A/N: Hi there! Back from an awesome vacation and while I didn't get as much writing done as I had hoped I did make some progress. Here's the latest installment. Please, please, please tell me what you think. Of course, if it sounds like JA then it likely is. I've started slipping in some Jane - ism's just for fun and because she was awesome! :)

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It was finally Tuesday and Lizzy was feeling anxious as she walked into the free legal clinic for the second time in five days. She'd felt a bit better now that there were people helping her but she still wasn't confident they'd find a solution for her. As Maddy had suggested, she wrote down the questions she had for her parents and thought she might discuss them with Professor Gilpin. She wanted to visit her parents to get some answers and to possibly, get some closure from the bad feelings she knew remained from her departure the prior Saturday. Perhaps the two men would have additional questions to add to her list, she thought.

The legal clinic was just as busy as it had been when she had come the previous week. Looking around Lizzy recognized the nervous and stressed out looks she saw on the faces of her fellow visitors to the clinic. Her mirror had shown her the same expression on her face for the past week and a half. Lizzy checked in for her appointment and was immediately ushered to the same windowless room she had sat in five days earlier. It was ironic, she thought, that a class system even persisted at the free clinic. As a Harvard college student with some connections she was ushered in right away. Meanwhile, the others sitting in chairs around the reception room, looked as though they were prepared for a long wait. Entering the room, Professor Gilpin and William were both already sitting in the room waiting.

"Good morning Miss Benetez. I'm glad to see you have returned to us. William has been doing research and we met earlier today to review it. He'll walk through what he's learned thus far and then we'll discuss next steps."

Over the next hour, William walked through the various legislation, court rulings and current policies. All of these boiled down to a few basic options: she could marry an American and, if they stayed married for about three and a half years, she'd likely be successful in getting a permanent green card or, she could hide until her sister Maria was 21. At that point, Maria could sponsor her and their parents for green cards, although her chances for a green card were lower than her parents given the way the priority system currently worked. There was some potential for a student visa as well, given her academic standing, but there was risk of denial and then she would be forced from the country. She'd also have to leave the country as soon as she graduated. She was too old to be adopted by people like the Gardiners, and given that her parents were still living, there'd be no real claim for them anyway. Any other options were pure speculation and literally, dependent upon an act of Congress or the President of the United States.

"Miss Benetez, I recognize that the options seem limited. I'd like to have some conversations with colleagues within the University who've worked with students on visa applications to see what advice they might offer. A student visa is likely your best avenue and I want to make sure we understand the hurdles we might face and the risks to this path." Professor Gilpin offered.

Lizzy sighed. She knew this was going to be hard and yet each time she got new information the futility of it all would momentarily overwhelm her. Darcy watched her closely. He had an overwhelming urge to take her in his arms and reassure her but knew that would be entirely unwelcome. So he simply reached out across the table and put his hand on hers. "Lizzy, you're not alone. We'll do all we can to help you." William said quietly.

Lizzy looked up, startled and moved to pull her hand away. Standing, Lizzy looked at Professor Gilpin and murmured, "Excuse me. I think I need some air." Walking out of the room Lizzy closed the door and leaned against the wall breathing deeply. 'What was that about?' she wondered.

William sat startled, not quite sure what to do. He looked over at his professor and shrugged.

"Do you really not know why Ms. Benetez left the room William?" Professor Gilpin asked. "There has been some reluctance on the part of our client towards you all along. If you've done anything to cause her to question her trust in this team, I suggest you attempt to repair it so we can be the most help to our client." The professor added.

William nodded and stood up. "Excuse me professor. I'll try to find her and, um, clear up any misunderstandings."

He opened the door and immediately found her standing in the hallway leaning against the wall. "Miss Benetez, Lizzy, the room across the hall appears open. Can I speak with you for a moment?" William asked.

Lizzy silently followed William into a room that seemed identical to the one they had just been sitting in. She sat down with her arms and legs crossed and waited for William to speak.

"Um, Lizzy? I, uh, I meant what I said before, I will do everything in my power to help you." William offered.

"Really? And are you saying this to impress your professor or do you really mean it?" Lizzy shot back.

William was surprised by the vehemence in her voice. He had spent hours researching her options, had met with his uncle, a US Senator, to discuss this case. Why would she think he didn't mean it? "Look, I didn't force you to come into this clinic and I've spent hours working on your problems when I have my own to spend time on. There is nothing in it for me here. What could possibly make you think I don't want to help you?" William retorted.

"Oh I don't know. Maybe the stupid immigrant who can't figure out how to follow the laws of this country is questioning her lawyer's motivations." Lizzy spat.

William looked dumbfounded. 'What was she talking about?' he wondered.

Seeing the look of confusion on his face, Lizzy added, "You can't complain to Charlie one minute and then act kind and compassionate the next and expect me to be fooled about how you really feel. Just don't pretend to be kind and caring. I have enough people in my life who haven't been honest with me. I don't need another one."

