Author's note: This is my first attempt at a modern fanfic (the regency one I tried to do still remains on hiatus unfortunately) Please be forgiving! I'm sorry for the long delay: it was a month of hectic meetings, tests, evaluations, band practices etc. I'm sorry! Forgive me!

Disclaimer: Lalala, all characters and plot references belong to Jane Austen. If I owned them...I not sure what I would do.

Plot Summary: Still not at the point where Lizzy meets Darcy :( but we're getting there! Introduction of Mary, Kitty and Lydia as well as Charlotte.

Enjoy!

--

"Jane, dear, your aunt wrote to ask where you're planning to go for college," called Juli as her daughter walked into the kitchen.

"I think I'm settling for the University of Hertford, mum. It does seem to have a good education program and its close enough that I won't have to fly in to visit—"

"I thought we were discussing something a bit grander, dear. An Ivy League school wouldn't be out of your reach. Your SAT scores are surely high enough—" Juli interjected as she set down a plate of breakfast in front of her daughter.

"—Ivy League just doesn't seem to have the right program for me."

"Oh all right, we'll support whatever you decide, dear. Your aunt writes that they would love to have you live with them."

"I'm sure Uncle Mal will be very welcoming – it would be delightful!" exclaimed Jane over her eggs.

"What would be delightful? Morning all," asked Lizzie, sitting down in front of her share and started shoveling down bacon.

"Jane's probably going to live with your cousins, dear," explained Juli.

"Cousins? Which cousins?"

"Mary and Kitty."

"Ugh," groaned Lizzie, "seriously?" Juli shot her daughter a disapproving look to mind her manners and attitude. "Sorry mum. Even though Uncle Mal is cool, those two are rather…iffy."

"Iffy?" inquired Jane.

"Er yeah, their behavior and all," Lizzie explained waving her fork for general emphasis.

Juli smiled gently. "You know, dear," she began, "you attitude wasn't all that great as of a year ago."

"Right," Lizzie acquiesced.

The girls had undergone the typical teenage rebellion stage, but Lizzie was a livewire for a total of two years. Juli and James didn't know if it was the friends, the music, or school that made their daughter, sullen, moody and constantly lashing out with a violent temper. Now, approaching the end of her high school years, she had matured from the acne complexion to a pretty young lady. Pretty was by far no comparison to Jane with a true angelic appearance who had brains to match looks, no dumb blonde here. In all that she was soft, gentle and kind, Lizzie was sharp, quick-witted and sarcastic. The two made a stunning pair being best friends and close siblings.

Jane broke their comfortable silence to ask their plans for the day.

"Your father's at another of his Literature functions, so I'll be spending my day looking after Chris and doing research."

"If you're not busy Lizzie, I would like to take you shopping," Jane began, cut off by a child's wail emanating from the second floor.

"That would be my cue, have fun children," their mom said, rushing out of the room to attend to the youngest sibling.

"Shopping? No problem." And the sisters set out to the largest shopping centre in the district, London Square. They welcomed the cool air-conditioning of the mall, and began systematically browsing through stores, combing their stock for bargains.

"This is perfect for you Janey, I'll get it for you," exclaimed Lizzie who was peering into a glass case at a silver chain necklace. Jane came over to see what caused the reaction and let out a gasp.

"Oh it's exquisite, but it's much too expensive Lizzie," she protested.

"Nonsense, you're going away to college in a few months and then I won't see you for ages. This will make up for you birthday and Christmas presents."

"If you put it that way," replied Jane still dubious.

Lizzie fibbed; it was that necklace and bags upon bags of clothing that was a going away present to her sister.

"Lizzie, you've got stop," objected Jane, laughing, "I don't want to be the cause of your bankruptcy!"

"It's not me going bankrupt, mom and dad asked me to buy their share for you—"

"Oh thank goodness!"

"—and we all know how Aunt Phillips and the rest are rather particular about clothing and appearances. I don't want to appear shallow but I, personally, would feel happy if you would do our family justice with you looks Janey."Her sister blushed. Her looks were a blessing and a curse in a way. She had been plagued by the male population since her 'blossoming', and she found that many were unable to look beyond looks to see intelligence underneath.

"Oh Lizzie, don't say that," she scolded.

"You know it's true!"

