A/N: Before I start, I find I have some confusion that needs to be cleared up. On the last chapter, I got an anonymous review. It might just be me, but it made no sense to me. I have to ask this person to comment again and give me a more involved example than the person A/person B thing. I simply did not understand it as it was. If you can give me a direct quote, maybe I can explain why I did whatever it was.

Chapter 12

Lizzie walked down the stairs, Mr. Darcy close behind. She saw the housekeeper admit the apothecary. She decided to speak, relieving the housekeeper of her duty.

"Thank you Mrs. Hill. Mr. Jones, Please allow me take you to Jane's room." Mr. Darcy stared at her, shocked that she would trouble herself to greet the apothecary and do the housekeeper's duty.

"Certainly Miss Elizabeth. Do you know if she had been feeling ill earlier in the week?" He followed Elizabeth up the stairs, leaving Mr. Darcy to walk behind both of them. He was in shock. He was honestly surprised that she had done such a thing. Even more shocking was the casualness she had used in doing so. It was as if she did this often. Or at least as often as Jane was ill. She could not do such things once they were married. People may talk. He wanted to make her transition into his life as uneventful as possible especially after the talk he had with his sister the night previous.

"No. I do not believe she has. In fact, she appeared to be most lively last night. She gave me quite a talking to and I can only assume that the shock of saying something remotely unkind brought her ill." Elizabeth smiled and opened her sister's door. The doctor smiled, but said nothing. Darcy could hardly believe his ears. To talk of her sister in such a way! And with someone not even related to her!

"Right, well, let us see what is wrong with Miss Bennet." They all entered the room. Elizabeth crossed to the foot of Miss Bennet's bed while the apothecary walked to the lady's right side.

"Miss Bennet, how long have you been feeling ill?"

"I suppose since last night. I believe I was even a little short with Lizzie here." Elizabeth smiled.

"Not at all Jane." Mr. Darcy deliberated, unsure of whether he was welcome by Miss Bennet's bed, but finally decided to go and stand by Elizabeth. He smiled a little at Jane, remembering their discussion from the night before and tried to tune out Mr. Jones's words. Her eyes met his and she smiled in return before returning her attention to the doctor, looking more than a little confused. He stepped back a little, standing behind Elizabeth, but looking out the window over her head. He was completely unsure of how to keep his anger in check. Surely it would not do for Elizabeth to think they would be sparring for the rest of their lives.

"Well Miss Bennet, I do not think that it is anything much. You are just feeling a little under the weather. You should avoid any stress and if you start to feel sick at all over the next week, retire immediately." Jane nodded and the man looked at her strictly. "Even a headache, Miss Bennet." Jane sighed, following Mr. Darcy's example and looking out the window.

"Do not worry Mr. Jones. I shall see to it that she does not overexert herself at all." She smiled teasingly at Jane. "Thank you Mr. Jones, I will see you out." She walked out of the room, Mr. Jones collecting his things and followed her. The room was silent for a moment.

"You do not know what to do next, Mr. Darcy." Jane said, still looking out the window, but smiling slightly.

"I do not want you to overexert yourself Miss Bennet." He smiled.

"Oh please, do not tease me. I love Lizzie, but I could not bear having more than one of her around." He smiled. "Just be gentle, do not get angry with her. She was quite put out about a particular comment last night." He stifled a groan.

"While I am sure I know which it was, I beg you reveal it for my future sanity's sake." Jane tore her gaze from the window, and met his gaze.

"It was something about 'not insulting your intelligence', sir." His eyes widened.

"That is what upset her? I thought it would be the—" He stopped, unwilling to continue and worsen Jane's opinion of him.

"Mr. Darcy, it is not the only thing that upset her. It is just one example. I am sure whatever else you said made her angry as well." She said in an oddly comforting voice. "I suppose the fact that you sided with Miss Bingley and scolded her for her opinion may have been a part of it."

"I was most certainly not taking Miss Bingley's side! I was siding with myself." Jane smirked a little, allowing him to see that Elizabeth, and practically every other woman, would disagree. Her face changed suddenly, revealing pain and she groaned a little closing her eyes, and sinking her head into the pillow.

