Trials and Tribulations

"Stop calling my room!" whispered a young man as he dragged a young woman into a stairwell of the Student Center. "It's over! Don't call me anymore!"

"But, but, I'm pregnant!" exclaimed the young woman.

"So what?!"

"So what?! You're the father!"

"You're not going to pin this on me!"

"Pin this... But, you're the only one!" she began to cry. "You told me you loved me!"

"I told you what you wanted to hear!"

"I believed you!"

"Grow up! Get rid of it! Everybody else does it!"

"I can't! I won't! This baby is mine... yours!"

"Nobody knew that we were going together and plus I can get at least 12 guys to say that they've slept with you," he sneered and grabbed her arm roughly. "Your rep will be so scandalized that nobody will believe you!"

"A judge won't care! He'll see that you're the father and make you pay!" she screamed vehemently.

"So, is that what you're planning to do, take me to court?!" he shook her roughly.

"I hate you!" she yelled as she tried to break free. "You'll pay!"

"No, you'll pay," he grinned wickedly.

That same young girl woke up in startled wonder; she can see, although through a blur, several people standing over her and a bright light behind them. 'Miss, what happened?' asked one. 'Do you remember anything?' asked another. 'Do you know where you are?' asked another. Through the haze, the young woman anxiously shook her head; she wanted to scream from the pain, but could not speak. 'You are at the U of M hospital. Some students found you at the bottom of the steps.' Said one of the voices, calmly. 'Do you remember what happened? Did you fall? Were you sick?'

The young woman shook her head violently and tears streamed down her face as the events of this morning came flooding back to her. "He pushed me!" she screamed. "My baby!" she grabbed her stomach. Almost immediately a mask went over her face and everything went black.

The young woman, now recovering from emergency surgery, opened her eyes to see one of her suitemate's standing next to her bed, concerned. As her suitemate asked her questions, she could only cry and shake her head. At length, the suitemate called the closest relative to the young woman, to apprise them of the situation.

Later, hours after the suitemate had gone, a policewoman was questioning the young woman; apparently the emergency room staff reported her previous exclamations, and the proper authorities were notified. But the young woman, out of fears so unfathomable, protested of an illness instead and tried to put to rest any claims of abuse on her person. The officer left unsatisfied with the interview; there was nothing else to do but wait for the young woman to change her mind about her testimony.

That close relative came to nurse the young woman back to health.

During their stay, the close relative was, several times, awakened by the young woman's nightmares and screams, and a school psychologist was brought in for her mental health. While under the scrutiny of the psychologist, the young woman feigned a better state of mind, but privately she vowed revenge against the young man that did this to her. She knew not how it could be accomplished or when, but she swore it would happen and this in itself made her well.

While the young woman's close relative was packing to leave; they promised never to speak of this incident to anyone; not even between themselves, again. She had not told another soul what really happened, only that she felt queasy and subsequently fell down the steps.

After the young woman's relative left, she contemplated suicide, but instead did what came naturally; she wrote.

She hoped that this would pass.

That same young woman had to thrust herself into her studies with immediacy. Finals were around the corner and she must pass her exams because her mission had changed as far as school was concerned. She determined to carry extra courses each semester to be able to graduate early; the further away from him, the better.

Although, the young woman tried her best to avoid that young man, for she had not yet had the opportunity for revenge, he would sometimes corner her and taunt her almost to tears. He would continue to test her strength of mind and her fortitude, but he could not break her; she resolved to show him little or no emotion, at all costs. At first his threats were cloaked, but as she played his bluff, he became a little more obvious by grabbing her roughly when he was sure no one was around or slipping notes under her door under the guise of darkness. But then, he left her alone.

Regardless, of the fact that the young man no longer bothered her, she still wanted revenge. So the young woman decided on a plan, but first she needed to rid herself of the past; she went back to her natural hair color, wore it longer, gained a little weight, took off the make-up, changed her style, amongst a sundry of other things. To most of her friends, she seemed and looked entirely different. The young man had done a number on her psyche, but she vowed never to be vulnerable or gullible again. She asked God for a sign whenever she was about to become susceptible, and she asked the Devil for retribution.

"All right ladies, listen up!" yelled Coach Gamble after practice. "Some of you actually have a chance at graduating! So, as it is a tradition at U of M, it's time for pairings. Another student who is proficient in a class you may be deficient in will be assigned to you. The posting's are on the board. You're partner will be calling you by the end of the month. We will be monitoring you, because we don't want you failing and making us miss our opportunity to win the Rose Bowl this year..." The coach looked pointedly at Darcy. "Okay, enough about that. Good practice! See you tomorrow, bright and early!"

The throng of U of M football players filed out of the locker room, while the 4^th and 5^th year seniors looked at the pairs board.

"Who's Ellis A. Bethbent?" asked Darcy.

"Some geek, probably!" yelled another player.

"Damn, I was hoping for a girl!" said Darcy almost to himself.

"Don't you have enough?!" yelled another, while tossing a towel at Darcy. "Leave some for the rest of us, pretty boy!"

"Shut up!" yelled Darcy as he walked out of the locker room. I've been on a dry run lately!

After dinner, the phone rings in Darcy's room. "Speak."

"Hello, is this William Darcy?"

"Yes. Who's this?"

"This is Elizabeth Bennet... Um, I was, I'm supposed to be your French partner for the semester."

A girl! Darcy smiled. "Really?! The board read 'Ellis Bent' or something..."

"Yes I know. I saw it when I got in today," Elizabeth frowned. "But it's me, anyway... When can we get together?"

Nice voice! Low and sexy. "How about tonight?" Darcy smiled again. So I can check you out.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I'm chaperoning a party tonight. How about tomorrow afternoon?"

Chaperoning! She's probably a dog and can't get a date. "Sure," he said a bit disappointed.

"Is 3:00 p.m. okay?"

"Make it 4:00 p.m. in the 'Sweet shop' at the student center."

"Sounds good... Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

Elizabeth was beside herself; she was finally going to meet The William Darcy again!

"Hey Wills, you going to the frosh party?!" asked his friend Bingley who burst into Darcy's room.

"No."

