missed this. The two of them…laughing, joking with each other. Just being Daniel and Betty. It was nice.

"Mr. Meade," the doorman snapped Betty out of her thoughts as they reached the hotel. "Good evening," Daniel replied, touching the small of Betty's back to lead her through the open door of the lobby."You wanna come up for a second? You have to see the view," he asked, motioning toward the elevators.

Maybe it was the fact that she knew her fiancée was out of town. Or maybe she'd missed him and wanted a few more minutes alone. Maybe it was the glass of wine she'd had at dinner. But against her better judgment, she replied simply, "sure."

"Here we are," he unlocked the door, holding it open for her. "Wow…this is…" Betty trailed off as her eyes surveyed the spectacular room. Well…suite. It was on the top floor of the hotel with large windows overlooking the city. "I knew you'd be speechless," Daniel watched her amused, hanging his coat up. "Here, let me take your coat," he helped her out of it. "Oh…thanks." Her eyes followed him to the closet where he carefully put her coat beside his. She forced herself to look away before he turned around and made her way over to the window.

"Wow. You can see just about everywhere we went from here," she observed. Daniel walked over to her, leaning against the window. "Just about," he commented. "Nothing compares to home, but…it sure is beautiful," Betty said thoughtfully.

She felt his eyes on her again, only this time when she turned toward him, he didn't avert his gaze. "You're beautiful." He said, his voice above a whisper as he brought his hand to her cool cheek. She let out a sigh when he touched her, and she moved back slightly. "Daniel…don't do this," she said softly, the intensity of his crystal blue eyes making it nearly impossible for her to look away.

"Don't do what? You are beautiful," he said honestly. Why does he have to make things so difficult? "No…it's not that. It's…nevermind. I should go," she made a move toward the closet.

"I can't do this," Daniel let out an exasperated sigh. She turned around, crossing her arms over her blouse. "You can't do what?"

"I'm in love with you, Betty. I can't pretend I'm not anymore," he admitted, walking closer to her. "And I know you love me too." Betty felt her heartbeat thumping in her ears. Why can't I move? "No. I'm- I'm engaged Daniel." She had wanted her voice to sound forceful and angry, but what had come out was quiet and vulnerable.

"Where's your ring?" he asked, grabbing her hand. "It's…not any of your business, but I forgot to put it on this morning! Okay?" Betty jerked it away, feeling angry tears rushing to her eyes. "You're not wearing it because you don't love him. You're as in love with me as I am with you," Daniel said calmly, grabbing her shoulders.

"Daniel…" she put up a weak protest. "I bet he doesn't even know you're here," he said, knowing he'd hit the nail on the head when he caught her eyes. "If you don't feel anything for me, then why doesn't this fiancée of yours know where you are?"

"Look, I'm…I'm not in love with you. There. I said it. Now let go of me." Betty looked up into his blue eyes. He released the hold he had on her, grinning slightly and shaking his head. "You're still a terrible liar."

Betty frowned, catching both of them of guard when she gave him a forceful shove to the chest. "Hey! Oh you're mad at me now?"

"How dare you!" she raised her voice, pushing him again. "How dare I what? Love you? Be honest about my feelings? At least one of us is!" she'd backed him into the wall.

"Fine, Daniel! I'm in love with you, okay? I. Love. You! Are you happy now?" she threw her arms up in frustration, tears rimming her chocolate eyes. She heard him let out a sigh, trying to read his eyes in the dimly lit room. Daniel leaned against the wall, admiring how the lights from the city hit her face in just the right way. She really was breathtaking.

"What?" Betty asked after a few moments of silence.

Daniel stood upright and took her face in his hands. He brought his lips to hers, and kissed her fervently. Betty responded to his advances, pressing herself up against his well-chiseled body. Chills reverberated down her spine as Daniel's hands slowly traced her every curve. Betty put her hands on his chest, pulling herself away to catch her breath.

She stared up at him, his blue orbs asking her an unspoken question. Once again, against her better judgment but not against her every want and need, she tugged at his belt and pulled him closer to her once more. She felt herself being lifted off the ground and laid on the soft mattress of the deluxe suite. They slowly helped each other undress, barely breaking a kiss as they did so. Daniel opened his eyes, moving slightly so his lips were just inches from hers. "I love you…" he whispered, tenderly crashing his lips down on hers once again. Betty pulled him close as he began to make love to her, any previous thoughts or doubts dwindling as night gave way to dawn.

- - -

Betty's eyes fluttered open, the early morning sun rays filtering in through the large windows on the other side of the room. She glanced to her left- Daniel's left arm was draped over her midsection, his light snores the only noise in the suite. She sat up slowly, rubbing her temples. How could I have done this? This isn't right…

Betty reached toward the nightstand, putting her glasses on and glancing at the clock. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, grabbing one of the small sheets to cover herself up. Her eyes scanned the strewn clothes on the floor in search of her undergarments. She retrieved them, quietly going to the bathroom to get dressed.

She opened the door after a few minutes, nearly jumping out of her skin when she saw a wide-awake Daniel sitting on the edge of the bed. Betty glanced away, buttoning her blouse. "Why're you leaving?" his eyes were a little red, likely from the lack of sleep.

"I… I should really go, Daniel," Betty tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, walking into the other room to find her heels. "This shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't be here," she shook her head.

"But it did happen…and you are here. This is where you're supposed to be," Daniel said, moving closer to her as he had the night before. Betty finally managed to slip on her heels. "No…I'm engaged. This isn't-"

"You just told me you love me and I'm supposed to think the fact that you're engaged means something now?" he interrupted her. "I love both of you! I can't help the way I feel Daniel!" tears started rolling down her cheeks. She turned toward the closet, slipping her coat back on.

"Betty…wait. Don't go," he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. "Just stay with me. Please." His blue eyes were so full of emotion…Betty couldn't bear to look at him anymore. "I'm sorry... I have to," she cried, pulling away from him and trying to ignore the pain in her heart as she closed the door behind her.

Do you think Betty made it down the hall? How can you say no to those puppy-dog blue eyes of our sexy editor in chief? HEHEHE...

A/N: I know, a little dramatic, but Ugly Betty is based on a telenovela, so I can get away with it. True, our beloved characters would never knowingly cheat on someone and Daniel probably wouldn't be THAT forward with his feelings, but IT COULD HAPPEN it was begging to be written. So please do tell me if you hate it or love it. Thanks!

Next chapter will be up around my spring break during the second week of March. It may be sooner but that's free time I know I'll have.