Hey guys! I'm back! And I am so sorry I haven't been able to post for what? ... 4 weeks now? I'm so sorry but I've just been really busy, year 12 and all. Hopefully I can post again soon and for the long wait I have got a long chapter right here. just for you! So don't forget to review and enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters

Can't remember, what went wrong last September
Though I'm sure that you'd remind me, if you had to

Our love was, comfortable and
so broken in

Comfortable - John Mayer

"Elizabeth! Get down here right now! Your guests are here!" Fanny Bennet screamed up the stairs as she smiled brightly at Bill.

Lizzy rolled her eyes. Her mother was a piece of work. Lizzy had only been in the vicinity of her mother for 2 minutes and she was already sick of her. She quickly looked up muttered "please help me". Only Charlie had shown up so far and the poor thing was trying to talk to Jane while Fanny was gushing at how lovely "her favourite daughter Jane was". Lizzy had had enough. She shot an apologetic look to Jane who shot one back at her. Lizzy shook her head. No way was she going anywhere near the octopus. Yes. That's right. The octopus. Fanny Bennet had dressed in the brightest, ugliest shade of fuchsia and it had ruffles and about eight splits in the dress showing off her blotched, old legs. It was disgusting to be frank. Even her makeup was bright fuchsia. Lizzy cringed. In the other corner Mary was trying to play the piano while Lydia and Kitty were squabbling in the other corner over the newest of Kitty's dresses. Lizzy rolled her eyes again. Everyone knew Lydia would win. Jane shot her another pleading, puppy dog eyed look. Lizzy sighed. Time to save the beautiful princess and her red faced prince.

"Mother can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Not now Elizabeth dear, I'm sure you can talk to Mary or Lydia about it honey."

"No Mother. I need to talk to you now." Lizzy fixed her mother with a glare.

"Fine Elizabeth." Fanny said harshly fixing a glare on her daughter. She turned and smiled at Charlie. "If you'll excuse me dear, Lizzy's being extremely rude at taking me away." She winked at him and he smiled shakily at her.

"It's no trouble Mrs. Bennet."

"Oh please, call me Fanny. Mrs. Bennet makes me sound so old." She said before turning away, dragging Lizzy by her arm, her nails digging into her daughter's arm.

"What do you want Elizabeth?" She asked in the hallway in a voice that carried through the house.

"Mum. Don't you think Jane and Charlie should spend some time together, ALONE?" She asked calmly.

"No. Why on earth –"

"Look at them mum. Just peek in." Fanny peeked through into the living room and saw Jane and Charlie close together, smiling and genuinely happy. Lizzy wrinkled her nose. They were so loveydovey it was disgusting. Cute but gross at the same time.

"Good Lord Elizabeth, you may be right. For once in your life you may be right!" Fanny said, astonished. Lizzy rolled her eyes.

"Thanks Mum. Thanks a lot."

"You're welcome Elizabeth, next time we have a dinner wear some proper clothes next time." And with that Fanny Bennet left the hallway. Lizzy looked down at her tight skinny jeans, bright green vans and her sheer white top. What was wrong with her clothes? She just shrugged and sighed as she walked back into the living room but stopped when she heard the doorbell ring. She smiled to herself.

"Elizabeth! Get the door!" Her mother shouted from the kitchen. Lizzy sighed and walked towards the front door, smiling as she opened it, only to find Bill standing there. Lizzy's smile faded and a scowl replaced it on her face.

"Hello Elizabeth dearest."

"Collins. I'm not your dearest." She said stoically.

"No. You're right you're not." Lizzy just looked at him bewildered but just shrugged her shoulders and let him in. She was trying to be civil… She could be civil… Right? She was just about to step back into the living room when the doorbell rang again.

"Elizabeth, get the door!" Her mother shouted while speaking to Bill. Lizzy just shook her head and walked to the door, brightening when she realised who it would be. She smiled her brightest smile as she opened the door, only to see Darcy standing there awkwardly. She stared into his eyes as there was a flicker of emotion, surprise perhaps before his eyes shut down again.

"Hello Elizabeth." Her smile faded as she sighed in exasperation.

"Hey Darcy, come in." She said. See! She could be civil. She smiled to herself before looking up to find his intense blue eyes staring at her. She blinked and shook her head.

"Where's Rich and Georgie?" She tried to ask nonchalantly.

"They're coming, I think Georgie might have forgotten something back at the house and Rich went with her."