"Why not?! New meat!"

"Chip, I'm tired of freshman! Don't you get sick of silly young girls?!"

"No!" laughed Bingley. "Come on man, we can check out the talent! There might be some interesting sites!"

"Is there any other party tonight?"

"No. And this is the last party you'll be able to go to for the whole year. So put something on and let's go, Mon Capitaine!"

"Okay! Okay! Give me 30 minutes."

Bingley left and Darcy got washed and dressed.

At the appointed time, Darcy drove Bingley to the student center.

"Chip, do you know an Elizabeth Bennet?"

"I'm not sure. Why?"

"She's my French partner for the semester."

"What year is she?"

"I don't know, probably a senior," shrugged Darcy. "She's supposed to be chaperoning the party tonight."

"This'll be a good way to introduce yourself. Ask her for a dance maybe."

"Dance! What if she's a dog?!"

"She's your tutor, not your girlfriend!"

"What about my reputation?!"

"You're reputation?! What does that have to do with anything?!"

"I can't be seen with a bow wow!"

"Well, meet her in the library then. Nobody we know ever goes to the library."

The party was jumping with excited freshman. There were a few chaperones, including Elizabeth and Charlotte, several of the athletes, and one pest, Billy Collins.

"Uh, Elizabeth, can I help you with anything?" asked Billy Collins.

I hate it when he calls me Elizabeth! He practically slobbers my name! Yuck!!! "No, Billy. Everything's taken care of," said Elizabeth as she turned her back to him and rolled her eyes.

"Well, uh, maybe, um, I could..."

"Billy, everything's just fine," she said trying to hold in her temper. Billy Collins had been following her around since January when they were in the same class together. "Why don't you just go and enjoy yourself. I'm sure you'll find someone to dance with."

"Oh no! I would never even dream of... Well, I, uh, um, well, it's just... I was hoping to dance all my dances with you."

"Sorry, Billy..." she said nonchalantly, while turning around to face him.

"Oh, but Elizabeth, I was so looking forward to a nice slow dance... with you of course," he winked.

Eeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww!!! "Sorry to disappoint you, but my job is not to have fun tonight. I'm chaperoning, remember?" Ugh!

"Of course, Elizabeth! That's why I came back to school so early. I, I thought that maybe if I helped you with whatever chaperone's do, you'd have time to dance with me."

"No, Billy. It's not going to happen."

"But Elizabeth..." he whimpered.

"Billy, please?! You're distracting me from my duties!" Will he ever leave me alone?!

"Sorry Elizabeth," he simpered and walked off.

Elizabeth stood for a few minutes alone, checking out the ever-growing party participants.

"Lizzy, I heard you got Will Darcy as your partner this year!" exclaimed Charlotte as she walked over.

"Yes, it is now my privilege to tutor the playboy," said Elizabeth trying to fend off Charlotte's gossiping ways.

"I wish I had your luck!"

"Luck?!"

"Yeah, girl! He's fine! Maybe, you and he could..."

"Are you kidding me?! Haven't you heard about his escapades?!"

"Yes I have! That's what I'm talking about!" laughed Charlotte. "One night with him and you could change your whole image!"

"And what image is that?"

"Bookworm... Dateless..."

"My image doesn't need changing. His does!" They both laughed.

"Goodness, speak of the devil!" Charlotte snickered as Darcy and Bingley entered the party.

"Shh!" whispered Elizabeth.

"You should go up and introduce yourself. He probably doesn't even know who you are."

"Yeah, maybe I should," Elizabeth said distractedly, not catching Charlotte's grin.

Charlotte, seeing she no longer had Elizabeth's attention, bid her farewell for the moment. "See ya!"

After about an hour, Elizabeth found herself in the vicinity of Darcy, and decided to introduce herself after the gaggle of girls withdrew from his person. "Hi, I'm..."

"Regrets, baby doll," he interrupted, not even looking at her. "But as I told the other girls, I don't have a pen or paper. If you wanted an autograph, you should've brought your own props."

"Well, I never!" Elizabeth turned around to walk away.

Hmm, not bad! "Wait!" Darcy grabbed Elizabeth's arm. "It pains me to know I offended you," he gave her one of his winning smiles; the one that always made the girls melt like butter on a hot knife.

Elizabeth tried to free her arm from his grasp. "Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought I might introduce myself, but I'll leave that for another time." Asshole!!! Just like I remember!

"I apologized, isn't that enough?" he smiled that smile again and Elizabeth gasped in exasperation while yanking free. "Come on, baby doll, dance with me?" Elizabeth walked away in a huff. You'll be back, baby doll.

Charlotte had seen the action between Elizabeth and Darcy, but could not hear what went on. Elizabeth had almost run to the ladies room and Charlotte followed her. "What happened?!"

"That, that... fucking jerk!! An autograph! Ha! He thought I was one of his adoring fans!"

"Well, aren't you? Don't you have his..."

"It's coming down tomorrow!"

"Lizzy, don't jump to conclusions. I saw all the young girls buzzing around him. You just happened to approach him at the wrong time. I can see why he thought you might've wanted an autograph," Charlotte smiled.

"Why don't you just let me blow off some steam in the bathroom and then I'll be my old self again."

"Sure," said Charlotte as she left Elizabeth.

The party went on with no other unpleasantness. Darcy was always lurking around Elizabeth, trying to listen to her conversations, but mostly just to watch her. She had only danced a few fast songs (finally giving in to Billy Collins) and he found himself smiling wickedly at the way she moved her body, the way her long, black, curly locks swayed below her waist, and wondering who the fool was that danced with her. Elizabeth would sometimes catch Darcy looking at her and would turn in another direction, blushing with anger.

Later, on the drive back to the athlete's dorm, Bingley asked, "Did you see your partner?"

"No. They all looked so young... But, I have a meeting with her tomorrow."

"Good, you need to get started early. After football and basketball, we need you on the baseball team. If you flunk French, you'll be off the team for sure!"

"Don't worry about it. It's in the bag!" Bingley looked questioningly at Darcy. "It's the language of love and who better than me should be able to get it. The Captain of Love!"

