So it's been one of those weeks. Why is it that when you are ill it seems that the whole world is conspiring together to make it just that little bit worse? Also you begin to panic that you have swine flu even though you have no links to it whatsoever. Sorry, slight rant. The next one may be a little late- exams continue so, sorry.

Disclaimer- don't own.

"So...." Chris suddenly felt really nervous around Lizzie, "your party is in two days and the ball is next Saturday."

"Yes?"

"And Jane has already planned a special event at some night club? Liquid?"

"Yes?" she wondered exactly where he was going with this.

"And if we went we would be going as a couple because Collins is going to be there."

"Um yes."

"And we would have to tell everyone including Charlie and Jane not to mention my sisters and Darcy that we're dating"

"- wait a second." She interrupted him, "Darcy and your sisters are going to be at my birthday party?" what the hell was Jane thinking?

"Um yeah I think that the guest list might have been slightly hijacked," he paused with an apologetic grin on his face. "But we'll have to tell all these people that we're dating even if we haven't gone on a date."

"Well, yes." She still didn't know where he was going and was starting to feel tiny irrational fears that automatically came with being a girl creep up again.

"And you don't really want to go to this party?"

"Um," she didn't know what to say. If she said no, she didn't want to go it would make her seem so ungrateful. But, if she said yes then she would be lying and maybe she should start off by being honest with him.

"Yeah I knew it. So you don't want to go. Well good."

"Good?"

"Yeah this way you can have another party later when you're in the mood and Collins isn't in town."

She shot him another quizzical look for about the thousandth time that she had done so.

"Sorry I'm getting ahead of myself. Look, you don't have to agree to this but I actually know the guy that owns Liquid and he's willing to ring Jane and say that for some reason she can't have the party there, and then she can postpone it. Then you can do whatever you want that night- like for instance having a date with me or whatever?"

Did he just ask her out officially? She knew she was being pathetic but she couldn't help smiling at that. She really wanted to say yes that sounded so much better than going to a loud club but then she remembered how disappointed Jane would be. It was her birthday and it was basically her obligation to let other people enjoy it with her.

"I don't know Chris," she was slow and hesitant.

"Look just think about it ok?"

Two hours later she had thought about it for a while and after receiving two calls from Collins and another one with an extremely stressed out Jane she decided she was going to accept Chris's offer.

She left a post-it note on Chris' desk (he was getting coffee) and went to the toilet quickly. When she returned he was talking on the phone in a fake Italian, gangster type voice.

"Right John, begin plan A and remember it's totally hush hush. Mum's the word. I'm in deep undercover here so keep it on the down low."

Lizzie let out a snort of laughter. Chris grinned at her.

By the time it had reached her birthday, things had really changed. Firstly she now had her own little cubicle away from Chris's office although now she seemed to be getting far less work done. He was always emailing her funny jokes and websites and she had started to get to know the other people working in the office so spent more time chatting to them than working.

Of course Collins had wasted almost no time in telling everyone she knew that she was apparently dating one Christopher Bingley so she had spent a while fielding calls from Jane, jokes and comments in the lifts from Charlie, Charlotte who she had actually told quizzing her about all sorts of the details of what she was going to wear and a phone call from her rather confused Mother who she was close with who wanted to know all about this boy that "she seemed to be getting serious with."

Jane had heard back from John, the man who owned Liquid and knew that the party would have to be postponed. She had briefly talked about finding another venue but Lizzie had talked her out of it by playing the Concerned Sister card. She knew Jane had been busy and tired recently and so she mentioned her concerns especially after the fainting incident. She had felt guilty, briefly, but she had been worried about Jane and they had both agreed that organising the party when they had a bit more notice would be better. The moment Jane started to talk about her upcoming date with Chris she had suddenly found that she had to rush off to answer another phone conversation.

She had decided that spending her birthday alone was slightly pathetic so when Chris had rung her up to ask her to Cassons a very upmarket French restaurant, she bought herself a new dress and agreed. Only Charlotte knew the exact details of the date- she couldn't mention it to anyone at work it would be weird that she was dating her boss- and she hadn't really talked about it to Jane other than the fact that her sister knew she was dating him. It was partly because she felt guilty and also because it was strange that her sister was dating his brother.

They were to meet at the restaurant at seven.

*******

Literally, as she was walking through the door her uncomfortable high heeled shoes digging into the back of her feet after her date, she was accosted by both Jane and Charlotte. Jane didn't actually live with Lizzie but in a flat next door which was very convenient and Charlotte's place was so awful and far away that she often crashed with one of the sisters.

"So how was it?"

"C'mon tell us." They were acting like vultures hounding her for information.

"It was...." hmm how to describe it?

It had been the perfect date.

The restaurant had a pleasant atmosphere, great decor, nice music and amazing food. The company had also been.... perfect. In a way.

