"What is it exactly we're doing here Charles

Author's note: So I obviously don't own Much ado or P&P so just gonna get that out of the way first. Now about the story. I was in Much ado and even though I had a slightly pitiful role (I was Dogberry's sidekick Verges) it is now my favorite Shakespeare play. After watching Pride and Prejudice (It's on my list of things to read, but I'm saving it for last on my Jane Austen list) I thought how much like Beatrice and Benedick Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are, and thus the pitiful fanfic was born! I'm actually kind of surprised no one's thought of this yet. Note there will be two more chapters after this one. Can't wait to hear what people think, enjoy the romantic angst!

"What is it exactly we're doing here Charles?"

Mr. Darcy had known Charles Bingely for a long time and thus knew of his cheerful nature. He knew of his desire to keep people happy and to keep a mood light, He knew of his fondness for so called "delightful" activities. But never had these traits of Mr. Bingely put Mr. Darcy, or anyone else, in such an awkward, confused, ridiculous and quite frankly…silly position. Nor had he ever known Bingely to have a fondness for Shakespeare.

He glanced at the four others, Mr. Bingely, his sisters, Georgiana and Ms. Eliza Bennet. Each held in their laps a small leather-bound copy of Much ado About Nothing. After the piano recital the entire party had fallen into a surprisingly boring state and thus Mr. Bingely had fetched the said copies to be used in an entertaining activity of some sort. Mr. Darcy surveyed the people around him one more time. Mr. Bingely with his eager expression, much resembled a dog waiting for a bone, Georgiana also smiling although not nearly with as much comfort or confidence and his sisters who were both obviously annoyed with this activity but trying to maintain dignified expressions made Darcy laugh inwardly.

When his glance fell on Ms. Bennet he noticed she looked as uncomfortable as he did, but she had a discreet smile on her face, like she too had gotten the same amusement from the expressions of Mr. Bingely's sisters. The result in Mr. Darcy's eyes was quite an adorable one, but still Elizabeth maintained her own discreet dignity and beauty. It won't do you any good to think like that, said one of Mr. Darcy's remaining sensible brain cells. It will only make it hurt more.

"It's quite simple, Darcy," replied Bingely in his enthusiastic tone "We'll all take on different roles for each scene, then act it out. It will be just like reading poetry!" Darcy looked around again. The party seemed to be less confused but no more enthusiastic.

"Okay one more question Charles, what is the play about?" Elizabeth and Georgiana traded amused glances with each other, as if it was rather funny that Darcy shouldn't know the play's plot. This in turn caused the Bingely sisters to trade uncomfortable and slightly distressed glances at one another, no doubt also in ignorance of the play's story.

Thankfully Mr. Bingely explained the plot to all of those in ignorance. It was typical and yet unusual for classic literature. Hero and Claudio, the lord and daughter of a lord in Italy, fall in love with each other almost on sight. Typical thought Darcy. Then their marriage is hindered by the prince's bastard brother. Okay nothing new continued Darcy's brain. Bingely then explained that everything worked out well thanks to an idiot constable with an entire monologue devoted to how he is an ass. Oh what I would pay to see Caroline Bingely in that role.

Finally Bingely explained the opposite set of lovers. Hero's cousin Beatrice and Claudio's friend Benedick, who constantly battle each other with wit and appear to hate each other until they are tricked into loving each other by the prince, Claudio and the others. Now why does that seem slightly familiar to me?

"But you know," chimed in Georgiana "It's actually quite obvious that the two of them are in love before the play even starts. They're really just unsure of the other's feelings."

"Indeed," concluded Bingely "And now let us cast our miniature production." Suddenly Darcy noticed a mischievous gleam enter his friend's eye. "Perhaps Mr. Darcy and Ms. Bennet would take on the honor of being our Beatrice and Benedick?"

"Yes!" said Darcy immediately standing up. The room's eyes rose up with him. Georgiana and Bingely each tried to suppress amused grins. Caroline Bingely's face turned to an expression of absolute horror, her sister with a similar expression. Darcy hardly cared about any of this though. Please tell me you did not just do that, said his sensible brain cell as his eyes turned to meet Elizabeth's expression of uneasy surprise. Say something idiot! "That is if Ms. Bennet will take on the role."

Elizabeth let out a small, airy chuckle. "Certainly Mr. Darcy, it would be an honor to play opposite you. Hopefully my acting skills will match yours." With that she stood and mock curtsied. Well at least she doesn't seem to abhor me after rejecting me.

