Section I, Next Section
Chapter 1
Mr. Darcy walked into the coffee shop and removed his coat. His tired eyes searched the shop until he found a nice seat by the window. After an entire afternoon of nonstop work, he was completely melancholy. Just a few days ago, he and his best friend, Charles Bingley, had come to Seattle on a business trip. They were assigned to stay there for a few months and work on a project. Out side, the rain poured down and cascaded down houses and buildings, drenching the windows, and causing a light plinking sound, floating through everyone's ears. The coffee shop was quiet, and peaceful. He was altogether happy to get out of the gloomy apartment, although initially, he had no idea where he was going to go. He then found himself at the steps of a coffee shop with no name, but the smell of rain and coffee drifted through the air. And now he was seated, waiting to order. He took a newspaper out of his briefcase, and began to read the stock section. His stocks were disappointedly low. He groaned with the low numbers printed on the page.
"Have a problem?" a voice asked. He quickly looked up, to see a girl standing there, notebook and pen in hand, looking at him. She had her dark brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, and an apron around her waist.
"Stocks," he replied.
"Oh. I don't own any myself, but I follow them a little. The markets at a bear right now. But I suggest Telecom if you want to invest nicely, and have the money to do it," she looked at him, and then out the window. Still raining, she sighed to her self.
"Why do you follow stocks if you don't own any?" Mr. Darcy asked intrigued.
"I hope to one day invest in them, when I get a little more money and my rent is safe and all," she smiled at him, "My name is Lizzy. Lizzy Bennet."
"Fitzwilliam Darcy," he shook her hand.
"Fitzwilliam? That's an interestingly original name,"
"Well, my parents were interestingly original people. New Yorkers at heart. My mom loved to read though, and she wanted to name me something interesting, with an old twist to it. My father loved the name William, so my mom added "Fitz" to it, and that's how I became Fitzwilliam. Although my friends usually call me William," he looked at her, and was suddenly surprised. He was never outgoing, so why was he talked to this girl like he had known her forever?
"Well, I personally like it. It gives you spunk,"
"Lizzy, I need you!" a voice from the back called.
"Excuse me," Elizabeth said, as she ran to the back of the shop.
Williams's eyes followed her. She was very pretty, with her dark brown eyes.
Suddenly, the little bell on the door rang, and another customer walked into the room. It was Charles Bingley.
"Darcy! Here you are!" He said, sitting in the booth seat across form Darcy.
"What are you doing here Charles?" Mr. Darcy asked.
"Oh well, probably the same as you I suppose. Bored. Work is stressful, as I'm sure you've noticed,"
"Oh, I have, I assure you,"
Suddenly, a blonde came out of the back and walked up to the two gentlemen.
"I'm sorry to keep you both waiting, can I take your order?" she asked sweetly.
Charles couldn't find the words to speak, but just sat, looking at her.
Darcy, on the other hand, was wondering where Lizzy had gone. He looked at the blonde, and began to order.
"Two tall double amercano's with no cream or sugar," Mr. Darcy replied.
"Please.." Charles squeaked out.
"Alright," the girl replied, "Ill be right back." She left, and went to make their coffee.
Darcy noticed they were the only two customers in the entire store.
Suddenly, Lizzy came back. Darcy scooted over, so she could sit down, which she did, happily.
"Thank you," she muttered.
"Who is the girl?" Charles asked, still looking at her.
"Oh, that's my sister, Jane," Lizzy replied. She then turned to Mr. Darcy.
"Looks like your friend is smitten with my sister," she laughed.
Darcy laughed, but Charles wasn't paying attention.
The three talked a little while. Lizzy was happy to make some new friends and not have to work, since no one came in, Darcy was happy to talk to someone other than Charles, and Charles was happy to become acquainted to the sister of the beautiful blonde.
A moment later, Jane came out with the two coffees.
"Two double amercano's, no cream, no sugar," Jane smiled, handing them the coffee.
"Jane, come sit and talk to these two gentlemen. They are apparently here on a business trip for a few months, and don't know a single soul in Seattle," Lizzy smiled at Charles, who was overjoyed that Lizzy would think of inviting her.
"Alright, I have nothing left to do, so I suppose I could take a little break," Jane sat down next to Charles, who looked at her with wide eyes. She blushed.
As Jane and Charles began a conversation bout the best places to visit when its sunny out, Lizzy and Darcy talked about whatever they could think of.
"Well, I went to college in Michigan, where I grew up, and then I moved here, moved in with Jane and two of our friends, and I've been working here and studying still," Lizzy sighed, playing with a straw. She twisted it, as she talked.
"What about you?" she asked, not looking at him, but intently focused on the straw.
"Well, I grew up in New York, but I went to school in Boston, and moved back to New York when I was done with school, where I've lived ever since, or at least until now. I live, actually, with my fiancée, but then our work sent Charles and I here, to Seattle,"
"And what about your fiancée?" Lizzy questioned. She looked at him suddenly, tossing the straw aside.
"Well, she's staying back in New York. I'm only living here for a few months," Mr. Darcy looked at his watch.
"Charles and I better be going, we still have some more work to do, it was very nice meeting you both," he shook the girls hands.
"Oh, wait, what time is it?" Lizzy asked, suddenly aware.
"4:30," Darcy replied.
"Oh great! Julian is going to kill me! Oh, I have to go, nice to meet you guys too, stop in again," she raced out the door and jumped into her car.
"That was interesting," Darcy replied, looking out the window as her car sped out of the parking lot.
Jane smiled at him, as she picked up the straw and wrapper off the table.
"Julian's her boyfriend, and he gets annoyed if she's late for a date," Jane tossed the garbage in the little basket.
"Yes, I know what that's like. Caroline has a fit if I'm late to anything," Darcy muttered. Charles was quiet the time that Darcy and Jane were talking.
"Caroline?" Jane asked.
"My fiancée,"
"Oh." Jane watched the two men leave, and went to the back to reflect on the past two hours of chat with Charles.
A month and a week later
Darcy sat at the counter, as Lizzy talked to him, her head in her hands.
"You know what? I wish I had learned ballet," Lizzy said, all of a sudden.
"Well, that came out of no where," Darcy said looking at her oddly. She looked dazed, with her head in the clouds.
"Lizzy?" He asked. She starred at the picture of a ballerina hanging on the wall.
"I mean, just to see a ballerina dance, its so cool," she smiled.
"Elizabeth, my dear, I believe I have lost you," Darcy said, sipping his coffee.
She smiled, and stood up.
"Well, I hope you find me soon, I wouldn't want to be lost for long," she left him sitting there, with a funny look on his face, as she served the next customer that came into the shop.
"What are you doing tonight, by the way?" Lizzy asked, when she came back around. She handed him a peppermint.
"Oh, I saved this for you, by the way, when I went to breakfast this morning,"
He unwrapped the peppermint and popped it into his mouth.
"Thanks," he muttered.
"So, are you busy?" she asked.
"Uh, no, I don't think so, I finished up most of today's work this morning," Darcy replied.
"Good. Why don't you and Charles come with Jane, Julian, and I to the movies tonight. I mean, you've met Julian occasionally, when he has come in, but I think it would be nice if you two got to know each other a little more," Lizzy wiped down the counter.
"I suppose going to a movie sounds fun, what did you have in mind?"
"Well, Julian wants to see 'Time For All", which I've already seen, but its good, so we should see it,"
Darcy looked at her skeptically.
" Isn't that a chick flick?" Darcy muttered.
"Oh common, William, sure you like those stupid Double Amercanos coffee, and your Mr. Business man, but cant you be a little sensitive? Just once? For me?" Elizabeth pleaded.
Darcy looked at her sternly again, with a hint of doubt.
"Pleeeeeeeeeease?" she whined, in a cute voice.
"Oh stop, you're so seductive with that little whiney voice Liz, I just don't think I could contain myself," Mr. Darcy played. He laughed when she put her hands on her hips and looked sternly at him.
"Fitzwilliam Darcy, why I never!" she pouted.
"Oh hush hush, I'll come, and so will Charles, if Jane comes. I'm sure of it. Now be a good girl and run along, you've got customers, and I've got to get ready,"
"Alright, thank you," she smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
"That girl, I swear," he jokingly told himself.
He got into his car and drove to his apartment, which happened to be on the 14th floor.
It was already getting dark out, and it had begun to run while he was still at the coffee house.
He jingled his keys a bit, but the door wouldn't open. Finally he slammed his body against it, and it swung open.
No one is home, he thought.
Suddenly, Charles Bingley appeared in his boxers.
"Darcy!" he cried.
"Charles, what the...?"
Jane ran in suddenly in bra and underwear. She stopped dead in her tracks.
She quickly grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her.
"Mr. Darcy! Charles!" she cried and ran back in the other room.
"Charles, you devil!" Darcy laughed.
"Oh William, what do you know," Charles said, annoyed. He quickly ran in another room.
Darcy looked around, confused. He went to his room, changed, and came out.
"Charles, I hate to disturb you, but Lizzy wants us all to go to the movies tonight," he said, knocking on Charles door.
"William, go away," Jane called from inside.
"Oh common," Darcy moaned.
Jane came out in a pair of Charles shorts and one of his t-shirts. Charles came out of another room, fully clothed.
"Darcy, nothing happened between Jane and I," he sighed, as Jane moved past him.
"I'll meet you both at the movies," she said, leaving the apartment.
"What is going on?" Darcy asked, annoyed by now.
"Look, Jane and I were taking a stroll in the park, and it started to rain, so I took her back here to change into something warmer. The park is right across the street," Charles combed his hair back out of his face. It was still wet.
"Charles, why don't you just tell me the truth," Darcy said, leaning against the counter. He grabbed a coke out of the fridge.
"Darcy, you're impossible, I tell you, that is the truth!"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," Darcy licked the drop of coke form his lips and opened the door.
"Lets go," he said, and the two went to join the other three at the movies.
Darcy and Bingley met Julian, Jane, and Lizzy in front of the movie theater. Jane was buying tickets and Julian and Lizzy were talking, his arm draped around her shoulder.
"Here," Charles handed Jane some money for the tickets.
"Does William think we..?" Jane whispered.
"No, I told him the truth, don't worry,"
"Good,"
The five went in and got some snacks.
"I HAVE to get Junior Mints," Darcy sighed, as they stood in line. Julian hadn't said a word the whole time, but kept his arm around Lizzy.
"Are you serious?!" Lizzy gasped, " I LOVE those!"
"The creamy minty filling and the chocolaty outside, mmmmm" Darcy imitated. He loved making fun of Lizzy, and she loved making fun of him back.
"Don't get excited, William," Lizzy nudged. He ruffled her hair, but that only made Julian tighten.
" I don't know if I like you hanging out with this William guy," Julian muttered to Lizzy, as they were walking into the movie.
"Oh Julian, stop it, he has got a fiancée, and you and me are together," Lizzy said and gave his hand a squeeze.
They all sat down, Charles on the outside, then Jane, then Darcy, then Lizzy, and then Julian. The previews started, and Jane gasped that she wanted to see the movie they were previewing.
"Next weekend, you and me, baby," Charles laughed.
As the movie started, they all silently munched their popcorn and Junior mints and sipped their slurpies.
"Oh, this is where the mother dies," Lizzy cried. She grabbed Mr. Darcy's hand and started crying.
Julian, thankfully, didn't notice.
"Its ok, Lizzy, common now," Darcy whispered as she sobbed softly into his shoulder.
Suddenly, Darcy saw the heroine take her last breath and die in her bed, from cancer.
A tiny tear trickled down his cheek.
"You're crying!" Lizzy gasped.
"No, no, my eyes are watering," Darcy said, quickly wiping the tear from his eye.
