Chapter 26

Sunday August 12, 2001

William woke up first that morning. He remained still, not wanting to disturb Elizabeth, her body intertwined with his. He was content to rest quietly, observing her and meditating on them. It was, he concluded, a miracle to wake up in the arms of a beloved. An everyday miracle, to be sure. Millions of people did it everyday, but nonetheless, the commonness of this act could not diminish its specialness to him.

The solitude he had wrapped around himself as a protection from a harsh world that demanded so much of him that he was afraid to show any sign of weakness, had now found balance in duality. He was no longer alone, in anything. He hadn't realized the power of that until last night, when he returned from talking to Georgianna, to find her, ready to listen and eager to comfort him. The massive responsibilities he faced were no longer so daunting. His burdens would be shared by her, and he was determined to share hers as well.

But more than that, waking with his lover replenished him. It renewed his soul. He was comforted and strengthened, in ways he couldn't fully understand and certainly not express to anyone but her. Their secret language, that was only spoken by the two of them had grown in leaps and bounds this week. Their communication skills had progressed to being almost psychic. He was amazed at the change, when he considered his life before they took each other as lovers. It was only a week past, but it was also a lifetime ago.

She moved slightly, and his mind traveled full circle, back to where it had started. The everyday miracle of waking up with her. Waking up in a nest of love, waking up warmed by another. He realized that it was this ev eryday miracle that would enable him to do so much more, be so much more. Waking up with her he no longer saw the future as a battle or a struggle oppressing him. It was instead a future full of delightful possibilities. It was from this warm nest that they would create a new life with each other, and in time, the new lives of children.

He watched for the event he cherished every morning. Then it happened: her eyes opened, and regarded him with such love it stole his heart away. This morning she smiled in a particularly feline way, looking delighted with herself. "Hi Yummy," she purred.

William's eyes flared as the memory of last night filled his mind. William had been gone down on by many women, but he could not recall a partner who was as eager as Elizabeth, or one who was as proud of her results. The most unusual thing was afterwards, when he lay gasping, his hands still tightly clenched around the sheets, she simply snuggled beside him and before he could att empt to return the favor, she fell asleep! By his count, he was in her debt, and he intended to discharge his debt, with interest.

****

When they finally stumbled out of the tent later, happy and fuck-drunk, they were surprised by the number of people in the camp. Longbourn was filled with not only its full membership, but also half the membership of Pemberley. Elizabeth half-frowned, puzzled, until Georgianna approached them.

"Good morning," she said brightly.

A look passed between Elizabeth and William, expressing the fact the neither had a clue what was going on. "Good morning, Georgie," Elizabeth said warmly. "What are you doing here so early?" She asked as nicely as she could.

"Oh, didn't you know?" At Elizabeth's sign, Georgianna explained, "Your aunt invited us over for breakfast this morning."

"Oh."

"She made us pancakes," Georgianna looked delighted.

Elizabeth yawned discreetly and started moving towards the coffee, while William called over the first two squires he saw, "Michael! Raff!" When the young men approached, he asked. "Did you eat yet?" At their smiling nods, he told them, "You are doing dishes, you know."

Raff rolled his eyes while Michael sighed, "I know! Charles told me, Richard told me,-"

"Is Richard here?" William asked in a tone of surprise.

"No, he called out from his bed," Michael explained, "We've already offered to do the dishes, we are just waiting for everyone to eat," he said with a meaningful look.

William took the hint and joined Elizabeth in getting some food. Georgianna sat down with them at one of the long tables under the commons tent. "Can we go shopping today?" she asked.

William looked to Elizabeth, who smiled agreeably, "Fine with me."

William grinned back, "Great, it will be just the three of us."

"Can Michael come too?" Georgianna asked.

William looked at her suspiciously, "Wh y?"

"To help carry," she said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh," William said tiredly, "That shopping."

"What shopping?" Elizabeth asked, amused by the display.

"Georgianna is on a first name basis with every fabric merchant here."

"I am n-" she stopped and thought a moment, "Well, okay, I am, but I don't know every trim merchant by name."

William grinned, "She's why I had to get the trailer, to carry all her fabric home."

"Stop it!" she laughed, punching him in the arm.

Elizabeth lifted a brow, saying archly, "Be careful, my love. Remember you have two ladies that have to buy fabric this year."

William covered his face with his hands in mock misery. "Oh, I'll be ruined! I'll have to get a second trailer." The women laughed at h is discomfort and found that they had eased back into their comfortable relationship.

The day was perfect; warm, sunny, but not too hot. Elizabeth and Georgianna tore a vicious swath through the fabric and trim merchants. Georgianna delighted in introducing Elizabeth to all the sellers and making it clear that Elizabeth deserved their best service. Georgianna did buy a truly staggering amount of fabric, which she paid for, without even checking the totals, with a wave of plastic.

Elizabeth's purchases were more modest. She carefully considered each item, passing on most, and buying only that which she knew was so unusual she wouldn't find it elsewhere, or that was an exceptionally good value. William tried to pay for her selections, but she stopped him. "Don't," she told him in a firm tone.

William waited until they were out of the merchant's tent before questioning her. "Why not, my heart?"

"It makes me uncomfortable, Will," she said, not meeting his eyes.

"I can see that," he agreed. "What I want to know is why?"

Elizabeth sighed. "William, I'm not your wife. We're not even engaged." She hated saying this, "We are sleeping together and you are trying to pay my way. How do you think that looks?"

William stood quietly a moment, thinking. Then his eyes flared to life an d his mouth dropped open. "Elizabeth!" he gasped. "Oh my God, you don't think that I . . . ? Elizabeth, I don't think of you like that!"

Elizabeth ducked her head down, "I know you don't, William, and I never thought you did." She reached out to him, taking his hand, "But you must face facts. To many people, it will look very much like I am your mistress and with you for your money." It disgusted her to even say the words. She hated admitting there was a world outside of the two of them.

William held her close, his cheek rubbing against hers. "Elizabeth, you are not my mistress, you are my lady. You know that, don't you?" His rich, deep voice was soft and tight with intensity. "Last Sunday, we took each other. You are my bride," he asserted.

