So I didn't say this earlier, but obviously I don't own any P&P characters. I also don't own any songs used in this Gala sequence.

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I am sweetly sleeping away my Monday morning when suddenly there is a loud beeping noise echoing through my room. I looked across the room, the Janine blur is peacefully sleeping away. I search for that source of that noise that destroyed my perfect silent Monday morning. Without my glasses, all I can see is a blur that looks very much like my Mom is standing with that accursed alarm clock above my bed, "What Mom?" I ask irritably, rolling over.

"Eliza!" Mom whispers sternly, "Don't wake Janine; she needs her beauty sleep for tonight."

I look at her through squinted eyes; I haven't adjusted to the light from the window, "I need sleep too. I'm organizing it after all." I bury my face in the pillow.

"Precisely," Mom replies with a huff, putting the alarm clock down on top of my bed, "It needs to be perfect. It won't be if it gets arranged at the last minute!"

I grab my glasses off my bedside table and read my clock, "Seven? Mom I'll get up later. Please just let me sleep." I close my eyes and hope she'll go away.

My hopes are dashed when I open them again and she's still standing there impatiently, "Eliza get up." she says in her 'I'm your Mom' voice, "Stop being so lazy." she snaps.

I groan and roll out of bed, "What Mom?" I repeat even more irritated. "I don't need to be there until one." I stand up and put on the huge second-hand store wrap sweater that was hanging on my bed post, and slide my flip flops. Throwing my hair up in a messy ponytail I walk past my Mom and down the stairs to the kitchen. I can hear her thumping down the stairs behind me, without turning I lecture her, "Her dress is perfectly dry cleaned and hung up, Lydian and Kit can do her hair and make-up, and her shoes match the dress."

I pop a bagel into the toaster and grab the orange juice and cream cheese from the fridge and put them on the table. Dad sitting at the end with his nose in today's edition of The New York Times. "Morning Dad," I say as I grab a glass and knife and pour a glass of orange juice.

He folds his paper up and looks at me over the top of his glasses, "Hey Ells," he says standing up as he looks up at his watch, "Gotta go to work sweetie," Dad says quickly, kissing Mom and hurrying out. He can sense Mom's irritation across the room.

I grab my bagel when it pops up and begin spreading cream cheese on it, "What possible justification do you have for waking me up this early?"

She sighs hopelessly, as if to say 'why do I even try', "Because Eliza you procrastinate, if you say one, you'll be there at two."

"Does it matter?" I ask between chews, "I'll get there when I get there. It's not as if the world will fall apart without me?"

With a huff, she adjusts my hair, I swat her hand away, "I still want you to look nice, you can finish decorating then change."

Ha, dream on. I have intention of being out except for a couple introductions. I told my friend Sharie I'd pick her daughter Lottie up from daycare and watch her until Sharie tires of the party. I have no intention of telling Mom that, "Don't worry about it Mom." I say dismissively, putting my dishes in the dishwasher, "I'm going to shower." I turn around and head back upstairs to the bathroom

*

I emerge later with hair and make-up done with a towel wrapped around me to the sound of Beethoven. Apparently Marie's up. I sneak back to my bedroom; Janine is still asleep so I try to be quiet. Though since she's sleeping through Marie's stereo, I doubt me moving around the room will wake her up. I open my wardrobe wide and stare at it, immediately a bright pink billowy top catches my eye. In usual me style I pair it with a high-waisted skirt, opaque black tights, and black pumps. It makes me look more fun to have bright colors, but professional enough not to look like a crazy bottom of the barrel decorator. Of course Julie, one of the girls I work with, reminds me constantly, that if I wear my hair down I'll look more fun and less serious. But that's the point; I think of myself like the girl in Possession, no one takes me seriously at all if it's down. Only, unlike her I'm not severely irresistibly beautiful.

"Hey," I hear someone whisper from the other side of the room, I turn to see the wake-up beautiful Janine looking at me, "You're up early," she says yawning and pulling herself upright.

"So are you," I observe, "It's not even eight. Mom wanted you to be rested."

Janine smiles broadly and stretches, "I am, I went to bed really early last night, there's not much to do here on Sundays."

"You mean there's nothing much we're allowed to do on Sundays here," I correct her sitting down next to her.

She laughs, "Whichever." Stretching her legs out she states, "I think I'll work the afternoon at the daycare."

"Are you crazy?" I ask her, incredulity written all over my face, "Mom will never allow you to do anything that will make you tired before tonight."

With a pout, Janine looks at me, "Can I come with you then?" I shake my head, "But Mom is going to be fussing over me all day."

