Beginning, Section II

Part 14

The rest of the blood drive passed uneventfully, but Elizabeth couldn't get the picture of a wet William Darcy out of her head. It was rather unnerving how attuned she was to his presence, considering her harsh refusal of his inquiries the night before. She actually felt guilty about treating him so badly, but if anybody asked, she still thought that way. It was probably a good thing that she was stubborn.

After overseeing the cleanup, she made sure that the blood was safely delivered to her lab so the technicians could screen it. Elizabeth was incredibly proud of the turnout, they had collected almost 120 gallons of blood. That would save nearly 2000 people. She grinned at the thought of doing something like that. Tomorrow began her days off, and she was looking forward to relaxing. First, she was going to sleep, and then she was to visit Charlotte's new home.

True to his word, Billy Collins married Charlotte at the justice of the peace, and the party was still almost a month away. For the first time in her life, Elizabeth wondered if she'd ever find the right man and if she perhaps was being stubborn and headstrong in her refusals. She just believed so strongly in love. Jane and Charles' relationship both intrigued her and made her a bit sad. Her beautiful sister was a lucky woman. She idly waited for the day when Jane would tell her that Charles had proposed.

Walking to her car in the parking garage, Elizabeth noticed that she wasn't the only one who stayed late. Probably some doctor doing rounds before he goes, she thought, correct in her assumption. She came closer to her car and noticed the other car parked across from her. A red BMW was parked there, and she made a face. Better not hit that! However, luck was not with Elizabeth and she came too close to the car so that the alarm sounded.

The harsh noise made Elizabeth's cheeks burn a bright crimson. Do I get in my car and leave or do I explain that it was an accident that I touched the car? This is not good, Liz, she told herself, and frowned. Footsteps behind her made her spin, and she hoped it was the car's owner so she wouldn't have to debate over the matter any longer.

Unfortunately for her, it was. "Dr. Darcy!," she exclaimed again, vaguely wondering if it was possible to get any redder than she already was. "I'm sorry, I must have walked too close to your car, I swear on my life I wasn't trying to steal it."

He chuckled lightly. "I know, Dr. Bennet." Will shut off the alarm and faced her again, not meeting her gaze because she stared at her feet. "I did want to tell you that I enjoyed volunteering for your blood drive today, water and all," he said pleasantly, and she finally picked up her head, still refusing to meet his electric gaze.

"Rick and I thank you for your help," she managed, and took a few steps towards her blue Toyota. "Rick was very pleased to see you, he told me that as of late you hadn't been seeing each other very frequently at all. Goodnight, Dr. Darcy."

She sat in her car and started the ignition, pulling out of the parking lot fast enough that she wouldn't have to see him and his car again. It was growing to dangerous to keep running into him. Her embarrassment at the way she treated him was second compared to the strange feelings that arose every time she saw him since the refusal.

William too sat in his car and mused, somewhat confusedly. Only Rick was pleased to see me? She is the most enigmatic, confusing woman that I know. Putting his phone on speaker, he half neglected the fact that the bill would be huge, especially considering he was calling long distance from the car.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Kit, this is William Darcy again. Is Georgie home?" Kit realized it was a car phone and handed it personally to Georgianna.

"Hey, big bro," she greeted, amusedly, "Kitty is mouthing the words 'car phone' to me, so I'm assuming she's correct. What prompted you to call on the car phone? Some late night driving and thinking?"

"In a manner of sorts," William responded, driving home on the empty highway towards Pemberley estates. "I just wanted to tell you what happened. I gave her the letter, and from what Rick was telling me, he thinks she feels guilty. I don't want her to feel guilty, though, because guilt is not what I want to start any kind of relationship off with."

"I agree with you completely," Georgianna said, and Kitty shouted her affirmation of the statement in the back. "Sorry," she said, giggling, "I put you on speaker-phone because Kitty wanted to know if her sister reconsidered. I think Kitty thinks you're hot!"

There was a loud thumping noise followed by Georgianna's giggling. "Kitty threw a pillow at me," she informed her brother, but then turned serious. "Listen, Will, I really hope she's not guilty. I hope she sees that she was wrong and gives you another chance. Kitty and I are coming up there in a week, and I'm really hoping to meet her."

"And I'm really hoping to meet him!," Kitty exclaimed, and her proclamation was followed by another bout of giggles from Georgianna, and William blushed. "Why can't she see that?," he muttered, half to himself, but Kitty's sharp ears, even over speakerphone, could discern it.

"My sister is willful. Even if she did see that, she wouldn't admit it now. Remember, I get e-mail from her, and believe me, she has noticed your looks."

Is that all? Please tell me she's noticed something else too? "Is that all she said so far about me?"

"She said she might have been wrong, but that's it," Kitty hedged, feeling bad. "But work on it, William. My sister is a rational being. If you are dead set about dating my sister, don't give up. I'm going to bed. GiGi, remember to turn off the lights."

Georgianna clicked off of speakerphone and picked up the handset. "Listen, Will, I have a feeling it will work out wonderfully. I saw a picture of her yesterday, and I think she'd be good with you. Nice looking kids!" She snickered and hung up the phone before Will could get a word in.

He sighed wistfully. Kids. I can't get her to date me, let alone marry me and have children. Not that I wouldn't like to! Will didn't like the way his thoughts were headed and left the subject alone. He was nearing his exit, and would be home soon. He had three scheduled surgeries coming up, and provided there were no traumas, when are there ever no traumas? he might be able to sneak down towards the Hematology lab when he was finished. Please let it be an off day in the ER, he thought as he turned into his driveway, and please let her be there.

It was nearly ten when Elizabeth awoke on Monday morning, and she stretched and yawned loudly. She rose from bed and went into the shower, taking extra long and using up all the hot water. Why shouldn't I? It'll be back when Jane comes home. For the first time in weeks, she left her hair down to dry naturally on the ride to Rosings, where she would see Charlotte's new home. Of course, Elizabeth turned on her beeper in case emergency arose with one of her patients at the lab, and put it into the pocket of her favorite green fatigue pants. She had splurged on them the last time she had visited her aunt Maddy, whose office was on Gracechurch Street, a prominent shopping center.

Getting into the car, she turned on the radio and drove off. Rosings was about a half hour away from her apartment near Pride Hospital, but Elizabeth had a slight impatient streak and drove a bit above the speed limit, so she arrived fairly early. Charlotte was gardening outside when she pulled into the driveway, and with a squeal of delight, the two friends embraced.

