Jump to new as of February 14, 2001

Chapter One

Emma Woodhouse was a very private person, though that is not to say that she was not sociable. In fact quite the opposite was true. However, when it came to her personal life and her emotions, she hid them well. No one could tell what she was truly feeling at any certain time. Sure there were the close and dear friends and family member who had some insight into Emma's world, but that was a very small insight. Emma a child prodigy had learn to mask her inner self from the outside world and she was great at it. Emma was only 21 when she got her degree in Law. People were amazed her wisdom and wit. She out did everyone in logical analysis and could stump the best of them.

One could say that she even stumped people as far as letting them know the real Emma. Sad as the thought maybe not everyone was shut out, there were the very close friends that she had let into her world. One of them being a very dear friend Frank Churchill. There was no one closer to Emma then Frank, he knew her the true Emma. He was the one that new all her secrets and all her pains. It also goes to say that Emma also knew Frank pretty well too. In fact though out the years two friends got to become the greatest of friends. Emma admired Frank for the man that he was and the great friend he was to her. He always listen and never complained about her rattling on and on. Over the year the admiration grew in a crush, then from a crush to love. However, it seemed the feeling were not mutual

Frank only saw Emma as great friend and confidant and though he did love Emma he did not love her in the way that she loved him. His love was more of a love that a brother has for a sister, and he was not about explores other forms a relationship for he did not want to ruin the wonderful friendship that they had. Though Emma excepted and even admired Frank for taking such step and preventing the friendship from going to the dogs, the feelings of unrequited love are the hardest feelings to get over. The friendship though it strengthened would eventually end up taking two steps back. Though things where just as they had always been. There was a piece of Emma that was now closed to Frank Churchill forever. Did Emma understand why the two of them could never be? Sure, logically it all made perfect sense the two were on different paths that were going in different directions. However, the question of what could have been or might have happened would always be there until the day that she would meet someone who she would love and who loved her back.

The question is that pondered in her mind was how could she love again when the one person she loved did not return the feelings? She did not think that it would be possible for her to love again, for she had known Frank since they were in junior high. She first had developed feelings for him when he was high school, for she had moved on to high school a lot sooner then he did and though he was a two years older he never treated her as someone younger. In fact the reason they became such close friends was because he befriended her when she had started junior high and all the other kids did nothing but taunt her. Frank Churchill made her feel welcome and actually made her feel comfortable with the fact that it was okay that she was younger then most of the kids in her class, and yet knew more. It however, it was not until she had decided to return to her old high school to tutor after school to earn money while in college did she first have a crush on him. To which she never admitted to, however, being as crushes go it faded as soon as she went away to law school later that year.

Law school managed to keep her so busy that she did not have time for fun or relationships. Though she did date they never really lasted for Emma was always running home to study so that she could stay on top of her studies. Emma once again started to feel the pressures of being the youngest student in the class. The gap was even more apparent now for all her fellow classmates her first year were 21-23, she was the only 17 year old. The pressure was on her to not only study hard, but to do not just good but better then what was expected. The only person who was able to keep her from break down was her roommate Harriet Smith, for though she did not understand what Emma was going through she would always do things that would put Emma at ease. She in a sense was Emma's sanity, her along with Elizabeth Bennet were the two people who forced Emma to get out of the apartment and have some fun while she was still young.

Another person who was a great friend was George Knightley, who one could say had taken Frank Churchill's place. He was always there helping Emma not feel out of place and like a child. While all this was going on Frank though not there because he was away at College finishing his undergraduate studies, they were in constant communications as all good friends are. However, things were not as it was when they got together over the breaks back home. After all she was getting her JD and he was only just about to get his bachelors. Though he never made an issue it took some time to get use to, however, a friendship as close as theirs was not one that could be easily ruined by such things, it just was something they worked through. It was because of such obstacles, which they over came along with other factors was why Emma fell in love with Frank. For a long time she denied her feelings for Frank, and she was succeeding until the summer she graduated Law school and got her JD. She moved back home to Highbury, Massachusetts to study for the bar. He of course was there, and was very helpful in helping her study and pass the bar. It was this sending time together, which turned a crush into love. Of course it did not help matter that he was good looking.

However, it was all to come to nothing, for she will never forget the day they discussed their feelings towards each other. It was the day she found out that he wanted to stay the best of friends. Though she agreed with him her heart was aching ever minute. Her only consolation was that she was moving to New York to work. Most of her friends were there, and she was going to be working at a very presages law firm, which she had decided to work at prior to going home. What made it even better was that her best female friend of 16 year Ann Taylor was going to be there. They were to live in Emma's penthouse apartment, which her father had bought her on her graduating from law school. He did not want his daughters to live just any were, after all she was his baby girl. Though it was tough at first to be around Frank Churchill she was doing great. The one thing that made it easier to deal with her pain was the fact that Frank realized that she would need her space if she was ever going get rid of her feelings for him so he stayed away whenever possible. She was going to work and he was going away to graduate school so they did spend time together, however it was not like old times, and for the time being it was what she need. They both promised to stay in touch when the day came for her to leave and that they would.

