Bud barked. Car doors slammed, indicating to her that the occupants were exiting it, then a knock on the door, notifying her... Do I really need to expound further? Elizabeth froze, wanting to open the door, yet not wanting to.

"Elizabeth open the door!" she knocked furiously.

"We know you're home, so open up young lady!" he demanded.

She breathed in and out deeply, checked her face in the mirror that hung above the fireplace, squared her shoulders... "Auntie M, Uncle E! What an unexpected pleasure!"

"Cut the crap, Lizzy." Mrs. Gardiner kissed her on her cheek as she walked in. "You know why we're here."

"I don't have the slightest..." she protested.

"Sit down, dear?" offered Mr. Gardiner. "Let's talk."

Elizabeth shrugged and complied, so did Bud.

"Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner sighed. "I'm very surprised at your attitude." Elizabeth was mute, but looked pointedly at her aunt. "Do you blame us as well?"

She looked down. "No."

"Then how can you blame Will?" inquired Mr. Gardiner.

"I don't blame anyone!" she defended. "I know you were only doing what you thought was best for all concerned and I love you for it, but..."

"But why did it have to be George Wickham?" finished Mrs. Gardiner.

Mr. Gardiner shrugged. "How could we have known? You want the best for your family and when one of them makes a mistake, you do all you can to make it right."

"She loves him, Lizzy," inserted Mrs. Gardiner. "She always has and claims she always will. No matter what you or I, Gina or the courts say, she loves him."

"When we ventured into this project, Will told us all about Wickham and we left it up to Lydia... she didn't care."

"We submitted other options to her, but all she wanted was a ring on her finger and his name." Mrs. Gardiner just shook her head. "Will made sure that Wickham was at the church on time and that all his debts were paid off, without taking away any of what was left of his inheritance."

"We all figured that if George didn't have to run, he wouldn't." Boy, were we wrong! Mr. Gardiner twisted uncomfortably in the chair. "All seemed well for a while, but just as we were ready to tell the family he ran off."

"Lydia was devastated, but she still defended him."

"And throughout the years, she saw him off and on, obviously, although he never stayed long."

"Just long enough to keep her happy and quiet."

"I'm surprised she was able to keep such a secret all these years," Elizabeth smirked.

"She was sworn to secrecy," shrugged Mrs. Gardiner.

"That never stopped her before!" Elizabeth stood and paced. "But then again, she did drop little hints whenever I saw her."

"Like what?"

"Like she would be the next daughter married after Jane. Sometimes I noticed the tan line on her finger." Elizabeth stopped. "You think Kitty knew?"

"It's possible. You and Jane were thick as thieves, and Mary was off on her own tangents, while Kitty and Lydia were left to their own devices. They were very close. Yes, Kitty would've been the one out of all of you," surmised Mrs. Gardiner.

Elizabeth waxed sadly nostalgic. "I could've been a better sister..."

"What could you have done?" asked Mr. Gardiner.

"I don't know."

"What are you going to do about Will?"

Elizabeth flopped back in her chair. "I don't know!"

"Well, you can't stay here moping!" offered Mr. Gardiner.

Mrs. Gardiner looked around the room. "And eating McDonald's french fries."

Elizabeth looked down sheepishly. "They make me feel better."

"Or fatter," Mrs. Gardiner mumbled under her breath. "Why not come to Tahoe with us?" she smiled.

"Are all my cousins going to be there?" she brightened.

"Oh no!" chuckled Mrs. Gardiner. "They're back in college, or work, or with their families."

"Plus, our condo is way too small for all that noise!" laughed Mr. Gardiner.

"You really need to be around loved ones, Lizzy."

"And we want you with us."

"Alright," she sighed.

"Great!" exclaimed Mrs. Gardiner. "Hurry and pack your bags!"

"Now?! You're leaving today?!"

"Of course, dear! After the frantic happenings of the past 2 months, we're outta here!"

"But I don't have anything to wear... that's clean."

"Whatever you need, you can buy there."

"I spent way too much money last month. Plus, I'm saving for my retirement."

"Saving... for retirement?!" laughed Mr. Gardiner. "With 10 million dollars in the bank?!"

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Oh my God, I forgot!"

"I guess that's something else you have to think about."

"What?"

Mr. Gardiner raised an eyebrow. "Early retirement."

Elizabeth nodded absent-mindedly. "What about Bud?"

"The Weston's, I'm sure, will take her once more."

"While you pack," Mrs. Gardiner waved Elizabeth away. "I'll call the Weston's. Just put a few necessities in a bag!"

Elizabeth smiled and ran upstairs.

