Section I, Next Section

Chapter One

Lizzy was in a hurry this morning. Her group was presenting their assignment for professional studies that morning, and she was running late. She had stayed up till 1:30 to put the finishing touches to the web site her group was using, and practicing her speech. She'd slept through her alarm, and was woken up by her sister Jane, who lived in the other room in their granny flat. She dressed in a flash and then rushed through breakfast like a whirlwind.

Lizzy stood in front of the mirror and nodded to herself as she finished fixing her long, brunette hair and straightening her blouse. Elizabeth Bennet was a smart 18 year old and was doing her Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Avionics at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). She turned as she saw Jane's reflection join hers in the mirror.

Jane leaned against the door, a cup of steaming coffee in her hand.

"Here, I thought you might need this." Jane Bennet was a tall and graceful 19 year old. She too was studying at QUT, but she a second year student studying primary education.

Lizzy took it gratefully and had a sip.

"Thanks Jane, it's just what I need. What would I do without you?"

She looked at the time and nearly spilled her drink. It was 7:35am.

"Oh, I'm supposed to be picking up Charlotte now. I'm late. She's going to kill me!"

She gulped the rest of her drink quickly.

"Can you pack up the laptop when it has recharged? I'll just say goodbye to all in the house. I hope mum doesn't want to come with us, or I'll get there after its finished!"

Lizzy picked up her bag and the bag containing the posters for the presentation and ran out the door of the granny flat. The granny flat joined onto the garage. Lizzy cut across the garage to the old Blue Toyota Corolla she shared with Jane, dumped all of the presentation material into the boot and made a mad dash into the awakening Bennet household.

A short hall brought her to the kitchen where her father was finishing off a drink of coffee while reading the paper. She could see her mum coming down the stairs.

"Mum, Dad, I'm leaving now. I'll see you all there."

"What, you cannot leave without us. We must see what type of boys you are associating with at university!" screeched Mrs. Bennet.

"Mum, I'm supposed to leave in negative five minutes!"

"Oh, I hate it when you talk in technical terms. Your father does enough of that as it is."

Mr. Bennet just looked up from his coffee with an eyebrow raised and a half smile on his face. Mrs. Bennet then looked her daughter up and down with disapproval.

"Look at what your wearing! Why are you wearing trousers? You look like a male."

This comment created a frown from Mr. Bennet, and a sigh from Lizzy. At this point Jane also entered the kitchen.

"At least Jane's wearing shorts so she can show off her legs. Not that she needs to because she is naturally beautiful, but you Lizzy need all the help you can get!"

"Mum, this is a presentation! Jane isn't getting marked on it."

"What do marks matter with getting a man! Men don't want a smart woman."

Mrs. Bennet threw up her hands in frustration.

"I don't know why I try with you Lizzy! Doing such an unfeminine subject like engineering!"

Lizzy's face was starting to go red as her temper was rising. She said sarcastically, "Yes, but it's full of men."

"What good will that do you if they don't realise that you're a woman because you look just like a man!"

Lizzy was completely frustrated now.

"I don't have time for this. I nearly fifteen minutes late now! The presentations start at 9 in Z block. You know where it is?" Her father nodded as she walked over to him to give him a kiss. "Wish me luck."

Mr. Bennet gave Lizzy a quick hug.

"You don't need luck, I know it will all run smoothly. You'll be fine. You've done enough preparation judging from how late you stayed up last night."

Lizzy gave him an inquiring look and he smiled at her.

"Good luck."

Lizzy turned around and walked to the garage with Jane.

A minute later, Mr. Bennet saw his girl's car speed off down the street.

Chapter 1 B

The same morning

"Charles, come on man, wake up....Charles!"

Charles Bingley rolled over in his bed and opened one eye very grudgingly. He immediately regretted it as a headache hit him. That would be the last time he'd be going clubbing when he had to get up at a reasonable time the next morning. "What? Go away, Darcy. It's too early. Leave me alone."

"It's nearly 7 Charles. Come on, get up. Are you coming in with me today or not? Remember, you said you would come in today to watch Richard's presentation. And don't you need to go in to do some study and to hand in an assignment?" said Darcy as he mentally shook his head at his blond friend.

"Can't we go in later? It's too early. Your cousins presentation doesn't start until 9 anyhow."

"I have to help set up." William Darcy was a tall, extraordinarily good looking 3rd year engineering student specializing in avionics at QUT. He had also worked as a tutor for the first year professional studies class, and had promised to assist in set up. He was also getting paid for doing so. Otherwise he'd be doing the same as Bingley. "Plus, your sister wants to go in. If we wait, we'll have to give her a lift in." Bingley's sister, Caroline, was infatuated with Darcy and was convinced they were in a relationship. However, he found it very difficult to put up with her.

"Ok, ok, I'm getting up." Charles reluctantly pulled himself out of bed, pulled on a shirt and jeans. "Ahh, my head feels like stone." He managed to stumble out of the room and to the bathroom.

Darcy looked at him unsympathetically. He'd also been clubbing the night before, but he had avoided drinking because he was the designated driver. "Maybe you shouldn't drink three jugs of beer next time?"

"There isn't going to be a next time." Darcy didn't believe it for a minute. "Plus it was nearly four jugs, 3 pints of Guineas, and some rum and coke. Or was it vodka? I can't remember. Actually, I can't remember that much of it," he admitted as he emerged from the bathroom.

"You don't even remember the nice little red head your were talking and dancing with for most of the night?" Darcy asked.

Bingley struggled to remember, then a light came on. "I remember, I think. I think I got her phone number."

"Will you call her back?"

"Maybe. Probably not, I can't really recall what we talked about. I think her name was...umm, Harriet?"

Darcy just smiled at him as they made their way to the kitchen of their house. Charles was always able to pick up girls, though he was never really interested in any of them. Darcy made some coffee, while Bingley made some toast. Darcy looked out of the window. He could see an ultralight descending. The house they were renting was situated in Archerfield, only a five-minute drive from the Archerfield airport, which was convenient for Darcy, as he occasionally worked at the airport. They shared the house with Charles two younger sisters, Louisa and Caroline, and Louisa's boyfriend, Hurst.

Charles ate his breakfast quickly and sipped at his coffee while Darcy read the paper. His head was slowly clearing, though it still pounded. Charles was also a third year student at QUT, but he was studying Architecture. He already had a job guaranteed for him at the end of the year. Their father was the managing director of Bingley Construction, which had recently expanded to Sydney. Charles would be working in the architectural division of the company. Charles and Darcy had rented the house for the last three years, ever since they graduated from Terrace together. (Terrace is a prestigious boys school.)

Bingley continued to complain about the hour and his head, but Darcy wasn't listening. By seven thirty they were ready to leave. Darcy was just about to breathe a sigh of relief that Caroline wasn't up yet when she entered the kitchen wearing a rather skimpy orange nightie.

"What are you two doing so early." She continued on without waiting for an answer. "I don't know how you manage it, going out until the early hours of the morning, then getting up an going out again within hours. It's hardly fair, your always going out clubbing without me. Just because I'm not 18 yet."

She walked up to William and took hold of his arm to lean on.

"Especially for you William, leaving me alone while you go out and enjoy yourself."

Darcy shook her off his arm and walked to the hall she had just appeared from.

"I don't see why. I'm not your keeper. I'm sure you are able to amuse yourself quite well without me. Do you expect us to stay with you just because you're not 18 yet?" He picked up his car keys from the table. "Are you ready Charles?"

This was not the response Caroline was looking for. Caroline was a first year business student. She had graduated from Brisbane Girls Grammar the year before. She would have gone to University of Queensland, which was considered the more fashionable university, but her Overall Position wasn't good enough to get into UQ, and Darcy was going to QUT, which made that university respectable. "You are not leaving yet, are you? Didn't you remember that I'm going in as well? You have to wait for me."

Neither Charles nor Darcy wanted Caroline to go with them. Charles found his sister rather annoying at times. And at this particular point in time, she was making his head pound worse.

"Caroline, there's a perfectly good public transport system here. You don't need us."

Caroline looked at him with shock. "Public transport! Are you mad? I can't catch a bus. The people on there! I'll be with all the unemployed and homeless. And the horrible seats. Or I'll have to sit next to some unwashed old man!"

"Well, maybe if you had gotten your license by now instead of having us drive you around all the time, you wouldn't have this problem." Charles patted his sister on the back. "Don't worry. You'll survive like the rest of the population who catches the bus every day."

"You can't be serious. William, tell him that he should wait for me," Caroline pleaded to Darcy.