She hadn't rung Jane hours before freaking out about what she was going to wear. Her clothes weren't thrown across her bedroom floor and she was happy with what she was wearing even though she hadn't put hours of thought into it.

She hadn't obsessed about what he might think if she ordered a burger or a salad. She hadn't thought about what she was saying and if she should be really revealing all these things about herself or if he was going to kiss her. Which, he did very sweetly on the lips as he walked her to her car.

But in a way she missed that. She missed that talking and getting ready with friends as she obsessed about what she was going to wear and what he would think. She missed that fluttering excited, nervous feeling as they talked and spent time together.

It didn't feel like a first date; it wasn't exciting. It was a though they had been dating for a while and we're in that comfortable stage. She wasn't sure why but she wanted to have the awkward stage there.

"Yeah it was good, really good." She answered their questions without actually lying just not revealing everything.

It was strange, but perhaps even more proof of how alike they were that Chris was going through the same dilemma. He wasn't a particularly sentimental guy but even he knew that hadn't been the perfect first date, well not the one that he had been hoping for. He wasn't sure what he had expected just maybe not that. Maybe he was being unrealistic; maybe they would have more of a connection at the ball.

He was sure he was over analyzing it, thinking way too much. He should get a fresh prospective on it but who would he talk to? He couldn't really talk to any of his male friends that would really make him seem pathetic in their eyes. It would be awkward talking to Charlie about his girlfriend's sister. He could probably do with some female advice but the idea of going to his sisters was laughable. It was strange, he hadn't known her long but if it had been any other girl he would have gone to Elizabeth for advice. He could email Georgy perhaps, or just mull things over on his own for a while.

Lizzie meanwhile was sharing details of her date, she spoke in an excited gushy sort of way that meant that neither Jane nor Charlotte noted that she didn't seem as thrilled as she was making out.

All in all though it had been a good birthday and the date had been nice, great even but Charlotte was about to tell her news that would put a slight damper on the evening.

"So, Lizzie did you get some birthday money? Because I was thinking that we could go shopping for dresses together.

"Oh, do you need a dress for something?" her eyebrows creased. Jane sipped her drink knowing that Lizzie might have an issue with what Charlotte was about to reveal.

"Yeah, um actually Nigel came by earlier. Nigel Collins and, well he doesn't have a date for this ball and well you know I love dancing and I never get a chance or have a date so well I said yes. I mean it's just for one night."

Lizzie was wary but for the sake of Charlotte's nervous smile she laughed and said, "Well I hope he knows that. Trust me; he can be a little over zealous."

"Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be fine," she yawned, "Well I'm going to head to bed. Don't get up." She said to Lizzie as she started to move. "Jane and I already arranged it that I would stay at hers. She had the bed made up besides we didn't know what time you would be in or whether or not you would be alone." She gave her a saucy wink and made her way to the door.

"Sure, that's why you were both sitting here when I got in. That wouldn't have been at all awkward."

"I'll be over in a minute; I just need to talk to Lizzie about something." Jane said when it seemed as though Charlotte was waiting for her.

When the door had firmly shut behind her she turned to Lizzie, eyebrows raised. "So your really ok with this?"

Lizzie shrugged and grabbed a mug from the kitchen as well as some milk, ready to make herself some hot chocolate. "I don't think it's the best idea but I can see that she might want to go to the dance. He'll be gone soon after anyway and she's got like a black belt in tae Kwando. It'll be fine."

"So you're not at all bothered that he moved on a little be fast, if he so obsessed with you? I mean didn't you always sort of like the fact that there was this guy who was hopelessly in love with you. " Jane's tone was perfectly friendly and sounded as though even she didn't believe what she was saying.

"Jane! No I didn't like it! It was embarrassing and annoying. He wasn't hopelessly in love with me- he was pathetic and desperate and needy."

She thought about it for a moment, she didn't hate Collins but that wasn't to say that she welcomed his attention. Ok, when it had first begun when she was a teenager with low self esteem having to deal with what she felt were much prettier friends and a gorgeous sister who everyone compared her too, it was nice that there was someone who claimed to adore her and worship her every move but it soon became a laughing point. She had felt guilty even when she turned him down at first but he was too persistent for his own sense. It wasn't like he was some sort of dangerous stalker; the only danger to her was her blood pressure. She wanted him to go off some day find someone to marry, settle down live happily ever after as long as she was fractionally happier. Of course she liked the idea of him settling down mainly because it would get him off her back but also because everyone deserved that although she would feel very sorry for the woman. She had a difficult time picturing the woman who would say yes to a proposal from Collins.

"Ok then." Jane smiled as she always did and walked off to her own flat.

*******

A week later Lizzie was looking round her flat; maybe it was now time to take down the birthday cards. She had a good week with lots of great present, it seemed as though most people had decided that what she really wanted was bubble bath. Not that she minded.

