"Papa, what's wrong?" Jane stroked her father's back.

"Liz. She's..." Mr. Bennet shook his head in his hands; a few minutes ago he heard his second daughter's cries and could only stand paralyzed before the closed door. He exhaled deeply as he looked upon his eldest child. "She's..."

Jane quickly peeped inside the room and observed the tender scene between Darcy and Elizabeth, and pulled the door back to its closed position. "Another one?"

Mr. Bennet could only nod.

"They're missing something," she pondered. "I'll call Doctor Willoughby."

"I'm not too sure about him. Call Dr. Ferrars and see if he'll fly down today."

*****

"Liz." Darcy wiped her tears with his thumb. "Are you okay?"

Elizabeth nodded. "I think so. Thirsty, though."

Darcy stood up, poured water in a plastic cup and handed it to her. "Here."

She gulped it down and held the cup out for more. "You shaved!"

Darcy smiled and poured. "Finally."

"How's Gina?" Elizabeth gulped down another cup full; Darcy poured more.

"Anxious to go home."

"She's that much better?!"

He smiled. "Yes."

"That's wonderful!"

"Your father and Jane are probably just outside the door... in case you were wondering. I gave them a break."

"Thanks," she smiled and drank down another cup full. "I haven't seen Charlotte, have you?"

"I saw her, but I thought she came by your room last night..." he puzzled. "Anyway, you know how she is. She won't rest..."

"Until she puts Wickham under the jail." Elizabeth laughed for the first time in days. Darcy, however, did not; he paced, afraid to ask, afraid to know, afraid to not know. "Where's Fitz?"

Darcy ignored her question. "You should be famished. I'll go and check on your lunch."

He quickly exited the room; Elizabeth wondered.

*****

"Lizzy, we were right outside! If you want something, just call us," admonished Jane as she cleaned up the mess that Elizabeth had made trying to pour her own cup of water with her left hand. "That's what we're here for."

"Hmpf!" Elizabeth pouted.

"Lizzy, be a good girl," Mr. Bennet patted her hand. "Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Are you hungry?" asked Jane.

"No." She gulped down another cup of water, then held it out for more; Jane poured.

"You have to eat, my dear."

"I'm not hungry, Papa. This hospital food makes me sick to my stomach."

"But it's good for you," soothed Jane.

"It's a death wish served cold!"

Elizabeth hit the remote control and turned on the TV. Mr. Bennet grabbed the remote and turned it down.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Where's Will?"

"Getting you something to eat, then he's going to walk Bud and make some phone calls."

She smiled. "I hope he's going to McDonald's!"

"No, I believe he asked the nurses about your lunch."

"Damn! When can I get out of here?"

"We're not sure. Doctor Willoughby hasn't said anything. Literally," smirked Mr. Bennet. "And..." he looked at the chart. "... this Doctor Clay is a no show, so far."

"I don't remember seeing any doctors, just nurses."

"Willoughby normally comes early in the morning... while you're asleep."

"I haven't seen Charlotte, have you?"

"She went back to Dallas, but she's due back here tomorrow, I think."

"They're not going to let her prosecute the case, are they?"

"No, she's too close to the families," offered Jane.

"Then who?"

"Will said it was someone named Fred Wentworth."

"I think I know him!" Elizabeth wrestled her brain to remember.

"Anyway, according to Charlotte he's very capable."

"Good! I won't rest until that bastard is... Has anyone called her husband?!"

"Whose husband?" Mr. Bennet and Jane asked in unison.

"Sarah. Sarah Young, Sarah Jarvis."

"You'll have to ask Charlotte about that."

"Where's Lizzy?!" The woman tapped on the registration/information desk. "Where is she?! "Where's my daughter?!"

"Ma'am, I can't answer that until you tell me who you are," answered the nurse.

"I'm her mother! And I insist on being shown to her at once!"

"Ma'am, this is a hospital... could you lower your voice, please?"

"Lower my voice?! Lower my voice?! I just asked you where she was, you couldn't tell me, so I assumed you were deaf!"

"I'm not deaf." But I will be! "If you would please just tell me who you're looking for."

"I want to speak to the director of this hospital! If this is the kind of care my daughter is getting then I'll move her immediately! I'll pack her up and take her back..."