*****

Elizabeth sat staring out of the twin-engine jet window. "How's Will?"

"Miserable," answered Mrs. Gardiner.

"He's taking some time off and going on vacation," chuckled Mr. Gardiner.

Elizabeth stuttered in surprise. "But I, I thought Gina was back in school... He needs to be there with her!"

"Gina's the one that's sending him away!" laughed Mr. Gardiner.

"Huh?" asked a confused Elizabeth.

"Will has drilled all of her teachers on the proper care of their students, the principal on the correct running of a school, and the security staff on... security!" he guffawed.

"He even pages Gina immediately after every class," snickered Mrs. Gardiner.

"Can you blame him?" defended Elizabeth.

"No," sniffled Mr. Gardiner. "But there is such a thing as being overly protective."

"Gina wants to stand on her own," implied Mrs. Gardiner.

Elizabeth smiled at the memory of her conversation with Georgiana on the balcony at Pemberley. You go girl! "The first step is the most important."

Elizabeth returned to stare out the window and dream of days gone by, while the Gardiners busied themselves with their reading.

*****

After an uneventful flight and cab ride from the airstrip, an exhausted threesome hit the early hay.

*****

"Lizzy, why don't you go downstairs to the bar? There 's no need to hang around us old folks all day long."

"I hear there's some sort of party going on down there," insinuated Mr. Gardiner.

"Go! Dance! Have fun!"

"Sure." Elizabeth plodded to her room to shower and change.

It was true. Elizabeth had been with them all day long. Bored to tears and wishing she was home, even when they went shopping for clothes. She was listless yet anxious. Her gut was trying to tell her something. But what?

*****

"Auntie! Could you help me with my make-up?"

"Sure honey." Mrs. Gardiner ran into the room. "You don't need that much on. Here," she wiped the mess off with a tissue. "Go wash your face again." Elizabeth did as asked and returned to the vanity. "You're healing nicely, dear." She patted on concealer with a delicate fingertip. "You don't have to cake it on. This is not one of your jobs where you have to look cheap." Elizabeth laughed as her aunt lightly smeared foundation on her face and blended it in. "See?" Elizabeth nodded. Mrs. Gardiner kissed her on her cheek. "Now, please try and have fun?"

Elizabeth stepped into her new crimson-colored silk sheath. "Hmpf!"

Mrs. Gardiner zipped her up in the back. "Promise me?"

Elizabeth grabbed her purse off the bed and checked herself in the mirror once more. "I'll try." And with that she left the condo.

*****

On the elevator down to the Arcade Level, there were several people around her age, all chatting happily. She smiled politely whenever anyone acknowledged her presence, but that was the extent of it. Almost everyone exited the lift on that particular level; Elizabeth followed them into the room, but at a distance.

As she entered the party room, she scanned it for a dark corner. Thankfully, the room was not yet crowded, so she stealthily maneuvered her way over to that safe, secure, isolated haven.

A bit later, a waiter came up to take her order. Deep in thought, she managed to say 'Courvossier'. It seemed within moments that the waiter returned with her drink. She paid him, tipped him, and he left. Slowly the room packed up around her; Elizabeth felt shielded by the invisible wall she built, protected under the guise of anonymity, and alone.

The music blared, people danced, others chatted, but she saw none of that. Her mind replayed all of the events of the last 2 years as though she were in a vacuum. Tears glistened in her eyes as she absent-mindedly swirled the drink in front of her. As she lifted her head to sip, she gasped at what she thought she saw; one tear fell. Hurriedly she wiped it away, then the vision was gone. I must be seeing things... She quickly convinced herself of that.

"Excuse me, can I buy you a drink?"

Elizabeth did not even look up; she just shook her head and the man walked away.

Time slipped slowly by. Her drink nearly gone, she contemplated getting another or slipping out into the cold night air for a few minutes. Elizabeth checked her watch. Another hour, then I'm gone... Three hours was a reasonable enough amount of time to convince her relatives that she actually had 'some' fun. She managed to get a waiter's attention and ordered a lite beer. In time, the waiter returned with her drink, she paid him, she tipped him, and he left.

Elizabeth tipped her head back to enjoy the first taste of malt and barley slide down her throat when the vision appeared again. She blinked and nearly choked on the brew, but by the time she regained control of her near nauseated self, the vision was gone. That's it! Enough! Her mind screamed as she pushed the drink aside, stood up and brushed past the madding crowd. She slipped past the bar, headed out through the lounge towards the elevators in a hazy blur.

"Of all the bars in the world, you had to show up in the same one I was in." Elizabeth skidded to a screeching halt at the voice. "I came here to get away from you," it slurred.

