[A/N: A word to the wise, do not Google how kids used to eat ice cream from pushcarts... yuck. It was apparently eaten out of glass, and then handed back to the vendor, so they could wipe it down and reuse it. And if that wasn't enough, it could have been contaminated with a multitude of things like, fleas, straw, and cat and dog hair, and it caused sickness. Although, I had gotten a frozen ices once, and it was full of gray, human, hairs. They matched the hair of the owner of the shop. Looks like not much has changed over the years...

I also wasn't sure about the flavors, I can't imagine a child asking for cucumber flavored cream ice... which apparently was a way to make ices back then, so I stuck to chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.]

A Perfect Pair

"Will... I'm borrrrreddddd..." Lizzie said, dragging out the word, just to help get her point across. "I knoooowwwwww. Me tooooo..." Will said mocking her. "Ha! You just agreed with me!" Will sighed, they were lying on the grass, in the small backyard attached to Lizzie's house. Their heads were almost touching, but their bodies were at a slight angle, facing away from each other. If it had been snowing, it would've looked like they were in the process of building snow angels. Instead, they were sweltering, and bored, in the summer afternoon heat.

Will had removed his waistcoat, and it was now lying in a heap, beside him. He had also rolled up his sleeves, and opened the first few buttons of his shirt. His cap was lying over his face, shielding his eyes from the hot sun. Lizzie was wearing a white linen dress, her mother's wedding ring on a chain around her neck, and her long golden hair was matted to her head. Her straw hat was beside her, and she was squinting up at the sky.

"Will?" She said, "Yes, yes, I know, you're bored." he said grumpily, "So am I." He would never admit it to her, but he was actually enjoying himself. He hadn't felt this peaceful in his life... ever. Despite her complaints, there was no one else in the world he would rather spend his day with.

"Should we go to the confectionary shop?" She asked. At the thought alone, Will felt his stomach rumble in protest. Last time, they had eaten so many bon-bons they had both ended up with tummy aches. Will was not looking forward to a repeat of that. He hadn't had chocolate since. It hadn't stopped Eliza though.

"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not..." She giggled at his response. "I'll take you for cream ice instead if you'd like." "Really?!" She sat up quickly, and leaned over him, pulling his hat off of his face. He blinked at the sudden brightness, then stared at Lizzie, her hair was tumbling over her shoulders, so close to tickling his face. The light caused a bright halo to form behind her, and she looked like the angel he had thought she was, that night they had first met.

He almost reached a hand up to touch her hair but she had already stood up, hand out, to help him up. "Let's go Will, come on!" "Okay, okay, I'm coming. Go get your shoes, I'll meet you at the door." He dusted off his pants and eyed his waistcoat. It is way too hot, I am not putting that back on. He was generally quite fastidious, he knew he was rather handsome and tried to look his best, but in this heat, wearing a waistcoat didn't seem worth it. He smoothed his hair away from his temples, and put his hat back on, his wavy hair was completely unruly in the humidity. He ran his hands over his cheeks and beard. He was growing it out, trying to look more adult, but he hadn't realized it was going to be so itchy. And hot, in the summer. He had planned on shaving, but after Lizzie had told him he looked like a scruffy bear, he had decided to leave it to annoy her. She had touched his face once, and had said his beard felt like steel wool. Will had been ready to tell her that she didn't have to touch him again, but he had stopped himself just in time. Because he did want her to touch him again.

"WILLIAMMMMM! COME ON!" She called from inside. "COMING!" He called out. He pulled on his shoes, left the waistcoat on a chair, and ran after her.

They walked until they found a cream ice peddler in the street. Everyone from the neighborhood must have had a similar idea, of using the cream ice to cool down, so they had to wait on line for awhile. Then, it was finally their turn. "And what can I get for you?" The cream ice peddler asked Will.

"One scoop of, Lizzie, did you want chocolate or strawberry?" Will turned to ask her. She fluctuated between the two, he was never sure which one she would ask for. He, on the other hand, was partial to vanilla. "You choose!" Cripes, if I pick the wrong one she'll never let me hear the end of it. Although she told me to choose. "Ugh, Will, you're taking too long. Vanilla please." She said to the vendor. He handed it to them and Will handed him a coin. They moved off to the side.

