A/N: This is a two part chapter; the next one is finished and will be posted shortly. I was originally intending to make the next two chapters into one big chapter, but it soon became too long. I thought my readers would prefer one shorter chapter delivered sooner.

Please note that in this story I'm using the movie as the main point of reference, so Jane will not be aware of what has been going on until Lizzy tells her. However, I am going to include that Jane went to London to stay with the Gardiner's, as this was too important to the story not to include. I'm sorry in advance for any confusion this may cause but hopefully my story will make sense. I have read the book a million times and seen the TV series, but when this story came about I was watching the movie, so those are the characters I see and the story line I am basing a lot of this story on.

Chapter Sixteen- Returning to Normal

Lizzy sat on her bed as she retold the true events that had taken place over the past week. But she couldn't bring herself to tell Jane the events that lead her to stay at Pemberly that short time, and so told her the same story that the Gardiners had been told by Mr. Darcy in greater detail then her letters. Jane was astonished and deeply shocked by what she heard, particular regarding to Mr. Wickham's actions towards both Lizzy and Lydia.

"Oh my dearest Lizzy, how could Wickham treat you so?" Jane said her eyes bright and distressed as she grasped her sister's hands tightly. "And poor Lydia! What she has been through." Lizzy couldn't meet her sister's eye. Another detail she had neglected to mention was the level of intimacy that Wickham and Lydia had engaged in. "I cannot believe Wickham could have deceived us all so."

"I can," Lizzy answered bitterly. "There was a time I would never have believed such slander, but now…" Lizzy paused and swallowed, filled with shame. "I have been so blind, so wrong about so many people. I don't know who I am anymore."

Jane looked at her with surprised and concern. "Lizzy," she comforted with a smile. "You could not have prevented Wickham's actions; you could not have prevented it."

Lizzy blinked as a lone tear ran down her cheek, understanding that she would have to at last reveal everything to Jane. "But Jane…" she began. "I could have prevented it. I knew his true character before Lydia went to Brighton. I could have prevented this all if I just shared this knowledge with my sisters; I should have protected you all from this."

Jane kept hold of her hand but looked at Lizzy with disappoint and confusion. "I do not understand you, Lizzy. What are keeping from me?"

Lizzy took a deep breath and told Jane what had happened in Hunsford last spring. She told Jane in detail Mr. Darcy's proposal, her venomous refusal and the letter he wrote detailing his dealings with Mr. Wickham. But as she told the story, she still left out what had been spoken of between Jane and Mr. Bingley, not wishing to hurt her sister by relieving what was truly said. At this moment, she had thought perhaps it was the right thing to just reveal everything but Lizzy couldn't bring herself to hurt her sister.

Jane was quiet for a moment as she absorbed what Lizzy had told her, thinking it over with a sad expression.

"I'm so sorry for keeping this from you Jane," Lizzy said pleadingly. "Please forgive me; I did not know how to tell you, I'd been so wrong I never thought that the information would be valuable to any of us."

"Of course I forgive you Lizzy," Jane said calmly. "What occurs between Mr. Darcy and yourself is no business of mine." She squeezed her sister's hand. "But I treasure that you trust me with your confidence."

"You do not blame me for refusing him?" Lizzy asked searching for understanding in her sister's face.

"How could I blame you?"Jane replied incredulously. "Nor could I blame you about Mr. Wickham. How were you to know of his vicious character? Even with the information you had, personal details of Mr. Darcy's life are not for any of us to divulge without due consideration. I would have acted the same if I had been in your situation, Lizzy. You did the right thing and Mr. Wickham has been stopped from ruining our family."

Lizzy smiled warmly at her sister, feeling truly pleased to be home. "I have missed you so much Jane."

"I have missed you too. What you have been through, what Lydia has been through. And poor Mr. Darcy, he was always so severe. So cold apparently, but he was in love with you all the time?" Jane mused, still trying to process this as fact.