The nurse tried to interrupt. "Ma'am.

"And then I'll sue! Oh, where are my smelling salts?! Jane?! Jane?!"

"Uh, Ma'am..."

"Oh! I have such tremblings and flutterings all over me!"

Mrs. Bennet swayed and bobbed at the counter; the poor nurse ran around from behind her station to possibly administer CPR.

"Spasms in my side, pains in my head and beatings in my heart that I can get no rest at all!"

"Uh, Miss... Mrs...."

Mrs. Bennet pushed the nurse away. "I won't stand for being treated this way! Clarence!" she shrieked. "Where's my husband?! Clarence!"

"All I need to see is some ID!" sighed the nurse in embarrassment and frustration.

"ID! ID! When I tell your superior's how I've been treated..."

"Nurse! What in the hell is going on here?"

"Doctor Churchill, I..."

"Are you her superior?" Mrs. Bennet did not wait for an answer. "This young woman... child! Has stopped me from seeing my daughter!"

"Uh, um..."

"She wants ID! I remember the days when you could walk in a hospital to see whoever you wanted! I remember the days when..."

"Ma'am, those days are over! Newborns are being stolen from their mother's arms," yelled the nurse. "Maniacs are walking around killing and assaulting patients. We can't just let anybody in anymore!"

"Everyone must show an ID," soothed the doctor. "Now all you have to do is tell the nice nurse," he smiled at the young woman, "your daughter's name and show her some sort of picture ID and she'll give you the room number."

"I, I don't have any ID," Mrs. Bennet bowed her head and pouted.

"Not anything?" asked the nurse, incredulously.

"Do you have any other family here that can vouch for you?" asked the doctor as he rolled his eyes heavenward.

"My husband, Clarence. Clarence Bennet. And my daughter Jane Bingley."

"I'll page them."

"Thank you," he peered at her nametag, "Nurse Fairfax. I'll just show this woman to a seat while you do that."

"Thank you, Doctor," she smiled shyly.

*****

Mr. Bennet rolled his neck around on his shoulders and silently prayed as he rode down on the elevator. If I'm calm, she'll be calm. If I'm soothing and in control, she could be warm, and we'll see our daughter together. He vowed this for Elizabeth's sake as the doors opened.

"Clarence!" she screamed. "Clarence!"

"Hello, dear," he kissed her on her cheek. "Why are you here?"

"My daughter is lying up there dying and you ask me why I came?! You must..."

"I meant no insult, dear. It's just that Lizzy is going to be released soon enough and I thought you'd like to welcome her home rather than travel down only to travel all the way back," he placated.

"Well... um, I didn't... I mean, of course you're right. I'll just peek in on her and get the next train going."

"I'm sure Will wouldn't mind lending you his private jet..."

"Oh no! No airplanes for me! I'll walk before I..."

"But you'll be exhausted, my dear," he soothed.

"I'll take a catnap on the way back and get the house ready in a jiffy."

"If that's what you want, dear."

The elevator doors closed.

*****

Mrs. Bennet gasped loudly as she looked at her daughter from the doorway. Mr. Bennet held tightly on to her elbow for comfort.

"My poor, poor Lizzy!" she whimpered.

"Hi Mama," smiled Elizabeth, genuinely glad to see her.

Jane gave her chair to her mother; Mr. Bennet helped her sit. "Oh Lizzy!" she flopped. "Oh dear Lord!"

"I'm fine, Mama. Really!"

"How soon will those scars heal?" she asked no one in particular.

Jane stroked her mother's hand. "In time, Mama," whispered Jane.

"Time?! Time?!" Jane filled Elizabeth's cup. "These doctors know nothing of that! Lizzy doesn't have much longer until she's 30! She'll be past the marrying..."

"Frances!" exclaimed Elizabeth.

"A little face powder can go a long way!" she insisted to Jane.

"Fran, can we let that go? For a little while..." pleaded Mr. Bennet. "Please, dear?"

Mrs. Bennet looked up into her husband's eyes and saw pain, raw, emotional pain. "I'm sorry." She turned back to her daughter. "Have they been treating you well?"

"Yes, Mama," inserted Jane.

Elizabeth sipped and rolled her eyes.