"William!" she smiled.
"Elizabeth, be quiet!" he whispered.
She looked over at Julian, who had the same sullen face that he had when they first entered the theater, no emotion on his face at all. When the movie was over, they all came out, kind of dazed at the quality of the movie.
"That was good," Jane sighed, as Charles walked, their hands entwined.
"Indeed," Charles agreed.
Jane and Charles were happily off in their own little world, so, with Lizzy in the middle, the three others walked along.
"You know, my fiancée, Caroline, is coming in town next week. Perhaps we could have a double date," Darcy suggested.
"Great idea!" Julian spoke up. Perhaps this Caroline girl will take Darcy's mind of Lizzy and Lizzy won't be able to talk to him, so she'll talk to me, he thought.
"That is a great idea, perhaps to dinner," Lizzy skipped along.
"Oh, here William, I bought a packet of mints for you, and I brought some in my purse," Lizzy dug through her purse looking for the peppermints.
"Peppermints?" Julian asked.
"Well, I love peppermints," Darcy said, thanking Lizzy as she handed him the mints.
"Want one?" he asked them. They both agreed.
All of a sudden they heard a beeping.
"Oh, my beeper," Julian commented, "I've got to go love."
Julian kissed Lizzy and ran off to the parking lot.
"He's a doctor, and he sometimes has to run off, you know?" Lizzy said.
"He doesn't seem to like me much," Darcy said.
"I don't know, he's usually not that talkative. Its like he's searching for something he doesn't understand,"
"Oh," when they reached their cars, the girls drove home, and the guys back to their apartment.
"Lovely evening, Darcy, just lovely," Charles smiled.
When Darcy and Charles got home, Charles went straight to bed, to dream of his lovely maiden. Darcy sat at the table, thinking, contemplating, and wondering. Such a great friend he found in this Eliza Bennet. Funny, witty, beautiful, charming. Yet he missed something. Romance. He missed romance. Romance was what he truly needed. Caroline was back home, waiting for him to return so they could join in Holy matrimony. The waiting was intense, but at least he had Lizzy, Charles, and Jane to keep him company.
Why did he love her anyway? Caroline. Because she was pretty, affectionate, and would make a good wife. Right? Suddenly panic hit him. Why WAS he marrying her? He rushed to the phone. When she comes, my flame of passion for her will be re-kindled.
"Hello?" said someone with a groggy voice on the other end.
"I didn't mean to wake you," Darcy's panic voice showed through. He tried better to hide it, "I just wanted to talk to you."
"William?" the voice asked.
"Yes, Caroline, its me,"
"What's wrong?" she asked.
I've met this fun girl, and she has a boyfriend, and they spend a lot of time together, and after seeing them all lovey dovey, I thought of you.
That's what he wanted to say. But he didn't, of course
"Nothing," he said.
"Oh, by the way William, while we are talking, I've still be planning the wedding while you're partying in Washington, and I need some more money," Caroline said.
Darcy moaned.
"Alright, Ill wire it to you,"
"Good. Now I've got to get some sleep, or Ill look horrid tomorrow. Bye," She hung up the phone.
The line went dead. Darcy suddenly felt rather alone. He called Lizzy. It rang and rang, but no answer. He hung up.
When he had un-dressed down to his boxers, he crawled into bed, and snuggled up in the sheets.
Caroline will be here in a few days, he said to himself.
The stars shown through his window and he sighed to himself. Slowly, the moon and stars faded as he fell fast asleep, waiting the coming week. Soon Caroline would be here, and maybe make some sense of his jumbled up life.
Oh, but was he SADLY mistaken! He stood, impatiently rocking back and forth, waiting for his love to come out of the plane. Suddenly he saw her. She thrusted her bags into the hands of an n airport helper and raced to greet him. They kissed passionately.
"Oh Willie Willie Willie, how I've missed you!" She cried. Her whiney voice was more than he could stand.
"Ow," he said, putting his hand to his temples.
"What is it my dear William??" she asked.
He sat down in a chair, and removed some Advil from his briefcase.
"I suddenly have a headache," he popped two pills in, and swallowed them without water even.
"Oh, I just can't wait to see your apartment, and give some womanly advice for fixing it up," she said in her snobbish, deep voice.
"Uh, ok, common, the cars outside," he picked up her things and brought them to the trunk.
"Oh, be careful, I have my silky nightie in there," she said, raising her eyebrow with a smile.
Inside, Darcy groaned. He was male all the way around, that he would certainly admit. He saw a woman and sure, he thought things, but he was also raised with the Bible, and was rather against anything involving Caroline before marriage.
As they were driving down the highway, Caroline jabbered away about how gloomy it is in Washington, and how rude the flight attendants were, and what a hard time it was getting here, and how many people she saw in coach who looked like poor pathetic souls to say the least. She was incredibly glad she was sitting in first class, although the man next to her kept eyeing her, she said, which made her uncomfortable.
"We're going to meet some new friends I've made for coffee, by the way," Darcy said, when she stopped to breathe for a moment.
"New friends?" she asked, intrigued.
He pointed at the coffee house up ahead, and turned off into it.
"Lizzy!" he called, when they walked into the shop. It was rather full today, he noted.
"Lizzy? You met a girl?" Caroline looked at him, suddenly aware that she was standing before them. Although she wouldn't admit it, Caroline was disturbed at how pretty the girl actually was.
"Caroline Bingley, I presume? Nice to meet ya," Lizzy thrust out her hand in a perky sweet way.
Caroline eyed her with doubt, but took her hand nonetheless. Her handshake was incredibly weak though.
"I'm Elizabeth Bennet," Lizzy said.
"So it seems," Caroline said, snobbishly. Apparently she didn't realize Darcy gets very annoyed when Caroline is incredibly rude.
"Come now, Caroline, be nice. Lizzy and I are just friends," Darcy whispered, as Lizzy ran off to help a customer.
"Humph!" Caroline gestured to the door, "We're leaving."
"Ah, all right," he muttered as she grabbed his hand.
"Lizzy, we're..." he didn't finish because Caroline pulled him out so harshly.
"What are you doing talking with another girl, William?!" Caroline hissed.
"Oh, calm down, would you?" Darcy said impatiently. Caroline was certainly one to judge, he noticed, and it wasn't playful, like Lizzies. Caroline was hostile.
"You're seeing another girl behind my back!" Caroline sobbed.
"Caroline, I am not, you assume too much!" Darcy tried. She broke down and ran to hug him, in an almost sweet way, if it weren't Caroline.
"Promise me you'll never see her again!" Caroline cried. Darcy grabbed her by the shoulders.
"I won't, Lizzy is my friend, and I won't have you assuming and judging," Darcy said, firmly. She rustled out of his grasp and ran to the car. With a flick of her wrist, the keys were in and she was speeding out of the parking lot.
"Oh, great," Darcy said, standing there, looking completely oblivious.
"Lizzy?" Darcy questioned as he walked back into the coffee shop.
"Not now, William, I'm kind of busy," Lizzy grabbed a coffee sup, her arms full of trays.
"Need help?" Darcy asked, although he had no idea what he could do.
She stopped and looked at him.
"Uh, sure, here's a paper and pen, go grab their orders, will yaw?" Lizzy asked sweetly. She pointed to a table with a couple sitting at it, gazing into one another's eyes.
Darcy winced.
"Alright.." he grumbled. That last thing he wanted to see were two love birds.
After most everyone left and the place settled down a bit, Lizzy offered to take Darcy home after she heard about Caroline making off with his car.
He readily agreed, and the two set off to him apartment.
When they got there, there was no sign of Caroline or his car.
Lizzy made him promise if he needed anything, he just had to call, and she would leave her cell on at all times.
He thanked her, and started to get out of the car.
"Oh William," Lizzy said, tugging on his shirt before he got completely out.
"Yes?" he asked, sweetly.
"Thanks for all your help today," Lizzy kissed him playfully on the cheek.
He reddened.
"Anytime," he managed to mumble.
As he stumbled slowly up the stairs, he noticed nothing was different. When he came home, Charles was already in bed, so he decided to do the same.
Chapter 2
Darcy bolted awake at the sound of the annoying telephone ringing. The telephone was across his bed on the other shelf, and he really didn't want to get up to get it.
"Charles! Get that!" he moaned, pushing the pillow of her head. No one answered it, but it finally stopped ringing. He sighed in peace, and snuggled back into the sheets.
But then, again, it started ringing again.
"Alright!" he cried, getting up. He flung the sheets off and grabbed the phone.
"Yes?!" he answered in a rather annoyed voice.
"William?" a voice on the other end sobbed.
"Lizzy, dear, what's wrong?" he asked, all annoyance and anger fleeting from him. Now worries took its place.
"Come over, would you?" she cried, barely able to control her sobs long enough to breath.
"Yes! Immediately!" Darcy exclaimed.
"Thanks," she hung up. He bounced out of the room with a t-shirt on, trying desperately to get his pants on while moving, hopping rather, on one foot, towards the door. He grabbed the phone and called a cab, and pushed his fingers through his unruly hair.
As soon as he got to the apartment, he raced up the steps and banged on the door.
"Elizabeth?!" he cried, still worried.
"He ... he just called me before I called you," Lizzy sobbed, throwing herself into Darcy's arms.
"Where's Jane? Didn't you call her?" Darcy asked, petting her hair softly, to calm her down.
"I..I tried ... no answer," Lizzy cried, grabbing a tissue.
Darcy held her a moment longer, and rocked her softly, as she wetted his shoulder with her tears.
"What's wrong, Lizzy?" he finally asked.
"Julian just called me ... he said he was lost, you know? He said he knew we weren't right for each other ... he said he found someone else.." she began to wail again.
"Its ok, shhhhh, its ok," he said, softly.
"You seem more like my mother than a big manly business exc." Lizzy finally managed to say.
Darcy had to laugh.
"I'm your friend, Liz, I don't want to see you get hurt," he smiled, and so did she.
Just then, the door burst open, and in came Julian and Caroline Bingley. They seemed rather perky, but in a weird way.
"Have you been drinking?" Darcy asked Caroline, looking at her oddly.
"Just a little," she laughed, holding onto Julian, her arm tightly around his waist.
Darcy cringed.
Lizzy burst into tears.
"So this is your new 'somebody'?" Lizzy sobbed.
Julian looked at her pitifully. Caroline's nose went into the air again.
"What are you two doing here, anyway?" Caroline asked, trying to stand perfectly straight.
"Well, naturally, when I heard Julian was seeing someone else, I had to come comfort her. Its what friends do," Darcy said, taking Lizzie's hand.
"Eh," Julian mumbled.
"You know what?" he finally asked.
Lizzy and Darcy looked at him.
"I'm glad I found Carlipoo. Liz, you commented more than once that I showed no emotion. Know why? Cuz I had to hide it! Last night, I was walking around the bar, thinking what I was going to do, knowing it wouldn't work between us, and then I saw Caroline sitting there, sobbing. I think I've always known I was bisexual, but as soon as I saw Caroline, I KNEW! She reminds me of both, I think, male and female. Don't ask me why..." he droned off. Both were sort of wobbling, but Julian kissed Caroline, in a weird sort of kiss that makes you want to actually vomit after seeing it.
"William, lets go, ok?" Lizzy whispered to them.
"Julian, I'm getting my stuff later," she said bravely, with her newfound courage.
"Hmm" he said, still kissing Caroline.
After that, Lizzy and Darcy were pretty much over their past lovers. Darcy realized he never really loved Caroline, but wanted more that his parents be happy with the girl he chose. They were best friends with Caroline and Charles parents for so long anyway. And Lizzy was still incredibly hurt, but knew Julian was never right for her in the first place. If he couldn't be himself around her, it certainly wasn't worth it.
