Beginning, Section II, Next Section

Chapter 9

Posted on Wednesday, 9 August 2000

7:45 p.m.

Guided by the light of the double arches, William made his was through downtown Netherfield, a small (very small) town in Utah.

"Where are we going?" Elizabeth asked, shaking sleep off.

"Mickey-dee's," William grumbled.

"Oh," Elizabeth said. She gazed out her window for a few minutes. "Thank you," she finally said.

William glanced at Elizabeth, and gave her the fakest of fake smiles (I don't think fakest is a word, but it sounded better than "most fake"--to me, anyway). He pulled into the nearly empty parking lot. "We're gonna go in, if that's all right with you," he said.

"No, that's fine. I'd like to get out and walk around a little anyway."

William hoped a little walk would ward off the sleepiness he was beginning to feel--otherwise he would have chosen the drivethru.

Elizabeth ordered a Big Mac, and William ordered a Quarter-pounder. The two ate in a chummy silence for several minutes. Suddenly, the silence was broken by snoring.

"Do you hear that, Will?" Elizabeth asked, looking up from her food. She laughed when she saw William's body hunched over his burger and fries. "Oh, it's you, Will."

"Hey lady," a man in the booth behind them said crossly, but in a delightful British accent. "Your boyfriend's disturbing my digestion."

"Sorry," Elizabeth said smilingly. "He's been driving all day."

"I didn't ask for the story line. I could get that from Karen!" The man grunted. His voice was angry, but he couldn't help but laugh. "I haven't slept over my food since I was a baby!"

"I know," Elizabeth grinned. "That's what makes it so funny!"

The man stopped laughing, and suddenly became serious. "I don't want that man driving, you hear? Driving drowsy is just as bad as driving drunk."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "I hope he lets me drive his car," she said nervously. "I'm Elizabeth Bennet, by the way," she said moving into his booth.

The ruggedly handsome man grinned, and stuck out his hand, "Jeremy Northam... husband of Karen..."

"And I suppose you love her too much to leave her for me," Elizabeth quipped, twirling a fry in the catsup.

Jeremy nodded, and grinned as he thought about the love of his life. "Well, you have that guy-" he pointed at William.

"He's not my boyfriend," Elizabeth said. "We're just traveling together."

Jeremy nodded, but his face betrayed the fact that he didn't believe her.

He took a swig of his Dr. Pepper--ah, yes Karen's favorite soda. "So where are you headed?" he asked, trying to tear his mind away from his soul mate.

"California," Elizabeth said. She saw the questioning look in his eyes, and quickly added: "To visit my sister, Lydia...she's having a baby."

"Oh," Jeremy said. He suddenly became thoughtful. "So where does that guy fit into all of this?"

"Well," Elizabeth began, hoping William would suddenly wake up, and rush her off to the car. However, by the tone of his snore, she could tell that wouldn't be happening very soon. "He's a friend of mine, and has family up that way, so we decided to go together to save on gas," Elizabeth said, startled by the logic in her answer.

"Very commendable," Jeremy smiled. "The price of gas has gone down a bit in the past few weeks, though."

Elizabeth agreed, "But William and I want to keep the price down so our children's children can enjoy cheep gas. We also want to keep the environment clean for the next generation."

Jeremy nodded. "Makes sense. Maybe I'll start a car pool." Jeremy suddenly became thoughtful. It would give him a reason to drive his wife around more often...

William suddenly snorted, and looked around himself nervously, "Elizabeth?" He cried desperately.

"He calls..." Elizabeth gave one last smile to Jeremy, before walking back to William.

I can't believe they're not a couple..., Jeremy thought. He shook his head as he walked over to the big plastic garbage can, with a fake wood pattern on it. He dumped the contents of his plastic tray inside, and walked out to his car.

Jeremy stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the bright red corvette sitting in front of the building. He gawked at its sleek beauty in wonderment. What Karen wouldn't give to have one of these puppies, he thought, shaking his head in amazement.

A half-hour later, when Jeremy was finally able to pry his eye balls off the car, he pulled out of the parking lot. On his way out, however, he almost hit another car. Geez! That cute lil' corvette was distracting to him...kind of like Karen.

Meanwhile, in the Ladies Restroom of Big Frankie's in California...

"Wake up!"

"Humm.." Caroline groaned. She half opened one of her sleepy eyes, and found herself looking at a blurred picture of a short women in the pink and white stripped waitress garb, typical of Big Frankie's. Her shockingly bright red hair was braided into two, pig tails that just grazed her shoulders.

"Wakey-wakey," the women said, as she splashed cold water on Caroline's face.

Caroline groaned, "Lee-me alone"

"I didn't want to have to do this, hon," the waitress grinned. A casual listener would have heard a women, who was doing something she loathed doing.. unless, of course, they were to analyze her voice, from which they would discern that she was only doing it for her own amusement. The analyzing listener would know that t his was going to be the highlight of her day...that this was a story she was going to tell her grandchildren before they went to sleep...

The redhead pulled Caroline forward, and dumped a pitcher of ice water down her back, the whole time smiling mischievously at her reflection in the mirror.

"Okay, I'm awake, I'm awake!" Caroline yelped, dancing around the bathroom trying to get the cold ice away from her skin.

"Now I'm going to have to clean this place up," the waitress cried disdainfully. She looked happily at the watery mess Caroline had created. This was what she lived for.

"Out of my way, wench!" Caroline commanded. She shoved the women aside, and stalked out of the bathroom, dripping ice water as she went.

"The name's Betsey," she shouted after Caroline. As soon as Caroline was out of ear shot, Betsey collapsed on the floor in a little pink and white striped mass, shaking with laughter.

