Thank you, for all the great feed-back
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday passed by. Daniel and Betty still weren't speaking, if one need to convey something to the other, they used Amanda or Marc. Now it was Friday, and Daniel knew he couldn't ignore her. Today was the big interview and they would be doing it, together. Ever since his talk with Becks, Daniel thought about talking to her. But every time he went to speak to her, she was busy, or talking to someone else, or going to lunch with Becks. The days passed and before he knew it, they'd gone a almost a week, with utter only a few words to each other. He checked her blog everyday, for anything, any tidbit of what's she's thinking. Her blog didn't help him, he knew it would be awkward sitting next to her, working together. He never felt so lost, not when his father died, not when Alex died and came back, or even when Molly died, yet no one was dead. Trying to keep his mind off her, he threw himself into work, he researched Victor Dominguez and Christina Santos. He saw every film and read every article, he was ready. He just wasn't ready to see her.
Betty was a wreck, this was the interview of a lifetime. She wanted it to be different from everything else. She prepared two folders of questions, one was for her, the other for Daniel. She prepared one for him, just in case he didn't have time to do so himself. She wasn't sure how it was going to be working with him, since they haven't spoken. She just wanted to make it through the day, without any drama. She thought about what Becks told her, if she ever changed her mind, he'd be there. She tried, she really did. I'm just not ready for anything, with anyone, she kept telling herself. But the truth was, the fight with Daniel was taking affect on her. She attempted to speak to him many times and he ignored her. Then she saw him with Sandy, at the fundraiser. That was the icing on the cake, he did exactly what she told him she was afraid of. He ran, things got messy and he ran, ran to another woman. Betty wanted more for herself, she wasn't going to live that life.
Betty and Daniel made it to the shoot at the same time. They noticed that Marc was in his element, and he was good.
"So... I... uh have an extra set of questions if you need them, I know you've been busy." Betty said
"Thanks, but I have all my questions done." He said finally looking at her.
She gave him a weak smile, that made him realize how hard this was going to be.
Victor and Cristina walked up to them.
"Betty, so nice to see you again. Daniel, you too. This is Cristina, Betty, Daniel." He motioned towards them.
"Very nice to meet you." Cristina said, shaking their hands.
"I'm a big fan, I've seen all your films." Betty said.
"I'm so happy to hear that." She told Betty, as she turned to Daniel to ask.
"Are you a fan Mr. Meade?" she asked him.
"Yes, I am." Is all Daniel said. He felt a very flirtatious vibe from Cristina. He didn't want Betty to think he was remotely interested.
"So Betty, I take it your interviewing me and Daniel, Cristina." Victor asked her.
"Yes-" Betty started to say but Daniel cut her off.
"Actually, I was thinking, Betty can interview Cristina and I'll interview you." He told Victor. Victor started to laugh.
"I'm sorry Daniel, but that doesn't work for me. You see Betty and I have already built a rapport, I feel comfortable speaking to her. Anyhow, I'm sure Cristina prefers you." He said
"Your right." Cristina replied.
Feeling the tension Betty decided to step in, she didn't know what Daniel's problem was.
"Well, why don't we sit and start with the joined interview. Then we'll go and finish the personals." Betty suggested.
"Before we start, I'm curious. Are you seeing anyone?" Victor asked Betty.
"No-" "Yes-" Betty and Daniel said simultaneously.
Victor looked at them both somewhat confused.
"Well her boyfriend is in Africa." Daniel said, trying to cover up his slip.
"Ah, but are you still together?" He asked Betty.
"No, we decided to part ways." She said.
"I think we should start." Daniel cut in, he was sure Victor was going to ask out Betty. How was he ever to fix things if people kept getting in the way. Cristina kept looking at him suggestively, he wasn't looking forward to the second part of the interview.
About twenty minutes later, the group broke up into two, for the personal part of the interview.
Betty was having a great time, Victor was very funny and charming. Her mind kept wandering to Daniel, was he doing the interview or Cristina? She shouldn't care, but she did. She saw the chemistry between them, she tried to focus on Victor.
Daniel was trying to get through the interview, but Cristina made it hard. She was being flirty, she kept touching him, and she would answer all his questions suggestively. He kept thinking of Betty and Victor. He asked her if she was single, infront of them all. Why? Was he gonna ask her out? He hoped Betty would say no. Daniel finally made it through his last question. He got up shook Cristina's hand and was about to leave, but she grabbed his arm.
"Daniel, would you like to take me to dinner?" She asked him.
"Cristina, normally I would love to. But I just can't, it was very nice meeting you." He told her.
