How To Win The Heart Of A Poet - Section I

By Dawn R

Beginning, Section II

Chapter 1

Posted on Monday, 4 January 1999

March 17th, 1995

Ring…Ring…Ring.

Elizabeth reached out with her hand in the direction of the telephone. As the receiver fell to the floor, she let out a choice word and opened her eyes.

"Hello!"

A whimper on the other end of the line was the only response she heard.

"If this is a crank call, I have caller I.D. and will turn your as…"

"Lizzy, he is gone."

She recognized the voice of her sister. Elizabeth looked at her clock; it was 2:47 a.m.

"Jane? Honey, what are you saying?"

"He is gone. He left tonight. Oh, Lizzy, I don't know what to do."

Elizabeth sat straight up in bed.

"Eric is gone?" Sleep was making Elizabeth confused. "What do you mean gone?"

"He…he wants a divorce."

"Calm down, Janie. Are you certain? Did he tell you this?"

"Yes."

Elizabeth felt her anger rise to the surface. Ever since her first grade teacher Sister Mary-Margaret officially diagnosed her behavior as 'fiery', she had found many occasions to demonstrate the power in the old nun's words. Elizabeth physically placed her hand over her mouth to contain the string of curse words that would have made a seasoned sailor blush.

When the need to verbally express herself subsided, she calmly got out of bed and began to pace.

"Jane, I am coming down to Champaign. I can be there in three hours--less if I use my fuzz-buster. "

"Lizzy, you have to promise me you won't start anything with him. Please. I want to talk to Eric again, and see if he will change his mind."

"He isn't worth…" Elizabeth paused, knowing she was about say something she may later regret. Why is Jane always so weak? "Okay, Jane. I will do as you ask, unless he provokes me." Her hands began to tense as she visualized herself choking Jane's worthless husband.

"Thank you, Lizzy. I really need you. Eat something before you come. I don't want you passing out."

"I will. I am so sorry for you." Elizabeth felt her own lip begin to quiver. Jane, of all people, didn't deserve this type of treatment.

"Promise me you won't tell Mama. I don't want her to know anything right now."

"It didn't even cross my mind. I'm on my way. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Elizabeth returned the phone to the cradle, and let out a deep breath.

I knew that pig would do this someday!

Summer 1998

William Darcy stepped into the darkened restaurant. If a person were to make a judgment based on his recent behavior, they would be led to believe he preferred having lunch at Mario's to anywhere else downtown, and they would be dead wrong. It was not the food that had converted him to a diet heavy in Italian cuisine, nor any other feature the quaint restaurant had to offer. To be completely blunt--this was the only place where he could catch a glance at her.

It all began for William almost two months ago. In the past, the convenient location of Mario's made him an infrequent customer of once or twice a month. This changed one sunny Tuesday when he happened to look up from his plate of pasta, and saw her for the first time. Simply stated, there was just something about her that made him turn his head a second time. The woman was not tall, or blond, or openly sensual, which was his usual type, but something else that he could not quite put his finger on.

William's good looks and personal wealth seemed to be a magnet for empty headed, vain women of little conversation. It was what he was accustomed to and comfortable with. Still, he could not take his eyes off of this petite brunette in the tailored business suit. With her hair pulled back into a thick braided bun that rested on the base of her neck, he could clearly see her facial features. She was not plain, but pretty in a wholesome sense. Even at a distance, he could tell that she did not wear much makeup and that it was not needed. Before making her way to her table, she stopped at a table of three middle-aged businessmen and conversed with them for a brief time. William heard them offer her the spare seat at their table, which she declined with a tilt of her head and a few words. The men were left smiling contentedly at each other as she walked back to the corner booth.

Without the pretense of flirting, she smiled at William with her eyes before sat down. A young waiter brought her two glasses of water and a plate of food within minutes of her arrival. She read what appeared to be a report while she ate, and William's attention returned to his lunch.

A firm but quiet 'No, no, no' came from her table, and he turned his attention once again to the woman across the aisle. She pushed her plate to the inside corner of the table and unloaded a laptop computer from her briefcase. While she waited for it to start up, her eyes ran down the piece of paper that had given her offence, obviously looking for a particular section. A scowl creased her forehead as an indication she had found it, followed by a glare at her laptop for taking so long. As she waited impatiently, she looked around and noticed him slightly grinning at her.

"Sorry." She whispered. "I hope I did not disturb you."

Letting her know it was all right, he shook his head at her and smiled. She continued to hold her gaze at him for the briefest moment, not turning away until her computer alerted her it was ready. William was left with the eeriest sensation--like she could see right through him.

This woman was definitely not his usual type, she was different.

During the next five weeks, William gradually increased the frequency of his visits to the restaurant. He could not deny he liked the rush he experienced when he saw her, it was the addictive flow of adrenaline that kept him coming back. Never in his life had he waited for so long before making a move. William found that he liked silently admiring her, and it was thrilling to wait until lunchtime to find out if he would be able to see her or not. On the days when she did not show up, he experienced disappointment, making the days when she did even better. The only words ever passed between them was an occasional 'hello', but more often than not, a nod of their head in each other's direction was the form of greeting.

He had actually learned many details about her in this time. Her name was Elizabeth Bennet. He reasoned that she worked nearby, since she ate at Mario's almost every day. She was an executive, possibly high ranking by the way she conducted business lunches. And, most importantly, she was single. He owed the last bit of information to an obnoxious woman who possessed a loud voice.

Elizabeth had been sitting alone a week ago when an overdressed middle-aged woman came and surprised her at her booth.

"Mama, what are you doing downtown? Please, sit down."

"I was shopping nearby, and thought I would catch you. I have some good news, Lizzy." The giddy woman spoke in a hushed tone, indicating she held a secret.

"Dare I ask what it is?" Elizabeth knew her mother well enough to be a little leery of her 'good news'. It generally had to do with a man for one of her single daughters. Without realizing it, she crossed her fingers under the table as she prepared for the worst.

"I have found you a date for your Cousin Kathleen's wedding. I met this really nice man at…"

Elizabeth uncrossed her fingers. The trick never seemed to work anyway. The longer her mother spoke, and it was a very long time, the further Elizabeth's jaw fell open.

"…So, I told him that I have this daughter who would be perfect for him. Oh, Lizzy, I described you in the best way!" The older woman was so pleased with herself that she completely ignored her daughter's reaction as she rattled away.

"Dear Lord!" Elizabeth hissed, placing her hand over her eyes in defeat. "Tell me you didn't!"

"I didn't tell him directly that you needed a date. Well," Mrs. Bennet squished up her face as she thought back to her words. "I might have hinted at it."

"MAMA!"

"Dear, we all know you are never going to get anywhere on your own." She reached over and patted her daughter's head. "Now, you need to stop by the church and talk to him. He has only been in town a week, so he won't be able to find your house."

In a low rumble, Elizabeth inquired if she had given out her home address.

"Heaven's no! I didn't want to make you mad, silly girl."

This particular conversation ended a short time later with Elizabeth informing her mother that she was not only forbidden to play matchmaker, but she also had no intention of going to talk to the man. Mrs. Bennet just looked at her daughter with an amused expression while the information passed through her head and back out into the surrounding air.

Mrs. Bennet did not stay much longer, as she had some important shopping to do. After she was gone, William noticed Elizabeth's head on the table. She didn't make a sound, but her shoulders were shaking like she was sobbing. His heart went out to her; her mother was too cruel. He wanted to go over and comfort her, but they had never been properly introduced and she may not appreciate the interference.

To his relief, a tall, dark-haired woman who he had seen with Elizabeth came back to her booth.

"Lizzy, what is wrong?" She inquired softly.

