Beginning, Previous Section, Section III, Next Section

Part 16 Continued

hat do you think you're doing, Fitzwilliam Darcy?" Catherine yelled.

Fitz looked at Elizabeth, who looked up at him. They were still in their waltzing position, not having realized that they should've parted long before.

"Get away from him!" Frances shouted. "I should've seen this coming--you intentionally tried to throw my Lizzy off by setting her up with this talentless hack!"

Fitz's ire rose at the insult hurled at him, but he didn't say anything. Lizzy squeezed his hand in support, to his surprise. He wondered if she'd realized what she'd done.

"I wouldn't allow one of my students near yours if I thought they could win a gold medal together!"

"I'll bet! You messed with me all those years ago, why should I expect any of your relations to turn out any better!"

"I didn't do anything to you, Francie! If you were so dependent on that stupid necklace, then you have no one to blame for losing but yourself. I did nothing wrong in borrowing it."

Fitz's anger faded in the sudden wave of pain he felt at Catherine's inadvertent admission of the truth. She really had stolen Frances Gardiner's necklace to throw her concentration off.

"You used it against me--now you're trying to ruin my daughter's chances as well!"

"'I don't know what you're talking about. I think this was all a ruse on your part to mess with Fitz's concentration. I hate to break it to you, Francie honey, but Fitz has a real lady, a champion, to skate with. Your bargain basement daughter--"

"That's enough!" Fitz roared. He untangled himself from Lizzy long enough to rush over to the boards. "Don't insult a champion skater like Elizabeth Bennet that way. I don't care how much animosity you have for her mother."

Georgiana was never prouder of her brother than she was right then. He had stood up to Catherine once and for all. She smiled.

George was furious. He'd thought Lydia had been making it up, and Lizzy had said she was. Now he found out that Lydia had been telling him the truth...maybe Lydia was the only one who had ever told him the truth.

Caroline was mortified. It was bad enough that Fitz had been skating with Lizzy, but now he had to defend her? Why couldn't he agree with Catherine--that Lizzy was deliberately trying to break his concentration?

Her eyes narrowed on the young woman. Don't think I won't get my revenge on you yet, she thought.

"Fitzwilliam Darcy, you forget yourself," Catherine said, raising herself to her full height--five feet tall. It did not make a great impression against a man who stood a full foot taller than her--and who was wearing skates that made him even taller.

"I believe you forget yourself," he said. "You are merely my coach. You are not my mother, nor are you my guardian. I can do what I please. Lizzy and I happened to be alone together for a few moments and did what came naturally to a couple of pairs skaters--we skated together. That we do not normally partner each other is of little consequence."

Which was a lie, of course--it was a major deal. But he had to defuse the situation quickly before Catherine and Frances came to blows.

Catherine was rendered speechless. She had had trouble with Caroline and Georgiana, with George Wickham when he was with her and William Collins now. But never with Fitz. Fitz had been her golden boy, who had listened to her every suggestion and obeyed her as though she were his mother. She figured she may as well be his mother, as his own mother spent so little time with him.

And now this! Being rude and argumentative! And all for a slip of a girl with no talent or beauty whatsoever! The partner of George Wickham, of all people!

"What's gotten into you?" she asked.

"I don't know, Catherine. But I think I like it." Georgiana held out his skate guards, which he put on and walked away.

Lizzy was a bit startled by his outburst and sudden departure. She couldn't help smiling for a moment, before she saw Caroline's ice cold eyes on her, willing her to drop dead right there. Even worse was the fury she saw in George's eyes.

But the whole situation was confusing her. She was supposed to hate Fitz Darcy--she had, just the other day, yelled at him on a public sidewalk. And yet not five minutes ago, they were skating together as though they'd always done it...

...and she'd liked it. She'd skated with Fitz Darcy and liked it!

If her mother was right, Fitz had done it deliberately. And it was working.

But if he'd done it on purpose, he wouldn't have defended her after. He'd have laughed at her stupidity in enjoying a skate with him.

Not only hadn't he done that, he'd defended her. To his almighty coach.

Lizzy didn't notice when her mother stormed off, or when Catherine and Caroline ran off in pursuit of Fitz. She didn't notice the leer George gave Georgiana, who limped away as though her right leg hurt her. She skated on wobbly legs over to the side and held onto the boards for balance. What had happened to cool, confident Lizzy Bennet?

"What the hell was that?" George yelled at her as he skated over to her.

"What the hell was what?"

He grabbed her arm in almost the same place he had the other day in the cafeteria. "What were you doing skating with Fitz Darcy? I've told you--and you betrayed me!"

"Let go of me!" she snapped. "I didn't betray you. I took advantage of an offer he made because you were late! Just as you've been late every day during this entire time!"

"You punish me by doing this?"

"I didn't punish you. It wasn't meant that way."

"You know what this was, Lizzy? This was his way of getting to me."

"It--it was?"

"Yeah. He was showing to me that he could have you if he wanted you. All he'd have to do is say the word."

"No, he couldn't. It was just a skate--not even that, really."

"It was more than that. It was a message. But you know what?"

She shook her head as though she had no idea what he was saying.

"I'm not going to let him get to me. And you shouldn't let him get to you. It was a ploy, defending you to Lady Cat. He was trying to throw us off, and all he did was ruffle our coach's feathers. Nothing more. Right?"

Lizzy was lost in her thoughts.

"Right?"

She looked up at him. It all hit her--where she was, what she was doing, why she was there. She was there to skate in the Olympics. She was there to win--to defeat the man she'd skated a very pleasant waltz with just minutes ago.

"Right," she said. "Then let's get started. We're going to blow them out of the water."

"Right," he replied, then started to warm up.

Neither of them noticed the couple standing near the nosebleed seats in the arena. Edward Gardiner turned to his wife and said, "I thought what they skated was wonderful."

"So did I," his wife, Sally, replied. "Who would've thought it? Frances Bennet's daughter and Catherine de Bourgh's cousin. Not the likeliest of combinations."

"Think they'll ever get together?"

"With Francie and Cat as relatives? Not likely. But think of how wonderful they'd be--his power and elegance, her beauty and style...that would be an unbeatable duo." Sally sighed. "He looked so happy, too."

"Did he?"

"Yes, dear. Much more content than when he's with Caroline."

"I couldn't help but notice that myself."

"Of course you did," Sally Gardiner said with a smile, knowing very well that he hadn't caught it. But it was all right. She was there to mention it to him.

Part 17

Pairs' Short Program.

he skating order had been determined through random drawing over the weekend. Caroline had been furious when she discovered that no amount of intimidation or bribery would get her a place later in the competition.

Fitz hadn't really cared, feeling that they were still World champions and that fact would be good enough to guide them into first place.

"With her and him skating next to last!" she had shrieked.

When they arrived at the arena, they could hear the crowd arriving. Caroline hadn't said a word to him since he'd been discovered skating with Elizabeth, to his infinite relief and fear. He was afraid she would do something to wreck their own chances of winning, although he knew that that wouldn't happen. Whenever he thought about it, he reminded himself of Caroline's number one priority--herself. She wanted to win, which required him to win as well.

Catherine, unlike Caroline, hadn't stopped talking since the incident. She had gone into a two-hour lecture about what his responsibility was to her, to his family, to his partner, to his good reputation. She'd gone on to an hour of questions--"What could have possessed you to abandon good sense and judgment? Why would you even consider skating with such an amateur?"

And the ultimate question, which was, "What if someone had seen you? A judge or a rival skater?"

"We were caught by another skater--George and Georgiana."

"Georgiana wouldn't dare say a word, and George Wickham, I would hope, has enough sense to realize that should the story get out, it would be disastrous to his slim chances of winning."

She had finally concluded her talk by bringing Caroline into the lecture and coaching them on what they had to do that night. Caroline had directed all her remarks to Catherine, pointedly ignoring Fitz.

Fitz knew that such animosity between them would be seen by the judges. For this reason, and this reason only, he decided to mend the breech between them in the only way he knew how. After dressing in his skating costume--a red shirt with black skating pants--he went in search of Caroline.

