****NOTE: I posted two chapters this week, so be sure to read Chapter 8 before tackling this latest installment. Happy reading! :).

Chapter 9

Some things are better off forgotten

We bury them in places that we really only visit

by ourselves

Oh, and you were a version like no other

Oh, they never tell you what to do when all you see is gone

What's the sense in anything when what they say is wrong?

- Imperfect, Stone Sour

Will's knock at my door the next evening sent my nerves into overdrive. He'd had a whole night and a day to think about the train wreck of a family dinner he'd been forced to endure yesterday. Make that a train wreck that had derailed and careened into a puppy mill. I shuddered at the dark turn my humor had taken during the past twenty-four hours.

I knew I owed Will a more in-depth explanation about my dad's big reveal concerning my financial situation and my mom's behavior, and I was not looking forward to either. Not. One. Little. Bit. Because it would mean telling him everything and possibly losing what we had for good.

My palms were sweaty from the anxiety I was experiencing, so I quickly ran to the kitchen to wash and dry them before I raced back to the door and opened it.

Will stood in the hall with his hand poised to knock again. "Is everything alright?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?" I smiled as brightly as I could.

"It took you longer than usual to answer the door, and you're out of breath and look nervous," he replied, studying me with a skeptical look.

I bit my lip. "I'm just glad you actually showed up. Part of me worried you wouldn't."

He stepped into the foyer and closed the door behind him. "I told you I would."

"I know, but I was still a little concerned after yesterday."

"Elizabeth," he took a step toward me and cradled my face between his palms. "You're going to have to learn to trust me, you know."

I nodded and automatically took a step back. Will dropped his hands to his sides. "Let's go sit down. I think we need to talk."

I led the way to the living room and dropped onto the sofa. Will took a seat next to me, and I turned toward him. "I owe you an explanation for yesterday. A couple of explanations, actually. I know you must have questions."

He nodded slowly. "I do have a few."

I clenched my hands together nervously in my lap. "Feel free to ask me anything…I think that'll be the easiest way."

Will studied me for a moment. "Please, don't take what I'm about to say as inappropriate interest in your financial affairs, but as I said yesterday, I was caught off guard by the mercenary charges your father laid at my feet."

I smiled at him. "Remember our discussion about sheep spit that night at the restaurant?" When he smirked, I continued, "My dad's parents owned extensive property and a ranching operation with a cattle herd that numbered in the tens of thousands. I visited and worked on their ranch every summer and holiday break until they died six years ago.

"They left the property, ranching operation, and cattle, to my dad and me. The stipulation was that we split the property if we decided to keep it, or the proceeds from the sale, if we decided to sell, in half. Because of the distance between home and the ranch, we decided to sell everything off. We each received fifty million and invested wisely. Between interest, returns from my investments, and what I make teaching, that amount has increased to—"

Will held up a hand and gave me an understanding smile. "You don't need to tell me how much, Elizabeth. I respect your desire for privacy in that sector, and, truthfully, I really don't wish to know the numbers."

I gave a single nod and dropped my eyes to my lap. "Anything else?"

"Why does your mother treat you the way she does?" His voice was quiet, hesitant. "I know I've no right to ask, but I'm genuinely concerned for you. You didn't deserve any of the horrible things she said to you, yesterday."

I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing for a moment that he'd asked anything but that. I looked up and met his sympathetic gaze. "It's complicated. I've never been what my mom wanted in a daughter. She didn't get along with my dad's parents, so she tried to keep my sisters and me away from them. Because I was a bit more difficult to handle as a child than my siblings were – I enjoyed playing in the mud, climbing trees, catching frogs and snakes, and taking off on my own adventures - she pawned my care off on my dad as often as possible. As a result, my dad would take me with him to my grandparents' ranch every summer as a child. I continued to choose to spend summers and holidays there as a teenager and even when I was in college, much to my mom's chagrin."

Will chuckled. "I'll wager you were a handful. You're a handful now, all grown-up. One of your many charms."

I grinned and swatted him on the arm. "Anyway, as I was saying, I was very tomboyish, even during my teenage years. I chose to play baseball and run cross country instead of participating in cheerleading and dance, and spent my time reading Shakespeare, Doyle, and comic books instead of Seventeen and Twilight."