Elizabeth smiled. "I k now," she kissed his neck, just below his ear. "You are my lord," she added softly, "and always will be, but until things are a little more . . . formalized between us, I think I'd like to pay for my own stuff." She bit her lip. "I hope you understand?"

He nodded slowly. "I do, as long as you understand that I love you." He kissed her slowly, gently, then caught her lip between his and sucked it lightly. She opened to him, and he slipped inside, his tongue fluttering against hers slowly, reminding her of his other talents. She sighed and he caught her up, holding her upright as his mouth continued to plunder hers. Elizabeth's head swam in a sea of delicious sensations, her body responding to his in a way that was both familiar and thrilling. It was surprisin g to both of them how fast their arousal could rise to the other. It was only the lack of privacy that forced them apart.

"Elizabeth," he said, his breathing heavy, he closed his eyes in a visible effort to pull himself together.

She smiled at him, and released his body, to take his hand and squeeze it tightly. "I know, I know," she said understandingly. She was careful not to get too close to him while the pheromones were running so richly between them, otherwise she would take him right there on the street. "You can still get me gifts," she added softly, with a coy smile.

William lifted a brow at her, "I will remember that," he said, in a carefully offhanded fashion. "And you did say that the rules about paying for you would change if we were engaged, didn't you?"

Elizabeth swallowed, "Yes, I did," she said, her voice calm and emotionless, while inside her nerves were vibrating. She was surprised by how excited his remark made her. After all, hadn't they already made that commitment to each other, privately? But this was different. This was a public thing. This was taking their relationship out from under the bedclothes and holding it up before the light of day. She was glad he was taking it slow. She could see he wanted to move this along. That was his way: He had found her, won her, she was his bride, wedding tomorrow, end of story.

She knew he was taking this as slowly as he could for her, and it made it so much easier for her to agree to anything he might suggest. He was the perfect man for her, and she just kept falling in love with him again and again.

**** The foursome ate dinner out at the food court; the men tired, the women jubilant from the thrill of the hunt. Duri ng the day, Elizabeth had learned more about Michael. He was about to enter his senior year at MIT and planned on beginning his doctorate immediately following that. He was studying Micro Electronic engineering and had met William when he had interned at D-tech during his sophomore year.

When Elizabeth questioned if Will made it a point of meeting all the interns that worked for the company, William laughed and explained that Micro Electronics was his area of specialty, and he still kept in close contact with that department.

Elizabeth also noticed something she knew, from her conversation last night, that William did not. While there was never any touching, there was a surprising amount of eye contact between Michael and Georgianna. Elizabeth had suspicions which grew stronger as the meal wore on.

It was dusk when they were finished. Tiredly they got up and walked along the main road towards Pemberley. They passed troll, which was still filled wit h people checking in and moved on passed the security tent, from which Elizabeth heard her name. She turned, confused to see Jane and Charles standing in the security tent, their faces distraught, and Jane spoke in a voice that Elizabeth would be haunted by for the rest of her life, "Lizzy! It's Lydia!"

At that second, time got weird. It no longer obeyed the rules it had in the past. Things moved very slowly, but rushed by at the same time. It was only at that moment that Elizabeth saw the four police cars parked in front of security. William grasped Elizabeth's arm and led her into the large tent.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

"It's Lydia," Jane began. "Kitty found her down by the swamp." Her eyes were big and panicky. "Lizzy, she took drugs. They think she might have taken an overdose."

"What?!?" Elizabeth struggled to understand what was going on. "What are you talking about?"

Charles spoke up, his voice clear and serious. "Lydia was found down by Runestone hill. Kitty could see there was s omething wrong with her so they brought her to Chirurgeons. The person on duty was an emergency room nurse and recognized the symptoms right away. They think she took Oxy."

"Oh my God!" Elizabeth said, the color draining from her face. "Is she okay? Where is she?"

Charles held up a hand to slow her down. "Lydia was brought to the emergency room in Butler by ambulance. Your aunt went with her." He ran down. "There's more, but it's-" he stopped and bit his lips. "Lydia said she got the drugs from George Wickham."

Elizabeth doubled over as though she had been punched in the gut, until William's hands caught her. "What?!? What is he doing -OHMYGOD!" she gasped as she made a horrible connection. "Lydia! She told me the guy she was hanging out with, his name was Oliver, or something. Oh Christ! She's been with him all weekend and I didn't know. Will!" she cried, turning to him.

William rubbed her back distractedly while staring at Charles. "Where is he now?" he asked in a low voice.

"Don't know. The polic e are looking for him. They think he's dealing Oxy."

William considered a moment, then he turned to Michael, who was holding a frightened looking Georgianna's hand. "Take her back to camp and watch her."

Michael nodded and gently took Georgianna out of the tent.

William gently tilted Elizabeth's face up to his. "I know where he is," he said softly, his face grave yet tender. "I have to go get him. Stay here with Charles."

Elizabeth shook her head, confused. "Shhh, love. It will be okay," he promised her quietly. Then he looked at Charles, his eyes communicating what he couldn't say and he was gone.

Elizabeth and Jane were questioned for twenty minutes by the police, which was just long enough to make sure Elizabeth understood exactly how little she knew about her sister's activities since arriving at Pennsic. She felt waves of guilt, for both not protecting her sister and also for the anger she felt at Lydia for ruining her evening, and possibly her war.

The police officer sent them back to Longbourn, where everyone else was waiting. Elizabeth talked to Kitty and Jacques, but there wasn't much more information they could offer.

Lydia was found by the shower house at the base of Runestone hill. She was weak and confused when Kitty found her, and Kitty noticed that Lydia's pupils were tiny pin points and her breathing was very shallow. Kitty had seen Oxy before, one of her friends had almost died from it and she took Lydia to chirurgeons immediately.

