A/N: Dear god, is it this late already? I only got up three hours ago.... Anyway, hope you all had a happy Christmas. Sorry this chapter is so short. But the last one was really long, yeah? Heh.
Warning: Tissues needed. I cried writing this.
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Pride and Prejudice. That honor still belongs to Jane Austen, though. I did just get a copy of the book, though!
Elizabeth was terrified. George was at her house, had been for God knows how long, and Will was walking her home. She hadn't meant to leave him behind, but, though she would do anything for Jane, she didn't want to get hit more than necessary. She was suddenly aware of Will behind her as she ran, then he was beside her, and they made the door at the same time.
His hand dropped to hers. "I won't let you go through this alone," he whispered, and Elizabeth felt her heart warm in a way it hadn't since Jane had died. She opened the door, no longer afraid.
"Where the hell have you been?" George demanded the second she walked in the door.
"Meryton," Elizabeth said simply.
"Why haven't you picked up the phone?" was his next question.
"You know I never answer the phone on this day," Elizabeth replied, struggling to keep her calm.
George's face softened suddenly. "I'm sorry. I forgot, Lizzy."
Elizabeth flinched. No one had ever called her that but Jane. And then George, once they started dating.
George reached out for her, and said softly, "I am sorry. You know I love you, Lizzy."
Elizabeth felt her eyes brim with tears, and she backed away from him until she hit Will, her mind going unwillingly back to the last time she had heard George's last four words on this day of the year
***
It is so dark out. And cold, too, which is weird, because it's July. Her shirt is ripped open, almost falling off, and her arm is throbbing. Something warm and wet slides along it, and she hears dripping.
Suddenly, her eyes alight on the prone form of her sister. "Jane!" she croaks, wondering why her voice sounds so bad; she hadn't been hurt there.
"Lizzy," Jane whimpers. "It hurts."
She is on her knees instantly beside her sister. "Oh, Janey, I'm sorry! This shouldn't have happened! We should have gone home when you said so. This is all my fault!"
"No, Lizzy," Jane whispers. "No, it's not. It's his, whoever he is."
She wants to move her sister, but knows that would just make it worse. But then she thinks that it can't get any worse than it is. "Jane," she whispers, placing her sister's head in her lap.
"Lizzy, look at me," Jane demands. Chocolate eyes meet ice ones. "I love you, Lizzy," Jane manages.
"I love you, too, Janey," Lizzy says back, and cradles her sister's head.
The only thing that stops her giving up when her sister stops moving is the fact that the last thing Jane heard was that she was loved. I love you, too, Janey, and she vows to always say it when she wants to die.
***
Will didn't know what it was, but something had happened to Elizabeth. She had very suddenly backed away from George and into him, shaking her head, as if in disbelief.
"Lizzy?" George said softly.
Elizabeth flinched visibly again, and she pressed herself into Will. Instinctive in the urge to protect, he wrapped his arms around her middle and held her close. "Stop calling her that," he told George, his voice low and dark.
George finally seemed to notice him. "Darcy!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing with my girlfriend?"
"We met yesterday and became friends," Will said coldly.
"You better stay away from her," George Wickham—for that's who he was—told him. "You won't take her away from me, too."
Elizabeth pulled out of Will's embrace gently. Will let his arms fall to his sides and stepped back. He turned on his heel and headed out the door. As he closed the door behind himself, he glanced back at Wickham.
"If you hurt her, I will kill you." And with that, he was gone.