Pride Hospital--Section I

    By Lisa Renee

    Section I, Next Section

    Part 1

    It is a truth universally acknowledged that all prosperous young doctors are in want of a wife. It is also true that all mothers would like to see their son or daughter married to a doctor.

    Which is why a certain Mrs. Francine Bennet was beside herself with joy while she sat in the main entrance of Pride Hospital, filling out a request for a new identification tag for one of the hospital's newest pediatricians, Dr. Charles Bingley.

    "We are so happy to have another pediatrician for the new ward," Mrs. Bennet gushed, eyes sparkling, "and did I mention that my daughter Jane is a pediatrician there as well?"

    Only about 6 times , thought Charles, but he was able to smile anyway. "I'm looking forward to meeting her, Ma'am," he assured her. Picking up the completed request form and informing Mrs. Bennet he would take it to processing on his way to the new Longborn pediatrics ward, Charles shook his head slightly as if to clear it. If Jane is anything like her mother, I'm sure I won't have any trouble finding her , he thought with a grin.

    Meanwhile, the aforementioned Dr. Jane Bennet from the Longborn pediatrics ward was attempting to enjoy lunch in the hospital's busy cafeteria with her sister, Dr. Elizabeth Bennet, of the Hertfordshire Hematology/Immunology ward. Elizabeth bit into her tuna sandwich with a grimace, but she was hungry. It had been a long day and it only had the promise of being longer. She had already informed her sister that she'd be home late, having to go to a meeting regarding a rather difficult AIDS patient from her lab. He was in need of some surgery, and she was required to brief the surgical staff.

    Jane knew something was bothering her sister, so she tried to cheer her up. "Lizzy, did I tell you that there is to be a new doctor on my floor? He's a transfer from Athens General, and he's supposed to be very good. Mama happened to mention him as well."

    Elizabeth, grateful for the distraction from her thoughts, smiled wryly. "A new prospect for a husband, no doubt," she teased her sister, lightly.

    Jane blushed. "I suppose it has been mentioned," she muttered, tucking a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She was interrupted by her beeper, which when checked, only confirmed Lizzy's statement. "It is Mama," Jane sighed, "no doubt waiting to inform me that the new doctor is here. I think I'll go meet him before Mama comes searching so she can introduce us."

    Elizabeth smiled as Jane left, and she attempted to finish her sandwich. She let her thoughts distract her once again. As much as her mother's meddling bothered her, Jane's sunny, easygoing disposition allowed her to handle it well. Elizabeth knew that her tall, beautiful sister would have no trouble marrying. Being almost 28, Jane had finished medical school and quickly became a pediatric resident. When the new ward was finished, her ease with children and proficiency with medicine had helped her get one of the jobs offered there. The new ward was understaffed until now, and Elizabeth knew Jane was looking forward to having a colleague.

    Elizabeth had followed a slightly different path. Being the second daughter to Dr. Paul Bennet, a retired neurologist and his favorite, he had pushed her into the neurology field. Dark haired where Jane was blonde, and curly where Jane's was straight, she was also shorter, quick tempered, and intense. She had completed college (graduating suma cum laude) at Cornell, and was immediately accepted for medical school there as well. She had decided that neurology wasn't for her, and became interested in hematology. Working as an intern at the hospital had gotten her a coveted position in a research lab, and now she ran the lab with her long time friend and lab partner, Rick Fitzwilliam. They had been lab partners since her first year of medical school, and they were great friends.

    Both Rick and Elizabeth were hard workers, determined to do as much as they could without a huge sum of money allocated by the budget committee. It was important for both of them to work on their "quest", the dedication to finding cures for various life threatening diseases. Rick was a great favorite among patients, affectionately dubbed "Colonel" by a previous (and frequent) hemophiliac patient. Elizabeth wasn't quite sure why the nickname was given, but most people knew him as the Colonel and she didn't bother to argue.

    Part 2

    It was late when Elizabeth got home from her meeting, and quietly, without disturbing her sister, she crept into her bedroom. With a sigh, she undid her tightly braided bun, and her long, dark curls spilled down her back, still wound. Brushing her hair helped relieve stress, and tonight she attacked it vigorously. Exhausted, but too tense to sleep, she made her way to the kitchen to get a cup of water. She frowned when she saw the weekly hospital newsletter.

    'Mandatory resident's meeting in the Netherfield Assembly Hall', it proclaimed, 'Important policy notifications followed by a brief reception. Food included.'

    She finished her water and opened the refrigerator door. I guess if there's food I'll go, Elizabeth thought, smiling. Rick would have to go, as would her roommate from medical school, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte was also a resident in the emergency room. Elizabeth had not seen Charlotte in about a week, and she was looking forward to seeing her friend.

    The sound of the alarm finally woke Elizabeth, and she was dismayed to see that once again, she had slept late. Running for the shower and grabbing a clean pair of scrubs, she barely had time to wash her hair and get dressed. Jane's car was already gone, so Elizabeth took her car to work that morning. On a whim, she stopped in the emergency room to see if Charlotte had already left for the Netherfield assembly room. Just as she walked in, Charlotte was walking out.

    Charlotte's tired appearance wore on Elizabeth's heart. Charlotte had been almost done with her pre-law credits when she had decided that she wasn't interested in law anymore. She had decided to be a doctor, but that put her almost 6 years older than Elizabeth. Charlotte had always taken the time to listen to Elizabeth, who was easily frustrated. About six months ago, there was an accidental death in the ER, and Charlotte tended to blame herself. Lately, things were better, so the sadness in Charlotte's eyes baffled Elizabeth, because the last time she spoken with her, everything had seemed fine.

    "Hey Char," Elizabeth greeted, grinning. She looked at her friend critically, trying to figure out what was going on.

    "Lizzy!" Charlotte sounded genuinely happy to see her friend. "Stop looking at me like that. I know what you're thinking. But it's not even about Mr. Bellow's death," she explained. "My birthday is coming up. I'm turning 32, Elizabeth. And if you haven't noticed, I don't have a husband. I don't have children, but I do have an impatient family."

    Elizabeth shook her head. "Why did you listen to your mother? Or did you walk by my mother this morning? Not being married isn't the end of the world, Char. There's no way I'd marry anybody just because they have money and because I'm reaching a certain idealistic age. If I never meet anybody to love, I'd be happier to be alone." Her proclamation was given brightly and cheerily, but Charlotte just chuckled sadly.

    "Lizzy, you'll understand only when you go through it. It'll be the day you wake up, realize your bed is empty, you live in a one bedroom apartment, and the only children you see are crying in an emergency room, not to mention that you're wondering if you're going to die an old maid. Maria is engaged, and my brothers are married. I take lots of grief from them and my parents. I'd be happy with a nice man who can just be with me. I don't have to love him to the depths of my soul, I just have to like him alot." Charlotte finally smiled. "Doesn't take much to make me happy!"

    The two rounded the corner into the Netherfield Assembly Hall, and Elizabeth groaned inwardly. Somehow, she had failed to notice that almost none of the other doctors were wearing scrubs. Biting her lip defiantly, she straightened the top and walked in. Out of nowhere, an arm was placed around her shoulders.

    "Dr. E. Bennet, I presume," came the smooth voice. Elizabeth shuddered and pushed the large hand off her shoulder. "Dr. Collins," she said sweetly, rolling her eyes. "I didn't know this meeting was extended to gynecological residents as well." She looked disdainfully at his overbearing countenance. Dr. William (Billy) Collins was a large man, portly, and tall. His fine blond hair was greasy either from an overabundance of gel or it hadn't been washed in a long time.

    "Of course it was, darling Elizabeth," Billy told her, his large face lighting up, "How could we not? Lady Catherine has made sure that the gynecological department has had quite enough money. I believe it might even be more than your little hematology project! Of course it is! It was our department who detected the early stages of ovarian cancer that you seem to have missed in your blood work! Isn't she generous?"

    Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. "Dr. Collins," she began again, "I know I mustn't remind you that if it wasn't for Lady Catherine, you'd still be working in the mortuary tagging bodies." With that, she walked away.

    "Isn't she funny," Billy concluded, talking to thin air, "The perfect woman who can adequately balance medicine and wit. She would be perfect..." He trailed off, blushing as he realized he wasn't talking to anybody. He made a beeline to the food table, trying to play off his embarrassment, but the titters of a nearby gathering were too loud to miss. Just wait , he thought, she'll come around. She couldn't do better than me, with my physique, intelligence, and I happen to be a gynecologist. She'll come around. I don't see anybody else asking.

    Part 3

    Elizabeth, absently trying to brush off the invisible slime that flowed freely from the man, made her way over to her sister. Jane stood with a tall, fair-haired man. The man was handsome, and his laugh was warm. More importantly, he seemed enchanted by her sister. Elizabeth smiled. "Jane!"