Jane had never heard of the drug. Elizabeth had been trained on it at the high school, and explained OxyContin was a powerful prescription pain medication. It was a wonder drug for people with cancer and other types of acute pain, however, it had quickly gotten out onto the streets and was being abused. If the capsule the medication came in was crushed or chewed, the drug produced a powerful high. The problem was the drug be came toxic if combined with any one of a long list of others, including alcohol, as well as being dangerously addictive. A student at Elizabeth's high school had died from abusing Oxy with Zantac. Although that was the only instance Elizabeth had heard of in Meryton, she knew that the drug had killed huge numbers of young people in the larger cities.

The girls ran out of things to say, and worry overcame them. They sat quietly, with Charles and Jacques standing over them, their uncle's cell phone nearby, waiting for word from their aunt on Lydia's condition.

****

William was in a white hot rage when he reached Pemberley. He dispatched the first man he found to get his truck then he called for Richard, who emerged from his tent with a worried look. The look got worse as he saw William's expression, "Good God Darcy! What is it?" he asked.

William looked at Michael, who stood protectively by Georgie and then explained. "Wickha m."

"What? He's here?" Richard asked. He hated when William went monosyllabic on him.

William nodded, his jaw tight. "The bastard doped up Elizabeth's sister. The police are looking for him. They think his dealing."

Richard nodded slowly, his face calm. "What are you going to do about it, Darcy?"

"The police won't find him. He'll disappear down in those woods. I'm going to get him and bring him out."

Richard nodded thoughtfully. William was right. Wickham could easily elude a search down in those woods, especially at night. He also knew that Wickham was too good at manipulating William. Nope, this required that he take a hands-on approach. "I'm going with you."

"Fine," William said. He looked at Georgianna. Her face was a blank mask, but he could imagine what she was feeling. "I want you to stay with Michael till I get back," he said softly, then he hugged her and kissed her cheek. Georgianna nodded, her jaw squeezed tightly, as she turned to Michael.

Richard had returned to his tent briefly than reappeared wearing modern clothes, tucking something into his pocket. "No guns," William said firmly.

Richard held up his hands and moved towards the gate, William walking beside him.

It was so much easier than it should have been. Wickham should have been hiding. He should have been afraid. He should have ran when he saw them. But he didn't.

The fool was sitting around the campfire, in the same camp he was in last year when William found him draped over his sister. He was smiling, laughing even. When William and R ichard appeared standing over him, he looked confused. It was only when he saw the coldness in William's eye that the smile faded. "Evening, Will," he said. "Something I can do for you?"

William couldn't answer, so Richard said in a voice that wasn't hostile, but also could not be disagreed with, "You are coming with us." Wickham began to rise, but he was too slow, and William grabbed him roughly by the arm, dragging him to his feet. "Give me an excuse," he hissed in Wickham's ear. "I told you never to mess with me or mine again, didn't I?"

If Wickham had been a smart man, he would have shut his mouth right there, but he wasn't. "Oh," he sneered, "Something wrong? I heard you got together with Lizzy. Well, she's a smart girl, she knows where the money is." He grinned arrogantly, "You are welcome to her. She's tasty, don't get me wrong, but her little sister is more my style."

CRACK went Wickham's jaw as William's fist smashed into it. Richard enjoyed the show, having been on the receiving end of the Darcy haymaker himself, but he also knew when to break up the party, before William totally lost control.

"That's enough William," He said quietly as he quickly grabbed Wickham's left arm, and began marching him out of the camp. William grabbed the right arm with a black look and the trio went quickly to security.

They were almost there, when two slim figures stepped into their path. "You!" Wickham gasped.

"Surprised?" said the smaller of the two.

"Very," Wickham replied grinning warmly. "It's good to see you again, Princess."

Georgianna snorted. "Princess! Do you remember how you called me that last year. You know, looking back at it n ow, it's really funny, everything that happened," she shrugged, and continued in a sarcastic voice, "in a sad, pathetic kind of way."

"Miss me?" Wickham asked. He was grasping at straws, as he became aware of how much trouble he was in.

Georgianna laughed, "Oh hell no! What was there to miss? Our 'relationship'? You said you were going to show me things that, how did you put it? Oh yes, you said it would be 'new, exciting and wonderful'." She flared her eyes dramatically. "Well, it was new, I gotta give you that one. I never had the dry heaves before. And it was certainly exciting when William showed up, wasn't it?" She leaned close to Wickham's face, "but it was never wonderful, George. It wasn't even good. In fact, now that I know better," she paused, tilting her head, "I'd have to say that you suck!"

George glared at her meanly, the pressure William was placing on his arm reminding him to keep silent.

"But I want to thank you," Georgianna continue d smugly. "Thanks to you, I know exactly what to avoid. No more assholes. I know you will be pleased to hear, George, that due to you, I'm going to be sure that the man who gets me, and my love, and my money, is much more deserving than you." She turned to leave.

"Bitch," he muttered venomously.

Georgianna turned back, a nasty smile on her face, "Oh no, I think that's going to be your job, George. Have a good time in prison. I know a pretty boy like you is going to be very popular." She winked and walked away.

****

It was a quarter after ten when Richard walked into Longbourn. Charles walked over to meet him and the two men talked softly, then joined the women, who they were keeping a vigil by the fire. "Have you heard anything yet?" Richard asked gently.

"Not yet," Elizabeth replied, while the others shook there heads. Mary had been summoned and had joined in the waiting, while Scott stood quietly, close by. "Richard, where's William?" Elizabeth hated the weakness and blatant need in her voice.

Richard sighed and said to Elizabeth, "Come with me, please."

Elizabeth frowned, but rose to join him. Richard walked with her to the large common tent and sat down with her at the table. "William has gone to look after Lydia at the hospital. He wants to try and help out in any way he can."

Elizabeth's face expressed the confusion she felt at this information. "Why?" She asked. "Why isn't he here? What can he do there?"

Richard felt sympathy for her. He understood William's motivations better than she did, but he could see she needed William badly.

"Did he find Wickham?" she asked, her voice distant.

"Yes," he replied softly. He didn't know what William had told her. "We found Wickham in his camp and walked him up to the police. He was searched and they found three prescription bottles for Oxy on him, and another five in his tent. They arrested him and he will be arraigned in the morning."