"We have to leave, now." Darcy was starting to get impatient.

"Just wait a few minutes. Then we can leave, just don't leave and make me catch the bus." Caroline felt that she had a chance with William.

Darcy looked at her and had a wicked thought about how to get rid of her. He knew Caroline well, he'd known her since meeting her brother over eight years ago, and for a very short time he had actually dated her. But those days were long over; just she didn't believe it was so.

"We have to leave now. We'll take you with us if you're at the car before we leave."

Caroline ran over to Darcy to give him a hug. She was victorious.

"I knew it, you wouldn't leave without me. I won't be a minute." She then left to get ready.

"Quick Bingley, lets get out of here." They were the door, down the front stairs and at Darcy's commodore very quickly.

Caroline turned in shock as she heard the car peal off down the street. What, they were serious. How could William and Charles do that to her! She was furious and frustrated.

Charles head pounded worse than before with that little sprint of exercise.

"I still can't believe I'm up this early. I swear nothing good will come of going to uni so early. I should have just rolled over."

Darcy chuckled. "Come on Charles, don't look at it that way. And there's been one good thing so far. You get to avoid Caroline for a few hours."

"Well, I guess that's one thing. But nothing else good will come of today. I know it."

Chapter Two

Lizzy pulled up in front of Charlotte's house in Holland Park and beeped the horn. Charlotte was waiting for them. She jumped in the back seat and they were moving again within seconds.

"Sorry we're late. I slept in," apologised Lizzy.

"Heh, that's ok. I'm more worried about what the guys will think. But I would have expected you to be the last person to sleep in."

"I was up till rather late finishing the webpage."

"Shouldn't it have been finished a week ago?"

"I would have been if people had decided to give me their sections in time. But as it was, our appointed graphic artist couldn't be bothered giving the pictures until last night, then I found I had to seriously edit them. I just want this whole damn thing finished."

Charlotte nodded her head in agreement. Charlotte Lucas was a plain nineteen year old. She had long brown hair, brown eyes and she was slightly plump. She also wasn't particularly tall. She had studied science last year, but changed to become a first year mechanical student. She lived at home with her mother and stepfather, and her six stepbrothers and sisters.

They drove in silence until they reached the car park at QUT at 8:15. Then it was a mad rush to not be any later than they already were.

Darcy and Bingley pulled into the QUT parking lot right under Z block at 7:55am. From there it was a walk to the lift, and up to level 4. Stepping into the open hall of level 4, they were greeted by the sight of students bustling around relatively quietly. It didn't first register that there were students in the hall, because all were dressed professionally, as opposed to the normal casual attire that adorned most students. The kidney shaped seating in the centre of the hall had been replaced by empty stalls that were being set up. The high cement walls were adorned with posters promoting the student expo.

Darcy looked around the hall, until he saw his cousin. Richard Fitzwilliam was standing in front of an empty stall, and throwing expectative looks in the general direction of the lifts. Richard lifted his hand in a lazy wave. Darcy and Bingley walked over.

"Hi Fitz, how are you this morning?"

"Nervous. None of my team has showed up yet. I mean, it's only just eight now, but I would have expected Liz to be here by now. I don't know what could possibly be keeping her." Fitz ran a hand through his blond hair. Fitz was as tall as his cousin and as good looking but in exactly the opposite way. Where Darcy was dark, Fitz was blond and had compelling blue eyes. Where Darcy was quiet and reserved, Fitz was open, easy going and lively. Fitz was Darcy's age, but he had spent two years traveling and in the army reserves, before starting his avionics coarse.

Fitz looked over at Bingley's forlorn grimace. "You don't look too good this morning."

Bingley smiled goofily. "I was up till rather late last night."

Fitz nodded knowingly. "Ah, I see. A good night?"

"I can't say. I can't recall that much of it."

Both Darcy and Fitz smiled at this. Darcy looked at his watch. "I'd better see one of the lecturers and see what I have to do today. I'll probably be running errands all day."

"Yep, see you around." At this point, Richard looked up to see William Collins approaching. "Ah, I think I have a team member who will join me. Not the one I would of liked, but I guess he will do."

Darcy left to find a lecturer, and Bingley trailed after him. Bingley trailed after him for the next fifteen minutes before Darcy mentioned anything. "Bingley...don't you have anything else to do today. Maybe hand an assignment in?"

"I guess I should. I'll come back later then." Bingley was just about to turn around and leave when he slapped his head with his hand. "Damn, I'm such an idiot. My mind must still be back in bed." Darcy stared at him. " I left my bag in your car. Can I borrow your car keys to get them out?"

"Sure, just return them soon." Darcy fished into his trouser pockets before pulling out a bunch of keys and passing them to Bingley.

"Thanks." Bingley headed back towards the lift and waited, all the time muttering to himself that he should have stayed in bed. His head was still aching. 'Nothing good will come of today,' was his main thought as he waited in the lift. He was still thinking that when he rushed out of the lift.

And ran right into an angel.

All either could do was stare into each other's eyes. Charles looked straight into her sea blue eyes, as she was the same height as him. Long blond hair hung loose down her back, framing her graceful and flawless face. He could nearly see the halo hanging above her head. He also took in her very graceful figure, and two very nice, long legs. It took him awhile to realise that his angel had kneeled to the ground. It was then that he realised that he had been quite rude to run into her. He dropped down on to one knee to help her pick up the posters she had dropped.

"I'm awfully sorry. I hope you are all right?"

The angel looked up at him and smiled a smile that was able to make the face even more beautiful than it was before, though he hadn't believed that to be possible. She then blushed slightly. "Oh, don't worry. I'm fine." Her voice was absolute music. He was enchanted.

He helped her pick up the last poster. As he handed it over to her, he found himself very reluctant to let it go. They both stared into each other's eyes for a while longer before Charles roused himself, got up and gave her a hand up as well.

A brunette was holding the door of the lifts open. "Jane, are you coming up with us?"

Jane blushed and looked over to the other girls who Charles had only just noticed. "Sorry Liz."

Charles realised he was holding them up. For once he found himself tongue tied with a girl. "Once again sorry about that." 'Why couldn't I think of something else to say?' he asked himself.

"Thank you for helping me pick them up. Ah, bye." Jane left regretfully, then stepped into the lift.

Charles stood there for a minute computing what had just happened. Then he smiled and walked to the car whistling. For some reason, his headache had seemed to disappear.

Chapter 3

Mistaken Assumptions

Lizzy watched the exchange between Jane and the good looking young man from the lift doors. Both her and Charlotte found it quite amusing. That Jane stunned the man was obvious. Lizzy finally had to interrupt the two as she was starting to get worried that they wouldn't move from there again.

When the lift doors had closed, Charlotte virtually collapsed into laughter, Lizzy chuckled and Jane blushed. "What?" asked Jane defensively.

"Oh, you hooked that poor guy in with just one look. I think this is a record, even for you," Lizzy managed to get out. Jane just blushed even more.

"And I think you like him too. When can we expect the wedding?" asked Charlotte between fits of laughter.

"I don't know what you are going on about. I don't even know the guy. We'll probably never see each other again." Jane paused on that thought. "But he was hot!"

"Oh, don't worry, for some reason I think you'll meet again. You made quite an impression on him. He's probably helping at the presentation today." Lizzy stopped as the lift reached level 4 and the door opened. " I don't think the guys will be impressed with us somehow."

Lizzy could see everyone else in their presentation group gathered around their bare stall. The three started walking towards the stall. Richard looked up just then and saw them. A relieved smile crossed his face and he breathed a sigh. "I'm glad you decided to make it today, ladies."

"Sorry we're late. I slept in."

William Collins moved to stand next to her. He smiled condescendingly at her and gave her a strange look. "To sleep in on a morning as important as this is simply unforgivable. One of my dear friends, Catherine DeBourg always tells me, to turn up late to a time such as this shows a very great disregard for your fellow team members and is the very height of rudeness. But we will forgive you for this lapse. One must expect that from your kind at times."

Lizzy rolled her eyes, as did everyone else. "Thank you sooo very much," she said sarcastically. "But I believe we've wasted enough time as it is. Let's get started, and if there is enough time we will go through the speeches." Everyone got to work.

William Collins bumped into her. "Sorry Elizabeth," he breathed virtually in her face with his strange smile that always sent chills up Lizzy's spine.

