I was of a mood to post, so here you go:

Just a short one until the weekend, where you may need to prepare for some HMS and pull out the blue couch. I'm an angst weenie so it won't be in use for long. Here is almost an interlude leading us up to the-er - climax. Well one of them, anyway.

Thanks to all my betas who contributed in different ways: lovingyouisbest, JD Bell; Joy Booth and Fredrica.

Final tweaking is my own.

Task 3- Lemonworld

"I can't believe this is the end of it! I'm exhausted, and you look like you are too." Lizzy and Jane left the shop, having finished the final wardrobe notes on the production. Despite her proclamation of fatigue, Elizabeth anticipated that her opening night high that would likely persist into the wee hours of the opening night party. "I insist on taking you, dear sister, to the Mediterranean Deli to thank you for putting up with all my Costumezilla moments."

"That sounds grand, as long as we're back home in time for Bingley – he's going to pick me up this afternoon so we can get ready together."

The sisters seated themselves and waited for their order, both quiet out of habit and fatigue. "So, Miss Bennet, it will not do for us to sit here in such a dull manner. I should talk about the décor of this establishment and then you shall say something about its food." Lizzy teased.

"Lizzy." Jane smiled at her sister's attempts. "What do you really want to talk about?"

She hedged. "Things are definitely different with you."

"And you, too." The sisters simply regarded each other, unable to formulate explanations as the waiter brought their order of Spanokopita, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Green Chile Hummus, Tabouleh, Kebabs, Chocolate Covered Pecan Baklava for desert and copious quantities of Turkish Coffee to drink. Once their hunger was sated, Lizzy again pressed Jane who again evaded conversation and suggested they discuss things on the way back home. After all, preparations beckoned for Opening Night. Turning on some Morrissey and driving down the highway, conversation flowed more easily.

Jane stared out at the mountains and began. "Things with Charles are progressing…I don't really have more to say about that because we haven't even talked about it. I must admit it's been nice to be with him at Netherfield. I've appreciated being out of the family drama. It was weird to take my family therapy class while being away so much. I got to look at our family from a different perspective."

Lizzy frowned slightly while watching the road. "So, the reason we've not talked is because you're busy analyzing me?" The upturned corners of her mouth belied the statement.

Jane had to laugh. "You? Never! My head has been full of the situation with dad and Lydon. For the past few weeks, it seems to be getting worse- Mary told me they have nearly come to blows at least a couple times a week, and Wickham has broken it up every time. I can't find it within myself to go home just to face that- It's not my job to fix it, its our parents. I just want to be drama free for awhile."

"Ugh. Now that you mention it, I am kind of dreading the return to drama now that I'll be at home more- and away from the Theatre, ironic as that is. At least I'll have you." Lizzy glanced over to catch a guilty look.

Jane sighed. "Well, not exactly. Charles is planning to stay here until his lease is up in December."

"Whatever will you do with yourselves?" Lizzy reached over and squeezed Jane's hand in congratulations.

"I think we'll be able to find something to occupy our time! And what about you? What plans have you made with Darcy?" Jane squeezed her sisters hand back to emphasize the question.

Lizzy shot her sister a warning look and put her hand back on the steering wheel. "I admit that he made vague but suggestive references to us spending opening night together. Sometimes, he even talks about how Jorge will like me when we meet, how much he will enjoy showing me around Santa Fe. He says even weirder stuff about his patrons and their sartorial inclination, how New York really isn't a long plane ride to Albuquerque. Then he stops himself and reminds me that he isn't being in the moment when he says that".

"That's weird." Jane stared hard into the distance, wheels turning in her head.

"He has this idea that being in the moment without expectation will keep us from fighting, keep me from judging him or making a story about him." Lizzy glanced over, seeing her sister's expression.

Jane's eyebrows raised, "Oh, he's using a counseling technique."

"He said it was from mystery schools, whatever that means." Lizzy rolled her eyes.

"Well, yeah, where do you think counselors got it from?" Jane replied.

Lizzy made a thoughtful humming noise, "Well, whatever it is, I can't help but anticipate certain things, like tonight. And, I am afraid that spending time in the presence of our family tonight may put him off me, at least off of anything long term. But maybe that would be for the best. I couldn't stand to be some opening night fuck before he takes off to Santa Fe."

Jane wrinkled her brow in contemplation. "He's already seen your family and still seems to want to be with you, not just in THAT way. If you doubt that, you're blind. He stares at you all the time and is always trying to do things to be helpful. I recommend you do your thing with Darcy and ignore our family tonight. They have everything they need to work things out between them. I'm done with being in the middle of that drama, at any rate. And you know what? It feels good."

Now Lizzy's brow furrowed," I don't exactly advocate being in the middle of our family's fights. But sometimes it helps to present a different point of view, or be there to listen. Sometimes things get messy and I don't need to make it more complicated by analyzing it. Just like Darcy suggested- instead of making up stories, just let it be what it is."

"And what is 'it'?" Jane queried.

Lizzy didn't share with her sister her other motivation for avoiding stories: to avoid what story was true about Darcy. It wouldn't matter what she said, she suspected Jane to be on 'his side anyway. And so, she kept this matter to herself. So she used a different example: "I don't know, that's a good question, my dear sister….. If I follow my friend's philosophy, it is easier to just let mom ramble for example, that than to make stories up about why she does it and get all judgy and more irritated."

"You are right, I think there is a happy medium but I still have some junk to think about before I am comfortable with 'just letting it be'. Besides, I want to stay at Netherfield as long as I possibly can. You know that I do miss you, though?" Jane reached over and again grasped her sister's hand.

