The Quest of Time: Now or Never

Sorry guys, it took so much time to update, I was having a really bad week. I wrote this chapter in a foul mood and I don't like how it turned up. Was working on it whole week but still I am unhappy with it. Now I don't want to work on it anymore so I am posting it now, maybe I'll change it later.

Want to thank everyone who read, reviewed the story and put it on favourite list. You guys rock my socks. Also want to say thanks to Irene Blake, PapillondeGalloise, geril, ishbit92, Marivan, Miriam, Gentileschi, mimiclemson.

Chapter 6

Lizzie's anger was still not diminished, she looked up in the sky as if talking to someone and started to shout again, "Why, oh why. Why did you do this to me? What have I done to deserve this? Why are you torturing me like this? I had never killed anyone in my life, thought about it but never did it. Never physically hurt any innocent people, only beaten up who deserved it and I had never hurt anyone's feelings, only the horrible and wicked people and they were asking for it. I had never hurt any good people in my life intentionally".

As Lizzie was saying these things, more like confessing, she realized she had done many wrong and crazy things in her life. No matter how she tried to justify her actions by saying those people deserved it, she knew she had made mistakes, said and done terrible things and this was her punishment, her sentence. She was a strong believer of Karma and knew it was coming back to bite her ass. But she didn't believe that she deserved such retribution for her sins.

"Fuck you, fuck you bad. Universe, you are a bitch", she finally yelled and gave up.

"Miss Bennet, you should apprehend yourself from behaving in such a rowdy manner", was all Darcy could say in shock watching Lizzie act out.

"You, you, shut the fuck up. I am really pissed off right now, so much that I can kill anyone with my bare hands. And if you don't shut the hell up, I swear it will be you", Lizzie was now directing all her anger and frustration at Darcy.

"I will not tolerate your threat and crazy outburst anymore. Who do you think you are", Darcy yelled looking angrily at her, trying to intimidate her.

"Can't you see, I have been dumped into this shithole of 19th century from my time and I am supposed to celebrate that? My whole goddamn life has been taken away from me and I am not even allowed to curse and get angry", Lizzie said sarcastically.

"Madam, you certainly do not think you are from 21st century. I cannot believe that", Darcy said arrogantly.

"Does it look like I give a damn of what you believe or don't believe right now", Lizzie said angrily.

"But, how, how is that even possible", was all he said and was thinking hard.

"How the hell do I know", she answered but his question made her think the same thing. How is that possible, how she travelled back in time, and if she figured that out, she might find her way back to her own time too.

Subconsciously she started to pace again and began brainstorming. All the books she had read mostly physics and science-fiction, movies she had watched, every bit of information was going inside her brain as rapid recollection. She again started to think out loud everything before the freak accident, "I was driving my car; this cannot happen because of that, it is not a time machine. I was talking on my cell, that's can't cause it either. Anyways, I use them daily and it never happened before, so it is something else."

Darcy was intently listening to her babble, he could not concentrate because she was pacing so he closed his eyes and focused on her voice. She was trying to make herself understand what had happened and he listened to her intently so that he could understand too. Because he believed her too, that she was from 21st century. Only his arrogance and rationality was saying that she was crazy but from the moment he saw her with strange objects he knew she was not from around the place and might not be around from the same time as well.

"It was raining and there was a huge storm, maybe natural imbalance and chaos caused it. Now that I remember, there was a lightning and I think it hit the car. Yes, maybe the lighting caused it. But lightning is supposed to electrocute you, burn you, and not throw you back in time. How can lightning do that? Think, Lizzie think. All these years of obsessing over sci-fi, bring it to use", Lizzie said knocking her head with her knuckles.

She was frantically trying to come up with a theory, an explanation for all what had happened. She continued her thought process, "Maybe lightning created a massive energy field and it does carry thousands of volts of energy. Yeah, maybe the energy imbalance created a wormhole in space-time continuum. It must have created a portal to different dimension in time and since I was in that energy field, I travelled through it. Oh, God, it doesn't make any sense. But that's the best I can come up with right now. I need to study about it more..."