William Collins was a thirty-three year old electrical engineering student. Lizzy had known him for the last twelve years, ever since he had started working in her father's company, Longbourn Avionics. Their father's were partners in Longbourn Avionics, which had started just as a repair shop for avionics systems. Collins started as a technician, and after the death of his father four years ago, he had taken over his father's side of the partnership. Only a few years ago, Longbourn had expanded into engineering. The financial outlay had been considerable, and a very large loan had to be obtained. Unfortunately, the Bennet's house was heavily mortgaged, and it was not enough to secure the loan. The only one who would offer a loan was Mr. Collin's neighbour, Catherine DeBourg, the widow of a financier. But the agreement from the loan stipulated that in the case of Mr. Bennet's death, full ownership would pass to Mr. Collins, unless Mr. Bennet had another certified engineer to replace him.

It was only this year that Collins decided to get his qualification to become an engineer. Unfortunately, he decided to do so in the same year that Lizzy would start, and he picked the same university. Collins made Lizzy feel incredibly uncomfortable. He was a sleaze, in looks and attitude. First, he was old compared to her, of an average height, had greasy black hair but somehow believed himself to be irresistible. He was slightly plump, and had beady black eyes which were very disconcerting, since they were always staring at her, or not so much her, but at places that they shouldn't be staring at. He was also a complete fool. The employees at Longbourn called despised him. He worshipped Catherine DeBourg, and praised her continually. It was more than most people could put up with.

The other two guys in their group, Carter and Denny were both civil engineering students, just out from high school like Lizzy. They were good looking and friendly, but Lizzy didn't spend much time with them. They were the 'graphic designers', creating the mechanical and structural sketches for their Mars Rover.

Lizzy watched as they hung the posters up. She set up the laptop on their little bench. As they were putting the finishing touches to the display, Fitz came up behind her and laid a hand on her shoulder. Lizzy looked up and smiled. Ever since they first met, there had been a strong attraction. They had become the best of friends in a very short time. But there had always been that something more, so they tried going out for a while. It lasted two weeks before they realised that it felt too strange to be anything other than friends. But they had had two lapses from that decision after their break up as they just found themselves in tempting situations. But their on-again-off-again relationship was now definitely off. But that didn't stop the attraction.

"I think we have a bit of time still. I'd like you to meet my cousin. I know the two of you will just love each other." Fitz said that with an evil grin to himself. He knew that they would go off....literally.

"Sure, if he's as good looking as you," Lizzy joked.

"There are no worries there." Fitz looked around the room. Darcy had just walked past and was talking with Bingley only a few metres away. "That's him, standing less than three metres away. The dark haired one."

Lizzy's jaw dropped in shock. Fitz could not be serious...........

Chapter 3 B

Darcy was hurrying around when he ran into Bingley again. "Where have you been. You left with my keys twenty minutes ago. I thought you'd stolen my car."

Charles came up to him cheerfully and handed back the keys. "Nothing like that. But I ran into the most beautiful girl. She was like a dream come true. Words cannot describe her." Charles seemed to be in a daze.

"Hmm, did you talk with her? Did you find out her name?"

"No, I mean I literally ran into her. I found out her name was Jane. She must be around here somewhere though; she was carrying posters for this presentation. Maybe I'll see her again." He looked around the hall. Actually, he'd been doing that since getting back from the car, but with no luck. But this time he caught sight of Lizzy. "But, there is one of the girls she was with. I think she called her Lisa, or Liz or something like that. She's also quite pretty."

Darcy looked in the direction he pointed. And saw her. "Oh, her. I then wouldn't take her friend very seriously," he said. He remembered this particular girl. She was in his tutorial class. The first impression he had had of her was her entrance, talking and laughing with about a dozen, rowdy guys to his tutorial. He had immediately noticed that she was quite pretty, but too flippant and carefree. He just thought, floozy. The girl had no sophistication, wearing only shorts and singlet to his tutorial, flouting her femininity. But he had noticed her eyes. One of the guys had made some comment, and she had death stared him until he shrank in fear. He wondered how weak that guy could be to cower in such a way.

What had decreased his opinion of her further was the fact that she then disagreed with him within two minutes of the tutorial. And then she got up and left five minutes later. After that he had seen her for the first five minutes of every tutorial, and then she would leave. Yep, a most definite floozy.

Charles was disappointed at this bit of news. "Why, do you know her? Does she already have a boyfriend?"

"I have no idea about that. The girl is in my tutorial group. I have no idea who she is because I haven't marked any of her assignments. I don't think she's handed any in. She has never stayed for more than a few minutes of any of the tutorials. She appears to be in Fitz's group. She turned up late to the presentation. You can't get much more disorganized than that. I'm surprised that he put so much trust into a girl like her. She must be the one he's having the on-again-off-again relationship with. She is a terrible flirt, and I'd imagine her friends to be the same." Darcy was only getting warmed up with these comments. "I don't even know what her type is doing in engineering. She probably didn't quite get into law and decided the males in engineering would be a good distraction. She's has the intelligence of a sheep. I can guarantee that she's probably failing all of her subjects, if she's decided to turn up to the lectures at all. She'll be doing arts next semester."

Darcy had not noticed his friend become distinctly uncomfortable in this time. "Ah Darcy," and he nodded behind him. Darcy turned around and saw his cousin with the girl in question a step behind him.

Chapter 3 C

Lizzy recognised Fitz's cousin. He was her tutor. She remembered her first tutorial with him. As soon as she entered the room, she was struck by his good looks. Then she saw the look of disapproval on his face. She immediately thought, 'great, a sexist prick for a tutor.' Then he started talking and he was so boring, talking in an almost monotone. And he was talking about how to use email, which she already knew. She left. He talked and looked at everyone as if they were so below him, just because he was a third year and they were first years. She also couldn't believe his arrogance when she went to ask him a question. "You don't mean to say that Darcy is your cousin?" As she continued to look, she recognised the man who had run into Jane standing there talking with Darcy. They were not talking that quietly, she could hear the name 'Jane' mentioned. Lizzy tried to listen. She saw them turn in her direction, and a look of disgust cross Darcy's face.

"Oh do you know him?" Fitz asked innocently.

"Do you remember me mentioning to you that our professional studies tutor was as interesting as a brick wall?"

"I also remember you saying that he was as intelligent as one."

"You do realise that your cousin was my tutor, don't you?" Lizzy was still listening to Darcy's conversation, especially as her name had come up. And she was trying to keep her temper in as she heard his opinion of her. But she was also half amused at how wrong he was. He was still a sexist pig. Oh, she was going to have a little fun here.

"Was he? Well, I guess you didn't really get to know him because you never turned up for more than five minutes at a time. Come on, I know you'll get along well with him." He dragged her the few metres separating them.

"Darcy, Bingley, I'd like you to meet a girl I've spoken a lot of. This is Liz." Darcy turned around, looking uncomfortable. He wasn't sure as to how much she had heard, or whether she knew that he had been speaking of her. As she smiled at him, her eyes sparkling, he relaxed a bit.

"Yes, I already know Darcy. He was my tutor for professional studies." She then turned directly to Darcy, eyes dancing evilly. "You don't seem to remember me though. But then again, I didn't attend any of your tutorials for long enough for you to discover it. But I must thank you for being so generous in your marking, as you are yet to mark anything incorrect on any of my assignments." Darcy had no idea what she was talking about. Only one person, an Elizabeth Bennet had gotten full marks yet. This Elizabeth's assignments could not be faulted. She argued intelligently, even though some of the points were against his own preconceptions, but he could not dispute them and this made him uncomfortable. He tried to write some disputes in the margins, but they were hollow, even to himself, and he gave her full marks. "But as you don't remember it, I'll introduce myself properly. I'm Elizabeth Bennet."

With those two words, he realised that he had made two very gross errors and he was very discomfited by that fact. The first one his preconception that she wasn't intelligent. Anyone who read her essays would know that she was incredibly smart and was anything but a floozy.

Secondly, he had made accusations, even if true, should not have been said aloud, and especially not in the manner he had said them in. Yes, he was wrong to say it and he knew it. He could feel himself blush in embarrassment.

Chapter 4 A

Darcy managed to conceal his discomfort by thinking of something to say. It took a little while. "You are wrong there. I do remember marking your assignments. You write very well."

Lizzy was enjoying herself here. This will teach him. Her eyes sparkled as she stared him down. "Oh, do you think I should change and do Arts?"

"Ah ummm," was his rather incoherent reply as he blushed. He felt like a rabbit caught in headlights. He now knew how that poor guy who she stared down felt in his first tutorial. He just wanted to hide. Though her eyes looked very nice when she was angry.

