Chapter 9

"Well that was illuminating. You are very prolific," Darcy told her once we they were alone.

Holding her hand out, ready to shake his, she said, "Are we good?"

Darcy glanced at her hand, leaned towards her, kissed her softly on the cheek and said, "I told you I'd never hate you Lizzie. I hope you believe me know."

"I do, but I don't understand why. I was horrible."

"So was I. Do you, you don't still hate me do you? It doesn't feel like you do, but I have been wrong before."

"No. Definitely not. My current feelings are," she motioned around and up in the air, "confused, but there isn't any hate there anymore. I'm not sure if I ever actually hated you. It was hard work but I just felt like I had too. I don't know. I'm buzzed, it's late, my brain feels fried and as Jane would say, I'm feeling a little punchy. But can I ask you a question?"

"Anything."

"In the hall- no never mind, forget I brought it up."

"Lizzie-"

"I should get going. Just let me grab my purse and phone," she said standing up. "Crap, Fitz was my ride. Think he is awake still? Actually he probably shouldn't drive after drinking. That was stupid of me. I'm babbling, oh my God stop me-"

"Lizzie," Darcy said firmly, "I will sleep out here on the couch and you can have the bedroom."

"I can't make you give up your bed. Besides my body is smaller than yours. You are a lot bigger. Not that I think of your body. Compared to me you'd never fit. On the couch. You'd never fit on the couch."

"Lizzie your babbling again," Darcy said smirking. "I cannot in good conscious let you sleep on the couch. My programming might be a little buggy at times, but that definitely goes against it."

"You don't have buggy programming Darcy-"

"Then let me sleep on the couch."

"Are you using my own insults against me to win this argument?"

"Is it working?"

"Yes."

"Then good night Lizzie."

"Goodnight William Darcy, most chivalrous gentleman bot out there," Lizzie said playfully. Then she went up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "It's nice to know chivalry is an essential component of your programming Darcy."

Darcy stared at Lizzie. "Lizzie go to bed," he said trying to resist the temptation to kiss her, sweep her into the next room, seduce her and say damn chivalry. He knew she would regret it by morning and he couldn't bear that. The first time he made love to Lizzie he didn't want her tired, buzzed and emotionally vulnerable because of guilt. He wouldn't take advantage of her like that.

"Don't you need to get stuff out of your room, you aren't going to sleep like that," she said gesturing to his button up and slacks nervously.

Darcy took a deep breath and said, "Of course, let me grab my glasses a t-shirt and some $5,000 boxers and the room is all yours Lizzie." he said hoping a joke would put her more at ease.

"Do you have some I could borrow? Not the boxers, but a t-shirt to sleep in? And maybe the boxers too? Since otherwise I wouldn't have any pants on. And wearing your underwear is less awkward then wearing no pants, right? I normally sleep with pants on. It'd be strange to sleep without them. So can I get into your pants, for sleeping. I can't think of any situation where I would sleep without pants. I like pants. Pants are good. Soft. Comfortable. Good-"

"You can get into my pants," Darcy blurted out interrupting Lizzie's nervous babble. " For sleeping. Not the ones I'm wearing. I'll get you clean ones," he clarified for her. "I mean let me get you something to sleep in." The thought of Lizzie sleeping in his bed without pants caused his higher brain functions to turn off.

...

As Darcy stretched out on the couch, that really was too small for his 6ft plus frame, his mind drifted to Lizzie. He'd spent more time thinking and fantasizing about her than anything else since meeting her. At Netherfield he'd studied her habits. He knew how she took her coffee, how she liked her eggs, that she only drank whole milk, the way she twirled her hair while she read. He knew she smelt like sunshine. If sunshine had smell it'd be Lizzie Bennet.

He had watched Lizzie affectionately hug her friends. She really was a very tactile person but he had never realized that she didn't touch him if possible until tonight. And now that Darcy had experienced her hand on his arm, the feel of her slim fingers in his own larger hand, the way his side felt as she leaned against him, he never wanted to stop experiencing her touch. When any part of him came into contact with any part of her his nerve endings felt energized. It was like a spark shot through him. Touching Lizzie was amazing.

