William Darcy walked into his house in Pemberley, California, after a long day at work. You could hardly call it a house, however; it was more of a mansion. The place was elegant and grandiose, with enough space to fit at least twenty people with room to spare. He inherited it after his parents had died, and sometimes, the space seemed like too much for just him and his sister. On a day like today, though, he was grateful for the isolation of it. He loved his work, and took his position as heir to an entertainment industry seriously, but some days were arduous and dragged on. Today was one of these days.

Darcy walked into the main lounge before making his way up to his room, to see his sister. Georgiana was seventeen and beautiful. The two looked alike- both were tall, with pale blue eyes, and light skin. The only difference was Georgiana's golden blonde curls in comparison to his dark hair. Georgiana was shy and affectionate; and this along with her looks and inheritance made her easily preyed upon by every man she had ever met. Darcy had cared for her since their parents' deaths and he loved her more than anyone else in the world, which made him fiercely protective of her. She was naïve and compassionate, so Darcy watched over her intensely.

"Gigi, I hope that book you're reading is schoolwork," Darcy said, peering over her shoulder.

"Hello to you too, Darcy. And no, it's for leisure. I finished my work last night." Gigi smiled at her brother who made his way over to a chair adjacent to where she was.

"That's good. I'm proud of you. Soon enough, we'll be seeing an acceptance letter from Harvard, right?"

Gigi rolled her eyes and laughed. "I have to apply first. But I'm sure if I don't have the grades, I could always buy my way in."

Darcy smirked. "I wouldn't hear of it. Besides, you're way smarter than me; and with all your extra-curricular clubs, they'd be stupid to turn you down," Darcy paused as Gigi went back into her book. "What is it you're reading, anyway?"

"A book I found in the attic. It was in one of mom's boxes."

Darcy looked curiously, "Is it any good."

Gigi smiled. "Yes. But I doubt you'd like it. It's a Victorian romance novel from the eighteen hundreds, not some profound poetry written by a middle aged hipster that you would like."

Darcy shrugged. "You never know, I might like it. And when have I ever read anything by a middle aged hipster?" He got up from his chair, moving closer to the hall.

"You know you would," Gigi said as Darcy laughed. "Oh, and before I forget! Bing called before, saying he needs to propose something to you. He said it is of the utmost importance that you call him back."

Darcy made his way up the stairs shouting back, "I'm sure it is."

Bing Lee was Darcy's friend from Harvard. Bing was handsome and perpetually optimistic, with a smile tattooed onto his face at all times. It was impossible for people not to gravitate towards his pleasant demeanor, even Darcy. But, he did have a tendency to over exaggerate. The last time he needed Darcy's urgent help was in picking out an outfit for an interview at UC-Berkeley medical school, and in the end, he ended up wearing the one Darcy deemed the worst.

Darcy picked up the phone and dialed Bing, thinking about how all he wanted to do was relax for the rest of the evening.

"Darcy, finally, man! I've been waiting all day for you to call."

"Sorry, I was in two corporate meetings and had a pile of paperwork to look over. But, I'm talking now, what was your question?"

"Well, as you know, I've gotten a residency in Sacramento and to cut down on traffic, I decided to buy a house here…"

"Okay, continue," Darcy said not knowing what to expect.

"And, I want you to come spend the rest of the spring and summer here with me! The house is huge, not like you're mansion, but we're lonely here. It's in this beautiful gated community called Netherfield, in this quaint town right. You'd love it. We could use you're great company!"

Darcy raised an eyebrow. "We? Is your sister there, too."

Bing sighed, "Where else would she be?"

Darcy chuckled. "Well, now I have the feeling it's less about you wanting me there, and more of you needing me there to diffuse the tension in case of some sibling rivalry."

"Of course not, Darcy! We love your company. You're always so cheery and … warm an-and…okay. I need you here. Please, she will drive me crazy if I'm stuck with just her indefinitely."

"Hey, I heard that," A girl's voice whined in the background.

"Hello, Caroline," Darcy said through the receiver. "I'm sorry Bing, but I can't. It's not that I wouldn't enjoy your company, but I can't leave Gigi."

"She can come, too!" Caroline shouted in the background.

"No, she can't. She graduates next year and I have to make sure she stays focused on her studies."

Darcy was about to hang up when he heard Caroline demand the phone. Bing responded with a no and a small tousle sounded over the phone. For a moment, there was static, until Darcy heard Bing say fine, and a small noise of triumph from Caroline.

"Darcy, it's Caroline."

"Yes, I can see that."

