Beginning, Previous Section, Section IX

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Chapter 5, Part C

Lizzy woke up the next morning alone to the sound of someone moving around in the kitchen and to the warmth of the healthy fire burning in the hearth. She found her mother in the kitchen making breakfast. They exchanged greetings as her mother slid a pan of her homemade biscuits into the oven. "Could you tell Darcy breakfast should be ready in about fifteen minutes?"

"Tell him? I'm sure he can hear you with all the racket you are making." Lizzy wrinkled her nose at her mother. "Where is he, anyway?"

"Out back." Her mother began mixing pancake batter. "He's chopping wood."

"Chopping wood?" Lizzy felt mortification descend over her. "Mom! Tell me you didn't ask him to chop wood....please..."

"I didn't." Lizzy noticed her mother seemed rather pleased with herself. "He discovered we were out of wood when he was trying to make a fire for a certain someone this morning, and he asked if it would be all right if he chopped some more. Who was I to argue?"

Lizzy looked out the kitchen window and saw him standing in the small clearing behind their house, axe in perfect arch over his head. She watched as he sent the axe cleanly through a piece of wood. He resettled the larger half of the wood on the stump before starting the whole process over again. She found herself admiring his physique and remembered how it felt having those same arms wrapped around her just mere hours earlier. Her mother nudged her from her reverie handing her a steaming mug. "Would you take that to him, Lizzy? It's cold out there and I'm sure he'd appreciate it."

"Sure." By the time Lizzy donned her shoes and heavy coat, he was loading the woodbin on their back porch. He glanced up at her and she felt a wave of awkwardness sweep over her. "My mom asked me to bring this to you and she said to tell you that breakfast would be ready in fifteen minutes."

"Okay." He sipped from his coffee as he scanned the backyard. "Your family sure has a beautiful piece of land here, Elizabeth."

"I'm sure you've seen a good deal better..." It wasn't that she was not proud of her home. She was. It was just that she knew Darcy was used to mansions with carefully manicured lawns. She added. "I love it here. It's always been home for me."

"I don't think I've ever seen a house with such intricate woodwork before."

"My father's passion is wood working. The story is that when my father came out of the Army, my grandparents wouldn't let him marry my mother until he could prove he could keep a roof over her head. So, he built this for her as a wedding present." She smiled. "They will celebrate their forty year anniversary this May."

"That's a long time..." He murmured his brown eyes regarded her.

"Yes. It's a lifetime." She laughed, wishing the butterflies in her stomach would stop their fluttering. "Can you imagine spending all that time with one person?"

"I imagine the right person would make forty years seem to fly by..." Lizzy saw Darcy's cheek color slightly. He finished the rest of his coffee before returning the cup to her. "Please tell your mom I'll finish up out here and then I'll be right in."

Returning inside, she busied herself setting the table, feeling less than satisfied with the exchange between them. She was in the middle of pouring herself some orange juice when her mother invaded her thoughts again.

"I know this is probably none of my business, Lizzy, but if there is every anything you need to discuss and you don't think your daddy will understand, you know you can come to me... I know what it is like to be young." Fanny focused her attention on the eggs she was beating in a bowl. "I just want you to promise me that you and Darcy are taking precautions..."

"Precautions..." Lizzy sloshed orange juice on the table in shock. "Mom! We just fell asleep together. We don't need precautions because nothing happened ... "

"Sweetie, it is nothing to get upset about." Fanny patted her shoulder. "It is a natural part of life. Darcy seems like a fine young man and I just knew it was only a matter of time before you met a man who would pique your interest..."

"Mom, there is no interest piquing going on!" Lizzy cleaned up the spilt orange juice with a towel. "There is absolutely nothing...I repeat, nothing going on between Darcy and me. Nothing at all."

She turned to put the orange juice back in the refrigerator and saw that Darcy had returned from outdoors. He had his arms full of wood but it was obvious from his stony expression that he had overheard their conversation. "I'll put this down in the den."

Breakfast was a tense affair where Lizzy was more of an observer than a participant. She watched in disbelief as Darcy and her mother chatted easily like old friends. Her mother eventually finished her breakfast and rose from the table. "Lizzy, why don't you be a dear and do the dishes? I'm going to go jump in the shower."

Almost grateful for an activity, Lizzy dutifully gathered up the empty dishes, scraped them, and found herself watching Darcy out of the corner of her eye as she waited for the sink to fill with hot water. He was drinking his coffee and browsing through their morning paper looking as if he had not been fazed in the slightest by what he had overheard. She started washing the dishes, almost willing him to say something, to look at her. As if he had heard her unstated wish, Darcy appeared by her side. He had located a towel and began drying the dishes she had set in the strainer to dry.

"When you came inside, my mother had been grilling me about what happened between us last night." He quirked an eyebrow, but he continued drying the plate in his hands. "She thought we were..." This is humiliating. "that we are...have been..."

"I think I understand now...your mother thinks we are having sex."

The way his eyes danced with his evident amusement at her discomfort made Lizzy lose her composure. She threw her dishcloth at him in disgust. He dodged it easily. "This isn't funny, Darcy. It's extremely embarrassing! I mean how would you feel trying to explain it to your parents if they found us sleeping together?"

"I don't know." He managed a somber look before giving way to another grin. "Maybe we should go to Pemberley and try sleeping together there so I could see for myself what it is like." She poked him in the chest. "Though, I wouldn't think I'd have to explain too much to my father..." Before she could renew her attack against him, he caught her by the wrist and pulled her close to him.

"Well, you are lucky my father wasn't here..." Lizzy tried to keep the teasing going between them. "He's very old fashioned. You would have been forced to a shotgun wedding if he found us together this morning..."

"I think I prefer how your mother handled it."

Lizzy put her hands on his shoulders to playfully push him away, but the feel of his muscles under her fingers made her reluctant to move them. She watched the transformation of his features. His brown eyes glittered, his lips curled and a small dimple formed in his cheek. Suddenly, she was overwhelmed by the desire to kiss him. In all of her prior experiences with men, she had never really "longed" for a man's touch and this was a new and heady experience for her. When he didn't move toward her, a moan escaped from her, her hands laced around his neck and she rose up on her toes, impatient to reacquaint herself with his lips.

Before she reached her destination, however, Lizzy found herself grounded by the light pressure of his hands on her hips. "Elizabeth, you should probably get dressed..."

"What?" She blinked in confusion. The teasing glint in his eyes was completely gone. "I thought this was what you wanted, Darcy..."

"It is what I want..." He pulled back from her slowly and removed her hands from around his neck. "I'm just not sure if this is what you really want. Your feelings are all jumbled up right now with your father being sick and it wouldn't be fair to let you do something now that you would come to regret later..."

"I'd come to regret?" She felt his rejection acutely and lashed out at him in response. "Maybe I'm not the one you are concerned about here. Maybe you are the one who regrets bringing me home and now you think you wasted your weekend..." She thought she had scored a direct hit by the way his eyes flared. "Isn't that it, Darcy? You don't know how to back out gracefully now that you are here."

She had intended to brush past him and leave him in the wake of her angry words, but instead he blocked her path. "That is not it! I have plenty of regrets when it comes to you Elizabeth but I don't have any so far from this weekend. That is why I stopped you just now. I didn't want you doing something we both would come to regret later..." He made no move to touch her. He didn't have to. The anger in his eyes was warmer than his touch would ever be. "And before you get it into your head that I didn't want you to kiss me a second ago, let me tell you, I practically ache to have you kiss me...to want me like I want you. I'm not a saint, but I am smart enough to know that if I let you kiss me in your confused state, I'll be the one who ends up being hurt when you come back to your senses." She opened her mouth to object, but he continued. "If we are going to be together, it is not going to be an on again, off again thing...I can't handle you toying with me even if it is done unconsciously. So, you need to think long and hard before you make your decision about me, because I swear the next time you look at me like that I'm going to assume you know what you want and give it to you."

The drive to the hospital was quiet and Lizzy wondered if her mother could sense the tension between her and Darcy. For her part, she felt as if the closeness they had fostered the night before had been destroyed by her angry comments... she knew she had pushed him and she wasn't sure why she had. Maybe he is right. Maybe I am all mixed up because of daddy. How can I even think about Darcy while my father is lying in the hospital? What kind of a person am I? The answer came from the recesses of her conscience. Darcy is right...I am confused. She knew he had been right to stop her from kissing him, although knowing he was right though did not completely take the sting out of his rejection.

