Write My Name On A Sidewalk and Hope It Stays
Rated
: T
Disclaimer: La la la, I can't hear your legal complaints over my horrible singing, la la la…
Song: Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship.
Reviewers (who are freaking epic):
HappyAbbey: No problem, I'm glad they amuse you. X3 Just you wait, she will… eventually.
4everthankful: That's great, I'm glad! No, not always… you'll find out why soon enough.
Lucy: Thank you. ^^ Oh, more C vs. E will happen, trust me; and Mark's enlarged part will come to light eventually.

- Mr. Dreamy? Um, no, just, no. -

It wasn't until eleven was the rest of the household up, and even then some were still in their pajamas. Elizabeth was surprised since she thought rich people always woke up early, rode horses, played cricket, ate tea and crumpets, and smoked cigars… all before ten; she found out she was wrong, severely wrong. Charles and Gerard were the last to wake (Caroline and Louisa had to wake them up, actually) and were among those still in their nightwear at the breakfast table. Since Elizabeth didn't feel like getting into her muddy clothes, she stayed garbed in the borrowed clothes, ignorant of Darcy's fascination of her in them because she didn't dare look him in the eyes; Caroline was acutely aware, however, and was steaming. Jane was wearing a pair of Caroline's old pajamas since it was "undignified" to wear ones' clothes for over a day.

"Thank you for letting us stay, Charlie, I'm feeling better now…" Always the gracious one, those had been the first words Jane spoke once everyone was gathered and sipping on tea, waiting for kippers to be made by the maids.

"Oh, it was no problem at all, Jane. Really, it's a pleasure you're here! Well, not being sick and all, but…" Charlie trailed off, grinning sheepishly, a splash of color adorning his face. The silence that lapsed after that was suffocating; it wasn't until the kippers were passed out by the maids did any more talking occur. Even then, it was only between Caroline and Louisa who sometimes got anyone but Elizabeth to chime in.; she didn't particularly mind, since it was about what was "in" or "out" in the world, not really having ever been concerned with those trivial things before. Unable and not wanting to chime in, Elizabeth finished first, and when she rose to put her dishes in the sink, all five pairs of eyes turned to her.

"The maids will get the dishes, Eliza." Louisa said, with a pinched smile and haughty look. Flushing, she put her plate end cup back down, leaving the room silently until a voice made her stop.

"Miss Elizabeth, a word?" Before she knew it, Elizabeth had been ushered by Darcy up the stairs into his room with gentle guidance from his hand on the small of her rigid back; clattering silverware behind them told her Caroline wasn't one bit happy.

"I had—"

"I'm sorry!" Whatever Darcy was expecting from Elizabeth, it wasn't a high-pitched squeak accompanied by a beet red face. He'd expected her to be angry with him still since her posture was so stiff. He blinked in wonder, almost too stupefied to catch her arm as she tried to pass him to exit quickly.

"I'm sorry, too, about my snub. I was being a prat… but, I just wanted to tell you, I got your clothes washed if you want to change…" Darcy said quietly, not expecting himself to apologize, either. Elizabeth's posture relaxed some after his apology, letting him turn her to his bed where her clothes, crisp, clean, and neatly folded, lay; her shoes, also washed, lay on the floor below them.

"A-ah… thank you…" Unsure if she should say more, Elizabeth looked up at Darcy questioningly. He blinked a few times before he got what her look meant.

"Oh, you could change in here if you want… if you don't mind the smell or the nutters…" Darcy gave a sliver of a smile to her, gesturing to the two cats lazing about. Elizabeth laughed softly, shrugging; she still couldn't look into his eyes.

"That'd be fine… um, do you mind me asking why you call them nutters? And why Old Spice is pretty intoxicating in here?" She said, walking to the bed and grabbing her clothes; Elizabeth headed to the joined bathroom with Darcy trailing after her.

"They're off their rockers, that's why, and they're the reason why it smells so potent in here. They knocked it over onto the jumper I was going to wear when I as applying it two days ago…" Comprehension dawned on Darcy's face when he looked down at Elizabeth. "I didn't wear it, I swear." He added quickly. Elizabeth was confused for a second before looking down at her torso, covered with a sweatshirt that smelled much too strongly like Old Spice; from Darcy's reddening face and hesitation to speak, she was pretty sure the boxers had been worn.

"It's alright." Elizabeth said, smiling firmly at Darcy before closing the bathroom door on him. Darcy wasn't sure if she realized that the boxers had been worn already or if she meant about the sweater. He leaned against the bathroom door, watching his cats until Elizabeth's voice startled him.

"What is the tabby's name? I know you called the white one Daisy yesterday…" Her voice was slightly muffled, as if she was taking off or putting on a shirt.

