Fitzwilliam Darcy…

Later that night, Darcy paced the length of his room, sticking his hand into the pocket of his jeans as he tugged at the polo shirt he had tucked into the waist of the denim. It felt too tight all of a sudden as if the memory of Lizzie's mouth was enough to make his throat swell. He had been foolish—an utter idiot. How did you remedy a mistake like his? He couldn't guarantee she wouldn't remember what had happened, and he was having enough trouble facing his own conscience without having to worry about facing her rebellious nature. Her fire always tended to ignite him, and he knew now that the flames could consume him if he wasn't careful. So, what did you do when a building was on fire? You removed yourself from the burning structure before getting as far away from it as possible. A knock on Darcy's door made him pause in his pacing. Maybe whoever it was would assume he was asleep. The knock came again.

"Darcy? I know you aren't sleeping, mate. Let me in, would you." Charles voice demanded suddenly as Darcy sighed before moving toward the structure. He had enough problems without adding Charles' mistakes to his.

"It's late." Darcy stated simply as he opened the door. Charles nodded in agreement before pushing past Will and moving into the center of the room. Bingley paused as he noticed the open suitcase lying noticeably in the middle of Darcy's bed. He looked up at Will.

"Going somewhere?" Charles asked as Darcy cringed. He knew that Charles was unaware of the blooming relationship between himself and Ms. Bennet and he intended to keep it that way. Therefore, he just shrugged.

"I think I've tied up all of the loose ends here, and I've chosen a manager I think suits the position. He's a long time protégé of my aunt Catherine's and he's an utter perfectionist. I've also sent for Charlotte Lucas. She'll be an invaluable assistant to the man until he can hire his own secretary." Darcy answered vaguely as Charles looked first at Darcy and then at the open suitcase again. He cleared his throat.

"You managed all of that in the middle of the night. And what of the girls?" Bingley asked again as Will sighed before finally unbuttoning the buttons at his neck. He had always been fond of the sporty polos, but right now even his normal attire bugged the hell out of him.

"I had already decided on a manager not long after my arrival here. As for Charlotte, she may be whining over the late night phone call but she's dependable. And the girls? …I've reserved a suite at a wonderful hotel and had the concierge open an account in my name. They will be charging my credit card for whatever length of time they remain here. I gave them each a position at the branch in Merryton for now until I can find something more suitable. They can leave to return whenever they wish. I'm returning to Pemberley…tonight." Darcy said quietly as Charles watched his friend in shocked silence. Darcy was not an impulsive fellow. Something must have happened to cause him to feel he needed to leave. But what? Bingley sat down on a chair near the bed.

"And Stephanie? What of her?" Bingley asked carefully. Darcy sighed.

"I've already informed her of my plans before I started packing. She'll meet me at Pemberley when she can." Darcy answered wearily as Charles shook his head.

"I've never known you to up and leave a project before. Is something bothering you?" Charles asked with serious conviction as Darcy looked down at him resolutely. Charles knew Darcy well enough that a simple lie would not suffice. And then it hit Will.

"I thought it best to go. You should go with me, Charles. This problem with Jane Houston will only intensify if you remain here. Are you willing to change your life for her?" Darcy asked as Charles' eyes darkened suddenly. His feelings were plain. He was tormented and Darcy was giving him an easy out. The mention of Jane was also enough to deflect Charles' suspicions as to Darcy's own motives for leaving. His friend stood up.

"You're leaving just to save my blasted heart?" Charles asked incredulously as Darcy shrugged.

"What are friends for?" He asked as Charles laughed shortly before heading towards the bedroom door. He knew Will was right.

"I'll be ready to go in twenty minutes." He remarked absently before stepping out into the hallway and closing the door softly behind him. Darcy sat down heavily on the end of his bed. The only soul that needed saving was his.