"That was interesting," Darcy said, as they were driving back to Darcy's place.
"I'll say," Lizzy said, wiping her mascara of her cheek.
"You need a place to stay tonight," Darcy asked, checking his back mirror. He thought he saw Julian and Caroline. Guess not.
"Umm, sure, since I have no where else to go,"
"You can take my room, I'll sleep on the couch," Darcy said, turning into the parking lot.
"You sure?" Elizabeth grabbed one of the bags she had packed just before Darcy had gotten to her apartment.
"Yeah, of course, we've both had a hard morning, I think we ought to rent a movie," Darcy smiled.
"Could we maybe rent...My Girl?" Lizzy asked, in the sweetest voice she could muster.
"Ohhhhhh," Darcy groaned, "another chic flick?"
"Please????" she begged.
"Well, only if we can rent The Matrix," Darcy looked at her.
She pouted.
"A manly movie, eh? I should have known. Ok, we can get that too then," she smiled at him.
After Lizzy had dropped her things off in the apartment, they headed out to get some movies, popcorn, and candy. At Blockbuster, they both grabbed their movies. Two boxes of junior mints and two packages of popcorn were bought, along with Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
"I thought it would be a lot harder to get over him" Lizzy commented.
"Hmm, I think I'm certainly glad to get rid of Caroline, although Charles will probably be hurt. Speaking of Charles, I haven't seen him much lately,"
"Neither have I, or Jane," Lizzy said. They both let their minds wander, thinking where the two could possibly be.
Suddenly a little old lady moved up to them.
"You both make such a sweet couple," she smiled at them. They both blushed.
"We're not together," Lizzy squeaked.
"Oh." The old lady moved ahead into the other line.
"That was weird," Lizzy said looking at Darcy. He shrugged his shoulders.
When they got back to the apartment, Charles wasn't there again. Darcy searched his room, and found nothing.
"William?" Lizzy moved toward him as he was searching his closet.
"What?" he asked.
"I found a note," she sighed.
He took the note from her and read it aloud.
Dear William,Jane and I have gone to the Bahamas. Ok, so we needed a little time off of work. Jane has never been, and I had a little extra vacation money. We didn't want you getting weird or suspicious or anything, so we didn't tell you. Have fun, we'll be back Thursday.
"Great," Lizzy sighed again.
"Eh, don't worry, we'll have fun tonight," Darcy grabbed some blankets and pillows from the closet, and put two T.V. dinners in the microwave.
"You're such a chef," Lizzy said, as she jumped on the couch. She was wearing her little pajamas with the monkeys on them, and her blue slippers.
"Well don't you look adorable?" Darcy teased, turning to look at her. She had taken her hair down and it bounced around her shoulders as she flopped on her stomach, with her feet in the air, watching the TV.
"Darcy, dressed in his regular boxer shorts and t-shirt, grabbed the T.V. dinners, and the two sat and ate while watching "Friends".
"Movie time?" Lizzy asked when the show was done.
"Movie time," Darcy said, grabbing the Matrix.
"Ah ah ah! We're watching My Girl!" Lizzy said, grabbing the movie from his hands.
"No way," Darcy said, tickling her. She shirked, and let go of the Matrix.
"OH, common, William!" she cried, as he began to put the movie in.
"What will you give me, if we watch My Girl first?" he asked, a hint of mischievousness in his eyes.
"A lap dance," Lizzy smirked.
"Really?" Darcy's eyes grew wide.
Lizzy laughed.
"I'll give you my love and support," she smiled.
"Eh, not as good as a lap dance,"
"Sorry. You're a good boy remember?"
"Yes, I almost forgot. Alright, alright, we can watch My Girl," Darcy said, giving in.
"Yes!!!" Lizzy shrieked again, hugging him.
"You're a sweetheart," she said to Darcy.
"A sap, more like," he mumbled, "and I'm going soft."
"At least your belly is," she poked him in the stomach.
"There is nothing soft about my belly!" he cried, "I work hard for my abs."
"That you do, Mr. Darcy, that you do," she smiled and turned off the lights.
When the movie was almost done, Lizzy was crawled up into a ball next to Darcy, grabbing his hand, and crying.
"I'm such a sap for this movie," she muttered.
"Well, when that kid dies, it is pretty sad," Darcy sighed. A little while longer, he sat up, to put the Matrix in, but noticed Lizzy was fast asleep.
He picked her up gently and set her in his bed.
"Night Elizabeth," he whispered, and went back to the couch.
The next morning, Darcy awoke to Lizzy hovering over him.
"Mornin' sleepy head!" she said, pulling back the covers.
It was 11:23A.M.
"Leave me alone, you wretched girl," he moaned.
"Ahhhh, no, thanks for askin' though. Get up, get up get, up!"
"Wait, what day is it?" he asked.
"Wednesday,"
"Oh!" he got out of bed, and went to the kitchen.
"I have a surprise for you today," he said, smiling.
"Ah, you and your mischievousness, Mr. Darcy,"
"Hmm," he opened a coke.
"You're going to drink that in the morning?"
"Well, I'm thirsty," he said.
"Have I taught you nothing?" Elizabeth moved over to the coffee pot and poured him a cup.
"As black as your Amercano, no cream, no sugar," she said, handing him the cup.
"Thanks,"
"I have to go work for a little bit, but Ill be back soon enough for the surprise, ok?" Lizzy grabbed his keys.
"Uh, take my car," he mumbled as soon as she was out the door.
After work, Lizzy went to his apartment and knocked on the door. No answer. Again, she knocked. Again, no answer. Finally, she opened the door, and walked inside.
Loud music was coming from another room.
She walked in and stopped. William Darcy didn't see her. He was lifting weights.
"Hey hottie," Lizzy yelled over the music.
"Hmm?" he sat up from the weight, sweat dripping off him.
"You look like you need a shower," Lizzy laughed.
"I do," he said, turning down the music.
"Ahh," she said nodding her head.
"Let me get a shower, and then we can go," he said, pushing past her.
"Ok," she sat down and flipped on the TV.
When he came back out later, he was wearing a loose white shirt and nice pants. He looked like a character out of a fencing story.
"Mr. Handsome, I do declare!" Lizzy said, taking his arm.
"Shall we?" the two walked out the door, on their way to where ever Darcy was taking her.
As they were driving, Lizzy saw the movie theater pass by them, or rather they pass by the movie theater.
"We aren't going to a movie?" Lizzy asked.
"No," Mr. Darcy said.
"You brought your briefcase," Lizzy looked behind her at the back seat. It was filled with papers and coffee cups.
"Yes, well, I always take that thing with me," Darcy said, concentrating on the road.
"Oh." Lizzy looked at her lap.
"Here we are," William beamed.
In front of them was the theater.
"What? The theater?" Lizzy saw a sign, with a bright purple ballerina on it.
"The ballet! The ballet! You're taking me to the ballet?? Oh, William!" she jumped into his arms and hugged him tight.
"I thought you'd like it," he said, when he set her back down.
"Of course! I didn't even realize you were paying attention to me when I told you I wanted to watch ballet," she grasped his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Yes, well, mysteriousness is good, right?"
"Right!"
The two walked into the theater and took their seats, happily. Four pink ballerinas came out and did a pretty dance. Mr. Darcy, not much for ballet, decided to listen more to the music, rather than the dancers.
"This is Bach, I believe," he stated.
"You like Bach?" Lizzy whispered.
"Of course,"
After the ballet, the lights came back on, and the two left. Lizzy was dancing on the way back to the car, trying to imitate the ballet dancers.
"Catch me, William!" she cried, jumping into his arms.
He groaned at her weight.
"Hey, I saw you working out, you're supposed to be buff, remember?" Lizzy said, settling for him twirling around.
"Well, you must be eating something," he said, laughing.
She playfully jabbed him in the side.
"I'm just kidding, Liz, don't cry," he grabbed her arm before she had a chance to punch him.
"That was so much fun, William, thanks," she said, when they were back in the car.
"Oh, any time at all," William, said. He pulled a peppermint out of his pocket and ate it.
When they got back to the apartment, Lizzy confessed she was still rather tired, and went right to sleep. Darcy couldn't help think how much fun it was to be with Lizzy. His mind drifted all night, until the next morning, When Bingley and Jane returned.
Chapter 3
The two were still asleep when Jane and Bingley entered the apartment. They caught an early flight that morning, a very early flight, and purposely had not told Lizzy or Darcy what time they were returning, except that it was Thursday. Bingley unlocked the door and the two set their luggage down, looking around the room skeptically. Suddenly, from behind the couch, a weird sort of growl was heard. Mr. Bingley urged Jane to move back, while he looked to see what could be making the horrible noise. He peered slowly over the end of the couch, and laughed. Darcy was curled in a tight ball, snoring very loudly.
"It's just William," Bingley said to Jane, who had walked to his side.
"Shh, he looks tired," Jane whispered, starting back toward the luggage.
A very sleepy eyed girl walked out from William's room in a robe a tad bit big for her. She was groaning and rubbing her eyes.
"Jane? Charles?" she peered at them.
"Lizzy, what on earth are you doing here? Are you and William ...?" Jane stopped, looking back over at the snoring Mr. Darcy asleep on the couch.
"Charles, really, how do you sleep at night with his incessant snoring? It's like a horrible grizzly bear has fallen asleep in the living room!" Lizzy moved over to the counter and poured herself some coffee, ignoring Jane's shocked look, and her question.
Lizzy looked completely nonchalant about everything...but perhaps it was just because she hadn't had her morning cup of java, and was still very drowsy.
Suddenly Mr. Darcy chocked on one of his snores, and suddenly awoke himself, looking surprised for some reason.
"Charles? You're back?" William asked groggily.
"Go back to sleep, William," Lizzy said, looking at his red eyes.
She turned to look at Charles.
"You guys got back rather early. It must be," she paused, looking at the clock, "seven o' clock."
Jane looked to her lap, and smiled back up at Lizzy. She sat there thinking about how silly Lizzy looked. It wasn't anything new to Jane, who had lived with Lizzy for most of their lives, but Mr. Bingley looked hilariously surprised at Lizzie's huge robe, slippers, messy hair, and scowl. Apparently she wasn't ready to get up quite this early.
"Yes, well, we were going to surprise you, but I suppose you surprised us," Jane chuckled. Her expression was one of curiosity and mischievousness.
"Yeah, well," Lizzy mumbled to herself. She shuffled softly on the tile, moving slowly in her blue duckie slippers.
"I went by your apartment, to say 'hi', but when I got there, Julian told me to go away, and I heard some giggle in the background, I thought you should know," Jane sighed, suddenly aware of the bad news she had just revealed.. She looked at Lizzy, sadly, waiting for Lizzy's inevitable sobs.
"Caroline's giggles, I'm sure," Darcy mumbled from the couch. He slammed his face into the soft pillow, and groaned again.
"What?" Charles said, suddenly deciding to engage himself in the conversation.
"Its an incredibly long story," Lizzy poured Jane and Bingley a cup of coffee and sat down at the table, pulling her robe tightly around her, and feeling the cushiness of her poofy slippers.
"We've got plenty of time, I assure you," Charles sat down in a seat, and Jane took another. Darcy finally pulled himself from the couch, and sat down in the last chair.
"Well, it starts like this," she began. Jane and Bingley looked closely at Darcy, then to Lizzy, sitting back comfortably in her chair, and then to each other once more.
The story went on for about forty minutes, also including the curious questions from Jane and Charles. Lizzy, still talking and answering questions, made them all a breakfast of ham and eggs and, of course, coffee.
