He was in the last vestiges of sleep, sheets rucked to his waist, so the smooth curve of his back was exposed to the world, when someone entered the room, and quietly shook his arm. Darcy groaned, and turned his head to the other side, not wanting to be woken just yet. But the shaking was insistent.

"What is it?" He turned to face Georgiana, pillow creases on his face.

She held the phone aloft, not wishing to have disturbed his sleep, but the person on the other end had sound so panicked, she had no choice but to enter her brother's room.

"It's...Here!" She thrust the phone into his hand, wanting to divulge herself of the responsibility.

Annoyed, Darcy gathered the sheets around his hips, so it didn't slip any further and answered the phone, already feeling irritated with the person before conversing with them. Charles wouldn't dare to ring him on his house number. Not, unless their agency was burning down...

Grouchily, Darcy remembered the thermostat incident from the day before.

"What do you want?" He barked, not bothering to soften his tone. Georgiana saw this as her cue to sneak out, closing the door quietly behind her.

There was a little pause, before a voice hesitantly struck out, growing in confidence the more she went on uninterrupted. "It's Elizabeth. You weren't answering your mobile. I hope it's not deliberate or malicious on your part. It's just that I haven't heard from you since yesterday. And this pitch - it sounds so important - I don't want you to lose out because your secretary's inadequately prepared - but Charles says everything's in hand - but I just wanted to double-check with you, since you might have a task for me-"

Her babbling was making his gut churn. He didn't need her nerves, palpable as they were but wholly misdirected, causing him more anxiety. So he'd switched his phone off yesterday. It didn't warrant eighteen miscalls. Eighteen! She was very persistent, and would be useful in many other areas of his life, but right now, in the harsh glare of the morning - she came across as a nightmare.

Charles had told her everything was in hand - so why couldn't she let sleeping dogs lie?

"Surely Charles must've explained to you -" He got out of bed, and went to the dresser. "This presentation had been prepared for over six months now, because we knew an opportunity like this, would be along soon. So you - how did you get this number by the way?" He never gave out his house number, to people he didn't know well. Which meant someone he held in close regards, had ratted him out.

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth pressed, ignoring him. "I would hate for you to stumble-"

Was she hellbent on making him loose his cool? What was this talk of stumbling and losing out, and that somehow she, the person who'd been working from him for a day, could come to his rescue? She appeared to be the nagging fishwife type, the one who stood over your shoulder, asking you if you'd remembered that, or this, and of course, her bleating would drive any sane man round the bend.

He almost felt tempted to swear at her.

"God-damn," he muttered to himself. "I don't need all this negativity."

Elizabeth hadn't heard him, thank god.

"Do you want me to wait at the office?" She asked. "So we can all go together?"

Darcy's lips tightened. This pitch had nothing to do with her. If she'd not miscalled him eighteen times, and just the once, or twice say, he would definitely have considered asking her along, so she could get a taste of what conference speaking was like, and take notes, so she would know what to expect in the future. But she'd tried and tested his mood, by being so single-minded, it was making him rather dislike her...at that moment.

There was a reason he hadn't answered the first time, and then switched his phone off, when it got to the fourteenth.

She was...

"Do whatever you want," he said, and ended the call abruptly.

Seconds later, he was calling Charles.

"Reverse your decision right now," he growled. "Why does she have to be my secretary?"

"Oh dear."

"Says the gallant fellow who gave her my private, personal number. What exactly did you tell her yesterday? She'd been ringing me non-stop since then. Can't I have some blessed peace? Doesn't she understand that I don't want to be contacted when I'm with my family unless it's something serious? She forwarded the flipping calls! What else does she want - a medal? My voice thanking her personally? Does that excite her? Make her feel validated-"

"Will-"

"Do you think I want to be this angry in the morning? She brought it out in me! Gah! Why did I let you talk me into apologizing to her? She's insufferable! Now, I know she'd not devoid of a personality, she just has a bloody annoying one!"

"Will, you're letting your emotions get the better of you. You don't mean any of that."

"Don't I?"

"No. No, you like her, remember? She's just being a good PA, that's all. She's just concerned about today, and that's understandable."

Deep inside, Darcy knew Bingley was talking sense. But the culmination of being irritable whenever he was woken unexpectedly, and Elizabeth going to such lengths to contact him, wasn't making him appreciate the good side of her at the minute. Later on, he'd feel like he'd overacted, and make a point to seek her out and talk to her - like he always did.

