Chapter Sixteen; Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me, Girl

Elizabeth had cried herself to sleep again, skipped breakfast again, and was at the company again before anyone else. She was dressed in a leotard that a few days ago fit much tighter than it did now. She had lost some weight in her depression. She worked alone for a majority of the day for almost a week after Richard's story. The whole time waiting for him to walk through that door or for the courage to walk through his. Neither happened and she continued in her 'funk'. Darcy was very much the same. At this rate they would never meet. Unfortunately fate had a slightly different manor in which to bring them together.

"Doctor Darcy! William!" Shouts sent Fitzwilliam springing out of his seat as Edward Gardener, his wife, and Edmund Bertram came hurriedly to him. In Edward arms was a limp Luciana. Darcy knew what had happened. She had finally collapses. He grimaced. It was his fault. He gave some directions, had them leave, and brought her around. She awoke slowly and tried to sit up.

"No you don't." he said firmly holding her down by the shoulders. She looked him in the eyes and he saw so many emotions, love and hate.

"Are you happy now?" he asked her with anger. "Now that you've hurt yourself. Are you happy?" perhaps not the most romantic thing to say, but he wanted her health first, then her love. If she was dead their relationship was moot point.

"No. I haven't hurt you!" she said pushing herself up, despite his grip. She stayed up for about thirty seconds then fell forward into his chest dizzy.

"You're hurting me when you hurt yourself. I love you!" he said holding her tight and making her look him in the eye. Tears rolled down her cheeks as he spoke and Darcy found the strength of ten men and whispered upon her lips,

"Ealasid." And he kissed her. She kissed him back with passion and longing that made his head spin and their lips lock for a good long time. As they finally did part she whispered,

"Guillaum." And kissed him again.

Elizabeth sat on the couch in the Darcy living room as William puttered around in the kitchen with his house keeper, Marilyn Reynolds. Both had refused to let her step foot in the kitchen for the slightest thing. She wasn't allowed to leave the sofa, where she was 'resting'. Of course it was very hard to rest when she was being waited on hand and foot. Eventually Darcy returned to her with a huge meal that was obviously out of a nutrition book, but Elizabeth didn't care. She was hungry again; with William food was appealing again.

He stayed by her side as she ate and then tried to get her to rest again. She refused to sleep, thus he sat beside her on the lounge and they talked. Mainly about Georgiana. It was a comfortable discussion and it lasted for well into the night. The last thing Darcy remembered was Elizabeth resting her head on his shoulder as they spoke and he slipping his arm around her.

The next morning Darcy woke early with a kink in his neck and a soft weight on his chest. He opened his eyes, rubbed them and found himself on his couch. Elizabeth was fast asleep curled on his chest, nestled between his arms. He took a time to have this sink in. Elizabeth was asleep in his arms, and no, he was awake. God he loved this woman. Fitzwilliam scooted down the arm of the sofa, so instead of his neck, his feet hung off the end. He buried his face in her hair and sighed. Now much more comfortable he fell back asleep.

Elizabeth woke sometime later and found herself grappled to Darcy in his arms, like steel bands. She tried her best to push herself up and gazed at him during his most venerable state. His hazel eyes were shut and locked by his thick lashes. Those lips were parted slightly and there was a soft snore coming from them. He was so handsome it hurt. Pleasure beyond the senses flowed through her at the fact he said that he loved her. He loved her. She smiled.

When next he woke Elizabeth was propped up on her elbow looking at his face with love in her eyes. She blushed, but gently pushed a wayward curl off his face, her eyes never leaving his.

"Good morning." She said softly. He returned her gaze of admiration with one of his own.

"Good morning to you too." He replied. Then she kissed him. Upon their breath of air he whispered,

"It is a good morning." He then kissed her again.

AN: Another short chapter, sorry guys. I'm just running out of things to make them do. They're together so its easy street, ya dig? So any hoo. Thanks to all my reviewers for their reading and reviewing as well as extra thanks to anyone who has ever yelled at me. That really gets me thinking and usually will get me doing things quicker. This thing is almost done, yay. And I sincerely appreciate you sticking with it.

XXOO

BobbiG;)