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 29: Accidentally on Purpose

They were too wrapped up in enjoying each other's company that they didn't notice the clouds that gathered on the horizon. It was not until the first raindrops found their way down through the lushness of the tree that they found themselves caught in the rain.

"My car!" Elizabeth jumped up and started running towards her car that still had the roof down. The interior was exposed to the relentless rain.

"Give me the keys, I'm faster than you," William said.

"I don't think so," Elizabeth objected.

"Wanna bet?" He grinned.

"This is my car, Will! Not some prize," Elizabeth protested, but gave up since William was already halfway to the car.

"The keys?" he called over his shoulder. She threw them to him and he caught them in one hand and continued running to save her car. She smiled and continued in a slower pace, despite the rain, toward her car. She was already as wet as she was going to be.

William managed to pull up the roof before she got to her car. She asked him to pop the trunk and she surveyed its content. In her trunk were a lot of usable items but nothing that were going to help them anyway. It would get wet as soon as she took it out. William came around the car and looked down too.

When she noticed his surprised look, she said: "You never know," with a shrug. Her dad had taught her that there are some things you are supposed to have in your car, should the worst happen. Like a blanket, a flash light, a lighter and wellies.

"You don't happen to have an umbrella or a raincoat in there?" William nodded toward the trunk.

"Of course," she said, rummaged around a bit and then handed him a bright yellow umbrella. "But you are soaking wet already, so I don't think it will do you much good."

"True." He gave it back and she smiled. It didn't look like it was one of those rains that would go on for ever. The sky had already lightened up.

"I think our best option right now is to go back to the oak and hide under those big tree trunks," she said and closed the trunk and started walking toward the big tree.

"Last one there is a rotten egg," William called as he sprinted past her.

She sighed, "So childish," but started running. She really didn't feel like loosing so she accidentally on purpose tripped him as she reached him.

"No fair," he grunted.

"All is fair in love and war," Elizabeth sing sang and laughed.

"How true," William said and grabbed her ankle before she could get away.

"Me and my big mouth," she groaned as she found herself sprawled on the wet ground.

"I know a very effective way to shut it up," William winked.

"Oh, really?" Elizabeth cocked an eyebrow. Of course she knew what he was thinking of, and she really didn't mind being silenced in that way again.

"Yes, really." He moved closer.

"You're really ruining your pants," she said as she eyed the once grey and very nice suit pants, not to mention the shirt.

"I think I can manage," he said.

-xxx-

William didn't mind getting his suit pants dirty, even though it was one of his favourite suits. He could always buy new ones, but he was glad he had taken the jacket off. Making out with Elizabeth in the rain was more interesting than worrying about his clothes. He let himself be drawn into her warm embrace, relished the feeling of her warm lips on his. The contrast to the coolness of the air and rain was exhilarating. He shivered slightly in his wet clothes and wasn't sure if it was due to the wetness or the closeness to Elizabeth. Soon enough he was warm again, on fire, really. William forgot about the rain. He could just as well have been in a warm soft bed, than on a wet field outside of Meryton. As long as Elizabeth was in his arms he was happy.

"This is so not what I had planned," Elizabeth mumbled when his mouth left hers to explore the line of her jaw and neck.

"Do you want me to stop?" William whispered, hoarsely.

"No," she sighed.

William was completely lost in her. He was surprised at how deep his feelings for her really were, and how fast those feelings had developed. Perhaps the attraction between them had always been there, but they had been too stubborn to notice. The fact that they were lying in a field not far from a road, kissing in the rain, and soaking wet didn't bother him one bit.

It was not until cars started honking he realised just how close to the road they actually were. They sat up with equally beet red faces. The looked at each other and burst out laughing. William helped her to her feet. When they turned to walk hand in hand back to the blanket they spotted a deer helping itself to a piece of bread. They watched the deer for a moment, mesmerised by the beautiful animal. Then Elizabeth slowly began to move closer.

"Oh, sweetie, I'm not so sure that is so good for you," she said in a soft voice as not to scare the animal off. It didn't care, however, but continued munching on the bread. When they were a few yards off, the deer sensed them coming closer, it looked up, blinked and trotted off and the Kodak moment was gone.

The rain had almost stopped and the air seemed fresher, clearer somehow. William loved summer rain. All the lovely smells were brought out by the sweet wetness. He inhaled deeply and smiled.

"I love summer rain," he said.

"Me, too," Elizabeth said and started to salvage what was left of their picnic. The rain had kind of busted the mood. She put what could be saved into the basket and the rest in a plastic bag to toss later. "I guess we better get going. I mean, you can't be away from the office for the rest of the day, right?"

"Business is kind of slow during the summer months," he said. "I am at your disposal for the rest of the day, ma'am." He gave a mock bow and offered her his arm.

"How very chivalrous of you, kind sir," Elizabeth said as she nipped the air on both sides of her thighs as if holding out a skirt, and curtsied. She took his arm and let herself be escorted toward her car. She giggled slightly. "I hope you don't change your mind when you're driving Jane's car home."

"What car does she have?" he asked, curiously.

"You'll see," was all Elizabeth said.

"You're such a tease," he commented lightly.

"And you love it," she winked as she dumped the basket in the back seat of her car.

"The jury is still out," William said. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"You better get used to it."

"I guess I have to loosen up a bit," William admitted as he sat down in the passenger seat. Elizabeth let the roof stay up and cranked the heater up so they would get warm again.

"I can help you with that," she offered. "You're not half as uptight as you think you are. You're just a bit slow in the start." She winked.

"It's just hat I have always had these huge shoes to fill. Dad made it quite clear right from the start what he had planned for me." William shrugged.

"I'm sorry."

"No, I don't mind. This is what I wanted to do, but still, I would have wanted it to be my decision, you know?" Elizabeth nodded.

-xxx-

Elizabeth felt a bit sorry for William. It couldn't be easy to be forced into a profession, no matter how much you enjoyed it. Elizabeth couldn't even imagine a life where her parents made life altering decisions for her. Sure, her mother had always had tons of opinions about what her daughters were doing, but nobody really listened to her. In the end both parents were supportive of what ever their children wanted to do.

"Haven't you rebelled?" she asked, remembering a more wild side of him from the past. "I really don't remember you being the submissive type in school."

"And I really wasn't. Why do you think I acted out as I did, but drinking and carelessly dating?" She nodded. "My father wasn't impressed. And then we left. But I did enjoy a whole sabbatical year while tending bars in Boston."

"So, you can show me some tricks in the kitchen as well as behind the bar?" Elizabeth smiled.

"I'm quite talented in various areas," William said and winked.

"Aren't you full of surprises?" she said.

"I'd like to think so," he murmured, as if not sure on whether she was mocking him or not. She wasn't, she was genuinely surprised.

"You are quite the catch, aren't you?" she observed. "It's a miracle nobody has caught you yet."

"Well, as you probably know, there have been some attempts," he admitted. "But then there was the evil ex..."

"Don't you just hate those?"

"Most vehemently," he nodded and smiled. "At least mine is in another country and not messing with me anymore."

"True." Elizabeth turned into the gravelled drive of Netherfield Park Spa & Recreation Centre. "Back at the scene of the crime."

Snippets of memories of Saturday night came into her head. It seemed a life time away, though it was only two days. So much had happened during those days and so much had changed. Both good and bad, and some truly wonderful.

"Yeah," he said.

"I'm just going in to see about our luggage."

"Won't you need help?"

"Good point," she said.

Elizabeth inspected herself in the rear-view mirror and found that it wasn't as bad as she had feared. Her hair was of course wet, but she drew her hands through it and then twisted it up with the help of an elastic band. She was happy to see that the small amount of mascara she had dabbed on, still remained in its place on her lashes and not underneath her eyes. She got out and checked her clothes for mud and grass stains and had to brush a few off but all and all, she was presentable. She was happy that she was wearing black. William had put on his jacket which hid most of the grass stains on his shirt. Elizabeth blushed at the thought of how and why those were on his shirt.

She shook herself and walked decidedly toward the lobby. She still had her key card, but wanted to make sure that everything was in order before just barging into her room. The lady at the front desk eyed them suspiciously, but was professional enough as not to comment. She didn't hurry them in any way, but urged them to take their time. Netherfield would not charge them for the extra day. She asked about Jane, flirted shamelessly with William as she complimented him on the great ball he had hosted, and hoped they would be back soon to enjoy their facilities.

William was all politeness and didn't seem to notice her advances. Elizabeth smiled at the poor girl as she promised to be back shortly with the key card. Elizabeth was glad that she and her sister had packed fairly lightly and that most of their stuff still remained in their bags.

"Is it okay if I change?"

"I'm in no hurry," William answered and made himself comfortable on one of the beds. She took out a clean skirt and blouse from her bag and retired into the bathroom. She didn't know why, since he already had seen every inch of her, but she felt a bit embarrassed to strip in front of him in broad daylight.

-xxx-

William was remembering the time they had spent in this room on Saturday and he smiled. He marvelled at how everything had changed in only a matter of days, really. Netherfield would always be special to him now. So much had transpired within these walls.

He was brought out of his reverie by Elizabeth exiting the bathroom. She didn't look as drenched as she had a moment ago, but cute as a button in her navy blouse and white skirt. Her hair was now parted in two long plaits.

"Hello, Pippi Longstocking," he commented. She scowled at him, but broke into a grin seconds later.

"I'm not half as strong as she, and not at all as rich."

"No, but I bet you are as much fun."

"That I am, that I am," she said and he laughed. "I've got spunk." He stood up and kissed her.

"Yes, you do." He enjoyed the way she snuggled up close to him and encircled his neck.

"Eek, you're getting me all wet again," she shrieked and jumped out of his embrace.

"That's not all bad," he pointed out. And she hit him playfully on the arm.

"I can really do without that clerk's meaningful glances if we remain here any longer," she commented. "She would be heartbroken if she finds out about us like that."

"Whatever do you mean?" William looked at her quizzically.

"Oh, please, as if you didn't notice her longing eyes and drooling mouth?"

"Jealous, are we?"

"Not in the slightest. But I hate to see a grown woman cry."

-TBC-


Author's note: Sorry about the delay. Don't really have a good explanation… Anyway, tell me all about your thoughts in a review.