Elizabeth looked at Richard frankly. He was being very clear and factual. She didn't know how he knew what he did, but she trusted him. "Will he be convicted?"

Richard nodded. "I believe so. The evidence is pretty strong, especially if Lydia can testify against him. If he's convicted, he will be looking at some significant prison time. The judges are really coming down hard on Oxy dealers now."

"Thank you," she sai d sadly.

She was rolling her hands together in a nervous fashion. Richard reached out and stilled them. "Elizabeth, try not to worry. I suspect this was your sister's first time on Oxy. She got help in time, she should be fine."

Elizabeth looked up at him from her hands. "Thank you, Richard. That's very comforting, I just wish Will-" she broke off as a sob escaped her lips.

Richard took her into his arms and held her, patting her back and encouraging her to cry. "It's okay, Elizabeth. William said he was going to call as soon as he knew anything. "

Elizabeth's voice rose. "But why? Why is he not here, or if he wanted to go and help, why didn't he take me with him?" she cried angrily.

Richard sighed, why was he here comforting his cousin's girlfriend? I t made no sense, except that she was family. "Elizabeth, William would kill himself if he was here. He can't stand waiting, never could." he grinned slightly. "He has to do something, and driving to the hospital and waiting hand and foot on your aunt is 'something'." He sighed and made a decision, "Elizabeth, I think he feels responsible for what Wickham did."

"What?" Elizabeth pulled back to stare at him wide-eyed. "That's insane!"

Richard nodded in agreement, "Nevertheless, I know William as well as I know myself, and I know his little brain is working overtime of this." He paused, and a frown creased his forehead, but he said nothing.

"Richard," Elizabeth said softly, "I know about last Pennsic, about Georgianna."

Richard nodded. "Good, that makes this easier. I wasn't sure ho w much he had," he trailed off and looked at her. "Well, now I 'm being stupid, because if he hadn't told you yet, he would have." Richard smiled tightly, "He does love you, you know? I've never seen him happier."

"I know, and I love him," she said firmly. She wasn't trying to convince Richard, it never entered her mind, but she did convince him by the strength of her words.

"When William comes back, he's going to need a whole lot of understanding, Elizabeth. I hope you are ready for it."

Elizabeth stared at the candle flame that illuminated the table. "I am Richard. I can handle anything, as long as he's with me." She was surprised by her own words, but they were the truth, so she let them stand.

Richard got up to leave, on he way out, h Ue paused, "It may help you to know this: when Wickham messed around with Georgie last year, I forbid William from pressing charges against him. I knew it wouldn't have helped. Wickham would walk and Georgie would just be more hurt."

Elizabeth looked at him, and nodded once, "Thanks."

Richard left her alone with her thoughts and Elizabeth was forced for the first time to really think about Lydia. She didn't want to. It was much easier to just avoid the topic altogether and focus on where William was, or what would happen to Wickham, but she couldn't dodge it anymore.

She hoped she wouldn't die. She didn't think it was likely, from what little she knew, but it was a fear she had. It was a selfish motivation, but Elizabeth's head swam with all the things that would be permanently fucked if she died. Not the least being her and William.

On ce Elizabeth got that selfish thought out, she began to really worry about her. Lydia was her least favorite sister. She was spoiled, whiney and immature. She was the baby who had been fawned over by her mother, while Elizabeth felt left out, and once she got older, Lydia was the nuisance that Elizabeth had to watch and care for, instead of having fun.

But she was her sister. She still did the occasional thoughtful thing, and she could make Elizabeth laugh like few else could. Elizabeth's heart lurched when she thought about what would happen to her parents if Lydia didn't make it.

Her mother would never recover, and her father would blame himself. She sighed, how is it that one foolish little girl who was lacking in enough good sense to care for herself could touch some many lives?

Elizabeth didn't bother making stupid promises to herself. If Lydia survived, Elizabeth would still treat her as she did before, but perhaps she wouldn't be so quick to wr ite her off.

Elizabeth walked back to the campfire where everyone waited, talking softly. It was like the phone was waiting for her, as soon as she sat down, it rang.

Edward Gardener answered it. "Yes? Yes. Oh thank God! I will. We will see you then. Talk to you later- what? She's right here, hold on." Her uncle held out the phone to Elizabeth, "Lizzy."

Elizabeth answered as calmly as she could, "Hello?"

"Elizabeth," His voice was tired, and grave, but she had never been so relieved to hear it.

"William," she croaked, "Is everything okay?"

"I think so. Your sister is going to be fine. The doctors gave her a narcotic antagonist as a precaution, but they think she will be released by morning." He paused. "Wickham's been arrested, the arraignment is scheduled for the morning."

"When are you going to come back?" she asked softly.

"I don't know, Elizabeth. I have to take care of things here," he said distantly. "Hopefully some time late tomorrow."

Elizabeth bit down hard on her pain. His wall was back, the mask was on, he had pushed her out. She wanted to rail, to rage against it, but that was useless. 'Perhaps,' a voice told her, 'he needs that wall to deal with this.' Elizabeth accepted this and said the only thing she could, "Thank you for calling me. I was worried." She couldn't help but add, "I miss you."

Silence. "I told Richard to tell you I would call," he said with difficulty. "I miss you too, Elizabeth," another pause, then a tiny, broken voice that ripped at her heart said, "I'm sorry," and the phone went dead.

Elizabeth turned off the phone, and spun around to face a group of happy people. It took her half a second to remember: oh yes, Lydia's going to be okay. Jane came over and hugged her tightly, "You okay?" she asked, her face lined with concern.

Elizabeth nodded, feeling foolish, "I miss William," she said softly, trying to keep her tears in check.

"What did he say?" Jane asked in her best sisterly tone.

Elizabe th shrugged, "Not much, just that Lydia would be okay, Wickham's locked up and he hoped to be back tomorrow."

Jane hugged Elizabeth tightly, not asking for her to explain. She just held her until Elizabeth's body relaxed. Then she asked, "Would it make you feel better to sleep at Pemberley?"