    Jane spun around, expecting her mother to pop out of the woodwork, but relaxed when she saw her sister. "Lizzy, I want you to meet Dr. Charles Bingley. He's the new pediatrics resident on my floor."

    Elizabeth smiled at the man and held out her hand. "Hello, Dr. Bingley. I've heard plenty about you from my mother," she teased, and was rewarded with laughter from both Jane and Charles. "It is nice to meet you." The trio stood until a figure came up and stood quietly behind Elizabeth. Charles grinned broadly, and Jane cocked her head to the side, quizzically. Elizabeth moved over to let him into their little circle, but both sisters had never seen this man before in their lives.

    "William Darcy," Charles exclaimed, shaking the man's hand thoroughly, "I knew I'd find you here! It's so great to see you, man!" Turning to Jane and Elizabeth, he explained quickly, "He was my roommate in medical school. He has to be simply the greatest surgeon I've ever met."

    Darcy smiled, and Elizabeth looked at him with dark, perceptive eyes. "You're the phantom surgeon," she commented, smiling, "the one we've all heard about but never seen. I'm Elizabeth Bennet," she continued, introducing herself. He's a handsome man , Elizabeth thought, still interested by the mystery that surrounded this unknown doctor.

    William Darcy looked at the short, curly haired woman in front of him. He seemed to notice the scrubs she was wearing, as well as the unruliness of her hair, held in a loose ponytail. A glint appeared in Elizabeth's eyes. Oh yeah, the scrubs. Don't tell me he's never seen scrubs before. I take that back, he's definitely a snob, she thought angrily. Finally, he spoke. "I can see that, Dr. Bennet," he replied stiffly, "you're wearing your ID badge."

    Elizabeth frowned. "I guess I am," she answered, and glowering a little, she addressed Jane. "I think I might find Rick if I can." But before she could move, both doors flew open and a whirlwind in an almost neon orange power suit burst through the door. Elizabeth's mouth dropped open, as did Jane's. It was so shockingly orange, it reminded Jane of a traffic cone.

    "Oh silly me," it said, "I must be late! It's so inconsiderate of the staff here! I had to read about this little meeting off of the doctor's bulletin board! I simply cannot believe I wouldn't have received one as well!" The tornado patted her perfectly coifed blonde hair and smiled. "Hello William, hello Charles."

    William's eyes began roaming around the room, and it became evident to Elizabeth that he was trying not to laugh at the woman. Charles was faring slightly better. He cleared his throat. "Jane, Elizabeth, I'd like you to meet my sister Caroline. She's a receptionist on the seventh floor," he managed, finally giving in to laughter. "Caroline, honey, this is a resident's meeting, it's not for receptionists," he said, gently.

    "I'm sure they said all personnel," Caroline answered absently, staring at William. "I'm sure I can sit with William and nobody would mind, am I right Dr. Darcy? Besides, I seem not to be the only one who isn't a resident."

    Elizabeth frowned. It must be the scrubs, although I can't imagine why, she thought, confused, but don't doctors wear scrubs too? "Actually," she began, "Jane and I are both residents here. Jane I believe works with your brother, and I'm on the Hertfordshire Hematology Ward."

    Caroline wrinkled her nose. "Hematology? As in blood? How could you possibly work with blood all day long? How boring, right William?"

    Clearing his throat and willing himself not to laugh, William began with an almost straight face. "Caroline, surgeons work with blood, too..." He was cut off when the head administrator of the hospital began tapping on the microphone to get everybody's attention. People began sitting down, and Caroline attached herself to William. Elizabeth quickly moved a few rows to sit with Rick, and Charlotte, Charles, and Jane followed suit.

    Part 4

    Rick greeted Elizabeth enthusiastically. He had dark hair, blue eyes, and a tall, strong physique similar to his cousin, Dr. Darcy. Of course, Elizabeth was unaware of the relation, for numerous reasons. Rick felt that all through medical school, if people were to know that his cousin was William Darcy, they'd feel the need to associate him with surgery and wealth. His uncle, George Darcy, had been a brilliant surgeon before his death, and had made a substantial sum of money. Rick's father had not gone into medicine, and the Fitzwilliams were not as affluent. He wanted the degree from his labors, and not his connections.

    He had met Elizabeth during their 'Gross Anatomy' course, and the two were fast friends. Smiling to himself, he thought of their first meeting. Elizabeth had been late to class, which Rick now knew as a habitual trait of hers. He had been about to cut open the cadaver when she had appeared, curls windblown, cheeks rosy, and a huge grin on her face.

    "I've been waiting for this for years," she had exclaimed, "and I know you can just wait 5 seconds for me to be here, right?"

    Her deep brown eyes looked at him so pleadingly, that he laughingly had to agree. He remembered walking to the laundromat with her, and frowning when the stains did not come out of their white scrubs and lab coats. He never understood why they were white, but the ones he wore now were the ones he and Elizabeth jokingly tye dyed. She was his best friend, and while not rich herself, she always fed him dinner when his apartment was empty.

    However, the usual cheerful, witty Elizabeth was glowering. She angrily pushed the perennially loose curls of hair from her face and jutted her lip out like a child. Rick looked at Jane for a possible explanation, but Jane just shrugged. He forced himself to tune into the meeting that was going on currently.

    "And as you know," continued the head administrator, "it is time for research grants to be awarded. This year we are lucky enough to have 2 departments receiving large sums of money. Of course, that is in addition to the Catherine DeBourgh cancer foundation that is contributing it's annual sum to the gynecological department. The lucky recipients are the surgery ward and the hematology ward."

    Elizabeth practically could feel Billy Collins begin to simper and grin. She rolled her eyes. Collins gets the money and Darcy can now afford to be a jerk... Suddenly, she was yanked to her feet and wrapped in an enormous hug.

    "Yes!" Rick exclaimed, happily. What? Elizabeth thought, puzzled, did I miss something? When it finally hit her that her department had received the grant money it had desperately needed, she jumped gleefully. When she and Rick had sat down, she looked up only to see William Darcy staring at her, an indiscernible look on his face. Elizabeth frowned again. Why is he still looking at me?

    The meeting concluded without any further memorable moments. The doctors went back to their respective wards and prepared for the rest of the day. It was much later when Elizabeth sat, test tube in hand, dropping a solution inside by way of an eyedropper. The liquid splashed out of the tube, and Elizabeth wiped at it angrily. She cursed at her work and began again by putting the ruined tube back into the autoclave. Picking up a new tube, she unfortunately let her mind wander.

    I can see that, Dr. Bennet. You're wearing your ID tag, she remembered, and her frown deepened. Why did you have to wear scrubs? So what if Rick was too, he's Rick and you're Elizabeth Bennet, the saucy one who probably can't even afford a nice dress. She cursed again as she dropped the tube.

    Rick peeked his head into the lab, wondering what was going on. "Hey, Lizzy, that's not the sound of a happy camper who just got a huge research grant, is it. I don't think it is," he teased her, gently.

    Elizabeth looked at him with dark, flashing eyes. "No, it's not," she answered, angrily. "I suppose I should be happy, and I am, but I'm being irrational and letting something else bother me. Have you heard the rumors about the 'quiet, brilliant' surgeon who nobody's ever met?"

    At Rick's nod of affirmation, she continued. "Well, I met him this morning, and he's a jerk. His name is Darcy. Dr. William Darcy." She finally put down the glass tubes she was working with, realizing that while she talked about the infuriating man, she'd break almost every single one. "He looked at me like I graduated the "Medicine for Dummies' school of medicine just because I happened to be wearing scrubs while he wore Armani. I can't understand why a surgeon would be wearing Armani except for the sole purpose of showing off. Don't they get dirty in the OR? I would think that they do," Elizabeth rambled, "I didn't think my scrubs were that inappropriate. I mean, they were regulation blue. I didn't even wear our new red ones."

    Rick bit his lip. So she met my cousin, he thought, and obviously he's done enough to get her feathers ruffled. She's hardly ever this angry nor does she pay attention to anybody for this long. William must have seriously upset her.

    Elizabeth continued. "You know what the worst thing is? He seems to be friends with that nice Dr. Bingley from pediatrics, and I have this odd premonition that Dr. Bingley and my sister are going to hit it off. That probably means I'll have to see him again." She frowned. "Not to mention that I finally put two and two together and remembered where I heard the name 'Darcy' before. My sister Kitty's roommate at the Brighton School for medicine is none other than a Miss Georgiana Darcy!"

    Deciding that this wasn't the best time to mention that Darcy was his cousin, Rick patted her on the shoulder. "C'mon, Lizzy, I'll take you to dinner in the cafeteria. My treat?" He grinned at her sheepishly. His break was over before hers, and all they'd have time to do is go to the cafeteria.