Jane shot a pointed look at her sister. "You know what would make me feel better, if you helped me settle in, in August. Come with me to Uncle Mals?"

This was met with a groan and Lizzie grudgingly agreed to her Jane's wish.

--

"Why am I here again," thought Lizzie out loud in the middle of a peaceful car ride with her sister as the cruised along on the highway.

"You promised me a month ago Lizzie."

"I did, didn't I? Am I a masochist or what? To bring this torture onto myself freely…ugh," groaned Lizzie as she settled back into the car seat.

"I'm sure they won't be that bad once I get used to them…"

"Right, and the reason mom never invites them over is?"

"It's inconvenient for them to travel?"

"You know the answer my dear sister, and that's not it." Jane made no answer because she was frowning over confusing road signs.

"Could you check the map Lizzie? I'm confused as to where I was supposed to switch lanes and get off this thing."

Her sister followed the instructions and managed to get out directions in time for them to turn off the highway and onto the quiet streets of the suburb. Minutes later, they turned into a long driveway fenced off with hedges on either side.

"A bit overdone don't you think? I would nearly expect a fountain and a roundabout at the end of this thing," commented Lizzie.

They were greeted by a large stone and brick monstrosity that left them awed by lack of taste. In either case, they were warmly greeted by Uncle Mal who rushed out and down then stone steps to help unload luggage. They were welcomed by their aunt with a stiff hug each and were directed to their rooms to settle down.

"Whew," Lizzie let out a breath of relief as she flopped down unceremoniously on the perfectly made bed, "we survived the first part, let the inquisition begin with dinner."

And it was. They were led to a stiff and formal dining setting and reintroduced to their cousins, minus one. Lydia, they explained, had a previous engagement that she couldn't cancel. The silence of the moment was broken by the serving of the food then the chattering of their aunt.

"How is your family Jane? James and Juli?" their aunt inquired through spoonfuls of soup.

"Oh, we're all quite well, thank you. Dad continues with his college functions and Mom is doing quite well looking after Chris and doing her research," Jane answered politely.

Their aunt couldn't hide a snort. "She should devote all her time and energy onto your brother. I did with my children and look how well they turned out—." It was Lizzie's turn to hide a snort behind a cough, emitting a strange choking noise.

"—your mother," their aunt began again, glaring pointedly at Lizzie, "should do the same if she knows what's best for her and wants to keep her man. If it wasn't for my devotion and promise to your mother, I wouldn't hesitate to break contact with that woman."

"Our mother?"

"Fanny."

"Restrain yourself," muttered their uncle, much to the embarrassment of the entire table.

"Of course, Jane looks so much like Juli these days that it's hard to imagine that Juli wasn't our real mother," Lizzie threw in with a glance at their aunt, knowing that with this, she couldn't possibly insult one without insulting the other.

Acknowledging minor defeat, the woman nodded and simply commented on Jane's beauty. "But dear," she turned to address Jane, "please understand that we will have no scandalous behavior in this house."

You could have heard a pin drop.

"My sister is not loose."

The room was once again doused in silence until they rose to withdraw to the living room for some evening 'entertainment'.

"Mary, you will demonstrate," their aunt ordered, gesturing sharply to the beautiful black Steinway that adorned the room.

"Yes, mother."

The rest of the party seated themselves in the arrangement of sofas and lounge chairs with a visible divide between the adults and the younger generation. Jane, being the peacemaker she was, tried to start up some small talk between herself, her sister and Kitty who sat there obviously hating every second of the evening.

"So, tell me more about yourself, Kitty. Kitty does stand for Katherine does it not?" she enquired gently.

Their cousin started at being addressed, "yes, yes, but Katherine is so pish-posh, Kitty sounds so much better don't you think?" all the while giving them, or attempting to give them, a 'kittenish look'.

Right thought Lizzie as she tried not to laugh.

Trying to be civil, Jane continued. "So, where's your sister on this fine evening?"

Kitty's face fell, "Lydia doesn't know how lucky she is not being here—"catching her faux pas, "no offense, is probably at a club or another. Mum thinks she's at a friend's house at a parent supervised party. I sure hope that Tim isn't there, Tim this really, really, hot footballer at our school…oh my goodness if she flirted with him I don't know what I'll do –"

Her long 'rant' was fortunately, at least in Lizzie's opinion, cut short by the closing chord of Mary's piano concerto that had droned on for at least twenty minutes. Apparently the performance satisfied Aunt Phillips, so she was allowed to find a seat to with the rest of the girls.

