Different Strokes

Oxford Train Station
January 2004

"Is it bad that I'm happy to see her go back?" Lizzy asked Will tiredly.

"It's perfectly normal. I'm dreading having to see Davies again."

Lizzy groaned. "I'd forgotten about him. It's such a mess!"

Darcy embraced her, with a soft kiss on the forehead. "Thank God I met you. I can't imagine having to deal with this kind of the thing."

Lizzy looked up at him. "I really can't imagine you would ever be in this kind of mess."

"No, I suppose not," he laughed. "I'd just be single and grumpy."

"And instead you're in love and grumpy!" She kissed his nose.

"Cheeky! Don't you want a cookie?"

"I still get one if I'm cheeky! Millie's Cookies are a given when you come to the train station!"

"Well then we better get you one, I suppose."

Once they were munching on their treats, he brought the subject back round to Jamie. "I think you're right. I'm finding this hard to deal with because I don't understand how they've ended up like this."

"You mean, Jane cheating?"

"In part, but that wasn't planned so it's the least confusing thing really. I don't know why she chose to stay with Greg if she loves Jamie. Or why Davies is with Gemma. The open relationship thing is completely beyond me, especially after that disaster with Caroline. I feel like they've deliberately chosen the most painful way to go about things."

"I know what you mean. I'm glad Jane is talking to me again, but I did struggle not to shout at her this last week. You know she's going to try to get Greg back?"

"What?! Why?"

"She says she loves them both. She doesn't trust Jamie, thinks her relationship with Greg is healthier."

"Well it is, I suppose, but that's hardly a recommendation."

"No, I told her I thought she'd be better off single but I can't force her to do what I think is best, not from 200 miles away."

"160..." murmured Will.

"Huh?"

"Oh, I was just saying that Exeter is more like 160 miles away."

"Really?!"

"Sorry, bad habit." He looked sheepish. "You're right, we can't make them choose wisely. I think I just need to be Davies' friend and hope it doesn't all fall apart again."

"Yeah."

-x-

Headington
Later that day.

Lizzy wrapped her arms around Thom and kissed the bald spot in the middle of his head.

"You ok Daddy? You seem sad."

"It's this business with Jane. I don't like her being so far away at the moment."

"I think it might be best Dad, her and Jamie need to be separated."

"Do they? I rather think they'd be better off together. Separation seems to be the problem."

"Hmm, maybe you're right. But there's not much we can do about it."

"Maybe she could transfer to Brookes?"

"But the Exeter course is the best one! Jane was so happy to get in. And Jamie will be sitting his finals soon; he won't even be in Oxford in a few months."

"I suppose you're right, darling." Thom sighed. "I'm glad I don't have to trouble myself over you at least."

"Because I'm so wonderful?" teased Lizzy.

"And modest!" laughed her father. "But mainly because you've been a good girl and stayed with the man I picked out for you." He winked.

"Picked out?!" cried Lizzy, with (mostly) mock indignation.

"Yes," replied Thom snugly, "before you were even born. There was a verbal contact with his father."

"Dad, you're so silly."

"You mean I'm right."

"Hmph", Lizzy crossed her arms.

"You know he asked for my blessing?"

"He what?!"

"Last week, Will came in, serious as you please, and told me he has honourable intentions, and asked for my blessing."

Lizzy snorted, "Honourable intentions?"

"He didn't use that phrase, but that was the gist."

"What did he say?" Lizzy was intrigued.

"None of your business, Missy! It's between us men." Thom responded, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I see you don't mind his presumption."

"No, Daddy. I love Will. I know I'll marry him some day. I'm surprised he asked you now I suppose, but not upset."

"He's a good boy. He wanted to reassure me, in light of what happened with Jane. He didn't want me to have any concerns about you. It was all very sweet... but I'll deny I said that if you tell anyone!"

Lizzy laughed. "I'll keep your secrets, don't worry."

"I don't think I need to worry, darling. You've got a good one. You'll be very happy together."

"I know Dad, I'm very lucky."

"Yes, you are. And so is he." He kissed her forehead. "Now, go help your Mum with dinner, there's a good girl."

xXx

New College Porters' Lodge, Oxford
February 2004

*high pitched squeal*

"Jesus Lizzy! You nearly burst my eardrums."

"Sorry! I'm excited."

"What could be that exciting in a pidge?"

"Will left me a Valentine."

"Aren't you a little old to be that happy about a card? And it's only the twelfth."

"No, I'm excited about the gift. He's left me an itinerary. We're going to a posh hotel in London for the weekend!"