"So, Lizzy's living with us?" Charles asked Darcy, who was poking at his eggs.
Darcy had explained to Charles the situation Lizzy was in, with nowhere to really stay and all. There was no room at Jane's, and Julian had paid for the apartment (it was signed in his name), so the only place she had was here. Charles agreed it would be ... interesting ... to have a girl room mate, but it still wasn't regestering.
"That would be correct," Darcy mumbled an answer to his question. Charles was rather slow sometimes, he admitted to himself.
"Well, Lizzy, I couldn't possibly have you staying here alone with two incredibly rabid and hormone inflicted guys," Jane was standing now, helping Lizzy and also grabbing some orange juice. Charles looked up at her through once again shocked eyes. When the shock wore off, he chuckled to himself.
"Perhaps you should stay with us, too, Jane" Charles smiled, grabbing Jane by the waist and pulling her onto his lap. She laughed, and poured him a glass of juice.
"I don't know, Charles, if I can trust you," Jane looked at him doubtfully, rubbing his chin with delight. He had tiny whiskers growing in, and she thought it was hilariously cute.
"Why would you not be able to trust him?" Lizzy questioned, coming out of Williams's room, wearing shorts and a t-shirt. She shot Charles a glare, with both question and edge in her eyes, in which he smiled viciously.
"Well, before we left for the Bahamas, I made Charles promise nothing but kisses and cuddling," Jane blushed, "but he would sometimes try a little more. It was hard to keep him under control, but Charles is also a gentleman."
It was now Charles turn to blush, and he did, wildly.
"Oh come'on Jane, it would be fun, pillow fights and popcorn and maybe we could do our nails, just like when we were kids," Lizzy said, playfully ruffling her sister's hair.
"Oh no, Elizabeth Bennet, you girls can do that when Charles and I are far from the apartment. As much fun as girlie sleepovers sound, I've had quite enough of 'My Girl'," William looked annoyed, but then remembered, "and we still haven't watched the Matrix yet."
"Ooo, that's a good movie," Charles said, his eyes sparkling, "I like the girl in the red dress. Yowza!"
Jane playfully hit Charles upside the head, but hard enough to make him rub the back of his head, whining.
"But of course," he continued, "Jane is 10 million times hotter. A quadruple YOWOWOWZA!!! With three exclamation marks even," he looked up at Jane to see if she accepted his flattering apology.
"Good boy," she patted his head, and sat back down.
Lizzy shot Jane a smirk, and Jane smirked back, rubbing her hands through Charles hair, almost seductively. Charles closed his eyes, with great pleasure.
"You know I read somewhere that by giving a guy a head rub, its like giving them a motherly touch," Charles whispered, his eyes still closed.
"Perhaps," Jane smiled. Lizzy ruffled William's hair as well, but it didn't do much, considering that his hair was already incredibly messy from his restless sleep.
William, Charles, Lizzy, and Jane had all decided to take one more day off of work, to relax, mostly. Jane had agreed to stay with them all, and it was decided that Lizzy and Jane would stay in William's room, Mr. Darcy on the couch, and Charles in his own room.
The day was moving smoothly enough, Lizzy decided. She had taken a shower, which was extremely refreshing, and even began a very good book, which she enjoyed very much. It was called "The Curse of Chalion," which was extremely intelligent, and stimulated her mind extensively.
Jane decided that most of the day should be spent out on the balcony with Charles, discussing new things. That's all they ever did, besides kiss and cuddle. Talk. Two very big talkers. Of course they didn't talk much in front of anyone else, but when they were together, alone, they couldn't stop. There were so many things Jane wished to know about Charles, and so many things he wished to know about her.
Charles, who, as I said earlier, spent most of the day with Jane, also spent some time playing "golf" on his laptop, while Jane was taking a bubble bath. He did very well for not playing in awhile, and he actually enjoyed the electronic voice of birds on the green, and the swing of the club. Jane enjoyed the flickering candles in the bathroom and the soft tinkling of the bubbles.
"Technology these day," Charles chuckled to himself. He wasn't very much into the whole technology thing. That was more Darcy's field.
Darcy, on the other hand, wasn't as laid back as the other three. He decided that a walk would do him some good, and since it was a rarely sunny day (for Seattle of course), he decided it best to walk around the park.
He strolled along, hands in pockets, whistling softly to himself, and feeling happier than he had in a long, long time. The only thing that was missing was a girl.
Sure, Lizzy was great. Beautiful. Funny. Interesting. Smart. And so many more things.
But he wasn't sure if she even liked him like that, and he was having too much fun being her best friend.
Suddenly, walking along happily as he did, he noticed a girl sitting on the park bench, reading. A little poodle yapped at him, but he paid no attention.
She looked so peaceful sitting there, not making a sound, as the breeze blew by. It swayed the trees, and blew her hair. At his approach, she looked up intently. When she saw him, she put her bookmark in place and set the book down in her purse. She wasn't extremely gorgeous, but reminded him a lot of Elizabeth.
"Hello," she smiled sweetly.
"Hi," Mr. Darcy smiled too, "this seat taken?"
She scooted over as he took a seat on the bench.
"My name is Fitzwilliam Darcy," he put out his hand.
"Charlotte Lucas," she grazed his hand and shook it lightly.
"Oh, and my dog, Pinky," she tilted her head towards the dog, who began barking again.
"Uh, hi, Pinky," he attempted to pet his head, but the dog snarled.
"He's not very friendly, I admit. What are you doing in the park today, Mr. Darcy?" Charlotte asked, quizzically.
"Thinking, really," he said, taking a peppermint out of his pocket.
"Oh," Charlotte was apparently not one for many words.
"Would you like a peppermint?" Darcy asked, taking another one from his pocket.
"Thank you, no," she looked at him, and giggled.
"Are you single, Miss Lucas?" he asked, remembering that she had called him Mr. Darcy, not Fitzwilliam, and decided it would be safer to call her 'Miss Lucas'.
"Interesting question for a first meeting, but I am, indeed, Mr. Darcy. Why would that be of interest to you?" she blushed profusely.
As if she didn't know, he thought.
"Perhaps we could go to dinner one night this week? Or coffee?" Mr. Darcy stared into her eyes and saw something familiar. Those dark brown eyes.
"I would like that very much, sir, here is my number," she took a piece of paper out of her purse, and searched around for a pen, before finding one in the very bottom of her purse.
"I'll call you," he said, starting to stand.
"Leaving so soon?" Charlotte asked, disappointedly.
The dog started to yap again.
Darcy was startled. With her lack of words, it seemed she didn't really want him there.
"Oh, um, no, would you care to take a walk with me?" he held out his arm for her to take.
She did, and they walked along, with the little poodle yapping behind them.
"Really, Pinky, I thought you'd be better behaved!" Charlotte exclaimed, when she could tell Mr. Darcy was getting annoyed at the little buggers yaps.
She stood there looking at the dog, as if waiting for a reply. She's a little odd. Cute, but odd, Darcy thought.
"Its quite alright, come on, lets get going, I haven't been around this park before, and I'm anxious to look around," Mr. Darcy shuffled along, taking Charlotte with him, who wasn't ready for him to begin moving yet. The dog was suddenly yanked by her quick movement, causing the stubborn dog to be dragged by the collar. Darcy chuckled to himself at the surprised dogs expression.
"You haven't been to this park? How terribly unfortunate, Mr. Darcy!" Charlotte exclaimed, "come, I'll show you the best little fountain you shall ever see. Cute little thing," she smiled, and the two walked along and talked. They ended up spending a few hours at the park, buying two hot dogs along the way.
"I should probably be getting back to my apartment, good night Mr. Darcy," Charlotte released his arm, and walked to her tiny station wagon.
He nodded, and began walking back to his apartment, with Jane, Bingley, and Elizabeth waiting for him.
When he got there, Jane and Bingley were asleep on the couch. It, of course, folded out into a bed, so they were comfortably resting. They looked heavenly, really, so sweet and innocent looking, and so tired.
Lizzy suddenly emerged from the other room with two pillows and one very large blanket.
"Mr. Darcy. You've come back to us after all," Lizzy whispered. She picked up Charles head softly, and placed a pillow beneath it, and did the same to Jane. She then put the blanket over them both.
"Where am I gonna sleep?" Darcy questioned.
"On the floor," Lizzy mumbled. He looked at her, and realized the hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Charles's room?" he asked.
"Ding ding ding, we have a winner," she threw him a change of clothes, rather roughly.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked her, as she moved into William's room.
"Nothing!" she hissed, and almost slammed the door, before remembering Jane and Charles were asleep.
Darcy turned, and wondered what had gotten into her. Suddenly he remembered.
"Oh goodie," he sighed, "I've been through this with Georgiana. This should make for an interesting week."
Jane rolled over, expecting to hug a pillow, but got Charles rather instead.
"Ah!" she exclaimed, when she opened her eyes. Charles was propped up, with a huge grin on his face.
"I don't even want to know," she sighed, grabbing a pillow and hitting him the face. She turned around and laid her head back down on the pillow.
"Oh come now, Jane, nothing happened," Charles said. This was an on going conversation between the two. Always stuck in situations that looked like one thing, but were really another.
"Oh, yeah, ok, well, you startled me, and its early, so I couldn't remember," she said.
"Have the love birds awaken?" Lizzy asked, walking into the room. Jane shot her a look of embarrassment.
"We have," Jane said.. Charles wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"You guys are precious," Lizzy sighed, walking over to them. She sat down on the couch beside them, and starred, thinking of Julian for a moment.
"Thanks," Jane smiled, as Charles kissed her.
"Where's William?" Jane looked around.
"He came in after you guys had fallen asleep, and I think he's taking a shower," Elizabeth heard running water suddenly turn on.
"Oh, well, I should probably get ready for work," Jane said, grabbing her luggage that she had packed when she went back to her apartment.
"Good idea, I'll be in a little bit later, I do have a bit of a stomach ache," Lizzy gave Jane a look, which Jane understood immediately.
Jane went in the bathroom attached to Darcy's room(Darcy was of course occupying Charles shower, since the girls had now taken over Darcy's entire room and bathroom, filling it with powders, lipsticks, brushes, curling irons, crimpers, sparkles, perfumes, shadows, bobby-pins, clips, and lots and lots of pink!) and quickly changed, pulling her hair into bun, and slipping on her shoes.
"I'll tell Ms. Smith you'll be in late, unless you call and confirm otherwise," Jane said, grabbing for her purse.
"I'm going to go do my work in the coffee shop today," said Charles, coming out of his room, completely dressed in jeans and a nice shirt.
"I'll give you a ride," Jane smiled at him. They left, closing the door loudly behind them.
Lizzy decided to have tea in "her" room, and she was sure William wouldn't mind, so she made a cup. She took it in the room to sip, grabbing her book to read as well. She read for a few minutes, but decided that she really wanted some more tea, and since she had drank all in her cup, she would need to go to the kitchen to get some more.
She was looking at the floor, not really paying attention, when she heard William come out. She looked up and dropped her teacup, causing it to break and shatter in many different pieces.
Mr. Darcy was dripping wet, with nothing but a towel around his waist, and his wet hair slicked back. His hair looked wonderful all curly and wet, Elizabeth thought.
"Elizabeth! I had no idea you were here, I thought you had left with the others," he quickly grabbed a broom and helped her clean up, blushing and hurrying along, clumsily.
She was totally and utterly embarrassed beyond belief. He really was a very handsome guy. A very strong handsome guy. She shuddered, thinking about it.
"You shouldn't prance around in next to nothing, William, its just not right," she stated, her cheeks burning.
"I told you, I didn't know you were here, and I don't believe you were bothered by it," he smirked sarcastically.
