Chapter 5

Summary: Lizzy is just a soulful editor fighting for her views on literature and against the jerks of the world – William is a wealthy CEO wishing to lose himself in life and flee the clutches of family norms. After a first time meeting and a fiery spark, their acquaintance soon gets interesting. But when they finally believe to be safe, new problems arise.

Lizzy and Will's relationship seem to be wrought with happiness, but when a known nemesis comes back into their lives, and throws them off balance, Darcy must overcome his isolated independence to come clean, and Elizabeth must overcome her prejudice to save their love.

Short Excerpt: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a trophy wife," Lizzy muttered to Charlotte as she watched Caroline sharpen her talons while assessing the illustrious Mr. Darcy.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice – I'm just playing around :)

Extra:

Thank you to Dizzy Lizzy.60 and CrazyPPgirl for the positive feedback, and also to Guest for answering my question on Darcy and Caroline's relationship - your comments are very much appreciated! :D

A Prayer or Two

"Hey Lizzy!" A bubbly Kitty ran up to her sister and gave her a huge hug, bringing with her the smell of bubble gum.

"Whoa there!" Lizzy laughed as she tried not to fall. Kitty had changed since the last time her sister had seen her; she was a few inches taller and her mousy hair had grown out into flowing locks of caramel. Kitty was actually quite lovely.

"There is so much I have to tell you!" Kitty began but slowed down when she realized Lizzy was heading out. "Where are you off to?"

"I'm just getting things for mom – apparently she didn't have time to buy drinks, and the fridge isn't stocked so…" she shrugged her shoulders.

"Cool," Kitty bounded to the car, "I call shot gun!"

After rolling her eyes and waving after Mary who had settled to read outside, Lizzy joined Kitty in the car.

Her smiling sister turned to her. "Where are we off to?"

"Well" Lizzy said as she settled in, frowning when she couldn't adjust the seat, "Probably the Gilberts' store, it's the one open at now – hey, do you know what's wrong with the seat?"

"Huh? Oh!" She furrowed her brows and contemplated, "I think it was Lydia – you know, joy ride shit."

"Well," Lizzy muttered, "she sure has a lot of things to make up for."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't know?"

She shook her head vehemently while looking out the window.

"Skinny dipping with a guy."

Kitty frowned and turned back to Lizzy. "I thought she said she went swimming with a couple of female friends."

"That's what we let her tell mom and Dad, in return she wouldn't fail her next Trig test."

Kitty nodded, "Seems fair, real punishment won't actually stop her," she shared a knowing look with her sister. Kitty herself had been very similar and knew that scoldings and groundings would only further entice Lydia."Looks like she's getting some action already though," she smiled wickedly at Lizzy, "poor, poor Dad!"

"I don't really think he's paying attention," Lizzy mumbled as she thought on her Dad's eagerness on reading in his office, cut off from everybody else. "Anyway," Lizzy smiled at her sister, "how is it going in Edinburgh?"

Kitty Bennet had followed in Lizzy's footsteps and studied in the UK, only she was interested in Sociology, and not English Literature.

Their common interest in that part of the world was due to the Bennets six year residence in England. Although Kitty had been the young age of 10 when they had left, she was driven to return, much like Lizzy had been.

"It's going good," Kitty grinned as she thought back, "The work's great, and I really feel inspired! It was totally the right choice!"

Lizzy grinned at her sister, "That's great; I thought you'd love it. How long are you staying for anyway?"

"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow; classes just don't seem to be able to wait."

"How is Aunt Melanie, and Uncle Edward?"

"Very well, actually," Kitty eagerly leaned towards Elizabeth, "I think she is expecting again!"

Lizzy raised here eyebrows at that, but found it a pleasant surprise. Their aunt had recently turned 38, and their uncle wasn't much older.

"I actually wouldn't mind visiting them soon," Elizabeth took a left before taking a right again. "I hope they wouldn't mind…"

"Are you kidding? They love you! They always mention your time in England and Cambridge – you should totally come!" Kitty smirked as a thought crossed her mind, "not to mention, you could have a change of scenery – and I'm not just talking about pretty views!"

Lizzy rolled her eyes as she pulled the driveway of the Gilbert store. "I'm not hunting at the moment." She got outside and turned to Kitty, "Guys are just not so high on my to-do list."

"Well, that is disappointing," a smooth voice uttered from behind her.

Lizzy spun around to face her assailant, but was pleasantly surprised to see a handsome young man.

"And may I ask, what is so disappointing about it?" Lizzy asked him with an arched eyebrow.

A smile graced his features and his blue eyes sparkled with mirth, "Only that the beauty of such a lovely creature as yourself should go to such waste."

Lizzy smirked at the blonde surfer-dude, deciding to play along. "And if I were inclined to not waste my beauty, which direction would you send me in?"

"12 O'clock," He took a step nearer and had to bend his head to meet her eyes, letting his blonde hair fall over his blue eyes in an enticing manner. "I'm a military man, after all. Clear directions are always useful."

Lizzy cocked her head as she examined him, "I thank you for the suggestion, but my direction is 3 o'clock," she gestured towards the store. "Looks like you're 3 hours early."

He laughed gaily before appraising her again. "And what, if I may, is your name?"

"Her name is Lizzy," Kitty answered from behind them. "And she's definitely single."

Elizabeth glared at her younger sister, but by the look on Kitty's face she wouldn't let her forget this.

