Author's Note: Having just seen "Austenland" recently (seriously, how did I not know this cute little movie existed?), I had a continuation scene in my head that I really couldn't shake. I don't usually write romantic fluff, so this was a challenge for me. I may write more chapters if people are interested. Otherwise this might be considered a standalone. Oh, who am I kidding, I'll probably write more. Henry is too much fun NOT to write. Please feel free to leave me feedback! I love it.

ALSO, I hate that the filmmakers cut the "Awkwardly Entangled" scene between Jane and Mr. Nobley, so I pretended that it was put back in the film (it's on Youtube if you haven't seen it - trust me, it's adorable).

Dinners and Downpours

Jane looked in the mirror for the tenth time, then back to her friend sitting on her bed. "What about this one?"

Molly, who was knee deep in a pint of Jane's mint chip ice cream, shook her head. "I keep telling you, it doesn't matter. He's nuts about you. I could tell right away. And not just because I walked in on you guys like a couple of teenagers."

Jane blushed and turned back to the mirror. After Mr. Nobley's surprise arrival, confession, and subsequent kissing, her friend's expected arrival had gone completely out of her head. So when Molly showed up and executed an obvious cough, the two had broken apart. Jane had been mortified, but Nobley seemed to bounce back a little quicker. After a few pleasantries (including Jane's introduction of Molly to Nobley), she had walked him to the entrance of her apartment building.

He'd stopped at the top of the stairs and turned to her with a smile. "Well, that was interesting."

"I'm sorry. I called Molly before you showed up and I just…" she'd looked at him and grinned, "I got distracted."

He'd grinned and nodded. "So, do you two have plans for tonight?" Before she'd had a chance to respond, he'd continued, "Because I'd like to take you to dinner. Tonight, if you're free."

She'd smiled and nodded. He'd arranged to meet her at a restaurant around the corner called The Innsville, an elegant kind of pub that Jane only visited on special occasions, and only ever with Molly and her husband. Which is why she was now standing in front of her mirror, growing more and more frustrated at her selection of outfits.

Molly laughed and lifted another spoonful of ice cream to her mouth. "Seriously, go naked. Or in shorts and a t-shirt. I'm telling you, it doesn't matter."

Jane smiled but it faded when she looked back in the mirror. She thought of how elegant she'd felt being in those beautiful dresses in Austenland. How it had made her feel confident, sexy. She wanted some kind of nice outfit to wear, some suit of armor that made her feel secure.

Suddenly, fabric brushed against her and an arm crossed in front of her. Molly was holding up a red sleeveless dress in one hand and a short navy military jacket in the other. Both had the tags still on them.

Jane looked at the ensemble before looking at Molly in the mirror. "Are you sure? It's a little… bold?"

Molly grinned. "He's English. Trust me, he'll love it."

From the immediate look on Henry's face, Jane knew that Molly had been right. It was exactly how she'd always wanted an entrance to be - walking in, looking around, catching her date's glace, and her date doing a complete doubt take. He did nothing to hide his happiness as he pulled out her chair for her before sitting in his own.

"You look absolutely stunning."

She smiled and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly. "Thank you. So do you." He had changed into a dark blue dress shirt and tan jacket that looked well suited to his frame. It took Jane a moment to remember her train of thought. "And thank you for the dinner invitation," she added, unsure.

He smiled, biting his bottom lip for a moment. "It's my pleasure."

After surveying the menu and making their choices, they decided to skip an appetizer and go straight to the main course. Jane chose the salmon, Henry the steak.

The two then proceeded to make small talk. Jane asked Henry about being a history professor, Henry about Jane's friendship with Molly. It was then that Jane admitted that Molly was all she had. "My parents died just after I finished university. I'm an only child, and Molly's been my friend for years. Molly pretty much adopted me. That's why she's so protective. She's kind of like my mom, sister, and best friend all rolled into one."

Henry nodded. "I'm sorry to hear about your parents. I'm glad you have someone to look out for you."

"Do you have any family?"

"Yes. My mother lives in Wales. My father passed away a few years ago. My sister lives in Costa Rica - she's a marine biologist."

Jane nodded. "So you're both pretty accomplished people," she said.

Henry shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. I'd say we're both lucky that we get to do what we love for a living."

Jane was thankful that the food arrived at that moment. They continued small talk as they ate, talking mostly about Austenland. Jane asked Henry about the other men, how he'd gotten roped into it. He admitted that his aunt (who, it turns out, was his father's sister) had contacted both Henry and his mother in an effort to convince Henry to come. "At first, I'd considered possibly using the material to write an academic paper," he said, "Of course, once I arrived and saw how my aunt was really running it, well…" he trailed off.

Jane laughed. "Not up to your standards?"

Henry shook his head. "It's not that. It's… it was the theatricality of the whole thing. Austen never cared for theatrics. That's why her books are so timeless, so adaptable. They're real. She only wrote what she knew, what she'd experienced."