Chapter 2

Emma was glad to have friends around to help her with the transition and also to help her get her keep her mind off Frank. It was hard when she had time to herself, she kept going over the relationship in her mind and she would start to obsess about the whole thing and that was the last thing she need. Emma focused all her energy on her unpacking, her new apartment, and what her friends had planed for her. "Come on Emma lets go to Madison square garden you have to see it is so beautiful" Anna said pulling her out of her revere. George interjected "No I think we should go walk around Time Square there is so much to see and do there. Anyway why would Emma want to see a bunch of flower when she could go home and see them, besides I have heard that the ones in Highbury are much prettier then the ones in Madison Square Garden."

"Well, why don't we let Emma decide. Well Emma, were do you want to go Madison Square Garden or Time Square?" Ann asked. "Hmmm, let me see you know what I am going to go with George on this one, lets go see Time Square. Besides the weather is not very conducive to seeing flowers."

"What are you talking about it is perfectly sunny out there, besides there is more then just flower at Madison Square Garden to see." Ann said. "Oh, give up while your still ahead Ann." George replied, and he got into a little sparing match with Ann over who's idea was better even though Emma had already stated where she wanted to go. "Okay children enough is enough are you two going to stop that or am I going to have to ground the two of you." Emma said laughing and the two just stared at her pretending to be good little kids. "Lets go before it gets dark" she stated and the three friends headed out the door. It was not long until she was beginning to think that going to Time Square was not that great of an idea after all, for every store they would walk into would be playing some love related song and it was quite depressing. However, Emma never let on what was bothering her. If anyone noticed she would just pass it off as staying that she adjusting to the city life. She was glad when George suggested that the go see Gladiator, for Russell Crow was her favorite actor and she had heard that he was absolutely amazing in that movie. After the movie they all decided to head back to the girls apartment and have dinner there. George and Emma were talking about her first day at work which was to be the following Monday. "Enough, talk about work and most of all enough talk about the law I feel like I am stuck in court house or something of the sort." Ann intervened "It not our fault we cannot all be as smart as you and be doctors." George replied. "I am not a doctor yet I still have three more years of medical school left."

"Well, it's a good thing that I decided to move out here when I did." Emma added "Or you might have been stuck in those wonderful dorms you so love." She added as she ducked a pillow that Ann threw at her in reply to her last remark. "Those dorms were so atrocious I more then willing to jump at the opportunity when you asked me to move in with you."

"Not without some begging on my apart."

"Oh, that was just me being nice."

"You nice, that will be the day." George replied to Ann's last comment, which resulted in getting a pillow thrown at him as well.

The three friend spent evening talking about the past times and what they were going do for the week that Emma had before she started to work. It was at the suggestion of her father that Emma go site seeing before she start work, Emma promised she would for she could not deny her father after all that he had done for her. She personally could not wait to get to work for it would help her keep her mind off of Frank and on to other things. However, her father had his watchdogs out making sure she had a good time before she started work. Mainly Ann and George the three of them had been friends since childhood, and because George and Ann were four and two years older respectively they were not about to let Emma go straight to work without having some fun first. They knew that Emma could be all work and no play at times and they were not about let her do that this time around. They also knew that there was something wrong with Emma though she would not admit to it for though they did not know her as Frank did, they did know her enough to know that she was hiding something, and that was bothering her. They figured that in time she would come out and tell them herself.

In the end of the evening George went home and promised to stop by tomorrow after work. Emma went into her room to unpack her room before she went to bed. Thank God her bed was assembled when they had delivered it, all she had to now, was to bed sheets on it. She took out her radio, plugged it and turned it on, and the first song she had hit home, though she did not want to admit it. Lara Fabian's, I will Love Again though she did not want to admit it rang very true for. She was not one who would admit that she was still not over Frank. People who knew what happened would continuously tell her to get over it, but it was not as easy as very one thought it was. Everyone thought that it was just a merely a crush and one that she would eventually get over. No one really knew how deep her feeling for Frank ran, and Emma was not about to tell. She was determined to get over it and it would do her no good to just rummage though the old feelings.

Besides the wounds were still fresh and she was not about to deal with the pain that hurt. She was all about having fun and enjoying her time off while she could since her father would not allow her to go straight to work. She loved her father after all he was the one who was always making her do things people her age did, even when she did not want to. She was glad of it now for if it was not for him, she would have been out of touch had her father not made her interact with people her own age. Her mother had passed on when Emma was young and her older sister was away a lot at school. Now because of her father sending her to day camp and making her work as tutor at the near by high school with people her own age she was not out of step with what was going on with people her age. In fact some people were amazed at how well she got along with people her own age that sometimes it was people would ask her what college she was at or what her major was. When she told people that she was a lawyer and that she had long since finished school their mouths would dropped.