Once at the hospital, Lizzy focused her attention on her father. They visited for a while before Ben drifted off into a fitful sleep. Fanny took out her knitting and began working on a scarf she was giving a friend at work. Lola dropped by with a warm lunch for the group and visited for a few minutes before she was called away by a previous civic commitment. Darcy would occasionally contribute when asked a question, but most of the time he sulked, concentrating on the view of the parking lot. When Dr. Angelo came by late in the afternoon, he asked Fanny and Lizzy to join him back in his office so he could go over the results from the most recent round of testing.

"I wish there was a different diagnosis." He flipped off the small screen in front of him. "As you can see from his scan, Ben's heart is slowly swelling...he isn't responding to the medicine like we had hoped."

"Is there another medication we could try?" Fanny twisted her hands in her lap. "Something experimental...Ben would consent to try..."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Bennet, but we've exhausted our options..." Lizzy heard the thick sympathy in the doctor's voice. "If he slows down and takes things easy, I would give your husband another one to three good months before..."

"There has to be something more you can do...." Her mother's voice was shrill as she stood. "You can't just give up on him like this...he has a lot of fight left in him... he's not ready to die..." Elizabeth tried to calm her mother the best she could while not giving herself to her own despair. After a few minutes, Fanny seemed to find a reserve of self-control. "I want a second opinion, Dr. Angelo."

"Of course." He nodded. "I can have Dr. Collier look over the films when he comes on for his rounds tonight and we can meet again tomorrow if you would like."

"Fine." Fanny wiped at her face. "If that is all, I'm going back to my husband."

Lizzy remained behind. "I want you to know we appreciate everything that you have done for us. My mother is upset right now or she would tell you so herself." Lizzy knew a second opinion wouldn't matter. Over the last three years during her father's monthly office visits, she had grown a healthy respect for Dr. Angelo. He had been the one to perform the surgery to bypass her father's blocked arteries and he had caught the early signs of his enlarging heart. He had always been honest and frank and she appreciated that now. She stretched out her hand to him. "Thank you, for all that you've done, Dr. Angelo."

"You are welcome, Lizzy. I just wish there was something else I could do."

When she opened the door to her father's room, she was surprised to find that it was not her mother who had taken the vacant seat at her father's side, but Darcy. The two men were in deep discussion. "Where's mom?"

Ben offered her a smile similar to the one he wore when he was caught smoking. "Now don't tell me you lost your mother, Lizzy-Bear."

"I didn't lose her. I thought she was on her way back here..."

"She did come back but I sent her to get me a drink so Darcy and I could finish our talk."

Lizzy narrowed her gaze suspiciously. "And just what were you two talking about?"

"Maybe if you are nice to the boy, Bear, he might tell you sometime." Ben leaned closer to Darcy's shoulder. "Don't tell her a thing if she isn't. It will drive her crazy."

"Dad..." She smiled at his antics even though she was annoyed.

"I hope you don't mind but I volunteered you to take Darcy shopping. He wasn't packed for a weekend trip and it seems he needs a few things..." Her father's eyes twinkled mischievously. "He was going to go out by himself but I assured him I could spare you for a few hours."

"We could always go after visitation." Darcy added. "I'm really in no hurry."

"No, no. Lizzy will take you when Fanny comes back. That way I can have my old girl to myself and figure out how all these buttons work..."When Ben patted his bed's control panel, Lizzy blushed. She thought it might be best to remove Darcy from the spectacle of her parents as soon as possible.

Thirty minutes later, they were well on their way back into the heart of downtown Lexington. Darcy let her drive since she was more familiar with the town. "What 'things' do you need?" She rubbed her hands over the steering wheel, enjoying the luxurious feel of the leather.

"Just the basics. Something to sleep in and something to wear tomorrow..." He rubbed the growth on his chin. "A razor would be nice too..." She glanced away from him and was momentarily transported back to their snuggle session on the couch. "Maybe something for your dad. He seems like he is getting bored...maybe a hot rod magazine to give him ideas for Candy when he gets out."

"So, he told you about Candy?" Her father had bought and was still in the process of restoring a '57 Chevy. It was his most prized possession, much to her mother's dismay.

"Yes, he did. He promised to show her to me in all her glory if he comes home before we head back to campus tomorrow."

She chewed her lip. "Darcy, I'm not going back tomorrow..."

As if he didn't hear her, he pointed to the mall ahead. "I think I should be able to find everything I need there..."

In her dark bedroom, Lizzy rolled over on her side. It had been fun getting lost in the frivolity of shopping for a few hours. After wandering along the crowded walkways, they popped into a Lazarus to do the majority of his shopping.

She had teased Darcy when he picked out a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt and a UK hat. "I wonder if Richard will ever forgive you for wearing that..."

His smile wavered slightly. "I'll just tell him you forced me to buy it."

"Oh, blame it all on me." She rolled her eyes hitting the bill of the hat. "Typical male."

They stopped for ice cream at the food court and as they walked through the crowded walkways, she felt Darcy's hand close over hers. "Just so we don't get separated." He assured her. "I don't think I could find my way back to the car by myself."

Then they took turns shopping for things to entertain her father. Darcy picked out several Hot Rod magazines, while they argued good-naturedly about Elizabeth's selection.

"How do you expect this to entertain a grown man?" He held up the hand held Tetris game and shook his head. She opened the package and demonstrated for him. "My dad loves puzzles so this will be great for him."

"I don't know, Elizabeth..."

Of course, the rest of the argument was moot as Darcy proceeded to play the game all the way back to the hospital.

Smiling at the memory, she rolled over on her other side. When they had gotten back from shopping, Ben curiously opened his presents. The men took turns -- to the amusement of both Lizzy and her mother -- playing the game and comparing their scores. Darcy pouted when her father beat him and mumbled about "beginner's luck" until Ben reluctantly gave into a rematch. A short time later, visitation was over and at Darcy's insistence they stopped so he could treat them to a late dinner. They finally came home and watched a movie with her mother before Fanny said she was exhausted and headed off to bed. Unable to stand the strain of being alone with Darcy, Lizzy quickly adjourned upstairs to her own bedroom. However, after tossing and turning for an hour, she was still not able to sleep.

Lizzy stared at the ceiling. This was lunacy. She would just go back downstairs and talk to him...maybe watch another movie. Decided, she made her way back down the staircase and she knocked on the den door. The door opened after a moment revealing Darcy. His hair was tousled and she could see the traces of sleep in his eyes. She felt like an idiot for disturbing him. "I couldn't sleep and I though you'd still be up. I guess I was wrong. I'm terribly...I'll just let you get back to bed..."

Darcy leaned against the door frame a faint smile playing at his lips. "Now that you woke me up, it would be rude if you don't stick around until I fall asleep again."

"Well, I would hate to be rude..."

He moved out of the doorway to allow her entrance. Elizabeth hesitated for a moment as she watched Darcy return to his place on the couch, before she followed unable to resist the temptation of the comfort of his arms. Once they were settled, he whispered, "Tell me something about yourself, Elizabeth. Something no one else knows."

She ran her hand over his smooth cheek. "You shaved."

"Don't sound so disappointed. I can always grow it back if you like it."

"I liked it. It made you looked almost wild, like a lumberjack..."

"Elizabeth, you are avoiding the subject. I still want to know something about you that no one else knows."

"There's not much to tell..."

He went up on his elbow. "I'm sure you can think of something."

Lizzy felt deflated, thinking she had successfully steered the conversation away from herself. She knew he wouldn't be put off from his goal. His tone was teasing, but his eyes were contemplative. "I was adopted by Fanny and Ben when I was seven. I don't know who my real parents are. They didn't want me. So you see, I'm not even a Bennet, Darcy." She gave him a weak smile before closing her eyes.

"Look at me." She obeyed him as he ran his fingers across her cheek. "You are a Bennet, if not by birth, by design. Both Ben and Fanny love you like their real child and you love them. Elizabeth, it's that love, not genetics, that really matters." His thumb traced her lips. "Tell me more."

"It's hard..."

"I know. Take your time." His voice was barely a whisper. "We have all night."

"For six years, I was passed around from foster parent to foster parent. I finally ended up with a man named Joe. I don't remember much about him except that he had a temper and he would hurt me. He'd punish me for breaking dishes or not making my bed the way he wanted. Little things. He said I was bad. One day I broke a glass doing dishes after school and I tried to hide it from him. But he found out. I ran from him and hid, but he found me. He said it was going to be worse because I ran from him. It was so awful...he just kept hitting me and I just wanted to stop hurting..." She stopped shivering.