"I never implied that. I'm sure you would do very well if you did decide to change, however...." He broke off as she kept staring at him in a very amused but piercing manner. He blushed as he realised that he was just digging himself deeper into the hole he was already in.

Bingley and Fitz were attempting to hold in their mirth. Both had seen him reserved, but never at a complete loss for words, especially because of a woman. Fitz had occasionally made him so frustrated that he couldn't find any words to express himself in, but Bingley had never seen him like this. This was a classic.

Lizzy felt that Darcy had suffered enough for the time being. She had won, no need to rub it in now. She could do so later. She turned to Bingley. "I believe you ran into my sister earlier on....literally."

Bingley smiled at the memory. "So that was your sister? I see that she is not with you now." There was an unmistakable question in his voice.

"I believe she went to the library. She should be coming back at any time." Lizzy looked around. Yes, she could see her sister weaving her way through the other students. "Here she comes now. Jane." She waved her sister over.

When Jane saw who was with them, she blushed slightly and looked down at her feet. "Hello Lizzy, Fitz." She nodded in Richard's direction.

"Jane, I'd like you to meet the person you ran into earlier. This is Charles Bingley. Charles, my sister Jane. And this is Richard's cousin, Darcy."

Charles couldn't take his eyes off her again. He offered his hand. She took it and he delighted in the feel of her smooth skin. "Sorry about before. I heard from your sister that you went to the library. I take it you study at QUT as well?"

"Yes, I'm doing a Bachelor of Education. What do you study?"

"I'm in my final year of architecture. Are you based at Gardens Point?" asked Charles hopefully.

"No, most of my lectures are at Kelvin Grove*." Bingley looked slightly down at this information. "But I have a few electives which are here." Charles brightened up with this bit of news.

Lizzy looked at her watch. "Fitz, I think we should get back and have a few trial runs of our presentation. It's about a quarter to nine now, so we have about half an hour."

Jane looked at her watch. " I guess I should hand in my assignment before your presentation Lizzy."

"I also have to hand an assignment in now. Where do you have to hand it in?" asked Charles. He didn't want to lose her company quite yet.

"In Q block."

"That's on my way to D block. I'll walk with you over there."

Lizzy returned to their presentation stand with Fitz. Charles and Jane walked away talking and were not seen again for quite a while. Darcy was left standing by himself.

* Kelvin Grove campus- some place else in Brisbane...far away from Gardens Point

Part B

Lizzy, Fitz and Charlotte organised the rest of the display. For the next fifteen minutes they rehearsed their speeches. Lizzy, as the team captain made the introductory speeches and gave an overview of their project, their Mars Rover. Charlotte spoke next. She explained the mechanical details such as how the journey to Mars would be completed, and landing on Mars. Richard was after Charlotte. He explained the projects that the Rover would undertake as well as the avionics, navigation and communications systems that would be on board. Carter and Denny then explained the structural design of the rover. Collins came last giving details of cost, viability and the overall importance of the mission to mankind. Lizzy concluded the presentation. The speeches ran smoothly except for a frustrating disagreement with Collins. Lizzy and Fitz forced him to edit his speech. More specifically to edit out everything that Catherine DeBourg had decided to add.

During this time, Darcy was wandering around, running more errands and answering questions from the visitors who were starting to arrive for the presentations.

One of those visitors, who arrived around nine o'clock, came right up to Darcy and threw her arms around him. "Darcy there you are. I've been looking all over for you. I've had the most shocking morning so far."

"That's nice Caroline." Darcy disengaged her arms from around his neck and scowled at her. "I'm busy at the moment."

"Your always too busy for me." She pouted at him and flicked her blond hair over her shoulder. "That was cruel what you did to me this morning. Why did you run off after telling me that you'd wait for me? I had to catch the bus!"

"We told you we were leaving. We didn't have time to wait."

"The bus was soo awful! I had to sit next to some fat old woman, and I had to virtually crawl over her to get out! And the smell." She held her noise to emphasis the point. "There are so many strange people on the bus! I felt so embarrassed getting off it."

"My heart goes out to you," said Darcy sarcastically, turning and walking away.

Caroline trailed after him. "And then there was this family in the lift. They were so rude and unsophisticated. The mother .."

Darcy interrupted her, annoyed yet slightly amused by her. "Let me guess, an old fat woman?" he said sarcastically.

"As a matter of fact, yes. She was screeching the whole time, giving advice to her daughters about men and complaining about her nerves! She was so rude. Then her two daughters were giggling the whole time. And then they were dressed. They were hardly wearing any skirts at all, they were so short. It was so annoying. I don't know how you can put up with these people, Darcy. I'm just so glad we're not like that at all." Caroline chattered like that for quite some time before she realised that Darcy wasn't listening to her. He had walked away.

Chapter 4 C

Lizzy's team practiced till nine. Lizzy looked up then to see her family getting off the lift. Actually, she could hear her mother's screeching voice. "Hey Fitz, I guess I should introduce you to my parents. But I'm warning you now, my mother is rather annoying. And my sisters probably won't leave you alone."

"I'm sure they can't be that bad."

"No, they are."

Her parents and her other sisters moved towards their presentation stand. She cringed at the sight of her sisters. All of her sisters were there. Her seventeen years old sister, Mary, was standing there in jeans and daggy black shirt, her head buried in a book. Her dark hair was stuck in a rather messy ponytail. It looked like she had been forced to come. Her younger sisters, Kitty and Lydia, fifteen and fourteen respectively, were both wearing skirts that were far too short, and Lydia was wearing a rather low cut leopard print top. "Mum, Dad, I'd like you to meet my good friend Richard Fitzwilliam. Fitz, this is my father and mother." Lizzy then indicated to her sisters. "And these are my sisters: Mary, Kitty and Lydia."

Mr. Bennet held out his hand to the young man. Fitz shock it in his own strong grip. "Pleasure to meet you sir." Richard could see where Lizzy had gotten her dark looks. Mr. Bennet's hair was still dark, only slightly speckled with grey.

Mr. Bennet was already impressed with this young man. "Lizzy has told us a lot about you."

"I hope it was all good," he smiled easily.

Mrs. Bennet looked this man up and down. Hmm, he'd make good husband material. "Of course it was all good. So this is the young man Lizzy is always talking about?" Lizzy rolled her eyes at that. "What do you do, Richard?" she asked.

"I'm doing avionics like Lizzy. I'm also in the army reserves."

At this point, Lydia's interest was attracted away from the other men in the hall and back to the conversation. "Are you? I simply adore a guy in uniform. Especially one as good looking as you." Lizzy death stared her sister, shocked at her impropriety. "It's a pity that Lizzy has already claimed you, or else I'd take you for myself." Fitz merely raised his eyebrow, and threw a quizzical look at Lizzy. Lizzy blushed.

"Fitz and I are just friends, nothing more."

But Lydia's attention had already been attracted away from the conversation by some male in the hall. "Oh Kitty, get a load of him." She giggled and pointed across the hall. "Isn't he hot?" Kitty agreed and they giggled like the silly schoolgirls that they were. Lizzy just shook her head. "I don't know why your always complaining about there being no good guys here. There's heaps here I wouldn't mind knowing better."

At this point, William Collins had come up to her parents, oozing his patronising but imbecilic charm. "Frank, Frances, it's wonderful to see you again. How is everything? How's the business Frank? I hope everything is still running ok without me there?"

Mr. Bennet smiled laconically. "It's still standing Bill. We're getting along as well as could be expected. Don't worry yourself excessively about it." Mr. Bennet didn't particularly like Collins much. He turned away and started talking with Fitz.

Collins then tried to receive a warmer welcome from her mother. He smiled ingratiatingly. "It's a pleasure to see you here Frances. And it's a pleasant surprise to see that you brought all of your lovely daughters along as well. I'm sure they will find today very educational, seeing how the professional world works. I'm sure Elizabeth has already learnt a great deal about the real world while working with me."

Her mother had never particularly liked Collins because he would become the sole owner of the business if her husband retired without stipulating a qualified successor. But she could never be angry with anyone who complemented her daughters. Hmm, she thought, he might like Lizzy, and then if she married him, they wouldn't need to worry about Mr. Bennet retiring.

"Oh yes, Mr. Collins, we made sure to bring them. They all wanted to come and support Lizzy today. She's always talking about it. Plus we wanted our daughters to come see how it is in the real world and to meet some mature men."