    Elizabeth understood and slowly stood up. "Your treat? You got a deal, buddy." She rewarded him with a small grin and they headed off towards the elevators.

    Part 5

    The two walked into the cafeteria and sat down in a small table by the fountain. Rick had ordered fries and a drink for Elizabeth, and she was doing her best to eat it. The cafeteria food wasn't that great normally, and today it was just tasting exceptionally bad. Her ears were also perked, for reasons she probably couldn't even explain to herself. She was trying to hear any snippets of gossip regarding her sister's new colleague, or even more dangerously, Dr. Darcy. It wasn't long before she heard the voices of both men, much to her surprise.

    "William, how can you sit all by yourself in this cafeteria? There are many here you could get to know."

    "Charles, the only person of interest is your colleague in pediatrics, and you're already sitting with her. The rest here haven't yet interested me in the slightest."

    Elizabeth looked up and noticed that Dr. Darcy could see her very easily from where he stood. The tips of her ears turned pink as she became angrier. The nerve of that man! He must think that nothing is better than surgery, especially not me nor Rick! She frowned and plopped a fry into ketchup, stirring it around in it's cardboard container.

    The orange whirlwind commonly known as Caroline swept into the room. "Charles, Jane, William ", she greeted, grinning widely. She plopped herself down at William's table, to his dismay. Elizabeth had to laugh. Rick shook his head, having met Caroline once before. The girl was a barracuda, he thought, grinning.

    He noticed Elizabeth's apparent distress. "What's wrong?" Rick was slightly alarmed because she was glowering again, fixing her intense dark gaze at William.

    "That man thinks he owns the world," she spat.

    Just then, William stood up to throw away the garbage on his tray. In doing so, his foot caught on the chair and he stumbled slightly. Elizabeth giggled and walked over.

    Caroline looked outraged. "My dear! You laugh at Dr. Darcy? How could you? He's the epitome of class and intelligence! One does not just laugh at such a man!" There, she thought, he will take me in his arms and that will be that. No such luck.

    "My dear," Elizabeth mimicked, "I laugh at everybody! It's in my nature. Dr. Darcy tripped, so I laughed. It is common practice. I would laugh if you tripped as well!" She laughed harder at Caroline's shocked face. William smiled as well, but not for long.

    Elizabeth turned her gaze to him one more time, fixing her eyes on him. "Forgive my impertinence, but I must tell you this before I explode. You must think you live among the angels because you think you're so good, and because of this, you hate everybody who doesn't meet your standards. I think you must hate a lot of people." Her eyes glinted. Let's see him come up with something to say to that!

    "Dr. Bennet, if I hate absolutely everybody, you somehow have found a way to misunderstand them and me."

    Elizabeth and William stared at eachother for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, Elizabeth broke the gaze and left, head held high. With an apologetic glance at his cousin, Rick followed her. Jane stood to clear her tray, and Charles went after her. William sat back down, staring off into space, deep in thought.

    "I know what you're thinking," Caroline declared, breaking him from his reverie.

    "I certainly doubt that!," William answered, surprised. "I'd hope you don't."

    "Of course I do! You're thinking that there should be a separate cafeteria for all surgeons so you won't have to put up with all the other doctors in your eating area, especially not little lab rats in hematology. I do declare, her mother is a receptionist and a gossip."

    William looked at her, amused. "Actually, Caroline," he began slowly, "I was just thinking about how a pair of fine, dark eyes, really make somebody attractive."

    But my eyes are blue... "Whose eyes?," Caroline asked, confused.

    "Dr. Elizabeth Bennet's."

    Part 6

    The rest of the week passed quickly, although oddly. Dr. Darcy seemed to be frequently on the same elevator as Elizabeth was, and every time he saw her, he'd smile like he knew a huge secret. It was bothering her to no end. He wouldn't even muster a greeting, but he'd stare and smile until Elizabeth got off the elevator.

    Insufferable man! Elizabeth was on her way down to the lobby so she could pick up a chart one of her patients had left with her mother. Darcy, as usual, stood in the elevator with her, but this time he only stared. Elizabeth licked her lips and straightened her shirt, not finding anything wrong with her attire or her appearance. Stop looking at me! I do not understand it. If I do not interest you in the slightest, why do you stare without speaking? You must be the oddest man I've ever met!

    "Good day, Dr. Bennet," William finally said, nodding his head to her.

    "..." Elizabeth had not planned on him speaking to her, so she just nodded in response and scurried off the elevator. She jutted her lip out, frustrated and confused. I don't understand you, Dr. Darcy.

    "Lizzy! Must you jut your lip out like that? It's not becoming! How will you ever catch a man if you keep doing that?" Elizabeth's mother's shrill voice still managed to catch her off guard after 26 years. She rolled her eyes and plastered a smile on her face.

    "There, that's much better. Dear me, you'd think you were raised by wolves or something, Lizzy! Why could you possibly be wearing scrubs again? Don't you see how the other doctors dress around here? Please Lizzy, just appease me once and dress nicely. Can't you see what kind of doctor you look like? You look like you work in the emergency room all day!"

    Elizabeth laughed at her mother. "Mother, I do work in the emergency room. The hematology lab is a division of emergency medicine."

    Mrs. Bennet sniffed. "Well then. Here's your chart, dear. You also have a message from Dr. William Collins. I suggest you take it." Elizabeth took the paper with the message, and without even reading it, tossed it in the garbage can on her way back to the elevators.

    "You ought to take every offer you can Lizzy," her mother called after her, and then muttering to herself, "It's not like you're going to get any others, I dare say Jane received all the looks..."

    Elizabeth laughed, and not watching where she was going, knocked into a stack of papers. Cursing under her breath, she bent down to pick them up. She turned bright red when she realized that some of the papers had magically scattered themselves halfway across the hall. A man had been lurking around the lobby, and feeling bad for Elizabeth, he began to pick up the scattered papers. She had just gotten them back into a stack when the man cleared his throat.

    "I think these belong to you?"

    Elizabeth looked up and focused on a pair of hazel eyes attached to a tall, groomed man with light brown hair, and an easy, charming smile. His eyes were hard to read, but his smile was warm and inviting.

    "I believe these are yours," he repeated charmingly.

    "Thank you," Elizabeth said, eyes wide. "I don't believe we've met, are you a doctor here?"

    The man hesitated for just a second, and then smiled at her. "Soon to be, I hope. I'm going to speak with your hospital's administrator shortly. I'm George Wickham, ah, Doctor George Wickham." He held his hand out to shake hers, which she accepted happily.

    "I'm Dr. Elizabeth Bennet. I'm in hematology, that's the Hertfordshire wing by the emergency room, if you ever want to find me." She smiled brightly, but noticed his eyes were on the paper she carried.

    "So, William Darcy is a doctor here, too," he finally said, looking up.

    "Do you know him?" Elizabeth was startled. It was probably his reputation, she supposed he was good. But that still didn't forgive his arrogance and disdain when he looked at her... She made a face, unconsciously.

    "Uh, yeah, he was my lab partner first year in medical school. My family was close to his parents before they died, but he and I never have been. He seems to be a bit... closed off, rather pretentious and arrogant. But don't let my opinions sway you. I can tell by your expression that you've met him already. Maybe you have the same opinion as I do?" George looked at Elizabeth approvingly, knowing immediately that she was rather wary of the brilliant surgeon.

    She nodded her affirmation. "What do you know about him?"

    George's snake grin grew wider, although it just looked charming to Elizabeth.

    "Plenty, Dr. Bennet, plenty. Where should I start?"

    Part 7

    Elizabeth checked her watch and noticed that she had almost a half an hour left on break and nodded. "Shall we go to the cafeteria?" George grinned. "After you, my lady!"

    George could not believe his good fortune. First off, he couldn't believe that anybody hadn't arrested him yet. While it was true that he had a medical degree, he wasn't in good standing with the board. In fact, he wasn't sure if he was even board certified! After failing first quarter of medical school, he had taken to copying William Darcy's exams. His dismal grades had caused a fee increase for tuition, and he had naturally expected his guardian, George Darcy, to pay for him. Unfortunately, George died, and the money was left to William and his sister, Georgiana.

    William was supposed to pay for school for him! George could have sworn it was in his namesake's will, but apparently it wasn't. If his grades didn't approve, he would be kicked out of medical school. As it was, they caught him copying. He was kicked out, but luckily he was able to flee the country to a little island off the coast of Jamaica. They were in desperate need of a doctor, so they awarded him a temporary MD degree so he could practice. However, he was slightly squeamish at the sight of blood, so he had become a pseudo-chiropractor.

    Back in the states, he operated a little shop called Ramsgate Chiropractors, and it was put under federal investigation just a week ago. Supposedly, he was taking advantage of some of his patients, but they had never actually pinned him... yet... One of those patients happened to be Georgiana Darcy, but Elizabeth didn't need to know any of this. He could pin it all on Darcy, and watch as William didn't have it as perfect as he always did.

