A/N: I wasn't going to post a new chapter until next week, especially since it's NaNoWriMo season...but after receiving so many reviews, I knew I had to finish this chapter. You all rock so much and I can't thank you enough! Hopefully this chapter shows my gratitude!

.~*~.

Lux's mood visibly brightened for the rest of the day and she brought home her smile. It was something Cate noticed right away. She followed Lux up to her room and found her playing with her hair.

"Cate," Lux asked looking in the mirror. She wondered how she should word what she wanted to ask. She didn't want to incriminate herself. "If you hypothetically were going to an event with someone who you had possibly a thing for, would you...wear your hair up? Or down?" She turned to Cate for her opinion. Cate smiled and grabbed a brush. She took it to Lux's hair.

"Only wear your hair up if it's going to be windy...or you don't want him to run his fingers through it." Cate pulled the brush through Lux's long locks. "So who..." She caught Lux's raised eyebrow in the mirror. It was a clear warning to tread carefully. "Never mind," Cate said quickly, heeding the non verbal cue. "Just try to have fun. You've been so stressed lately," She squeezed Lux's shoulders and smiled lovingly at her daughter.

The idea of Eric showing Lux that kind of attention seemed unlikely as he had been so hot and cold lately. More like a constant state of lukewarm. She decided to take Cate's suggestion and wear her hair down. As Cate headed back downstairs to let Lux change, she was grateful that there were no probing questions that she had to answer. It was nice having someone respect her privacy for once. Rummaging through her closet, she decided on a pair of grey leggings and a Harvey Danger t-shirt. She debated wether or not to wear his sweatshirt. She opted not too and grabbed a light jacket instead.

Around seven she headed over to Eric's place. When he opened the door to his apartment, Lux dropped a bag of Swedish Fish into his hands.

"They're good for the brain," she stated tapping her temple. She plopped down on his couch and viewed her surroundings. Typical male apartment, she thought. Big TV and a nice couch but hardly anything else. There was an enormous black leather reclining chair angled with the sofa to face the television. She wondered if he'd sit there and not next to her.

"Popcorn?" He called from the kitchen.

"Sure," she replied scanning the room again. Typical english teacher's apartment, she also thought noticing the decent sized bookcase filled with literature and...comic books? "No way," she said in disbelief under her breath. She hopped off the couch and headed straight for the bookshelf. She could see many classic titles and early editions, all sealed in plastic covers.

"I see you've discovered my secret obsession," an unfamiliar voice said coming up behind her. Lux turned around and faced what she assumed was a man in his mid-20's. He had a thick beard. "Hi, I'm Charlie," he grabbed one of the comic books and stuffed it into his bag. "Reading material for work," he grinned.

"Roommate?" Lux asked offering a guess. Charlie nodded. "That would be me. Off to work, it was nice to meet you..."

"Lux," she said completing his sentence. He smiled again before heading out.

"I see you've met my roommate," Eric said heading to the couch. Lux continued to thumb through the different comics. The son of one of the first foster families that Lux stayed with loved comics. She fondly remembered staying up late and reading them with him by flashlight. They were a decent family. Lux let the memory roll off her shoulders. Just another blip in my dysfunctional timeline.

"Disappointed that the comics aren't mine?" Eric asked. Lux shrugged and sat down next to him on the couch. He conveniently placed the bowl of popcorn between them.

"Where are my fish?" Lux asked as he turned the DVD player on. Eric pointed to the bowl of popcorn. They were mixed in with the popcorn. She reached for one and it was warm and slightly melty. "Why are my fish co-mingling with the popcorn?" She didn't trust his concoction, but she gave it a try. It was unbelievably delicious.

"I'm a master of the culinary arts, you know," he remarked, happily helping himself to the candy fish filled popcorn.

Lux couldn't take her eyes of the screen. What it must have been like to live back then. It probably wasn't as fantastical as the movie portrayed, but it was still looked magical all the same. Lux for a brief moment imagined it was her in the movie. Being perfectly coiffed and wearing unnaturally large dresses. It really wasn't who she was. "You remind me of her," Eric said, interrupting her thoughts. "Of Elizabeth. You're both very...strong willed."

"I see," Lux frowned. Not the adjective I was hoping for.

"No, don't get me wrong," he paused the movie. "You're quick witted with such a sharp tongue. You're also quite intelligent and clever...you embody all of Miss Bennett's best features." Lux shook her head.

"You're wrong. I'm not intelligent," She picked up the empty bowl of popcorn and brought it into the kitchen. This was no longer going that way she had intended. Although she didn't really have any intentions, she knew the topic of 'let's assess Lux's intelligence' was not on the list. She took a deep breath. It'll start to get awkward if you don't go back in there. She forced herself to rise above it.