She was in stride with the time in fact she was so with the times that her wardrobe was the envy of all her friends. She could shop with the best of them, and now was the time that being a genius paid off, for she did not need to lean on her father for money to go shopping for she could pay for all her cloths herself. Well, that was when she started working. It was amazing for her how many people asked her what it was like to know so much at a young age. Her reply always was the same it felt normal to her for that is all she ever knew. Her friends never treated her any different in fact George did quite the opposite he made her feel like one of the group. He was also the one person who dared to find fault with her. She liked it for everyone else was to amazed with her brain power to criticize her much. Though it seemed to people that she was a genius there was still a lot she did not know when it came to things non-academic. Her friends were the only one who seemed to get that, and they in fact thought it was nice to be able to teach Emma certain things for a change.

In fact her friend and roommate Ann Taylor had taught her a lot. In away one could say she was sort of a governess or mentor to Emma. Whenever there were certain things she did not understand she would go to Ann and ask. "Hey, Emma what do you want to do tomorrow?" Ann asked coming into her room. "Have no idea what do you suggest?"

"Well, we could go to Connie Island, the Statue of Liberty or Elise Island, you know the tourist thing."

"What about going out and checking out Wall Street? I have always wanted to see what the New York Stock Exchange was really like in person."

"We could do that but why would you want to go and see a bunch of people hollering at a bunch of numbers?"

"Have you forgotten about my interest in stocks and financial planning? Who do you think set up my father retirement plan?"

"Oh, that right I forgot miss genius, you have something at stake as far as the stock market is concerned." Ann teased."

"That is right and don't you forget about it." Emma said throwing a pillow at her. "Besides who knows I might just make the two of us some money, I have my eye on some hot stocks and who know what can happen."

"That place bores the hell out of me, do we really have to go there?"

"I promise we won't stay long who know you might even meet some cute rich guys there who practice some hands on medicine on." This last remark got Emma not only a pillow thrown at her but followed by one smacking her in the head. The two helped get Emma's bed covers on and then, the talked for little longer before they said their good nights and went to bed in their respective rooms. That night Emma had some well need rest.

As with all relationships Emma soon had pushed back the emotions of being in Love with Frank. Her friends had kept her so busy with the sight seeing and going out that she really did not have much time to think about him. Not that she minded what so ever, and from the occasional from him or her calling him, she never really had a chance to delve deep into her emotions. How ever subconsciously her relationship with men were irrevocably changed. The way she related to them was different, it was as if she wanted to for close relationships with men, and yet at the same time she was pulling way from them. She did not mean to in fact, she did not even notice that she was doing it. To her she had moved on. Little did she know that she hadn't that in fact all she did was bury the wound, and that it time it would surface again and would much worse, and harder to deal with when it did.

Chapter 3

The week went by fast, and though Emma had great fun with her friends, she was glad that it was over. She was looking forward to starting work for there was a lot that she had yet to learn and the only way that would work would be by her actually getting out there and working. As many of her friends teased her about being a work-a-holic, but in truth she was anything but that. She enjoyed working that much was true, however, she also knew how to have a good time as well, and has been known to know how to throw a party. In fact she was planing on have a house warming party in hopes of bringing all her friends who lived in New York together and just celebrating. She also had a hidden motive, well two really. One was to declare her independence from her father, in that she no longer had to depend on him for money or a means of living, though she would always need him she was no longer dependent on him. The second one would reveal itself in due time.

Work was great it was easier that George was there he made the transition that much easier for he was there when ever she need him. In fact George Knightley had been there for Emma whenever she need him. He was one, who told Emma the truth no matter what, and he was the only one that found fault with her and was not intimidated by brains, in fact he was the only person who treated her as any other person. Sure Frank treated her normally but with him there was, that difference though he never showed she could see it. She never made him feel inferior because he was not a genius; it just was not the same as it was with George. It seemed to her that with George that it did not matter to him whether or not she was a genius. In fact it didn't George saw Emma for who she was not for what she was, and she appreciated it immensely. In fact they had a bother sister type of relationship, in fact their two families had been friends for as long as either of them could remember. They even fought like siblings to the point were people who would witness their fights would actually start believing them to be brother and sister if the did not know the two.

It was this brother sister relationship that she relied on to get her through her first week, for though she was happy to be working she was also very nervous about it. He was her support. He was there to help her, and calm her down when she got to anxious about things she was not conformable with, which was just what she need. Theses two were each other support system when there was no around to support them. People around them actually thought they were brother and sister considering the way they acted towards one another.