Caroline was standing backstage, people rushing back and forth. Neither Lizzy nor George Wickham had arrived yet--Fitz expected they would be there any minute, and he was hoping to get this over with before they got there. He walked up to Caroline, who was looking thoughtful but was likely thinking catty comments about the other skaters' outfits.

"Caroline."

Caroline acknowledged him with a nod of her head.

"Caroline, please, this must end and fast."

"I don't see that I'm the one who should end it. After all, I'm the one who's the injured party here. I'm the one whose partner would rather skate with another woman--"

"Caroline--"

"--the day of the competition. For God's sake, Fitz, couldn't you have chosen a better time to flaunt your obsession with Elizabeth Bennet in my face?"

"I'm sorry."

"And now you want me to go out there and skate with you, as if nothing happened."

"Do you want to win?"

"Of course I do. I want to show that bimbo on blades exactly what a class act is."

"Then you'll have to go out there and skate with me. As you eloquently pointed out to me the other day, you can't switch partners now."

"You don't get it, do you? I don't want another partner. I only want you, Fitz."

"I know." God help me.

"And you want her."

"Caroline..."

"Don't insult me by saying no."

"The fact remains that I'm here with you. That I'm going to win with you."

Caroline looked up at him. "You mean you don't intend to throw the competition for your girlfriend?"

"Lizzy isn't my girlfriend. But no, I don't intend to throw the competition so she'll win. I would never do that in the first place, and even if I lost my mind--"

"You'd best not finish that, because I believe you've lost your mind. I can't understand why you're so interested in--"

"The fact remains that I would never let George Wickham win. I would rather die than allow him to stand at the top of that podium and sing the national anthem."

"I know. And I know that's the only reason you're going out there."

"No, it isn't."

Caroline turned away from him.

"Listen...call it a moment of weakness. Call it curiosity. I don't care what you call it, as long as you can excuse it and get it out of the way for tonight. If the judges even suspect that we're not in synch out there, we're going to drop in the standings. With the number we drew to skate, we can't afford to let something like this affect us."

"I know." Caroline sighed. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine out there. I can fake it, believe me."

I don't doubt that, Caroline, he thought.

"It's you I'm worried about. I want you to be sure you don't act like you would rather be skating with someone else. When we get out there, you be sure that you look like you want to skate with me."

"I will."

Caroline turned to face him then. "Good."

Before he could stop her, Caroline had thrown her arms around him and brought his mouth to hers. To anyone who couldn't see the look on his face, it would look like a passionate embrace.

For his part, Fitz would rather kiss a rattlesnake, and pulled away from her before she try to slip her tongue past his lips.

"Caroline," he hissed, "what are you doing?"

Caroline looked at something just past his shoulder and smiled. "Nothing," she replied. In a louder voice she said, "God, Fitz, I know you're crazy about me, but did you have to ruin my makeup? You won't mind if I go reapply my lipstick, will you?" With a quick kiss on his cheek, she swayed past him with a smug smile on her face. He turned to say something to her when he stopped short.

Now he knew why she'd kissed him. Lizzy Bennet stood not ten feet away, her eyes wide with shock. Did he deceive himself, or was there a bit of jealousy in her withering look? She turned and walked in the other direction, a satisfied George Wickham following her.

Fitz never thought he could be so upset at anyone in his entire life, but Caroline had gone too far. He knew that he couldn't explain himself to Lizzy now.

And he had to skate with Caroline in twenty minutes.

She was not going to cry. Lizzy knew she had no reason to cry, because it wasn't like he was her partner. It wasn't like he loved her.

It wasn't like she loved him, for God's sake!

"Lizzy, I don't know why you're so upset," George said.

Lizzy knew she couldn't tell him that it had to do with seeing Caroline and Fitz kissing so soon after the wonderful skate she'd shared with him earlier. Especially as hurt as George had been when he'd caught them. They'd had another long talk after their wonderful practice--for some reason, they hadn't had a single problem all morning, which she hoped held up through Wednesday. He'd told her more about life in the same rink with Caroline and Fitz, and poor little Georgiana. It had been quite lonely, according to him.

"It's Caroline," she finally said. "She just gets to me. You know, sometimes I understand how Lydia feels about Georgiana."

At the mention of Lydia, George felt a bit uncomfortable. The night before, he had taken Lydia to a small restaurant, then to another cheap hotel. She'd been a bit disappointed, but he'd told her, "What do you expect, the Ritz? I don't have the money for that right now."

Lydia accepted it calmly. He knew that she really hadn't cared where they went, as long as they were together. But in the back of his mind was the knowledge that soon, she would want public acknowledgment as his girlfriend. He didn't know if he wanted that. He was still extremely uncomfortable with the idea of dating Lizzy's little sister, even if his feelings for Lizzy were pretty much gone.

"Don't let her get to you," George said, knowing the reason Caroline was bothering her. "She's nothing, Lizzy. Just one more opponent to defeat."

"Exactly," she said. Was this the tenth or eleventh time she'd said this--either to him or to herself? She'd been hoping to find Ice King on the Internet earlier that afternoon, just so she could get grounded, but he hadn't been lurking around. Disappointed, she'd gone wandering around the Olympic Village until it was time to head to the arena.

"Liz!" she heard someone call. It was Rich, smiling. "Here I am, all ready to root for you. You'll hear me. I'll be the one screaming--"

"Break both your legs," Lizzy replied, laughing at their old joke.

"You two are terrible," George said. "I'm going to see what's holding your mother up, okay?"

"That's fine."

After George left, Rich smiled. "Nervous?" he asked.

"Yes."

Rich had looked at her, knowing something was wrong from her voice. "What happened?"

"Oh, Rich!" she cried. "It's him!"

"Him who? Marc Gercourt again?"

"Forget him. He wasn't the guy."

"Then it has to be the Ice Moron himself."

"No, not him either. It was Fitz Darcy."

"Fitz Darcy? What about him? He make you mad?"

"No, not exactly...I skated with him."

Rich had been about to take a bite of his spaghetti. He dropped his fork. "You what?"

"I skated with Fitz Darcy."

"You're kidding."

"No."

He laughed.

"What do you find so amusing?" she snapped. "Today's the biggest competition in my life and I'm running around skating with my worst enemy! With George's worst enemy! And to make things worse, everyone saw us!"

"Everyone? As in every skater, coach and judge?"

"No. Only those who matter to us--like our partners and coaches and siblings."

"Oh." Rich burst out laughing again.

"Rich!"

"I'm sorry, Liz--but you have to admit that it's funny. Just a few days ago, you said you'd rather skate with William Collins than Fitz, and now you've been with Fitz. So besides the inevitable screaming that you heard from Frances and George, what's the problem? They aren't forgiving you?"

"Mom probably won't speak to me for another week or so, but George seems to have gotten over it--thank God."

"Good. Even if he is a liar, he's being a good sport--"

"A liar? Why are you calling him a liar?"

"Because I've been going over his story and it doesn't hold up. A couple of weeks after he left Catherine's camp, Georgiana Darcy withdrew from the junior Worlds ladies competition because of a knee injury she'd had for several months. There was no way that she could've been training to become a pairs skater with George in that time--which he said they were doing right up to the time he left."

"But what if Lady Cat made the whole thing up so people wouldn't wonder? What if Georgiana was too upset to continue because of what her brother did? Lady Cat wouldn't want to admit that to the world."

"Lizzy, two different doctors looked at Georgiana's knee and confirmed what was told."

"Don't tell me that Lady Cat doesn't have the money to pay off a couple of doctors. Maybe they weren't--"

"Liz! Listen to yourself! You can't keep making excuses for him! George lied to you."

"Perhaps the knee injury only flared up after he left. We don't know all the facts. Certainly not enough to point a finger at George Wickham and say he's a liar."

Rich sighed. "You're right," he lied, knowing that he was right. There was more wrong than right with George's story, and he intended to get to the bottom of it.

"Next on the ice, representing the United States of America...Caroline Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy!"

