Chapter 1

Elizabeth hurried across the hallway. She knew that she didn't have the time to spend hanging out with her best friend Charlotte. But she had anyway. And now she might be late for history class. To her grateful appreciation the bell only rang as she slipped into her seat.

"Class settle down. Or I won't return those tests I have on my desk." Mrs. Lucas, the only person ever to get excited over anything in the past, even old 50's sitcoms. In fact she was so into history that her wardrobe was directly out of the 1940's.

"In fact I have two better things to do. First, to introduce two new boys into our class! Here is Charles Bingley and William Darcy, both from London England. They are old friends, but of course they're eager to make new ones!"

Elizabeth looked them over. The Charles one looked nice enough. Not a total hotie but he had a nice smile and was from appearance was easy-going. The other one, William or something, was his opposite. A dark secretive person, he clearly looked down on the class. Elizabeth daydreamed about them. It was her favorite excise, judging people.

"And you Will, will work with Elizabeth on this project. She's one of our best students and I'm sure you will be very happy."

"What?" She hated when Mrs. Lucas interrupted her daydreams.

"We're to work together on a booth about the war of 1812." William whispered. And then looked angry at being pared with such an out of it partner, she saw.

Like she cared. Elizabeth went back to drawing on her notebook, keeping one ear open for any questions directed to her.

Chapter 2

"Liz! How'd you do on your test?"

"In history? Only a 97. I'm slipping."

"Sis, we can't all have perfect 98 averages in English and History!"

"Why not? I am a genius Janey."

"Don't call me Janey, or I'll go up to that new boy and say that you think he's hot!"

"Will Darcy? Go ahead. I care not a fig."

"You know him? And his friend?" Her twin sister's tone took on an incredulous air.

"Yeah. They're in my history class."

"You have to introduce me to the nice one!"

"Why? You sweating him or something?"

"Yeah."

"Come on girlfriend, he's hardly IBM (note to readers- IBM= ideal breeding material)"

"He's no Mac (note- MAC= most awful creep)!"

"Could be scrubby…no really, one introduction coming up!"

"I love you Liz! No, not in that way!"

"Charles! Charles Bingley!"

"Yeah, Elizabeth wasn't it?"

"I'd like you to meet my twin sister Jane."

"Hi."

"Hi."

After that greeting the two began conversing at a rapid pace, excluding all others.

"Well, Will I guess we're stuck talking to each other."

"I suppose Elizabeth."

"When do we get together to start our booth?"

"Hopefully not in the near future."

"But we have to work on it sometime!"

"You tell me what to do and I'll do it at home."

"Why?"

"Because I dislike being near empty-headed girls. And I have no wish to become attached. At all."

"Good Lord! I have no wish to attach any poor girl to you!"

"Well then we understand each other."

"I need to go to gym. Tell Jane when she awakes to the outside world that I'm there."

"I will."

Elizabeth hurried to the locker room, in her mouth a distaste of the rude Will. But she had to admit to herself that she rather liked the idea of having a person that could stand up to her. If he would join the debate club meetings might take a more interesting turn…

Chapter 3

"Liz! Liz!"

"Yes Janey? Can't you see I'm studying?"

"Liz I'm invited over to Charles' house! To meet the 'rents and his sisters! Isn't that a great sign?"

"Of what?"

"That we might… hook up!"

"Bring out the wedding bells… Whoopee."

"You can come too… you're also invited."

"Is Will gonna be there?"

"Oh yes, there always at each other's houses."

"No, sorry, se ya later."

"Come on! For your favorite sister?"

"With all the other sisters I have it's not much of a choice."

"You know what I mean. Look, I'll buy you those new butterfly clips you've been sighing over."

"The glitter ones?"

"If you want those, yeah."

"And a pair of new goggles? With swim practice five days a week I need new ones."

"If you want. Meet me at six bells in the family room."

"You have my word."

"Yes!"

Elizabeth paused over her math textbook and considered her agreement. Charley she thought was nice. His sisters could be tolerable. His parents might be cool. But why did she willingly agree to spend time with Will? Even butterfly clips weren't worth.

"Should have asked for the new TLC CD." She halfheartedly grumbled.

Chapter 4

"Charles!" Jane was enthusiastic about him.

"Jane! How ya doing? Did softball practice go all right?" Bingley was just as eager to see her.

"Great, till Erica, our star pitcher, got a ball in the face. Poor gal." Jane and Charles quickly started chatting about their day (as if they hadn't seen each other all during school) and again Elizabeth was forced to talk to Will.

"Have you finished the poster I told you to make?" Gee won't this be fun she thought. An evening of Will Darcy.