"You too, good luck with her." She said
Daniel walked away, was everyone privy to his feelings? Everyone except Betty, he'd never met a more thick headed woman. How couldn't she see how he felt? Everyone else did, he had to talk to her, he couldn't keep putting off.
Betty's interview was a success, she had more in common with Victor than she thought.
"You know, I was going to invite you out. But I see you have some unfinished business, with Daniel." he said to her.
"Am I that obvious?" She asked.
"No, not at all, but he is."
"Daniel?" Betty asked.
"You seemed surprised? Come now, your a smart woman, surely you see it."
"I'm sure he's making plans with Cristina right now." Is all she said.
"Don't sell yourself short, I'm sure he isn't. Didn't you see the way he said you had a boyfriend, he didn't like my asking. He felt threatened."
"Maybe. I don't know, well I must be going. Let me just say, Thank you. Meeting you guys was amazing, and a dream come true." she said.
"Likewise."
Betty walked out to find Daniel, sitting down waiting for her.
"Hey Daniel." His head snapped up.
"Betty. Hey, I'm hungry, wanna get some lunch?" He asked, crossing his fingers.
Betty knew they needed to talk, she couldn't avoid it.
"Sure." is all she said.
They sat at a near by Japanese restaurant. After ordering their food, Daniel decided to break the ice.
"So, how was your interview?" He asked her.
"It was wonderful, I had such a good time. Thank you, for giving me the assignment." she said.
"You deserved it. Are you going to see Victor again?" He asked nonchalantly.
"I hope so, one day. We got along really well." She said, in the moment not realizing what he was really asking.
"I see."
"What about you and Cristina? She seemed to really like you, are you taking her out?"
"No. Not interested, she invited me... but I didn't want to." He said looking at her.
"Oh, OK." So Victor was right, he turned her down.
"Why did you say no?" Betty asked.
"Come on Betty, you know why."
"No, I don't. How can I, when you haven't told me." Betty knew what he was saying, but she was tired of having to fill in the blanks.
"You." Is all he said, he felt his pulse race.
"Me? That's funny, I'm sure you weren't thinking of me with Sandy." She said bitterly, she had no intention of sugar coating. He needed to know how he made her feel.
"Actually, I was, every second. Betty I know what your thinking and no I didn't sleep with her. If you don't believe me ask Becks. I went there right after you left, I didn't want her." He hoped she would believe him.
"You didn't want me either."
"What do you mean? Of course I want you, I thought I proved that. I should be questioning you, your the one who didn't enjoy sex with me." He said defensively.
"Come on, Daniel. Neither did you, can you honestly say you did. Because from what I understand, you like to move at a much faster, rougher pace. I felt like you weren't into it, you kept asking if I was OK."
"I was trying to be what you want. I'm not Matt, Henry or Becks, I don't understand you all the time. I'm not into literature, ballet, or politics. I don't like reading about pain and suffering or seeing it. I know, I lack many of the things you want, so I was trying to make you happy in bed. It's what I thought you wanted." he said.
"Have you ever thought to ask me, what I want? Cause if you ever bothered to, you'd know, that it's the opposite from what you thought. I wanted the Daniel Meade that had no shame, no inhibitions, that enjoyed sex. I just wanted you to be yourself with me. Come on, I've talked to Amanda,well she's talked to me, I know what your into. Why couldn't you be that way with me?" she asked
"I didn't want to scare you away." he told her
"I'm not sure if you know this, but that wasn't my first, third, or tenth time. You wouldn't have scared me, I'm not a child."
"Give me another chance." he asked pleadingly.
" I don't know if I can. Do you remember on our date, I said I wasn't sure if you wouldn't seek comfort in another woman, if things got messy. Well, you did just that, you ignored me and replaced me."
"I never replaced you. How can you say that? Sandy was a mistake, a stupid one. My pride was hurt after our fight in front of Becks."
"Exactly, you were mad and hurt. And instead of talking to me, you ignored me, told Amanda to tell me you had a date for the fundraiser and I wasn't needed. And even though you didn't go home with her, you still never came to me. Never tried to clear the air. Your just giving me the same excuses."
"Your right, I'm making excuses. I fucked up, I did, but your not so innocent either. You never told me you weren't satisfied, you lied about going to Queens, and you had Becks over instead of talking to me. Was I more wrong? Yes, but your not that far behind, you can't place all the blame on me."
Betty knew he was right, she avoided him too.
"I know, I was wrong too." She said.
"Can we please start over?" he asked.