"Are you alright Miss Bennet?" She opened her eyes again and smiled softly.

"Yes. Would you draw the curtains? The light is uncomfortable. But tell me what was it that you thought would make her angry?" He sighed, walking to the curtains, and toying with them a bit before he realized how to draw them closed. He turned back to her, walking to the door to make sure no one was nearby.

"I thought that it was probably when I began to tell her what I expected of her." Jane smiled a little.

"Yes. Yes she mentioned that. Something about making incorrect assumptions as to her wishes." She mumbled quietly, before yawning. "Forgive me Mr. Darcy, I am quite tired. I am afraid I will fall to sleep." Elizabeth laughed, entering the room. She was followed by the housekeeper.

"Well, if she is going to sleep, then you need not stay with her Mrs. Hill. Just be sure to check on her quite often." Mrs. Hill nodded, walking to Jane.

"Are you ready then, Mr. Darcy?" He nodded.

Wickham POV

"Miss Elizabeth what a pleasure!" He explained, glad for the relief of a lady who was not fully incompetent and idiotic. She glanced at him before apologizing and requesting the doctor.

"Oh, do excuse me. Mama, I think we must call for the doctor."

"Is that why Jane has not come down! Very well then, send James." Wickham looked at his friend, glad that they now had reason for escape. Denny caught the look and promptly spoke.

"Well, if someone is ill, we really should not be here. We should not distract you." Wickham groaned internally. He could easily see that none of the women in the room, save Elizabeth, would be at all distracted by their presence. He decided to speak as well, praying that the frown of disagreement which Miss Lydia wore would disappear. Or perhaps he could disappear. In truth he did not mind any of the Bennet girls. The thing that bothered him was that Mrs. Bennet flirted just as much if not more than her youngest daughters. She did not seem aware that the reason no one would marry her eldest daughters was because she had no discretion when she was speaking. Wickham was also quite puzzled about Miss Elizabeth's behaviour as of late. It was as if, overnight, they were no longer close friends and instead they were merely awkward. It was as if she had suddenly stopped trusting and believing him.

"Oh yes. We ought not disturb Miss Bennet." He masked his expression of suspicion, showing false concern in its place. He saw Denny nod seriously beside him. And then, his hopes were banished.

"My heavens no! You must stay here. For the younger girls do not bother with sick rooms. You must entertain them." He looked at Elizabeth, noting her obvious displeasure and anxiety as she glanced at him for a moment before leaving the room, loudly closing the door behind her. Her footsteps could be heard down the hallway while the room stayed silent. The tension left in the room after her exit was tangible.

"I apologize sirs. My Lizzie does not always know how to behave in polite society. She so often takes after her father in that, though it was not for want of my trying." Mrs. Bennet spoke after a few minutes. Wickham looked at her, utterly shocked that she thought Elizabeth was the family member who needed to be taught how to behave in public. He coughed, trying to disguise his laugh. Denny looked at him, trying to make him stop. He sobered quickly, looking at the women across from him. He noticed Lydia, who had dropped the handkerchief she was embroidering, lean down and glance up at him beneath her lashes. When she saw him looking, she immediately pushed her bosom out, giggling. He began coughing again, covering his mouth with his fist while he leaned over, trying to quell the laughter threatening to escape him. The image of Lydia pushing her breasts out like that would be forever ingrained as a laughable memory.

"Are you well, Mr. Wickham?" Kitty asked, completely oblivious to her sister's shamelessness.

"Of course he is, Miss Kitty. I believe he swallowed a bug." he grated his teeth together. "Did you not, Wickham?" Wickham cleared his throat a few times, glaring at his friend for a moment before smiling at the ladies.

"Not at all Denny. I merely swallowed my tea too quickly." Again the room was silent. Denny spoke up.

"The officers have all noticed that all the Misses Bennet have not been frequenting Meryton as often as we had grown to expect."

