A/N: Please R/R. Thanks to whoever got the category up. I love Ugly Betty and the ship Betty/Daniel. Go underdogs! But we need some more writers! Please! This will probably be a 2 part-er.

Disclaimers: I do not own anything associated with Ugly Betty.

Rating : Pg-13 (T) for language. Some references of sexual situations.

An Unlikley Perfection

Chapter 1

Enjoy!!

"Daniel I have the files you-" Betty said walking into his office hurriedly ,bypassing knocking, with files Daniel said he needed right away. But that was an hour ago because Willamina had given her the run-around. Typical assistant treatment.

" Oh sorry. I'm leaving. Left. Gone" Betty stumbled through her words as her face flushed with embarrassment at the sight of Daniel's current flavor of the week with her hands down his pants kissing Daniel in a way that made her feel like she should have paid for admittance. Daniel was flushed and panting though not bothering to mutter an I'm sorry or better yet an excuse. Like he had full right to have sex in his place of work. Like it was Betty's fault for even coming in without knocking and maybe it was but… buts weren't allowed at Mode Magazine. You either fit in or you don't and after six months she still didn't. Betty backed out his office just now noticing his blinds were down, wishing she had noticed that before hand.

She threw the files on her desk feeling a sudden anger rise in her. It caught her by surprise, she felt tricked somehow. Daniel hadn't lied about things being different after she left the first time. He had treated her like she was anyone of those other pretty women here, like she had a space here. But deep down she knew she didn't, he had just created one. She had worked closer with Daniel than most interns and receptionist here could dream about in return Daniel had disclosed himself to her telling her stuff that had no relevance to work but to him as a person, a person with feelings. He spoke of old memories that made him happy, sad, that made him laugh and that caused him pain. Those times tore at her heart. But then there were times when they were laughing and horsing around, no one a witness to their madness as the building was deserted, the only light shinning was the one from Daniel's office.

She couldn't explain the late nights they worked trying to pull together a magazine but unintentionally building a friendship. Those nights seemed to capture a likeness between Daniel and Betty that somehow didn't manage to connect in the face of Mode magazine. Those intimate times between the two allowed them a bond that both chose not to be aware of, failing to register it in the face of others. Betty did it for sake of Daniel and Daniel did it for sake of himself. He had always said this is what the fashion world is about, it's never going to change, it doesn't allow space you have to allow space. She didn't quite understand at first but she finally got that she would have to adjust to it.

But she found it funny that even though he had said that he had become protective of her. Daniel could not put every one in their place for having their opinion of Betty , she was different and some people couldn't handle that so he had always tried his best in comforting her. She was appreciative that he cared enough to care. She was more then appreciative. She knew it was the dumbest move any girl could make who looked liked her but her heart wasn't listening. As it made her believe the most impossible things like Daniel could look at her like he looked at half the woman at Mode- like he wanted them or see her as a woman and not just his quirky assistant with bad fashion sense. Like he could fall in love with her like she had fallen in love with him.

Last Friday night she had almost believed that lie.

Flashback

Daniel had been gone on an out-of -the building meeting for most of the day which is why Betty thought it would be okay to take cover in Daniel's office and cry her eyes out at the fact the whole employee lounge had saw the show Rebekah put on when Betty accidentally bumped into her but Rebekah laughed and called her a cow and had said that her wardrobe was even worse then her face. That one was really a crowd pleaser, as they burst out laughing. Nina tried to console her but she couldn't stand being near anyone who had witnessed her humiliation.

She had never felt such a strong sense of defeat or urgency to give up in her life.. She wanted to so bad to scream "you win!" but then there was always her father's voice in the back of her mind saying "your not a quitter" but that didn't stop the tears from falling even faster. She hadn't realized she had fallen sleep until she heard Daniel whispering her name.

" Betty. Betty" Betty looked up at him then and realized she was still in Daniel's office. She had planned to clear out before he got back.

"Were you crying?" Daniel asked in a worried tone. Betty wiped her eyes, her cheeks still a little moist for her earlier crying. She quickly stood up.

" Oh no. Um I'm sorry about being in your office. I'm gonna go." She said making her way toward the door but Daniel gently grabbed her arm.

" Why were you crying?" He asking looking at her with the gaze that dared her to lie to him.

" It's nothing." Betty lied.

" Yeah nothing has your eyes red. Tell me what happened."

" It's stupid just had a run-in with a co-worker. I have no fashion sense. I'm ugly. I'm fat. It's nothing new and it's nothing you should be concerned with." She said it with a nonchalance she didn't feel.

" What? I can agree your not exactly fashion forward but your not ugly or fat." he had lifted her chin up and looked in her eyes as he spoke making sure she knew he wasn't feeding her BS. Their eyes seemed to make a connection they weren't expecting and Daniel pulled away first, clearing his throat as if he could erase the moment.

" Your about the only person who believes that." Betty said quietly not willing to admit she didn't even think so.

" Good then I know I'm right. I always know I'm wrong when too many people agree with me." Daniel said laughing thankful for the change of mood.