That night, Elizabeth stood in her bedroom, looking at the poster of Darcy over her headboard. She contemplated tearing it down, as she had told Charlotte earlier, but decided not to for she had other plans. There'll be no one to see it anyway, so why waste a perfectly good dart board? Elizabeth tried to sleep, but she couldn't, her mind was in turmoil; so she did something she hadn't done in years, she wrote.

Now that she got that off her chest, she slept.

In the morning, Elizabeth, being a Resident Assistant, kept busy by readying the dorm for the rest of its tenants; all too soon was her meeting with Darcy. The athletes were already on campus and the freshmen were in their dorms, as required, the rest would be descending today and tomorrow for registration week. Rules and regulations needed to be posted in each suite, introductions to be made, and entertainment for the semester to be hung on the activity boards around the dorm. She did, however, contemplate going to the Dean of Students and changing her partner, but decided against it in the end.

"William Darcy, I'm Elizabeth Bennet," she said sternly.

Darcy gulped when he looked up. Oh shit!!! "I, I, I thought you were..."

"Never mind that," she cut him off, unwilling to go over the embarrassment of the previous night. "I'm over it. Now, here's my schedule," she handed him 2 sheets of paper, "for this semester."

Even prettier in the daylight! And look at that body! "Why don't you sit down?" he interrupted pleadingly.

"I can't. But I'll need your class and practice schedules, so we can plan our study time. Do you think you can get that to me by the end of this week?" she asked sarcastically and Darcy nodded. "Good. Bye!" Elizabeth left a bewildered Darcy sitting at the table.

Open mouth, insert foot! "Hey wait!" he ran out the door and saw her turning the corner. "Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" Darcy chased her down through the stairwell. "You never told me which dorm you're in."

And I never will! "You can leave your schedules in Professor Rainier's office. I'll get them from him!" exclaimed Elizabeth as she ran down the steps and out the door.

That evening, Darcy vowed to make amends with the pretty girl, while Elizabeth vowed to get through this semester unscathed.

At Randolph Hall Dormitory, a knock came to Elizabeth's door. "Who is it?" No one answered. "Who..." she stopped in mid-sentence as she opened the door. "What are you doing here?!"

What beautiful eyes! "I thought I'd bring you my schedules... In person," smiled Darcy.

"Thank you," Elizabeth frowned as she snatched the papers from him and tried to close the door on him, but he stuck his foot in the door.

Ow! Darcy winced. "Look, I don't know how many times you want me to apologize, but if you'll just tell me, I'll do it..."

"I'm over it! I told you that!" exclaimed Elizabeth still pushing the door against him.

"Then why are you treating me this way?"

"No men are allowed in the girl's rooms here."

"You haven't answered my question."

"I'll call you to map out our study schedule. We'll study French, nothing more. And we'll meet in the library from now on."

"So you think I'm chasing you?"

"I said no such thing!"

"Then why are you so cold to me?"

"I'm not... cold. It's just that..." Think girl, think! "It's just that I have so much work to do and I don't want to waste my time with someone who isn't going to take this seriously."

"How do you know I'm not serious?" he smiled that smile again.

"Good day, Mr. Darcy," said Elizabeth as she pushed him out the door.

Darcy stood outside her door for a few minutes, then turned to leave, only to turn back one more time, and then walk away. Damn! I screwed that up! "I'll just have to find a way... I always do!" he said as he jumped in his soft-top Porsche. It was true, Darcy always did.

Elizabeth called Darcy's room. "Speak."

"This is Elizabeth Bennet, may I speak to William Darcy?"

"It's me Elizabeth. We don't have roommates over here."

"Oh..." I forgot. "Can we meet tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. in the library?"

"Sure."

"Bring your text books and a lunch..."

"Look, it's going to be a nice day, maybe we can sit outside under a tree or something?"

"Um... Why don't I meet you out front of the library and we can decide then?"

"Okay, it's a date." Darcy winced as soon as he finished the sentence. "I, I didn't mean that."

"Tomorrow, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth hung up.

Darcy knocked his head several times with the receiver. Stupid! Stupid!! Stupid!!!

"Hi. Sorry, I'm late," said Elizabeth with a faint smile.

"No problem, it's only five minutes," he shrugged. See how easy that was?! I accepted your apology, why can't you accept mine? "It's a little windy, why don't we go inside?"

Elizabeth nodded and Darcy held the door open for her. "How about over there," she whispered and walked toward where she was pointing. Darcy held out a chair for her. A gentleman! I'm surprised! Comfortably seated, Elizabeth ventured, "Now, it says here that you need 101 and 102 to pass." Darcy nodded. "Why did you wait so late to take French?"

"I was hoping the curriculum would change. I took Japanese, because I know I'll need it and I thought the school would consider that a basic language."

"Oh. Well, if you took Japanese, then French should be a breeze."

"I'm glad you think so."

For above an hour, they ate, planned, and went over basic French.

"You did pretty well, but I can see where you keep slipping. We'll have to fix that."

"How?" asked Darcy as they walked out the library.

"I have a few theories... Let me think about them and I'll tell you next Monday."

"I don't think Monday's and Wednesday's will be enough time. Can we meet some other days?"

"For now, I think it'll do," she choked down a giggle. "However, we should wait until you start your first week of classes before we change anything."

"Oh," he said disappointed. "Okay."

Darcy was almost desperate to see Elizabeth again, this was no small amount of shock to himself, as he had never needed to be desperate. But watching and listening to her aroused him greatly.

"See you next Monday!" Elizabeth ran off.

"Elizabeth! I could drive you back to your dorm!" he yelled, but she was already outside of shouting range, so he let her go on her way, while admiring her curls bouncing freely in the wind.

As he drove to his practice, Darcy's mind raced with thoughts on the curve of her lips, the roll of her tongue as she spoke, the batting of her long lashes, and the flash and sparkle in those bottomless pits she called her eyes. He so much wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her deeply, passionately, but alas, they were in a library, so restraint won over want.