There was loud applause and recognition of the current World champions. Caroline smiled brightly, feeling that she'd done a pretty good job of getting her revenge. Silly of her not to think of it before, but kissing Fitz--aside from being a very nice experience--had rattled her opponent badly. The deliberate run-ins on the ice hadn't worked half as well as one little kiss had.

Fitz hadn't yet told her what he thought of that little trick, but he'd decided to put it out of his mind long enough to get through two minutes and forty seconds of a short program.

But when the Olympics were over, he intended to tell Caroline what he'd decided--he didn't want to be her partner anymore. Even if Elizabeth wouldn't be his partner, he couldn't skate with someone like Caroline anymore. Not after experiencing what skating should be like.

The applause died down. The two assumed their opening positions, waiting for the music to start. When he heard the opening strains of Copeland's "Variations on a Shaker Melody" from Appalachian Spring, his body automatically began skating.

Within five seconds, he knew that unless he could summon up the enthusiasm to skate with this young woman, he would ruin their hopes for a medal. So he did the only thing he could do.

He remembered Lizzy. He imagined that it was her he was holding in the combination spins...Lizzy that he was lifting in the air for a breathtaking lift...Lizzy that he threw effortlessly into the air, and Lizzy gracefully landing on the ice. Everything he did, it was with her...but even then, in the back of his mind, he knew that it wasn't Lizzy, that it was Caroline, and some of his joy diminished. This was a job. This wasn't real. Reality had been his for a few brief minutes that morning.

When the music came to an end and he was holding Caroline in their final pose, he heard the roar of the crowd. Fitz knew they'd done well. He was pleased, of course, but he could only feel a bit of sorrow that the woman who was beaming at the crowd wasn't Lizzy.

Up in the broadcast booth, Edward Gardiner looked down at his wife and smiled. He knew what she was thinking even as she was figuring up what her marks for this team would be.

"A technically superb job by Bingley and Darcy," he said into the mike. "They were flawless."

"That they were, Edward," his partner, Augusta Elton, added. "And they looked so beautiful and graceful out there. Truly gold-medal skating out there."

Edward had believed they'd looked good, but Fitz Darcy had seemed to be in a different world than Caroline Bingley, and he had a feeling that his wife and the other judges had seen it.

"You were fantastic!" Catherine shouted as soon as Fitz and Caroline had made their way to the "kiss and cry" area to await their scores. "Absolutely wonderful, both of you! Darcy, you were positively inspired!"

"Thank you," he said, slightly dazed.

"Oh, Fitz, I didn't think we were going to do so well!" Caroline threw her arms around him. He shrugged out of her embrace, afraid she was going to kiss him again. In her excitement, Caroline didn't care.

"Let's see what the judges say to that," he said, acting unnaturally calm. A week ago, if he and Caroline had skated like that, he would've been so excited and nervous he would've been kissing Caroline.

"And now the marks for Caroline Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy...

For technical merit: 5.7, 5.8, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.6, 5.7.

There were some boos at the 5.6, which Caroline felt was rather low. Fitz knew that they were saving room for the skaters to come.

For artistic presentation: 5.6, 5.8, 5.7, 5.6, 5.7, 5.7, 5.8, 5.5, 5.8.

"Those marks are way too low!" Catherine snapped. "And that Sally Gardiner--5.5 and 5.6! I realize that she might get called on the carpet for national bias, but that's ridiculous!"

The ordinals put Fitz and Caroline in first place--for the moment. With waves to the cheering crowd, the two left the kiss and cry area, apparently happy for the moment.

"The important thing to remember," Fitz said, "is that we skated well. We're going to be in the top three for certain."

"We'd better be," Catherine replied.

Lizzy didn't watch Caroline and Fitz skate, although she couldn't help hearing the scores as they came in. They were good, she thought, but they could be beaten.

And I intend to be the one to do it.

She was afraid she was going to be sick as she stood waiting for her turn to skate. George stood with her, his hand on her shoulder in a comforting sort of gesture. She knew he was just as nervous as she was, but the fact that he was trying to calm her down touched her.

"We're going to do it, Lizzy," he whispered in her ear as the announcer read the scores for the couple who had skated the moment before.

"Yes," she murmured. She looked down at her costume--a beautiful deep green dress with gold trim. Her cascade of dark hair had been pulled back into a bun adorned with a green and gold scrunchy to hold it in place. I feel like a female leprechaun, she thought.

"Next on the ice, representing the United States of America...Elizabeth Bennet and George Wickham.

There was a healthy amount of applause for the two, even if they were the lesser-known of the two American teams competing. They were going to skate to music from the film Circle of Friends, one of Lizzy's all time favorite movies. George thought it was nice music, and it was a program the judges just loved.

Lizzy worried for a brief second as the music started that George wouldn't be able to concentrate on the program. A moment later, she got lost in the music and was able to skate well. George was just fine--in fact, he was doing even better than he had at Nationals, and he'd been almost perfect there. Fifteen seconds before the music ended, the crowd was on its feet, cheering loudly for the enthusiasm and joy they had just seen on the ice.

Lizzy was excited--she hugged George, who held onto her for dear life. After bowing to the judges, to the crowd, and blowing a few kisses ("George, you flirt," she joked, not noticing exactly who he was blowing kisses to), they skated to the edge of the ice, where Frances hugged them both.

"Oh, Lizzy! Oh, George! Oh, you were both so wonderful that I could cry! My wonderful, wonderful daughter! I knew you could do it! George, you brilliant man! You were the one who could make my Lizzy shine!"

Lizzy smiled as the three of them headed for the kiss and cry area. The young girls who had picked up the flowers brought them over to George and Lizzy, who thanked them profusely. George kissed each of them on the cheek.

"If that didn't get you first place, I'll shoot those judges personally," Frances whispered in Lizzy's ear, because she didn't want those judges to hear her make such a comment on camera.

"And now the marks for Elizabeth Bennet and George Wickham...

Technical merit: 5.7, 5,8, 5,7, 5,8, 5.8, 5.9, 5.8, 5.8, 5.9.

"Yes!" Lizzy cried out.

"Two five-nines!" Frances crowed.

George was too stunned to say anything. He couldn't believe that they had done so well, that they were likely going to be in first place following the short program.

Artistic impression: 5.7, 5.9, 5.7, 5.7, 5.9, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.8.

The ordinals came up. Lizzy and George were in first place.

From Edward Gardiner's summary of the pairs short program on CBS's late night show.

"An amazing night of skating we had this evening. Beginning with Caroline Bingley and Fitz Darcy, we knew that the standard was set. They skated well, but an early number in the draw might have been the reason they're currently second going into Wednesday's long program. Still, there seemed to be something a bit lacking in their program.

"That something came along in the presence of Elizabeth Bennet and George Wickham. Their music was upbeat, their skating almost inspired, they were a duo of unity and dynamism. They skated into the lead with resounding style.

"But remember, all of this is essentially wiped out going into the long program. Any one of the first four teams can conceivably win the gold medal, should they win the long program. The big lead Bennet and Wickham have is not going to matter as much as how well they skate in the long program."

"Who do you think is going to win?" the smarmy Jim Stance asked.

"I think it's going to be a tough one to decide. Bingley and Darcy are going in as the World champions, but if they aren't able to seem as though they're skating together, they're not going to win. Especially not if Bennet and Wickham skate as well as they did tonight. This time, however, they do have an advantage--they'll be skating last. Even that, though, is a bit problematic, because Bennet and Wickham again drew the second-to-last position, so that's who they'll be following in the long program. And there's always the possibility of Jane and Charles Bingham sneaking in and winning it all--they skated very well into third place. They have the talent to do it, and they are the only one of the major contenders to have an Olympic medal already."

"Sounds like it's going to be an exciting competition," Stance said.

Part 18

Tuesday.

izzy smiled as she looked out on the ice. There was a certain thrill that went along with being first in the standings after the short program, but along with it came the realization that overconfidence would kill her chances faster than anything else.

Don't get cocky. You haven't won anything yet. There's still time for the judges to hold up Fitz and Caroline.

George had agreed to meet her at ten in the morning, and as Lizzy checked her watch, she saw that he still had twenty minutes. She hoped that last night's performance would motivate him to arrive early, but she would be satisfied if he showed up on time for once. She didn't really mind it today, though, since she was getting her first chance to get a look at Rich skate.

