Hey guys, please review my story. Even if its negative, Id like to know what you think. I hope you like it so far. Here is chapter 2, more to come.

Chapter 2: Separation and Realizations

Caroline did not remember how she made it back to Netherfield that evening. Her thoughts had been completely preoccupied. She did remember when Louisa saw her again though, that had been an amusing sight. Louisa's eyes grew to the size of tea saucers. And she had ran to her sister and immediately asked who had attacked her. This had all accrued in the parlor of Netherfield, and it was the first real memory Caroline possessed since the woods. After being asked a thousand questions, cried over, yelled at, and hugged awkwardly by her sister, and then by Jane, and finally by her brother, she requested to have a bath. Everyone looked ashamed of themselves, and practically carried her to the wash room. Where they, finally, left her alone. Her maid Rosie had offered to help her bathe, but Caroline dismissed her immediately, wishing to be left in peace.

Once alone in the tub, Caroline sighed in relief. It had been a completely exhausting and bewildering day. Caroline thought back to the wedding, and was thankful that Darcy and Elizabeth were on their way to the north. She really didn't wish to see them. Then her mind passed to the river and to the boy..David. She new she should be angry, or maybe even disgusted, but in truth, she didn't know how she felt. It had been so utterly unexpected, the whole thing. Especially, she thought, the kiss. Instinctively Caroline raised her hand to her lips, and then looked to see that no one was in the room. She ran her hand over her lips, and a reluctant smile formed on her mouth. Immediately she felt enraged with herself, and sunk deep under the water.

When she resurfaced she felt better, and refreshed.

"I must not lose my head! I am Miss Caroline Bingley, I have 5,000 a year, and moreover I am 23 years old." After her little self encouraging speech, Caroline sighed. Everything would be all right. She still had plenty of time to land a suitable husband, and with her looks, accomplishments, and wealth, it should hardly be a problem. Perhaps Colonel Fitzwilliam, or some other amiable man. The idea of marrying Colonel Fitzwilliam raised her spirits a little, he was rich and pleasant enough. Moreover, he was Darcy's cousin, so she could not be held under Elizabeth Ben-Darcy's gaze. But then she grew sulky again, when she thought of how happy Eliza 'Darcy' and Mr. Darcy were, and how they would always be laughing and brushing hands. It would certainly cancel out her marriage to Fitzwilliam, she would still be under Elizabeth B. Darcy! She splashed the water with her hand angrily. What was it that they had anyway, why were they so happy, she would never understand. Then suddenly an idea occurred to Caroline, and idea that she had never thought of before. Or at least had never mattered before. She didn't love Colonel Fitzwilliam! She couldn't laugh with him, and stare into his eyes with passion, because she wasn't in love with him! Caroline suddenly felt physically ill, and covered her eyes with her hands. Of course she had always thought you could make a mock love by giving endless complements, and always talking about the others interests, but now she realized that that wasn't how it worked at all.

That was why Darcy had ignored her endless compliments, and had brushed aside all her attempts to swoon him with her looks and charms. He hadn't loved her, he realized that they had nothing in common. And now as she reflected, she saw that she must have annoyed him to no end.

"Oh woe is me!" Caroline exclaimed exasperated. He had loved Elizabeth, the whole time, but why? Caroline still did not understand why, she was plain, and had always been rather nasty to him. Caroline pondered this mystery for a moment, but could reach no real conclusion. A silent tear rolled down her face, and she wiped it bitterly away.

So now I know what I am missing, She thought. Love, the key to happiness. It was still a rather foggy concept though, and Caroline wondered if love was necessary for a marriage. Then she wondered just how one went about finding their love, and if the same flirting rules applied. Did she even want to find love? Would she have to touch their hand constantly and stare longingly into their eyes?

A mental picture of David laughing at her, bemused, surfaced in her head. And she frowned.

"Oh what does he know." She said, making whirlpools in the tub with her fingers. Suddenly she wished she was back in the forest, talking with David. She didn't know why, but she wanted it desperately. The thought of going downstairs and making pleasantries with the household made her want to hide under her bed. "At least the common people say what they mean." She had to give them that, she thought fairly. "Even if they are, rather forward." She couldn't help it, she smiled at saying this. What was wrong with her? She supposed it was what happened to every girl after their first kiss, they were all giggles and smiles. Well at least it will pass, she thought. She shivered, and then decided that it was time to get out of the tub.