Elizabeth had almost withered into a trance just hearing the most basic French roll off Darcy's tongue during the previous hour; therefore she had to make haste, so that he would not interpret anything from her flushed cheeks. As she ran to her dorm, her mind raced with thoughts on every word uttered from his beautiful mouth, his strong wandering hands that brushed back his curly locks as he became, at times, frustrated, his broad shoulders when he rolled them to relieve his stiffness, and those deep, dark, bedroom eyes. Been there, done that!

Darcy walked around campus, but mostly near Randolph Hall, hoping to 'accidentally' run into Elizabeth, but to no avail. Almost everyday, Elizabeth had purposely stayed away from her dorm, but Billy Collins was still on her trail; he had become so enamoured with her intelligence and vivacity, that he pondered marriage. First, and foremost, he pondered sex; as he was still a virgin and thought she would be the perfect remedy for his abstinence.

"Hello, Elizabeth?"

"Yes."

"This is Will Darcy."

"Oh hi. I'm glad you called. Stupid me! Tomorrow's Labor Day. Why don't we wait until next Monday?"

No! "Uh, why don't we meet on Wednesday as planned? I can give you a copy of my class synopsis and we could plan further."

"You're right. But I'll have to meet you in our cafeteria, instead of the library. Is that okay?"

"Yeah..."

"Okay then, see you at 6:30 p.m."

"Elizabeth..."

"Yes?"

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Why?"

"My frat's having a barbecue and I thought, maybe, you'd like to, um, come with me. You know... we could get to know each other..."

"I, I, I can't. We're having a few activities over here and I'm sort of... in charge."

"Oh, okay. Well... have fun."

"You too. Thanks for the invite though," she smiled.

"No problem. See you on Wednesday."

"6:30 p.m. Here! Bye."

"Okay, later." She never even mentioned the game. Maybe she doesn't even like football.

They hung up.

Both Elizabeth and Darcy attended their separate barbecues, although they were distracted throughout the course of the day, thinking about each other.

"So Wills, is she a dog?!" asked Bingley.

"Who?"

"You're French partner!"

"Quite the opposite," Darcy smiled.

"Another conquest?"

"Nah! She just wants to study."

"You'll change that, I'm sure," he laughed.

"Chip, that's not what I want." She's pretty tough and I don't want to look bad in front of the boys!

"Yeah right. Sure!" Bingley raised an eyebrow mockingly, all the while chuckling.

"Seriously!"

"Man, you've got a reputation to uphold! Isn't that what you told me the other night? Captain and QB of the football team, Captain and forward of the basketball team, Co-Captain and right fielder for the baseball team, and don't forget Captain of Love." Bingley laughed. "Yeah, I believe you... You'll tell me all about it, won't you?" he winked.

The challenge had been issued! It was Darcy's reputation that was on the line now. If a nice-looking young lady was within arms reach of him, he would get what he wanted from her, sooner than later, and everyone knew it.

"Oh I'll tell you about it and you'll wish you had a piece of the action too," Darcy laughed.

"I knew you wouldn't let the fellas down!"

Crashes of trays, plates and glasses woke Elizabeth from her private reverie; she was, of course, thinking on the object of the cafeteria's chaos. It was obvious that some of the young women in the cafeteria had never seen a 6'5" Adonis in real life.

Elizabeth tentatively waved Darcy over. "Hi."

"Hi," he sat down across from her. "Is it always this noisy?"

"No," she laughed. "Only when the star quarterback walks in."

He smiled at Elizabeth and then turned to smile at his admirers; there was a collective sigh amongst the cafeteria. "That should do it," he chuckled.

"You live for that, don't you?"

"I don't live for it, but I do like it," he smiled.

Elizabeth felt the need to change the subject, as Darcy's smile was melting her resistance. "How was your first day?"

"Good... Um, Elizabeth?"

"Yes?"

"Elizabeth is so formal, do you have a nickname?"

"Yes," she said surprised and happy. "My family and friends call me Lizzy, but..."

"Then I'll call you Lizzy and you can call me Will..." he smiled with dimples this time. "Now, what about your theories?"

Damn, he's gorgeous! "What?" she said distractedly. "Oh, oh. Uh, well, I don't think you should have any problems with this, but I would prefer it, if every time you speak to me, you do it in French."

Do I see a window of opportunity, here?! "How would I go about doing that?"

"You also took Latin, and it was quite obvious last week, that you already have the basics."

"No, what I mean is, we would only see each other twice a week. How would that help me?"

"Well... uh, we could call each other. You could tell me about your day. You could translate some of the plays you call into French. You could even tell me the latest gossip around campus."

Hook, line and sinker!!! "And you?"

"I could do the same. Well, except for the play calling," she laughed and Darcy chuckled.

"Do you know anything about sports?"

"Yes, I do. My father is a huge football fan. In fact, he used to play, way back when, for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And he would take my sister, Jane and me to football games. But I also like basketball and baseball and hockey."

"Is that where your family's from? Pittsburgh?"

"Yes, my parents still live there. Jane is a senior at Penn State."

"Boo, PSU," Darcy pinched his nose and frowned. "They're the enemy."

"I know..." she laughed. "Where are you from?"

"L.A."

Elizabeth frowned. "Oh. What's your major?"

"International Finance. And yours?"

"Languages. I plan on working at the U.N. as a translator when I finish here."

"What year are you?"

"Junior/Senior." Elizabeth saw the question on Darcy's face. "I'm trying to graduate early. Hopefully, I can finish in the summer."

"I was wondering why you were carrying so many classes."

"Why International Finance?"

"My father... He has businesses all over the world and some day I'll take over," he said proudly.

"Of course! But only after your triple sports career," she smiled.

"I'll admit that I have high expectations of a sports career, but I'm realistic too. I could get hurt or something... and plus, there are plenty of other athletes out there that are either just as talented as I am or more so. But I want more."

"More than what?"

"More than sports. My grades are good enough to get me into any MBA program in the country. And if I fail in professional sports, then I don't believe I'll have too much trouble taking over the business one day."

A stunned Elizabeth could only whisper, "Oh."

"I hope I have allayed your fears that I'm just some stupid jock," he grinned.

"I, I'm sorry if I gave you that impression. I didn't mean it."