"Elizabeth, is that what the nightmares are about?"

She nodded and he tightened his hold on her. "When I woke up in the hospital a few days later, Fanny was my nurse. I didn't talk to her. I didn't talk to anyone about it. Not the doctors, the counselors, the police... Joe had told me if I ever told anyone he would kill me. I was so scared they were going to give me back to him if I got better, so I refused to eat...they put me on an IV and as soon as Fanny left, I would take it out. This went on for a few days until Ben came to the hospital. He said he didn't appreciate me upsetting his wife with my nonsense. He brought me this bear and said it was a gift for me. I'd never had my own toys before but I wouldn't touch it until after he left. He came every day and when I wouldn't talk to him, he had the bear answer for me. It was the craziest thing I had ever seen... a grown man making a stuffed animal talk."

She took a deep breath before continuing. "The day I was released from the hospital, Ben drove me here. He said that I could stay with them as long as I wanted and that Fanny was putting the finishing touches on my room...that they had added on a room just for me." His hands traced her spine as if trying to give her the courage to continue. "I didn't talk to either one of them for a month. I didn't want to get close to them because I knew they would get tired of me... I'd do things to make them send me away. Stupid things. I'd run away. I wouldn't wear the clothes they bought me. Or, I'd break things..."

She laughed through her tears. "Once after I'd lived with them about six months, I broke every dish we had so they would finally send me away, but Ben just went out and bought a big pack of paper plates. The next day I ran away thinking that would do the trick. But, Ben sat me down and asked me if I wanted them to adopt me. He made it seem like I was doing him a favor by living here with him and Fanny...staying with them permanently." Darcy moved quickly pulling her into him. The pain of her past ebbed slightly as she sobbed against his chest. She finally got her emotions in check and pulled back from him. "Still always crying on you..."

"I wish you never had to cry..." His lips grazed her forehead. "But if you do, I'm glad you can share your tears with me. I'm honored to be here with you..."

"How can you say you are honored to be with me? You gave up Nationals for me..."

"Don't. Don't blame yourself for a decision I made entirely on my own." A fresh tear joined its brothers. "No, don't cry over my decision...I'm where I want to be, Elizabeth. I'd rather me here than in Virginia." He fanned her moist cheeks with light kisses but when his lips brushed the corner of hers he broke away from her. "Elizabeth, I don't think you spending the night with me is a good idea."

"Don't think, Darcy." She tried to ignore the way her own body was trembling at his touch. "Just hold me." She heard him moan and felt him stiffen under her touch, and for a moment she was afraid he was going to push her away again, but instead he pulled her tightly against him as if he were trying to merge their bodies into one. She felt his lips graze her ear and a part of her wanted so to turn into his kiss. She restrained the urge only because she couldn't honestly say how much of what she felt for Darcy at that precise moment was tied to her gratitude for all he had done for her and how much of it was legitimate attraction. After all was said and done, his earlier argument still held merit. When he whispered softly against her ear, goose bumps covered her arms and her resolve dipped. He looked stricken when their eyes met. "What did you say, Darcy?"

"I said...goodnight."

She returned to her spot in his arms disappointed he had not repeated himself.

Sunday was a difficult day for Elizabeth. Even though Lizzy knew her mother was aware of where she spent the night, Fanny did not broach the subject of her relationship with Darcy again when they both met up in the kitchen to start on breakfast. Conversation was easy and friendly as the three shared another meal. After Darcy helped her with the dishes again, they returned to the hospital for a short visit and a consult with Dr. Collier who concurred with Dr. Angelo's assessment of Ben's prospects. Back in Ben's room, they found Darcy and her father again taking turns at Tetris.

"So, when are you and Lizzy going to shove off today?"

"I was thinking we would be leaving soon." Darcy answered, causing Lizzy to turn to face him in amazement. "We can grab lunch on the way and still will be able to beat most of the weekend traffic going back into the city. Plus, it would still give Elizabeth some time to study. She has an Anatomy quiz every Monday..."

"I've decided I'm not going back." She crossed her arms feeling smug. "It's best if Darcy left without me. By the time we went back to the house and I got packed ..."

"Dear, your bag is already packed and in Darcy's trunk." Fanny looked up from her knitting. "It is all settled. Lola is going to stop by and get me whenever I wanted."

"Mom, I can't believe you are taking their side in this."

"You have a big test tomorrow and Nationals coming up. You know how your father is about you meeting your obligations."

"I'm still not going..."

"I don't relish the thought of carrying you bodily out of here, but if you force me, I will carry you all the way back to Xavier kicking and screaming..."

"Now Darcy, I'd like to see that..." Ben laughed before he addressed his daughter. "Bear, you really should take it easy on your fellow ."

She was angry. "When did my wishes mean nothing to all of you?"

"I could say the same thing. When did my wishes mean so little to you, young lady?" Ben's smile disappeared. "You made a promise to me, Elizabeth, have you forgotten?"

No, she hadn't forgotten her promise. She eyed the floor and whispered, "No, Daddy."

"Good. Now come kiss your father goodbye." When she complied, she hung onto him tightly, scared she would never see him again. Ben kissed her lightly on her cheek. "There is nothing you can do by staying here with me except wait and worry. It's best if you go back to school and make me a proud father. I love you, Bear. I always have. I always will. Nothing will ever change that. You have a safe trip back and make me proud of you."

"We're back." Lizzy stopped at her dorm lobby. She saw the group of people watching TV and she knew she wasn't ready to answer questions about Darcy or questions about the weekend. She turned back to face him, nervous about what he expected from her.

"Can you get this from here?" At her nod, he handed over her bag and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "You know that if you need anything..." He kicked at the ground before looking her in the eye. "You can call me. Anytime."

"I know." She whispered before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight, Darcy."

Chapter 6

My mother is going to hit the roof when she sees this. Darcy smiled as he rubbed his chin, still getting used to feeling his full beard instead of smooth skin. He had taken a lot of ribbing about growing it from Charles and Michael, but he frowned at his reflection Elizabeth had not said one word to him about it.

Sometimes, he kicked himself for stopping her when she wanted to kiss him. He had been so sure, at the time, that he didn't want her gratitude, but now he wasn't quite so sure that sticking to his principles had been such a great idea. How could I have been so stupid as to stop her from kissing me? Would her kiss been sweet? Passionate? If the way her eyes had glittered in that moment had been any indication... One second thought, it was a good thing I stopped her. One touch of those lips would have made this past week impossible to get through. Looking back, the week after taking her home for the weekend had started out well.

On Monday, Darcy ran across Caroline when he stopped in at the Pub to grab a quick bite for lunch. He accepted her invitation to join her. Caroline tried to get him to tell her what exactly happened over the weekend in Kentucky. He grinned like a loon and politely told her a gentleman likes to keep things private. When he saw Elizabeth walk into the Pub, he could not believe his luck. He stood and was about to invite her to join them but stopped when he saw Richard enter behind her. When she laughed at something his cousin whispered in her ear, Darcy felt like someone had punched him in the gut. It was perfectly clear she was there with Richard. He was almost relieved when Richard led her in toward a booth in the back.

Caroline had followed his gaze. "Darcy, she always eats lunch with him once a week... Just like she and I have a standing date on Fridays. It's no big deal. I wouldn't read anything into it if I were you..."

"I'm not." He knew his tone plainly stated the opposite. "She's free to do whatever she wants. Why shouldn't she eat lunch with her ex-boyfriend..."

"Darcy, calm down." Caroline touched his hand. "We can eat lunch together and it is no big deal...it's the same way with Richard and Lizzy."

"It's not the same thing. He is crazy about her and she..." He stopped himself. What exactly did Elizabeth feel for Richard?

Caroline gave him a sympathetic smile. "Lizzy doesn't think about Richard that way."

"Yeah, she looked like it was a real chore to be with him." A familiar jealousy tore through him. Caroline switched the subject and he let her.

Darcy thought he had managed to get through the rest of his day remarkably well. He knew he had overreacted when he saw Elizabeth with Richard, but he felt even more possessive of her after their weekend together. It had felt like they had shared so much. He finally broke down and called her room after noticing she skipped dinner and he got her answering machine. He hung up disappointed wondering where she could be. He knew her work schedule and tonight was not her night to work. He turned in early but sleep would not come. The image of her and Richard laughing in the Pub combined with the fact his bed seemed so large and empty without her curled up against him made it difficult for him to reach any peaceful slumber.