Meanwhile in another part of town...

"I have the letter all written," George proclaimed happily. Cookie and Barney gathered around him, waiting in anticipation for George to read the ransom note.

"Dear Mr. William Darcy," George began. "Does that sound all right...the way I began it, I mean."

"Sounds great," Barney said proudly.

"I got Georgiana right here."

"Ooooh," Barney said. He squeezed his wife's shoulder. "I like the way you wrote that sentence. Really shows 'em who's boss."

George grinned and read on, "She's safe."

"I like how honest you are," Cookie. "Honesty is always important."

"Bring three hundred dollars to the old, deserted warehouse off Longbourn Road-"

"I don't know, George. Three hundred dollars sounds like an awful lot," Cookie stopped him.

"I agree," Barney said. "We don't wanna clean 'em out, right. We just wanna have a little spending cash."

George nodded. "I guess I was just being ambitious. What should I change it to?"

"One hundred is a nice, even number," Barney said.

"Hummm," Cookie stalled, "It would be kind of hard to split it three ways though."

"We could go with ninety dollars," George said triumphantly. "That way we could split it three ways easily, and we'd all get..." a minute passed. Two. Three. Four. ten. (how did this guy ever manage to get his teaching license...???) "Is it twenty-five dollars?" he asked skeptically.

"You dork!" Cookie said, hitting him on the head with her fist. "It would be thirty dollars." She glanced at her husband for an agreement.

Barney shrugged. "I'd have to go with George on this one."

Cookie shook her head. Dorks.

"So are we all agreed on ninety dollars?" George asked. Barney and Cookie nodded. "Good." George scribbled out "$300," and wrote "$90 " above it. Then he continued reading. "...Longbourn Road, and we'll return Georgiana to you safe and sound. Thank you in advance for your time."

"I like that last line," Barney said, admiringly.

George's lips curled into a smile. "I know it. I learned that back in high school. Employers really like it when you put that on your cover letter. I thought it was appropriate."

"It was, it was!" Barney cried enthusiastically. He took Cookie into his arms, and danced her about the warehouse. "We're gonna be rich! We're gonna be rich! We're gonna be...," he chanted. Eventually George joined in.

Cookie was finally able to break out of Barney's arms. She hurried over to where Georgie was tied. Georgiana was sitting in a corner, with her hands over her ears. When Cookie saw her, she laughed. She wished she could do that too. Those two--dare I call them gentlemen?--were making enough noise to wake the dead!

Cookie sat down next to the girl, cowering in the corner, and removed one hand from her ear. "Don't worry, toots," she whispered, "Cookie'll get you out of here."

Chapter 10

Posted on Monday, 14 August 2000

8:00 p.m., McDonalds Parking lot, Netherfield, Utah

"Come on, Will," Elizabeth whined. She reached for his keys again, but Will pulled his hand away.

"No," he said resolutely.

"Will," Elizabeth began again. "You're exhausted. Get some sleep. Let me drive."

Will ran his hand lovingly across the shiny red paint on the front of his car. "How am I supposed to sleep when I know my car is in someone else's hands?" He asked, while playfully jingling his keys in front of Elizabeth's nose.

"I'm sure you'll find a way," Elizabeth said, grabbing at the keys.

Will pulled his keys quickly away from her, and shoved them in his pocket. "Get your own corvette, toots, and let me drive mine."

"Will," Elizabeth tried again. "What if you fall asleep behind the wheel, and innocent people get hurt?"

"Not gonna happen."

"How do you know? Are you psychic, or something?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," Will grinned.

"Psycho, maybe..."

"Ha ha. You are sooo funny."

Elizabeth shrugged. "If the truth makes you laugh. Now, give my your keys you a--"

"I don't want to hear it, Elizabeth, and I'm not letting you drive this car." Will cut her off.

A Porsche pulled into the parking lot, and came to a stop next to them. A handsome, well-dressed man stepped out. When he saw the two, he shook his head. He studied William. "You look tired, sir," he said with a British accent that almost made Elizabeth swoon. He looked exactly the way she would picture a Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Will shrugged, and studied his feet.

The man looked more seriously at Elizabeth. "You had better not let him drive, ma'am. It could be dangerous."

"That's what I've been trying to tell him!" Elizabeth cried in exasperation.

"Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do?" William asked the man angrily.

"Well, I'm Colin Firth..." he said slowly. "I'm in love with Karen," he added.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "I thought she was married to Jeremy Northam."

"Oh, she is!" Colin cried passionately. "She loves him. I know she will never come back to me, now that she has him, but I just can't get her out of my head."

Elizabeth shook her head, then changed the subject back to William. "I can't let him drive, but he won't let me drive, either."

"Humm, that's a very complicated problem. Sir," Colin said, turning to William. "You must give her the keys, and let her drive."

William yawned. He had to admit he was very tired. "Fine," he grumbled, not wanting to canvass the subject any longer. He threw the keys at Elizabeth's feet, and climbed into the passenger seat. He put the seat back, and began drifting off to sleep.

For a moment, Colin and Elizabeth were left alone on the sidewalk in front of McDonalds.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said softly.

Colin smiled his acceptance, and shrugged. He looked dreamily off into the distance, and said nothing.

"You know," Elizabeth said, bringing Colin back down to earth. "If you ever fall out of love with Karen, I'll always be around." She gave him a sweet smile, and stepped off the curb, and opened the car door.

Colin smiled back, sadly. He knew he could never stop loving Karen.

8:35 p.m., Caroline's house

Caroline sighed as she entered her house. She threw her car keys on the kitchen counter, and checked her answering machine. No messages. Caroline really needed to find some friends.