Collins nodded to this. "Yes, yes, I must agree with you there. It is an excellent opportunity for the girls. As my most esteemed friend, Mrs. Catherine DeBourg always tells me, one must take all the opportunities in life by the hand. It was quite right on you to bring them. But I must say Frances that it has been an absolute pleasure to work with Elizabeth on this project. She's matured so much in the time I've spent with her. I believe I can dare to suggest that my good influence has brought some of this on, seeing as I already have experience in the professional world. She is turned quite into a woman, so very useful and practical, and beautiful, I might add. She will make someone an excellent wife and mother one day." He leered in Elizabeth's direction.

Mrs. Bennet's suspicions were confirmed. Yes, Mr. Collins must most definitely be in love with Lizzy. Now, all Lizzy needed to do was encourage him more, marry him, and their futures were secure. Then Elizabeth could give up the mad idea of doing engineering. Well, she should stick in it long enough to get men for her other sisters.

Lizzy could feel her checks start to burn with anger. How dare he talk to her mother in such a way? Especially about her. His words were insulting to the nth degree. Lizzy turned when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Carter and Denny were standing behind her. "Ah Liz, should we have one more run through. Our presentation is only in fifteen minutes."

Before Lizzy could answer, Lydia had jumped in. "Stuff rehearsing. Lizzy introduce me to your good looking friends." Lizzy sighed as she made the introductions. She was starting to get rather sick of her family. Both Lydia and Kitty fluttered their eyelashes, and Lydia played with her long dark hair while flirting with them. Lizzy didn't want to listen or else she would have been sick.

Lizzy turned and saw Charlotte standing a little way away. She walked over to where she was standing in the display booth. "I wish my family hadn't come. We'll never get through a second run through with them here. Are your parents going to come?"

Charlotte shook her head. "No, my stepfather couldn't be bothered driving in on a Saturday just to see me do an oral." Both looked over to Lizzy's family. "Though I can't say that I mind. He'd only complain to me about what I did wrong in it afterwards."

Lizzy nodded in understanding. She knew that Charlotte and her stepfather didn't get on very well. "Well, I guess I'll run through my presentation again, if no one else will." Both Charlotte and Lizzy then spent the next few minutes quietly reading their parts. Richard joined them in a few minutes, followed by the others. They had a quick run through. Soon their booth was attracting too much attention, so they had to stop. They answered people's questions until their presentation time.

Chapter 4 D

Lizzy watched as Darcy led the examiners over to their booth. Naturally I would get stuck with him she grimaced. Casting a quick look around, she saw her parents and three of her sisters standing a few metres away. Mary still had her head in her book. Lydia and Kitty were standing further away, laughing and staring at any guy that took their fancy. Lizzy looked around, but could not see Jane anywhere. That was strange, she thought. Jane promised that she'd be here for the presentation. It was very un-Jane-like to miss it.

She walked to the forefront to begin. As she did so, she looked over the audience. She was surprised to see Darcy watching her very intently. He's probably trying to find faults in me to justify his earlier assumptions, she thought. Well, I'll just have to keep proving him wrong. She smiled at the thought.

Darcy watched this presentation group with interest. He could see the signs of nervousness on his cousin's face. Fitz stood and answered the examiner's questions with Lizzy easily enough. He looked absolutely relaxed to anyone else's observation. Darcy however noticed that he couldn't keep his feet still, the only sign of his nervousness.

As the presentation started, Darcy's attention was drawn to Lizzy. Her stance was relaxed yet strong as she came to the front. Her face contained a smile that reached the eyes. He could not see her betraying any nervousness whatsoever. He shifted uncomfortably as he remembered what occurred earlier and he had to admit that he was very wrong in his assessment.

Then she opened her presentation. Her voice was strong, clear and completely confident. Her presentation intelligent yet enjoyable. Her eyes swept her audience. Her eyes settled on him and he could see the very intelligent spark in them. Then they moved on again to another person. Darcy stood there, entranced. After a while he stopped listening to what she was saying. He was instead just listening to her voice. He roused himself after realising that. He was here for the presentation, not to listen to voice quality. But it was a nice voice. No, stop thinking that Darcy, he chided himself. She was not for him. He was not going to take Richard's seconds.

He glanced around the audience. Everyone else was attentive to her words. She told a joke, the audience laughed appreciatively. He looked back at her and saw the smile on her face. Not only were her audience enjoying the presentation, she was enjoying presenting it. She was in her element here, and she looked bewitching....well, he could feel himself being quite bewitched.

Caroline, who had been tagging along behind him, and now was standing next to him, noticed all the attention he was giving to this presentation and especially to one person. She could see a strange light in his eyes as he watched the speaker that shouldn't be there. She glanced at the speaker. Why on earth was he looking at her that way. She didn't even look female, and was most definitely not fashionable or sexy in any way. Well, she would just have to distract Darcy.

"Is she in Richard's presentation group? Why would he choose to be in a group with her? Her presentation is so boring and unoriginal, why there are several groups here who have come up with a fancy car." Darcy looked startled at being disturbed from his reverie.

"I think she's his ex-girlfriend, and the project was to design a vehicle to explore Mars." He said and then turned his attention back on the speaker.

Caroline was extremely dissatisfied with his answer and had to try again. "I'm glad he had enough taste to drop her. He deserves someone not quite as plain. Someone more feminine than her. Some girl who isn't doing something as butch as engineering."

"The break-up was mutual, though she speaks well, but there is little else that's remarkable," he said, annoyed with the interruption and Caroline in general, and turned back, just as Lizzy was turning the presentation over to Charlotte. Caroline wasn't pleased with the answer, but she was satisfied that he was still safely hers.

None of the following speakers were remarkable in any way. They spoke well enough, but they all lacked the animation that Lizzy displayed, and they betrayed nervousness in their presentation. Only Fitz was able to put some life into the presentation. He spoke in his usual relaxed manner, clear and confident. The audience always felt at ease with him.

Collins came last. His speech was rather bland, he kept losing his place and he repeated himself many times. Overall, it was tiresome to listen to him speak. It was a relief to all in the audience when Lizzy swept in to take control again. She summarised it all and opened question time. Darcy listened closely as the examiners asked specific questions. She or Fitz, and occasionally Charlotte answered most of the questions. No matter how difficult the question, she had a logical answer for it. Darcy had in the course of half an hour developed an admiration and very deep respect for her.

The question time closed, and the examiners took a small break. Darcy took this time to go and talk to his cousin and abruptly started walking over. "Where are you going, Will?" asked Caroline, trying to catch up to him.

"To congratulate my cousin."

Richard and Elizabeth were standing next to their display stand with the laptop on it. Surrounding them were other people congratulating them. Caroline paused in shock and then whispered fiercely at Darcy. "Those people talking to your cousin, they were the really tacky family in the lift with me. What is your cousin doing talking with people like that? You can't be wanting to go talk to him with THEM around!" Darcy couldn't really care. The family had moved away by the time they got there and Caroline sighed with relief.

Then Caroline noticed the brunette standing with Fitz, the girl who had attracted a little too much attention from Darcy. Caroline looked her up and down, virtually wrinkling her nose in disgust and tried to see what had attracted her Darcy's attention so completely. So unladylike, no sophistication, no style or femininity, so outspoken and independent. She probably was dating her computer. Caroline just thought, "What a nerd."

Lizzy glanced up and saw Darcy approaching with a tall bottle-blond tottering behind him, trying to cling on to his arm. Lizzy was quite amused as she looked Caroline up and down. She took in the mid length designer jeans which were too tight and to short for her, her designer orange top, and her expensive though completely ridiculous high heels. This girl was virtually holding her nose at the engineers. This girl wouldn't have a brain that understood anything other than fashion, and Lizzy was quite amused that she was the kind of girl who Darcy would pick for himself. It's what he deserved. She just thought, "What a floozy."

Darcy took a quick glance at the computer, impressed with the diagrams and graphics displayed on the webpage there. He offered his hand to his cousin. "Congratulation cousin. That was an excellent presentation. How does it feel to have it finished?" he asked.

"It feels good that this whole subject is finished now. It took more time than all of our other subjects combined. What did you really think of it, honestly?"

"You were excellent. You really brought some life to it." Darcy looked at Elizabeth. "You were especially good. You're an excellent speaker. I must say that last guy was rather tedious, but considering all of the effort, it won't effect your mark in the least. Overall, you have had best presentation group so far." Darcy glanced at the web page. "The web site was an excellent idea. No one else has made one. I didn't know you could do that sort of stuff, Richard?"

"I don't know how to. Lizzy made it." Lizzy received some satisfaction from seeing Darcy gape at that, and from the blond on his arm virtually wanting to shrink away from 'a computer nerd.'