"Oh, his name is officially Roland, but we – meaning Georgie and I – call him Roly-Poly because he's fat. Daisy we usually call Sweat Pea… it's pretty funny, actually, when someone hears us mention her and assumes we're talking about a lover." Darcy wasn't sure if one could get high off of a sound, but he was sure he was pretty close to it when he heard Elizabeth's laughter. Like a bear to honey, he was attracted; and like the show Fatal Attractions, it would become life threatening soon if he couldn't bottle it up and send it on its way soon.

"Since you're not mad at me any more, can I call you Lizzie?" At Darcy's question, Elizabeth froze in pulling on her jeans, an involuntary shiver passing down her spinal column. She really wanted to hear him call her "Lizzie", but, at the same time, she abhorred the nickname passing through his lips just liked she detested Caroline calling her "Eliza." Elizabeth wasn't sure why she was at opposite ends with Darcy calling her "Lizzie", so she made a mental note to ask Jane about it later. Jane, even though she was impeccably shy, always had better relationships with boys. While Elizabeth had maybe five, tops, boyfriends, Jane had had at least twenty; she would know, seeing as she'd comforted Jane after every break-up with every douche bag (they were nice guys until they broke her sister's heart).

"No." Elizabeth replied, continuing to pull up her pants and button them up, feeling oddly at war with herself still. Even though she preferred "Miss Elizabeth" to "Lizzie" coming from Darcy, it was the same thing; she despised but also loved hearing it from him. The formality calmed her while it also infuriated her. Finished with changing, Elizabeth opened the door and yelped when Darcy almost fell onto her.

"Give a bloke some warning next time, would you?" He asked, smirking over his shoulder at her when he'd gained his balance. Elizabeth pouted, hand over her racing heart.

"Give a gal the thought that maybe, just maybe, you were leaning against a door she was going to open for no good reason!" She snapped, finally meeting Darcy's gaze ever since she'd insulted him; he surprised her by smiling widely.

"There's m—the Miss Elizabeth I know." Darcy said, catching himself before he said, "My Elizabeth," tapping her nose affectionately, like he would to Georgie or his cats. Elizabeth, a bit bewildered at the action, bent down and scooped up the sweatshirt and boxers into her arms to hide her slight blush; although she couldn't comprehend the action, she found it quite… cute.

"What should I do—"

"Put them in the hamper. I'm sorry about this; next time, I'll get you something clean." Darcy interrupted Elizabeth before she could finish, taking away the soiled clothes and putting them into the hamper near the door. She was surprised when he took her hand an lightly tugged until she followed him out of the bathroom; it was large, warm and also callous, unlike her slimmer, smooth hand. Darcy's hand wasn't a "perfect match" for hers, as he'd had to clench his hands some for hers to actually be snug in his, and Elizabeth found this comforting. From all the romance novels she read, you had to be a perfect fit to find your perfect match; Darcy couldn't be hers. No, just, no… she wasn't sure why she was thinking along those lines, anyways. Also, Elizabeth wasn't sure if there'd ever be a "next time"; she wanted to stay away, as far as she could, from Darcy, Caroline, and Louisa. Darcy confused her too much, and her reasons behind wanting to avoid Caroline and Louisa were self-explanatory.

"Um, when do you think Jane and I can go home?" Elizabeth asked as she descended the stairs behind Darcy, feeling his hand tighten when they started going down. It was nice to know, should she fall thanks to him holding her hand instead of letting her hold the banister, that Darcy would either keep her upright or go down with her.

"I could take you… or Charlie could." He said, shrugging. The TV was on in the living room with everyone sitting on some piece of furniture; Caroline was watching Darcy and Elizabeth instead of whatever program was on, however. Her eyes darkened at the sight of Darcy's hand wrapped around Elizabeth's; he'd never held her hand before, not even when she fell on purpose in front of him! Elizabeth, seeing Caroline's murderous face, immediately started to try and free herself from Darcy's grasp; she didn't want Caroline to think she enjoyed Darcy's company or anything. Okay, Elizabeth didn't really mind his friendship, but holding hands was still a no-no. Darcy, not noticing Caroline and wanting to tease Elizabeth, didn't let go of her hand but tightened his grip, becoming fond of the feel of her tiny hand in his; he easily slipped his hand from hers after they both were on the first floor, though.

"Right, Charlie, am I taking these Bennets home or are you?"

Elizabeth looked away from Darcy's back as he went up behind Charlie, who was sitting on the couch, and grabbed his shoulders; she looked over to Jane and went to her sister's side. Despite Mark's orders not to move her or let her move until her fever went down, Jane was up and about, slightly pale in color, still with a slight fever.

"I will. Can you go check on Tybalt and make sure Damien has been by? Thanks, Darce." Charlie said, smiling brightly. He stood up and shook Darcy's hands off, coming over to where Elizabeth and Jane were; Darcy came half way over, eyebrows knitted together. Charlie took Jane's hand and supported her even though he didn't have to, walking her to the door; Darcy stopped Elizabeth before she could pass him.

