Sorry it took me soooooo long to update, but the end of the school year tends to be hectic. Finals, final projects etc. Now that summer is here I hope to update far more often. Thanks for your reviews! :-)

I've had a lot of comments about Darcy's inner arguments using 'we', 'you' and 'us'. I do have reasons for this.

1) It's easier to write. I tried to rewrite the first chapter's argument before I published it, but I couldn't make it sound good. :-(
2) I see it as two different voices giving their opinion. It's kinda like when you have the little angel and devil on your shoulders giving you advice. Only just imagine a romantic Darcy and a snobbish Darcy.
3) I personally like the way it sounds.
4) Though it may sound weird, my internal arguments actually use the words 'we', 'you' and 'us'.

K now that that's done, back to the story. :-)

Elizabeth did not even bother to listen to Collins on the walk back to Longbourn. She couldn't care less about the size of Lady Catherine's mantelpiece. Instead all of her attention was focused on the two men walking behind her, closer than proper for gentlemen. They were completely silent, but she could feel their eyes boring into her back. She hurried her pace slightly in the hope of getting to Longbourn faster. Collins was neither a good walker or very obliging so she was forced to move at a much slower pace than she would have liked. They were moving so slow that soon Elizabeth's sisters, Bingley, and Denny were out of sight. The four of them were left very much alone, with only Collins' chatter to fill the awkward silence.

Elizabeth wished she could just crawl into her bed and never have to leave. She never wanted to have to choose anything ever again. Unfortunately she foresaw many choices in her future, and nearly all of them revolved around the three gentlemen she was walking with. Finally Collins stopped to take a breath. Darcy startled them all by taking the chance to speak.

"I fear we have not been introduced, sir. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberly." Darcy wondered want could be so great about this man that Elizabeth should choose him over Wickham or himself. He was not handsome. In fact his appearance was rather toad-like. He was obviously not intelligent, and seemed to have no idea he was boring Elizabeth to the point she had stopped listening.

"It is a pleasure indeed to make your fine acquaintance. I cannot believe it to truly be you. I am must happy to meet you, most happy indeed." The party had all stopped walking and now faced each other. Elizabeth felt a blush cover her cheeks. She was mortified by her cousin's manners.

"Mr. Darcy this is my cousin, Mr, Collins." Darcy inclined his head slightly in recognition, but his eyes remained firmly locked on Elizabeth.

"Mr. Darcy, you are the nephew of Lady Catherine De Bourgh are you not?" Darcy again inclined his head. This was all the encouragement Collins needed. "Well then, sir, I have the immense pleasure of being able to inform you that she was in the best health as of five days ago. Even Miss De Bourgh, who is as you know of a sickly constitution, was looking very well. She is truly the most beautiful woman, and grows in beauty everyday. If she were not so regretfully fragile, she would have out shined the entire ton. Lady Catherine is my patroness you know, and what a kind benevolent one she is. I have never seen such breeding or such taste." Wickham snorted loudly. All eyes focused upon him. "And who are you, sir?" Collins said angrily, noticing Wickham for the first time.

"George Wickham. Pleased to finally make your acquaintance." Collins face turned slightly red at Wickham's emphasis on 'finally'.

"And what, may I ask, was that very rude and undignified sound for?" Wickham smirked. Elizabeth went slightly pale, wishing more than ever she could just run home and leave all of these men behind her.

"I was born and raised in Kent. My parents are one of Lady Catherine's tenants." Elizabeth started. Who was this Lady Catherine? It seemed as though, no matter what choice she made she would have to meet this woman. It was not a happy prospect.

"You and your parents are most fortunate. To receive Lady Catherine's hospitality is the greatest of gifts. Why ever should you wish to leave?" Wickham colored and anger rose in his eyes.

"I wouldn't know about the gift of Lady Catherine's hospitality. She never deigned to show it to any of us that were so beneath her. All we ever received from her was impertinence! She would come barging into our home, unasked, and begin to berate us about everything from the food we ate to the configuration of our closet. My parents would leave if only they could. I left to try to get some money to get them out of that hell-hole that you call Rosings Park." During this argument Elizabeth had found her arm released from Collins' grip. She had unconsciously moved away from the fighting and found herself closer to Darcy. The gentleman did not mind this at all.

The argument grew more and more heated until both Elizabeth and Darcy were worried it would soon become physical. Darcy looked down to see Elizabeth had gone very pale and was shaking. Darcy leaned slightly closer to her. He wondered if he should take her away from the other men.

'We must take her away it could be dangerous for her to stay.'

'But the impropriety of such an action would be immense.'

'What is the worst they could make us do? Marry her? I would do so willingly.'

'No, the worst thing would be in forcing her to marry us and have her resent us for it.'

'How can we stop these idiots from arguing then? Her being here with the arguing could be dangerous.'

'It would look worse if we were alone.'

'It appears we have reached an impasse.'

'So it would seem. Let us ask her. If it is her choice she cannot resent us for it.'

'Agreed.'

"Miss Elizabeth, perhaps it would be better if we go ahead. I fear this argument may have a long duration." Elizabeth turned to him, only to find him closer than she had thought him to be. She took a step away quickly and contemplated his offer. She had no wish to stay out with these three gentlemen. Her family would be very worried, but the impropriety of walking alone with a gentleman was immense. Especially one who, it was assumed, was attracted to her. She sighed and turned back to the arguing pair. How long they would keep it up she could not say, but they seemed very intent on their argument. She looked at Darcy again, noticing his eyes locked on her again. They were shining with hope and Elizabeth could not bring herself to cause him pain. She fully turned to him.

"Perhaps it would be wise to try to stop the argument before it gets out of hand. It would not do for us to leave them alone. One does not know what they might do." Darcy looked slightly disappointed, but relented none the less. "How are we to stop their fighting though?" Darcy donned a thoughtful expression and shot another glance at Elizabeth.

"I think, Miss Bennet, that I may have an answer, if you agree to walk the rest of the way back with me." Elizabeth frowned slightly in a thoughtful expression of her own. She was slightly nervous of the fact he had asked her to walk with him. He was far more attracted to her than she had previously thought.

"Alright, Mr. Darcy, I agree to your terms." Darcy gave her a smile.

"Gentlemen!" Darcy yelled over the two men. "I believe it is time to take Miss Bennet home. Will you accompany us?" The gentlemen immediately forgot their quarrel and focused in on Elizabeth. They agreed to accompany them home. Collins moved to take Elizabeth's arm to continue the journey, but Darcy smoothly took it before Collins had even had a chance to get close. They walked to Longbourn without another word passing between them. Both Wickham and Collins were glaring daggers into Darcy's back, while he triumphantly led Elizabeth down the lane.

I'm not a huge fan of this chapter. I think it is kind of amusing though.

Wickham is going to play a very different part in my story than in the original. I've even seen fit to give him a few redeeming qualities. I'm changing up the story a bit, so you won't know how it will end, unlike other fanfics that follow the story exactly. Tell me if you like it. :-)