Sorry for the long wait, but there will be more, school holidays are coming... woo!

xx faithinfools

Come on Eileen
Oh, I swear what he means (what he means)
At this moment you mean everything
You in that dress
My thoughts I confess
Verge on dirty
Oh, come on Eileen

Come on Eileen - Dexys Midnight Runners

Lizzy peaked out from underneath Rich's arm to see Darcy striding back through the lane where Wickham had slunk off. She sighed. Thank god.

"You complete and utter idiot. What kind of wanton woman are you? Do you always willingly go into dark and lonely alleyways with men you've only just met? Or do you not care for decorum?" Lizzy just blinked at Darcy.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. What kind of idiot walks off into a dark alleyway with an unknown man? Especially when that unknown man happens to be George Wickham?"

"You bastard. You complete and utter bastard. How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" Lizzy yelled at him, outraged.

"Calm down Lizzy, calm down." Rich soothed as he held her back as she tried to claw at his cousin. "And Will?"

"Yeah?" Darcy asked.

"Shut up."

"But–"

"No Will. Shut up. You will never learn will you? You've got to hear both sides of the stories first, not just Wickham's. Besides, when has that lowly little shit ever told a truth anyway?" Darcy blinked, stunned before dropping his head, ashamed.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled.

"Yes Will? A little louder. I can't hear you." Rich told him. Darcy rolled his eyes and sighed.

"I'm sorry for assuming the worst Miss Bennet." She just huffed and turned her head away.

"Your apology means nothing to me." She said as he grumbled under his breath as he walked away from the two, leaving them in the cold. Rich shook his head and turned to Lizzy.

"Not to pry Lizzy, but why were you with Wickham anyway? Surely you knew he was going to try something on you after taking you into a dingy alleyway like this?" Rich asked, confused.

"Well… Do you remember the day we met?"

"Of course I do, how could I forget?" He smiled and she blushed.

"Well that was the day Georgie told me about Wickham and when I saw him here I just had to do something, I got so angry, I couldn't believe that a man like him had the audacity to make a move on me after what he had done to Georgie and when he asked to talk to me I readily agreed, I was just so angry. I couldn't help it. I accused him of what he had done and then I slapped him." She admitted, her eyes to the ground. Rich burst out laughing as he stared at her.

"You, Lizzy Bennet slapped George Wickham?" She nodded and he laughed again. "Wow… That doesn't happen every day…"

"Yeah but then after that he threatened me and I was sure that he would have raped me if you two hadn't come along… Thank you." She said gratefully.

"You're welcome Lizzy." He smiled. She looked up into his eyes as his arms enveloped her and as he leaned in closer, their noses almost touching, she closed her eyes, anticipating his soft lips on hers and–

"Lizzy! Where are you?" They jumped back quickly as a frantic Jane peeped into the alleyway. As soon as she saw Lizzy she ran up to her and hugged her frantically. "God. Lizzy. Thank god. I got so scared when you didn't come out and I just freaked out."

"Sorry Jane, I shouldn't have gone off with him. But luckily Rich here and Darcy saved me, though Darcy went off somewhere, I don't know where…" She said trailing off.

"Saved you? Lizzy, what on earth do you mean?" Jane asked confused.

"I'll explain some of it to you later Janey." Lizzy turned to Rich. "Can I tell her a bit about it?"

"Be vague." He replied sternly.

"I'm still confused. Lizzy. What did you mean they 'saved you'?" She looked at Lizzy worriedly. Rich sighed and moved to put an arm around Lizzy's shoulder.

"He tried to rape her." Rich said simply. Lizzy just rolled her eyes at him.

"Now you've just freaked her out. Look at her." They turned to look at Jane who was standing still in horror. Lizzy took Jane's hand gently and spoke soothing words, "Janey, he didn't try to rape me I promise. He just got really angry at me." Jane was shaking in horror. How could she had let her baby sister go off with a man who wanted to rape her? "Rich I think we should call Charlie, he'll be able to calm her." He nodded and moved away a bit, calling Charles.

"Lizzy… Did you know?" Jane whispered.

"I knew what he was capable of Janey."

"How could you go off with him? How could you not tell me?" Jane asked, hurt.

"Janey, you know I love you but I needed to talk to him and I didn't think he'd try anything in broad daylight."

"Lizzy, he took you into a DARKENED ALLEYWAY. Doesn't that scream… oh I don't know… rapist?!" Jane whispered angrily. Lizzy hung her head.

"I'm sorry Jane but I had to and the reason I didn't tell you was because it wasn't my secret to tell but I love you Jane."

"I love you too Lizzy, just please, don't scare me ever again."

"I promise. I'll make sure Rich or someone is with me if I see him again." Jane nodded and hugged her sister tightly.

"You're too precious to me Lizzy, I can't lose you too."

"I know Jane, I know."

"We should tell dad."

"I don't think he'd listen Jane and even if he did, he's a guest on the mountain so its not like he can really do anything about it…"

"Ummm…. Lizzy…. He's working as a snowboarding instructor for this season."

"WHAT?!"

"Lyddie was telling me how dad hired him the other day." Jane said softly. Lizzy swore.

"We're just going to have to keep our eyes open and make sure he doesn't corner one of us."

"Agreed."

"Charlie's on his way." Rich said, coming closer to both the girls. "I suggest we get out of this alleyway." Both girls nodded as Rich led them out back onto the bustling street. They talked quietly until Lizzy pointed out a mob of bright red hair making its way through the crowd towards them. Charlie. He ran up to them, hugging Lizzy and giving Jane a quick peck on the cheek before hugging her soundly. Lizzy looked up at Rich. He smiled down at her. Whenever she saw him, she realised that she felt stronger, happier even.

"What do you guys say to going to the half pipe for the rest of the day?" Jane's eyes widened in surprise.

"Are you sure Lizzy? You haven't attempted it in… Ages…"

"I'm sure Jane, it'll help me take my mind off things, besides I won't be going too high off the ground." She said confidently.

"If you're sure Lizzy…" Both men just shrugged and agreed to tag along, they wouldn't let their girls go without escorts as long as Wickham was around.

I've got the whole plotline figured out, just gotta write it, come back again for Lizzy's snowboarding expertise and the introduction of the moronic Collins...

xx faithinfools