Section I, Next Section

Chapter 1

This spiffy lil tale is a story that is being created by myself and my dear friend Kiki. We've been writing it back and forth and so i guess i'm gonna post part of it. I hope y'all enjoy, i can't wait to hear what you think.

The prospect finally loosing some of the vexation that constantly plagued her had a great effect on her attitude. She felt free to do what she wanted now rather than more than what was expected of her. That was until Will Darcy appeared in her Honors English class. He was gorgeous, and he had an attitude that could be compared to a predator, solitary and easily annoyed. Yet she found him very intriguing. More than once she had caught herself paying more attention to him than to her teacher.

After class she approached him, her new attitude still somewhat in tact.

"Its awfully late in senior year to be transferring, isn't it?"

He looked her over and replied, "One would suppose so."

Looking her over once more, he turned and walked away before Liz had a chance to ask him anything further. She thought him to be very rude, but she was not going to let him ruin her attitude. Turning her attention elsewhere, she saw someone approaching her. She smiled at her old friend.

"Hello Charlotte!" She spoke enthusiastically and then giggled, "How was Physics?"

"Same as always... Impossible. Who was your friend?" The question seemed especially curious.

"His name is Will Darcy, and I am pretty sure he's having a miserable day... or we can at least hope so."

"Why do you say that?"

"He didn't speak much and when he did, he was most unpleasant."

Charlotte's gaze remained in the direction in which Will had walked off. "Then let's hope he was having a bad day... he's much to pretty to be a jerk."

The girls laughed and looked at her with pretend shock. "Charlotte!"

"What? Do you disagree?"

"Well... no... but, ugh, he isn't the type to be interested in."

They walked arm in arm gossiping down the hall and parted ways when they reached the end. Liz slipped through the exit to her car, thankful she had a free period the last block of the day.

The next day's events were similar. She would attempt kindness and he would return a cold dismissal. That was until she reached that parking lot.

She slid into the drivers seat in time to hear, "And the day just keeps on getting better!" from a near by voice.

She looked to find a defeated Will Darcy leaning on the bumper of a glittering red Mustang convertible. It was a restored classic that was apparently not as restored as Will thought. She pulled out and as she approached his car called out, "Need a ride?"

He gave her black Concorde a little look, but feeling stranded, accepted. She tossed her backpack into the back seat and slid an Offspring CD into her CD player.

Opening the door slowly, Will tossed his bag next to hers in the back and got in, closing the door. Listening to the music, he huffed and put on his seatbelt.

"Is there a problem?" Liz asked with an uninterested tone as she began to drive to the end of the parking lot. She started to sing quietly along with the music wondering if he planned to reply.

Will looked out the window and spoke in a tone as cold as their first meeting. "I will never understand how anyone can call this 'music.' It lacks emotion and meaning."

"Since you have obviously not listened to a word they are saying, then it would appear so. Try paying attention and it'll all make sense. Dare I ask what you consider 'music'?" Though she had attempted to remain calm, her tone was defensive.

"Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, music that leaves emotion to one's own feelings."

"Very well. Open the center compartment and take out the third CD," she now spoke with an even tone.

Will did actually enjoy the Offspring, but would already do just about anything to get to this girl. He did as she said anyhow, and exchanged the disks. He could have fallen over when Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" began drifting from the speakers. Liz continued to hum along softly. They sat in silence for about 5 minutes.

"What made you decide to give me a ride?" He asked at last. The question had be pestering him for the whole ride.

"You seem like an interesting person, and I'm going to hope that today was a bad day which is your reason behind the nasty attitude. So why not try to learn more about interesting people and be nice to those who aren't having particularly good days? Now... where am I going?"

Will was stunned for a few seconds, but he gave her accurate directions to his house. Then for the first time, he looked at her and really studied her features. She was quite pretty, though not handsome enough to tempt him, he thought to himself. There were plenty of other girls much prettier than her. However, Liz was unlike any other girl he'd ever met. Her attitude and her lack of fear when it came to defending herself, and the way she could make others feel about two feet tall all made her so different.

Liz could his eyes on her and it was making her uncomfortable. "What is it now? Do you dislike the way I drive?"

"You're really quite different than most people. You give your opinion far more willingly than anyone I've ever known."

"And you don't."

"I am not one to share with those whom I am so uncertain about," he no longer studied her but looked straight ahead.

"I'm sorry to make you so uncomfortable." She spoke evenly, but seemed a great deal less cheery.

Liz pulled into the designated driveway and waited for him to exit before returning to her Offspring CD. She couldn't even pay attention to the lyrics now. All that she could think of was her questions about Will Darcy.

That night Liz tried to concentrate on her studies though she knew her material well enough. She had a huge History test the next day that she should probably review but her thoughts kept drifting back to Will. Before she knew it, it was after midnight and she still hadn't studied a chapter. She laid in bed trying to get Will Darcy off her mind, but why had he judged her so quickly?

As Liz pulled into the parking lot she found that the Mustang had been replaced by a shiny new BMW convertible. This was insanity. She walked into the building dreading the test that was about to stare her in the face. As she entered the classroom her eyes widened to find Will sitting in her regular seat.

"Excuse me Prince Charming, you appear to be in my seat. Mind running off to kiss a frog?"

Will answered without looking up at her. "I believe this seat is open for anyone who wants it. And since I got here first, I'd suggest finding another seat."

Liz was not in the mood to argue since she desperately needed to go over her notes if she was going to get a decent grade on this test. Looking around for a seat as far away from him as possible, she frowned seeing the only open seats were next to Mary, the girl who always had her nose in a book and spoke to no one, Phillip, who thought he was God's gift because his father was an attorney and "could do anything I want," as Phillip put it, and Will. Sighing, she threw her backpack on the ground in disgust and slid into the seat next to him. Maybe he'll try to cheat off of me and fail, she thought to herself with a half smile. This of course was not the case. She quickly read through her notes and made her way through the test with only a few struggles.

When the test was returned the next morning Liz learned that her distraction had earned her a B minus. Not nearly up to her standards. The real irritation set in when she discovered Will's A. She sighed softly as the bell rang. She needed a caffeine fix desperately.

She made her way to the cafeteria for her free block and immediately purchased a highly caffeinated mocha-in-a-trendy-looking-bottle. She released a little sigh of relief as her addiction was fed. Liz looked up to find Will consuming the same highly caffeinated mocha-in-a-trendy-looking-bottle. At least he has good taste in something besides vehicles. She rolled her eyes as she seated herself at a table.

He once again found an opportunity to irritate her, and he would test out a theory in the process. How would she react if he joined her? He seated himself across from Liz and gave her a little smirk. The look that crossed her face was just what he had hoped, but she didn't reseat herself.

"If I repulse you so much, why haven't you made your escape?" He asked with a mix of surprise and challenge.

"If you must know, this is the only table in the room that has a view of something besides a wall or a parking lot."

Indeed it was, he observed the tiny grove of flowers and shrubbery.

"The view is not quite what I would have imagined you to be fond of."

"And why have you graced me with your presence Mr. Darcy?"

"Surely you don't assume that you're the only nice person around here. You seemed a little upset, like you were having a bad day and--"

"And you thought YOU could make me feel better?" Liz asked, cutting him off. "After insulting my music and my manner yesterday and stealing my seat in History today, how could you possibly think that sitting across from me would make my day any better?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the loud squawks of two sophomore girls who were being trailed by a pair of drooling idiots.

"Oh! A prom! I long for a prom, and so does Danny!" Lydia Bennet, one of Liz's younger sisters had spotted the poster that decorated the cafeteria wall. She began gushing to her twin.

"And Sanderson, don't you Sanderson?" Chimed in Kat, Lydia's twin sister.

"Yes...most p-passionately," he spoke with flushed excitement.

Their followers nodded like obedient puppies. They were both Juniors and the most obnoxious kind. They found themselves obligated to terrorize the Freshmen that flooded the halls of the overpopulated school.

What happened next may have been the most spontaneous thing that Will Darcy had ever done. Over the past few days despite his cold manner, he had grown quite fond of her. "If you are not otherwise engaged would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the prom, Miss Bennet?" He spoke looking her straight in the eye.

Liz's eyes widened and she searched her mind rapidly for an escape. "Why I-- had not," she stammered, "I thank you yes."

Will stood up and as Liz watched him, she thought she saw him genuinely smile. "I won't bother you further, and I look forward to the prom," he said as he walked away.

