Previous Section, Section II
Jump to new as of May 2, 2001
Jump to new as of May 8, 2001
Jump to new as of August 30, 2001
Aubrey Fitzwilliam made his way up to his flat only to find her eyes streaked of tears and clothes draped over utterly everything in the flat. Once seeing him, Jen looked at him in relief and immediately hugged him. As she led him inside the flat, and much to his relief sat down. He observed the room he sat in and commented to her, "Did a tornado hit?"
She nodded to him and said, "Well, what did you expect?"
"But, the Godfather tapes are still intact, aren't they?" Aubrey tried to joke with her, but feeling just as much anguish at the moment as she was. She groaned and sent him a disgusted look, "Yes, but can't you think of anything else, Abe?"
Aubrey sat down and adjusted his glasses while remarking to her, "I am just as upset as you are, Jen."
"Then, why don't you show it?" Jen shot back quickly at him, while narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "Or did you have him killed off? Jealous of him, were you, eh?"
Aubrey stood up with astonishment on his face while looking at her in surprise, but managed to say, "What ever gave you that impression? He was my brother, and I loved him dearly. Sometimes, I disagreed with him, but I always loved him."
This speech caused Jen's face to soften up quickly while looking down, "I am sorry, it is just hard to trust anyone anymore. There are so many things that are wrong in this picture."
"Such as?"
"I don't know," she remarked her eyes glazed over concentrating then adding, "Aubrey, I'm smart, right? I'm just trying to figure out how I missed this. I could have prevented this somehow."
"Smart, yes," Aubrey nodded quickly, but then added softly. "You are also very innocent, dear."
"Do you have a basketball?" Jen said abruptly and Aubrey went into his closet and immediately threw it at her which she caught easily admiring the easy curves of the ball, while bouncing it up or down. Thinking to herself she shot the ball through the basketball hoop inside of Aubrey's flat. Biting her lip and sticking her tongue out she asked, "Want to play horse?"
Aubrey nodded and put his hands out to catch the ball as she passed it to him. So many games of basketball and horse had passed between the two of them. He cleared his throat and looked at her brotherly and said while concentrating on the basket, "So, what are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure," Jen said briskly as the watch the ball pass through the hoop with a happy swish. As the ball it the floor, she ran to it with child-like devotion, and ran back to Aubrey's spot. She thought and narrowed her blue eyes as she concentrated on the basket, "I thought about leaving London."
"And going where?" He asked her, his eyes on her face now. "I don't know the whole situation, but I don't feel safe you leaving without me."
Jen raised her eyebrows and sighed as the ball met the basket once again, and as it passed through the hoop she turn to look at him, defeated, "You can't protect me forever, Aubrey."
"I certainly can try," he commented to her. He then, raised his eyebrows when a thought passed through his mind, "Does he know?"
Jen looked away from him and started at the basketball intently trying to avoid the question, "What do you mean?"
Aubrey folded his arms and said quite gruffly, "Don't you dare give me that! You know that your own father deserves to know what is happening to you, don't you think?"
Jen sighed and said bluntly, while making another basket, "I'm not a baby anymore, Aubrey. Believe me, I've learned that the hard way." She looked up at him and slid a strand of hair behind her ear, "I am just not sure what to do. I'd been advised to leave because someone is supposedly out to kill me, but then there are the zoos." When she saw her friend roll his eyes at the mention of them, she retorted defensively, "Look they may not be important to you, but they are important to me, and I love Richard dearly, but his death has and still will take a toll on me in many ways. I'm stuck in this position of not knowing who exactly to trust."
"Why me, then?"
For once, Jen smiled at him, "Because you are Aubrey." But, then she bit her tongue as she thought to herself carefully and then finally cleared her throat, "The only thing is if I go to North America and then try from there to find out who's trying to kill me, I'd need someone to replace me here. Richard was irreplaceable in more ways than one."
Aubrey sighed as he realized her trouble. He'd love to help her out, but as a member of the Parliament there was no possible way he could, and it was hard finding someone of a high position you could trust. "I'd have to think on that."
But, he saw a wicked grin on Jen's face, "I know whom we could bring in, dear."
"Oh, no," he protested to her. "That is not fair. I'm grieving. I don't need this."
"Oh, yes you do," Jen stated simply. "Remember when you killed my fish."
"A fish killed and a brother killed is not the same thing," Aubrey pointed out, his dark eyes glaring at her.
"Oh, that is true," Jen admitted grudgingly. "Especially Richard. But, oh come on! Aubrey! Georgie is too young, Jane is Bingley's wife, and even though I know you like the idea of hitting on someone too young and stealing someone's wife---no. She will have to do."
"But, but, but!" Aubrey protested. "I need you."
Jen looked at him sadly, "I need you too, but Elizabeth can help me just as well, I'm sure."
"Oh thanks," Aubrey retorted.
Jen looked at him seriously and folded her arms and said, "I don't know why you don't like her, but she's trustworthy, and Liz's assistant so she'll be able to do this. If it wasn't a life or death situation I wouldn't even bring her out her, Aubrey. I am aware you don't like her. Well, just suck it up and take it like a big boy, Aubrian because Chuck's coming out here!"
