Hey all! I appreciate your patience! It's been a crush and this chapter was pieced together in little bits and pieces when I needed (and had time for) a break! I unfortunately realized that I miscounted how long I had left in the semester, I can't promise consistent chapter postings again until the weekend of April 16th, clearly I was just psyched to graduate and wanted it to happen sooner :D
Also, on an entirely different note, I realized (with some feedback from you awesome people) is that the Darcy in this story doesn't really have his own growth arc, which is dumb. One of my favorite parts of Pride and Prejudice has always been that both Elizabeth and Darcy both require growing and getting over themselves to be the awesome couple we all know them to be. Maybe because this is my first fanfic, or just because I really liked the Elizabeth that showed up as I was writing her, I just kinda made Darcy a good, if not awkard, guy who doesn't need much polishing to balance and accentuate Elizabeth as she completes her growth arc. You all may not care at all, but for those who do I wanted to acknowledge the oversight on my part. I definitely want to rectify this mistake in future writing endeavors and make sure I create equally flawed individuals!
That's what I've got to say, hope you enjoy!
Elizabeth had no clue what she should do after Darcy dismissed her from Fitz's office. It wasn't great that her boss, who apparently liked her, heard her say she didn't like him back. That sentence sounded like something one would overhear in a middle school hallway, she thought to herself. Eventually she decided to go to the gym, since actually running away wasn't an option, maybe she'd just take a couple laps around the track.
Everyone was required to clock time in the gym, to maintain overall health despite living in a confined space, so Elizabeth's exercise clothes were already neatly tucked away in her assigned locker. She changed quickly, smiling blandly at anyone who acknowledged her, and began to jog around the track, letting her body warm up. It had taken Elizabeth a very long time to willingly go running, quite honestly she still didn't enjoy it. If exercise wasn't actively requiring her attention, like martial arts did, then she usually got bored and found something else to do.
Today however, Elizabeth took the opportunity and allowed her mind to think over what had just happened, thinking back to incidence that would prove or disprove Darcy's apparent feeling for her. She thought about how he'd behaved when she was recruited, like she was the one being difficult because he'd decided to hijack her life. She considered their first argument at the Nautilus, where he'd told her about her utter lack of a life in the real world, and every argument they'd had thereafter. It made absolutely no sense to Elizabeth how Darcy could like her. Unless of course, he was even more awkward than she had ever managed.
She had to admit that aside from her father's study, Elizabeth had never felt so happy in a place than she did down here at the Nautilus. It was the people, it was the science, it was the fact that at least 3 out of 4 people were armed and willing to discuss guns at a moment's notice. It was the treasures like Charlotte and Jane, who were respected in their fields, and were also amazing, feminine women, who could kill people in twelve different ways without breaking a sweat. Elizabeth wasn't strange here, and that was more liberating that she could have imagined.
So why did she feel the need to remind Darcy of her forcible recruitment whenever the opportunity presented itself? Reviewing their past encounters, more than anything, she felt like he'd baited her… or maybe she felt she had something to prove on the outset, and while she'd integrated quite happily into the Nautilus, maybe she still associated that feeling of powerlessness to Darcy.
Thoughts continued to tumble in Elizabeth's mind, until she realized that she'd sped up and managed to run nearly a mile and a half without noticing. Her thoughts still a jumble, but she slowed her pace to a jog, and began to take note of the group in the center of the track. Two agents had just begun a round of sparring, deliberate jabs and well timed kicks flying between them, several other agents having gathered to watch the proceedings.
Each were huge, muscle bound men. A Marine Corps tattoo was proudly displayed on the bulging forearm of one of the agents as he blocked and dodged the other's right hook. The second agent's left upper arm and shoulder was covered in what appeared to be traditional Samoan or Tongan tattoos. Elizabeth couldn't tell which, however from the design she could see as the men grappled, it was beautifully intricate. She also appreciated the skill which the fighters displayed. There was no single style of combat used, but the fighters seemed to combine several different disciplines. She recognized Krav maga and judo from her own repertoire, as well as what she thought was karate, jujutsu, kung fu, and even a few moves she recognized from a fighting exhibition of Gurkha Kukri, the martial arts used by the legendary Gurkha fighters from Nepal. She'd have to ask the agents if she could train with them some time, it would be useful to expand her skill set, or at the very least, it would be a challenge, which to Elizabeth was the same thing.
