September 14th 2009, 9 A.M.

In the first month of her internship at Hampshire Memorial Hospital Elizabeth Gardiner had watched hundreds of surgeries, assisted in eighteen, gotten drunk nine times, been late to work once, and had made out with Charlotte twice on a drunken bet to Richard's everlasting delight.

She had spoken to her father only on the subject of work, at work, and had grown inseparable to Richard to the surprise of no one.

For the past weeks her time was not her own and the stress was getting to an almost insurmountable amount, not to mention she was PMS-ing like it was her job. After another 72-hour shift, a day off, and then another three days of non-stop work she was finally granted a four-day respite to recuperate. When she knew her father was working a whole day she took the Long Island Rail Road, or the "Ler" as she called it, to spend the day with her mother.

She made it home and found her mother on the beach in front of their house. Aside from her room in their home, Elizabeth's true favorite place was the beach she grew up on. They lived near Massapequa on the bay with a small beachfront and dock on their property. There were better beaches on Long Island but she loved her home dearly and valued running the long stretches of sand above any other physical activity in the world.

"Lizzy, darling. I didn't expect you until after lunch. Hungry?" she smiled standing to greet her beloved daughter. Lizzy nodded and hugged her mom. "Want to go to Ana's?"

"YES! Lord, I haven't been there since before med school."

Once mother and daughter were situated with strong coffee and Lizzy's favorite combination of scrambled eggs, toast, and hasbrowns, Lizzy's mom began.

"Honey – I have to just tell you. The distance between you and your father is killing me. Before you start just listen. I know he is wrong for saying what he did and threatening to cut you off. But you did go through medical school and I feel you haven't given this career a fair chance. You are not a flighty person, nor are you at all passive. I know you wouldn't have gone through so much just to please your father. You love something about being a doctor – so why are you willing to give it up?" she finished, speaking with more honesty to her daughter in thirty seconds that many did in their lives.

Lizzy was stunned by the wisdom and bluntness of Fanny Bennet's words. She tried to formulate a response but had much to think of.

"I do love it, mom, I actually do. But what I hate is how forced it feels. I have to be the best or I can't feel happy, its something I unfortunately got from Dad. I can't stand when I am wrong, or outwitted. I love that I am helping people in one of the best ways I can – it's the only thing worth it for me. Joey's case was my first and afterwards was the best high life has ever given me."

"If you can't stand Dad then why not transfer to another program?"

"Dad is another thing that makes it worth it – or at least he is a symbol of my sanity. Right now I can't stand to look at him but he is the reason, and Mark, that I am what I am. Seeing him reminds me of that but the resentment is almost too much."

"You don't mean you blame your father for Mark's –" her mother began, horrified.

"No! Of course I don't. But you were the one there, mom. Dad tried his best but for me it won't be good enough. I want a career, and I know I am selfish enough to not give it up for my future kids. But I want a career where I can be half the mom you are and half the career girl Dad is, or career-man, I don't know. But, god willing if I get married soon or in ten years and ever have kids I'll be damned if I am not there to see them walk, or have an appendectomy to take care of when they go to kindergarten, or whatever else excuses Dad had. I just can't do it to me or any future little people I have."

Ever the emotional basket case of a mother, Fanny was already welling up at Lizzy's little speech.

"What are you going to do then?" she asked.

"I wish I knew, mom."

"If you don't know what you're going to do – maybe you know what you want to do?"

"I don't know. I don't know what I can do, what I want, or how I can even get out of what I don't want and what I don't want is what I have now. I – I think I need, I think I need to just get away. Maybe I'll take a leave of absence from the hospital?" she though aloud.

"Away – oh! Of course!" her mother was now smiling. She continued, "You need a vacation! I was thinking of heading down to Florida with the girls next weekend anyway, why don't you join us!"

"I would love to mom, and I appreciate the officer, but you know I don't have that amount of vacation time, and I know Dad would never be able to pull the strings to get me that. I just need to find something constructive to do that I enjoy, not to do with killing people, saving lives, or blood, preferably," she said.