Chapter 2

Liz wasn't sure quite how to feel. Will Darcy had been the cause for her discomfort ever since she first met him. He'd been the reason for her less that perfect grade on the History test. No matter how attractive he may be, the other characteristics could not be overlooked. She silently cursed herself for not being able to think of an excuse to say no to his offer. However, she was stuck now, and there was no polite way out of it.

Will was completely shocked by not only her response but by his own actions. He could not believe what had just passed between them, it happened so rapidly and without any thought at all. Think Will, you've insulted her. You can't stand her and you've gone and asked her to the biggest night of your Senior year next to graduation. He sipped his mocha substance and continued down the hall. I mustn't dislike her as much as I thought. At least Carolyn won't go after me now.

Carolyn was not about to give up on him so easily. She had lived down the street from Will all her life and had become ecstatic when he transferred into her school. Although he had never shown any interest in her what-so-ever, she was certain he was in love with her. He just didn't know it yet. So when she saw Will walking away from Liz's table, she made her way over and sat in the seat he'd just gotten up from.

"Hi Liz, how's it going?" she asked in her usual pseudo-sweet tone.

"Hello Carolyn... it's going well, thank you," Liz answered, not looking up from her math book.

"I noticed you talking to Will."

"Yes, do you know him?"

"I've seen him around. What do you think of him?"

"I'm not quite certain. He puzzles me, that is for sure."

"Well perhaps the puzzle will put itself together when you hear some of the things I've heard about him."

Liz finally looked up. "Such as?"

"Well, his sister had a delightful little fling with a college guy, and I even heard that he was supposed to get married to his cousin."

"His cousin?? That's so... it can't possibly be true," Liz didn't think very highly of Will at this point, but she certainly wouldn't think him capable of incest.

"Oh I assure you, my source is a very reliable one. Liz, as a friend, I don't think it wise to get yourself involved with someone like him." With that, Carolyn stood up and walked away, smiling to herself.

Elizabeth waited before she was safely out of earshot before muttering, "Moron". She burst out laughing wishing that there was someone near by to gush to.

She had always heard Carolyn obsess about "Will from down the street" and she was obviously out for something if she had to resort to petty attempts at rumor starting. Liz laughed wondering if anyone else had heard Carolyn and if she would realize that by trying to ruin Elizabeth's opinion of him, she might also have ruined her crush's reputation. Liz quickly wrote a little note to Will that read, "Did you hear about you and your cousin? Call me later. 323-6638" (Authoress' Note: The phone number isn't actually anyone that I know... It actually spells out "EBennet"...)

There was still quite some time left in her free block so Liz decided to walk outside. To her disgust she found her sisters sitting on the giant swing hanging from a large tree on the school grounds. Danny was standing behind the swing, with Sanderson in front of it, and the two of them were pushing the swing. Liz stood there watching them for a minute. They were so childish, Lydia and Kat, screaming like 5 year olds, not that that was any different from their normal behavior. All of a sudden, Danny pushed the swing forward and Lydia went flying, ramming directly into Sanderson before going headfirst into a giant mud puddle, dragging Sanderson into it with her. Liz burst out laughing as she turned and headed back into the school building, thinking Lydia had gotten what she deserved. Her father had been right in calling her one of the silliest girls in the country.

Liz returned to the interior of the building as the bell rang. Carolyn was discussing her triumph with a little group of friends just in time for both Elizabeth and William to pass them in opposite directions. Liz handed Will the little note as she passed him. Both had little smiles on their faces as they walked to their classes.

Once seated in his AP Chemistry class, Will opened the little note that had been so discreetly passed to him in the hall. He was quite confused as to what was meant by the comment about his cousin, but he smiled slightly at the sight of Liz's phone number. He did not understand his feelings at all, but he decided to go with them for the time being. As he was folding the note back up, his lab partner Colin took his seat next to him. Although Will had only been at this school a few days, he already thought Colin was a very odd boy.

"What do you have there, Will?" Colin asked.

"Just a note," Will said in his usual apathetic tone.

"It looked like a phone number to me, who's the girl?" This Colin certainly was a nosy fellow.

"If you must know, an... acquaintance of mine, Elizabeth Bennet."

Colin's eyes widened. For the past 3 and a half years he had pined away for the love of Elizabeth, but she had rejected all of his offers. This Will Darcy had been here for a ridiculously short time and already he had secured her phone number. He could not let this happen.

"Oh... Elizabeth Bennet... I see." Colin waited, but this remark spurred no reply from Will, so he continued without one. "I know her quite well, you see. But I have never wished to be anything more than an acquaintance to her. It's sad really, about her family and all."

"What about her family?" Will was never one to listen to rumors, however Colin did say he knew her quite well.

"You must have met her sisters, Lydia and Kat... if you ask me, there's some mental illness there. The mother too, I believe it's hereditary. I wouldn't want to get myself involved with such a family. Besides, I have heard that Liz has had quite a few... partners, if you understand my meaning. In fact, I believe one of them is in this very class." Colin turned to the man seated behind him. "George, you know Liz Bennet, don't you?"

"Of course, I dated her for a few weeks. And let me tell you, she's nothing spectacular in bed."

Will was astonished. Liz did not seem like the type at all... Unfortunately for Will, he was too new at Netherfield to know that George would say anything to make himself look good, especially lying about various girls and ruining their reputations, and Liz Bennet was at the top of this list. Colin knew this, and smiled to himself as he saw that George's inner weasel could be used to his advantage.

Later that night, Will reluctantly picked up the telephone and dialed Liz's number. As she answered he began to get more and more nervous.

"Liz?" He asked, his voice cracking slightly.

"Yes... Will?" He sounded so different, nervous and shy.

"I- I need to ask you something. Did you go out with George Wickham?" he asked, seeming ashamed to have uttered the words.

"Yes, like 3 years ago. Ugh, he was such, ugh. He'll try anything to get a girl in bed with him. He's vile, I regret even thinking he was worth my time." She replied giving him a mix of fear and relief.

"You didn't... I mean. Um...."

"What!? Never! What on Earth would possess you to ask me something like that?!" She prided herself in making George Wickham's dating life vacant for a good 2 and a half years after he had practically tried to pounce her.

Will eased up a bit more. "I don't... I'm sorry, it's just that I found it a little unlikely that George and Colin would have the same story if it wasn't true--"

"Colin?" she asked, cutting him off. There was a sound of disgust in her voice. "What did he tell you?"

"Just some stories making you seem like someone I would never want to have anything to do with."

"Ah, along the lines of what Carolyn said to me..."

"Carolyn? Oh no... is that where you got a story involving my cousin from?" Will rolled his eyes at Carolyn's attempt to make Liz be disgusted with him.

"Yes, it appears she has quite a fancy for you."

Will shuddered at the thought. "Don't remind me."

"Well, I didn't believe the stupid rumour about you... but it would seem that you are willing to listen to perfect strangers about me, So let me just tell you about Colin. He's obsessive and he's asked me out every month like clock work since I've met him. George Wickham is not one to endorse my reputation. Now since you obviously feel the need to question my reputation, maybe we should rethink whatever we may be getting ourselves into."

Will saw nothing wrong with trying to clear up the rumors he'd heard, and he was upset at her remark, but he refused to let her hear him be hurt. "If that's what you think is best, perhaps we should. Although you should be thanking me for coming to you first instead of believing the rumors offhand."

"Thank you for sparing me grief that I've already been through. Listen, I'm sorry. I know that you wouldn't have known any of it. My 'history' with Wickham isn't something that I'm terribly fond of. He's not someone that I like to be associated with except to say that I aided in the destruction of his reputation. He was certainly not the gentleman that I have observed you to be... on occasion. I guess I'm just a little annoyed to have to put up with George and Colin again."

Will was glad she was on the phone instead of in person because he felt himself smile. It wasn't something he liked to do, showing his feelings and all that. But he had a feeling that he and Liz would have a wonderful friendship, if not more.

"I understand. I've had to put up with Carolyn all my life. And to be in the same school with her now... it's awful."

"Yes... now that you're in a better mood, why exactly is it that you transferred to Netherfield with such a short time left before graduation?"

"Well, I suppose you know Charles Bingley?" He questioned more than he actually thought her to.

"Yes. Carolyn's brother? I believe her is good friend of my sister at Longbourn University."

"He told me that there was much more challenge here and that it would do me a great deal of good in the future to show that I had finished my high school education at Netherfield. Although this was a secondary motive. It was more so to look over my sister. She is a freshman this year and I wanted to be sure that she would be all right here." He confessed as if it were something to be embarrassed about.

