Last Chapter Synopsis: Both Lizzy and Will worry that the recent crisis might have separated them forever. Lizzy seeks refuge at Charlotte's while Will spends time with Gianna.

Chapter 48: Red

Will thought that Verizon must have done a fantastic job when they planned and executed the branding of their company, because he was literally seeing RED as he worked with the intimidated customer service representative physically trembling in front of him.

He dejectedly realized that the avalanche of coffee and writing utensils earlier that morning was simply the first sign that nothing at all would be going his way today. His first matter of business after leaving his apartment was to head straight for Lizzy's place, but twenty minutes of unanswered knocking convinced him that she most likely wasn't there. Realizing it was maddeningly foolish to expect her to return there alone after the weekend's events, his immediate decision was to travel to her parent's home on Long Island in the hopes of finding her at her childhood home. After the almost hour-long impetuous car ride, however, Will's efforts were once again thwarted with the discovery of another empty house.

Dejectedly sliding back into the cool leather seats of his hired car, Will retrieved his new cell phone from his pocket. The newness of the iPhone was coupled with one of the cleanest home screens he had ever seen; placing the provided sim card into the device had turned it on, but no matter how hard he had scrolled through the various options, he found nothing that was able to restore his contacts and previous settings. It hadn't seemed as urgent to him the past few days – Gianna's presence, legal maneuverings and some minimal media relations regarding the outcome of the case had kept him busy enough - but now, the inability to quickly return to normalcy via the access that modern technology was supposed to provide was grating on him acutely.

Bringing up google, a pointed search for Lucas Media Group retrieved the number he needed.

The sound of her voice brought back a number of memories from his early happy meetings with Elizabeth; a time when his pride had blinded him so fully that he had no conception that Lizzy was actually viewing their interactions incredibly differently.

"Lydia, how are you? It's Will Darcy."

"Oh!" It was more of a shriek than a word. "Hello, Will. I saw it all on the news! Are you O.K.? The whole experience must have been soooo scary!"

Will was unsure if she had managed to breathe between sentences. "I'm fine. Listen, I need Elizabeth's number. I have a new phone."

"But how did you manage to get to Wickham yourself? You were so brave fighting him like that! You would think that a SWAT team or a hostage negotiator would have gone in, or something, but…"

"The police did an excellent job pursuing all leads. Her number, please. It's extremely urgent."

"Is it true what they are saying in the tabloids, that you and Lizzy are an item?"

He was quickly recalling why he used to have Mrs. Gardiner do most of the calling to Elizabeth's office. He knew the best response was simply the lack of one. Knowing her mind was mostly vacant, he wondered how long they would sit in mutual silence.

Suddenly, Lydia's voice became as quiet as a church mouse. She mumbled something into the receiver that he couldn't quite hear.

"Pardon?"

She cleared her throat and tried again. "I'm sorry Mr. Darcy, but I'm not able to give out her number."

"Excuse me?"

"Lizzy gave me very strict orders never to give out any personal information a few months ago. She hasn't informed me anything has changed. She's not in, either; I can't transfer you."

Will pinched the bridge of his nose and chuckled bitterly at the irony. This really was not the time for loose-lipped Lydia to stop divulging information. "You have to be joking."

No response. Except possibly the faint snap of gum. Then a giggle. She was obviously talking to someone in the office; something about making him mad and he must look super hot.

He tried again, more forcefully this time. "Do you have her number?"

Lydia sounded confused. "Yes…of course."

"Then call her immediately and tell her I called, please. It's important." His worn patience did not allow for any further pleasantries, and he hung up immediately.

It was in that moment of extreme annoyance that he had demanded his driver take him to the nearest Verizon. It also explained why Edward, the Verizon tech that had been assigned to him, was truly feeling the full brunt of Darcy's wrath that few had ever witnessed.

Of course, his phone had been setup so long ago that whoever had done it did not backup his contacts correctly. Once Edward had been able to take a look at his new device, it was only moments before he could confirm that everything truly had been lost; including Lizzy's personal cell number - which he had only finally managed to acquire mere minutes before they had parted ways in Heathrow Airport.

Attempting to remain rational, his next thought was to access his work email in an attempt to contact her there. However, that was when they encountered the most cryptic security questions known to man.

What was your most unique characteristic in fifth grade?