Rich was preparing for his lutz. Lizzy watched as he reached back and...

...fell with a clunk to the ice. It was over in a matter of seconds--jumps, which could make or break a skater, took the least amount of time.

Sometimes, it's a shame how much emphasis is being put on jumps these days, considering how little time is spent in the air, Lizzy thought as she saw Rich rise awkwardly.

"Was that a quad?" someone skating close to her whispered to a coach.

"I believe it was," the coach replied. "Good form--just not enough height."

Rich skated over to Frances, and the two spoke for a moment. He turned and saw Lizzy, who gave him a slight wave. He nodded in acknowledgment, then started skating again--slowly, to work out whatever nagging pain the fall had sent through his body, then gaining speed. He was going to try the quadruple lutz again.

I thought he said he wasn't going to add it into his program, she thought as she watched him go up in the air and this time, barely manage to save the landing on his quad. It was two-footed all the same.

Lizzy saw two judges close by, both of whom looked fairly impressed. They were pointing at Rich and undoubtedly making mental notes they would be remembering later in the competition.

The fact that they're pleased should count in his favor. He's the only man attempting a quad lutz in practice.

But she knew he wouldn't have it in his program, whereas two top skaters--Marc Gercourt and Canada's Arthur Hurst--would have quadruple toe loops in theirs.

Rich again skated over to Frances, where they had another chat. Lizzy wondered at the difference in her mother when she coached Rich compared to the way she coached her. Whenever Rich and Frances talked, Frances seemed a nurturer, someone who listened to her skater and cared about what they were thinking and what they felt.

Whenever Lizzy tried talking to her mother, Frances said, "I know better than you. I've been in this sport since I was seven years old, young lady, and I'll do the coaching around here."

Why was it? Because Lizzy was her daughter? Because Frances was doing what many "skating moms" did--living her life through her child? Or was it because Frances saw Lizzy as her last chance at greatness?

And if that last supposition was true, why was Frances so caring toward Lydia, who needed more guidance than she received?

Lizzy sighed. The complex puzzle that was her mother was something she tried to figure out on a daily basis--and never managed to succeed at doing.

Rich again prepared to do his quad, complete concentration clear on his face. He reached his leg back, and this time, landed a perfect quadruple lutz. Several of the spectators applauded, although many of them would probably not understand the importance of what he'd just done.

As the judges had watched, Rich had proven that he could land the quad lutz. He returned to Frances again, the skated across the way to Lizzy, who was smiling.

"How's that for a wake-up call?" he said cheerfully.

"Looked pretty good out there," she said.

"Finally."

"I thought you said the quad lutz was out."

"It is, unless I do something completely crazy in the short program."

"You mean like fall?"

"Exactly. If that happens, all bets are off."

"You'll do terrific, Rich. Just think of what we've talked about in your mind--you don't focus on the negative, you--"

"--convince yourself that you're going to do it," he finished. "Right. And a minute and a half into my short program, I'll be thinking, 'What are you, nuts? You can't do this!' It happened before."

"I wasn't here last time. This time, you'll see me right before you start skating and you'll tell yourself, 'Lizzy's here. It's going to be okay.' And you'll do fine."

"Yeah, well...we'll see."

"Hey, Rich?"

"Yeah."

"You haven't happened to see George this morning, have you?"

"Nope. I think he's found a girlfriend."

"You do?"

"Uh-huh. This is the third night in a row that he hasn't come back to our room."

Lizzy couldn't help feeling a bit surprised--and relieved. She was glad to know that George had maybe found someone else.

"Whoever she is, I hope she appreciates him," Lizzy said.

Rich arched an eyebrow, because he'd continued to do some checking on that story George had told Lizzy. He'd just been able to track down that Mrs. Younge character thanks to Internet information, but she hadn't responded to the e-mail he'd sent her.

He said nothing, though, as the music playing on the speakers ended. "Gotta go--my music's about to come up." He glanced at someone coming into the arena. "And you don't have to worry. Looks like George is on time."

Lizzy turned to see George walking toward her with a smile on his face. Lizzy wasn't sure what could have caused such a smile, but she had a suspicion that Rich was right--George had found someone.

"Morning, Lizzy," he said.

"Morning. Looks like you actually got some sleep," she said.

"I did." Well, he had after Lydia had finally passed out from too much drink. And it had been a restful sleep, restorative, and it was surprising after the excitement of the short program.

"Good." She smiled. "Then let's warm up and get out there."

"Okay, we skated well. We just didn't skate well enough to beat them," Catherine said.

Fitz and Caroline were sitting on a sofa in their hotel suite. They should be leaving for the rink, but Catherine had wanted to give them a "quick pep talk" which was turning into another of her long soliloquies about why they weren't doing well. Fitz hated the way she used the pronoun "we," as though she blaming herself when he knew she wasn't doing any such thing.

"It probably had quite a bit to do with the fact that they skated later than we did, because I saw nothing spectacular about their performance," she continued. "I suppose they were a bit flashier--but flashy doesn't win the gold. Grace and elegance win it. Artistry and perfection win it. And don't forget the most important thing--when it comes down to it, the two of you are still the World champions, and they are nothing. The judges will decide in your favor because they know those two are nothing."

Fitz had barely been listening to her, but when she said what he suspected might happen tomorrow night--that Caroline and he would win because they were the current World champions and Lizzy wasn't--he couldn't help feeling...

Helpless.

Lizzy, he felt, deserved to win last night. She had been perfect. If he'd been a judge, he would've handed her a gold medal right there--well, if could've avoided giving one to George Wickham at the same time.

But if both pairs skated perfectly, it was likely that he would win because he was a World champion. And Lizzy, whom he knew to be a much better skater than Caroline, would be stuck with the silver.

Catherine continued her lecture, emphasizing how important it would be for the two of them to skate perfectly.

At the very least, we would need to skate cleanly, he thought, remembering the bobbles that had plagued Caroline during practice but had managed not to surface during the short program. But Catherine's right. We'll have to be perfect to beat them.

"Fitz?"

He blinked. Both Catherine and Caroline were staring at him.

"Are you ready to go?" Caroline asked.

"Did you hear a word I said?" Catherine demanded.

"Don't worry, Lady Cat. We're going to win," he said, standing up and reaching for the bag with his skates in them.

Catherine speechlessly watched as he walked out the door. He'd never used the nickname she knew everyone used to refer to her, and what had brought it on...

It had to be that Bennet girl. Catherine shook her head in amazement. She couldn't understand it, but she could make sure that he wouldn't allow this obsession of his to ruin his shot at the gold medal.

Lizzy was humming cheerfully to herself later that afternoon. Her good mood at George's early arrival had only gotten better as they'd skated the best practice they'd had since arriving at the Olympics. Lizzy was worried that they may have gone too far, that maybe they should've held something back for tomorrow night. But Frances had been pleased, and George Knightley, the judge from Great Britain, had mentioned to her that their program was looking excellent.

She had a light lunch and then headed over to the Surf Shack, wondering if perhaps she would be fortunate enough to run into Ice King. She'd had remarkable luck lately that she figured she would. When she didn't see him immediately she left the room only to come back an hour later after checking in on a few web communities. There was one place she wished she'd had the time to check out--some interesting little nook called the Republic of Pemberley--but she'd gotten a feeling that she might find Ice King in the chat room and had acted on the premonition.

She was right.

GOLDEN GIRL: Hi, Ice King.

ICE KING: Hello.

GOLDEN GIRL: I think I'm psychic, because I just left an interesting web site to find you here.

ICE KING: Then we're both psychic, because I had a feeling you'd be somewhere here today.

GOLDEN GIRL: So, how are you?

ICE KING: All right, I guess. Yourself?

GOLDEN GIRL: Excited about tomorrow night.

ICE KING: Me too. Nervous.

GOLDEN GIRL: Same here.

(There was a small lapse in the chat, as Fitz thought of what he could say next. There was so much he wanted to tell her, things that would only reveal his identity and he wasn't sure he was ready for that.)