"Oh, I know it was a long shot, sweetheart but I am just so disappointed in myself. Correct me if I'm wrong but I usually give pretty sound advice and right now I just don't know how to help you. I think this is the first time where only you can make the decision, regardless of how it affects other people and only think of what you need," Mrs. Bennett said.

Lizzy just took a sip of her coffee and smiled, amusement written all over her face.

"What, dear?" Mrs. Bennet sighed.

"Oh – mother. How you make me happy," she exhaled a bit sarcastically, and then turned serious. "In shutting yourself down you just gave me the advice I needed to hear."

Mrs. Bennet smiled "Always happy to help, honey," she said. "Let's go shopping?" her mother then inquired, Lizzy grateful for the distracting option. She didn't know what she was going to do or how she was going to get away but she needed to come up with something fast. However, what she didn't know was what her mother really had cooking up for her.

September 14th, 2009 – 4:36 pm.

"I'm pretty sure we just spent more than I am going to make in my first three years of my residency combined." Lizzy said looking at the serious damage they had done to their living room.

If there was one thing Frances Bennet knew how to do to cure melancholy – it was some serious retail therapy. After all her life motto was that shopping was much cheaper than a psychiatrist. However their retail ventures of the afternoon might prove otherwise.

"I don't think we did too badly at all though, in the end. I mean if we had paid full price for all of this it would be obscene. But really if you want to save money you have to spend it, dear," her mother commented.

Lizzy would never understand her mother's reasoning or her apparent need of everything she saw. However, she was grateful that her mother bought her so many shoes, clothes, bags, wristlets, watches, purses, totes, sandals, earrings, necklaces, and God knows what else that she never had the need to go anywhere to get them on her own. Sure, Fanny was one hell of a cook but her mother knew Lizzy could cook just as well for herself. Therefore, instead of sending her homemade cookies, she just sent bags of Red Engine jeans and Free people sweaters, instead. Mother and daughter had a relaxing day and Lizzy was even able to forget her worries for the remainder of the day. To top the day of cheering off Mrs. Bennet took her daughter to her husband's favorite getaway. His garage. Dr. Bennet invested is spare time in acquiring both old and new cars. His newest addition was a beautiful and shining BMW Z4 convertible in light blue. When the doors opened Lizzy gasped at the beauty of the car.

"Care to take it for the week?" her mom offered making Lizzy positively beam.

"YES YES YES! Thank you!" she was unable to keep her excitement at a minimum.

"Either come home within the next two weeks sometime or call me and I'll come into the city for some shopping and drive it home. Your dad needs it for some show in early October but until then – she's yours!" Fanny smiled.

"I love you, I love you, love youuu!" Lizzy squealed and jumped and hugged her mother.

"Love you too, hun."

As the words of "Party in the USA" began to play – Lizzy reached for her phone and saw Jane's name across the screen.

"Hey big sis – what's up?" she asked.

"Are you at mom and dad's right now?" Jane asked

"Yessam I am. Want me to bring you something back?"

"Oh, no nothing like that. Mom mentioned you had the next three days off, right?" Jane asked.

"Right."

"Charlie's taken a lease on a house in the Hamptons. I don't know why so late in the season, but who am I to get in his way? Anyway, he wants to do this sort of late notice weekend thing and you're invited. Charlotte, too. You in?"

"Absolutely. Anyone else coming?" she asked hoping the answer would be no.

"Well, Caroline and some of her friends. I think I'm going to ask Mary King from work, but I don't know." Jane said.

"No one else?" Praying for the second time, Lizzy didn't have the same luck as the first.

"Um, I think Richard's coming. Yes, William will be there, too."

"If Richard's coming at least I'll be entertained." Lizzy was torn. She knew from her sister's tone that she had to go, either to keep her company or protect her from Charles's apparently vicious sister, Caroline.

"Love you!" Jane hung up completely thankful that her sister could read her mind.