Elizabeth raised her head. Her face was red, tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she was grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh, Mary! Mama…was here." Elizabeth could hardly speak because she was laughing so hard. "You'll never guess who it was this time!"

Mary made her typical 'Mama' face, and waited. How Elizabeth could stand the woman's constant husband hunting was beyond her. Mary had never had any tolerance for her mother, which proved to be a good thing for Mary. It kept Mrs. Bennet from wanting to aid her in the quest for 'the perfect man for you.'

"The Church's new youth director! Which, we have to admit, it better than the widowed man with seven children, Mama's weekend Mailman, and the Burger King manager who just happened to be gay!" Elizabeth wiped the tears from her face. "We have to give the poor thing a break. After all, she has three daughters over 25 who are still single, well…you don't really count because of Steven."

"Thank God!" The longer Mary heard Elizabeth's giggles, the harder it became for her to keep a straight face. Soon both women were taking deep breaths, trying to control themselves.

Mary beamed at her favorite sister. "Happy birthday! How many is that now?"

"Like you don't know, you are not that far behind me little sister! I am 28, thank you. Mama forgot to mention that when she was here. Her mind was so full of shopping for a gift; a bracelet…a husband, either will do."

Both women began snickering again. William turned his face to the wall, hiding a small grin that had formed on his lips. He was amazed by her good-natured attitude toward her mother after what she had done. He would have been mad as hell, but she didn't seem phased. And it was her birthday, and he knew her age, and he heard her voice very clearly for the first time. She had the most charming accent, it sounded southern, but it was so faint that he would have to hear it more before he could be sure.

As his grin faded, William made a resolve. It was time for him to get better aquatinted with Elizabeth. He wanted for nothing more right now than to join her at her table, wish her a happy birthday, and share her gaiety. The game that had kept him occupied for so many weeks was no longer enough. He didn't want this special lady to slip between his fingers.

"I have a present." Mary opened the knapsack she had carried in and pulled out a laptop with a bow on it. "Happy birthday, dear Lizzy. Steven designed it for you. Pick it up, it only weighs two pounds."

"Mary! Thank you!" Elizabeth picked up her present. "This is going to save my shoulder. You are so sweet and thoughtful."

"Well, you know Steven, everything on it is as tweaked as it gets. He wants to show you all of the features when he sees you later."

Elizabeth looked up from admiring her new toy. "Where is your better half? I haven't had contact with him all day."

"Steven is on his way to Springfield right now." Mary attempted to remain light, but her smile tightened considerably. "There seems to be a problem with the State job we did at the Capitol."

"What sort of problem? Why wasn't I informed?"

"A big enough problem for Steven to go down there personally." It was not Mary's wish to ruin her sister's birthday, but Elizabeth could not be in the dark on this issue.

Elizabeth reached into her wallet and pulled out tip money.

"Let's get your food boxed and go to my office."

Chapter 2

Posted on Monday, 4 January 1999

Elizabeth's absence from the restaurant for the last week had been obvious, and William's personal distraction caused by it worried him a little. He had eaten at Mario's for four days straight this week, and was beginning to wonder if she had been transferred or changed employment. If she did not show up today, he was determined to ask Mario for information on her whereabouts. His attitude was not improved by the fact that he was so sick of Italian food he could scream.

"Miss Elizabeth!" The booming voice of the establishment's proprietor echoed throughout the building. "When Charlotte called and told me you would be coming down today, I was relieved. You work too hard!"

"Mario, " she sighed as she worked her way back to her familiar seat, "you are good to me. Thank you for all of the takeout."

Elizabeth linked her arm with the older man's. She had a tender spot in her heart for Mario. They had built a different sort of relationship over the years. He pampered her, and she spoiled him. It had been her father, Dale Bennet, who had informed her of the place, and she had been loyal since.

"Miss Elizabeth, I am having my nephew's band coming in tomorrow night. Is there any chance you would want to stop by and sing with them?"

William looked up from his spaghetti when he heard this. She sings?

"Tony, right?" Elizabeth asked. Mario's family was quite musical, so she needed to determine whom he was referring to before she made a decision. She was truly too busy at the time to come in, but if was for Tony, she might consider it. He was a good man and had been a good friend throughout the years.

"Yes, it is. Tony wants to try out a new set, so I volunteered my place."

"I will do my best to be here. Things are tight right now at work, but if I can make it, I will. What time?" Maybe a break from work was exactly what Elizabeth needed.

"Around eight, they will play until one, but you are not to wear yourself out."

"I should be able to get away for a few hours. Thank you for asking, Mario."

"You are a good girl, Miss Elizabeth. I will let him know." Mario tightened his grip on her arm. He looked at her closer as he noticed her arm felt thinner. Mario had taken it upon himself to make sure she ate at least one good meal a day, but he had not been able to watch her for a week now. Once she was at her booth, he would question her. Knowing Elizabeth as well as he did, he knew she would tell him the truth.

"I am expecting Steven and Mary today. Just bill me, okay?"

Mario shook his head in agreement. "Of course."

As Elizabeth was led to her booth, she looked over to see if 'handsome man' was at his table. When she saw him, a small smile crept across her face and she nodded to him. He was always a welcome sight. Elizabeth had no knowledge of who the man was, but she liked admiring him whenever she could. There was just something about the way he presented himself that made her want to get to know him more. Yet, she had never said anything of importance to him. Elizabeth could not account for her detour from her usual outgoing ways. In the past, if she found a man as attractive as she did him, she would have said something to him by now. But, not this time. All Elizabeth knew about him was that he did not wear a wedding ring, and he liked pasta. Granted, it was not much to work with, but it was a start.

Mario's usual jovial nature turned serious when Elizabeth sat down. He held onto her hand as he leaned over to speak to her.

"You look tired, dear, and thinner. If you do not have the energy to cook dinner at night, I will make you some meals to take home."

"I have a little insomnia right now, but once we get over this hurdle at work, I'll be fine. I will call you if I get too tired, and have you make something up. Thank you, friend."

Mario was satisfied with her reply. "I will get your lunch right away."

"Thank you," she responded as she opened her briefcase and removed a large stack of papers. Mario was correct about her being tired. The past week had been one of the hardest she had ever faced since she had taken over the company for her father.

Bennet Computers was a thriving privately-owned company. They specialized in computer systems for government and business. It was four months ago that Bennet Computers moved into the home computer market, and they had received rave reviews for their products and price. The machines produced were always of highest quality, built by technicians who were well trained, and made with quality parts. When her father suddenly retired, she inherited a perfectly sound company, and Elizabeth had every intention it remain that way.

Elizabeth looked at the stack of paper in front of her and felt her appetite fade away. If only she could pull them out of their current dilemma, she felt like she was running out of options and ideas.

She divided the stack into three and passed two across from her. Mary and Steven would arrive soon.

William put down his Chicago Tribune and looked at her. He was listening when Mario said she looked tired and he had to agree with the old man, but Elizabeth also appeared to be distressed. He wondered about what could have happened to her to cause such a change in her personality.

William Darcy was born attentive and curious. After his father passed away, he took over Allied Business Solutions, where it was his responsibility to observe, comprehend, and correct. Allied was a unique business. They were the people other businesses called when they needed additional resources or solutions to predicaments they are unable to solve on their own. On staff, Allied employed experts from several fields. Lawyers, marketers, accountants, engineers, psychologists, advertising developers, and business managers. They were not a temporary service, but a working team, and William Darcy ran a tight ship.

A tall, well-dressed man approached Elizabeth's table and greeted her warmly.

"Hello, Steven. Where's Mary?" Elizabeth questioned him as he sat down on the other side of the booth.

"She called and said she would meet us here. How are we doing, Liz?" He reached over the table and patted her hand affectionately. Steven liked Elizabeth; she was a milder version of her younger sister. Steven did admire Mary's spunk; it was what attracted him to her in the first place. He thought of her as 'fire on feet.'