"Apology accepted... Now, about the dance, haven't I suffered enough?!" Elizabeth laughed uncomfortably as Darcy reached across the table for her hand. "How long must this go on?!" he exclaimed in mock exasperation.

"Oh alright," sighed Elizabeth, although reeling from his touch. "It's forgotten."

Slam-dunk! "Thank you!" he wiped his brow, mockingly.

That evening, they studied in the cafeteria and later in the lobby.

Darcy and Elizabeth called each other almost every night or met in the library on their appointed days or saw each other on campus and spoke only French to each other. Even though, Billy Collins was with Elizabeth at almost every turn, Darcy ignored him completely. Elizabeth and Darcy's friendship grew by Leaps and Bounds, but in the back of Darcy's mind he felt he either knew of Elizabeth or heard of her before.

Bingley also became a good friend to Elizabeth, although Caroline, Bingley's sister, would invite herself along whenever she found out where they might be going, which wasn't very often. Most often, she fawned all over Darcy and slighted Elizabeth with snide comments at almost every turn.

Darcy passed his French midterm and called Elizabeth. "I got an A!"

"In French, Sir."

Darcy repeated it in French and then asked her out to celebrate. She agreed and they went to a nice little Italian restaurant just outside of campus; they had a really good time. They tasted each other's food, drank an entire bottle of wine, and afterwards sat in his car talking in front of Randolph Hall until very late.

On the drive back to his dorm, Darcy thought he was almost there. Just a few more dates and she'll be putty in my hands!

Darcy quietly sidled up behind Elizabeth, who was sitting at a table in the back of the library. "Umm, you smell good! What perfume is that?"

"Salisbury steak," she smiled as she spoke in French.

"Huh?!" he said confused.

"My lunch," she smiled and pointed at a bag sitting on the table.

"Oh... What are you studying?"

"Swahili. I'm thinking about taking it next semester. So I'm trying it out."

"How's it going?"

"Okay, I guess," she frowned as she spoke in Japanese. They both laughed.

For the rest of the afternoon, they talked and laughed in French.

As they walked out of the library, they encountered Billy Collins; again Darcy ignored him.

"I'll talk to you later, Lizzy," said Darcy.

"Okay, Will," she smiled and turned to Billy Collins; he had said nothing during the encounter, he just stared. "Can I help you, Billy?"

"Oh no, Elizabeth! I just thought I'd walk you home," he smirked.

Elizabeth took in a deep breath. "Billy, you really don't..."

"Oh no, I insist. How would it look if I didn't walk you back safely!"

Elizabeth said not a word and walked hurriedly toward her dorm, outpacing the waddling Billy Collins, and leaving him gasping for air. Darcy watched from a distance, wondering if Elizabeth was dating that fat dweeb.

The phone rang in Lizzy's room. "Hello."

"Hi Lizzy," Darcy spoke in French.

"Hey, Will. What's up?" she returned in the same; and they continued in French.

"What are you doing next Saturday?"

"Nothing in particular. Why?"

"I've got to put my car in the shop on Wednesday. Chip won't be able to pick it up and..."

"But I can't drive a stick."

"Oh."

There was a long pause; Darcy knew Elizabeth didn't know how to drive a manual transmission, but this was just a plan to get close to her. He always found ways to get around any obstacles when it came to women. But most often there were no such obstacles and he would always get what he wanted in the end.

"Would you like to learn?"

"Do you have time to teach me?"

"Sure. I really don't trust too many people driving my car, so I'll make all the time you need. Well, other than classes and practice. How about tomorrow night and Sunday?"

"You have a game tomorrow..."

"I know, but it's a home game... I could come around 6:00 p.m. and pick you up."

"Okay, if you don't think you'll be too worn out."

"Nah. After a few minutes in the whirlpool, I'm all well."

"Okay. I'll see you at 6:00 p.m., then." They hung up.

Fifteen minutes later, the phone rang in Elizabeth's room again. "Hello," she practically sang the word, expecting Darcy was calling again.

"Hello, Elizabeth," Billy Collins smirked and smiled through the phone.

"Yes, Billy?" she said impatiently. He had been calling her every day, since he was able to get her phone number from Charlotte.

"How about dinner, tomorrow tonight?"

"Sorry, Billy, I have a date."

Billy Collins gasped. "A, a, a, date! But I thought you and I! I mean... I assumed you and I..." he exhaled exasperated. "Elizabeth Bennet, no woman of mine should be going on a date with another man!"

"Billy..." she sighed. "I'm not your woman," she said calmly. "You should never assume anything about me. If you would've asked I would've told you how I felt..."

"But Elizabeth..."

"No Billy. No way! I will never be your girlfriend, just get that idea out your head."

"But I love you, Elizabeth!"

"I'm sorry, but the feeling is definitely not mutual."

"But, I told my Mom and Dad about you and..."

"Billy, I'm not going to change my mind. Now please, stop calling me?!" She hung up on him.

Elizabeth had hoped that this episode would end it all, however, Billy Collins felt otherwise. He assumed that Elizabeth was so surprised and frightened by his exclamations that she was thrown into some sort of head-trip. Of course, that's it! I'll just give her time. And within a few days, she'll come to her senses and succumb to me.

Elizabeth waited outside, as Darcy was a little late.

Finally, he drove up, got out, smiled and opened the passenger door. "We had a little celebration after the victory."

"No problem. It was a great game."

"Thanks." Darcy waited for more praise, but none was forthcoming. He jumped into the car, frowning. "I thought we'd go out to stadium parking lot."

"Is something wrong?" she asked as they bolted into the street and up the avenue.

"No."

They drove to the lot in silence. Once there, Darcy showed Elizabeth how to use the clutch, along with the accelerator, brake and gears.

"Now, you try it," he said as he put the car in park and got out.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea, Will."

"Sure it is. You have to take your time and concentrate." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "It'll all come naturally with practice. Don't worry."

Elizabeth tried valiantly; more than several times she started, jumped, stalled, bolted, jerked, ground the gears into a screaming whine, and finally threw her hands up in frustration.

"I'm too much of a wreck to do this any more. I think you should take me home," she said as she turned to him in the passenger seat.

"You'll get the hang of it, don't worry," he patted her hand. "We still have tomorrow and the first part of next week," he smiled.