"Wow, he's really pulling out the stops. Doesn't he want to have it with his Nan again?" Alice giggled.

"Oh, it wasn't that bad."

"It was! It was 'fancy hotel in London to make up for it' bad."

"Oh, shush you! Let me enjoy it."

"Some of us will be spending the weekend doing laundry. Let me take the piss, it's all I have!" Alice flung her arm over her face, sighing dramatically.

"You could live vicariously?" suggested Lizzy.

"Alright then, what's he planned?"

-x-

The next afternoon, Will and Lizzy took the Oxford Tube down to London, and checked into their hotel. Their weekend included a comedy club night, touring the Tower of London, a romantic dinner and drinks on the South Bank, and afternoon tea at Harrods. Lizzy felt very spoiled and rewarded Will accordingly. Will was very glad he had booked a hotel this year.

xXx

New College, Oxford
March 2004

Lizzy was curled up on the window seat in her room, absorbed in her book. Darcy paused in the doorway, leaning up against the jam, enjoying watching her. His heart was full of her. She was so beautiful. It made him catch his breath to think how lucky he was to be loved by her. She obviously sensed his presence, because she looked up, her face breaking into a wide smile.

"Hello you."

"Hello sweetheart."

He walked over to her and she reached up for him.

"You are adorable in your glasses."

"Why do you love them so much? They're only reading glasses?"

"I don't know. You look cute in them. I love you just as much with no glasses."

"I love you too."

They kissed for a little while, then Darcy lay down on the window seat with his head in her lap.

"This really is a ridiculous room." It was huge and looked out over the croquet lawn on the new quad. The window seat was the crowing feature.

"It's not my fault you I ended up in an overflow room."

"Only in Oxford would this be considered a runner up option."

"Only because there's no kitchen. But luckily for me, I have a boyfriend that can cook for me."

"And what do I get in return?"

"My wonderful company and a share of my window seat."

"You are pretty wonderful."

Lizzy pushed his curls back from his forehead.

"You're pretty wonderful yourself. We're clearly meant to be."

"I don't know what I did to deserve you."

She smiled down on him.

"You're you."

The crazy part, thought Darcy, was that she really believed this. She thought she was the lucky one. He clearly had a guardian angel.

"Do you have a busy afternoon?"

"Not really, just some reading to do."

"So I can stay?"

"Of course. Are you ok?"

"I missed you."

"Now who's adorable?"

"Well I did! The library is no fun without you. It's full of boring finalists."

"You're a boring finalist, love."

"That's why I need you! Go back to reading. Let me just lie here and look at you."

"You're a soppy sod, Will Darcy."

"Yep!" he agreed proudly, with a huge grin. She had to laugh.

They spend the rest of the afternoon cuddled up together, just enjoying the peace. Lizzy loved these days the most, when nothing special happened, and yet it was a special day just because they were together.

xXx

MSN Messenger
March 2004

JD1982: Can we meet up when you're back at home?

TheOtherBennetGirl: Jamie I don't think it's a good idea, it would upset Greg.

JD1982: But it's ok to talk?

TheOtherBennetGirl: That's different

JD1982: Not to me. I don't know why you're with him anyway.

TheOtherBennetGirl: Are you still sleeping with Gemma? Or anyone else?

...

JD1982 is offline.

xXx

Easter Vac 2004

Headington

"I'm sorry Jane," Lizzy said with some exasperation, for what felt like the millionth time, " but I don't understand why are you so hung up on Jamie if you've decided you don't want to be with him."

"It's not that simple Lizzy!" Jane huffed. "You've got it easy being with Will every day, you don't get it."

"I know Jane, but I'm trying to. I hate seeing you hurt yourself like this."

"I'm not doing it on purpose!"

"You are choosing this path though. Remember when you told me I was getting in my own way over Will? This feels the same, to me."

"But that had a solution!" Jane wailed.

"So does this, you just don't like it." her sister replied sternly. "You are being unfair to Greg, you can't be talking to Jamie behind his back."

"I tried not to but I can't help it!"

"Then break up with Greg and give it a go with Jamie."

"I can't be without a boyfriend at uni, it doesn't work for me. I'll do something stupid. And I don't trust Jamie."

"Well you can't keep on like this either Jane. I'm worried about you."

"I won't see Jamie while I'm home, that's a start, right?"

Lizzy gave her a hug.

"I suppose so."

-x-

Meanwhile, in Jericho...

"I just think it's strange that you're not going home for Easter, that's all. It's not because of Jane, is it?"