Aubrey folded his arms, "Why couldn't have been Charles Bingley in that sentence? Why couldn't it have been Elizabeth or even Darcy? But," he took a breath to sigh and moan. "Not Chuck Lucas. Not that ill-bred scamp that came to London last year. Not her!"
"Aubrian Burke Fitzwilliam! Look at me!" She gripped his shoulders her tone completely frosty and serious, for which he looked at his friend in total and complete surprise. "I'm falling apart now, can't you see that? And the next thing I need from you is this! I need you to be warm, compassionate, and most of all understanding. You are Richard's brother, what would he tell you?"
"Suck it up, big brother, and take it like a man," Aubrey mumbled sadly and then looked at her with tears in his dark eyes. "I miss him, even now, and it's too soon for me to realize he's really gone. Sometimes, I like to avoid that fact."
"I do too." She responded softly. Her blue eyes looked at him steadfast and deeply. "Sometimes, I wonder what it would have been like--"
"It would have never worked," Aubrey cut her off. "You guys were too good of friends that it would have devastated both of you if it didn't work out."
"I know," she answered him, then tried to think of more pleasant thoughts. "And, what about this?"
"Not her," Aubrey responded quickly waving his arms in dismissal. "Not Chuck. Anyone, but her."
"Her!" Jen yelled at him as she reached out for the phone and started dialing the number rapidly. "And while I'm at it, do you want to talk to her and tell her how happy you'll be since she's coming?"
Aubrey's only response was picking up a basketball and saying, "Okay. Bet. If I make it, she comes out. If I missed she stays where she ought to be, far away. Deal?"
Jen shrugged while waiting for Elizabeth Bennet to pick up on her line, and smiled as she watched Aubrey miss. "Hi, Liz? It's Jen. Yeah, I need to talk to you about something..." While in the background, Aubrey Fitzwilliam was attempting to kill the basketball moaning quite loudly.
I do not like Edmund Hurst, she told herself in her mind quietly. Jerk. Her eyes opened in fear as he rolled over in his sleep and his arm went around hers, instinctively. Yes, she didn't feel anything for him except friendship. After all, she had been on her guard for guys for years and knew she didn't want anything ever to happen at all. Then why did she get goosebumps and this tension built up inside of every core of her body just when he put his arm around her? She looked at him sleeping and laughing in his sleep. She secretly wondered what the joke was and if it was her. Why does he laugh? She thought again. I mean, who laughs in their sleep? What a jerk! Jerk, Jerk, Jerk!
"JERK!" she yelled in her sleep, which made Edmund wake up suddenly and lift his head only to have it banged up severely.
"Do you have to talk in your sleep?" he groaned as he stood up while rubbing his head. "Do you ever consider the consequences it may have on other people?
"No," she said snidely. "Is something wrong, dear?"
"I ought to..." he mused aloud before changing the subject. "So what were you dreaming about?"
"Nothing," she mumbled while folding her arms stubbornly.
"Well," he said matter-of-factly. "It must have been something for you to yell like that. Come on. Tell the good doctor about it. I won't laugh."
"Good doctor, my behind," she muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" He asked innocently, then he sighed and sat down beside her and laid a hand on her hair. He fingered it picking it up and down, admiring its beauty.
"I know, I know," she muttered. "I need to put it up and it's messy."
"No," he said in stunned surprise while shaking his head. "I was just going to say..." He bit his lip and then sighed. "I was just going to say how beautiful it looked."
"Sure, sure," she muttered crossly. "I'm sure."
He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed and almost regretted saying what he thought aloud, "It's funny, Lou. Sometimes, I think about Jems..." He laughed ruefully, but it didn't hurt for once to talk about her. "She was classically beautiful, but it took forever to make her that way. But, you..." His voice drifted off as he fingered her hair once again. "You are so beautiful it takes someone by surprise; it is so natural it's hard to believe it's real."
Goosebumps slip down her back gleefully as he said those words, and she didn't want to speak for the fear of what she might say if she did. She felt awkward, out of place, and wanted to run far away from him like a shy schoolgirl. She said wickedly, "Well, you've could have looked better.
To this he just grinned at her crazily while folding his arms at her and said smoothly, "You want me, don't you?"
Part of her wanted to open her eyes in bright surprise for that simple statement, but she managed to say coolly and scowled, "Do not."
"Sure you do," He retorted. "I can always tell."
Her fears were realized in that moment as she asked herself, Am I that obvious?"I am not allowed to like you."
"Why not?" Edmund looked at her smiling loving the conflicting emotions on her face.
Because it would destroy everything! Lou, think of an excuse!"Because I'm engaged," she stated simply. What?
"Engaged?"
"Yes, to....uh..um...," thinking of someone desperately, Think woman! Think! Um...Richard...no--Georgie, remember? Darcy...h*** no, Help me, anyone! "Aubrey Fitzwilliam."LOUIE! Did you just lose your mind or is it just me? What are you saying? Hello?! Anyone there? Guess not! I'm giving up on you, bye-bye.