"Friends now?" He held out his hand to her, eyes clear and earnest. Elizabeth smirked, swatting his great palm away.

"In your dreams, old man!" She said, darting around him. When Elizabeth looked over her shoulder to stick her tongue out at him, she noticed Darcy's subtle smile.

"I'm not old, you prat!" He called, stuffing his hands into his pockets, looking relaxed. Darcy was glad Elizabeth wasn't being coy anymore; even though he only got a morning of it, he wasn't fond of that side of Elizabeth. It reminded him of a wounded kitten.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever!" Elizabeth yelled, rolling her eyes at Jane as she danced around her and Charlie to get the door for them. Charlie and Jane, though the former was bewildered, both were laughing.

"You're quite talented, Lizzie; only two other humans have ever brought out Darcy's teasing side: Georgie and Ritz. 'Course, he messes with animals like there's no tomorrow, but they're… well, catch my drift?" Charlie said pleasantly, using his free hand to get his keys. Elizabeth took Jane long enough for him to unlock the garage and his car before he took her back, all smiles.

"So he is gay! That little –"

"Ritz as in Richard Fitzwilliam… his cousin."

"… Oh."

Charlie and Jane were snickering as Elizabeth deflated, pouting when she got into his BMW. He put Jane in the passenger's seat before going to the driver's, still chortling.

"Charlie, I'm sorry in advance." Elizabeth said as soon as he was buckled in, remembering the wall he'd have to climb when he dropped them off. That wall happened to have a name, and it was Faye Bennet. At her words, Jane paled immediately; she loved their mother, really, but sometimes – especially where men were concerned – she was over the top. Charlie just happened to be her new favorite (Darcy turned out to be her new least favorite, despite being the richest out of any of the past men).

"What?" Charlie, noticing the solemn change in Elizabeth to Jane's color change, dumbfounded.

"You're going to meet out mother, I reckon, that's why." The younger sister said, shuddering as Charlie slowly pulled out of his garage and down his lengthy driveway. He just grinned, shrugging.

"She can't be that bad, girls." Charlie had met many mothers before, thanks to his many girlfriends, and none of the bad ones ever turned out that bad.

"Oh, trust me, she is."

He was officially scared when even sweet Jane was nodding along with Elizabeth's ominous words as she got out of the car to open the gate.

- (Crappy break line) -

"That didn't go so bad, Jane…" Elizabeth said, trying to console her sister, rubbing her back as she moaned pitifully into her pillow. Charlie's drop off took two hours longer than anyone expected since he was too nice to say no to the force of Faye, Kitty, and Lydia Bennet combined. Their mother had gotten him to agree to come over for a family dinner with out Caroline, Louisa, Gerard, or Darcy… just him and all of the Bennet team, and Lydia had gotten him to promise to celebrate the Fourth of July even when he was British and probably didn't want to or have reason to. Jane gave a particularly loud moan, a few coughs sprinkled in, making Elizabeth snort.

"Yeah, you're right, who am I kidding? He'll be moving out by tomorrow." She sighed, standing up and starting to walk away. Jane immediately sat up, wide-eyed and terrified.

"You don't think – he wouldn't – would he?" She asked, beginning to stand up; Elizabeth stopped her before she could, tucking her back into bed.

"No, Janey-poo, Charlie's a good guy. Even mum, Kitty, and Lydia can't scare him off, I promise. Now, go to sleep, and I'll wake you up for dinner." Elizabeth reassured, smiling softly, bending down to give her sister a kiss on the forehead. Jane smiled back, calming down from her panic, settling in for a little nap. Elizabeth quietly left the room, meeting her father in his study.

"You wanted something, daddy?" She asked, accepting the hug he offered as soon as she entered the room.

"My darling Lizzie-Bell, is that why you come see your old man now? I hope you won't reduce your visits to just asking for money like Kitty and Lydia, those silly girls." Thomas teased, beaming down at Elizabeth. Even with out his favoritism to her, she was, and always had been, a daddy's girl.

"Of course not, daddy. I'll ask for money and your stash of drugs, alcohol, and porn." Elizabeth said, smiling demurely as her father gave her a reproachful look. He just shook his head, chuckling after a minute.

"The only snort-able stuff I have is Crystal Lite and Smarties, if you crush them, but you aren't getting either of those. Anyways, what I wanted to tell you is your cousin is—"

"Wait, which one? That one kid who was a foster kid to Uncle Sam that no one but Uncle Sam likes because they're cut off the same branch?" Elizabeth interrupted, frowning. The kid whom everyone referred to as her cousin, when he actually wasn't, was a real piece of meat… and not the prime rib or filet mignon, either.

"Yes, William is coming down for a week… from June 30th to July 6th. I've already told everyone else, and I didn't think Jane would've remembered when Charlie was around." Thomas said, sighing heavily. Elizabeth groaned, wanting to ban her head of her father's desk – or maybe the wall, since it was closer.