"Lux," Eric started but she shook her head firmly.

"Just press play." Lux didn't want to talk about it. They resumed watching the film. Lizzie ran through the rain with Mr. Darcy in hot pursuit.

I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.

Sir, I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorry to have caused you pain. Believe me, it was unconsciously done.

"I don't think this is helping," she reached for the remote and paused the movie. "It's not working like last time." As she spoke all the lights shut off. "Did I anger the Austenites?" Lux asked trying to see through the thick blanket of darkness.

"The whole block is out," Eric said looking out of the window.

"Oh man, you are so cursed," she stated, referring back to his truck.

"Hold tight, I'm going to try and find a flashlight." Lux didn't hold much hope in that fact, as she was sure all the flashlights were still stuffed into one of the many unpacked boxes scattered around the apartment. A few minutes later he returned with a large candle. "I could only find citronella," he admitted sheepishly.

"At least we're safe from the mosquitoes," Lux said with a smirk. "It's all about the silver lining." They faced each other on the couch.

"So the movie wasn't working? How come?" Lux shrugged.

"Do you really think I'm like Lizzie?" Lux asked. He nodded and stretched his arms in front of him. He took her hands and intertwined their fingers. "You know that kind of makes you Darcy, right?" Eric rolled his eyes. Lux could see a slight smile in the shadows of the flickering candle. "It's kind of funny. Elizabeth's first impression of Darcy was horrible. What she overheard him saying at the ball it ruined his image. It set the mood for the rest of the story."

"Why is that funny?"

"Because we're basically this story in reverse."

"How so?" Eric asked, tracing the palms of her hands with his finger.

"I had a great first impression of you. I mean you took me to the freaking ocean. We instantly hit it off. But now..."

"Now, what? You don't think we have a connection?"

"No it's not that. Darcy and Elizabeth had totally misconceived each other and because of that their love took forever to bloom. With us we ignited quickly but because of certain circumstances, we face some obstacles."

"What about their circumstances?" Eric asked.

"In a way they're kind of like ours. But not really. I guess wealth isn't such a huge deal for the most part in our modern generation," Lux laughed slightly.

"What's funny?" He pushed her hands together and covered them with his bigger ones.

"Nothing. It's just that I bet a student my age being courted by a somewhat good looking teacher was actually socially acceptable back then." Eric mused on that thought for a minute and then leaned towards her.

"Lux," she could see him smiling faint light of the candle.

"What?" She asked. Her heart started drumming again.

"You've got it. You understand it." Lux took a second and realized he was right. Everything was starting to click into place. The border pieces of the jigsaw were all connected.

"Shut up," she said fascinated with her brain. They pushed the pads of their fingers together playfully. She noticed for the first time, just how big his eyes were.

"Will you do me a favor?" he asked in a soft voice.

"Hmm?"

"Stop...saying you're stupid. Because you're not," he reached over and ran his hand through her hair. Lux couldn't resist leaning into his touch. He folded her arms around his neck and grabbed her hips. A look of pure wanting covered his eyes. He pulled her into his lap and smiled. "You're so full of life," he murmured, "and...beautiful."

Just then, to Lux's dismay, everything powered back on. The electrical whirring of various appliances humming back to life interrupted their moment of mental lapse and brought reality crashing back to light. She didn't dare to move. There was still a slight chance of his lips finding hers. But what his lips found was her forehead, as he planted a soft but swift kiss on it. She sighed slightly with mild tension. Is this how it'll always be?

"What's the matter?" he asked, still holding her in his lap.

"I don't know, to be honest with you. But here I am...sitting in your lap and I know you want to kiss me." Lux took a deep breath to calm her frustrations. He withdrew his hands. Suddenly her's were cold.

"Lux, it's wrong," Eric responded in a low voice. Lux had enough. She disentangled herself from him and stood to leave. "Lux," Eric pleaded.

"No," she grabbed her bag. "You're either in or you're out. This is it. Because you can't be in the middle. I won't be in the middle, being tugged in every direction. It's too exhausting." She left his apartment and stood for a moment in the hallway.