Thanks to George, Emma's first week at work went on without a hitch. Everyone one was amazed at her ability to catch on to things real fast. Also as it had happened before everyone was amazed at the genius behind this young woman. Here was a woman in her early twenties and she was already practicing law. The one thing people did which annoyed was treating her as if she was something special. She did not want special treatment just because she had a high IQ. She would keep running to George with her frustrations. They either treated her as if she some sort or precious metal or a child who need to shown everything. She did not like and one day she even came close to quitting if had not been for George she would have. "George they are getting to me, do they or do they not want me to do the job they hired me to do? If they do then they need to back of, and stop watching me like as if I was some apparition that was going to disappear any minute now. AAAAHHHHH!!!" Emma exclaimed one day during lunch. George just laughed partly because he knew something like this was going to happen, for it always did when Emma. It happened when she started college, and it happened again when she started law school. People were always amazed at her brainpower never getting to know the real Emma. Which he thought it very unfortunate for she was truly a great person. "So if it bothers you that much why don't you go in and tell the hiring manager? Say something Emma it is time you stood up for yourself."

"You know what your right it is about time that take matter in my own hands."

"That's my girl."

"I am no girl I am woman now." Emma said throwing her bread at George who ducked just in time. "Oh you know what I mean."

"Well, stop calling me that if I am going to stand up for myself I am going to start with you. It is time you stopped calling me that for I am no longer a little girl."

"All right and speaking of time, it is time we get back to work or else both or us will be without a job tomorrow." With that the two left the restaurant and went back to work. That night when she got home she listened to her message, most of them were of no importance, except for one. It was from Frank he was coming to New York for two weeks for one of his friends wedding, and he wanted to know if she wanted to get together for lunch or something.

Frank here in New York? Cool!! She thoughts, she was going to get to see her old friend again. She thought she was over him after the little unrequited feelings had been long gone since a year ago when she discovered her feelings for Frank were not returned. She was sure that she could handle it. She called the number that Frank had left. "Hey Frank, how are you?"

"Great it good to hear from you, how have you been, Em?"

"Not bad and you?" This is not going any were. It sounds like I am talking to complete stranger. "So, when did you get into town?"

"Oh just a couple of days ago." How are things at work?"

"Not bad in fact I had a conversation with my boss about the way they were treating at work. You know the whole special treatment just because I have high IQ deal."

"Well, Em you should be use to it is nothing new you should be use to it by now."

"Frank that is not something that one can get use to. For you see I see myself as being no different then anyone else. I just happened to be a tad bit smarter then the average Joe, and that is my own unique talent. Other people have other talents and no one bother them about it, so why bother me about mine."

"Is that how you see it? You see peoples awe of your mental abilities as a mother?"

"Yeah that is what it is for they are giving me special treatment which I don't feel is need. It can as matter of fact get very annoying."

They talked of other subjects and set up a time to get together, and after Emma got off the phone she was puzzled about all the emotions that were resurfacing. Where was all these emotions coming from I thought I was over him. There can be nothing between me and him so why is this bothering me so. She thought, it was as if the past would not let go, and let her move on. She thought she had dealt with the tumult of emotions that had bother all that while ago. What she did not realize that the way that she dealt with them by pushing them back and not really dealing with it, and that was why not it was all hitting her now, and it was hitting her hard. She had to deal with it sooner or later before it got her in more trouble.

However, Emma tending to be stubborn from time to time, and on certain matter and this was not only one of those time but one of the certain matter she was highly stubborn about. She did not like facing what hurt and these wounds from this feeling of unrequited love was one that was pretty deep. She did not like to face what hurt so much, she was still trying to figure out what why it had not worked. Though she understood it logical emotionally she did not; or rather she did not want to understand why. She was trying to control something that was not controllable, mainly being her emotions. Sure whenever Frank was not around she was able to lock the emotions away and not have to deal with them. Why deal with something when you could simply forget about, and that is what Emma had done, forget about it. Now it was rearing it's ugly head, and no matter what she did the emotions would not go away. Emotions were not one that could easily be hidden for no matter what they always reared it's ugly head. Now that she was faced with the situation she was not sure how she was going to deal with the situation. However, with some encouragement from Ann she was going to brave it and deal with what she could no longer hide from. She just hopped that she would not make a big fool of herself in front of all Frank's friends. Well at least she the one thing she could be safe with is that George was going to be there for he was a friend of the bride.

Well, she was going to be going to be going to a wedding with Frank and not to get married either. She might as well deal with it now for if she let it go on for much longer for it is better to deal with now for it was not emotionally safe for it to go on much longer. It was not going to be an easy thing to do, but she could do it. It was one thing that she would have to face on an emotional level, for logically it had been dealt with. Though as everyone know emotions and logic don't go together very well. No matter what made sense logically, the emotions would not understand. That was the problem with emotions, no matter what made sense to the rest of the world who was thinking normally things made sense, but throw emotions into that and it made things all complicated. How she wished things were not so complicated. She wished that she could walk up to Frank without having to worry about her saying something she would later regret. What am I worried about there is a chance that he has change and that all the things I fell in love with are not attractive. She thought. Wishful thinking for one knows that is just one way to ease ones doubts.