He loved her before seeing her vlog, but now he felt he understood her, and perhaps himself as well, a little better. His heart hadn't overwhelmed his better judgment. His heart overwhelmed his overweening arrogance and put his stupid pretensions firmly in their place. Without Lizzie he didn't have better judgment, but if Lizzie would give him the chance he knew he could be a better man and make her happy. He now understood that the key to his happiness was Lizzie's happiness. Tomorrow he would start to woo Lizzie Bennet. He was playing for keeps and he intended to win.

...

Monday October, 22

With a groan Darcy woke up. Every muscle in his body ached, his head felt like a hundred river dancers were inhabiting it and his mouth felt like it had been stuffed full of cotton. In short he was hung-over and his tall frame was not meant for such a tiny couch. The way he felt he was almost certain the sofa had shrunk during the night. Despite all this though, Darcy was thrilled when he woke up. Lizzie was here, in his bed. Admittedly he wasn't in his bed with her but after realizing just how much she had despised him before last night, he was grateful she was there at all. The privilege of smelling her scent lingering on his pillow and in his sheets from her brief stay was something he would treasure. Someday he hoped to have more than just the scent she left behind there with him, but until that day he could be patient.

Slipping his glasses on Darcy realized he needed some Ibuprofen and water. And if he did, Lizzie most likely would as well. He should also put in a call to room service and procure breakfast for her. Taking care of Lizzie made him want to smile.

He was grateful him and Fitz had chosen to stay at a hotel instead of with his Aunt Catherine. He couldn't imagine a hung-over Lizzie having to face another of his aunt's interrogations. He did his best to avoid too many visits with his aunt and when it couldn't be avoided he chose to stay separate from her or she was constantly seeking his attention. It was worse than the frequent e-mails she sent him when he wasn't there. He wondered where she found the time to constantly hound him, it was almost like she had nothing better to do. If it weren't for Lizzie's presence at Collins and Collins he would have avoided this visit. But as soon as he saw her name in his Aunt's e-mail he instantly changed his schedule to be where she was.

Adding Ricky Collins to the mix, well within minutes of meeting the man Darcy wished he could grab Lizzie and depart immediately. Ricky Collins could try the patience of a saint, yet his aunt seemed to lap up his attention like a lonely old spinster.

All of a sudden it hit Darcy, was his Aunt Catherine lonely? She lived alone on an estate with a wheezy dog, she had no children and no husband, her own nephew actively avoided her. Did Ricky Collins make his aunt feel valuable? With an uncomfortable feeling he realized Ricky Collins treated his aunt better than he did. Yes his aunt was rude, pushy and often hurtful to those she interacted with but perhaps that wasn't her intent. Looking through the lens of his aunt's loneliness some of her actions took on a new meaning. As farfetched as it sounded even her interrogation of Lizzie might have just been a attempt, albeit a poor one, at finding a topic to talk to Lizzie on. He'd have to make an effort to be more considerate of his aunt. For now though he had to get ready to head into Collins and Collins.

Which meant he needed to shower and get dressed. He could use his key to shower in Fitz's suite so he didn't disturb Lizzie but his clothing was in his room. He'd been too distracted by Lizzie's presence last night to remember to grab clean clothing for work. Could he sneak in and get his clothes? What if she woke up? What would she think if she caught him in there? Standing out here next to the door staring at it wouldn't get him to Collins and Collins though so he took a deep breath and reached for the door handle.

Inside the room the gentle sound of Lizzie's snores greeted his ears, and Lizzie curled up under his blankets, red hair spilled across his pillow greeted his eyes. Darcy froze. He wasn't sure how long he stood there staring at her but a mummer from her sleeping lips brought him out of his stupor. He was pretty sure if she woke up and caught him lurking in the bedroom staring at her she might feel justified to label him a creep. Luckily she hadn't labeled him a stalker yet. With that in mind he quietly and efficiently gathered what he needed and left the room. He made a mental note to make sure housekeeping did not change his sheets.