Chapter dedicated to "Geril" and everyone else who kindly reminds and inspires me to keep writing this story. Everytime I get a message or review I am in the happiest mood. Thanks everyone!
September 24th, 2009
Richard had let the news settle in with his cousin before he was ready to have the serious discussion that needed to be had. They were in the attending surgeon's locker room when Darcy broached the subject.
"How long had you known?"
"A little more than a month," was the reply.
"And so for a month you let me carry on saying all that crap about her?" Darcy was careful about his tone, making sure it was even without any accusatory undertones.
"So you wouldn't have made similar comments knowing the chief was her father and not her lover? No judgments, no jealousy, no sardonic remarks about her just waltzing on in to the program?" Richard, however, was quite open about his opinion of his cousin at the moment, his icy attitude apparent.
"Well, no – I mean no where near the amount. I don't think this is the same thing."
"So judging someone before you know them, not giving them any benefit of the doubt, and conspiring to ruin their career based on your principles, as you think of them, is not the same as what you would have done had you known?"
"Fuck, Rich, I screwed up royally, all right? I get it. I'm normally just indifferently polite to girls that fawn all over me." Richard snorted at this. "You know what I mean. None of this would have been so difficult if she weren't so god damned attractive." Will slammed his locker closed and Richard had stood to face him.
"If she weren't so what?" he asked.
"You heard me jackass." Darcy was seething at himself so being discovered so quick.
Richard burst out laughing, all though this was not the laugh Fitzwilliam Darcy was accustomed to. This was laughing at him, the anger still obvious, an almost cruel laugh.
"So you are telling me that this whole misunderstanding is excusable because you have a crush on Elizabeth Gardiner? I didn't think you could stoop that low, Will."
"I was not offering excuses. I realize the weight of what I said and how I acted."
"How you acted? You treated the sweetest person in this world with a callous disrespect that is more deserving of your respect and admiration and apology than any other human on this planet. The girl is rivaling a saint, Will." There was a raw emotion that left Will completely taken aback, never having seen his cousin quite like this.
"I've seen her, she is not the sweetest person, cousin. Need I remind you she tripped me in McDonalds the first time I ever saw her?"
"After you stole her order, my impatient friend," he smiled, which relaxed his cousin immediately.
"So is she the sweetest person or are you just sweet on her?" Darcy dared to ask.
"I said it a month ago and it remains. The only affection I have for her is a wild, burning, and passionate all consuming love. However, that love remains platonic, strictly. I know you're going to say that you want me to help you get to know her better. But I won't do that until you've apologized it and she has either accepted it or not. If she doesn't then I'm afraid you're on your own. If she does then we'll talk. I'm still pissed, Darcy, seething. But, for now, it's not my place to judge you or her before you two even have a chance to patch things up and even begin a friendship. Make this right on your own, and I'll help you then. Maybe I'll give you a few tips along the way, if you're nice to her. I've never met anymore more similar to you and that's all you'll hear from me on this for now."
October 19th, 2010
It had been a month now and Darcy and Elizabeth had exchanged no words, only awkward avoidances and suffocated conversations.
"Richard I have to ask you a question."
"Sure, babe, what's up?" They were walking to the ambulance entrance, waiting for car accident victims that were still about ten minutes away.
"Did you believe it? What Dr. Darcy thought? That I was, ew gross I don't want to say it, but, sleeping with the chief?"
"Yes, sort of." He was never keen on sugar coating things that were easily cleared up with the truth.
"Oh. You were okay with that idea?"
"Not really, you know, the whole older man preying on younger women thing creeps me out, for both sides, but I liked you so it was alright, in a weird sort of way. You're different, kid, and we both know it. I'm pretty sure you could chop my legs off and I'd still love you."
Lizzy just nodded understanding what he meant. "And Dr. Darcy? He can't get passed that idea? Sleeping with your boss?"
"No. If you didn't realize yet, my cousin has a very strict set of principles that he lives by. If other people don't meet with those principles or live by them as well he doesn't give them enough credit. It sucks, big time, but he's had a whole lot of crap in his life from people with lower morals than him."
"Don't we all though? That's a bit thick don't you think? To literally expect everyone to live by your rules? We all make our own rules, shouldn't we live by those, rather than what others think we should do? Anyway, who cares what he thinks the man is a douche. No offense."
"Oh come on now, that's not what the Lizzy I know would say. She doesn't care what other people think of her. Now that the issue of Darcy knowing about your Dad is solved, what's the big deal about anyway?"
"I'm just going to go on a limb and say that you didn't tell Caroline about my supposed sexual escapades."
"You don't think? No, you're wrong."
"Are you kidding me, Richard? The man had some pre-destined reason to loathe me, he didn't say one word during dinner, and he just sat there and watched. I wasn't asking anyone to be a Romeo and come to my defense, and I know you did, but seriously? How else would she have come up with such an elaborate plot that he 100% completely agreed with? Seriously!"
"I know him, Elizabeth. He wouldn't do something like that, regardless of whom it was or the circumstance. Will Darcy is anything but a gossip."