Elizabeth recognized the voice... It was so infuriatingly uncanny that he always sensed her nearness yet her heart skipped several beats. "I, I, had no idea... that you were here," she stammered.

"When did you get here?" he asked, not turning around.

"Last night." She did not turn to him either.

"How long are you staying?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well," he stood up from the lounge chair. "Don't worry about running into me again." Darcy left her there in a trembling state.

In her confusion, Elizabeth did manage to make it back up to the condo.

*****

As he looked into the mirror of the men's bathroom, Darcy pondered. Was she really there? Did I have too much to drink? Or was it just another one of my dreams? He gripped the porcelain until his knuckles turned white. No, I could feel her this time... smell her. Bile started to rise in his throat and he silently prayed for God to stop tormenting him.

*****

"Lizzy, did you have a good... What's wrong?! You look like you've seen a ghost!" Mrs. Gardiner followed her niece into her bedroom. "Lizzy?!"

"He, he's here!" she croaked and plopped on her bed.

"Who's here?"

Her lips trembled and she whispered, barely. "Will."

Mrs. Gardiner gasped. "Oh dear!" Elizabeth sat comatose, her aunt sat beside her. "It didn't go well?"

"It didn't go at all!"

Mrs. Gardiner pulled her niece's head to her shoulder. "What's going on?'

"I wish I knew!"

"You know. You're just not willing to let it all out."

"Oh Auntie! How can you live with someone and not be affected by him?! How can you see someone everyday, tell them your innermost secrets yet withhold the truth?!" Bitter tears fell.

"Think about it Lizzy," she soothed. "If Will had told you, he would've betrayed us. He is a man of his word. But you should be discussing all this with him, not me."

"What would I say?!" she wept.

"Examine your heart Lizzy. Stop listening to your head for once and ask him. Tell him."

"How can I ever face him again?! I never even turned around!"

"Face him like you've done with everything else in your life... head on."

"He probably hates me now!"

"No, he doesn't." Mrs. Gardiner squeezed her niece tighter. "He called and asked us to make sure you were all right. Gave us directions too! He was really worried when he left your house."

"He was?" she sniffled.

"Yes dear. I'm sure if we called him, you could set everything right again."

"No! No! Don't call him!"

"Why not?"

"I just... can't!!!"

It would seem that Catherine de Bourgh's threats remained forever present in Elizabeth's mind.

*****

"How is she?"

Mrs. Gardiner shook her head and sighed. "This is so unlike her. She's in love with him but refuses to admit it. I wonder why?"

"Time will tell, dearest."

"I was hoping that this little interference of mine would fix things."

"I know." Mr. Gardiner patted her hand. "Come to bed darling?"

*****

Once safely inside his condo, Darcy leaned against the door, confused and trembling. His heart ached to touch her, to caress her, to kiss her, but she seemed so confused, so torn, that he did not want to interfere with her inner wrestling. He surprised himself that he, at least, was able to speak to her; he was going to fight the feeling, but his gut churned in angst and he just could not let her walk by.

Now, however, his last words to her were like a knife to his throat. Yes, Darcy believed that those were his last words to Elizabeth, no matter what we know might happen in the future. The memory of it stung and he regretted his harshness. The steel point from the blade of regret pierced his skin and blood was now seeping down to the collar of his shirt. Poor Darcy! Why did she have such an affect on him? Why could he not forget her? God knows he tried!

Then it hit him! It wasn't just her physical beauty that attracted him; it was the space she occupied. Not the space in the condo, this state, country, planet, or even the galaxy, it was that space within him. It was that emptiness, that void that existed each time she went away. Suddenly, clarity came walking in. The tangibles he was searching for do not exist in matters of the heart. There was a hole that no amount of crazy glue, plaster, or cement could patch up. He had a chance and blew it. Now that she was gone, he realized that he loved her with all his heart, mind, and soul. He hung his head in remorse.

His shame spiral, however, did not deter him from packing his bags and slipping out into the dark night.

*****

For the next week, Elizabeth moped about. She barely left her room let alone the condo, even at her relative's begging and pleading to join them on their outings. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner shopped, skied, swam, golfed, played tennis, and sailed, without their niece's companionship. Finally, on 8^th day after the 'accidental meeting', they sent her packing back to Granbury.

For the next week, Darcy moped about. He barely left his suite let alone the house, even at his sister's urgings and supplications to join her for a meal or two. Georgiana went to school, visited with friends, shopped, and played the piano, without her brother's companionship. Finally, on the 8^th day after the 'incidental encounter', she sent him off to Dallas.