"Oh yes, Elizabeth does not often go to Meryton. Let alone walk like the other girls!" Wickham looked puzzled and glanced at the girls, hearing small giggles coming from them.

"However, I will continue sending my Jane wherever I can. She must be married soon or she will be an old maid like Charlotte Lucas. Oh the poor thing, I was quite afraid she would never be married. She was lucky. Though, I believe one of my own daughters would have been more suitable. Mary most likely—or Elizabeth. Mary is very serious. Are you not Mary?" Mary looked at her mother, unsure of how to respond. Fortunately, she did not really expect a reply. "But, I do not believe we shall have to worry about Lizzie any longer. Bless her dear father." again, Wickham did not understand. He sighed, staring out the window rather than listening any longer.

He soon spotted a carriage coming up the drive. He could easily see that it was fine. He had heard of the Bingley man returning and assumed it was him—come to call on Miss Bennet. He continued to watch the carriage as he saw Bingley step out followed by a lady.

"Mr. Wickham!" he turned.

"Yes?"

"You seemed quite far away! I am sure we called your name for fully half an hour!" Lydia claimed laughingly.

"Lydia, you should not exaggerate. It is unbecoming in a woman." Mary chastised, looking at her for a moment before returning to her copy of 'Fordyce's Sermons'. Lydia stuck her tongue out before looking at Wickham again, giggling flirtatiously. He smiled charmingly, already forgetting the third figure he had seen emerging from the carriage.

Jane POV

Jane stood as Lizzie exited the room to greet Mr. Darcy. She carefully walked over to the window, standing by the corner and watching the exchange between her sister and Darcy. She saw him lead her several feet away. She saw Lizzie looking anywhere but at him. She could see the very moment when he lost his patience because Lizzie jumped a little, looking at him before replying. Jane wanted to groan. Mr. Darcy was not helping his own case. Surely, he could see that Elizabeth was anxious to understand him and losing his temper so easily was dangerous for their relationship.

She continued to explain, looking toward the ground. Soon, she looked up at him, almost pleadingly. Jane cringed back, fearful that Lizzie would see her. She looked away from Lizzie, at least trying to make it seem as if she was not monitoring her should she happen to see Jane.

She allowed her eyes to scan the trees around their estate; looking over the wilderness and finally letting them rest on Mr. Darcy's carriage. She saw Georgiana Darcy regarding her brother and Elizabeth very seriously. Then, her eyes rested upon another gentleman—Mr. Bingley! She looked away, quickly glancing back to him. She looked at his face, shocked to find him staring directly at her. He smirked a bit, turning his head and looking at her curiously. She opened her mouth as if to explain, but quickly shut it. She tilted her head toward Elizabeth and Darcy, telling him that she must pay attention to them and he nodded grinning.

She turned back to the couple in time to see Darcy turn around and look at his sister, before alarm spread across his face and he quickly looked back at Elizabeth, pressing his hand to her head. Jane smiled at his sweetness, glancing at Mr. Bingley; she saw he was regarding his friend with astonishment. She watched as they spoke for a few more moments before Darcy went back to them both. Bingley was looking at her again as Darcy tried to get his attention. She looked back at Elizabeth who stood by, waiting for Darcy. She wondered what they all planned to do now. She hoped that they would leave so she would be able to escape a doctor's visit, but as the carriage pulled away, without Elizabeth or Darcy, she knew she had better return to bed because Lizzie would be back very soon.

Elizabeth POV

As Darcy and Elizabeth started toward Netherfield, Elizabeth could clearly see Darcy's agitation. They were both silent, walking nearly a foot apart. He sighed and stopped, Elizabeth halting as well. He crossed over to her, folding her arm into his.

"Elizabeth, I hope I am not as intolerable as you seem to believe. I do want us to be happy when we marry. However it has come to my attention, through my sister of course, that I have not been going about this as I ought. I want to apologize for last night."

He began to walk and she was forced to walk as well. It felt odd to her to be pressed so closely to him and she found that she liked having someone so masculine by her, protecting her, claiming her. She shook her head, aware that if Jane had heard those thoughts, she would be listening to speech upon speech about finally accepting her fate. Darcy began to speak again.