Lizzy immediately texted Charlotte and but got a negative response, relatives from Arizona were in town. She was going to try and stop in for dinner one night but couldn't promise anything.

Her next target was Richard. Want to ride with me? she texted.

He responded promptly. Sure thing, love.

I'll drive.

September 15th, 2009 9:30 A.M

"What. The. Fu*k?" Richard gaped at the beatific automobile parked in front of his building. "Why? Why? What? Wh – did you? What the hell? Explain to me. What?" he was beyond words.

"Mom's letting me borrow it," she beamed. "Get in, ninny."

"I hope you die a slow and painful death."

"If you're nice maybe I'll let you drive it."

12:11 P.M.

Liz and Richard pulled up to Charlie's new house right behind a black version of the same car. William Darcy got out and looked at them.

"Really know how to steal someone's thuner, don't you cuz?" Richard smiled, shaking his cousin's hand.

Jane, Charlie, and a very familiar looking woman came out to greet them. The irony then struck Lizzy that this was the very woman who had slapped Darcy across the face the first day of her internship.

"That's his sister?" Lizzy hissed to Richard. Richard nodded, knowlingly.

The guys shook hands and Jane and Lizzy hugged, even though they had seen each other two days ago.

"Liz, allow me to introduce my sister, Caroline. Carrie, this is Elizabeth, Jane's sister."

They shook hands. "I think we've met before, briefly, at the hospital?" Lizzy raised her eyebrows.

"I don't think so – oh! You were that rude nurse that interrupted – "

"She's a doctor, Caroline." Darcy interceded. "I would hardly call your interaction an introduction."

"Lunch is just about to be served!" Jane said in a much to chipper voice. Lizzy went to get her bags from the car and was stopped, again, by Caroline's voice.

"Leave everything here. We'll have the help take your things into the house," she smiled much too prettily for Lizzy's taste.

They all filed in and went to the back patio where an elaborate lunch had been put out. The view was gorgeous of the water and pool. Charlie certainly had nice taste. Once everyone was seated, Charlie had specifically given Lizzy a veggie burger, and had his or her food and drink an awkward silence ensued.

"So, Beth, I know everyone here exceedingly well. Tell me about yourself. You're a doctor?" Caroline began sweetly.

"Yes." She nodded. "What do you do?" she asked.

"I work as a fashion intern at Elle. I get to work with the brightest people all day and go to the most fabulous parties," she gushed.

"I believe my sister Kate wants to do that at some point."

"Oh! Well, you do have to have some connections to get the job, really. But if she sends me some of her work, I suppose I could see if some of the right people see it, if you'd like."

Jane interrupted. "That is very kind of you Caroline, but I think Kate should make it through college before she's thinking of anything like that." Jane smiled.

"Of course, dear."

A young man then walked near them carrying the bags into the house.

"Oh Javi! Beth's bag will go into the blue room!" Caroline yelled, completely startling the boy. When he turned to see Caroline his hands opened and Lizzy's bag fell straight into the pool.

"How could you be so clumsy?" Caroline squealed, almost smiling. "I'm so sorry, Beth. We'll get everything dried straightaway and until then you can borrow anything of mine you'd like."

Elizabeth was utterly fuming and Richard and Jane could easily tell. Although she knew this was clearly a well-planned stunt of bitchiness, she liked Charlie too much to embarrass herself by flipping a shit. Truly, she was angrier at being called Beth more than anything.

"Thanks, that will be fine. Jane do you have sneakers I could borrow? I thought I might take a run," she asked.

"Of course," she could sense Lizzy was about to explode and so she grabbed her sister's hand almost dragged her into the house. Once they had gotten past the glass doors Lizzy let her sister know how she felt.

"What a fucking cunt! What the fuck kind of twisted can of shit, fucking, son of a bitch pulls that kind of shit? Jane where the hell did that fucking whore come from? I know I get it, she's fucking Charlie's siter, but he's like angel sent to earth and she is some sort of mutated, grotesque lunar space freak who finds pleasure in calling me Beth. Of all the senseless, frigid – shi"

"Lizzy!"