GOLDEN GIRL: Ice King? Still there?

ICE KING: Yeah, I'm still here. I was just thinking.

GOLDEN GIRL: About what?

ICE KING: Do you ever wonder why you've stuck with this for so long?

GOLDEN GIRL: Sometimes. But I don't think it's ever been the day before the biggest competition in my life.

ICE KING: It's on my mind today.

GOLDEN GIRL: Why?

(Lizzy figured that she knew why--he was low in the standings and had little if any chance to medal.)

ICE KING: I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm a little more disillusioned about the sport today.

GOLDEN GIRL: Disillusioned about the sport. That doesn't sound good.

ICE KING: It's not.

GOLDEN GIRL: Why'd you stay with skating? I mean, we've talked before that your mother doesn't talk to you often--I wish my would take that attitude--and your father thinks there's something wrong with you for skating. So why'd you stick with it if it's brought so many problems in your family?

ICE KING: The funny thing is, I don't remember.

GOLDEN GIRL: Sure you do.

ICE KING: Okay, GG, tell me why you did it.

GOLDEN GIRL: Because of my mother. I don't think there was ever a way out of skating for me. My dad was in it, she was in it. There was no way any of her children were escaping the curse. I was in skating for life.

ICE KING: Do you ever think that maybe you'd rather be doing something else? Like living the life of a normal teenager?

GOLDEN GIRL: I'm not a teenager anymore.

ICE KING: When you were a teenager, I mean. Sorry.

GOLDEN GIRL: Don't worry. I knew what you meant. And yes, I did have a lot of longing to do the things the girls I went to high school with did. Like go to parties and get disgustingly drunk, then try to sneak home at four in the morning without waking your parents.

(Some joker told Lizzy at this point that if she were interested in going to a kegger, he could show her the best places in Toronto. Lizzy ignored him.)

ICE KING: Did you go to a regular high school?

GOLDEN GIRL: Yes, I did. Did you?

ICE KING: No. I was pulled out of school in the eighth grade and had tutors.

GOLDEN GIRL: I think my mother would've preferred pulling me out of school, but we really couldn't afford to do that. So I stayed in school. I think it was better for me that way, though, because it gave me a chance to know what real life would've been like.

ICE KING: I would've thought it wouldn't be better, because of the reason you mentioned.

GOLDEN GIRL: No. It gave me hope that perhaps someday I would actually have a life outside of skating.

ICE KING: Which you have since dismissed.

GOLDEN GIRL: Yeah.

ICE KING: Do you want out of skating?

GOLDEN GIRL: After I've been through so much and gotten this far? No way. What about you?

(Fitz thought about his answer before responding.)

ICE KING: This is a bit complicated. If I were faced with the prospect of skating with my current partner for any longer than it takes us to get through our long program tomorrow night, then I'd say yes in a minute.

GOLDEN GIRL: You don't like her, do you?

ICE KING: No, not anymore.

GOLDEN GIRL: Then why'd you become her partner?

ICE KING: My coach thought we looked good together. And in the beginning, she actually was a good skater, fun to be around. She just wears thin fast, especially when she doesn't win.

GOLDEN GIRL: I can name a couple of people who fit that pattern.

(Fitz chuckled to himself, knowing exactly who she was referring to with that comment.)

ICE KING: I'm going to tell her that I can't skate with her anymore soon. I'm just afraid of how she'll take it.

GOLDEN GIRL: Let me tell you from experience--she won't take it well. It's hard to be let go like that, but if you really don't think you like her--and she's really that unlikeable--then you're doing the best thing for you both.

ICE KING: I have ample reason to break our partnership.

GOLDEN GIRL: You said it was complicated. Are you considering becoming someone else's partner?

ICE KING: Yes...if she'll have me.

GOLDEN GIRL: You aren't considering me, are you? Because I hate to tell you, but I'm taken already. I'm happy with my partner.

(Anger welled up in Fitz again, knowing that if she knew the truth, she wouldn't be happy with George. But what could he tell her?)

ICE KING: So much for that. I guess I'll find someone else or give up the sport entirely.

GOLDEN GIRL: You'd do that?

ICE KING: I'll tell you something. I recently skated with someone else and she took my breath away. Skating with her seemed like such a wonderful thing that it made me wonder why I'd wasted my time with my partner.

(Lizzy felt a small dart of jealousy, wondering who this other woman had been, wondering if she was any good. She wondered if she knew her.)

GOLDEN GIRL: You should ask her to be your partner.

ICE KING: I intend to, one of these days. Just thought I'd give you the first chance!

GOLDEN GIRL: LOL! You're so sweet, Ice King! Thanks...and sorry I couldn't take you up on your offer.

ICE KING: I'm not offended.

GOLDEN GIRL: You never answered my question.

ICE KING: I'm good at that.

GOLDEN GIRL: Why have you stayed in skating if you've become disillusioned with it?

ICE KING: I don't know. Maybe because I've spent so much time in it. But when I think of everything I gave up for it...a normal childhood, friends, family, school, a real life. My coach says my life must be skating. I believed her until recently.

GOLDEN GIRL: And now you're thinking it's not worth it?

ICE KING: Will winning that gold medal cure AIDS? Will it cause me to become immortal? Will I be a better or different human being than I am now?

GOLDEN GIRL: Your life would be different.

ICE KING: But I'd essentially be the same person, right?

GOLDEN GIRL: I'd certainly hope so.

ICE KING: I once thought winning was everything, to the exclusion of everything that should've mattered.

GOLDEN GIRL: Like what?

ICE KING: Like love.

(Lizzy thought for a moment that he was going to say he loved her.)

GOLDEN GIRL: You don't think you'll ever love anyone?

ICE KING: I already do.

(Fitz was seriously considering telling her he loved her, but he held back. It wasn't something to say on the Internet.)

GOLDEN GIRL: That's good. I'm glad to hear it. It means that you haven't let skating become the only thing in your life. It means that you can have a life outside of it.

ICE KING: I hadn't really thought of it that way.

GOLDEN GIRL: I think of what my life would be like if I couldn't skate sometimes. I panic for a while, because it's all I've ever known. But then I get to thinking that I could do anything, and it doesn't frighten me as much.

ICE KING: I don't want to give up skating. I don't want you to think I do...I just hope I can convince this lady to be my partner.

GOLDEN GIRL: I think you might have a chance.

ICE KING: Listen, I know the plan Saturday was a bust, but do you want to give it another try?

GOLDEN GIRL: You mean meet again?

ICE KING: Yeah.

GOLDEN GIRL: You better not stand me up again.

ICE KING: I explained last time what happened.

GOLDEN GIRL: I know, I know. Just try to be there this time, okay?

ICE KING: You have my word. Where should we meet?

GOLDEN GIRL: How about in the cafe across the street from the Olympic Village? It's very nice.

ICE KING: All right. When and what time?

GOLDEN GIRL: Well, not tomorrow.

ICE KING: That's out for me, too.

GOLDEN GIRL: Ha ha. Then how about Thursday, noon?

ICE KING: How about later?

GOLDEN GIRL: No, not later. A friend of mine is in the men's competition.

ICE KING: Oh, all right. Thursday at noon will be fine. How will I know it's you?

(Lizzy thought fast--what would she wear?)

GOLDEN GIRL: I'll be carrying a gardenia with me. How about if you bring one, too?

ICE KING: Sounds good to me. I'll meet you there, then.

GOLDEN GIRL: It's a date.

Part 19

From Edward Gardiner's preview of the pairs' long program, CBS Sports--

he music both couples have chosen have come from movie soundtracks--Bennet and Wickham will skate to music from Titanic, while Bingley and Darcy have chosen music from The English Patient. Both tragic love stories. The question is, do either of these couples have the passion to play the roles they've assigned themselves on ice?

"Some suggest that perhaps Bennet and Wickham do--the young lovers, longing to break free, attempting to overcome the almost insurmountable obstacles placed in their path. Monday night they impressed the judges and the crowd with their style--now they'll show another side to themselves.