Turning around she grinned at herself in the mirror. She had to admit to herself that she looked good. She had picked out a creamy coloured dress off set by a black pattern and looked like an old fashioned film star. Chris was due to pick her up in about five minutes and then they would drive to the ball together.

There was a knock on the door.

She walked out of her room with more care than was usual terrified that something might happen to her dress which had cost more than she originally planned. Oh, well you're only young once.

When Lizzie opened the door, Chris was almost speechless. Lizzie looked amazing.....

Actually they both did, even Darcy had to admit as much as didn't want to. He knew that they would be going together after all why would Elizabeth Bennet turn down the chance to get all dressed up at a special occasion? It wasn't like she would have a lot of opportunities to mix in with people for this class. He almost resented her excitement- this was all so routine to him and even to Caroline. The idea that he would meet a woman who got excited about putting on a dress without caring that it didn't cost over four figures, or that she grinned from ear to ear at the sight of Bingley's rather mediocre library had never really crossed his mind. Well, honestly he found her slightly exciting.

He wasn't really looking at them; Caroline had been talking to him loudly and he had been trying to avoid that Collins fellow. He was so irritating that he would rather voluntarily dance with Caroline than talk to him. Charlie bounded over to him like an over excited puppy. Possibly a labradoodle with the way his hair flicked.

"See I told you," he nudged Darcy to where Chris and Lizzie were standing with Chris whispering in her ear, "They're together! According to Jane, Lizzie seems totally happy, almost in love."

It was at that moment that Darcy felt his hand clench up, tightened. How on earth had Chris got to be "almost in love" with her in less than a week? He knew that he would very much like to punch something or someone right then and there but striding across the floor and socking Chris in the jaw may not be the best move.

Besides, did he really care? Elizabeth Bennet was nothing to him, absolutely nothing. She was just the sister of a girl that worked with Charlie.

He'd had a horrible week at work where four different hospital companies had decided to not pay the full price on the drugs that Darcy Pharmaceuticals were selling. If he couldn't sell them then that would mean a big blow for his company in this current market but by lowering the price he would also lose out money. He knew from experience that by just holding out that would soon be very willing to pay that price. Now that only two of the four drugs were working against swine flu and the growing fears that surrounded that issue he was expected a phone call any day now.

"Oh that's nice for them."

"Yes isn't it. I haven't seen Chris much but you know it's not like he falls in love that easily. I mean he normally just dates girls briefly as flings. He would never normally bring a girl to an event like this, unless it was special. Our parents are here!"

"Really?" Darcy looked behind Charlie and saw Mr Bingley senior talking with another elderly man whilst Mrs Bingley seemed to be commenting on Caroline's rather low cut dress.

Now Darcy was ready to spiral into a total pity fest. Not only did Chris meet a truly amazing girl who liked him back (not that he was interested in her, because he wasn't really) but he got to introduce her to his parents. His whole family were alive and knowing them they would be totally happy for him. Well, ok maybe he was taking things to far, Caroline was seriously unlikely to be happy. Still he could just imagine what his Aunt Catherine would say if he were to introduce Lizzie to her. Exactly, he told himself reiterating the message that he had drummed into his brain, you're in different circles there are different expectations. It's not like Chris actually has any role or responsibility in his company, is it? She is also fairly ridiculous, just look at some of her opinions!

Charlie then had to go and do the corporate thing and Will wasn't really doing a lot when he noticed Chris and Lizzie were dancing. They were standing close to each other, closer than she had stood the one time he had seen her dance previously. They were also laughing and looked very much in love. It was obviously a sign that she wasn't meant to be with him...

Averting his eyes he noticed that Charlie was now talking to both his parents and the odd thing was that Jane, wearing a pale pink high neck lined dress was standing with them clearly being introduced. It could just be a work thing but as Mr Bingley hadn't had that much of an active role in the company since his heart attack when he had decided that golf was his number one priority a couple of months ago it wasn't likely that he would be all that interested in meeting a new employee.

Maybe it was possible that Charlie was taking things to the next level. But that would be moving at an alarming rate even for Charlie. Couldn't he tell that she didn't feel the same way? That she was just looking to have a fling with the boss? Hoping that she could rise up another level with a bigger promotion?

Lizzie was having a great time. She didn't mind that she didn't have any particularly spectacular feelings about the man that she was dancing with. At least it wasn't repulsion which surely was Charlotte must be feeling. She loved the fact that she could dance with Chris and make jokes about what people were wearing and laugh about other things but that they could also dance in silence without it being uncomfortable.

Yes, it was all going so well until he spun her round past an older woman in a red floral dress who suddenly grabbed at Chris.