"Oh," he pouted, but then smiled again mischievously. "Okay." He then moved toward her and slowly and deliberately and gave her a passionate kiss, which Louie would have punched him out for if she hadn't enjoyed it so much.
"WHAT WAS THAT!?"
"Your engagement present," he said cheerfully. "Have a nice day." And whistled away happily.
"I HATE YOU, EDMUND HURST!"
"I LOVE YOU TOO, LOUISA BINGLEY!"
He watched silently at the sidelines in the airport, his eyes green with envy as he watched as she hugged an attractive man with dark hair, and glasses. He wanted to scream when she kissed him on the cheek and then adjusted his tie for him, but he couldn't. Why exactly he was here, he didn't know. Maybe, he just wanted to do one last thing for her before the wolves began searching for her. And, then she went through the gates and his eyes went with her. He sighed as he walked toward the window and put his hands on it, and silently wondered how he got into this mess.
I can't protect you anymore.
That is what he told her, right? As he well couldn't, so why did the temptation to do so come onto his heels. He backed away from the window to bump into someone. "I'm sorry," he said politely.
"No," the man said. "I'm sorry." As Nathaniel Lancaster looked up, the dark-haired man smiled at him while putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry, lad," the man led him away from the window. "But, I think you have some explaining to do."
"UP YOURS!" said the woman on the tape, her red hair flaming and anger apparent on her face.
"Ooooooooo......" Jen giggled watching the screen in the sitting room of the Mile High Club at the airport with her friend soon to depart from her, then turned to Charlotte Lucas and said. "Can we have an instant replay, Chuck?"
"Sure can, Johnny," the woman with red hair grinned while controlling the remote control.
On the screen appeared William Collins, the assistant to Charlotte Lucas who was an assistant to Elizabeth Bennet who was an assistant to Louisa Bingley. "Charlie, dear," he drawled. "Can we please smooch now?"
"Say what?" Charlotte raised in eyebrows in her Midwestern frankness, or brashness. "You think you can put your filthy paws on me?"
"Oh, come on Charley," William leaned in closer to her. "Everyone wants it, and I know you do too. Willie wants some smoochies. Pucker up."
Chuck Lucas threw a wild deliberate grin to the cameraman while she gave Collins a kick where the sun don't shine and said nicely, "UP YOURS!" Then, she proceeded to give Collins the one finger salute. "I am woman, hear me ROAR!"
Chuck paused the video and took a bow while Jen applauded her. "Brava! Brava!" Jen laughed hysterically. "That was just plain beautiful."
Chuck looked at the screen and asked curiously to her friend, "Where did you get this video? I got the edited version. I was so angry. I was the woman who committed the act so I thought I should get the video."
"Oh," Jen said slyly. "I have my sources."
"Oh no," Chuck waved her hands at Jen. "I know what you want. I hate that man." Chuck pushed play and the conversation on the screen went further. Then she sighed for a moment, "I can't believe he gave that video to you. The least he could do is to give it to me. I deserved it."
"Quit whining, Chuck."
"Chuck, dear," a man with dark hair said slyly, much like his best friend would. "Was that really necessary?"
Chuck rolled her eyes and huffed, "Oh butt out, Awwwwwww-bri." She said his name for emphasis. "When I need your opinion, I'll ask for it."
"I'm hurt," the man pouted. "I'm wounded to the soul. How dare you use that name towards me, Upchuck?"
Chuck looked in Collins's direction, "Do you want to end up like that? Because believe me, I'll do the nasty deed if you want me too."
"I'm sure you do plenty of nasty deeds," Aubrey said smoothly, never faltering.
Chuck paused the video for a moment, while Jen commented, "I still can't believe the cameraman caught all of this. It's just too good. Wasn't he supposed to be taping Jane and Bingley?" Then Jen considered for a moment, "Well, I guess I wouldn't want to tape Jane either."
"Hey," Chuck pointed out. "You are related to her."
"Not in name, my dear," Jen said grandly and added. "And as long as father doesn't claim me publicly I have no say in what they decide to do to mess up their lives." Jen turned to her friend and said seriously, "Jane is a boring old hag who's only chance of success was marrying Charlie. Now, she can be what she wanted all along: Little Miss Betty Crocker."
"Hey, watch who you are talking about," a woman took a seat on the sofa beside Jen.
"Oh, Count Bessie," Jen grinned at her friend. "Didn't see you there. Sorry."
Elizabeth Bennet shrugged, but said gruffly, "Don't you talk about my sister that way."
Jen grinned and shrugged good-naturedly while pointing to the screen again, "I still can't believe I missed this in the wedding. Where was I again?"
"Arguing with Louie," Elizabeth and Chuck said in unison.
"Oh, right," Jen smiled, then snatched the controller from Chuck and then flipped on play for the video.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Chuck said strutting her chin out.
"I think you know what exactly that means," he shot out. "I'm surprised I haven't seen you at the corner of Fourth and Penacoast."
"Take that back!"
"Oh dear," Aubrey pinched her nose. "Methinks someone is losing her temper."
"Grrrrrrrr......."
"Chuck, quit whining."
"I don't care if he is one of your good friends," Chuck folded her arms. "I cannot stand that annoying man."