I shut my eyes and exhaled slowly, gearing up for the painful part of my explanation. "The next part is something I'd rather forget, Will, and it's not something I've ever talked to anyone about." I cleared my throat. "My mom's version of success for a woman is to marry well and have a family. I—" I couldn't do this. I didn't want to tell Will what he wanted to know, what he deserved to know, because it could ultimately drive him to leave me.

"Elizabeth." He placed his warm, solid hand on my shoulder, and I grasped it, intertwining my fingers with his as if willing him to feel I'd still be enough.

I swallowed hard past the lump in my throat and pushed the words out. "When I was eighteen, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, which means that there's a possibility that I won't be able to have children."

The anguish in Will's eyes and expression tore at my heart.

My throat ached, and tears overflowed from my eyes and slipped down my cheeks. It had taken me years to come to terms with the fact that I might never be able to carry a child, and it still hurt.

"I understand if this changes things between us… I mean, I know we haven't progressed anywhere near far enough in our relationship to even consider having that discussion, but it's something you deserve to know before things go any further between us. You told me that you'd never blame me or stop me from leaving you if I couldn't handle things, and I wouldn't blame you, either, Will."

Will closed the distance between us on the sofa, pulled me into his arms, and held me against his chest. I shifted in my seat and curled into him, glad for the comfort of his embrace.

My tears made a wet spot on the front of his shirt, but he didn't seem to notice. "That was strike two, for me, as far as my mom was concerned. Instead of being there for me, it just decreased my value even more in her eyes."

"I could joyfully thrash your mother right now. And what you've told me doesn't change anything between us," he murmured against my hair. "You don't have to tell me any more if you don't wish to."

I shook my head and pulled away from his chest just enough to be able to look into his eyes. "No, because you need to know the rest, too. It explains a lot."

Will stiffened but nodded for me to continue.

I breathed deeply for a few beats, allowing the solid warmth of his body to calm me. "During my freshman year of college, my boyfriend of three years eloped with a friend of mine who lived in the dorm room next to me, over spring break, while he was still supposedly dating me. I only found out about it when I woke up one morning to photos on social media of the two of them getting married on a beach in Florida.

"It was about two years before I felt up to dating again. My second boyfriend was a med student and seemed like a nice guy. Anyway, one night he accused me – in front of his friends at a party – of being a waste of time and effort because I wouldn't sleep with him. I made the mistake of arguing my beliefs, which only motivated him and his buddies to attempt to give me a physical education on the matter. Luckily Jane came looking for me and got me out of there before anything irreversible could happen. I don't even want to contemplate what would have occurred if she hadn't.

"I didn't tell anyone about it. I couldn't. My mom blamed me for not being able to maintain a relationship. Both of her dreams for me were destroyed at that point, you see." I shrugged. "That's why I'm so careful, Will. The last time a man made an advance toward me, it was to take by force what I refused to give freely."

Something darker than anger flashed in his eyes – rage. His chest heaved a couple of times with the effort to control his breathing as he pulled me more tightly against him again. I felt him press his lips against my hair, and in a quiet, lethal voice, he ground out, "No one is ever going to touch you again, as long as I live. And no one will speak to you the way your mother did, do you understand me?"

The vehemence of his words should have scared me and set off warning bells – and it would have a mere week earlier – but instead, I felt safe. I felt protected. I felt like I belonged. I felt like I was home.

OOOoooOOOoooOOO

I watched the firelight from the candles on the mantle dance against the wall as I lay on the couch, thinking about the past week. After Monday, Will and I had spent Wednesday evening together. There had been no tense moments and no more near kisses. It was as if we both sensed that we needed to take a step back and work on building a firm foundation for our relationship before we jumped in.

Something had fundamentally changed between us since our discussion Monday night. Things were easier, natural. The underlying uneasiness that had stood between us had vanished, deepening our easy camaraderie. I chalked it up to the fact that Will now knew everything about me, thanks to my family's indiscreet comments about my personal life. There was a silver lining to every cloud, I supposed.

I hadn't seen him since Wednesday night, and I missed him. I groaned. I was officially pathetic.

Jane, who was staying the night before the double date with Will and Charles on the morrow, padded into the room in her slippers and pajamas. "Want some tea, Lizzy?"

That sounds wonderful," I replied. "By the way, I have a proposition for you."

Jane eyed me with interest.

"Will asked if I would like to visit his home this summer. It's an open invitation to stay until I need to be back for school."