She opened her refrigerator. All that was left was a jar of pickle juice (someone had finished the pickles, and put the jar back in the refrigerator), a moldy slice of bread, and fingernail polish remover. Caroline grumbled, as she dumped out the pickle juice, removed the nail polish remover, and threw away the slice of bread.

For a few moments, Caroline stood quietly, leaning against the counter, studying at her own fingernails.

"When's the last time I removed my nail polish here?" she asked herself aloud. Usually she went to Nails 'R' Us to get her nails done, and they removed the old polish there. Caroline didn't think she even had any nail polish.

"Does Frank wear nail polish?" she asked the empty pickle jar.

No answer. Somehow she couldn't believe Frank would paint his nails. Maybe his sister came over and removed her nail polish...

Caroline took her shoes off, and padded back to her bedroom. She opened her door, and found some other women standing in the center, kissing Frank.

Caroline gasped, and the two turned around.

"What's going on here?" was all Caroline could manage to say.

The women shifted uncomfortably, and looked at Frank, hoping he would say something.

"Carrie," he said nervously. "I wasn't expecting you home this early."

"Obviously not," Caroline said, mortified. Normally cheating on someone wouldn't have bothered her, but when she was the one being cheated on--!

The women cleared her throat. "Frank," she said softly. "I didn't know you were married."

"I'm not," Frank said. He glared at Caroline. "I'm divorced."

"Five times," Caroline added.

"Oh." the women nodded.

"I was going to be number six," Caroline continued.

Frank became considerably more uncomfortable. "Carrie, there is no need to bring that up in front of Candy, here."

"Oh, so it's Candy, then," Caroline said, smiling sweetly.

Candy managed a small smile, and nodded.

"Well, I think we should be going," Frank said. "Your apartment, Cand?"

Candy scowled at Frank, "Not a chance, jerk."

"Huh? But I thought we--"

Candy shook her head. "I'll seem myself out," she said quickly.

Satisfaction washed over Caroline. She wondered how many other girls Frank had brought into her house.

"Wait," Caroline called after Candy. Candy stopped, and turned around. "You forgot your nail polish remover."

"Thank you," Candy said, grasping the bottle with both hands. "I've been looking for that for weeks. I thought I left it here."

Weeks?!?! The thought made Caroline sick to her stomach. Caroline almost wondered how many weeks it had been. On second thought, sometimes it was better to be kept in the dark.

When Caroline turned around again, she found Frank glowering.

"Way to go, Carrie. Chasing away all my girlfriends."

Caroline choked. "All? Are there more I should know about?"

"Get a life, Carrie," Frank snarled.

Caroline's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me that, Frank. Before I can get a life, you need to get out. Go. Leave. Go ruin some other girl's life."

"Ruin your life?" Frank laughed. "Can you actually say you felt something for me?"

Caroline had to admit she didn't. "I loved you money," she offered.

Frank laughed again. "Silly Carrie," he said. "It was fun while it lasted."

Frank left.

Caroline sat on one of the kitchen chairs dejectedly. "Now I'll have to find a new rich guy to mooch off," she sighed.

3:05 am, Pemberley (the Darcy Mansion in L.A., California)

There was a sharp knock on the door. Adam Darcy opened one eye. Another knock. Adam Darcy opened the other. Then he closed both.

The knocking continued for sometime, and was soon joined by the incessant ringing of the doorbell. "Get the door," his wife, Annabelle Darcy said sleepily.

"Mmblab," Adam grumbled in his sleep.

The knocking and ringing continued. "I said get the door," Annabelle repeated, jabbing her husband in the ribs with her elbow.

"Ouch!" Adam cried. He sat up on his elbows, and blinked the sleep out of his eyes. "What did you do that for?"

"Someone is at the door," Annabelle whispered. "Get it."

Adam looked at the alarm clock on the table next to his bed. "Who comes knocking on doors at three in the morning," he asked grumpily.

"Maybe it's news about Georgie," Annabelle said softly. Concern filled her eyes.

"I suppose you could be right," Adam conceded. He put his bathrobe on, while ignoring the thump-thump-thump on the door.

Finally, Adam reached the door. He threw it open, and found himself face to face with a man wearing a bright orange ski mask--the type used for hunting--and a heavy, beige over coat. The man had become over-heated during his long period of doorbell ringing, and had pulled the mask off his face, and let unbuttoned the over-coat, displaying a too-small, dingy white T-shirt, that showed his fat, harry belly.

When Adam opened the door, a look of surprise spread across his face. Before he could collect himself and pull his ski mask over his face, Adam got a good look at the man's chubby face.

The strange man quickly pulled his mask down over his face, covering his eyes. "Where did everything go?!" he cried. He clawed at Adam for a few moments, until Adam pulled the mask down so the eyeholes were over his eyes. "Thank you," the man said. He cleared his throat, handed Adam a letter, and rushed away, leaving Adam to ponder the whole scene for himself.

"What was that all about?" he asked himself, aloud, tapping the long envelope on his palm.

"What was what all about?" Annabelle asked. She stepped softly down the stairs behind him.

Adam closed the door, and turned to his wife. "A very strange man was at the door," he said. He mad a face that made his wife laugh.

"He'd have to be strange to come pounding on the door at this time of the morning."

Adam agreed. "He gave me this letter," he said, handing the envelope to his Annabelle.

Annabelle grasped the envelope, and couldn't help but feel a deep sense of foreboding, as she ripped it open.

She scanned the few lines on the paper, then folded it up, and passed it to her husband.

"It's for Will?" Adam asked.

Annabelle shrugged. "It's about Georgie."

"'Ninety dollars to Longbourn Road?' These people must be crazy. Only ninety dollars."