Soon the play was cast with Mr. Bingely as Claudio and Georgiana as Hero while Ms. Bingely and Mrs. Hurst filled in the remaining parts at different times.

Darcy had to admit that the activity proved to be more enjoyable than he first imagined. At first the insults passing between him and Elizabeth in the first scenes were painful. He could not escape the impression that she really meant them. It was not at all too soon before the scenes of trickery came up. Darcy relished in hearing that his female opposite was in love with him, despite the fact that the feelings were not those of Eliza Bennet and even the character in the play had not meant them. Then came Elizabeth's turn to hear his supposed affections. Darcy could not help but watch her face intently as she eavesdropped. Her manner though was puzzling. Instead of responding to the news with shock as Beatrice would most likely do, her eyes harbored a certain wistfulness in them. Stop it! It's probably only your damn imagination. He also noticed his sensible brain cell was becoming extremely vexing.

The next scene Darcy took notice of was that when Bingely, as Claudio shamed Georgiana, as Hero. Since it was so against Bingely's nature to act distrusting and outraged, he almost completely misunderstood how to act the scene. Darcy expected him to stammer out the accusations, but what actually transpired was far more amusing. Instead of under-acting the scene, as Darcy supposed he would, Bingely overacted it. He pranced around the room in the most ridiculous manner, trying to appear outraged. His loud shouts of indignation had a voice that was so desperately made up, it made even Darcy start to giggle uncontrollably. So hysterical was the image of his friend that he only noticed he and Elizabeth were in a scene together, alone, until she was half-way done her first line.

Darcy realized with a mixture of fear and enthusiasm that it was the scene in which Beatrice and Benedick confess their love for each other. He once again couldn't help but watch Elizabeth intently through every one of her lines, searching her face for any sign of truth in any of her lines. She seemed so angry though, so resentful. Darcy looked down at the book in desperation. Please tell me she's supposed to act like this! He found that she was.

The confessions of love had not yet come in the plot, instead Beatrice was railing against her cousin being disgraced. Mr. Darcy looked with relief back up at his partner, but that relief soon left him. He could see quite clearly that Elizabeth was addressing him with such disgust. Why? He thought frantically. Why, we were fine until this point. Why is she acting so resentful now?! I haven't done anything to hurt her this much have I…oh.

Without thinking Darcy reached out for Elizabeth's hand, stopping her just as she finished a line. He waited a moment, gazing into her mystifying brown eyes. Okay now you're just being cliché. Piped in a certain obnoxious brain cell.

"I love nothing in the world so much as you…is that not strange?" Darcy gripped Elizabeth's hand tighter, his face begged her to see the truth in the line. For a moment Elizabeth was shocked, but then her face turned to one of cool acknowledgment. The scene went on, the play progressed . But still Darcy couldn't help but think he saw a hint of warmth in that cold face of acceptance.

At last the final scene of multiple weddings took place. Hero was revealed to be innocent (and alive) after her scandal. Claudio happily took her as his wife and Darcy was set for the final confrontation with his Beatrice. The love sonnets were revealed by Georgiana and Bingely, much to the embarrassment of their friend and cousin.

"And here is one in my cousin's hand proclaiming her affection onto Benedick." Georgiana held the piece of paper up as a sort of trophy. She had a mischievous glint and tone of voice as she said this line that Darcy was pretty sure wasn't acting. He glanced at Elizabeth to see her turning as red as he was with an equally surprised look on her face.

And thus Beatrice and Benedick were humiliated into caving into their affections and marrying. Darcy looked at the bottom of the page and when he saw the stage direction he eagerly read his line, despite the fact Elizabeth was railing a rather insulting confession at him.

"Peace," he said light-heartedly, reaching for her hand again. "I will stop …"

"Well done, well done Charles," said Caroline nervously getting up and clapping loudly, cutting Mr. Darcy off. "An excellent activity you were all very good." As she finished she cast a discreet vicious glare in the direction of Elizabeth.

The activity thus hastily concluded, the party said their goodbyes and dispersed about Pemburly. As he walked Darcy glanced wistfully at the last page of the book and the stage direction on it. He kisses her. If only that damn woman hadn't interrupted. He thought in frustration. On the other hand she did an excellent job of proclaiming herself an ass.