"Whether Bingley and Darcy have it is another story--they are more restrained, and there are rumors that a break-up is in the works. Yet they are still the reigning world champions, and there is a subtlety to their skating that might be noticed tonight. It's almost as though their emotions are close to the surface and only await the right moment to emerge."

Wednesday--Pairs' Long Program

Six couples took the ice for the final group warm-up. The first to skate would be Jane and Charles Bingham, who were dressed in silvery grey and, as always, appeared to be perfectly in synch with each other.

The second couple would be the Russian pair of Ilianova and Smirnov, a classically-trained pair who looked beautiful but were considered a bit too young and inexperienced to medal this time.

The third couple to skate were from France, Bonhomme and Chelios. They were sixth coming into the long program and appeared to be happy just being in the last group. They lacked the artistry to win.

The fourth couple would be the other British couple, Jones and Western. Thomas Jones was a great favorite with the crowds, but judges tended to think of him somewhat less kindly. His partner, Sophia Western, was calmer in temperament and it had been hoped she would calm him down, which she had done to some effect.

Lizzy and George circled the rink, slowly warming up. They were wearing sea green. They would be the fifth couple to skate.

Across the rink from them skated Fitz and Caroline. He wore black and looked most elegant. She was wearing yet another orange creation, and again looked sallow and pumpkin-like.

"What a waste of money," Lizzy had murmured to George when she'd first seen what Caroline was wearing. It was a different outfit than she'd had at Nationals.

"What a waste of taste," he replied, and the two of them had chuckled.

The warm up was going smoothly for Lizzy and George, but not as well for Fitz and Caroline. Caroline tried a triple toe loop and leaned, falling to the ice.

The announcer called for all couples to leave the ice, except for the Binghams. After slipping on skate guards, Lizzy and George were whisked away by Frances Bennet for one last talk.

"This is it," she said to begin, just as they heard the strains of Jane and Charles' music. They were skating, oddly enough, to music from Star Wars, but the music wasn't the familiar tunes Lizzy was used to hearing. Hearing the music playing, she thought that she might have to ask them later where she could get a copy, because it was very nice.

"We are almost where we want to be," Frances said. "Caroline is faltering badly. Fitz is distracted--Lizzy, I would suspect you did it deliberately only you would never think of it. They won't skate well tonight. The two of you could probably make a mistake or two and still win."

"Don't say that, Mom," Lizzy said. "We have to skate perfectly to win."

"It would be easier if you did, and I want you to. I just don't want you to feel pressure."

It's a little late for that, Lizzy thought.

"You can do this. Lizzy, you are the best. George...words don't describe you. You are too good. Both of you. You can win tonight...and finally, Catherine won't."

Are we doing this for you or for ourselves? Lizzy wondered. I don't want you to be happy I win just because Catherine's team won't.

"The important thing is that you skate well," she said. "I think you can. This program is something special."

Catherine's pep talk was much of the same, only longer. She talked over the scores for Jane and Charles Bingham--which were very good, considering they were skating first. They must have been flawless.

Fitz, as he often did, tuned out his coach. He thought of what was about to happen. He was just a few minutes away from winning the gold medal...or silver. He was a few minutes away from his last performance with Caroline. After tonight, he wouldn't have to skate with her ever again.

He was less than a day away from telling Lizzy that he was Ice King. How would she react?

"...the most important thing is that you demolish those two upstarts. They are nothing. You are everything."

Thank God I haven't heard the rest, he thought. And thank God I realized how foolish she really is, otherwise I might believe this. I wouldn't skate well if I were really listening to this.

He looked at Caroline--who was taking it all in as though Catherine were reciting gospel. The World of Skating According to Catherine de Bourgh, he thought sarcastically.

New music was playing--Russian folk music. One down, four to go.

Fitz wondered what Lizzy was thinking just then.

Lizzy was mentally going over the long program, skating it in her mind. She had done this a hundred times before, thinking of everything that could go wrong, believing that everything would go right. She heard the music in her mind, blanking out Marais' "The Bells of St. Genevieve" that was playing for the French couple skating. She also had heard the marks for the Binghams, for whom she'd been happy, and the less-than-stellar marks for the Russian team.

They probably skated perfectly.

"Lizzy?" George tapped her on the shoulder. "One more to go before us."

"I know."

"I can't believe I'm here sometimes...especially right now. We're about to go out there and skate for the gold medal."

"I know."

"Lizzy...I want you to know that I think you're the best skater I've ever seen."

"Thank you. I think the same thing about you." She smiled. "Do you think Mom was right? Caroline and Fitz aren't going to skate well?"

"I think so. She's gained some weight and it's obviously throwing her off. They're both getting too lax, and it's going to cost them the medal."

Lizzy didn't think Fitz Darcy was lax at all, but she didn't say it.

The music ended for the French couple, and the crowd applauded. From their occasional reactions, it didn't sound as though they'd skated well.

"You look like you're about to get sick," George said.

"I'm fine, really."

"You sure?"

"I didn't come this far to get sick just before the long program," she replied.

"Lizzy..."

"Yes?"

Whatever George wanted to say, he changed his mind. "Nothing."

Jones and Western were skating to a medley of Scott Joplin tunes, as ever entertaining the crowd. The rhythmic clapping and seemingly ceaseless applause could be heard no matter where you went. Fitz was in deep concentration.

"I have a feeling that we're going to win," Caroline said.

"We will if you don't kiss me," he replied coldly.

Caroline frowned. She'd thought, taking the ice Monday, that her plan was foolproof, but Lizzy hadn't made a single mistake in the short program. She'd thought about doing something tonight except that she knew Fitz wouldn't stand for it. She didn't know what his deal was.

"I won't," she muttered. "You're safe from that, although why you'd want to be, I can't tell."

"I just don't--want to be distracted." He'd almost said that he didn't like her, but stopped himself in time. The last thing he needed was messing up now, on this night.

"Oh. Of course...forgive me." Caroline deferred to his wishes and walked away.

Next on the ice...representing the United States of America...Elizabeth Bennet and George Wickham!

There was a great deal more applause this time, people recognizing the outstanding pair of Monday night. The two of them stood at center ice, no posing, no posturing. They waited for their music to begin. Lizzy noticed Fitz Darcy was just off to one side, watching them.

They had chosen to skate to music from Titanic. As the music started, Lizzy had to fight the overwhelming urge to throw up all over her skates. A second later, she had George were off...beginning with beautiful side-by-side camel spins, then skating into their first lift. Lizzy's nausea faded as quickly as it had begun as the music changed moods and suddenly, she remembered the movie. She felt as though she were flying, whether it be from being thrown in the air by George or whether on her own steam in their perfect triple toe loops. She felt as though she were in a world where only she and George existed, right there on the ice, as though they were recreating the story for the audience and judges who seemed in another world.

The music changed again, the haunting chords resounding through the arena. In the broadcast booth, Edward Gardiner was for the first time in his life speechless. The same could not be said for his broadcasting partner, for Augusta Elton had a great deal to say on everything. Edward, however, could not believe how wonderfully this pair was skating.

George smiled at Lizzy as they prepared for the final lift, where he would hold her up as he skated across the length of the ice and then set her down. The smile on her face was serene and beautiful as he raised her high in the air. Lizzy's sensation of flying was at its height. Nothing could go wrong.

And then something did. Lizzy wasn't sure who was to blame, but their hands were not as tightly gripped as they should be for the difficult lift. Before she knew what was happening, his hands lost their strength...

...and she came down hard on her ankle before she should have. Her ankle buckled underneath her and she dropped to one knee. She managed to right herself quickly, but the damage had been done. Her ankle was in excruciating pain as the two completed their final spin. Only a lifetime of skating in pain and determination kept her on her feet as they finished skating. As the crowd applauded, Lizzy dropped again in a clumsy curtsy. After waving to the crowd, tears in her eyes, she told George, "I'm so sorry!"

The pain was bad enough that she couldn't skate. George picked her up in his arms and, as hundreds of cameras flashed and the crowd, which was already on its feet, cheered louder, he carried her to the boards.

Lizzy kept repeating, "I'm so sorry," knowing that she'd been to blame. She hadn't locked her grip, and it had cost them dearly. Now, in order to win, Fitz and Caroline would also have to make a major mistake.

