Disclaimer: However much I wish otherwise, the characters belong to Miss Jane Austen.

Having come to an understanding and leaving behind the misunderstandings, both Elizabeth and Darcy were incandescently happy. They still fought, argued and got annoyed with each other but now there was always an element of love and playfulness in these actions.

The news of them being together was not known to the general populace yet. And the news of going to the annual Pemberely Charity fundraiser together was not comforting Lizzy any better.

"What colour will you wear for the ball?" Darcy asked Elizabeth over the phone.

"You're extremely sure about this?" Elizabeth finally asked the question which was going in on her mind for days now.

"I want my tie to be the same colour as your dress. What do you want me to be sure about?" Fitzwilliam asked.

"Yup, that's what I am talking about," Lizzy said sarcastically, "To hell with the freaking tie, Darcy!" she exclaimed.

"LIzzy, is everything alright?" Darcy asked, very worried for her, "What happened?"

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have shouted. I...I am …just worried about this…this event," said Lizzy, "I don't want people to get the wrong idea,"

"And what idea is that exactly?" Darcy said calmly.

"Sleeping with my boss to get a promotion?" Lizzy said as a matter-of-factly.

"Lizzy, you need to stop thinking about that. We've talked about this. We cannot let this come between us,"

It had been difficult for both of them to adapt to a new relationship. They were both new to this field. Always a tomboy in school and college years, Lizzy had not really been in any real relationship, whereas in Darcy's case- he had been a recluse up until now. He was involved in a few relationships before, but none were with anyone he remotely loved. He did not want to upset Elizabeth and the same could be said for Elizabeth.

"I know….I know, but you cannot deny that rumours won't surface?"

"What if they do? They will still be rumours, right? Besides, I won't go on proclaiming you there. It's just a formal BUSINESS event… Now which colour? And I'll be at your place in 20 minutes,"

"I am torn between blue and green. Pick one," Elizabeth said after a moment.

"Blue," Darcy said very quickly.

"That was real quick!"

"My favourite colour is blue… okay, that's a lie… Blue tie is in my hand right now; less work for me!" Darcy said.

"I knew it! You, Fitzwilliam Darcy, are not as innocent as people often make you out to be," Lizzy exclaimed, "Now hurry over,"

She could almost hear Darcy laugh before hanging up.

The fund-raiser went extremely well. Well, it at least surpassed Lizzy's expectations. She got to meet a lot of people whom she had only heard about on television. And being of a lively and witty disposition, despite being nervous, she had loads of fun. Darcy was a complete gentleman. And for the first time, since at least Elizabeth had known him, was at ease at a social event.

"William," Mr Rochester of Bing Pharmacy was saying, "It's a charming event you've organized here,"

"Thank you Mr Rochester. It's a pleasure that you could join us today," Darcy said with Elizabeth standing beside him. He then introduced Lizzy to this man, who had been his father's friend, as his girlfriend. He actually beamed while saying it. He was very happy and it literally showed.

"I haven't seen you this happy since you organized this event with your father back in 06," Mr Rochester said once Elizabeth had gone to meet her sister.

Darcy blushed and couldn't say anything more than, "Well…"

Darcy talked, paid compliments and danced like any other host should at such an event. And in his mind, only Elizabeth was the one who should be thanked for this transformation. After the customary rounds of greeting his guests, Darcy spent the whole evening beside Elizabeth.

And at the end of the evening, nobody (well, almost!) thought of Elizabeth in the wrong light. In fact, they were all praises. "They look fabulous together," and, "And look how charming he is today," were the comments mostly heard. But there were always people like Caroline, "Did you see her clinging to him all evening? Poor Willy!"

Darcy drove Elizabeth back to her place. They talked about how the evening progressed and how irrational was Elizabeth's fear. She was really rubbing off on him as he teased her quite a bit. But that did not mean that there weren't awkward moments for Fitzwilliam Darcy.

"I was thinking- if we could go away for the weekend and you know actually do that thing you keep referring to- sleep together," Darcy was saying at one point in time.

Lizzy's face fell. And Darcy realized the weight of his words. He continued, "Oh bullocks! I did not mean it like that…I just want to spend some time with you… You do know… I won't…pressurize…"

A teasing smile overcame Lizzy's features and with a laugh she said, "You are so silly sometimes…I was only contemplating on where we can go. Right now, I can afford a Swiss holiday and if you want something more conventional…you know the cabin sort of thing…we could also do that,"

A relieved Darcy said, "You scare me sometimes,"

Lizzy just patted on his shoulder in an act of comforting him, "You look so cute when you're flustered,"

"Cute?" Darcy asked, obviously not liking the adjective she used to describe him.

"Yeah!"

"And this trip's on me," Darcy put it there as an idea. Not as some boasting, but just as a polite offer.

"Absolutely not," Lizzy said with a straight face. They had talked about the finances and a consensus was reached (not as much as coming to a consensus; but Lizzy deciding was enough) that Darcy would not pay for her without her permission.

"Alright. I have a cabin up north. Can we at least use that?"

"Sure," said Lizzy with a smug smile on her face.

"Right, milady!" Darcy said and kissed that smugness off her face as the car came to a halt, indicating the end of the journey.

A/N: I would love to know your thoughts on this chapter and the whole story together. So review if you have the time and thanks for reading!