Her face reddened even more.
The only thing she could think of was to stick her tongue out at him.
Darcy looked at her and laughed.
"Oh Lizzy," he smiled, "you're such a nut."
The next few days went by smoother, no handsome guys walking around the apartment, dripping wet. No blushing moody girls. It was rather peaceful.
After arriving from a date, Darcy threw his keys on the table and joined everyone, who were all watching a movie and eating popcorn.
Jane and Lizzy were starring intently at the TV, while Charles sat back, and greeted Darcy.
"You have to admit they look adorable in their pjs," Charles whispered to Darcy.
Darcy looked at them, and nodded his head in agreement.
"You guys, I just got done.." Darcy tried to say, but Lizzy whirled around and put her hands over his mouth. She smelled of vanilla. He rather enjoyed her fingers brushing against his lips.
"Hush! This is the good part," she said, frowning.
He grabbed her hands from his mouth and tickled her.
"Would you two stop flirting for one moment, the movies getting good," Charles playfully added, also frowning.
"We weren't flirting!" Lizzy argued.
"Uh huh," Jane mumbled, never moving her eyes from the screen.
"What was that?" Lizzy asked, not believing what her sister was suggesting.
"Nothing, I said watch the movie," she turned to look at Lizzy, and then back at the screen.
After the movie, and a box of junior mints, they all sat around on the couch, talking. Jane lay back in Charles's arms, as he was propped up against the couch. Lizzy lay sideways across the foot of the bed-couch, her head propped up against one hand. William sat on the left of Charles and Jane, tickling Lizzy's feet, and merely driving her crazy.
Lizzy kept unwrapping peppermints and junior mints, and lightly threw them at Darcy, who caught them in his mouth, gracefully.
After talking for a while, Darcy remembered what he was going to say earlier, when Lizzy had rudely interrupted him by putting her hands across his mouth. He later admitted he had even thought of biting her. He raised his eyebrows in amusement, but she quickly was screaming again as he ticked her feet. As you can tell, she is a very ticklish person.
"I met this girl, Charlotte. I went out on a date with her, and that's why I was late, but she really wants to meet you all, and invited us to go to club tomorrow evening," Darcy looked around at their faces, trying to decide if they looked interested or not. He wanted them to like her. She almost reminded him of Lizzy, just not as ... cocky?
"Sounds fun," Lizzy said, not particularly excited at the thought of Darcy and a girlfriend, but clubs were always interesting.
"Sure, count me in," Charles said, squeezing Jane's hand.
"Alright, I'll come along, " Jane agreed.
"Good good, now, I've got to get some sleep if we're gonna party tomorrow, and you all should too," Darcy said, shooing them off the couch. They decided he was right, and the girls left to their room, and Charles to his.
The next morning, Jane and Lizzy reluctantly went back to work, and Charles and Darcy did some of their own. They both realized they had been neglectful of their duties. I bet you're wondering what they do for work. Sadly, I'm not sure if they even know.
After a stressful few hours of rearranging data, checking stocks, selling and even buying through his online broker, and working rather hard, Darcy called it quits.
"Dinner should be nice, I'll make everyone something good before the club,"
While waiting for Jane and Lizzy to come home, he and Charles (for Charles wanted in on the dinner surprise), made string beans, linguini alfredo, steak, and some sodas to go with (they weren't big drinkers).
Lizzy and Jane appeared a short time after, dragging. Charles greeted Jane immediately, before they could see the food.
"It was so busy," Jane said, after he kissed her.
"No kidding," Lizzy sighed. Charles then let them through, and they both smiled.
"You guys!" the girls exclaimed, noticing the candles and everything.
"How cute!" Lizzy said kissing Darcy on the cheek.
He blushed, but pulled out her chair for her and bowed.
"This is great!" Jane exclaimed, tasting the steak and pasta.
The clock said almost eight, and after they ate, Darcy shooed the girls off to get ready. Jane and Lizzy had gone to Jane's house earlier to get some of their clothes for the club. When Lizzy moved out of Julian's place, she brought most of her stuff to Jane's, stuff she wasn't using.
Lizzy found her outfits, and so did Jane, and put them on. Lizzy wore a tight black skirt and a hot pink spaghetti strap blouse, with ruffles (hot pink and ruffles, don't ask me, but they were cute) and some hoop earrings. She crimped her brown hair, and decided to go with red lipstick and black boots that went to her knees. Charles saw her before Darcy, and even he said she looked absolutely stunning.
Jane looked as great as Lizzy also. She wore a baby blue dress, also spaghetti strap, and baby blue high heels. She had her hair pulled up with bobbie pins, but some curls escaped, and fell down, adding a sweet, yet sassy look to her.
"Come on girls, we're gonna be late!" Darcy called, tapping his watch. He was rather frantic, and wanted to leave. Charles was nervous too.
Suddenly, the girls emerged from the room, walking straight and tall, just like in a movie.
Darcy and Charles jaws dropped.
"Put your tongue back in your mouth, William," Lizzy said, moving by him, and out the open door, throwing the ends of her fingers in the air in a mocking and sassy way.
He was too shocked to make a sarcastic reply, but merely followed her out the door, silently. Charles was all over Jane before she had a chance to say anything.
"Charles, love, calm down," she gasped between a kiss.
"I've never seen anything more ravishing in my life, dearest Jane!"
"Jane! Come on!" Lizzy called from the hallway.
"Alright Lizzy," she tore herself away from Charles, and the two ran to catch up with Darcy and Lizzy, who were already in the elevator.
When they got to the Club, no one could hear anyone through the blasting music.
"This place is awesome!" Lizzy yelled over the music, as if she'd never been to one in her life.
"I can't believe Charlotte picked this place! She's so...quiet!" Darcy called.
Suddenly, a girl turned Darcy around and planted a kiss on him, extremely lightly. He was surprised, but finally saw Charlotte standing there, smiling again.
She looked cute, in her blue tank top and dark blue mini skirt. But not as gorgeous as Lizzy, even Darcy had to admit. And it was evident; by the way guys flocked around Elizabeth. Like seagulls, they were.
"These are my friends, Jane, Lizzy, and Charles," Darcy shouted, introducing them.
"Elizabeth? Jane? Bennet?" Charlotte asked, remembering.
"Charlotte? Is that you?" Lizzy cried. She jumped up and hugged her friend.
"That was interesting," Darcy mumbled, confused. He sat down at the table as the three girls chatted excitedly.
"This is my best friend from child hood, William!" Lizzy cried.
"Ah ha. That explains it," he muttered, still not excited, as both his date and best girl friend were talking wildly, and he was obviously not apart of the conversation.
After they had talked awhile, Darcy decided to take action.
"Would you like to dance, Charlotte?" he asked, after getting sick of sitting there, doing nothing.
"Would love to," she smiled, excepting his hand.
No matter, Lizzy thought to her self.
About seven guys began talking to Lizzy, and she laughed at all their attentiveness. A few tried to talk to Jane, but Bingley quickly deleted her from the conversations by asking her to dance. The music was slammin, the dancing was jammin, and the two couples had a great time. Even Lizzy had a blast, dancing with different guys, chatting with them, even getting many offers to buy her a drink. She declined them all, but with thanks. She admitted to herself she felt rather like hr younger, flirty sister Lydia.
Finally, after about four dances with Charlotte, he asked her if it would be all right if he asked Lizzy for a dance. She looked at him skeptically, but agreed.
"Lizzy, my one, true love," he said, looking into her eyes.
"Yes, William?" she asked, in an incredibly mushy and seductive way. The guys around Lizzy looked at her, horror in their eyes.
"Would you do me the honor of dancing with me, miss?" he asked, bowing.
"I would be most happy to, sir," she smiled, taking his hand.
When the dance began, she laughed.
"Did you see the look on those guys faces?" she asked loudly.
"Yeah, they couldn't believe how we were speaking. I guess were pros at that sort of rubbish, dontcha think?"
"Romantics, were are," Lizzy twirled around as they danced.
"Perhaps," he smiled, realizing that most of the guys were looking at them. Or rather Lizzy.
"I hope Charlotte doesn't mind me dancing with you," she looked at him.
"Not at all, don't you worry," Darcy said, wishing he could dance with her forever. No, sadly, he wasn't thinking anything romantic like that (ok, well, maybe a little), but he admitted she was very light on her feet, and fun to swing around.
After that, Lizzy went and asked Jane is she could borrow Charles for a moment. She agreed.
"Charles, would you like to dance with me?" Lizzy asked, twisting her hair, and looking at him sweetly as if she were incredibly shy.
"You're a tease, Liz. Sure," he looked over at Jane, who had accepted Mr. Darcy's invitation, and now they were all dancing on the floor.
"What do you think of Charlotte for Darcy?" Charles asked Lizzy while they were dancing.
"Well, I think she's great! Not necessarily for Darcy, but she's a good chic," Lizzy found Charles to be an even better dancer than Mr. Darcy.
"Why not for Darcy?" Charles asked, curiously. The song changed, but they kept dancing. Charles even dipped Lizzy, which Darcy noticed with much amusement.
"Well, she's REALLY shy, I mean, quiet and shy. And I know Darcy isn't her type, because she likes quiet guys too. Most of the guys she sees usually seem to be rather, well, lets say, intriguing."
Suddenly Lizzy looked over to see a funny man sitting next to Darcy.
"Come'on, lets go talk to them," she said, grabbing Charles arm. He followed her, along with about three other guys.
"Darcy, who's your friend?" Lizzy asked, not looking incredibly closely.
Darcy looked incredibly bored.
"This is Collins, as we've all called him. He's a great friend to my aunt, and my college friend," Darcy cringed at Collin's apparent excitement.
His jaw also dropped when he saw Lizzy.
"Oh, who's this?" he muttered to Darcy.
Darcy had to laugh. Did Collins not see all the other guys flocking around her? Like he stood a chance.
"Elizabeth Bennet," Darcy announced.
"LIZZY?! You look ravishing! So unlike you did those few years ago," Collins exclaimed loudly.
"Collins, hi," she smiled at him, but rather annoyed. She remembered when her parents had desperately tried to match her with him. That was an interesting bit of weirdness. She had avoided him ever since.
"What are you doing here?! Why, we were supposed to be married and everything.." he was cut of by Darcy.
"Married?!" Darcy exclaimed, not able to contain his smirk.
Lizzy explained the horrid story of the set up.
Suddenly Charlotte came back from the ladies room, and saw Collins sitting there, happily talking away.
As she approached, he stopped, to look at her. They looked at each other in a stare that could light a fire with its heat.
"Your ... friend?" Collins asked, astounded.
"My date, Charlotte, meet Mr. Collins,"
"Uh ... Hi," she muttered, unable to take her eyes off his bulging eyes and greasy looking hair. Oddly, she was extremely attracted to him. Extremely!
"Hello," he said in his most charming voice. It sounded more like a squeak.
They immediately went off dancing.
"Anything to get him out of here," Lizzy and Darcy sighed together. They looked at each other, and laughed at saying the same thing. Darcy hadn't really noticed that his date had took off.
Suddenly, Darcy's cell phone rang. He raced out side and opened it, where he could hear it.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Hi
"What do you want?' Darcy asked, frustration building.
"Is your ...
He hung up the phone, rather annoyed.
The phone rang again.
"Leave me alone, Caroline!" he shouted into the receiver.
"WHY FITZWILLIAM DARCY," the voice on the other side growled sternly.
"Mother?" he quivered.
"What are you doing, you rapscallion?" she demanded.
"Um, long story, mom, but you see, basically, Caroline and I broke up, thank heavens, and she just called me, and ... anyways, you called?"