Elizabeth looked up at the house and drew a breath. For a gynecologist, William Collins sure has done well, she thought, slightly dazed. "Wow, Char... This is a little bigger than your apartment..." Charlotte giggled and opened the door.

The house was immaculately polished, and Elizabeth marveled at the cleanliness of every room. "It's Catherine DeBourgh's maid," Charlotte said, by way of explanation, "I wouldn't have time to do it myself. Of course, the color scheme of the house is also done by Catherine. I wanted to change some of the wallpaper, but she assured me it was all in the latest fashion and that changing it would be crazy."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I'd tell you to do what you want, but I know what a huge benefactor Catherine DeBourgh is for the hospital." Charlotte nodded in agreement and continued leading Elizabeth through the house. Elizabeth's mind was overflowing with questions. Charlotte switched her shifts to afternoons and nights, but Billy is still working days. Do they even see each other?

Not one for curiosity, Elizabeth asked what was on her mind. Charlotte blushed. "I don't really see him often," she commented, and Elizabeth wondered if Charlotte liked it that way. Heaven knows I would if I had married that fool. But that's just me. "He works days, I work nights, I don't have to sleep... I mean, talk to him very often!" Elizabeth burst in a fit of giggles.

Halfway through the house, the doorbell rang. Charlotte waited for a maid to get it, and heaved a great sigh as Catherine DeBourgh stepped in with her adopted daughter, Anne. "Charlotte, Charlotte dear," she called, and nodded when Charlotte came into view.

"Charlotte, do you have visitors?"

"Yes, Mrs. DeBourgh, this is my friend Elizabeth Bennet."

Catherine appraised Elizabeth from head to toe and Elizabeth fought not to squirm under such scrutiny. "Dressed a little casually, are you not?"

Elizabeth looked down at her pants, simple gray V-necked shirt, and sighed. Not again! I am dressed like a normal human being. Forgive me for not wearing sequins! "It's my day off. I'm a doctor at Pride Hospital as well."

Catherine waved her hand around. "My nephews work there. I believe you may know them, Rick Fitzwilliam and William Darcy." Elizabeth nodded, That's where the intense scrutiny comes from, she thought, realization dawning.

Anne picked up a vase and yawned. "Mother, may we leave? I believe I have treatment in an hour and I'd like to change clothes before." Under Elizabeth's masked gaze, her heart went out to the frail girl. She'd heard that Anne had cystic fibrosis, and while her lab was working on gene therapy for the disease, Anne had not yet received the new medicine. Catherine wanted it tested and proven before anything of the kind was given to the girl. Rick had told her that Catherine believed that once Anne was better, she could marry her to William because they were not of blood relations. A strange spark of some unknown feeling rose up in Elizabeth's heart and she squashed it, hurriedly. Just because he showed interest before certainly doesn't mean he does now, especially after you were such a jerk, Liz. Besides, who cares if he does or not? The little voice inside her head argued that she did care, and that's what disturbed her the most.

Meanwhile, on his lunch break, William Darcy took a small detour and ended up in the Hematology lab once again. Rick laughed at his cousin's attempt at nonchalance, and shook his head with mirth.

"Will, Will, Will... She's not even here today. It's her day off. Tell me you at least heard that while you were attempting not to look like you were eavesdropping!"

Will blushed a bright red and frowned. "Who says I was looking for her at all? Maybe I was looking for you!"

Rick popped a test tube in the autoclave, another in the machine that separated blood enzymes, and another in an incubator, along with a petri dish filled with some strange looking goo. It was actually a membrane sample of an AIDS patient, and it did look pretty disgusting. "She's visiting Charlotte Lucas-Collins for a bit and then meeting her aunt and uncle. I believe she may even be in your neighborhood, but I don't know why I'm telling you this if you just wanted to visit me..."

Will shrugged and pulled on a pair of latex gloves. "Let me help you with that," he said, as he cultured a few substances and placed them into the incubator to see what would grow. "What are these?"

"A test for pneumonia, but not pneumocystis," Rick explained, "it's from a CF patient, not AIDS. Rumor has it that with all the new money we're getting, we might be one of the premier Cystic Fibrosis treatment centers. That'll be pretty good for Annie, won't it?"

He nodded in agreement. "I hope she gets better. If she doesn't, she'll have to put up with Aunt Catherine for her entire life!"

Rick groaned melodramatically, and both men said in unison "a fate worse than death!"

Back at the Collins' residence, Catherine had decided she did not like this plainly dressed ragamuffin before her. I'd almost prefer Caroline Bingley, she thought, but remembered when Caroline had worn that hideous orange sweater and almost shuddered. Or not. But at least Caroline realizes true elegance and refinery when she sees it! Sort of. Oh well, I just do not like Elizabeth Bennet!

Finally, Elizabeth could no longer bear Catherine DeBourgh's withering stares. "I think I will call my aunt and see if she's ready for me to visit," she calmly stated. Charlotte nodded, although she did not want to see her friend go so soon, understood why she would.

Elizabeth briefly spoke to her aunt and was informed that she would be visiting one of the homes in the neighborhood where her aunt and uncle managed real estate. They would be meeting the housekeeper of one of the home, her aunt's friend Hannah Reynolds.

Part 15

When she got out of her car, her Aunt Maddy was waiting for her excitedly. She hugged her favorite aunt and smiled. "You look good, kid," Madeleine Gardiner said, pushing Elizabeth's curls off of her forehead. "And your hair, don't let anybody tell you otherwise, looks great long."

Elizabeth laughed and scoffed her aunt's praise. "Aunt Maddy, you have to say that because you have curls like mine," she chided, lightly.

"You know all, Dr. Bennet," teased another voice, and Elizabeth spun to hug her Uncle Jim as well. "How's the world of medicine treating you? Discover any new cures yet? I did read about the possibility of your clinic becoming a Level 4 treatment center for Cystic Fibrosis, and I'm really proud of you."

She blushed under her uncle's praise and shrugged it off. "Rick and I have been working very hard."

As they climbed into the car, Madeleine looked stealthily at Elizabeth. "Rick... How is that boy?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Same old, same old... We tie-dyed more clothes and had dinner last week."

Quieter, Madeleine raised an eyebrow. "And that looker, what's his name, George something? What about him? You praised him pretty highly."

Blushing, Elizabeth shook her head. "I was wrong about him," she said, simply.

"And that arrogant Dr. Darcy?" Madeleine and Jim loved to hear about Elizabeth's life.

Blushing even deeper, Elizabeth sighed. "I think I was wrong about him too."