Darcy was astounded at this. "It's a great page. You must have put a lot of effort into it?"

"Yes, all of last night."

Caroline was starting to feel left out. She sharply jabbed Darcy in the ribs, to give him the hint that she had had enough. The nagging pain in his side reminded him of her presence and he took this as a hint to introduce her. "Oh Fitz, I believe you and Caroline already know each other. Elizabeth, I'd like for you to meet Caroline. She's Charles' sister."

Caroline was not pleased at being introduced just as 'Charles' sister.' She decided to put Lizzy in her place. She smiled insincerely, " Oh, so you are Richard's girlfriend? I'm pleased to meet you."

Lizzy was slightly taken aback by Caroline's question. She could see that Caroline was trying to prove something, but Lizzy could not see what it could possibly be. She answered carefully. "Was Richard's girlfriend. We are just friends now."

This was not Caroline's expected answer. She tried again. She placed on the fake sincerity. "Oh, I hope you weren't too disappointed by him. If you've known him for as long as I have, you never would have fallen under his charms. He does this too often to unsuspecting females, breaking their hearts. But I guess it would never have worked out, you doing the same subject and all."

Lizzy could feel her ire rising. She was about to ask what doing engineering had to do with it, but luckily Fitz stepped in.

Fitz himself was slightly offended by Caroline's words, but had known her for to long to get offended anymore. "Caroline, you're making me out to be a bigamist, womaniser and skank of the worst sort. Surely I can hardly be that bad, or my cousin would never talk to me."

Caroline realised her mistake. By insulting Darcy's cousin, she'd insulted him. She saw Darcy giving her a rather disapproving look. "Um, I never implied that. But you do have a way with women. Someone must be there to pick up the broken hearts you leave behind."

Lizzy had to intercede to stop this conversation. "But as you can see, my heart is unbroken." Lizzy turned to Caroline, deciding the best way to distract the attention from her love life was to get Caroline talking about herself, no matter how unpleasant it would be. "So Caroline, what do you do?"

Caroline infected an air of superiority. "Oh, I'm doing Business Management here."

"That must be fascinating," exclaimed Lizzy, mimicking Caroline's wide-eyed gaze which was often directed at Darcy.

Caroline mistook this for awe and continued "Oh, incredibly. Of course, my first preference would have been to do it with all of my friends at UQ. But Darcy and my brother were both here, so I decided it can't be quite that bad. It is a quaint little university, nothing like UQ though."

Lizzy looked up, trying to find an escape from Caroline. She finally spotted Jane, making her way towards them, and lo and behold, Bingley was next to her. Lizzy gave a teasing smile at them. "What happened to you, Jane? I thought you were going to watch our presentation. Instead, you disappeared."

Jane blushed. "Did I miss the presentation? I'm so sorry Lizzy. I didn't realise how long it would take to get the things I needed from the library."

Lizzy gave her a sceptical look. "Sure, we'll talk about this later then. Anyhow, Jane. This is Charles' sister, Caroline."

The two exchanged pleasantries and Lizzy tuned out slightly. She looked over to where Richard and Darcy were talking about cars. Lizzy started edging towards their conversation. Caroline spotted this and decided to add her two cents worth (it wasn't worth that much actually) into the conversation.

"Eliza, it must be tiresome to always have the guys talking about cars. It's all I ever hear them talking about. You would think that there is nothing else."

"Well, occasionally I've heard them mention a few other topics, but it's hardly tiresome. I find it quite interesting."

"Here you go again Caroline. Always trying to make us look bad." Fitz smiled as Caroline threw a worried glance at Darcy and mentioned that she would never try to do a thing like that, and how intelligent they were for knowing so much. Fitz interrupted before it got to sickening to listen to. "Plus, we talk about other things. Only the other day I talked about aircraft, and we sometimes talk about computers, games and electronics."

Caroline cringed at that. "Well, I'll be the last to admit that I know anything about cars or any of those boys things. But why should I, when I have Darcy here to look after all of that?" At this she took his arm and he cringed slightly. Lizzy started coughing. "Anyhow, Darcy has a wonderful Commodore which WE drive around in all the time. It has so much power in it. I remember this one time when WE were going to the coast. We were doing 160km/hr the entire way."

Lizzy looked slightly impressed at that. She muttered quietly though it was heard by all, "Well, who would ever have thought that my law-abiding tutor is such a speed demon?"

Darcy looked up at this. "I was in a hurry."

Caroline interrupted. "Nonsense. It was only the two of us and we could have taken all day to get to the coast. I didn't see the need for it." Lizzy started coughing again as she understood why he was in such a hurry. "Well, I guess it's a boy thing. I just don't understand why we always have to travel so fast."

At this point, Lizzy's mother had spotted her daughter talking to another rich looking man, and decided it was time to find out who this young man was. Especially who was the young man staring continually at her Jane.

"Lizzy, Lizzy....why haven't you introduced us to your friends here?" Mrs. Bennet rattled on some other nonsense, Lizzy made more introductions. She was getting rather sick of them by this stage. She saw both Darcy and Caroline cringe and then pointedly ignore her mother. Bingley started a polite conversation with her.

Lydia and Kitty however were bored. Both ran up and barged into the circle. Lydia was quite breathless when she started talking. "Lizzy, you're such a bore, just standing around. You've finished your thing....come and introduce us to the guys."

"I still have to stay here. I'm not supposed to leave until all the presentations are finished."

"Oh, pooh girl...no one will notice that you're not there. Go and introduce them around. How else are they to find any proper men?"

Lizzy could not believe that her mother had just said that in front of other people. She cringed and wished them to disappear. It didn't work. "Mum, there is nothing of any interest for you here. Why don't you just go home and I'll come in with Jane once this in finished?"

Lizzy started steering her mother and sisters away. "Are you trying to get rid of us now, Lizzy? Not embarrassed by your own dear mother?"

"Of course not mum. It's just that everything of interest is over. You might as well go home."

"You just want to keep all the men to yourself," accused Lydia.

Lizzy sighed and looked to her father for help. He was talking to Collins...well, he was ignoring Collins prattle on. He nodded. "Dear, let's head off now. There really is nothing here. Let Lizzy and Jane follow when they are ready."

With her family gone, she rejoined the conversation. Lizzy lost interest very rapidly in the conversation. She was praying for Caroline to just go. Luckily her prayers were answered as Darcy looked at his watch. "It was nice talking with you Fitz, Elizabeth, but I must head off. Congratulations on your presentation."

They departed, leaving Lizzy and Fitz in peace.

Chapter 5 Part A

Lizzy elbowed Jane as she, Jane and Charlotte headed back to the car. "So, that was a very long walk you took with Charles. What did you really do...and don't give me any rubbish about study or doing some errand."

Jane blushed. "We just kept on talking and we lost track of time. We didn't even realise what time it was until after your presentation was over. I'm so sorry about missing it."

Lizzy waved the apology aside. "So, do you like him?"

"He's a very nice person and I enjoy talking to him."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. I mean, do you really like him? Is anything going to happen between the two of you?"

"Lizzy! I hardly know the guy. But we get on very well. And he is so nice. We have so much in common, it's quite amazing.....and...."

Lizzy and Charlotte laughed. "You like him then." Charlotte said.

"It's too early to tell. But I think we will be very good friends. I don't expect anything else."

"Ha. Judging by the way he couldn't keep his eyes off you, I think he'll be wishing for a lot more than friendship." Jane blushed at Lizzy's statement. They reached the car and got in. Lizzy decided change the subject as she steered the car onto the highway. "Anyhow, to celebrate the fact that this subject is now finished, our team is going out tonight for a celebratory drink. I take it your going Charlotte....Jane, do you want to come with us? You know, one last night out before the exam period?"

"Um, I would...I'd love to but I sort of promised Charles..."

Lizzy and Charlotte choked back laughs at that. "Well, he is a fast mover then." Lizzy managed to get out.

"It is nothing like that. We just want to get to know each other better. Plus, it isn't a date. We're just going clubbing with a few of his friends at Rosies."

Realisation hit Lizzy. "Oh, but you are coming out with us then."

Jane looked at Lizzy in surprise. Sometimes Lizzy's reasoning moved a little to quickly for Jane.

"Fitz organized it and must have invited his cousin, who then invited Charles." Lizzy explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. This shall make things interesting, mused Lizzy, so much for a good night, Darcy shall put a damper on things, I just hope Caroline's not 18 yet. "So Jane, your plans for a quiet secluded night with Charles are all spoiled now! I hope you're not too disappointed!"