*****

Finally, Elizabeth settled down in her quiet little corner of the world, Granbury. First thing she did was to close off the tantrum room. She had resigned herself to giving up the house, because of its history. I mean, how could she possibly go in that room again knowing that Wickham slept there? Or for that matter, stay in that house! Darcy had occupied the only other bedroom... She slept on the couch.

With the briefest of conversation she let her family and friends know that she was back in her beloved state of Texas, but did not, I repeat, did not want or desire company. Before the pleadings began, she hung up.

*****

Of course, Darcy was notified of Elizabeth's whereabouts. Almost everything in him: every bone, every muscle, every corpuscle, and every blood cell wanted to run to her. However, his heart told him not to, and there in Dallas, he stayed. Although he promised himself not to see her, he did send a single rose on the first day with a note:

And each passing day he added an additional rose to the number, but the same note. He felt encouraged when the florist advised him that his flowers were not returned. It was a good sign!

Initially she was bored, so she slipped down to San Antonio to see the Weston's and Bud and just as quickly left. Poor thing! Elizabeth was not in a good way; she was not even inclined to take her own dog with her. She had no clue as to her future. Everywhere she went in and around that house, every thing she saw reminded her of Wickham and Darcy. To forget, she contemplated throwing herself back into her work, but that thought did not currently thrill her either.

Elizabeth had, indeed, received the flowers. Her mind had not yet been made up to forgive and forget, but by week's end, she was damn nigh unto a decision. However, Catherine de Bourgh, although firmly ensconced in a maximum-security prison cell, and her threats, loomed large.

*****

Darcy woke up with a feeling unexplainable. As he showered, he tried to shake it off. As he shaved and faced himself in the mirror, it became clear. Today, was St. Valentine's day! A day to share, receive love, and offerings of love with the one person you hold dearest in the world. What a disappointing day this was to be! He could not endure this day alone; he must be with someone. Anyone!

*****

A huge spray of roses sprinkled with lupines, birds of paradise, lillies, sweet william's, and forget-me-not's inserted for effect, was delivered on this day. Of course, the usual card was enclosed. I should call him. At least to tell him, I don't blame him anymore... But she never did, Elizabeth was too busy packing for her next move. And really, what good what it do?

*****

"Lizzy!"

"Hiya Mabel!" They embraced. Bud came tearing around the corner. "Hiya baby girl!!" Bud jumped up, putting her paws on Elizabeth's arms for her customary greeting. "Did you miss me?!" Bud barked and dropped to all fours. "I know you did!" Elizabeth scratched the dog's crown. "I missed you too!"

"Well! It coulda only been one person that'd make Bud leave her Frisbee in mid-air!" Stan teased. "Welcome home Lizzy!" He kissed her on the cheek.

"Have you eaten?" asked Mabel.

"Yes Ma'am," she smiled coyly. "Only some fries 'cause I knew you'd have something going on in the kitchen."

"Go wash up!" exclaimed Mabel as she swatted at Elizabeth. Elizabeth ducked the swing and ran to the upstairs bathroom.

*****

"Will!"

"Hello Jane," he kissed her on her cheek.

"Come in! Come in!" Jane squeezed him tight. "How have you been?"

Darcy followed her in. "Fine. Just fine," he answered a bit absent-mindedly.

"Charles didn't tell me you were in town."

"He doesn't know. I thought I'd surprise him." He'd kill me if he finds out how long I've been in town without a word...

"He'll definitely be surprised, but he's out looking at some old building or something." A maid brought iced tea, cheese and crackers. Jane offered. Charles is pretty pissed that you've been here and not called him... "Business or pleasure."

"Huh?"

"I asked if you were here for business or pleasure."

"Business, of course," he grimaced as he smeared Camembert on a cracker.

"And how long will you be staying?"

"I'm not sure. A couple of days more, maybe... a week."

"Should we expect you for dinner sometime then?"

"I couldn't eat another bite!" Elizabeth wiped her mouth. "Thank you."

"Well now you've got some color to you! I thought you were going to Tahoe to lay out in the sun?"

Elizabeth blushed. "I did, but um, not that much."

"So whatcha do out there in the land of milk and honey?" asked Stan.

"I, uh, played a little handicap golf, a little left-handed tennis. You know... the usual life of the rich and famous," she chuckled uncomfortably; Elizabeth hated lying.

"Boring stuff," he huffed. "What do ya plan to do now?"

"I'm not sure. Why?"

"I need a li'l help with my files before I hand the business over to Sanderson."

Elizabeth scrunched up her face. "Sanderson?"

"I offered it to ya first Lizzy, so don't be frownin' on my choices."

"I'm sorry. It's just... Sanderson? Well, whatever."

"There's still time to change ya mind."