Elizabeth shook her head. It would make her felt better, but she would also feel like she was trespassing. "No, I'll stay here tonight."

"Why don't you get some sleep now, Lizzy. There's nothing more you can do tonight."

Elizabeth nodded and put herself to bed. But she found she couldn't get comfortable. The rope bed, 'the Bennet bed' he had called it, was fine and supportive for two, but it seemed huge and painfully empty when she was by herself. As soon as she was alone, she could hear William's voice saying, "I'm sorry." She must have replayed that brief conversation a thousand times over in her mind. Sh e thought of a hundred different things she could have said, should have said, but nothing could comfort her.

She was afraid. That was the bottom line: She was terrified. What had happened? Why did he sound like that? Did he still love her? She couldn't even cry. She wanted to, she wanted to cry in his arms, to feel him hold her. Oh God, she would give anything to be in his arms again. She missed him so much! How could she miss someone so much after only being separated 8 hours? It was a mystery, but all she knew was that she was sick at heart and needed him badly.

She almost laughed out loud when she realized she hadn't given Lydia two thoughts once she knew her sister was going to be okay. Some big sister she was. Finally, near dawn, sleep overcame her mental ruminations and she found a few hours of peace.

****

Monday August 13, 2001

She woke up the next morning, wishing she had slept at Pember ley. William's tent stayed cooler for a much longer time compared to her little nylon oven. She was forced out at 8:30, not being able to stand another moment. Her mind was still a bit muddled, as she happily thought that next year she would be in the pavilion and not have this problem. Then she woke up and that happy thought crumbled. She had no idea if she would be with William next year, or anything.

She stumbled out to the common area and was surprised to see Jane, Georgie, and Ari there. "What's up?" Elizabeth asked.

"Oh, there she is," Jane said brightly as she came over to hug her. Elizabeth accepted the hug, and one from Georgie too. While she was holding Georgie, Elizabeth asked the girl if she was okay.

Georgianna smiled, "I'm fine. How are you doin g?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "I'm good, I guess."

She got some coffee while Jane related the latest news. "Aunt Maddy said that Lydia should be released soon," she checked her watch.

Georgie nodded. "William is going to take your sister home, and make sure everything is all right with your parents."

"Oh my god! Jane, did anyone call home?" Elizabeth realized she had totally forgotten about her parents.

"Yes, of course, Lizzy. They have been fully informed." She smiled kindly at Elizabeth, "You are really missing him, aren't you?"

Elizabeth grinned sadly, "Yeah."

Jane nodded, while Georgianna said, "Don't worry, he will be back tonight."

Elizabeth let the words wash over her. They didn't comfort her, because she had no idea what his return would be like. Would he be okay once they were back together? Or would they have to break down those walls between them again?

"Ready Lizzy?" Jane asked.

"What?" Elizabeth looked up, startled.

"I said we were ready to take our showers, do you want to come?"

"Oh," Elizabeth pulled herself together, "Yes, let me just get my towel and things."

Besides her shower, Elizabeth spent the rest of the day in camp. There weren't any classes she wanted to take, and somehow, she couldn't pull herself together enough to do anything else. She helped fixed lunch, and clean up from it, and then sulked for the better part of two hours.

Finally she got so tired of waiting she knew she had to do something or lose it. Worrying about William had not brought him home any faster. The phone had not rung, and for some reason, she wasn't willing to call him. She needed to have their next discussion face-to-face. There was only one realization she was able to make with any certainty: that she loved him and that she wanted him back. It wasn't much, but it was something.

Finally at two-thirty she had had it. She rounded up the kids of the camp and announced that she was going to take them to the playground. Charles who had spent the day hanging out in camp with Jane said, "Hang on, Lizzy."

A minute later, Arial appeared at her side. "Lady Elizabeth, can I go with you?" she asked politely.

Elizabeth was puzzled by this, but couldn't see any reason to object, so she agreed. It would be nice to have another adult along, and Elizabeth still felt a twinge of guilt for not being nicer to Ari when she had met the squire at War Camp.

As the two women watched the children playing, Elizabeth tried to start up a conversation. "William told me you are a very talented fighter. He believes you will be the first female knight in the Kingdom."

Ari smiled politely, "That is very kind of him, my lady. I didn't know he felt that way, but knighthood is my goal," she said firmly. "Sir Fitzwilliam is very good at looking after the people in his household."

Elizabeth smiled, "Yes, he is very loyal." She worried Ari might misinterpret her words, "But he is also very careful in his opinions. He wouldn't say he thinks you will get a white belt if he didn't believe it."

"I know, my lady. I have known William for almost three years now. He is quite admirable in almost all things."

"Almost all?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well, he has been known to screw up majorly in matters of the heart." she said with a slight smile. "I remember a time, not so long ago, when he left a lady hanging for something like three months, then expected he could just pick right up with her." Arial looked meaningfully at Elizabeth, "I'm glad the lady gave him a piece of her mind."

Elizabeth grinned, "Oh, more than just a piece, mind you." Elizabeth had to ask, even though she knew the answer, "Have you and William ever been close?"

Arial smiled reassuringly. "I swear to you my lady, William has never been more than a teacher to me." Elizabeth gave her a look of thanks. "Not that he's hard on the eyes, or anything," she grinned, "it's just he's never been my type. Too cerebral, too intense."

Elizabeth remembered William's comment on how Ari wasn't a lady, but a squire and believed her completely. "So, what is your type, my lady?" Elizabeth asked pleasantly.

"To tell you the truth, I haven't been dating in the SCA. I've been so focused on the knighthood, I haven't had time."

"It must be very hard. I'm told you have to be better than most, even to be considered."

Arial nodded, "That's true. And I have to be very careful to watch my step and not offend anyone."

"So, how did you join Pemberley?"

Ari smiled, "I discovered the SCA and Pemberley though Richard. We were working together on a case."

"What kind of case?" Elizabeth frowned, "I don't even know what Richard does for a living."

"You didn't know? I'm sorry, I thought they had told you."

