Posted on 2014-11-01

Elizabeth wasn't quite sure how she ended up passing out Halloween Candy at Netherfield Park with the Bingley's and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Charles had leased the old house just a couple of months earlier, inviting his longtime friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, to come for a visit. He was almost immediately inundated by his family.

Within a few days of his taking residence, Charles had met his angel, Jane Bennet, in the produce section of the grocery store. Jane had taken compassion on the poor man that was trying to figure out whether or not a cantaloupe was ripe. Charles had invited her to dinner to show his thanks. Somehow, Elizabeth had been included in the invitation. She couldn't really fault her sister or Charles for being completely absorbed with each other, but that left Elizabeth wishing she would have stayed home. Darcy sat and stared at her the whole evening, while Charles' sisters, Caroline and Louisa, complained about how quaint Meryton was, with so little to entertain them. Louisa's husband, Gilbert, was drunk before dinner was finished.

Even though Jane was a kindergarten teacher, she still loved to see all the little kids in their costumes as they Trick-or-Treated on Halloween night. When it had come up in conversation that they did not get many Trick-or-Treaters at their apartment, Charles had immediately invited Jane to his house to help him pass out candy. Elizabeth still wasn't sure why that meant she had to go as well, but Darcy had volunteered to drive Jane, and when he arrived at their apartment had assumed Elizabeth was going also. After he helped her into her coat, she let him lead her out to the car.

Once at Netherfield Park, it quickly became clear that Caroline had not planned to stay in on Halloween. She was dressed in an outrageous nurse's costume. Almost as soon as they walked through the door, she asked Darcy where they were going to go that evening. Looking confused, Darcy reminded her that they had decided to stay in and pass out candy. With a huff, Caroline sat in the middle of the couch. Darcy sat in the chair farthest from Caroline, and closest to the door.

Although a movie was put on, very few people were paying any attention to it. Jane and Charles had answered the door together to the first couple sets of Trick-or-Treaters, but were soon distracted by staring at each other and murmuring sweet nothings. With a roll of her eyes, Elizabeth grabbed the bowl of candy the next time the doorbell rang. She was surprised that while she was picking up the candy, Darcy had joined her to open the door. She was further surprised by the easy way he could converse with the children at the door. He even recognized all the costumes. She had never seen him at such ease in company, but with kids he was relaxed. After the third door that they answered together, Elizabeth questioned him about it, and he replied that it probably came from having a much younger sister.

Peeved, Caroline announced it was time for some sort of game. Gilbert Hurst immediately suggested a drinking game. Somehow Caroline, Louisa and Gilbert decided for everyone that they would be taking shots every time a little girl dressed as Elsa came knocking at the door. If she had an Anna or any other Frozen character with her, it was a double shot. Every tenth Elsa also required a double shot.

Elizabeth was a bit surprised when Darcy volunteered to fetch the bottles from the kitchen. He came back with two, one he set down on the table next to the chair he was sometimes sitting in, and the other he gave over to Gilbert.

The next time the doorbell rang, the first set of shots were passed around. After taking a drink from the bottle Darcy had set next to his chair, she looked at him questioningly. He merely made a quick gesture, asking her to be quiet.

Within an hour, everyone was thoroughly drunk, except Darcy and Elizabeth. Caroline had passed out within half an hour, and Charles had carried her to her room. Louisa lasted longer, but was now slumped on the side of the couch. Gilbert could really hold his liquor, and had a shot ready for the next time the doorbell chimed. Charles was still conscious, but was sitting with Jane's head in his lap.

"Are you ready to explain why you fetched us a bottle of water disguised as vodka?"

"Did you really think it would be a good idea to answer the door to Trick-or-Treaters completely drunk? Besides, I'd rather keep my wits about me when you're around."

(pause to hand out candy)

"Am I really that scary?"

"No, of course not, but you do have a way of talking people in circles. I would hate to appear the fool. Besides, we never get to spend time together without anyone else. I think that we are probably only about fifteen minutes away from effectively being completely alone." (pause to hand out candy) "Well, except for the Trick-or-Treaters."

"And why would you want to spend time alone with me? Do you have some fierce criticisms to make?"

(pause to hand out candy - "Shot!")

"Do you really think we would still be dating if I was critical of you?"

"Are you sure you haven't been taking a few drinks from the bottle of Vodka over by Gilbert?"

"Why do you ask?"

(pause to hand out candy - "Double shot!")

"Since when have we been dating?"

"Well, a couple of months ago you and Jane came over for dinner. The next night you went to the movies with Charles and I. A week later, the four of us went to the party at the Lucas' together. So, a couple of months."

(pause to hand out candy)

"Tagging along with Jane and Charles doesn't automatically mean we are dating."

"Are Jane and Charles dating?"

"Of course."

(pause to hand out candy - "Shot! Who would have thought there would have been so many.")

"And have Jane and Charles ever gone on a date where both of her were not also present."

(pause, but just a pause to think, no candy involved)

"No, I guess not."

(pause to hand out candy - "Shot!" - Charles is now passed out)

"So, Charles and Jane are dating. Every time they have been out on a date, we have both been there. Correct?"

"Yes, but there are times that other people, like Caroline, are there, also."

"But did that change the fact that Charles and Jane were on a date?"

(pause to hand out candy)

"No."

"So, why would it change the fact that we were on a date."

"You have never asked me on a date."

(pause to hand out candy - "Shot!")

"I thought it would have been obvious when Charles asked if you and Jane could join the two of us for dinner or a movie that it was implied it was a double date."

"But you never actually asked."

"Why does that matter?"

(pause to hand out candy)

"It just does."

"Fine, Elizabeth with you go out on a date with me? We could sit here and pass out candy to Trick-or-Treaters."

"Are you counting this as a date?"

(pause to hand out candy - "Double shot!")

"What else would it be."

"I don't know. I thought we were just hanging out."

"Well then, tomorrow will you go to breakfast with me? I have a feeling no one else will be up to going, unless we plan on eating around noon."

(pause to hand out candy)

"I'll have to think about it."

"Huh?"

"This is all coming as a surprise. I really had no idea why you sat there and stared at me."

"Maybe this will give you an idea."

Darcy barely touched her lips before the doorbell was ringing again. Gilbert started laughing hysterically.

It was not much later that the lights were turned off. All in all, they only needed two more little girls dressed as Elsa to have ten sets of ten. They were all amazed that nearly a hundred little Elsa's had come to their door.

Elizabeth had planned on returning to their apartment for the night, but that would require moving an unconscious Jane. She settled onto the couch next to Darcy to watch another movie. Gilbert laughed again as he carried his wife off to their bedroom.

When Elizabeth woke in the morning she was laying on the couch with a blanket tucked around her. She wasn't sure at what point she had dozed off, but was pretty sure it was in the middle of the second scary movie after the end of Trick-or-Treating. Darcy had disappeared at some point during the night, and it looked as if he had taken Charles with him, since Jane was alone on the love seat she had been sharing with Charles earlier in the night. A slight noise drew her eyes to the hallway, where Darcy was emerging.

"Have you thought about it?"

"Thought about what?"

"Will you go to breakfast with me?"

Just then Jane let out a loud snort then started snoring loudly. With a smile, Elizabeth looked back toward Darcy.

"I'll need to leave a note."