"Caro?" Lizzy watched as the normally introverted man sighed and rolled his eyes.

"She didn't want to come. She was, and I quote 'too busy picking out an outfit for Charlie's party'."

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly." He said. She smiled as she closed the door, right as a hand reached for the doorknob.

"OWWW!" She heard Rich yell. Gasping, she quickly opened the door for the two cousins.

"Shit Rich! I'm so sorry." Lizzy went to him and inspected his hand. "Fuck. I'm so sorry." She said aghast.

"It's alright Lizzy." He said, pain etched on his face.

"Crap. Shit."

"Lizzy!" Rich reached out with his good hand and took her firmly by the shoulder. "Calm down. I'm fine. I just need some ice."

"Ice. Right. Ice." Lizzy said as she quickly pulled him into the kitchen and started scrambling around for a pack of ice, leaving Georgiana's hysterical laughing behind them. 15 minutes later Rich's hand was almost back to normal size, almost. "Geez Rich. I am actually so sorry. I was just so annoyed that it was Darcy at the door and not you or Georgie and then I just got really exasperated and then I –" Rich stopped her with a kiss.

"If you don't shut up, I will be forced to use other methods to keep your mouth otherwised occupied." Lizzy blushed.

"Sorry. Ever since… The accident… I've kind of been really easy to freak out injury wise. I can't help it." She shrugged sheepishly. He smiled at her.

"So when are we going to come out about this relationship?" He asked her. She started to panic again.

"Umm… Umm… Well you see… I wanted to keep it just between us, Georgie and Jane…"

"What? Why?" He asked her puzzled.

"DINNER'S SERVED!" Her mother yelled in the background.

"You'll see." Lizzy said mischievously. He looked at her, puzzled but followed her lead as she pulled him off the kitchen bench and towards the others. Lizzy went through first and was unsurprised to see that at one end of the table was her mother, the other her father, quietly observant. Jane was on her mother's and next to her was Charlie, then Collins and two spare seats for Lizzy and Rich. Her father sat down the other end of the table with Mary on his left, then Georgiana, Kitty, Darcy and finally Lydia on her mother's right. Lizzy chuckled this was going to be interesting if not mortifying.

They sat down, Lizzy taking the middle seat between Collins and Rich. She just smiled and waited for dinner to begin. Sure enough as soon as they had sat in their chairs her mother started talking.

"Charlie, isn't my Jane just beautiful?"

"Yes of course Mrs. Bennet – uhh… I mean Fanny." She beamed at him.

"I knew Jane wouldn't have been this beautiful for nothing. She was always meant to snag a rich, good-looking man." Jane blushed and Charlie just looked down at his lap, having no idea what to say. While Darcy looked mortified. He quickly put his mask of stone back into place as Charlie continued talking. "This food is wonderful Fanny. Did you cook it yourself?"

"Of course Charlie dear. I was named House Wife of the year when I graduated from high school you know." Lizzy snickered as her mother shot her a glare.

"Is she serious?" Rich whispered.

"Deadly." Lizzy whispered back. The pair continued to watch in silence and Mrs. Bennet continued to fawn over Charlie (with few random outbursts from Collins next to them) and Mary struck up a conversation over music with Georgie and Kitty and Lydia started arguing over Darcy about who would get the hottest husband when they were older and Mr. Bennet quietly left the room, retreating to his study to work on his "mountain accounts".

"Oh my god. Kitty did I tell you about the hot new snowboarding instructor that Daddy hired?" Lydia said loudly. Charlie, Jane, Lizzy and Rich shared a look while Darcy was burning holes in the front of Lydia's skull.

"No! Tell me about him!"

"He's gorgeous and he has this blonde windswept hair and he's a brilliant snowboarder. He was telling me of this time where some rich guy totally blew him off and took all his money that was his."

"Oh my god!" Kitty said, engrossed in what Lydia was saying. "What was his name?" She asked wide eyed. Darcy looked at Rich worriedly while Lizzy just rolled her eyes.

"I got this." She whispered to Rich. He looked worried but nodded, trusting her.

"His name was –"

"Oh my god! Lydia have you seen the new collection in Bardot? It is to die for. There's also this gorgeous mini dress that you could probably wear to the Bingleys and I swear no one will have it. It's not even on the shelves yet." Lizzy squealed.

"Seriously? Oh my god. I didn't know that! How could I not know that! Maria was supposed to tell us every time a new collection comes in. That bitch!" Lydia screamed, outraged. "How did Lizzy know it before us?"