"Yes, I want you to watch Georgiana for a few days, she'll be on a plane tomorrow,"
"Oh, that's unexpected," Darcy, said. His little sister was the world to him, but teenagers, especially girl teenagers, can be a pain sometimes.
"Yes, well, son, your father and I have to go do some paperwork about Pemberley and your fathers will, and we need someone to watch her. Plus, she's been missing her big brother anyway," the last hint got Darcy to agree, easily.
"Alright, I'll pick her up at, what time?" Darcy smiled. Perhaps he shouldn't worry.
"Around..9, I think. Anyhoo, darling, we all miss you and I'm sorry to hear about you and Caroline, I really am, and we MUST discuss matters further, but I've got to get going. Love you,"
"Love you too, mom,"
He hung up the phone and smiled. Georgiana was coming to visit.
Chapter 4
Fitzwilliam Darcy stood impatiently at gate five, waiting for his beloved sister to come out of the gate and into his new life.
'Everything here in Seattle is so much different than back home', he thought to himself.
Back home everyone had money and something about them that demanded immediate attention and utmost respect. No one would be seen in casual manner, everyone addressed everyone in the most highest regard. The houses in his neighborhood were named, the people in his neighborhood were class, and the children in his life were generally snobby. Everyone was perfect, or else you wouldn't be excepted. A sad state this left the poor Mr. Darcy in his youth, but eventually his boyish charms overtook everyone's dutiful attitudes, and he warmed the hearts of the entire neighborhood. Georgiana, sadly, was not so lucky. While Fitzwilliam could get away with murder, she was kept the closest of eye upon her. She had to be perfect, insisted the people. She was the most accomplished pianist for her age, she got straight A's in every subject, she wore the modest of clothing, far from what her friends wore. She wasn't the happy typical girl. She was the young lady kept under the microscope. Even subconsciously, Fitzwilliam tried his best to shelter her, and agreed full heartedly that she should stay in her uptight private school and do nothing but piano, tennis, violin, horseback riding, etc. While her friends had fun, Georgiana observed them from the window, while playing Mozart or Bach. A dreary existence from anyone's point of view, but it's the only life she ever really knew.
Fitzwilliam intended to keep it that way as well. This was going to a be very hard to have a life while Georgie was staying, but he resolved to keep a close eye on her, as she had always been watched, and that she shouldn't go anywhere without him. Was he ever wrong.
Georgiana shyly stepped out of the gate and moved towards her brother as the sweetest smile appeared on her angelic face. He took his sister in a tight embrace and quickly motioned for her to follow him to claim her baggage. Darcy wanted to greet his sister immediately, so he had a cab take him to the airport before Elizabeth got off work. Now Lizzy was off, and she had pulled up to the curb, ready to take the two Darcy's home.
"Georgiana, this is my good friend, Elizabeth Bennet," Mr. Darcy said, as the three struggled to pile Georgiana's trunks into the back of Lizzy's car.
"Lizzy, my sister, Georgiana," Darcy slammed the trunk closed and climbed into the drivers seat.
Lizzy gave him an annoyed look but he shrugged his shoulders and mumbled "What? Men are supposed to drive."
Lizzy flicked him in the back of the head.
"Oww," he said rubbing his head.
"Men and their pride," Lizzy chuckled.
Georgiana apparently heard Lizzy's soft chuckle, and laughed with her.
"Yes, I know all about their so called pride. Its nothing but arrogance and stupidity. I mean, I've read so many novels where the guy loves the girl so much, but his pride keeps him from telling her. Then he ends up doing something stupid, and the women always end up rectifying the situation. We wouldn't have to if they did things simpler. My boyfriend, Jasper-.." Georgiana quickly cut short, followed by an eerie silence.
Darcy quickly looked in the rearview mirror with a look of horror and annoyance.
"Boyfriend?" he asked in a deep voice, as if trying to sound stern. Lizzy laughed at the thought. She thought she heard a little 'eep' sound come from Georgiana.
"But William, he's just, and I'm 12, and he's so," Georgiana was then cut off by William.
"You are too young to have a boyfriend, Georgiana Darcy! Do mother and father know about this Jasper fellow?" Darcy was now apparently angry, but he tried incredibly hard to stifle it from showing.
How could his little sister even think of "dating" a boy at twelve years old?! Darcy's head swirled with thoughts of what he used to think of at twelve. Well, it really began about thirteen, but still. It annoyed him to think some perverted male was thinking of his beloved innocent sister any way that was inappropriate.
"Um, no," Georgiana whispered, but then she suddenly got panicked.
"William you can't tell them! They will be so mad! It's enough to have you angry at me!" her eyes widened and began to moisten with tears.
Darcy suddenly felt shameful. He couldn't be mad at Georgiana. How could he have shown so much anger. One problem Darcy hosted was anger.
"William, its none of my business, but she sounds innocent from what you told me of her, and I hardly think she would do anything.." Elizabeth looked back at Georgiana who was wiping her tears with a napkin out of the McDonalds bag in the back seat of the car.
"Elizabeth, she's twelve. She's my sister!" Darcy argued, not sure if he should be mad at Elizabeth for butting in, or happy that she took interest in his sister.
"Of course. As your sister, she wouldn't be less than perfectly innocent, right?" Elizabeth threw Darcy a wide and inviting grin, followed by a playful ruffle of his hair.
Georgiana stopped crying, to observe the playful pair.
When they finally reached the apartment, Darcy carried Georgiana's things up to the floor and set them down carefully.
"Georgiana, Elizabeth is one of my three roommates," Mr. Darcy said, looking around the apartment.
"Don't tell me you live with three girls, William," Georgiana smirked.
Darcy spun around to look at his sister, with a look of astonishment. Had she really said what she thought he said? Did she really smirk the way he thought she smirked? Did he just see a whole new side of Georgiana that he had never witnessed before?
Afraid and uneasy, he muttered,
"Two is quite enough," and looked at Elizabeth, who was trying drastically to keep herself from laughing out loud. The look on Darcy's face alone could have turned a whole room into an eruption of laughter. His eyes bulged, his lip quivered, and his eyebrow raised.
"Georgiana, my sister Jane and I would love another room mate, if you would like to stay there with us," Elizabeth offered, still replying Darcy's look in her mind.
Georgiana had let what was inside her out at a slip moment, and now felt good. She nodded at Elizabeth, and thanked her.
"There is a couch by the window, Georgiana. Set up your sleeping bag there, if you would," Mr. Darcy said ushering her to the girl's room.
"Alright William," Georgiana undid the bright pink sleeping bag and rolled it across the couch.
Suddenly the door opened and closed loudly from the front room.
"Darcy! Lizzy! We're home!" Charles called.
"Mr. Bingley is here too?" Georgiana said cluelessly.
"Georgiana!" Charles said, bursting into the room and hugging Georgiana tightly.
"How is the princess?" Charles asked, mockingly.
Georgiana always adored Charles Bingley. He entertained her with stories since she was incredibly little, and he always teased her, something no one did. Everyone thought she was fragile. Everyone though just because she was twelve, she couldn't do anything. Like a breakable doll.
It truly wasn't fair. Why, if Georgiana could be herself, she would have much more fun.
"Very well, sir," Georgiana said, bowing in a mock way as well. She teased him back, happily.
"Georgiana, would you like a peppermint?" Elizabeth asked, tossing her one of Williams.
"This is Jane, Elizabeth's sister. Jane, this is my sister, Georgiana," William made the introduction.
"Hello," Jane said sweetly.
Georgiana smiled a hello, but later told Darcy he liked how shy Jane was like herself, but at the same time joked along with the others. Darcy nodded in agreement, but then realized that's how Georgiana wished to be. It disturbed him greatly. After a dinner prepared by the girls, Darcy and Lizzy sat on the balcony, talking and sipping their tea.
"She's a sweet girl Lizzy, but I'm afraid she's going to try to grow up too fast. I mean, I did. I was learning about stocks at thirteen. My dad took me to his office regularly. I surprisingly only had about three girlfriends in high school. I was so busy most of the time," Darcy said, looking up into the sky, talking more to himself than Lizzy.
"Surprising," Lizzy said, with no emotion.
"Hey!" Darcy said, realizing what she meant.
"You really are wrapped up in work a lot though, William. Every morning you have to do your 'work'. I don't even know what you do, and why you have to do it here," Lizzy sighed and sipped her tea. She took a cracker from the plate on the middle of the small table. Everything was silent and peaceful.
"I didn't really HAVE to come here, but Charles and I wanted something different, really. I mean, we had to be here initially because a lot of customers were here, and in case I had to talk to them. But apparently they also sent this guy, Matthews, here, and they only really needed him. I couldn't get much work done with Caroline and my parents on my back all the time anyway. Its interesting when your parents demand that you succeed at work, but then insist that you are number one babysitter for your little sister and come to every family meeting, and come by Pemberley three times a week. The stress was literally killing me,"
"You never tell me anything, you know. If I had known this earlier, I wouldn't have been at lost as to why you were here, which would have saved me the trouble of trying to understand,"
"Sorry, you never asked," William shrugged as he slowly unwrapped a peppermint.
"Oh, you would never guess what I got," Lizzy said, suddenly excited.
"What?" Darcy asked. They both were being completely sluggish, except for Lizzy's sudden burst of excitement.
"I got you something!" she ran in the house and came back with her purse.
She pulled out a small bag, containing peppermints.
Darcy took the bag and read it aloud.
"Coffee-flavored peppermints," he said, laughing.
"I thought you would like them," Lizzy smiled.
"Thanks Liz," he said, leaning over and kissing her on the cheek.
Lizzy blushed softly, but pulled her robe tightly over her nightgown, shyly.
"Could I take Georgiana to the space needle tomorrow?" Lizzy asked, opening the bag for Darcy.
"Oh, I don't know. I was planning for her to stay home, I don't know if I want her going out," William said protectively.
"Oh, come on William! She's twelve. What are you going to do? Keep her cooped up in an apartment all day? As long as she stays here? She'll be with me, I'll watch her," Elizabeth set her cup down and looked William squared in the eye.
"I don't know," William said, avoiding her eyes.
"William, I'm not taking her to a male strip club for goodness!" Lizzy whined.
"Well, THIS is good to know!" William said standing up and heading for the door.
Elizabeth grabbed his arm.
"William," she pushed out her lip and pouted.
Mr. Darcy enjoyed the touch of her hand to his arm, and how sweet she looked.
"Oh, alright," Mr. Darcy gave in.
"Did you say we were going to the space needle?" a voice came from the door.
"We're you listening to us?" Darcy starred at his sister, who stood looking at them in her pink pajamas and fuzzy slippers.
"A little," Georgiana looked sad.
"How much did you hear?!" Darcy asked, worrying that she heard Lizzy's strip club comment.
"Just about a space needle," Georgiana lied. What was she supposed to say? It was hard not to watch her brother talking to this lovely girl. Georgiana never liked Caroline much anyway.
Darcy doubted his sister, but sent her to bed. He said that, if she went right to sleep, Elizabeth could take her to the Space needle in the morning. She smiled and hugged her brother goodnight. She then looked to Lizzy.
"I know we'll have a great day tomorrow, Miss Bennet," Georgiana smiled happily.
"Call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy," Lizzy smiled.
William raised a curious eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Alright ... Elizabeth. Thank you for your proposal. I'll see you in the morrow," Georgiana spun around and shifted off to her sleeping bag.
"Does she always talk like that?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"Since she was little. My parents, her teachers, and I have tried to educate her in the best way possible. We never sheltered her from knowing new words. She used to ask the meaning of what we said, and we told her. My sister is very intelligent," Mr. Darcy smiled widely, obviously proud. The little blonde curly headed girl was his pride and joy. His sister.
