The Thin Line between Love and Hate

A Pride and Prejudice- story

By: jakeline

Summary: A modern P&P with a Shakespearean twist. He said she wasn't pretty enough and she threw punch at him. After 12 years Darcy is back in Meryton and Lizzie still hasn't forgiven him.

Disclaimer: I do not claim to be Jane Austen and most definitely not Shakespeare. I just borrow their work as an inspiration to this story, loosely basing it on Pride and Prejudice and Much Ado about Nothing.

Chapter 26: Childish Much?

Elizabeth was not the type to beg or cling, so she refused to try to persuade William to stay. Though she very much would like to be that type, she resolved to a slight pout when he got out of the bed. She couldn't deny that she was disappointed. And to tell the truth, she felt a bit rejected. It would have been the perfect end to the perfect evening.

Very slowly and deliberately she got out of bed, as for William to see just what he was missing. Elizabeth didn't even try to be modest now. Only putting on her skimpy underwear, she flaunted the length of her almost naked body, shamelessly. She stretched languidly to make William see exactly what he would be missing. And by the look on William's face, she succeeded. She rummaged around a little, looking for her robe, but as she failed to find it, she took out one of her, slightly oversized and much worn, Maiden tee-shirts.

Sure, she was not the type to beg, but she could show him just he was saying no to. She wasn't really the prancing type either, but tonight she was willing to make an exception. And seeing William's longing looks, she would say it was worth it. He was going to regret not staying. Sure, it was Monday tomorrow, and sure, she had friends and family living nearby, but still…

Elizabeth watched him retrieving his clothes as he went out to the living room. She stood leaning on the doorpost, with her arms folded under her breasts. She enjoyed seeing him move, he was a very well built man, indeed. She smiled slightly. It was really a shame to hide such a body. It should be on display 24-7. She giggled as she pictured him on a pedestal, butt naked, like one of those Greek gods.

"What?" William looked over at her before pulling on his sweater.

"Nothing," she said, but continued giggling.

"Tell me," he said, and towered over her, in a playful threatening way.

"Nope." She shook her head.

"Please?"

"Had you stayed, then maybe, I would have told you…" she teased. She reached up to kiss him on the cheek. "Now you will never know." She stepped out into the room.

"Cute," he said with a sigh, but smiled. "I promise I will make it up to you."

"You better," she said and followed him to the door. She stopped by the table and scribbled down her number on a piece of paper and handed it to him. "Then, I think you might need this." He looked down at the paper and actually blushed.

"Yeah, thanks." He stashed the paper in his pocket. He gave her a kiss that left her wanting more. She didn't want him to leave, but since she was not going to beg, she watched in silence as he left.

Of course she didn't want to advertise that they had gotten together. And him staying was not really a good idea, especially not when her gossiping sister Lydia might just swing by just because she felt like it. Elizabeth wanted to relish the thought of having someone in her life without having to share him with the world. They would be teased enough when they did tell the world.

She hoped he was feeling as lonely as she was when he went to bed. She smiled to the empty room and sighed contently as she sank down in her bed, burying her head in her pillow that smelt like him. It had been a most wonderful evening.

-xxx-

William could hardly believe himself as he walked out the door. This was not like him, but he still wanted them to take it slow. Even if they had known each other for ages, this was something completely new. William was aware of Elizabeth's disappointment, and he couldn't deny that he regretting saying that he was going. He had been hoping that she would ask him to stay once more before exiting, but she didn't. She was of course not the kind of woman who needed to ask a man to stay. He knew exactly what she had been trying to do when she went prancing around the apartment half naked. But she didn't have that power over him. Yet. Well, she did, but he didn't want to admit it just yet.

He felt completely stupid when she handed him the note with her number. Once again he had forgotten that important little detail. He mentally kicked himself. He stood in the hallway, softly banging his head against the wall and waited for the elevator.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid…" he muttered to the empty hallway. He couldn't go back now, could he? No, the elevator came and he entered it with a sigh. He walked the few blocks to his apartment and sighed as he entered. It was dark and just depressingly empty, really. Not at all inviting as Elizabeth's homey apartment. To think, that only a few weeks ago he had been so content with his apartment, now it felt lifeless and boring.