"I don't think so, I'm sorry. I just think, we're not good as more than friends. We have the potential to really hurt each other. I'm just not sure if it's the right step for us." She felt her eyes water, she wasn't going to break down. She was a coward, she admitted it.
"Betty, please, I promise it'll be different. Just one more try, I've never felt so deeply about anyone, not even Molly. I know we can make it work, I love you. Just one more chance, please." Daniel was sweating, he messed things up so badly. He hoped she would give him another chance.
"Daniel, I don't know. This is too much for me, right now. I need some time alone, I gotta go." She got up and ran out.
She was doing exactly the same thing he did, she ran. She should turn around, why did she leave him like that. Instead she hailed a cab, time alone, that's what she needed.
Daniel went to the one person he knew loved him no matter what. He thought Betty was one of those people, but he was wrong. She couldn't run fast enough when he told her, he loved her. She probably didn't believe him, he needed to get away. This was turning out to be one of the worse years of his life. He let himself into his mother's house.
"Mom." He yelled out.
Making his way to the living room, he saw a tall man in his late twenties, looking at photos.
"Who are you?" Daniel asked.
The guy looked up, startled.
"I'm Tyler." He said and walked towards Daniel to shake his hand.
"Daniel. What exactly are you doing here and where is my mother?" He asked.
"Oh, she's upstairs, getting changed for dinner." He said casually.
What the hell is going on here, Daniel thought. Is this guy dating my mother?
"You still haven't told me why your here." Daniel said annoyed.
"I'm having dinner, with Claire." He said with a small smile.
"Are you dating my mother? Cause let me tell you, if you think your getting your hands on her money, forget it."
"That is enough, I raised you better than that. How dare you be so rude, to my guest." Claire said walking towards them. She went up to Tyler and held his hand.
"Daniel, I think we need to talk." Daniel looked at their joined hands, he couldn't deal with this right now. He turned around to leave, but as he was walking, he heard Betty's voice in his head. "You always run away." Daniel turned back around and sat on the sofa, looking at his mother expectantly.
Claire looked at him, somewhat shocked, she expected him to storm out. She motioned for Tyler to sit next to Daniel, she placed herself in front of them. They both looked so tense, sitting there.
"Daniel, I know what you must be thinking. Let me start by saying, your wrong."
"OK, mom so he doesn't want your money." Daniel said sarcastically.
"Daniel, keep your mouth shut and listen. Tyler isn't my lover, he's my son, your brother." She said.
Daniel and Tyler looked at each other. They didn't look alike, at all.
"Mom, did you say your son? Or did you mean dad's?" Daniel asked.
"My son. Mine and Hartley's." Daniel looked shocked, he never knew they had a previous affair.
"Now listen to me, before you judge. OK?" She pleaded
"OK."
For the next hour Claire explained her past with Cal. Daniel didn't interrupt her, as much as he wanted to. He wasn't as angry as he thought, he had a brother. Someone else in his family, a new relationship. When Claire finished, Tyler spoke up.
"I've been looking forward to meeting you. I was an only child growing up, it's nice, knowing I'm not alone." He told Daniel.
"I know what you mean."
They spoke for while, getting to know each other. Daniel immediately offered him a senior position at Meade. Tyler turned him down, he was planning on going back to school and bar-tending part time. Claire watched her sons, it all worked out. She thought Daniel would be resentful,and three years ago, he would have. But not anymore, thanks to Betty.
"Daniel, what brought you by?" She asked him curious, Betty was supposed to distract him.
"I need help, with Betty." He said
"Lover's quarrel? Betty is Daniel's best friend ex assistant. She's wonderful, you'll love her." she explained to Tyler.
"It's along story, I messed up."
"Tell us about it,I mean if you want." Tyler said.
Daniel sat there and explained everything. He didn't leave anything out, he could trust his mom and he felt he could trust Tyler.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I know you must be hurting right now. But Daniel, so is she, don't doubt it for a second. She ran away for a reason, she afraid."
"I don't know, maybe I should move on, leave her alone." Daniel said.
"I say you do the opposite, if she's worth it, then don't give up." Tyler said
"He's right. Daniel go over there, proved to her that your sincere." Claire said.
"Your right, Thanks. Tyler, we should hang out, get to know each other, soon. I promise, once I have things settled, I'll show you the real New York." He gave his mother and Tyler a hug and left. He was going to see Betty and she was going to listen to him.
I'll be wrapping this story up, next chapter. I have another idea for Betty/Daniel. I came to really like Becks, so I may write a Becks/Betty fic. :)