"It must be sort of satisfying to be protective of your sisters. Mine will not allow it and frequently make me regret that I do go to the same school. They are twins and sophomores. They were the loud pair from this morning." She sounded mortified hoping that he wouldn't think less of her for having idiots for siblings.

"Ah yes, I remember them. I believe I saw one of them running through the school covered in mud shortly after that..."

Liz closed her eyes and silently cursed her sisters for being so embarrassing.

"I find it hard to believe they are your sisters, however. They're kind .. shall I say... silly. And you are quite the opposite," Will said, hoping he didn't offend her by calling her sisters silly.

"You share the same impression as myself then. It is certainly good to have a side that enjoys amusement, but they seem to have forgotten what tact is all together. They are easy prey in this school, but I have still some hope that they will return to their senses."

With a little more relief apparent in his reply he changed the subject. "Now, how should we go about punishing Carolyn and the fine gentlemen who have attempted to put us against one another?"

Liz smiled. "Did you ever take drama?"

"For a semester, sophomore year. Why?"

"If they enjoy rumors so much, perhaps we should do a little acting and start some of our own."

Will sat up straighter in his chair. "What sort of rumors did you have in mind?"

Chapter 3

They discussed their plans and the next day, they were set into action. Will and Liz met in the parking lot before school. They entered the cafeteria, where they knew they would find all three of their "friends," holding hands. Carolyn was sitting at a table with her friends but when she looked up, her jaw dropped a good 5 inches.

Speaking loud enough for Carolyn to hear him, Will smiled at Liz. "Let me get you some coffee, hun."

"Oh my gosh you are just the sweetest," Liz said with a giggle, doing her best to try and follow the actions of her silly, love-crazed, flirtatious sisters. She never thought she'd ever act like them, but since it was only acting, she found herself actually having fun with it. And when she turned to see the look on Carolyn's face, she knew it was all worthwhile.

Colin and George had certainly heard about the performance but paid no attention to it in the cafeteria. Liz and Will decided it would be better to give them their own private little show. That day on his way to Chemistry, Liz walked with Will again and they whispered quietly to another, she giggled and he smiled creating the perfect show. They were really discussing the amusement they got from watching people's reactions to them but their front was almost flawless. As he was about to enter his class room, he leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.

When he walked into the classroom both Colin and George wore the same expression, one of absolute shock and a hint of fear. As Will sat down he gave Colin a look that said a thousand different things. Colin cleared his throat and forced a smile.

"Well, I see you and Elizabeth have become more than acquaintances."

Will looked through his backpack as he answered. "What makes you say that?"

Colin wasn't sure how to respond. He'd seen it with his own eyes. "No reason, perhaps I was just mistaken."

Will looked him straight in the eye. "Perhaps you weren't." With that he got up to go sharpen his pencil.

That day English class was much more amusing than usual. They were now sitting next to one another and could hardly help laughing whenever they looked at one another. This was certainly a new side to Will Darcy and the more she was around this side, the more she didn't find his other sides so repulsive. Yeah Liz, you and Will. heh... that would be cute. You don't like him. It's just a game... So why'd you like it so much when he kissed you?.

Will's thoughts ran rapidly through his head. You kissed her. You liked kissing her. What on Earth can you be thinking Will. She's a lunatic... just look at how nasty she was to you. But then... look at how nasty you were to her.... As he drove home he couldn't help but wondering if she felt the same way.

He sat in his room about to call her, but couldn't bring himself to pick up the phone. They had talked almost everyday for a week and he felt more for her than he had for any other girl he'd ever been interested in. Whats going to happen if she isn't interested? This fear kept him from picking up the receiver for almost an hour and a half until the phone began to ring.

"Hello?"

Will froze. What was he doing? He couldn't possibly... but he had to try. "Liz?"

"Oh, hi Will. Is something wrong? You sound strange."

"No, nothing's wrong. I..." he couldn't get the words out. Somehow he managed to think of something else to say. "Liz... about the prom..."

"Yes?" Liz's heart almost stopped. She knew it was too good to be true. She was a fool to think he may have actually had feelings for her. And now he was going to tell her he didn't want to take her to the prom. His words interrupted her thoughts.

"What color is your dress? I want to know so we match."

Liz sighed and let out a small laugh. "Lavender. Is that all you wanted to know?"

Will was quiet for a minute. He wanted more than anything to tell her that he enjoyed pretending to be her boyfriend. That he enjoyed it so much he wanted to stop pretending and actually BE her boyfriend. But he couldn't find the words. Not now anyway.

"Y... yeah, that was all. So what's new?"

"You're lying to me."

"What?"

"What's the matter? You're even less social that usual," she sounded a little nervous or was it concerned?

"I've been thinking a lot about some things. I just don't know how to say what I'm thinking. When I do then I'll tell you what's on my mind."

Liz sighed softly knowing that he still wasn't being entirely truthful. It was beginning to hurt him to know that she was upset. The two of them didn't speak much longer because there was another call waiting on Elizabeth's line.

Will sat there thinking of her disappointment for some time before picking up the phone and dialing the number of the only person besides Liz he knew he could trust. He waited as it rang 9 times before being answered.

"Hello?" a groggy, sleepy voice answered.

"Charles?"

"Will? What do you want? It's 2 AM..."

Will looked over at his clock. He didn't think he had been sitting there for that long, but so be it.

"Charles, I need your advice. It's about a girl."

When Liz hung up, she was none too pleased to give up the phone to Lydia. As her youngest sister skipped downstairs Liz looked at her with a mix of curiosity and amusement. She was rambling their mother about the prom and how she would need a dress and other such accessories. The voice on the other line seemed familiar and made her quiet uneasy.

"Lydia, who was on the phone?" Liz asked standing in the doorway of Lydia and Kat's room.

"My prom date..." she spoke with a giddy and secretive tone.

"Oh, come on... who are you going with?"

"Oh, fine!" Lydia retreated, "George Wickham!"

Liz turned around holding her head. She could feel the tears prickling at her eyes. She had dealt with so much and been so disgusted by him and now to be humiliated. Now to have her reputation shattered because her sister looked for nothing but looks and advantages in a date. She wanted more than anything to call Will but couldn't pick up the phone for mortification wouldn't allow her to speak.

Chapter 4

The next day at school, Will walked into the cafeteria extra early. He'd seen Liz's car in the parking lot so he knew she was already there. When he saw her, she looked very upset, and he knew it was because of him. He quickly walked over to her and opened his mouth to apologize, but as soon as she looked up and saw him, she jumped up and hugged him and began to cry.

"Oh Will, I knew my sister was stupid, but I would never have expected... oh she's so thoughtless!" Liz tried to explain between sobs.

Will led her to a quiet corner with his arm around her. They sat down and he stroked her hair softly as she told him about Wickham's plan to take his sister to the prom.

"My family was never told about my dealings with him, only those at school. He tried to ruin my reputation. I countered the rumors but there are so many who will never believe it. I cannot convince my parents to keep her from going with out raising questions that will cause me even more grief. My reputation will be ruined, she is too easily persuaded to be sensible with him. She will become one of the "Bennet Sisters", and it will all start again. This is--" Liz broke off into a panic and once again began to cry.

Will looked helplessly at her trying desperately to think of a resolution.

"When did you find out?" He asked her quietly.

She attempted to compose herself and said softly, "Yesterday when she told my parents. I asked her and when she said his name I could hardly move."

He wished that she had called him, but understood the feeling of being too mortified to talk to anyone. He had the same problem that day.

"There must be something to do." Will looked around and called over Charlotte to keep Liz company while he went to think. He knew that if he were to stay with her that his mind would be far more preoccupied with her than with her situation.

Will walked outside to clear his mind. Charles had given him some advice on what to do about Elizabeth, but that would have to wait now. She was far too upset and Will couldn't bear to see her in such distress. Although he did not know George Wickham very well, he was sure he could come up with a plan to keep him away from Lydia. Surely there had to be--

"Will!"

His thoughts were interrupted by the screechy call of Carolyn. He was in no mood to deal with her foolishness right now.

"Hello, Carolyn. How are you?" he asked politely, hoping against hope that something would fall out of the sky and smash her into the ground.

"I am well, but I have just heard the most distressing news. It seems Lydia Bennet is to attend the prom with George Wickham! Now there's a scandal if I've ever heard one!"

"Yes I have heard that news as well."