"Told me what?"

"Richard is a profiler for the FBI. A good one too."

Elizabeth looked at the slight, smiling woman before her, "And you are?"

Arial's face changed like she had flipped a switch. Gone was the smile and the friendly eyes. Instead a calm, slightly bored look of indifference appeared. She held up her left hand, which was empty, but Elizabeth for some reason could visualize a badge there, and she said in a low monotone voice, "Ms. Bennet, I'm Agent Wong of the FBI. I'd like to ask you a few questions about your sister, a Miss Lydia Bennet in connection with a George Wickham."

She stopped and Elizabeth stared at her with her mouth hanging open until the bored agent face disappeared as if it was never then and Ari was back, laughing at Elizabeth's shock. "I guess you didn't know," she giggled.

"How did you do that?" Elizabeth asked amazed.

Ar ial grinned, "Lots of practice," she told her confidentially. "But, as you can see, I'm use to having to have to fight to get a position in a man's world."

"I see that," Elizabeth gasped. She laughed at herself, "I'm sorry, I just, never would have guessed."

Ari shrugged, "It's okay, I keep my professional life and my fun life pretty far apart."

"Oh, I can understand that." Elizabeth agreed, "So, tell me about Richard."

"Well," she began, "Richard is exactly what he makes himself out to be: a rich, bad boy, except that he's brilliant at understanding the human mind and he's a Ph.D. in Psychology. He's one of the best profilers in the FBI. He finds serial killers. He works longer and harder than almost anyone I know, and when he takes a break, he really cuts loose! Hence the SCA."

Elizabeth regarded Ari carefully, "So you are telling me that Pemberley not only has the best candidate for the first female knight, but also one the few gay ones in the Kingdom too? " She lifted her eyebrows, "I never realized we were so progressive."

Arial looked at her surprised, "You caught that?" She grinned. "You're good, most people don't notice Richard is gay."

"I've worked in a fabric store for seven years. You learn to pick up on that kind of thing."

"It's not that Pemberley is trying to be progressive," Ari explained, "It's just that William believes in doing what is right, and seeing people receive the recognition they are entitled to," she shrugged. "William isn't making a statement or waving pride flags or anything, he's just doing what he believes is right."

Elizabeth smiled and nodded, knowing Arial was correct. That was William, her paragon of virtue. Then a thought occurred to her, "Does the fact that you are a FBI agent have anything to do with why you went with me here? And to the shower this morning?"

"I knew you would get it," she said smiling. "Richard is concerned, and I agree, that there is a possi bility that one of Wickham's friend's might be feeling a little hostile towards you and the others in your family, so we've just been keeping an eye on Longbourn."

"Does William know?"

"Who do you think ordered it?"

Elizabeth nodded. Then she started at Ari, "You don't really think some one would attack us here on the playground, do you?"

"If I did, would we be talking about your boyfriend?" She wrinkled her nose, "I don't think so. No, the chance is very slight, we are just being cautious."

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth ducked her head, "that must have sounded stupid."

"Not at all, Elizabeth. It's a normal human reaction to be cautious when someone close to you has been hurt, especially by someone you know. It causes you to question all your relationships." She patted her on the shoulder. "You are being perfectly normal."

Elizabeth thanked the woman, who had grown so much in her estimation over the course of one conversation. Arial was so much more than Elizabeth had thought . Once again, she was impressed by William's household, and his created family.

"Where is Richard, anyway? I haven't seen him all day," Elizabeth said.

"In bed," Ari told her smiling. "He stayed up all night, watching over Longbourn until Charles relieved him this morning."

Elizabeth started at her, "I didn't know," she said softly, shaking her head.

Arial gestured with her shoulders, "He's like that. He comes off all harsh and prickly, but he would do anything for his family." Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully and noticed the time. It was getting late, so she gathered up the children to go back.

"Ari," she started, then frowned, "I'm sorry, what is your real name?"

"Cathy, Cathy Wong," she answered smiling.

"Cathy, would you like to have dinner with us?" she asked. It wasn't much, but it was all Elizabeth could do right now to show her gratitude.

"Thanks, Elizabeth, but I already have plans," she winked.

Elizabeth returned with the children to Longbourn. Ari waved to h er and departed for Pemberley as Jane approached her. "We got a call from Aunt Maddy. Lydia's home safe, and she and William will be back sometime tonight."

"What about Wickham?"

"He's being held in jail. No bail has been set. They think he would flee."

Elizabeth felt a tightness in her chest relaxing. It was like she could breathe again. He's coming back. He'll be here soon. She thanked Jane for the news and did what she always did when she was worried: cook.

She made dinner for the camp (and the next two camps over) but found that when the distractions of cooking and cleaning were gone, she still had a great wall of uncertainty in her mind. It was like that children's game; can't climb over it, can't go around it, can't go under it, have to go through it. So she went into her tent to try and think through it.

An hour later, she was not through it. She loved William. She knew that, she clung to it and hoped it would be enough. She had no idea what she would find when he came back, but she was determined to do whatever was necessary to be with him.

*****

She was dozing when Maddy came in. "Lizzy, wake up," she said softly.

"Aunt Maddy?" She noticed it was dark outside. "I must have fallen asleep, what time is it?"

"It's a little after nine," she sat on the bed near Elizabeth. "I need to talk to you, Lizzy."

Elizabeth sat up. "How's Lydia?"

"She's fine, surprisingly. She seems to think this was all an exciting adventure." Maddy shrugged. "I frankly don't get it. I would have been traumatized, but it just seems to wash off of her. I suppose it's a blessing, of sorts."

"What happened?"

"Well, last night security came to the camp and told us that something was wrong with Lydia, } so I went to chirurgeons and found her there. I could tell something wasn't right, she was still high from the drugs. The person in charge was an emergency room nurse, thank goodness, and he recognized right away what was going on. Kitty might have told you that."