In seventh grade, what was your favorite song?

He had no idea. HE HAD NO IDEA. This was a bad episode of The Twilight Zone. What rubbish were these god-awful questions?

In some hazy corner of reality, Edward was attempting to explain that sometimes Gmail provided default questions to people who had created their accounts before security questions were ever utilized. Will simply looked at him like he had three heads and was actively growing a fourth.

"I don't have time for this," he growled.

Suddenly, his newly minted phone rang with an unrecognizable, factory stock ringtone.

The ever-cheerful, reliable voice that greeted him was a welcome relief. "Charles. You have no idea how good it is to hear from you. I've lost my contacts but obviously have a phone. How is your trip going?"

"It's incredible Will. But I'm concerned about you. Are you alright? The news we are seeing over here has me worried."

"I'm fine. Great, in fact, as it has to do with Gianna. Listen, I really need to speak to Lizzy. Does Jane know where she is?"

"Yeah. She's staying with a friend." He paused for recollection, then continued, "Charlotte Collins, I think, is her name."

Will felt a brief flood of anger at himself for not realizing the obvious. "Of course. Do you have the address?"

"I can get it from Jane, I'm pretty sure."

"Text it to me. Please send Jane my regards. I have to go, but I will be in touch again soon."

"Okay. Will if you need anything, you know how to reach me."

Will took notice of Edward sheepishly waiting for him to finish his call out of the corner of his eye. "Well, I do now. It's a good thing you called so I can store your number again. Talk to you soon."

Trying to school his features so as to not send Edward into a full-blown anxiety attack, Will extended his hand and thanked him for the assistance he had been able to offer.

Edward could barely process that he had just shook the hand of Will Darcy, British Celebrity, recent hero and by far the most intense and irate customer he had ever encountered, before the man himself vanished instantly into the waiting car outside.

It really was too bad his phone was a lost cause; now, if only he had managed the presence of mind to ask for a selfie.

Lizzy sighed deeply as she once again ignored the call from Lydia. It was the third time in the past hour or so that her phone had begun vibrating its way off the couch; although she knew there must be some sort of emergency, she simply couldn't bring herself to answer. Whatever it was, her team was more than equipped to handle it.

A sudden ringing pierced the air, echoing elegantly in the grand marble foyer, the chimes dancing lightly in her ears as it encroached on the coziness of her new, cuddly home on Charlotte's couch. Only moments passed before it rung a second, and then a third, time.

The doorbell.

She debated not answering at all, but the urgency of the caller dragged her from her comfy confines and to the large wooden front door. Hesitantly shuffling her fluffy pink bunny slippers on the oak floors and wrapping her bathrobe more tightly around her pajamas, she genuinely hoped that whoever it was would simply go away before she made it to the entryway. As she swung the door wide, the chilly breeze tinged her cheeks pink, causing the wisps un-brushed hair to tickle her forehead. Her eyes were unadjusted to anything more than the dim lighting she had just spent three days in; the beaming sun streaming and bouncing off the frozen snow forced her to squint hard in order to make out who was behind the vaguely familiar silhouette.

The rosy blush from the cold simply did not compare to the bright crimson she turned the moment she realized who her visitor was.

"Oh my god. Will." Her voice caught as her breath hitched and her throat dried out. She attempted to say something more; something that could infer how worried she had been or how grateful she was to him for rescuing her. She gulped whatever moisture she could find but only managed to croak, "Please, come in," before once again losing her ability to produce words. Closing the door behind them, she once again caught her breath, and the reality of her situation began to fully embrace her senses. Forcefully willing the butterflies in her stomach to settle so that she could appear halfway normal, she tried again to greet him properly, "Let me have your coat. You have no idea how good it is to see you."

His silver eyes pierced through her as he removed his outer layers and handed them over. "It's good to see you too, Lizzy."

Opening the coat closet to stow his belongings for the time being, she glanced down and saw odd pink ears standing up at strange angles from her feet. Hurriedly flicking the slippers off in the closet as she hung his coat and praying he hadn't noticed them, she continued, "I'm sorry I'm not really presentable right now, I've just been trying to lay low the past few days. How are you? I've been really worried. I, uh…emailed you, but you didn't respond." Settling back down on the couch, she curled her legs underneath herself and looked up at him expectantly.