"You just ruined my day… just when it was turning good from it's sour start…" She said, frowning. Her father only raised a questioning eyebrow, not prying but also curious. Elizabeth chewed on her lower lip, turning red when she remembered the morning; so much had changed…

"Well, I kinda sorta maybe… snubbedDarcybutwemadeupsoyeah. Bye!" She was out the door while Thomas was still trying to decipher what he dubbed, "Teenage Girl/Embarrassed Female Talk"; he wasn't quite fluent yet, but he was pretty sure he'd heard his favorite daughter say she'd made up with the bastard who'd insulted her. While Thomas wasn't too concerned about what role men played in the lives of his girls, whenever one got a broken heart or got slighted to her face (or in her hearing range), he never trusted the guy ever again since he was a man and knew what games his sex played. Even though Elizabeth but up a brave, unhurt front, he knew it affected her somewhat, so Thomas made a mental note to keep his hedge clippers at the ready, wishing he'd kept his threat to buy a shot gun once Jane started dating all those years ago.

- (Crappy break line) -

"So… what are we doing?" Mark sighed, leaning against the hood of his car with Elizabeth. She shoved him, glowering.

"I told you a thousand times already; we're picking up my stupid ex-foster cousin!" Elizabeth sighed, snickering when Mark stumbled and almost lost his cool guy look, leaning against his car with black sunglasses on and his bangs spiked up with gel.

"Let me rephrase that… what am I doing here?" He sighed, shoving her lightly in revenge. Elizabeth didn't even budge from her spot, grinning sadistically; Mark pouted.

"Being my unpaid chauffer 'cause the old truck is finally in the shop since I can't very well ride ole Lucky Star here. She might be lucky, but she'd probably die of heatstroke in her old age and in this weather. Plus, I'm so not riding a horse with another person, especially if that person is William Collins." She said, checking her phone again. Her 'cousin' still hadn't texted back saying he'd left the baggage claim area; Elizabeth wouldn't be surprised if he was huffing and puffing when he arrived at Mark's Corolla. He was over weight when she last saw him, so he probably still was.

"Okay, I can bend to that; that old mare is a doll. But, Miss Elizabeth, you rode a horse with that one guy - Will Darcy, right? – practically sitting in his lap! I dare say that is riding a horse with someone else, don't you agree?" Mark badgered, ruffling Elizabeth's hair fondly. She whined, swatting at his hand but not really making him stop, pouting until he stopped.

"He… he… that old man swindled me into it! And I was not 'practically in his lap'! Did Caroline Bingley tell you that?" Elizabeth snapped, jumping when her phone vibrated. Mark laughed at her, letting her read and reply to the text before he tried to reply.

"William is on his way… what side are we on? West, right?"

"We would be on the west side, sweet heart. But could I get you on my side? It's much better here."

Elizabeth looked up in the middle of her text, seeing who had spoken to her. Although he used a crappy pick-up line, if it could be called one, he was cute, exceptionally so. Mark snorted by her side, rolling his eyes; even he wouldn't stoop down that low, especially when he wasn't drunk. His jaw dropped a bit when Elizabeth's face colored and she talked back.

"Sorry, man, I have to wait to pick up my cousin. Maybe another time." Elizabeth said, smiling coyly as she eyed the guy up. He was tall, probably around six feet even, tan, lean, and had both ears and his lip pierced. The guy was a "bad boy" if she ever saw one, though he seemed like a nice guy. He had short blond hair spiked up with gel and big warm, chocolate brown eyes that reminded Elizabeth of a puppy's; no one with eyes like that could be mean. Plus, he had a British accent; with the exception of Darcy and Caroline, British people were always nice-ish.

"Well, you best text that cousin fast so I can insert my number in that handy-dandy little phone, right?" The guy said, grinning boyishly, showing off sharp incisors. He was definitely a good-looking guy, but Mark didn't trust him. Scratch that, he didn't like him. Mark sighed when Elizabeth giggled, quickly texting William and handing her phone over to her admirer.

"You just ring me up, okay? Or, you could come see me some time in a local bar showing the Red Coats. I'm the back up singer, bassist, guitarist… well, I'm the back up anything, actually." He said, handing Elizabeth back her phone when he was done making himself a contact and speed dial number nine.

"I've got to go find my mates; I think they went east. No sense of direction, ha ha, but I'm glad this time. See you around."

Elizabeth waved, looking through her contacts for the new name as he left.

"George Wickham, huh? Should be Dick Dickam." Mark commented when Elizabeth found the guy's name, scowling.