"I do feel sorry for her poor sisters, especially Elizabeth. Her reputation has not been very good since her dealings with George, and now this will ruin her even more, I am sorry to say. It is very unfortunate."

"Yes it is. She one to be pitied now, would you not agree?" Will asked, growing more annoyed with her.

"Yes I do. As are you, for I think she caught your eye at one point. You seemed to be quite friendly with her. I dare say you even thought her pretty."

"Yes, I did find her pretty, but that was only when I first met her. After a great deal of reflection, I must consider her one of the best looking women I've ever met. And I'll thank you to stay out of it, Carolyn." With that, he turned and walked away, trying once again to focus his thoughts on the Wickham/Lydia situation, leaving Carolyn frozen in astonishment, tears forming in her eyes ready to fall at any moment.

That night Liz ignored the ringing phone. Her eldest sister, Jane, knocked gently on the door. "Lizzy. Will is on the phone. Would you like me to take a message?"

She looked up at her sister with a sleepy look, "No, I'll take it."

Liz picked up the phone and said in a quiet voice, "Hey..."

Will missed the Liz that he had first met. She was almost always good humoured. She was so quiet and nervous, she had hardly stopped shaking all day. He sighed and said, "Any revelations?"

"No... I don't suppose that you've come up with anything?"

"Have you told Lydia about George?"

"No! Oh God. She wants so much to been seen with an older guy and she'd hate me if I did anything to stop her," her short panic ceased and she spoke in a soft tone again. "This is so hopeless. What is there to be done. I know there is nothing that can prevent it."

"Do you mind if I come over? I'd invite you here, but I don't particularly want you driving when you're so upset."

"I-- Well... I'll wait for you outside I guess." Liz seemed reluctant. She had mentioned that there were only two members of her family that didn't completely mortify her.

"Okay. I'll be there in about 10 minutes."

Liz hung up the phone and crawled out of her bed. She looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look as pretty as her sister Jane, but she didn't look hideous either. Right now she was not too worried about her appearance. She wore a black long-sleeve tee shirt that read "Netherfield" across the front and a pair of blue flannelpants. She checked her appearance again quickly and walked down the stairs and was almost out the front door before she heard the all too familiar screech of her mother.

"LIZZY! Where are you going at this hour? You're sure to freeze in your pajamas!"

"Calm down, my dear," Liz's father called from his book room. "Lizzy is a sensible girl. She knows better than to go outside and freeze herself to death. If she feels it is too cold for what she is wearing, she will come back inside."

"She knows better, how can she know better? She hasn't been outside since she came home from school today! All she's done is sit in her room and mope as if she is dying! And Lydia, going to the prom with a senior, who knows what could happen to her, you know how teenage boys are! Oh, my poor nerves!"

"Well, my dear," her husband answered, "you were the one who told her she could go. Perhaps she will marry the boy and move out, then she will not affect your nerves anymore."

"OH MR. BENNET!"

Liz shook her head at her parents and went outside to wait for Will. He arrived a very short time later to a Liz who had curled herself into a ball on her porch. He gave her a little smile and led her inside.

Mrs. Bennet looked him over as they passed the living room door, but he did not stop to greet them for fear that Liz would start to panic shortly before they could make their exit. Liz finally took the lead when they reached the top of the stairs. She brought him into her bed room and quickly made her bed before sitting on it and inviting him to do the same.

"Nice PJs," he said giving her a little smile.

She sighed and felt her face growing red. She wasn't sure what to say now. He had wanted to talk to her, but about what? Liz was almost certain that he hadn't thought of a solution.

"Heh... thanks..." She replied looking increasingly distracted.

"What are you thinking?" Will looked into her eyes. They were what had gotten him really interested. They were dark and curious and couldn't help but capture him.

What am I thinking? He wants to know what I'm thinking. Oh God. Go ahead Liz. Tell him what you're thinking. Tell him 'Well... I was thinking that I really really want to kiss you. Then see how fast he runs out the door'. "Nothing important. And what about you Will Darcy, what are you thinking?"

"How I wish I could stop your suffering," his words were gentle and kind, and Liz laughed slightly as she thought back to when she first met him. It seemed like only yesterday, yet so much had happened and his manner towards her had changed so much.

"I wouldn't let my suffering bother you, Will. I see no reason to--"

"I do. I hate seeing you so upset, Liz," Will said, cutting her off.

"Yes but... this is my own fault. If I had told my family about George in the first place, this never would have happened. But it's too late now and there's nothing I can do. It can't possibly be prevented and even if it could--"

This time Will cut her off in another way. Liz's eyes widened momentarily when she felt his lips cover her own, but she quickly eased up and for a brief moment as they kissed, all thoughts of Lydia and Wickham were erased from her mind.

She spoke softly as they pulled away from one another, "When did you learn to read minds?"

He looked at her with his eyes sparkling. She rested her head on his lap and studied his smile. It was seen more and more as they had gotten to know one another. Her own was still in her heart but faded from her lips. The thoughts that had disappeared began to flood back into her head.

"What? What's the matter Liz?" Will's smile started to fade as well.

"I just... let myself get worried again. My mother was awfully apprehensive about letting Lydia go to the prom with George, I wish that I could avoid telling her."

"Perhaps you don't have to tell her at all."

"What do you mean? They must be informed..."

"Maybe he's not as bad as you think. Maybe he really does like Lydia."

Liz gave him a skeptical look.

He smiled gently. "Look, we're all going to be at the same prom. We can keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't leave with him the night is over and then... if you still feel he can't trusted, we'll follow them afterwards. How does that sound?"

A smile started to cross her lips, "All right. We can be certain that at least they will get to the prom. Lydia wouldn't miss a chance to be seen and fussed over to anything."

Mr. Bennet peeked into the room to see his daughter resting on Will's lap. He cleared his throat and both of them jumped up. "Good night my love." Elizabeth was quite favoured for her good sense and quick wit. Both of her parents spoke with British accents which made her father seem particularly charming and gentlemanly and her mother excessively less pleasant for she fussed so regularly and her tone and her accent together were enough to drive a person completely mad.

"Good night daddy." She walked to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Will and Mr. Bennet nodded to one another and then the latter retired to his bedroom.

Will let out a sigh of relief and Liz laughed. "Don't be afraid of my father, Will. He trusts me and unlike my mother, he is very sensible and doesn't blow things completely out of proportion." Liz prayed that her mother wouldn't open the door to say good night to her. Her heart sank as her door slowly opened once more but she smiled seeing it was only Jane.

"My dear Lizzy, you look better," Jane said, smiling at Will.

"Yes, I am feeling much better, Jane, thank you. Are you going to bed now?"

"Yes, I just wanted to say good night. And it's nice to see you again, Will."

"Indeed it is, give my apologies to Charles the next time you see him. I woke him up in the middle of the night and he seemed very annoyed with me."

Jane smiled once again. "No problem, good night," she said as she closed the door.

Liz looked at Will and giggled softly. "You know what comes next, shall we prepare ourselves for the worst?"

He leaned in and kissed her once again, a playful sort of kiss, just as the door knob began to turn. Neither could pull away in time. "ELIZABETH!"

"Mother, I'm... I was just. This is Will." Liz looked extremely embarrassed.

"You ought to know better than to think of doing any such thing. Alone with a boy in your room, with the door closed! Astonishing!"

"Mrs. Bennet, I'm so sorry. I assure you that I have good intentions. I have just admired Liz for so long and when she said that she would go out with me I couldn't resist kissing her. You'll excuse me for being so disrespectful. I am very sorry that i have represented myself to you in such an unfavorable way."

"Lizzy, you are lucky that your father has such a trust in you. And you are lucky to have someone who thinks you so worthwhile." Her mother didn't sound at all pleased but at least could not think of an intelligent reply to Will's charm and Elizabeth's responsibility.

When Mrs. Bennet left the door way Liz looked at Will. "Your girlfriend?"

"Well, I could ask you if you like."

"Rather than just presume me to be so, I'd say it is quite an excellent idea." Liz was a little tense but she was speaking playfully.

"Elizabeth Bennet, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Of course," she giggled and kissed him, "but it is getting sort of late. I'll call you tomorrow morning."

Will nodded. "I look forward to it," he said, kissing the top of her head gently. "Sweet dreams."

Liz smiled as she walked him to the door. "Until tomorrow," he said, giving her one last kiss before walking back to his car. As she closed the door, Liz heard a series of "ooooooooh" 's and turning, glared at Lydia and Kat who were standing at the top of the staircase.