"Good then. My job is done here." Mrs. Bennet stood up. "I'll go home and make your room ready. Goodbye, my darlings!" She kissed both her stunned daughters' on their cheeks. "Are you going to walk me out, dear?"

Mr. Bennet jumped to attention, his wife put her arm through his, and they walked off into the sunset.

All was quiet in the room for a long while; both Jane and Elizabeth expected that Mrs. Bennet would come flying back in the room with some saucy hospital gossip on her lips or some unmarried plastic surgeon on her arm. Nothing happened.

"Whew!" offered Elizabeth.

"Wow!" posed Jane.

They both giggled.

"She came all the way down here to stay 2 minutes?" chuckled Elizabeth.

"She loves you," shrugged Jane. "But it was an amazing 2 minutes, wasn't it? I mean she can turn it off and on in a flash!"

Elizabeth only smiled above her half-filled cup; Jane was beginning to see the light.

"Gina, this is Stan Weston and his wife Mabel."

"Nice to meet you," she smiled.

Mabel smiled through her tears. "It's nice to meet you too."

"Thank you for helping to rescue me, Mr. Weston."

"Call me Stan," he shook her extended hand and held onto it. "If I'd a known you were going to smile at me like that, I'd a come and got ya myself!"

Georgiana smiled even wider. "It's good to be back with my family and friends."

"Amen," sighed Darcy. "Amen!"

"Well, we're not going to keep you... We're going to see Lizzy, then go on back home."

"Has Will invited you to Pemberley?"

"No I haven't, but I'll rectify that situation right now. Stan, Mabel, if you're ever in the Austin area, look us up." Darcy tore a sheet of paper from the pad on the table next to the bed and wrote down his name, number, and address. "Don't hesitate to come by. Stay for a few days. You'll always be welcome."

"What's Pemberley?" asked Mabel.

"It's our home," smiled Darcy. "Do you fish, Stan?"

"Never."

"We'll find something for you to do," inserted Georgiana.

"Stan's going to retire in a few months... Maybe we'll come up then?"

"Just let me know when."

"Alright." They walked to the door. "See you then."

"See ya!" waved Georgiana. "And thanks again!"

"Take care!" they waved back.

Darcy walked them down to the elevators.

"Stan, can I get your address?"

"Sure." He pulled out one of his cards. "Ya need some more work done, Will?"

"No. I'd like to send you a little something," he smiled.

"That's not necessary. Lizzy's gonna take care of all that."

"No she isn't. I take care of my own business dealings. If Liz wants to give you some of her reward, I have no problem with that. I have no say in the matter. But you're the one that pinpointed their location which calls for a separate understanding."

Stan was not about to turn down any gratuitous offers, but loyalty came first. "I'll discuss it with Lizzy and see what she wants to do."

"I'll discuss it with her as well. She'll probably fight me on it," Darcy chuckled. "But we'll come to a resolution soon enough. I'm only doing what's right and she's not going to stop me."

Stan nodded; they shook hands and parted ways.

*****

"Nice guy, that Will Darcy."

"Yes he is," agreed Elizabeth, smiling.

"He even offered to give me a reward."

"He did, did he?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Yep. I told him I'd discuss it with ya first."

"Take it. I'm sure he's taken into consideration all that you've done to help me. He's a good man, a generous man, but also clever in his dealings and steadfast in his words and deeds. So, whatever it is, take it."

Stan was shocked! He thought that Elizabeth was going to fight. "Well, I, uh..."

"But still be expecting a 'Happy Retirement' card from me as well."

"Lizzy, you don't have to do that," interjected Mabel.

"I too, am unwavering in my words and deeds," she declared firmly. "I don't know what I would've done without you. It might've have been too late to help Gina, if you weren't there. Plus, I'll never be able to spend my share of the reward! Neither will my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and..."

They all laughed.

"When are they releasing you?" asked Mabel.

"In a few days, I suspect. I'll be glad to get out of this hospital."

"Gettin' a little antsy, are ya?" teased Stan.

"You could say that," she huffed. "I miss my dog, too!"

"Bud misses you too. She just mopes... waiting for you to come out that door," giggled Mabel.

"Ya goin' back home?" asked Stan.