Lizzy squeezed it reassuringly. "It's OK Jane- we all need a break sometime, G-d knows you deserve it for being the sweetest person in the universe."

This encouraged Jane to inform her sister that she had already been making plans to transfer to UNM and move in with Charles next semester. There was something about rushing down the freeway, windows down, stereo blaring Love and Anger, that made sharing her secret irresistible.

Lizzy's eyes bulged. "Why Jane, you sly thing! I didn't know you had it in you! I am glad for you but admit I shall miss you exceedingly."

"I doubt you shall miss me terribly because you'll be occupied contemplating a pair of fine chocolate eyes! Jane teased. Her sister growled. You know at Charles's party, there will be plenty of dark corners for you to torture Darcy, or for him to torture you, you know whatever floats your boat…"

"Jane!" Lizzy's voice was rasing in proportion to the color of her face.

Jane's barbs continued and she only laughed as Lizzy became more and more discomposed, her face turning a dark shade of red. She didn't realize how close to home she hit. It was too much to take when finally Jane imitated Darcy's now infamous attempt to impress Lizzy about post punk "I personally enjoy Control. I mean who wouldn't with such a fine specimen before me…"

Lizzy was still sensitive to Jane's prodding. Her sister had no problem with getting in the middle of that drama.

PPPxoxNMxoxPPPxoxNM

By this time the sisters had arrived home and were just exiting the car. It was an opportune moment to retaliate. "That's it, Jane, you aren't escaping this time!" Lizzy ran inside to get the water pistols. Jane readied herself behind a shrub on the lawn. Dear Jane was in for one of their water pistol fights- instituted after Jane's accident had altered their previous routine of wrestling to settle differences. Lizzy threw her a water gun and they started shooting each other like two badass super heroines in an action movie.

Bingley and Darcy drove up just as the two were both running out of ammo. Neither was a clear victor as both were soaked. The men looked at each other with wicked expressions as they observed how nicely wet clothes displayed their figures from such a vantage point.

They called the sister's attention. Jane blushed, Lizzy laughed – as each attempted to straighten herself.

Jane recovered more quickly, finding another source of provocation. "Why Darcy, those are certainly a pair of fine eye-glasses!" At this comment, Lizzy snorted.

Darcy looked at her strangely, thanking her, explaining it was a gift from his brother, while Lizzy glowered. "Thanks, Jane, apparently your sister disagrees. Not cool enough for you? Would you find me more attractive if I rifled around in the Salvation Army bin to find a more suitable pair?"

Lizzy sputtered. "Uh, No! – Jane's right- I apologize, I was reacting to Jane. She's provoked me one too many times today."

Darcy quirked his brow. "I see, so does that mean if I incur your wrath it will result in your cornering me with a water pistol? Let's see if I can find suitable material to feed your ire…Jane, care to assist? You've proven to be quite helpful before…"

Jane crossed her arms self consciously and looked nervously at her sister. "Uh, no. Come to think of it, I've sworn off of getting involved in conflict for a class project. I, um, slipped just now. And, Bingley's here so we can spend the time before the show in more pleasant manner. "

Lizzy looked accusingly at her sister. "It is more pleasant, I give you that, but since when does avoiding conflict in order to go make out with your boyfriend count as a class project?"

Darcy responded with alacrity,"That sounds like a class project I'd like to sign up for."

Bingley smiled, teasing,"You want to make out with me, too, Darcy? I didn't know you cared that way…"

Darcy rolled his eyes," Don't be stupid, I was talking about Miss Bennet"

"Well in that case I think you may provoke my wrath." It was Bingleys turn to look accusingly at his friend.

Darcy shook his head and chuckled,"I meant Lizzy"

"Well, that's more like it. I'm with Jane. Shall we?" Bingley turned to Jane.

"But I'm all wet." She held her arms akimbo.

"I know. Whatever shall we do about it? Get in!" He growled. She eagerly obliged anticipating how he planned to remedy the situation.

Lizzy watched the car pull out, growing smaller as it got farther down the dirt road and finally disappeared down the highway.

Darcy had taken off his sunglasses as Lizzy caught that inscrutable look in his eyes. "Now, how shall I keep you occupied?"

Whatever the look meant, her mind could not process. Her body had already formulated its own wisdom and response, propelling her forward. Lizzy found herself in a mutual embrace, his lips upon hers, the sensation much more pleasant than it ought to be for a man who was such an unknown quantity.

I have no idea why I'm doing this, she admitted.

"Well don't think I'm letting go of you, now that you are," Darcy whispered.

"You have to let go of me sometime, I'm getting you wet." Lizzy archly responded.

"No, I don't intend to let go of you. I enjoy you as wet as possible." His kisses again enveloped her words and any further thought on the matter. All she wanted at this moment was to continue such a delightful diversion.

Unconscious thoughts raced as she enjoyed being worshiped by this gorgeous specimen. Hell, despite his formidable exterior, Lizzy had to admit his good points. He was intelligent, talented, and his prodigious work was aesthetically evocative, just like he was. His many good qualities often intimidated and mystified her. Was there truly substance to his beauty? If so, was he truly a good sort of man? Or, like so many artists she knew, were the depths a murky and uninviting quagmire? Trying to be 'in the moment', these thoughts and the accompanying contradictory feelings were remanded to another place in her awareness while senses were consumed in other pleasures.

As if to answer that deeper awareness, Darcy, pulled away and, taking Lizzy's hand invited, "I have something I'd like to show you; do you think you'd like to –ah- get ready for the show over at Netherfield?" And how could she resist, with his stumbling request and deer-like look in his eyes?

I didn't edit this heavily before posting. I may go back an do it this weekend. Like I said, I was just of a mood to post.

Pretty please, comment :) It makes my day!