Of course they had tiny spats and disagreements, but they loved each other. Georgiana just wished Darcy would treat her just a little bit like a friend, rather than a daughter or some such.
Darcy babied her, and all she wanted was his respect and confidence. She wanted someone to talk to. The next morning that's just what she got. Elizabeth Bennet woke her up with a smile.
"Get up, Georgiana, the bacon is almost done, but the toast is ready, come eat."
Georgiana walked into the kitchen to find everyone eating. Jane was completely ready and reading the newspaper.
"I'm off to work," she smiled. She kissed Charles(new information to Georgie, apparently Charles and Jane were dating) and left.
Mr. Darcy, too, was dressed, and talking to Charles and Lizzy.
"I called Charlotte, and let her down easy. I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now," he said, his mouth a little full.
"Oh, please, Darcy, she was smitten with that Collin's fellow," Charles jabbed. He knew Darcy really had no feelings for Charlotte anyway. He just wished it had been a little longer. It was good of Darcy to have someone to occupy his time.
Lizzy was dressed as well, and she was pouring coffee and serving bacon.
"Come, sit down," Elizabeth called as she saw Georgiana appear.
"Morning sleepyhead," Mr. Darcy said, not looking up from his newspaper.
"Morning everyone," she whispered. To be a child surrounded by adults is interesting, I assure you.
Everyone mumbled a good morning, but soon Jane had hurried off to work, Charles had followed, and Darcy had disappeared into the back to take a shower. Georgiana and Lizzy were the only ones left.
"So, Georgiana, tell me about this Jasper fellow," Lizzy sat down in a chair across from Georgiana and threw her hands drastically on the table.
"You won't tell William?" Georgiana asked cautiously. She was a tad skeptic around this new girl who apparently didn't know the rule of treating Georgiana as a child. Why, it was forbidden to treat her as a friend. That would be simply scandalous!
"Me? Of course not! William doesn't need to know. It will be between us girls," Lizzy poured Georgiana some more juice, and then looked at her.
"Spill," Elizabeth smiled, a very mischievous smile.
The smile was returned with another mischievous smile from the other.
"Well," Georgiana blushed, "He's about three inches taller than me, he plays football, loves to read, and write, he's got brown hair and green eyes, and oh, his SO sweet!" Georgiana took another bite of food, and looked up, somewhat reminiscing.
"Sweet? How?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, don't tell William, but he wrote me a poem. My very own poem!"
"How sweet! I wish I had a boyfriend who would write ME a poem!" Elizabeth suddenly turned to see Mr. Darcy standing there looking at her curiously.
"What was that?" My. Darcy raised his eyebrow again. Elizabeth shuddered with delight. She loved it when he did that!
"Nothing at all, William. Merely girl talk," Elizabeth smirked and stood up, faking a very elaborately haughty personage.
"What are you going to do today, anyway?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, I plan on working, and then, umm, maybe join Jane and Charles down at the coffee shop for a little java," Darcy picked up his briefcase.
"That's my little java king," Elizabeth said, "Be off with you!"
"As my fair queen wishes of me," Darcy bowed and exited the room, leaving a joyous Elizabeth and confused Georgiana.
"Your brother is certainly entertaining, Georgiana, you must admit,"
"Perhaps. He seems to like you well enough though," Georgiana washed off her dishes and headed for the bathroom.
"What do you mean by that?" Lizzy asked.
"Oh, nothing, you two are just adorable, that's all. I'm going to go take a shower, I'll be out in a few minutes," Georgiana left, leaving Lizzy stumped.
A little bit later, Elizabeth and Georgiana were walking down the streets, toward the Needle, talking happily of past boyfriends, and future boyfriends as well.
"I hope I find a guy soon," Elizabeth sighed, " I mean, the last one I had turned out to be bisexual. He was a jerk, though, I must say. A drunkard."
Suddenly the thought occurred to her that she was talking to a twelve-year old.
"Sorry, Georgiana! I forgot for a moment that you were so young. You act very mature,"
Georgiana smiled and nodded.
"I admit, I love your company, Lizzy. You don't make me feel like a child, as everyone else does. There are very few people that treat me almost like an equal. Jasper is one of them though," Georgiana took a small piece of paper out of her pocket.
"What's that?" Lizzy asked.
"A note from Jasper. He told me not to read it until today," Georgiana unfolded it, happily taking her time.
"What's it say?" Elizabeth asked. Georgiana chuckled at the excitement Elizabeth showed.
I'm going to miss you while you're gone. Can you call me? I know its long distance, but I'll accept the charge. Anything to talk to you. I hope Mrs. Sanders didn't see this note that I passed you. Don't forget, you aren't supposed to be reading this until the time we discussed, so if you are, stop now! J Its going to be hard not talking to you for a while. In our next game, I'll score a touch down for you. Could you write me? Well, I have to go, the bell just rang.
Love,
Elizabeth looked at Georgiana's smiling face.
"He said he's going to miss me!"
"He did!" Lizzy exclaimed.
"Oh, I miss him now!" Georgiana looked at the side walk.
"It's ok, you're going to go home soon anyway,"
"Yes, but then I won't get to see you! Or my brother! Or anyone!" Georgiana looked at a pigeon that flew past them.
"Of course you will. You can visit any time you like! My door is ALWAYS open," Lizzy ruffled Georgiana's curls, and Georgiana giggled.
"Thanks, Liz. I really needed a friend."
"Anytime at all! Oh, look, there it is," Elizabeth pointed ahead of them at a huge "building". It was basically an elevator leading up to a round, alien ship type, rotating disk attached to the top.
"We're going up it?" Georgiana exclaimed, as Elizabeth pulled her toward the doors.
"Of course, they have some rather good food up there!"
The two girls went to the top. When they got there, a host took them to their seats, handed them menu's, and promised them a waiter would be by shortly.
Georgiana had never seen anything like it. The entire restaurant was moving. Very very slowly. It rotated fully, giving the diner a full view of Seattle.
Georgiana sat close, and peered down at the ant-like people below.
"We're up so high!" she exclaimed as a waiter came by and poured them each a glass of ice water.
"Indeed, I rather like heights such as these. Very controlled, and safe," Elizabeth looked down, too.
"And what are these?" Georgiana asked, picking up one of the many sugar packets passing them. Considering that the entire restaurant was spinning slowly, one could write on a sugar packet, put t down on the ledge of the "window", and an hour later, could pick it back up, and it would be the exact one you put down.
"Monika Fisher, Phoenix, Arizona. Ducks rule!," Georgiana read, picking up a sugar packet, as she passed by them.
"I agree. But I like Frogs too, frogs are cool," Elizabeth commented.
"And don't forget fish," Georgiana piped up. The two laughed at their interesting conversation topic.
"Oh, here is another one," Elizabeth said, picking up a blue packet.
"It just says "Eby". Oh, no wait, here. It says "Eby. Yes, I am singing in the rain,"
Georgiana chuckled.
"I know there's a lot of rain here, but I've never known anyone to sing in it. Most people get rather annoyed at this rain, as I've heard," Georgiana saw a waiter walk towards them.
"Hello, ladies, what can I get for you?" a very handsome waiter asked.
"Hello, um, well, lets see, a garden salad for me, and for my friend?" Elizabeth looked at Georgiana.
"The same for me, please. With ranch," Georgiana closed her menu and smiled.
"That's all you want?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I was hoping, instead of eating a big lunch, we could save room for a hot dog in the park," Georgiana smiled.
"That's my girl! You're even beginning to think like a Seatleian,"
Elizabeth handed the menus to the waiter, and he left.
"Here," Georgiana picked up another packet. A fun game it was to read these silly little packets.
"Blakeley Browne, Potatoes don't last forever, but friends will always be there," Georgiana looked at Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked at Georgiana. At the exact same time, the two burst out laughing.
"Must be some weird code thing or something. A nickname for some guy or something," Elizabeth said. Georgiana nodded.
"Oh, and here's one. Thomas Agulara Jr., we will miss you dearly,"
"That is sad," a few moments passed, as the two thought about it. Finally an idea hit Georgiana.
"Can I write one, Lizzy?" Georgiana asked happily.
"Most certainly," Elizabeth said, finding a pen in the bottom of her purse.
Georgiana concentrated hard on making the sugar packet look just right.
"What's it say?" Elizabeth wondered, picking up another sugar packet.
Georgiana blushed.
"Georgiana Darcy, I love Jasper."
"Very nice," Elizabeth commented.
"Here, I wrote one. Elizabeth Bennet, Drink more coffee,"
Suddenly she pointed out the window. Below them was a large swimming pool with a Coke-A-cola sign on the bottom in bright red.
"Do you like Coke?" Elizabeth asked.
"Oh, yes, I love it. Once, William was in a good mood, and let me have a sip of his. I'm not allowed to drink coke," Georgiana looked into her lap, rather sadly.
Elizabeth looked astonished.
"A girl deprived of Coke? Why, that's just not right! Would you allow me to help you break the rules?" Elizabeth had her devious look on her face.
"What do you mean?" Georgiana asked.
"Waiter! Excuse me, could I have two cokes please?" Elizabeth asked sweetly. The waiter smiled.
"Of course," he was off, and a minute later, was back with two bubbling, fizzy cokes.
"Are you sure? I mean, can I?" Georgiana looked at the soda with eyes of a young child about to open a Christmas present.
"Of course, drink up!" Elizabeth said, holding up her glass as a cheer.
"To a happy day in Seattle, and to our love life," Elizabeth laughed.
Georgiana hit her glass to Lizzy's and downed the coke.
"I've never seen anyone drink so quickly," Elizabeth said, " Are you ok?"
"I've never felt better!" Georgiana giggled. She could feel the caffeine bubbling within her.
The salads soon arrived, and thankfully, Georgiana was able to control her hyper ness.
"This is so much fun, Lizzy, thank you so much!"
"I admit, you are a fun companion as well!" Lizzy took a bite of her salad as dressing dribbled down her chin.
"Perhaps saving some for later?" Georgiana teased.
"But of course. I could always use some salad dressing," Elizabeth wiped her mouth, when the waiter suddenly walked by.
"Here is the check," the waiter smiled a flashy smile.
"Thank you," Elizabeth smiled back.
When he had left, Georgiana looked at her.
"You think he's cute, don't you?" Georgiana asked.
"Well, maybe," Elizabeth said, as if she had something to hide.
Lizzy opened the little black book to take out the check.
"What's this?" Lizzy asked, holding up a small piece of yellow paper.
'Your number?' was scrawled out in neat hand writing.
"Ooo, the waiter put that in here!" Lizzy gasped.
"Well? Give him your number!" Georgiana said impatiently.
"Oh, alright!" she wrote her number on the piece of paper, and shoved it, along with the check money and a nice tip, in the book.
The two then left the restaurant, but not before Lizzy winked at the waiter.
After the two had wandered through town a little, looking around at clothes, trying on things, looking at all sorts of souvenirs, they both walked up to the park.
"Two hotdogs, with everything," Elizabeth ordered. Georgiana nodded, as the hot dog stand man reached into his hot dog cart.
"Five dollars," the man said. Georgiana looked at his little red and white striped uniform, and little red hat. The man looked rather funny, but had a nice job. Who wouldn't like to stay out here in nature? Surrounded by the lovely park, instead of being cooped up in a huge house. The house was, indeed, lovely, but not if you see it every day, non-stop.
When they wandered in later, Darcy was up, reading.
"I thought you two would never be back," Darcy said, sternly, not looking up from his paper.
Elizabeth came over and sat on his lap, which caused him to, don't ask me why now, put his book down. She had certainly caught his attention.