"I don't think I want to do this..." she sighed.

"Come on, Lizzy, I know you can. You've got the gist of it, all you have to do now is relax."

"Are you sure you want me messing up your car? Especially after you're getting it fixed!"

"I'm counting on you," he said matter-of-factly."

She heaved a heavy sigh. "All right, I guess."

Darcy drove Elizabeth back to the dorm; for the most part they were silent.

"I'll pick you up around 10:00 a.m. Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah," she said disheartened as she walked into the dorm lobby. "Goodnight."

As Darcy drove back to the athlete's dorm, he was having second thoughts about this ploy. Do I want more than sex with Lizzy? Darcy shook his head to clear away any thoughts of a real relationship with her.

Darcy knocked on Elizabeth's door and when she opened it, he said, "Are you ready?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "Let's get this over with."

They drove to the stadium parking lot again in silence. Elizabeth was about to get out of the car, when Darcy threw it into park, but he held her hand to have her remain seated. "Is something bothering you?"

"I don't want to do this, Will."

"Why not?"

"I'm afraid I'm going to mess your transmission up."

"I don't think that's the real reason. But, if that's what you want, I'll take you back to the dorm..."

"This is really hard, you know?!" she exclaimed frustrated. "You're counting on me and I don't want to let you down. I want to learn, but I hate failure..."

"Do you think I learned in one day? No. I was pretty frustrated myself and my father was even worse!" he exclaimed as he held her hand. He began to laugh. "You should've seen my father after the first few days. He could hardly speak! My mother would have a glass of his favorite brandy ready at the door and she would rub his temples to calm him down, then she would come and console me," he shook his head. "I miss those days."

Elizabeth looked at him in serious contemplation. "But we don't have much time."

"Well, I could postpone putting it in the shop. Maybe some weekend when Chip could get it for me..."

"By that time it'll be snow all over the ground... Why don't we try it again," she said resigned.

"Here," he said as he rolled the drivers' seat backwards; which wasn't that far back as he was so tall. "I have an idea..."

"Any help would be appreciated!" she exclaimed as she jumped out of the car.

"I'll just sit behind you and help you guide the pedals and the gears."

Elizabeth nearly froze in her tracks at the idea. "But, but how?"

"Come on, girl. Let's just try this?" he smiled as he opened his door.

Elizabeth sheepishly stepped into the seat in front of him as Darcy scooted back. Initially, this intimate pose had startled each, so much so, that words could not be uttered coherently. Neither had noticed how much time passed between them without movement or speech. But finally Darcy recollected himself, somewhat. For Elizabeth, however, the feeling was still mesmerizing as Darcy whispered instructions into her ear and guided her hands and feet. Neither could concentrate that much. But after an hour, they both came to a comfortable understanding and Elizabeth actually was able to drive with some ease. Even after the lesson had been learned, neither immediately removed themselves from their present position.

"How about some lunch?" asked Darcy, breaking the silence.

Elizabeth abruptly slammed on the brakes as he jarred her out of her concentration. "Uh, sure," she said quickly, as she pulled the manual brake. "I'm starving!"

Darcy helped her out by putting his hands around her waist and hoisting her up, neither wanted the moment to end, but so it did. Darcy drove to the drive-through window at the McDonald's near campus; they ordered, received their food and ate it in silence.

As he drove back to Randolph Hall, he finally spoke. "You did good."

She smiled. "Thanks."

"Do you want to do this again tomorrow?" Elizabeth nodded. "Do you think you'll be comfortable driving by yourself?"

"I think so."

Nothing else was said between the two as he dropped her off.

Darcy picked Elizabeth up on Monday and Tuesday and they both felt comfortable enough with her driving, and so with no further instruction, he dropped his car off at a shop near the airport. Darcy was only biding his time and waiting for the right moment to strike, because he noticed that Elizabeth stiffened every time he leaned in closer, or touched her, but most often she would just clam up. He surmised that he might have to come up with another plan, or one that wasn't so obvious.

Later that night, Elizabeth drove the car to the stadium to pick up Darcy after the teams' flight back to U of M.

"How'd you do?"

"Good," she said calmly and jumped over into the passenger seat.

Darcy tried talking to Elizabeth on the way back from the airport, but she hardly had anything to say, so he drove her back to her dorm and took off. Darcy wondered why Elizabeth was so standoffish lately and decided to postpone his advances, while Elizabeth wondered when Darcy was going to make his move on her and what she would do when it happened.

Elizabeth and Darcy saw each other every day and talked on the phone every day.

Darcy was confused at Elizabeth's cold, then friendly attitude towards him; he also wondered why her name seemed so familiar to him. He had so many women in the last six years that he lost count. He never could keep track of their names, so he called them endearing terms like, baby doll, sweetie, honey, etc. He hoped that Elizabeth wasn't one of the ones he had before and then tossed her aside, but since he could come up with no real conclusions and she had never mentioned anything, Darcy decided to press on with his plans.

Elizabeth was wise to Darcy's motives, but she thought that maybe, this time, it would be how she imagined.

The gossip on campus was that Darcy and Elizabeth were dating and that it was getting hot and heavy, because she was driving his car and that they only spoke in code to each other.

One night, the queen of gossip, Charlotte, called.

"Lizzy! You've been holding out on me, girlfriend!"

"Holding what, Char?"

"You and Will Darcy! Everybody's talking about it! How long has this been going on?!"

"Char, Will and I are friends. Only friends."

"That's not what's being said around the way. And Caroline is up in arms about the whole thing!"

"What does Caroline have to do with anything?"

"Star quarterback! Get with the program, Lizzy! You know she has plans. Lifetime plans! And she's declared war on you!"

"I'm not trying to mess up her plans. She can have him!" When I'm done!

"Come on Lizzy, you can tell me. I know you've been carrying a torch for this man for years and now you've got him right where you want him!"

"Char, honestly. I took his poster down at the beginning of the semester. Plus, he's better as a friend than he would be as a boyfriend."

"And how would you know that?" she cackled.

"Char, be serious. He's not at all interested in me and I am not interested in him! Plus, we're from two different worlds!" I hope that throws her off track!