"Hey, just because I can attract cute British guys and you can't attract anything doesn't mean you have to get snippy. Oh, look, William is here. Subject dropped. If he asks if I have a boyfriend, say yes and say he's a really buff guy that can snap him in half. Or, you know, back me up if he asks me." Elizabeth sighed, giving Mark a mild glare after she noticed a young man whom she assumed was her guest. The man was shorter than Elizabeth remembered, since the last time she'd seen him was ten years prior and she'd gotten taller, but he looked essentially the same other than that; he had wire-rimed glasses he thought made him look "sexy", mousey brown hair that was already thinning due to a genetic problem, a pouchy face and stomach, happy eyes, and a cute button nose. Well, it would've been cute were he a woman.

"My, my, dearest Elizabeth, how you've grown!" William called, grinning and attempting to wave around his giant suitcase and carry-on bag. Mark sniggered, causing Elizabeth to punch him in his ribs.

"Yeah, um, same to you, Willy…" She said, smiling sheepishly as he strutted closer. He couldn't have been any taller than Elizabeth, maybe a bit shorter than her slight 5'3" frame. She avoided his double-cheek kiss greeting, quickly getting into the passenger seat of Mark's car, leaving him to fend for himself. Elizabeth heard her cousin prattling on and on about how Corollas were or weren't good (she couldn't tell, there were an even amount of positive and negative statements) before getting in the back seat while Mark took the driver's.

"So, Dr. Mark, are you and Elizabeth… lovers?" William asked as soon as Mark was backing up the car, smiling brightly. Mark burst out laughing, leaving Elizabeth, who was flinching, to answer.

"No, Willy, we're not dating, lovers, or anything but friends." She said, trying to imagine kissing the man whom she thought of either her (much) older brother or the uncle she loved to hate and hated to love because he was so embarrassing. It made her shudder.

"Oh, Elizabeth, please call me 'Bill' now. 'Willy' is so childish, don't you think? And 'Bill', so much more masculine?" Bill chided, leaning forward in his seat to pat Elizabeth's shoulder in a way he probably thought was understanding; Elizabeth just leaned closer to the window and away from her weird guest. She had no problems with her Uncle Sam ever fostering the guy, but he was old enough to live on his own now (she hoped he did), she didn't know why he was still considered her cousin or even allowed in her family's house. No one liked him and they weren't really related, so he shouldn't be allowed to visit.

"Um, sure, whatever you say, Wi—Bill." Elizabeth said, not really seeing how 'Bill' was masculine. To her, it sounded just like what she didn't like receiving at the end of a dinner, nothing masculine about that.

"So, why are you visiting, Bill?" Mark asked before Elizabeth could stop him. She made a face at Mark before looking out the window, pulling out her iPod and headphones; he asked the question, so he could deal with the consequences. Elizabeth didn't really care why Bill was visiting anyways, just so long as he didn't stay longer than expected.

"Well, you see, Lady Catherine…"

Elizabeth tuned him out, turning the volume on her iPod up way too loud to drown out his nasally voice. It was going to be a long drive for Mark, she knew; he was shooting her envious and, "Why the hell didn't you warn me?" looks after five minutes. She just laughed at him inside of her head, giving him a smirk.

To say Mark looked so relieved he could've wet his pants when he drove away after dropping Elizabeth and Bill off at Longbourn would've been an understatement. Immediately after depositing Bill in her father's study, Elizabeth went to the room she was sharing with Jane and Mary, locking it shut just in case Bill came nosing about; she climbed up to the top bunk of the bed for extra privacy, pulling out her phone.

"Hey George. Where do the Red Coats play next, and when?" Elizabeth texted to him, smiling like no tomorrow as she thought of him. He was just so darn adorable!

"Um at bobs bar at 10 2moro. Who is this" Was his reply. Scoffing at his lack of grammar correctness, Elizabeth texted back quickly, mentally chiding herself for not saying who she was first.

"Oh, sorry, this is Elizabeth, from the airport. Remember?" Because I certainly do. God, he has dimples! Elizabeth thought, giggling to herself, knowing how she was acting like Kitty or Lydia but not currently caring. She'd possibly hooked a hot British guy that could sing and play quite a number of instruments that was in a band!

"O hey sweetie. Can i call u beth? It sounds much cuter trust me beth." George replied swiftly, still not using correct grammar. Elizabeth decided she'd suffer through her pet peeve if she got a date from George, and she would let him call her Beth even if it didn't sound very cute to her. It made her think she was older for some reason, but maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

"Yeah, sure. Do you have any nicknames?" Elizabeth texted, trying to imagine George's voice saying her name or Beth; he had a smooth voice that was around Charlie's octave, no where near Darcy's. She couldn't quite come up with the image or noise, since she barely talked him, but Elizabeth hoped it sounded good to her.

"Yea im cald wick lik my last nam wickham. I gota go practis so ill see u 2moro at bobs ok" Elizabeth grinned through her vexation. He agreed to see her! Pumping her fist in the air and carefully avoiding hitting her head against the ceiling, Elizabeth jumped down from the bunk and unlocked the door. Bill was waiting outside.