Jim and Madeleine exchanged glances. They, after talking to Kitty the night before, had heard bits and pieces of the story of what had happened between William Darcy and Elizabeth. They purposely declined to tell Elizabeth that Hannah Reynolds was William Darcy's housekeeper, and the house they would visit was 1815 Pemberley Lane, home of the very same Dr. Darcy. Mrs. Reynolds had said that William had been morose lately, thinking about some woman who was a doctor at Pride. Madeleine had put two and two together and realized that Elizabeth was the woman, and Jim had thought a visit to the magnificent Pemberley might be a good idea.

They pulled up to the estate and all the color drained from Elizabeth's face at the sight of the WD initials on the gate. "William Darcy? Aunt Maddy, we're visiting William Darcy's home? Oh no! What if he finds out I was here? He'll think I'm deliberately trying to find my way onto his path so I can cause trouble!"

Maddy and Jim laughed delightedly at Elizabeth's worried outburst. "Dear, I'm sure that's not what he thinks," Jim chided, grinning. Oh, I think my little niece has a crush!

"Oh yeah? After he spilled water on himself, I somehow managed to set off his car alarm!"

Elizabeth's aunt laughed even harder. "Oh, Lizzy," she sighed, wiping tears from her eyes, "that's just priceless! Kitty told me about that!"

Lizzy was in a panic when the gates opened and Hannah Reynolds, through the intercom, told them to just come into the house. I can't do that! Just walk into William Darcy's house! What would he think if he knew? This is not a good idea! I cannot just traipse around his house uninvited like this! This is so embarrassing!

Madeleine greeted Hannah Reynolds warmly. "This is my niece, Elizabeth Bennet, and of course you know Jim." Mrs. Reynolds nodded and bounced on her heels eagerly.

"It's been so long since I've been able to show anybody this house! William said I can show it off to my good friends Maddy and Jim! Follow me, please, the gallery is the first stop."

Gallery? He has a gallery? Elizabeth's eyes were round as saucers as she stepped into the photo gallery. There were pictures of everybody in the Darcy family. She even saw Rick on the wall. Some were painted, some were photographs, but there was a giant old-fashioned portrait of William in the middle that caught her attention. He's so serious! He must smile so rarely. I wish I could have made him smile... She blushed at her own thoughts and tried to pay attention to Mrs. Reynolds.

"I see you've noticed the portrait of my William," she said, a twinkle in her eye. "He's such a good boy, Dr. Bennet, very shy and reserved. You see, his mother died when he was only twelve. His sister Georgianna was but two years, and he's been there for her ever since."

Elizabeth again felt ashamed for her actions. "Is that Georgianna over there?" She pointed to a photograph of a solemn blonde girl with large blue eyes. Mrs. Reynolds nodded. "Such a pretty child. Of course, she's having a wonderful time at medical school. Maybe you know her roommate, I believe you have the same last name!"

Madeleine laughed. "They're sisters, Hannah," she informed her friend, and Mrs. Reynolds joined in on the laughter. "But of course! They both have such beautiful curls!" Elizabeth tossed her hair self-consciously. "Kitty's a wonderful girl, I met her last spring when I visited Georgie. If she's anything like you, I can see why William likes you so much."

Elizabeth blushed. "And that picture over there? I know him, as well." It was a young George Wickham, posing for the camera. Mrs. Reynolds made a face. "He used to be a good boy, but he went wild. William doesn't speak to him anymore," she said, heading towards the doorway.

"Would you like to see the pool?" Inwardly, Elizabeth groaned. The pool reminded her too much of the water mishap from the blood drive, and that reminded her too much of William Darcy and his body.

The small group walked past the pool, and even Elizabeth had to admit it was impressive. She looked out of the large, second story window at the grounds of the backyard and gasped. It was huge! "So much land, and he's not even home to enjoy it," she murmured, somewhat sadly. When she squinted her eyes, she could see what looked like a dog running through the yard. Turning to Mrs. Reynolds, she inquired on the subject.

"That's Dr. Darcy's dog, Lucky. He's practically a puppy, a real loveable mutt." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"A mutt? Not a purebread?"

Mrs. Reynolds laughed. "No, this one he found on the side of the road, tiny and crying. He has such a good heart, so he picked him up and brought him to Pemberley. There are enough servants here to play with the dog, and he loves seeing him when he gets home. Lucky is very friendly," she finished, and an idea struck the housekeeper. "Would you like to see the backyard?"

Elizabeth, her aunt and uncle, and Mrs. Reynolds went down the stairs and outside. While Madeleine, Jim, and Mrs. Reynolds sat on the patio, Elizabeth wandered through the trees and bushes in the yard, calling for the dog. Lucky came seemingly out of nowhere, stick in his mouth, tail wagging. She patted the golden retriever mix and tossed the stick. She was still playing with him when another car came onto the property.

Dr. Darcy stepped out of his BMW, wondering if the blue Toyota in the driveway could possibly be Elizabeth's. He thought it was blue when he saw it before, but it was dark, and he was paying more attention to her than her car. Hearing a noise from the backyard, William walked over and saw his housekeeper with an unknown couple, the woman looking like an older version of Elizabeth Bennet.

He smiled pleasantly and walked over. Madeleine's sharp eyes took in his entire persona, it seemed, and she smiled. "I hope we are not intruding," she said, standing up. Jim shook his hand.

"I'm Jim Gardiner, and this is my wife Madeleine. We sell homes around here, but we were just visiting yours," he joked, warmly. "I believe you know my niece, who is somewhere around here."

Immediately, William turned toward the backyard, searching for Elizabeth. He found her, far away, playing with his dog. His heart rate quickened and he licked his lips nervously. She's here? She's playing with my dog? She hasn't run off? Does she know I've come home? Unconsciously, he loosened the collar of his pristine shirt, amazingly still that way after his three scheduled surgeries and 2 unexpected traumas.

Madeleine and Jim again exchanged glances and smiles. Jim walked to his wife and put his head close to her ear. "He's enamored with her. That makes me so happy to see. He seems like such a good man, from what Hannah said. If only Lizzy would stop being so stubborn!"

After a moment or two of watching Elizabeth, William came to a decision. I'm going to ask her out again. One more time, if she turns me down, I'll go on. Before his resolve crumbled, he started walking across the grass.

Elizabeth heard footsteps and looked up. Oh, he's home. Goodness, I thought he had to work until at least eleven! Why is he walking over like that? Is he mad that I'm playing with the dog? She backed away as he got closer, a few steps, because she couldn't tell if he was angry at her for something or other. Jutting her lip stubbornly, she braced herself for him to start admonishing her for trespassing or something of the like.

