Last Chapter Synopsis: Lizzy wakes up on a Wickham's boat and realizes his plans are much more devious than she ever anticipated. Will receives an email from Wickham, sent from Lizzy's phone, that makes him question her motives; however, he still intends to challenge Wickham.

Chapter 44: Bold

Will avoided making eye contact with the young assistant fiddling with the mic on his collar, once again going over in his mind the precise talking points that he and Phillips had crafted just five hours earlier. Subtly growling in response to the eye winks and batting eyelashes she insisted on sending his way everything three seconds, he simply hoped that his blood shot eyes and the dark circles surrounding them were at least partially masked by the powder she had hurriedly dusted on his visage just thirty seconds before.

In fact, when he stopped to think about it, the last twenty hours had flown by in a tumultuous blur, and Will was simply running on pure adrenaline while trying to stay ahead of the situation. Looking back, it was hard to believe that it hadn't yet been a full day since he had first received Lizzy's email, as an incredible number of developments had occurred in the interim.

Will's first stop after landing in Vermont had been to visit Gianna. He could still see her gray eyes wavering behind tears as he explained the situation regarding Elizabeth, and his desire to be rid of Wickham once and for all for the sake of the people he cared about most.

After finishing his update, all she could muster in reply was, "I hope she's alright."

"Of course she's alright, G...she's obviously in pretty deep with him."

"You don't know that, Will. It might not be what it looks like."

"You saw the picture, Gianna."

"And I know Greg, William. I know I've never met her, but from what you've told me…something seems off."

Will wished he could feel as confident. Not wanting to dwell on the topic further, he redirected the conversation. "So you agree with my plan?"

"Of course. You have to remember, I was never as attached to the gag order as you were to begin with. You had a valid point about protecting our family so I agreed, but now…I think you're right – this might just be the best way to find him. And to find Lizzy."

He must have looked either defeated or lost in thought, because Gianna reach over and gently grabbed his arm. "We will find her Will. And you'll see…that email is a lie. I'm positive. Please…believe in her like you believed..and still believe…in me."

Will could still remember the way his heart felt in that moment; the insistence with which it wanted to do as his sister suggested, and the impossibility of his mind allowing it to occur.

However, after saying his goodbyes and promising Gianna every update he had at the minute he had them, it was only moments before the next chapter in the story unfolded.

The text was only three words. But those words induced a level of panic that Will Darcy was not accustomed to ever experiencing.

"Call me. Urgent." It was from Detective Forster.

His call was answered on the first ring. "Detective? It's Will Darcy."

"Will. That name you gave me…Elizabeth Bennet? Her parents recently reported her missing."

"Missing?"

"Yea, about three hours ago. I thought you might want to know. Any connection to Wickham that you know of?"

"Yes, they're together."

Forster managed to sound both unpleasantly surprised and markedly suspicious simultaneously. "And you know this? How?"

"She emailed me. I don't know anything more than that. I have no idea where they are."

"So she's not missing – she's with him of her own volition?"

The force of the thoughts in his mind was so violent that he found it difficult to find words.

"I…she…I regret to inform you, Detective, but I don't know. Her message seemed to imply that she was alright with where she was, but…"

'But?"

"I can't put anything past Wickham at the moment."

The pause on the other end of the line was palpable. "Understood. There is already an APB out for her whereabouts, but I will make sure that it is connected to Wickham as well."

"I'm going public with this, Detective."

"You're…what?"

"Our lawyer has already gotten the gag-order rescinded. I'm taking this feud with him public. If I can't find him, I'm hoping others can tell us where to look."

"That's a bold move, Will. What if Miss Bennet is in trouble?"

"Then it's my only chance of finding her when we may already be out of time." He sighed at his next thought, "And if she's not, my going public shouldn't affect her well-being immediately."

"I agree. I think it's worth a shot."

"I'll keep you updated. I'm coming to New York as we speak so I should be seeing you soon."

"I look forward to it."

"Good Evening, Detective."

Will Darcy could only hope that the confidence he had feigned during that call would turn out to be warranted.

Lizzy moaned as she once again felt her stomach lose the battle against the swaying motion of the boat. Clenching her eyes and gritting her teeth against the wave of nausea that once again swept over her, Lizzy rolled to her side and swallowed hard, suddenly grateful for her very empty stomach. Although Greg had been offering her soggy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in semi-regular intervals, she had yet to make good on his offer.

Except he hadn't come in awhile.

How long had it been? She remembered the sound of the engine starting and the car driving away, but minutes were easily confused with hours under her current circumstances. She did recall screaming at the top of her lungs for help once she had been sure he was gone, but she had received no response to her pleas, and her voice had grown raspy and hoarse from the attempt.

At least his being able to leave gave her some hope; the boat had to be docked, although the details of where could only be answered by her imagination. She also wasn't sure how much longer he was intending to stay where he was, or even keep her alive. Although she couldn't be sure, each time he appeared with plate in hand he seemed to consider her less like a person, and more like a liability.

She didn't have much time left.

Think Lizzy.

She had tried every possible method to bring her arms to the front of her body, but no amount of stretching allowed her arms to reach far enough. And her bound legs made it impossible to stand.

Improvise. It was a command from her heart, but every time it implored her she saw no alternatives; no means of escape. Of course, it didn't help that Greg….wait, what was that?

From her limited viewpoint from the floor, Lizzy lifted her head and once again saw the tiny glint of light flash back at her from the desk. Squinting in the dim light, she suddenly realized what she was seeing: the last sandwich that had been offered and rejected, and a knife, presumably to cut the sandwich in squares and feed it to her had she agreed to eat, still resting beside it.

Instinct took over. Before she was fully aware of what she had done, Lizzy had rolled herself across the rough wooden floor and next to the weathered desk. A few hard thwacks to its' side was all it took to send the plate, sandwich and knife tumbling over the edge. Thankful none of it landed on her, Lizzy then began maneuvering herself in an attempt to pick the knife up from behind. This proved a bit more difficult, as aiming her hands towards the slim knife, picking it up and then angling it under the tape binding her wrists was no easy task.

So difficult, in fact, it took all of her attention.

Which is why she never heard him come back in.

Author's Note: This is way overdue and not long enough, but I just had to give you all something. This is the portion of the next chapter that was finished, so I decided to publish this bit instead of waiting longer. My goal is to have the story complete by Christmas, and I truly will do my best. Thank you for staying with me!