As a consequence of his sleepless night, he almost overslept and missed Dr. Carter's class. Elizabeth gave him a soft smile as he passed her desk and he drew encouragement from it. After he took his seat, Karen pounced on him. "Darcy, I heard what you did for Lizzy. How sweet of you to sacrifice Nationals for your little friend? You are such a hero."

"I'm not a hero, Karen." His eyes drifted back to Elizabeth. "And it wasn't a sacrifice."

"Not a sacrifice? Oh, I see." Karen leaned in close to him. "I can only imagine what you got from the ice princess, Darcy, because I know I would not have hesitated in showing you my appreciation."

Ice Princess? Darcy smiled to himself. There was nothing icy about Elizabeth ...everything about her was hot. Her temper, her tongue, her mouth. I was such a fool to stop her from kissing me! Sighing, he opened his notebook hoping Karen would turn her attention to the lecture as well. He was not so lucky. "Well, since you wasted this past weekend, I thought we could do something together this weekend. I heard you had some really good tickets for Romeo and I thought we should go together." She pouted her lips and in a voice loud enough for most of the class to hear said, "You do remember the good time we had at Phantom? Especially the little 'private show' we had back in my room."

He wished the floor would just open up and swallow him desk and all. "Karen," he tried to keep his voice even. "Could we please discuss this later?"

"Later would be fine." She smiled. "I'm free tonight. In fact, you could drop by my dorm tonight and we could discuss..."

"How about I call you?"

"Sure." She gave him a cat-like smile. "You can call me tonight."

After class, Dr. Carter stopped him to relay a message from Coach LaSalle before he had a chance to catch up with Elizabeth. He went to the cafeteria hoping to join her for lunch, but she wasn't there. He tried to ignore the nagging certainty that she was probably enjoying a romantic lunch somewhere with Richard again. Dinner did not afford him any better luck as he discovered from Michael that she had accepted an invitation from Coach to eat at their house. He returned to his room and tried to study again, willing the phone to ring. However, when it did ring, it was Karen and not Elizabeth. He could barely conceal his impatience during their brief exchange. He explained to her that he already asked someone else to go to see Romeo with him and was almost gratified when she slammed the phone down in his ear.

On Wednesday, he consoled himself with the thought he would be walking Elizabeth home from the math lab later that night. He looked forward to the walk across campus actually he practically shook with withdrawal he felt from not spending any time with her. Maybe we could go to Denny's for a snack like we use to. He longed to remind her of how much fun they use to have together but didn't want to scare her by coming on too strong.

When he got to the math lab later that night, he found not her, but a wiry senior named Edmund helping her students. "Where's Elizabeth?"

"Oh, Lizzy isn't working tonight." Edmund turned from the problem he was working on. "We traded nights. She worked Monday because she said she had something to do tonight. I didn't ask, but you know women," He shrugged. "She probably had some big date to get ready for or something."

Darcy knew he caused a scene by storming out of the room, but by that point he didn't care. He knew exactly where she was. He glared at the well-lit gymnasium across the quad. Even from that distance, he could hear the cheers coming from the Muskies' annual scrimmage game against the tenured staff. He knew she was there because he knew Richard was playing.

He bought a ticket and practically pushed his way through the crowd. He scanned the bleachers but did not see her. Relief was slowly diffusing the anger that had originally coursed through him. He felt foolish for drawing conclusions about her so easily. She probably was back at her dorm catching up on her studies...he would go there. His eyes found Charles rushing for a basket against Dr. Wingate and he smiled. Out of habit, he searched for his cousin. Richard was on the bench turned away from the game talking to someone sitting behind him. That's odd. Richard never pays attention to anything but the game. Darcy moved closer and when Richard turned to catch up with the action on the floor, Darcy saw Elizabeth wedged in between Charlotte and Caroline. Darcy felt tears sting his eyes. He didn't need a diagram. It was obvious to him what was happening.

On Thursday, Darcy's mood was even darker. He found himself losing his appetite and not being able to sleep. He considered skipping class because he wasn't sure how he was going to face her. He had been a fool to let her know how he felt about her. He felt like a laughing stock because he knew the entire campus was aware of how besotted he was with her. Before this week, he hadn't cared what anyone thought because he had hope. He walked straight to his desk in Dr. Carter's class, jerked his books out of his backpack and dropped them loudly on his desk. He felt angry and miserable. It was unfair. He had been patient with her, he had tried to be the man she needed...and yet she still chose Richard. The weekend together had meant nothing to her.

Karen flounced over to her desk shortly after the lecture began and told him in her airy manner. "You know you could have just told me Tuesday that you had a date already for Friday night..." She pouted. "I mean we had fun last time we went out but if you don't want to be with me again it's your loss not mine..."

He was in no mood for her act. "Look, I'm taking someone else, get over it."

"Well, it is good to see you started dating again. Everyone was beginning to worry about you..." Karen flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Maybe we could get together next weekend..."

"Class. If you could please save organizing your dates for outside of class, I for one would appreciate it." Darcy glanced up sharply. It was clear the entire class had been listening to the exchange between him and Karen and not Dr. Carter. In fact, the only head in the entire room that wasn't turned in their direction was Elizabeth's. He let his eyes touch the back of her head for a moment before he shot his instructor an apologetic look. Pride prevented him from chasing after Elizabeth when she bolted after class. Probably has another lunch date with Richard.

Darcy shook himself out of his reverie as he grabbed his suit jacket off its hanger. He wondered how he was going to possibly spend the night watching her with Richard while trying to pretend his heart wasn't breaking.

"Ready?" He asked his date for the evening.

"As I'll ever be." Charles fiddled with his own tie. "Thanks for talking me into going. I'm really looking forward to seeing your little sister again."

Darcy smiled half-heartedly. "She's too young for you, Bingley."

After missing him all Monday, Lizzy had decided to invite Darcy to lunch on Tuesday. She had rehearsed all morning, trying to make the invitation sound casual but she felt so nervous every attempt she made at being serious made her laugh. Thankfully, she overheard the conversation with Karen before she went and made a complete fool out of herself. Lizzy wondered bitterly if he told Karen how much he loved her before "the private show." And to think, Darcy had practically convinced me that he had been torn up over his feelings for me the night of Phantom. Oh, he was torn up all right. So torn up he had to go straight to Karen's room and... Angry tears welled up in her eyes and she wiped them away not really wanting to know why it hurt to think of him with Karen.

I've never known love until you, Beth. Lizzy shuddered remembering what he had whispered into her ear as they cuddled that last night together. He probably couldn't keep a straight face repeating it twice! What a crock! She put her earrings in and she congratulated herself on successfully, if not narrowly, avoiding Darcy's trap. Borrowing a phrase from Karen, she told her reflection. "It really is Darcy's loss."

She grabbed her wrap from the closet and grabbed Charlotte's keys thankful for the loan of her car. It was getting cooler at night and she didn't feel comfortable walking across campus by herself at night. Especially-- she glanced at her feet-- in three-inch heels. That afternoon she determined if she had to face Darcy and his date alone, she would face them looking her very best. Confidently, she patted her hair before sliding her hand down the green silk of Jane's Christmas present from the year before. She liked the dress and the memories it evoked.

When Darcy greeted his family, Anne looked at him with pursed lips indicating her displeasure with his facial hair. He found out from his parents that even though Jane had extended her trip again, she was going to definitely be home in time for Christmas. As Charles asked his parents about Jane, he talked with the Smiths about their son's absence. Tom told him Chris had caught a nasty flu a few days earlier and couldn't fly in with them. Darcy told them to have Chris call him over break so they could get together.

Bug crawled up into his lap. "You look like a bear, Darcy."

"Really...a bear? Well, I hardly recognize you...you've grown at least an inch."

"Lizzy! Look, Darcy. It's Lizzy." But, Darcy did not want to look. He wanted to put off the inevitable for a second. He knew a part of him would die the minute he saw Richard's smug assurance. And what he saw when he turned made his heart plummet. He recognized the dress instantly and it had the same effect on him as it had that night. "Lizzy!" Bug quickly vaulted out of his lap and crawled over Charles before coming to rest on Elizabeth's lap. Georgie chatted a few minutes with Elizabeth before she tugged on Charles' arm. "You have to switch places with my brother so he can sit with Lizzy..." Charles stood quickly giving up his seat while Darcy hesitated. What am I going to do when Richard comes to claim his seat? He decided he didn't care what Richard thought when he finally showed up. Once the men switched places, Georgie grinned. "Much better. I can sit here on your other side, Lizzy. Darcy and I can share you this way."

