Author's Note-
I wrote this earlier and began posting it, but I really screwed things up with it. I divided the story up on my computer, but didn't save it before I posted it on the site. So I accidentally gave people the first three chapters in one. I feel pretty stupid for making that mistake. Also, I had a possible idea for the next part, but changed it. So I now realize that none of it would have made sense had I continued it. I am so sorry for the confusion and such things. Here is the real story.
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy lounged in the dining room of Netherfield, finishing up breakfast in silence. It had been a rather lazy day so far. Darcy, if he was truthful, hoped that Bingley would continue to be lost in thoughts of Miss Bennett for a while, for Darcy had things of his own to think of. He did not approve of this attachment his friend had formed, Wickham was around, waiting to snatch away some unsuspecting young girl, plus with his confusing feelings for Miss Elizabeth Bennett, he had a lot on his mind. He was both disappointed and surprised when his friend began speaking suddenly.
"You know, Darcy, some folks around here might think you're more stuck up then shy," he said thoughtfully, not even glancing at Darcy. The silent man raised an eyebrow in question. Bingley continued. "You're very antisocial until you get to know people and this new company might not be used to you yet."
"What makes you think this?" Darcy asked, not sure what to believe as of that moment.
"As great as Ja-" He paused. "Miss Bennett is, she seems a little intimidated by you. And once, at a ball, I heard her trying to defend you against Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas. Sweet as she is, you haven't shown yourself to her so she had little to use. They stopped as soon as they saw me, of course. But Miss Bennett sees the best in everyone so I can only imagine how little good you've shown her," he paused again, "and her sisters to have her fail like that."
Darcy's heart sunk at this. While he had been fighting his attachment to Elizabeth, she'd remained in his mind nonetheless and hopes had started arising. He shook his head slightly, as though it could shake her out for the time being. It didn't work, unfortunately, and Bingley looked at Darcy expectantly.
"I guess I could try and be friendlier," Darcy tried, hoping to quiet Bingley quickly.
"Good. Oh, and another word of advice," Bingley continued, "is that you may want to be careful regarding Miss Elizabeth Bennett."
Darcy blushed softly at this.
"While you are trying to hide your infatuation for her, I'm your friend. I can see it," Bingley said with a smile. "But she's grown attached to Wickham as of late, it would seem. So any encounters with her may cause old problems to be explained."
Darcy nodded and quickly thanked his companion. His head was spinning. Had he been too busy noticing the lovely vision herself that he hadn't noticed her recent friends? This worried him for a few moments, but then Darcy calmed and turned to his own friend.
"And I should warn you to be careful with Miss Bennett. You can't be sure she shares your feelings."
Bingley rolled his eyes. Obviously, nothing could end his good mood. "She's worth the risk." He rose and patted Darcy on the shoulder in an almost sarcastic way. "I can look out for myself." And he left for Longbourn, abandoning Darcy to dwell with his thoughts.
Darcy was quite put out. It seemed that all his plans had gone awry already. His developing feelings for Elizabeth were beginning to become less bearable. He'd been starting to plan ways to tell her. But not now. She found him prideful and her mind had been poisoned by that filthy George Wickham. Fitzwilliam Darcy did not encounter problems often, but when he did, they plagued him. He knew he would be able to think of nothing else until he at least began to solve this. So Darcy sat at that table until he'd developed a hasty plan. He decided to run it by Bingley later. As Darcy stood up finally, a servant came in and handed him a letter from Lady Catherine. While the lord was not too pleased at this, he opened it quickly. It was an invitation to stay with her and her daughter, Anne, for a few weeks. He did not dislike his aunt, but he didn't appreciate how she always hinted that he would someday be expected to marry Anne, his cousin. "Hint" was not a strong enough word, he silently decided, folding the letter up and putting it in his pocket for later. Darcy would go to his aunt's, only to return and win over Elizabeth Bennett, he decided with finality as he began making arrangements.