"Maria told Charlotte, Charlotte told me." Lizzy lied calmly and with that the twins were back to squabbling over who would have the famed mini dress that Lizzy had so admired. Rich looked at Lizzy gratefully. While Darcy just nodded his head as Charlie and Jane sighed in relief.

"Thanks. You handled that so well." Rich told her. She laughed in return.

"It's hard not to know how to speak Lydia when you've lived with her for so many years." They both chuckled.

"Look at Darce he looks like he's going to explode." Rich whispered. Lizzy giggled as she met Darcy's eyes which were as black and angry as she had ever seen them. She quickly looked away and replied, "Oh my god he does. You just wait for it. The best is yet to come."

"What do you –"

"Three. Two. One. Cue crazy overbearing mother." At this point Mrs Bennet had had enough of Jane and Charlie and was focusing on Mr. Darcy instead.

"Are you in a relationship Mr. Darcy?" She asked. He balked, surprised at her audacity and bluntness.

"No I am not Mrs. Bennet." He replied stiffly.

"Well you must talk to my Lydia, she is quite the beauty. Even if Jane is the most beautiful but she is already occupied. Lydia! Talk to Mr. Darcy. Entertain him." She said with finality as she turned back to fawn over Charlie again. Lizzy and Rich watched as Darcy looked in horror at the youngest Bennet as she turned her 'seductive' attention on him, talking to him coyly.

"Good god. She's almost as bad as Caroline." Richard whispered astonished.

"Just wait for it…" Lizzy whispered back. He looked at her, confused. "And there we go." Richard turned back to see Darcy had stood up stiffly, excusing himself to the bathroom, not knowing where he was going and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Lizzy laughed quietly to herself.

"What just happened?"

"I'm fairly sure she just groped him."

"WHAT?!"

"Shhhhh." Lizzy giggled. "It's Lydia's 'how to get men' tactic." She shivered. "It's gross."

"You could try it on me if you like." Rich said winking. Lizzy just rolled her eyes and pushed him gently.

"See the thing is I'm pretty sure you're already mine." He frowned.

"That's unfair." He muttered back as Darcy re-entered the room and sat down, moving his chair and leaning as far as he could from Lydia. Rich sighed. "I feel his pain." He said as he saw Darcy give him a pained look. Lizzy pouted. "I'm gonna see if he wants to swap spots, then I'll try to swap spots with Kitty and talk to Georgie for the rest of the night."

"Do you have to go?" She asked sullenly.

"Chin up Lizzy my dear, you know perfectly well I wouldn't leave you by yourself if I knew you couldn't handle anything that came your way." She smiled.

"Okay, fine. But if Lydia tries to grope you tell her I'll kill her in her sleep." She grumbled.

"Aww I love it when you become all possessive. Don't worry. I'm rich, successful and hot. I know how to deal with these types of girls. Have been doing so all my life." He said confidently.

"Asshole. If I didn't like you then you'd already be on the ground kneeling in pain. But seriously. Don't underestimate her. Lyddie has a mean men eating game." He nodded.

"I'll keep that in mind." He said as he moved from his place on the table to talk to Will. Lizzy sighed as she saw Darcy moving in her direction. She quickly swivelled away, turning towards Collins who was talking Charlie's ears off she was sure. She decided to be the hero and save him.

"How are you doing today Collins?"

"Call me Bill, Lizzy." He said, swivelling in his seat in surprise. Lizzy resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"How's your time on the mountain been so far?" She asked, trying to remain neutral.

"It's been wonderful actually. I'm going to be leaving soon."

"Oh really?" She asked with feigned interest.

"Yes really. You see, after Mr. Fitzwilliam screamed at me, I became… Well… Depressed so I went to the bar and while I was there I met a wonderful young woman named Charlotte."

"What?!" Lizzy yelped.

"Be quiet Elizabeth!" Her mother hollered. "I can't hear what Charlie's saying!" Lizzy rolled her eyes but quieted her voice.

"Charlotte? Charlotte Lucas?"

"Yes. We talked for a bit at the bar and after that we went to her place and I spent the night there." Lizzy shivered, just thinking of what they could have done that night but shook her head quickly, trying to get the image out of her mind.

"And you what? Just proposed to her and she said yes after a good night in bed?"

"Yes actually. Funny you could actually guess that."

"When are you leaving?" Lizzy asked. Her voice turning to stone.