    They reached the cafeteria and sat down at a chrome table. George smiled at Elizabeth. "Anything you want, my treat," he offered, hoping he had enough cash on him. She shook her head. "No, but thank you for offering. It's very sweet of you." This is charm. He has more class than Dr. William Darcy anyday! She continued, "Please, tell me about William Darcy." It never crossed her mind to question why she was so interested in the topic.

    "I was Dr. Darcy's lab partner in my first year of medical school. As I said before, our families were close. He was jealous of my abilities, pure and simple," George explained, with a sigh, "I was better than him and he knew it, so he accused me of cheating!"

    Elizabeth's heart went out to the man sitting with her. How awful! William Darcy must be a horrible monster to do this to such a nice man! "Oh no! What happened? Please tell me that the medical board punished him for his accusations?"

    George shook his head sadly. "No, I'm afraid they kicked me out before they could even investigate. It's taken me this long to get a medical degree, let alone start a practice. I was really hoping that Darcy would have a change of heart and attempt to either pay so I could start my studies anew, or perhaps get me a job as an orderly. I haven't been so lucky trying to make money as of late," he said, pathetically, and sighed dramatically.

    "Don't you see, Elizabeth? He's ruined me," he whispered. "Absolutely ruined me."

    Elizabeth reached out her hand and placed it on top of George's. "You've got a friend here, I promise. William Darcy will not hear the end of this from me," she vowed, angrily. This is too incredible! I knew he was arrogant, but cruel?

    George was quick to shake his head. "I'd prefer you didn't start anything with Dr. Darcy. It's my fight," he said, bravely, "and if I confront him, I'll make sure you know about it." It didn't even cross Elizabeth's mind why he would care if she said anything or not.

    "I'm sure you already know that William is also very concerned about his friend Charles. In fact, I've heard him mention something about a Jane Bennet, who must be related to you."

    Elizabeth gasped. "Do you know what was said?"

    George searched for an answer. In his earlier eavesdropping, he had heard William and Charles discuss Charles' growing affection for Jane Bennet. William had voiced concern that Jane could just be after money, but Charles had assured him that Jane wasn't like that. After a few minutes of convincing, William Darcy was happy for his friend and told him so. A little more embellishing can't hurt, George thought.

    "He said that this Jane Bennet was a money grabber, and the only reason she was getting close to Charles was so she could break his heart, which he had heard Jane was notorious for. Not to mention that Jane is one very promiscuous lady, so he had heard." That ought to be good!

    Silence permeated their small table, and Elizabeth angrily choked back tears. "How dare he say that? My sister is practically a saint! The nerve of some people! My sister is a wonderful woman and I assure you her feelings are genuine!" William Darcy must be the coldest, heartless man in the world! How could he possibly say that about Jane? She is not promiscuous, she hardly dates, she's so dedicated to her work. And to think he was a friend to Charles! Instead he's making up lies!

    Elizabeth's beeper broke her from her raging thoughts. Checking quickly, she stood. As if to confirm her earlier thoughts, it was Jane. "If you'll excuse me, George, it's my sister Jane. I hope you'll find me again," she commented, arching an eyebrow and smiling somewhat flirtatiously despite her inner turmoil at the news.

    George nodded. "You can count on it." She may prove useful, George thought, grinning his snake grin again. "It was really nice meeting you." Elizabeth blushed, and once again, George Wickham felt very sure of himself.

    She headed towards the courtesy phone near the elevators and dialed Jane's wing. At the sound of her sister's voice, Elizabeth started giggling. "Jane, what's gotten into you? You're talking a mile a minute!"

    "Lizzy, I'll be home really late, it seems that I have a date, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea..."

    "Wrong idea? You mean the idea that Charles Bingley cares for you more than you're letting on? I've already gotten that idea. Many other doctors have told me, and I'm well aware that William Darcy is aware too. I'd watch out for him Jane, I'm sure he thinks you're some kind of money hungry husband grabber!"

    "Oh no, Lizzy! I assure you that's not the case. Charles knows me better than that, and he would never think that way. I'm sure William Darcy has more manners than to even contemplate that, even with Caroline Bingley's suggestions, considering I've had dinner with both William and Charles just the night before. But Lizzy dear, if you'll excuse me, I have to make rounds before I leave with Charles. I'll talk to you later?"

    "Count on it, sis. I'll probably be waiting for you in the kitchen, anyway."

    The sisters hung up, but Jane was blushing profusely. She wasn't quite sure if she'd be coming to the apartment until extremely late. This was her first relationship in a long time, and the only she had even contemplated moving so fast with. Her relationship with Charles Bingley had progressed fast, and even the level-headed Jane had to wonder if she was finally falling in love.

    The same rang true for Charles Bingley. After talking with William (who, at first, was concerned with his social status regarding Jane), Charles knew he had William's blessing. He did not have his sister's blessing, in fact, his sister had announced in no uncertain terms that she hated anything having to do with Elizabeth Bennet.

    Elizabeth, for that matter, was puzzled. Charles Bingley seemed unaffected by Darcy's slander of her sister. It took a great man to overcome such awful words. Maybe George heard wrong, but Elizabeth was sure that he hadn't. William Darcy seemed just arrogant to make up stories just because pediatricians did not make as much money as surgeons did. Still confused, she walked towards the elevator. Curiously, the doors were being propped open as if somebody was waiting for her.

    "Elizabeth!" It was Billy Collins' smooth voice. Elizabeth could not suppress a groan.

    "Billy," she replied, less than enthusiastic at seeing him. "What can I do for you?"

    Billy smiled graciously, an odd look in his eyes. "Elizabeth, Dr. Bennet, Lizzy, whatever you may permit me to call you, I have something important to say. We've played this cat and mouse game for almost three years. I know you must have some affection for me, as I have for you. You are a beautiful woman, and a doctor no less! Let's skip the dating process, shall we? I feel as if we've been dating for as long as we've known each other, what with the teasing, stolen glances, and smiles. This weekend, I think we should go to the justice of the peace and get married!"

    Elizabeth's jaw dropped and she blushed. Staring at him in disbelief, she barely could express any thoughts. She felt a horrible urge to laugh at him, but also felt pity for the man, even if he was pompous and long-winded. To make matters worse, in the middle of the proposal, Caroline Bingley had stepped onto the elevator. Her reaction was similar to Elizabeth's, but she had scurried off of the elevator to share the latest news.

    Cringing as Caroline began to speak, Elizabeth felt another overwhelming urge to scream. "Oh my! Oh my," Caroline shouted, "Dr. Billy Collins from gynecology has just proposed to Dr. Elizabeth Bennet from hematology!"

    Part 8

    "Well, what did she say?" Mrs. Bennet hopped back and forth in anticipation, "I always wanted my Lizzy to marry a doctor, and a gynecologist at that!"

    Caroline looked completely and utterly confused. "I... I don't know what she said for an answer," she admitted, eyes wide, "I guess I just forgot to stick around for that." People began snickering and groaning nearby. I knew I forgot something!

    "But if you'll excuse me, I have to go, um, upstairs, I believe..."

    She was already gone before her sentence was out. Running up the stairs, instead of taking the elevator, which would have made sense, the heel of Caroline's designer shoe broke. Not wanting to waste any more time, she kept scurrying up the stairs with only one shoe. By the 4th floor, her hair had started to come undone. By the 9th floor, she looked like a mess. She burst out of the doors, calling "William!" at the top of her lungs.

    She found him at the nurses' station, looking over files with Charles and Jane, who had stopped by to speak with him. The three looked at Caroline like she had sprouted another head.

    "Caroline!" Charles was shocked at her appearance. Where is her shoe? And my goodness, her hair! Somebody hide the mirrors, or we might have a cardiac patient when she comes to her senses. Stat! He bit his lip to keep from laughing at his sister. Jane politely sat, waiting for an explanation, and William had a slight coughing fit at her dazed appearance.

    "Billy... Collins..." Caroline panted, out of breath, "Proposed to... Elizabeth Bennet!"

    The silence was immediate and uncomfortable. Charles had begun to suspect that Darcy had a slight crush on Elizabeth, but had not mentioned it to Jane. Being rather perceptive herself, she had also seen evidence of Darcy's growing feelings for her sister. They both turned to look at the shocked doctor, who was able to speak at long last.

    "What was the answer?" The question was quiet and deliberate. William hoped that Billy Collins wasn't the reason that Elizabeth never paid any attention to him, but he had never paired the two together.

    Caroline again looked completely puzzled. "Um, what? Oh right, the answer." All at once she realized that she was standing in front of William Darcy, hair disheveled, shoe broken, out of breath, and for nothing.

    "I ah, forgot to get one," Caroline admitted again, sheepishly. "I mean to say that I, ah, don't really know."

