I am so so so so sorry for the horribly late update! I was sort of very much blocked, didn1t know how to continue then I traveled and wasn't near a computer and I know there is no excuse, but well… I hope I can update faster now, but I want to make sure you know I haven't left my baby half written. If it has a beginning, it will have an end ;)

Chapter 12

There was nothing else on her mind but the upcoming apocalypse; a roadtrip with two couples can be revolting enough, add to it some spicy ex- and a sister and you'll have the perfect recipe for a disaster. How she would survive being incarcerated with those 4 in one car, above 4 wheels and only inches apart, she did not even want to think about. There had to be a way to save her from her upcoming doom, but she just couldn't see the end of the tunnel.

Days passed quickly and the preparations for the long weekend outing wee almost finished… so much so, she had barely one day to create a good excuse for her absence. She was clouded by work and murderous thoughts towards not even she knew who anymore, as bleeding pictures of everyone possibly accompanying her on the trip flashed before her eyes, rapidly followed by the next and the next picture.

A sudden 'ring' of her phone was all she needed to get her feet back on the ground… and give her a possible, unconventional, way-out.

Wikham.

"Yes, hello?"

"Elizabeth? Is this a bad moment?"

"No, it's perfect timing. How are you?"

"Missing you… I couldn't seem to stop thinking about you… your eyes enchant me and your h-"

"Yeah yeah, we get the picture." She hurriedly cut him off as she had more pressing matters to discuss. With a honey-sweet voice she added "How would you like a few days, traveling around Britain, getting to know each other more… closely…?"

"Sounds… delightful… When would this event take place?"

"We are leaving tomorrow, if that is all right with you… We would be away for 4 days, and I have all the trip planned out already, so you don't have to bother about a thing… Meet you at the entrance of my building, say… 8-ish? Great, you are so amazing, thank you!" and without giving even the tiniest possibility to respond, she hung up.

What in the name of… What happened just now? What was I thinking? How am I going to solve this?

Come on, it's only fair, he's coming with Caroline… at least you won't be fiddling, but enjoying it, as much as you can. You will have a perfect gentleman answering your ever need, what more can you ask for?

Without voicing it, or even consciously accepting the answer, an echo of a name resounded in her head… Will…

That night as she went home, she thought about everything she has to pack again, and all her plans that have to be changed… Her preparations for 'worst case scenario' had to be changed, and she had to explain the new addition to her sister and possible future brother in law…

"Jane! My lovely sister, how nice it is to see you tonight!" with a terrible fake smile and cheery attitude she walked into her hosting apartment.

"Lizzy, I'm glad you're in such a good mood, I'm sure you are very excited about our trip tomorrow!"

"Indeed dearest sister… in fat, I was so marveled by the idea that I couldn't help not extending our joy to a 5th person, if that is all right with you, of course…"

"Of course! Then we can be three couples going on a romantic trip through the charming landscapes and be enchanted by nature's jewels!"

"Indeed, as you say, we can feast our eyes on the perfect complexity of the headlands… What are men compared to rocks?"

"I think I'll leave you two to your… I honestly can't take more of thi girl talk, you don't mind, do you, Jane dear?"

"Oh Charles, we're quite done, aren't we Lizzy? But yes, you might want to hop down to the sushi bar, we need some snacks for the trip…" and with that Bingley left, Jane entered the kitchen and Lizzy headed towards her wardrobe to empty her bag and change it's contents to the other half of her closet.

The next morning came too early, in Elizabeth's opinion, nevertheless the sun victoriously rose above the sky and welcomed a new day. Everything was ready and packed, they stood by the car waiting only for Darcy and his lady friend, and Wikham. Soon Darcy came as well with a corn in his eyes looking at Caroline.

"I am so sorry Charles, we would have come earlier but…" It seemed impossible for him to phrase it diplomatically, and thus finished his sentence with an all-explaining mimic.

"Oh, stop it, Fitzwilliam, you know very well how important it is to start the mornings well. It's obvious I don't wake up looking like this every morning, it needs work, you silly boy" Caroline let off a fake laugh, one of those palm-itching ones Elizabeth hates so much.

"I suppose we can go now, if everybody is here." Said Bingley, a little embarrassed at his sister, forgetting the last-minute changes of plans.

"Oh Charles, don't tell me you have forgotten already? Remember, Elizabeth has also invited someone, we must wait for him as well…"

"What? So, who is the lucky one, might I ask?" William tried hard to control his emotions, and even harder hiding them, quite successfully… except for Elizabeth, of course, who knew his face inside out and recognized any change, and the reasons.

Oh boy, am I in trouble… How am I going to get out of this one?

"Well, we are already quite late, I hope he is punctual…" commented Caroline.

"Don't worry, I am here, there's no need for rash actions… Hello my dear, had a nice morning?" arrived Wikham, with a charming smile and not for one moment did he seem confused about the situation. He hugged Elizabeth and gave her a chaste kiss, and so they all got in the car and left.

They drove in silence for half an hour, getting out of the city, all of them yawning and dozing off… yes, even the driver, but until they left the city it wasn't al that dangerous, they couldn't go fast anyway, there was so much traffic the walking people passed by as if they were Schumacher.