"Well tomorrow is Mr. Bingley's party and my dear Charlotte so wanted to go so probably the morning after. We're going back to Rosings, where my patron and main benefactor lives. The lovely Mrs. De Bourgh is wonderful."

"How could she?! How could she?" Lizzy whispered to herself, shocked.

"You see Lizzy, everyone wants me. You could have been my wife. I am one of the most eligible bachelors that will ever want you. After your rejection –"

"What!" Fanny hollered. "What did you say Bill?"

"I was just telling Lizzy that I plan to head back to Rosings with my betrothed, Charlotte." He said loudly.

"WHAT!?"

"She has made me a very happy man by honouring my hand in marriage." He replied smugly.

"But… But… But… Lizzy… I thought…"

"After she rejected me I –"

"She what?!"

"After she rejected me Fanny dear, I simply went and asked Charlotte instead. Besides she'll fit in better at Rosings, even if I did so have my heart on having Lizzy with me." Lizzy was fuming at Charlotte, at Collins, at her mother. Everyone. Mrs. Bennet's eyes narrowed at her least favourite daughter. It had suddenly gotten very quiet at the table.

"Lizzy." She said stiffly. "A word. Upstairs. Now." She said tightly as she stood up and turned, not waiting for her daughter. Rich shot her a look, clearly one saying 'good luck'. She sighed. She had known this was coming ever since she told the pig-headed little-bodied annoying man. She quietly walked through the hallway and up the stairs where her mother was waiting in the upstairs hallway.

"Mother I –"

"Good God Elizabeth! Are you really that stupid?! Go down there right now and tell him you regret rejecting him! You go down there right now and tell him that you'll marry him!" Fanny screamed at her daughter. Lizzy winced. She knew full and well that no matter where they were in the house, anybody within 5 miles could hear her mother's screeching.

"No." Lizzy said defiantly. "No I will not. I do not love him. I shall not marry him. Besides, he's my cousin, that is insanely gross."

"Do I look like I care Elizabeth?! Good God woman! You really do get on my nerves! Go down there right now and say you're sorry!"

"No."

"DO IT."

"No."

"If you don't go down there and get married, I won't speak to you ever again! You shall be banished from my house and I won't give a damn about you anymore!"

"No. For the last time no. First of all, you'll be speaking to me because dad will make you, second, I already have my own house and thirdly, I'm not sure you gave a damn about me in the first place." Lizzy whispered the last part. Her mother had hurt her. Ever since the accident her mother had blamed her. She had stopped caring for Lizzy, being at most civil and she was always ignored by her mother who spent most of her time cooing over Lydia and Jane. She was just the devil spawn that wouldn't die.

"What did you say? I didn't catch the last part Elizabeth. SAY IT OUT LOUD."

"No. You can't make me do anything I don't want to."

"FINE. Now Bill will go marry Charlotte and you will once again be left all alone Elizabeth! You know, I thought that this would finally make you useful, you'd finally be out of my hair after all the damage you've caused with the accident, but no! You are determined to maintain your status as the family's rebel! Well, you know what? I'm glad Bill didn't choose you, I'm glad you said no. No one would want to be shackled to an ungrateful child like you! After all that I've done for you..." Mrs Bennet trailed off. "Well, you'll just have to grow old alone, after all no one would want to love a freak like you!" Her mother shouted angrily, before walking downstairs back into the dining room to coo over Jane and Charlie again. Lizzy stood there, shocked beyond belief, tears welling up in her eyes. Her mother didn't love her. Not after what she'd done. She hadn't been that bad before, she had never openly rejected Lizzy before… Even after the accident they had remained on civil terms. The tears started racing down her cheeks. Lizzy couldn't take it anymore, her mother's rejection and her father's inability to protect her from her mother. She quickly, quietly ran down the staircase, grabbing her jacket and her boots and slammed the door, running away into the night.

Lizzy sat on the playground swing, pushing herself half-heartedly back and forth. It had started to snow again and she was glad that the playground was undercover. Her mother was a nightmare. Plain and simple. She couldn't believe that her mother had actually threatened her and told her she was a freak… She wasn't a freak… Was she?

"You're not a freak." Lizzy shrieked and jumped, tumbling onto the ground, looking up to see Rich looking down on her.

"Jesus you scared me."

"You can call me Rich and I'm sorry." He said, helping her back up onto the swing. He sat next to her on the other swing and they pushed themselves with their feet slowly, not really moving anywhere.

"How did you know?" She asked quietly.