He immediately settled down next to her, not so close that they were touching, but not on the opposite end either. "My phone was unfortunately a casualty of that night's events. I lost everything, including email access and my contacts. I didn't know, otherwise you would have heard from me, I assure you. I'm fine, Lizzy. How are you feeling? I heard about your concussion."

"Honestly, I've been better. But I'll be alright. I think the worst might be behind us. You know, in regards to, um…" Her voice trailed off, realizing that bringing Greg up so soon might not be a good idea.

"In regards to Greg Wickham? I think you might be right."

Silence. She had to say it. He just opened the door, didn't he? Obviously, the subject wasn't as touchy as she had worried it might be.

Her courage rose, and she spoke again, "I know that this might be a sensitive topic, but…I have to thank you, Will. I know what trouble and mortification you must have experienced in your efforts to find me. I saw the broadcast. I know that you put your sister's story out there. I don't think I can adequately express how much it means; in fact, I'm fairly certain you saved my life. I find I might be forever in your debt."

He reached over and grabbed her hand, his fingers gently playing with her fingertips, his eyes never straying from hers. The butterflies in her stomach decided to ride the rollercoaster Lizzy was pretty sure she had just gotten on, and it took every ounce of composure to make sure it didn't show in her face.

"Are you sure about that? From my recollection, you were unbound and ready to pounce, whether I was there or not." He smirked at the memory, "Like a tigress, I might add."

She blushed for a moment and glanced down. "Trust me, it only seemed that way. Your voice gave me the courage that I needed," her voiced softened at the memory, "…and him threatening to shoot you provided the urgency. I just wasn't going to let that happen."

He smiled gently at her admission. "So, then…it seems that you saved my life. That settles it. We're even. I couldn't let you go through our life together feeling like you owed me something."

Her ears caught the words, but her heart couldn't dare to hope that she had heard them right. Thankfully, he spoke again.

"Lizzy, I know you're not the type to lead someone on, and in light of certain recent events I don't want to waste another moment. If your feelings are what they were in December, just say so. Nothing has changed for me since our time in the DR; in fact, my feelings are even stronger now than they were then. But one word from you and I will drop the subject entirely. I promise to never bring it up again."

Lizzy couldn't bear the strain she could plainly see in his expression. Having put himself out there, he now seemed braced for impact; expecting the worst, yet hoping for the best…or something like that. The warmth of the love that she felt for him spread through her chest like that first sip of hot cocoa after being out in the cold. Reaching around to grab his other hand, she positioned her body to face him more fully on the couch.

"Please…don't remind me what I said that day in the cave. My words were ill-informed and designed to hurt. What I told you in England was the truth. Your letter showed me just how blind and prejudiced I had been; it wasn't long after you set me straight that I began to realize the depth of the feelings I had been forming for you. I was worried I had missed my chance.

He began to speak again, but Lizzy knew the time had come. She silenced him with a gentle finger to his lips. "I wish you could have believed me when I said it to you that night, but please believe me now. I love you, Will Darcy; I'm crazy about you. My feelings are…completely the opposite of what I said that day."

The smile that lit his face at her words was irresistible. Gently tracing her jawline down to her lips, his eyes burned into hers, asking permission for an embrace that was long overdue. Reaching up to wrap her fingers into his hair, she closed the gap between them, a soft sigh escaping her lips right before they met his. The kiss was languid and gentle, filling each with the contentment of many hopes and wishes finally being fulfilled.

After many delightful minutes spent in that fashion, Lizzy rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled into his side; in response, Will wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her in even closer.

After a few more moments of quiet contentment, he spoke. "You know, you have your own letter to thank for my being here. I had almost convinced myself that, after what you just endured, there was no way you could ever want to see me again, much less begin a relationship. It was your words, if there is any chance that you still feel the same, come find me. I will always be here, hoping to start again where we left off. Right when I thought all hope had gone, there you were, telling me to keep my hope alive. You won't believe the morning I had trying to find you."

"You found my letter? How? I thought I lost it."

"I don't know. It was simply amidst my things. My housekeeper must have found it and put it there."

"Oh, Dear Reynolds. I will have to thank her someday. It's funny you should say that you thought that my ordeal with Wickham would end any desire I might have had of being with you. After you didn't respond to my email, I began to fear that the Greg debacle might have affected you the same way."