"Oh, things have been better, I'd say." Elizabeth pointed to a pile of papers in front of him.

Steven started reading the top summary page on the stack in front of him.

Steven Davis had been working for Bennet for over eight years, and in that time had proven himself a capable hands-on leader. It was not uncommon for him to go to the larger jobs and direct the setup process himself. He was fiercely loyal to his company, and had turned down several substantial offers from other firms over the years. He would be a Bennet employee for life, and the fact that he was living with Mary did set that decision in concrete.

Mary and Steven had been sharing his house together for almost two years. Both were content with the arrangement, and did not need a Priest's blessing to make it more official. Mary took a lot of slack from her well-meaning Mother over the situation, but being the most stubborn of the three eldest Bennet daughters, she did not cave into the pressure. She and Steven would get married someday, if they felt it necessary. Until then, Mary's resolve just strengthened every time her mother gave her the 'fire and brimstone' lecture about living in sin.

Steven looked up from the report as he heard Mary approach the booth. She was not in her usual business attire, but dressed in jeans and a Henley shirt, with her hair tied back away from her face. Mary was a pretty woman in a classic way.

"Hi Liz, Steven. I'm going to eat quickly and get back to work. I think I am close to a breakthrough. Craig is testing the program for me right now." Mary was not one to waste time on small talk.

"What time did you get home last night?" Steven asked her. "I crashed around eleven."

"One something. Why didn't you wake me this morning?" She leaned over and kissed him on the head.

"I knew you were tired, so I set your clock for seven."

"Thanks. I told Mario to bring us anything that could be made fast, is that okay with you?"

Steven agreed, took her hand and gently pulled her into her seat.

"Read the top page." He glanced at the papers in front of her.

Mary skimmed the page. She let out a couple of exasperated breaths as she read it. When she was finished, Mary looked up to her sister.

"Liz, this is worse then I had thought. What do we do?" Mary could not be envious of her sister's position at the moment. If the company faltered, she would be the person held responsible, and the one who would take the blame.

"Give me the bottom line on where we are at, first." Elizabeth wanted all of the current facts before she made a statement.

Mary spoke up.

"I almost have the code done on a program that will speed up the retrieval of the crashed hard-drive data. Craig has finished the disengage program and is getting it out to the customers. If it is needed and used, their systems won't crash, but it will render their computers useless until the Tec's get there and rip out that damn video card." Mary turned her head to Steven. "Your turn."

"I have nine Tec's at the Capitol Building in Springfield. If it weren't for the failed hard drives, we would have been finished by now. I am heading back down this afternoon and probably won't return until the job is done. Kentucky University's system seems to be unaffected, but I sent Mark down to check it out anyway. At the first sign of trouble, he is going to install Craig's program and shut the system down. Carla is in charge of the local Tec's, and they are averaging a p.c. an hour, which is a good rate in my opinion. We only have about fifteen personal systems left to fix. Liz?"

"Steven, is there any way to get the Tec's cost down? They are killing us." Elizabeth had received a cost analysis from the accounting department today that had her worried.

"No, I had to hire several independents to help out. Their average is $70.00 an hour, although I am paying some of them more. We had no choice."

Elizabeth picked up her pile of papers. "After much consideration, I think it is time to bring in the big boys. Valley will not return my calls, and I am not about to shoulder this burden alone. It was their worthless video driver that is at fault, and they are going to pay for this."

Mary was unclear about what Elizabeth meant by 'big boys.'

"Do you mean a rescue team? Like Patterson?" Patterson was Allied's closest competitor, and another Chicago based firm that specialized in providing small businesses with assistance.

"Or Allied. I want your opinions. I do not think we can handle this alone any more. I refuse to take a hit on this! Macy's called yesterday, and they are talking like they might back out of our proposed deal. We cannot afford not to move on this." Elizabeth could feel the headache from the morning returning full force.

When William heard the word 'Allied', his attention moved to the booth five feet away. He had not been paying attention to their conversation, but his company's name was so clear he could not miss it.

"Liz," Steven began. "From what I have heard, Allied is the best. They have a spotless reputation, but they are also very expensive. I don't know if they would be able to work us in. Patterson is smaller and less experienced, but I believe they could easily take care of our problem."

"Is money the only objection you have to Allied?" Elizabeth had already made up her mind before they met today, but she still listened to what Steven had to say. He always showed a great deal of sensibility and she respected his opinion.

"Yes, and the possibility that we are too small for them. They work a lot with big business. For example, they helped clean up AT&T after John Walters left. We're not even in the league." Steven knew getting Allied was a lost cause, but if Elizabeth wanted a point of view, he would give it.

"Mary, what do you think?" Elizabeth turned her attention to her sister. She knew Mary would tell her the frank truth.

"Liz, I agree with you about hiring consultants. Go with the company you think will do the best job." To the point as usual, Mary offered her two cents worth.

Elizabeth leaned back and thought about what Steven and Mary had told her. She wished she could call her father and ask him what to do, but that was out of the question right now. He was not to be disturbed while he was in California.

When the mushroom pizzas were served, and Elizabeth stopped the waiter and requested a to-go box. Mary's head shot up when she heard Elizabeth's request.

"You have to eat, Liz. I won't leave here until I see you do so." Mary meant it; she would sit here all day if needed.

"Mary, I will. I just think better in the office." She held Mary's gaze, and saw she was not convinced. "You are as bad as Mario! I'll eat one slice now, okay?"

"Yes, but you have to finish it when you get back." Mary's voice was stern and unrelenting.

Elizabeth waited until the waiter returned before she informed them of her decision.

"I'm calling Allied. If they don't want our business, fine. But, at the rate this problem is snowballing, I want to try to get the best."

Good choice! William Darcy thought as he put a twenty on the table next to his half-finished food and left. He wanted be there when the call came through.

Chapter 3

Posted on Tuesday, 5 January 1999

Once far enough away from the restaurant, William opened his cell phone and called his secretary.

"Martha, I am expecting a request for services to come into the office this afternoon. I want to handle it myself."

"Who will it be from, Sir?"

William stopped walking. He still did not have a name. He thought back to the conversation at Elizabeth's table. From all of the techno-talk he had happened to overhear in the last six weeks, he would have to assume it was a computer company of some sort.

"I don't have a company name, but I believe Elizabeth Bennet will be the contact. Just let me know of all the calls we receive. I'm on my way back to office right now."

The call he was expecting came one hour later. A four p.m. appointment was made for William to go to the office of Elizabeth Bennet at Bennet Computers. It was not until he was inside the elevator going to the tenth floor, that William began doubt his motive.

Was it ethical for him to take this job? Usually, he wouldn't personally handle a client this small. Was he only doing it to get to know a woman better? Well, he knew the answer to that question, but still, if he treated this assignment like any other…

The bell rang for the tenth floor, and he got out. William reasoned with himself that since this was just an initial contact meeting, he could always pass the job off to someone else if his personal ethics were in jeopardy. With an eased mind, he followed the signs to E. Bennet's office suite. Once inside, an efficient looking secretary greeted him.

"May I help you?" Charlotte scanned the man in front of her. That is one good-looking man!

"William Darcy from Allied. I have an appointment with Elizabeth Bennet."

"One moment, please." She rang the other office.

Charlotte smiled at William as she stood up and opened the door to Elizabeth's office.

"She is ready for you, Mr. Darcy."

William entered the doorway and looked around. The room struck him as professional. There was very little adornment, except for what appeared to be a group photo of several young ladies, and a painting of a large cottage. The oversized walnut desk in the center of the room was neat and orderly. In the left-hand corner of the room, bent over a copy machine, he saw her. It was the woman from the restaurant, even from the back view he was certain. William began to doubt himself all over again. It would surely look obvious to her that he had overheard her conversation at lunchtime.