William was about to respond but then stopped. Sitting there open-mouthed he tried to process all that she said. 'Charlie? What was she talking about?' he wondered. And then it hit him. She had heard him complaining to Charlie Thursday morning. He groaned as the realization fully sank in.

"Lizzy, I am so, so sorry for my thoughtless remarks. You have every reason in the world to be angry with me. Please, believe me. I didn't mean those words. That morning, I was frustrated about something that is happening in my family and was thoughtlessly venting to a friend. I'm sorry." William responded his shoulders slumped.

Lizzy looked over at William. He looked positively despondent. The sadness in his eyes and slumped shoulders made her think of a puppy who'd just been caught having chewed his master's favorite slippers. Sighing, she placed her hand on his arm. "I accept your apology. I was shocked when I heard you say those things. I had thought you were pretty nice when we first met. Look, let's just forget about it. To be honest, I need all of the help I can get."

"Thank you. I really didn't mean any of those words. I'm dealing with some stuff regarding my sister and I was in a terrible mood Thursday morning." William added.

"Enough apologies. A wise woman once said, 'Think of the past as it gives you pleasure.' I suggest you follow that advice." Lizzy smiled.

"If only it was so easy. Any other words of wisdom for me before we return to Professor Gilpin?" William asked.

"Sure. One more thing, to prevent future issues. My kindergarten teacher taught me this one, 'If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all.'" Lizzy teased.

"Point taken, Miss Benetez." William said and they stood up to return to the room where Professor Gilpin was waiting.

"My apologies Professor for keeping you waiting," Lizzy said as they returned to the room.

"Well, I hope any issues have been smoothed over so we can continue." the Professor responded.

"Yes, sir. They have been." William assured him.

Taking one more deep breath Lizzy squared her shoulders and began to refocus on moving forward. "Alright. I had a few other things I wanted to discuss while I was here, if that's ok." The two men nodded in agreement and Lizzy pulled out three sheets of paper, one for each of them, filled with the questions she wanted to ask her parents.

"Professor, you said that I am safest if I don't stay with my family. I think however, that I do need to go see them. I've compiled these questions and I think it would be helpful for me to see them, not only for my peace of mind, but also to get whatever documentation my parents might have that shows I originally entered the country legally. That seems to be an important point in all of this." Lizzy suggested.

"You are correct Miss Benetez. I've been thinking about this as well. These are excellent questions and if you can get the answers, the process may be easier. There is one more reason you should go see them that we haven't discussed." Professor Gilpin said.

"What is that?" Lizzy asked.

"Well, have you considered the implication for your family when we start to change your status?" the professor asked.

"What do you mean? What implications?" she asked.

"If you self identify as being here illegally, it will not take long for the INS to realize that your parents are still here in the country and they will likely go looking for them. They won't be hard to find given you've always completed your paperwork honestly. A subpoena to Boston Latin or Harvard would quickly give them your home address and therein find your family." Professor Gilpin calmly stated.

Why hadn't she considered this? She couldn't do that to her parents and sisters. No, she could not risk them. "I'm sorry that I have wasted all of your time. I can't do that to them." She stood to leave.

"Lizzy, wait. Don't go. Please sit for another minute." William said, reaching out to grab her arm. She paused and sat down again. "Look I can only imagine how hard this is but you must consider that your parent's have likely known they could potentially be discovered all these years. I think you should talk to them before you make any decisions."

"Miss Benetez. Not doing anything may feel safer but the risk for them and for you remains. And what will you do until your sister turns 21? You need to talk with your parents about this situation. Only then can you make a decision." Professor Gilpin offered.

She was processing these thoughts when William made an offer that surprised her. "Lizzy, I think I should accompany you to your family home. It will be a difficult meeting, and it might be helpful to have someone there who can listen without, um, without emotion."

"Why? Why would you want to come?" Lizzy asked, a bit dumbfounded by the idea of William Darcy sitting in her family's apartment above their restaurant. No one from her life at Harvard had ever been to her home and the wealthy Mr. Darcy was the most unlikely person she could see taking there.

"Miss Benetez, there is some merit to Mr. Darcy's offer to accompany you. It will likely be challenging as the child to question your parents. Also, William might think of questions that should be asked when you are on the spot that we haven't thought of. It would be good to have a second pair of ears to hear the answers your parents give as to your crossing, and current status. I think it's a very good idea." Professor Gilpin added.

"I'll need to think about that Professor Gilpin. Thank you for your offer William." Lizzy said quietly. With this, she stood up to walk out of the room. She then realized that she didn't know if their meeting was done and turned back. "I'm sorry but are we done? I think I need to go. I'm feeling a bit drained. Thank you again for everything." She turned quickly to exit the clinic. She wanted to get away as quickly as she could. She wanted to get away from everyone and everything.

William watched her leave, feeling terrible and not really understanding why or how to feel better. It was how he often felt after spending time with Georgiana and it felt awful. He had done his best and yet there was no resolution.

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