"I'm going to get going." Betty said smiling, feeling better and Daniel nodded but she sensed an uneasiness behind his eyes. She turned to walk out the door but then turned back to him and said "Thanks." he smiled and nodded in recognition.

End Flashback

She shook the thought from her head and the very few moments he made her feel like she was a woman, a woman that could be desired. She had her hopes up, delusional was more like it. It had been a while since Daniel did the "okydoke" at work. She was sure he was still doing it at home but he was giving her common courtesy since she had inadvertently let him know that it made her uncomfortable- then, now it just made her jealous. She heard the door open and the unknown woman switch her way across the room out Daniel's door with her too tight, too short skirt and second-skin shirt. Daniel watched her go with eyes that wandered up and down her body. They were intense with desire. Intense eyes were always trained on Betty but with repulsion.

Daniel cast a glance at Betty that Betty only caught from the corner of her eye refusing to look at his smug look. He walked back into his office and Betty got back to work feeling stupid for letting her emotions get the best of her. She deserved it for falling in love with

one of the world's most eligible bachelors. Daniel Meade.

Daniel trekked back to his desk and plopped down with heavy a sigh. Well he had succeeded in pissing her off but the other bit was a huge failure. He had to be crazy. He did not have feelings for Betty fukcin' Suarez. So why did he feel such a need to forgot those so called non-existent feelings by being with another woman? He didn't know. He was confusing pity, admiration, friendship with romantic feelings. That's what he was doing. Exactly. But why did he enjoy seeing her jealous? Why did it validate him so much? It was proof that Betty had feelings for him. Proof that he wasn't alone in the unlikely situation.

He had been avoiding her and sending her off on bogus runs just to get away from her. When ever she was near he had an itch to watch her. Betty worked so differently from the people he was use to. She believed in such a high moral code that he felt almost not good enough to be in her presence but at the same time her passionate way of speaking made him curious as to what Betty Suarez was thinking, what she was feeling. And when she got really excited her eyes lit up like she had got everything she wanted on her Christmas list. And she didn't worry about what was in or out. She lived by her wants, her needs, her desires not someone else's. She had her way of doing things and she wasn't one to conform just because something was popular. Daniel had only dreamed of that kind of freedom, that kind of gut, like she was almost looking everyone in the face and saying "Fuck you. This is me." He laughed at the thought because he had never heard Betty curse. He admired her.

She had such original ideas even if some were kind of naïve, but they churned in her mind, this idea of perfection and Daniel couldn't help but feed into them. She spoke with such passion. And for moments, those nights as she talked he just watched her speak and articulate her ideas through hands movements and facial expressions. He was suddenly terrified that someone would ruin this for her, take her fantasy away. But then he watched as she wound her self down and her eyes seemed to loose it's light, he realized someone already had. But he was amazed she still held onto it even though she was acquainted with the real word. Some might call her hopeless but Daniel would call her hopeful.

He had learned a lot of things about Betty. Mostly things that didn't seem surprising but some that were, her fears, her dreams, her goals, her insecurities, her quirks. He laughed as he thought about on one particular night.

Flashback

" Daniel, I'm not really a big alcohol drinker." Betty tried persuade but Daniel was still holding out the martini, giving her that mock look like you better take it or else and then he smiled, letting her know there was no bark to his bite.

" I won't force you, it's up to you." He said taking a sip of his own martini. And Betty stared at the martini for long seconds before throwing caution to the wind and drinking it down. She didn't make it through the remainder as she was reflexively snorting through her nose at the burn. Daniel was laughing so hard his eyes began to water.

" It's tradition, to sip" Daniel said with humor as took his glass and sipped in demonstration.

" Oh, a lot of help that tip does me now." Betty said with no heat, smiling as she pushed the glass away.

" I think I've had my first and last taste of the Martini." Betty mocked the last part.

" You hardly gave it a chance but if you insist I won't drink either." he said finishing it off with one gulp, making a face as it burned his throat. She gave him a look.

" It's rude."

" Yeah such the gentleman" She said sarcastically.

" I try, so let' say we do this work thing." He said unfolding the big file of previous layouts.

" Let's" Betty said as she flipped through the pages.

End flashback

He came back from his thoughts when his cell phone rang.

"Daniel Meade here." he said kicking his feet up on his desk.

" Please tell me you didn't forget about the party tonight" His father's voice boomed in the phone and Daniel groaned because he had forgotten and his father knew it.

" Of course not dad. I'll see you there." he hung up in a panic. That was the party he and Betty had to go for the celebration of Mode hitting top 5.

Reluctantly he ringed Betty.

" Betty call and make sure our Limo for the party is booked and then I might need your help writing a speech."

" By our you do mean you and Willamina right?" Betty asked.

" No I mean you and me. When have I ever rode in a limo with Willamina?" he cut her short and ten minutes later betty came in.

"The limo is booked and here are the files you wanted earlier. I am not going to the party" She said trying her best stern look.

" Yes you are. Dad says I'm not allowed to take someone that might distract me. So therefore that only leaves you." Daniel realized how bad that sounded the moment he got it out his mouth.

A/N: Will be updated if people R/R. Thanks.