Chapter 10 - Mother Nature Intervenes

Disclaimer: I do not own any thing that belongs to Jane Austen, I do own this story but am not making any profit from it. MSN Messenger is © MSN. The song lyrics used in the MSN names are © Kelly Clarkson "Miss Independent" and the Foo Fighters "Monkey Wrench"

MSN MESSENGER

What have we done with innocence? It disappeared with time, it never made much sense says: Liz?

Miss independent, Miss self-sufficient, Miss keep your distance, mmmm says: Um yeh, who's this?

What have we done with innocence? It disappeared with time, it never made much sense says: It's Darcy

Miss independent, Miss self-sufficient, Miss keep your distance, mmmm says: William Darcy? Dare I ask how you got my e-mail?

What have we done with innocence? It disappeared with time, it never made much sense says: I got it from Jane, she's over here

Miss independent, Miss self-sufficient, Miss keep your distance, mmmm says: Still?? I was expecting her home ages ago

What have we done with innocence? It disappeared with time, it never made much sense says: Yeh, she got caught in that sudden downpour on her way over and has been sneezing and generally not looking too good since

Miss independent, Miss self-sufficient, Miss keep your distance, mmmm says: Is she ok? Does she want me to come get her?

What have we done with innocence? It disappeared with time, it never made much sense says: It looks like the flu, she's in one of our spare beds right now. She wants you to come over.

Miss independent, Miss self-sufficient, Miss keep your distance, mmmm says: I'll be there soon. Bye Darc

Miss independent, Miss self-sufficient, Miss keep your distance, mmmm appears to be offline.

It took five minutes for Liz to throw on some more appropriate clothing and run her fingers through her hair, and then another five minutes to drive to the house (once Charles sent her a message from Jane's mobile telling her where it was).

When she arrived her breath caught in her throat for one involuntary moment as she stared up at the apartment. 'It was bigger then some houses…' she thought as she parked the car in the driveway and turned off the ignition. Ducking her head in the still pouring rain she ran to the door and pressed the buzzer. Darcy's voice came over the intercom

"Liz is that you?"

"Yeh" she replied, "Let me in"

The door opened and she pushed her way inside, sparing one glance at her what was once clean and dry outfit, that had somehow transformed into a muddy and rather ragged ensemble.

'Oh well' she thought, climbing the stairs, 'It's not like I have to dress up for Jane.'

It was the fact that she was trying hard not trip on her muddy jeans as she walked up the stairs that kept her from noticing Darcy standing at the top waiting for her.

"You found the place okay I see?" he asked when she was within hearing distance.

Elizabeth's head shot up at his voice, causing her to forget her jeans and trip up the last step. Much to her dismay Darcy was there to catch her as she fell.

"Thanks" Liz murmured, awkwardly straightening her clothes and shuffling out of his arms, "Where's Jane?"

"Hello to you too" Darcy quipped, before inclining his head down the hall and answering "This way".

They walked the next few metres in silence until they reached the door at the end of the hall and Lizzy opened it to reveal her sister and Charlie.

"Oh Jane" Lizzy cried, shaking her head and walking to the bedside, "What am I going to do with you?"

"I'm glad you're here sis, I thought that you might start renting out my room if I didn't make it home soon."

Lizzy smiled at how well her sister knew her thoughts, hadn't she said much the same thing to Darcy earlier that morning.

"How are you feeling?" Lizzy asked

"Like death warmed up" Jane confessed, "Will you stay for a while"

Lizzy glanced from her sister to Charles, "Of course, if it's okay with the guys."

"You can stay as long as you like. I'm sure Darcy will be fine with the situation as well."

Lizzy wasn't so sure about the last comment, but nodded her head regardless.

Charles got up from his seat and moved to the door "I'll leave you two to talk, while I arrange for someone to bring over some of your things from your room."

Liz stared after him, "He doesn't waste any time does he" She joked

Jane shook her head and coughed, "No, he's very efficient. He's been very good to me, I must look like crap."

Lizzy shook her head and laughed, although Jane did look very pale and worn out she was still as beautiful as ever "You, sister of mine, could never look like crap."

Jane rolled her eyes and smiled, "I'm glad you cam Liz, it's good to have someone I can be completely myself around while I'm here. But as much as being ill when not in the comfort of your own home sucks, you've got to admit – it's a nice place."

"Mmmm" Lizzy murmured noncommittably

Jane gave a weak smile before yawning, "Hey Liz, I'm really tired, you're still going to be here when I wake up aren't you."

"Yeah I'm not going anywhere" Lizzy confirmed, squeezing her hand tightly.

When Jane seemed to be asleep Lizzy stood and walked quietly out of the room, shutting the door behind her. She stood in the hallway and looked left, then right, unsure of which way to go in the unfamiliar house.

She heard Charlie's voice coming from one end and started to walk towards it, before his sister Caroline's voice joined in. quickly she turned on her heel and proceeded in the opposite direction, only to run straight into Will Darcy.