"Shut up and go to bed." Liz spoke, extremely calmly considering who she was talking to. She ran up the stairs, into her room, and flung herself on her bed, almost unable to control her happiness. She still worried about Lydia, but for tonight, she would at least be able to rest easy.

Chapter 5

Liz glanced at the clock on her way down stairs. She had woken up at 8:30 and gotten herself completely ready for the day. The clock read 9:15. She laughed softly and picked up the phone. As she dialed she looked out the window happy to see the sun was sparkling and the sky was a perfect blue.

A muffled, "Hello?" came from the other end of the phone.

"Morning Sunshine, " Liz said cheerfully.

"Well this is the happiest I've heard you in the morning since we've met!" He seemed as if he were immediately awake.

"I've already had my mocha, and I had something to look forward to this morning."

"How can you possibly be so awake on a Saturday morning, what time is it anyway?"

"It's 9:20. Anything you want to do today?"

"Yes. But, its a surprise. I'll see you at 10, okay?"

"I can't wait." Liz hung up the phone and turned to see her mother standing behind her.

"And where do you think you're going today?" she asked in the same tone as the night before.

"Out with Will, if you did not have any other plans for me."

"No I don't, but... oh Lizzy, I still don't see why you refuse to go out with that nice Colin boy... his family has a very large savings account..."

"Mother... let's not start this again..."

"Start what? I am just suggesting--"

"That I completely disregard my feelings to date someone who is 'well to do'." She kissed her mother's cheek. "I'll call if I'm going to be late."

Liz slipped out the door as Will arrived. He got out of his car to greet her and as they walked to the vehicle she began asking questions.

"So, what's the surprise?"

"Nothing too special." He spoke nonchalantly.

Will pulled into the parking lot of the park. He got out and opened her door. He held her hand as they stared down a little path. Liz smiled at him thinking that he knew just where to take her.

"I thought that this would be nice. I remember that you would always sit at the same table for the view, and this is the prettiest place I could think of to bring you."

Liz squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek. "You're perfect aren't you?"

The smile that had been resting on his lips began to fade with a little twinge of guilt. "Far from it."

She studied his eyes with concern. He looked upset rather rapidly though she couldn't understand why. "Will, what's wrong?"

He shook his head and looked at her again with a smile, "Nothing. Don't worry about me."

The spent the rest of the day, though both a little distracted, thoroughly happy with each other's company. He drove her home wishing that there were more time in the day that could be spent with her. He kissed her and walked her to the door, and then retreated to his own home.

Liz reached the top of the stairs with a smile fixed on her face. She knocked on her sister's door and opened it to find Jane with her face buried in a pillow. Jane looked up to see a very concerned Elizabeth.

"Are you all right? What happened, are you sick?" Liz was quite distressed with her sister's condition. Jane never cried, she was always the happiest and sweetest of the sisters.

"Charles broke up with me." Jane spoke though miserable, in a composed manner.

"What!?"

"He didn't give me an explanation, he just told me that he didn't think it was going to work out and it would be best if we didn't see each other anymore... oh Lizzy, that's not like him at all, he was hiding something from me, I just know it, but I can't figure out what it is..."

Liz sat down and wrapped her arms around her sister. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach at Jane's words, remembering how Will seemed to be hiding something himself.

"Oh Liz, what am I to do? How can I ever face him again? I think that if I ever see him I will break into tears for sure."

"There's got to be some sort of explanation for his actions. I'll talk to Will about it in the morning," she promised. Part of her, however, was afraid to ask him about it. What if he followed in his friend's footsteps and ended their relationship? Liz closed her eyes and tried to comfort her sister without crying herself.

Liz couldn't help herself. She couldn't wait until morning to talk to Will, she wanted to tell him about Jane and she wanted her to talk to Charles. Her sister was never so unhappy. When Jane had fallen asleep, Liz walked quietly to her room and picked up the phone, quickly dialing his phone number.

"Hello?" He answered.

"Will," she started to sort quickly through her thoughts and then spoke softly, "what do you know about Charles breaking up with my sister?"

Will was silent and Liz felt her stomach twisting with a sudden fear.

"I... well, I called him a few days before we stared going out," He began seeming increasingly reluctant to finish with each word.

"Will, tell me," her words twisted the knot in her stomach tighter and she sounded as if she would cry.

"He told me that he wasn't sure what to do anymore. He thought that she didn't care, and neither of us could think of anything that proved enough other wise. He thought that she wasn't interested because she was always the same caring person, but she seemed so nervous. He was certain that she was being all politeness, and we thought it best that she shouldn't be forced to be polite... and..."

Elizabeth's tone turned icy. "You thought that my sister was leading him on. You can't have seriously thought that Jane would do something like that. I don't believe this...."

"Liz, we didn't know... but she seemed unhappy, so no matter what we thought it best--"

"YOU thought it best, William Darcy, YOU told him to do this."

"Liz, wait! I--"

"I hate you. I can't believe that you could be so thoughtless. I can't BELIEVE that you couldn't look past who you were to think about how other people might feel, and most of all I can't believe that you could call yourself a friend for snatching her and his happiness away. Good bye." Liz hung the phone up with a slam and began to cry into her knees.

Will stared at the phone as he slowly hung it up. What had he done? He knew he should have told her about it when he had the chance... so he could have explained it to her... but now he was sure she didn't want anything to do with him. He blinked back the tears in his eyes and was determined to get her back. No matter what he had to sacrifice.

Chapter 6

He thought and thought, and picked up the phone at length.

Ring... Ring... Pick up Charles!... Ring.. Ring... Ring... Ring... Ri--

"What?"

"Charles, I need help. It's about Liz. Well, its about... a lot."

"It's about 2 in the morning. You really need to start paying attention when you think." Charles was usually much happier than this, even at the wee hours of the morning.

"Listen, I don't know if I was right about you and Jane."

"What? Oh, Will why don't you think!? Listen. I-" Charles cut himself off and cleared his throat, "Will, you didn't wake me up. I've been thinking, and I mean... The semester at Longbourn is almost over, so when it ends I think I'm going to transfer."

"Transfer? No... Charles you can't... look I think we were wrong about Jane... I was wrong about Jane..."

"No, Will, don't... you made your point painfully clear about her obvious lack of feelings for me..."

"No. Charles, listen to me..."

"Look, Will, it doesn't matter anyway... what's done is done, there's no way she'd take me back now. Especially since she didn't love me to begin with--"

"Charles! You're not listening to me!" Will was getting annoyed with his friend. If he was going to get Liz back, he was going to have to get Jane and Charles back together. And at this rate, that was going to take a long time.

"Fine Will, you have 30 seconds to say how you were wrong."

"She cried all afternoon, when Liz found out that you broke up with him she called me and she told me that she wouldn't even leave her room. She was crying all day. She cares about you more than anything."

"Good God, I can't stand you sometimes Will. Wait, Liz knows.... does she know everything?"

"You mean, does she know that I told you to break up with her sister. Yes."

"You're an idiot, Darcy."

"No joke. But Jane really cares about you."

"She won't talk to me Will. If I try to talk to her again she'll think that I just feel bad. I can't have her thinking its all out of pity. Dammit, how am I going to get her back!?"

Will suddenly got quiet.

"What's with you? At least you still have Liz, even if she's pissed off at you."

"No. I don't. She said she hated me. She thinks I'm thoughtless and selfish."

"And she's right. You're not talking to me about this because you care about Jane or me. This is about Will Darcy and how he can get his lady love back after he screwed over his best friend. But at least you're making your amends by trying to unscrew what you've done to me and my lady love."

"I hate you. I'll call you at a reasonable hour of the day," Will said to his friend.

"Later Kid," and they hung up.

Will sat thinking about what he had done, and all the pain he had caused. He hadn't meant for any of this to happen and now he didn't think there was any way he could fix it. He eventually fell asleep but was once again awakened when his phone rang. Thinking it might be Liz, he answered it quickly.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Will. I just called to let you know that my travel agent called," Charles said. "I leave for London on Tuesday."

"What?? Why are you going to London??" Will shook his head a few times to see if he was really awake. He thought Bingley might go through with transferring, but moving to another country? Impossible.

"The trip I had planned a few months ago. Surely you remember. You must. You were the one who told me how lovely it is there."

Will let out a small sigh of relief. But this would only cause more problems, he was sure. However, he had put his friend through enough and Bingley was in need of a vacation away from him.