    Confound it, Caroline! William thought, and at once he leapt from his seat and bolted to the elevator. The light on the top lit up immediately. First floor, Jane thought, the emergency room and the hematology lab.

    He flew out of the elevator and disappeared to the Hertfordshire wing, jogging in a hurry to find Elizabeth. He arrived in the lab only to find the front desk empty. Angrily, he cursed his luck. At the time, William did not think that he was being that loud, but apparently he was. Rick Fitzwilliam poked his head out of one of the nearby rooms, a curious look on his handsome face. At once he stood and smiled at his cousin.

    "Hey, cuz," Rick greeted, cheerfully, "what brings you down to hang with us lab rats?" Rick was slightly concerned at the expression on William's face. William looked pale, antsy, as if he was worrying about something. This was extremely odd for the usually unflappable man that he was. It was rare that his cousin would show any emotion, and William Darcy appeared to be shaken.

    William turned serious almost immediately. "Rick, is your partner engaged to that gynecologist Collins?" Rick stared at his cousin and blinked in disbelief. At once he started laughing, tears rolling down his cheeks.

    "Elizabeth? Billy Collins? Gee, William, I never knew you were interested in comedy. I swear to you, that's the funniest thing I've ever heard. Look man, I've known Lizzy for a long time, and I assure you, unless she has some kind of virus that's making her delirious, there is no way that she'd be marrying that guy."

    Breathing a sigh of relief, William finally smiled. "That's really good to hear. Of course you've heard that he proposed to her, right?"

    Rick shook his head. "You're kidding me, right? Oh, what I would have paid to see that! No, I doubt Elizabeth Bennet would give Billy Collins the honor of being his wife. She probably told him no, assured him that she meant no disrespect, made her apologies, and left from his presence."

    Which, in fact, was exactly what Elizabeth did. She assured him that she couldn't marry him, wouldn't marry him, not now, and not ever. Billy was slightly embarrassed, but nothing kept him down for long, slightly dejected that he was a bachelor, and slightly confused as to why she rejected him so. However, he wasn't in too bad shape because Elizabeth had suggested that he go talk to Charlotte.

    As slimy as Billy was, he didn't have a bad heart, and he was naturally a sympathetic man. He truly did feel bad for Catherine DeBourgh when she developed ovarian cancer, as he did when he saw all of his patients. He did think a bit too much of himself, but that is the way he was raised. He was proud to be a doctor, proud to work in Pride Hospital, and competent enough to understand that when Elizabeth said no to marriage, she meant it. It had hit him rather strongly that every time she declined his date offers, she wasn't doing it to be coy. She really meant that she did not want to date him. However, he had heard that Charlotte Lucas was lonely, and he did think of himself as a rather good remedy for lonely women. If Charlotte was looking to be a good listener, she was the woman for him. It didn't take Billy Collins very long to rebound, no sir, it did not, he thought to himself, silently praising his easygoing nature.

    Back in the Hertfordshire ward, Rick looked at his suddenly extremely bashful cousin. Realization dawned on him like a rock from the sky. "You like her, don't you," he said, quietly. Not that I blame him or anything.

    William nodded, "I do. But I do wonder why the two of you aren't together, since I don't think I'm the only one who has feelings for her. Besides, you've even known her longer," he said, cautiously. I don't know what I'll do if he says that he is planning on asking her. I guess I'll leave her alone if that's the case.

    Laughing rather harshly, Rick shook his head. "I'd love to, believe me, but Lizzy and I have been partners for almost 6 years. We run this lab together. If it didn't work, the rapport that we have right now would be ruined. It'd change things even if it did." He looked down at his Nikes. "We've tried. It was just too strange."

    For her or for you? William arched his eyebrow and thought to himself, knowing the answer anyway. "Look Ricky," he said, using his childhood nickname for his favorite cousin, "you're probably my closest friend next to Charles, not to mention there's blood. If me going after Elizabeth would upset you, tell me now and I swear I won't." William's blue eyes met Rick's, searching for an answer. "I promise on my father's grave that I will not go after her if you're in love with her."

    Again, the silence was uncomfortable and the cheerful, good-humored Rick finally shook his head and smiled weakly. "Don't worry about it Will," he assured his cousin, "Lizzy and I are destined only to be friends. Do what you want, but I warn you, her opinion of you is not as stellar as yours is of her."

    Will shrugged and nodded. "I figured as much, but I might as well try. I wouldn't bother if I didn't think so much of her, but unfortunately for me, she's got some invisible hold that I can't even explain."

    Love at first sight, Rick thought wryly, and it's perfectly explainable. Must be a common ailment surrounding Elizabeth Bennet, especially for the Darcy-Fitzwilliam family. But you gave him the go-ahead. No regrets, Eric Fitzwilliam, none at all.

    The talked about doctor came off of the elevator calmly. "Hey Rick," she called, and paused when she stepped into the front of the lab by the reception desk. "Oh, hello Dr. Darcy. What brings you down to our neck of the woods?"

    Darcy, not knowing that Rick never told Elizabeth of the relationship, cracked a small smile. "I guess you could say that I was visiting my cousin," he said, "I haven't talked to him in awhile."

    Cousin? Elizabeth's face betrayed her thoughts to Rick, but to William she smiled. "That's awfully nice of you, I guess," she answered, nodding, "but I would have thought you were here to see our little patient. He thanks you for fixing his arm so well."

    William nodded, pleased that she would acknowledge that he had done the surgery. Elizabeth paused again, as if she was remembering something important. "Oh, Dr. Darcy, I seem to have met an acquaintance of yours today, I think his name is Dr. George Wickham."

    Rick gasped and quickly turned away while William bit his lip. You will not comment on the man. That is not polite, he chided himself. Elizabeth's dark eyes focused on his, almost daring him to say something against the man. He didn't know exactly what she was thinking, but he could sense that it wasn't good. William cleared his throat. "Um, yes, I know George Wickham, but I was unaware he's a doctor here," he responded, neutrally.

    "He's not," Elizabeth said, and gauged William's reaction. She became curious when she saw none. Rick was busily searching for files behind the desks. He interrupted, much to William's relief.

    "Lizzy, do you want to do rounds or am I?"

    Elizabeth broke her gaze from William's and reached for the files. "I suppose I will." She moved towards the Emergency Room hallways, and William followed her.

    Part 9

    Very aware of William's presence, Elizabeth frowned. "Is there any specific reason you're coming with me?"

    William was at a loss for words, so he shrugged and continued with her into the first patient's room. Checking the chart on the door quickly, Elizabeth smiled. It was one of her favorite hemophiliac patients, the same who had dubbed Rick "Colonel."

    If he's determined to follow me, he's sure going to help me, Elizabeth thought, and silently handed him the chart.

    He figured he was supposed to record her observations, so he nodded and sat down in the chair behind her.

    The patient, Jon Lucas, was a cousin of Charlotte's. He was almost 19 years old, pale, thin, with a bright red bandanna on his recently shaven head. "What's up, Dr. Bennet?" Elizabeth shrugged. "Nothing much, Jonny," she answered, grinning, "but I am happy to see the swelling in your wrist is going down," she continued. "Must have been pretty bad to need the extra Factor 8," Elizabeth commented, as she gingerly worked the joint a little. Jon winced. "Okay," Elizabeth said, as she wrapped his wrist over, "we're going to have to wait. I just don't want the excess blood settling into the joint, so I'm going to have to turn it again in the morning. You know what to do if it starts swelling."

    "Hey," Jon called out, "Is he your new intern?"

    Elizabeth laughed as Darcy bristled. "Actually, he's a surgeon who seems to be following me around," she called into the room as she left, "and I can't really figure out why."

    Jon looked at Will, a wry smile on his thin face, and he gave him a thumbs-up sign with his left hand. "Go for it," he mouthed, and Will smiled.

    "Err, Elizabeth? Ah, I mean Dr. Bennet?" Will wasn't sure what to call her. She paused and handed him another file, which he took and put in the chart on the door of the next room.

    "Yes," Elizabeth said, growing irritated as she stepped into the room of the sleeping Paul Jacobs. She checked him as William seemed to be thinking extremely hard. Opening his mouth to speak, he blurted out the first thing as it came to his mind.

    "Elizabeth," he repeated, "you must allow me to tell you how much I admire you and have admired you since we first met. That is, I think you're an amazing woman and I was wondering," he paused, "wondering if you would consider, that is I mean, think about, maybe going to dinner with me? At least giving me a chance?"

    Elizabeth dropped her stethoscope. "What did you say? You want me to go on a date with you?" Her incredulous expression was only marred by the slight twitching of the corners of her mouth. "Dr. Darcy, I'm extremely flattered by your apparent admiration of myself, but what would give you the idea that I would consider going on a date with you?"