"Frances thinks I'm coming to Irving to stay with them, but she can't stand Bud and I can only take so much of her flutterings and nerves."

Stan tried not to laugh. "What about ya sister?"

"I'm sure Jane won't mind," she yawned. "But 3 kids, a dog and me, might be too much for her. I'll just go back to my townhouse for a while, I guess."

"Your family ain't gonna be too happy about that Lizzy..."

"You could come to stay with us?" asked Mabel.

'Thanks," she yawned again. "I'll think about it."

"You do that, hon."

"Come on Mabel, let Lizzy have her rest."

"Okay. We'll stop by again tomorrow." Mabel kissed Elizabeth on her cheek.

"Get some sleep." Stan kissed Elizabeth on her forehead.

"Okay. Later."

Elizabeth fell asleep before the Weston's quit the room.

*****

"Liz?" No reply. "Are you sleep?"

"No. Just thinking."

"About what?"

She opened her eyes and smiled. "About what a good man you are."

"Me?" Darcy returned her smile and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Yes, you. Stan told me what you want to do and... thanks."

"You're welcome. But it's not just out of the goodness of my heart, it's business."

"I know," she yawned. "I know."

"Before you go nodding off, is it alright if I bring Gina to see you?"

"Of course! When?!"

"As soon as you get some needed rest." Elizabeth nodded and closed her eyes. "Sleep well," he kissed her on her forehead.

Darcy approached the truck. Bud looked on without her normal exuberance. "Bud, I swear Liz wants to see you, but she can't right now." He rubbed behind her ears. "Let's go get you something to eat... and how 'bout a romp in the park?" Bud yawned. "I know, I know. Not what you wanted but you'll do it anyway, right?" Bud exhaled a single whimpering sigh.

*****

Darcy whispered to his sister as he rolled her down the hallway. "She's had a pretty rough time of it, so try not to upset her."

"I won't. They still don't know what's wrong?"

"No."

Darcy opened the door to Elizabeth's room.

"Gina!" she reached out her hands for a hug.

"Lizzy!"

Georgiana jumped out of her wheelchair and right into Elizabeth's arms. Suddenly the waterworks began and in between, exclamations of thanks and kind entreaties clogged the air space. Darcy left them to themselves. They chatted amiably for a long while until they were plum tuckered out.

*****

"Are you 2 ladies finished in here?"

"Yes," answered Georgiana.

"Good!"

"Did we pierce your eardrums?" teased Elizabeth.

"Beyond repair!" smiled Darcy.

"You Sir, are standing in a hospital full of surgeons."

"No way! I don't like hospitals."

"I have power tools in the shed, you know?"

"They've all been trashed and/or burned."

"Well, there are other things. Oils, salves, herbs..."

"And who is to give these esoteric treatments?"

Elizabeth and Darcy had forgotten that Georgiana was still in the room; their sportive banter and playful flirting was watched and listened to by the overlooked observer.

"I might be persuaded..."

"Let your fingers do the walking, so to speak?" he chuckled. "No, that would not do. Not even your sweet ministrations could salvage my hearing."

"Then the only plausible solution would be to have Gina play the piano for you. 24/7."

"I would never tire of that. Perhaps you could accompany her by singing?"

"Then you'd really need surgery!"

They both laughed. Georgiana's soprano titter was heard amidst the merriment and finally, they realized they were not alone. Embarrassment spread like wildfire across their cheeks.

"I, I think I'd better take you back." Darcy escorted Georgiana back in her chair. "I'll be back in a little while."

Elizabeth nodded. "Later Gina."

"See ya!"

Darcy rolled his sister back to her room. Georgiana smiled all the way, while Darcy wistfully reveled in the turn of Elizabeth's countenance.

*****

A man peered in the open door. "Ms. Bennet."

Elizabeth looked up. "Deputy Jarvis?!"

He smiled slightly. "In the flesh."

"Please, come sit down?"

He strolled over and sat in the chair by the bed. "I'm not stayin' long..." his voice cracked. "I just wanted to... to thank you." He swallowed hard. "For clearing all this up."

"I'm so sorry."

"So am I." He looked down then away. "I don't know what to think. How could..."

Elizabeth patted his hand. "If there is..." she threw her head back to keep the tears from falling. "Can I help?"