"Is she talking about her boys again?" Mary asked Jane and Lizzie, emphasizing the plural. They gave a slight nod of affirmative.

"Sorry about her being so…boy-crazy," Mary said with a sneer to her sister.

"At least I have a boy unlike you," Kitty shot back.

"I'd rather be celibate than a whore, throwing yourself at every male that comes in your range. You're not even in university and I bet you've slept with more men than you can count with your fingers. And the clothes you out in: itty-bitty scraps of cloth than barely. And on top of that, our mother is a hypocrite when it comes to you sluts. You and Lydia make me sick. Give me a break, here she comes now," spat out Mary.

The girls looked towards the large window framed by heavy maroon drapes. Indeed, through the dim driveway lights, they could see movement and could hear distinct giggling. Minutes later, the front door slammed open to reveal their youngest cousin, true to Mary's word, dressed in scraps of fabric that could barely be labeled decent.

"Ah there you are my dear," cried their aunt delightfully, jumping off the couch to greet her daughter with open arms, "come and sit with you cousins."

Lydia gingerly walked over the couch and sat down beside her sister. "How'd y'do," she slurred in greeting and extended her arm to shake their hands.

"Very well. And your evening?" Jane answered civilly, each sister courteously shaking her hand. As Lizzie looked down towards her cousin's arms, she saw a distinct trail of puncture holes along the vein. She does drugs?

"Excellent," was the reply before turning to her sister. "You know Kitty; it was great that you weren't there to hinder Tom and me. It serves you right for tattling on me last time, and I pity that you had to spend your time here. You should have heard the gossip…and the dancing, it was so exciting: Tom and I were the spotlight couple on the floor…you so should have seen us—"

Mary turned, shook her head in exasperation and stalked off out the room. Lizzie could only look helplessly at her sister and they watched the verbal gladiator fight with Lydia as the lion and Kitty being torn to pieces. Their aunt was absorbed with some inane game show on the television that they couldn't recognize and their uncle was contentedly reading a book by the fireplace.

When they were finally excused from the room, and found themselves flopping on their beds in their rooms, Lizzie turned to her sister. "So Jane, how are you going to spend the next four years here? I would move out as soon as I have a chance. Thank goodness I'm leaving tomorrow evening!"

Jane grimaced, "yeah, I feel ungracious to admit it by the do tax my nerves—"

"Much more than tax, it's more like shredding to pieces."

"Well at least Mary doesn't seem so bad, she seemed to have some kind of sense and moral code that she lives by at least. Kitty just seems under pressure as a middle child and it's quite weird to see her, as an older sibling, following Lydia's lead. Well Lydia is just a bit wild – it's probably just a phase."

Lizzie snorted. "A phase that she could grow out of? I think not. She's the sketchiest one of the lot I'd imagine. How old is she to be off at bars and clubs at all hours of the night. By the brief description Kitty gave us, they live more than a wild life. They're bound to get into some kind of trouble sooner or later."

"I sure hope not, it would bring our aunt and uncle so much grief."

"Would you kill me if I say it serves them right?"

Jane just admonished her exasperatedly and the pair soon found themselves asleep within minutes, falling deep into sweet dreams of the future. Their future, however, was found to have come too quick early the next morning as the sun came streaming through the window and awakening them.

"Ugh, I hate mornings…I hate birds. Damn things, how can they be so cheerful at this time," groaned Lizzie as she dragged herself out of bed to begin her normal morning routine.

"I think it's a nice way to wake up," smiled Jane, used to her sister's hatred of the morning. She herself was more of a morning person who enjoyed the freshness of dawn and hated wasting time lying about in bed. She had already finished dressing and was sitting watching the morning news and unpacking her luggage.

"How's the weather today," asked Lizzie when she finally came out, looking more alive than when she went in.

"Good. Nice and sunny for your leave. So have you decided what you're going to do? Are you going home or staying with friends for a couple of days at the lake?"

"Probably the lake, Char called and said that she was free and I promised her that we would finally spend some time together this summer before our lives become hectic again," Lizzie answered, replacing her toiletry into her luggage.