"Know what?" He asked.

"What I was thinking." She said, looking into his eyes, where she saw nothing but concern.

"We all heard the whole thing. I think we were all appalled except for Lydia and Kitty. They just kept texting on their phones but Jane and Mary looked ashamed and the rest of us were just completely surprised." She hung her head.

"I am a freak though, aren't I?"

"No. Of course you're not. How could you suggest such a thing?" He asked, worriedly. She shrugged.

"You heard my mother. Maybe she's right, maybe I am destined to be alone. 'After all no one could love a freak like me.'" She said mockingly in her mother's voice.

"Hey, hey, hey. Stop it." He said, getting off his swing and sitting on the cold ground, pulling her onto his lap. "First of all, you're not a freak, second of all are you saying that I can't love a freak (if you were one that is)? Third of all, even if you were a freak I'd be dating you anyway." She smiled at the last one as he planted a small kiss on her nose, and they sat there, cuddling in silence, watching the snow fall in the dark of the night.

Lizzy woke up feeling much better the next day, happily getting out of bed. Jane had come to her the night before when she arrived home, assuring her further that she wasn't a freak and that their mother was wrong. When they had arrived back at the Bennet household Jane and Lizzy had immediately gone to try and persuade their father to get Wickham off the mountain yet he wouldn't budge citing that Wickham was a brilliant instructor and that he had no evidence against the man. Lizzy and Jane had tried to explain to him about what happened in the alleyway but he cut them off, telling them "no and that's final." They had sighed in defeat and subtly shook their heads at their respective partners.

But today was a new day, better than that, it was the day of the Bingley extravaganza. Everyone on the mountain had been invited. But on the other hand Lizzy still hadn't spoken to Charlotte about her decision to marry Collins yet. She didn't know what she would say to her. She walked sleepily into the kitchen, finding Jane's note on the fridge. She read it quickly, rolling her eyes. Of course Jane would be over at the Bingleys early, helping to 'set up'. At least she would be back in time for them to get ready like they always did. The day passed quickly, Rich and Georgie coming over for a visit where Lizzy asked Georgie to get ready with Jane and her. Rich looked quite put out to miss out on the girls getting ready but was assured that he would get plenty of dances at the party and was thus satisfied with the arrangements. They left just after 1, and Georgie had come back at 4, the same time as Jane. Jane, Lizzy and Georgie all had showers before they sat down to discuss what they were wearing. Lizzy smiled at Georgie who was clearly uncomfortable to be in nothing but her underwear and her robe. She wasn't used to having sisters to dress with.

"Alright. How do we want to do this?" Jane asked happily.

"I don't know… I've never done this before…" Georgie admitted.

"Don't worry Georgie, it's normal. We always do this. Besides, its more fun this way so don't be ashamed with anything. You're just as beautiful as the rest of us." She said teasingly.

"Thanks Lizzy." Georgie said, clearly relieved.

"Okay I suggest this: Georgie does my make-up and Jane's hair, Jane does my hair and Georgie's make-up, and I do Georgie's hair and Jane's make-up." Lizzy suggested.

"Sounds good." The other two replied in sync.

"After that we can all help each other choose our respective outfits." They all nodded and began. Lizzy starting with Georgie's hair while she started on Jane's hair. Lizzy took Georgie's long, blonde hair and braided across the crown around to the back of her hair and expertly pinned her hair into a messy chignon at the back of her hair. Georgie on the other hand, curled Jane's hair into vintage rolls all around from the side to the back of her head, just as she had seen Charlize Theron do that one time at the Snow White and The Huntsman premiere. After that they decided that they would do both girls make-up first and then both Jane and Georgie would descend on Lizzy and do both her hair and make-up at one time. Lizzy started on Jane's make-up first, giving her plump red lips with a small black smokey eye. Jane then did Georgie's make-up deciding to give her a blue smokey eye, to bring out her bright blue eyes. Both girls then did Lizzy's hair and make-up. Georgie decided to do a blue smokey eye with nude lips to make her eyes stand out while Jane decided to do a small braid across Lizzy's crown and a messy bun at the back of her hair. Once all three girls were satisfied they all had to decide what to wear.

"How do we do this bit?" Georgie asked.

"You and Jane pick something for me, you and I pick something for Jane and Jane and I will pick something for you." Lizzy told her. Georgie smiled.

"Who's first?"

"You." Both sisters said simultaneously.

"What do you think Janey?"