    William blushed profusely, and shook his head. "Let me explain, Elizabeth. I don't care what type of doctor you are. I don't care that your family is not made up of surgeons, nor do I care that Mary and Lydia are not planning on being doctors and your mother is the receptionist." He blanched at Elizabeth's rapid change from incredulous to indignant. "I just think that you and I could try, that's all I'm asking," he explained, hoping he didn't sound too desperate.

    Elizabeth grabbed him by the lapels of his lab coat and dragged him out of the room. "Look, " she hissed, "William Darcy, I can understand you making fun of me. Being a lab doctor is not exactly the best choice for any student in medical school. What I can't understand is why you'd think I'd consider dating you, or even humoring you by going to lunch, after you've so maliciously slandered my sister and shattered the life of George Wickham!"

    William involuntarily took a step back from her. "Slandered your sister? Shattered George Wickham's life? I do not know of what you speak!"

    Elizabeth stared at him, awestruck at his statement. "You called my sister a promiscuous money-grabber!"

    Looking just as shocked as Elizabeth, William's jaw dropped. "I did no such thing! I have nothing but good things to say about the woman who has stolen my best friend's heart! I've had dinner with them for the past two days! I would never say such a thing about your sister! I don't know where you got your information!"

    "You're a liar," Elizabeth insisted, "George Wickham told me of what you said about her, only after he told me what you did, completely without remorse, just because he happened to be better than you in medical school. Dr. Darcy, I cannot go anywhere with you. From the first time I met you, I knew you were the last person on earth that I would consider spending my free time with."

    "My goodness," William whispered, "I don't know what he has said, but I assure you that I have done no such thing." Heartbroken, he continued, "I can do nothing now but regret that I even attempted to ask you anything. I am truly embarrassed by my feelings for you and regret saying anything in the first place. Good night."

    He stalked down the hall, heartbroken and sickened by her opinion of him. Last person on Earth! Slandering her sister! Maliciously hurting George Wickham! What could I possibly have done to make her think this? Did I offend her when we first met? Is there anything I can do to fix this?

    Elizabeth stood dumbfounded in the halls of the emergency room, unnaturally quiet for a Friday night. He thought of me ever since we met? Was that why he stared? But what he has said about Jane! And what he has done to Wickham! I can't ignore that! Is it my imagination or did he just insult my family when he attempted to ask me out? How could he possibly think I would willingly agree to go on a date after all of that?

    Darcy passed the doors to the emergency room and was about to get on the elevator when they burst open, EMT's everywhere, and a convulsing, bleeding man was on a gurney. He turned around and his stomach turned over when he noticed Elizabeth running down the hallways to help."

    "38 year old man, history of epilepsy, was found shot in the stomach! We've intubated, started an IV of saline, and restarted his heart twice. His abdomen is swollen, we're almost positive he has internal bleeding."

    Charlotte, taking charge, wheeled him into a trauma room. "Once we've got him stabilized, page the OR." Elizabeth inserted a small needle, which quickly filled with blood. "We've got a bleeder! Possibly his spleen, most definitely his stomach, he's going to need surgery." Her eyes met with William's, briefly, and even in the heat of the trauma, she blushed. William took control. "Page the OR, I'll tend to him myself. Just help me get him into the elevator."

    A nurse paged the OR, and Charlotte and Elizabeth helped him into the elevator upstairs. The doors opened, and they wheeled him down the hall where Darcy's team of surgeons and assistants waited for him. Elizabeth and Charlotte stopped in front of the doors of the OR.

    "He's in your hands now," Charlotte said to William, "I'm telling his family he's got the best surgeon here at Pride working on him. Don't let me down."

    William looked at Elizabeth. "I won't," he said softly, and disappeared into the OR.

    The fax, however, was not from William Darcy. It was from Charlotte Lucas and William Collins, announcing some rather disturbing news. Rick picked up the fax when it had finished coming through, and he read it over, dumbfounded, before he handed it over to Elizabeth.

    She looked it over and almost immediately put her head in her hands. "Will this night never end!?" Her frustration at what had occurred increased ten times after getting this abhorrent fax. Apparently, Billy Collins had given the same speech to Charlotte about not dating and just getting right to marriage. But Charlotte, not as willful and obstinate, and also a considerably less sense of self-esteem, had accepted! Billy had probably waited for Charlotte to come back from the OR when she would be nervous and anxious for word and simply hounded her , Elizabeth thought, despairingly. She would have been content to stay there, but the sound of somebody clearing his throat made her look up.

    William Darcy stood in front of her, holding a letter. "I know it may seem impersonal because it's typed," he said, "but if I didn't type it you couldn't read my handwriting. Just read it, that's all I ask. Please."

    She looked at him again, and nodded. He handed her the letter, and as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone. She put the letter in her bag and left towards the locker room to change her shirt, which she know could have admitted she should have done before. She prayed she didn't see Charlotte or Billy, because the normally talkative Elizabeth was completely speechless at the events that had transpired. At least Billy does have a nice house, Charlotte always wanted a nice house for a family, Elizabeth thought dully, refusing to think about Billy Collins' children. The house is in the Rosings development, by his 'generous' benefactor, Lady Catherine. She gave her gynecologist a nice home but couldn't spare even a room for her nephew Rick. Sometimes I really hate people.

    Walking towards the parking garage, she absently brushed the stray curl out of her eyes. Maybe I'll take a paid vacation coming up, she mused, Just to get back on track. I keep neglecting the invitation to visit my Aunt Maddy and Uncle Jim Gardiner. Maybe it's time I take them up on it. She got into her car and drove to the apartment where Jane and Charles sat on the couch, watching television.

    At Elizabeth's appearance, Jane's heart leapt into her throat. She had never seen her sister look so lost! "Elizabeth, what happened?"

    Silently, Elizabeth handed over the fax from Charlotte, and then sighed. "There was an intense trauma today, too, and on top of all that, William Darcy asked me on a date!" Charles looked up, at once interested. "Of course I rejected him, with what he's said in the past and all, but he gave me this letter." She held up the letter, which still was unopened. "We'll continue this discussion once it is read."

    She disappeared into her room, leaving a curious and worried Jane and Charles.

    Tearing it open immediately, she began reading:

    Don't be afraid, madam, I have no intentions of bombarding you with more of my sentiments and wishes. I'd rather like to forget them for at least this time being, and you to read this letter with an open mind and heart. Excuse me for telling you like this, I did not know of any other way to make you listen to me.

    You accused me last night of two very grave acts. The first, I believe, was slandering your sister. It is true that at first I worried about her wanting Charles for his money, as many other women have done. But I have since had many talks with both Charles and Jane over dinner, and have come to my senses. I have never said anything about your sister's promiscuity; I've always prided myself in never saying such petty insults. To continue thinking that Jane was after Charles' money is ridiculous, an idea planted by my Aunt Catherine, making that something that I never spend much time thinking about. Their salaries are of no concern to me, and Jane is an intelligent, hardworking woman, and a good doctor. This is all that I have said about her, besides commenting on what a perfect couple she'd be with my best friend Charles. You may ask the two of them if you'd like, both are perfectly capable of telling you what has and hasn't been said.

    I do not know where you received your information about that, but if it is from a George Wickham, I believe that is the other subject that you must be informed about. George Wickham and I have known each other since childhood. My father was a friend to his father, and George and I were forced into being together many times since birth. If he were a friend of mine today, I would not have thrown him willfully from my presence and my father's posthumous praise.

    Unfortunately, George is not as honest as you and most would like to believe. He has told you that I have committed a great injustice to his person, but I will tell you now that I have not. It is true that he and I attended medical school together. We were in the same lab group, which was preferred by both his father and mine. Our fathers died shortly after we entered school, which caused George to become a bit wild and negligent of his studies. He took to copying my notes and tests, something that bothered me, but I could not tell him no since I felt so bad about the deaths. His grades were rather dismal, to say the least, but I figured that if I could help him stay in school, I would.

    The dean caught him cheating. He apologized profusely, but there was nothing he nor I could do to plead his case. I could not pay his way back into good graces, so I did not offer. If he wanted to go to medical school to become a doctor, this time he'd have to do it himself. I figured this would be a good way for George to get back on track and prove he really wanted to do something with his life.

    Angry that I would not help him, he searched my father's will and extracted all the money he could to fly to the Caribbean, where he promptly became a much-needed island doctor. I don't know how much you know about island doctoring, but you don't need a degree. George never completed medical school, but he returned to the states and opened a chiropractor's shop on the lower west side. He had no degree, no money, and as I mentioned before, he was a bit unruly. It was not long until he began taking advantage of both patient's pocketbooks and patient's bodies.