Annabelle nodded. "What should we do?" she asked.

"We wait for Will to get here," he said softly, as he pulled his wife into a hug. "We'll get Georgie back soon."

3:55 am, the old deserted warehouse on Longbourn road

"Did you do it?" George asked, as Barney strode in through the door.

Barney pulled off his ski mask, and grinned. "Yep. In a few days we'll be rich."

Smiling, George said, "Yep. Thirty dollars apiece. I couldn't ask for more."

Cookie, who had been talking to George a moment earlier, carefully removed herself from the group. She had to think of someway to get Georgie to safety.

She looked at Georgiana, sleeping in the corner, and was struck by a sudden inspiration.

Chapter 11

Posted on Tuesday, 22 August 2000

1:00 p.m., on the road

"So Sleeping Beauty finally decided to grace us with his presence, huh?"

William pulled his seat forward, and rolled his eyes. "Where are we?" he asked.

"Somewhere near the state line, actually. We'll be in California pretty soon."

"What time is it? How long have I been sleeping?"

"It's around one o'clock," Elizabeth said smilingly. As for how long he had been out, Elizabeth decided she'd let him do the math.

"Are you getting tired of driving?" William asked, stretching his legs.

"Of this car?" Elizabeth scoffed. "Never!"

William laughed. "I know what you mean." He let his hand drift across the leather seat, and sighed contentedly. "What I meant was," William said, suddenly serious again, "are you getting tired?"

Elizabeth yawned, and tightened her grip on the steering wheel. "Well," she began, not wanting to give up her cushy position as driver of such a nifty car. "I guess." (well, she didn't want to wreck the car!)

"Then we should pull off on the next exit and switch," Will said. Reluctantly, Elizabeth agreed.

Ten minutes later, Big Frankies, Huntsford, California

William opened his eyes, and looked around him. My favorite, he thought sarcastically. He hated that stupid restaurant!

"Where are we?" he asked. The place looked vaguely familiar.

"Big Frankie's, silly," Elizabeth said. She swatted him with the back of her hand, and popped open her car door.

William opened his door, and followed her into the establishment. "I meant: What town are we in?"

"Hunts--"

"Huntsford, dear,"

William gawked at the vision in front of him. This wasn't a dream, was it? If it was, it was bridging dangerously close to a nightmare.

1:17 p.m., Just outside the deserted warehouse on Longbourn Road,

Georgiana and Cookie crept carefully out of the warehouse. Amazingly they didn't wake up George or Barney.

Or perhaps it wasn't amazing. The chloroform worked like a charm.

Cookie slipped the key she had stolen from her husband into the lock. It clicked open. After unlocking Georgiana's door, the two drove off into the early afternoon sun.

"Where to, Toots?" Cookie asked, cracking her gum.

"My parents house, please?" Georgie asked, shifting uncomfortably. She still wasn't sure she could trust Cookie.

"Sure thing, hon," Cookie grinned.

"Thank you," Georgiana whispered.

Cookie took her eyes off the road for a moment to smile her acknowledgment to Georgiana. "No problem."

Goergie nodded her head slowly, and looked out the window.

The two drove in silence for several minutes, until Cookie asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Georgie cleared her throat, and began studying her shoes.

"Come now," Cookie said soothingly. "You can tell Cookie anything!"

Well," Georgiana began slowly. "I was just wondering what you get out of this whole thing. You won't get money, or fame, or--"

Cookie clicked her tongue. "I get to feel like for the first time in my entire life I was...useful and helpful."

Georgiana nodded, but her face betrayed the fact that she didn't believe Cookie at all.

Cookie licked her lips, and rubbed her thumbs across the steering wheel. "I've been a terrible creature my whole life. I guess it was just my way of turning over a new leaf." Cookie looked at Georgiana, her eyes desperately probing her for her faith.

A tear trickled down Georgie's cheek. "That is so beautiful," she whispered.

"I'm going to," Cookie paused to clear her throat, "Divorce my husband, and move away from him. I don't want that kind of life anymore. I'll even go back to my real name."

Georgiana stared at her friend. Tears of happiness shone on her cheeks. "Are you going to change the way you look too?"

Cookie lifted her bright red fingernails from the steering wheel, and studied them. A moment later, she lifted one hand to her hair, and twirled it's curly shortness in her finger. No. Maybe someday, but she couldn't move that fast..."One thing at a time, dear," Cookie laughed.

Georgiana sighed, and smoothed her baggy shorts. She was bubbling with utter happiness.

1:18 pm Big Frankie's--Huntsford, California

"Cathy!" William said.

She smirked. "How's your wife?"

William flinched. "We're divorced, Cathy."

"Good." The older women in front of him smiled.

Elizabeth watched as the women turned and walked back into the kitchen. She shook her head gently. "Do you know her, Will?"

"Huh?" William grunted. He averted his gaze from the kitchen to Elizabeth.

"I asked if you knew her."

"Oh."

"So do you?"

"Do I what?" William asked irritably.

"Know her?"

"Will," Cathy walked back into the dinning room, followed by a shy looking, pale girl. "I brought someone to see you." Cathy turned to the girl behind her, and whispered, "Talk to him dear. He's divorced. In the palm of your hand, darling."

Cathy shoved the girl forward, pushing her into Will and almost knocking them both down to the ground.

The girl ran her fingers nervously through her hair. "Talk," Cathy hissed.

"Um... Hi Will."

William smiled, and extended a hand. "It's nice to see you again, Anne." He glanced at Cathy, who smiled as she watched her daughter slip her hand into his. Her dreams were finally coming true.