"I don't know Lizzy. What about you?"

"Something blue, short, sequined, something that shows off her flawless skin but not too much or her brother will go pyscho on us." Lizzy replied as they both looked at Georgiana.

"I've got it."

"You do?"

"I've got the perfect dress, somewhere." Jane walked into the walk-in-robe and started searching the party dress section. A few seconds later, she emerged with the perfect dress. It was dark navy blue with a jewelled bodice with a thin shiny blue metallic belt with a blue flower sewn on. The bottom half was a navy blue tulle skirt that came out from the middle of the dress and ended 10 cm above Georgie's knees. It had a large hole in the back, showing Georgie's pale skin and was held together at the bottom of the bodice and around the neck where it clipped together with the front. Together the girls chose a pair of navy blue wedges that were of a medium height.

"Gosh Georgie you look stunning." Lizzy said in wonder. Georgie could only agree as she looked, astonished at the mirror in front of her, taking in her transformed appearance. Gone was the shy, mischievous girl and in her place was the sophisticated teenager that looked ready to party.

"Your turn Jane." Georgie said, smiling. She and Lizzy walked into the closet when Georgie screeched in delight. "I've found it Lizzy! I've found the perfect dress for Jane!" She held it up and Lizzy smiled. It really was perfect. It was a pale beige sort of colour with one strip of white on either side with a small cut out on each side. It was short and beautiful. They let Jane put it on and found a pair of small beige heels to match.

"Lizzy's turn." Jane sung.

"Don't worry Jane. I've got this one. I brought this just for her to wear. It'll suit her perfectly." Georgie pulled at a gorgeous short dress from her bad. It had a white halter neck connected to a black cut out which then connected to a short white dress with smudges of blue and black at the top and at the bottom with a black belt around the waist. They also gave Lizzy a pair of black heels with cut outs and shoelaces to tie the tops together. Lizzy gasped as she put it on. It fit perfectly and looked amazing.

"We all ready?" Lizzy asked after helping Georgie put on a bracelet.

"Definitely. Let's go rock our stuff." Georgie said confidently. They all laughed as they picked up their purses and walked to Jane's car. They quickly drove to the Bingleys and gasped. The house looked amazing. The decorations were bright but tasteful, Lizzy was willing to bet 50 pounds that Caro hadn't been in charge of them. As they were admitted in by an attendant they were quickly ambushed by Bingley who took Jane away and soon it was just Lizzy and Georgie.

"Dance?"

"Of course." And together they hit the dance floor. They were both just getting drinks from the refreshment table when Rich and Darcy found them. Lizzy grinned at Rich and he smiled back.

"Ladies. You both look dashing tonight if I do say so myself. Darce? Back me up here?"

"You look beautiful. Georgiana. Elizabeth." Georgie beamed while Lizzy just smiled. A slow dance came on at that moment.

"Lizzy dear? A dance?"

"Of course Rich." She said in return.

"Georgie?" Darcy asked his sister. She laughed at his formalness and nodded.

"Of course brother." Both men led their ladies to the dance floor and began to sway to the music.

"You look beautiful Lizzy." Rich told her earnestly.

"Thanks Rich. You don't scrape up too bad yourself." She replied, laughing.

"Thank you my dear. By the way, I now understand." He said.

"Understand what?" Lizzy asked confused.

"The 'why we shouldn't announce our relationship to the world' thing." He said laughingly. "Your mother's a bit of a handful."

"A bit more than a handful but thank you for respecting that." She said smiling. But stopped when she looked over at Georgie who had stopped dancing and was quickly turning pale. Lizzy followed her gaze to the door of the Bingley household to see none other than George Wickham with Lydia on his arm. "Shit." Lizzy said, pulling away from Rich and running to where Georgie was, turning her away and pulling the younger girl to her chest, speaking quietly to her, calming her. She turned to stare at Wickham who saw the party of 4 and smirked, leaning down and bringing Lydia in for a kiss. Lizzy turned away, disgusted. "Rich get Charlie and Jane now." He nodded and quickly worked his way through the crowd to find the couple. Darcy was death glaring Wickham as he stood protectively over the two girls. Lizzy was still whispering sweet nothings into Georgie's ear as Rich came up with Jane and Charlie. They all stood around, for a minute until Lizzy decided to take control. "Oh come on. Darcy, Rich go evict him and drag Lydia away from him. She's too drunk to notice much anyway. Charlie stay here and guard us just in case he decides to come this way and Jane help." She said quickly. The men nodded while Jane kneeled down to help calm Georgiana. Out of the corner of her eye Lizzy saw Rich and Darcy pull Lydia and Wickham apart, dragging him out the door while covering his mouth so he couldn't scream. She quickly shook her head and once again spoke in Georgie's ear. Then she remembered. The lullaby that her mother used to sing to her when she was younger. She began to sing in French, hoping to calm the girl. Soon enough Georgie's tears stopped.