But right now?

All he wanted to do, was distance himself from her for a while.

What he hadn't counted on, was her coming to him.

.

.

"No, you must understand!" Elizabeth insisted to the unforgiving security guard who was blocking the door. At any moment, she expected him to bodily hoist her over his shoulder, and carry her kicking and screaming away from the venue. "I'm part of this group! I'm one of the aides, to a speaker inside! Surely, you have his name on the list? It's Mr William Darcy."

The security guard made a show of consulting his list.

"There's no Mr William Darcy," he said finally, with a smirk. "Do you need to be escorted out, Miss?"

"How about a Mr Fitzwilliam, then?" A voice said cynically behind her.

She turned to face a man, with a large camera around his neck, clearly marking him out as paparazzi, with dark hair slung in a low ponytail, and one of his eyebrows pierced. He looked at her with a small grin, and greeted the security guard by name. The security guard looked at both of them with a surprised expression, but then stepped aside to let them through.

"Ah, thank you...?" She tailed off, waiting for him to fill her in.

"George. George Wickham." He offered her a hand, after wiping it on his trousers, and Elizabeth gingerly accepted the tip of his fingers. She quickly let go, fighting a faint blush. He gestured at her to go in front, and Elizabeth now miraculously found her path clear of any obstructions, though whether he was being a gent, or he just wanted to admire her arse, she wasn't quite sure. To allay her suspicions, he caught up with her soon enough.

"So..." he began. "That's quite embarrassing. Only knowing a common variant of Darcy's first name. Are you an impostor?" He teased.

"Certainly not," Elizabeth said, ruffled. "I admit, that was quite embarrassing, not knowing your boss's real name or him not caring to inform me, but I can only hide behind my naivety. I'm Elizabeth, his PA for the second day."

"Ah...that was quick. And you're certainly different from the rest."

His eyes roamed appreciatively over Elizabeth's attire, which gasp, she'd settled for a teal, scoop necked blouse, which was ruffled and short-sleeved, teamed with a grey, pencil skirt, that hung rather flatteringly to her legs. Her skirt ended just below the knee, but underneath she had a pair of tights on and her shows remained despairingly the same.

At least, there was some colour to her wardrobe.

Elizabeth cleared her throat, bringing his attention up from her legs. This time it skittered over her chest, which Elizabeth was modestly covering with a file. "Are you here to take a few photo's?"

"Yes...I'm covering this event for a local newspaper."

"And Will?" Elizabeth asked, curious despite herself. "Do you have some history with him?"

They'd been walking along a raised gangway, which lead out to an amphitheatre-style room, with rows of plush, red velvet seats descending down, until at the very bottom, there was a raised podium, and an overhead projector, so whoever was giving the speech, could show their slides or video, before talking on. As they were near the top, Elizabeth had to squint to see who was currently on stage. The room was darkened, so everyone could currently watch the video of a family frolicking around on the beach. At the corner, it was date-stamped with the logo, Lambton & Co. Underneath the overheard projector, two men were politely staring down at their crossed legs, waiting for the video to finish.

It was Charles and William.

Sensing a loss, Elizabeth looked around and saw George was pushing his way through a nearby row of seats. He looked back, and gave her a cheeky wave that promised of a later reunion. She stared blankly after him, before turning in the opposite direction and spotting an aisle seat.

She felt a mixed bag of emotions as the video came to the end, and the dimmed lights came back on. It was like she was a stranger to them. Apparently this pitch was something they'd prepared for a while back, but neither of them wanted to keep her up to date. It was her chasing them. It was her getting worried over nothing. And Darcy especially...he seemed affronted by her. Almost like she was meddling. But wasn't the nature of her job all about meddling?

Was it her fault, that she was over-cautious and meticulous by nature, to the point of pernickety?

Why had she even come, when she hadn't been openly invited? All Darcy said was to "do as she wanted." What kind of motto was that?

God! He was so...lackadaisical!

" - Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm and Reykjavik. The latest destinations we offer packages to. We have excellent, competitive prices to the rest of Europe too, and as our company grows, we will be interested in expanding to Asia and the Americas by the middle of next year in our expected projection rates. We offer travel insurance beginning from six pounds, and we can also arrange car rentals, and tickets to tourist destinations at a discounted rate or part of the deal."

