Chapter Three

A/N: I've "rewritten" a small scene from Season 1 of Ugly Betty in this chapter. Hopefully you'll know it when you read it. Enjoy.

Thanks to everyone over at I-C…you are my inspiration!!!!

One week later….

Henry stared at his computer screen, trying vainly to make sense of the numbers in front of him. He had been back at Meade Publications for a week now, trying to settle in as Senior Accountant. Maddie had taken his attention every night after work which had been a blessing so he couldn't (or wouldn't) think about the woman and the revelation that had burned at him since he'd heard the words the previous week.

Betty….married……to GIO!!!!

Henry sighed and removed his glasses. He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache beginning there. He knew he had no right to be upset that Betty had moved on, no reason on earth to be jealous that Betty was now a happily married woman.

But he was.

And it hurt.

Henry had avoided Betty since her, or rather Gio's announcement. He threw himself into his work, only stopping for a quick lunch in the cafeteria when he knew Betty wouldn't be there. He hadn't seen anyone from his old days there except for Christina and Daniel.

He'd ran into Christina the second day of work. He had been leaving the cafeteria on his way back to his floor when she'd seen him. She had given him a hug and told him how glad she was to have him back. Both of them had been careful to avoid the subject of Betty and Henry had been glad. Henry had shown off his pictures of Maddie and Christina had beamed, exclaiming what a "little beauty" she was.

Daniel, on the other hand, had sought out Henry as soon as he'd come back. Daniel had stated the obvious, that Betty was married and seemed happy. Daniel had also subtly been fishing around to gauge Henry's reaction. Henry had shaken off his feelings and told Daniel that he was happy for Betty, and that her marriage and his arrival back would not cause any conflict for him and that should he have to see her, he would remain a professional at all times. Daniel had seemed relieved to hear that and promptly retreated back to his office. Henry had returned to work satisfied that he wouldn't have too much contact with Betty.

Until Maddie's request, that is.

Henry took a deep breath as he stood up and headed for the elevator. As he pushed the button to take him up to the MODE offices, he hoped that Betty would have some insight into this thing that Maddie wanted to go to.

Surely Betty would know what a Hannah Montana was…..

Meanwhile, the "happily married" Betty was upstairs in her small, semiprivate office working on a story for Daniel about single working parents. Semiprivate because Betty usually got interrupted at least 10 times a day by Amanda, wanting Betty to help her with something for Daniel or just to stop in and leave some sarcastic remark in her wake. Betty stopped trying to keep her door shut, because that usually made Amanda even more determined to come in and try and break her concentration. So Betty was surprised when she heard a light tapping on her office door. Betty looked over her glasses and smiled when she saw Henry standing in the doorway.

"Henry, Hi. What brings you up here?" Betty asked. Henry walked into her office and stood in front of her desk.

"Um, I need to ask you about something." Henry started, "Do you know anything about a Hannah Montana?" Betty laughed.

"She's that teenager that has the show on television. Gio's nieces love that show and she's supposed to be having some kind of concert here soon." Betty said.

"I know, Maddie's been driving me crazy wanting to go see it. Apparently even five year olds love her." Henry said.

"Yeah, she's pretty popular. So you need to get tickets?" Betty asked. Henry nodded.

"Let me write down the website for you. You can order tickets there." Betty said, "Are you going to take her?"

"I guess so. I'm really not up on what little girls like, but Maddie really wants to go see her and I heard that the show is good for all ages." Henry said. Betty found a piece of paper and jotted down the web address. As she handed the paper to Henry, their fingers brushed together. Betty looked at Henry. Henry grabbed the paper from her quickly and murmured his thanks.

As he turned to leave her office, Betty called out to him.

"Henry! I'm um…doing a story on single working parents. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about what it's like being a single parent and…" Betty trailed off as she saw Henry shake his head.

"I'm sorry Betty; I've got a lot of paperwork to do." Henry said shortly.

"Well how about lunch then?" Betty asked, "I've wanted to talk to you since the last time I saw you…." Henry cut her off abruptly.

"Betty, I can't go to lunch with you and I can't help you with your story. I can't be around you or Gio watching how wonderfully happy you are being married. It hurts too much and it's not good for me." Henry said forcefully. Betty swallowed hard.

"So where does that leave us?" Betty asked softly.

"As Senior Accountant and freelance writer." Henry said, trying to ignore the hurt on her face. He strode quickly to the door.

"Thanks for the information." He said, holding up the paper. Henry shut her door behind him as Betty folded her arms over her desk and cried.

TBC……………………….