David sat with his little brother bouncing on his lap. He was trying to concentrate on his book, but it was a bit difficult with the distraction of a happy laughing brother on ones knee.

"Mark," He said softly, "stop bouncing for a moment."

"Say please, Davy." Mark reprimanded, looking immensely like their mother, when she scolded. David laughed, and kissed his little brother's head.

"Please." Mark tried his best to resist but then had a fit of the giggles and David was forced to set aside his reading.

The aroma from the kitchen was intoxicating. It must have been a good night at the butchers, because David could smell, ham, potatoes, and hot bread. Smiling to himself he rested his eyes, his thoughts wandering to a particular red-head. Then foot steps broke his happy thoughts.

"So you've put away your book for today, have you? I hope you've saved some pages for tomorrow, for I am sure that's all you'll be doing." The voice was gruff and Irish, and it belonged to David's father. David quickly opened his eyes, and turned to look at the imposing man that stood before him. His father had long thick blonde hair with equally long side-burns, and a harsh face. But deep down, David knew, he only wanted the best for his family.

"I could help you in the store, sir." David offered, as he did every evening to no avail.

"Help in the store. David, I don't want your help in the store! I want something better for you, don't you understand that. Don't you want to mean something? Travel, adventure, where's your spirit. What's your goal, your ambition?" His father was lighting his pipe now, that meant he was preparing for another of his long winded lectures.

"Tell me what you would have me do, father." David said, as Mark jumped off his lap for refuge in the kitchen.

"I've told you before, many a time too. I say, you should join the navy. Its what I did, and its how I met your mother. I tell ye' join the navy, see the world, and meet the girls." His father laughed heartily after this little speech, which David had heard before, so he wasn't very amused. Then his father again turned serious. "But you always refuse, and with no proper reason! I think you just plan to live here and be idle forever, well I won't have it! Not a son of mine, I say, it's the worst thing in the world, idleness.

"Father, please, I-" David began, but his father was in a rage and was like a speeding train that couldn't be stopped.

"Please! Your begging to me now David, and I fear you'll be begging to me and everyone else all yer life." David ardently wished he could escape. He wished he was in the woods again with his Caroline. Not that she was his Caroline, but just the sight of her would restore his spirits. David had never seen his father so worked up, usually he was able to keep a calm manner, and just lecture continually, but tonight his entire face was beat red, and smoke was being emitted at a rapid rate. After a long pause his father continued.

"I tell ya, I won't have a idler for a son. What do you think will happen to Christiana, and Mark when I die. I don't want them to become street rats because my eldest son preferred to read than do something productive." David bent his head, he didn't know what was about to happen but he had a feeling it was not going to be in his benefit. "So…that's why I have to say, though I do regret it with all my heart, I was hoping you would do something and I wouldn't have to…but." His father took a deep breath, "You have to leave the house, in the morning. And you can't come back until you have a decent profession." David looked up at his father shocked. He had never expected to be thrown out. His father looked away from his son. "I'm sorry, boy, but we just don't have the money to support you anymore, and without your help its almost impossible."

"But you never let me help you!" David protested, utterly at al loss for how this could have happened. It was definitely unexpected.

"No, boy, I never let you help me at the store, but that doesn't mean you can't seek employment elsewhere. At the store I'd have to pay you myself wouldn't I?" His father said getting some of his nerve back.

"Forget the morning, I know when I'm not wanted, I'll leave now." David said defiantly.

"No! Boy, your mother and I got tonight's dinner especially for you, its your goodbye dinner. You have to stay and say goodbye to the family."

"Oh, so this was all a plan, from the very beginning, you had planned this." David said infuriated.

"Don't be bitter at me for your mistake. I still love you David and your mother does too, we just want you to make something of yourself, and obviously you aren't going to be doing it without a little shove." David stepped closer to his father. Alright, I'll stay the night, but you wait and see if I ever spend another." At dawn David left, after kissing his mother, his sister and his brother, and shaking hands with his father.