"I know that when I told you that you were wrong, that I upset you. It was wrong to say and I now see that. I—" he paused, unused to admitting an error. "I should not have silenced you. It does not set a good beginning to our lives together. It puts on unequal footing and I want you to understand that that is not how I view things." Elizabeth looked at him, shocked that he would admit such things. He spoke no more and she realized he was awaiting her reply. She drew in a breath.

"Sir, I—" he interrupted her.

"Please, do not call me that. Please. Fitzwilliam if you do not mind it. I admit it is...it is painful to hear it when I so often call you Elizabeth." she nodded, feeling uncomfortable with him baring his emotions to her. She closed her eyes and looked away.

"Very well. I—I do not understand. What did you speak to your sister about?"

"Well," he began, a little disappointed that she did not use his name. "I noticed that you were not happy with me and after you went inside I—" he stopped, his eyes widening as he realized that he had very nearly revealed her sister's meddling. He knew she would be very upset and glanced at her face. She looked expectant. "Rather, after I returned home, I spoke to Georgiana about your reaction to Caroline yesterday morning." her eyes widened, flashing in anger. He did not notice. "She said that it was understandable because Caroline is a...a" he stopped, unable to continue through a chuckle. "I am sorry. It would not be nearly so laughable had it not come from my sweet Georgiana." He cleared his throat. "Upon the whole, she informed me that I was not very bright for exposing you to a room of snobs when you were already so nervous about telling her!"

"Georgiana said this?" Elizabeth smiled internally. Perhaps she would have a confidant in her own home. She rejoiced at the prospect.

"Yes. I was shocked. I can see you are as well. I rather regret inviting them to Pemberley next fall. She did advise me against it, but I do not suppose I can escape the engagement now." again, Elizabeth rejoiced. Georgiana at least shared her views and so the two would be fully capable of dissuading Darcy from inviting the Bingley's in the future. However, the fact remained that she would be expected as hostess, to entertain Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst during their stay.

"How long are they to stay with us there," she hesitated. "Fitzwilliam?" He beamed down at her, not missing his name.

"About six weeks. I wish that we had had a chance to discuss it before the invitation was extended, but at the time, I did not think that our marriage would ever occur, so I did not that it would have any bearing." he stopped speaking, looking out over the fields around them. "I suppose," he started slowly. "I suppose that we could ask them to delay their visit under the premise that you need time to grow accustomed to Pemberley before we have any visitors. Would that be more agreeable?" Elizabeth considered this, relaxing a little.

"I suppose, but we would then be forced to allow an extended visit, would we not?" he was shocked at this, scarcely believing that she would speak so openly of her dislike. "Of course, you may invite Mr. Bingley to live with us year-round if you wished! I could never tire of his good-humour. I feel though, that other, less-desirable company would be often visiting as well." she was aware that this was an absurdly forward speech and that he may justly be offended, but she felt it necessary that he know of her own dislike toward Bingley's sisters. He laughed a little, unsure of what to say and changed the subject.

"Ah, yes well. When are your relatives going to travel here? It must be difficult to attempt to entertain your family and prepare for a wedding, hurried as it is."

"Yes, I suppose it will be, but considering I am hardly involved in any planning, it shall not be very difficult for me. All I need to do is entertain my relatives; something I have done before. In truth, all I must do on my wedding day is arrive."

"Why are you not involved? I would have thought the bride more anxious to plan than anyone." Elizabeth gave him a skeptical look.

"You underestimate my mother. I admit I am a little frightened of what to expect upon my arrival at the church, but Jane is calming my mother's more eccentric ideas, so we ought to be safe." he chuckled.

"You have not answered my question madam. How long are we to be undisturbed?" he looked at her oddly. If Elizabeth had known Darcy's face as he knew hers, she would have recognized it as teasing, but alas, it was not so.

"I suppose my aunt and uncle from Cheapside will arrive on Friday. They do not wish to impose upon us for long. They will return to town directly after the wedding breakfast, since I will already be gone." Darcy looked at her curiously.