Charlotte Lucas…

That big oaf, the impossible task master….ughhhhhh! Charlotte couldn't help but grumble as she threw clothes into an open suitcase lying haphazardly on her bed. She was irritable and tired and that spastic boss of hers wanted her in Italy as soon as possible so here she was now, thrown hastily together and clutching a file revealing the background and job listings of one Mr. Collins. She had to admit she was impressed by Collin's past accomplishments, although the photo in his file left a lot to be desired. Mr. Darcy had promised him a hefty salary, however, and even promised a two-story home off his aunt's property for his use. It would become Mr. Collin's own home as part of his retirement once he had served out the years required to receive such accommodations. Until then, he could reside in it and do as he pleased with the home until such date. His salary and his residence was enough to make Charlotte Lucas look at his photo twice. She might wish for romance like any modern girl, but unlike most women, she was not foolish enough to depend on such flowery things. She had to make her own way as best she could on her limited business education and her unattractive looks. She sighed as she placed the file on top of her clothes in the suitcase and closed the bag with a 'click.' It was time for her to get underway.

Elizabeth Bennet…

The next morning...

Oh, God! The sun hurt. That was the only thing I could think of as I tried desperately to crack an eyelid open against the soft sunlight filtering in through the bedroom window. Soft sunlight my ass! Damn, it hurt! My head throbbed and my stomach shifted uneasily as if it weren't sure yet whether or not it needed to be sick. I was betting on the sick part right now.

"Interesting night?" Jane asked softly from beside me, and I groaned. Her voice didn't normally grate on my nerves, but this morning listening to it was as bad as having a construction crew positioned outside your apartment window. She chuckled.

"I wondered what was going on when I heard you stumble into the room last night, and when you passed out…well, Jesus Lizzie, I suddenly wished I was drunk too. But not now. Sit up and take these." Jane admonished as I sat up gingerly before opening my mouth. I was trusting her motives and praying that it was aspirin she was popping down my throat because there was no way in hell that I was opening my eyes. She lifted up something to the edge of my lips and I used the liquid within it to swallow the pills. And then I coughed.

"What the hell?" I gasped as Jane chuckled again.

"The best way to relieve a hang over is to take a few sips of more alcohol in the morning. I promise it works. So, now tell me what inspired you to get wasted last night." She asked me as I lay back down slowly. What had happened last night? A thought nudged itself into my brain, and I sat up quickly. Too quickly. My stomach revolted as Jane jumped away.

"Don't you dare throw up on me! Are you okay? You're as white as a sheet." Jane remarked with concern as I covered my mouth to hide the shock that I felt as much as I possibly could. Or maybe I covered my mouth because my lips burned suddenly at the faint memory. Darcy had kissed me last night. Jesus, Joseph and Mary! And I had let him, had felt the burn of desire and alcohol as it coursed through my veins and I gave in to impulse. And dammit, if I hadn't almost not pulled away! What would have happened if I hadn't pulled away? I coughed as I realized Jane was still standing there while slowly opening my eyes in order to look up at her uneasily.

"It's nothing. I'm just a little queasy that's all. No more drinking for me." I lied as I tried to cope with the bombarding memories. Bits and pieces of conversation floated through my head and I cringed. He had confessed that he had feelings for me! Oh my God! What about that girlfriend of his? What was she to him? Jane sat down on the bed again.

"You seem distracted." Jane stated simply as I just nodded. Of course I was.

"You missed the big news last night by coming home late." Jane added as I looked over at her warily. Oh? Big news? Could I handle any other news?

"What's that?" I asked her carefully as she grinned suddenly.

"That big monster of a man we call boss is getting married. Lady Stephanie announced it last night." Jane supplied as a cold dread washed over my body. That was the last straw. I jumped out of the bed and ran into a connecting bathroom before losing the contents of my stomach.

Author's Footnote: As you can tell, the story is taking quite a turn. And once again I am humbled by all of your responses to the story. I look forward to the reviews everyday at work. And a quick shout out to Sobee1982 for keeping me on my toes. I love that you anticipate future chapters and that each sentence makes you questions what's in store. I love you guys! Please keep reading and reviewing! Love!—licensetowrite