"I believe so."

"Do you take any sports?" Try to be polite. Come on Elizabeth don't rip out his face. You can do it. She silently was coaching herself.

"Yes. Two."

"What are they?"

"Baseball, like Charles over there. And Tae Kwon Do (note to reader- Tae Kwon Do is a form of martial arts from Korea which involves a lot of kicking)."

"You can't take Tae Kwon Do!"

"Why not? Is it only open to the preppy groupies here?"

"No, cuz I take it too, and I haven't seen you come to any classes once!"

"I'm going to my first practice here tomorrow. What belt are you?"

"Red."

"Same."

"I hate you."

"Why Elizabeth I intensely dislike you too."

"Oh look, there's Charlie's sister's. I think I'll go talk to them. It might be less painful."

"I suggest you go."

Elizabeth spent the rest of the evening very unhappily. The two sisters did nothing interesting save flirt with Will (and the way he ignored them was quite amusing) and gossip about Jane behind her back. The night was very wasted.

Chapter 5

"I am I suicidal Janey?"

"Not that I know of. Unless you count calling me Janey, cuz for that I'll kill you."

"I am now devoting another evening to go to that bash Charlie is throwing. Not only will Darcy be there, but your lover's sisters AND I am bring along Lyddie too."

"He's not my lover!"

"Whatever."

"Ooh Liz! I'm gonna get you for that! Maybe Kitty would like to come too…"

"Am I the babysitting brigade?"

"For tonight. And I have a surprise for you. A very horrible surprise that mom and Daddy saw fit to drop on me today…"

"Ye gods. What is it?"

"Remember our step-cousin? Mr. Collins? The one who reminds me of Upchuck on Daria?"

"The one who tried to kiss me and you every time he got?"

"He's coming for a visit."

"At the rate this night is going all I will ever need is a room with padded walls."

"Well if you don't take it maybe we can put Collins in it."

"Good Idea!"

Chapter 6

Elizabeth felt like a tourist guide with a motley group of tourists. First her sisters Lyddie and Kitty (the only two girls to date before their eldest sister learned what boys were) and her cousin Collins. He tried to monopolize her time but was failing. Will Darcy took up half of it. From the frying pan to the fire was the only way to describe the evening.

"Cousin Elizabeth! Do come here and let us talk."

"Collin, not again."

"But I have something special to tell you."

Elizabeth allowed herself to be pulled out onto the patio.

"As you know, I have the honor of being taught by the illustrious Mrs. Catherine, the aunt of Will Darcy. She is my goddess, however she cannot fill all matters of a growing boy's heart."

"I never knew you were a boy, much less a growing one." A cruel joke she thought to herself. Collins was short and fat, like a matzah ball, and very much ashamed of it.

"Anyway. Mrs. Catherine had told me to choose a girl to be my companion. A pleasant intelligent girl for her sake, and a pretty one for mine and a suicidal one for her sake. Will you go out with me Cousin Elizabeth?"

"Good lord no! You're my cousin."

"Only step cousin. It's legal."

"Not in my eyes. Beside you revolt me!"

"My word. A feisty chick aren't you? Very well, perhaps in a couple of days you will see the folly of refusing such a ladies man such as my self." He reached out his arm to hug her. She grabbed it and started twisting.

"Listen cousin, I'm a red belt and you know that I can break your arm. So why don't you go inside and find another girl to pester. Like I don't know…Charlotte, perhaps." Good she thought it would serve Charlotte right after insulting me.

Collins nodded, his dignity hurt worse than his arm. The Elizabeth's relief he ran off.

"Lizzy!" It was Lydia's turn to annoy her.

"What."

"You have to tell that Will Darcy to dance with us! He's so very fine, but won't do anything save look at you! I don't know why, I'm so much prettier than you are. And my dress is skimpier. By far."

"Lyddie?"

"Yes?"

"Do me a favor and shut up before I make you eat your stamp-sized dress."

"I'm telling mommy on you!"

"Tell me when I care."

"Janey!" Lydia ran off presumably to inlist Jane on her side.

"God help me." Elizabeth sighed.

"I think he will."

"Good god, Will I didn't see you sneak up on me."

"I decided to come over here. They're playing an N'sync song, and I hate those boy bands."

"You too?"

"Elizabeth, in vain I have struggled. It will not do. Although I have promised never to love anyone ever again after my bad break up, common sense is rarely as strong as love. Be my girl Elizabeth."

"No."

"Why not? I am smart, the star of the baseball team and really, really handsome."

"And rude selfish and horrid. I loathe you."