"Is he gone?" She whispered.

"Yes he's gone sweetheart. You won't have to worry about him ever again." Jane said passionately as Charlie stood awkwardly trying not to listen in on their conversation.

"I thought I was strong enough to see him again but all the memories came flooding back." She said quietly.

"It's alright hun. I think you've had enough excitement for one evening. I think your brother and cousin will take you home soon enough. You need to sleep." Georgie nodded sleepily, while Lizzy raised her eyes to meet Jane's. They would have to watch out for Lydia. She was becoming too wild.

The boys had come back within 15 minutes and Darcy and Richard both agreed with Lizzy that they should take Georgie home. Darcy picked up his sister, concerned.

"Thank you Elizabeth. For helping her." He said stiffly.

"You're welcome. I hope she recovers." She said back. She watched as he and Richard both left the building. Jane and Charlie had once again gone off to god knows where and Lizzy was stuck wondering around the party by herself. She just wanted to go home.

"Hey lonely girl! How you doing?" Charlotte asked her as she came up and hugged her friend.

"Charlotte can you take me home?" Lizzy asked. "I'm too tired to party anymore."

"Of course Lizzy." They walked in silence to Charlotte's car. She didn't know what to say to her. She was just disappointed. Charlotte parked in front of Lizzy's apartment and they both sat there in silence.

"Say it Lizzy. Just say it." Charlotte said, sighing.

"Is it true?" She asked quietly.

"That I'm marrying Collins? Yes. Yes it is."

"Why?!" Lizzy burst out. "He's ugly. He just wants a housewife who can clean his gross underpants for him and he –"

"Enough Lizzy." Charlotte said warningly.

"Why Char? Why?"

"He's rich Lizzy." She said simply.

"You're marrying him for his money?" Lizzy asked aghast. "That's sickening Charlotte. Really sickening." She said harshly.

"Yes Lizzy. I'm marrying him for his money. Not all of us can have our romantic fantasies come true." She said quietly.

"But Char! You're smart, pretty, you know how to board and –"

"I'm old Lizzy. I'm not as pretty as your or Jane and I'm not as good at boarding as you and you know it. No one else will want me Lizzy. Bill offers me stability, money and a home to call my own. I can't continue to live off my parent's money."

"You make your own money!"

"But it's not enough Lizzy!" Charlotte shouted at her. "It's not enough." She repeated in a forlorn voice.

"That's sickening Charlotte. I expected better than this from you."

"ENOUGH!" Char shouted. "Enough! I don't have your talents or Jane's beauty. I have to accept what I've got in life and right now all I've got is Bill and for me that's enough." She shouted. Her eyes were full of unshed tears.

"I don't understand Char I just –"

"Get out." Charlotte said in a quiet voice. "Just get out." Lizzy was affronted.

"But Char I –"

"I never wanted your approval Lizzy. All I wanted was your support. You're my best friend and I've been there for you through thick and thin and just this once all I wanted was for you to be there for me. How stupid I was to believe that you would be there for me. Just go. I'm leaving tomorrow for Rosings and there's nothing you can do about it." She said quietly. "Go." Lizzy got out of the car, shocked as she unlocked the door to her apartment. She heard a car speeding away and as she turned on the light and closed the door, Lizzy slid down the length of the door and began to sob. Where had it all gone so wrong?

Lizzy woke up, tired, aching and sore. She had a quick shower and got changed, checking her phone for any messages and had only one from Jane who had stayed the night at the Bingleys. Lizzy would have to quiz her later. She was about to resign herself to a how I met your mother marathon when there was a knock on the door. Lizzy opened it to see Rich. She smiled and let him in but he shook his head.

"Coffee?" He asked pleadingly. "I need some so bad it's not funny." She laughed and nodded. They walked to a nearby café and Lizzy sat down, waiting for Rich to order and talk.

"What's up?"

"Can't I just come to see my girl?"

"Not when you look like you've barely escaped from a train wreck. What happened?" She asked him in concern.