"Nah. I made up my mind a long time ago, Stan."

"What will you do?" asked Mabel.

"I'm not sure. Maybe do a little consulting. Something not so dangerous."

"I understand," nodded Stan.

"I'm happy for you!" exclaimed Mabel. "I wasn't too happy about you going back to work."

"What about teachin' at the Dojo?" asked Stan.

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Uh, no. I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Why not? It'll keep ya busy...."

"And you could see Will everyday," winked Mabel. "My, my, my, he's a good looking man!" Elizabeth reached down to scratch her dog's belly. "I think he's sweet on you, Lizzy."

Quickly, Elizabeth wiped a stray tear. "I doubt it,"' she whispered.

"Really?" questioned Mabel. "He seemed to ask a lot of questions about you when he was down here."

She looked up. "He was... here?"

"He came by to drop off the reward money and play with Bud."

"He stayed and ate lunch with us and everything," Stan added. "A right regular guy."

"That was nice of him," admitted Elizabeth. "He could've very well sent a check."

"I told him that over the phone, but he insisted on dropping it off himself."

"Hmm?" was the only response Elizabeth could come up with.

"Well, you're welcome to stay here until you make up your mind and even after that."

"Thanks Mabel, but all I need to do is make an appointment at the hospital and see if I can get this splint off permanently... so maybe I'll stay a few days."

"If ya get antsy, I'm gonna need some help in wrapping up a few cases before I retire..."

"I'm not gonna be here that long. And after I leave, I'm going to visit my family, pack up my house, then go home to Dallas."

*****

"Why didn't you call me?!" queried Bingley, excitedly.

They embraced.

Darcy shrugged his shoulders. "Spur of the moment."

"Will, you don't do anything spur of the moment... What's up?"

"Nothing." Bingley raised an eyebrow. "Really! I had some things I needed to get done up here. Which, I admit, have been neglected for far too long. So I'm here."

"What things?"

"Um, uh, the Dojo. The condos. Business. You know... things." Darcy hated lying.

"Do you need to go back to the office right now?"

"No."

"Ah." Bingley and Jane exchanged a quick knowing glance. "Why don't you and I go into my study? I'll let you in on my new business venture."

"Jane said you were looking at an old building."

"I'm thinking of restoring a few buildings downtown, but I need some major capital..." Bingley slapped Darcy on his back, "...and some very generous investors."

"I'm all ears," smiled Darcy.

"Jane honey, could you have some refreshments sent in?"

"Yes dear."

"Oh, and sweetheart," he kissed her on the cheek and whispered. "Don't let Caroline know he's here."

She nodded.

The men went one way and Jane went the other.

"They can't see me until Friday!" she slammed down the phone. "I knew I should've called earlier."

"Well now, you can help me out at the office."

"I guess so," Elizabeth shrugged.

*****

"How did they behave?"

"Just lovely Jane!" exclaimed an exhausted Caroline as she flopped into a chair. "I never knew boys could play quietly."

"I thought you were taking them to the Aquarium?"

"Oh yes, we went there. But they were so good that I treated them to ice cream sundaes at some... parlor, and then we went to the park."

"Sounds like you had a full afternoon."

"I did, but I enjoyed it immensely. I like being Auntie Caroline." And all the men that paid attention to me!

"I'm glad you had fun. They are available each weekday after school, you know?"

They both laughed.

"I'd better go. Louisa and I have plans for this evening."

"Who's Louisa?"

"One of my best friends in all the world. Louisa's like a sister to me. She just moved up here from Houston." Caroline shook her head, sadly. "She just went through an ugly divorce from a genuine pervert who's been thrown in jail for doing God knows what. But more importantly, now that she's got a nice settlement, she wants to party."

"Have fun!"

"I will!"

*****

"Stan, you can't turn this case over to Sanderson!"

"Lizzy, I don't have time..."

"But Stan, he'd fuck it up, royally!"

"Oh really! And who'd ya think I can give it to?!"

Elizabeth swallowed hard. "I'll take it." Stan blinked, but said nothing. "I'll take it," she sighed.

*****

Darcy managed to get through a little business on this day, but not much. His mind was on none other than Elizabeth Bennet. What was I thinking?! It was a pretty ludicrous idea, absurd really, to come to her hometown, surround himself with her family and not think... hope, to see her. By accident, of course!

This afternoon, he would be having lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Oh joy! Mrs. Bennet would most likely monopolize all conversation. Not a sensible word to be heard in the place! And with the hangover headache he was carrying with him... What was I thinking? Last night, he sat up with Bingley until an ungodly hour, drinking anything in a bottle, anything in a can, anything that had a lid, anything that had a bottom, and was very tempted to cry in his beer about his sorry state of mind.