Liz looked at the phone. I won't call him. I don't miss him. I hate him. How could he do this to Jane and Charles? You hate him Liz, you hate him you hate him you hate him.

Don't call her. She doesn't want you. She hates you. How could you do this to your best friend and your girlfriend's sister? She hates you Will, she hate you she hates you she hates you.

"Stupid subconscious", he muttered as he picked up the phone and dialed her number.

beeep beeep beeep beeep *SLAM*

"Ugh!!!!!! Of course, busy. There ya go Liz. He's completely over it." She glared at the phone.

"Liz?" She looked up to see Jane in the door way.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, but remember that trip that I was planning?"

"Vaguely...." Liz lied.

"London, Lizzy. I'm going to London."

She looked down feeling bad for forgetting all about her sister's plan. She'd wanted to go for 5 years and talked about it all the time.... well until she'd met Charles. Then her conversation had switched from one topic to another.

"Oh my gosh, when are you leaving???" Liz smiled. A vacation might at least get Jane's mind off of Charles.

"Tuesday."

"Then we have to hurry up and get you packed!" Liz said, jumping up. At least packing her sister's things would get her mind off of Will for a little while.

Liz spent Monday avoiding Will at school. She caught him staring at her a few times, but he never tried to talk to her. She figured he'd already gotten himself another girlfriend, though she hadn't heard anything about it and she was sure Carolyn would have mentioned something if that was the case. She still hated him, but part of her just wanted to talk to him again.

Liz had been excused from school to bring Jane to the Airport. Her parents couldn't get out of work and Jane refused to leave her vehicle in the parking lot. The girls hauled Jane's 2 giant suitcases to the trunk of Liz's car and left for Rosings Intl' Airport.

She helped Jane check her luggage and they walked up to the gate. Liz gave Jane a huge hug, "I'll miss you so much!! Call when you get to your hotel, it doesn't matter what time it is!"

Will looked at Charles' 2 tightly packed suit cases.

"You pack like a woman."

"It's a two week trip. We can't all be like you and grab a backpack and $8000. Though, it seems like a good plan if i ever get the chance of it."

Will laughed a quiet laugh and said, "I hope you have an awesome trip Charles."

"Thanks, See you in two weeks, and tell Jeff I said 'Hello'" Charles said his good bye and the two separated after a "guy hug".

Liz went to a gift shop after the excruciating good bye to her sister. She purchased an obscenely expensive mocha-in-a-trendy-looking-bottle. She realized how hungry she was after eating only a half of a nutrigrain bar for breakfast. She checked her watch to find that that had been seven hours ago. She made her way to the exit when something caught her eye.

Will and Jeff started towards the door, but not before stopping at a gift shop so Will could by his entirely to expensive mocha-in-a-trendy-looking-bottle. Will looked up towards the door and almost dropped the bottle, which was apparently made of a semi-precious fragile something if the price was any indication.

"Whoa, is that...." Will trailed off.

"Who? The brunette, black tank top, khakis?" Jeff, his cousin asked.

Will nodded slowly.

"Oh yah. Your taste in females has DEFNITLEY improved since last time I came to visit."

THWAP.

Jeff yelped. "What was that for!?"

"That's my girlfriend. Or at least, that was my girlfriend two days ago..."

Chapter 7

Jeff looked surprised. "What's her name? I'd like to meet her."

"Liz," Will absently replied.

"HEY LIZ!" Jeff called out. Thwap.

Liz turned around at the sound of her name and Will hid behind a rack with some paper weights and mugs on it. Jeff motioned for her to come over and she did, not seeing Will.

"Do I know you?" she asked politely.

"Well, no but you know my..." Jeff trailed off, seeing Will wasn't where he'd been standing two seconds ago. Laughing, he pulled him out from behind the rack, ignoring the horrified look on Will's face. "I believe you know him."

Liz's breath caught in her throat and she took a deep breath, reminding herself how angry she was at him. "Hello William," she said flatly.

Jeff looked at Will with an expression that read You must have REALLY screwed up.

"Liz, what are you doing out of school?" Will asked quietly.

"I came to drop Jane off. She is going to visit London for a few weeks." She attempted to lighten her tone, only slightly successfully.

Will almost dropped the mug that he was still clutching with nervousness. "London? And she left just a half hour ago?"

Liz nodded, "About a half hour. Why?"

"Charles... Charles is on the same flight." He spoke with shock in his voice.

Liz's eyes widened. "He's what?"

"He's on that flight! Why do you think I'm here?"

"But... I..." her eyes suddenly lit up. "Perhaps the ruin that your selfishness and stupidity have caused will be mended if they find each other on the plane or in London. You better hope that's what happens..."

Jeff spoke up cautiously, trying to change the subject and save his cousin from the pain that her words were obviously causing him. "Um... Liz, are you hungry? Do you wanna go get something to eat with us?"

Liz understood what Jeff was doing, "You do yourself great credit for being a gentleman to not only myself but your cousin. I thank you very much for your offer, but I think it best if I not join you without Will's consent."

Will gave her a weak smile, "I'd be delighted if you'd join us for lunch."

She reluctantly accepted. Liz walked with them to a restaurant in the airport's food court. It was not long before the three were seated and the beverages had been served.

"Where will your sister be staying when she gets to London, Liz?" asked Jeff.

"Oh, she is staying at the Londoncity Posthouse for three days, and then she will stay with my Aunt on Gracechurch Street for the remainder of her trip."

"Where exactly in London is Gracechurch Street?" Will asked.

"Cheapside."

"Cheapside? I don't believe that's five miles from where Charles is staying!"

Liz looked at him skeptically. "Why does that make you happy? I thought you wanted nothing more than for them to be apart and unhappy."

"You'll excuse me Elizabeth. I wanted nothing more than to see my best friend reconsider a relationship in which no particularly noticeable affection was shown. You'll forgive me for asking what you would do if such a situation would present itself to you? Would you have your best friend, your sister stay with someone who's affection you questioned?"

"You should know me far better than this Will. I would go to those whom I questioned rather than seeking advice from those who know little more than bits and pieces of what they have observed."

Will paused for a moment. He turned away from her, but he could still feel her eyes staring at him. He wanted nothing more than to tell her how sorry he was... but he was never one be able to admit he was wrong. Instead he looked up at her slowly, looking her in the eyes once more, and spoke softly.

"Perhaps I acted too quickly and I didn't think about my actions long enough--"

Liz laughed. "That's an understatement."

Jeff was watching the two with a mix of fear and captivation. He was certain that both had forgotten no only where they were but that he was alive. "Ahem."

Both of their heads shot up. "I thought that I would remind you that you are in a Restaurant, and that this is a public place. I have heard a few excellent public fall outs, but this has put the vast majority to shame. If you will please recollect your manners until after lunch I would be excessively grateful."

Liz looked at her lap ashamed. "Oh, I'm so sorry." She spoke softly and embarrassment clearly blushed her cheeks.

Will looked at her with apology in his eyes, but she did not look up to receive it. "I'm sorry Jeff. I got carried away."

Liz didn't speak another word though out the lunch. She was embarrassed, but understood what Will had meant to do, and hoped more than anything that Charles and Jane would meet and make their amends in England.

After lunch, Jeff excused himself to go look around the gift shop some more. Will started to get up to go with him, but Jeff shook his head.

"Why don't you stay here and... talk. No yelling, no acting like children... but talk." Jeff smiled at his cousin. Will had never been good with girls at all and it was usually funny to him, but this time he felt bad.

Elizabeth smiled slightly at Jeff's effort but stood up. "There's actually nothing left to talk about. I'll just be on my way--"

"Wait, don't leave," Will said with a hint of desperation in his voice. "I have something I want to say."

Liz looked at him with a soft expression crossing her face. She sat back down and looked at Will. "You have something you want to say. And I would like to improve my listening skills."

Will hated this. More than almost anything in the world, he absolutely hated this. A lot. "I am truly sorry for hurting your sister, Charles and you. I meant to do what was best for him without knowing enough about what either of them were feeling. I promise you that I will talk to Charles as soon as I get the chance."

At this, Liz held her breath for a moment and released it with a short sigh. Will looked at her and when she opened her mouth to say something, he cut her off.

"There's one more thing. I can understand if you never wanna speak to me again, see me again, or be in the same room with me again but... I was wr... wr..." Will paused to take a deep breath. "I was wrong. Please forgive me, Liz. I never meant to hurt anyone."