"Funny," Jen remarked. "Louie says that too." But, Jen turned to Chuck with a glint in the corner of her eye. "Is someone attracted?"
"No way," Chuck stated. "That man is...U-G-L-Y he has got no allibi...he's ugly."
"No way," Elizabeth shook her head. "Aubrey Fitzwilliam is certainly not ugly." She thought again. "And, he is certainly not as pompous of a fellow as Fitzwilliam Darcy."
"A-ha!" Jen grinned happily. "All this time you denied ever meeting Fitzwilliam Darcy and you did."
Elizabeth looked sheepish and clutched her hands together protectively, "Well, I didn't say I enjoyed the occurrence."
"So what are you saying, Liz?" Jen said while Chuck grinned mischievously at her friend.
"I'm saying nothing," Liz looked at her watch. "Look time to go, Chuck. Plane's probably going to take off with out you."
Jen and Chuck groaned in unison.
Liz rolled her eyes and stated, "Quit whining, Chuck."
"Who are you?" Nate widened his eyes at the dark-haired man.
"I think a better question would be, who are you lad?"
Nate folded his arms and stated matter-of-factly, "I'm not revealing anything."
The man scratched his head and then pulled out something out of thin air, "Then, can you explain exactly why you had this?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Don't play me for stupid," the man said bluntly. "I know what you are up to, and I tell you there is no way you can get away with it."
"What makes you thinks so?" Nate snapped, frustrated.
Then the man looked at him sharply, his dark eyes gazing deeply into Nate's soul, "You don't fool me. Not at all." The man winced in pain as he recollected something at the back of his mind, "You may have fooled other people, but you can't fool me."
"What are you going to do to me?" Nate stepped back in fear.
"The exact same thing you were going to do to her," the man said menacingly, then stepped forward and tapped Nate's shoulder for emphasis while saying each word. "I am not going to let you get away with this."
"Fine," Nate said harshly. "Do it then. Lord knows I deserve it."
The dark-haired man raised his eyebrows, "Why were you going to do it?"
"That is my business."
The man felt like kicking the lad around, "Do you realize how stupid you have become?"
"I don't need a lecture," Nate stated. "I've grown too old for that, don't you think?"
The man stood silently then finally nodded his head, then out of sudden desperation he asked Nate, "What do you think I should do then?"
"What?" Nate widened his eyes. "You are asking me? For goodness sakes man, shoot!"
And so the man did.
They were just sitting there arguing endlessly, when they surprised them. Out of nowhere they started shooting with the clash of unending bullets hitting the forest causing both hearts to pound harshly.
"Who are they after?" He looked at her bewildered shaking his head. "You or me?"
She looked at him calmly, strong for once, "Does it really matter?"
He bit his lip, "I suppose not, kid."
"Then why ask?"
"I'd hate for you to be in danger because of me."
She smiled wryly and looked down while shuffling her feet softly and then looked deep into his eyes whispering, "Do you realize, I'm always in danger with you?"
He looked at her aghast for a moment with questions in his eyes, but before he could say anything, the shots rang out loud and clear forcing them to take cover, never knowing if one of them would be alive.
People in the airport screamed and most of them ran away from the scene of the crime when the heard the shot go off, but when the smoke disappeared from the gun; Nate laughed aloud. When the coppers came around, Aubrey and Nate waved them off with promises to not make a scene again. Aubrey dropped the gun while running his fingers through his hair and retorted self-righteously, "Oh, please. Nate, a starter's pistol?"
Nate nodded and then flashed a grin, "Well, you didn't really expect me to carry a real gun did you? Just a gun enough to make those who are watching think that I killed Jen." He cocked his head and looked at Aubrey curiously, "You really thought I would try to kill someone?"
Aubrey bit his lip and sighed, "Well, what choice did you give me to believe?" When Nate did not answer, he added. "I didn't know you knew Jen. I thought you were still at Cambridge trying to get your doctorate."
"I didn't," Nate stated and sighed as he added, "And I was. Something stopped me." He looked at his mentor sadly and stated ruefully, "Do you realize how dangerous I am?"
This caused Aubrey to laugh aloud and then he folded his arms, "Walk with me and talk. I don't like all these people gaping around us." Which there was, for most of them who had run off came back to see what was happening.
Nate started walking with Aubrey down the airport's hallways and started, "I met Jen through someone who pointed her out to me."
"Who?"
Nate lifted his eyebrows and shook his head, "I can't tell you that." Aubrey nodded and motioned for him to continue, "At first, I was surprised that they wanted her to be killed off. After all, she doesn't look her age. She looks a little young."
Aubrey smirked, "Don't let her hear you saying that."
Nate shrugged, "Well, she does especially considering she's twenty years old. And, Aubrey," Nate turned his head to meet his eyes. "She is one of the youngest of the lot to get involved with this. I mean she didn't know she got involved at all." He raised his eyebrows, "I was surprised that Louie Bingley didn't even suspect."
Aubrey looked at him thoughtfully, "Louie does tend to miss the minor things. That is why she has Jen around."