Jane nodded. "It's why she never wrote a scene between two men. She didn't know what men talked about when a woman wasn't present."

Henry grinned. "Exactly." Feeling warmed by his smile, Jane nodded at the response.

Jane was surprised how quickly dinner had passed, and before she knew it, the waiter was bringing the check. As a force of habit (and from her previous and disappointing dating experience), she reached for her wallet.

Henry held up a hand. "Please, I insist. This dinner was a small price to pay for getting to spend more time with you." Jane felt herself blush and hid a smile as Henry handed the waiter his card and paid for the meal.

After exiting the restaurant, Jane looked at Henry. "So… are you tired? I mean you must be jetlagged from your trip."

Henry studied Jane for a moment with a smile. Then it widened and Jane noticed again how he was biting on his bottom lip, a habit she was beginning to grow fond of. "Are you trying to get rid of me already? Just a quick dine and dash, as it were?"

Jane felt mortified. "No! No, of course not! I just- I was just-".

She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up into Henry's still smiling face. "Jane, I'm joking. To be honest, I am a bit tired. I didn't know how the whole 'showing up at your door' thing was going to go, so booked a room at some little bed and breakfast a few blocks away from your place. If you're up to a little exercise, I'd love to walk you back to your apartment."

Jane smiled and nodded. "I would love that."

With a smile, the two fell into step together, making their way down the sidewalks of the city. It was a quieter neighbourhood, and dusk was only beginning to fall. Jane wondered briefly if she should reach for Henry's hand. Was it too soon? Was she thinking too seriously too quickly?

More importantly, was this whirlwind actually real?

She thought again about what he had said to her back in the apartment. How she had it backward, that it was really her who was the fantasy. She was only just getting used to calling him Henry. He'd always been Mr. Nobley or just 'Nobley'. And even then, she hadn't realized that it was his real name until today.

Jane was deep in thought when she felt a drop on her head. She was about to say something when Henry spoke first. "I have to admit, this is very different from London. Usually the streets would still be busy with people. I sometimes feel that nobody in London enjoys their house because nobody seems to like being at home."

"I think it's quiet because everyone likes sticking to the main, busier roads. There's only smaller businesses here. Most people like their Starbucks and their fancy clothing stores and their pricey restaurants all next to each other."

"But not you." His voice was full of warmth.

Jane shook her head. "No," she said, smiling. "Not me."

They turned the corner and Jane felt another drop. She was about to say something when the skies opened up and the occasional drip turned into a full downpour. With a squeal, her and Henry began to run, looking for somewhere to shelter.

Jane spotted a covered dining area that opened into an alleyway. She turned to tell Henry but didn't realize just how close he was. Henry bumped right into her, barely managing to catch her in time as she lost her balance from the momentum of his bump.

"Are you all right?" he asked her, his voice practically drowned out by the rain.

Jane laughed, nodding. Then, grabbing his hand, she pulled him into the gated dining area and through to the covered alleyway. Although the rain continued to pound, the alleyway was covered to allow for the overflow of diners, as well as provide the employees a place to smoke that was safe from the elements.

Jane wiped her hair out of her face. They hadn't gotten as wet as they could have, but neither were they dry. She was thankful it was summer. The humidity would keep them warm. She caught Henry smiling as he looked out at the rain.

"Is something funny?"

He nodded and motioned out into the downpour. "This was what it was doing when I left England. It probably followed me here, cheeky storm." His gaze flickered back from Jane to the rain but when they fell back to Jane, they stayed there, studying her.

She looked at him for a long moment, trying to keep her eyes from flickering down to his lips. She wasn't sure if he noticed, but he finally broke the silence with a smile and said "What? Is something wrong?"

Jane shook her head. "No, no. I was just… I was just remembering something." At the widening of his smile and the cocking of an eyebrow, she laughed. "It's embarrassing."

He laughed. "What, more embarrassing than me practically falling on you just now?"

Jane smiled up at him. "Actually, it's what it reminded me of. Do you remember the day-"

"-Yes," he answered definitively.

She looked at him, puzzled. "You don't even know what I was going to say."

"It doesn't matter," he said, "I'll remember. I remember every day I shared with you. Every moment is burned into my brain. I can't tell you how many times I've replayed them all in my head over the last few weeks." He brushed a strand of hair out of her face and let his hand linger, tracing his finger lightly down her jawline and under her chin before lowering his hand. "I'm sorry, you were asking if I remember the day."

She grinned, his words having made her feel bolder. "Do you remember the day-" she paused at his smile before continuing, "-when we were rehearsing for the play, and we became, um…" she trailed off, trying to think of the term she had used.

He smiled and she could have sworn his cheeks now had a pink tinge to them. "I believe the phrase you used was 'awkwardly entangled'," he said, fidgeting slightly before continuing, "But yes, I definitely remember that day… and that moment."