Chapter 12

Posted on Tuesday, 22 August 2000

Author's note: I'm dedicating this story to all the nice people who responded, everyone who reads this story, and the poor dead bird that is in the hat Elizabeth hits Cathy with. heehee...

Also, I'd like to apologize to "Chicago." The CD I have does not have lyrics written in it, so I had to write down what I heard. There may be quite a few mistakes, and I left one line out completely.

Flashback: July 12, 1982--Matlock Manor, L.A., California

"Here we are," Frank Fitzwilliam said. He smiled, and wrapped his arm around his new wife, and rubbed his new stepdaughter's head.

His wife sighed contentedly. "So this is home," she said sweetly. She stood on her tippy toes, and gave Frank a long, passionate kiss.

Coming out of the kiss, Frank grinned. Wow, he thought. Could it possibly get any better than this?

His stepdaughter began coughing.

"Oh Anne!" her mother cried. She rushed to the girl's assistance, and quickly gave her her asthma medication.

Frank cleared his throat. "Well, Cath," he said smilingly. "Shall we go in?"

Cathy, his wife, got up from where she was kneeling on the ground, and nodded. "That would be lovely."

"How 'bout it, Anne?" He looked at his stepdaughter. Frank couldn't help but feel a foreboding feeling when it came to Anne. Anne hadn't wanted her mother to get re-married, and was determined to hate whoever Cathy married.

Anne shrugged her skinny white shoulders. "Whatever."

Frank pushed open the door, and the three walked into the dark house.

"Just let me get the lights here..." Frank flipped on the switch. "There we go," he said.

"Surprise!!!" Family and friends jumped out from behind the furniture, dressed in bright colors, throwing confetti, and blowing noise makers.

Franks lips curled into a smile. He looked at his wife, who was grinning happily too. Cathy looked up at him, and stole another kiss.

"Wooooh!" a couple people whooped. "You go, Frankie!"

Frank unwillingly pulled his lips away, and rolled his eyes. "Can't a guy kiss his wife in peace?"

"Not when we're here!" someone else shouted.

"And we're not leaving--yet," someone else said.

Frank squeezed his wife's shoulder again. He took his stepdaughter's hand, and said, "Come on, you two. I'll introduce you to everyone."

Anne de Bourgh was bored throughout most of the introductions, and was happy when Frank finally said, "...and that's everyone who's here."

Frank's brow creased. Where was his sister's family?

"...Are you missing someone?" Cathy asked, rubbing her husband's arm.

"My sister, Annabelle's family isn't here," he said softly. He couldn't believe that his own beloved sister would shun him on his wedding day... even if she didn't like the fact that he was marring to a divorced women.

"I'm sure they'll show up a little later," Cathy said, trying to comfort her husband.

"Yeah," Frank said. "I'm guess they probably will."

An hour later, there was a sharp knock on the door. Frank's big brother Chad rushed to open it. Frank was surprised to see that, his sister, her husband, and their two children on the front step, smiling.

"Surprise!" the four of them cried.

Frank grinned ear-to-ear. "I didn't think you'd make it," Frank said, rushing to his sister's family.

Annabelle smiled, and shook her head. "I wouldn't miss my little brother's wedding reception for the world." Annabelle's face suddenly became serious. "I'm sorry we weren't able to get here sooner."

The grin on his chubby face grew even wider. "I'm glad you could make it, though, Anna." Frank then called his wife and step daughter over, to introduce them to his sister's family.

Anne was a rock. She stood stone cold, looking at the group of people in front of her. They didn't exactly look stuck up, but still--!

"...and this is William. He's about your age, Anne," Frank said.

Anne gave the boy a sarcastic smile.

"It's so nice to meet you all," Cathy said, putting on her brightest smile.

Annabelle put her hand out, and shook Cathy's. "It's nice to meet you too," she said sweetly.

Anne began to walk away. She hoped she could find a quiet corner, where a new uncle or aunt wouldn't want to pinch her cheeks, or tell her how pretty and big she was. She didn't like strange people pinching her cheeks, and she knew she wasn't pretty or big.

Anne finally found a peace in the kitchen. She sat at the table, and began munching on an apple she had found in a basket.

Through a little window, connecting the kitchen to the livingroom, Anne was able to watch the whole party. She could see her new Aunt Elaine talking quickly to Aunt Jillian. Uncle Brain was yelling at his son, Ryan, and William was waiting patently for Bob and Ryan to finish.

"Too many people...," she said softly. She wasn't used to a big family. She had never known her real father, and her mother had no brothers or sisters. Her Grandparents had died two years earlier, leaving Cathy and Anne all alone.

Anne sighed unhappily... she already hated big families.

The kitchen door swung open, and Anne was surprised to see William walk through it.

William nodded at Anne, and sat down across from her.

"Why aren't you out there with your mom?" William asked.

Anne took a bite of her apple, and thought for a moment. "I don't like those people...?" she offered.

William sniffed, then changed the subject. "How old are you?"

"I'm ten--almost eleven."

"Oh," William rested his chin on the table, and studied Anne for a few moments.

"How old are you?" Anne said. She thought it would have been logical if William had told her how old he was without making her ask, but... boys would be boys...

"Nine...," he said, then added, "Almost."

Anne nodded, and looked at her hands. Great, she thought bitterly. Now I look like an eight year-old?

Although conversation had been rough at first, William quickly became a favorite with Anne. He was the one relative she couldn't find fault with. William, like herself, enjoyed sitting in the quiet, and hated meeting strangers.

In the years that followed, the two of them became good friends--despite the age difference. Anne was a sweet girl, and William was a nice boy. They got along beautifully.