Darcy could not believe all the mumbo jumbo Lizzie was talking about but few things made sense to him. He now believed too that she was from future, she had travelled back in time, she was from a totally different world from him with strange manners and stranger objects. He was shocked with the revelation a shrill sound came out of his mouth saying "Dear Lord, you are from future!"

Lizzie's lost her concentration hearing Darcy and said sarcastically "Glad you kept up, Einstein".

"Who is Einstein", Darcy asked, he was now in awe of that woman.

"Forget about that. The important thing now is, if I could find more about this portal or wormhole then I can find another one and hopefully can go back to my time", Lizzie said with a glimmer of hope. After a very long day this thought made her smile. She was an optimist and believed with hard work and determination anything was possible and this thought will make her do the impossible.

Darcy was looking at Lizzie in wonder and amazement; it was like when a child gets his favourite toy for Christmas. He could not believe he was standing in front of a creature from different time and world; she possessed information about the new world, new society, new customs and new technology. He wanted to ask her about all those things but was unaware of how to proceed.

"You believe you can find your way back to your own time", he asked curiously.

"Yeah, I think so. I have to. I cannot be stuck here forever. I have my life to get back to or I will die here", Lizzie said still thinking hard, it was easier said than done.

"Ok, think.... I need a plan", her rational and analytical mind came into effect.

"I need food, money, place to live, do some research and equipments to carry out some experiments... ooh..., that will be the tough one. Ok, I can do this. This is possible, it is feasible", Lizzie was talking to herself and trying to assure herself. She did not want to lose this positive attitude, she did not want to get dejected and give up. She was happy that her mind was like that, in the time of crisis, instead of panic attacks, she got optimism attacks.

She started to look at herself and her things. She took out her wallet but the money and credit cards were of no use to her. She started to take off her jewelleries she was wearing. She had a small locket shaped like heart and L written on it, her mother gave it to her on her eighteenth birthday, it was made up of white gold and white silver; a pair of small diamond earrings, her father gave her on her twenty-first birthday and an old and antique sapphire ring on her finger which she got from her grand-mother. Of all of her possession this was the most precious to her, not because of its monetary value but of sentimental value and memories. This was the only thing she had of her granny whom she was very close to and she loved the ring a lot. So she decided she could sell the locket and earrings and if worse come to worst, she had to sell the ring.

Darcy was very intently looking at Lizzie, who was lost in her own thoughts. He heard her say something about portal and wormhole and then about some plan for food, money and house and then he saw her stripping all her jewelleries. He realized what was going in her mind, she was in need of food and place to live and she was going to sell those things for money. He felt as an honest Christian he should help this woman in need with shelter and food. But he was not sure if it was a proper to ask her to live with him. She was a single woman with no family, friends and society, he could not ask her to stay with her all alone, without any acquaintance. People will talk; they will ridicule him, make a mockery of his family name and will misunderstand his intentions. And Fitzwilliam Darcy was the man of honour, pride and class. He could not associate himself with any random woman, who had no manners, no sense of talking, no class, society and social demeanour. He had already tolerated so much of her insults and there is a limit to the things he could ignore, but not anymore. His pride was not allowing him to say it but his heart was telling him to help that woman.

His mental dilemma gave up as soon as he looked through her deep brown eyes. Few moments earlier he had seen pain and hopelessness in them and now he could see the fire and determination, will and strength to do the impossible. He admired Lizzie's courage and finally gave to his heart. He explained to himself that he was only doing it because he is a gentleman and it is his duty.

"Miss Bennet, please accept my invitation to stay at my house, at Pemberly, until you find a solution to your difficult situation", he said curtly.

Lizzie gave Darcy a questioning look, gave a small mocked laugh and said, "Are you freaking kidding me? I don't think so". She knew he was telling the truth all this time, but she still didn't trust the guy. He was too arrogant for her liking.