Nate stopped and looked down, "That is what they figured." He looked back up and avoided Aubrey's eyes as he remarked, "Jen is a lot different than I suspected she was." He looked at Aubrey for a moment and then turned his head back to the people while he asked, "Why didn't you ever introduce her to me?"
"Oh, I had my reasons," Aubrey drawled.
"Do you even realize how beautiful she is?" Nate exclaimed his dark eyes distantly remembering her. "I mean not stunningly beautiful, of course, but it takes you off-guard every single time you look into her eyes because they are so clear, honest, and beautiful." Nate sighed to himself and then muttered, "A whole lot of good that did me. I couldn't even tell her."
"You could get in trouble," Aubrey remarked to him.
Nate glanced at him and whispered, "I know." A little silence went by as he whispered, "But, she is worth it. I-I couldn't, don't you see?"
Aubrey nodded and then sighed, "I see." He then grinned at Nate while stating, "I should have introduced you two sooner. But, believe me, Jen was not ready." He also shrugged to himself while chuckling, "And you weren't ready either. After all, you are still a kid."
Nate looked down and said huskily, "I'm not a child anymore, Aubrian. I am a man."
"Start acting like it and I'll call you that."
Nate glared at him and shot out, "Maybe it is because you want her for yourself."
"Oh, please," Aubrey scoffed. "I'm practically two decades older than her." He looked around, and then whispered. "Did anyone hear me say that?"
"That's not the point," Nate retorted. "Who knows. Maybe you finally undergone the Rochester Complex."
"Hey, I resent that," Aubrey snarled.
"Oh, I could make you resent me a h*** of a lot more," Nate shot back.
"Big words for a little man, aren't they?" Aubrey asked while he walked faster away from him. "If you feel free to call yourself a man, please don't put me in the category."
"Oh, what would you prefer?" Nate inquired, lifting his eyebrows. "Pompous pigheaded-"
"Well, well, well," Aubrey interrupted him. "The boy is getting more educated than I thought. I mean, you are really getting educated when you can come up with words such as pompous and pigheaded. I would have guessed you for one that just went straight for the old reliable."
"Oh," Nate challenged him with fire spitting through his eyes. "Do you suffer PMS, Aubrey? I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe, one of your girly friends can help you out."
"Yeah, maybe I should just dial Jen's number," Aubrey threatened pulling out his cell phone. "I'm sure she would be very helpful in consoling me. After all, I am 'supposedly' running through this Rochester Complex and need her for my every need."
"Oh, I bet I could suit your needs," Nate stated with a murderous look in his eyes.
"Really?" Aubrey smiled smoothly and put his cell phone back into his pocket. "I wasn't aware you hit both ways, old pal. Maybe, there are a few people I could introduce you to. To make up the favor of not introducing you to Jen." A thought came to Aubrey's mind. "In fact, I remember our dear Jen mentioning that Collins who works for Bronx Zoos is a switch hitter also. What time would be good for you?"
"I should have shot you when I had the chance."
"Real men hunt for guns, and I don't think you have the gall to shoot me," Aubrey proclaimed.
"Is that a challenge?"
"I don't fight," Aubrey adjusted his glasses. "Don't want to hurt the face."
Nate rolled his eyes and then finally grinned, "You never change."
"Why should I?"
"You are still a pest."
Aubrey huffed, "Now, why does everyone feel the need to say that. Only Jen appreciates the full specialization of Aubrian Fitzwilliam."
"Specialization is right," Nate chuckled, and then as an afterthought. "How is your mother? Is she doing well."
He nodded and then stated softly, "You should have came to his funeral."
Nate shifted in his stance and looked at Aubrey warily, before looking down again. When he finally spoke again his voice was soft, "I wanted to make it easier on your mother. She didn't deserve the pain of old memories, and I was one of them. Besides," Nate looked at Aubrey trying to smile, "He was never there for me anyway. So, there was not any point of me going."
"He was your father too."
"Aubrian Fitzwilliam," Nate looked at him, and for once looked wiser than his years. "Stop lying to yourself. Your father--our father," he corrected himself. "Did not care about me. Unlike Jen's father he never wanted to acknowledge me. You were destined for greatness by taking his place in the Parliament, and Richard was to be made a doctor even against his will. And I--" he croaked out with tears in his eyes. "And I was the bastard child. I was nothing."
Aubrey looked down at him sadly and remarked, "You were right. I should have introduced you two. You could have understood each other."
Nate nodded to himself, but then winced slightly, "At least, I had mother."
Aubrey nodded and then said simply, "Turn around, Nathaniel." When he tried to walk away from him. "Now look at me. Listen to me." Nate did as he said and went on his speech, "I never thought of you that way. You were my brother in the way Richard was. You were never a mistake to me. I tried to watch over you in the way I did for Richard, and I never, I repeat never thought of you as a bastard. You are not that." He put his hands on Nate's shoulders, "Lad, you could be anything you could possibly be if you put your mind to it. And, I have always stood by you, haven't I?" Nate nodded as Aubrey went on. "You are right. I do love Jen, but as a sister. Louie can't protect her in the way she needs to be, Charlie never cared to; to happy with himself, and Carol--she was a witch from the beginning."
