This is my very first fic, so we'll see how it goes. Shouldn't be too bad :)

I wasn't going to explain what oxytocin is, but then I remembered a conversation in college and realized not everyone grows up with physicians in the family. Darcy's statement is accurate if incomplete - it's a hormone that triggers positive emotions like love and trust, and it's stimulated by any touch (hugging, shaking hands, etc) but especially by orgasm, childbirth, and breastfeeding. It's responsible for mother-baby bonding, among other things.

Several bits of this are based on my own marriage - my husband shifts his arm when I put my head on his shoulder, I love being "claimed" for dance (we took a class together and the teacher kept reminding us to let our husbands come to us and let them lead. Pretty sure I was the only one who listened though), and the movie they watch is Music and Lyrics, which we watched on our wedding night because we were too tired to think.

I've never even heard of honey walnut shrimp. Of course, I keep kosher and I'm allergic to walnuts, so that may be my fault.

(There's likely to be a couple more chapters; beyond that we'll see.)

xXx

She kissed him and kissed him, and he kissed her, and all was right with the world. His arms were around her and she was running her fingers through the crisp hair at the nape of his neck and their knees were tangled up awkwardly but it didn't matter. She gasped and arched her back as his lips made their way to her throat and his hand came around to cup her breast and...he stopped.

She opened her eyes and looked at him, gasping. He looked worried and uncomfortable again. What had happened? Had he remembered some other problem?

"Do you...actually want to have sex?" he asked. "Because if you don't we should take a break."

"I..." Lizzie wasn't at all sure how to respond. She did want him, badly, but she was also dimply aware that she was mentally and emotionally exhausted, and possibly not thinking very clearly. "Do you want it?" she asked.

"I do want you, of course I do," he answered, reaching out to stroke her cheek with his thumb, "but I don't want to do anything either of us regrets. And my father always told me that oxytocin only makes emotions harder to process."

"Oxytocin?"

"It's a hormone that bonds people, especially during sex. Actually I think it might get stimulated by any touch, but...I don't remember the details. But that's why people fall in love with people they have sex with."

"Oh. I don't think I'd regret it exactly, but it's true that I'm pretty tired." She sat back, suddenly feeling cold. She wrapped her arms around herself.

Darcy scooted closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry. Is there something else you want to do?"

Lizzie leaned her head against his shoulder. He shifted his arm slightly, so that she was pillowed on his muscle instead of the hard bone. She sat contentedly for a moment, letting her mind wander, and then something occurred to her.

She picked her head up. "There is, actually. I want proof of something."

He looked nervous. "What do you want proof of?"

"Fitz and Gigi and Bing have all mentioned what an excellent dancer you are, but I can't say I've seen any evidence of it."

He laughed. "You have no idea how nervous I was that day. You were so pretty, and you looked so annoyed, and I didn't know the song..." he trailed off, shaking his head.

"I was annoyed because of my mother's scheming. I...guess she was right, though. How freaky is that?" She looked so taken aback by this realization that he leaned forward and kissed her.

He stopped, and she smiled, and he kissed her some more.

"Okay," he gasped a few minutes later, sitting back. "Dancing. Why don't you move the bench while I find some music." He stood up and pushed the couch towards the wall, then walked over to her laptop.

"Is there enough room here?" Lizzie asked. The den wasn't large.

"I think so," he replied absently, scrolling through YouTube videos. He noticed that she was standing next to him. "No, go sit down on the couch. The lady has to wait for the gentleman to come to her."

"Since when?" Lizzie replied indignantly.

"Come on, Lizzie, it's part of the game. I know it seems condescending..."

Lizzie snorted.

"...and at one time it was, of course, but for you and me, it's part of the game. And it's a part I happen to like."

Lizzie eyed him suspiciously, but she took a few steps back and stood by the couch.

Darcy smiled at her and started the song he'd selected. The opening bars of "Fly Me To The Moon" started to play. He straightened and walked towards her, smiling into her eyes, and then took her hands and pulled her into his arms.

It was odd to wait and let him claim her, but she had to admit - it was actually pretty sexy.

He moved them into a waltz, turning slowly in the small space. Lizzy focused on her footwork at first, but then found it was easier to dance if she just relaxed and followed his lead. He smiled down at her and pulled her close. As she got better at moving with him, he gradually lengthened his steps, and by the end of the song they were twirling around and around. Lizzie laughed with delight at the wonderful flying sensation.

The song ended, and he pulled her close and kissed her again. "Am I vindicated?" he asked.

Lizzie grinned. "Completely, sir. That was fun!"

"I'm glad."

There was a knock at the door.

They paused, and realized that the house was completely silent.

Darcy smiled. "I believe that is your Chinese."

Lizzie gasped, "Charlotte! I completely forgot..."

"I'm pretty sure she and Lydia left a while ago. I heard the door close. Shall I get the food?"

"Sure. Thanks. I hope you like honey walnut shrimp." Lizzie felt vaguely disoriented. It didn't seem possible that she was still in the real world with normal people.

"I don't think I've had it before. Sounds delicious," he replied as he went to the door.

Lizzie moved over to the couch while Darcy paid for the food, adding a generous tip. He brought the bag back in and started unpacking it.

"Where can I find plates?" he asked.

"Plates?"

"Yes, for serving the food."

"Oh, so the bourgeoisie don't eat it out of the carton like us peasants. Fancy that."

"Oh." He looked uncertain again, then shrugged. "I suppose that creates a rather picnic-like atmosphere."

Lizzie grinned. "Sure it does. Come and eat."

They sat down and sorted out containers and chopsticks.

"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" Lizzie offered.

"That sounds nice. Did you have anything in mind?" Darcy disentangled himself to pull the bench over and set the laptop on it.

"Not really. There's a bunch of DVDs in the hall closet if you want to go look."

"That means being away from you. I'll find something on Netflix." Darcy logged in and started paging through the suggestions.

They settled on a silly chick flick and curled up on the couch together.

Once she finished her food, Lizzie closed her eyes and leaned against Darcy, and suddenly felt enormously tired.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"I'm just tired. I've been on edge for so long, first with Lydia's problem and then wondering if I'd ever see you again, and now you're here and I can finally relax and it's all catching up with me. I haven't been sleeping well, either. I've just been too wired."

"I haven't been sleeping well either. I expect I shall, tonight. Do you want me to leave so you can go to bed?"

"No, stay," she responded, wrapping her free arm around his stomach. "I just want you here."

He pulled her closer, his face softened as he looked down at her gleaming hair against his chest. "I'll stay as long as you want me."

Lizzie sighed happily.

A few minutes later, Darcy realized that Lizzie had fallen asleep on him. He pulled the blanket down from the back of the couch and arranged it over her, then settled her comfortably in his arms. The movie was pleasant enough, but soon he also fell asleep.