His eyes glowed with sincerity. "Never. I am quite certain that nothing will ever defeat my desire for you. The intensity of my love is something I have never experienced in my life."

She smiled in spite of herself, but quickly looked down in embarrassment at her next recollection. "I don't understand how you could feel anything for me after the way I came at you in that cave. You really have every right to hate me."

Placing his finger under her chin, he once again tilted her face towards his. "What did you say that I didn't deserve? At the time, I thought my behavior was entirely justified. But you taught me to look at myself in a way that no one else had ever challenged me to. In truth, my behavior was unpardonable. I honestly don't know how you've managed to forgive me, much less fall in love with me."

"As I said, my behavior really wasn't any better than yours. You know, maybe we shouldn't make any comparisons at this point; we're only going to argue about who was more in the wrong!" She kissed him again, ceasing all thought and simply enjoying his presence. Pulling away, she continued, "In fact, I would like to think that this," she gestured to their kiss, "might be a much better way to approach such situations in the future."

He laughed and looked at her. "I tried that, remember? You pushed me away like the plague."

Crimson cascaded over her cheeks as she also chuckled at the irony. "Oh, that's right…I did."

"To be honest, I can't let myself off the hook so easily. When you said what you did, that I was 'the last man in the world you could ever involve yourself' with. When you gave me your reasons for how you felt…I realized that there were sides to myself that perhaps I didn't even fully understand. You have no idea how many sleepless nights you caused."

"I honestly had no idea that you gave anything I said a second thought."

"I'm sure you didn't; at the time, I believe you thought that I was one of the biggest scoundrels on earth. You said that I never had a chance with you."

Gently punching his shoulder, she exclaimed, "Why are you still repeating all of those awful things I said?! Please don't. I have long wished to take back and erase those words out of existence - I was so ashamed of ever being willing to say them."

"You don't still have the letter I gave you, do you?"

"Of course I do."

"Please, do us a favor and burn it. I can't remember exactly what it says in there, but I know there are things I would rather you not be able to read again."

"I don't know…I'm actually very sentimental about that letter. I'm not sure that I could let go of it so quickly. It opened my eyes to the man you truly are." She thought for a moment and continued, "And please, don't think that my feelings for you are so fragile that simply re-reading the letter would change them. Your letter is a very large part of what brought us to this point; maybe we should simply think of the past as it makes us look forward to our future."

"You make it sound so simple. I'm not inclined to be that easy on myself. I was conceited and vain, permitted to grow up that way a bit, I think; when I kissed you in the cave, I was certain that I was pursuing something that you most certainly wanted. I was so blind to the truth..."

She put his finger on his lips for a second time to stop his speech. "It is that simple Will. I love you. I know what I said then, but I was not entirely innocent either. Even with my preconceptions against you, there were many moments when I was drawn to you in spite of them. You were not acting on vanity alone when you kissed me, trust me. Did Charlie tell you about his and Jane's theory regarding Magnets?"

"Magnets?"

"To keep it brief, the two of them seem to feel like we are Magnets; in reality we deeply attract each other – we just got off to the wrong start because our poles were misaligned, or something like that. It's silly, but…I think they might be on to something."

He pulled her in for another kiss, softly brushing her face with gentle kisses before returning to her mouth once again. "How did I ever live without you?"

She arched her brows playfully, "The world will never know, now."

He smiled in contentment. "What are you doing tonight?"

She looked at him teasingly. "I'm not sure. What am I doing tonight?"

"Have dinner with me. At my place. Meet my sister, perhaps?"

"Gianna?! I would love to!"

"Is Charlotte going to miss you?"

"No. I think..," Lizzy felt a beaming smile spread across her face that she couldn't hold back, "She'll completely understand this one. Let me just get ready."

Getting up and taking two steps towards the guest bedroom, she swirled back to kiss him one more time, just to make sure it was real. The strong arms holding her close and lips returning her love were all the confirmation she needed.

A/N: Surprise! You, my wonderful, patient and amazing readers deserved a quick update and I am happy to be able to provide one for once. I hope you enjoy their reunion just as much as I enjoyed imagining how it would be in the present day context. Thank you again and again for your continued patience, favorites, follows and reviews! Please let me know what you think now that all of the big stuff is written...just one or two chapters and an epilogue to go! :) Magnets will get a "complete" status soon, I promise!