Frances said nothing as they headed over to the Kiss and Cry area. Tears rolled down Lizzy cheeks unchecked. After what seemed like an eternity, the marks came up.

Technical merit: 5.6, 5.7, 5.7, 5.6, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7.

Artistic impression: 5.8, 5.8, 5.8, 5.8, 5.8, 5.8,5.8, 5.9, 5.8.

Still very good marks...but it might not be enough. Everyone knew that the door had been opened, as it was said in the skating world.

As Elizabeth Bennet had skated, Fitz Darcy watched and wished it could've been him. When she suddenly stumbled on the ice, he recognized what had happened.

And he knew who was to blame. Fitz wanted to rage, but he couldn't. It wasn't the time or the place, and he couldn't be completely sure until he'd seen the replay.

He intended to get his hands on it as soon as he could.

Caroline looked smug as they took the ice, and for an instant, he was tempted to just leave her alone on center ice. But common sense and his own desire to win took over, and as the music from The English Patient began, his impulse was forgotten and he skated.

Again, he dreamed that he was skating with Lizzy instead of Caroline. Again, everyone noticed that it seemed as though they were in two different worlds, but somehow they managed to skate together. When the music came to an end, Edward Gardiner said, "This is going to be close! The passion and artistry of Bennet and Wickham might just overcome the fall to defeat Bingley and Darcy!"

"I think Bingley and Darcy skated perfectly," Augusta Elton replied.

"Yes, Augusta, but there was something lacking in it again. When Bennet and Wickham skated, it was captivating. These two looked as though they were two different skaters occupying a rink together compared to the first two."

Augusta didn't see that at all, and told him so.

Fitz didn't pay much attention to the hugs of his coach and partner. He worried about Elizabeth. Was she all right?

The marks came up.

Technical merit: 5.9, 5.8, 5.8, 5.8, 5.9, 5.9, 5.7, 5.8, 5.8.

Artistic impression: 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.7, 5.6, 5.8.

Fitz Darcy and Caroline Bingley had won the gold medal by one-tenth of a point.

Author's note: Thanks to Meesh for coming up with the idea for this part of the story. Several people had suggested that there be a tie, but the way skating's point system is set up, there's no way for a tie to happen.

Judges 1, 4, 5, 6, and 9 gave first place to Fitz and Caroline; Judges 2, 3, 7, and 8 gave first place to Lizzy and George.

So the final point standings were:

Bingley and Darcy=2.0 (1 point each for short & long programs)
Bennet and Wickham=2.5 (.5 points short, 2.0 points long)
Bingham and Bingham=4.5 (1.5 points short, 3.0 points long)

Part 20

hile Fitz and Caroline were skating to victory, two physicians were taking a look at Lizzy's ankle.

"I don't think it's broken," one said to the other.

"Sprained, maybe. Probably nothing more than a nasty twist," the other said. "But you definitely won't be able to skate for a couple of days."

"I don't think I ever want to skate again," Lizzy sobbed, the guilt of what she was sure would be their loss weighing heavily on her.

Frances Bennet was oddly silent. Lizzy wasn't sure whether the silence was to punish her, or if it was due to the fact that she was stunned by what happened.

George just said what he'd been saying since their scores had come up. "We can probably still win, even with the fall," he repeated.

Just then, the scores came up for Fitz and Caroline. One of the physicians taped up Lizzy's ankle, saying, "He'll have to carry you back out there, because I don't want you walking on it."

"Should we go to the hospital for x-rays?" Frances asked.

"It would probably be a good idea."

"Then we'll go after the medal ceremony."

Rich Fitzwilliam had, the moment he saw Lizzy drop to her knee, run into the backstage area. After making sure she was all right, he'd gone to watch Caroline and Fitz skate and he'd listened to their scores.

And so the depressing task of informing Lizzy and George that they'd lost fell to him. He walked into the small room where Lizzy was being treated, the truth in his eyes. Lizzy looked at him and said quietly, "We lost, didn't we."

It wasn't a question. Rich nodded slowly.

"How close was it?" George demanded.

"Does it really matter?" Lizzy murmured. "We lost. And all because of me."

"How close?"

Rich sighed. "Five to four."

"Dammit!" George yelled. "I can't believe this! We should've won! We would've won, if it hadn't been..."

Lizzy's face crumpled in misery. Rich, who had been suspicious enough of George Wickham before, knew in his heart that he didn't like him anymore. Rich put a comforting arm around Lizzy.

"This isn't your fault, kiddo."

"I didn't lock my grip."

Are you absolutely sure of that? Rich wanted to ask.

"I was about to say that it was Fitz Darcy's fault," George said. "I think your grip was fine. I think he unnerved you by showing up at rinkside to watch."

Lizzy tried to remember if Fitz had been there, and vaguely remembered seeing him right before the music had started. But a moment later, she'd forgotten all about him. It couldn't be that.

They say Katarina Witt used to intimidate her opponents by standing at rinkside while they competed. Did Fitz Darcy hear that and pick something up? Lizzy frowned. What had been his motive for watching her skate?

What did it matter? George probably meant to say it was her fault. And it was.

The physician finished wrapping her ankle and left. George took off a second later to let out some frustration (hopefully someplace where the cameras wouldn't be on him). Frances went after him to calm him down, leaving Rich alone with Lizzy.

"This room is claustrophobic. Mind if we get out of here?" he asked.

"No...not at all." In reality, Lizzy would rather be shot than leave the room. She would have to face Caroline in all her smug victory.

Better get it over with now, I guess.

Rich offered to carry her, but Lizzy muttered, "Just loan me a shoulder to balance on."

The first person they ran into outside of the room was Edward Gardiner, who said, "Lizzy, we were just looking for you and George. Where is he?"

"I think he's..."

"In the men's room, last place I saw him," Rich said.

"Oh, I see. Well, we can wait to do the interview until he returns. How's the ankle?"

"Uh, the doctors said it's probably twisted badly, or maybe sprained...we're going to the hospital after the medal ceremony to get a definite diagnosis."

"How will this affect you going into the Worlds?"

The Worlds? What do they matter now? I lost us the gold medal.

"We'll just see what the doctor says before making any decisions."

"You know, Lizzy, if it hadn't been for the fall you would've won. Your program was the kind that comes along...not very often."

"I know," she said quietly.

Just at that moment, Fitz and Caroline came walking down the hall, Caroline triumphant, Fitz pleased...but worried about something. Caroline immediately noticed Lizzy.

"Oh, you poor dear! How's your foot?" she asked.

"It hurts," Lizzy said.

Had Lizzy not been so depressed, Rich would've laughed at her response to Caroline's ridiculous question.

"I was so sad to hear that you'd fallen. I was hoping that both teams could skate their best, and then the judges would decide which of the two was better."

Caroline's meaning was clear---the judges would've preferred her program to Lizzy's.

"Caroline, behave yourself," Fitz said.

Lizzy was startled to hear Fitz defend her. She thought about what George had said, that Fitz had unnerved them by standing at rinkside while they skated.

"You might want to remember that you only won on the strength of one judge's marks," Rich added. "Which would indicate to me that the fall is the only thing which kept you from losing."

Caroline was not fazed by the remarks of the men. She was feeling too happy and confident. She had defeated Elizabeth Bennet, and she wanted everyone to know it. The fact that Lizzy had ruined her own chances only made the victory sweeter.

"What happened, Lizzy? Did you lose your confidence going into the lift? Or was it perhaps George who lost his grip and caused you to fall?"

"Caroline!" Fitz snapped. "That's enough!"

Lizzy frowned. Caroline should've continued sniping at her, but she got extremely nervous when Fitz said that. Lizzy looked at Fitz to discover that he looked enraged.

What did Caroline say that would make him so mad? Surely it wasn't me, and I know it couldn't be what she said about George--there's too much animosity between them for that. So what is it?

Catherine de Bourgh arrived just then, and noticing that her pair was arguing in front of a commentator (who happened to be married to a judge), she said, "Fitz! Caroline! The two of you must prepare for the ceremony. Come on." She didn't want any more speculation than there already was about the possibility of Fitz and Caroline splitting up--not that she expected it to happen, but she didn't want the idea out there.

