Betty was gathering her things, it was eight o'clock, time to go home. She stuffed a few files in her bag, no better time than the weekend to get ahead on Daniel's expense report.

"Hey Betty," Daniel said standing in his doorway, startling Betty. "Daniel, I was just getting ready to leave. Did you need me for anything else?"

Yeah... I need you to let me seduce you, make you fall in love with me, then quit when you realize it meant nothing. He thought to himself, it sounded so much easier than it was. "Um... no, I was just wondering... what are those files for?"

"I was planning on getting a head start on your expense report. Henry said they needed to be turned in by the end of next week."

"It's Friday, we've worked hard this week, you should just relax. The expense report is easy I'm sure you can get it done during work hours. Enjoy your weekend."

Betty smiled at him, of course Daniel didn't understand working on a weekend; he didn't like to work during the week.

"I really don't mind, I'm not doing anything special this weekend and this way I don't get backed up on my work."

"Well if you insist, I won't argue. Give me a second and I'll walk you out." Daniel walked back to his office and grabbed his coat. "Ready?" He asked her shrugging his jacket on.

"Yeah, let's go," she said. They were waiting for the elevator to come, when Daniel decided tonight he would take that first step. He grabbed his cell and text the model he had plans with CAN'T MAKE IT, RAIN CHECK. Once in the elevator he worked up his nerve. "Hey, why don't we get a quick drink before heading home. It's been such a crazy week the least I can do is buy you a drink." He said smiling at her.

"Daniel, you have a nine thirty dinner date. Remember, Sarah lingerie model from yesterday, she's the brunette. Tomorrow, is dinner with Lindsey, the blonde." She informed him.

"I know, I already canceled those plans. I'm just not in the mood, I just want a quick drink and then my bed." Betty gave him an incredulous look. " Don't look at me like that, I'm tired. I'm human you know, I'm not always on party mode. I'm just in the mood for some good company, then calling it an early night. So what do you say?"

Eh, why not? Betty thought, she had nothing better to do. "Sure, a quick drink sounds good."

"Great, there's a place about a block down, I like to go to. We can walk if you're not too tired."

"Walking is good, especially after sitting all day."

"You make it sound like you weren't doing anything. Every time I looked you, you were on the phone with someone or going through files. Did you even go to lunch?"

"I had lunch at my desk, it was way too busy to leave."

"Well make sure you include that in your overtime."

"I plan on it."

"Here we are," he said as they walked up to a small Jazz club.

It was relatively empty for a Friday night, not a place Betty could image Daniel frequenting. Daniel led her to a booth toward the back of the club, he sat facing out. All there was behind him was a wall, it was definitely an intimate setting. Betty felt relaxed, for the first time all week. Daniel signaled for a waitress, "What do you want to drink?"

"Um... I'll have a margarita."

"Hmm... I'm guessing you're not a big drinker."

"You're right about that," she said laughing.

The waitress finally made it to their table and asked for their order. "A margarita and a Macallan neat," he ordered. Turning to Betty, "You have to taste this Whiskey."

"Whiskey? No offense but I think I'll pass. I had a taste once and well... it tasted like gasoline."

"Trust me, this is different. Just try a little bit, I bet you won't hate it. Give me time and you'll love it."

Betty started to feel a bit uneasy. Was Daniel flirting with her, or was he just being himself. This was the first time they were out together, without there being a work reason. She brushed her concerns aside, Daniel was just being nice. The waitress placed their drinks on the table, smiling at Daniel, she didn't acknowledge Betty's presence. Once she was gone, Daniel slid his drink to Betty. "Take a sip." Betty looked down at his glass and back at him, she knew he wouldn't let it go. Taking the smallest sip possible, she slid the glass back to Daniel. "Was that so painful?" he asked.

"It wasn't as bad as I expected. It's definitely smooth, but it still taste bad." She said sheepishly. "You have a lot to learn Betty. You know, we can help each other. You can teach me work ethic, morals and principals; I can teach you how to drink, how to defeat a hangover, and how not to get caught."

"Come on Daniel, I know there's more to you than that. How about you teach me how to be an editor." Daniel laughed at her statement.

"I don't think you need help there, you write better than most of my staff. Enough about work, I don't want to think of Meade till Monday. So why don't you have plans this weekend? I thought you were getting to know that nerdy kid in accounting."

"Henry isn't nerdy, he's really sweet. We're just friends, we don't really hang out outside of work."

"Too bad." Well at least he didn't have to worry about competition. Not that Henry would be competition for him, it just made it easier for him, if she wasn't distracted by anyone else.

Daniel was by his fourth drink, when Betty finally finished her first.

"I better get going, pretty soon the station I usually take will close. Then I have to take the next one which is a bit far." She told him.

"Wait, I'll take you home, I'll call my driver to pick us up here."

"Oh don't worry about it. I can take the train, I do every night."

"I insist, it's late and I would feel better knowing you made it home safely."

"I really hate to inconvenience you."

"You're not." Daniel left some money on the table and walked out with Betty.

They only had to wait a few minutes before the car was there.

"I really appreciate the ride."

"My pleasure, I had a great time. We should make a habit of this, once a week. Every Friday, have a drink, some good conversation."

"Daniel, Friday's are your date night."

"OK, so I'll change my date night and make Friday Betty night."

"You've had a little too much to drink, your mind is muddled. Here we are, thanks for the ride. See you Monday."

"See you Monday." Daniel watched her walk into her house. He wasn't sure how much ground he made tonight, if any. Picking up his phone he called Becks, "Hey where are you? he asked.

"Danny, I'm at a party at Uva, are you coming?"

"Yeah, I'll be there in a bit, I just had drinks with Betty."

"How did that go, did you score yet?"

"No, it's not gonna be that easy."

"Come on Danny, you can do it."

"Yeah, I will... I just kinda feel bad."

"What? Trust me, you'll be happier with her gone. Just come over, what ever you were drinking is messing with your head."

"See you in twenty." Daniel hung up the phone.

He thought about what Becks said, he was right. Betty wasn't right for Mode. When things were said and done, he would give her a great recommendation and maybe a job at a different magazine.