However, after Anne's fifteenth birthday, tragedy struck. Her mother and stepfather began arguing more. Her mother began sneaking out at night in fancy dresses, and Frank began staying late at the office more and more often.

...and then divorce.

The marriage that had been doomed from the first "I do" had ended. Annabelle said she never trusted divorced women to make a long lasting relationship--Uncle Brian said there had been no love--Aunt Elaine and Aunt Jillian said it was "the child's" fault--Ryan was sympathetic--And William sat in silence with Anne.

As soon as everything was finalized, Anne and Cathy were kicked out onto the street. They had no where to go, and no had no money.

Cathy begged Frank to give her something. Frank agreed. He gave her a nice job waitressing at a new Big Frankie's in the small town of Huntsford, California, and enough money to buy a Mobil home.

From then one, Huntsford became Anne's home, and Big Frankie's became her way of life.

September 27, 1986 (the day the authoress turned three years-old)--Rosings Park, Huntsford, California

Cathy paced back and forth in her cramped Mobil home, waiting for Anne to get home from school. "Where is she?" she asked herself bitterly. Anne was supposed to be home by now, wasn't she?

The screen door screeched open. Cathy whirled around, and pointed a stubby finger at her daughter. "Where have you been?" she asked.

"At school," Anne said weakly. She put her backpack on one of the folding chairs in the kitchen, and sat down in another.

"I need to talk to you," Cathy said.

Anne looked at her mother expectantly.

"You got another letter from Will Darcy today."

"So..."

"So we need to talk about your... future."

"My future? What does this have to do with a let--"

"Listen to me closely. I know you're in love with him. I can see it on your face." Anne began to protest, but Cathy silenced her. "You must secure him, Anne. Will Darcy is turning into a handsome young man, and his family is rich. He has a future in Frank's company."

Anne slumped down in her chair. "How am I supposed to 'secure' him when he's not interested?" she asked.

Cathy took Anne's chin in her hands. "Oh, he'll be interested, hon. You'll marry him yet!"

2:09 pm, Friday, September 9, 2000--Rosings Park, Huntsford, California

Elizabeth paced back and forth in the "foyer" of Cathy's Mobil home. It was really quite obvious to Elizabeth that Cathy liked to think her house was larger than it really was. Perhaps it was the way Cathy called the little cubby hole between the door and the livingroom/kitchen the "foyer." Maybe it was the way Cathy set up the big screen TV in the livingroom/kitchen, only three feet away from the couch. However, the dead giveaway was the way Cathy seemed to think she couldn't hear her talking with Anne and William from the livingroom/kitchen.

"We haven't heard from you in a while," Cathy said to Will.

"I know," William said. "I've been busy lately."

"Lately!" Cathy cried jestingly. "It's been almost three years."

"Well, I was busy with my wife and then my job, then my divorce and the move." William glanced at Elizabeth, who was still standing in the foyer. She looked upset and board.

"And I guess you've been pretty busy with your new girlfriend...," Cathy said bitterly. She threw a wicked glance at Elizabeth.

William turned beat red. "She's not my--"

Cathy raised a hand, as if to silence him.

"Will," Elizabeth said. She was tired of the whole conversation (and of Cathy). She wanted to leave. She wanted to go save Georgiana. Spending a half an hour in the presence of Cathy de Bourgh would have made Elizabeth want to go save Jeffery Dommer, if he had been kidnapped. At least it wasn't Jeffery Dommer...

Will looked up at Elizabeth. She looked even more beautiful when she was upset...

"How rude!" Cathy cried. She glared at Elizabeth. "I was in the middle of an important discussion with Will."

Elizabeth picked up the hat that miraculously appeared on the floor next to her, and pelted it at Cathy. "I'll interrupt you whenever I want, Cathy!" Elizabeth smiled sweetly at Will. "Will, I'm going to go sit in the car," Elizabeth said.

Will nodded. He wanted to go sit with her. He couldn't wait to leave Cathy's home. It bothered him that Cathy was trying to set him up with Anne. Anne had always been a good sort of girl, and but he didn't see himself married to him anytime in the near future.

Elizabeth slumped down in the passenger seat. Struck by a sudden inspiration, she slipped Will's keys into the ignition, and turned the car on. She took her "Chicago's Greatest Hit's" CD out, and slipped it into the CD player. A moment later, one of her favorite songs began.

Just say you'll love me for the rest of your life
I've got a lot of love and I don't wanna let go
Will you still love me for the rest of my life
'Cause I can't go on
No I can't go on
I can't go on if I'm on my own

The music lolled Elizabeth to sleep, and she didn't notice when William climbed into the driver's seat. He smiled when he heard a new song began.

Girl, Well it's been one of those days again,
And it seems like the harder I try,
Over and over, I'm right back where I began,
But you understand

William felt his heart lurch as he listened to the words. His eyes moved slowly to Elizabeth's sleeping body. His breath quickened.

Oh girl, when nothing else in this world goes right,
I just wanna run to you,
You'll pull me through

Oh baby, who wouldn't wanna have you in their life?

Suddenly everything became so clear. I'm falling in love, he thought. He looked at Elizabeth in amazement. ...With Elizabeth

Tell me What kind of man would I be?
Living a life without any meaning
And I know you could surly survive without me
But if I had to live with out you,
Tell me what kind of man would I be?

William slowly brought his lips to hers, and kissed her. He felt her kissing him back. Maybe she loved him too?

Times, when it was pointless for me for try,
I was more than a desperate man,
What seams like forever, was gone with one touch of your hand
Oh girl, If I could count all the sleepless nights when you were there for me
Woah baby, once I found you, there was no letting go

William finally pulled his lips away from hers. He sat back in his seat, smiling. Happiness gushed from his soul, and flooded his body.