"Sorry. I just don't get it. I mean I know I can be an über bitch sometimes, but seriously! Seriously."

"I get it, sis. Seriously," Jane sighed, "but try, please please please try, to just ignore her. It's only for three days and then it's done. I don't know why she has it out for you but I will talk to Charlie. Want me to go with you?"

"No. I love you, but I need to run fast right now. And we both know you were made to not look like an ugly sea-monster like me when I run. We also know that you suck at running." Lizzy smiled at her big sister.

"Wooooooooow, Liz. Wow." Lizzy adored her sister in moments like these. Jane was an angel goddess, sweetheart, and probably was scientifically conceived with sugar, flowers, and rainbows. However, even though she didn't say anything outright, Lizzy relished the sarcastic tone that only she was privy to in the precious sisterly moments like this.

Liz was ready to go a few minutes later and ran into Richard and Darcy in their gear, as well.

"What the hell, why does everyone want to make this a group run?" she sulked.

"What's with the attitude, missy?" Richard smiled like the dumb-shit he was acting like.

"I run alone."

"You don't the area, it's not entirely safe for – " Darcy began but was cut off sharply.

"What? A woman? I'm sorry Dr. Darcy, but, seriously, you're from England, it might be an island, too, but I'm from Long Island. I've got my iphone connected with Jane's so she can see exactly where I am."

"How about we run behind you?" Richard asked.

"Fine. Whatever I have no patience left. Don't talk to me. Don't come near me. Okay?"

"Deal."

Seven and a half miles and one hour later, neither Richard nor Darcy wondered how Lizzy stayed in such great shape. Both men thought they were going to die from exhaustion, but both also had such pride they refused to slow down.

"Fuck Lizaaard - what was wrong with you? You literally sprinted the last mile and a fucking half. What the hell?" It took Richard nearly a minute to get the whole sentence out he was panting so hard. Darcy had recovered pretty quickly but his cousin was not so lucky.

"Don't be such a pansy – I went easy on your ass."

"Bitch," was all he could manage.

"Oh quit complaining and go shower." Lizzy walked into the house quite refreshed. She had been the brightest and youngest girl in every school she went to and had dealt with skanky and bitchy whores like Caroline. She couldn't help it when her tempered flared in defense but she was going to try and just ignore everything unpleasant about her. She made her way through the house and realized she didn't know where to go. She had not been shown around and did not know where she was staying. She figured most bedrooms were upstairs and so she ascended upward. As luck would have it, or maybe not so much, Caroline was coming down at the same time.

"Oh Beth! There you are. Your chambers are downstairs, actually. I'm so terrible sorry about your bag – I let Javi go. Such carelessness is so unflattering in the midst of being a welcoming hostess."

"Oh no! Please don't do that on my account, nothing was of any importance. I don't want that on my conscience."

"Ah ah – it is already done and cannot be undone. It is nothing to worry about. Ah! Here we are." Caroline opened the door to a very beautiful bedroom with soft lilac colored walls and white wooden furniture. She felt like she walked into a country cottage magazine. "Jane an I laid some dresses on your bed – Charles likes to honor our mother and so we dress for dinner most evenings."

"Thanks – when will dinner be?" she asked.

"Let's see, it's 3:30-ish right now. Dinner will be at 7:00 so just relax till then." Caroline smiled and left Elizabeth to herself.

Lizzy was happy to find she had her own bathroom and was apoplectic when she saw the shower and a steam function, an overhead shower, and three side sprayers on each side. She felt very happy with herself at putting mini shower things in her purse with her makeup that morning, rather than having everything ruined with her things in her suitcase.

Forty minutes later, feeling and looking like a raisin, she got out and wrapped herself in a towel. Jane was more than kind enough to see that her under garments were put in the dryer and returned to her room before she got back from her run. However, Caroline had seen to it that the staff take her other clothing to be salvaged and cleaned. The only thing she was worried about was her new pair of Red Engine jeans. She wore this brand almost exclusively, besides Gap, because of the amazing fit for her body type.

