Elizabeth

Elizabeth couldn't take it anymore. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. She would dance with Wickham, Jane would dance with Bingley, perhaps Bingley would even propose. But no, her family chose to seize every possible opportunity to look ridiculous! Mr. Collins had stepped on her toes several times almost ruining her slippers, her mother was crass, her two youngest sisters had clearly been drinking and flirted openly with every officer they saw, Mary exhibited her 'talent' on the pianoforte for far too long, and then, as if that were not enough, her father chose to remove Mary in such a way that it was obvious to all the world that she was humiliated.

Only she and Jane had behaved themselves and if she were honest, Elizabeth had to admit that she had been rude out of spite to both Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy. But who could blame her? Caroline Bingley was pretentious and haughty coming over to give her 'advice' about Wickham. As if she had any right! And Mr. Darcy! What was he about? He asked her to dance, and then he had barely spoken - as usual. When he did speak, it was as if he was pained to do so. However, his anger at the mention of Wickham proved that she had hit the mark! He clearly did not like being reminded of his misdeeds in that arena.

Needing air, Elizabeth stepped out onto the balcony and sipping her glass of punch stared up at the night sky. The cool air was refreshing and she felt her temper ebb slightly. Without realizing it, her thoughts took her back to her dances with Mr. Darcy. He truly was an excellent dancer. He must have had the finest tutors. In fact, she couldn't truly think of any faults in his manners, other than at the assembly. Since then, he had not been as amiable as Mr. Bingley but he was not officious beyond what one might expect from his set. However, she couldn't seem to accurately sketch his character. She heard so many varying accounts of him. Wickham had told her his tale of woe and she had seen how they acted toward each other that day in Meryton. Would Mr. Bingley choose to befriend a man who could be so cruel as Lt. Wickham had said? The fact that Mr. Bingley's fortune was from trade didn't seem to bother Mr. Darcy at all. What did that say about the man? Perhaps he was less stodgy than she thought. Charlotte seemed to think he was perhaps just uncomfortable around new people; that he in fact, liked Elizabeth very much but was unsure how to act around her.

Looking up at the numerous stars always brought Elizabeth peace. They reminded her how small she was and how her problems meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. When she saw a shooting star she closed her eyes and made her wish: "I wish, just once, I could understand why some people (thinking of Mr. Darcy) act the way they do." Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath, smoothed her hair to undo any damage caused by the breeze, and returned to the ballroom.

Darcy

Darcy just needed to escape the ball for five minutes. Then he could trust himself to return and be civil to Bingley's guests. 'Why? Why do I have this ridiculous need to gain her approval? Miss Elizabeth Bennet is not for me. Yes, she may be beautiful - not in the classical sense but in an intelligent, beguiling way that I cannot ignore - but her family! Egad, they're atrocious. Never in my life have I witnessed so many breaches of propriety go unchecked. The mother, the sisters, even tonight her father behaved in a way I cannot not countenance. As if that were not enough, her smarmy cousin waltzed right up to me and began speaking some nonsense about my Aunt Catherine as if we were old friends. We have not even been introduced! Can you imagine?'

'Despite all that, I want her. I want to know her innermost thoughts, I want to hear her laugh, see her smile, walk with her in the gardens at Pemberley, hold her in my arms and... enough of that. I will not be fit for company if I allow my thoughts to travel that road.'

'Despite my efforts to get to know her by listening to her conversations, our little friendly debates, I feel as though I am no closer to understanding her than when we met. It is as if she rebels against my every attempt to get close to her. I am utterly confounded. Never has a woman even disagreed with me, much less thrown barbs at me as she did tonight. I can only hope that Wickham has not gotten his hooks into her. Even if she never loves me, I could not rest knowing he may do her harm.'

Staring blankly out the window, he noticed a flash of light. 'Ah, a shooting star.' Without really thinking about it, he made a wish. "I wish I knew what makes Miss Elizabeth tick."

Hearing the door open behind him. He turned and saw that it was only Charles, "Ah, there you are Darcy! Come back out to the ball. I'll not have you hiding away while I am host!" With that, he rejoined the mass of people crowding the ballroom of Netherfield. "What I won't do for a friend."