"Ah, my dearest Elizabeth, I—"

"Not now, Willy, I have to find Jane." Elizabeth said, side-stepping him and running down the hall, grin still plastered on her face.

"Jaaaaaane! Jane, where are you? Jaaane!" She crowed, quickly opening every door she could, even if it just led to the coat closet. With Jane, she could be anywhere.

"Elizabeth! No shouting in this house, young lady! Jane is outside with Lucky Star." Faye said, voice boarding a shouting decibel, rounding the corner from the living room to face Elizabeth.

"Oh, right, sorry. Thanks, mum!" She said, not sorry at all, dashing past her mother and through the living room to the back. Elizabeth entered the stables voicing her good news, not conscious of who else was around but her sister.

"Jane, I met this really great guy, and he invited me to see him play – er, maybe play – at Bob's bar tomorrow night at ten. Can you come with me, just in case? Please, please, please?"

"Oh, Lizzie… um, sure, I guess. Want to come, Charlie? Darcy?"

"Yes! Thank you, thank you, th—wait, Charlie? Oh, hey, Charlie…" Elizabeth said, stopping in her mad dash to hug her older sister, finally noticing the ginger and his companion, choosing to ignore the latter.

"Sure, we'd love to come!" Charlie said, beaming and elbowing Darcy in the ribs before he could say anything about not wanting to go.

"May I come, as well?"

Elizabeth wanted to groan as Bill came around from behind her, wrapping his skinny arm around her shoulders. She noticed Darcy's glower darken even more when he did so, thus her reason to allow Bill to touch her. If Darcy didn't like it, she would endure it; they'd left on a light note last time she'd seen him, which was unacceptable. Elizabeth wanted him to remember she hated him still, even if she could stand his company for a bit. Seeing his face lit a fire in her stomach she didn't quite like (or maybe she did, Elizabeth wasn't sure).

"Sure, I guess. Charlie, Darcy, this is our… well, this is Willy Collins." Jane said, giving Elizabeth an odd look; she just rolled her eyes in return.

"It's Bill, now, Jane." Bill corrected Jane, removing his arm from Elizabeth's person to shake Charlie and Darcy's hands.

"Sir, did Jane mean Darcy, as in Fi—"

"Yes, she did." Darcy interrupted Bill before he could say 'Fitzwilliam', mentally cringing. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow as an eager grin broke Bill's polite smile, shaking the taller man's hand more vigorously.

"Oh, sir, my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh speaks very highly of you, Mr. Darcy, sir, in fact—"

"Yes. Charlie, don't we have a previous engagement to go to?" Darcy said coolly, turning back to his friend in the beginning of Bill's rant. Elizabeth's jaw dropped; sure, she didn't like Bill either, but come on! That was plain out rude!

"Oh, um… yes? We'll come pick you girls – and Bill – up at… say, 9:30? Unless… hey, why don't we pick you up at six and have dinner with you?" Charlie looked ecstatic to the prospect of having dinner with Jane, so Elizabeth nodded. He also looked confused at Darcy's words, confirming Elizabeth's thoughts that Darcy just wanted to leave since he saw Bill as someone inferior to him and not worth his time.

"That sounds good. Thank you, Charlie. We'll see you tomorrow, then." Elizabeth said, feeling her face heat up as he and Darcy left with Bill trailing after them, still babbling. Jane turned to Elizabeth, looking half way confused and half way amused.

"So, who's the guy? When'd you meet him?" She asked, walking over to the bench in the stables and sitting down. Elizabeth grinned brightly, scampering over to the seat next to her.

"George Wickham. I met him at the airport while waiting for Bill with Mark. I was asking Mark if we were on the west side, and then he came up with this crappy excuse for a pick up line – or something – and… yeah." Elizabeth said, making Jane look nervous. While she didn't approve to talking to strangers, she doubly didn't approve of giving your number to strangers.

"Did Mark approve?" Jane asked, trying to word it carefully. If she picked the wrong words, she knew Elizabeth would retaliate; Jane knew she'd picked the wrong words when Elizabeth's glowing expression darkened.

"I don't need his – or anyone's – approval! Even when or if I get married, I'll castrate my guy if he asks dad for my hand or whatever! Jane, I know you don't like strangers, but, please… he's a good guy with lame ways of starting up conversations." She snapped, glowering for a bit afterwards. Elizabeth didn't understand why it was such a bad thing to talk to a cute guy; didn't dating sites and all that do the same thing? Jane had an account on one of them… maybe it wasn't active anymore, but she'd still made one last year.

"I know, I know… I just worry, y'know? You're my baby sister, and I can't always be there to protect you even though you did all most all of the protecting when we were younger…" Jane said, smiling at her sister. When they were little, Elizabeth had chased all the bullies away from her and beat up a few – and not just for Jane, but Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, too. While Jane knew Elizabeth was strong in most every aspect in her life because she was too obstinate to be 'left behind', she wasn't very strong with the subject of the male species. The only men she'd been around for the majority of her life was their father, Mark, and their uncle Edmund; since only Uncle Ed was sane, her view on the male species was quite limited.