Darcy was little taken aback by her rejection. He was helping her and again as earlier she refused him flat on his face. "But...", he tried to say angrily.

She cut him in the middle, "I am sorry, what was your name again? I forgot".

Darcy angrily said, "My name is Fitzwilliam Darcy". All he could think was how this woman could forget his name, after everything he had done for her.

"Oh yeah, sorry about that! What should I call you, Fitz, William or .."

"You should call me Mr. Darcy", he said distastefully with a rage on his face. He was now having second thought about his offer. How could he have asked a woman to live at his house as a guest who does not even know how to address someone properly?

"Yeah, I was going to say that. Ok Mr. Darcy, I only have one question for you. Who do you think I am", Lizzie asked looking at him curiously as to measure him.

"You are Miss Elizabeth Bennet", he answered. He could not understand her intention in asking such ridiculous questions.

"And, what else you know about me?"

"You had a terrible accident and you somehow travelled through your time to this time."

"And you believe me, that all of this is true", she questioned.

"Yes, I do", he said impatiently.

"Why?"

"Why?", Darcy did not understand what she was intending.

"Yeah, why do you believe me? Why do you think I am telling the truth and I am not some crazy lunatic who is making this stuff up? I thought people in this time are conservative and superstitious. They do not believe in such things. Hell, if someone said that to me, even I won't believe it. And any things which you people cannot understand, you think it's evil and crazy magic witchy stuff", Lizzie asked and suddenly a horrific thought came to her mind "Oh my God, you guys don't burn witches on fire, do you?"

Darcy was shocked by her question too and said, "No, we don't burn witches on fire. This is not a medieval time and people here are not all conservative and superstitious. We believe in science and natural phenomenon. And, as far as believing you go, I had seen enough of evidence and have enough intelligence to understand that you are telling the truth about your incident of travelling through time".

"Ok good to know about the witch part", Lizzie sighed with relief and said, "But why you want me to live with you, after everything I did to you. I accused you of being a crazy lunatic psychopathic killer; I yelled at you countless time and punched you right on your face. And still you want me as your guest, stay in your house", she said all her doubts. She wanted to figure out why he wanted her to stay with him, what was his hidden intention.

"I know that, I was the one subjected to all of that. You do not need to remind me. I believe you only did those preposterous things because you were upset and confused and lost your mind for a brief period of time", Darcy said trying to downplay his anger and frustration towards her. Even he questioned himself as why was he doing it after everything she did and as she herself honestly pointed it all out.

"FYI, even though I was upset, I didn't lose my mind", Lizzie said sarcastically. She was not satisfied by his answer. So she prodded, "What are your intentions, Mr. Darcy? What's your catch? Why you are inviting me to live with you".

"Miss Bennet, you are in trouble and have nowhere to go. I think it is my duty as a gentleman and as a Christian to help a distressed woman in need. That is why I am asking you to consider my suggestion", Darcy said flatly. He didn't like explaining himself to anyone, especially her about his intentions and actions.

"Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. Your God will not smite you if you leave me here", Lizzie said rolling her eyes and gathering her stuffs to leave and get back to her car.

"I know he won't because I am not a sinner unlike you", Darcy said cruelly with grimace on his face.

"No need to get offended, just pointing a fact here", Lizzie said with a laugh.

"How can I not be offended? My intentions are honest and honourable. I only offered you help because I thought you were helpless and needed my help. And you imply that I have some hidden purpose".

"Oh come on, Mr. Darcy. You do not run a shelter or anything. And I just don't believe that you go around asking helpless and needy people to come and live with you", Lizzie said dryly.

"Alright, forget that I even asked. I only believed it would be easier and convenient for you to stay at Pemberly. But clearly you do not appreciate anyone and ridicule their intentions. I am sorry to waste your precious time. Good day, Miss Bennet", Darcy said angrily, bowed and started to walk away from her. He was so angry at himself for inviting her and making a travesty of himself.