Regardless of what he might have done in the dark, he was a habitual early riser when his mind was set on work, or the pretense of it. Except in Granbury. It actually felt good to sleep in!

The bed creaking woke Darcy from his private reverie.

*****

Elizabeth woke up feeling refreshed. She had a goal! Something to do, a challenge! There is nothing better than waking up, when you have something to wake up for. She woke up singing, hummed in the shower, and bounced a happy tap dance down to the breakfast table.

"Good morning!" she sang.

*****

"And how does your sister do?"

"Fine, Mrs. Bennet," smiled Darcy. "And getting better everyday."

"Are you certain that leaving her alone won't detract from her progress?"

"I see Lizzy has taught you a thing or two, huh?"

Darcy smiled slightly. "Yes Sir. We had a lot of free time."

"I believe you did." Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow. "What else did you do while in seclusion?"

Darcy flustered, blushed, and blubbered, but could not manage more than a few choked out words. "Nothing! Nothing... out of the ordinary."

"Don't mind me, son, just an old man and his curiosity."

*****

Elizabeth studied the profile, gathered her information, deliberated over a map, and talked to some key people. Now all she needed to do was find this individual. It's not like she was going to a new city; she had lived there for quite a stretch, but this is something she always did. It kept her mind focused and she could play out certain scenarios. Always be prepared! When she kept herself busy with the task ahead, Elizabeth did not think of him, but in those lazy moments her mind drifted to what might have been.

Elizabeth placed her clothes on the bed for a possible meeting.

*****

Darcy played a little golf with Bingley and Mr. Bennet and another business associate. He played with the Bingley children. He even ate at the Bingley household, both nights, without seeing neither hide nor hair of Caroline. The god's must have been with him, or her. However, thanks were contributed to the wrong deity; all this avoidance was perfectly orchestrated by, none other than, Jane.

She noted that the planets were in the correct alignment, the air was crisp and clear, and it was nearly spring-time; Jane would do all that was required to see that things ran smoothly for a possible development. And if other things should happen, like love blossoming, she would be happy as well, but she would not press it.

*****

"Lizzy!" shouted a voice in the hallway.

Elizabeth turned towards it. "Doctor... Emma!"

They walked towards each other and met somewhere in the middle.

"What are you doing here?"

"Came to see if I could get this thing off my arm for good."

"Have you been waiting long?"

"No. I just got here."

"Come with me. I'll check you out."

Elizabeth happily followed Dr. Knightley.

*****

In the x-ray room, the good doctor did a thorough examination.

"You're healing quite nicely. I hardly see any of the scratches."

"I'm hoping they'll be gone before long," she smiled happily.

"How's your head?"

"Intact."

"Any swelling? Headaches? Blurred vision?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, no, and no."

"Have you seen Will lately?"

"No. I mean, yes. A couple of weeks ago."

"Oh. The last time we talked to him, he was in such a hurry. I thought... well, anyway, we didn't have a chance to see him over the holidays." Elizabeth looked away. "Are you in town for a while?"

"Yes. Well, as soon as I settle a few things." Elizabeth pointedly looked at the splint on her arm.

Emma went over to the table and took out her prescription pad and scribbled a few lines. "Here's our address. Come for dinner?"

"I'm not sure if I'll be available, Emma."

"Call, if you are." Emma pressed the slip of paper into her hand. "You have to keep that splint on." Elizabeth tried to protest. "You're not healed enough."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Does that mean I have to come all the way back down here to have it removed?"

"You can have it done in Dallas. Just make sure your records are forwarded to us."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

*****

"I think I'll go back home tomorrow." Darcy sipped his wine as they luncheoned at The Bistro.

"Why Will? I don't see you as much I'd like to. Jane misses you. The boys adore you and Melinda's just now getting to know you."

"I enjoy being with all of you too, but I do have responsibilities at home. You and Jane and the kids can come stay with me, just as easily."

Bingley laughed. "You have no clue as to the amount of stress it takes to pack up an entire family, take them somewhere, unpack, get them settled, only to pack up again and leave, do you?"

"Apparently not." Darcy chuckled. "I understand Caroline has been playing the good Aunt lately."

"Yes. She's trying. I'll give her that much," admitted Bingley.

"Hmpf!" Darcy tucked into his plate to avoid anymore talk of the twisted sister.

*****

She looked at the neon sign above her head 'Dick's Last Resort' and chuckled at the irony. Here she was, near dark, leaning on a dirty windowsill, in the middle of the red light district in San Antonio waiting, hoping...