"That's ridiculous, Lizzy!"

"That's the way I feel and nothing's going to change my mind! Did you call me for something else?"

"No."

"Okay then, goodbye." Elizabeth nearly slammed the phone down.

She angrily paced the room and cursed herself. Am I being foolish?! Yes I am! No I'm not! He would play me like a fool and then drop me like a hot potato. And I don't think I could handle it, twice! Elizabeth berated herself like this until a knock came to her door.

Elizabeth flung it open and there stood Darcy. "I hope you don't mind that I stopped by without calling?"

"N, no," she said trying to calm her nerves. "What brings you here? Don't you have a game to prepare for?"

"Yes I do... But I couldn't get you off my mind." Darcy could tell he had Elizabeth's attention because her eyes were wide open. "Have you heard the latest gossip?"

"It depends on which gossip you're talking about."

"The gossip about us." Elizabeth nodded and sat heavily down on the couch. "I just want you to know that I had nothing to do with it."

"I believe you," she whispered.

"Normally, the guys can't wait to hear my stories. But I haven't had any lately to tell. So they just started making them up. I tried to tell them, but..."

"But your reputation proceeds you."

Darcy sighed. "They're worse than women! But Caroline is worse than all of them!" Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "You know she only came here after she visited with Chip and saw me." Darcy shook his head. "And she's been hounding me ever since. She just doesn't understand! I've told her plenty of times that I'm not interested, but she keeps on chasing me! She's too flighty, spends way too much money, and she's so boring. All she ever talks about is me! But she can be downright mean too. I hate to be around her."

Yeah, and I'm sure you didn't turn her down when she offered either! "I've heard enough stories about her to make me weary of her."

"Lizzy, if she gives you any trouble, I mean... if you can't handle her and her friends, please tell me? She's chased off so many of my girlfriends, I can't even count!" Elizabeth raised her eyebrow. "I didn't mean it like that. But I still feel responsible..."

"Don't worry about me, Will. I can handle her." Elizabeth paused while Darcy paced the room. "We're supposed to be speaking in French you know?"

Darcy turned and laughed. "My mind is too muddled to think, let alone speak in French."

"But you've done so well in the past. Even when you were excited or upset or frustrated."

"I know, but this really pisses me off!"

"I appreciate your concern and I will let you know if gets a little too much for me to handle. But, I'm a fighter, not a quitter," Elizabeth said this in French.

Bingo! Now, I'll just reel her in! Darcy smiled, leaned in closer, and spoke French in return. "Yes, I believe you are a fighter. And I have every faith in your abilities," he smiled.

They talked a little more.

"What are you doing for Thanksgiving?"

"Going home. Why?"

"My family's coming up and I'd like you to meet them, especially my sister." Before Elizabeth could protest, Darcy spoke again. "I've already told them how you've helped me. They'd really like to meet you, Lizzy. Mom and Dad are going to Europe right afterwards and Gigi's going back home. Please?" I really want you to stay here with me! It would definitely give us some privacy!

"I, I can't, Will," said a shocked Elizabeth. "I promised to go home. I didn't get to see my sister at all during the summer. I was here and then when I went home for a week in August, she was already gone. I'm sorry."

Curses, foiled again! Darcy exhaled deeply. "Sure... Maybe next time."

Darcy soon afterwards left.

Caroline and her cohorts insulted and jeered Elizabeth whenever they had the opportunity to do so. They would bump into her, knock her books and papers from her hands, snicker as she passed them, or just plain call her names. For the most part, she ignored them, and whenever Darcy or Bingley came around Elizabeth, the girls pretended all was well.

Whenever there was a home game, Darcy would look up to the seats where he knew Elizabeth and Bingley were and would wave from the sidelines. Caroline, of course, was there also and she would wave frantically and blow kisses to him; Darcy would just shake his head, roll his eyes and turn around.

Meanwhile, Billy Collins would follow Elizabeth around and take mental notes of her friends; who she talked to, what made her laugh, what made her tick. He would use this knowledge, he thought, to woo her.

Elizabeth and Bingley knocked on Darcy's door. "Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, sweet Wills. Happy Birthday to you!" they sang together.

"Thanks guys," Darcy chuckled and hugged them both at the same time. "Come on in!"

Elizabeth looked around as she took a seat.

"I thought I told you to clean up in here?!" squawked Bingley.

"I did!" laughed Darcy.

"Here, we brought you a cake... Actually, Lizzy made it," said Bingley as he presented Darcy with a chocolate cake with chocolate icing.

Really?! "This is too much! I really appreciate it."

"This was all Lizzy's idea!" exclaimed Bingley.

"I just wanted to see the inside of your room, 'tis all," smiled Elizabeth.

"Well, here it is." Look around all you want, baby doll. Get used to it, by all means! "Shall I take you on a tour?" said Darcy and they all laughed.

That night the three friends, ordered pizza, ate cake, watched videos, laughed and talked till midnight. Bingley drove Elizabeth back to her dorm room.

Elizabeth loved being around her family; she helped her mother cook, watched the slew of games on TV with her father, and she and Jane talked as though they hadn't seen each other in years. They had many subjects to talk of, Jane's new boyfriend, Charlotte, Bingley, Caroline, and some of their old friends from the neighborhood; Jane knew that Elizabeth was avoiding one particular subject and decided to wait to ask her about it.

Darcy enjoyed having his family around; they got to see him play and win and Georgiana got to view the campus as one of her possible choices for college next year.

But his mother, Anne, could tell Darcy wasn't his normal sociable self. So this morning, the day they were to leave, she decided to pry. "What's wrong, honey?" she drawled in her best southern belle accent, as he walked into the kitchenette of the hotel they were staying in.

"Nothing Mom. Why do you ask?"

"Something's bothering you. A mother knows these things."

"It's nothing."

Mrs. Darcy knew that he had planned on bringing Elizabeth to meet them and saw how disappointed he was when he told them she went home instead. "I'm sorry your friend Lizzy couldn't make it. I would've like to have met her."

Darcy clanged the cup he was holding on counter top, although not turning around to face his mother. "Yeah," he said downheartedly. "She was really disappointed that she couldn't make it... I told her, maybe next time."

