AN: Hi all, I'm ALIVE! You know how life is from time to time. I'd stopped writing for awhile, but during this break in my schedule I'd gotten back on the website, read some reviews and got inspired to finish some things up. I really missed writing Daniel/Betty...I truly miss their characters and the dynamic they had. That being said, hope you guys enjoy the rest of the story!

Betty stared at her tired reflection in the bathroom mirror as she patted her face dry. The last month had been hectic to say the least. Things had gotten so busy at work she'd only had time to obsess over her current situation once she got home. She'd barely had time to schedule a brief lunch with Matt last week, uneventful as it was.

Betty pulled her hair into a loose ponytail, exiting the bathroom and crawling under her sheets. After making sure her alarm was set, she lay still in bed, staring at the ceiling. It was nights like these that had gotten to her recently.

Thoughts of Daniel crowded her head, as they usually did this time of night. She missed him terribly.

Seeing him everyday at work and exchanging polite words weren't enough. Betty wanted to hear his voice. She missed watching his blue eyes light up when she told a joke. She wanted to be near him again.

Betty rolled over, picking up her phone and allowing her finger to linger over speed dial 1, A routine she'd found herself doing almost every other night the last week.

How pathetic was it that she couldn't call him? This was Daniel for crying out loud! Pathetic, she knew. But tonight was different. Tonight, she missed him something awful.

It was simple enough. She'd just call and strike up a conversation. Just like they used to. Sounded easy. Betty took a deep breath, suddenly feeling encouraged. Just as she was going to press the button, the phone began to vibrate, Betty nearly dropping it to the ground in the process.

Amanda's familiar number appeared on screen, and while she seriously contemplated ignoring her at this hour, the friend in her didn't have the heart to do so.

"Yes Amanda?" she sat up in bed.

"Oh wow. You actually answered. Why are you awake?" Amanda's shrill voice replied.

"If you thought I was asleep, then why did you-" Betty rolled her eyes, "nevermind. What is it?"

"Well…I kind of need to talk to you. I don't need a favor or anything. Well, it actually IS sort of a favor but it doesn't have anything to do with me. Can I come over?" she asked.

"Umm, it's almost midnight. Can it wait until tomorrow?"

"No. It's about Daniel. I wanted to tell you today, but things are busy at work. Seriously, I'm as tired if not more exhausted than you are. Just let me in."

Betty heard Amanda's voice on the other side of the door. She slid out from underneath the light cover, sitting her phone aside and padding to the door.

Betty unlocked the door carefully, finding Amanda posted against the frame, feigning boredom as she looked at her nails. "Took you long enough," she walked past Betty in a huff, glancing at her attire. "Ooh, love those pjs on you. Yummy," Amanda smirked, winking at Betty.

Betty's tired eyes looked at her unamused. "Amanda! What's this all about?" Betty crossed her arms.

"It's Daniel. I'm worried about him," she began. Betty's heart jumped in her chest.

"Well…what's-what do you mean?"

"I don't know. He just seems so sulky lately...kind of sad. He's been a little irritable too. I don't know. I'm just concerned because he doesn't seem like himself," Betty shifted her weight, resting her hands on her hips.

"I'm surprised you haven't noticed actually…" Amanda watched her friend's demeanor.

"I umm...I noticed," Betty ran a hand over her face, "I've just been preoccupied, you know?"

Amanda nodded somewhat slowly in understanding, a skeptical look on her face. "Right. But this is you and Daniel we're talking about. You guys are never too busy for each other. What's really going on with you two?" Amanda's hazel eyes searched hers for an answer.

"It's complicated, Amanda. Matt coming back has been kind of stressful. On everyone…"

"Of course it has. With how busy work has been lately and Matt coming back, it's no wonder you haven't talked to Daniel. You've barely had time to breathe since all this happened," Amanda pointed out.

"I know we need to talk about some things. And we will. Don't worry," Betty reassured her with a grin, but Amanda noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes.

She had a feeling there was more to the story, that perhaps in the time they had spent together after Matt had "died" brought Daniel's true feelings to the surface. Feelings that Amanda were sure had been buried for awhile. It certainly wasn't something she was going to bring up at this time of night, but it would definitely explain how Daniel had been acting.

"Ok. Well if you wanna talk, I'm just across the hall," she reminded Betty, reaching for the door.

"Thanks Amanda. I'll see you tomorrow," Betty gave her a little wave, closing the door securely and leaning against it, burying her head in her hands. They had to stop avoiding each other. This was becoming unbearable.

Betty sat quietly in the corner of the restaurant, consistently checking her watch every other minute. It'd been a couple days since her midnight conversation with Amanda and Daniel and she had finally set aside time to go to dinner together.

He looked surprised when she'd asked him. But then why wouldn't he? They were barely talking nowadays.

She sighed again, rubbing her temples and glancing out the window. Just as she was beginning to regret her idea, Daniel appeared in the doorway, looking flushed from the summer heat.

Betty raised her right hand to signal him over, and he gave a small nod of acknowledgement before he made his way over. She stood steadily as he neared the table. The light smell of his familiar cologne surrounded her as he smiled, embracing her in a brief hug.

"Hey Betty," he released her, trying to ignore the emotions stirring within by the nearness of her. Betty watched Daniel sit in the cushioned chair across from her, briefly meeting her eyes and clearing his throat.

"So…how've you been?" Daniel decided to keep things light.

Betty shrugged, craning her head to the side slightly. "Busy. Tired. Work has been a little crazy lately," she replied, thanking the waitress for bringing their menus over.

"How've you been?"

Daniel's eyes locked with hers, the menus as insignificant as ever. "Umm…about the same I guess," he lied, his gaze traveling to the window, unsuccessfully trying to find anything outside that was worth looking at.

He'd been miserable. Not only had he lost all hope of a future with Betty, he also missed his friend terribly. His mother had told him to fight for Betty, but he wasn't sure where to start, nor had he the time or energy to do it lately.

"Daniel…" she began, the tuft of hair she'd placed behind her ear falling forward into her face. "Daniel, look at me."

He sighed, her honest brown eyes searching his. "Will you please talk to me?" she felt tears stinging her eyes, but willed them away.

"What do you want me to say Betty?" he turned towards her then, raising his voice out of frustration.

"I mean…you're off spending all this extra time with Matt so you can sort out your feelings, and I'm supposed to act like everything's okay on my end? Because it's not, Betty! It's not okay." He glared into her eyes.

She looked taken aback. "Daniel, I-"

"When we thought Matt was gone, we were together three, maybe four times a week. We don't even have real conversations now…" Daniel pointed out, shaking his head. Betty felt anger rising inside of her at his rant. "It's hard for me to keep pretending I'm okay with this. But if you are, then-"

"Then what?" Betty raised an eyebrow, curious as to where this was going.

"Then maybe the time we spent together didn't mean as much as I thought it did." Daniel couldn't believe what he'd just said.

He knew this wasn't coming from a genuine place. He'd never been the world's best communicator, especially when he was this frustrated. He wanted to take them back, but it was too late. Daniel had seen the familiar flicker of discontent in Betty's eyes.

"Maybe it didn't," her reply sounded cold, short. The tears she'd blinked away before were long gone.

"Well I guess we don't have anything left to say to one another about it," he said, finality in his words. Betty let out a long sigh.

"Guess not," she gathered her purse then, standing from the table and turning on her heel, the untouched menus on their table long forgotten.

Okay, this chapter may have been a bit of a downer. Just trying to capture some real emotions here. People in love act a certain way when they miss each other lol. Anyway, if you get a chance, REVIEW! Next chapter coming soon.