To make sure the driver, who happened to be Charles, does not fall asleep, they decided to switch on the radio. William was sitting next to him, so he could take control of the wheel whenever needed, which meant he was also in control of selecting the radio station…

"That's all for the headlines, we came with more detail in half an hour."

"Good morning everyone, I'm here with Kathleen Morgan, the author of the infamous article 'The Royal Blues', and we are going to talk about every girl's favorite subject: Prince William. Kathleen, what do you know, where is the Prince now?"

"Hello, good morning to everyone. Well… from what I heard, and this hasn't been proven, but apparently he has gone on a vacation, and it is very possible that he has taken a certain Caroline Bingley, sister of the best friend Charles Bingley, with him."

"We've been hearing a lot of this Caroline lately, can she be the next royal girlfriend?"

"Well, I think she may be even more than that, people suspect she may be the future Princess. She is close friend with most of the family, due to her connection through her brother, and things seem to be going smoothly. There is a lot of evidence that shows this is his first, real serious relationship."

There Elizabeth lost track of what they said. What does she mean by first? Hasn't he been with anyone before? Why now? Can it be a coincidence?... Am I reading too much into this? I probably am… This sucks!

"Yes, I have heard similar comments from many people… It seems the people expect a marriage, and soon..."

"Yes, well, we have to admit, the Prince isn't getting any younger and he needs to start thinking about the heir as well, and I mean, a well balanced, healthy life is the good example that Britain needs to follow. It's a very complex situation, if you think about it; he is advised to marry for love, yet he is pressured into marrying soon, and marrying the right girl… Think about it, she has to be well mannered, pretty so she can be presentable… she has to be a good example to follow for the little Georgiana, has to give up her life for her post, she has to be a good daughter for the Queen and last but not least, she cannot be married, or with children, divorced… she has to be someone around his age, with a respectable job, unblemished history and who happens to fall in love with hi, and loved by him. The chances for that are very slim, especially if we have our Prince working all day."

"So, do you think that this Caroline Bingley is truly the One?"

"We haven't heard much from the girl, but it is safe to assume that-" the radio was, finally, switched off by the Prince himself. He couldn't take it anymore, and somehow it seemed several other companions felt the same… though for different reasons.

Marriage, Caroline, Bingley, example, daughter and wife, love, pressure, Carlone, wedding…" this was all she could think of, and the images zoomed in her head like bunch of wizards on Firebolts. From the front mirror she could see William's facial expression, which hid a tense, nervous, maybe even angry hatred. She couldn't blame him; it must be hard living his life, he did not need this as well. William almost caught her staring at him, and hat was when she decided she would pretend to be asleep, and thus avoid any possibility of contact with the person in question.

Once on the freeway, Carolina started to whine… she needed more air, the car was too stuffed… then she needed water, and more water, and her whining became so unbearable, they had to stop at the first benzinkut. Elizabeth, who was already half asleep and didn't want to be disturbed, pretended she didn't hear her sister's futile attempt to wake her, and was soon left with only Charles and William inside the car.

"Will… they were right, you know."

"Charles, I really would rather not have this conversation with you. It's neither the time nor the place, and honestly I doubt it ever will be either."

"William, you are my friend, and we are close; I consider it my duty to tell you, you need to marry soon. I'm not saying it has to be Caroline… No matter what happens between you two, our friendship won't change. But if it's not her, you must find a bride, and soon!"

"You heard those nice ladies, it can't be 'whoever'… apparently she has to be perfect."

"Come on, William, it's not hard to find women of that description, especially in your circles."

"No… it's just hard finding the one who feels the same way." He said, more to himself than to Charles… he looked up and stared at Elizabeth through the mirror. She, with her half closed eyes had a perfect view, and a perfect alibi. Charles gave a hearty laugh so loud that Elizabeth had to pretend she awakened, which of course William, still observing her, noticed.

"Come on, you cannot be serious! Who could refuse you? You have the looks, the name and the pockets! I'm sorry for being so raw, but it's the truth. If you have trouble finding the One, there's no hope for the rest of us…"

"You would be surprised…" was William's only answer, and after a momentary eye-lock with Lizzy, he left the car to breathe some fresh air.

Soon everyone was ready to continue their voyage which, after another 2 hours reached it's final destination for the day. Elizabeth was staring at the scenery surrounding them, deep in thought. She watched as both tall, strong trees and tiny defenseless flowers passed by like rockets, and she realized there was no preventing loss… but after every tree that passed by and every flower she had to say good-bye to, there came new ones, they were always replaced, even if not by the same color or shape. She realized it was useless turning her head and concentrating on how every tree passes making sure she still has it in view to the very last moment, because with much less effort she could have see a lot more… And thus, she decided it was tie to let go.

Arriving to the hotel they unpacked fast, checked in and met at the lobby fro further instructions. Though the trip was ell planned, only the outline was worked out in every detail; what they did in every city they visited was left to being decided upon getting there.

"It would be wonderful to take a nice stroll around the city… not very far there is a forest, maybe we could have picnic there… Or just walk without the basket and the snack stop. It would be oh so healthy! Please Charles, don't you think it is a wonderful idea?"

"Exceptional! It is decided then! I think we should make sure we have comfortable shoes and off we go!"

And the party of 6 set off for a walk.