"And I you. Horrible brat. You are as bad as your sister over there flirting with Wickham."

"Oh god, Lyddie get back here. You can't date guys in their senior year. Mom's rules remember?"

Darcy watched Elizabeth run off and then started running in to the yard. How dare she refuse him? Did she think she was all that and a bag of chips? Well she wasn't. Time to use Charles' sister, whatshername, to make that girl jealous. She'd learn the wrath of a Darcy. But what she said had stung him deeply.

Chapter 7

"Kick!" It was Sabenim Steve (Note- Sabenim is a teacher of Tae Kwon Do).

They kicked. It was advisable to do as Steve asked. He would get very upset if you didn't.

"Now lets pair up and do some fighting class!"

"Yes sir!" The class replied as a whole.

"Liz you and Will pair up."

"Yes sir." Elizabeth sighed. He had to come. Especially after last night.

"Ready?"

"Yeah Will."

At first they sparred (a form of fighting) silently. But Elizabeth grew bored and decided that talking to Will was better than thinking about how he needed to adjust his jacket cuz it reveled a lot of his (nicely tanned) chest.

"Do you have a sister?"

"Yeah, she's the white belt over there."

"Georgina? That sweet little thing? She's way too nice to have you as a brother."

"Thank you for the complement."

"Just doing my job."

"When do you wanna get together to work on the booth. Its due on Monday."

"How about when Y2K?"

"Huh?"

"When you two kiss. Learn slang you lazy bum. By you two I mean you and Georgie."

"I don't think we'll get an A if you insist on keeping such a plan."

"Fine, after swim practice Friday. Can you make it?"

"Even better I can pick you up."

"Cruising in your pinto I suppose."

"What?"

"Just quoting "Pretty Fly for a White Guy". What kind of car do you have?"

"A BMW, blue."

"Nice."

"And a new Beetle. Black."

"Groovy!"

"I can lend you either one if you want…"

"Nah, I have a vintage Beetle of my own."

"Break time!" Steve's voice cut in.

"Join me and my sister for a water break?"

"Kay Will."

Georgina was one of those girls whose biggest talent is hiding their light under a bush. A shy gawky little girl, she was as old as Lydia but without the confidence.

"Will!"

"Hey sis. This is Lizzy."

"How do you do Elizabeth."

"Good. How do you like New York?"

"Its great."

"Yeah, I'm a big apple fan myself."

"So umm, have you seen any movies lately?"

"Not really. With midterms coming up I don't have time for anything!"

"Ugh, don't remind me."

"You think its hard Will? Try being on the swim team, the debate club, doing Tae Kwon Do and studying! Not to mention looking after my sisters is a job and a half."

Just then Steve came up to her. "Liz the phone for you."

"Thanx Steve."

Elizabeth returned but in her street clothes. She looked like she had been crying.

"Elizabeth what happened?" Will could shake his fear that something might hurt her, take her away from him.

"Will, my little sister Lydia ran off with Wickham…"

"No! Not him again. Oh Elizabeth, I'll do anything to help." Blinded by the moment he gave her a hug. They both turned away blushing. Will in shame of what he had done Elizabeth in shame of her enjoyment of it.

"I have to go. Maybe I can find her."

"Goodbye."

"Bye Will, bye Georgie."

Chapter 8

Will sat at his desk angrily. That stupid Lydia Bennett and Wickham! Running off like that. And now with the Bennett family in chaos there were little chances of either him or Charles spending time with the Bennett daughter of their choice. And he wanted to see Elizabeth again.

"Hey Will." It was Mike, the first baseman for the baseball team he played on. Solid, dependable and stupid. Although Will was in no mood for it, Mike was friends with Wickham and might know something about the eloped two.

"Hey Mike. Have you see that Bennett chick?" Talk to the prey in its own pathetic little language. That's the ticket.

"Which of them? They're all delicious 'cept for that Mary bird. The gal who never brushes her hair? What an ugh."

"Jane, Elizabeth and the flirty one. What's her name?"

"Lyddie?" Mike was getting slightly suspicious; Lydia was a very risky subject with him. "Why you wanna know where Lyddie is hanging?"

"Cuz she's a total babe." As much as Will hated to say that it was the only motive Mike would accept.

"You wanna get in her pants. Well buddy you're too late. Wickham's her man." Mike was cocky.

"You got proof."

"Yeah. Both of them are at his Grandma. And you don't need to be in honors math to figure out what they're doing."

"Thanx Mike. Look I gotta go. The 'rents have freaked out on me again and like for me to report home once in a while."

"Cool, see ya."