Char, Charlotte Lucas, had been a school friend of Lizzie since grade 3. The older Char who was in grade 7 at the time was assigned the role as Lizzie's reading buddy, quickly formed a firm relationship with her. They grew to be great friends and Char as Lizzie's ever present mentor. Since graduating high school, Char had moved on to college and then a graduate degree in information studies. Needless to say, every summer was a joyous one when the two girls got together for some time to talk about the year and have fun.

"Oh, how is Char doing these days?"

"She's jolly good apparently, her dissertation has been going really well and she's just being…well…Charlotte like." Their friend had a tendency to become buried in books and to forget reality from time to time. In truth, she was not great beauty, but spent her devotion in her studies: a true brain.

The girls rushed down the stairs giddy and excited about their plans until they stepped into the dining room. It was like a cold draft had swept that particular area and Lizzie could distinctly feel goose-bumps on her skin as they stepped into the room and sat down.

"Good morning girls," greeted their aunt stiffly.

"Good morning," replied Jane with a smile.

"Mornin'," responded Lizzie absentmindedly, already having dug into the bacon. This was met by a sniff of disapproval from their aunt.

"It would do well for you to learn some manners, m'dear."

"I am not your dear," Lizzie muttered under her breath."

"Pardon? Speak up child!"

"I said: so it would appear," Lizzie repeated loudly and clearly. Jane and Mary let out suppressed snorts that got their aunt glancing at every-which way.

"What was that noise," she demanded.

"Gas from your ass?" retorted Lizzie in a whisper.

"What!"

"Huh, I just said that maybe it was a crash." And so it continued for the rest of the meal.

"Lizzie, that was rather rude," Jane scolded as they were in the room finishing unpacking Jane's luggage and preparing to heave Lizzie's suitcase downstairs.

"It serves her right, the old hag," Lizzie replied, snickering.

All Jane could do was sigh. Lizzie was big on first impressions and this aunt apparently didn't receive a passing grade.

"Well have fun with Char at the lake, Lizzie. I'll see you soon."

"I hope they won't tear at your nerves that much Janey, do take care."

The sisters embraced and loaded Lizzie's suitcase into the back of Char's waiting car. Lizzie had never felt happier than when she was leaving that house, chatting animatedly with Char driving and looking forward to the real fun that came with the pond.

Goodbye hell.

--

"So how's life treating you Char," asked Lizzie as they were well settled into the cottage at the Pond, an area owned by Mr. Lucas, Char's father.

"Oh jolly good and the usual," chuckled her friend.

"Anyone new, luv?" pressed Lizzie. Charlotte blushed. Woah that's new thought Lizzie. "I'll that that as a yes: who? Who? Who?"

"It's nothing really," she began, stopping at Lizzie's disbelieving gaze. "Fine. His name is Bill Collins and we met at one of your dad's literature functions at the university, you know how he holds those things every so often to spice up his classes and he invited me because I'm interested in those kinds of things—"

"Stop avoiding the topic…!"

"Patience is a virtue, you know. Well your dad introduced us and we started talking."

"Just talking?" Charlotte blushed even brighter.

"Lizzie! Yes, just talking. He was very polite and acted the gentleman. He seems very nice, a bit weird, but he asked me out and I said yes."

"Whoopee! And when do I get to meet this Mr. Special?"

"Lizzie, didn't I just mention that it isn't anything that serious yet."

"Aha! You said "yet" meaning that you hope for more."

"Stop reading things where there is none! You know full well what I mean!"

"What do you mean?"

"Lizzie," Char said more soberly, "I am fully aware that I am old, ugly and not the least bit attractive to men. I'm starting to yearn for a family and children and Bill is one of the few that noticed me—"

"Char! You're not old or ugly: plenty of women get married late—"

"Lizzie, it's also hard to support myself. Information science: what can I do? Be a librarian? It doesn't pay all that well. It's hard to get looked down upon – nearly thirty and still living with my parents. It's time I moved on to the next stage in life."

"But do you like him? Do you think you love him?"

"I do believe that I could like him and learn to love him."

"If you don't?"

"Lizzie, don't you understand what I'm getting at? He's offered a comfortable life, everything I ever dreamed for: a nice house, a car, a family. He has a stable job with a good income and my life will be decent. He asked me to marry him Lizzie, and I plan to accept because I feel that I need this, and this type of opportunity won't come by this easily again."