"Georgie, that is Richard's seat." Darcy felt his throat close at the improbability of Richard sharing Elizabeth with him. "I'm sure he won't want to share her."

"I didn't come with Richard. I came by myself. And Bug you are quite welcome to sit next to me." Darcy saw Elizabeth opened her program and pointedly ignored him "That way, you can explain the play to me if I get confused. I've never seen it actually performed before..."

"My brother has seen Romeo and Juliet a million, trillion times." Bug did a little hop in her seat. "And he explains things much better than I do...Darcy knows everything. He would be much better at telling you...wouldn't you, Darcy?"

He was still trying to get over the shock of Elizabeth's appearance, that she had come stag, and the fact that they were now sitting side-by-side. This night was not turning out like anything he had feared. "I'd be happy to explain anything you don't understand."

"I think I'd prefer to figure out things on my own."

"But, Darcy, wouldn't mind a bit." Georgie gave him a large smile. "He's really good."

"I have no doubt your brother is good at a great deal ."

Her comment dug at Darcy. After the week she had put him through, he was the one who had the right to be angry. Not her. He had enough. "And just what does that mean?"

"I have to explain it to you?" Her eyes flashed. "I thought you knew everything."

God, she could make a saint cuss. He dug his fingers into his palms as he tried to think of something appropriate he could say in front of his little sister.

Bug crossed her arms. "Why do you two have to fight so much?"

Elizabeth glanced at Georgie as if she had forgotten she was there. "We fight because-"

He couldn't resist cutting her off. "Because Elizabeth is a cruel woman."

"Me?" He saw Elizabeth's face turned red. "You've got to be kidding, Darcy..."

"Do you see me laughing?" He moved forward in his seat not caring people around them had turned to take note of the argument.

Bug sighed loudly. "Why can't you two just kiss and make up?"

Darcy knew that he wanted more than anything to kiss her, to make some sort of claim on her before Richard ran away with her heart again. Unfortunately, this was neither the time, nor the place to kiss her the way he intended to kiss her. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

"Why can't you two just kiss and make up?"

Elizabeth sat through the first half of the play trying to forget the man to her right. It was truly annoying the way the occasional brush of his arm through their contact on the armrest made her heart leap. She was relieved when intermission started and she quickly excused herself from the group. She was going to have to make her apologies to Caroline for missing the play but she had to get away from Darcy. She retrieved her wrap and slipped out the side entrance to the theater. She was almost to Charlotte's car when a hand closed over her arm. She whirled around, frightened by the unexpected touch.

Darcy's lips were a tight line. "Not enjoying the play?"

"Not enjoying the company..." She jerked her arm from his hold.

"That's funny. You seemed to enjoy my company this weekend."

"Let's just say I came to my senses..."

"Really? And let me guess who helped you along with that."

Does he honestly think I have nothing better to do than worry about his overactive love life? God, he was arrogant. "If you think for one minute whatever goes on between you and Karen Cuddles matters to me in the slightest you are even more egotistical than I originally believed."

"Karen! What does Karen have to do with any of this? You know damn well I was referring to Richard." He put his hands on his hips. "What? Is my cousin too worn out from running around with you all week to come with you tonight?"

Lizzy made a startling discovery in that instant. Darcy was jealous of Richard! She decided to use her newfound knowledge to her advantage. "Maybe I'm just cutting out of the play early so I can meet up with him right now. We have a little evening rendezvous planned back in my dorm room...Charlotte is with Billy for the night so it is just going to be the two of us, a little candlelight and some soft music..."

"Is that right?" She had forgotten Darcy could only be pushed so far and he jerked her forward by her shoulders. "Let me give you something to think about while you are with him then." When his lips found hers, it was not like his earlier kisses. It was brutal and savage and it made her blood pound in her veins. His fingers had almost painfully tangled in her hair and he pulled her mouth from his. "Does he kiss you like that?"

"No." She wasn't sure how her arms had arrived around his neck but she hoped he didn't remove them. If he did, she knew her knees wouldn't support her weight.

"No?" Darcy nuzzled her neck and she felt his fingers loosen in her hair. The gentler his touch became the more Lizzy felt as though she were melting. She felt weak as his lips traced a path from her ear to the strap of her dress and tightened her grip on him. "He should. Because a woman like you needs to be kissed like this and kissed like this often." He pressed her against Charlotte's car before reclaiming her mouth in another fiery kiss.

When he began to pull away, she realized she hadn't had enough. She pulled his head back to hers roughly demanding he continue what he started. The kisses grew deeper and more heated as it took a long time to satiate her need for him. Finally, when she felt as if her whole body was burning, she drifted back from him holding onto the car in a haze.

"How can you still go to him after kissing me like that?"

"Darcy, I am not going to see Richard." She ran a fingertip over her bruised lips. "I wasn't going to see Richard tonight at all. I was just going to go back to my dorm...I just wanted to be by myself."

"You weren't going to see him. Then, why did you say that you were meeting him?" When she didn't answer, he planted his hands on Charlotte's car pinning her. "I asked you a question and I deserve an answer, Elizabeth. Why did you say you were going to see him? What game are you playing here?"

"I'm not playing a game...I don't know why I said it. I guess I was trying to upset you because it upset me when I heard Karen tell everyone in class what you two did together after Phantom..."

He looked confused. "She made it sound like more happened that night than actually did. She invited me up to her room and we kissed a few times, but when she asked me to spend the night I declined her invitation. That's it. That's all that happened."

"You expect me to believe you just kissed Karen a few time and decided to leave while she was willing to do more with you?"

"That is what happened, Elizabeth. I'm not lying about it...why would I lie about it?" He raked a hand through his hair. "It's not like I owe you an explanation for what I do and who I do it with..."

"No, you don't." Lizzy fumbled with the car door.

He shoved the door closed when she got it open. "We aren't done here, Elizabeth."

"I think we are..." She turned back to face him.

"I don't think so! You aren't going to call all the shots between us." Lizzy didn't feel frightened by the way his whole body language changed when he was angry with her. In fact, she found herself strangely aroused by the fact he could be assertive at times. "You wanted an explanation about Karen, I gave it to you. I think it is only fair you come clean about what is going on with you and Richard. I think I deserve that much."

"We are friends, Darcy." He snorted. Angry, she threw his words back at him. "Why would I lie to you about it? I don't owe you an explanation for what I do and who I do it with, remember?"

"You just don't quit do you? I have eyes, Elizabeth. I see what is going on with you and Richard...and how do you think it makes me feel knowing everything we shared this weekend meant nothing to you...that you are still in love with him."

"Oh, Jesus!" She stomped her foot in frustration. "I'm not in love with Richard, you idiot! I'm in love with -- " Pure shock stopped her from finishing her sentence. Her mind, it seemed, had finally reconciled itself with what her heart had long ago accepted as the truth. It had been right on the tip of her tongue. I'm in love with you, Darcy. She needed to get away from him. Fast. Now.

He rested his hands on her shoulder stopping her from fleeing. "Don't trifle with me anymore tonight. I know it scares you..." He pressed his forehead against hers and she felt him tremble. "But honey I need to hear you say it just once. Please, Beth, say it."

"I'm not in love with Richard..." She knew if she admitted the truth to him things between them would never be the same. She shut her eyes willing herself past her fear. When she opened her eyes, she found his silently pleading with her. "I'm in love with you."

The remaining act of Romeo and Juliet began without them.

Chapter 6 (b)

Darcy heard the soft ring of a phone somewhere in the distance. He felt comfortable and warm. Sleepily, he pulled the source of the warmth closer to him, earning a soft, feminine moan in response. He opened one eye cautiously, than he opened his other in shock. Elizabeth, clad in her flannel pajamas, was curled up next to him. He almost feared moving lest she would evaporate back into his dreams. The ringing sounded again and he recognized it as his cell phone.

Shifting slowly so as not to wake her, he located his phone. He reached it and growled. "This had better be good."

"I know my son has better manners than to answer his phone in such a fashion."

"Mother..." Darcy almost sat straight up in bed in shock.

"Your father and I were worried after you left in the middle of the performance last night. And then, when we tried your room this morning and didn't get an answer..."

