A/N: Elizabeth did not die! I would never! I promised an HEA for E and D and I will deliver, I promise!

Now, I am going to state that I did in the beginning plan on making Collins not exactly a villain, but apathetic to Elizabeth's problems adjusting to her new home. There was going to be some controversy between Elizabeth and Lady C but it would have meant postponing E and D's first meeting. Now, since everyone is saying Collins is too nice to die (which he will) I may go back and edit that little storyline back in. Any huge changes that need made will happen after I've finished writing the story, then I'll take a small hiatus from posting to make those changes, and after editing I'll probably post a chapter a day until it is all posted, while starting on my next fic.

Any other glaring problems with the story, please tell me and I will try to fix them. Thanks!

Chapter 21

It was too hot. Or too cold? Either way Elizabeth was terribly uncomfortable, chills wracking her body, sweat glistening off her skin. She called out for water, or blankets, or the fire to be put out, she couldn't remember which. Where was Jenny? Such a terrible maid she had never seen in her life, she should have dismissed her when she first came...

Where was she exactly? She struggled to open her eyes, but there was nothing except darkness...or was it too bright? Oh, this pounding in her head, would it ever stop? Where was that water?

She felt lite, as she floated along the dance floor of Netherfield Park. She had spent a week at least on her dress, and she had new slippers for the occasion. She felt as if she were someone important, instead of Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn. She felt a bit tipsy, perhaps she had too much punch? I need water, she thought, but was distracted by her new partner coming to claim her hand.

Mr. Collins fumbled through the dance steps, apologizing as he went. "Would it be easier if we were to float?" He asked. "Yes," and they rose a few inches off the ground.

Much better, she thought, but there was still no water.

"Oh my," Elizabeth cried, "the walls are on fire."

Collins looked, "yes, how odd. I wonder at Bingley allowing it."

"Perhaps if there were some water," Elizabeth looked toward the refreshment table but it too was engulfed in flames.

"Lizzy, I love you, please don't leave me," Mr. Darcy's voice startled her.

"Mr. Darcy, what have you done with my dance partner?"

Darcy turned his head, Elizabeth's eyes following his gaze. Off in the distance Mr. Collins was floating away, towards the flames, a babe in his arms.

"No!" Elizabeth screamed, trying to reach for them, but they were too far away.

"Elizabeth, let them go. Come be with me."

"You are married!" She screeched, turning her eyes to him again.

Mr. Darcy stared at her, a frown on his face. "You must wake, Lizzy." He implored, but his voice was garbled, and sounded remarkably like that of her Mother.

"I am awake," she huffed.

Darcy grabbed her by the arms and shook her, "Wake up!"

Elizabeth's eyes slowly opened, but the room was out of focus. She blinked a couple more times and finally she was able to see her Mother's face looking down at her.

"She's awake," she called, her gaze never wavering from her daughter.

She heard footsteps, someone entering the room. Off in the distance she heard the distinct cry of a baby. There was something urgent she needed to do but she couldn't remember what. She felt cold hands on her body, and she looked to see a strange man hovering above her.

"Her fever has broke," he smiled, "she shall pull through."

A sob escaped Mrs. Bennet's throat as she fell on top of her daughter, embracing her in her arms. Elizabeth couldn't remember the last time her Mother hugged her so.

"Water," she managed to say.

"Yes, here dear," she brought a cup to her daughter's lips and helped her to drink it.

Elizabeth could hear her husband's voice out in the hall, speaking to the man who had just been here. She desperately wanted to get out of bed, but her Mother pushed her down, tsking.

"Lizzy, save your strength," she gently said.

In an instant her Mother had moved and in her place Mr. Collins sat. His face was haggard, as if he hadn't slept in days. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair unkempt and Lizzy wanted to rebuke Jenny for allowing Mr. Collins' clothes to get in such a state. She felt his hands grab hold of her own, and she could see tears in his eyes.

"Lizzy," he said, squeezing her hands. The first time he had called her by that name. "I thought you were-" he stopped, afraid to go on.

"Here's little Will," Mrs. Bennet called.

Elizabeth craned her neck to see Lydia enter the room with a small baby in her arms. Instinctively Elizabeth reached out for him, but she was too weak to keep her arms up. Lydia took Mr. Collins' place and held Will so that she could see him. "He looks much better," Lydia commented, "now that his face isn't all read and puffy."

He was such a small little thing, wrapped snugly in his blankets. He had a tuft of dark curly hair on his head, and Elizabeth felt sure that if his eyes were open she would see Darcy's eyes staring back at her. A tear escaped her eye, trailing down her cheek. How she wished she could hold that baby, take him in her arms and nourish him from her own body.

"We hired a wet nurse," Mrs. Bennet said from the foot of the bed. "The physician said as soon as you are able you can try to nurse yourself, if you wish it."

Elizabeth nodded her head, "How long?"

"You were in bed for nearly three days." Mr. Collins answered.

Three days? Three days away from her baby?

"I think she should rest now," Mrs. Bennet ushered Lydia out of the room, Mr. Collins the last to leave.

She felt so tired, but was afraid to sleep. She turned toward the nightstand to make sure the cup of water was still there. Upon seeing it she felt relieved, then drifted off into sleep.

The days that followed were spent in returning Elizabeth's health. She was given broths to drink, and on the second day when she was able to sit up in bed she called for Little Will. The nurse maid brought him to her, and stood nearby in case she needed assistance, but Elizabeth's body knew what to do. It took a while for Little Will to find his Mother's teet, but once he did he suckled away like a baby pig, causing Elizabeth to laugh out loud, and in that moment she was truly happy.