Envy clawed in her heart.

When Will started speaking, she watched his body language, the hands he used for emphasis but never threw around, and the way everyone listened, grudging respect in their eyes. For the few minutes he spoke, he owned that stage.

She was jealous of him and everything he stood for. To be that at ease with oneself!

But when he finished, she clapped and cheered like everyone else.

.

.

Charles eyes were shining, as he clapped Will around the back, outside the conference hall. They'd posed for a couple of pictures, shaken hands with several important people in the industry, and a couple of magazines even hinted they were prepared to list Lambton & Co as a viable holiday booking site.

Most importantly - a Mr Edward Gardiner had shown interest in a possible investment of £200,000.

This was beyond huge.

"I've called Caroline with the good news," Charles said, referring to his sister. "She couldn't be more thrilled! She's coming to collect us, and said we should all go out to celebrate. How does sushi sound to you?"

"I'm game," Darcy immediately said, eyes skipping over the crowd.

His mind was taken up with thoughts of Elizabeth, and how she'd presented herself to him, a little over an hour ago. He'd been surprised to say the least, when she'd shouted out a rushed explanation of not wanting to miss the show. It wouldn't have been hard to find the hotel, especially since she'd been the first to listen to the message and pass it on. But still...she was here.

Someone tapped him on the back of his shoulder.

It was Elizabeth, beaming up at him.

"You did so well," she said, and instinctively held open her arms.

Well...this was awkward. Clearly, the move had surprised her as much as it did him, but it was a little too late for either of them to pretend it was nothing less than an invitation for an hug. He looked down the length of her body, the sight pleasuring him a little but not enough, to press against it. But there was little he could do. He shrank awkwardly, pressing into her arms, his chin on her shoulder, but taking care not to align their torso's. His hand came up and gently rested on her waist and Elizabeth's nervously settled around his shoulders.

He could feel the slight susurration of her breath brushing into the intimate canal of his ear.

The pressure of her hold was just right. For a marginal second, Darcy came close to sinking into her completely, but they extracted themselves from each other and pointedly looked at the floor.

"...Thanks," he said eventually.

Elizabeth made a lunge, like she was planning on darting away.

"Wait." He narrowed his eyes, his irritation resurfacing from earlier, but more mild. "Where are you going? You need to stay."

"Huh?" She fretted, still feeling the ghost of his palms settling around her middle.

"Yeah." There was a dark look in his eyes. "I plan to get completely trashed tonight. I need someone to see I get home alright. And since you're my secretary..." He smiled sweetly.

Elizabeth's heart thumped extra hard.

"If-If you insist..." she said, shakily.

"Great," Charles broke in, having seen the welcoming figure of Caroline striding to them, a massive grin on her face. She was a pretty woman, with a good taste in fashion, and always had her hair styled in a topknot or whatever. Tonight, she was wearing an emerald leather jacket, skinny jeans, and designer boots. Typical Caroline. "Over here!" He called, flagging her down. Within thirteen strides, she was upon him, first kissing her brother cheek to cheek, and then making a bigger fuss of doing the same to Will. Elizabeth offered a hand, but it went ignored.

Frowning she took it back, but it didn't go unnoticed by Darcy.

"Well," he said, pushing Caroline back. "I hope you don't mind another member to our party, Caroline. But I've invited her along, if it's all the same to you. Elizabeth Bennet, Caroline Bingley. Caroline, Elizabeth."

All the warmth evapourated in a second. As Caroline did a subtle once over, turning an upper lip, at the gamely woman who was standing incredibly close to Will, she looked close to scoffing.

"Pleasure," she sneered, before turning back to Darcy. "But Will..." she whined. "I only booked three reservations."

Darcy smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Then poor Elizabeth would simply have to sit on my lap."

This caused a suitable amount of shock to go around the group, though Charles looked slightly interested about the power play going on between the women. Darcy never usually stepped in, during one of Caroline's infamous put-downs, but clearly he thought, Elizabeth couldn't handle her own. As it was, she hadn't opened her mouth from the moment his sister descended.

"If-If it's quite alright..." Elizabeth stuttered then. "I'll take my leave."

"Nonsense." He reached out and grabbed her wrist in an iron-clad grasp. After a small squeeze, he let her go. "You're coming with us, and that's final."