"We took care of Wickham but I'm not sure that it was enough, we might have just added more fuel to the fire of hatred he holds inside for us but I'm not sure. Darcy thought it was best that he and Georgie leave cause she clearly isn't strong enough yet." Lizzy nodded sadly. She understood but was sad to see her new friend go. "She wrote you a letter though and I have it here." Lizzy smiled and pocketed it for later.

"Are you going with them?" She asked sadly.

"They've already left. I told Darcy that I wanted to stay and make sure that Wickham didn't try anything for a few weeks before I leave. But you know, I wanted to stay around you too, I just didn't mention it to him." He said sheepishly. Lizzy laughed and kissed him on the cheek which he quickly turned into a proper kiss. When they broke away they both were blushing bright red. They spent a good two hours at the café before Rich said he had to leave to work on his business stuff. He walked her back to her apartment and left with several goodbye kisses. She sat in the kitchen as she opened Georgie's letter. It said how sorry she was to leave and that she would miss both Lizzy and Jane and gave them both open invitations to visit her at her home, Pemberley some time. Lizzy smiled. She was such a sweet girl. Georgie also hoped that Lizzy would continue to coach her in boarding when they met up again which she was very optimistic that they would. Lizzy laughed at that and looked up, startled when she heard Jane walk through the front door. She smiled as she saw Jane laugh out loud happily.

"Someone's in a good mood." She noted.

"Yeah. I feel good."

"How was your night?" Lizzy asked as she winked at Jane. Jane said nothing. "Did you…?" Jane just blushed. "OH MY GOD YOU SO DID!" Jane nodded shyly, hiding her flaming face in her hands.

"Was he good?" Lizzy asked.

"LIZZY!" Jane said, blushing brightly.

"What? It was a perfectly normal, sensible question." She retorted. Sticking her tongue out.

"It was incredible and amazing. I've never felt the same connection that I share with him with anyone else." Jane said in a daze. They both spent time giggling over Jane's night in an impromptu gossip session and Lizzy then had to go out, teaching a class on the mountain that was supposedly Charlotte's but she had had to leave in the morning and they were still looking for someone to replace her. Lizzy got back exhausted, only to find Jane sniffling on the couch, with red and puffy eyes.

"Jane what happened!" Lizzy asked, frightened. Her sister was never like this. Ever. She was instantly worried. Jane just pointed over to the answering machine and Lizzy dashed over and played the only recording on the machine.

Hey Jane, it's Caroline calling, I just wanted to let you know that Charlie and I are going back to London and we're not sure if we're going to come back any time soon so don't get your hopes up sweetie. I think he wanted to go back and visit an ex but I'm not sure, but anyway there's a lot of business to catch up on too and goodness knows that society needs me back but if you're in town give me a call and we'll catch up okay? Byeee.

It sounded so fake and Lizzy just wanted to go find Caro Bingley and rip her eyes out herself. But first, Jane. She had burst into tears when the recording started to play.

"I'm sure it was just a mistake sweetheart." Lizzy said soothingly, letting Jane cry on her.

"It was as clear as day Lizzy. He's visiting an ex." She burst into more tears and Lizzy calmed her again until Jane had an idea, "What if I wasn't good enough in bed? That's why he wants to go see an ex because she was better than me in bed." She burst into new tears while Lizzy tried helplessly to calm her down until Jane finally fell asleep on the couch and Lizzy went and got a blanket to cover her sister with. How could this happen? Charlie was so into Jane it was ridiculous! How could he be so cruel? And to not even break it off himself! This sounded like the work of a mole. Lizzy narrowed her eyes. She would find out who had been behind this break up and gouge out their eyes. No one messed with Lizzy Bennet's sister and got away with it. She sighed as she sank into the other chair in the room. Where had it all gone so wrong? It was all smiles and everyone was happy until Georgie suddenly left for Pemberley, Charlotte had left her for Collins and Charlie had left her with a sobbing and distraught Jane. She shook her head slowly. Where had it all gone so wrong?

There's the very long chapter as promised. Sorry for the wait! Year 12 is hectic as! Hopefully I can post again within the next few weeks. Thanks for sticking with me!

xx Faithinfools

P.S. The dresses for the three girls are as follows:

Jane's is Emma Watson's dress she wore to the Elle Style Awards in 2011

Georgie's is Emma Watson's dress she wore in Hong Kong promoting Lancôme in 2011

Lizzy's is Emma Watson's dress she wore to the 2013 MTV movie awards.