Nate looked down and sighed and walked out the door with Aubrey, "So what should I do now?"
"Follow me," Aubrey said, then cleared his throat, brought his fingers out and let out a shrill whistle. "Enter, Nathaniel." When Nate looked at him in surprise, Aubrey lifted his eyebrows, "Did you honestly think I would actually let you get away based on the little information you have just given me?" When Nate looked at Aubrey uncertainly and then nodded, "Oh, you are so naive! I did not teach you to be this naive. What happened to you, lad?"
"A lot more than you know."
Aubrey ruffled Nate's hair and then finally pushed him into the car. "Get in the car. We are going to visit someone."
"When did you get so bossy?"
"Oh, just sod off."
"Sir," a receptionist from Bingley Enterprises called into her boss over the intercom, "Some lady is here to see you."
"What does she look like?" The voice over the intercom asked nervously.
The woman who stood in the receptionist's office, tapped her foot impatiently and grabbed the phone from the lady and barked ferociously, "I know you are in there, Pen Bingley. And I am coming into find you." Then she decided to snarl like a cat for good measure.
"Oh gods, no!" The voice whined and shuffling could be heard in the office. "Why me?"
The lady opened the doors violently, while they burst open the lady announced triumphantly, "The Cat has arrived!" She looked around to find the old man underneath his desk and cleared throat while saying, "I didn't know you could bend yourself like that, Pen. I guess it is something to keep in mind when we do our 'exercises' later."
"Now, now, Catherine," he cleared his throat and still stayed seated. "You wouldn't want to overexert yourself like that."
Catherine de Bourgh or otherwise known as Lady Catherine by the nobles smiled wickedly, "Oh just because you are getting up there in age doesn't mean you can't have fun, Pen. That is the best way to stay in shape by keeping active. And we old people need to keep active together, you know." As an afterthought she added, "My daughter Anne could have been active too if she wasn't so sickly. Poor thing. I am certain she would have been good at anything she performed."
"Still bitter, Catherine?"
Catherine shook her head while she settled down on a chair, "Me, bitter? Never. Just because Charlie didn't marry her...all my hopes...all my dreams drained by that 'I do.' But, I'll get to the Bingleys yet." Catherine looked at him hungrily while Pops scrunched up more.
"Must you scare me like that?" Pops exclaimed. "Go to Collins. He bats both ways, I'm sure he'll have you."
Catherine folded her arms, "Why does everyone assume that people who bat both ways will take anyone on deck?"
"Refused you, did he?"
Catherine shrugged, "No loss." She grinned at him sexily, "Especially since I could have someone better."
"How many times do I have to tell you?" Pops finally got out of his cage and stood up and looked at her scowling. "I am not interested in you, Catherine."
"Why are those who are interested the most the ones that resist it all the more?" Catherine mused aloud to herself. "Never the mind. Look Pen." She ordered him. "You are going to get on this desk, kiss me and feel like the lady I am. Do you hear me?"
Pops chuckled to himself while muttering, "Could have fooled me. You a lady? That is certainly a new one."
Catherine clenched her fists and her face turned red while she huffed and closed her eyes while her beeper went off. She checked it then looked up, "Apparently, I have an appointment, but rest assured, little boy...I will be back to have fun." And with a violent slam she was off.
A woman slipped the tape into the videocassette and while her friend was sleeping she sipped her coffee and viewed the tape. She fast-forwarded through a couple parts, which she reminded herself to look over later, but first she wanted to view this. For some reason she had some inkling that this portion of the video was important, but she did not know why. Perhaps, after viewing the piece she would figure it out herself. If not, she would have to view, "Jane's Wedding Music Video" which featured all of the guests at the wedding, a task she did not care much for viewing. But for the moment, she was going over this, and secretly wondering why she never saw this before, and with a chuckle she pressed play.
"A parliament of representatives is elected by citizens of the state which normally can consist from several hundred representatives," Jen said into the camera, and then moved her hands lazily. "Aubrey is in charge of the Derbyshire district, and also serves an cabinet member in the Parliament. Obviously, if he loses his seat, he loses the cabinet, but knowing Aubrey he will never lose his seat. I'd be shocked if he did. He does a good job, I think, but then again, I'm biased." She looks around and looks at Aubrey who is talking with Rich in admiration. "Of course, as most of the family knows and, which the ton of London chooses to forget is that he also holds a seat in the Parliament which he inherited from his father, however if he chooses to flaunt that around successfully, he would never hold the place he has now."
A person asks Jen a question and she laughs while grinning, then brings her hand up to her hair, and repeats the question, "Would I want to be in his place right now? Of course. Am I ready to take that position? That is a question I'm debating about whether or not answering. And do I like Aubrey so much because he is a person of power? Never would I say that. Aubrey and I are so much beyond power that the closest thing I could define him is my brother."
The person asks Jen another question, which causes her to blush and then fidget with her hair, and state, "No comment." The person lifts the videotape at an angle, then adjusts it at Jen's face once again and asks her another question.
"What?" Jen shakes her head in the negative, and states openly. "Well, of course for the obvious reason; I am too young for the position, and that, I think, is the only thing holding me back. And plus, I think Lou would kill me if I chose to think of it this soon. I am after all, only seventeen."