The sirens were approaching, meaning the conversation would soon be at an end. Elizabeth found that she was not okay with the way it was ending.
"You're seriously going to take that jackass's side? After what he did to me?" Lizzy was getting far more worked up than planned, her voice on the edge of desperation and exhaustion.
"Dr. Gardiner, we have two teenagers coming in right now that are going to need some serious mending, and I would love nothing more than to have to assist in these surgeries. However, right now you are no longer assigned to these cases. Your mental state is far too unstable to keep a steady hand or mind. Find Dr. Lucas and send her down, you can continue your shift with patient post-op rounds. When you're done with those head down to pediatrics and cover those pre and post-ops, too." Richard was using a tone she rarely heard him use, if ever. He was in full doctor mode and losing his patience fast.
"Richard this is unbelievable I'm your best effing intern and you want me on – "
"Dr. Gardiner you've just bought yourself a month without even being on the same floor as an operating room. Don't test me any further and do as you're told. Do you understand me?" She nodded and felt herself tearing up quickly. The ambulances arrived and Richard was gone.
She took the stairs and her time in finding Charlotte.
"Liz! You okay?" Charlotte saw her friend's tears from down the hall.
"No, but yeah, kinda. Richard needs you downstairs, asap. We'll talk later."
Charlotte nodded and gave her friend a quick hug then raced to the ground level. Before Lizzy was able to even get to the nurses stand she found her chest was heaving and she was about to break down sobbing. She ran for the closest door she could find and slammed it shut, sliding down it to sit on the floor. She was literally choking on tears from the stress she'd been under the last month, culminated by her first real fight with Richard. Of course she cared what people thought of her, deep down, at least. She did not want anyone, least of all her bosses, thinking she had done anything but earn fair and square her place in this program. She was the best, but that also easily got to her head. She'd put her heard and soul into being a doctor the last month, surpassing all expectations and records of previous interns. She loved the fact that she was helping people, but still resented that it was not what she wanted for the long term.
She sat there for a long while and finally caught her breath. When she tried to pull herself up she saw a large dark figure right in front of her.
"Oh my god!" When her eyes adjusted she saw it was the last person she wanted to see, other than Richard.
"I'm sorry, I should've said something. I was just catching up on some sleep. I should be going anyway." Darcy got up from sitting on the bed and pushed a box of tissues near her, as a somewhat obscure form of a peace offering.
"Thanks." She was able to get out a hoarse response as soon as he left. She cleaned herself up and got going, too. She'd been crying for nearly fifteen minutes.
She got to the first hall of post-ops, taking her time. She got all her work done and decided to sneak a look at the surgical board. Richard should've been out of surgery by now, if what the nurses had been saying was right. He was booked for a valve replacement in an hour and was out from the earlier ambulance check ins. She was just leaving when she heard her name from a none-too-pleased voice.
"Dr. Gardiner! I thought I had assigned you to pre-post ops, and strictly forbade you from this wing? Is there a reason you are here?" Richard was calmer than before, but still quite serious.
"Dr. Gardiner and I were just going upstairs to do just that, weren't we? I have a laser microsurgery that needs pre-ops. She was then going to scrub in for it – is that a problem?" Darcy had come up behind them.
"Dr. Gardiner will that be a problem?" Richard's tone was a little warmer now.
"No, sir." She was nearly giddy at the mere thought of scrubbing in on a laser tumor removal.
"Good." Richard winked and she felt as light as a feather. They would definitely to talk it out later but all was well for now. She only hoped the threat of not scrubbing in after this for a month was no longer valid.
"Were you serious about me scrubbing in on the laser?" Lizzy could hardly keep up with him, finally able to speak to him once they were on the elavator.
"Have you worked in peds before, Dr. Gardiner?" Dr. Darcy asked her as they got off the elevator and turned right down a hallway. However, when she opened her mouth to speak a picturesque sight of an adorable little girl literally jumping out of her father's arms to come run in their direction cut her off.
"King Will! You found me! You're going to rescue me again!" Her tiny little legs had catapulted themselves into William Darcy's arms and she was literally burrowing herself as deep as she could go into them.
"Princess Rissy, sweetheart. How are you this morning?" The little girl was hugging him too tightly to be bothered to answer. Her parents had come to meet them. Will grasped the toddler and extended his right arm to shake her father's hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. Miller. Good to see you, however this is far too soon for my liking."
"Indeed, it is. Dr. DeRosa sent over her CTs yesterday, did you get them?" Mr. Miller asked.
"I did. My hope today is to go in and assess it a bit further. With your consent I would like to immediately take out as much as I can during the same procedure. I want to delay any spreading downward, as well as a lumbar puncture this afternoon providing all goes well. I want to get Marissa in as soon as we can so with your consent Dr. Gardiner will get her prepped?" Darcy asked.
"That's fine." Mrs. Miller said.
"Pardon my rudeness, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, this is Dr. Elizabeth Gardiner. Dr. Gardiner this is Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller. And this is Princess Marissa. Rissy, this is Dr. Gardiner. She's going to help you get ready." Darcy whispered in the little girl's ear.
"No! She must be a princess, too! You are very pretty, Princess Gardiner. You are a pretty, pretty princess!" she giggled.