"My name is George," he smiled at both sisters, interrupting their silent battle. "George Wickham."

"Did you really have to tell him my name, and that I'm single?" Lizzy demanded as she grabbed their shopping bags from the trunk of the car. "It was embarrassing!"

"He didn't seem to mind," Kitty countered with a silly smirk, "and you were taking too long! The poor guy was at the edge of his seat."

Lizzy rolled his eyes and shoved some bags at Kitty, "That doesn't mean he was serious, or that I was!"

"Please," Kitty scoffed, "with the way he was looking at you, he definitely was serious. Besides," she exclaimed with enthusiasm as she followed Lizzy in the house, "Did you see him? How could you not want to seriously play?"

"Just because, now is not the time!" Lizzy insisted as they entered the kitchen.

"Do you ever have time?" Kitty set the bags down on the counter, and turned to look Lizzy dead in the eyes. "Don't you think you deserve some fun?"

"What's the matter?" Their mother asked eagerly, having just entered the kitchen.

"Lizzy was flirting with a very attractive man, but said she wasn't serious!" Kitty moved to stand next to their mother, both regarding Elizabeth with demand and impertinence in their manner.

"It's not that simple," Lizzy sighed as she concentrated on emptying the bags. "I have work and-"

"Now Lizzy, what did we say about that attitude? You're lucky that guy decided to stay and chat, I know most would just run off!"

"I know, Mom," Lizzy sighed as she rubbed her temples against the assaulting headache, "You're absolutely right."

After letting her mother lecture them on a few more universally acknowledged aspects of relationships, Lizzy retreated to her room to check her messages.

Charlotte had sent her a message demanding her to call as soon as possible, and without hesitation, Lizzy did.

"Lizzy!"

"Hey Charlotte! What's up?"

"Oh, nothing, you know… just got a job, what not…"

"Seriously? That great!" Lizzy bit her lip in thought, "Didn't he say it would be some time after the weekend?"

"Yeah," Charlotte happily sighed. "Charles called me some time this afternoon and told me the great news. Apparently they didn't need a long time to dwell on it, they just needed to make a few changes."

"Wow… what type of people were you up against? They must've not been too high-tech."

"Maybe I'm just good?" Queue the eye-roll "But still, it was great! Oh, and I met his youngest sister – such a bitch!"

Lizzy gasped in pretend shock "Wow, when you say that, you really mean it!"

"Shut up! No, but really. Her nails were long and pointy, like talons, and her hair was super wavy and silky. Her skin was like fake tan – seen worse though. She was kinda pretty but her make-up was so weird it made by uncle Sammy seem sane!"

"Ooh!" Lizzy winced at the visual. Almost anything was better than the make-up of Sammy, Charlotte's drag queen uncle. They would once in a while visit him and his other friends at their club, and everyone would be staring at him. The whole night through.

"Yeah! But besides the visual aspect, she was pretty cruel to co-workers, almost like she owned them!"

"I though you said her brother was a sweetheart – what happened there? Did they drop her or something?"

"Worse, I'm guessing…" Charlotte trailed off as Lizzy shuddered.

She hesitated before finally asking, "Do you think it would be a good idea setting him and Jane up?"

"Lizzy," Charlotte admonished, "I thought you didn't like it when people judged others on their family – what if someone decided not to date you because of your mother or Lydia?"

Lizzy winced at the thought. Her family was a part of her, and whatever was a part of her she would never leave behind. And as stubborn as she was, weakness wasn't an issue.

"I guess I see what you mean."

"Lizzy, dinner!" The voice of her mother echoed from downstairs.

"I'll talk to you later, Charlotte! It's messy table time."

"Bye bye, and be thankful!"

"This isn't Thanks Giving – you know I save all my thankfulness till then."

Dinner was always a longwinded event at the Bennets, and weekends between long intervals were always the worst.

"Who would like to say grace?"

"Mom," Lizzy started, "We've never done so before – why start now?

"Well," her mother huffed in annoyance, "We might as well start at some time."

"Your youngest daughter is sixteen, and the others you have are adults…"

"Lizzy," Jane softly nudged her.

"Alright," Elizabeth muttered. "I vote for Mary!"

Her younger sister frowned, but after everyone's consent, full or halfhearted, she hesitantly started.

"Thank you, lord, for the family unity we have been blessed with his weekend. Time passes and we change and grow, wither and die." Lydia snorted, causing Lizzy to kick her, "But we always know that you are there to guide us together, no matter how far apart we are," Everyone turned to Kitty who helplessly shrugged, "Physically or emotionally," Lizzy glared at anyone who dared meet her eye.

When Mary did not say another world, their father helpfully added, "And thank you, lord, for the food."

"Right," Mary blushed lightly before focusing on her meatloaf.

Everyone seemed to be relatively thoughtful over the prayer, considering Mary's words of wisdom…

"How lovely," their mother wore a satisfied smile as she gazed around the table. "The only thing we need now is the sight of suitors for our girls."

Or maybe not.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter :D It was hard to write the Wickham scene without including Darcy beating him to a bloody pulp and romantically carrying off Lizzy... or maybe for the sake of feminism, I would have them both working as a team to destroy his pretty face... *gleeful cackle*

I'm not sure if anyone reads these pesky things, but please feel free to :)

Next chapter we'll be back in NYC, where we will also meet a certain annoying character, or two...

Know who they are? Please tell me what your guess is and...

Don't forget to review :)