He reached her, a little mystified by her barrage of facial expressions. "Hello," he greeted, smiling as Lucky ran over, wagging his tail. "I see you've met my dog," he continued, looking up to meet her eyes, which were away. Her hair blew in the breeze and he had an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch it. Instead he patted his dog.

"Yes," she answered, with a small smile, "he's a very nice dog." She tucked an errant curl behind her ear nervously. "Look, Dr. Darcy, I'm really sorry I'm here, I didn't mean to trespass or anything," she tried to tell him, but he smiled.

"What I can't figure is why you're always apologizing whenever you see me," he joked, and she stared at him, indecisively, surprised that he would joke in the first place. Finally, she smiled.

"So you aren't angry," she said, nodding.

"No," he answered, the dimple appearing in his cheek.

Not knowing what to say, she called the dog over to her and started making goo-goo noises, attention, of which Lucky believed he rightfully deserved. Stop paying attention to the damn dog, William thought, jokingly, and pay attention to other things, please!

He cleared his throat, and Elizabeth raised her eyes. Staring again, huh William?

"I know I tried this before and it didn't go so well," William began, "but this time I think it might be better. My sister is coming home later this week and I think she's bringing your sister Kit with her." Elizabeth nodded. "I thought maybe you and I could meet them at the airport? Maybe take them to dinner?"

She stared at him. Is he asking me out again? Misreading her thoughts, he colored and raked a hand through his dark hair in frustration. Elizabeth ventured a small smile. "Your car or mine?"

Trying to slow his heartbeat, he managed a shaky smile back. "Does it matter?"

"Yes," Elizabeth answered, "I've never been in a BMW before, so I think we're taking your car. Tomorrow, I think their plane is coming in at 7:15. We'll leave Pride, but you'll have to follow me so I can drop off the car, unless Jane will drive it instead. I'll get back to you on that later tonight, um, I'm looking forward to meeting your sister."

She stood, brushed grass off of her fatigue pants, and walked over to her Aunt. With her back turned to him, William couldn't even see her smile. However, Madeleine and Jim saw the look on both of their faces and discreetly winked at each other to show their appreciation.

The car ride home was silent for the first couple of blocks, until Madeleine couldn't contain herself any longer. "Lizzy, I really like him, he seems to be a really good man. Smart, tall, handsome..." Elizabeth blushed and shrugged.

"I have to meet Kitty anyway, and if she's coming with Georgianna Darcy, I think it makes sense for us both to go," she rationalized, ignoring her Uncle's laughter at her statement.

Madeleine raised an eyebrow at her niece as they approached the Gracechurch Street office. "Maybe I'll buy you a new outfit for your, um, carpool to the airport," she teased, and Elizabeth shook her head. "I think I'll wear my new jeans with a regular shirt," was Elizabeth's answer, but Madeleine would have none of it.

"I'll buy you a new shirt, then," she insisted, and finally, Elizabeth complied.

Part 16

True to her word, Elizabeth let William know that they'd leave Pride together because Jane would drive her car home. She spent the day working with Rick on some cultures, data, blood, and STD tests. Those, of course, were not her favorites. Around 5, she went into the locker room to change out of her scrubs, and Rick couldn't hide his curiosity.

"Where are you going? I know Kitty's coming home tonight, but aren't you just picking her up from the airport?"

Elizabeth looked up from the data sheet she was looking at and met his eyes. "I'm going to pick up my sister and her roommate," she answered, nonchalantly, as realization dawned in his eyes.

"Hey! You're going to pick up Georgianna Darcy with Will, aren't you," he teased, poking her in the side, "a whole car ride, a BMW, and the moonlight. I wonder what'll happen."

"Hey!," she exclaimed back, poking him in the side, "nothing will happen!"

"Sure, sure, I'm sure it'll be a long talk about the differences between immunology and surgery, getting down to the intricate details about blood abnormalities and disease versus the art of bypass surgery." Rick continued teasing her until she put down the data sheet and slugged him playfully on the arm.

"Take your mind from the gutter," she ordered, "or I might have to get mean!"

Rick looked at the almost empty hematology lab, and raised an eyebrow at him. They ran for the vacated receptionists' desk and the swivel chairs. They chased each other around the desk, and that was exactly the state William found them in.

He cleared his throat, amusedly. Rick and Lizzy looked up, embarrassed. They stood simultaneously, and Rick began explaining in jest.

"We were, ah, searching for new diseases under the desk," he explained, in mock seriousness, "some kind of secretarial bacteria, maybe a virus..."

"Right," Lizzy confirmed, "it seems to be very potent, causing secretaries to take unannounced breaks where the chief residents can just come out and use their new swivel chairs for all kinds of horrible actions..."

William smiled at the two of them and put on his most haughty air. "We never do such things in surgery. It is classical music, no jokes, no, excuse me, no talking in general."

Rick and Elizabeth looked at him in horror, but then Elizabeth smiled. "You have something on your shirt," she said softly, and walked over to him. Rick rolled his eyes as she stood on tiptoe to wipe a microscopic speck of what appeared to be blood off of his neck. The look William was giving his partner and friend was slightly unnerving, so he broke the tension with a joke.

"Vampirism? Perhaps Caroline was right!" Elizabeth laughed, and William smiled. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see if my cousin is a vampire," Rick continued, full of innuendo, and waggled his eyebrows.

It was Elizabeth's turn to blush as Rick laughed. She gave him a dirty look as she left with William, vowing that, one day she would get her practical joking friend once and for all.

Part 17

Both Kitty and Georgianna came off the plane looking for their respective older sibling. However, neither expected to see them together, patiently waiting. The girls shared a glance, Georgianna's puzzled, Kitty's amused."She mentioned something about dinner," she whispered, and Georgianna nodded. "All of us? Can it be? He did it without my help?" Kitty giggled loudly, alerting her sister to her presence.

Elizabeth flew over to Kitty and threw her arms around her. Out of all the Bennet sisters, Elizabeth was the closest to Jane and Kitty, and Elizabeth was extremely proud of Kitty going to medical school.

"Kit! You look so good!" She was slightly taller than Elizabeth was and a little bit thinner, although it was hard to tell. Kitty was built more like Jane, but had Elizabeth's color hair, although less curly.

"How's Brighton?" Elizabeth's questions were answered quickly, because Kitty wanted her to meet Georgianna, and Kitty wanted to see this mysterious William. "Good, Liz. Hey, that's my roommate, the blonde one. GiGi, come meet my sister!"

William and Georgianna regrouped with Elizabeth and Kitty. Elizabeth smiled at Georgianna warmly, and Georgianna returned a shy smile.