The pair meekly followed their coach. Fitz turned back to look at Elizabeth one last time before Lady Cat grabbed his arm and turned him in the other direction.

"That wasn't as bad as I thought," Lizzy said. "I'm surprised Lady Cat didn't get in a couple of words."

"Your mother wasn't around," Edward replied. "I'm sure she would've if Frances had been."

"Caroline Bingley, Olympic champion. It has a lovely ring to it, doesn't it?" Caroline whirled around, pleased with herself.

Not nearly as nice as Elizabeth Bennet, Olympic champion.

"Oh, Fitz, we did it!" She threw her arms around him, not noticing that he flinched. "Maybe we should come back in four years to try for another one."

"Absolutely not," he said, pulling out of her embrace.

"Why not? I think it's a splendid idea. Don't you, Catherine?" Caroline walked to a mirror to look and see if her makeup looked all right.

"I think it would be a nice thing, but it's up to the two of you. You aren't as young as some of the couples who will be skating in four years. And there's nothing wrong with becoming a professional."

"Only there isn't a much available to us as there would be in the singles ranks," Caroline muttered.

"Tours pay very well," Catherine said. "Especially with the popularity of figure skating today. Ten years ago, I would've said you two should definitely stay in the Olympic ranks, but now I might not."

"That's a good point. How about it, Fitz? Does a pro tour sound good to you? Something that will make us money and--"

"No, a pro tour doesn't sound good to me."

"You want to stay in the eligible ranks, then. I figured you'd say that--you have enough money."

"I haven't made the decision about whether or not to go professional or to stay in the amateur ranks, but I have come to a decision about you."

Caroline stopped primping in the mirror and looked at him. "What do you mean, you've come to a decision about me?"

"I don't want to skate with you anymore."

Catherine and Caroline just looked at him, neither one believing he'd just said what they'd heard.

"You can't be serious," Caroline said.

"I've never been more serious in my life."

"But you...you just won a gold medal with me! How's it going to look if we split up?"

"I don't know, Caroline. I don't really care."

"Fitzwilliam Darcy, how can you think such a thing? You aren't going to split with Caroline. You two are going to continue on. You have to!" Catherine glared at him.

"No, Catherine, I don't have to do anything." Fitz was beginning to enjoy this. After years of listening to Caroline whine to get her way and Catherine command, he was the one making decisions.

"You would ruin your career if you split with Caroline! And who would you skate with if not her?"

"I don't care if I don't find someone else to skate with. There are days when I think I'd like to give it up forever, and if that's what happens to me after this it won't bother me at all."

"You cannot live without skating!" Catherine exclaimed. "It has been your whole life!"

"You're right. It's been my whole life. But recently I've discovered that there's more to life than skating and winning. There's love and friendship and having fun. There are a million things I could be doing with my life that I might actually enjoy. I don't enjoy skating anymore."

Aah, you know that's a lie. You enjoy skating, just not with Caroline. Think of how wonderful it was Monday morning with Elizabeth.

"How can you do this to Caroline? To even think of abandoning her--"

"I'm sorry for causing her any more pain than necessary, but you're asking me to list reasons for doing this that would hurt her even more."

"I think I have a right to know why you're throwing a brilliant future away!" Catherine shouted. "And Caroline has a right to know why you're ruining her life!"

"Because I don't like her." Fitz was remarkably calm when saying this.

Catherine had no reply for this. Caroline, horrified, burst into tears.

"Catherine, do something!" she sobbed. "He can't do this to me!"

"I most certainly can," he replied. "I'm sorry if it hurts you, Caroline, but I can't go on being miserable. We almost lost tonight because the judges could see that I don't like skating with you."

"No! We almost lost because judges were biased to feel sorry for Lizzy." Caroline's eyes darkened. "That's what this is all about, isn't it? You want her."

"Who?" Catherine was confused.

"He...he wants Lizzy Bennet."

"Of course he doesn't, Caroline. Why would he want a girl with no talent, no beauty, no..." She looked at her cousin, who wasn't saying anything. "You can't be serious," she repeated. "You'd give up a promising future for that girl? She willingly skated with your worst enemy!"

"And she enjoyed it!" Caroline added spitefully.

"You can't think of doing this. I forbid it."

"I'll do what I want," Fitz said calmly. "I am a man, Catherine, and free to make my own choices. I'll wait until after the Olympics to make my announcement, but the last time we skate together will be at the exhibition."

He didn't give either of them a chance to continue the argument, leaving the room. He wouldn't have cared to know that Caroline had run out of the room a moment later, trying to find him and persuade him to stay with her. It would've been futile if she'd found him right away.

He had something else on his mind now that he'd gotten the announcement out of the way, and that was finding someone who would give him a copy of Lizzy's performance.

He had to know the truth.

"Oh, George, I'm so sorry," Lydia said, her arms around him in comfort. George found it odd, that an eighteen-year-old who was normally considered so flighty could be his rock of stability right then, but he was grateful for her. "I can't believe it."

"It's all Fitz's fault," he repeated. "He threw Lizzy off. I know he did."

"Are you sure about that?" she asked.

He nodded. "It was deliberate. He stood there and watched us skate, and it made her nervous. Hell, it would make me nervous, but I'm older and I know him too well. But Lizzy...poor girl, she blames herself. She thinks I blame her. I don't."

"You probably ought to tell her," Lydia said. "I'm sure she'll understand."

"I hope so. She's still my partner, you know."

"I know." Lydia frowned. She wished he would downplay his relationship with Lizzy somewhat, because she really hated the sound of his admiration for her sister.

"But I swear to God, I'm going to get my revenge on him for costing us the gold medal," he said coldly.

"How are you going to do that? Most people in the skating world think Fitz Darcy's a god."

"I know." George sighed, thinking. Suddenly, he thought of something. "Lydia..."

"Hmm?"

"How much do you hate Georgiana Darcy?"

"About as much as you hate her brother--only I don't have your excuse. She's just an annoying, two-faced brat who makes me look bad. Plus, she's cloying and sweet and she pretends to have agoraphobia so people will feel sorry for her. She's probably not nearly as scared of crowds as she claims she is."

George knew otherwise, but he wouldn't say anything.

"Plus, in spite of what the papers and magazines say, I think she's got a good chance of winning the gold from me. I don't think I could take it if she did."

George smiled. "What if she were to suddenly drop out of the competition?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've got an idea...and I think it could work."

Lydia couldn't quite figure out what he was up to, but she was willing to listen to anything. She loved George, and if he wanted revenge on Fitz Darcy and managed to take care of Georgiana at the same time, she was up to it.

Neither of them noticed the silent figure who stood not five feet away, listening to their conversation.

11:30 p.m.

Fitz sighed. He'd watched the tape someone had sneaked to him over and over again. He'd watched the replays. He'd watched the close-ups. And what he'd suspected all along was true.

He'd watched Lizzy's face as she waited with George and her mother in the kiss and cry area, sobbing that she was sorry, that it was her fault. He saw her eyes, still in pain as she stood on the podium and listened to "The Star-Spangled Banner" play, but not because she had won. (He did his best to ignore both Caroline and George, who were both glaring at him.)

The worst thing was, he heard what George said the first time in response to Lizzy's confession of guilt: "Don't worry about it. We can still win even with the fall."

But it wasn't Lizzy's fault at all. And he knew it.

But getting Lizzy to believe it was another problem, and one that he wasn't sure he could solve. He could show her the tape but if she was completely convinced that it was her fault it wouldn't matter.

So he had to find another approach. He racked his brain, trying to think of all the alternatives. Finally he hit upon one...

...but it would require going back over everything that had happened four years ago. He would rather forget all of that, but if it was the only way he could convince Lizzy of the truth--about George Wickham, about himself, about her fall--he would be willing to retell the story.

He sat down at the desk in the living room. He found some of the hotel's stationary and a pen. Thinking for a long minute before he started, he finally began by writing, "Dear Elizabeth..."

Continued in Section IV