Chapter Four

"No George that is sweet of you to ask but..."

"But what Emma? What is it that is bothering you to the point were you look like you're about ready to throw up?" Emma figured it was about time she told someone. Who knew George might even be able to help her, he was after all going to be at the same party. "Well, I am not physically ill, it is more of an emotional sickness."

"Oh really is that all?" George teased. "You had me worried there for a second." A remark which got him a punch in the arm. "Fine if you're going to be that way I am not even going to tell you what it was I was going t to tell you."

"Sorry, sorry go ahead tell me I promise not to jest."

"Well, there is someone who is going to be at the party with whom I am not every comfortable being around. However, for the sake of friendship I don't want do anything that would embraces anyone."

"What you have feeling for Frank and you are worried about sticking your foot in your mouth." Emma looked at him in amazement. How did he figure out that it was Frank that she was talking about. "Oh come on don't look at me like that Emma, it does not take a genius to figure that out. For no matter what you say about him it has always been obvious that you felt something more for him then you were letting on."

Emma didn't know what to say she was amazed at how perceptive George was, she gave him less credit then he deserved. This guy really was not afraid to say what he thought especially were she was concerned. He was always truthful with her no matter how much she did not want to hear, like the present moment. "Earth to Emma you still there?"

"Yeah, well can I count on you to help me."

"Sure I will be there to help you and make sure that you don't do anything you will later regret. I don't understand what you are so worried about you have changed so much since you last saw him that I don't think you will be attracted to him in the same way you use to be."

"That is very sweet of you to say and you might even have a point there. However, I would be more comfortable knowing that you will be there watching out for me." Having George there watching out for her made Emma feel better. That night when she went home she felt a little bit more relaxed about the wedding she was going to attend that weekend. She went home to find Ann with her new boyfriend Edward Weston.

Emma was happy for her for she had been trying to set up Ann and Edward for the longest time. He was a friend hers and so was she, however, the two of them never seemed to be in the same city for more that two weeks being that she was going to medical school in New York and He as doing his residency in Los Angeles. However, ever since he had transferred over to NYU Medical Center the two had been seeing a lot of each other since Ann had to her internship hours there. One thing led to another and the two started dating and as they say the rest is history. "Hey you two lover birds, what are you up to this evening?" Emma said as she came in. "Your in a good mood for once, I take it what ever was bothering you is out of the way?" Ann asked. "Yup, listen I am going to bed early tonight since I did not sleep well last night. Keep it down if you can you two." With that she left for her room not noticing her companions red faces. The day of the wedding was coming up soon and in the midst of all this Emma found herself obsessing about Frank. God unrequited love sucks. It is also very painful too. She thought. All she could do to prevent herself from thinking about him was to keep her mind on her work. Her first two months there had been really good, sure there were some obstacles in her way. However once she dealt with them they were no longer a problem for her.

That night George decided to take her out to Connie Island to get her mind off the up coming wedding the both had to go to and the guy that she had to go with. For the life of him he could never understand how Emma could be friends with such a guy, let alone fall in love with him. The guy was way too much of playboy and for that matter he never seemed to have grown up. He was a 5-year-old stuck in the body of 23-year-old. Sure he was a nice guy when he wanted to be. The one thing that he had going for him was that he had helped Emma get through many tough times, but so had many other people. What was the big deal about this guy that Emma felt so deeply about? He just did not get what Emma saw in him, but he never said anything to her about what he thought about Frank. She never took to kindly to people who said bad things about her friends. He had been witness to it himself when he over heard a conversation between Emma and a former girlfriend of his. She made that his ex feel ten feet tall by the time she left, and all over the fact that his ex had said that he was disloyal cheating playboy. Though it was the furthest thing from the truth, and it had not bothered him one bet it bothered Emma and she had put the girl in her place faster then hungry jaguar going after its prey. With this memory in mind George decided to keep his mouth shut as far as what he thought about Frank Churchill.

George wisely decided to let her figure things out for herself, he would be there for moral support when she need it. What else could he do? He did not want to loose her friendship, just because he did not like one of her friends. Besides it was not up to him as to who she was friends with, and that is exactly what she would say to him so it was best that he stay out her business and only help her when she asked him for help. With this in mind George went to pick Emma up to go to Connie Island. He was going to make sure she had fun today she had worked hard all week she definitely deserved to have fun this evening. He had to persuade her to come to Connie Island with her this tonight all week. She had at long last agreed today during their lunch break. "Hey Emma you ready to go?" George asked when he got up to her place. "Yeah I will out in a minute just need find my tennis shoes."