"I wasn't planning.... I mean that Charles and I.." stuttered Jane, going red with embarrassment.

"Oh Jane, you're such a sweetie" grinned Lizzy.

"Okay, you got me again, Lizzy"

"So what shall we tell Mama? Should we say that we are going out with a bunch of stunning specimens of manhood? Or perhaps it would be safer if we just said it was a girls night! Either way we are never going to get out of the house without Mama's views on your clothes, my clothes and how to present ourselves to our best advantage. Remember what happened last time."

"Oh, Lizzy. She really doesn't mean it like that! Although maybe we should just say we are going to study somewhere." Jane murmured thoughtfully.

"Jane, I didn't ever think I would hear that from you! Maybe I should tell Mama you are going out with Charles in payment for missing my presentation today....."

Jane looked at Lizzy in horror, "You wouldn't!"

"Well, Charlotte, do you think that that would be a suitable punishment?"

"I think that it matches the degree of the offense."

"I'm really really sorry Liz, but please don't tell Mama about Charles, I won't be able to escape without her making plans for my wedding reception and telling the whole neighborhood about how wonderful things are going and remember what happened with John! I don't know how you manage to keep things a secret from her."

"Okay, Jane, calm down, I won't tell her, yet..." Jane breathed a sigh of relief. Lizzy looked at Charlotte in the rear view mirror. "So, when do you want us to pick you up tonight?"

Charlotte looked at her feet. "I..umm...don't really....feel in the mood to go out tonight. I have a lot of study..."

Lizzy interrupted her. "No, you didn't hear me Charlotte. You're going out tonight with us."

"Lizzy, I really don't want to."

"I don't care. You are coming out tonight whether you like it or not."

"But I don't have anything to wear."

"We'll find you something."

"I have no money."

"You don't need to drink. Plus, we have free entry." Charlotte was about to say something, but Lizzy put up her hand to stop her. "No buts, Charlotte, no excuses. You don't come out enough as it is. I don't think you've been out more than 3 times in the year since you've turned eighteen. Just enjoy yourself tonight. We have a week to study in."

Charlotte sighed and relented. "Ok, but I don't know if my step father will let me. He is rather strict with me and he doesn't like it when I go out."

"Your step father likes us." Lizzy said while pulling up outside the Lucas residence. "Don't worry about it. I'll do the talking."

Upon entering the hall, they could hear the sounds of the television going in the lounge, and a fight going on between Charlotte's younger brothers and sisters. The Lucas's house was a neat little house, but it had hardly any room for all of the children to live in, putting a lot of pressure on Charlotte. They managed to get to the stairs that led to the bedrooms before Mr. Lucas spotted them.

"Ah, girls. Good to see you back. How was the presentation?"

The girls stopped at the foot of the stairs. Lizzy answered. "It was very good. But it was quite a relief to have it finished."

"As it must be. And how do you think you went."

"I think we put in enough work to receive a 7*."

"That's good to hear. I would hope that Charlotte would get good marks like that. Don't you think so Charlotte, eh?"

Charlotte looked at her feet. "Yes father."

"So, are you girls going back to study now that that is finished?"

"Actually, I'm sleeping over Lizzy's place tonight."

Mr. Lucas looked at Charlotte sharply. "Why do you need to stay there overnight? I hope your not planning to go anywhere tonight, so close to exam time."

At this point Charlotte's sixteen year old sister, Mariah, came racing down the stairs, nearly knocking Lizzy over. She straightened her dark hair, which was all done up. "Ah, sorry Lizzy. Oh, dad...I'm going to Mary King's party. I'll be back tomorrow."

Mr. Lucas smiled at Mariah. "That's nice. Don't be back too late tomorrow." He turned back to Charlotte. "What are you girl's planning to do? "

Lizzy smiled at Mr. Lucas. "Oh, don't worry about it. We're just having a quiet night out, just us girls to celebrate the end of our professional studies subject. Then we're going to hit the books. And I need Charlotte to help me with my maths, which we're going to study tomorrow."

"What do you mean by a quiet girl's night out?"

"Oh, we're just going for a bit of pizza and seeing a movie."

"Well, I guess that's ok, but Charlotte, you shouldn't be putting Lizzy and her family out by staying at their place. Come home after the movie."

Lizzy interrupted. "Oh, it's no trouble, Mr. Lucas. I suggested it because it really would be quite late when we got home, that it would be far easier for her to stay with us."

Mr. Lucas looked at Charlotte. "Ok, but make sure your not home too late. You have to help your mother with the housework, which you never seem to have time to do anymore."

"Yes dad." Then all the girls escaped up the stairs to Charlotte's tiny room. Charlotte closed the door and leaned on it as Jane lay down on the bed, and Lizzy headed to her wardrobe. Charlotte sighed. "Privacy at last. You see what I have to put up with. Father really doesn't like me going out. And there's always so much to do."

"Charlotte, don't worry about it tonight. Let your hair down for once!" Lizzy smiled at her. "Now, come over here and pick something to wear tonight."

Charlotte walked over. "But, I don't have anything to wear." She complained.

"Nonsense," said Lizzy and threw open the door. She started rummaging through Charlotte's clothes. She went through quickly, discarding most, occasionally stopping and considering. She didn't really consider any until she saw a sexy little red dress which came past her knees. "Charlotte, I never knew you owned a dress like this."

Charlotte glanced at that. "Oh that. I don't know why I bought it. I've never worn the thing. It's really not my style."

Lizzy took it out. Even Jane was impressed by it. "Wow, that dress is great."

"You are wearing this tonight." Charlotte protested, but both Jane and Lizzy nagged her until she gave in. With that decided, they were off to Lizzy's and the night ahead.

Author's Note: * 7 refers to a high distinction at university

Chapter 5 Part B

Lizzy, Charlotte and Jane arrived at Auroras about eight. Walking up the stairs to the bar, they could see that the place wasn't full yet. Lizzy looked around, trying to spot someone they knew. To her left, she saw Carter and Denny chatting to some chicks at the bar. She didn't want to interrupt them. A band was playing behind her on the wooden stage, and a few girls were dancing, though most people were sitting at the wooden tables or booths, drinking beer. She checked each but couldn't find Fitz. She looked to the back and saw Fitz and Darcy standing around a pool table. Lizzy pointed in their direction, and the girls made their way there.

Darcy finished his shot, sinking a small ball into the corner hole. He studied the table before deciding to sink a ball which Bingley had set up earlier at an opposite corner. He didn't want to leave it there for Bingley to knock away from the hole. No offence to Bingley, but he wasn't a brilliant pool player. He looked up to Bingley to confer with him, but saw Bingley staring at something. Darcy followed Bingley's gaze to look at Jane. He shrugged his shoulders and continued his shot. Then he saw Lizzy.

Needless to say, he missed his shot. The white ball flew off the table, nearly hitting Lizzy. She deftly caught it.

Darcy was slightly too distracted by Lizzy to notice. She walked towards him casually. She wore tight jeans, accentuating her trim figure. Her long, wavy, dark hair was down. It floated around her shoulders and framed her face. Her dark eyes sparkled mischievously. She was wrapped up in a black jacket which didn't hide her figure. He liked what he saw too much.

Bingley on the other hand was far too busy looking at Jane. She wore a long black skirt and a light blue top, emphasising her blue eyes. Her blonde hair was down, falling like a mass of gold down her back. Bingley could not take his eyes off her. Especially when she smiled, just at him.

Then Darcy realised he missed how bad his last shot was. He swore.

Fitz laughed at Darcy's shot. "Brilliant shot Darcy. Two for us." He wondered what the distraction could have been for his cousin to make such a lousy shot. That was a shot that he would have expected Collins to make. He turned around and saw Lizzy making their way towards them, holding the white ball in her hand.

Lizzy smiled in his direction, then turned to Darcy. "Great shot. Just note that you're supposed to hit the balls and not the people."

Collins made his way towards them. "Ladies, you are all looking exceptionally beautiful tonight. Especially you Lizzy." She could smell the beer on his breath. He aimed to put his hand on her shoulder, but Lizzy moved away quick enough and made her way to Fitz's side.

Fitz turned to her. "I see you got the message about the venue change?"

"Yep. Why though?"

"We heard some ad for discounted beer here."

"Figures." She rolled the white ball across the table to him. Fitz looked them over and had to admit that they were the three best looking girls there. He was surprised to see Charlotte, especially looking so good. She wore a knee length red dress, and her brown hair was done up in a knot at the top, with wisps falling out and down her face. Her intelligent brown eyes shined, and when her red lips smiled, her face lit up beautifully. Though petite, the dress emphasised her best points. He saw her in a totally new light.