Eventually the former Marine tapped out, his opponent having his head locked between an arm and thigh, shoulders pressed to the mat. The winner helped his fellow agent to his feet and they shook hands, exchanging wry, good natured promises of future defeat. Up next was Agent Stephanie Kreutz, who Elizabeth knew from getting ready for the party together, going up against the agent from the previous bout, with the tribal tattoos. "Kreutz challenging Piutau," the moderator announced before stepping out of the ring. It was interesting to Elizabeth to see the shift in tactics Piutau used as his current opponent was now much smaller and quicker than the previous. He now had to hold back or fully commit to a maneuver to avoid allowing her to use his size against him.
Elizabeth's attention was pulled from the match by the sound of footsteps coming up behind her. She turned her head to see Fitz, looking apologetic, jogging after her. "What?" She asked, in anger and exasperation, "Anything else that's none of your business that you need to share today?"
"I wanted to apologize." He said quietly, keeping pace with her as she sped up, "I was completely out of line and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."
"Damn right you shouldn't have." She retorted, and then sped up. She may have done some processing, but that didn't mean she wasn't still mad with Fitz. When she realized she hadn't lost him she continued, "This isn't some dumb chick-flick. This is real freaking life, and I realize you've probably taken a lot of blows to the head over the course of your job, but that falling in love because you hate each other crap doesn't really happen. Just because people argue, it doesn't mean they're going to jump each other. Life isn't a period romance novel."
Fitz wanted to argue, he knew Darcy's real feelings, but he'd also been asked to stop meddling. "I'm sorry." He repeated, displaying what he considered great levels of self control. Darcy's advice coming to mind he smiled, "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"Yes, by never interfering in my personal life again. That would be absolutely stellar!" She replied snarkily, resolutely looking forward.
"Consider it done." Fitz huffed, "And really Elizabeth, I'm extremely sorry."
Elizabeth slowed briefly to a jog, wiping a trickle of sweat from her forehead, "I know Fitz, and you're okay. Just give me some time and space and we'll be good. Okay?"
He nodded, "I can do that, starting now. Possibly because I didn't stretch and if I try to keep up with you I'll end up pulling something, but yes, I'll see you around Doc." Fitz he saluted and slowed, heading to the center of the track to join the group of agents watching the sparring match.
She smirked, and sped up, deciding to take a few more laps before calling it a day. Elizabeth felt a little bit better knowing that at least Fitzwilliam felt suitably horrible about what he'd done. The main problem for her at this point, aside from far more introspection and speculation than she'd like, was that at some point she'd have to face Darcy, and she couldn't see that going well. Maybe she could avoid him for a while, until everything blows over.
That plan failed. After finishing her run and tidying up, she went to her office to look over test results that should have come in on the muscle composition. With Fitz's earlier request to help develop a Luska simulator in mind, Elizabeth figured that, with these test results and the study a friend was conducting in Australia with live octopus, she could make some decent estimates on actual luska strength profiles. She was more than surprised to open the door to her office and see Darcy standing awkwardly by her desk, looking at the pictures she had taped up. He was currently looking a picture of her and her father from a fishing trip a few years earlier, she liked that one, it had been a good trip.
Darcy looked startled when she opened the door, but regain his composure quickly. "Doctor Bennet, I apologize for the intrusion, however I hadn't been sure when you'd arrive and I didn't want to cause gossip by loitering in the hallway. I would like to address the incident in Agent Fitzwilliam's office earlier today."
Elizabeth tried to relax, though that wasn't really working. "Um, yes, I do need to apologize. I had no intention of you ever hearing what I said, I'm sorry I was so rude." Her admission did very little to assuage her guilt, or the awkwardness, and she knew he was very aware that she hadn't apologized for what she said, but Elizabeth was not about to apologize for what she wasn't sorry for. She closed the door behind her and carefully stepped around him to sit at her desk. He followed suit, settling in the chair facing her across the collection of files and pens that littered her desk.
