Author's Note: thank you nightsoul for you wonderful review, I decided to make mine an almost perfect P&P, because it doesn't have those people in it, I am glad you like it, but I do have to have some conflict, but I hope you like it.

Also a big thanks to my other reviewers, I am so happy everyone is enjoying it. Thanks to my friend Elizabeth, who is so encouraging to me, I don't think I would have made it this far without her listening ear and insightful opinions. So enjoy

Chapter Five

They all had been invited to the Netherfield ball, and it created much excitement in the Bennet household. Everyone was busily trying to get ready, running to and fro in the house. Elizabeth was the only one not participating in the commotion of the house. She was found sitting at her vanity table just starring into the mirror. She did not have a chance to speak with Mr. Darcy since she talked with Wickham. She had not even told Jane of the affair, she was afraid that Jane would see right thru Lizzy and her true feelings for Mr. Darcy. She couldn't stomach the fact that Mr. Darcy would do something as cruel as ruin Wickham's life but she tried to see why on earth Wickham would create such a falsehood. Many nights Elizabeth would contemplate these facts until her head would spin and she no longer could bear to think any longer. At least tonight, she sighed, she would be able to confront Mr. Darcy and see how he defended himself. She could her Rachel calling her, hurrying her to get ready for they were leaving soon. Breaking from her trance she called the maid to help her with her hair.

Darcy didn't know what to think of this evening, he couldn't tell if he dreaded it our welcomed it. He was gazing out to the second floor window, pretending not to care who was coming up the steps but he was really looking for a certain young woman. He couldn't get enough of her company, and now with Wickham in town he had grown apprehensive. He knew that Wickham had spoken to Miss Bennet but he didn't know if he said any thing relating to him. This is why he couldn't figure out his feelings for this evening. Just then the woman that was foremost on his mind stepped out of a carriage. Her sisters joined her shortly and all three made it up the stairs. She looked up at that precise moment locking eyes with his. He could feel the heat rise in his chest, and had to look away from her penetrating gaze. How could such a woman hold so much power over him? Because she was like no other woman he had ever met, he thought. She was different in everyway. Didn't care what others thought, and argued her points with him. He enjoyed her company immensely.

Walking down to join the rest of the party, he saw her being escorted with Bingley, Miss Bennet on his other arm. A soldier approached her, disengaging from her escort. He wondered what the man was saying to her, she seemed uncomfortable, and before he realized it they were both looking at him. Slightly embarrassed that he was caught looking at her, he tried to focus his attention elsewhere. This was hard since all his attention only wanted to be focused on Elizabeth.

Later on in the evening he noticed that Elizabeth moved on to talk to her friend, Miss Lucas was her name he thought. Mrs. Bennet, seeing that Mr. Darcy was wandering aimlessly about the room decided to go and give him some company.

"Mr. Darcy, how are you doing this fine evening sir?" Turning to see his questionnaire he smiled slightly on noticing who is was.

"I am enjoying it as much as I enjoy every other dance Madame."

"I hope that means that you take pleasure in dances." He just smiled and didn't answer her question. They talked for a little while longer and lapsed into silence. Mrs. Bennet looked over to where her elder daughter was standing, pleased that she was enjoying herself so much. Darcy noticed her glance and couldn't help but wondered if Miss Bennet was enjoying his friend's company as much as he was enjoying hers.

"It seems that your friend is enjoying himself." Looking at his companion carefully he decided to be a little bold with his next statement.

"So it would seem, but it seems your daughter may not be enjoying it as much as Bingley." Mrs. Bennet gazed at Darcy shrewdly, slightly offended to accuse her daughter so rudely.

"My daughter does not flaunt her affections like most women, Mr. Darcy; Jane is shy and may not be animated as your friend. But let me assure you that she feels just as deeply, if not more. She has the sweetest disposition, and cares for many people regardless of what you may say. I just hope that your friend can see what an angelic creature is and not take advantage of her agreeing nature, I would hate too see her get hurt." Scolding Mr. Darcy was not exactly what she had in mind, but once she had started talking the words seemed to tumble out. She knew of the Darcy pride and knew how much Jane admired Bingley. So when Mr. Darcy had spoken she couldn't help but be a little anger, although she might have been too hard, making her excuses she hastily retreated to where her husband stood.

Mr. Darcy had never been spoken to in such a way before, it reminded him of his mother when she use to get mad at him. He looked back over to the couple in question and decided that it was probably Jane who needed protecting not the other way around, and that he should probably speak to Bingley about toying with the affections of that particular lady.

Just realizing out of the corner of his eye that Elizabeth was dancing, he turned his attention to her. He didn't know who the gentleman was but he was extremely jealous. She was laughing at something he was saying, and Darcy couldn't help but feel the anger rise in his throat. After the dance Darcy promptly strode up to Elizabeth to request her hand before anyone else had the opportunity.

"Miss Bennet, would you do the honor of dancing the next with me." He solemnly said, Lizzy smiled at his serious state.

"Why of course Mr. Darcy, I would be honored, but it will have to wait, for I have promised this gentleman here the next two dances."