"You deserve some fussing," I reply standing up and gather up some belongings to put into my purse, and manage to say in one breath: "And if this man – Charlie Bingley – ends up being the hunk everyone thinks he is, and sweeps you off you're feet, then you can marry him and move out."

She leans on my shoulder and sighs, "I hope so."

*

I arrive and the hall is in disarray, nothing is where I'm supposed to be, "What the heck is going on here?" I ask the air, searching for Julie and Andrew, "Julie? Andrew?"

"Yes?" A man whispers into my hair, I back up and spin around, Andrew smiles, "What is it?"

I throw my hands in the air irritably, "What is it Andrew? You're kidding, nothing's started and where's Julie?"

Andrew laughs, "Calm down Bennet, everything is going to be fine – you're early." he interrupts himself when he looks down at his watch, then looks at me with concern, "Why are you early?"

"Because," I say rummaging through my purse for my day planner, "That woman was driving me batty, do this, do that, oh Janine, oh Lydian… and so on." I find it and look up with a smile, "Bonus – if we finish early we can try out the dance floor."

So rounding up our slaves (the people who run around holding drapes and vases while we change our minds on where to put them), Andrew and I set to work on making this ugly room into a classy room for dancing and for displaying the local artist's pieces. Which is difficult, loud music ruins art, and classical music ruins the modern atmosphere.

After a couple hours, we dismiss our slaves to replace them with Julie's and the caterer's. To set up food tables and such. "Ok seriously where's Julie now?"

I soon as I catch a glimpse of Julie, a tiny voice calls to me "Aunt 'Liza!"

Julie comes towards me grinning, with Lottie holding her hand, "Lottie?" I say surprised as Lottie wraps her body around my leg, "What are you doing here,? Your Mommy said she was bringing you later."

She looks up at me grinning, looking like just like Sharie, "Miz Julie came and picked me up."

After Lottie releases my leg I turn to Julie in confusion, who pleads defensively "I love her ok? She's so cute, and smart actually. She notices anything wrong with the display, and she's the best dinner date."

"Alright," I sigh exaggeratively, "Shall we quickly check out the dance floor before dinner?"

Lottie nods incessantly, and shouts "Dancing Queen! Dancing Queen!" as she spins around and around in circles.

"What have you done to her?" Andrew asked with a gasp, "You've brainwashed her."

Popping ABBA into the stereo I counter casually, "I've done no such thing, Lottie just has great taste in music."

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

*

Due to our impromptu dancing, Lottie has passed out on a couch in an office room before Sharie arrives. "Eliza it's beautiful!" Sharie exclaims excitedly, when she looks around the room like Lottie spun around earlier.

"You look lovely," I say honestly. Sharie isn't stereotypical pretty true, but tell me how pretty you'd be by getting married and in the same year having your husband leave you just after your baby's born. But when she smiles, her face lights up, you don't see the worry lines. Plus the navy floor-length dress she's wearing really suits her.

Blushing she shakes her head, "I don't know why I'm here. You should be the one in the fancy dress sipping champagne with all the uppity-uppitys."

My lovely trait exposes itself – I snort, "Sharie, I can barely handle them when I'm their employee, I just imagine how pretending to be their friend." I laugh, and adjust a piece of art, "How long do you think I could go without telling them to shove it?"

Sharie eyes get wide, "You wouldn't!"

"I wouldn't?" I reply daringly, "Why do you think Darlene hates me so much?"

She tilted her head confused, "Because her boyfriend liked to stare at your chest?"

"Well yes," I say, trying to put that part of my past away, "But mostly because I reamed him out for it. I think I said something along the lines of 'grow your own'." I finish absently.

She coughs, choking on her glass of water, "To Brian Fisher?"

Shrugging, I reply, "It was my bubble he was violating, he's lucky I didn't hit him."

"Gee," Sharie says raising her eyebrow curiously, "It's a wonder why your mother thinks you'll never marry."

"I know," I say, draining a glass of punch, "Silly isn't she?"

As if to prove me right, my Mom hurries into the room, her dress rumpled in her hands, followed by Dad and my sisters, "Eliza, this is... decent." What a compliment, she's just the little flatterer, "Eliza!" Mom screeches so loudly that other guests that have arrived are looking inquisitorially at her, "Have they arrived yet?"

I put my glass down on the bar and go over to her, "Has who come Mom?" I ask, pretending to be clueless.

"For goodness sake Eliza!" Mom says, her voice rising higher in pitch (so that's where Marie got it from), "Charlie Bingley!"