Lizzy's throat became constricted and she frantically fought to contain her emotions before Jane noticed her pain. "I have been more wrong about Mr. Darcy than anyone else," she said in a calm voice that did not reveal her deeper feelings.

Jane squeezed her hand, "You were not to know how he felt Lizzy; he hid those feelings very well and on occasion spoke some unkind things about you."

"He's done our family a great service though," Lizzy said, looking at her sister. "His good deeds for our family more than make up for any insults he may have directed at me at one time. My Uncle and I were only telling Father today how kind he was to us; he stopped Wickham from taking Lydia away."

"Or you," Jane said speaking quietly. "Oh Lizzy, did he hurt you? He didn't…force himself on you?"

"No!" Lizzy exclaimed immediately. "No compared to that I escaped unscathed; I was frightened, that is all. Mr. Darcy appeared in time to prevent Wickham from doing anything to compromise me."

"We will always be indebted to him," Jane said smiling.

"That is what my father said, although fortunately only Mr. Darcy and myself know what happened in that room. I think if it ever became public our family would have more disgrace than the royal family!" Lizzy commented with an exasperated laugh.

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Darcy rode through the rain and through the night to get to London the morning after he had left. The determination in his task helped to distract him from Miss Bennet and events of the past fortnight. He arrived at his London townhouse just before lunch, surprising his butler.

"Forgive me, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Cartwright apologised as he assisted his employer out his wet coat and hat. "We were not informed of your return to London."

"Please do not concern yourself," Mr. Darcy replied as reassurance. "Urgent business changed my arrangements only yesterday. I should apologise for not sending a messenger but previous experience has taught me I would have arrived sooner."

Mr. Cartwright smiled and bowed. "Sir, I must insist you allow us to run a hot bath for you and bring you a hot meal in your quarters before you attend to any business."

"Yes, that is the most sensible course of action," Mr. Darcy agreed and was followed by Cartwright up the main stairs of his townhouse.

"I shall have a bath ready for you as quickly as possible," Mr. Cartwright said as Darcy entered his room and saw with approval that his rooms were ready for him. His butler was of a superior standard who always ensured that at the very least Darcy's main rooms were ready for use at all times. "Is there anything else I can do to assist you with your business sir?"

"Yes," Darcy answered and he loosened his cravat. "Please send a messenger to Mr. Bingley's house informing him that I am currently in London and request dining with him this evening if convenient."

An hour later, he was refreshed and fed. His focus now was writing a quick letter to Georgiana explaining his delayed return to Pemberly. He could not return home until he'd made everything right. He sat at his writing desk and wrote a brief letter to his sister.

Dearest Georgiana,

I hope you are well upon receiving this letter; you are constantly in my thoughts. I have completed my duty escorting the Gardiners and Miss Bennett home and was deeply saddened to depart for London. I had found their company most enjoyable, as I know you have also during their brief stay at Pemberly.

My dear sister, I am sending instructions to Mrs. Reynolds that you remain at Pemberly for the time being. Any study that you require will be conducted from home. I will send you more information regarding my plans when I am aware of them myself, but my course is uncertain at the present. I hope to finalise my business and clarify my position soon and return to you a happier man.

Always know you are in my thoughts and I will be with you again soon.

Your affectionate brother,

Fitzwilliam Darcy.

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He joined Bingley that evening upon receiving an invitation insisting his presence. Bingley would not turn strangers away, so his best friend's presence was an honour he would not forego. Darcy spoke little of his recent ventures while he was in mixed company; Miss Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst joined them for dinner as they were staying with Mr. Bingley as usual. In fact, he did not share that he'd travelled with the Gardiners at all, being in no mood to be subjected to Caroline's teasing and scrutiny.

"Bingley," Darcy had said quietly while his sisters were deep in conversation. "I need to speak with you urgently regarding the business that brought me to London at such short notice."