"Jane, I… appreciate your concern, but it's not like I'm going to sleep with the guy. I don't need AIDS or herpes or anything, so the only guy I'll sleep with is my future hubbie, if I ever get one… and Colin Firth. And Matthew Macfadyen. They're dreeaaamy." Elizabeth said, resignedly until she mentioned her two favorite British actors. Jane laughed at that, ruffling her sister's hair playfully.

"But aren't they both married? And Colin is probably three times your age by now!"

"So? And Colin is only fifty, thank you very much!"

"I love you, Lizzie."

"Love you, too, Jane."

"Okay, so tell me all about this George Wickham."

"He's not at all like Darcy…"

Jane couldn't help but wonder, as Elizabeth described George, why she mentioned Darcy so much. Everything about George was, apparently, Darcy's polar opposite; he had light hair and dark eyes, a tender voice, and a sweet look to his face while Darcy had dark hair and light eyes, a deep voice, and, for the most part, a blank look to his face. Jane's eyes lit up when she thought about Darcy's facial expressions; his gaze always softened on Elizabeth. She wouldn't stop mentioning him and took to teasing him whenever they talked.

"Liz-Biz… um, do you, perhaps, like Darcy?" Jane asked when Elizabeth was done explaining everything she knew about George (not much) while simultaneously berating Darcy. Elizabeth, who'd stopped to hear Jane's thoughts about George, was dumbfounded as to where her sister ever got the notion she liked Darcy since she could only tolerate him for so long.

"Darcy? As in, Mr. Stick-up-my-arse-so-far-you-can't-see-it Darcy? Um, no. Do I need to send you to an asylum? Are you feeling ill again? Do I have to call Mark?" She said, leaning close to Jane and placing a hand on her sister's forehead. It felt fine, but after her random question when she was supposed to say George sounded fetching, Elizabeth wasn't sure.

"No, no, and no. I'm fine, Lizzie. I just thought… with all your mentions of him and flirting—"

"I do not flirt with him! I hate that freaking bastard, Jane, you should know that!" Elizabeth interrupted hotly, even though there was a voice in the back of her head laughing it's ass off, saying something about how "Denial" wasn't just a river in Egypt. Jane put her hands up in defeat, not wanting to press the matter; she remembered, though, the questions Elizabeth had asked her when they returned from their spur of the moment sleepover at Netherfield. Elizabeth had asked, frustrated, why she felt so weird by Darcy, and Jane could only think of one true answer (that she didn't give since Elizabeth had already been steaming mad).

"Right, okay, not flirting but… bullying?" Jane asked weakly, trying to see the logic in Elizabeth's world.

"Meh, probably along those lines. But he so starts it! He started it in the beginning by thinking I was already drunk at Charlotte's party and what not." Elizabeth said, eyes flashing passionately. She was also trying to follow her sister's logic, but neither was being too successful.

"But didn't he apologize for that?"

Elizabeth suddenly found ignoring Darcy would be her best plan of action since the man made her feel so different; she was stumped for an answer to Jane's question. He had apologized, but she still wanted to tease the mess out of him. Wasn't that normal when you detested someone?

"Jane, Lizard, you mother wants you to help with dinner!"

Both girls jumped slightly when they heard their father's shout.

"I bet she's making something extra special for Bill. Oh, I hope Charlie or Darcy ran him over…" Elizabeth said, chuckling darkly; Jane could only laugh with her, glad whatever problem Darcy was creating between them was gone for now. She could only stand so much of quarreling before giving in, even if she didn't like the other person's opinion.

"I doubt either of them—"

"Darcy would. He so would."

Elizabeth tried to hide her disappointment when she saw Bill in the kitchen with Faye, blabbering on and on about how he was a good sous chef.

Dinner and its preparations were a strained affair that night, with Bill saying his million bucks when no one even wanted his two cents at every subject change. Even Jane looked a bit strained by the time the dishes were done and she, Elizabeth, and Mary hurried into their room (locking the door shut) for the night. The next day, Elizabeth spent her time until dinner avoiding Bill since he had taken a shine to her, but, unfortunately, wherever she went (literally, he tried to come into the bathroom with her), he followed. She was starting to look forward to even seeing Darcy and Caroline's, should she make an appearance, company.

"Tom, Faye, Elizabeth and I are going on a date with some of her friends for dinner and a movie or something tonight. Please don't think I don't like your splendid cooking skills, because I adore them, but I think it's time Elizabeth and I spend some quality time together with out the family present." Bill announced when Elizabeth emerged from her room around five, searching for Lydia or Kitty. She heard his whole speech and wanted to slap him for it, but it was too late when she reached the den where everyone but she and Jane were. Thomas looked utterly confused, Faye couldn't decide between feeling elated or disturbed, Mary was bored, and Kitty and Lydia looked revolted.