Looking into Will's eyes, Liz could see he meant every word. She looked down for a minute, gathering her thoughts. She knew what she wanted to say but she had to find the right words. Her silence was killing Will and he looked around nervously. Finally she looked up at him again.

"Why can't you stay a jerk?" She asked with a mix of fondness and frustration.

Will laughed uncomfortably. He could think of no reply.

She looked at him with uncertainty in her eyes. He hurt Jane. I can't. But he did it to protect his friend from a broken heart.... "You are a much better person than I thought you were. You tried to look out for a friend who relies on you. I know that you will do what is right."

Will had a look of relief in his eyes. She had forgiven him, but there was still an insecurity latched to his expression. It was relieved as she reached for his hand and gently kissed his cheek. He stood up quickly, pulling her up with him. To her surprise, for they were in a very public place, he pulled her close to him and kissed her. It was then that Jeff came back from the gift shop. Smiling, he cleared his throat softly and when the two broke their kiss to look at him, he laughed.

"I think we should get going now before the entire food court comes over to congratulate you..." he said, looking around. Lizzy's face flushed with embarrassment to see every single person staring at Will and herself.

"Oh dear God..." Liz muttered softly.

"Want us to walk you to your car?" Will asked holding her hand. The question didn't need to be answered as the three of them walked out to the parking lot. She smiled to Jeff as a silent thank you for getting the two together. The two kissed goodbye. The three decided to go out that evening for dinner.

Liz whispered something and he nodded. "I'll see you and Charlotte at five."

He kissed her again and then three finally parted.

Chapter 8

Liz smiled as she walked into her house. Lydia and Kat came running up to her since they were already home from school.

"Lizzy, you should have been at school today! You must hear the news!" Lydia exclaimed.

"What, what is it?" Liz asked, hoping nothing was wrong.

"Colin has made an offer to Charlotte, he asked her to the prom! And what do you think? She's accepted him!" Kat said, still astonished.

Liz blinked. "Charlotte? Going to the prom with Colin? Impossible." She quickly walked up the stairs to call her friend. Within minutes, the two were arguing.

"I know he doesn't seem like someone you or I would go out with Lizzy but... I'm not romantic you know... I never was... he asked me to the prom and I didn't see any reason to say no. My chances of having fun with him are about the same as anyone's. There will always be vexation and disagreement. Besides, I didn't have a date."

"But Charlotte... look, will you at least come to dinner tonight with me and Will and his cousin Jeff? Please? Just to see if you like him?"

"Fine. Really Elizabeth, it isn't like I'm marrying Colin. You must think more of me than that! Besides, 'Will Darcy? He isn't the type to be interested in'."

"You can't possibly be comparing the two of them. I knew Will for 5 minutes when i said that, I've known Colin since freshman year. You have to know... no, enough of this. You'll be here at five right?"

"Yes. See you then." The girls hung up.

"LYDIA!" Elizabeth yelled. This prom was going to be unbearable at this rate.

"What?!"

"I need to talk to you!!"

Lydia took her time and then walked into Liz's room. "About what?"

"Prom."

Lydia rolled her eyes. "Look, mother already talked to me about it. A LOT. There's nothing you can say that I haven't already heard--"

"I just want you to be careful," Liz interrupted. "I mean, do you know what goes on at proms?"

"Yes. We'll dance, we'll kiss, we'll come home. This isn't the crisis situation you make it out to be."

"Normally that's what would happen, yes... but you're only a sophomore, Lydia. And your choice of prom date is... well... not one to be bragged about..."

"Stop it, Liz. I'm tired of this. I believe you envy me. Wasn't he a favorite of yours once?"

Liz looked away from her sister. "I don't know what you're talking about... look I just wanted to tell you be careful, ok?"

"You're lying Lizzy. I can tell that you're lying."

"I'M NOT LYING LYDIA!" Liz yelled and there were tears in her voice but she wouldn't look at Lydia.

"You're so full of it Liz, getting all upset because I'm going with someone you used to like. That's SO dumb."

"Get out of my room before I do or say something I regret, Lydia." Liz now spoke evenly but wouldn't look at her sister.

Lydia shook her head and stormed out of Liz's room in a huff. Liz got up and closed the door behind her, flinging herself onto her bed in anger. Thoughtless... thoughtless girl... she'll be sorry when Wickham tries to... The thought of him trying on her sister what he had tried on her was too much for her to handle. Liz could hear her mother yelling about something downstairs so she covered her head with her pillow to block it out.

The attempts were useless. The yelling was directed at her. Jane was gone, Charlotte was loosing her respect at an insanely fast pace, and now she was going to be snapped at for attempting to be a good sister. But she had Will back, and she would only be there for another half hour.

"ELIZABETH!" Her mother burst into her room.

"What?" Liz looked up, her voice was as clod as her expression.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that young lady. Who do you think you are lately to snap at your sister in such a way?" This was the kind of mom question that was screaming, "Retreat! Don't answer, just apologize and go on with your life!", but Elizabeth knew that she could answer this question as easily as she had escaped her mother's anger at the sight of she and Will.

"I think that I am Elizabeth Valerie Bennet, and I also think that I was just trying to look out for my little sister since I know George better than any of you all do. If you'll excuse me I have a date to get ready for. Oh, and your little princess got two detentions this yesterday for cutting classes. Maybe you should take that up with her though. Please, next time just send the firing squad, it'd be more effective."

Liz watched her mother's expression change to different kinds of fury. She stormed out of Elizabeth's room unable to reply and then could be clearly heard screeching in the living room to Mr. Bennet about his "DISRESPECTFUL, BACK TALKING DAUGHTER!". She rolled her eyes and fixed her hair in the mirror. She spritzed on a little perfume and called Will.

"Hey, I'm gonna go pick up Charlotte and meet you at your place if you don't mind. I need to get out of here."

"Anything wrong?"

"You'll hear all about it, I promise. See you in a few minutes."

They hung up and she called Charlotte to inform her of the change of plans. Then she ran downstairs, kissed her father goodbye, without even looking in her mother's general direction, and went out to her car.

The drive to Charlotte's house was a short one, but it gave her some time to think. She hated having to do this, even though Lydia was impossible to even talk to anymore, but she and Will were really going to have to play James Bond and spy on her on prom night. It was the only way Liz could be sure Lydia wouldn't do something stupid. Liz honked the horn and turned her attention to the night that was before her, instead of her worries about the prom.

Charlotte got into the car and looked at Liz. "Are you ok? You look like you've just seen a ghost.

"I'm fine, thank you, just annoyed at Lydia. And Charlotte... we really need to talk about this whole Colin thing."

"I already told you, I didn't have a date, he asked. I don't see how there is anything wrong with my going with him."

"He is a rude, obnoxious, vile, rumor spreading jerk. I think you are making a huge mistake Charlotte. It isn't right..."

"Calm down Liz. I'm sure it'll be fine. At least you have Will."

Liz smiled a bit at this. She pulled into his driveway and the two went to the door step and rang the door bell. The door opened and Will and Jeff walked out. Will smiled at Liz and took her hand in his. Looking back into the house, he shouted a goodbye to his sister and shut the door. Jeff and Charlotte were introduced and the four of them got into Liz's car. Charlotte seemed to like Jeff by means of first impression and Lizzy could only hope they would hit it off and Charlotte would tell Colin she wasn't going to go to the prom with him.

She thought about how she was asked to the prom. Why couldn't I think of an excuse! followed by a string of un-ladylike language followed. She thought maybe this was the case, but didn't hope for miracles. Charlotte was neutral about Colin and had accepted his offer, and Liz couldn't stand Will when he'd asked. This is bad. Bad, bad....

Both couples spoke quietly to one another. Liz told him all of the day's issues and Will glanced at her in surprise. "Do you just search for these troubles, Liz?"

She gave him a look but shook her head, "Lydia came home and told me. I guess that I was freaking our so badly that I just didn't care what I said, and then I realized and.... It was just..." Liz's tone softened with defeat, "I couldn't tell her."

Liz held Will's hand with her right hand, and drove with her left. It was an interesting ride. The arrived at a near by pizza parlour and, it being Tuesday and five-thirty, were seated fairly quickly in a quiet area.

There was an uncomfortable silence after their orders were taken. No one was sure what to talk about. After a few minutes Liz looked at Will.

"Wanna buy a duck?"

Will raised a brow and looked at her in surprise. "A what?"

Liz smiled. "A duck," she replied. Charlotte burst out laughing because both Will and Jeff had the same look of utter confusion written on their faces.