What did I just do? Her heart plummeted. Oh god, what did I do? Lux wanted to vomit, thinking she had just ruined things. Suddenly a hand clamped down on her wrist and pulled her into the corner of the deserted hallway. Eric pinned her firmly against the wall and they both folded into the shadows. He was confident with his lips as he pressed them against her temples. It was an intimate apology. She hoped that he had come to his senses and that this was his way of showing it. Her heart raced wildly as he kissed his way down the side of her face. His hands deftly wove their way into her hair, drawing her even closer. She was grateful for the rough wall behind her, as it was all that kept her from falling to the ground. "I'm in." The words barely escaped his throat as he captured her lips with his. There was no hesitation. She opened her mouth silently demanding more. He gave willingly. Both were intoxicated by the thick candy scented air between them. "I'm so sorry if I ever made you think I was anything but..." His voice trailed off as she shook her head and closed her eyes. It didn't matter. A soft moan escaped her lips as he kissed her again. She couldn't resist a smile, tasting the salty flavor of popcorn on his tongue.

"Wow," she breathed heavily, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I'm in," he repeated softly.

"I believe you," she said kissing him softly as a sign of confirmation. They leaned into the corner of the hallway for a couple of minutes longer. The slow realization of time eventually crept into her brain. Taking Eric's wrist, she looked at his watch.

"I've gotta go," she groaned. "I'm at Baze's tonight and he'll start to wonder..." She looked into his soft eyes. He nodded but didn't make ant effort to step out of her way. Instead he kissed her neck slowly. Her head instantly fell back against the wall.

"Let me take you home," he whispered, between lingering kisses. She shook her head weakly. She knew what would happen if they remained in such close proximity any longer.

"Baze's place is close...take me 5 minutes..." Eric's thumbs slipped under her shirt and began caressing circles into her skin. If it was a ploy to confuse her train of thought, then it was working.

All of a sudden, Lux's phone began to ring. She looked at the caller id. It was Baze. She swallowed tightly and tried to compose herself. Eric was still pressed up against her, but had stopped with his lips.

"Hey Baze," Lux answered, as normally as possible.

"Hey kiddo, it's getting late, when are you coming home?"

"On my way now. Be there in like 10."

"Do you need me to come get you?"

"Nope, I'm already on my way." She closed her phone and looked at Eric. She gave him a mock evil look that told him to step away if he wanted to keep his appendages. Raising his arms in surrender he took a giant step back. She wanted those arms to be wrapped back around her waist. No. Bad thoughts. But they were good thoughts at the same time.

"I didn't know that it only took a kiss to get rid of Eeyore's frown," he said, loving the permanent smile affixed to her face.

"You see? Now you know my secret," she said stepping towards him with a devilish look in her eye. "But what's your big secret?" Eric's eyes flashed a look of pain and fear. Had Lux not been staring so deeply at him, she wouldn't have noticed.

"You'll text me when you get home?" He asked, kissing the top of her head lovingly. She nodded. "See? I knew you had my number." Lux rolled her eyes and left.

When she arrived at Baze's loft he was watching television on the couch.

"Hey there," he greeted, flipping through the stations. She sat down next to him. "Nice shirt," he remarked, looking at it curiously. Lux grabbed the remote and looked for something mindless to watch.

"Thanks," she said. "It's yours." She pulled out her phone and texted I'm home to Eric.

"Did you have a good night?" Baze asked, stealing the remote back.

"Hey," she said, reaching for the remote, but he had it well out of her reach. It had been a good night. Although...she picked up her phone and texted Eric again. Tonight was def not PG :)

"Yeah I had a nice time. You?" Baze nodded. Lux's cell vibrated. She scrolled through the message. Maybe PG-13? Meet me tomorrow b4 school. I'll bring coffee. Suddenly Baze reached over and snatched the cell phone out of her hands playfully.

"Who's...Minnesota?" He asked exaggerating each syllable. He grinned as Lux full force attacked him and took her phone back.

"None of your business," she stated simply. "No one important." But her smile gave her away. Because he was somebody important. At least to her.

"Right," he said drawling his words sleepily. He stretched out on the couch and put his legs up on the coffee table. "So, you excited for becoming one with nature this weekend?" He asked, referring to the school camping trip.

"I've got to get through this test in English on Friday before I can even think about anything else," she replied honestly.

"You got tutoring tomorrow?" Baze asked rubbing his tired eyes. Lux nodded, watching the television screen. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, I've got a good tutor," she smiled. "But thanks Baze, that means a lot."

"No problem kiddo." He stood and ruffled her hair, dropping the remote into her lap. "Don't stay up too late."

Lux found an old episode of I Love Lucy and put the remote down on the table. It had been a good night. But as she watched the show, she couldn't help but feel that it wouldn't last. She tried not to think too much of it, but it weighed in the back of her mind. Her phone vibrated on the couch. She picked it up and read the message. She grinned deeply to herself, no longer caring about anything else.

You're worth being 'in' for.