"Welcome Mr. Darcy, I will be right with you. I have a belt jam here." Elizabeth looked over her shoulder to give him a smile, and froze for a few seconds. It is the handsome man from Mario's! In my office.

"Please, take your time." William's voice sounded nervous.

"Mr. Darcy, do you eat at Mario's very often?" Elizabeth asked in a tone that signified she already knew the answer.

"Yes, I do." William was a little taken back by her directness. He thought they might 'act' as if they didn't know each other for a while, then admit the connection.

"In the front dark room, usually at the table across from my booth." She stated as she kicked the printer. It responded by lighting up and grinding. Elizabeth took out the first copy it spit out and was pleased with the results. Holding the paper in her hand, she let out an 'ah-ha' and turned to him.

"Well, you now see why I run a computer company. It's my way with machines." Elizabeth said as she walked over to him and shook his hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat." She pointed to a conference table against the wall. She already had a stack of folders waiting for him. After they sat down, she moved her chair sideways so she could face him while they were talking. Elizabeth preferred to look people in the eye when she was conversing with them.

William went right to business. "Before we start, can you give me a brief synopsis of why you need our services, Miss Bennet. Where does your company stand and what do you lack?"

"Yes. Two months ago, Bennet Computers began work on a large contract, building and installing a new computer system for the State of Illinois Congress. We were to upgrade their present system and replace old and incompliant computers. Included in the job bid was the installation of a more efficient Intranet. We have done several jobs like this many times in the past; so it was not an unusual request. We installed the new servers and replaced several units. On the personal computers, they were responsible for backing up their own data, and once again this is not unusual. We tested the six servers and forty-five units, and they all came out clean. Two days later, all hell broke loose." Elizabeth opened the folder she had on top of the stack, and placed it in front of William.

"What you are looking at is a picture of a video card. It is the new AGP type, and was purchased from Valley Technology of California. We have used several of Valley's products for the past year, and have never had any real problems to date. About six months ago, George Wickham bought the company. Three weeks after that, we received a shipment of cards that were not up to our standards. We sent them back, along with both written and oral explanations as to why we would not accept the delivered cards. In response, we were shipped a better grade than was the level of quality we were accustomed to." Elizabeth now handed him two video cards.

"They look identical, but they are not." Elizabeth leaned over him and inspected the contents of his hands. She pointed to the one on the left. "This one is no good. To a trained eye, there are obvious defects. The solder job is poor at best, I see at least three loose pins," she turned over his hand, "and the wires are wrapped incorrectly." Elizabeth sat back in her chair and continued on.

"In a nut shell, we installed forty nine of those in the state computers. Others were installed elsewhere, for a total of sixty-three. The end result is as expected, no…a little worse. We have systems locking up and crashing, data is being lost, and our spotless reputation is being ruined. We are close to loosing at least one large job because of the poor publicity, and others may still follow. Both Valley and George Wickham are not returning our repeated phone calls. P.C. World Magazine is calling me looking for a quote for their next issue. We do not have the resources to squelch this problem, and that is why I called Allied."

William set the boards he was holding down on the table, and sat back thoughtfully in his chair.

"Miss Bennet, I have a few questions for you," he began, "do you have the authority to act on your own, or do you need to report to a board of directors?"

"I am on my own. My father started the company, I now run it."

"If necessary, and I think it might be, would you authorize lawyers to get involved in your dispute with Valley?"

"Yes," she replied without hesitation.

"Do you have an active public relations department?"

"Marketing. It is not large."

"Are you actively working to repair the damage with the State?"

"Yes, it will be done by the end of the weekend."

"How much can your company afford to spend on our services?" For some reason, William felt a little strange asking this question.

"Money is of no consequence right now. I want to be billed personally, not through the company." Elizabeth did not blink.

"Miss Bennet, do you understand the possible costs involved? We could be talking about a very large sum of money before everything is settled." William had never received that response before.

"I understand and expect such costs. Bill me directly." Elizabeth's tone was firm. She had already thought long and hard about it before he arrived. She would brook no opposition on the subject.

"Well, I will do my best to keep the cost down."

"Mr. Darcy, let me make myself clear. Yes, I do have a limit, but I doubt you will reach it. I want the very best and have the funds to back it up."

"Very well," It was obvious she was not going to relent. "Let's look at what you have here." They turned their attention to her folders.

In all of the years William had been running Allied, he could not remember meeting a more articulate or organized person who could begin to compare to Elizabeth Bennet. Every piece of information he needed, she had out before him. She knew where every document was located, and the data it held. When he asked her financial details, she quoted them correctly from memory. Her eyes held a look of intelligence and her manner could best be described as pleasant.

Only twice during their discussions did William's mind wander for a moment. Once was when he was placing her barely audible accent, which was definitely southern as he had suspected. The other was when she put her hand on his arm while explaining a chart she had drawn up. Any regret he harbored about coming to her office today was long gone after about ten minutes.

They had been going over her documents for forty-five minutes when he started to notice a change in her. Her concentration was wavering, and her words began to slur. After a few more minutes of her continuing on this way, she rose to get some papers out of the copier. He watched as she stumbled near her desk.

"Miss Bennet, are you all right?"

"Perfectlyfine." She answered.

William was not convinced and he intercepted her near the center of the room. Gently, he led her to her desk chair and lowered her into it.

"I am going to sit you down, you do not look well."

"Could youget me an or…" Elizabeth pointed to the refrigerator. She couldn't seem to clear her mind and get the words out.

"Say it one more time, I did not understand you." William looked in the direction she was pointing. There was nothing there but a blank wall. He put his hand against her forehead—she was burning up.

"If I didn't know any better, I would swear you have been drinking—except that you are hot. Do you want me to get someone?" He tried not to sound panicked, but her behavior was worrying him.

Elizabeth heard him say the words 'have been drinking' and an alarm went off in her head. She lifted her arm and pressed a red button on the side of her phone. The reaction was immediate. Charlotte came flying into the room, and was by her side in three seconds.

"Okay, Lizzy, I am here." She opened the top drawer and took out a white hand-held object which she placed Elizabeth's finger into. Charlotte didn't ask any questions, but got right to work. She had done this before.

snap

"Lizzy, can you hear me?" She was looking closely at her eyes to see if they were glassy.

Elizabeth shook her head as Charlotte removed the tester from Elizabeth's finger. It was a blood sugar monitor.

"Did you eat lunch today?" She wanted to determine in advance if the sugar count may be high or low.

"Some." Elizabeth closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. "Three bites."

Charlotte looked at the monitor in her hand.

"Forty-five more seconds, honey. Stay with me." Charlotte took out a bottle of pills and a syringe.

"Mr. Darcy, could you get me an orange juice out of the refrigerator in the corner. Bring me the gray bag, too." Charlotte opened the bottle of pills, removing one and turned back to Elizabeth. She hated when this happened.

"Thirty seconds, but I think I already know the outcome. Are you still with me?" She did not want Elizabeth to pass out, so she kept talking to her.

Elizabeth gave her a weak grin. William placed the juice and bag next to Charlotte, and moved out of her way. Charlotte removed a vial of insulin and checked the date on it. It was fresh.

"Twenty seconds, we are almost there. Lizzy, I know you don't feel good, but I am going to lecture you while I have the time. You have to eat! You don't want me telling Mario that his favorite customer is throwing out his food. I think you are having a low sugar attack, but I can hardly believe it. After all of the stress you've been under, I would think your numbers would be sky high. Are you still with me?"

Elizabeth frowned.

Charlotte touched her forehead in the same manner William had done earlier. She was hot and clammy.