Elizabeth nodded, and her aunt continued, "We went to the hospital in an ambulance, and there they gave her something called Narcan and monitored her, as she came down from the drugs. Luckily, she didn't have any serious side effects. Around ten or eleven, the nurse told me William was there, and I told him what was going on. He was very nice. He told me the police had Wickham. He sent me back to sit with Lydia and brought me coffee and anything else I needed." She smiled at the memory. "I think he called you then?"

"Yes, we were all up until the call came in that Lydia was all right."

"She was a very lucky girl. Any {way, she was released this morning and William took us to breakfast at the airport."

"Airport?"

"Yes, he had been busy during the night and had an attorney flown in on his plane with Wickham's records to make sure he couldn't weasel out of the charges. We met the plane. The attorney got off and we got in."

"He flew you home?" Lizzy was amazed.

"Yes," she nodded. "It's a lovely plane. William and I called your parents and arranged to have them meet us at the airport. We all had lunch together and explained what had happened. William made sure that your father understood everything. You mother was too upset, well, you know how she gets. Lydia is going to be seeing a crisis counselor tomorrow. She's going to be okay. "

Elizabeth was surprised at his kindness and generosity. "Why? Why did he do all this?"

Maddy took a deep breath and sighed. "Lizzy, we talked about that on the flight home. He blames himself for what Wickham did. Apparently Wickham did something similar to his sister last year and William thinks that if he had reported Wickham then, this wouldn't have happened."

Liz's eyes flared, "But that's not true!"

Maddy was privately relieved by Lizzy's reaction. "I know," she comforted her. "But he does blame himself for Wickham's actions, and he wanted to try and put things right." Her voice changed. "Now Lizzy, I have to ask you a question. Do you love him?"

"Yes," Elizabeth answered without thinking. "Why do you ask?"

"Because Elizabeth, he's hurting right now and he needs you." She put her arm around her niece's shoulders. "Are you sure about your feelings?"

"About my feelings yes. I'm certain." She looked at her aunt, her eyes softening, "I love him so much it scares me, but," her voice broke. "I'm not sure what he's feeling. When he called last night, he was so cold."

"Oh L izzy, can you really not know his feelings?" She held her niece close and patted her back reassuringly. "He loves you, Lizzy. Anyone can see that." She pushed Lizzy back so she could look in her eyes. "But you have to be strong. He needs you, and you have to be there for him completely. You have to be ready to dive in and get messy. Otherwise he'll just get hurt more, and I don't want that. He's too good."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and a single tear ran down her face. "I'm ready." She knew what she had to do. "Where is he?"

"In his camp."

Lizzy nodded and put on her cloak. She gave her aunt a hug, "Thanks . . ." She wanted to say more, but words failed her. Her aunt nodded in understanding and left the tent with her.

Elizabeth slipped out of Longbourn's gate and walked the short distance to Pemberley. Michael was standing guard at the entrance. "I'm sorry, milady. The camp is closed tonight," he announced as she drew close.

Elizabeth drew back her hood. "It's me, Michael."

"Lady Elizabeth," he recognized, and stood aside to let her pass.

"Where is he?"

"In his tent."

She nodded and made her way to the large round tent. Quietly she slipped inside.

"William?" It was all dark and quiet. Elizabeth reached for the lamp and turned it on as his voice called out from the darkness, "Don't."

Light flooded the tent. Elizabeth gasped as she saw William's face. It was raw with pain and exhaustion. "Will?"

He moved to her and turned off the light. "What do you want Elizabeth?" His voice was dark, hard, cold.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and gathered her nerve. She was glad for the darkness. She didn't think she cou Zld handle seeing his face like that. "I talked to my aunt. She told me what happened. What you did. Thank you."

"Don't thank me, Elizabeth," he snapped. "Don't thank me for almost getting your sister killed." He turned away. "Go away, Elizabeth," he commanded wearily.

"No," Elizabeth could see he was trying to push her away, but she wasn't going to let him. "No, William. I'm not leaving. I don't know what you are thinking right now, but I'm not going anywhere. You did not do anything to Lydia. You helped my family. I don't know what we would have done without you."

"Without me," he interrupted her, "you never would have had this problem." His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "Don't you see, Elizabeth? Wickham never would have gone after Lydia, if it wasn't for me. He knew that I cared for you, Lydia told him that we were together. So he delib erately hurt her to hurt me." His voice broke. "It's my fault."

"Are you certain?" she said challengingly to his back. "I was the one who missed his name when Lydia told me. I was the one who didn't say anything when he tried to jump me at War of the Roses. Are you sure he didn't do this because I publicly humiliated him?" Elizabeth walked to him and touched his shoulder. "No William, I won't let you do this. It's not your fault. It's not my fault, or Lydia's or Georgianna's or anyone's except Wickham's. You are not responsible for what he does. You never were."

Silence fell between them. Then he asked, "Why are you here?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes. "Because I love you," she declared softly.

If he responded in anyway, she couldn't tell. He stood silent and frozen. "I love you so much, Will. I've been devastated since you left. I never knew how empty a bed could be until you weren't in it, and when you called last night, the pain in your vo ice. Oh God, I needed to be with you then, so much." She stopped until her voice was stronger, "Last night, when we got the call that Lydia was okay. I was relieved, but all I could think about was you." She put her head down, "I guess that's pretty selfish, but I couldn't help it. I love you."

He still had not moved. "Are you sure?" he asked in a small voice.

Elizabeth's heart broke at the vulnerability she heard in his voice. "Yes, I'm certain." She put her arms around him, pressing herself to his back. "I love you, all of you. The good and the bad. Your black moods, your disapproving looks, the arrogant way you set your jaw, everything."

He turned and took her in his arms. "Elizabeth," he cried.

Elizabeth led him to the bed, and sat with him, never letting go. She comforted him, rubbing his head and letting him release his grief on to her.

"When I saw what he did to her, I wanted to die, Liz," he said in an agonized whisper. "He's trying to ruin me. He's destro ying everything I love."

"No," she whispered as she kissed his ear. "No, he's not. He's not going to win, Will. I'm here, he hasn't broken us apart." She smiled as she realized the truth of what she was saying. "And Maddy said that Lydia will make a complete recovery."