"You mean the ones laying out here on the floor over here in front of the TV?"

"Yeah, thanks." Emma said kissing him on the cheek. "Okay lets go."

The two spent the reminder of the day at Connie Island having fun. George even won Emma a big stuffed teddy bear at one of the carnival games. They decided to go back to the city for dinner. There was this really nice place George knew of that he wanted to take Emma to. Over dinner they discussed their cases and the methods they were going to use. Then some how the conversation turned to the wedding they were going to this weekend. George told her that two of her old friends were going to be there too. "Who is going to be there?" Emma asked trying to figure out which friends he was talking about. "Why how soon we forget. Why Elizabeth Bennet and Harriet Smith."

"Really, oh how I long to see them. I did not know that they were here in New York."

"Yeah Liz has been here just over sixth months, and Harriet just moved here. They were all delighted when I told them that you were going to be there."

"How did you run into them?"

"I ran into them when I went to by present for the bride and groom at Neimen Marcus. I was looking at the wedding registry when they came up to do the same and spotted me and came over to say hi and to inquire after you."

"That good to know that they are going to be there. I have missed them so dearly, after I left school and came here I lost their number in the midst of all the packing."

"Well, the wedding well give you a chance to meet up with them again and get reacquainted with them." After dinner they went back to Emma's place to discuss the wedding. It was about two in the morning when Emma finally went to bed. However, with one more day until the wedding she had the jitters. Why in the world do I have the jitters for, I am not the one getting married. However, she new very well why she had the jitters, the prospect of not making a fool out of herself was something that would make anyone jittery.

She fell asleep trying calm herself down. The next morning found her on the phone conversing with her old friend Elizabeth Bennet. "So when did you decide to come back to New York I thought you wanted to go over to California were there was one season year round." Emma asked. "Since the firm near the one you're working at hired me to work for them. And why is that it was not until I ran into George that I hear that you have decided to live in New York. What happened to friends forever?"

"I am sorry I know I promised to keep in touch but I lost your number and everything while I was packing. Not mention above all I can not find my old phone book what so ever."

"So in other words it is a good thing that I ran into George or else we could have lost contact forever is that what you're saying?" Elizabeth teased. "That is not true and you know it I would have some how found you again."

"Yeah well any ways how are thing going with you? Any new guys in your life?"

"No not really how are things going with you and that William Darcy guy? You two still together?"

"Yeah we are, I will tell you right know I don't know what took us so long to get together, I love him so much."

"What took you so long in getting together? You, that is what if you don't remember it was your prejudice and his pride that kept the two of you apart."

"Yeah well, that is all behind us now."

"Hey what are you doing today?"

"Nothing that I know of why?"

"Well I though we could get together and hang out like old time. You up for it?" The two friends decided to get together to talk and reminisce about the good old days, and about the wedding, and since Emma did not really know the bride and groom Lizzy told her about the pair.

The two spent the day talking and window-shopping. Emma asked after Harriet, and how she was doing. She was amazed to find out that Harriet Smith who was once in love three men in one year had settled down with one guy. She was according to Liz dating a gentleman by the name of Edward Martin. He was a paralegal, and if Emma remember correctly he had at one time had asked Harriet to marry him. Emma and thought that a very regent thing to do, for it was only back in the regency era that men asked women to marry them and then courted them. Harriet at that time had refused, why she had changed her mind she did not know, nor did it matter as long as she was happy. Emma then asked after Liz's family and boyfriend. She had not seen either in a long time and was quite fund of Liz's father and older sister Jane. She was also happy to know that Liz and William finally put aside their difference and were dating. Those to were as far as she could remember down each other's throats. She was happy to here that they were getting along and were very much in love. It made her a little sad that she could not find a guy like that for herself. She was why too picky as far as who she went out with, she wanted to be careful not get hurt again.

Chapter Five

It is said that it is easier to look outwards and help other then it is to look inwards toward ones inner person, for what is in side us is what scares us the most. Emma did not want face what she really felt, and at the wedding would mean having to face Frank Churchill, which would mean that should have to face herself and face what see did not want; mainly her feelings. Looking inward towards the inner, self imposed darkness and the uncertainty that lay within the turmoil for which Emma was going have to face with her in counter with Frank, was not one she which she was looking forward to. It was a good thing that she had asked George Knightley to help if she ever did do the wrong thing and stuck her foot in her mouth. However, she knew that if she was ever going to get over Frank Churchill she would have to face him and face her feelings. "Oh, why does this have to be so hard?" she though.

"Hello anyone home?" George asked as he knocked on the half open.

"Hey, what's up? How did you get in?"

"Your neighbor let me in. Why the gloomy face? Wait don't tell, the impending meeting between you and Frank is what is bugging you. Am I right?"