"I'm pleased to meet you," Elizabeth said sincerely, "both Kit and William have told me about you. I hear you're studying to be a neurosurgeon?"

Georgianna nodded and grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess I'm following part way in my brother's footsteps," she said, smiling at her brother, who smiled back.

"Big shoes," Elizabeth muttered, and William decided to tease her again.

"Hey, are you calling my feet big?"

Elizabeth grinned wryly, "Maybe I am, are you going to do something about it?"

"Maybe," William replied just as smugly, as Kitty squealed in delight.

"You two are so cute together! I told you Lizzy would come around!"

Elizabeth blushed so red she thought her face would melt. "Kitty... We're not... Are we?" She looked at William for help, but he too stared at his feet in silence. "What are you talking about?"

Georgianna, trying to save an awkward moment, pointed out that they'd miss dinner reservations if they stood and argued about this for much longer. Grateful for her interruption, they went out to William's car. In her embarrassment, Elizabeth sat in the back seat with Kitty and let Georgianna have shotgun.

Sitting down to dinner was less awkward than in the airport. The four ate, chatted about medicine and family, and Elizabeth began to feel slightly more comfortable around William. Her insides still felt a bit odd when he stared at her, but she was beginning to think that the odd feeling wasn't so bad after all. It was in the middle of dessert when Elizabeth's beeper went off.

"Excuse me," she said, and headed off to the phone. It was Jane's code, and Jane wouldn't have interrupted dinner if it wasn't important. Kitty shrugged at William and Georgianna, not knowing what was going on. Kitty's knowledge of her family's business had considerably lessened once she had gone to school, and she wondered if that was a blessing in disguise. Lydia and Elizabeth frequently e-mailed her, Jane and her father occasionally, and once in a blue moon, her mother or Mary. Lizzy and Lydia had both been complaining about men, and while that was rare for Elizabeth, Lydia's complaints were common and annoying. One boyfriend was a thief, one was too mean, one too fat... Kitty simply didn't have time to read all of Lydia's ramblings. There had been a time when that was all she listened to, but she looked forward to Lizzy's mail more.

Which is why, when Elizabeth came back to the table pretty upset, Kitty was pretty confused. "Did something happen to dad?" Maybe her mother's constant whining had put him over the edge.

"My goodness, you don't look so well," William said, rushing to get a chair before Elizabeth collapsed, "do you want me to get something for you? Water?" Elizabeth shook her head and appeared as if she was trying to clear it. Her thoughts were in turmoil. I knew Lydia stopped coming home, but I thought she had been staying with some college friends. I didn't know she was going to the bad side of town! But no, Lydia was with George Wickham!

"No, thank you," she finally answered, tears welling up. "Oh, Kitty, Lydia is pregnant!"

Kitty gasped, Georgianna's eyes grew wide, and William sputtered out the only logical sentence he could think of. "Who is the father?"

More tears welled up in Elizabeth's eyes. "Her new boyfriend, Kitty, do you remember his name?" Kitty shook her head, dazed. Lydia is pregnant? "I'll tell you," she said, lip trembling, "the father is George Wickham. She's somewhere with him now, my dad's convinced she's going to end up dead, and my mother's beside herself because she's positive Lydia will not marry."

Georgianna's stomach hurt all of the sudden, and William felt like all the air was punched out of his lungs. "George Wickham?"

Elizabeth looked up at him, and her heart sank. Now it can never be. He will not associate with anybody whose sister is involved with his greatest enemy, let alone a sister who is pregnant with his child. She wiped up her tears and stood. "I'm supposed to tell my aunt and uncle, and they're supposed to help find Wickham and Lydia. It seems they've disappeared, looking for money. I heard Las Vegas!"

"Gambling," Georgianna muttered, and nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if they are in Vegas."

The foursome left the restaurant and William drove Kitty and Elizabeth to the Gardiner's house in the New London estates. "I'm sorry," Georgianna said sincerely, but William had not uttered another word.

"Me too," Elizabeth sighed. "I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time with you." Georgianna shrugged and smiled at Kitty's sister. "There's always next time," she said, but her words were hollow. Both Georgianna and Elizabeth knew that there might not be a next time with William. The prospect of associating with Wickham might be too much.

Jim Gardiner and Paul Bennet flew out to Las Vegas the next day. The most recent fax had confirmed Wickham's presence in the state, but not where they were hiding. So far, they had not been able to see Wickham or Lydia. Elizabeth went to work dutifully, and from her lab on the first floor, did not notice William Darcy's absence. He had taken a week off from work, and only Georgianna knew where he was.

Kitty stayed home for a bit to help console her mother. Jane and Charles also attempted to calm the woman, but nothing seemed to help. Jane worried about having to admit her mother to the hospital because she refused to eat until Lydia was found. Charles Bingley had a vague idea where Darcy was, but refused to let anybody, not even Jane, in on his assumptions.

Caroline Bingley decided that she was going to milk this indiscretion for all it was worth. She sided up to Elizabeth one morning on her walk to the lab. Smiling evilly, she adjusted the little orange hat she had perched on her head. "So Eliza," she drawled, loving every minute of Elizabeth's discomfort, "how does it feel to have a sister pregnant out of wedlock to a guy that you knew was bad news?"

Elizabeth frowned at the inquiries. "Not as bad as I feel knowing that you're following me to my floor," she retorted, bothered by Caroline's presence.

"How witty! I fear that even wit and your fine eyes won't bring William back to you. Your sister has pretty much ruined that chance. How awful for you! Maybe now you can spend some time doing something worthwhile, like getting a new wardrobe!"

Caroline was pushing Elizabeth's limits. Feeling petty, mean, and spiteful, Elizabeth grabbed Caroline's hat and threw it in the fish tank by the entrance to the lobby. "There, Caroline. You do something worthwhile."

She stormed into the Emergency Room and through the doors until she reached the safety of her lab. Then she gave way to laughter, and telling Rick what she did, the two actually managed a pleasant morning.

Caroline, however, was not having a pleasant morning. That had had cost her quite a bit of money! She had ignored her sister Louisa's advice on not wearing the hat to work, and also ignored Louisa's ignoramus of a husband's idea that the hat was ugly. Now, that hat was starting to sink toward the rocks at the bottom of the tank. She rolled up her sleeve in disgust and was preparing to stick her hand in when the chair she stood on slipped from underneath her. Caroline's entire arm, sleeve and all, sat inside the tank, which reeked of algae and other fish delicacies.