Lizzie when saw Darcy leaving realized that she did need help, anyone's help, so why not it be him. If she wanted to return to her own time, she needed to find the wormhole, the only one which she encountered brought her to those woods and if she wanted to find another portal she had to look in the same woods, which was unfortunately Darcy's private property. She might not trust him but she needed to trespass into his property to find the portal again and it would be easier and convenient for her if she stayed nearby. So she gave up, swallowed her pride and ran after Darcy.

"Mr. Darcy, please wait", Lizzie said trying to make best of what she had.

Darcy stopped hearing her turned around and gave her a sharp look.

Lizzie tried to smile and politely said, "Mr. Darcy, now I think again, I will like to take you on your offer, if it still stands".

Now it was Darcy's turn to question her. "Why Miss Bennet, why do you want to stay with me? As a moment ago, you so clearly rejected my offer", he asked haughtily.

Lizzie rolled her eyes seeing that he was trying to give her hard time. She sighed and explained "Cause, as much as I am capable of taking care of myself, I do need a place to live and someone's help. And as you said earlier it is easier and convenient. After all beggars can't be choosers". She tried to make a joke but seeing his stone face asked, "So, is your offer still stands".

Darcy took few moments before he answered "Yes, it does".

"Great, thanks a lot", she said with a smile and hesitantly added, "I want to pay for it. You know like a rent or something".

Darcy said with revulsion, "I am not doing it for money, Miss Bennet".

"Yeah, I know Mr. Darcy but I am not a charity case either. I want to pay for the time I'll be staying at your house", Lizzie said sternly.

"I cannot accept your money. The mere thought of taking money for helping someone is revolting", Darcy said sordidly.

Lizzie thought for a second, she didn't want to piss him off, so she coolly said, "Ok, I can work for you then".

"What", Darcy asked, he did not understand this woman.

"Yeah, I can work for you. I have got many useful skills".

"Miss Bennet, I do not want you to work for me", Darcy said irritatingly.

"Mr. Darcy, I insist. I cannot live with you like a free loader. I have to do something in return. This is my final offer, take it or leave it", Lizzie gave her ultimatum.

Darcy thought for a moment, he realized Miss Bennet was an honest person and this was her way to honour her integrity. He still could not consider her suggestion so he awkwardly said, "But Miss Bennet, what work can you do for me".

"Hmm", Lizzie mused for a minute thinking hard how she can be useful for him. "I cannot do my regular job for you, because the things I do for living have not been invented yet. But I have other skills, like I am good with technical and mechanical things", she said enthusiastically.

Darcy wondered that she could do those things; she must be very capable and accomplished. "Miss Bennet, I do not own any technical or mechanical things".

"Ok then I can do your taxes. I am good at keeping books and accounts stuffs", she added.

"But I already have people to do those things for me", Darcy said.

"Alright, so you have people to do everything for you. But I can teach you new stuffs like recycling, saving your energy and modernizing your home and office. I can even do manual work for you", she said eagerly.

"That would not be necessary. I already have many servants", Darcy said uncertainly. He was unable to explain to her that he did not want anything from her.

"Oh, come on. Isn't there anything I can do for you, anything at all? Do I need to look for other place to live", Lizzie said flying her hands in the air now getting irritated.

"Well..", Darcy didn't want her to leave so he thought of anything he wanted from her. He was fascinated by the things she had so he hesitantly asked, "I would really like to know about your world Miss Bennet. And if you could show me and tell me about various objects you have, I am very intrigued by those things".

Lizzie rolled her eyes, "Boys and their toys". She laughed and said, "Awesome, I can show you and tell you about those stuffs, you can even have some. So we have a deal".

"That would be agreeable. I guess we have a deal", Darcy nodded politely and gestured her to walk back to his home and Lizzie followed him.

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