"Wise guy." Emma said punching him in the shoulder. "Ouch, well aren't I? Come on admit it. There is nothing wrong with it if you are. It happens the best of us."

"It does? Who broke your heart?"

"What makes you think that I have a broken heart?"

"Oh let me see it could be you just said that 'It happens to the best of us.' Which it could be inferred that you are including yourself in that and that you, yourself have had your heart broken."

"Nope sorry I was just generalizing, and besides why would I admit to being broken hearted, don't you know that we guys never do such things."

" Why do I find so hard to believe that you have never had a broken heart, but that fine with me if you don't want to admit to it."

They continued to tease each other until they got in the cab to go the store to pick up their gifts for the wedding tomorrow. Once in the cab Emma asked about the couple who's wedding they were going to. George did the best he could to tell her about the couple. Emma couldn't wait to meet the couple she hoped that they would like the gift she bought them. George kept pointing out that they would love it after all they were the one that put it on their list in the store, but after about the fifth time he figured it was not the gift that she was worried about. It was more of the encounter with a certain someone was what she was worried about. He could do nothing but smile, there was no point in trying to point out that she had changed a lot since they had last met and that he was certain that things were not the same as they use to be. All he could do at this point was to help her keep her mind off it until the end of the day. "What time is your appointment at the beauty parlor tomorrow?"

"At about 1pm."

"Why so early the wedding does not start until about 6pm.?"

"Men!! Sheesh, The appointment is at one but it will take about an hour get my hair done and the other things that we women do at beauty salon just so that we could look perfect for you guys."

"What could you possibly need done your gorgeous."

"Awww, aren't you sweet. Thank you." Emma said blushing.

Be that as it may Emma and George failed to notice the sparks that passed between them, being the each was rapped up in their own thoughts about different things. These two had been friends so long that what ever happened between they would just be simply pass it off impossible and never think twice about it. The funny part was that everyone on the outside could see what was unfolding except for these two. When it was brought to their attention they would dismiss it, simply saying that they were seeing things that weren't there. All that could be done in their case was just sit back and let it happen for their was no reasoning with these two. Emma and George were so close yet so far from seeing what was right under the noses. The two of them were much too much preoccupied with other things that the obvious was not obvious to them.

No matter thought their friends it would all come out sooner or later there was no point in trying to show them things they refuse to see. In the mean time the two were concentrating on the wedding that was to happen the next day. Emma was getting more and more worried about what was to happen the next day. She new that she had to face Frank sooner or later and it looked like it would be more like the former then the latter. At least she made the appointment at the salon five hours earlier and had asked for the works. She was at least going to look her best on the outside despite what she felt on the inside. Something in her was telling her she was doing all this just show Frank what he was missing out on, but she kept telling her that she was doing this because she was going to a wedding. Everyone else knew it was the former.

The day of the wedding was upon Emma before she knew it she was off the beauty salon with Lizzy. She was somewhat nervous, which prompted some remarks from her friend. "Em, your acting like you're the one that is about get married and not Ann."

"Am I, it just a bad case of the worries about not making a fool out of myself in front of Frank."

"My dear you making a bigger deal out of this then it is. I know that once you to see each other you will see how much the two of you have changed."

"I am sure that you are right. But then again that is my tendency, to blow things out of proportion."

"We all know that." Lizzy said just before the beauticians came to put a mask on their faces thus preventing them from any further discussion until the masks were removed.

Emma thought over what Lizzy said. Had she changed so much that she and Frank were only just friends as far as both of them were concerned? Had she really moved on without knowing it even herself? Well, should soon find out, for she was going be going to the wedding with him. The rest of the afternoon went by fast to Emma's relief she could no longer wait until Frank got there so that she could straighten things out for herself. She had chosen a black v-neck Vera Wang gown that fit her like a glove. It was beaded all over and a small trail to it, and to top it off it came with a very nice rap. She wore her favorite black Gucci shoes to top it off with her Prada black beaded hand purse. Lizzy had helped her pick out the gown and when she had tried on in the store, Lizzy had told her she looked stunning, and she would blow Frank off his feet. Not mention George but she did not say that. Well she had to admit looking in the mirror one last time the gown really did look good on her.

At five thirty Emma's doorbell rang, and she ran to answer it. "Hello? Is that you Frank?"

"Yeah, are you ready?"

"Yeah I will be down in a minute."

"Okay I will meet out in front."

"Okay, I will be down in a minute." With that Emma took one last look in the hallway mirror and was out the door. She almost hesitated when she got to the elevator it is as if she was about to back out at the last minute. Come on girl you can do this; you have wanted to know if there were still any feeling between you and Frank and now is your chance. Go for it. Emma said to herself, and with that she got into the elevator and went down to meet Frank. Frank took one look whistled. "Wow, Em your beauty will rival that of the brides tonight."