"Christopher James Bingley! When you return back to a country it is normally customary to let your mother know. Honestly, thirty- six hours of labour and most of the time I don't know what continent he's on."

Chris laughed cheekily and hugged her, kissing his mother on her cheek whilst Lizzie hung back not really sure where to stand as they were right on the edge of the dancing.

"Mother, this is Elizabeth. She is the younger sister of Jane Bennet."

"Oh it's very nice to meet you." She wasn't cold but there was something stiff and formal in the way she spoke that seemed taught as though she was trained in this matter of meeting and greeting people who might not have that much consequence on her life.

Suddenly in the same way that cats can sense volcanoes almost three days before scientific processes can, Lizzie knew that Collins was swooping down on her.

"Ahh Elizabeth, I see that your charming beau is currently unavailable and so, if I may, I wish to take this opportunity and ask you if you would wish to grace the floor with me?

For goodness sake why couldn't he just ask her if she wanted to dance? She glanced over at Chris but could tell that he had been kidnapped and was getting involved in some whole family saga and was not going to be able to rescue her.

"Are you sure Charlotte won't mind?" she smiled weakly and hopefully.

"No of course not! She claims that she is feeling rather tired and I know for a fact that you are an exceptionally superior dancer."

She resisted rolling her eyes and accepted him on the dance floor.

It was excruciating. There were no other works to describe it really. He kicked her three times and trod on her toes at least four. He held her far too close to be comfortable and began to talk very slowly in a monotone about biblical teachings. She thought that she might scream. The song ended and she had never felt more relieved but then Collins opened his mouth,

"Oh that was such a short song. I had no idea that our dance would be so brief. Would you do me the honour of dancing again?"

"I'm sorry I don't think that will be possible." A deep voice claimed from behind Lizzie. She saw Collins step back, eyes wide excited, yet that voice didn't belong to Chris, no that was...

"Mr Darcy. An honour, it is most an honour to meet you. "

"Yes, I was just hoping that I could steal Elizabeth away from you. I have been trying to talk to her all night."

"Yes of course, you must dance with Lizzie if you want to." He spoke hurriedly in his usual flustered manner.

Great, so I get no say in the matter? Did Collins not realise that woman were not possessions and that they should be asked whether or not they would like to dance with an arrogant rich bastards who had after all saved her...

She nodded her head looking away from Darcy's penetrating gaze unsure what she should do. She was more aware than she had ever been whilst dancing that he was touching her waist and that she could feel his warm, large hand both there through the material of the dress and as he took her own.

They weren't talking and both of them were very aware of this. The silence coming off from both of them was almost deafening.

Darcy wanted to break the silence. He wanted to make a jokey comment about rescuing her from Collins and maybe within that jokey comment he could add a slight apology for not giving her much choice in the matter. And then she could say, no it's ok I love dancing with you, your my knight in shining armour, how will I ever be able to repay you? And flat her eyelashes at him flirtatiously.

Ok so it was not that likely that she would say all that, actually with the way things were now it didn't seem as though she would say anything.

"So," he paused racking his brain for any conversation starters that he could use when inspiration struck, "apart from Catch 22 what other books are your favourites?"

"Books?" she was laughing. She thought back to the conversation she and Chris had been having in the car about what to expect from the evening. If you were not connected to talk business news then the only available subjects were the weather – this was a given as a large number of the people in the room were middle aged and British, the next topic would always be the news which if you were lucky could go on for several minutes after which you could always discover that you just had to go off and grab another drink. Books were always a last minute attempt from the rather unimaginative. Normally conversation could flow but at this moment it was particularly stunted.

"I really don't feel that I could talk about books whilst dancing."

"Of course not," he had to agree with her.

The song was almost ending now and so Darcy decided that he might try to recommend himself by saying what he planned to say at the start of the ball.

"Um," why was he pausing? He knew exactly what he wanted to say word for word. "About the other day, at the restaurant, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I've been very stressed lately."

And with that he turned curtly away from her leaving a very shocked Lizzie standing on the edge of the dancing giving her only a few seconds to think about this before Chris who had been freed from the odious Joe Meggarty and was making his way towards her.

So he had apologised? Well it seemed like a very stiff apology and was about a week too late in her opinion, but then as she thought that he would never apologise maybe it was better than nothing.

Chris raised her eyebrows at her, shooting her a confused look as he pointed at Darcy's back. She shrugged, tiredly. He walked closer to her holding a drink in each hand.

"How's it going?" he was attempting a casual head bob type movement that made her laugh.

"Fine,fine."

"Will you come out onto the balcony with me?" He said pointing to a glass door to the right of where they had been standing.

She nodded in agreement and followed.

Please Review. I could really do with some ideas to help me improve. Hunsford shouldn't be that far away...

Also bonus points if you can work out which name I got from a very famous play that I just went to see.