"Thank you, but I can't even imagine what more you could do. I don't know what to tell my kids, my family, her family..."

Elizabeth pointed to the water bottle and cup; Jarvis poured. "I really wish it hadn't happened this way."

"If only wishes came true..." he lamented.

"Thank you." She gulped it down in one big swallow. "Maybe I could come visit when I get out of here?"

"That'd be nice."

"How long are you in town for?" she asked as she held out her cup for another drink.

"This is my last stop." He stood up and poured. "I've been with the FBI for the last 48."

Elizabeth guzzled the liquid and sighed. "Deputy, if there's anything I can do, don't hesitate to ask?"

He shook her hand. "I won't, I promise."

"I'll give you a call to let you know when I'm coming through, okay?"

The deputy nodded and left.

*****

"Jane, where's Liz?"

"Come with me, Will."

"I didn't want to wake her, I just wanted to drop off these McDonald's french fries to her."

Jane shook her head sadly and walked on.

In silence they walked down the hallway, to the elevators, down to the basement, and into an unused x-ray room.

"Will, this is Doctor Edward Ferrars."

The two men shook hands.

"What's this all about?"

"I just want t-t-to ask you s-some q-questions about Elizabeth."

"Okay." Darcy nodded but raised an eyebrow.

"W-when you t-two w-were living t-together, did she have any n-nightmares?"

"No."

"S-sleepwalking?"

"No."

"Violent outbursts?"

"No." Darcy twisted uncomfortably in his chair. "Where is Liz?"

"S-she's in the detox lab," answered the doctor.

Darcy blinked and without thought asked, "Why?"

"You don't remember anymore?" asked Darcy.

"No," tears fell. "I'm sorry. I don't know what they did to her."

"It's alright Gina," soothed Doctor Dashwood. "Don't stress yourself over it." Doctor Ferrars stood thoughtfully near the door. "We'll find out what's wrong with your friend."

Georgiana sniffled. "I hope so."

"Thank you Miss Darcy," inserted Doctor Ferrars. "Doctor, may I walk you back to your office?"

"Yes, thank you," she smiled shyly.

The 2 doctors left the room.

"Hmmm? He doesn't stutter around Doctor Dashwood..." mused Darcy.

"She has that kind of affect on everyone."

"Did I say that out loud?" he chuckled.

"Are you playing matchmaker again?" teased Georgiana.

"No," smiled Darcy. "Sorry, we woke you, go back to sleep."

"You should get some as well."

"I'll try."

*****

"No. The official statement says that Gina had a skiing accident in Switzerland last month and has been brought here for check-up because you were recovering down here."

"Thanks Charlotte."

"You should thank Fitz. He's the one that arranged for the hospital records and such."

"Well... thank him for me too."

"He's right here. You can thank him yourself."

"No. Just tell him what I said."

"Will..."

"I've got to run, okay? Talk to you later."

"Will..."

Darcy hung up, quickly, and made another phone call.

*****

"Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy stood up. "Mr. Wentworth." They shook hands. "I'm so glad you could come on such short notice."

"This case is my priority," smiled Wentworth. "In fact, it's my only case." Darcy merely nodded. "Where can we speak privately?"

Darcy led the way to the parking lot. He let Bud out of the truck; the dog stopped, wagged her tail at the visitor. Wentworth bent down and rubbed the dog behind her ears.

"Fine dog! Is she yours?"

"No. Liz Bennet's."

Wentworth stood up. "I'm not going to take too much of your time, Mr. Darcy. I only need the history. With Miss Bennet's and your sister's statements, I've got most of the details."

Darcy related the whole of his acquaintance with Wickham, while Bud got her morning exercise.

"I'll be available for you at any time." Darcy handed him his card.

"Thank you. I'll try not to disturb you until after the holidays."

They shook hands and parted ways.

Darcy and Bud drove off for some much-needed nourishment.

*****

He peaked around the door. "Is she sleep?" No verbal answers, but nodding of heads. "I was wondering if I could speak to you both privately for a minute."

They all stepped outside Elizabeth's room.

"I'm taking Gina home today..."

"Will, that's great news!" exclaimed Mr. Bennet.

"Oh Will, I'm so happy for you!" Jane embraced Darcy. "What a relief!"