"Call me Lizzy, your highness." Elizabeth curtseyed for her, making her laugh.
"You must be a Queen, instead! You and King Will must marry and you must be his queen forever!" Marissa's parents laughed unknowingly and Will and Elizabeth laughed quite nervously.
"How about I be a lady-in-waiting for now and get you ready?" Lizzy asked.
Marissa nodded and more or less jumped from Will's arms to Lizzy's. She immediately made herself comfortable in Lizzy's embrace and they left for the room.
An hour later Will came back with Richard to find Lizzy sitting on Marissa's bed with the little girl across from her. Lizzy had her hair much frizzier than normal with a plastic crown on, along with bright blue eye shadow, and clown-like blush. She was in the process of Marissa putting on bright pink lipstick as close to Lizzy's lips as she could.
Will and Richard stood at the doorway for a bit watching the interaction.
"King Will! You're back!" Rissy swooned.
"I am. Princess Elizabeth will have to leave you for a few minutes while I keep getting you ready. Dr. Fitzwilliam is here for your personal protection; think of him as the General of your personal army. But he needs to talk to her highness Princess Elizabeth really quick, do you think he could borrow her?"
"Of course you may, General Fitzwilliam but please don't keep her too long. We must finish discussing the arrangements for later." Marissa magnanimously allowed Elizabeth to take her leave for a few moments.
"Of course, your royal highness." Richard bowed gallantly and ushered Lizzy out to the hallway.
They both remained silent for a minute as they walked.
"Rich, I'm really sorry. You've no idea how much. If you can't tell my immediate reaction is to get really hot headed and defensive. I need a reason to keep doing this, even if it is just raw talent. But I also realize that raw talent isn't just enough." Lizzy looked at him and he was utterly stunned. After a moment or so, "Please say something, I can't bear the thought of you being that mad at me ever again."
He chuckled lowly. "I'm just in awe. For the most jevenile display I've seen from you that was also the most mature and sincere apology I've ever received from anyone. You nailed everything right in the bud. We're good, kid. But there is something you need to know, just one thing."
"Okay?"
"You aren't going to like this," he said and her stomach turned. "I'm taking you out of my group of interns, you'll be evaluated and reassigned within the week. Everyday you'll shadow a different group and we'll place you where you'll be best."
"What? Listen, Richard, I know how I acted was petty but is this really necessary? I didn't think it was so terrible to be kicked out?" she had tears in her eyes.
"You aren't being kicked out pea brain, but we were both being unfair. You're the best and you know it and I know it and every other doctor in this place knows it. However, I'm too much of a pushover to let anyone other than you handle mostly anything. Part of this program is doing the stuff you don't want to do, as well as observing. I'm letting you do everything because I love spending time with you. You need to be with an attending that values everyone's talent, not just yours."
Elizabeth weighed the truth of this in her head. Perhaps she would be happier with more of a challenge. It seemed logical enough.
"Can I still come visit you on your surgeries once in a while?"
"Promise, sweetheart." Richard grinned. He kissed her forehead.
"You are a little scary when you're angry. Just so you know, you might want to tone down for anyone that's not as much of a champion as I am."
"Champion, huh? What's this about you breaking down in the same room as my cousin?" Richard immediately regretted the words once they were out of his mouth.
Lizzy went tomato red and didn't know how to respond. She looked at Richard and saw the apology forming before he even said anything.
"I can't believe you just said that, you tool. So now you know my weakness, I'm a closet cryer. Only fair if you tell me yours."
"Fine then, what would you say if I told you that people like you are my kryptonite. If I see any girl crying I don't know what to do. Say it's a girl that I know or someone like you and I turn into a useless toad that would be better off jumping off a building with an umbrella, pretending I'm Mary fucking Poppins."
"I'll just have to cry more often. Get ready for it. A sad movie, an inspiration YouTube video, or even a sappy commercial. I'm done for." Lizzy smiled warmly at him.
"Are we aiiight, Lizzo?" he asked.
"We're good, Dick." Lizzy smiled at her triumph. If there was one thing Richard hated, it was that his name had the potential to be nicknamed Dick.
"There are times I love you and then there are times I loathe you. We've got to get back to her royal highness at any rate."
"Wait! Did you mean what you said about me not scrubbing in for a month, after this laser I mean?" Lizzy was petrified for the answer.
"You bet I did. If I see a marked improvement in attitude in two weeks, missy, then you may present your case for a possible appeal. Until then, you watch and learn." He was smiling but his tone suggested it was in Lizzy's best interest to not question his decision.
"Like you just said, there are times when I love you and times when I loathe you."
Richard didn't buy it for a second. "A falsehood if I ever heard one, you always love me."
"Maybe I do, but the same goes for me too loser."
"You bet your butt it does. Come on, Princess Marissa awaits us." Richard made a sweeping bow to allow Elizabeth to go first, back into her patient's room.
Thanks easybc letting me know that I called Elizabeth "Eliza Bennet" in Caroline's rampage – sometimes even all the tiny details of my own story are too much to keep track of.
More to come soon, review please! 3