"Can I bum a cigarette?"

"Yeah, sure." She flipped the pack of Salem Light's, so that one stood out.

The young lady, still in her teens, looked at her splinted and bruised arm and cringed. "Thanks."

"Sure."

"Are you new?"

"Nah," she puffed. "I quit. Cold turkey. Just wanted to see if I could come here and not get that old feeling back."

"Really?!"

"Why... you thinkin' of quittin'?"

The young lady, let's call her Candace, looked down and away. "Yeah."

"You see this scar?" She pulled her hair back and leaned over; Candace gasped. "Threw me out the second floor window."

Candace shrank in horror. "Oh my God!"

She looked critically at the young woman. "You ain't got no marks on you. You must be new."

"I just started about a month ago."

"Why?"

Immediately Candace got defensive. "Why did you start?"

"Family," she dismissed.

"Me too," frowned Candace.

"I was totally wrong though." She chuckled bitterly. "My mom was there for me in the hospital and even took me in afterwards. She came all the way up from Jacksonville."

"Really?!"

She nodded. "We had plenty of time to talk. No shoutin', just talkin'. I got to tell her how I felt... I mean really felt. And she told me things that I probably woulda never known."

Candace listened intently to her tale.

"We cried and talked and cried and talked for days... at least it seemed that way. But now she's back in Jacksonville and I started my new job last week."

"Wow!"

"Yep. Things are good! Too bad it took a cracked out pimp to bring us back together..."

The two women stood on the corner, talking, for almost 2 hours, while unhappy johns blew their horns in dismay. Then they walked up the street into an all-night diner and conversed more freely, openly.

*****

Early that morning; before the sun rose, before the rooster crowed, before the dew did, Candace called home.

*****

As she stretched, Elizabeth smiled the smile of someone who had just been born, or reborn, in the world. God, that felt good! The vigor and flash in her persona was a sign of a renewed spirit and nothing was going to put a damper on it.

*****

"Mabel, Stan, I'm off."

"Ya only got a few hours of sleep, if that!" blustered Stan.

"I'm fine, I'm packed, and I'm ready to go."

"Goodbye darling!" Mabel embraced her. "I'll miss you," she sniffled.

Stan stood near the door. "Ya don't have to leave, ya know that, right?"

Elizabeth kissed him on the cheek. "I know."

"Thank ya for helpin' me out."

"You're welcome. Candy's a good kid from a decent family. She just needs to get her head on straight..."

He pulled her in his arms. "Don't be a stranger."

"I won't," she mumbled into his chest.

"And when you get tired of them there Bennet's, just roll on back down here for some damn fine country vittles and your second family!"

Elizabeth smiled as he let her go. "I'll be seeing you." And with that she went out the door.

*****

Darcy woke up feeling listless. It was useless to delay this any longer. Elizabeth was mad at him, her family, and probably the whole world or at least the world she thought she knew. So why do I keep praying I'll run into her here?! If he did not have a lunch date with his cousin and Charlotte, he would leave in the blink of an eye. But there was always that small glimmer of hope. And when the Colonel rang him last night and said he had good news, Darcy was beside himself with anticipation.

Darcy was already seated at his preferred table in The French Room restaurant of the Hotel Adolphus where he was currently residing. He sipped his Merlot as he tried to calm his nerves. The Colonel and Charlotte appeared at the table in due time.

"Hello Will!"

They embraced, but Darcy looked fervently towards the door.

He sighed. "Cousin. What news? What news?"

"Can we sit down first?" laughed the Colonel.

"Of course!" Darcy then kissed Charlotte on the cheek. "Good to see you again."

"It's nice to see you too, Will." They sat. "You look well."

"Been trying to stay in shape," he flexed his arm. "So... What's this good news?"

"Will, must you always play the inquisitive one?" she chided.

"You..." he looked over at his cousin, "... had my interest piqued with that cryptic call you made last night. So out with it!"

"I'm hungry. How about you, Char?"

"Famished!"

Darcy groaned and called over a waiter. The waiter took their orders, another brought out a fresh basket of bread, another brought their drinks, another poured water in their glasses, while yet another finally brought their delicacies. They talked amiably about nothing, over and through the muted service. Charlotte and the Colonel enjoyed the suspense that Darcy obviously hung in.

"Okay! Enough!" whispered Darcy. "My head is spinning with all manner of what you two could possibly be up to!"

"We're getting married!" they both chimed. Charlotte pushed forth her hand to show off her engagement ring.

"What?!"

Darcy tried desperately not to show his disappointment in their news. Disappointment is not the right word... He, of course, was ecstatic about their union, but he was just sort of hoping for a surprise appearance of a certain someone.