They proceeded onto the sushi bar and the entire ride with Caroline driving, felt extremely uncomfortable despite Charles, the one she got on easiest with, sitting beside her in the back, and offering entertaining anecdotes, that didn't require much interjections than a slight titter. Caroline was the most vocal, asking Darcy many questions, as he silently stewed up front.

At the bar, Elizabeth was relieved to learn she didn't have to sit on Darcy's lap after all. He sat beside her, no question about it, trapping her against the window so she had no escape. Caroline grumpily sat opposite Darcy, and shot a look so hateful towards Elizabeth, it petrified her to her bones.

"What do you want to drink?" Darcy asked her. He seemed determined to bring her out of her shell, so exasperated with her steadfast exterior, it made him want to pick on her, and make her loosen up a little. To have fun. To be free.

"A glass of -"

"Champagne, it is then. And you can't refuse, Elizabeth. Not when we're celebrating such a grand day."

She accepted the first glass without complaint.

"Cheers." They all clinked their glasses.

Darcy watched out of the corner of his eye, as Elizabeth's throat luxuriously bobbed as she downed half the glass, whilst he drank his bone dry. He reached for the bottle, and grimly topped up all their glasses, still feeling in a punishing mood. Elizabeth made a noise of protest, but let him fill right to the brim, warily reminding him this was the last top-up she wanted. Already, she was sucking the joy out of things, not knowing how to let go or relax.

Caroline and Charles left the table to place their orders, and Elizabeth finding her throat parched, took a few sips.

Immediately, Darcy had lifted up the bottle.

"What are you doing?" She asked sharply.

"Elizabeth." He put the bottle back down. "You need to learn how to fit into a social setting, because you're such an awkward person to be around."

A kind of shocked gasp left her, and in a burst of pure, hot rage, her hand jerked, and the glass still somewhat full, toppled over and started pouring out onto the tablecloth. Her first instinct was to apologise, and start mopping up, but Darcy's chiding remark still clouded her judgement. Just as Charles returned with a platter of rice and fish, Elizabeth staggered up, and keeping her face averted, pushed past Darcy and towards the exit.

Darcy was looking after her with an extremely predatory look, before he too was on his feet, chasing her.

"Did I miss something?" Charles looked both ways. "Where's the fire?"

Everyone watched with interest, as through the transparent windows, Darcy caught up with his prey, and spun her around, with one hand on her upper arm. Elizabeth was shaking so much, that everyone said "ooooh" as Darcy took hold of her head with both hands, and leaned his forehead against hers, grounding her.

"What the hell is going on?" spat Caroline, joining him. "Why is everyone looking out of the window -"

Outside, Darcy had sobered up fast.

"Please don't be offended," he whispered. "I can't take it, Elizabeth...not from you."

"Shut up," she said through gritted teeth. "I hate you right now."

Darcy sighed. "Those words...they came out wrong..."

"Why does this feel familiar?" Elizabeth spat out, staring deep into his eyes. "Clearly you have some vindictive streak in you, but the moment you feel you've gone too far, it's all apologies and lies." Her eyes were a watery sheen, which Darcy deeply regretted causing. "I thought I saw more in you..." A kind of half-moan came out of her, and it caused him to act irrationally.

He ducked his head, trying to capture her lips, to show how sorry he felt, because it was the only way he knew how to comfort women. Particularly women, he found increasingly attractive. And he did at that moment. Find her increasingly attractive.

But she turned her face away, and his soft kiss landed on her cheek, denying him the pleasure.

Darcy felt the rebuttal deep in his heart.

"Am I not handsome enough for you?" He asked. "Does nothing about me tempt you?"

"You are quite arrogant," she said stiffly. "And now it is your turn to fire me."

He leaned forward, to throatily mutter. "There will be no firing. Instead, I'll make it my mission to be your closest friend." And he gave another light peck on her cheek, now holding her shoulders tight.

Caroline threw her purse at the window.

.

.

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A/N: Oh, Caroline...

Pernickety is british slang for being fussy. Though doesn't everyone know that? :P Longest chapter yet! And I actually sat and read P&P this morning...I've forgotten how beautiful it was. And gah! I wanted to bash in Caroline's head half the time! How thoroughly unpleasant she was...slagging of Lizzy and being a...witch.