He took a quick shower before checking his emails and then got ready for bed. He was not content as he stared out in the dark room. His bed was suddenly too big. He couldn't find a comfortable position and he turned restlessly before getting up to pace the room. He thought of calling her, the note she had given him lay on his table, but it was too late. She would be asleep.

William wanted nothing more than to run back to Elizabeth's apartment and admit that he was a coward and ask her to forgive him for leaving. But that would have to wait till the morning. The thought of morning bought a feeling of uncertainty to his stomach and he worried about his sister.

Since he couldn't sleep he started plotting a cunning plan to get Caroline and Wickham back. Especially Caroline. It would have to be something spectacular indeed to make them pay for what they had done. William was not really the vindictive type, but when it came to hurting his family and friends, he was glad to make an exception.

William didn't go back to bed that night. He dragged himself to work and started to work up the courage to call Elizabeth. The office was empty since it was only half past seven and he wondered how they would manage without Charles. Caroline they could do without, now that Georgiana was there.

After his second cup of coffee he was finally ready to talk to Elizabeth, but the butterflies in his stomach told another tale…

-xxx-

Elizabeth woke with a smile on her lips, stretched and didn't really want to get up. The empty space beside her reminded her of William's departure, but the goofy smile stayed in place nonetheless. Going to work didn't really seem like the right thing to do after a night like the one she had had. So Elizabeth called her boss to explain about her sister and the need to get her home, not to mention all their stuff that was still at Netherfield. Daniel didn't see any problem with her taking a personal day, since she had a lot of extra hours to cash in.

"When are they releasing you?" she asked Jane as she called her.

"Lunchtime, I think," Jane answered.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, bit tired, that's all. But that's mostly because of these horrible beds," Jane chuckled slightly.

"I'll come pick you up and take you home, okay?"

"Thanks." Two beeps in Elizabeth's ear told her that she had another caller.

"Oh, another call waiting," she said. "Hold on Jane." She checked to see who it was and was happily surprised by it being William. "I got to take this, call you later." She hung up before Jane could reply. "Elizabeth," she breathed as she answered.

"Hi, it's William," he said. She smiled at the sound of his voice, and could hardly believe the reaction it produced in her body.

"Glad you could decipher my scribbles," she said, joking.

"Yes, that's the least of my problems," William answered.

"Rough night?" Elizabeth asked sweetly.

"Tell me about it," William muttered in response.

"Aw, poor Willy," Elizabeth mocked.

"Do you really have to rub it in?"

"Yup."

He sighed, "I guess you are entitled."

She chuckled softly, "You bet ya."

"So what are you wearing?" The question caught her off guard.

"What?"

He cleared his throat, "What are you doing?"

"That's not what you asked before."

"Nope."

"Freudian slip?"

"Maybe…" He chuckled. "Can we have a normal adult conversation now?"

"Okay," Elizabeth said. "What's up?"

"Are you free for lunch?"

"I'm picking up Jane at the hospital," she said. "Then I'm off to Netherfield to get our stuff."

"Oh," he said and in that single word she could hear his disappointment.

"Why? Did you have something else in mind?" she said suggestively.

"Maybe."

"Such as?"

"Now you'll never know…" he teased.

"God, we're such babies," Elizabeth groaned.

"Totally," William agreed. "Seriously, though, what are you doing?"

"I'm sitting by my kitchen table," she said.

"Not at work?"

"No, I took a personal day, with Jane and all," Elizabeth said.

"That sounds nice."

"Well, it depends on how you look on it, I guess. I wonder how I'll get Jane's car home, though." She had just thought of a brilliant idea and wondered if William would pick up on the suggestive tone.

"May I be of assistance?" he asked.

-xxx-

William realised that he loved the sound of her laugh. Her soft laugh of the other side of the line came clearly through the speaker.

"You have a license I take it?"

"Duh," William said.

"Pick you up at one?"

"Okay," he said hesitantly, and wondered briefly what he had said yes to.

"Exactly where is your office situated?" He told her and she sounded surprised. "Never noticed it before."