"But we're related to you! You're our cousin!" Lydia screeched, shuddering. Kitty nodded furiously, paling by the second.

"Not by blood, we aren't; and not even by some signed papers. Your Uncle Sam never adopted me, so we can date. Even if we were related, I'm almost positive there are some states that allow cousins to marry, or we could move to another country if that weren't true."

Lydia, Kitty, and Elizabeth were all gagging by the end of Bill's second speech. Mary noticed Elizabeth first out of all of the ones gathered and spoke up.

"Lizzie, please say this isn't true." She said with indifference. Bill turned around immediately, all grins and bright eyes, saying things he probably thought were sweet; Elizabeth found them vile.

"Willy, shut up. I'm not going on a date with you, and I never will. Related or not, I grew up thinking you were my cousin, so it's just plain out wrong to me even thought I don't have any feelings for you what so ever. None. Nada. Zilch." She said, trying to give him one of the glares Darcy usually gave her, side stepping him and going over to her younger sisters.

"Either of you two want to help me get ready?" Elizabeth asked, thinking of George. She wanted to look killer for him, not Bill. Not Darcy, either, even if Jane had been abducted by aliens and thought she liked him of all people. Elizabeth was starting to regret her question when Kitty and Lydia both leapt up, squealing, before she got dragged into their shared room for a "complete make over".

- (Crappy break line) -

Darcy was grateful to Charlie as he shooed Caroline to Louisa's room, saying their sick sister had to be watched by someone who wasn't passed out. He didn't think he could stand a night in some random bar with a free mic night or whatever with Caroline and that short guy who'd put his arm around Darcy's Elizabeth.

"Don't want you to take the spot light tonight, you know, Darcylicious." Charlie teased when he came back, wearing his ever-present grin. He'd gone the extra mile to look good, considering the place they were going after dinner, wearing a tight, light blue Abercrombie shirt, a pair of dark blue jeans, and a black fedora over his usual faux hawk.

"I don't want the spot light, ever." Darcy said, refraining from groaning when Charlie called him "Darcylicious"; he wished he'd been a chicken for once that night, or maybe not so drunk, when he'd earned that abominable nickname.

"I know, I know. Let's go get the girls and… um, Willy. I hope I remembered his name right…" Charlie said, laughing sheepishly as he led the way down to the garage. Darcy couldn't help but look down at his own attire after Charlie had passed him, wondering if what he was wearing could catch Elizabeth's attention. He wasn't as young as Charlie anymore, so he didn't wear labels like he did. Darcy liked to think he looked good with out them, but he wouldn't really know until Elizabeth started to "tease" him or showed him she didn't care if he wore Abercrombie, Hollister, or any other label. While he wasn't looking for a summer fling, he enjoyed their… talks, if they could be called that. Darcy had been dating for a long time, and his legs had been uncrossed for over a decade, but he'd never felt so alive with anyone else, even if they were play fighting. He wanted to figure out the enigma that was Elizabeth Bennet and why she made him feel differently about her, an average beauty with stunning eyes.

Darcy was still contemplating what he felt towards Elizabeth and trying to figure out why when Charlie pulled up their driveway after he'd opened the gate. He was only shaken from his thoughts when Charlie killed the engine and stepped out, stating that they had arrived.

"Okay, try to be a bit sociable tonight, Darce. I know Willy will get vexing, but Caroline isn't here to aide him. Please don't make fun of Lizzie, either… I mean… well, don't be rude and all to her." Charlie said before he rang the doorbell, giving Darcy a chastising look. Darcy just rolled his eyes, heaving a sigh.

"Whatever you say, Charlie, but you'll be too busy drooling over…" The words died in his throat as the door opened, revealing a sight Darcy loved but also abhorred.

A/N: Lol, sorry I haven't updated in a while… I got sidetracked by two major English projects at the end of school, and since summer started, I've been watching Bones practically nonstop. Also, Wickham and Bill showing their ugly mugs isn't very enjoyable for me, so they were contributing factors as to why, in the middle of writing this chapter, I took a break. Shout out for the Darcylicious Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen in this chapter. ;D

Oh, and the whole foster kid thing for Bill – I want to say this before someone gets the wrong idea. I don't hate foster kids or anything (I hope no one got that message), and I wanted him to be as close as possible to Elizabeth's cousin with out actually being her cousin. Since he was never adopted, he technically can pursue Elizabeth even though she seems him as an unwanted cousin. I think. I'm not positive, but it makes sense to me that a foster kid can try to date someone in the family that fostered him/her if it wasn't their foster siblings. Anyone get my insane logic? Oh well. If the Wick/Lizzie stuff seems unnatural, sorry; I've only been semi-stalked, which is the closest to dating I've ever gotten. Sorry for the long A/N, too. xD

~ Tobi