The interviewer asks another question and Jen hesitates before answering honestly, "Lou? I think she has good principles, but sometimes she is too...I don't know how to define it." She bites her lip struggling, and closes her blue eyes thinking, "I think she could be more than a director. That sounds bad to say, but one day, I think she will understand it."
The interviewer asks another question to which Jen laughs, "Oh the bride? Oh, we are finally getting to the lowdown are we? Oh, Jane? Hmm...she's your sister. I can't say anything, can I? Okay, okay, something good. She is a nice gal, but I'm afraid for her and Charlie."
Jen laughs and raises her eyebrows to the question, "Why? Oh, gosh. You know why. Why even ask that?"
A person zooms casually in the back of Jen's view, in the videotape and looks at her curiously before moving on. Then Jen shrugs, then smiles, "Why are you asking me all these questions? It's Jane's day, remember? Go talk to her." The person asks Jen a question and she shrugs, "I don't chose to think of him. Why? Well, why not? Do you ever?" Jen gives the camera a sly look before the interviewer obviously hit pause, for the next thing one knew it was focused on another person.
Jen put her hand in her popcorn and threw it on her friend's face and laughed at the expression she would give her when she woke up. Biting her lip, she shook her head and smiled to herself, and secretly wondered why.
To: fgd@saintlouiszoo.com
From: jensecondcommand@chesterzoo.com
Darcy, yes the pain in the rear is with me at St. Louie, and no, I can't control her whiny-self. If you want it taken care of, I suggest you bring your sorry butt into the Bronx. I am not Louie and I don't have time for your sorry little reindeer games. Oh, and by the by, B says a few messages to you since you have started to IGNORE and ERASE every single e-mail she sends you. Oh, Darcy. How mature. I thought you were BETTER than that. I guess there is a level every man stoops to, isn't there? And no, to the wet T-shirt contest between St. and Bronx. How sexist you men are in St. Louie. Of course, unless we could get you to do that. Send me info...I'm sure Liz would be MORE than happy to watch. LOL!
List from B.
1) Wuss.
2) Pompous ignorant snob
3) At least I'm not whipped by the Catmaster 2001.
Okay, I only let her get away with three. See? I'm not that bad, am I? Send me something business sometime, okay? I'm not hired to be your referee! I REPEAT: I AM NOT YOUR REFEREE!
From,
Jen
(P.S. I agree with the last one, you know.)
It was so silent he could hear the crickets chirping and then he saw the fireflies dancing in the twilight and then that is when he knew that for the moment they were safe. However, throughout the shooting he had lost track of Louie and the sense of her being there with him. Luckily, when he looked up she was only five feet ahead of him. He had just failed to spot her for he was afraid if he lifted his head, he would be shot. He crawled his way through the weeds and the heavy grass just to be at her side, and at once he was comforted by being by her dark locks and gentle breathing.
"Louie?" He cleared his throat while in the grass, and gently nudged her. When she shushed him, he grinned happily while stating the obvious. "You are alive."
"Well, of course," Louie snapped back at him. "Did you really expect for my corpse to talk to you?"
"Touché," Edmund whispered back, then asked the extraordinary question, "Where is the bathroom?"
Louie rolled her eyes, and then tried to bite her tongue so she wouldn't laugh aloud while grumbling, "You are a man, aren't you? Can't they go everywhere?"
"We do have our limits, dear," Edmund pointed out, trying to block out the irony of the situation.
"Oh, I didn't realize, your Majesty," Louie said sarcastically. "I'm so sorry we aren't the Ritz or anything, but just go!"
"Anywhere?" Edmund grinned, his eyes sparkling.
Louie rolled her eyes, "No moron. Not on me. That is sickening. I can't believe you even thought it."
"Well, you would have," Edmund stated.
"How dare you!" She exclaimed stunned. "I am not that kind of woman!"
"Well, what kind of woman are you, then?" Edmund asked. When Louie was about to answer him he ordered, "Turn around, would you? This is a kind of private thing, you know."
"How fun it must be for you," Louie stated sarcastically. "Marking your territory."
Edmund shrugged and then zipped up his pants, and then retorted back to her, "Well, we men have to do something when our women are unusually boring. Speaking of boring activities," He said ignoring the furious look on her face, and abruptly changing the subject, "How did you find my kiss, dear?" When she folded her arms in hatred, he smiled, and he remarked, "Actually, I was quite disappointed in you. I would have figured you to be a much better kisser. After all, you are engaged. You must have had a little more practice than that. That was like an amateur performing her first act in the play; I guess you didn't study your lessons very well. What did you do in college, anyway? Besides that, your poor fiancée. I almost pity the man. Having to wake up every single morning to face sloppy, horrible kisses like that, it is almost enough to gag a man."
"What do you suggest to remedy this then?" Louie asked scornfully. She didn't know what made her ask it. She supposed that she was just bored and needed the slightest amusement.
"Believe me," Edmund grinned with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "I am more than available to give you lessons, and a woman like you definitely needs them."