Jane took a sip from one of the cups of tea that she still held. "That sounds exciting. I hope you plan to accept."

I nodded. "I know it does. And, yes, I have accepted the invitation. He said that you're welcome to come along. Charles will be there for the summer as well, and Will thought you might enjoy the trip too."

Jane's eyes widened in surprise. She set one of the two cups of steaming chamomile tea on the coffee table in front of me. "Are you kidding? I'd love to go! Especially if it'd make you feel more comfortable," she replied enthusiastically, setting her own cup down before she sat next to me on the couch.

I turned to face my sister. "It would make me feel more comfortable, honestly. I'm so glad you said yes! It'll be your first time overseas!" I smiled excitedly at her. "So, are you nervous about tomorrow?"

Jane smiled and shook her head. "No. I've spent two weeks getting to know Charles, Lizzy, and he's wonderful. I can only imagine how much more wonderful he is in person." She blushed and picked up her tea.

Despite Will's reassurances, I still felt uneasy about my sister's relationship with his friend. I bit my tongue to keep from voicing my concerns and released a tense breath as I reached over to pick up my own cup of tea. I felt Jane's hand on my knee.

"Lizzy?"

"Hm?" I replied, raising my teacup to my mouth to take a sip.

She looked at me with pleading eyes. "Don't you want me to be happy?"

"Of course, I do!" I grasped Jane's hand with my free one. "I want that more than anything in the world. I'm just worried about you, that's all."

She looked down at her teacup, hesitating for a moment before she spoke again. "I'm ready to trust again. I'm ready to take a chance on love. I think it's time you took the same leap of faith and put a little trust in others, too."

I reared my head back in surprise and set my teacup on the table. "What do you mean by that?" I demanded.

Jane set her cup aside and put her hands on my shoulders to calm me. "I know that what happened to me affected you, too."

When I eyed her doubtfully, she continued, "Your trust threshold was already maxed out because of the way mom has always treated you and after your own failed relationships. Which weren't your fault, I understand that," she added when I opened my mouth to protest. "But to go through what you did with your relationships and then watch what I went through with Marcus...that would give anyone trust issues." Her lips curved in a half-hearted smile.

The truth of Jane's words slammed into me, opening the deep, half-healed chasm in my heart, and rattling the handles of doors in my mind that I continually fought to keep closed.

Seeing my unhappiness, she leaned forward and hugged me. "I know you better than anyone else does. It's time to open yourself up to love again. You deserve so much more in life than what you're currently content with."

Jane released me and I reached for a tissue. "Aren't you worried about being hurt again?"

She was silent for a moment, a thoughtful expression creasing her brow. "Afraid of being hurt? No. Afraid of losing someone I love? Yes. Absolutely. But if I let that fear control me, if I let it influence my choices, then I'm going to miss out on what could be the most wonderful part of my life."

I swallowed back the tears that still threatened to fall.

"Will is a good man, Lizzy. Give him - and yourself - a chance."

I nodded slowly, unable to speak, thanks to the inner turmoil I felt as a result of Jane's spot-on observations.

She glanced at the clock on the mantel. "We should get to sleep…it's past midnight."

I took a deep breath to collect myself and smiled at my sister. "I suppose."

When we stood to go our separate ways for the night, Jane pulled me into another hug. "Goodnight. Sweet dreams." She took a step backward so she could meet my eyes. "I love you, little sister."

"I love you, too," I replied.

When Jane left the room, I blew out the candles on the mantel with an unsteady breath and went to my own room.

OOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOOoooOOO

The next day, at noon on the dot, there was a knock at the door. I glanced at Jane who bounced on her tiptoes with excitement. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly at her and went to answer the door.

As soon as it opened, Will stepped over the threshold and embraced me. I felt the tension leave my body as though I'd been holding my breath for the past three days and had finally found that I was able to breathe again. I stepped out of his arms, still keeping hold of his hand, and peeked around his shoulder.

A handsome, smiling man with reddish-blond hair stood behind him in the hallway.

"Hello," I smiled. "You must be Charles." I released Will's fingers and reached around him to shake Charles's hand.

"Ah, the famous Miss Elizabeth Bennet! It's a pleasure to meet you."

I laughed in surprise. "Hardly famous, but a pleasure all the same."