"I had not thought to tell you but, we are spending our wedding night at Netherfield. I thought it would make our journey simpler. If we left early enough in the morning, we would be in Derbyshire shortly after nightfall. Then, if we must, we would stay the night in an inn and be at Pemberley early the next morning." she gaped at him. Elizabeth was more than a little disturbed that their wedding night would be at Netherfield Hall; a place where they would be guests. She knew to breach the conversation, she must tread carefully.

"Sir, I know well that for propriety's sake, I ought not mention what I am about to speak of, however, I fear my concerns must be understood." Darcy looked at her with something akin to a smirk, hoping that his affianced would be comfortable sharing a bed with him for one, perhaps two nights before they had any relations. He had not anticipated eagerness on her part, and knew not how to prevent anything from happening if she wished it. He braced himself.

"Surely, you do not mean for us to..." she paused, uncomfortable with the word. "ah...consummate the marriage while at your friends home or even at an inn, sir." she spoke quickly, looking away from him and blushing. They had both stopped walking by then and she drew away from him a little. He tugged on her hand, forcing her to turn back to him. He turned her toward him, pulling her close. He put his hand under her chin, tilting it to look at him. She tried to pull away again, but he would not allow it. She tensed in his arms, fully aware that any struggle was futile.

"Elizabeth." he began very seriously. "We will not be joined together physically until we are safely at Pemberley, I assure you. And when we are at Pemberley, Georgiana will be in London at Darcy House, so you have nothing to fear and no one to be embarrassed around. Regardless, it should not embarrass you. It is completely natural for a husband and wife to lie together." Elizabeth pulled out of his embrace, leaving just her arm as they walked on.

"Ah, Fitzwilliam" she began, trying to ease the tension she felt after his speech. "You said you wanted to ask me about something earlier. Would now be an appropriate time?" he looked at her, smiling tenderly. He felt as if he had made plenty of progress, particularly since she had felt at ease enough to begin their last discussion.

"Yes. I wanted to ask you about your sister and her feelings on Mr. Bingley. I was curious about whether she is as interested in him as he is in her." Elizabeth smiled.

"Oh, Jane is very much in love with him." she smiled to herself. "And I know not how much in love Mr. Bingley is, but I know well enough that he cannot have forgotten her as she believes. She was quite broken-hearted when she heard of his leaving town with no design to return." she looked at Mr. Darcy again, observing his reaction. "So much so that she went to town to stay with my aunt and uncle and even visited Miss Caroline Bingley while she was there, but still she did not run into Mr. Bingley a single time whilst she was there. It was very unfortunate for she had staked so much hope upon her visit."

"She seems too dependant upon him." he replied, ignoring her implications. "Surely that is not healthy. She ought to have resigned herself to the idea that he would not return because it was very likely that he would not."

"And why sir, is that? I do not understand at all why he should not because I recall very well that he was as much in love with her as she was with him." Darcy looked at her in shock.

"Well, he is in a position to marry beneath him, but he has many acquaintances who would ah, frown upon the union."

"And what of you? Are you in a position to marry beneath you? Have you no friends who will frown upon the union?" she barely kept her words from being a sneer and she knew enough to look away from him.

"I am in a position." he emphasized the words, glaring at her. "To do what ever I please. As for your second inquiry, there is only one among my acquaintance who would have the audacity to refuse to accept our marriage and that is my Aunt Catherine. Whom I am keeping the news from to protect you." he was seething and had stopped, looking at her. She was still turned away.

"F—" she paused. "Forgive me sir. I will try to contain my temper in the future. It is very good of you to protect me from your Aunt's rage."

"What?" he looked angry, confused, and shocked. She did not understand it. Why must he be so strange? How could she decipher his meaning? "What did you say?'

"I apologized and thanked you." he still looked confused, so she added, "And I promised to control my temper."

"Why?" his voice was growing soft and the anger was visibly leaving him.

"Because it was wrong of me to lose my temper with you when you did not realize how offensive your own words were." he grinned, barking out a laugh, and drew her closer, looping their arms together again.

