Okay, darlings! Sorry it's been so long, but I've been away from my computer in more ways than one in the past few weeks. Not to worry, though! To make up for it, I'm giving you two chapters of "Without", plus one of "Difference"!

Disclaimer: Let's keep it short tonight. I disclaim!

"Where'd you meet him?"

"In town yesterday. Rob Lucas introduced us. You know, Charlotte's little brother."

"Yeah, I know who he is."

"What did you mean that he won't take me away from you, too?"

George looked searchingly at Elizabeth. "You know I never went to college, right?" he asked.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Answer the question."

"Yeah, I know that."

"That—" he indicated the door through which Will had just gone, "—is the reason why."

"What?" Elizabeth said, disbelieving.

"When I was younger, I had to be put in foster care; my parents couldn't take care of me. After being shuffled around a bit, I got put with the Darcys, and we grew close to each other. Darcy's father, Benjamin, died shortly before Darcy and I graduated high school. Benjamin had promised to fund my college, but Darcy refused to do it, just before our first semester started."

Elizabeth stared at him. "He wouldn't do something like that," she said.

"You've known him for two days!"

"During which he's been nothing but nice, if a bit shy!"

She didn't see the fist until just before it hit her.

***

"Will."

Will pulled back from Elizabeth's face, where he had been tending to the cut a bit off center of her forehead. "What is it, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Last night, after you left, George told me a few things…" She trailed off, unable to finish.

"I'm guessing none of it was very flattering," Will said, smiling humorlessly.

"He said you kept him out of college."

Will looked thoughtful. "Well, that's not entirely untrue, but I doubt he told you the whole story."

"Can I hear your side?" she asked quietly.

Will's face darkened. "I don't—"

"You don't have to talk about it if you're uncomfortable," Elizabeth said.

When given the out, Will found that he didn't really want to take it. "It's fine." He was silent for a moment, then said, "George and I where both nine when he started living with us. He was good-natured and charming, and my parents fell in love with him almost immediately. He would help out with my little sister, Georgie, and help around the house without complaint.

"Now, don't get me wrong, I was a good kid, too." He grinned at Elizabeth for a moment. "I would help with little or no complaining, too. It just seemed to my parents that he did it more. And he did. He spent all of his time playing with Georgie or doing random, meaningless chores. That, and playing with other kids in the neighborhood. Because of that, he wouldn't do his schoolwork, and only passed his classes because he would always get good grades on what he did turn in.

"When my parents died, ten years ago now, I was eighteen, just old enough to be the closest person able to take care of Georgie. So it was just the three of us left. The summer after our graduation is the whole point of this story.

"One night, I was out late at a graduation party for a close friend. George was supposed to be there, too, and Georgie was supposed to be at home. I didn't get home until midnight, and that's when I found out what a huge mistake I had made. George had tried to—to force himself on my sister. She had managed to get away, and was locked in the bathroom, where there were no windows.

"I almost killed George. I gave him ten minutes to pack what he could and get out of the house. I had to stop myself going after him, too."

Will sighed. He felt very tired. "Georgie convinced me not to take him to trial for attempted rape, assault and battery. Now, I really wish I had." He knew exactly what it would have meant for Elizabeth. If Wickham had been put behind bars, her sister, Jane, be would still be alive, and Elizabeth wouldn't be getting beaten up.

"I put some people onto the case," he said suddenly.

"People?" Elizabeth questioned.

"A couple of the private investigators for my company," Will explained. "We need to get this wrapped up as fast as possible. I don't want that man around when my sister comes next spring."

Elizabeth's small hand crept into his larger one, and squeezed gently. "It was a while ago. Georgie's okay now."

"But are you?" Elizabeth asked softly.

Surprised, Will looked up into Elizabeth's eyes. She looked concerned about him, her chocolate eyes wide and worried. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "Yeah, I'm fine, too."

"Am I going to be able to meet Georgie when she comes?" Elizabeth asks.

Will smiled. "I'd like that. I really think she'll like you. But like I said, I don't want her to be around Wickham."

"Well then, we'd better get this done! I want to meet her," Elizabeth said, then checked her watch. "It's getting kind of late; I should get home. I'd planned to get some writing done."

Will stood up, then offered his hand to Elizabeth. She took it, and he pulled her upright. Neither of them noticed the piece of paper that fluttered to the ground as they walked to the door. Will escorted Elizabeth to his car, and drove her home. He kissed her good-by before she left.

When he got back home, he saw a folded up piece of paper on the couch Elizabeth had been sitting on. He unfolded it and read the poem inside. It was written in a feminine handwriting, probably Elizabeth's.

I see your blood-stained hand

As it reaches for mine.

I shudder at your touch,

You say it feels divine.

The bruising and the beatings

Are too much to bear,

But I must prove your guilt,

Make it absolutely clear.

Your fingers trace my neck

And the scar that you gave me,

Then I run to the arms

Of the one who came to save me.