I ignore the looks we're getting from other guest, and pretend to be adjusting my skirt, "No, he hasn't come in yet." Looking up I see Janine glowing, "Oh Janine," I gush, "Look at you - spin around." I order, watching her blush then spin around in her modest baby blue strapless, "Beautiful, didn't I tell you Janine; you would look gorgeous in blue?"

Mother nods in agreement, "My Jan looks absolutely ravishing, Mr. Bingley won't be able to take his eyes off her."

Suddenly a whirl of brightly colored fabric flashes by. I realize this is Lydian, followed by Kit heading towards the dance floor – they were the only ones on it. Lydian of course, couldn't care less since she wants the attention, and Kit does whatever Lydian does. I hit my forehead with my hand, "Dad could you make them stop?" I plead to my distracted Father, who merely shrugs.

Mom looks me up and down, and surprising says nothing about how I'm still dressed for work, then heads to the bar, "Dearie, tell me when he arrives of course. You'll introduce us to him, Ben." She waves her hand at us wildly, "She's not even drunk yet," I murmur to Janine and Sharie who giggle.

Dad sighs resignedly, "Eliza, tell me as soon as possible to get it over with." He goes over and stares at one painting, I doubt he'll move all night. Marie shrugs and follows him, there's not chance she'll go anywhere near the dance floor, but will stand near the art and critize it to anyone who will listen.

Janine looks down at he dress and spins, she asks Sharie and I self-consciously "Are you sure it looks right?"

"Jan, you always look beautiful," Sharie says dismissively, "Honestly you could be wearing a paper bag and look beautiful."

Janine smiles shyly, "Thanks," She sways over to a statue of contorted metal, "So what does this mean?"

I look at the label, "This is Gerad's piece about the mess of society's ladder. The desperate climb to the top I suppose." I lean against the wall, "So why do you think Mom didn't comment on the fact that I didn't change?"

"I think she's given up on you." Janine says looking at the statue in deep concentration.

I look up at the ceiling and say quite seriously, "Oh thank God!"

Janine shakes her head, "Only for tonight, she's building it up for next time." She continues to circle the statue, "Eliza I don't see it."

I hug her around the shoulders, "Well, you haven't ever been one for abstract art. You were more into the beauty of nature."

Sharie smiles, "Probably because she's the eighth wonder of the world, a natural piece of art."

It's half an hour into the Gala when the Bingleys (and guests) appear. I'm irritated because they're late, and they didn't inform of us of bringing extra people. I suppose I shouldn't worry because the two girls look anorexic and probably won't eat, "Here comes doom." I say flatly, grabbing Sharie and Janine's hands, "Come on, we've got to go get my Dad." Mom, Lydian, and Kit are probably already waiting impatiently, looking stupidly at the newcomers. I grab Marie mid-conversation with no other than Gerad, the artist, arguing about the meaning of the painting of a sunflower. "Excuse me Gerad, Marie has to go for a moment." I pull her strongly, "Marie," I hiss, "That's the artist."

"I know," she replies simply, pulling on the sleeves on the newest hideous dress she's found herself.

Janine simply smiles, and points Dad out, standing in front of the same painting that he was half and hour ago. "Dad," I call, "Dad!" I say a little louder over the music, I repeat until he turns around. "Come on, you've got to introduce Mom to Mr. Bingley before she has a hernia." He says nothing but follows me like a lost puppy up to Mr. Bingley. Mom joins us quickly, rushing over very unladylike.

"Charlie," my Dad says seriously, "This is my wife, Martha," Charlie smiles kindly as he shakes her hand, "And these are my daughters, Janine, Eliza, and Marie." Dad looks around for Kit and Lydian when Charlie finishes shaking our hands. "This is their friend, Sharie Lucas." Dad looks around for Kit and Lydian and finds them dancing, then shrugs.

Mom elaborates happily, "We have to more daughters, Kit and Lydian, they're busying dancing."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you all, " Charlie sincerely with a wide kind smile. I may change my mind about him, he doesn't seem nearly as stiff as his sister does. I better because I'm pretty sure he and Janine are having some sort of telepathic conversation right now. He suddenly blinks, as if coming out of a daze, and Janine is blushing like crazy. "These - these," he stuttered "Are my sisters, Carolina Bingley and Louisiana Hurst." The girls nod at us like those big-headed bobble heads they remind me of (as they have an equal amount of brain matter I bet). He gestures to the woman holding Louisiana's arm, "My brother-in-law, John Hurst." Then he gestures to the only member of this group left, the - I'll admit handsome, abet with a stuck-up air - man which was being clung to by Carolina, "My friend, Will Darcy." Will stiffly shakes our hands, when we touch hands he looks into my eyes oddly then turns to the next person dismissively. I instantly dislike him, when you look someone in the eyes it means you are judging them, when you look away like them it means you have judged them badly. Carolina was snickering and pressed her scantily clad body against Will and whispered.