Tell me What kind of man would I be?
Living a life without any meaning
And I know you could surly survive without me
but if I had to live with out you,
Tell me what kind of man would I be?

"What kind of man would I be?" William whispered. "Just say you'll love me, Elizabeth." A foolish smile covered his face. "Love me."

Tell me What kind of man would I be?
Living a life without any meaning
And I know you could surly survive without me
But if I had to live with out you,
Tell me what kind of man would I be?

Elizabeth's eyes blinked open. "I had the strangest dream," she murmured. She looked at William, who was still smiling like an idiot. "What?"

"Nothing," he said, trying his hardest not to smile. "What was your dream?"

"I dreamt that--" Elizabeth paused and looked at William strangely. "I dreamt I kissed--"

"Me?"

Elizabeth nodded, and blushed. "Silly dreams," she whispered.

What kind of man would I be?
Living a life without any meaning
And I know you could surly survive without me
but if I had to live with out you,
Tell me what kind of man
Tell me what kind of man
Tell me what kind of man would I be?
Tell me what kind of man would I be?

...Silly dreams...

Georgiana straightened her rumbled shorts, and rang her parent's doorbell.

The door was flung open. Her father stood looking at his daughter as if she was a ghost. "Georgie," he whispered. "Is that you?"

Georgie flung her arms around her father. "Oh, Daddy!" she cried. "I love you!"

Adam Darcy grinned as he felt his daughter give him a big bear hug. "Oh sweetheart," he whispered. "I love you too." He bit his lip, and blinked his eyes, trying to keep the tears shining on his eyes, from spilling onto his cheeks. "Don't ever do that to us again."

"Believe me daddy," Georgiana said, pulling away to look at her father. "I will never do that again."

Annabelle walked to the open door. "Hon, who is it?" she asked.

Her husband turned and looked at her. His face was streaked with tears. Then Annabelle saw her...

"Georgie!" she cried. "Georgie... Georgie... I thought I'd never see you again." Annabelle began to cry, as she pulled her daughter in for a hug. "I love you. I've missed you so much."

Georgie grinned as she felt her parents both put their arms around her. At that moment, she felt like she was the luckiest girl on earth. Who else was privileged to be surrounded by so much love?

*Will you still love me? by Chicago **What kind of man would I be? by Chicago

Chapter 13

Posted on Saturday, 2 September 2000

2:20 pm Rosings Park--Huntsford, CA

The Chicago CD moved on to the next song. Another of Elizabeth's favorite songs began to play:

You know our love was meant to be
The kind of love that lasts forever
And I want you here with me
From tonight until the end of time
You should know
Everywhere I go
Always on my mind
in my heart, in my soul.

You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring meaning to my life
You're the inspiration
Wanna have you near me
Wanna have you here me saying'
No one needs you more than I need you.

William leaned back in his seat. The kiss that seemed like only a distant memory still burned on his lips. Why had he done it...? Just a dream, he thought again.

Elizabeth brushed her hand unconsciously across her lips. If it had only been a dream, why did she suddenly feel so... happy? She shrugged off the feeling that there was more to it than a simple dream. Why would the great William Darcy kiss her of all people?

Now I know that I need you here with me
From tonight till the end of time*

William glanced at his companion, who was looking out the car window, looking unconcerned. A casual observer would have thought Elizabeth cared nothing about the recent situation... that is unless the observer looked deep into her eyes. Then, they would see the wonderment and something blooming deep down within her.

...But William, like our casual observer, saw nothing.

There was a loud tap on the window of the car. William tore himself away from his thoughts, and saw Anne standing there. A pleading look covered her face. William slowly rolled down his window, and looked wearily at her.

"Will," Anne said after the window was all the way down, "I need to talk to you."

Anne moved back, as William opened his door, and climbed out of his car. "I'll be right back," he told Elizabeth. Elizabeth only shrugged, and went back to picking at her finger nails (something that had interested her since Anne came).

Anne led William behind her trailer house. She stopped when they reached a shady are, under a large oak tree. There, William and Anne stood for several minutes in complete, uncomfortable silence.

Finally Anne spoke. "Will, I'm dying."

Will looked at his friend for a moment. Disbelief covered his face. He opened and closed his mouth mutely. Try as he might, he couldn't get the words to flow from his mouth.

Anne traced a pattern with her foot through the weed covered lawn. "I've known it for some time now," she continued. "I had almost every sickness as a child. Chicken pox, mono, Asthma, diabetes... I had everything... everything except..."

"Cancer," William choked, finishing Anne's sentence.

Anne bobbed her blond head. Her thin hair blew a little in the wind. "Now I can say I've had almost everything...," she said. "Only this time I'm sure I'm going to die.

"Die... Anne, you're not going to die," William said. He took her hand and pressed it fervently in his own.

"My mother has taken me to all the good doctors," Anne continued. "They all give me two or three months... no more."

"But doctors can be wrong," William cried.

Anne shook her head. "Three months. No more."

William took a deep breath. Anne had been his friend. He had been Anne's friend. He had to do something. "What can I do?" he asked earnestly.

Anne swallowed. Could she do it? Could she say it? "Will," she began. "I think I've loved you from the day we first met. I've never loved another man like I do you. I-I want you to marry me."

William felt like he had just been slapped in the face. Marry Anne? A picture of Elizabeth walking slowly down the isle on her father's, dressed in white suddenly flashed through his mind. He blinked and the image changed; Elizabeth was walking down the isle in a sleek, silky, powder blue dress on the arm of another man. Behind her, he saw Anne. Anne was dressed in white. Anne walked slowly toward him, smiling happily. Anne. Not Elizabeth.