"I just feel like if I had pressed charges last year, maybe he wouldn't have-"

"William, no." She interrupted his litany of guilt. "No. That won't do. If you had pressed charges last year, Georgianna would have been crushed. She was hurt enough as it was. And Wickham would have gotten off. There was no case against him. It wouldn't have made a difference to Wickham, and it would have permanently damaged Georgianna." She paused to kiss his head again. "Beside, I know that Richard forbid .you from pressing charges."

"Yes," his voice was muffled from her chest.

"See? You are absolved." She turned his head to look in his face. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the tent and she could see him clearly. Hurt, wonder, need and hope filled his face. Elizabeth kissed his lips, softly, gently, with all the love in her heart.

William's hand moved up to cup her cheek and the kiss deepened. When it ended, Elizabeth asked shyly, "Do you still love me?"

William smiled for the first time all day. "Elizabeth, asking me if I love you is like asking if I breathe. I love you, I will always love you," he stroked her soft hair and kissed her again. He relaxed in her embrace and together they laid down on the bed.

"I was so afraid you wouldn't come back to me." Elizabeth whispered into the darknes (s, from the safety of his arms.

"Why?" He asked, puzzled.

"When you called the other night, you sounded so cold and distant. It was like your mask was back up and you were shutting me out."

William's lips found hers, and he kissed her soundly, trying to erase the hurt in her voice. "Elizabeth," he said finally, "I will always come back to you. I have no where else to go." He stopped to kiss her again as his hand intertwined with hers. "I'm lost in you, my love." His voice darkened slightly. "If I was cold, it was because I was afraid. I was worried you wouldn't want me, that I had lost you because of him."

"Will," she sighed, "I'm yours. I don't know how to say it any clearer. Just like you, my place is right here. In your arms, in your bed, in your life, forever."

He leaned closer, kissing her lips gently. He teased her mouth open, then slowly slid his tongue against her. Elizabeth yielded to him, opening herself and allowing him to explore her.

All of William's fatigue, his hurt, worries and thoughts drifted away in her embrace. His mind let all that go and focused on the sensations of her mouth on his, her hair brushing his shoulder, her body under his hands and her warmth pressed against him. Time stopped and the world went away.

Elizabeth drew her hand up and stroked his hair, curling the waves around her fingers and marveling at the softness. She moved her lips away from his and along his jaw, to his ear, which she teased, and sucked, and bit. William jumped, and she giggled at his reaction. Pleased, she nipped down the side of his ne ck, enjoying each squirm she provoked.

She laughed. For the first time in over a day, she laughed joyfully at his reaction, and at the joy she felt with him. "I love you so much," she exclaimed as her body wrapped around his. They were still in darkness, but the breach had been healed. Gently, they undressed each other, not stopping until they were gloriously naked and back under the sheets.

William's arms encircled her, his hands caressing the soft skin of her back, traveling from her shoulder to her hip. "I hope you don't mind, but I don't think I can let you go," he said warmly.

Elizabeth rolled with him, so she was on her back. At the inquiring look he gave her, she reached down and found his cock, erect and ready. She positioned it at her entrance, then brought her hand back up to his face. She watched him, their eyes locked, as he slid home, like a key into a lock. "Now you can hold me forever," sh ^e sighed as she savored the pleasure of being filled by him.

William moaned slightly, humbled by the feelings that surrounded him. She was perfect, her body matched his in a way that was designed for the greatest possible sensations of pleasure. He tried to hold still, so he could feel her pulse around him. When he could take no more, he moved in her, slowly, extracting a gasp of satisfaction from her.

No thought was needed any more. It was an act of pure love. His need, her need, blurred together as one. They became as one. Their bodies found release as their hearts found the reassurance that words alone could not give. There was no need for artistry, for teasing, or games of power and control. It was simple and perfect lovemaking. Giving and taking, back and forth, until they merged in a gasping rush that exploded their senses and filled them bo `th.

When it was over, she stopped him from pulling out, holding him. "Don't leave yet," she said softly. William remained were he was, embedded inside of her, and kissed her gently. "Are you okay, my heart?"

She nodded, "I just need to feel you a little longer."

He smiled, "As long as you like." He kissed her eyelids, then her nose. "I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I was trying to help last night. I didn't mean to hurt or scare you."

Elizabeth smiled embarrassingly. "You did help. I don't know what we would have done without you." She lifted a shoulder. "I was just being needy and selfish."

He kissed her, a kiss of absolution. "No, my heart. I screwed up again. I should have brought you with me. I know that I needed you," he sighed at the memory. "Forgive me," he asked, "I will get this relationship thing down. I am trying."

Elizabeth grinned. She t ook a deep breath, enjoying the pressure of his weight on top of her. "I'm trying too. As long as we both keep trying, I think we will get it down." She gave him a saucy look. "I'm pretty happy with where we are now."

"I must be crushing you."

"You are," she said happily, "I like it."

"Let me try," he said, his voice warmed by mirth as he wrapped his arms around her and rolled them, careful not to slip out, until she was on top. "Oh, yes. This is nice," he agreed.

"Oh my God!" she gasped. "You're still hard!"

"Yes, being inside a beautiful woman does that to me."

Elizabeth moved slightly against him, pleasuring herself as she looked at him guiltily. "Do you mind?"

"Horribly," he pronounced. "Do it some more."

With a happy squeal they were off again, pleasuring and delighting each other until they couldn't remember any pain or hurt, and only knew the bliss of their lover's embrace.

This chapter required quite a bit of help. Many, many thanks go to Solange, Saint Amy & Saint Abigail for their help. It is amazing to me what a talented lot P&P fans are. Thanks also to Cathy Wong, my dear friend and fan, who let me borrow her name for Arial.

OxyContin is a serious drug problem that frankly I was not aware of until I did the research for this chapter. It profoundly disturbed me that when I did a search of it online, I immediately got 10 sites on Oxy addiction and 3 sites offering to sell it to me. It is not my intent to make light of the topic in anyway by including it in this work, and I hope I can raise some awareness of the problem.