Jane felt her bravery falter but pressed on. "I think… that's when I knew. That's when I knew that I wanted…" she trailed off, but from the look in Henry's eyes, she knew he understood. "I realized when we pulled away just how badly I wanted you to kiss me… and I wanted to kiss you."

Henry's gaze stayed locked on Jane's. Then, his mouth broke into a smile. "Well then, I believe an apology is in order," he said, his voice dropping, "Allow me to make amends." Raising a hand to cup the side of her face, Henry lowered his mouth and kissed her.

The kiss was soft and gentle, and Jane was immediately transported back into her apartment earlier when Henry had kissed her. She had responded and allowed him to lead, still so unsure of where this was going.

Now, she knew what she wanted, who she wanted. And he was kissing her.

Fuelled by a passion she didn't know she had, she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, sliding her hands between his shirt and his jacket. She felt Henry smile against her lips and slid his hand up into her damp hair, giving himself better access. Feeling bold, Jane pressed against him again. Unprepared, Henry stumbled backwards slightly, Jane pinning him against the brick wall behind him, not breaking the kiss.

She'd wanted this for so long, someone to love, someone who loved her back. Now she had it, had him. She'd be damned if she was going to miss out on any chance to show him.

Henry was keeping pace. Every time Jane pressed her lips to his, he met her with equal force. Bravely, Jane gently licked his bottom lip, asking for permission. She was pleased to hear him groan as she entered. She felt his hands slide down to her hips, pulling her closer to him, as if there was any space left unfilled. Jane left nothing within herself, pouring every emotion, every pleasant memory she'd had with him, into that kiss. Henry, in turn, seemed to be doing the same.

Jane finally broke away, needing to come up for air. Closing her eyes, she took deep breaths, the cool, damp air filling her lungs, her heart thudding. She felt Henry's chest rise and fall under her hand, his chin resting gently on top of her head. A joy unlike anything she'd ever felt before spread in her chest and she looked up at him with a smile. He smiled down at her through heavy lids, exhausted and thoroughly pleased.

He took a breath and gave her a little nod. "Like I said… you are my fantasy."

Jane smiled as he gave her a few more gentle kisses. Content, she leaned into him, breathing in his scent.

"I'm so happy you came after me," she said.

She felt a small laugh bubble in his chest beneath her ear. "Me too," he said. Growing aware of the world around them again, Jane noticed the rain had stopped just as Henry said it. Straightening, she said, "I guess we better keep walking then."

Jane led them out of the alleyway and the two fell into step again on the sidewalk. They had only taken a few steps when she felt Henry's hand slip into hers. Lacing their fingers, they continued their walk along the wet sidewalks.

Jane took a deep breath, exhaling the fresh wet scent that the rain had left behind. "I love the smell after it rains."

"It's called petrichor," said Henry, "Although the term 'petrichor' specifically refers to the reaction between the soil and the rain, which is what releases the refreshing scent. Not so much concrete, I guess."

Jane shook her head at him. "Well well, look who's a smarty pants, Mr. Professor of History."

Henry laughed, a sound that Jane hadn't heard from him before. It was gorgeous. She wished she could make him do it again. "While I have heard the term in lectures before, that's not actually where I learned it," said Henry.

"Where did you learn it?"

He smiled at her sheepishly. "Doctor Who."

Jane blinked. "The tv show with the blue box?"

He did nothing to hide his pleased surprise. "Correct! Although I shouldn't be surprised. Doctor Who is supposed to be very popular over here now. But I didn't peg you for a fan.

"Oh no, I don't watch it at all. But I follow David Morrisey on Twitter. You know, the guy who played Colonel Brandon in the 2008 version of Sense and Sensibility. Anyway, he was apparently in an episode of Doctor Who. He talked about it. It sounds interesting. He seemed excited, anyway."

Henry laughed again and gave Jane's hand a playful squeeze. "I think you're more of an Englander at heart than an American."

"That's probably true."

Jane slowed her pace. Henry noticed and followed suit. They had reached her apartment building. Silently, Jane climbed the steps, still holding Henry's hand. Realizing she had to get her key out of her purse, she let go, immediately missing the contact. Fumbling around, she found it. Gripping her key tightly in her hand, she looked up at Henry.

"Did you… did you want to come up?"

Henry smiled down at her. "I think it's best that I go, for now. But I will call on you tomorrow. Is that all right?"

She nodded. "Of course."

Henry smiled. Leaning in, he gave her a long, soft kiss. Breaking the kiss, he whispered gently into her ear. "Good night, Jane. And know that the next time you ask me, I may not have the willpower to refuse you."

Jane smiled as he pulled away, his obvious gaze confirming his words. Making his way down the steps, he turned and gave her a slight bow. "Until tomorrow then."

"Until tomorrow."

Then, forcing herself to come back down to reality, she gave him one last smile, opened the door to her building and passed through.

Author's Note: If you liked it, please take a moment to leave me a review! :)