"Well, infamous, then, I assure you, and soon to be famous for having drawn Darcy out. I don't know how you did it, but I sort of like seeing him head over heels for someone. Makes him seem less like a Soong-type Android and more like a real human."

My jaw dropped in surprise at his assertions concerning Will and myself, and at the Star Trek reference. Geekology always earns points with me.

"Really, Charles," Will complained. "He was dropped as a child, Elizabeth, several times." He glanced at his friend and leaned toward me to stage whisper, "He may have even eaten a bag or two of paint chips."

Laughing aloud, I took a step back and invited both men inside. When we reached the living room, Charles's eyes fastened on Jane.

"Charles, this is my sister, Jane," I announced, unnecessarily.

Despite her reassurances of the night before, I expected Jane to be shy, timid even, but she wasn't. There was no hesitation on either her or Charles's behalf. They were immediately drawn together, and embraced like old acquaintances, as though they'd known each other forever. When they finally separated, Charles rested his forehead against my sister's and spoke softly to her.

The touch of Will's hand on my back startled me and I spun toward him.

He caught me with both hands around my waist and smiled down at me. "How are you today?" His eyes roved over my face before settling on my own. "I've missed you, you know."

My eyes widened innocently. "If you've missed me in a matter of days, what will you do when you leave for good in a week?"

His face grew solemn.

"I'm joking, Will," I drawled, lifting the edge of my mouth in a teasing smile.

His expression remained serious as he studied me. "I've thought of little else. It won't be easy, but I'm determined we'll make it work."

I reached a hand up and lightly touched his cheek. "I know," I winked, hoping to bring him out of the pensive mood I'd unwittingly put him in. I rose to my tip-toes and tilted my head to one side. "On a lighter note, what do you want to do today?"

Will smiled back at me and relinquished his grip on my waist, taking my hand in his. "Let's try to pry those two apart, first, and then we'll talk about it," he nodded toward Charles and Jane.

The two of them were so absorbed in conversation that they only noticed us standing in front of them when Will cleared his throat. When they turned to face us, Will spoke.

"How do lunch and a movie sound for this afternoon?" he proposed. "Then, for dinner, Charles and I plan to cook for the two of you."

"How can we possibly turn that down?" I turned my attention to my sister. "What do you think?"

Jane smiled happily. "It sounds perfect! Are we all riding together?"

Before I could voice my vote for taking the same vehicle, Will spoke up. "Jane, you'll ride with Charles, if you don't mind, and Elizabeth will ride with me."

I grimaced, but Jane looked happy with the prospect of spending some time alone with Charles. I would rather have observed the two of them more closely. When I didn't respond, Will looked down at me and I quickly covered my disappointment and shrugged. "Okay."

"Excellent!" Charles exclaimed as he removed a set of keys from his pocket. "Let's go, then."

When we stepped outside, I understood why Will had suggested taking two cars. Parked behind Will's Corvette was a blue Ford Mustang. There was no way the four of us would have fit comfortably in the vehicle.

Will held the passenger door of the Corvette open for me and then jogged around to the driver's side. Once he was seated, he abruptly turned toward me in his seat. "Alright, what's on your mind? And don't say 'nothing,' because I won't believe it for a moment."

Not wanting to offend him by telling him that I was concerned about my sister spending time with his friend, I voiced my thoughts about the upcoming trip to Pemberley instead. "I've just been thinking about the trip to visit your home and trying to sort out the details of my absence. I need to find someone to take care of Moriarty while I'm away this summer. Mary was planning to house-sit while I was in Seattle, but I think she'll jump at the chance to get away from Kate and Lydia and have the condo to herself for a while. And, by the way, Jane said she'd love to go along with me. Thanks again for inviting us."

Will smiled widely. "It's my pleasure. At least you're able to understand me better, now. I haven't heard you cry 'subtitles' in a while. There's hope you'll even be able to understand the locals," he winked.

I grimaced. "Yeah, I'm getting used to the absent consonants and exaggerated vowels, I suppose," I teased. "But mostly, I just smile and nod a lot." I bumped his arm with my shoulder.

He shook his head ruefully and picked up my hand. Glancing in his rearview mirror to ensure Charles and Jane were ready, he pulled away from the curb and into traffic.