After putting on a black bra and a lacy pair of black boy shorts she decided to look at the dresses Caroline had "picked out" for her.

The first was little less than a silver mesh piece of cloth that Lizzy really had no idea if it were anything more than a bandana. That was immediately taken out of the running.

The next five were so disgustingly tacky that she wanted to shoot whoever had the nerve to produce them. She sat down on the bed in a huff. All she had wanted to do this weekend was sit on her couch in a blanket and watch FoodTV for two days. Obviously that wasn't going to happen so she had best make the most of it. Her lovely sister walking into her room interrupted her thoughts and frustration.

"I thought you might need some more choices. I only brought a few but really I just brought this one for you." Jane handed her a garment bag.

Inside was a lovely black long sleeve dress with a boat neck collar, cut off at mid thigh. The front made it look a little frumpy but then, upon closer inspection, Lizzy saw there was little to no fabric in the back. She smiled.

"You know me too well, big sis."

"You have been my little sister and best friend these twenty three years, Alvin."

"Oh gosh – you haven't called me that in years." Lizzy was never one to be too nostalgic, but the memories of her sister never failed to make her tear up, even in their happiest moments. Jane was the only constant in her life and her older sister's kindness and goodness had the power to move her to tears.

"When was the last time you straightened your hair?"

"Promise not to judge me?" Lizzy asked backed.

"No."

"Fine. It's been probs like 5 months Why? Having a sudden urge to spend an hour doing it for me?"

"We haven't seen much of each other these past few weeks. You need to fill me in on your life, please. You and Richard have been spending an awful lot of time together, haven't you?" Jane looked as Lizzy with apprehension.

"Good lord Jane if this is what you want to talk about then forget the hair."

"Oh come on! You are always with him, always bitching about him, or gossiping about his with Charlotte. I even heard a nurse mention something when we had lunch at the hospital the other day. What am I supposed to think?"

"You what? Jane tell me exactly what she said. I CANNOT have people thinking that I am sleeping with my boss!" Lizzy got up and turned on Jane, looking scared shitless and livid.

"Calm down, sis. She just mentioned, in passing, that if you and Richard are together then she heartily approves, as she likes you both the most. There now. Not. So. Bad."

"Ok, ok I get it. But seriously, Marie and Claire are the only nurses that are still there that know us. All senile surgeons know but they are Dad's best friends. I guess Dr. Darcy is one of the only ones that doesn't know about Dad. I cannot have people thinking that I am sleeping with my boss on top of having my dad as the chief of surgery. Get the freak-out material there?"

"Got it. No worries, though. So what are you and Richard, if not sleeping together?"

"We're just friends, seriously. He's like the best big brother I could ever want, if not an arrogant ass sometimes. We just click, you know? Anyways, he sleeps with anything that has two legs and a size D chest – meaning you should be careful Janie."

Jane colored instantly and looked too flustered to say anything.

"He would never, Charlie and him are friends – you can't be serious."

"I always know how to get you to shut up." Liz stated triumphantly.

"Oh! – why don't you just go die." Jane was never one for original comebacks…

6:51 p.m.

"I will kill you." Never the patient one, Lizzy said as Jane finished putting a tiny bit of eye shadow on Lizzy's crease.

"Hold still you vermin….done." Jane put the finishing touches on a light smoeky eye for her younger sister. Both were breathtaking when the three hours of pampering and gossiping had finished.

With her long, curly hair straightened it fell to her lower-back in a long line of sleek and shiny chestnut hair. She wore the black, backless dress with high, classic Jimmy Choo pumps.*

Jane wore a second skin pink dress with nude heels and her hair just as straight as her sister's*. When they walked down the hallways together Charlie and William were walking and nearly tripped over each other.