*****

Elizabeth's mailbox was practically empty when she pulled up. Charlotte had taken care to check the townhouse, retrieve her messages, stack her letters, and even... Shh!!! ... forge her signature on her checks to pay the bills on time. Elizabeth grabbed the few communications that remained in the box and walked inside. Bud ran through the house as though it was her first visit. It had been that long! But she was home.

Elizabeth sat down at her desk and looked at the large stack of letters and the numerous phone messages written out on the familiar pink paper. She put her bag of McDonald's french fries on the desk, dug in happily, and began opening her correspondence. There were several inquiries, a sundry of follow-ups, scads of trial dates, and numerous pleas for her help; but she was not ready for all of this, so she called her parents.

*****

"Nope. Caroline has gone in search of you, my friend." Bingley laughed and slapped Darcy on his back.

"What?! She knows I'm here?!"

"No," smiled Jane. "She thinks you're in Austin and she plans to 'bump' into you on occasion."

Darcy looked suspiciously at Bingley. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Bingley tried to protest. "Just so I wouldn't leave Dallas!" he guffawed.

"I swear I had nothing to do with it!" defended Bingley.

Darcy caught the last traces of a coquettish smile from Jane as she made her way up the stairs.

*****

"Lizzy!" They embraced. "Welcome home!"

"It's good to be home, Mama."

"The prodigal daughter has returned, I see."

"Papa!" Elizabeth ran to her father.

"Hello, my darling." They embraced tightly. "I missed you!" he kissed her on the cheek. "Terribly!"

Elizabeth released him. "I missed you too!"

"You're not going to run off again, dear, are you?"

"No, Frances. I came to apologize." Elizabeth grasped her father's hand and pulled him over, she grasped her mother's hand as well. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused."

"You're forgiven, my dear."

"You're healing very nicely, Lizzy," smiled Mrs. Bennet.

"Thank you. I've been taking steps to clear it all up."

"Oh Lizzy! I hope you are finally going to quit that job of yours too?! Find a man and settle down somewhere, that's what I say. It's time..."

"Fran, maybe your daughter's hungry. Is there anything you can fix up?"

"I'm not really hungry. I had a little bite already."

"You're sure, dear?" inquired Mrs. Bennet. "I could whip you up something real quick."

"Not necessary. I'm not going to stay long. I haven't even seen Jane yet."

Mrs. Bennet waved as she ran to pick up the ringing phone. It was her usual early evening soap opera gossip call from her sister Lucy.

"Making the whole round of apologies are you?" winked Mr. Bennet.

They walked to the front door.

"Speaking of which, are you planning on talking to Will?"

Elizabeth lowered her head. "Yes."

"He's in town, you know?"

She looked up. "No. I, I didn't know."

"He's staying at the Adolphus. You should call him before he leaves tomorrow."

"I will." She kissed her father's cheek. "I'll see you later!"

She ran off to her car, waved, and drove off.

*****

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. Please show her in?" Georgiana seethed. How dare she show her face around here?!

The door opened. "Georgiana!" Caroline held out her arms for an embrace.

"Welcome to Pemberley Caroline." She stood near the window. "Won't you sit down?"

"Trey! Bennet!" called Jane from the doorway of the back patio. "It's time to wash up for dinner."

The boys stopped their wrestling and ran past her through the house.

"You too!" she admonished.

"Yes dear!" exclaimed Bingley.

"Okay, Mommy!" teased Darcy.

They got up from the grass and ran past her through the house.

*****

The sound of metal hitting porcelain, scraping, cutting, slurping noises from plastic cups, and sips from goblets were interrupted by the doorbell.

The butler appeared. "You have a visitor."

Jane stood up. "Lizzy!" She ran to her sister and they held each other so close that neither could breathe. "Oh Lizzy, I've missed you so much!" she cried.

Elizabeth mumbled a teary response. "I've missed you too, Jane!" A downpour of tears. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry..."

"Please don't leave us again?! Please?!"

"I won't," she choked. "I promise!"

By this time, everyone else at the table had risen to witness this display. The children had gathered around their wayward aunt, hugging her legs and waist, in joyous celebration.

Bingley joined in, although with a bit less exuberance. "I'm glad you've come home Lizzy."

Elizabeth wiped her face and embraced Bingley. "I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven."

"Look who's here, Uncle Will!" Trey grabbed Darcy's hand and pulled him into the hallway with the others. "Auntie Lizzy's back!"

Both blushed at the unexpected meeting, but neither looked away. Their gazes locked.

"Welcome home, Liz," barely alit from his lips. He held out his hand to her. "Welcome home."