OOOoooOOOoooOOO

The upscale sushi restaurant that Will and Charles took us to was surprisingly empty for a Saturday afternoon, so we enjoyed a leisurely lunch. Charles and Jane sat across from Will and me in a booth tucked away in the back. The afternoon had been highlighted by Jane's obvious joy, Charles's story-telling ability, and Will's dry humor.

I observed more than I contributed to the conversation, watching for any sign of hesitation or uneasiness in Jane. Despite my initial reservations, I was surprised to discover that I really did like Charles Bingley. He was kind, funny, and outgoing, and I was glad to see my sister happy. However, I couldn't tamp down the feeling of apprehension I felt for her.

"Jane," Will said after we'd all finished eating, "I'm glad to hear that you've agreed to accompany Elizabeth this summer. It will be a pleasure to have you both as my guests."

Jane smiled back. "It was very kind of you to invite us, Will. I'm looking forward to traveling. I've never been abroad before, so this will be my first trip to the U.K."

"Well, then, we'll have to entertain you ladies, accordingly, won't we, Will?" Charles chimed in.

"Certainly," Will nodded.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked.

Charles rested his arms on the table and clapped his hands together. "Where do I start? Well, first of all, we can't let you leave with just one stamp on your passports. Will, we should take them up to Edinburgh for a weekend. It's about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Will's home," Charles explained.

"The Peak District is practically outside the back door," Will offered, leaning forward in his seat to rest his elbows on the table in front of him. "Then there's the Lakes, Dover, Stonehenge, of course, and London. All are a bit of a drive, but worth the trip."

"I'd like to see Culloden," I said. "And Bath, and some castles."

Will turned toward me and reached for my hand underneath the table. "Done," he said, squeezing my fingers. "There's much to see and do at Pemberley as well. There are hiking trails, gardens, horses, and many other outdoor activities."

"I can't wait!" Jane exclaimed.

I nodded in agreement. "It's hard to believe that we'll be there in less than three weeks."

Will drummed the fingertips of his free hand on the tabletop. "The more immediate question is, which movie would you ladies like to see this afternoon?"

Jane pulled out her phone and looked up the showtimes for the closest movie theater. When we'd all agreed on a comedy, Charles paid the bill and we left the restaurant.

At the theater, I was content to sit between Will and Jane. I ended up watching my sister almost as much as I watched the film that was playing, on the lookout for any sign of stress or discomfort from her. I was made aware of the fact by Will as we exited the building after the movie. So intent was I on chaperoning, that I startled when he touched my arm to pull me aside as we walked to the car. Even then, I kept my attention trained on Jane and Charles, who walked ahead of us.

"What are you doing?" Will asked.

"I'm walking," I responded distractedly, my eyes still on my sister, who had reached Charles's car.

"You haven't let Jane out of your sight all afternoon." Will placed his hand against my cheek and gently guided my face to the right, so that I was looking at him, instead of at Jane and Charles.

A pang of guilt niggled at me when I saw the frustrated look on his face. "Sorry I've been so distracted. I'm just concerned for her." I gave him a half-hearted smile. "Come on," I took a step and motioned for him to follow. "They'll wonder where we are."

Will sighed heavily but followed me to his car.

Later that evening after dinner, as the light faded and the sun began to set, I felt the need for some fresh air and a bit of solitude, so I excused myself from the group seated in the living room and stepped out onto the balcony.

Leaning forward, I rested my elbows on the cool iron railing and took a deep breath of evening air. I closed my eyes and slowly released my breath, imagining all of the confusing and troublesome thoughts that flooded my mind leaving with it. I stood there with my eyes closed, lost in a particularly amusing thought when I felt two large, warm hands wrap around my waist from behind. Startled, I jumped.

The grip on my waist tightened and I heard Will's low, calm voice near my ear. "Careful, there. My, you're jumpy today. I'm sorry that I keep startling you."

I released a shaky breath, my heart hammering in my throat from the scare. "It's alright." I straightened and gripped the railing a little tighter.

"What were you thinking of?" Will asked. "You laughed as I came out."

I threw him a look over my shoulder and cocked an eyebrow. "You don't want to know."

He released a long-suffering sigh and slid his hands up over my waist and the sides of my ribcage, to my elbows. From there, his fingers gently caressed their way over my arms to my hands. His large hands engulfed mine as he gently pried my fingers from the railing. He lowered my hands to my sides before his fingertips blazed their way back along my arms to my shoulders where his grip tightened, and he turned me around to face him.

I caught my breath when he took a step closer, effectively pinning me between his body and the railing. I shook my head. "Nope. Too embarrassing."

Will slowly, softly ran his fingers over the curve of my neck and cheek before he tucked my hair behind my ear, his fingertips coming to rest at my temple.

A shiver traveled down my spine and my heart began to race.

His mouth curved in a small smile. He bent and pressed his lips lightly against my ear. "Tell me," he whispered. He straightened and looked down at me, his blue eyes smoldering. "What made you laugh just now?"

I shook my head again, this time in resignation, knowing I'd know no peace until I'd confessed. "I was contemplating how many chickens it'd take to kill an elephant."

Will's forehead furrowed. "Do I even want to know why that particular thought crossed your mind?"

I gave a short laugh and looked down. "It's how I clear my head. I think about ridiculous things."

His soft laughter caused me to look up again, and I found myself caught in his eyes. I took a deep breath and stepped to the side, smiling at him as I did so. "We'd better head back inside. They've been alone in there for entirely too long."

"They're adults, Elizabeth."

I turned back to Will. "Yes, but Jane—"

"Is an intelligent, responsible woman who knows her own mind and heart," he interjected.

"I know. But I don't feel right leaving them on their own for too long. I just need to make sure she's not uncomfortable."

Will exhaled heavily, raising a hand to rub the back of his neck. "You can't protect your sister from life. How will she ever live fully or find love, if she's not given the chance to do so?"

His words stung. "It's not like I'm not trying to hinder her chances, Will. I just don't want to see her hurt again! I told you before; she learned a hard lesson about the dangers of trusting too easily, but unfortunately, she still likes to think the best of everyone and lets people walk all over her. I only want to make sure that the same thing doesn't happen to her again."

Will took a step closer to me. "Elizabeth, I don't know if you've noticed, but Jane doesn't appear to be the one with trust issues."

I glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" I demanded sharply.

Will dropped his head back and stared skyward. "What do you think it means?" he demanded. He lowered his head and his eyes snapped to mine. "Damnit, Elizabeth! I thought we'd gotten past all this! It's as though you have this wall, this tall, impenetrable wall around your heart and you're afraid to let anyone, including me, in! I understand that that's what you've had to do in the past – I do - but that doesn't make it right or healthy. Jane is open to love and happiness, while you seem to close yourself off to it!

"Every time I'm with you, I can feel your hesitation and the distance, both physical and emotional, that you try to keep between us, and I don't understand it. I've tried to understand, I really have. I want—" he took a deep breath, his expression intense. "I want so much more of you than you're willing to give. I want to know your heart and your mind. I want to know what you're feeling and thinking. I want your sarcasm, your humor, and your passion, but you keep me at arm's length! I need you to trust me! You say you do, but I know that's not entirely true, and I don't know what I need to do to earn your trust and get you to let me in!" He gently gripped my shoulders, giving me a slight shake.

Will's words, so similar to Jane's from the night before, hit me with the impact of a physical blow. I felt my throat constrict and I quickly swung around to hide the tears that sprang to my eyes. I began to stalk toward the opposite end of the balcony, but my foot caught on the leg of a lounge chair and I fell forward, hitting my face and forehead on the edge of the iron bistro table on my way down. Pain ripped through my face, but I caught myself by grabbing hold of the balcony railing, somehow managing not to hit the floor as well. I sank to my knees and shook my head. The pain made me gasp and I opened my mouth to take a deep breath, nearly choking on a mouthful of coppery-tasting liquid in the process.

Will immediately knelt beside me and pulled me down into a sitting position. I opened my eyes to see his attention focused on my mouth. "Good Lord, you're bleeding all over the place." He raised his hand to cradle my cheek and gently brushed his thumb over my lower lip.

I winced in pain and pulled my head back to see that his hand was covered in a thick coating of blood.

"Let's get you inside and have a closer look at this." He put one arm around my shoulders and pulled me up. Without seeming to think twice about it, he cupped his free hand underneath my chin to catch the blood running from my mouth.

The pain and humiliation blended in my mind, creating an odd feeling of surrealism. "I'm sorry," I said, my voice a bit mumbly from the blood and pain as Will propelled me along the length of the balcony to the living room door.

"Elizabeth?" Will's voice sounded exasperated.

"What?" I lisped.

"Stop talking. It's making your mouth bleed all over the bloody place."