"There is nothing to be concerned about everything is perfectly fine. Last night, Elizabeth wasn't feeling well so I dropped her by her dorm. I should have called you to explain ..." Elizabeth shifted in her sleep and snuggled closer to him. He dropped his voice to a whisper. "As I said before, everything is perfectly fine."

"Why are you whispering, Darcy?"

He knew Anne would not stop until her curiosity was satisfied. Squeezing his eyes shut, he bit the bullet and decided to get the inevitable over with. "I'm not alone."

"I see." Darcy did not want to argue with his mother over Elizabeth. She would just have to learn to accept the fact, just as he had himself, that he had fallen in love with a woman who did not belong to her precious social set. A lengthy pause ensued before he heard his mother exhale. "Are you happy?" He stared at his phone in his hand, startled by her unexpected question. Before he could form a reply Anne continued; this time her voice was the one that dropped to a whisper. " I just want to know you are happy, Darcy. So, tell me, does Elizabeth make you happy?"

Does Elizabeth make me happy? "Yes, mother, she does."

"I'm glad..." Her voice was warm. "Well, the real reason I called was because your father wishes for you to join us for breakfast before we head back to Connecticut this morning...and of course, you can bring Elizabeth along. I'm sure Georgie would be positively ecstatic to see her again. We'll be taking brunch in our hotel dining room in about an hour and half with the Smiths. Will that give you enough time?"

He was surprised at his mother's easy invitation. "We have no plans as far as I know...if there is a problem I'll give you a call back."

"I'm just glad coach canceled practice tomorrow...I don't think my legs will ever feel the same after all those sprint drills he had us run." Richard told Taggert and Charles as they entered the Pub late on Saturday afternoon. They had just finished the most grueling basketball practice he had ever endured in his life. For the first time all week, he didn't want to think about drills or patterns. All he wanted was to eat pizza, relax, and soak for a long time in a hot bath.

"I'm just glad we are going to eat soon...I'm a growing boy and I'm starving." Charles gave them an infectious grin as he headed toward his favorite booth in the rear.

Richard was about to follow them when he heard Lizzy's laughter float over the din of the noisy restaurant. He smiled as he searched the room for her, but when he located her he felt his heart drop into his stomach. In a cozy little booth sat Darcy and Lizzy. He watched almost in a trance as Lizzy leaned on the table and played with her straw. Darcy said something and she laughed. His cousin smiled, selected a slice of pizza, and held it out to Elizabeth. Amazed, he watched as Lizzy moved forward and took a bite.

He closed the distance to their table. "Lizzy."

She turned at the sound of her name and grinned. "Richard! Hey, how was practice?"

"Grueling." He ignored Darcy. "I tried calling you earlier today to see if you wanted to do something tonight. Charles and Michael are going to see a movie and I thought we could tag along if you wanted."

"I'd love to go, but..." She chewed her lip. "But, I already promised Caroline this morning I would go see her play tonight."

"Didn't you see Romeo last night?" He caught the blush that warmed her cheeks.

"I...well...I..." She picked at her pizza. "I left at intermission."

"Why did you leave at intermission?"

She cast a look at Darcy, who spoke. "Elizabeth wasn't feeling well so we left at intermission." Richard saw Darcy's hand move to rest on hers and there was little doubt at his cousin's message. "We are going back tonight to see it again."

So, Darcy would like to think Lizzy and he were a "we." Richard let concern school his features. "Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, I am. It must have been a twenty-four hour bug or something..."

"Good. We are still on for lunch on Monday?"

"Why wouldn't we be?" Her brow furrowed in confusion. "We always eat lunch together..."

"I just thought you might have made other plans." He knew how Darcy felt, but Lizzy was a different matter entirely. It was going to take much more than Darcy's good looks and money to get past her guarded reserve. "You're still coming to the game Tuesday, right? You promised to cheer me on."

"Of course, I'm going to the game..." Lizzy's hand freed itself from his cousin's in her excitement about the upcoming game. "You know I wouldn't miss watching you play in the Cross-Town Shootout for the world."

All through the first act of the play, Darcy tried to conceal the disappointment he had felt at Richard's appearance at dinner. He escorted Elizabeth into the atrium where the refreshments were set up. "Would you like something to drink?"

"What I'd really like," she responded softly, "is for you to tell me what is bothering you." Instead of giving voice to his thoughts, he ordered their drinks. When he turned back with her drink, she took it with some hesitation. "Did I do something wrong? Something to upset you?"

He glanced about the milling crowd. "Elizabeth, we can't discuss this here..."

"But, we are going to discuss this tonight, right?"

"If you wish..." The last thing he really wanted to do was discuss what was bothering him; he much preferred having her take away his doubts without words when they finally managed to be alone together in private.

"I wish..." She gave him a devilishly provocative smile. "I wish we could leave now so we could get to the bottom of what is bothering you..." She touched his arm lightly. "And take care of whatever it is...so it wouldn't spoil the rest of our night together."

Night together? "I fear that intermission wouldn't be long enough for us to scratch the surface...of my problem..." Her nibbling on her lip distracted him. From the way her eyes glittered up at him, he knew it was a deliberate ploy. "Don't tempt me, Elizabeth..."

Her pout was both smug and playful. "But, I thought you liked it when I tempted you."

Across the room, Richard meticulously watched the exchange between the two. Karen leaned against the wall sighing loudly. "Just look at the way Lizzy is throwing herself at him. I'm not going to just stand here and watch this. I'm going to go over there and put a stop to this..."

"No!" Richard grabbed her arm, stopping the cheerleader in her tracks.

Karen glared at him before wrestling herself out of his grip. "I only came here tonight so you could get Lizzy back and I could have a shot with Darcy, remember? How am I supposed to get his attention if you won't let me go talk to him?"

"Karen, I don't think you'd be able to get Darcy's attention now even if you ran naked through this lobby."

He heard Karen huff loudly but his eyes never left the couple. They occasionally would interact with other people passing by, but it was obvious they wanted to be left alone through the casual way Darcy's hand rested on her waist or the way she leaned in to him now and then to whisper something. Richard could almost feel the electricity coursing between them from all the way across the room. He knew he was running out of time; he knew he would have to move quickly if he ever wanted to win Lizzy back.

The play's tragic end had made Elizabeth weep and she was still sniffling softly as Darcy led her to his car. "That was terrific...Shakespeare was brilliant..."

"Yes, he was." He whispered against her cheek.

"Caroline really did well tonight." She glanced at him quickly. "Do you miss her? Is that why you've been so quiet tonight?"

"No, I don't miss her. I imagine I would if we weren't still friends."

"But you were..." She blushed bright pink. "More than friends... I mean."

Darcy chose that moment to consider her. Elizabeth was an enigma. He had to admit there were so many frustrating aspects about her. One minute she was a headstrong woman, the next a child. When she blushed, it was almost enough to convince him she was really innocent and pure. But, he knew better, did he not? He liked to think the reason she was moving so slowly with him was because she regretted the haste of her decision with Richard. She persisted, oblivious to his thoughts. "You were more than friends with Caroline, right?"

"Why does this matter, Elizabeth?" He was almost annoyed. He didn't want to think about what she did with Richard or Marcus or God knew whom else. "I guess you could say Caroline and I went through our experimental stage together. I imagine it was much like you and Marcus...or perhaps, you and Richard."

"Me and Marcus or me and Richard?" she repeated.

"Yes, but all of that is in our past, Elizabeth." He opened her door and turned to her. "I'm more interested in our future...together."

"I want to think about our future too."

Glad he had finally made her understand his point, they continued back to her dorm in an unforced silence. When they parked in front of her dorm, she sighed loudly. "Now, will you please tell me what is bothering you?"

Darcy moved to kiss her. However, she cocked an eyebrow at him leaving little room for negotiation. He grimaced. "Okay, it bothers me the way Richard acts around you..."

She rolled her eyes. "Darcy, we've been through this already. I told you last night..."

"You said a lot of things last night. But then, Richard turns up and you gush all over him. He even asked you out..."

"He didn't ask me out ...he invited me to join him and Charles and Michael at the movies." She crossed her arms across her chest. "And I didn't gush all over him."

"I wouldn't miss the Cross-Town Shootout for the world." Darcy imitated Elizabeth's voice. He knew he was behaving childishly but it had hurt him.

"I promised him I'd go to the Cross-town Shootout months ago. And I thought we could go together..."

"Oh, I'm sure Richard would just love that."

"I'm sure he wouldn't care in the slightest." Darcy had a hard time controlling his disbelief at her statement. "You know this jealousy thing of yours is really starting to get on my nerves! Richard is my friend and I will support my friends any way I can..."