"You're going to feel better in just a few seconds. Just hang on. Can you open your eyes?"

"Yeah." Elizabeth responded, but kept them shut. She felt miserable and wished the monitor would go off. As dearly as she loved Charlotte, her voice was beginning to bother her.

"Just don't want to? That's fine." Charlotte watched as the last five seconds ticked down.

beep

"Finally." Charlotte read the number displayed on the monitor.

"Really low-64, just like I thought. Okay, I'm going to make you a sugar cocktail." Charlotte put one of the pills in her mouth.

"Chew it up good." Charlotte shook the juice and opened it. "Now for some slower sugar. Only drink a quarter of this bottle, and we'll check you again in five minutes. We don't want to shock your system."

The fast acting glucose tablet was beginning to take effect after one minute. Elizabeth was able to drink some of the juice and open her eyes. She looked warmly up to Charlotte as her mind began to clear.

"Thanks, I owe you one," she whispered.

"You owe me more than one. You know how this scares me! What would have happened if you were out driving on the road? No skipping meals, Lizzy, not ever." Charlotte's tone was a little harsh as she squeezed her friend's hand.

"But, you are still my friend, right?" Elizabeth gave her a smile.

"I'll be your friend if you take care of yourself. You may not be responsible for the high numbers, but the low one's you can prevent." Charlotte kissed her head. "I still love you, though."

"Love always has strings attached, aye Charlotte?" Elizabeth let out a sigh. She was beginning to feel better.

Charlotte put a new small stick in the monitor and packed the unneeded insulin back in the bag. As she passed William, she gave him a pat on the arm.

"Is she all right?" William had watched in wonder as Charlotte went through her motions. The woman was calm, collected and experienced.

"I can talk, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth spoke for Charlotte. "As soon as I get some sugar coursing through me, I'll be good as new."

Charlotte placed the bag into the refrigerator as she shook her head to indicate she was not pleased.

"No, Lizzy. You need to get some food and rest. No driving yourself home tonight. I'll take you." Wasted breath, she thought.

"Charlotte, it is too far out of your way. I'll catch a ride with someone else or take the L." Elizabeth was not going to trouble Charlotte by having her drive out of her way.

Charlotte frowned as she crossed the room.

"She's getting grumpy and this is a good sign. Lizzy, call me in a couple of minutes with another reading." Charlotte closed the door behind her.

"I am sorry for the interruption, Mr. Darcy. I have diabetes and sometimes my sugar gets a little out of line." Elizabeth observed his expression and wanted him to stop looking at her so concerned.

"Please, do not think of it." Why was she apologizing? "What type of diabetes, if I may ask?"

"Type one, Juvenile."

"Well, I should let you rest. I'll set an appointment for tomorrow afternoon and we can finish then." Her color was beginning to return to normal and she seemed more like herself, but he did not want to tire her out anymore.

"No, I am fine. Let me get the papers and explain them to you before you leave." Elizabeth started to lift herself out of her chair, but the light touch of a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Miss Bennet, you can't be serious. You just had a low blood sugar attack. It can wait until tomorrow." William's voice was both soft and reassuring. There was no need to make her ill again. He had to admit, though, he admired her spirit.

"Please," she pleaded, "I will not be pampered. I want to finish."

Not willing to upset her, William gave in easily. "You are stubborn. Are they the papers in the copier?"

"Yes. Mr. Darcy, if you think I am stubborn, you should meet the rest of the family. They make me look like a pansy." She flashed him grin.

"Somehow, I doubt that." William answered back lightly. He went to the copier and brought back the contents. "Here you are."

Elizabeth examined what he handed her, and sorted them into two stacks.

"Would you mind pulling up a chair to the desk?" For pride reasons, she was not going to admit she was still feeling weak.

"No problem, but shouldn't you test your sugar level first?" He recalled what Charlotte had said to her.

William heard the snap as he went after the chair, and settled in beside her as the beep went off. Elizabeth frowned at the reading as she pressed the intercom button.

"Still a little low, Charlotte, but close to good. I'm pretty happy with it."

"Lizzy, I am calling Mario and letting him know you'll be there in ten minutes." Charlotte did not ask, she told.

"I am not ready to leave yet. I'll be there later when Mr…"

William placed his hand on hers, removing her finger from the intercom button.

"Why don't we finish this over dinner. I'm hungry and then Charlotte will be happy, too."

Elizabeth eyed him suspiciously. He no longer looked overly concerned, but sincere…and quite handsome. She thought it might be a good thing, if it wasn't an inconvenience for him.

"You're not just being nice, right? I don't want to keep you from business, your family, or anything important. I can wait to eat for a while. I'll just drink more juice."

"No business, no family, or plans, and I really am hungry. What do you say?" Elizabeth could have no idea how much William was hoping she would say yes.

"All right. Knowing Charlotte as I do, she has already called Mario. Sometimes she forgets I'm her boss, instead of her little cousin."

"I'll pack my things and we'll be off." William vacated his chair and returned to the conference table.

Elizabeth spent a few minutes checking her messages and e-mail. She was typing when she asked William a question.

"Mr. Darcy, can we make the Macy's account a priority? I don't want to loose the contract." She did not look up from her keyboard; or else she would have seen him smiling at her while she worked.

"I'll set PR on it first thing tomorrow."

Elizabeth finished her message, turned on her cell phone, and packed her briefcase. She eased out of her chair and made her way to the refrigerator. There, she removed a small green pouch, and placed it in her case. William was waiting for her at the door. He noticed she was walking slower then usual.

"Let me carry your briefcase." He offered.

"No, I cannot." Elizabeth replied quickly. "Thank you, but the employees will notice. I cannot allow them to think I am sickly or weak, especially during this time. I don't want…"

"I understand." He also agreed with her logic.

"Thank you."

After saying goodnight to Charlotte, they walked to the elevator and left the building. When they reached the sidewalk, William took her briefcase from her. He was rewarded with a half-hearted frown.

"I'm stubborn, too, Miss Bennet."

You can get anything you want, at Mario's Restaurant...

Author's Note: I did research for the diabetes information. I spoke with my brother Mike who has type one diabetes, and also visited several sites on-line. I have done my best to state the facts, as I understand them.

Elizabeth leads a normal lifestyle like the millions of others who have diabetes. She has to be more aware of the food she eats, watch the level of sugar in her blood, and take her insulin shots. She takes good care of herself (granted, she slipped today) and is able to do anything she wants (with the exception of eating half a cheesecake—not a good plan!)

Chapter 4

Posted on Wednesday, 6 January 1999

Mario was speaking with the Hostess when Elizabeth and William entered the restaurant.

"Miss Elizabeth, I heard you were hungry. Come in!"

"Mario, Mr. Darcy will be joining me tonight." Elizabeth looked through to the barroom. "Bar is busy tonight, I see." Then she heard the most awful noise and cringed.

"Sing-a-long Thursday, I forgot." She kissed the old man on the cheek and received one in return.

Mario gave her a pained expression, which was only slightly exaggerated. His head was already throbbing and it was still early in the evening.

"It brings them in." He said as he motioned his head toward the crowded bar. "You should go in and show them how it is done, Miss Elizabeth. Then, maybe some of my patrons will loose their nerve and I can avoid a migraine tonight."

"I think we'll just go into the front dark room as usual, Mario." Elizabeth linked her arm in his. "We don't want lead Mr. Darcy into believing I am more talented then I am."

"She is very talented, Mr. Darcy. Don't let her fool you!" Mario led them back to her booth.

Dinner was a nice affair. When the waiter came to take the order, William requested whatever Elizabeth was having. With a queer look but no explanation, the waiter accepted his order and left them to their work. They were finished with business before the food arrived.

After the plates were cleared away, Elizabeth leaned toward him with a sparkle in her eyes. By the end of the evening William would know that whenever she gave him 'sparkling eyes', it would mean he was about to be teased.

"Did you enjoy your fish?" She asked innocently.

"Yes, I did. It was different from what I am used to. Why?"

"Have you ever wondered how a diabetic can eat rich Italian fare day after day, and live to tell about it?"

"Does Mario make it special for you?" William's smile slowly changed to a look of alarm. He leaned in to whisper across the table at her. "It didn't have any medicine in it, did it?"

"No!" She leaned back and laughed, "Mario has a rather large following of special diet customers. Medicine!" Elizabeth continued to giggle until her eyes began to water. "Oh, dear, that was funny. Now my side hurts."

William, who also saw the ridiculousness in his statement, crossed his arms in mock protest, but it did not last long. As humor is contagious, he joined her in the amusement.

They spent the next two hours talking about everything but business. The conversation was so easy between them, and they moved from topic to topic without the usual awkward silence strangers often experience. William was the type of man who spoke with his hands, while Elizabeth used her eyes. Both found the other's trait rather charming.

It was with great reluctance that they needed to end the evening. William could have spent all night in her company. She was not at all what he expected--she was so much more. Elizabeth was straightforward and honest in her speech, but not vulgar or harsh. She preferred the truth to games.

Through the years, William had dated too many 'plastic' women to be fooled anymore by someone trying to act a certain way to please him. Elizabeth was not like them; he knew it from the first moment she addressed him in her office.

It was late when the waiter came back to their table for the last time and asked if they needed anything else. Johnny was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to go home.

"Nothing for me, Johnny. Mr. Darcy?"

"No, thank you. I'll just take the check." William put his hand out for the slip of paper.

"No, I will. This is my treat." Elizabeth put hers in front of his.

Five minutes passed as they discussed the ownership of the bill. Johnny had given up and left after the first minute. When everything was said and done, Elizabeth was victorious, but William had conceded in the end for a reason.

"Well, I will take you home now." He stated, knowing full well that she was going to resist. William was going to stand firm and not take 'no' for an answer.

"No need, I am going to take the train. Thank you for the kind offer, though." Elizabeth mistakenly believed the issue was solved. Holding the prized dinner check gave her a false sense of confidence.

"It's too dangerous taking the train at night. I will drive you." William held his smile and leaned back in his seat. He was curious as to how she was going to argue this proposition.

"No, it is out of your way. I'll be fine." She said as she flaunted the dinner check by tapping it on her chin. William had to chuckle at her for this.

"How do you know it is out of my way? You don't know where I live." William's counter argument was a good one, and it caught her off guard.

"True," She raised her eyebrow assuredly, "but Hinsdale is out of your way. I will take the train."

"No it isn't, I'll give you a ride. I live in Clarendon Hills." William crossed his arms and smiled largely, certain of his victory.

It was not long before Elizabeth gave in. She knew he was correct, the two towns were next to each other, but logic was not the base of her stand.

Following Elizabeth's instructions, William drove through Hinsdale. He noticed that with each passing block, the homes were getting nicer, and the neighborhood more affluent. When he turned right onto her road, he was amazed. Most of the dwellings were older and well restored, with all of the quaintness a person would expect in an upper-middle class neighborhood. Yet, the houses in this area were not intimidating or odious. He had never pictured Elizabeth living in such lovely surroundings.

When he pulled up to her house, he looked at it for a moment. Since it was dark, he could not really inspect it much, but from what he could see it was like it was out of a fairy tale. The house was a large two-story cottage, with a large porch and flowers lining the walkway. She had mentioned that she lived alone, but the house seemed almost too big for just one person.

"Quite nice." He commented before his eyes rested on her. Elizabeth was sound asleep, with her head tilted toward him. She looked so peaceful that he really didn't want to wake her. Today he had met the most impressive, real woman he had ever been introduced to. Other than being vibrant and warm, she also had a frailty she handled with great strength. Elizabeth laughed at him when it was funny, and disagreed when she felt she was right. The fact that a woman like her was unattached was astounding to him.

For several minutes he let the car idle while he watched her sleep. He knew he could easily fall for her, well, in many respects—he already had. But, just for a little while, he did have to restrict himself until her casework was finished. After all, she was a customer of Allied.

When it was time to wake her, he gently touched the side of her face.

"Miss Bennet, it is time to wake up." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, but fell right back to sleep. She had told him earlier about the insomnia she occasionally experienced. William really wished he could just let her sleep.

"Miss Bennet, if you don't wake up, you will have to spend the night in my car."

Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes and grinned at him.

"Did you turn right on Hanover?" She asked with a sleepy expression.

He smiled back at her. She was very particular in the directions she gave him, telling him every road to take, and what landmarks to look for. "Yes, you are home."

Elizabeth turned her head to look out the window, just to make sure. She was home.

"Thank you for the ride." She sat up and undid her seatbelt.

"You're welcome. I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow morning, and give you a ride back downtown."

"That won't be necessary, I'll just take the train." Elizabeth grabbed her briefcase and opened the door.

"Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow morning." He would be there in the morning.

"Mr. Darcy, I don't want to make you late for work. I'll just take the train." Elizabeth did not want to be a bother for him for another ride.

"I can't be late for work, so I'll pick you up."

Elizabeth gave him a puzzled look.

"I own Allied, I can be there anytime I want."

"I didn't know that."

"So, will you accept my kind offer? May I please give you a ride to work?" William could not help himself as he started to grin again, showing the most attractive dimples.

"Oh, I suppose." Elizabeth taunted as she closed the door. She stepped away and then turned back around. William rolled the window down.

"Since you own Allied, let me ask you a question." William noticed the 'sparkling eyes'. "What are you doing taking on an assignment for a peon company like Bennet? Really, Mr. Darcy, you should set your goals higher!" With that Elizabeth turned around and headed up her sidewalk. After she unlocked the door, she waved good-bye to him.

Elizabeth had the most wonderful evening with him, and she was truly looking forward to tomorrow morning at seven.

William Darcy was…incredible. He was interesting, intelligent, warm and funny, sexy. He also made her feel like all of the above.

Elizabeth went into her kitchen to unload her medicine bag. As she held the insulin bottle in her hand, she thought back to his reaction in her office. He didn't flinch or get frightened away. He looked at her with concern at first, but not pity. Elizabeth hated pity more than anything else in the world. She did not need or deserve it. She had come too far in life to hear the words 'You poor girl' one more time.

She closed the refrigerator and leaned against it. Oh, William, you sneaky little thing! Elizabeth could attribute his working at Allied as a coincidence, but she had her doubts about his showing up at her office. He was too nervous, and she was too smart. He had to have heard the conversation at lunchtime, and made the necessary arraignments.

Good! I probably would have done the same thing.

Chapter 5

Posted on Thursday, 7 January 1999

The following morning, William picked her up promptly at seven. She was waiting outside by her mailbox, ready to leave.

"Good morning and thank you for the ride." Elizabeth said as she opened the back door to his car. She had slept very well last night, and her chipperness was a direct result.

"Good morning to you." When he noticed her with her hands full, he came around the car to help her. William had also had a good night's rest.

Elizabeth hung up a lightweight garment bag in the back and slid a guitar case onto the floorboard.

"Are you skipping town tonight?" William asked with mirth in his voice as he held her door open for her.

"Hum…good thought, but no. I'm going to Mario's after work." She buckled her seatbelt and looked at him over her shoulder. "Although, I am a little confused now. Is there a world outside of Chicago? I don't remember anymore. Is it pretty?"

"It sounds like you need a vacation."

"I'll get to that, right after I get a personal life. Until then, I'll just go to work and trudge through the day so I can come back home, and do the whole thing again tomorrow." Elizabeth winked at him.

Does she realize how irresistible she is? William took another long look at her house before he pulled out onto the street.

"Miss Bennet, your home is so unique from the outside. Would you tell me about it?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Sure. I bought the house four years ago. I had been looking for ages before I found it. I was at the point where I almost given up hope of ever finding anything that would suit me—and began to seriously think about settling for less. But, as fate would have it, one day I stumbled upon the owner pounding a For Sale sign into the front yard. I just had this feeling that I had finally found the one. The house was vacant, and I must have spent three hours walking through it, really getting a feel for the place. All of the other homes I had viewed were generic and common, a few were downright tacky, but this place had me intrigued. At first glance, it looked like your average nicer home, but the closer I looked, the more potential I saw. I bought it that day."

William could relate to her tale, it sounded remarkably familiar.

"You said it looked average, but it isn't. Have you done much work to it?"

"Yes, I removed the ugly aluminum siding and returned the outside back to its original wooden shingles, and then had the sidewalk taken out to make way for a stone path. The navy shutters I added last year. The inside has been completely redone room by room except for two of the bedrooms upstairs. I did take my time and carefully thought about it before I started taking out walls and changing floor plans. It was important to me that my house did not feel changed, but natural and comfortable. Now, all of the work and patience has paid off-it is my haven. I'm afraid when the time comes they are going to have to bury me in the backyard." Elizabeth made a face. "I think that might be against the city ordinance, though."

"I believe you are correct. That was a good story with a happy ending. Thank you."

William was in the habit of using his driving time each morning to mentally prepare himself for the day ahead. Elizabeth did the same. She opened her laptop and was silently typing ten minutes after he left her house.

Traffic was beginning to slow on the expressway, then abruptly halted. William turned on the radio to his usual morning station to hear the traffic report. The news was not encouraging. There was roadwork ahead, and the delay time was estimated at thirty minutes.

Upon hearing this, Elizabeth reached into her briefcase and pulled out her cell phone. Without a word, she hooked it up to her computer and sent off her emails.

"Mr. Darcy, do you need to send anything to your office? My modem is on." She asked sweetly. The standstill did not seem to bother her.

William, who had been gripping the steering wheel, turned and looked at her. She was so calm, while he had been busy contemplating the term 'road rage'.

"No, thank you." His voice was a little strained. "I'm sorry, I just don't have any patience with delays. What IDOT is doing starting work during morning rush hour is beyond me. I swear, those," the word he wanted to say wasn't proper for mixed company, "monkeys down there do this to us on purpose."

"I know they do! If it is any consolation, the only reason I'm not hanging my head out of the window and placing a hex on IDOT is because I don't have a meeting until nine." She looked sympathetically at him. An idea came to Elizabeth.

"I think I can help you. Do you like the music of James Taylor?" She reached into her briefcase and pulled out a CD. "It is very relaxing and good for the soul."

"Yes, I do. Which album do you have?"

"Greatest Hits. Would you like me to play it?"

"Please." Maybe this delay would not be as bad as he first thought. "I'm curious, Miss Bennet, what else do you carry around with you in your briefcase? You seem to have a little of everything in there."

"Ancient Chinese secret." Elizabeth opened the jewel case. "Before I put in this therapeutic CD, I must ask a favor. For as long as it is playing, you will not call me Miss Bennet. Call me Elizabeth, or Liz, or Lizzy. I will even settle for Lady, but I think Miss Bennet is too formal when one is listening to James. Do we have a deal?"

William brightened up at her offer. Whenever he thought of her in his mind, he always called her Elizabeth. It would be nice to be able to say it out loud too.

"Deal, but please, put in the CD quickly before I ram the car in front of me out of pure frustration…Elizabeth." She pushed the CD in. "And call me William."

Elizabeth studied him seriously for a moment. Yesterday, she had not noticed how his brown eyes had speckles of green around them, lending them a unique effect when the light hit them just right. They were absolutely gorgeous to look at.

"You look like a William," she said quietly as the sweet strains of an acoustic guitar from the first song filled the car.

There's something in the way she moves,
Or looks my way, or calls my name,
That seems to leave this troubled world behind.
And if I'm feeling down and blue,
Or troubled by some foolish game,
She always seems to make me change my mind.

*Something in the way she moves

At eleven-thirty Elizabeth received a package via messenger from Allied. She opened it, and read the handwritten letter on top.

Elizabeth,

Enclosed are several drafts drawn up by public relations. I have read them over, and believe they will aid you in dealing with Macy's. You will also find some scripted responses you may want to use when dealing with the questions from reporters.

Legal has diligently begun work on your dispute with Valley. May I suggest that, for the time being, you stall any communication between Bennet and Valley? Jack Wilson will be contacting your legal department later today. You will also be receiving other information from various sources throughout the day.

Elizabeth, after going through your files, I just wanted to let you know that your dilemma is quite fixable. I think we can have you straightened out in no time. Your company is in good shape; I'm not going to let it fall over this.

If you have any questions, leave a message with my secretary. I'll be out of the office all afternoon.

In closing, if I may quote Charlotte:
'You have to eat!'
Have a good lunch.

William

Elizabeth allowed herself ten long seconds to gaze at his handwriting before she placed his letter in the top drawer of her desk. The dreamy smile it produced stayed on her lips as she dug into the material he had sent her.

William returned to his office late. He had been called in to relieve tensions between two large grocery store chains that were merging. Rubbing his temples, he recalled some of the conversation that had passed during the long afternoon.

Complete Idiots. They were fighting over color schemes, logos, butcher's outfits, and the layout of coupons. His only reward was that they were going to be billed heavily. They had requested him personally, although anyone in the office could have solved their problems-especially if they had the aid of a big stick.

William began to chuckle to himself, thinking of standing at the end of the conference table with a very large oak limb, swatting anyone whom said something stupid. No, that idea would not have worked, because at one time or another everyone in the room would have deserved a swat.

His laughing made him of Elizabeth, and he searched his desk for his messages. He rummaged through them until he found hers.

Elizabeth Bennet 5:45 p.m.
Thank you for everything.
Lunch was good and Charlotte is happy.
The CD is yours to keep.

"Sweet Elizabeth." He said aloud as he leaned back in his chair. The clock on his desk said 8:50. She was most likely already home. Then he remembered loading her guitar into her beast of a cherry red Suburban. Elizabeth was going to Mario's tonight and she was going to sing.

William drummed his fingers on his desk, debating silently how obvious it would be for him to show up there. He needed a reason, a realistic reason….

Grabbing the phone book, he found what he was looking for and dialed a number.

"Mario's. May I help you?"

"I would like to place a take-out order."

Chapter 6

Posted on Friday, 8 January 1999

William waited as the host at Mario's went to get his order. He was not the least bit hungry, which made perfect sense because he had already eaten somewhere else earlier, but it was a good excuse to come tonight.

There were only the swinging doors separating the bar from the waiting area, and he could hear a band playing. He was a little taken back the type of music being played; it was not at all what he expected. Yesterday, when Mario had said his nephew would be performing, he expected some young man beating out nerve-racking noise at a dangerously high decibel level.

Instead, the melody was pleasant and the voices crisp, although definitely lacking a female touch. As the band finished up 'Son of a Son of a Sailor', William moved a couple of steps back and looked through the doors at the stage for Elizabeth. All he beheld were five men of about his age at their instruments. He squinted his eyes to see through the smoke hanging in the room, but there was no Elizabeth anywhere visible. He let out a disappointed sigh and continued to watch the stage. William Darcy, take it easy. His mind warned him. You have only known this woman for two days. Let her be or you will scare her off.

"I can't." He answered himself without realizing it..

How can I let someone like Elizabeth alone? I have never felt a connection to a person like I have with her. Let her go? Not a chance!

The return of the host startled him out of his inner debate.

"Mr. Darcy, it will be a few more minutes. Would you like to wait in the bar?"

William stared at the man while he pondered his next move. He still had not seen Elizabeth, and maybe if he stayed close to the door, he could possibly observe her if she did get up on the stage. He really didn't want her to think he was following her around, even if he was. He knew he had to get a grip on himself, but he was no longer in control of his logic.

A male voice over the microphone ended his musings.

"Thank you. Now we'll bring Elizabeth up to sing for you. Elizabeth?"

The applause and catcalls grabbed William's attention and he stopped staring at the host. His curiosity won out over reason, and he nodded to the man as he took a few steps into the bar. He went to a quiet corner near the entrance and watched as she walked on stage. The other band members vacated the area upon her arrival, leaving behind one man settling a stool in front of a microphone.

In Elizabeth's hand she carried an acoustic guitar and nothing else. This being the first time William had ever seen her out of business attire, he drank in her appearance with bated breath.

Elizabeth had on old blue jeans that hugged her slender figure, a tight low cut squared neck white tee shirt, and suede loafers on her bare feet. Her wrist was adorned with a thin Indian bracelet of some sort, replacing the watch she usually wore.

Elizabeth appeared completely natural to him as if she were in her element, and extremely alluring. Under bulky business suits her shapely figure had been hidden, but as she was now, he could clearly see how beautiful her body was. After she adjusted microphone down to a lower level, and strapped on her guitar, and his greatest expectancy of her was to be fulfilled.

With two slim arms raised up, she took hold of her hair behind her back and freed it from the confining guitar strap. She kept pulling and pulling, until it was all loose. When she let go of her hair, it fell to her waist in a cascade of waves and curls. Slowly, she ran both of her hands her through her locks, putting the strands closest to her face behind her ears. William had no idea Elizabeth had such long and beautiful hair, since he had only way he had ever seen it braided up in a bun.

William had always been a 'hair' man, but Elizabeth's movements as she touched her own hair caused him to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. She was absolutely exquisite.

"Thank you, Tony. Good evening everyone." She smiled out at the crowd, resting her warm eyes somewhere in the center of the room.

Elizabeth began by playing a song by Jewel. She was an admirer of the young woman's songs, and it was the perfect way to begin the evening.

Elizabeth instantly charmed the audience by the unconscious expressions and movements she made as she played. She did not look down at the strings on the guitar as her fingers moved up and down the neck of it. She knew all of the notes by heart. Instead, she put her energy into the words that accompanied the melody.

Elizabeth put special emphasis on the line "it just makes me want to make you near me always" by leaning closer to the microphone and singing with her eyes closed. This was not a deliberate act, since she did not know he was in the room. It happened simply because she had never felt as instantly attracted to man as she did William, and it was coming out in her song. Elizabeth already adored the man she had only known for such a short time, even if it did go against her reason. She knew there was no such thing as love at first sight, but…

Near You Always
Please don't say I love you,
those words touch me much too deeply
and they make my core tremble
don't think you realize the effect you have over me

And please don't look at me like that
it just makes me want to make you near me… always

Please don't kiss me so sweet
it makes me crave a thousand kisses to follow
and please don't touch me like that
it makes ever other embrace seem pale and shallow

Please don't come so close
it just makes me want to make you near me always…

William did not take his eyes off of her during the entire song. Her rich alto voice seeped into every sense he had. While she had been singing, the host brought him his food. He grudgingly paid him with an unknown bill, which must have been enough because the man left. When his change was brought back, he shoved it into his pocket, annoyed about the interruption it caused. He wanted to give his full attention to Elizabeth.

I want to be near you always
I want to be near you always

As she held the last note of the song, she had the sensation of eyes being on her that were watching her intently. She tilted her head in the direction of the bar, and spied William. She felt what could only be described as goosebumps as her gaze locked with his. Even at the distance they were apart, she could feel the warmth emanating from him. Elizabeth gave him a little wave with her fingers as she returned his smile.

William snapped out of his trance quickly, and lifted his take out bag to let her know he came for some food. She raised her eyebrows at him, and waved good-bye. When the applause started, he grinned at her, and turned to leave.

Safely through the swinging doors, he leaned against the wall, wanting to listen to her a little more. If only he had not been working with her, and if he did not have to bill her when it was over, he would have stayed. But, until her case was finished, he knew he had to wait; even he really didn't want to.

William had already been exposed enough to her to know Elizabeth was special and he wanted her desperately. She had excited him already with her entire personality, but now that he had heard her voice, and seen her real splendor, he was completely smitten. Women like that don't come around every day and by God, he could not let this one get away from him.

"Thank you," He heard her say into the microphone.

Mario walked into the waiting area and saw William leaning against the wall. He looked at the bag in William's hand and the grin on his face, listened to the applause coming from the bar, and put the entire situation together.

Mario was around last night when they had been enjoying themselves at her booth, and being a romantic at heart, he gave William a break.

"Come with me, Mr. Darcy." He said as he lead him to his usual dining room. It was empty, and quiet. Mario pointed to the first booth, and went over to a control on the wall. He turned it on, and informed William he was going to send him some silverware.

William sat down without protest and listened contentedly to her voice. Mario had turned on the sound system in the room.

While she was singing her third song, Johnny the waiter (who had been working a lot of hours lately!) stopped by to see if William needed anything.

"No, I'm almost finished." He had taken a few bites, but could swallow no more.

Johnny started to leave, when William changed his mind.

"Wait, there is something." He took a pen out of his coat and began to write on the paper sack his food came in. He tore the message out and folded it. William handed it to the young man, then reached into his pocket and pulled out the change from his dinner.

"Could you give the message to the woman singing?" He handed Johnny the contents of his hand.

"Elizabeth? Sure." Johnny headed off the bar, happy to oblige. It wasn't often he received a twelve dollar tip for doing almost nothing. When he reached the stage, he waited until Elizabeth finished her song before he handed her the paper and left.

The message was short and simple.

Lovely voice.
Would you happen to know any James Taylor?

There was no signature, but Elizabeth recognized the author's handwriting. It was his. She searched the room, but could not find William. With the softest smile on her face, she began to strum out one of her favorite James Taylor melodies-Sweet Baby James.

There is a young cowboy,
Who lives on the range.
His horse and his saddle,
Are his only companion.

After the song was over William went home.

The following two weeks passed quickly. With Allied's help, Bennet was able to keep the Macy's account, appease the State, and was once again in contact with Valley. For Elizabeth, it felt like all of the pieces of the puzzle were fitting together.

William could not deny that Bennet's case was one of the easier his firm was working on. In reality, had it been anyone other than Elizabeth, he would have handed it off to one of his less experienced case managers. Yet, he treated it with the same amount of importance as any other. Well, that is not entirely accurate. He treated it better.

He and Elizabeth had almost daily contact with each other during the weekdays. The three dinner meetings they shared were quite similar in design. The first ten-twenty minutes were devoted to business, leaving the remaining time for comfortable and enjoyable conversation.

They would laugh and share stories while sitting across from each other, both quite aware that the pretense of a business meeting was a false one. It was almost like they were going on a date while staying within the strict confines of business etiquette. The illusion worked for them, and since they both relished their intimate time together so much. Neither Elizabeth or William questioned their motives, they were just both happy to spend time with each other.

To his credit, William did avoid lunch at Mario's during this time. They were both presently experiencing a heavy workload, and the idea of a midday meeting would have distracted them from their work.

Valley's reluctance to reimburse Bennet's expenses for replacing their faulty product was the only issue left to clear up, and on Friday of the second full week, an offer was made. William called Elizabeth to inform her of the latest development, but she had already gone home for the weekend. