The week was as Darcy had predicted : tiring. And it was only the beginning. Playing five nights in a row was taxing. So was witnessing the interactions between Richard, Lizzie and Charlotte. Puzzling might be a more adequate term. Lizzie and Richard were on good terms, as usual, why wouldn't they be ? Charlotte and Lizzie were still the best of friends, which was more queer. Were they that not possessive when men were involved ? Granted, some people were not prone to jealousy, but that was a bit extreme. At least, it appeared so to Will, given that Richard and Charlotte's relationship was restored to its previous setting with additional and occasional public display of affection. How the hell could sleeping with Lizzie have strengthened Richard and Charlotte's relationship ? Even for Richard, the ever congenial dude, it was perplexing. In conclusion, everybody was happy, no-one seemed bothered by anything. That was an odd triangle.

On the contrary, Darcy felt like he was back to the very top of the list of people Lizzie Bennet hated, for every time he was within her field of vision, all joyfulness seemed to escape her. Her smile vanished, the sparkle in her eyes died out and she avoided looking at him altogether if she could. When Will realised it, his insides twisted. After noticing similar reactions a few times, he decided to make himself scarce. He couldn't stand to affect her this way. Her justified reproof still in mind, he decided against brooding alone in his room and instead, often joined Charles and Jane when they were in the mood for company. Given their mutual happy dispositions, they often were. True to his resolution, Darcy kept on being nicer to The Meryton Assembly, and made an extra effort towards Jane. Even if it meant more exposure to Caroline, Darcy suffered it, as a kind of penance. He deserved it. Jane was his closest friend's girlfriend after all, it was high time for him to try and get to know her better. For this delay, he also needed to make amends, he supposed. Once again, Lizzie had been right, Jane was the nicest person Will had ever met. He had always thought too-nice-people lacked depth of character, but Jane proved him wrong. She was sweet without being gullible and far from being a fragile little thing. He should have known she would share this archness with her sister, they were very close after all.

Charlotte was a whole different ballgame. All his attempts at being friendly were cut short. She kept a distance, and her gaze was more cold than amiable. What exactly had he done to her ? Maybe his warming to her came a little late. He couldn't blame her for thinking that.

Surprisingly, Maria was not such a difficult case. Her shyness equaled his sister's, even if Georgiana was not reserved with him, thus it was not unknown territory. Although Will and Maria didn't become the best of buds, he was quite sure her blush was less marked when he talked to her these last few days.

If there were only the gigs, things would be rather nice, broken heart set apart, of course. But there were obligations beyond the concerts and the music per se. Interviews, shows to attend, parties to be seen at. Or radio shows were Pemberley was to be interviewed, like right now. Taking part in the media circus was no pleasure for Darcy. The paparazzis stirring the mud was enough for him. But Mrs Reynolds insisted it was part of the job. And she was right, as usual. He didn't see why they had to go that day, really. Pemberley's next album was not finished yet, and all their up coming concerts were sold out. But the natural authority with which Mrs Reynolds had informed them they were booked for that radio show brooked no argument. She just knew how to look at him to remind him of his duty. And his sense of responsibility prevented him from skipping that sort of event. Pemberley was quite rare on shows, an idea of Will to make them more desirable, with the happy consequence of allowing him to stay away from the public eye. Win-win.

- Well Darcy, Charles said after taking a sip of his coffee, comfortably seated on a leather couch, both my love life and Richard's have taken an unexpected twist during this tour. It's your turn now ! a grinning Charles exclaimed. How are things with Lizzie ? Bingley asked, eyebrows dancing.

Darcy went still. That was not funny because it was true. Apparently, Richard felt the other way around, his shoulders were shaking with chuckles. Darcy sighed. Had he not been locked up in a room waiting for this radio thing to be over, well, to start, in fact, he would have taken a turn somewhere. Anywhere.

Richard's deep laughter intensified. By now, he was laughing so hard he was crying. His hilarity got the better of his balance, and he fell backwards on the couch he was previously sitting on, his arms clutching his aching sides. This was simply hilarious.

Darcy turned pale as he swallowed hard. Of course, that sounded entertaining for him : Bingley asking Will about a girl Richard had banged. If both of them knew about his feelings, the joke would turn from funny to pathetic. Darcy didn't like to lie to them, the three of them were so close. As always, Bingley was surprising. He looked careless about what happened around him, even more so now with Jane in his life, yet somehow he always sensed everything. Well, maybe not always and not everything, but he wasn't as clueless as he looked. Yet, admitting to anything would lead to having an uncomfortable talk with Richard. He didn't look forward to that.

- There are no things. She hates me, Darcy answered with a shrug.

That was the truth, the very partial truth but truth nevertheless. Hopefully, this seemingly nonchalant confession would help him pretend her opinion of him did not matter, whereas it was in fact destroying what remained of his heart. Bingley laughed.

- Allow me to doubt that ! You don't dance with someone you hate the way she slow danced with you at that club. Nor do you sing to them what she sang for you.

Damn Charles, did he have to note those details ? That song and that bloody dance had been haunting him. Fortunately, he knew nothing of the kiss. That memory was driving Will to distraction.

- Isn't there a saying that goes like : hate is the other side of the coin where love also is ? Charles' voice grew less assured as the sentence stretched.

His eyes reached the ceiling, his index patting his lips.

- I'm positive there is something about a coin, and love and hate…. he thought out loud. Is it a coin ? Maybe it was an other object… a pitcher ? No, that would make little sense, although sometimes sayings are quite unclear, he mumbled on. Perhaps it was old english, then maybe « pitcher" would mean something else entirely.

A smile tugged at the corner of Darcy's mouth. Sometimes, Charles's mind took unexpected turns as well.

- Love and hate are two sides of the same coin, Darcy helped him.

- Ah ! Thank you ! Charles exclaimed.

His brows knitted immediately.

- Then Richard is head over heals in love with my sister.

Charles and Darcy erupted in laughter as Richard almost chocked on the peanuts he was throwing in his own mouth.

- Hell no ! he yelled, fuelling his band mates' hilarity. It is pure old hatred, I assure you ! he exclaimed over his friends' mirth.

- Anyway, she serenaded you, Bingley went on when the hysterical laughter started dying out. Lizzie, I mean, not my sister. She didn't, did she ? he added, a little alarmed.

Damn, Darcy had thought the subject would drown in their laughter. Charles was tenacious when he set his mind to it.

- What do you mean ? Darcy asked.

- The song she sang to you was called 'Where your love is'.

Charles' brows were in danger of reaching his hairline. How come something so obvious could escape Darcy's notice ? Will was still silent, the gears in his brain were apparently moving much slower than usual.

- Come on man ! Bingley exclaimed joyfully as he slapped him on the shoulder. You don't sing that to anyone. She wouldn't have sung it to me. Or to Richard, he pressed on.

- She wrote a song about Richard, Will grunted.

Charles' grin widened, if that was even possible.

- You're jealous ! he cried out, happy about his new discovery.

- Just stating a fact, Will countered.

Unsuccessfully, Darcy willed his cheeks not to colour.

- I quote her when I say she hates me, he pushed, remembering her last words during their fight.

God, that still hurt. He had left the 'so much' aside, it was already painful enough. Even when she apologised, she hadn't corrected this previous statement. If she had started to feel differently, he apparently ruined everything when he slept with that girl, even though he didn't understand why.

- And anyway, Lizzie is more Richard's territory, Darcy added.

The words tasted foul in his mouth, he schooled his features not to show the depth of his sorrow. He had no ill-feelings towards Richard, but the fact remained that Will hated what had happened between Richard and Elizabeth with every fibre of his being. To his surprise, Charles laughed again.

- Don't tell me you bought that nonsense !

Richard's slight laughter mixed with Charles'. For a second, Darcy was doubly stunned. That Charles was aware of this, and that setting the rumour aside as fake was an option. It didn't even cross his mind. His jealousy had blinded him to that very possibility. Could this really be that : just a rumour ? Then why had neither of them refuted it ? He swallowed the lump that had appeared in his throat. He knew why. Because it didn't matter what people thought. The real question rather was : why would either of the parties involved come to talk to him, apparently so highly unconcerned by this whole affaire ? If it was untrue. And after he had put a random girl in his bed. A hand combed his hair. What a stratospheric mess.

Will's ongoing muteness prompted Richard back in a sitting position.

- You believed that shit ? Richard asked, shocked. I told you I was in love with Charlotte, why would I sleep with Lizzie ?

An unquestionable good point. Suddenly, Richard sleeping with Lizzie made no sense. Why didn't Darcy see it ?

- Besides, I would never do that to you, Richard added.

- What do you mean ? Darcy repeated.

Was this revelation-day ?

- Don't insult me, Richard snorted, I've seen the way you look at her.

Darcy stiffened.

- How do I look at her ?

A happy alternative to a third 'What do you mean ?'. Let's save appearances and pretend he still had his wit together.

- Like a drowning man looks at a lifebuoy, like…he was struggling to find an analogy that would speak to him. Like a hungry dude looks at his favourite dish his grandma hadn't cooked for him in over 20 years. Should I go on ? Your pupils are literally heart shaped when you look at her.

Bingley's massive grin was poking from behind Richard. Ha ! He knew there was something ! He was not sure what exactly, but he knew it ! Will's mouth was a thin line. Well, apparently he was less subtle than he thought. They did know. Although Richard exaggerated. A little.

- I honestly thought that if you heard that bullshit, you would either, Richard held up a finger, recognise it for what it was, bullshit, or, he lifted another finger, run to me and smash my face. Then, we would have talked it through. End of the story.

- That's unlike me, Darcy pointed out.

- Hitting people or talking to them ? Bingley asked, still grinning.

Darcy sent him a black look. He was enjoying himself a little too much to his taste.

- So is banging fans, Richard noted, one brow rising.

Darcy rubbed a hand on his neck and groaned. That was not a fond memory. He would never do that again. Ever. Rarely had he been so stupid. But then again, he always seemed to be foolish as far as Lizzy was concerned.

- How do you, Darcy started asking.

- Charlotte, Richard interrupted him.

- Of course.

Was this the reason for her coldness towards him ? But why ? That did not involve her. Bingley's head was going from one of his bandmates to the other during the exchange.

- You slept with a fan ? he exclaimed, still smiling. Man, Lizzie has you hooked up for good !

He passed an arm over Darcy's shoulder.

- You're fucked, he announced with a toothy smirk, like it was some kind of good news.

Darcy groaned something unintelligible and buried his face in his hands. Luckily for him, that's the precise moment Mrs Reynolds chose to come in and inform them it was their turn to enter the studio.

Fortunately for Will, Bingley and Richard handled most of the talking. He still managed to utter some well constructed and meaningful sentences to their host, but his mind was engaged elsewhere. There was information to process. What credit could he give to Charles' assumptions that Lizzie did not hate him ? He had made some points, but she stated the opposite. A few times. Vehemently. Really, there was no mistaking her words or her body language. Except when she kissed him back. Damn, this was perplexing. Women are mysterious creatures. And then, there was the news that she had not slept with Richard. If only he had known before doing such a huge mistake. Richard was right, that was unlike him, but desperate people do desperate things. Even if he put all this together, he didn't want to raise his hopes, he wouldn't survive if they should be dashed again. A heart can only be broken so many times.

- How is Jane Bennet ? the host asked, smirking.

The interview was almost to an end. As usual, everything went smoothly. Charles' whole face lit up with a huge smile.

- No comment, was his retort.

The host chuckled.

- Too bad we are not filming, because we have our answer. Let me clarify for our listeners : Charles Bingley's smile just blinded us.

The audience laughed.

- What I will comment on however is our next album, Bingley seamlessly redirected the conversation. As of yet, we have no precise release date, but we have already recorded most of the songs. We hope it's going to be out very soon.

The crowd cheered.

- That is excellent news ! Do you already have a title you could treat us with, to help us wait ?

- We have a few in mind, but we are waiting for all the songs to be ready so we can label them with that one word or sentence that will wrap everything up perfectly, Darcy answered.

- So, we'll just wait in the dark, the host smiled, still happy to know there will soon be a new Pemberley album. We hope you guys will come here to present it.

No way, Darcy thought. He hoped his polite smile was not betraying his mind.

- Charles, you're not wearing your plaster anymore, the host noted.

- Yeah ! Charles happily answered while twisting his wrist. It's almost healed, but I still need a surrogate hand for the next couple of weeks. I may be able to play again for the very last concerts.

As the host's lips parted to ask another question, Will prayed every God it was not going to relate to whom was standing in for Charles. Should her name be spoken out loud now, he was sure he would make a fool of himself. Thankfully, this was of no interest for anyone present in this studio. Contrary to how Charles had actually broken his wrist, or if it did hurt. And it did irritate Will. How come people didn't want to know everything about this incredibly talented girl who just stepped in, and in only a few days, mastered their set to the point she could also sing with them ? His nostrils flared.

- So today, Richard concluded, we are going to play an acoustic version of 'Stumble'. Well, they are, he corrected himself, I'm here for moral support only.

The small crowd in the studio laughed, as Charles and Will stood up.

Touring with a band as popular as Pemberley definitely opened some doors for The Meryton Assembly. Their own talent did the rest. Much like their male counter parts, the three girls were heading to town for an interview and a photoshoot. Lizzie had promised to join them for an ice cream after they were done. Even for July, the day was really hot. For the first time in a long while, she was out of spirits. She had been away from home for many months now, and she missed her family. No, if she was to be honest with herself, she had to admit this whole thing with Darcy was brining her down. You have no right to be angry or jealous, you rejected him, she berated herself while enjoying the shower's cool water pouring over her. A welcome relief in this grilling day. There is no better place than a shower to reflect on one's life. Her body was soothed, but her heart still ached. At first, she had felt bad for the pain she had inflicted on him. Now, she felt the same way towards herself. He could have been her greatest love story if she hadn't been such a moron, she realised it now. Her forehead touched the cool tiles of the shower and she did not want to know whether tears or water was running down her cheeks. If only she had recognised her feelings earlier, and if her reaction to his post-incredible-kiss-speech been less heated… one could do a lot of things with ifs. There was no going back. She had apologised, he had fucked a beautiful groupie. Not exactly the reaction she hoped for. What was she wishing for, anyway ? It must have been only physical on his part. And now, his body was satisfied. Apparently, he had moved on. And he was right. She had hurt him. Badly. She should do just the same, move on. She was surely not going to chase him, that would be really deplorable. She had her pride. A snort clouded the tiles. Oh yeah, she had given quite a glimpse of her hubris. Now was time to regulate it better. She breathed in slowly. Her attitude these past days was inappropriate, even if it was dictated by grief. It was high time to put it aside. And start talking to him again. It was going to be hard, but she had to do it. She was still playing with them, and after this was over, she would still be working for them as a tech. Her feelings didn't matter, there needed to be a good atmosphere on the tour until the end. So, friendly she would be. If he even wanted to talk to her. A sad smile marred her face. She turned the water off and got out of the shower. The girls were probably not over yet, but a walk would do her good. She put on some shorts and a tank top, hoping her wet hair would help her brave the heat, all the while humming that melody that kept popping in her head. Pockets stuffed with cash, phone and her hotel key card, she was ready to face the inferno. Her hand left the doorknob and she retraced a few steps back into the room. If she didn't take this song out of her mind, it was going to haunt her all afternoon. Where were those little hotel notebooks when you needed one ? She grabbed a paper napkin and scribbled down the words that were dancing in her mind.

Is it too late

To come undone

To say I'm sorry

Through a sad song

I was so blind

I wouldn't see

And now I miss you

I'm so sorry

My pride in front of my eyes

Hiding you completely

I didn't want to see

I'm so sorry

Ah, better. Now, some ice cream.