"Elizabeth," he said, rather panicky, in a low voice.
"Oh hush William, Georgiana knows about my secret love. I love him, William. Its he I love. You are just a pawn in my game," Lizzy laughed a menacing laugh, as she threw her head back. She was very capable of an evil laugh, I assure you.
She tipped back, while her hands rested tight enough around his neck.
"What love do you speak of?" asked Darcy, curious.
"I'll leave you two alone, I'm going to go, umm, write," Georgiana hurried off to her room.
"No, you don't have to leave us," Darcy tried to say, but was too late, for Georgiana had already closed the door.
"Now it is only you and I, sir, alone, happily alone," Elizabeth smirked.
Darcy could tell Elizabeth was in a very playful mood, and decided to act upon it.
"Well, madam, I suppose we are. Yet, I find no reason to do anything about it, considering that I am just a pawn, in this illustrious game of yours," Mr. Darcy stood, slowly, giving Elizabeth enough time to get off his lap, and stand, in playful frustration.
"Did I say that sir? It was merely for the protection of your poor sisters ears! I merely wanted to save her the trouble of hearing a love story in the making, about to unfold before her eyes. I decided I must do something to stop it, before we had gone any further," Elizabeth wrapped her arms around William's neck again, although he did nothing to become closer to her, yet stood there, as stone.
"I don't believe you," William frowned.
"Oh, dear, kind sir. Don't you take the word of a lady?" Elizabeth asked, sweetly stroking his cheek.
"I don't believe I should," Darcy grabbed Elizabeth's wrist from his cheek, as Elizabeth drained in color, horrified.
"How could you be so?" she cried, throwing herself into a chair, sobbing un controllably. She buried her face in her hands. Darcy looked at her, sternly. Suddenly, Georgiana burst into the room.
"What on earth is going on? Why is Lizzy crying? William, what did you do?" Georgiana cried.
Suddenly, Lizzy looked up. No sign of emotion or tears on her face. Georgiana stared at her.
"Uh, William," Elizabeth looked to Darcy, who had a look of confusing on his face.
"Georgiana, we're not serious," William said, sitting down. Lizzy began laughing hysterically, thinking it funny that Georgiana believed them.
"I guess. William.. I guess we're good actors, eh?" Lizzy laughed. Darcy, too, began laughing
"You two are insufferable!" Georgiana said in exasperation. She flung her arms into the air with frustration.
"Oh, come now, Georgie, come sit down," Lizzy said, still laughing.
Georgiana sat next to Lizzy, with a pouty face about her.
"We're just silly, that's all, don't worry," Elizabeth said to Georgiana.
"You both are extremely convincing you know," Georgiana smiled.
"Why thank you," Lizzy motioned for William.
"Mr. Darcy, would you make us some hot coco? Please?" Elizabeth pouted.
"I suppose," William sighed.
"So, then, you probably didn't tell William about the waiter," Georgiana said as William handed her a cute mug with a big Mickey Mouse on the front.
"What?" William asked, sitting down across from them on the couch.
"I gave a waiter at the Needle my number," Elizabeth said, sipping the coco and starring at the tiny marshmallows floating around in her cup. Suddenly she pictured the tiny marshmallows floating around in the coco, smiling to themselves, as they relaxed and reclined, in their warm little Heaven.
"Hmmmm," Darcy said, also sipping some coco.
"He was cute too," Georgiana said softly.
"What?" Darcy asked, wretchedly. His little sister should stop growing up now. Just stop. Stay nine forever.
"She's right," Elizabeth laughed..
"I can't leave you two alone! ELIZABETH! You're corrupting my sister!" Darcy exclaimed, standing up. He was so upset, yet in an extremely funny way, that Elizabeth couldn't help but stifle a chuckle.
"William, the only thing corrupting me is being so sheltered," Georgiana spoke out.
"What on earth are you talking about, girl?" Darcy asked, looking at his sister.
"Breathe, William," Elizabeth said, standing and taking him by the shoulders.
"Sit down," she said firmly.
He didn't say anything, but obeyed.
"Listen to me, Darcy. Your sister and I had fun today. She's a great kid, and you have got to stop looking past that,"
"But I don't look past that, I know she's great,"
"Yes, but she doesn't know that you know," Elizabeth sat down next to Darcy. He looked at Georgiana. She sat there, tears rolling down her cheek. She was always very sensitive. But Lizzy was right! She was a great kid. And he didn't even give her any recognition for that.
"Georgie, you are a great girl, I'm sorry for being so sheltering. You should have a life. I'll talk to mom and dad," he said. Georgiana looked up, bright as could be. She practically jumped on Darcy, giving him huge bear hug.
"William, all I want is to be normal. Kids even think that I'm snotty, just because I'm not allowed to play with any of them, but maybe mom and dad will listen to you," she smiled so hard, and so wide, he was afraid she would wake up the next morning with her mouth hurting.
"I'm going to bed, thank you William! Thank you," Georgiana left the two once more, very happily.
"See, that wasn't so hard," Lizzy said, happily, as she watched Georgiana bounce off to her room.
"Thank you," William said, seriously.
"For what?" Elizabeth asked, confused.
"For helping me realize that my sister is still a person, and for being there for her. And for me."
"For you?"
"Yes, for me."
Just then, Darcy leaned over and kissed Elizabeth. The kiss wasn't a long kiss, with music playing in the background as petals magically dropped from the ceiling and doves flew about the air or anything. The kiss was actually rather interesting. Darcy acted on impulse. He had kind of realized he had liked Elizabeth so much when Georgiana and she had been gone the whole day. And now Elizabeth was helping solve a very long problem. Maybe it was just the playful act they had put on before. Maybe it was the fact that her brown hair was tumbling around her shoulders, and that her eyes were lit up with delight for Georgiana. Whatever it was, it made him kiss her.
She certainly hadn't expected it either. At first, she was somewhat, freaked out. But after a second or two, she relaxed, and the kiss became more of the magical fairytale kind.
When they parted, Darcy looked into her eyes, very deeply.
"Ah, m'lady. Sweet lady, you are indeed."
She looked into his brown pools, also known as eyes, and slowly put her hands on his arms, trembling just a moment. She looked at him, long and hard, smiling at his lips. His sweet, gentle lips. Suddenly, panic arose, and she stood up quickly, and raced into the bedroom. Darcy was so stunned, that he knew not what to do. He just put on his jacket, and walked down stairs to his car.
Jane and Charles were closing up the coffee shop when he got there, but he urged Jane to let him borrow Charles a moment.
"I kissed her," Darcy said frantically.
"Good show, Darcy! Good show!" Charles said merrily. He patted Darcy on the back.
"No, no, its not good. We kissed, and it was great, Charles, she's an amazing kisser, but as soon as we parted, she fled from the room into the bedroom. I was stunned, so I just came down here. What am I going to do?"
"Oh, Darcy, Jane and I both knew you liked each other. If you only knew how obvious it was," Charles chuckled, putting a chair upside down on the table.
"No, Charles, you don't get it! She rejected me, now what do I do?"
"I suppose you do nothing. Just wait," Charles shrugged his arms.
"Easier said than done, sir," Darcy sighed.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth hid in the bathroom, sorting out her feelings.
"He kissed me, girl, he kissed me! What does this mean? Can I possibly handle this? This is your best friend, Elizabeth! Aside from Jane, this man is your confidant, friend, companion. What could this kind of relationship do to you both? Could it work?" Elizabeth said on the floor, little tears trickling down her cheek. She was crying from frustration.
"Oh, but you like him so much, Lizzy!" she cried aloud. She quickly flung her hands over her mouth, looking around her.
"What on earth did I just say?" she asked herself.
"My subconscious is playing mind games with me again," Lizzy sighed to herself. Suddenly, she heard the door open, and then close. There were three sets of foot steps, and she could hear two going into the other room, as the third plopped himself down into a chair.
She decided she should talk to him.
Slowly she reveled herself from the room.
Darcy stood immediately.
"Elizabeth, I..." Darcy started to talk, but she pulled her hands up to her lips, and made a "hush" sign.
Then she moved toward him, all the while he was looking at her with utmost astonishment.
She then slowly kissed him, lightly. When she parted from his lips, he kept his eyes closed, not really sure of what just happened.
Suddenly the phone rang.
"Hello?" Lizzy answered.
"Hi, I'm not sure of her name, but I'm the waiter in the Needle today. My name is Robert," the man on the other line said.
"Hi, Robert," she said.
"I wanted to know if you, I'm assuming you're she, would like to go out with me next Saturday," Robert asked sweetly.
"I'm sorry, Robert, but I'm kind of taken. I just didn't know it when I gave you my number," she looked at Darcy sweetly.
"Oh, ok, sorry to bother you then," Robert said, a sound of rejection in his voice.
"No, not at all. Thanks for the offer,"
"Anytime, good bye," he hung up.
"Who was that?" Darcy asked, as Lizzy came and sat down next to him.
"Robert, from the Space Needle," she replied.
"He asked you out?"
"Yes."
"And you said?"
"I said, no, of course."
Suddenly, Darcy was struck. This girl, this amazing girl that he liked, was giving up all for him. How great! He had finally found the girl! Hw he just wanted to gather her in his arms and demand a kiss from her right there. But then he realized, this would mean commitment. And what if they broke up? To lose a friend would simply kill him. But it would kill him more if he lost that chance at a real love relationship. Wouldn't it? Being with Lizzy meant no more dating, besides her. What if she turned out like Caroline. Sweet, until you date her. Crazy to say it, but Caroline and Darcy had once been good friends. Until they started seeing each other.
'Maybe,' he thought,' I can just date her, not go steady.'
"Why?" asked Darcy, nonchalantly. This was the best way to go. No serious relationships.
"Because. Aren't we going out?"
"We kissed each other, an amazing kiss, but that's all," Darcy said.
"That's all?" Elizabeth looked at him, utterly hurt.
"Well, we can date other people, can't we? It was just a kiss, not something to ruin a friendship over or some such thing," Darcy mumbled.
Darcy knew not what he was saying, I promise you that. The thought of commitment struck him, and the thought of committing again, seemed like a Caroline trip all over again.
"Yes, um, of course," Lizzy mumbled. She began to cry here, softly. So Darcy hopefully wouldn't hear or see her.
Suddenly, the phone rang again.
"Hello?" she mumbled.
"Lizzy?" the voice asked.
"Who is this?"
"Julian," the voice practically whispered.
"Julian?" Elizabeth asked.
Darcy looked up, suddenly rather frightened.
"Elizabeth, I've been so stupid. I can't believe I would think of dumping you. Lizzy, I love you," Julian groveled.
Elizabeth looked at Darcy, and then thought.
"Can you pick me up in ten minutes?" Elizabeth asked.
"You bet, I'm on my way out now," Julian said.
"See ya soon," she clicked off the phone.
"Who? What?" Darcy asked impatiently.
Tears still streamed down Elizabeth's face.
"I'm just, um, going to go over to Julian's. He wants to talk to me," Elizabeth whispered. Darcy looked at her.
"You're not really going over to his house, Lizzy! You can't," .He looked at her, with tears forming slowly in his eyes. Why was he being so stupid?
'Tell her how you feel, you moron!' Darcy said to himself.
"Don't go," he said.
"You just said you weren't ready for a real relationship,"
"Elizabeth, he's not right for you, and you're not right for him," Darcy said, grabbing her hand.
She let him take her hand, and she stopped crying, but merely looked at him.
"He just wants to talk to me, William," she looked at him, pitied his frustrated and sad look.
Then she hugged him, opened the door, and left.
Dear Georgiana,
Jasper
© 2002 Copyright held by the author.