"Listen, I need you here. More than I need coffee. And, you know how much I need my coffee. If you don't come, I will die. I will die from Bing's incessant babbling and general annoyingness. And, you, William Darcy will be responsible for that."

Darcy laughed. "No, Caroline, you aren't being over dramatic at all."

"I'm not! Bing Lee is the death of me will be written on my grave. You know, Gigi is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. And your lovely aunt can come up on the weekends to check on her for you."

Darcy exhaled. He knew it was pointless to fight with Caroline, who had everything she ever wanted, but he had no intention on spending his summer at Netherfield. "Fine. I'll consider it."

"Yes," Caroline squealed triumphantly. "See you soon, Darcy!"

Darcy let out a sigh and lied down on his bed, contemplating the idea, until he heard a small knock on the door. He peeked up, to see Gigi standing in his doorway. She smiled and placed herself on the edge of the bed.

"So, what did Bing want," she inquired curiously.

"Nothing," Darcy said, lying back down.

"That nothing sounded like a something…" Gigi trailed.

"He wanted me to visit him at his house for the summer, maybe longer. But I'm not going."

"You should! It would be good to leave your work for a while!" Gigi said optimistically.

"It would, but I can't just leave the offices and you for an open-ended amount of time. Remember when I went to Vancouver for a month?"

Gigi scoffed and tapped him lightly. "Can we not talk about that? I was fifteen, Darcy, and admittedly stupid. But, it's not like I'm even talking to him anymore. I quit swimming, remember?"

"No, you're not. And he would be an idiot to even show his face in this town, or come within five hundred feet of you."

"Seriously, Darcy, you should go. You can still run the company over the internet. That's why they invented e-mailing and Skype."

Darcy turned and faced his sister. "I'd have to have Aunt Catherine come and check on you every week. And random inspections by Fitz, to make sure you're not harboring any men in the guest rooms."

"Fine. And it's not like I'll be alone. The housekeepers will keep me company," Gigi added. "Just promise you'll call me?"

"At every opportunity I get," Darcy promised.

Gigi gave him a hug and said, "Then you have some calls to make. If Caroline is there, you better pick the earliest flight possible." Darcy nodded in agreement, and she smiled at her brother as she left the room.

Darcy picked up the phone and made reservations for flight the next day. One way; first class.


Darcy stood in the baggage claim area, surveying the room for Bing. The airport was crowded and it would have been nearly impossible to spot Bing without his trademark smile. The two friends moved closer to each other, greeting each other openly.

"Mr. Darcy, I've been expecting you," Bing stated, in a horribly cheesy British accent.

"Good to see you too, Bing," Darcy said happily. "I was expecting to see your sister here, too. Or is it too early for her?"

"Oh, no. She's here; she just went to get Starbucks in the lobby. Get your bags and we'll go meet her." Darcy picked his luggage of the belt, and handed them to Bing's chauffeur. The two made their way into the lobby, where Caroline sat at in a lounge chair sipping a coffee with one hand, and holding one in the other. When she saw the two men, she made her way gracefully over.

Bing and Caroline were both attractive. Tall, with perfectly sculpted bodies and bright faces. Bing's disposition made him look more handsome than he already was, but Caroline's lack of smile didn't make her any less beautiful. She was a statue, practically flawless, but ice cold.

"Darcy," she smiled coolly. "I of course knew you wouldn't subject me to spending the whole summer with Bing; but, as a token of my gratitude, I got you a tea. Your favorite."

"Oh, thanks, Caroline. It's not like you big brother wanted a drink or anything," Bing said playfully.

Caroline shook him off easily. "Bing, you just bought a house in full. You are perfectly capable of buying your own coffee."

Darcy, in an attempt to stop some sibling sparring, gave a thank you to Caroline. "Very thoughtful. Even if it's Starbucks."

Caroline scoffed. "Oh, please. It's not like the airport is going to fly in Arabica beans fresh from Ethiopia to be blended into perfection for the Bings' and William Darcy. Be grateful."

Darcy smirked, and sipped the drink warily. "I am."

Bing looked at his watch. "Are you two going to keep talking about coffee, or can we leave?" Darcy nodded and started to walk towards Bing.

"Wait. Just one more thing. What in God's good name is on your head," she asked pointing at Darcy. He questioningly pulled the hat off his head and examined it.

"A hat?"

Caroline gave him an irritated look. "Obviously. I'm not blind. What I mean is why? It looks like it flew out of the Great Depression."

Darcy raised a shoulder. "I like it. It serves its purpose."

"So does a firing squad, but those are still considered cruel and unusual…" Caroline mumbled.

Bing impatiently ushered his sister and friend to the town car waiting for them, as Darcy anticipated how long this summer would drag on.