Jane immediately walked into Charles welcoming embrace and he was too stunned to actually speak. Darcy couldn't lie to himself at how seriously displeased Lizzy wasn't wearing as little as her sister. However, she smiled lightly at him as she passed and when he saw her completely bare back all the blood left his brain to go elsewhere. He was in awe at the radiance of the sisters, especially the raven dream that was Elizabeth Gardiner.

"Daaaaaaaaaaaaayum girl – you lookin mighty fine Miss. Lizzy!" Richard broke Darcy's immediate fantasy and brought him back to as close to reality as he could come. Lizzy laughed as everyone took her appearance in. Caroline had rounded the corner and stopped when she saw Lizzy.

"Libby! I don't even remember putting that dress for you!" she looked quite appalled at the sight but said nothing more at present.

"Jane was good enough to bring it down for me – she bought it for me shopping the other day and I completely forgot about it. Right, Janie?"

"I'm so glad I remembered to bring it, such luck it wasn't in your bag that fell in the pool." For all Jane's sweetness she sure was good at spontaneous mischief and lying.

"It is beautiful. I can't recognize the designer – who is it by?"

"Um not sure – nothing too special I don't think." Lizzy shrugged.

"I see," Caroline sniffed. She immediately grabbed Darcy's arm saying, "Shall we go to dinner, William?" He had no choice but to lead her through the patio doors to the dinner table. Charlie and Jane followed suit.

"Truly, you look drop dead gorgeous, kid." Richard whispered to her as he offered her his arm.

Dinner was at the same table as lunch had been served although it was not more elaborately decorated with candles and a large vase of roses. Richard held her chair out for her and sat down net to her, putting Elizabeth in the middle of Darcy and Richard – great. She felt a cold hand poke her on her bare skin right as she adjusted her chair and let out a high pitch squeak in surprise.

"Richard!" she squealed.

"Sorry." He giggled and did it again, this time she caught his wrist and shoved it away.

"So Jane, Charles has told me all about you of course but what is your family like? What do your parents do?" Caroline asked.

"Well my dad is a doctor and my mom used to do a bit of modeling and acting but really just dedicated herself to her daughters. Five of us makes a full time job."

"A doctor?" Richard asked. "Didn't feel like keeping up with the family business Jane? What do you teach?" Lizzy was grateful for Richard's attempt to move the subject elsewhere but he was unsuccessful.

"Ooh yes a doctor? What kind? Obviously that is why Elizabeth must be a doctor." Caroline continued.

"He's a surgeon, too. Although he's moved on to more administrative duties of late – only really overseeing surgeries if he's really needed." Lizzy tried to make her answer as generic as possible.

"What's his specialty?" Darcy was now interested and Elizabeth was beginning to panic.

"He is a cardiothoracic surgeon." Jane answered.

"I always dreamed of being a doctor and helping people when I was a little girl." Caroline added.

"Why stopped you from pursuing such a dream?" asked Lizzy.

"I don't believe in women being surgeons, or doctors really. I don't think it's really a place for us. We will always be pawns to the men anyway in such a hierarchical setting" Lizzy stiffened as Caroline breathed each word out and Richard put a steadying hand on her knee.

"What makes you say that?" she asked lightly.

A look of pure malice formed on Caroline's face which immediately turned to a victorious grin.

"Why dear, you may have gone to med school. But the whole hospital, including it's contributing benefactors knows you've slept your way into your position and I intend to see you out before you harm the honest integrity of some of it's finest men." Caroline's eyes engulfed themselves on Darcy taking him in in a primal sort of frenzy.


Ok so I realized in an earlier Chapter when I was doing some re-reading that I once called Charlotte's character Charlotte York and no one called me out! My bad lol – way too much Sex and the City on the brain. WHICH COMES OUT IN FOUR DAYS 3 3 3

Thank you all for the encouraging reviews these past months. Your thoughts and reviews mean the world to me

*…. Here is what I envisioned Jane and Lizzy to be wearing.

Jane's dress:

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Lizzy's dress:

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