I obligingly refrained from saying more.

We arrived at the door, and he reached with the arm that was wrapped around my shoulders to open it. We stepped into the living room where Charles and Jane were still wrapped up in conversation together on the couch, completely unaware of our presence until Will spoke.

"Charles," Will calmly called, still holding his now overflowing cupped hand underneath my mouth, "I need your help in the kitchen. Jane, get a wet towel."

Startled into action by the gruesome sight, Charles, followed closely by Jane, rushed to the kitchen while Will and I trailed after them.

"Oh, my gosh, Lizzy! What happened?" Jane worriedly asked as she lifted a wet washcloth to my lip.

Charles stepped in front of me and Jane moved to the side, keeping the cloth pressed to my mouth. "Go ahead and wash up, Will," he directed.

Will obligingly stepped over to the kitchen sink to wash the blood from his hands.

"She tripped," Will provided, from where he stood at the sink, washing his hands.

Jane shook her head. "Good grief, Lizzy! I've never known you to be so ungraceful as you've been during the past few weeks. Tripping twice in front of Will," she teased.

"Four times, actually, if you count the sprinkler and pavement she tripped over." Will looked over his shoulder and winked when he caught my eye.

I frowned. "You saw that?" I winced in pain as soon as the words left my mouth.

"No talking," Will reminded me with a pointed look as he returned to my side, drying his hands on a dish towel.

"Will," Charles said, "can you turn on the overhead light? I need to see how bad this cut is. Jane, do you know if there's a torch around here somewhere?"

Jane nodded and went to search for the requested flashlight while Will walked across the room to turn on the overhead lights and then returned to my side.

My head had begun to pound, and my stomach started to feel queasy, probably from swallowing so much of my own blood.

Charles turned to Will. "Hold this here, Will," he directed, nodding toward the wet washcloth he still held against my mouth. "I'm going to grab a larger one, this one's completely saturated." He made sure Will had a secure grip on the cloth and then jogged off, in the direction of the bathroom.

I shook my head in an effort to clear the encroaching dizziness away, but that only caused the room to begin to swim in front of me. I gripped the edge of the countertop behind me for balance and tried to ignore the feeling as I focused on Will's face instead. His eyes were intent on mine. "Will?" I mumbled around the edge of the washcloth, taking advantage of our momentary privacy.

"Hm?"

"What you said outside…you were right. I don't trust easily, and I have been keeping you at a distance. Trust and physical intimacy...neither of those things comes naturally to me, and I'm sorry. I want to be more open with you, but it's going to take time and help from you...if you're willing to help me, that is."

Will's face was set in a sober mask. "And how do you propose I do that?"

I swallowed hard, grimacing at the taste of blood in my throat. "As you pointed out, I have been pulling away and trying to keep you at arm's length. It's a subconscious defense mechanism. If you sense me pulling away, don't let me go. Pull back all the harder."

A smile touched his lips. "I promise."

Charles and Jane appeared with a towel and flashlight. Charles clicked the light on when he reached my side. "Okay, let's take a look."

I winced as Will lowered the washcloth; the sudden rush of cool air made the gaping cut sting. Charles gently placed his fingers underneath my chin and tilted my head back slightly as he shined the light in my mouth. "That's going to need several stitches, and you've got a pretty big lump on your forehead, too." He turned to Will. "I'm concerned about the possibility of a concussion; we'd better get her to a hospital. She needs a CT scan."

Feeling blood run down my chin, I reflexively swiped my mouth with my arm before Charles replaced the wet cloth with a dry one. The room started to spin again, and I felt like I was going to vomit. "I need to sit down," I whispered. When I took a step toward the table, the floor seemed to tilt up toward my face.

Will caught me with one arm around my shoulders before I fell, and then he bent to sweep his other arm behind my knees, effectively scooping me up into his arms.

"I'll bring my car around to the front of the building," Jane offered. "There's room for all of us."

Will nodded. "We'll be right behind you." Leaning in, he whispered against my ear, his voice tight with worry. "Here, love, we're going to get you help."

Will stepped out of my front door and into the hallway, still holding me securely in his arms, cradled against his chest. The metal ceiling tiles and lights seemed to blur together in a confusing blend of light and color, making my head spin. The last thing I heard before the world swirled into blackness was the ding of the elevator bell and Will's frantic voice, calling my name.