"You don't usually pick vanilla." Will said. She shrugged, "It's your favorite. And you paid. You never buy yourself anything. So I'll share with you." She took a lick and passed him the cup. He looked down at her, her thoughtfulness made him feel warm inside.

They passed the cup back and forth, leaning against a nearby wall, side by side. Will taking care not to eat too much of it. When the last drop was done, they both sighed happily. "I'll return the cup." Lizzie said running back to the peddler with it.

"What's next?" She asked him, as she came back. "Would you like to go to the creek? We can sit at the edge of the water, it'll be cooler over there." "Sure!" She agreed.

They took their time walking to the creek, the cicadas chirping their buzzy song from the trees. They walked a little further along until they came to a spot that they both liked, at the side of a small bridge.

Lizzie plopped herself down, had her shoes off, and toes dangling in the cool water, before Will could even sit down. He chuckled to himself, and then sat at her side, pulling off his shoes and stockings with a hiss of relief.

Lizzie looked over at his feet, they were red and blistered. He put them in the water and sighed happily. "Will?" "Yes Lizzie?" "Are your shoes too small? They don't look very comfortable on you." Will paused before answering, she was very astute, and picked up on everything he did, or didn't say. He usually enjoyed having a friend who could read him so well, but sometimes, it made hiding things from her very difficult.

"A bit," He shrugged nonchalantly, "I'll replace them at some point, I just didn't have a chance yet." He said, playing it off as a laziness to go shopping. He felt her hand cover his, he looked at her, "Father would give you money for new shoes. You don't have to pay for everything yourself." "I know Lizzie, of course I know that. But Henry has done so much for me, I don't need him to provide every little thing for me." He knew he was growing rather rapidly, he realized, only this morning, that his sleeves no longer reached his wrists. Thankfully in this heat, he kept them rolled up anyway. His pants were a little short too but it wasn't so obvious, although, he was sure that Lizzie had probably already noticed.

She paused, he could tell she was thinking. "But you buy me things all the time." She sighed, "If I had enough money I would buy you shoes." He smiled at the thought, she was notorious for spending her pocket money almost immediately. "Thank you, I know you would. But it's a man's responsibility to..." he cut himself off. "To what?" She asked. He was going to say, to take care of his lady, but he had a feeling she would take that the wrong way.

"Nothing. I just like buying you things, it makes me happy when you're happy." He paused, "Lizzie, you know you don't have to share with me all the time. If you had wanted to eat the whole cream ice, I wouldn't have minded." "I know that. But it makes me happy when you're happy too." She said quoting him back to him.

They were smiling at each other, it was far and few between, when they could have a conversation that didn't turn to an argument. They both knew this, and they each knew to appreciate these moments.

"Will...?" "Yes, Lizzie." "I heard you and Father talking the other day." "Oh?" Will said, worried about what she had heard. "He said he was working on helping you to become a police officer." Will gulped, he knew that was Lizzie's dream, neither he nor Henry were sure how she would react when she was to find out that William would most likely end up working at Scotland Yard.

"I'm glad about that." She continued to say. "You are?" He asked, shocked. "Yes, of course. This way, when I grow up, I can work with you! We can be partners. It'll be fun." He smiled. He didn't have the heart to tell her that the world didn't work that way, that she would marry, manage her husband's household, and have children.

Will secretly hoped that he would be lucky enough to marry her. That was also why he was trying to be so frugal, he wanted to pay Henry back as quickly as possible, then he could start saving up to build a good life for him and Lizzie. He instinctively knew that being married to her wouldn't always be easy, she could be so difficult and stubborn, but he also knew there was no one else in the world he would rather be with.

William began picking some flowers that were at his side, he was twisting the stems together and making knots. "What are you doing?" Lizzie asked leaning over to see better. "Making you something, hold on, I have to concentrate." He worked rapidly and then held out a coronet of flowers to her. "Here, it's a wreath for you." "It's beautiful. Put it on me." She bowed her head down and he gently lay it on her hair. She righted herself. "How do I look?" She asked turning her head from side to side, nose pointed up in the air. He was just about to say, Like a beautiful princess. When a noise distracted them.

Coming over the bridge was Arabella and her posse of girls. Will sighed in annoyance. His nice day was about to be ruined. He had been rude to Arabella the last time they had had a run in with her. He had a feeling she wasn't going to let bygones be bygones, and now he was wondering what he would have to do.

Will didn't want to hit a girl, and under no circumstances was he going to let Lizzie end up in a physical altercation. He detested the thought of fleeing, it was so cowardly, but he didn't want Lizzie getting hurt.

"Well well, if it isn't the swine family." Arabella said with a sneer, as she stepped off the bridge. Her posse of girls chittered behind her. Will sighed as he stood. He held a hand out, and Lizzie took it to stand next to him. She didn't let go of his hand.

"Awww, is the little pig afraid? She needs a bigger piggy to look after her?" Arabella said. "If I recall correctly, I won our last fight." Lizzie said. Will squeezed her hand, trying to signal to her to calm down. "Then is he your keeper? Watching you, to keep you out of trouble?" Arabella taunted. Of course Arabella wouldn't have know it, but the words stung Lizzie deeply. She sometimes wondered if Will was truly her friend, or if he was watching over her, because her father had asked him to, and he felt indebted to Henry.

Arabella misread the expression on Lizzie's face and laughed. "Oh, look girls, she's afraid!" "I am NOT!" Lizzie shouted. Will was of a mind to just pick Lizzie up, and carry her off. He knew she wouldn't take kindly to that, and he'd probably end being the one to get a black eye. And he wouldn't get far fast without his shoes on.

"Arabella, why don't you just leave us alone? It's a beautiful day, go enjoy it with your friends, walk away. Neither of us is looking for a fight." Will said trying to reason with her. "Speak for yourself." Lizzie muttered, still glaring at Arabella.

Arabella laughed. "You might not be looking for a fight, but I am." She suddenly reached her arms out and pushed Lizzie to the ground. Will felt his blood boil, he was just about to push Arabella back, but Lizzie stood up quickly and got between them. "Will, no don't. If you push her or hurt her, you'll get in serious trouble. You're older, and a man, you might end up in jail."

The panic rose up her throat. She put her hands on Will's chest to stop him from stepping forward. When he felt her touch him, he looked at her, she could tell he was still enraged, "William, please, calm down, I'm not hurt, if they take you away from me..." Tears streamed down her face, "I won't have my best friend anymore. You were right, let's just go, we'll walk away. We can still have a nice day together." His eyes refocused on Lizzie's. Her blue eyes were red, still tearing up, her floral wreath hand fallen sideways on her head. "Okay," he whispered to her, "Let's go." She smiled, "Thank you."

Arabella was watching all this, her face twisting with resentment, how could that pig ignore her, treat her that way. And her so-called 'friend', dismissing her so easily. No one ignored Arabella Herbert, no one!

Will had bent down to get his shoes, thinking Arabella would finally leave, but he had underestimated her bruised ego. Arabella cried out in anger, and pushed Lizzie so hard that she tumbled backwards, and fell into the creek. "ELIZA!" Will shouted. He looked at Arabella, a flash of fear had crossed her face, she hadn't meant to push her that hard. Will looked thunderous. Arabella felt, for a moment, that he might even possibly kill her. She decided not to wait to find out, and ran.

Will knew saving Lizzie was his only priority, he really wanted to deal with Arabella, but that would have to wait. He saw Lizzie, trying to stay afloat, but the current was strong. Both of them knew how to swim, but he was more worried about her getting dashed along a rock.

He ran for a bit, on the grass at the side of the creek, to get as close as possible, then jumped in and swam as rapidly as he could to her. "Lizzie! I'm here, take my hand." She struggled, and had almost grabbed his outstretched hand, when a small wave broke over her head. She gasped and went under.

Will was trying his best not to panic. It wouldn't serve either of them well if he lost his head. He dove under and saw the fabric of her dress. He reached out and snagged it and pulled as hard as he could. When she was closer, he wrapped an arm around her waist. They broke the surface of the water, both of them gasping for air. "Liz, put your arms around my neck." He sputtered. She did as he asked, and the current pushed them further down stream, but then eased up, after a few meters.

Lizzie felt Will try to balance on the slippery rocks. He had somehow managed to step down without falling, and she felt him scoop her up, and out, of the water as he stood. "Don't let go of me, okay?" He said. She nodded, holding onto him tightly.

Gingerly he made his way over the slippery rocks to the edge of the creek. Energy entirely spent, he sat down in relief at the edge of the bank, still holding Lizzie in his arms. He put her down gently on his lap. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her face still buried in his neck. He felt her sobbing. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back. "Shh.. shh.. it's alright now, I've got you." Will felt her nod.

