I OWN NOTHING! Just the idea for this path down The Darcy/ Bennet road!

Chapter 1

All the way to Pemberly Elizabeth could only look out the window and wonder what she would be doing tomorrow at this time. With the proposal she was traveling to make, her whole world could be a completely changed place by the morrow. And yet nothing anyone could say would stop her from the journey she was making. And God know how they had tried! Her mother flew into a rage, her father disappointed that she had to be driven to this, and Jane upset because she knew how Elizabeth felt about the person she was about to approach. But it can't be helped. With Lydia's foolish elopement, and the Bennet family's situation, Elizabeth had no other choice. Mr Darcy was their last hope. His proposal was still fresh in her memory, as was her rejection. Although she did not love Mr. Darcy, she had at least begun to respect him, and to feel regret at her choice of words, and the rage in which she uttered them.

"C'est la vie" she though. She must put these thoughts out of her head and concentrate on what was to come. She had to convince Mr. Darcy to help her, somehow, anyhow! Anyhow...

This word brought a wide variety of situations to mind, ranging from innocent to dark and forbidden.

The latter scared her more than she cared to admit. God only knew what payment he would demand for his help, and she knew she was in no position to deny him. "If only I had not been so cruel in my rejection!" she thought as she saw the grand manner beautifully situated behind the glassy lake, the sun shimmering off the surface as if it was made of crystals. To be lady of this estate, she thought, would be no small feet, to be in charge of running the vast household would be a difficult task to be sure. And yet to live here, and know it was yours would almost be worth it all. Almost.

As the carriage pulled up to the doors of the magnificent stone house, windows shining in the strong midday sun, Elizabeth felt a sense of forbidding wash over her, making her palms sweat and a cold chill to race through her. The carriage door was opened and a gloved hand was presented to help her out of the vehicle. As she stepped out, she saw the doors of the house swing open and watched a man quickly descend the steps, taking two at a time. He ran right over the were Elizabeth stood, stopping in front of her gasping for air. "Ms. Bennet, Mr. Darcy has just left for town not two minutes ago. I tried my best to stall him, but once he makes his mind up there's no stopping him" he said with an apologetic look on his face.

"It's alright Col. Fitzwilliam. I know you did your best to detain him. Did he say when he should return?" Elizabeth asked anxiously, trying to calm her raging nerves. "He said he would most likely be home before dinner, and that I should wait for him. He just needed to check with his banker on a few things. Do not worry, he will be here" the Colonel replied trying to ease the lines off Elizabeth's pretty face. After saying this he motioned for Elizabeth to proceed into the house ahead of him. "Please, after you. I will show you to the drawing room and you can comfortably await him there" he said.

He led her to the drawing room, bowed to her and left, shutting the door behind him. Left alone only with her thoughts which she found could be quite dangerous, she found herself pacing the room and running a hundred different scenarios run through her mind. So deep in thought was she, that when the door opened she never heard it. It was only when she heard an all too familiar voice call her name did she realize she wasn't alone anymore. She quickly spun around, her hand clenching her neck, coming face to face with none other than Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy himself.

"Mr. Darcy!" Elizabeth exclaimed, as if surprised to see him in his own home. "Ms. Bennet, you act as if you are surprised to see me" he replied, his tone neutral and even, as if seeing her again didn't make his skin tingle or his pulse race. 'Easy man' he cautioned himself, trying to control his emotions. Usually he had no trouble in that area, and around most other people he would find it to be no trouble. But around Elizabeth Bennet, everything that was normal and easy for him became a struggle to maintain.

"Excuse me, of course I expected to see you. After all, it is your home, and I did request to see you. It is just I didn't hear you enter the room is all" she said looking everywhere but his face. "Well Miss Bennet, how may I be of service to you?" he asked keeping his tone light. In truth, he was dying to know the reason behind the visit. Only two weeks ago she had professed she had never wanted to see him again, and now to have her here, in his home, looking as beautiful as ever, was almost more than he could bear. He wanted nothing more than to pick her up and carry her to his room and not let her go until she admitted that she wanted him and loved him and would consent to marry him. And then she wouldn't want him to let her go, thus making him the happiest man in Derbyshire.

"Mr. Darcy, I do not doubt that by know you have heard of my sisters...elopement to a certain man, and that we do not have any idea as to their where abouts, other than London. You may also know my fathers financial situation, and his inability to go to London himself to search for them. Now, what I say next may be bold and indelicate, but than again, this whole situation is indelicate, and someone must do something... Mr. Darcy, I ask that you do anything in your power to find Mr. Wick ham and Lydia, and either bring them home, or witness them being wed. It is the only solution" she finished in a rush, not quite daring to look him in the eyes, her gaze resting on his chin. When there was nothing but silence from him, she quickly glanced up to see him staring at her with an unreadable expression on his own face.

"Let us assume for a moment, Miss Bennet, that the couple can be found and reasoned with, and persuaded to return Longbourn a happily married couple. Let us say I find them and matters are quickly dealt with. What then? I held up my part of the bargain. But for what?" he asked her, his eyes brilliantly shining from the light streaming through the windows. "For me" she replied simply. He studied her face, his eyes taking in the hopeless glint in her own eyes, and the weary lines around them. She simply looked tired, he decided. Tired but resolved. There was no mockery or hatred in those fine eyes. She was serious. Her sister and family's good name for her.

"You? Your willing to give up all you believe in, for your foolish sister? Your whole life with a man you dislike, for your family's name? That is what you meant, wasn't it? My money and power for you, however I want, correct?"

"Correct" she replied her shoulders back defiantly, her chin held high in the air.

"Well now, that's interesting" he said with a sniff.