Darcy ran over to Wickham's Grandmother's house as fast as he could. Asking to see Wickham and saying he was an old friend (old enemy might be more real but then…) got him past the Grandma.

He barged into the room Wickham was sharing with Lydia.

"Wickham hand her over!"

"Will, how nice to see you. And I won't."

"Yes you will. I told you what I'd do to you if I caught you pulling a stunt like that ever again, didn't I?"

Wickham briefly remembered old pain before his smoothness came back in full swing. "So? You might also need the lady's consent. And I doubt that you'll ever get it. Lyddie come here darling."

"Yes Wicky?"

"Will over here wants to bring you home. But don't you want to stay with me?"

"Oh… yes Wicky. I suppose."

"Suppose?" A glint of steel, a tiger's snarl was in the voice.

"I mean, how could I live with out you baby?" Fear and panic were handmaidens in hers.

"But Lyddie, I promised to throw you a bash. How can I throw you a bash if you aren't there?"

"Wicky will take me, won't you?"

"Maybe."

Will calculated rapidly. If he was any judge Lyddie wouldn't fight too hard to leave. And if he left the couple would relocate and there would be no way of finding them. If only he could grab her…

"Lyddie I do say you don't believe me. Come over here to make sure I have no crossed fingers or anything."

Lydia looked at Wickham and after he nodded she advanced forward. Will grabbed her and raced out the door before she could do anything but squeal. Wickham chased but one kick from Will made him give up. "Wicky" had been in trouble before for this sort of thing. And Lydia in his book wasn't worth the chase.

"Why did you grab me, you fiend!"

"Lyddie, listen, your family is worried sick. And that was no place for you to be."

"How do you know? Maybe I liked it!"

"He hit you, didn't he?"

"Yes." The answer came out grudgingly, more in respect of Will than in thanks of rescue.

"Come on, I want you to go home and then to the doctors."

"Fine."

Chapter 9

"Elizabeth calm down. Everything's fine. Lyddie's safe and back home. The end."

"I know that. But two things worry me."

"What?"

"How to make Wickham pay, preferably painfully, and how to thank Will. I mean, its not like he was a boyfriend of any of ours or something and he…"

"Still sorry that you refused him?" Jane had heard this train of thought a million times since Will have brought home an indisgrace Lydia.

"Yeah." Elizabeth had to admit it, Jane could see right through her.

"Well, I'm going over to Charles' tonight. He'll be there, I can bet on it. Why don't you thank Will there?"

"I guess…"

"Come, girl you know you wanna seen him." Jane insisted. And for once Elizabeth wasn't so set in her way that Jane could convince her to go.

Chapter 9

"Hey Charles. Where are the folks." Will saw a nice dinner, two sister, two Bennett sisters (Elizabeth- whoopee!) but no parents.

"They have a business trip. So it's just us. But that's okay. I rented Austin Powers if that helps allay your fears." Charles glanced over to Jane. Should he say it now?

"Will, Caroline, Louisa and Elizabeth? I need to say something, well me and Jane…"

"Jane and I."

"Yes Jane. So anyway, we have to tell you guys something. We're going out." Charles seemed to burst with pride before the collective what issued from the audience.

"Its true sis. We've been an item from almost a week now." Jane was just as happy.

"Wow! You two are so into it! A whole week. Good Lord!" Elizabeth was hurt. She felt Jane had deserted her in the cold lonely island of singlehood. Jane was know getting her happily ever after, but where was Lizzy's? She went out to the patio. The same patio that she had had two offers on. One she would not accept even now, but the other… no, who would ask twice?

"Elizabeth?"

"Will I have to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"Why did you find Lyddie for us. You hardly had to."

"Because Wickham had tried to pull something like this on my sister too, many years ago when we were best of friends. And I told him I would come down on him like taco bell on an upset stomach if he ever pulled a stunt like that again. It was my duty." How could he explain to Elizabeth that he did it for her? She would then run away, or would she?

"Remember the last time we were out here together?"

"And you told me politely to ahhh, just be friends? But seriously Lizzy, I do have something to tell you."

"What?" She could barely see him but for the tears.

"Will you, err, would you, umm pleasegooutwithme." The magical words arrived like one big one mashed together.

"Will, I would be most honored to be your girl. In fact I would love to."

They stood there, strains of music from the movie giving the scene a weird twist.

Then they kissed. In the background Vanessa started talking about how she would never shag Austin.

"Maybe we should drop our bomb now." Elizabeth suggested.

"Not yet. They're still in shock from Jane and Charles' bomb. Besides this moment is too perfect to wreck." Will wanted to keep this moment forever. It was the most perfect one he had had yet.