"Liz, are you ok?" Will asked.

Liz laughed. "I'm fine, it's just a game I used to play with my sisters... Charlotte knows it." Will continued to give her a weird look. "Well no one else was saying anything," she said in protest. Then she sighed slightly. "Lydia used to love that game. It made her giggle more than anything. Kat too. Oh... why did Lydia grow to be so vacant? I don't know what I'll do if Wickham does anything to her..."

Will took her hand in his once again. "Liz, stop worrying about. Lydia will be fine, and prom is still a long way off. Don't think about it now, there's no use worrying yourself over it."

"You don't seem to understand what I'm worried about. My sister won't say no to him when he starts crossing the line. I know she won't, and my reputation is already out of the question. This is not going to be pretty. Two weeks isn't a long way off." She spoke hopelessly.

Will gave her a little kiss on the cheek, and tried to relax her. "We'll keep an eye on her while we're there. It'll be okay."

Still feeling hopeless, but attempting to brighten her mood she said, "I guess. So, Jeff, what brings you to this part of the country in May?"

"Uh, um... er... well, I uh... I'm not really sure. The semester is over for me, and I didn't have anything else to do so when Will asked me to come and stay with him, I agreed. He seemed to have hoped that I'd find someone to attend the prom at your school with." With that, he glanced at Charlotte, but she didn't seem to notice.

Liz shot Will a look and then kicked Charlotte under the table. "I believe Charlotte is looking for a date to the prom as well."

"No I'm--" She received another kick from Lizzy and shut her mouth. "I... I need to go the bathroom. Lizzy, will you please come with me?"

"Of course," Liz said with a smile as she stood up and walked towards the ladies' room.

When the door was safely closed Charlotte gave Elizabeth a look of terror. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"It's Colin Williams! What are you thinking? Jeff is sweet, and cute, and INTERESTED. Really Charlotte, you know very well that Mary Jenkenson would go with Colin if you dumped him. You can't possibly think of any objection!" Elizabeth was gushing at her.

"I guess, but how am I going to get rid of Colin?"

Liz sat quietly thinking for a moment. "Say that Jeff had asked you a while ago and you at first took it as a joke, but then he called and asked about it. You can't ditch someone who asked first. Then tell him you can't go back on your word. It'll be simple enough to get he and Mary together!"

Charlotte stared at Liz, trying to think of a reason to make her suggestion seem completely outrageous and impossible. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that she wanted to go with Jeff far more than she wanted to go with Colin. And she had noticed Mary looking at Colin and asking him to help her make out certain things in books at times, when she knew Mary was smart enough to figure it out herself. She sighed and shook her head at Liz.

"All right fine... if Jeff asks me... I'll go with him."

Liz's eyes lit up and she grabbed Charlotte's arm, dragging her back to the table with a look of accomplishment on her face.

She whispered something to Will, which was passed on to Jeff. Charlotte glared at Liz throughout the little game of telephone. Liz displayed her indifference by kissing Will on the cheek playfully and whispering of her friend's displeasure. Charlotte rolled her eyes.

Within three minutes the question was asked and the date was on. They all conversed cheerily until the door was again opened. Who should walk in but Colin Williams and George Wickham.

Chapter 9

George spoke loudly, "This will be the easiest--" he cut himself off abruptly.

The sight of Liz completely broke off his speech. Liz looked down and the expression on her face showed the stabbing that she felt in her heart. Charlotte looked at her with concern, as did both the gentlemen. Will attempted to check her expression, but Liz allowed her dark curls to cover her eyes, and refused to look up. He held her hand and looked at her with more care in his eyes than had ever been expressed for any other person he had laid eyes on.

George and Colin walked over to their table, ignoring the look on Liz's face. Colin smiled at Charlotte and she forced a weak smile in return.

"Colin... I need to talk to you..." she said, standing up. She walked over to him and spoke softly, telling him of her... new plans. He looked disappointed, but when she mentioned that she thought asking Mary might be a good idea, he brightened a little.

Wickham flashed his famous smile that made half the school mad in love with him, but Liz knew better. She knew what was underneath. And she despised it.

"Hello Liz, how are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine, and yourself?" she replied flatly.

"Couldn't be better. And how is your sister Lydia?"

"Healthy, but you may not be if you go anywhere near her." Liz collected herself but looked at him with an expression that couldn't begin to question her words.

"Someone's still got her panties in a twist," he said.

"Don't for one minute think you had any effect on my panties."

"Well, I'll leave you to your devices. Tell Lydia I'll call her tonight."

Liz glared at him, "Leave my sister alone."

Wickham walked away, acting like he hadn't heard her. Colin looked at Liz and for a minute, she actually saw a look of genuine concern on his face. He looked into her eyes for a brief moment and she knew that even though Colin was slimy and sleazy... he was nowhere near as bad as Wickham, nor did he agree with Wickham's plan. She dropped her angry glare and looked at Colin with sadness in her eyes for a second before turning to Will and placing her head on his shoulder to hide her face from everyone. She did not want the whole restaurant to see her cry.

Liz drew a deep breath. The whole scene seemed like a blur. She looked at her clock and sighed.

The phone dialed his number, what seemed like automatically. "Hello?" the sleepy voice answered.

"Hi," she said softly.

"Hey, what's going on? Do you know what time it is?" Will asked her with soft concern.

"Two in the morning. I hear you do some of your best thinking at this hour. I'm really sorry I woke you up." Her tone remained quiet and filled with worry.

"You're worried about your sister."

"Terrified. After George's little display.... I don't know what I'm going to do. This is so hopeless."

Will sat up and took a deep breath. "It's not hopeless. Nothing's hopeless." He her heard laugh at his remark as a way of saying that wasn't true. "Hey, if you and I found our way back together, anything is possible, wouldn't you agree?"

Liz smiled slightly. "I suppose... but... Lydia is just a stupid little girl and Wickham is a conniving wretched womanizer. She doesn't realize what she's getting herself into and no matter how closely we watch her... Wickham will find a way to..." her voice trailed off. She didn't have to say the words. They both knew what his intentions were.

"We'll keep an eye on her." Will said feeling a little defeated.

"Exactly." She said reading his tone. "Have you talked to Charles?"

"Not yet. But I plan to soon. Have you talked to Jane?"

"No... and part of me doesn't want to. Knowing me, I'll end up bursting into tears over this and ruin her trip by causing her to worry." Liz sighed. "Will... I... I need to go somewhere."

"Liz... it's two..."

"I know... but I need air... and I need..."

Will stood up. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

The two hung up, and Liz put on a pair of jeans and her clean Netherfield long sleeved shirt. She sat outside and watched her silent neighborhood. A soft breeze blew around a few dead leaves and the stars twinkled in the darkest hours of the night. As Will quietly pulled up, she immediately walked to his car. She got into the passenger side and kissed him.

"Thank you so much," she spoke in a soft tone.

He looked into her eyes, looked into her emotions and found himself gazing into all the pain and fear that she felt. There was so much emotion that glimmered into those beautiful eyes.

"Anytime."

Liz began to smile, not a big smile, but it was there. She'd never felt this way before and she knew that if she didn't have Will, she'd have gone positively mad by now. She was so grateful, and part of her wondered if she could ever find any way to repay his kindness. It had all happened so fast, but Liz cared more about Will than she did about anyone. Even her own family. With the only exceptions perhaps being her father and Jane. The feeling was so new to her, and it scared her a little. But Liz had always been brave, despite her tendency to cry so often. She didn't see that as a sign of being weak, just as a way of getting her emotions out. And right now, with all the fear and pain and anxiety she was feeling, her feelings for Will escalated and she at last recognized something that she had always questioned.

Will had driven to a the park where he had first taken her. It was a place where she could calm down, so he parked and the two sat in silence for what seemed about 15 minutes.

"Liz, wake up."

The two had fallen asleep, and the 5 a.m. sunrise had awakened him.

"Will, oh gosh, what time is it?"

"I don't know... it's morning..."

Liz jumped up. "Ohmigod, my parents are gonna KILL me..."

Will stood up, looking very nervous. "Well... uh... may... maybe they're not up yet... maybe they didn't notice that you're gone... that's possible, right?"

"But not probable... we have to go home NOW."

Will sped back to her house to find it still dark. Liz kissed him and slipped in the door. No one had seen her come in and as she tip toed into her room she thought she might have been home free.

"Rough night?"

Continued In Next Section