    My sister Georgianna, whom I have joint custody with your friend Eric Fitzwilliam (Rick), was one of those patients. She had strained her back moving out of our home in the Pemberley estates, and she did not want to tell me. Not wanting to extract any money because that would get my attention, she went to the cheapest chiropractor she could find, which happened to be George Wickham. She trusted George, having no reason not to, since she had known him since birth. He attempted to take advantage of her, but covered it up by proposing marriage. She is nearly twenty-two now, this happened when she was only eighteen. He was after her pocketbook as well as her body, and they disappeared back in the Caribbean. I only found them when a friend of my father's saw them in St. Thomas. Luckily, Georgianna wasn't completely fooled, and she was able to leave without having paid Wickham a cent. You may question Rick, he will confirm this family secret.

    I do not know what manner he imposed his lies upon you with, but I assure you that I would never willingly do any of these acts. If you choose to believe him, that is your business, and while it hurts me to see, I cannot stop you. You had no idea what truly happened, and now that you do, I trust you to do whatever you believe in your heart to be right. If you hate me enough to believe my words false, I also cannot stop you, but please, I hope you will at least contemplate what I have said and speak to both Charles and my cousin. I wish you nothing but luck and happiness in your future. You are a wonderful woman and deserve nothing less. I am only sorry that this had to come about.

    William F. Darcy

    Jane and Charles waited impatiently for Elizabeth to emerge from her bedroom, but went instead into the bathroom. Moments later, the shower began running, and Jane nodded in comprehension.

    "Don't worry," she said softly, "she'll come out and talk. She has this thing about being stressed and taking a shower. It calms her down. Her mood will be much altered when she returns, hairbrush in one hand, letter in the other."

    Charles chuckled and put his arm around Jane, "I told you," he murmured, "people don't usually have it as easy as you and I do." Jane smiled and tilted her head up for a kiss. The couple remained otherwise occupied until the pipes squealed as the water was shut off. Elizabeth reappeared in an old Cornell T-shirt and shorts with little smiley faces on them shortly after. She seemed to be calm, but the tiny lines around her mouth indicated that she was still a bit frustrated.

    "Something tells me you're both going to be mad at me when I'm done telling you what's happened," Elizabeth began, sheepishly, "because it seems as though I may have made a big mistake." Big mistake is right!, she thought, guiltily, If I accused Dr. William Darcy of being arrogant, I myself am to blame. I welcomed the affections of Wickham, but not of Darcy, based on my foolish notion of his pride. He is a bit egotistical, but aren't we all? I fear, till this moment, I have made wild assumptions regarding subjects I do not understand or know about. I feel like I don't even know myself anymore.

    Jane crossed the room to sit with Elizabeth on the other side of the sofa. She put her arm around her sister sympathetically. "Start from the beginning," she prompted, "so Charles and I can fill you in on some details you might have overlooked." Elizabeth nodded and began.

    "Jane, I told you how insulted I was when I heard Dr. Darcy's comment," she said, frowning, "and I was. I was also a bit put off by his reaction to me at the meeting. In fact, I thought he was the most arrogant, repulsive man I've ever met, a statement that I have told him to his face."

    Charles cringed. "He may put up a front, but he's probably hurting from that one," he said, not being helpful, and Jane and Elizabeth glared at him. Charles looked away, focusing on the walls, the fish tank, anything but the stares of the Bennet women.

    "I met this man today, George Wickham." Charles visibly blanched, but held his tongue. "He mentioned knowing William Darcy, so I of course had to find out what he knew so I could hate him more. He told me things you wouldn't believe about Darcy withholding money from his father's will, getting him kicked out of medical school, and he even told me about a conversation between Darcy and Charles." Elizabeth shook her head, ashamed.

    "I didn't even bother to ask you two what had happened. I just naturally assumed that Wickham was right. Let me guess, Darcy never called Jane anything remotely resembling promiscuous, did he."

    Jane gasped, and Charles shook his head. "He voiced concern. I tend to not see anything bad in women I date, so Darcy looks out for me. We went to dinner, and let me assure you, Darcy was completely taken by Jane. He never said anything other than asking if my intentions are true."

    Angrily brushing her hair, Elizabeth frowned. "Darcy wrote me the truth about Wickham, which he says you know a bit about, but not all," she said to Charles, and he nodded, confirming the statement. "He has instructed me to speak with Rick, which I will do tomorrow morning before the blood drive. Starting on Sunday, I think I might take a couple of days off. I need to clear my head, and then on Tuesday I believe I'm going with Aunt Maddy and Uncle Jim to look at houses."

    Madeleine and Jim Gardiner were prominent real estate agents in the county. They were responsible for selling many of the most affluent homes in the area, including the homes in the Rosings and Pemberley estates. Elizabeth was to take a tour of the estates to see Billy Collins' house with Charlotte as well.

    Jane turned to Charles. "Lizzy and Rick Fitzwilliam coordinated this blood drive with one of their lab sponsors. A few weeks ago there was a signup sheet for doctors, nurses, and assistants to come by and help. It is held in one of the assembly rooms, and their sponsor is a restaurant, so for everybody who gives blood, the restaurant gives them a coupon. It's a really neat organization, and I've volunteered to help. It's not difficult, any trained medical assistant can draw blood, but it gets good publicity with the hospital when doctors and nurses sign up, too."

    Elizabeth excused herself, knowing that the blood drive was hard work, no matter how little she had to do. People always showed up without the proper forms, and they had to fill them out. Two of her interns had volunteered, along with many of the nurses from the lab and emergency room. Some receptionists including her sister Lydia had volunteered to take down people's names and help with the forms, and Elizabeth knew she needed sleep especially if Lydia was going to be there.

    Are there chapters 10 and 11? -- Lisa Renee doesn't have them on her home page either.

    Part 12

    It didn't surprise Elizabeth the next morning when her alarm clock had so rudely awakened her that Jane had already left. Jane is going to beat me to my own project, Elizabeth thought wryly, and quickly threw on a fitted T-shirt and jeans. Some people reacted better when they saw the doctors in street clothes rather than scrubs, the traditional doctor's uniform. She did put on her lab coat when she arrived.

    Rick sat with the interns and a couple of nurses. She smiled at him, knowing how receptive the women donating blood were to him. He did look good today, a blue T-shirt emphasizing his blue eyes so much like Will Darcy's , Elizabeth thought, and mentally slapped herself. Now you notice him? After you were so cruel? You're awful, Elizabeth Bennet, absolutely awful.

    She put the copied forms on the reception table and waited for Lydia Bennet to arrive. Lydia was perhaps the Bennet sister closest to Elizabeth in looks because her hair tended to be on the curly side. Kitty's was slightly wavy, but Lydia's was definetly closer to Elizabeth's mane of chestnut curls. However, Lydia's hair was lighter and her eyes less remarkable. She was shorter than Elizabeth was and more curvy. She had always dressed to annunciate those curves, and today was no exception. The shirt she had chosen practically revealed everything, and Elizabeth frowned. Rick put on his most charming smile and walked over to the table.

    "Now, Lyds," he began, sweetly, and Elizabeth practically threw up the apple she had eaten at the sight of Lydia batting her eyes at Rick, "you know that you've gotta cover up more because you'll attract the wrong kind of people." He tossed her a "I gave blood!" T-shirt and indicated that she should put it on. Lydia pouted, but Rick raised his eyebrows invitingly, so eventually she complied.

    She scurried off, knotting the shirt above her waist. Elizabeth shook her head in exasperation. "If we weren't so hard pressed for receptionists, I wouldn't have asked," she commented, and Rick smiled. Elizabeth bit her lip. "We have a couple of minutes before I check to make sure everybody's here, can I ask you a couple of questions?"

    Rick sighed. "About Will Darcy, right?"

    Elizabeth nodded and looked at him pleadingly. Fitzwilliam men can't resist her pleading looks, so I suppose I'm answering, he thought, sheepishly. "Shoot, Lizzy."

    "Who's George Wickham?" Her question was simple but Rick frowned nonetheless.

    "It's hard to explain exactly who he is, but I'll tell you what he is," Rick began, "He's a spineless, cruel, conniving, mean-hearted bastard, and I mean that in both literal and figurative senses. He's been after Will's money, and coincidentally my own left in the will, not to mention Georgianna, Will's sister, and her money as well. He'll stop at nothing. He couldn't cut it at school so he got some fake MD degree I think somewhere in the Caribbean. Not a great guy, Liz, but he's always been a charmer with the ladies. I didn't even know that you met him or I wouldn't have hesitated on telling you about that fool."

    Elizabeth blushed once again. I am an idiot. I don't know what I'll do if I ever see Will Darcy, but because of my dumb pride, I probably never will anyway. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. She smiled weakly. "Thanks, Rick. Read this in some down time, see what a jerk I made out of myself." She handed over Will's letter, which Rick was reluctant to take. "Go ahead, you're my best friend. I trust you." He pocketed the letter, unsure whether to look at it or not. After all, it would be a breach of his cousin's confidence, but Elizabeth did want him to see it...