People laughed from all around, so she grabbed the hat and stormed toward the elevator, holding her head up high. She got off the elevator on the pediatrics floor and demanded the receptionist there to find her brother. Charles was in with a patient, so Jane came out to see what the ruckus was about. Finding Caroline dripping wet, a stray piece of algae clinging to the designer silk blouse she wore, proved too much for the kind Jane, who couldn't keep a straight face.

"LOOK AT WHAT YOUR SISTER DID!" Caroline's screech made small children start to wail and adults look at her oddly.

"My sister did that? She threw you into water?"

"No! She threw my hat into water!" Caroline held up the dripping, soggy hat. "My new hat! Your sister has no decorum!"

Charles finally appeared, but when he glanced at his sister, he disappeared back into the room he had come out of. Caroline looks angry. Probably a better idea to stay in here. Jane quieted Caroline and handed her an available scrub top.

She expects me to wear that? And look like Eliza Bennet? I don't think so, Caroline thought, but wisely put it on anyway. No use smelling like fish goo, considering William might be back today. She thanked Jane through clenched teeth, and bypassing the seventh floor where she worked entirely, went to see if Dr. Darcy was available.

Part 18

He, of course, was not. William had flown to Las Vegas to find George Wickham and Lydia Bennet. However, he did not want to make himself known while Elizabeth's father was still there. Because Elizabeth was close to her father, William assumed that Paul Bennet thought him to be arrogant, obnoxious, and condescending, just because Elizabeth thought that way. Maybe she doesn't think that way anymore, but even so, if I do find Wickham, it's probably wise not to let her know. He had heard that casino owners had identified him based on a photograph, but no sign of him otherwise had been found.

It was a day later when he heard the news that Paul Bennet was going to fly home to tend to his wife, distraught by the news of Lydia's pregnancy and no marriage. Making sure that Paul was home, he finally ventured out to find Jim Gardiner, in hopes of being some help to the search.

William met up with Madeleine Gardiner on the way, and while he didn't talk about what was going on, the perceptive Maddy knew anyway. She stole another glance at her handsome guest and smiled. He does this for Lizzy. He'll tell me that it was because of George Wickham, but it's for my Lizzy. How wonderful. Her cheeks were pink with the thought, and William noticed that she blushed like Elizabeth. He smiled at Elizabeth's favorite aunt.

"How are you related to Elizabeth? Through her father?"

Maddy shook her head. "No, actually, my husband is Lizzy's mother's brother. The resemblance is purely coincidental. Most think that I am in fact her mother, but I have two children of my own." She spoke wistfully, sadly. "Jenny is in college studying to be a graphic designer. However, David died of Cystic Fibrosis almost six years ago. He was Elizabeth's age."

William raised an eyebrow and patted her hand. I can see why Elizabeth works so hard on that disease, he thought wisely, and nodded. "I'm very sorry."

Smiling sadly, Maddy shook her head. "Don't even think about it. I'm just very proud of Elizabeth's attempts to work with CF."

William nodded as Jim Gardiner came out of the hotel lobby to meet them. If he was surprised to see William, he didn't show it. Shaking his hand warmly, Jim inquired as to why William had come.

"Elizabeth has told you, I assume, what George Wickham has done," he said, and at their nods of affirmation, continued. "I could have stopped him. This time, I will stop him."

Ruefully, Jim spoke up, all the while trying to hide a smile. He's here for Lizzy. Forget Wickham, he's doing it completely for her. I remember doing that for Maddy. "I haven't been able to find him. Some Casino owners have been able to identify him by a picture, but I've been unable to find him at any of the hotels or motels around the area."

William seemed to contemplate this while he took out his wallet. "On the plane, I put together a small list. When we were 17, George had a couple of fake ID's to get into some bars and clubs. These are the names I remember from them, he seemed to be fond of 'Willard' and 'Wilson'."

Jim nodded, "and I'm sure Lydia would not hesitate to make up an alias for herself, either. We'll start making calls, and I'll notify my friends in the business about the possible names he might be under."

It wasn't long until the Gardiners and William were able to find George Wickham, hiding under the name Gerald Willard. William planned on confronting him right at the craps table, but he saw Lydia with him. She didn't look happy. In fact, she looked rather sick. Her red dress was too clingy in some places, and too loose in others. It wasn't very flattering, and William idly wondered how Jane, Elizabeth, and Kitty could be related to Lydia. Maddy took matters into her own hands and convinced Lydia to come with her to change and freshen up.

George looked at them with contempt and thinly veiled arrogance. "May I ask why you're here? I take a girl to Vegas and you're after me like I'm some sort of child molester. She is an adult, even if she doesn't always act like it."

Jim frowned. "If she's so immature, could you kindly explain why you're here in the first place with her? If you're not planning on marrying her after you got her pregnant, at least tell her so, and William and I will return her home to her family."

George laughed, and William could feel the tips of his ears turning pink with anger. This could have been Georgianna, or even Elizabeth! No, Elizabeth is too smart for that. I could kill him with my bare hands.

When he was done laughing, George spoke, amusedly. "Marry her? I was going to wait until she decided what to do with the kid, if I had to sign some papers or something. You think I would stay with her?"

William couldn't take any more of George's attitude. "Listen, you're going to stay with Lydia Bennet. I don't care what it takes, you will marry her. You will be a father to the child, and you will get a job. I've been working on this for about a day now, and this is what Jim and I came up with."

"For a year, I will give you about $800 a month, which will come out to almost $10,000 for the year. That is to marry Lydia."

"Think of it like a paycheck," Jim offered. "I will find you a house near to Pride Hospital's sister hospital, Sense Hospital. I will get it for you cheap, and provided you keep a job, will take little as commission."

"Lastly, for a job, I will speak to the head of the surgical department of Sense Hospital, a Dr. Elinor Dashwood. She will be your boss, because you will be an orderly. She runs a program for reformed criminals, and you will report to her as soon as you get back from Vegas. It's not much money a year, but it will do. Elinor will report to me about your progress and actions. If you lose the job, I will not bail you out. If you quit the job, leave Lydia, neglect the child, or anything resembling child or spousal abuse, I will not hesitate to point the FBI in your direction. They're looking for you already about Ramsgate, and I assure you, Georgianna will formally press charges as well."

Jim faced George, menacingly, and William grabbed him by the sleeve. "Do we have a deal?"

"That's blackmail," George whined, and Jim laughed harshly.

"Exactly," Jim said, forcefully, "Do we have a deal?"

William stared at George until he finally nodded his head. "Yes, we have a deal."