This is when Louisa decided to box his nose. Or otherwise, in the English language, chose to slap his face hard enough so there would be a red streak across her face. To this, Edmund only smirked and remarked, "At last, a thing the lady can do well. About time."
"Hurst!" she screamed in a hoarse whisper. A scream it could not be for she would be shot for screaming. "Why are you doing this to me? My word, man! How immature, and lowdown can you possibly get?"
Hurst shrugged and thought carefully, "Depends."
"On what?"
"How much you want me."
To this Louie looked up into the sky in exasperation and stated, "When will you get the picture that I do not want you? I am not attracted to you. I am not turned on by you. I do not dream about every second in showing you that I am not a sloppy kisser. No, tough luck." Louie folded her arms, and then grinned. "I think you are just angry because you can't have me."
To this Edmund grinned knowingly, "Oh, I have you."
"Do you have to be so utterly conceited?"
To this he bit his lip and looked up at her and said softly, "Do you know how wonderful you are when you get mad?"
Louie shook her head, and said just as softly, "No, I don't."
"Well, you are."
Louie looked at him taunting him, almost and brashly asked, "So, what are you going to do about it?"
Men, Louie thought as she stood in front of Edmund her arms poised and eyebrows raised, ready for an exclamination. They make you so absolutely mad because they think they know positively everything when honestly they are just as lost as you are. Take for example, let's Edmund. Edmund Hurst. What a horrible name. I would positively hate if I were married to him. Can you imagine it, me, Louisa Bingley stuck with that no good loaf who just sits there with his mouth wide open gasping for air at my questions. He couldn't handle me. I know it, he knows it. Gosh dang it, everyone knows it. So, why am I shocked at his inability to say nothing?
"So, what are you going to do about it?" The question echoed in the distance that stood between them.
"What do you mean?" he finally said, hesitantly. Then he turned the question over to her, just like a man, she thought. "What do you want me to do about it, Bingley?"
She shook her head and looked at him pointedly, "Look Hurst, you say you want me, fine prove it. Have you ever asked me what I ever wanted from a man? Well, listen here sonny, here is your instruction manual. I want a man who is honest, truthful, takes what he wants from life, no exclamations, no questions asked and all he will have to say is--"
She was cut off by him when he grabbed her, pulled her to the ground and looked deeply into her eyes then slowly and delibrately kissed her and as they finished he said, he said, he said--nothing at all to her utter confusion. He stood up and winked at her and then sighed.
She furrowed her eyebrows and inquired, "I demand some kind of exclamation, Hurst. Don't you think you I deserve one?"
He turned his head slowly and looked at her while shaking his head, "No, I don't. After all, it is what you wanted, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" she asked him softly.
"I quote you: honest, truthful, no exclamations,no questions asked and all he will have to say is.." He looked at her softly for once. "You know the answer and that scares you, doesn't it?" He walked away from her for a moment and then turned back and looked at her. "Are you coming along?"
She looked at him stunned. "Hurst?"
"Edmund," he corrected her kindly.
"Why?"
"You answer your question and maybe I'll finally answer mine," Hurst said.
"And what is that?"
"The answer to yours."
And as he walked away she looked down on the grass and chewed her lip, "Nothing."
As Chuck Lucas sat in the airplane, she made monkey faces to the child sitting in the seat in front of her. Chuck had always been remarkably good with children. Jen remarked more than once it was because she and Chuck were still children themselves. And, in some ways they were. She closed her eyes and ran her hand threw her red hair and sighed. She was sad to the bit of her heart. She loved Rich, probably more than any of them realized. Yet, the one person whom she could not stand in the world was his brother. Aubrey Fitzwilliam could die in a million ways as far as she was concerned and the only thing worse than Aubrey was Collins himself. Why she hated Aubrey was only between Aubrey and herself.
"Hi."
She was interrupted out her reverie of thinking of something intently.
"Would you like a smoke?"
"No thanks, I could never stand the things," she said to the dark haired man next to her.
"Do you mind?" She shook her head and he sat down.
"Thanks," he sighed wearily and took a seat. "Gosh, I love her, but I think this is a little too much."
Chuck raised her eyebrows,"You know Jen? How?"
This is when he smiled, "I don't believe the introductions have been placed. I am Aubrey Fitzwilliam."
"Oh, the lord," she rolled her eyes at him. "I've heard about you.
"I see my reputation defies me." He flushed the tiniest bit, which was suprising for the well-known ladykiller, she noted.
"I am Chuck Lucas," she offered her hand towards his. "And, judging by your smirk Jen has told you about me, eh?"
"Well, if we go on judgement of her, we'll never win, will we?" Aubrey said. He relaxed as he exhaled and then said out-of-the-blue, "You are different than I thought you would be."
"What did you think I would be like?"
"Oh, some ultra-feminist who burns her bras and everything," Aubrey said.
"Who told you that, not Jen surely," Chuck said.
"No...," he said slowly. "Not her. I have other sources."
The conversation moved on where he belittled her, but she just realized something. How did he know her if Jen didn't tell him. After all, she was really the only connection, right? And, suddenly she wondered if whoever was protecting Jen was pushing her into her place.