Darcy looked pained, but nodded politely, "Yes, I assumed as much." He cleared his throat. "I wanted to apologize for Agent Fitzwilliam's poor behavior, he was entirely out of line."
"Yeah, he apologized for that." She answered, trying to find a way to not make eye contact without seeming childish.
"Good, did he give you the opportunity to hit him? I told him that might speed along the reconciliation process." Darcy offered with a weak smile.
"Um no, but he did try to run without warming up. I think he got a stitch in his chest, and hopefully there'll be some leg cramping later." Elizabeth half heartedly tried for a joke.
Darcy sighed in amusement, but then fell silent, and that silence sat heavily between them. Eventually Elizabeth figured that things were already half down the drain, so she might as well get the full story. "So was Fitz going crazy, or was he, well, telling the truth… about your, erm, what happened after the party, and your feelings for me."
Darcy grimaced, "Ah, yes, I thought you'd be concerned about that, and rightly so. I acted out of line, Friday night and yes, that was fueled by some feelings on my part."
"Oh." Elizabeth bit her lip, not knowing what else to say.
He saw that and quickly continued, "From what you said earlier today I understand you have no such interest, which is of course your prerogative. I wanted to assure you that there will be no effect on your work situation. To ensure completely unbiased decisions regarding any research at this facility in the future I will be reorganizing the research department leadership. It was perhaps time to do so anyways, as you've indicated previously I do not have sufficient scientific background to make final decisions regarding research. All future decisions of funding and project assignments or reassignments will go through a board composed of the most senior researchers, representing all security levels. I will be briefed on the goings on, and have veto power only if facility safety or egregious spending is a concern." His face was impassive as he said this, and his tone had an air of finality. "I'll be sending out the email regarding this change as soon as I leave. The committee should be form by next week at the latest."
"Um, wow." Elizabeth replied quietly, "I guess I should say thank you. I appreciate the effort you're willing to take to ensure unbiased decision making, but really I wasn't worried you'd be, erm, vindictive about things. Really, I don't want you to make too big of a fuss. We're adults, we can just move forward. Be professional."
He half smiled, almost sadly, "That's very kind of you, and of course I intend to proceed professionally, however the formation of a more informed board of decision makers has been under consideration for a while. Recent events have simply illustrated the need for such a reorganization." Again, his voice made it clear this decision was final.
"Well, as long as this isn't some extreme measure because of what happened." Elizabeth responded a bit more firmly. She'd be lying to say she hadn't considered the possible negative repercussions of what had happened, and there was more than a little relief that while Darcy was no longer directly in control of her career within the Nautilus.
"I don't want to take up any more of your time Doctor Bennet, if you'll excuse me." Darcy stood and took the few steps to the door and left.
Elizabeth sat there, once again not sure what to do with herself. It seemed to be a theme today. She wasn't really sure how she though Darcy would have acted upon hearing her rather rude declaration of disinterest, however he could have been understandably upset and defensive or aggressive in response to the situation. He had been rather kind about it all. Why had he been kind about it? Did he think her affections would change? Did he want to pretend it was all nothing? She had spoken of proceeding as adults, as professionals, but was there really any such thing? Humans were by nature petty and vindictive, why the hell wasn't Darcy being petty and vindictive?
Elizabeth ached to talk to someone about this, she always needed a second opinion on deciphering human behavior, as it was far from her forte; but her hands were tied in all respects. Jane and Charlotte were completely out of the question, as was the rest of the Nautilus staff. Hypothetically she could discuss the issue with Doctor Collins, who was bound by Doctor-Patient confidentiality, however there was no way in hell she'd willingly discuss anything with Collins, much less sensitive personal issues. Elizabeth seriously considered emailing her father about it, but that would be read by the security office which went back to the fact that her co-workers couldn't know. She wasn't sure if she was trying to protect herself from scorn and ridicule, or perhaps protecting Darcy a little bit too.
She leaned forward and let her head drop to the desk. Mondays suck.