Darcy smiled. "I am relieved... But that's not my purpose for asking to speak with you privately." Jane and Mr. Bennet looked upon him curiously. "I'd like to take Liz home with me as well."

"Well, now... I'm not..."

Darcy interrupted Mr. Bennet. "She took care of me all those weeks and found my sister. It's the least I can do."

"That may be true Will, but Lizzy will be just fine with her family taking care of her," insisted Mr. Bennet.

"I realize that, Sir. But I owe her so much."

"You have enough to worry about..."

"Gina will have round the clock nurses and she is lucid enough to walk around on her own. Liz, on the other hand..."

"This is a family matter!" Mr. Bennet huffed. "You don't think we can take care of our own?"

"Mr. Bennet, I didn't..."

"Papa," smoothed Jane. "Will didn't mean it in that way." No reply. "Look, you're tired, we're all tired and upset. I think we should all get some rest and look at this in regards to Lizzy's best interest." Both men nodded. "Will, we'll meet you in the cafeteria tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., okay?" she whispered to Darcy.

"Okay."

*****

"I like Will! Really! But family takes care of family! Your mother and I will..."

"Papa," sighed Jane. "If she moves in with you, Mama will fire the nurse, drive Lizzy crazy and they'll both end up in the hospital suffering from a nervous breakdown."

"Then you take her."

"We have the room, but there's really no way I can take care of her the way she needs it, not with 3 kids needing my every waking moment's attention. Plus, she'll never get the rest she needs with my boisterous children clamoring for her."

"Stan and Mabel said they'd take her."

"The Weston's house is too small to shelter Lizzy and a full-time nurse."

"Well, um, er, uh..."

"Papa, Will's offer is the best possible solution."

"I'll think about it, Jane," he patted her hand. "And wipe that triumphant smile off your face, I'm not going to give up that easily."

*****

Jane and Mr. Bennet went to Georgiana's room to wish her well, God speed, etc. while Darcy signed papers and finalized last minute details. Soon enough, brother and sister were on their way home to Pemberley.

*****

"Afternoon Liz," Darcy whispered near her face.

Elizabeth groggily opened her eyes and fuzzily looked upon him. "What time is it?"

"Time to go." He pulled the sheet from around her. "Can you walk?"

"Of course!" she answered. But as soon as she sat up, she felt dizzy and grabbed her head. "Argh!" she exclaimed as she lay back down. "Go away, I wanna sleep!"

Darcy stood there until she closed her eyes, then he carefully picked her up and carried her to a wheelchair. The morning nurse had already washed and dressed her.

A middle-aged candy striper wheeled her out of the room, while Darcy grabbed Elizabeth's belongings. When they got on the elevator, the helper asked, "You have her prescriptions and her Doctor's numbers, right?"

"Right."

"Where are we going?" Elizabeth asked; her eyes still closed.

"Home."

"Where's Jane?" she asked trying to break out of the fog. "And where's my Papa?"

"They're on their way home."

Elizabeth nodded. "Okay," she struggled to say as her head rolled heavily and finally drooped in submission of a good nod.

They put Elizabeth in the car, Darcy strapped her in her seatbelt, thanked the helper, got in and drove off. There was instant quiet as the car rolled along, Elizabeth fell into a hazy sleep, while Darcy watched her out of the corner of his eye. He popped in a CD, he thought she might enjoy, whenever she might become awake and aware.

After 45 minutes, Elizabeth sleepily quipped, "Are we there yet?"

"Not yet," he smiled as he remembered Georgiana using that expression more often than not.

Elizabeth yawned and fell back to sleep, humming softly to a sweet Wagner lullaby.

******

"Am I dreaming?"

"No," whispered Darcy and kissed her forehead as he carried her into the house.

"It's beautiful!"

"Thank you," he shifted her, slightly. "It's home."

"It's our home, sweetheart." Elizabeth smiled, kissed him on the cheek, and then laid her head on his shoulders in contentment.

Darcy stopped dead in his tracks. Our home?! She thinks we're... she thinks we're married!

A bright wide smile spread across Darcy's face then he proceeded to carry Elizabeth upstairs and tucked her into bed with Mrs. Reynolds' help. He then whispered instructions and the housekeeper left to do her tasks. Darcy pulled a chair up, next to the bed, and watched her sleep.