She pointed to a rather awkward looking man, which was standing to her right. Mr. Darcy looked him up and down, he was very put out that he couldn't dance with her right away and that this young man was the reason why. He looked very uncomfortable under Mr. Darcy's gaze and Elizabeth thought he would faint; not wishing for him to be embarrassed touched his arm slightly and gave him an encouraging smile. Very timidly he returned the smile and offered her his arm.

Darcy at the end of that exchange was practically livid, he couldn't believe the extent of his feelings, and after all she didn't belong to him. He watched longingly as she started dance with gentleman, enjoying his company. Darcy could no longer bare it, so he decided to step outside for some fresh air, to compose his feelings.

Lizzy looked around for Mr. Darcy after her two sets were done. She had waited all night to speak with him and finally she was going to get that opportunity. She was disappointed that she had to wait to dance with him but she felt slightly flattered at his reaction. She remembered how Mr. Darcy looked very passively at her and how he almost seemed jealous that he had to share. Although she knew that a union between them could never be, she couldn't help but feel elated. Still there was still the question of Mr. Darcy, after Denny came and spoke to her about Wickham not attending the ball because of him she really began to wonder if what he said was true. Turing to a footman to inquire to where Darcy had gone, she was pointed to a door that led to a balcony. It was slightly apart from the rest of the party.

She looked out into the night, hoping that he wasn't too far. She noticed him some distance down a path, gazing up into the night sky. He turned when he heard her approach, his face not betraying one emotion.

"I had wondered where you had gone, Mr. Darcy, it seems you quite the room quiet suddenly."

"Yes, I felt I needed some time alone to collect myself."

"Oh," she felt embarrassed "I will leave you to your privacy" turning to go; Mr. Darcy grabbed her arm preventing her from going. "I did not mean that your presence is unwelcome" he stated softly.

Elizabeth could feel the chills travel up her arm, his touch was so comforting. Bringing herself back to the present, she knew that this was the perfect opportunity to ask about Wickham.

"Have you known Wickham long, Mr. Darcy?"

He was taken aback by her statement, he wasn't sure he wanted to talk about his old playmate. He turned away refusing to look at her. "I have" he stated indifferently.

Be shunned so she was angry, angry at him for not defending himself, but just giving her a short response. But mostly she was angry at herself for not guarding her feelings relating to the gentleman standing next to her.

"Mr. Wickham is such a happy man that he easily makes friends, if he is likely to keep them is less certain."

"He has lost your friendship in a way that he likely to suffer from all his life." She said frustrated, his indifference on the subject was making her irritable. She knew she wasn't being fair, but he had been distant all evening. "At least he is not blinded by pride and resentment from those who are inferior to them."

He turned around to face her hurt by her statement. Upon seeing the blaze in her eyes, he wished to declare his feelings and forget all his principles and the rest of the world. But he could not allow that, she was not of his social status and he needed that, for Georgiana. He said nothing to defend himself, only starred at the ground; he dared not speak, for fear of what would exit his mouth.

Lizzy took his silence as his answer to her question, what Wickham said must have been true, and she must have judged Mr. Darcy falsely. "If you will excuse me Mr. Darcy I think I have a headache and I must return to the house." She said this coldly, waited to see if he would even ask about her health before rushing inside. She felt the hot tears well up in her eyes, she had to escape. She retreated to a small library, and left the tears run down her face. She couldn't understand her feelings, she was ashamed at herself, and for being so cruel to the man she had come to love. She cried more fiercely at this realization, she loved him. Loved him and he did not share her feelings, which would explain his cold manner outside, the way he had turned from her despondently, and did not care that she was ill. She was just a toy the rich used to play with, and he was obviously bored of her. After crying for a half hour, Jane came and found her.

"Lizzy, there you are… what, what is wrong" concern filled her voice when she saw her beloved sisters face, she rushed to her side. "Lizzy, please tell me, who has offended thee?"

Shaking her head, she could not let anyone know her troubled heart of her unrequited love. "I just got hurt, and I wish to be taken home." She did not know what else to say.

"where did you get hurt my love?" Jane looked her sister up and down confused; when she got no answer she did not press the matter. "I will go and fetch father, and we shall return together.

"No," Elizabeth didn't want Jane's evening to be ruined on her account, "No Jane, you will stay here, please just tell father, I do not wish to make a big scene. I will be happy just to return by myself." She smiled weakly to let Jane know that she would be alright.

By the time Elizabeth reached home, she was emotionally drained, her father, seeing that he would get no answer from her tonight kissed her on the forehead and wished her goodnight. She was left alone to ponder her pitiful state.

She reprimanded herself for not guarding her feelings more; she knew from the very beginning that Darcy would never marry someone like her. But she had always hoped that he would overlook her social standing, but it turns out she was not the man she believed to be. Although despite, the fact he ruined Wickham's life she still loved him ever so much. These where the thoughts that she had before she drifted off into a fretful sleep.

Review time; please tell me what you think. I was a little iffy on the scene with Darcy and Elizabeth but I have some future ideas that are needed for this scene to take place in order for my plot to flow forward. It was hard trying to figure out a way to have Lizzy believe Wickham, instead of Darcy, because I don't know how anyone can believe that idiotic, insufferable and horrible and and, I just can't say enough but tell me what you think. I will try to get updated soon.