"That's right honey. There will always be a next time. We'll come back for your graduation and we'll meet her then."

Darcy smiled and finally turned to his mother. "That'll work!"

"She seems like such a nice girl, from what you've told us. I would hate to think that, just to meet us, we were taking her away from her family." Darcy smiled slightly. "Anyway, she sure would've been better company than that Caroline!"

They both laughed and Darcy hugged his mother. "I love you, Mom."

She kissed him on the cheek. "I love you too, baby boy. But I still feel that there's something you're not telling me... Are you in love with her?"

Darcy quickly backed up, eyes and mouth gaped open. "In love?! No! No. I just miss having her around. That's all. I mean, you know... we talk every day, we see each other almost every day. It's just that... Well, I miss her... That's all."

Anne Darcy said no more on the subject; the Darcy's soon afterwards left.

Darcy pondered on his conversation with his mother. Am I in love with her? Nah! Darcy didn't know what love was, not really. He'd said it a thousand times, to so many women, but it wasn't real, not like his parents.

"Has he asked you out yet?"

"Jane, as you know, we go out all the time. But just as friends," Elizabeth said the last sentence slowly to make her point.

"Look, this is me you're talking to, not Charlotte. You've been walking around here for the last 3 days like you're missing your other half."

Elizabeth gasped. "Am I that obvious?!"

"Only to me. Why don't you just get it over with?!" It's time!

"Oh, Jane, you know why! I don't want my heart broken. I can be satisfied just being his friend. That's all I want right now."

"Oh Lizzy, he doesn't seem the playboy you profess he is."

"I don't know Jane."

"I don't think he'd hurt you like..."

Elizabeth jumped from her seat. "Don't you ever mention that again!!! Not ever!!! Don't even insinuate it!!! You promised!!!"

Elizabeth ran out of the room in tears and headed straight for the bathroom; the mere thought of it threw her into a downward spiral of wretchedness, to the point of upheaval.

Jane said no more; she didn't even follow Elizabeth into the bathroom, knowing that she was inconsolable at this point and needed to calm herself, by herself.

Jane and Elizabeth each left for their respective campuses that afternoon.

Later that night, Darcy called Elizabeth. "Lizzy, how was your holiday?" said Darcy as he tried to sound cheerful.

"Good. How's your family?" Elizabeth did the same.

"Everybody's great! And yours?"

"Fine!" There was a long awkward pause. "Did Chip stay or go home?"

"Chip wouldn't miss my mother's cooking for the world!"

"Did Caroline come too?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "She tried everything in her power to make it look like we're going together, but my family's wise to her games. Gigi just rolls her eyes, my Mom always tries to calm her down and my Dad just ignores her."

"Well, that's good," she spoke in French.

"They can't wait to meet you, though," he returned in the language.

The rest of the conversation continued in French. "Did you tell them how sorry I was to miss their visit?"

"Yes. They're coming back up for my graduation."

"Wonderful!" Again, an awkward pause ensued. "We watched you play on Saturday. My father was very impressed."

"What about you?" he asked huskily.

"I'm always impressed," she whispered.

Really!!! He cleared his throat. "Really?"

"Yes. Do you doubt me?"

"Well... yes... You've never told me how I played before, even though I wanted you to."

"Actually, I try not to watch when you're in the game."

"Why?"

"I just can't bring myself to watch you get hit. I much prefer it when I don't know anyone that's playing, at least not as well as I know you."

Oh yeah! Come to papa! "Aw, that's sweet," he smiled through the phone.

"It's not sweet! I want to run down on the field and pound the defensive guy into the ground! And then I want to turn around and slap your offense around! But that's not too ladylike is it?"

Fiesty little thing! He laughed. "My Mom feels the same way. Dad says she curses the TV and writes down the player's numbers." They both laughed. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes. We have to study for your final."

"Are we going to talk to the Dean about next semester?"

"Yes. I should call for an appointment though. I'll call tomorrow."

"Okay. Well... goodnight, Lizzy."

"Night, Will."

Elizabeth called the Dean of Students and made an appointment for Thursday afternoon. She and Darcy met that afternoon, they laughed and talked in French and had a good time; although there was so much else they wanted to say to each other.

Darcy and Elizabeth met with the Dean of Students and pleaded their case for a continuance of their partnership through next semester. The Dean listened to their impassioned plea with great pleasure, although he had already made up his mind; he told them he would make his decision and it would be posted along with the rest of the partners. They were very hopeful. 'They parted ways when they left the Dean's office.

Caroline was spasmodic when she found out about Darcy's birthday celebration and decided to turn up the heat on Elizabeth, whenever she might find her alone. There she found her coming through the yard.

"So, Eliza! I hear you were in Will's room till almost morning after his birthday," she smirked.

Damn! This was turning out to be such a good day! "We left around midnight, Caroline," she tried to sound nonchalant.

"Oh that's not what I heard! I heard my brother left a drunken pair of lovers around midnight. He didn't want to be a part of any kinky stuff!"

"Caroline..." she said frustrated. "You can believe whatever you want. The three of us know the truth and that's all that counts."

"Look, you little nobody! You may have won the battle, but not the war! Wills is mine now and forever and I have no doubt in that matter! He's been known to pick up a stray kitten now and then and I normally forgive and forget. But you, you seem to be sticking around longer than usual. But don't worry, my dear, I have plans for you."

"Look, Caroline, you're wasting your time with me. I'm not interested in Will Darcy like that and even if I was, I'm not afraid of you or your friends," she glared. "And if you want to keep your claws nice and trim, you might prefer to pick on the little rabbits you're used to chasing away. But it won't work on me!"

Caroline grabbed her arm. "I'm not through with you yet, Eliza Bennet! I will use everything in my power to get him and I'll run over everything or anything in my way! And when I'm finished, you'll look the same, maybe flat-chested, but you'll be marked for life." And with that Caroline left, in a huff.

Elizabeth was in a much-agitated state, although she felt a bit triumphant at Caroline's expense. However, when she got to the library, she needed a release and decided to write.

She hoped the last part would come true.