"Good," William replied, and handed him a pen and a contract, designed by phone and fax by a lawyer. "Sign here."

Reluctantly, George did.

Part 19

Once the contract was legally signed, Jim hurried to find a fax machine that he could use. He faxed the day's news to Paul Bennet, including the fact that he had paid $10,000 for the union. He neglected mentioning William, at his request, and mentioned that the well being of Lydia was going to be well taken care of.

Lydia's mother was beside herself with joy about the marriage. Despite her protests, Paul refused to let her go to Vegas for her daughter's wedding. Paul was not thrilled about the money, and worried how he was ever going to pay his brother-in-law back, but he was convinced that a Elvis attired preacher would be enough to sanctify this shotgun wedding.

Lydia, for the most part, was disappointed that her parents and sisters weren't going to come. But, she had George, and that would be enough for now. Uncle Jim would give her away, so she wasn't completely worried. She was going to dress like Marilyn Monroe for the wedding, but she sincerely hoped George wouldn't dress like Elvis, too. She thought he should wear a red coat to stand out in the crowd, and hoped that he would listen to her pleas.

At the Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog chapel, Lydia waited nervously for everybody to show up. The preacher was there, and the wedding didn't cost too much money. The rings were even part gold! Her excitement at being the first Bennet sister to marry was almost overwhelming. Her mother had secretly sent her a bit of money for her Marilyn attire, and she bought a size that (in her mind) flattered her perfectly. It was a filmy white thing, so she begged her Aunt Maddy to buy her shoes, which Maddy reluctantly complied.

George was in a red coat. How can I deny Lydia the coat after she made me $10,000 richer? His thoughts were less than honorable, but they'd do. I am marrying her, aren't I? However, Lydia began panicking when Jim didn't show up when he said he would. William Darcy arrived first, and was about to run away screaming when he found out he might have to stand up for Elizabeth's frivolous sister. Thankfully, Jim arrived, and Lydia Bennet became Lydia Bennet Wickham with the blessings of an overweight, underpaid preacher with a black wig on his head.

Once Lydia and George were married, Jim, Maddy, and William flew home. Originally, William had thought that $10,000 was a small sum to keep George Wickham respectable, but now he was wondering if it was going to be enough. Not a penny more, no matter how much he begs. Just because she's Elizabeth's sister does not make you her personal benefactor. You're not even dating Elizabeth! Why did you do this? His thoughts, as usual, turned to Elizabeth. William thought about her hair, her smile, her laugh, and her intelligence. It was just beginning to get better when George Wickham interrupted. I hate that man for more reasons than he could ever imagine, William thought, wryly, and sighed.

Jim and Maddy came home and called Elizabeth, per her request. Elizabeth was absolutely appalled that her uncle would pay for the marriage. A marriage that might not even be so good, she thought, and frowned. Jim, of course, changed the subject, and informed Elizabeth that Lydia and George would be coming home to say hello and goodbye to everybody before they moved to the district around Sense hospital. Wonderful, Elizabeth thought, sarcastically, but wisely kept her mouth shut.

The day of Lydia's arrival brought the 4 other Bennet sisters home, along with Charles Bingley. Elizabeth secretly hoped that Jane would have been the first to marry, but alas, it was not so. Lydia was bursting forth with the news of her marriage and wedding to anybody who would listen. Elizabeth attempted to stay out of her way, but luck was not with her that night.

"Lizzy! I have told everybody about my marriage but you!"

Elizabeth mustered a tiny smile. "Too little could not be said on the matter," she murmured.

"Oh! You are so weird," Lydia said, giggling. "My wedding was wonderful. I wondered if my George would wear his red coat, which he did, and he looked smashing. Of course, you thought so at one point, too, but he married me! Oh, I'm so happy! But Uncle Jim came so late that I thought William Darcy was going to have to stand up for me!"

William Darcy? What was he doing there? Immediately, Elizabeth's ears were perked, but Lydia frowned. "Silly me, Lizzy, I wasn't supposed to say anything about that little secret. George would be so angry! Please don't make me tell you, because you know that if you ask, I will."

ASK! Her mind screamed, but she kept her mouth shut. "Of course not, Lydia, I wouldn't make you tell me anyway. Tell me about your gown instead."

Lydia chattered on about her gown, but Elizabeth wasn't listening. I knew he was gone this week because he never came down once when we paged for surgery. Why was he at the wedding? I can't imagine why he would be there, if he hates George Wickham so much! I'll have to ask Aunt Maddy. She'll tell me, I'm sure.

Once Lydia had stopped talking about her clothes and left the room, Elizabeth ran to find Jane, who was big surprise necking with Charles. She cleared her throat and waited impatiently for her sister, knowing that she was being immature, but Elizabeth really didn't care. Jane reluctantly left Charles' arms, and followed her sister, and Elizabeth practically burst forth the news that William Darcy was in Vegas, too. Jane tried to pry the information out of Charles, but he feigned innocence to all that had occurred.

Again, Elizabeth was confused, so she hid away in the pantry, which was the only place the phone reached that nobody could find her. She dialed her Aunt's phone number and impatiently waited for her to come to the phone.

"Hey, Aunt Maddy," she greeted, practically bursting again with the news.

"Lizzy! How wonderful to hear from you, are you enjoying Lydia's presence?"

Elizabeth snorted. "Aunt Maddy, I heard that a certain friend of mine was in Vegas with you. Why was William Darcy there?"

A pause greeted her inquiry. "Um," her aunt hesitated, and finally gave in. "He was there to convince George to marry Lydia," she said, reluctantly.

"How did he do that?" The gears in Elizabeth's mind were working on overdrive. Uncle Jim didn't pay. William did, I'm sure of it. She bit her lip, thinking harder. A little voice, usually unheard, piped up from the recesses of her conscience. He did it for you, Lizzy...

"He paid him to," her aunt answered simply, hoping that Lizzy would understand. Elizabeth did not disappoint, simply voicing a bit of surprise, but Maddy assumed that Elizabeth knew exactly what was going on. After hanging up, Elizabeth ran to tell Jane, who with a knowing smile, hugged her sister.

"The question is, little sis, is what you're going to do about it."

That, in truth, was something Elizabeth had no idea about.

Part 20

The little voice, usually so well hidden, was alive and kicking today. For starters, you could talk to him, it said, and Elizabeth frowned. Of course I can talk to him, but what am I to say? I'm sorry, I made a mistake, don't hate me because George Wickham is my brother-in-law, reconsider asking me out, I promise I'll say yes? She headed back to her old bedroom in her parents house for some quiet.