"And you most certainly will not keep your temper from me. I cannot imagine life without that fire." she knew not how to respond. He looked at her face, a blush spreading across her face. "Now then dearest, I know you are curious about why I do not wish my sister anywhere near the likes of a Mr. George Wickham."

"Yes, Fitzwilliam, I am quite curious." she responded calmly.

"Well then, I will speak it as plainly as I can..." he told her of Mrs. Younge's deception and Wickham's near-success in ruining his sister. He also spoke of his father's own misunderstanding of Wickham's true character. He spoke nearly the rest of the three miles to Netherfield, looking exhausted by the time they arrived.

"Now, do you understand? I can not allow Georgiana to meet with him again. And it pains me to have you or any of your family near him. I plan on speaking to your father. I wish him to understand the danger surrounding that man. I could not bear for you to suffer the same pain I did with my sister."

"Yes. That I understand." she looked at him eagerly, letting herself believe that they could be happy in their marriage.

Jane POV

Mrs. Hill scrutinized Jane as Elizabeth and Darcy's footsteps faded down the hallway.

"You are not ill." Jane looked at her, shocked.

"Of course I am ill. Mr. Jones even asked me to rest well." Jane looked away.

"I know your face Miss Bennet. You are not ill. However the entire house believes you to be, so you shall be confined to your room at the very least. Perhaps when your mother and sisters are out and Miss Elizabeth is with Mr. Darcy, you can come out, but I will not be scolded by Miss Lizzie or the mistress for letting you roam about during your illness."

"Of course, Hill. I do not want you to get yelled at for my personal follies. However, if I could have some breakfast and a book, I would be very grateful." Mrs. Hill smiled.

"Of course, Miss Jane. I shall send it up with Sara. You are lucky for now, for surely your mother will not come to visit you while Mr. Wickham and Mr. Denny are here."

"Thank you, Hill."

A/N: Fun fact—In the last chapter when I put the word 'associate' in like 15 times in one paragraph, I was trying to come up with some synonyms, and then I thought 'fraternize' but I wrote 'fornicate'. Now it makes me laugh because imagining Caroline Bingley fornicating with anyone, let alone snobby ladies, is pretty funny. If you don't remember that, it's because I fixed it before I updated. Anyways, great fun.

~~~ I'm sorry if you wanted a detailed thing. I tried to make it understandable even if you haven't read P&P (which I frown upon –clears throat indicatively-) Anyway I just was not in the mood to write the WHOLE thing out. If you don't understand it, read the book. It's better than this and you're CLEARLY tolerating this. Plus, everything I put in here will just make more sense once you've read the book. –sighs and begins to daydream-

LADIES: (I assume there are no gents but if there are: GENTS!) I have now officially finished all exams for this semester. Yay. Unfortunately, I am now in a 'creative writing' class meaning I may not have the time or the inclination to write or update. (Believe it or not, I usually add parts of my chapter in POV, so I might write Darcy POV one day, then three days later, Wickham POV, etc. I'm also in our spring musical: 'The Wiz'. I'm super excited.)

This is just a little timetable because I got confused and had to go back and see what day I was on and some of you guys are, so here you are:

Saturday—9 days till wedding

Chapter 7—Sunday 8 days till wedding

Chapter 11 Sunday/Monday 7 days until the wedding

Chapter 12 Monday 7 days '...'

ONE MORE THING! I know this has been ridiculously long already, but I got a nook! I'm just so pumped. WHOO! It's amazing. Just thought I'd tell you that.

Cons: 1) It take 20 bajillion hours to turn on. 2) Sometimes pages at the end of chapters aren't even the whole thing. It will just cut off mid-word. 3) I can't connect and buy books at school which sucks because school is boring. I can read the books, I just can't buy them.

If you have a nook I have a word of caution: Don't get the free books from Google. They're crap. It's literally just a photocopy and a BAD photocopy at that. It doesn't even have full pages and it just sucks. Believe me when I tell you that it is worth it to pay the 2-? bucks.