Without turning I knew she was talking about my two sisters who were tearing up the dance floor. I'm betting by now they've found partners and are humiliatingly grinding.

Janine and Charlie immediately fall in step, "I admit I'm not really one for art," he says a little embarrassed, "I never understand their meanings."

"I know what you mean," Janine says gently, "Abstract is lost to me. I would so much rather be outside."

"Precisely," Charlie agreed smiling even more, "The beauty of nature is overwhelming." They wander off and Mom heads grinning dumbly back to the bar, Dad and Marie simply walk away.

I politely turn hostess, "The art work by Gerad Gert is over there and encircles the entire room. The dance floor is over there, and the catering - which you may help yourself to if you wish, are just to the right of the dance floor." I say kindly, trying to ignore the sneer on the Barbie dolls' faces, "Excuse us," I say turning away with Sharie.

"This place looks to be such a bore," Carolina whines to Will, "Poor people have such little things in taste in parties."

"This is a gala," Will corrects her coldly, "Parties are very different."

Carolina tries to regain his attention, "But galas are such bores. The art is so primitive here. The city has so much more."

I snort as soon as I'm out of sight, "I think I'm going to hang out with Lottie and sleep through this gala." I say to Sharie, "You have fun, ok? Ignore the plastics."

But Sharie grabs my arm, "She's fine, Lottie's a smart kid, if something's wrong she'll come and get us. You are not escaping that easily."

So she pulls me back, "You want to take to the dance floor?" I shake my head, "Have a little fun," she says, and suddenly disappears and reappears with an evil grin.

A familiar ABBA songs begins to play, "No you didn't!" I exclaim.

Oooh

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

Oooh

See that girl

Watch that seen

Digging the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low

Looking for a place to go

Where they play the right music

"Having fun yet?" Janine asks, dancing along side us.

I look around, "Where's you're boyfriend?" I ask

"He's not my boyfriend," Janine replies, blushing, "He went to get a drink, and to talk to Will. Charlie says Will's not too good with parties of any sort."

With a little bit of rock music

Everything is fine

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet, only seventeen

Dancing queen

Feel the beat from the tambourine

Oooh

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

Oooh

See that girl

Watch that seen

Digging the dancing queen

"I'm going to go get a drink," Janine says, stepping off the dance floor, "Do you two want anything?"

I look at Sharie, then shake my head, "Nah, I think I'm done. I'm going to go to my slumber party now," I joke. We dance for a couple more songs until the music becomes slower, and the more tired, worn Sharie agrees to leave with me, "Thanks Sharie, that was fun," I say making my way to the office I put Lottie in.

We see Will and Charlie standing near the door in conversation, "Shh," I say to Sharie, moving stealthily, "I want to hear what they're saying." She rolls her eyes but doesn't protest.

"Will won't you have any fun? There are tons of lovely girls." Charlie begs his friend.

Will counters impatiently, "You are dancing with the prettiest girl here."

"Janine?" Charlie says, his face lighting up, "Oh she's just amazing. Do you know she loves the sea as much as I do?" His friend looks tired and disinterested, "Oh come now," Charlie says gamely, "Her sister, Eliza, is just as pretty as Janine is."

Will merely shrugs, "She's pretty, but not pretty enough to interest me." He says flatly, "Go find that you like so much and enjoy you're night. You're wasting time with me."

I turn and walk past invisibly, Sharie doesn't speak until we entered the office, "Are you ok?"

"Of course I'm ok, what you think I'm going to let that pompous jerk get to me?" I ask stiffly,sitting down and pulling my heels off, then yanking at my tights.

She looks at me with concern, "A hot pompous jerk, and it looks like you already have," she observes with chagrin.

"I had no interest in him," I reply, leaning back in the desk chair, "He may have wounded my pride, but consider the abuse it already goes through at home." I say closing my eyes, "Wake me up when its over so I can clean up."

Sharie bops me on the side of the head, "You're so difficult Eliza. Honestly, he sounds just like you."

I don't open my eyes, even though I see him in my mind, "He does not." I retort stubbornly.

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What do you think of Lottie? I haven't decided how influencial she should be since there's no such character in P&P but I love her.