"No! Course not! It's finals, like everyone else. I need all the practice I can get. It's easier here."

"Ok. Well, you're welcome at mine if you need a break. Nan would love a chance to fatten you up!" Darcy laughed, but his eyes were still suspicious.

"Mate, seriously, it's not about Jane. You don't need to warn me off."

"You know that isn't it, Davies. I'm worried about you both."

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm fine."

"Are you?"

"Yes. I don't need you using your psychology bullshit on me."

"It's not bullshit..." Davies gave him a look. Darcy held his hands up. "Alright."

They sat in silence for a bit. Darcy tried again.

"I just don't understand why you can't make a decision either way."

"I don't want to lose Jane, but the timing is off."

"Is Jane yours to lose? She's with Greg."

"She wouldn't be if she was still in Oxford."

"And so then you wouldn't be doing this open relationship thing?"

"Why do you have such a problem with it? Gemma is fine with it."

Will sighed. "Look, it's not something I could ever do. I don't even get why you would want to cheat..."

"It's not cheating!" Davies interjected, angrily.

"Sorry, sorry, I meant to say it would feel like cheating to me. Even if Lizzy and I weren't together, I wouldn't want to be with anyone else but her. I know, intellectually, that you and Gemma have agreed to it. I just don't get it emotionally."

"Do you have to?"

"I suppose not. No." Darcy thought for a bit. "If you were happy, I don't think I'd be worried. It's because you're both unhappy. That's my real problem. I don't think it's good to be with Gemma, when you're hung up on Jane."

"Gemma is fine with it. I'm not doing anything wrong. If anyone is, it's Jane."

"That's not what I mean though. That's a different mess. Forget about Jane, I'm talking about you. I think this open relationship thing is just so you can avoid having a proper, serious relationship with anyone else. You won't ever move on from Jane if you insist on keeping your options open."

"Maybe I don't want to move on."

Darcy gave up. He promised himself that he really would leave them to it from now on.

-x-

Summertown

"Come on Will, tell me where you've hidden them!"

"Where I've hidden them? What do you mean Georgie? The Easter Bunny brings your eggs."

"Will! I'm not a baby!" Georgie stamped her foot and rolled her eyes. "I know it's you! Lizzy will you tell me?"

"Nope! I don't even know where they are, "laughed Lizzy. "You know, Thomas was able to find all his by himself this morning."

"Hmph! That's only because your mum hides them inside! He told me. He gets them in his cornflakes! The garden is much harder."

"Tell you what, I'll race you. But I eat what I find!"

Lizzy ran off, with Georgie shrieking behind her. "Nooooooo! They're mine!" They were soon giggling together.

Will joined his Nan on the garden bench and watched them with a huge smile on his face.

"Your Lizzy is good for her."

"She's amazing" agreed Will.

"Your Dad used to look at your Mum exactly the same way. It does my old heart good to see you so happy. They'd love her, you know."

"Thanks Nan." Will put his arm around her, tears in his eyes. "That means a lot."

"I love her too."

"Everyone does."

"Will you give her your Mum's ring, do you think?"

"Nan!" laughed Will, "there's plenty of time for that."

"Well just be careful there's no babies before then! I know what you Darcy men are like. Oooh, the stories I could tell you about your Grandad!"

"Nan! Please! My poor innocent ears!"

Mary cackled. "Nothing innocent about those looks you give Lizzy, my darling."

Will was still bent double with laughter when Georgie bounded up with her basket full of eggs.

xXx

MerytonMiss, as promised, glasses in honour of your daughter.

-x-

Regarding open relationships. I'm not judging here. I believe consenting adults can make their own choices. In Jamies' case, I am using the idea in an unhealthy way - as Will says, it's an avoidance technique, not a life choice. Jamie is my Bingley character, and Bingley is hung up on Jane but not willing to commit either. I wanted to show a modern version of that, and I like the contrast between these two and ODC's strong, healthy relationship.

-x-

Oxford/UK terms

Millie's Cookies: a chain that serve giant cookies. I loved these as a teenager!

Brookes: Oxford Brookes, another university based in Oxford.

Pidge: Pidgeon hole, where post goes.

Oxford Tube: Coach service running hourly from Oxford to London. Leaves from High St, which is just behind New College, about a 5 minute walk. Cheaper and nicer than the train, very popular with students.

Finalist: Student in the last year of their undergraduate degree, which is mainly the third year (like Darcy), but fourth year for some degrees. The end of year/end of degree exams are called Finals.