"I guess the building is a bit anonymous." He looked out through the windows that were facing a small park and thought of the grey exterior and tiny sign.

"Oh, well, I think I will find it alright," she said. "See you later."

"Can't wait," he said quietly, almost shyly. He was very pleased with how this conversation had turned out. He was meeting his, well sort of, girlfriend in less than three hours. He smiled.

"Me too," she said with a small laugh. They hung up and William was smiling like a maniac for a minute or two. Long enough for Peter to notice when he poked his head in, a few moments later.

"Hey, Will," he said. Then he looked at William with an incredulous look on his face. "What's happened to you?"

"Nothing," William said.

"Bull," Peter retorted. "Spill."

"I don't think so." William's smile still remained.

"Has it something to do with someone that begins with an E and ends with lizabeth?" Peter asked.

"Perhaps."

"I'm dying over here, Will," Peter groaned.

"Tough luck," William said.

"Just give me something, please," Peter pleaded. William chuckled. He was having so much fun.

"It's none of you business."

"Are you mad with love yet?"

"I'm not saying anything more, than, that I'm meeting her today." Peter's face lit up with a satisfactory smile.

"I'm psyched! I can't believe it actually worked," Peter mused. "What are you going to do?"

"I think we have a lot of other work to do, other than plotting my love life," William remarked. "Like the whole Bingleys vs Jane/Gigi-situation."

"True," Peter looked more serious now. "Any ideas?"

"As a matter of fact I have a few. Have you seen Gigi?"

"Yes, she's here."

"Can you go get her?"

"Sure thing."

-xxx-

"Where are you?" Charlotte's voice was a bit irritated. "I'm standing at Meryton Tech, waiting for you!"

"Oh, shit, Lottie, I totally forgot about lunch," Elizabeth said. "I'm on my way to pick up Jane from the hospital and then off to Netherfield to fetch our stuff."

"Okay, so you're forgiven," Charlotte said. "But I really want you to meet Bill under better circumstances."

"I will, promise, but not right now, okay?"

"Fine," her friend sighed. "So, you and Will. Tell me every little horny detail."

"Not likely," Elizabeth snorted. She was so not telling her friend about her and William's almost night together at Netherfield, and most definitely not about their sort of date last night.

"Please," Charlotte pleaded, "to make up for missing lunch?"

"I'll just say that he can really handle his chop sticks." And with that Elizabeth hung up, chuckling. Charlotte would have to figure that one out herself. She was not going to make this easy on her friends.

She pulled up outside the hospital in her SAAB and went in to get her sister. Jane looked a bit paler than usual, but otherwise fine.

"You look very pleased with yourself," Jane commented. "Care to tell me your secret?"

"A good night's sleep?" Elizabeth hoped the answer would be enough, but was sure it wasn't. She couldn't handle more interrogation at the moment.

"Spiced with?"

"Nothing… " Elizabeth started her car.

"Lizzie," Jane started. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing," Elizabeth repeated.

"God, you're such a child sometimes!" Jane exclaimed exasperated. "You used to tell me everything!"

"Yeah, well, that was until you went behind my back and plotted my love life," Elizabeth remarked.

"Touché," Jane admitted.

"I will tell you when I'm ready to, okay?" Elizabeth threw a glance at her sister.

"Fine," Jane said gloomily. "I thought I was entitled to some good news after yesterday's mess."

"Why is everybody playing that 'feel sorry for me'-card today?" Elizabeth groaned.

"Because we're not used to you being so secretive, or that everybody's really feeling sorry for themselves?" Jane suggested, lightly.

"Okay, fine," Elizabeth caved. She could never keep a secret from her sister for long. "I say the same as Charlotte got. William can handle a pair of chop sticks."

"So, you had dinner?" Jane inquired.

"Yeah."

"And?"

"And I'm meeting him after I've dropped you off at home. He's helping me retrieve your so called car."

"Then, what are you waiting for?" Jane urged. "Take me home!" Elizabeth broke out in giggles. She had been thinking the same thing and she accelerated.

-TBC-

Author's note: Okay, so a pretty nonsensical chapter really, but very fun to write. Hope you found it okay, anyways. Tell me all about it in a review!