When she had left, Jane smiled again, this time at Charles. "It seems that William might stop lamenting the fact that Elizabeth hates him," she whispered, taking her seat on the couch, "and maybe your friend would look happy. I hate watching him in the corridors of the hospital, he looks so sad."

Charles nodded in agreement. "I think it would make her happy, too."

Elizabeth was in the middle of rounds the following morning when the ambulance bay doors opened and the paramedics brought in a young man who was involved in a motorcycle accident. Being in the hall, Elizabeth was one of the first residents to attend him, and she saw right away that the man was probably going to need a surgical consult.

"Page the OR," she told an ER intern, "Stat!" The man's leg looked like it was hanging by a thread, so she looked to a paramedic for an explanation.

"Crashed into a semi," he told her, and Elizabeth shook her head.

"He's lucky to be alive with just this leg laceration," she commented, and waited for the surgical resident. Meanwhile, the man was stable. He was breathing well, for being in an accident, and his pulse was good. The femoral artery had a tourniquet on it, and that was stopping most of the blood. She kept the tourniquet on until somebody from the OR could take a look.

A surgical intern came down, nervousness written all over his face. It was painfully evident that the young man was new at this, and he came into the trauma room apprehensively. "The resident in charge of me will be down shortly, this is really my first case as an intern."

"No need for explanation," Elizabeth said, and told the young man the vital signs and the circumstances of the crash. Seconds after she finished, William Darcy joined them in the room.

"Henry? How's that assessment?" He deliberately looked away from Elizabeth, much to her chagrin.

Henry looked at Dr. Darcy. "The artery is torn, but not all the way through. The bleeding is slowing, even without the tourniquet."

"Your diagnosis?"

"Keep him here and monitor. If it changes, page the OR again."

William nodded. Henry was a smart boy, just a little unsure of himself. "Sounds like a plan of action to me. Why don't you help the ER doctors dress the wound? I'll watch to make sure nothing happens while you do."

Elizabeth fought to meet his eyes, but he concentrated on the patient. She frowned. If he's not going to acknowledge my presence, why did he send his intern down? There are other surgeons on that floor, any one of them could have come. He doesn't make stops to the ER frequently, I don't understand him at all. Once the patient was settled, she left the room, yanking her hairnet from the intricately braided creation her hair was in.

William left the room later, with Henry at his heels. With a fleeting glance toward the hematology lab, he got on the elevator. I couldn't face her in that room, he told himself, regretting that he didn't even say hello, Not in front of all her interns, or Henry, or the patient. It would have ruined my concentration. Henry noticed his teacher's apparent withdrawal into himself and questioned the reason for it, coming up with nothing.

"Dr. Darcy?" Henry's inquiry was soft spoken and hesitant.

William snapped out of his reverie. "Did you say something, Henry?"

"Was it something I did?"

William sighed, rolled his eyes, and offered a weak grin. "No, Henry, I was acting like an overgrown high school boy. It was Dr. Bennet, the one who briefed you on the patient. I apologize, I shouldn't have let her get to me."

Henry chuckled. It seemed so odd that William Darcy would behave like that. When he had heard that Dr. Darcy was to be the resident in charge of his internship, Henry Carson practically dropped out of medical school. Darcy was the best, everybody knew that, but his expectations were so high, and he was so cold sometimes, so into surgery. Surgery fit what people thought of Darcy to a tee. He was brilliant, wonderful with a scalpel, an extraordinary surgeon. But a people person? Henry had yet to hear that about his teacher. As of late, however, rumor had it that Darcy was rejected by another doctor at Pride, and his untouchable air had lessened some so that people were able to talk to him. Henry didn't think Darcy was so bad, actually, and rather liked the man. His sullen attitude was somewhat unnerving, but Henry was beginning to see why it was. Dr. Bennet was a real looker, and she took charge of a potentially messy situation. Henry hoped she would reconsider because he'd like to see what William Darcy was like happy.

Darcy told Henry that he was going to do morning rounds, and headed off in the direction of the ICU to check on his surgical patients. He was gone but a half-hour when his beeper went off. Will checked the code, a 911 from the ER. Is my patient crashing?

He sprinted down the stairs to find his patient being transferred to the OR immediately. Elizabeth Bennet appeared from the hematology lab, concerned at the ruckus she heard. Their eyes met and William felt rooted to the very spot he stood at that moment.

Part 21

She spoke first, blurting out anything that came to her mind just to get him to stay there for a second longer. "He's going to be okay up there, a surgeon is waiting?"

William nodded dumbly, "Yes, of course, they're prepping a room right now."

Elizabeth racked her brain for something else to say. "And Georgianna? She's doing alright?"

"Yes, she's fine." He looked at her oddly. Didn't Kitty tell you she made it home safely?

Indecisive, Elizabeth hopped from one foot to another, and finally crossed the hall to where he stood by the elevator, preparing to go back up to the Surgical Ward. He decided to play his trump card. "Would you accompany me back up to my floor?"

His heart surged at her nod of acquiescence. Stepping onto the elevator, Elizabeth's heart raced as she frantically thought of what she wanted to say. Again, she blurted whatever was on her mind. "Dr. Darcy, I'm being really selfish. I don't know what your feelings are on the matter, but I wanted to thank you on behalf of myself and my entire family for what you did for Lydia."

Her eyes were downcast, so she did not see the look of surprise that crossed his face. He blushed and cleared his throat. "I didn't expect your Aunt to say anything," he said, a bit angrily, but she shook her head.

"It was my own doing, I assure you. Lydia mentioned your presence. I had to know why you were there. Again, my family thanks you very much."

He laughed, ruefully. "As much as I wanted to help your family, I was really thinking of you."

Her ears turned bright red and she stared at the ground. "Nothing has changed, Elizabeth," he informed her, "and it probably never will. I've had my eye on you a long while, and I just wanted you to know that. If your feelings have changed, even a little bit, please tell me. If they haven't, I'll leave you alone for the rest of your life. One word, Elizabeth, and I'm gone."

"Dr. Darcy," she replied, flustered, "William," she stuttered, smiling, "I can assure you that I'm not the same person you sought after before. In fact, I'd say that my feelings have changed quite a bit and I'd like to be with you. Very much so."

She was still staring at her shoes, so she couldn't see the look of delight that crossed William's handsome features. "How does dinner sound tonight?"

Elizabeth met his eyes again, and nodded. "Tonight sounds great."

He stepped off the elevator, and when the doors closed, the smile on his face caused alarm and curiosity with all the people on the floor. Until tonight, then.

(this quite possibly is the end of PH, to be continued in a sequel.)