"Thank you Frank, you aren't that bad looking yourself."

"Thank you. Shall we get going?"

"Lets get going." And with that the two friends were off to the wedding that Emma was dreading all week, but all of a sudden did not seem would be so bad.

Chapter Six

They had talked on the way over and it seemed ask if things between them had not changed as far as the friendship was concerned. The chatted about days gone by, about the things that they were up too in their lives, etc. But, the one thing that was decidedly missing there was not attachment of feeling on Emma's part and she had noticed until just then when he had made that remark about not missing his friends wedding for the world that she was not bother by it one bit. "Hey Harriet, were is this Martin fellow, I was so looking forward to meeting him." Emma asked. "He had to go out of town on a business venture. So I came with George instead." Harriet said. Because he was too chicken to ask you to come with him instead so that he wouldn't have to be alone. She though. "That is too bad." With that the friends went in and took their seats and waited for the wedding to start.

The wedding was beautiful; the bride was gorgeous as could be expected. The couple looked radiant together. At the reception the couple danced to their song and everyone could not stop commenting no how the two made the perfect couple and that their wedding was like a fairy tale. Everyone slowly started to join them on the dance floor including Emma and Frank. "You still know how to move on the dance floor."

"What did you expect just because I spent most of graduate school studying that I would forget how to dance."

"Well, for someone like you who spent most of his time at clubs since he was 17, and then all of sudden stopped. I would say yes."

"Ouch, was I that bad?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I grew up and besides dancing is not something someone like me would forget." The song ended and Emma and Frank walked off the dance floor. Just as they did Franks pager went off. "You brought your pager to the wedding?"

"Yeah I am expecting an important call from a client and since I could not leave my phone on I told them to page me. Would excuse me for a few moments?"

"But of course." Emma went to sit at their table while Frank went to make a call. Just as she sat down the music started again. George came up to her and asked her to dance. "May I have this dance my lady?" He asked. "When you ask in such a gentleman manner how could I refuse." And with that the two friends were on the dance floor slow dancing to Nobody Wants To Be Lonely. Emma started singing along with it quietly, things some how felt different this time though, what it was she could not put her hand on it.

There you are
In a darken room
And you're all alone
Looking out the window
Your heart is cold
And lost the will to love
Like a broken arrow

Here I stand in the shadows
Come to me
Come to me
Can't you see that

Chorus:
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waitin' for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why
Why don't you me love you

Can't you hear my voice
Do you hear the song
It's a serenade
So your heart can find me
And suddenly you're
Flying down the stairs into my arms, baby

Before I start going crazy
Run to me
Run to me
'Cause I'm dyin'

Chorus:
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waitin' for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why
Why don't you me love you

I wanna feel you need me
Just like the air you're breathin'
I need you here in my life

Don't walk away
Don't walk away
Don't walk away
Don't walk away, no

Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry

Chorus:
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waitin' for you all of my life
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why
Why don't you me love you*

Everyone else who was watching these to dance together could see what was unfolding between them. Everyone except for the couple that was dancing, some of their friends wanted walk over to them and shake some sense in them. However, they all knew that it was hopeless for they need to see it for themselves. While all this was going on in the minds of the couples's friends, the couple did feel something, as to what it was neither was sure. It did not cross either ones mind as to what has happening could be the result of the chemistry between them. One can only hope as their friends did that they would soon see what was happening between them, The song soon ended and the two walked of the dance floor.

Lizzy and Harriet were standing off to a corner watching the hole interaction between their two friends, and both of them were wondering the same thing that everyone else was. They looked at each other and shook their heads. "And Emma thought I was blind to what was right in front of me!" Lizzy said. "No that was me she though you were just stubborn." Harriet replied. "Yeah, well I wish these two would see what was right in front of them."

"Yeah I know what you mean." Marianne said as she walked up the Harriet and Lizzy. "You should see these two at work, the way they look at each other when the don't that the other is looking. It is simply pathetic that neither one of them has noticed it yet."

"Well you know what is? I think that the reason that Em, has not noticed is because she has been to rapped up in her feelings for Frank that she has been blind to what a great guy George is." Harriet replied. "Yeah well that area seems to have cleared it self off, she hardly seems to be paying attention to Frank. She seems to be over him." Marianne replied.

In fact that was true Emma had gotten of Frank and all her worries earlier in the week were pointless. As her friends had been saying all along the two had changed since the last time they had really seen each other in person four years ago. All this fussing that Emma had been doing about what would happen was nothing but a residual effect of past feeling, which had not being cleared up. However, now that Emma had seen and hung around Frank it would seem that all those past emotions had been cleared out. Emma did in deed feel a lot lighter. She felt as if a load had been lifted off her shoulders. She enjoyed the wedding made new friends, and finally got to meet the bride and groom.

*Song by Ricky Martin Nobody Wants to Be Lonely