    She had made sure everything was set up correctly, from the numerous stations for collecting blood, to the receptionist booths for forms, to the food table on the side to make sure everybody had something in their stomachs. Doctors, nurses, aides, and interns had been trickling into the Longbourn Assembly Hall on the first floor. Elizabeth picked up her clipboard to make sure that everybody who had volunteered was there. She began by making quick rounds around the room.

    Eyes on her clipboard, she went down the rows where Rick had seated the medical personnel to work in the drive. "James, Knightley, Tudor, Woodhouse, Fairfax..." Elizabeth put a check by their names as she saw them. She smiled briefly at her interns, Robert Martin and Harriet Smith. They were good kids, but she assumed that they were involved. She came upon the last rows, and continued murmuring names.

    "Louis, Bernstein, Jennings... Davidson, Blake, Darcy..."

    Immediately Elizabeth's head flew up and her brown eyes met again with William Darcy's startling blue ones. She felt her heart flutter in her chest.

    "Dr. Darcy!," she exclaimed, feeling strangely warm at his gaze. A blush spread over her pale skin. "I didn't know you volunteered," Elizabeth managed to choke out.

    "I signed up a couple days ago," Will offered, just as quietly, unable to break their gaze. He shifted uncomfortably. She was not expecting me and is reacting to my presence. Is this good or bad? I can safely say I have no idea. She's not insulting me, which is always good...

    She cleared her throat, "It must be difficult to get away from surgery." Now why in the world did I say that? "That is, I mean, ah, it's really kind of you to volunteer for my drive, blood drive," Elizabeth stammered, nervously. Why are you acting like this, Elizabeth? You can't even manage a couple of words! "Of course you know how to draw blood," she rambled, and then blushed even more. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go get ready."

    She hurried back to her booth in the opposite corner of the room, where she was surprised to see that she could see Dr. Darcy and his booth very clearly. Elizabeth absently wondered if that was intentional, but quickly she turned away. "Let's do it!," she called, excitedly, "it's time to start."

    William looked at Elizabeth amusedly. Wow. Was that embarrassment or nervousness at seeing me? Well, Elizabeth Bennet, the ball is still in your court. What's going on here? I guess we'll just have to see. He smiled to himself and put on a pair of latex gloves. Anything to help, right? He grinned again, feeling a bit better about himself

    Part 13

    Elizabeth smiled at her first blood donor, a young man of no more than eighteen. He held out his arm bravely. "First time?" Her question was teasing, and he nodded. "Yeah. You a doctor here or a nurse?"

    "Doctor," Elizabeth answered, pricking his earlobe for blood. She dropped it into the contraption that tested the blood for iron. It settled in somewhere in the middle, so she put iodine on a cotton ball and wiped it over his arm. "Won't hurt a bit," she assured him, "I'm a resident hematologist, so you can definitely trust me." She slid the needle in easily and the young man took a deep breath.

    When he was finished, she put a cotton ball on the puncture and a piece of tape over it. "If any complications arise, please feel free to call the hospital's hematology ward and talk to one of the doctors." Elizabeth quickly wrote down the amount he donated on his forms and handed them back to the boy. He smiled at her and left, and her next patient came to her table.

    Will Darcy's first patient was a young woman, trembling and nervous. He was successful in calming her down, considering she took one look at him and her heart beat faster. "You're pretty hot, you know that?" Will blushed and whispered conspiratorially, "you really should go tell that doctor over there the same thing you told me, she doesn't seem to see it." The girl giggled.

    "Is she blind?" Will chuckled again and stole a glance at Elizabeth, who was drawing blood from a bald man. The girl was finished, and she gave him a little wave with her 'good' arm before she left, and Darcy's next patient, another older man, came to the table.

    The blood drive was in full swing and going well when a familiar woman entered the room in a loud orange velour blouse and pristine white pants. "All this blood!" she screamed, looking aghast, "How is this even in hospital policy? My goodness it looks like a vampire's coven in here!"

    Lydia Bennet wrinkled her nose. "Who asked you, you overgrown Gatorade bottle?" Caroline Bingley gasped at the rudeness of the girl and glanced at her nametag. "Bennet. I should have known."

    At the commotion, Elizabeth came over. "Are you here to help, Caroline?" she asked, patiently, crossing her arms.

    "Of course not. I was looking for William." When she saw him, she waved, but he was concentrating on a patient, and her perfectly painted face fell slightly. Elizabeth fought the urge to grin. I'll bet he never asked you out, Elizabeth thought, and then blushed. But that doesn't matter, does it.

    "Well, then I'd have to ask you to leave. If you're not working here and not donating, we really don't have enough space for observers." Elizabeth was quite amused by Caroline's face after her order. Caroline frowned.

    "I think I will donate blood." With that, Caroline marched over to Will Darcy's station, pushed a younger girl out of the way, and sat down in front of him. Her voice carried over the din of the room, and the room erupted with laughter at her when she bravely rolled up her sleeve, thrust her elbow onto Darcy's table and squeezed her eyes shut.

    "You need forms, Caroline," he said, patiently.

    "Just do it, please, I want to help," Caroline continued, melodramatically, and loud. "It's for the children, after all, and I'm a very gracious lady."

    At that, Will couldn't contain himself any longer and burst out laughing hysterically. "Can somebody help Caroline fill out her forms? Then you'll have to get in line like everybody else."

    Caroline stood up huffily. "If you don't want my blood, fine, but it's the cream of the crop, I assure you." She stormed out of the room, turning bright crimson (clashing badly with her shirt), to the sound of what seemed like everybody laughing. Caroline held her head up high. Will just saw how helpful I am. It's not my fault nobody mentioned forms to me, especially Elizabeth or that other girl Bennet. I'm sure William still thinks highly of me for volunteering my blood even if I am afraid of needles.

    After three more patients, Elizabeth rapped on her table for attention. "It's lunch time," she announced, "if you're leaving, please return in 45 minutes, so we can start the second shift. For those who aren't coming back, thank you very much for your help. We really appreciate it." Since most people who donated blood were required to sign in, nobody was scheduled to arrive between noon and one.

    Rick stood at his table and continued. "There is a refreshment table courtesy of the Lady Lucas restaurant. Help yourselves to the food they have prepared. They are a sponsor, so don't hesitate to tell them how great it is," he joked, in mock seriousness.

    The room erupted in laughter, and Elizabeth walked over to Rick's table. "Read it," she pleaded, but he shook his head. "You can tell me what you want," he answered, "but I'm not going to read my cousin's letter." She nodded, but already her attention was focused elsewhere. Rick sighed. Maybe she is noticing my cousin. I think that is a good thing.

    Elizabeth's eyes were, in fact, on William Darcy. He had gone to the refreshment table and selected what seemed to be a drink and a sandwich. Sitting back down at the table, he began eating. However, he couldn't help himself, and he looked back over to Elizabeth's table, which was now empty. Will frowned, and continued searching until he saw her with Rick. Their gazes locked again, and trying to seem nonchalant, took a sip of his water. However, intent on watching her, he missed his mouth and poured the entire drink down his shirt. Why me? he thought, cringing, and it's a white T-shirt, too. He rolled his eyes and pulled the offending white shirt away from his body. How did I manage to completely soak myself? This cannot be happening. Now she'll think you're a slob, a klutz, and an idiot, if she doesn't already.

    Snickering, Rick and Elizabeth saw Darcy's little mishap. Feeling bad for his cousin, he picked up a "I gave blood!" shirt and began waving it at him amidst Elizabeth's giggles. Will was going to have to walk over to the table, soaking wet! As soon as he stood, however, Elizabeth's giggles stopped.

    Holy mother of all things good and pure... Her thoughts dropped steadily to the gutter. In his wet T-shirt, she could see every ripple of muscle on his well-toned body. Please don't come over here, she thought, blushing madly. Will made it to the table and smiled sheepishly.

    "I knew I forgot something in kindergarten," he joked, and Rick laughed.

    "How much water did you spill, my dear, coordinated cousin?" Rick suspected that Will had been thirsty, it appeared that he had spilled an entire extra large cup on his shirt.

    "All of it," Will replied, and then made a grab for the shirt. "C'mon, Ricky, give me the shirt already!"

    Rick considered for a moment and tossed him the shirt. Elizabeth continued staring wide eyed from behind Rick, and William pretended he didn't notice it. Who is it with the staring problem, Elizabeth chastised herself, Will, or me? She shifted uncomfortably, knowing the answer.

    She attempted to breathe as William headed off into the corner of the room, not wanting to walk all the way to the men's room with a wet T-shirt. Elizabeth caught a glimpse of his back and lower torso and struggled to control her heartbeat. Oh my. Ohhhh, my.

    Continued In Next Section

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