NOTES: Darcy's POV, pretty normal length. Next will be Lizzy's— hopefully coming very soon

y'all, I am so sorry about my brief absence. I was just having a bad weekend, and didn't feel motivated enough to do anything, let alone anything that was good enough for my pet project.

Honestly I still feel like.. I am... EXUDING the EXACT energy of one of those diner-chefs from the era between Waitress and Gilmore Girls, who probably has a boston accent, and who is always halfshaven and greasy and says "order up" like its a funeral announcement, then plops a soggy egg (that looks like its been thru hell and back [or perhaps just the floor]) onto the customer's Plate and says "take it or leave it pal :/"

Like that's my vibe for the day.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Sorry about that. Next chapter will be coming soon, sorry for the angst-ish tone of this one— NEXT WILL BE BETTER (I hope. I haven't written it yet)

Anyway have a great day/night— happy Mother's Day, if you're reading when I'm posting—, and thank you so much for putting up with all my nonsense! 💗 ~Vinny

"So, long story short, Darcy here is a fucking moron, who has learned jack shit from this whole ordeal."

Williams spit out his coffee onto his fiancé's sports jacket. "Wait, WHAT?!"

Samantha brushed off the spilled drink nonchalantly, not even bothering to glance his way. "And you were even WORSE. I swear, you have NO sense of timing, WHATSOEVER."

Pinching her nose, Samantha continued, "AS I WAS SAYING, Fitzgerald encouraged Darcy to come here— without calling first— on the day of her dad's SURGERY. Any questions?"

"Um, yeah, actually," asked a rather annoyed Joey Phillips, "Has Lizzy forgiven him?"

"Well, I dunno about that," she growled, "but I certainly haven't."

Darcy, who had been reasonably silent up until this point, just taking the abuse in a kind of shock, said to the wall, "Lizzy's happy that I'm here. She said she wants me to stay. To be with her. And... I want that too."

"Are you sure?"

Darcy stopped his task (packing up Lizzy's files and organizing a little along the way) and turned around slowly. He had already decided that.. well, he didn't care if 'Joey' was seventeen or seventy seven; if he ever looked at Lizzy the way he had that morning, Darcy was going to kick his ass.

Except he wouldn't. He wouldn't hurt a kid. Or.. anyone, really… he would feel like a jerk, and beat himself up about it for years to come.

Ohhhh, but the look in that little shit's eyes was enough to make him reconsider.

"Yes," Darcy said, coolly, "I'm sure."

Joey folded his hands, glaring up at the older man. "You made her cry, you know."

Darcy felt his shoulders tense. Fuck. Why wasn't he lucky enough to live in a world where his actions had no lasting consequences?

He took a deep breath, and calmed himself down. "I did. I was awful. I… I'm be— I'm trying to be better." Turning towards the wall, he continued, "Besides, that doesn't matter right now. Lizzy needs people who care about her. Her— Her dad is.. not doing well."

"What?" Samantha shot to her feet. "What happened?"

Darcy raised his hands to calm her down. "Nothing… well, nothing we can do about it, right now. Other than be there for her. Her dad's liver is failing. The surgery wasn't enough. He needs a donor, and another operation— within about two weeks, max."

"Alright!" Williams got to his feet as well, looking nervous. "A-are we able to donate?"

"I don't think so," Darcy shook his head. "We need a compatible blood type and similar body structure," he glanced at the small, skinny-ish man with baby stubble. "Uh, and over 18."

"Anything.. we can do now? To help?" Samantha asked.

Again, Darcy shook his head. "Just be there, for support. If a donor comes along— I've already talked to the doctor about this— I'll cover whatever the cost is. That's the best I can think of right now."

"Right. Okay." Samantha put a hand to her chest, and breathed out. "Let's go then."

"We'll catch up with you," Joey suddenly interjected, putting a hand on Darcy's shoulder and looking at him meaningfully.

Williams nodded, an unnatural look of seriousness overtaking his round face. He put his arm gently around his fiancé who leaned into him gratefully. "See you guys there."

Darcy acknowledged their departure with a bob of his head, then turned to Joey. He crossed his arms, forcing the younger man's hand from his shoulder. "What do you want?"

"I just want.. to make sure there's no bad blood, between us."

"Should there be?" Darcy cocked an eyebrow.

Joey shook his head, hesitantly at first, then gaining strength. "No. If… if Lizzy's forgiven you.. then I should too. I mean, it's not really my fight."

Damn right, Darcy thought, through he stayed quiet.

"Plus," Joey said, almost chuckling, "I think she just sees me as a.. brother. Ya know? And… she deserves someone who will be there for her— and not have to run to math class."

Again— damn right.

The small man took a breath, and pushed up his glasses like it was a power move. "BUT… if you EVER make her cry again… Listen, I don't care how old or rich or strong you are— you're gonna have hell to pay."

"Understood," said Darcy.

He turned away quickly. He didn't want this kid to see how his serious face was cracking into a smile— Lizzy sure had a knack for attracting… well, everyone, but also a cult following. It was amusing, once you got past the initial envy.

Once they got to the hospital again (everyone drove except Joey, who rode a bike), they found Lizzy laying numbly on the chair where Darcy had left her.

"Hello," Lizzy croaked. She sat up.

Her green eyes skirted over the newcomers, lingering blearily, as if she was trying to remind herself who they were.

"Oh.. oh, ya omri," Samantha knelt down, and put a hand to Lizzy's cheek. "Are you.. you okay?"

Lizzy looked as though she was trying to fake a smile. Then she gave up. "No. Samantha. I- I'm not okay."

"Is there anything we can do?" Joey stepped forward.

She smiled at the younger man. (Darcy had to quash the flare up of jealousy in his stomach.) "No," Lizzy said, still smiling at him. "Just— Just being here, for me, is… it's really nice."

"We're here as long as you need us," Samantha reassured softly.

"Yeah," Williams chimed in, looking embarrassed. "And… I'm sorry about bringing Darce here all of a sudden, and springing it on you like that. I should've—"

"No, no." Her eyes cut to him. Darcy's heart fluttered. "I'm.. glad you did that." Lizzy cleared her throat, and looked away again. "Actually… could you guys.. give us a minute?"

"Of course," Samantha said. Williams echoed it half a second later.

Joey just inclined his head. All three shuffled out of the room, looking like they had no idea what to do next. Darcy understood the feeling.. all too well.

Lizzy inhaled, and rose shakily to her feet. Her knees started to buckle.

In a flash, Darcy was at her side, supporting her. "Y— We need some energy," he murmured. "How about we.. discuss… whatever it is… in the cafeteria?"

"Sure," Lizzy affirmed. She still wasn't meeting his eyes. "Do you.. know the way?"

"Yeah. I know this place.. better than I would like to."

She pressed her lips together and nodded. Slowly, with his support, Lizzy made her way out of the room.

Darcy kept his eyes up and focused on the bending hallways… so that he wouldn't have to look over, and see Lizzy's face turned away from him, and her hand just barely holding his arm. As if she were afraid to lean on him.

As if she were afraid to get too close.