"Will?" "Yes Lizzie?" "I don't understand. Why is she so mean to me? I did nothing to her. I swear it." "I know Lizzie, I know. She's just a very jealous girl." Lizzie pulled back to look at Will in the eyes, "Jealous? Of me?" He nodded, "Why? My mother is dead, Father is so sad all the time, I can tell, even though he tries to hide it from me, and Ivy is always busy. All I have left is you. And she tried to take you away from me." She let out a soft sob, all the while clutching her mother's ring in her fist.

Will felt his heart break at her words. She had most likely saved him, by stopping him from pushing Arabella, who probably would've lied and said she had been severely injured by him. William, over 16 years old, would've been tried as an adult if it had gone to court. He would have been taken away from the one person dearest to his heart.

Will gently pushed her wet hair away from her face, "Don't cry Lizzie, she's jealous because you are a beautiful, brave, and brilliant young lady. She could never even dream of measuring up to be anywhere near you." Lizzie hesitantly nodded, and then finally gave him a tenuous smile. "Thank you Will. Promise you won't ever leave me." He nodded, "I promise, I'm not going anywhere." She nodded. "Good, and I promise to always share with you, if you also promise to always save me from drowning." "Lord Lizzie, please don't make almost drowning a new habit!" The both burst out laughing.

"Come, let's go home." He said, helping her to stand. "Will?" "Yes Lizzie?" "Looks like you need to buy those new shoes now." She giggled as he sighed.

A few days later...

There was a knock on the door. When she opened it a tall, young, police constable was standing there. "Can I help you?" She asked sweetly. He took off his helmet and narrowed his eyes at her. Arabella took a step back, recognizing him as Eliza's friend.

"Hello Arabella." He said in a steely tone. She tried to shut the door in his face but he slammed his hand on it, stopping her. "In case it wasn't obvious, I am a police constable now. If you go near Lizzie, talk to Lizzie, or even so much as look at Lizzie, rest assured I will find out. And I will come visit you again. And it won't just be for a talk." He put his hand on his baton, making sure his message got across to her loud and clear.

She nodded, eyes wide with fright. "Now, say, 'Yes PC Wellington, I understand.'" She nodded again, "Yes PC Wellington, I understand." "Lovely. Now you have yourself a wonderful day." Will said, letting go of the door. She slammed it shut quickly. Happily he headed back to Scotland Yard, whistling tunelessly.

Later that evening...

Will was sitting on the settee in the drawing room, reading a book about crime scene analysis. He was so wrapped up in it, he didn't even feel the settee move as Lizzie took a seat next to him. "Will... Will... WILLIAM!" She shouted, right into his ear. "Jesus Lizzie, are you trying to deafen me?" "Well, you didn't hear me the first two times. Geesh. What are you reading?" She said reading the title over his shoulder. "Oh, I read that, it's really good, I liked chapter three, it's about searching the victim's personal belongings." He sighed, leave it to her to have already studied the book. If she was a man... she'd make detective in a year.

"Did you want something?" Will asked her. "You did something didn't you?" She asked. "Lizzie, I'm sorry I took the last biscuit, Ivy promised to make more tomorrow. I was hungry." He said. He had known after eating it that he would come to regret it.

"No, not that. I saw Arabella today and she ran away from me. You said something to her, didn't you?" She asked. "Me? Naw." William sniffed. Aha, he did! I knew it. Liar. "Okay." She said, standing. "Okay? Wait, what?" He said baffled, he thought she would call him out on it. "I'm going now, you have to study. By the way, chapter five is very boring. Good night Will." She left the drawing room.

William read for a while longer, she was right about chapter five. He gave up halfway through the chapter, and decided to go to bed. As he walked into his room he noticed a box on the center of his bed. Curious, he picked up the note that had been left on top of it.

Dear Will,

I know you said something to Arabella.

Even though I don't need a boy to protect me... Thank you.

I hope you like the gift. I saved up my pocket money for it.

Yours,

Lizzie

William opened the box, already suspecting he knew what was inside. He pulled out a beautiful pair of brown shoes in his size. He sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled them on. They are a perfect pair, he thought happily, looking down at his feet. He picked up the note, jumped off the bed, and knelt down on the floor to pull out a box he kept underneath it. The box held his few most prized possessions. He opened it and carefully placed the note inside, with a smile on his face.

The End