"Even if it upsets me."

"It should only upset you if you don't trust me. Is that what you are saying, Darcy? That you don't trust me?" He frowned at his dash trying to figure out what to say next. No, he didn't trust Richard. Somehow he knew she would not be pleased if he admitted that thought out loud. "Boy, you are in a mood." She sighed. "And, I don't think your mood has really much to do with Richard at all."

He shot her a gaze. "Well, why don't you tell me why I'm in a 'mood' then?"

She gave him a sad smile. "You are disappointed that more didn't happen between us last night." She dared him to deny it with her eyes but he couldn't. "I'm just not ready for that yet...can't we pretend, Darcy? Pretend that there has never been anyone else for... either one of us...that we both want to wait for a point when it would be special."

A part of him wanted to argue that every moment with her was special, but when he met her gaze the fight drained from him. The look in her eyes was so tangible he could barely breathe. He knew without a doubt he had what he had always desired: her love. "We can pretend anything you want, Elizabeth, as long as we are together."

From his car, Richard watched his cousin escort Lizzy to the front of her dorm. He watched as Darcy glanced around to make sure they were alone before pulling Lizzy into a long, heated kiss. When the two pulled apart and Darcy turned to leave, Lizzy caught his arm. A moment later they both headed inside her dorm.

Richard put his head down on his steering wheel, feeling the tears come to his eyes. He had rushed to drop Karen off and had waited in his car so he could talk to Lizzy. He had decided he would come clean and admit how much he still loved her and how much he missed their relationship. He would beg, if necessary, for her to take him back.

But after seeing her with Darcy, he was no longer able to keep the flicker of hope alive. He knew, deep down, that he never stood a chance at winning her back. He didn't want to face the painful truth which was he never had the kind of relationship she and Darcy shared. Finally, when he collected himself enough to drive, he started the lonely trip back across campus wishing he didn't have the image of Lizzy kissing Darcy so passionately in his mind.

On Sunday morning, Lizzy woke up in an extremely awkward position because, somewhere during the night, Darcy had hogged most of her covers and taken possession of her favorite pillow. She had no doubts about what she must look like. Her lips felt swollen from the ardor of their exchanges and her cheeks had been rubbed raw by his beard. Her hair was probably sticking up like Medusa's from all the time his hands spent in it. Not that she was complaining.

Even though Darcy was a very thorough lover and she was tempted to give him what she knew he desired of her, she still wasn't ready. His words from the previous night came back to her. "I guess you could say Caroline and I went through our experimental stage together. I imagine it was much like you and Marcus...or, perhaps, you and Richard." It had stunned her that Darcy could still want to be with her after believing she had been intimate with not one, but both of his cousins. She wondered if he would be disappointed or relieved when he found out the truth.

Putting the thought aside, she let her gaze lower to his chest. She remembered the first time she had seen him without his shirt and how even then she had longed to run her hands over his pectorals and his abdominal muscles, feeling each ripple in infinite slowness. She let her hand slide over his chest now, bringing her longing to fruition.

"If this is a dream, I never want to wake up." His warm voice made her smile.

"A dream? What..." She purred into his ear. "Don't I feel real to you?"

He growled and quickly rolling her onto her back claiming a morning kiss. When he let her come up for air, he buried his face into her neck. "Say it again, Beth."

She teased him about his short-term memory but finally gave into his request as he retaliated by tickling her. "I love you, Darcy."

When Charlotte returned from the weekend at Billy's, Lizzy glanced up from her homework. "Find the dress yet?"

"No!" Charlotte flopped the volumes on her bed. "And Billy was absolutely no help this weekend. Anything his mother wanted for the wedding, he went along with regardless of whether I liked it or not. You should have seen this hideous dress she picked out for herself to wear ..." She flopped backwards on her bed. "And of course, Billy just told her how wonderful she looked. I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry ...you'll see what I mean at the wedding."

"Char, I'm sure it isn't that bad."

"Lizzy, I swear. It's worse than whatever you'd imagined...." Char grimaced from the memory. "The only good thing about this weekend is that I found this gorgeous dress that I think will look great on you and Kylie. And before you ask, Lizzy, there is absolutely no fru-fru stuff. It is just a tea length dress which is a little form fitting, but nothing you couldn't pull off with a little alteration in the bust."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."

Charlotte opened her suitcase and began sorting through her clothes. "So, what happened this weekend? Did I miss anything?"

"Well, now that you mention it..." Lizzy put her book away and turned to her roommate. "I guess I'd better tell you everything before you hear about it from someone else..."

Charlotte's howling chant of "I knew it! I knew it!" could be heard throughout Mercer Hall.

Chapter 7 ~ Part 1 - New Beginnings

"And I know everyone in the Tri-State is wondering about this year's cross town shootout--we go live to the Cintas Center, Randy...cast in the rare role of underdog in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout, UC put an emphatic end to the Musketeers' recent run in the series with a 75-55 triumph tonight. A suffocating defensive effort and balanced scoring led the Bearcats to the biggest scoring margin in the series since 1965. The victory probably means a return to the Top 25 for UC, while XU fell to 5-3 on the season. XU had won four of the last five Shootouts, tying its best five-year run in series history. There was little gloating by the Bearcats. Just a sense of justice after back-to-back narrow defeats in the series."

Richard snorted in disgust and pressed the channel select button but the channel refused to budge.

"Taggert Smouth showed none of last year's shooting brilliance by scoring just seven points on 3-of-14 shooting. But the nail in the Muskie's proverbial coffin was when Richard Fritz left with what appears to be a season ending knee injury minutes into the first half...without him the Muskies are going to be in for a long season."

Richard resisted the urge to hurl the remote at the TV and decided instead to glare at his knee which was held in traction above his bed. He had another target when a petite blonde woman entered his hospital room. "This stupid television remote doesn't work and if you don't mind I really don't need reminders about how bad we played tonight..."

The aid smiled. "Perhaps you would have better luck changing the channel if you were pressing the remote button..."

Richard was not mollified. "I was."

"The button with the little nurse cap is the button for the nurse's station..." She pointed to the remote. "The arrow up button is the one you want to press." She took the offending item from his hand and aimed it to the television where the news had moved onto the current weather forecast. The channel moved and then she turned it off.

"Hey, I was watching that..."

"You have a roomful of visitors down the hall and they seem pretty intent upon visiting you." The blonde began taking his pulse.

He snatched his wrist from her grasp. "I'm fine and I don't want any visitors."

Without another word she continued back into the hallway and announced in a sunny voice. "It's okay you can see him now."

Richard was still fuming at his treatment when the entire basketball team filed into his room. Charles sat on his bed taking evident care not to hurt his leg and asked with a loopy grin. "How's it hanging?"

Richard rolled his eyes but smiled. After a little small talk about how they would make the Bearcats pay in post season and after a few muttered well wishes, the team and coaching staff left. As soon as they vacated, he was surprised to see Darcy, and Darcy alone, enter his room.

"You have a lot of nerve coming here." Richard lashed out. "Why don't you just leave..."

"I should I suppose." But instead of leaving, Darcy dropped heavily into the uncomfortable chair beside him. "Richard, after everything is said and done, we are family..."

"Family. And we both know how much you value your family..."

"I didn't come here to fight with you. I was concerned about you and I wanted to let you know if there was anything I could do..."

"I think you've done enough..." Richard cut himself off. "Look, Darcy, I appreciate what you are trying to do but this really isn't the time for this...I just don't want to talk about this right now. I need time to think things through...I'm just not over it yet."

"I understand, Richard, I really do. But, there are a few things you should know..."

"What? What else haven't you told me."

"Elizabeth is coming by tomorrow to visit you and ..."

"...please don't try to do something underhanded like use her sympathy to try to win her back. I get it. And don't worry, I wouldn't stoop to such a thing. Now, if we are through, please leave me alone..."

"That isn't what I was going to say. I realize this is a very awkward situation for both of us but if you haven't figured it out for yourself yet, Elizabeth doesn't seem to realize the depth of your feelings for her..."

"I really don't want to discuss this right now..."

"We have to. As I said earlier she is coming to visit you tomorrow...I practically had to drag her back to her dorm tonight she was so determined to see you tonight..." Darcy sighed. "I came here tonight to see if it would be easier for you if I made excuses and kept her away -- or if you did want to see her if you wanted her to come by herself ---"

"You trust her alone with me."