Richard lined up his shots, then sank two balls in a row. That evened up the score to four all.

Bingley pulled himself away from Jane (with much prodding from Darcy) to take his shots. Lizzy walked over to where Darcy and Fitz were standing. "So, how is the game? Who is playing?"

"Collins and I against Darcy and Bingley." Said Fitz.

"Ah, that explains why you haven't won yet."

"Don't think it a forgone conclusion that I'd win. Darcy is a pool shark."

Lizzy looked at Darcy. "Then why hasn't the pool shark won yet?"

Darcy looked at her challenging eyes for a while before realising that he should actually reply. He hid his embarrassment by talking to her in his distant manner. "My cousin and I are fairly evenly matched."

They turned to watch the ball Bingley hit fall short of the hole by centimeters, but nearly knocking Collin's and Fitz's ball in. Richard turned to Collins. "This should be easy for you."

Collins looked over at the ladies, his eyes strolling to places that they shouldn't. " These gentlemen have been teaching me to play pool. I must admit that I am nothing compared to them, but I must say that I think I am catching on quickly. It is rather complicated planning moves, as you ladies must attest to, but I am sure...."

"Hurry up and take the shot," said Fitz. Fitz moved over to the table and pointed to a point just in front of their ball. "Line the white ball to roll here." He then pointed to a point on the white ball just below the centre. "And hit the ball here so that it doesn't roll into the hole with our ball. Don't worry, this should be an easy shot. Just nudge the ball in."

Collins wrinkled his nose and bent awkwardly over the cue, squinting to aim his shot. His hand kept shaking, and he didn't bend close enough to the cue to aim the shot. Fitz cringed as Collins hit the white ball. They watched the ball hit both balls away from the hole, and then saw the white ball fall in the hole. "Two shots for you, Darcy."

Lizzy took this opportunity to buy a drink from the bar. Darcy's eyes followed her intently, as did Collin's. But another pair also watched her.

Chapter 5

Part C -Cue Dramatic Music, Enter Evil.

Wickham had been attracted to Auroras because of the cheap beer promotion. He had arrived at six, coming at the same time as Denny and Carter. He talked with them casually before finding out that they were half decent pool players. He had played with them for an hour before he saw Darcy enter. He saw Fitz wave to Denny and Carter but he was fortunate that Darcy and Fitz headed for the bar before going to their pool table. He quickly sunk the eight ball, forfeiting the game to Carter, and made a hasty retreat to a dark table. There he stayed watching Darcy's group for awhile.

Later on, he found himself talking with Denny and Carter again at the bar. From that he was able to extract some more information about their connection to Darcy and Richard. It was while he was there that he noticed the three stunning chicks walk into the club. The dark haired one took his fancy. He was just about to walk up to her when he saw where she was headed. He watched them walk up to Darcy's group. And he watched Darcy's unshatterable exterior crack with one look at the brunette. George smiled to himself. No, Darcy, you may try to hide it, and others may not see, but I know you far too well, thought Wickham. I've not seen that look for any other girl, and your eyes tell all. Darcy was interested more than he cared to admit. Wickham managed to get some information about the girl from Denny and Carter. Elizabeth Bennet. Yes, revenge would taste very good.

Part D - BEER, mate, It's all Good

Lizzy returned to see that Darcy had only two balls left on the table. The girls sipped their drinks as they watched Darcy and Bingley thrash Fitz and Collins. The group turned the pool table over to Carter and Denny again, and they made their way to some booths. As Lizzy walked to the table, she found Collins at her side. "I saw that you were very interested in the pool game, Lizzy. It is a most delightful game. I dare say that you haven't had a chance to play before, being ladies as you are."

Lizzy interrupted here. "Actually, I've played a few times. Not many and I'm hardly a brilliant player, but I do know how."

Collins then smiled his sleazy smile and said suggestibly, "Well, maybe you would like me to help you play better. I'd be delighted to give you a few pointers." He breathed on her and she retreated. God he's disgusting, thought Lizzy.

"I'm sure Fitz could also give me pointers." She turned to find Fitz talking with Charlotte. She threw him a helpless look. He came over to save her before they reached the table.

"I'd love to give you pointers anytime." He then turned to Collins. "With a bit of practice you'll get used to it. Was that the first time you've played, Collins, mate?"

"Well, I used to play when I was younger though it wasn't much and I've forgotten how. You and Darcy are both excellent players, though that is hardly surprising since you have Catherine DeBourg as an aunt. She is a most accomplished lady." Lizzy turned off for the Catherine spiel. They reached the booth. Lizzy slid immediately into a corner and forced Fitz to sit on her side, blocking Collins' attempt to sit next to her. Instead, he decided to sit opposite her, to his mind providing a better angle to admire her exquisite profile. Charlotte sat next to Collins and Darcy slid next to his cousin. There wasn't much room for Jane and Bingley as they reached the table last.

Fitz looked at them. "Pull up some chairs."

Bingley took his eyes of Jane to reply. "It's all good, Jane and I are going to dance. Do any of you want to join us?"

Collins looked at Lizzy. "Lizzy, mate, would you like to have the honour of dancing with me?"

It would be anything other than an honour, thought Lizzy. "Maybe later, Collins, MAATTTEEE. I just sat down and I'd like to finish my drink. And I promised Fitz a dance, didn't I?"

"Well, Elizabeth, don't think you can avoid me forever. I'll ask you later."

"Its alllll good." Lizzy shrugged.

"Collins, mate, would you like to honour us by shouting this round?" Fitz asked.

"Of course, I would be honoured, its only fair, of course."

Lizzy watched Collins stagger off with a sigh of relief. "Thanks Fitz, mate. You save me yet again."

"I wonder if Collins can manage to order beer," Darcy asked disdainfully, "He seems to be able to consume it well, although I'm not sure if he can hold them too well."

"How's the beer here, Fitz?" Lizzy asked.

"Auroras brew their own beer here, so its rather a hit and miss affair, hopefully tonight will be a hit - although with Collins ordering...." Darcy replied.

"Don't you think it would be a cool job to work here. All you do, all day, is brew beer. Just throw stuff in and see what comes out!" Fitz exclaimed enthusiastically.

"It's all good!" Charlotte replied, smiling at Fitz.

All four enjoyed sitting chatting, well Darcy enjoyed staring at Lizzy, until Collins reared his head, sorry, returned with the drinks.

"What took you so long Collins? You were gone a full 20 minutes I'm sure!" Fitz greeted Collins.

"It took the bar tender quite a while to prepare the ladies drinks."

"What ladies drinks??" Fitz queried.

Fitz looked at Lizzy who was suspiciously examining her drinks when she exclaimed "Who put Lemon and ice in my beer!"

"The honourable Mrs. Catherine DeBourg, says all ladies must have lemon and ice in their drinks. Now I must return to get the jug for the men." Collins ambled back to the bar while Lizzy fumed and muttered several exclamations, which shall not be recorded here.

Finally Collins returned with the jug of beer (which he had to repurchase - what idiot leaves a jug of beer on the bar and expects it to be there when he returns?)

"And it's a miss," Darcy muttered ruefully after taking a gulp, and nearly giving Lizzy and Fitz a shower.

"It's all good, its beer, it can't be bad," Fitz consoled, then he took a mouthful of his beer. Lizzy just grinned and removed the lemon from her beer.

"Collins, maaatttee, never give me a beer with lemon again. Never."

After listening to Collins' monologue on the virtues of a lady, according to the honourable Catherine DeBourg, which was completed with the extension of another invitation to dance with him to Lizzy, Lizzy felt that Collins should be completely ignored, "So, who's up for a game of pool? I can't say I'll play too well though," she asked.

"I don't know how to play," Charlotte mourned.

"I'll teach you," Fitz offered, "and I'm sure Lizzy and Darcy will be able to play very well together."

Lizzy shot Fitz a concerned look, and wondered if this evening could get any worse.

"Don't worry, Lizzy, I don't expect you to hit many shots in," Darcy commented wryly.

Naturally Lizzy misinterprets this as an insult and only responds with a strange look to Darcy. It just got worse, she thought.

Explanation of Terms:

"Mate" and "Its all good" said with a rather broad Australian accent, have become incredibly commonly overused terms within uni. The author is not sure how wide this affliction has spread. The source of this infection will remain an unnamed member of the QUT Aerospace engineering student body (not the author). Naturally Lizzy uses this sarcastically.

Continued In Next Section