Title: "Como Fue"

Author: pineappleminivan.

Synopsis: A year later, Daniel reflects at Christmastime. A "what-if" soon to be made an Alternate Universe by new episodes.

Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Ugly Betty, I'm just borrowing the characters. If you find something in here you'd like for your own story, go for it; just credit me somewhere.

Quick Note/Apology: I can't believe the number of reviews I received for the first chapter of this story; thank you so very much! My absence from posting was not my own choosing, but in between finals, applying to law school, my mom having emergency surgery and the holidays, I guess picked the wrong time to post the first installment of the story. However, I will be posting the rest of the story this week, for sure. Thank you again for your patience! I hope to see the Ugly Betty Fandom grow here, and this is my contribution. Thank you again, everyone!

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The walk to his apartment was actually quite short in terms of distance, but to Daniel, it felt like forever. He thought of a million things to say, but his companions were not in the mood for joking about the gaudy decorations outside his building.

They walked in silence, with Justin and Hilda walking in front, while Daniel and Betty walked behind.

God, he thought to himself, I'm an idiot. He could have just called a cab. But he had wanted Betty to come and pick him up from the airport.

You just want her to save you again, he thought, berating himself. Can't you see that she's got her own problems, that she might need some help herself?

Daniel was lost in his thoughts and nearly walked past his own apartment. He was pulled out of his thoughts by Betty's hand on his shoulder. He sucked in a quick breath.

"Daniel, we're here," Betty said.

"Oh, right," Daniel said, trying to cover for his absent-mindedness. "Right."

They took the elevator up to his apartment, Justin marveling at the ornate decorations that filled the lobby. This managed to get a smile out of Betty and Hilda. And even better, Daniel did manage to find his own apartment and blocked the thoughts that were still nagging him.

He switched on all the lights, but his apartment, cold and minimalist, seemed stark in comparison to the warm reds, greens, and golds from the downstairs lobby.

Justin and Hilda waited on the couches, watching E! on the television; in the kitchen, Daniel and Betty called a taxicab.

"Wait," Betty said, "what service are you using?"

"Just the usual," Daniel said, confused. "Why?"

"We can't have anything too expensive," Betty said. "There's a couple good companies in the phone book, but I forget their numbers—"

"Betty, don't worry about it," Daniel said, "I've got you covered. I mean, you did drive me home—"

"Daniel, our car would have broken down anyways, and we don't need—" Betty snapped. She stopped and leaned against the counter. When she spoke again her voice was softer. "I mean, we don't need any more help than you've already given us. I mean, we're invading your space here, and—"

"No, really," Daniel said, becoming offended, "it's okay. Why won't you let me help?"

Betty turned away.

"Why start now," Betty said under her breath.

Daniel heard her. He was crushed. Unable to think, he robotically punched the number for the taxi service.

"They'll be here in ten minutes," Daniel said.

"Thanks," Betty said. "We'll wait downstairs."

Betty turned to leave the kitchen, and Daniel caught her by the arm. She tried to get away quickly, but Daniel held her fast. He didn't want to hurt her, and when she saw the look of fear jump across her face, he let her go. Betty sighed, as if in relief.

It killed Daniel inside.

"Betty, what's going on?" Daniel said.

"Nothing," she said, "there's nothing wrong."

"Look," Daniel said, "I know about your father, but maybe we can get a good lawyer, somebody my dad knows, and—"

"I said that we don't need your charity," Betty said, "just because we're not from your side of town—"

"But I want to help," Daniel said, "I mean, there's no hidden agenda here—"

Betty took Daniel's hand. "Look, Daniel, thank you, but we'll be fine."

"I'm serious Betty," Daniel said, protesting but finding it hard to concentrate when she was holding his hand. "You've been an amazing employee, and anything I can do to help—I'm serious Betty. No hidden agenda here."

Betty smiled, but still shook her head no, resolutely.

Of course there's a hidden agenda, you liar his own brain said, betraying him. You love her.

"Merry Christmas, Daniel" she said. Daniel's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't let go of his hand yet.

"Yeah," Daniel said quietly. Yeah? His brain said, Who says that? How about 'Merry Christmas Betty' or 'I love you, marry me?'

"It looks like there isn't going to be snow for Christmas this year—it's already the 20th and look," he said, looking out the window.

"You never know though," Betty said.

There was a long pause where Betty and Daniel stood as if frozen. The sound of the television drifted into the dark kitchen.

Kiss her, his brain said. The air became electric, and Daniel leaned towards Betty.

Who then slid out from under his gaze, lighting fast letting go of his hand and walking out of the kitchen.

"We'll wait downstairs," Betty said.

Daniel sucked in a breath, defeated.

"Great," Daniel said to the empty room.