"I have no other choice, do I? Trust isn't something you have in half measures. I either trust her or I don't."

"It's all right if you come with her tomorrow...." Richard tried to be light hearted. "Just promise me that there will be none of that kissy-face stuff...I don't think I'm ready for anything that nauseating."

"I promise." Darcy offered a weak smile. "Well, I better be going. You are going to need your rest -- the scope is scheduled early in the morning."

"Yes, it is." Richard settled back against his pillows. "Thanks for coming by Darcy."

It was hours later before Richard woke up in excruciating pain. He fumbled for his remote again and carefully pressed the correct button.

It seemed like an eternity before he heard a familiar nurse's voice. "Were you trying to change the channel again?"

"No." Richard squirmed. "I need some pain medicine...."

"Can you describe your pain from a 1-10..."

"Would I be bothering you if I wasn't in a lot of pain..." Richard tempered his tone. There was nothing worse than a bad patient. "It is a 15 on a 1-10 scale, all right? Can I have something NOW."

"Let me get the nurse..."

He was almost weak with the spasms shooting up from his injured knee. "Please, hurry, I can't take it much longer."

"I'll find the head nurse and have her get you something right away."

Ten minutes later as he felt the soothing effect of the morphine course through him, Richard went to sleep for the first time in months knowing without a doubt things were going to be all right. And, for the first time in months, his last thoughts were not of Elizabeth Bennet, but of a blonde haired nurse smiling down at him.

Chapter 7

Part II - New Beginnings

Richard's ACL was torn but thankfully there is no damage to his meniscus.

How about trying that in English, cuz.

The main ligament holding his kneecap in place was torn but his kneecap was not damaged..

Does this mean he is going to miss the entire season?

Looks that way. He was bummed about it at first, but he is perking up a bit. And, he recognizes the fringe benefits of being "the poor patient.".

What fringe benefits?

Apparently, a man on crutches is more irresistible than a healthy basketball stud. Elizabeth practically has to beat women off of him so he can study anatomy with her..

It doesn't still make you uncomfortable that they spend time together, does it?

Darcy laughed out loud at Jane's last comment and Elizabeth looked up from the calculus papers she was grading. At her silent inquiry, he said, "Jane just asked me if I was jealous of the time you spent going over anatomy notes with Richard."

"And your reply was?" He turned his laptop to face her and slid around the table as she read his reply out loud. "He studies anatomy with her, but I study her anatomy. DARCY WILLIAMS, YOU ..."

His kiss cut off any further shocked response Elizabeth may have formulated. When the unexpected kiss ended, she cuddled up against his chest and Darcy tightened his hold on her. The chime of Jane's response broke the moment and both glanced at the screen.

WAY TOO MUCH INFO, CUZ!

Darcy typed around Elizabeth. When are you coming home, Jane? We miss you!.

We? Is Lizzy there? Holy cow, Darcy, what do you two do...spend every waking minute together!!!!

For your information, we are at the math lab. I am working on my poly sci while Elizabeth grades some homework, but I think I'm distracting her.

Elizabeth leaned back into his chest. "Like I'd every complain about you distracting me."

"You wouldn't?" His voice became husky as he hauled her out of her chair and onto his lap. "You should never have told me..."

Elizabeth giggled as he nuzzled her ticklish spot on the back of her neck with his chin. "Darcy, I have these papers to grade..." He kissed the nap of her hair as she continued with her litany of a "to do list." "I have an anatomy final to study for..." As she twisted in his arms, he licked the warm skin. "And we both have poly sci papers to write..." He smiled as she was starting to get breathless. "And then you have your speech to practice..." He kissed her deeply and when he let her up for air, she relented easily, "Well, we could always take a intsy-winsy break if you really wanted to..."

"Taking a break? Making out with me? Elizabeth Bennet is that all you ever think about?" He feigned offense as he easily dumped her back in her chair. "Jeez, you know there is more to me than just a body...I have a mind too. And, I do need to get back to my homework...."

Elizabeth giggled but then quickly refocused her attention back on her Dr. Wingate's papers while Darcy returned to his seat across the table to continue his conversation with Jane.

So, is Lizzy coming to Pemberley for New Years?

No, Elizabeth is going home. . Darcy dreaded the three-week separation of Christmas Break. It is going to be a rather boring New Years with her in Kentucky and me in Connecticut..

Why aren't you going home with her? Darcy could hear Jane's accusation across the miles.

She doesn't want me to. When I suggested it, she was pretty emphatic about me going to Connecticut. I think she plans on spending a lot of time at the hospital with her father.

At the hospital? I thought my mom said they were letting Ben go home for the holidays. Has something new happened?

You seem to know more than I do.. Darcy tried to ignore his own sense of hurt. We don't really talk about her father but I know she is always thinking about him. She is dealing with enough emotional stuff right now that I don't want her to feel like I'm pushing her to let me in more than she is comfortable with.... All I can do is be here for her when/if she wants me..

Hang in there. She is worth it.

I have never doubted that. Hey, how is Francoise?

Ever since her gallery opening in Paris that previous fall, Jane had been touring around Europe with Francoise. It made Darcy uneasy that his favorite cousin was spending so much time with someone as flamboyant as her mentor, but she seemed to be happy and, unbelievably, maturing under his tutelage.

He is so easy going and patient with me. He really has given me some great insights into relationships.

Darcy rolled his eyes. I bet.

Ouch! He is a good guy, Darcy. I really feel safe when I'm around him. It is almost like I feel when you are around...

So, when are you coming back to Xavier? You know the place just ain't the same without you.

I'm not sure. After last year, I am in no hurry to come back. Besides, I really needed someone to boost my self-esteem. I thought you would be the first one to understand that it is hard carrying around a torch for someone who won't ever return your affections.

What is that suppose to mean? Don't tell me you fancy yourself in love with Michael!

Ha Ha. That wasn't even funny! But, it is okay because I am beyond all of that "puppy love" stupidity. Love is so much more than the physical...

I know love is more than physical...but the physical sure is nice.

EEEWWW! I just had a bad mental picture! I can't believe I'm telling you this, cousin, but love should be based on mutual admiration!

Let me guess, you admire Francoise.

Of course, I admire Francoise. What isn't there to admire? He is an artistic genius who finds me fascinating...

So do you have big plans for tonight?

Francoise and I are going out to Le Teme for dinner and he has something really important to ask me. I'm so excited. I know what he is going to ask me and I just don't know what I'm going to say. I'm giddy and nervous right now...OMG, I've got to go, he's here. I can't keep Francoise waiting now, can I? Give Lizzy my love. Take care, Bye.

"Oh, my God." Darcy's heart sank like a stone and he rubbed his brow in disbelief. "I think Francoise is going to ask Jane to marry him."

"I think you are over reacting." Elizabeth wrinkled her nose up at him. "I'm sure Jane would not do something as impulsive..."

"Impulsive? Impulsive? We are talking about Jane here! Wasn't the whole trip to France impulsive? Quitting school? And just look at her track record with men...she jumps from one relationship to another leaving men and broken hearts in her wake...she doesn't think ten minutes down the line much less ten years..."

"Hey, buddy, that is my best friend you are talking about."

"Jesus, she went through the entire soccer team in less than a month. Thank god, I was wise enough to warn Charles about her...."

"You warned Charles about Jane?" Elizabeth felt like a blow had been delivered to her midsection. "Why would you warn Charles about Jane?"

"Yes, I warned him. And, I would do it again, gladly. I had to protect him from himself. He actually believed he was in love with her."

"Protect him? You actually thought you had to protect him from falling in love with Jane?"

"I love Jane to pieces but we both have to admit she would have chewed him up and spit him out before he knew what hit him." Darcy saw the disapproval on Elizabeth's face. "What was I suppose to do, Beth? Charles is my best friend."

"Yes, and Jane is your cousin! Jane has been pining after Charles for nearly a year now. I think part of the reason she went to France was so she wouldn't have to face him every day."

"Why didn't Jane say or do something? It isn't like she is shy..."

"I don't know, Darcy. She felt differently about Charles than anyone else she ever dated and I think it frightened her at first and then when she was willing to do stop playing games, it was too late. I can't believe you never noticed how miserable she seemed toward the end of last year."

"I noticed. I guess my only defense is that I was just a little distracted by my own misery to see what was going on around me." Darcy closed his laptop with a sigh as Elizabeth started gathering her papers together. "I'm an idiot and if I get Francoise as a cousin by marriage it's my own damnable fault. "