*****

"No! No! Make 'em stop it, please?!" came the screams that woke Darcy up from his repose in the chair. "No! Don't do this! Will!"

He hurriedly leaned over to soothe a struggling Elizabeth who was fighting in her sleep. "Hush sweetheart. Everything's fine. No one's going to hurt you. Shh..."

Elizabeth whimpered into her pillow, while Darcy stroked her hair.

While in the hospital, Elizabeth had been having nightmares, but when Doctor Ferrars questioned her family and friends, no one had ever witnessed this as a regular occurrence.

In one particularly torturous dream, Elizabeth snapped her cast in half with such brute force as she fought her fantasized enemies. Two days later, Elizabeth broke out in a rash on her arm and a small pinprick was discovered to be its source; hidden by the cast. After a battery of tests, it was discovered that Elizabeth was injected with a small amount of the same hallucinogenic mixture as Georgiana, but with a dirty needle; administered by Sarah Jarvis when she was held captive for more than half a day. Doctor Willoughby had not done the thorough examination required before applying the cast and it nearly cost her, her sanity!

Elizabeth's nightmares may have been the subconscious manifestations of the childhood tortures inflicted by members of her own family. Growing up she suppressed them as much as she could, so as not to appear vulnerable and weak. Or, maybe the nightmares stemmed from a more recent agony. Regardless, the hallucinogens did cause her to relive most of what had been troubling her all along. And in that state, she shouted for the only people she thought could save her: her father, Jane and now, Darcy.

The necessary treatments were given, but it had not quite worked its magic yet. No one, not even Jane or her father, could quiet Elizabeth, no one except Darcy and his velvety voice.

"Are you hungry?" he whispered. Elizabeth nodded, her eyes closed. "Good. It's almost time for your medicine too."

Elizabeth shook her head and sniffled. "I don't want anymore."

"No needles, I promise," he kissed her on her cheek. "Pills, okay?"

She reluctantly nodded her head in agreement and opened her swollen eyes to half-slits. "Will?"

"Yes."

"Where am I?"

"You're at Pemberley. My house in Austin."

"Why?" her voice cracked, dry.

"You needed someone to take care of you." Elizabeth just stared at Darcy. "Your arm's broke, that's why you have a cast on, and they..." he cleared his throat to calm his rage. "And I insisted on doing it myself."

She smiled in her haze. "Thank you."

Darcy helped Elizabeth to sit up, packed pillows behind her and buzzed Mrs. Reynolds. They ate quietly; him helping her with the soup, each taking turns to steal a look at the other.

"Do you want juice or water to take with these pills?"

She shook her head. "I changed my mind. I don't want anymore."

Darcy sighed and instinctively pushed back a curl from the tip of her nose. "You have to. It will deaden the pain," he whispered soothingly.

Tears fell unbidden from her eyes and she looked downward. "I'd rather be in pain if it will stop me from having those nightmares."

Darcy lifted her chin with one hand, pushed away more curls with the other and wiped her tears away with his thumb, being careful of the scars and bruises on her face. "We're fine." She would not look at him. "Gina's fine, I'm okay. Everyone and everything is all well and good."

Elizabeth swallowed hard. "My gut tells me it's not over," she sniffled.

"I wish... I wish I could allay all your fears, Liz." He leaned down to kiss her nose. "I wish I could..."

As he spoke she looked up, his lips brushed her lips so softly that it felt as though a feather had passed between them. Elizabeth froze in surprise, but the flash in her eyes spoke volumes; they said 'come hither.' And he did! His lips brushed hers again in a whispered kiss, then again, and once more.

"You don't know... how glad I am... that you're alive..." he murmured in between.

Elizabeth could only catch her breath as she leaned in for what was to be a most enjoyable extension of said kiss.

As it deepened, Darcy stood up from his chair and leaned into the kiss, although he tried to rein in his inner most desires: to make love to her until the sun, the moon, and the stars were no more; cast or no cast! Sprooooooiiiing! He could not help what he felt.

Elizabeth's hands instinctively sought to wrap around Darcy's neck, but with the cast, she only managed to thwack him on the head.