Lizzie was aghast. What happened to the dreams of prince charming on a white horse sweeping each girl of her feet and to a life of happily ever after? Her friend made marriage sound like a business deal rather than the bond of true love. "Charlotte, what about…love?"

Her friend made a bitter, harsh sound. "Love? What room is there for love? All I ask for is comfort and I don't want you to judge me Lizzie. Happy endings only truly happen in fairy-tales, I can't wait any longer for a dashing prince to come sweep me away from reality." With that, she stalked off leaving her friend to stare at the empty room.

Later that night, they were still not fully on speaking terms.

"Listen Char, I'm sorry, okay? But—"

"No buts Lizzie."

"Only if you're sure—"

"I'm sure."

That night, Lizzie lay awake under the stars, thinking of her future. As she fell asleep to the clutches of her dreams, she was under a tree on a fine summer's day reading a book before being swept up in strong arms and carried onto a horse. As they rode off to the sunset, she turned to meet her prince's face only to find herself staring at the bright sunlight coming from the slit in the drawn curtains.

--

"Letters for you m'darling," gave Juli a sudden start, nearly slopping her newly poured cup of coffee onto herself.

"James! What are you doing up so early?" Her husband, like most of the normal people on the world, was of those who would sleep in if they could. After Christopher's near daily midnight feedings, one would think that he would take the boy's now regular sleeping and waking times to his full advantage. It was seven o'clock on a Saturday morning, Jane was at their aunt's, and Lizzie was at the Pond.

"An optional Lit class function I'm holding at the uni today."

"Oh, what's it this time? Shakespeare performances? Recitations of Byron?" James, being an English professor at the local university, was noted for his wit, humour, and innovative classes.

"Please dear, give me some credit, Shakespeare performances are so generic—"At that, his wife raised an eyebrow and gestured for him to continue. "We're actually having a tea-party."

"A tea-party." James could have sworn his wife had a full-blown face twitch.

"In full regency regalia…we are studying Austen currently."

"Well, good luck with that," Juli remarked as she chuckled at the idea. A sound kiss on the lips from her husband, and once again she was left alone at the kitchen table.

By her calculations, she would hear Christopher calling in about two hours, then lunch would have to be served an hour after that. Meaning she had plenty of time to look over her correspondence, starting with today's mail.

Setting aside flyers from the local stores and boutiques for the girls to look over when they would eat, she looked at the mail and sorted them accordingly: the usual phone bills, electricity, gas, and water bills, charity mail for Jane, Lizzie's music magazine – all the usual.

As she opened up one of her letters, she noticed that it was from a law firm, not their usual one. Curious.

Bennington and Associates, Barristers & Solicitors

--- Crt. London, England

To Ms. Juliana Simmons

--- Blvd. New York

Ms. Simmons,

We regretfully send you our condolences on the matter of the passing of Lady Anne Darcy (nee Fitzwilliam) and address you in regards to her will. Under section 5, titled Legacy it is written

I [Lady Anne Darcy nee Fitzwilliam give, devise and leave in legacy all my personal belongings, of every nature and kind including property over which I may have a general power of appointment to my childhood friend Miss Juliana Simmons, if she survives me for a period of thirty (30) days for her own use absolutely.

In regards to this matter, we ask that you oblige us with a written response to this communiqué and apply to us the address of your residency so that we may arrange delivery. For your information, all mail costs have already been covered.

Once again, we offer our sympathy,

Bennington and Associates

This letter, printed neatly on high-quality cream coloured paper, floated gently to the floor as Juli sat in shock.

Anne, dead? It couldn't be, was all she could think for the next hour as she finally gathered herself to compose a letter to the firm, providing her address for delivery of Anne's belongings.

-----------------------------------------------P&P

I decided that skipping over that many years to reach to Meryton was too much, so here is this chapter with some character introductions and plot development.

I'm still trying to decide whether to have a nasty Collins or an okay one.

One question to the readers: what items do you think should Juli get from Anne's belongings? I intend to write a series of vignettes, one for a special time with each object.

Any suggestions?

As always to my reviewers, I thank you with the depths of my heart! I'm sorry about the slow updates: writer's block just refuses to leave.

trek-elly