"Of course my dear fellow," Bingley answered, his expression turning serious. "I do wish you would have said sooner; we could have discussed it as soon as you arrived."

"On the contrary it is not that urgent but my conscience won't allow me to procrastinate any longer on the subject."

Bingley led him to his study after dinner, served them both a glass of brandy and listened as Darcy relayed in moderate detail the events that had taken place over the previous week or so. He decided to spare Bingley the darker details of Elizabeth's and told the story that she fallen and stayed at Pemberly to recover until she received a disturbing letter from Jane which had immediately sparked Bingley's curiosity. The mention of the elder Miss Bennet marked a notable difference in his friend, much to Darcy's regret.

Darcy then explained the events at Brighton; the only detail left out was the conversation he'd heard between Elizabeth and Lydia.

"Heavens Darcy," Bingley said under his breath. "I am deeply disturbed by this news. Wickham had attempted to elope with Miss Lydia Bennet? The idea is unthinkable."

"It was soon obvious that his design was never marriage, Bingley," Darcy explained. "When our party arrived at Brighton, Wickham's cap was then set at Elizabeth Bennet, who was fortunately educated enough with his character to keep a distance from him, but…" Darcy swallowed as the memory was difficult to recall, particularly as he was not yet willing to relay his true feelings about the lady to his friend. "The night he attempted to elope with the younger Miss Bennet, Elizabeth came upon them to intervene, only to be accosted by Wickham insisting that she take her sister's place after admitting that he had no intention to marry either of them."

"Such behaviour is not to be born," Bingley remarked in disgust. "A fiend with the audacity to call himself a gentleman indeed. I am severely grieved by what you have told me." Bingley looked at Darcy in surprise and added. "I am surprised this news has not reached London."

"Even if news does travel fast, I doubt it would have reached London by now. But at any case, Mr. Gardiner's first priority was to prevent knowledge of Wickham's intention and actions be made public to protect the ladies involved. I know these details due to my proximity at the time. I was there, I fought Wickham myself, and it was the only way to get him out of my life."

"I fear that he will make a return," Bingley observed sadly. "He has done so once already, I fear it is only a matter of time before his good qualities allow him back into society."

"I fear this too," Darcy agreed, the mere thought making him fierce with rage. "But Colonel Forster did what he could to spread the truth of his character, with regard to his finances at least. This was all I could ask for."

"Indeed," Bingley agreed. "Well I thank you for telling me of these matters and I am saddened you had to face them alone, Darcy; I would have gladly joined you. But I can see that perhaps drawing attention to the situation would further put the Bennets at risk." Bingley was lost in thought for a moment and Darcy knew that he must reveal the truth regarding Jane Bennet while he had the opportunity.

"Bingley, there is something I must tell you," he began and told his friend the truth about Miss Bennet being in town and that he kept it from him. It was obvious to Bingley that his sisters must also have had a hand in it, but he was still furious at his friend.

"You tell me now that she was in London all those months? And you concealed it from me?" Bingley was shocked and outraged as he addressed Darcy.

Darcy looked back at him calmly and said, "Yes I did. I can offer no justification. It was an arrogant presumption, based on my failure to recognize your true feelings. And Miss Bennet's."

He looked at his friend for forgiveness. "I shouldn't have interfered. It was very wrong of me Bingley and I apologise."

Bingley expression was immediately softened and Darcy hoped that his behaviour would be forgiven by Bingley more willingly than Elizabeth Bennett had. "So I have your blessing?"Bingley asked.

Darcy was surprised and replied, "Do you need my blessing?"

Bingley held his hand higher and immediately said proudly. "No," he paused and added with a small smile. "But I should like to know I have it all the same."

Darcy held out his hand which Bingley took. "I will support you in all your endeavors, my friend, as I should have from the beginning."

A/N: Thanks for sticking by me, I will be posting Chapter 17 soon as it's already finished just being edited by my fab Beta. :) Please read and review