AN: Warning: Character Death, sexual violence

Lydia screamed when George Wickham broke her arm.

Kitty ran. She knew she couldn't stop him, not alone, but it was so far to Longbourn and Lydia needed help now!

"Kitty," Elizabeth called to her, her face pale with fright, "What was that scream?"

"Oh, Lizzy!" Kitty sobbed, so happy to see her wandering sister, "Lydia was meeting with Lt. Wickham, and then she told him to stop and then he hurt her and she screamed and I didn't know what to do and…"

Elizabeth's face was hard as flint, anger snapping in her eyes.

"We must hurry. Take me to them!"

Kitty nodded and ran back the way she had come, Elizabeth easily keeping pace.

"George, please," Lydia sobbed, turning her face away as he pinned her against a tree, "My arm hurts! You're hurting me!"

"Shut up, you little harlot," Wickham growled, "It serves you right for being a tease. Meet me alone out here, then tell me no?! You're a stupid little chit!"

"Unhand my sister!" Elizabeth cried, shoving the surprised rogue. He stumbled a few feet away, and then turned on her angrily.

Elizabeth let Kitty comfort a sobbing Lydia, collapsed on the ground and cradling her arm.

"How dare you hurt Lydia! She's but a child!" Elizabeth said, standing protectively between the man and her younger sisters.

"She doesn't look like a child," Wickham said leeringly, looking Elizabeth up and down, "Though I have to admit, your form is far more pleasing and womanly."

He took a step towards her and Elizabeth raised her fists.

"Stay away from us, you cad! You can be sure our father and the magistrate shall hear of this!"

"I think not," Wickham laughed, "You'll not want your family's loose morals as the on-dit of every household in Meryton."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to refute him, but he was suddenly right in front of her, his hands around her upper arms and her back against the very tree he had used to capture Lydia.

Kitty gasped and stood, looking helplessly between her quietly wailing younger sister and Elizabeth's current predicament.

"Release me at once!" Elizabeth said, struggling against his grip.

Wickham leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"This is all Darcy's fault, you know. I've seen how he looks at you. He wants you for himself. And whatever Darcy wants, I want to destroy."

Wickham chuckled and bent down to capture her lips.

She kicked him in the shin, sending him stumbling backwards.

"Why, you…" Wickham seethed, baring his teeth and reaching for her again.

Elizabeth struck him, her nail cutting a line along his cheek bone.

He struck back, his fist catching her temple and sending her sprawling onto the leaf-covered ground.

The absolute silence of the woods was haunting.

"Lizzy?" Lydia quivered out.

Elizabeth didn't move.

With a sob of terror, Kitty ran once again.