"Will?" Anne said, waking him from his day mare.

Will blinked his eyes several times, and said, "What?"

"Well, what do you say?" Anne asked. She looked at him. Hope covered her face. "Will, will you marry me?"

2:45 pm--a big mall, L.A., CA

"...and he used to read to me from Froydric sermons every night before we went to sleep." Cookie said, as she walked through the mall, her arm linked in Georgiana's.

Georgie laughed. "Sounds like you picked a real winner, Cook," she grinned. Then, changing the subject, she pointed at a large beauty salon, "how 'bout that one?"

Cookie unconsciously lifted her hand to her gray blond perm. It was time to go back to her normal hair color. "Okay."

Cookie stopped and examined the sign above the entryway. "Saving Private Ryan's hair." Cookie raised an eye brow. "Interesting," she said. "Are you sure this place is for women?"

"I'm positive," Georgiana said. "My cousin owns this place."

"I don't get the name."

"My cousin's name is Ryan, and he's in ROTC."

Cookie laughed, and let Georgiana lead her into the salon.

Inside, a couple people were styling hair. However, the one who drew the most attention was a handsome young man in the farthest corner. There were ten women standing around him letting out whoops of, "I LOVE YOU!" every other minute.

Which one is your cousin?" Cookie asked, glancing at the other stylists, and ignoring the commotion in the corner (...not easy to do, especially since one of the ladies had pushed him up against the wall and had started kissing him, while the rest screamed, "MY TURN, TABBI!!!")

"That one over there," Georgiana said, motioning to the man causing all the commotion. "Ryan Fitzwilliam."

Ryan was finally able to pull his face away from Tabbi's. Tabbi grabbed on to his shirt, and wouldn't let go, no matter how hard he pulled. "Release!" he commanded. She let go, and sat down on the floor to pout.

Georgiana lead Cookie over to Ryan, who had finally freed himself from his cheering mob of followers. He brushed himself off, and when he saw Georgie, he walked toward them. "Georgie," he said. He gave her a big hug. "It's so good to see you've come back in one piece." concern for his cousin crossed his face.

Georgie grinned. "Thank you, Ryan." Georgiana motioned to Cookie, and said, "This is my rescuer, coo--"

"Charlotte Gibbins," Cookie said. She stuck out her hand and shook Ryan's.

"Nice to meet you." Ryan turned back to Georgiana. "What brings you two to this place?"

Georgie glanced at Cookie, then gave Ryan a wink. "We need your help."

*You're the Inspiration by Chicago

Chapter 14

Posted on Thursday, 7 September 2000

2:45 pm, Rosings Park, Huntsford, CA

Elizabeth was loosing her patients. She didn't like that Anne-girl... there was just something about her.

When "Chicago's Greatest Hits" had finally ended, Elizabeth decided to go see what was taking Will so long.

She walked slowly in the direction she had seen Anne and William walk. She stopped when she heard voices.

"Say something...," she heard Anne say.

Elizabeth leaned over and peeked around the edge of the house. She saw Anne's back, and William, starring at her dumbly.

"I know it's probably sudden for you," Anne said sweetly. She took William's hand in her own. "But it's like a last request. You'd be making all my wishes come true, Will."

Will continued to open and close his mouth, mutely.

"...So what do you say?"

William began to make gurgling noises.

Attractive, Will, Elizabeth thought. She stifled a laugh.

"Will you?" Anne asked in a desperate tone.

Will he what?

William gasped, then in a loud, tense voice shouted, "I can't marry you, Anne!"

Elizabeth lost her grip on the side of the house, and fell onto the weedy grass with a loud thump. The commotion did not go unnoticed by Anne or William. Anne turned around and spied Elizabeth laying on the ground. William reestablished himself as a deaf, mute, lifeless mannequin standing with his mouth wide open--this time gawking dumbly at Elizabeth.

"How long have you been here?" Anne asked. She glared at Elizabeth accusingly.

"Not long," Elizabeth said, picking herself up from the lawn, and brushing herself off.

"What's going on here?" A voice behind them cried. Elizabeth and Anne turned around, and found Cathy standing, hands on hips, with an angry look on her face (Cathy looked naturally angry. Her "angry-angry look was a big clown-ish smile--very scary!). William, on the other hand, still gawked, mouth open, at the spot Elizabeth had been lying a moment earlier.

"Nothing," Elizabeth said innocently. She averted her eyes from the scary smile before her. That look scared her.

"What's wrong with Will?" Cathy asked. She gave Elizabeth a "what-did-you-do-to-my-future-son-in-law-look."

"I proposed, and this is how he's been ever since. It didn't work, mommy," Anne whined.

"Can I get you some cheese with that whine?" Elizabeth asked sarcastically.

Anne and Cathy turned to glare at her. "Dear g-d!" Elizabeth cried. She covered her eyes with her hands, "not the angry look! Anything but the angry look!"

Cathy rolled her eyes, and turned back to her daughter. "You told him everything and this is how he reacted? You told him you had cancer... What, he didn't believe you? We spent so much time rehearsing the whole story, and this is all that happened?"

"Sort of," Anne said. She bit her lower lip, and silently prayed that Cathy would not ask for the rest of the story.

"Sort of?! What else happened?"

"He said he wouldn't marry me," Anne said softly.

Anne de Bourgh was never sure what happened after that... She had been momentarily blinded by Cathy's "angry look." It seemed that in that brief space of time, William had finally come too, grabbed Elizabeth and made a mad dash to his car, caring Elizabeth over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He drove away before Cathy could stop him.

...and thus ended Anne de Bourgh's sad career as a cancer patient and Cathy's means to riches.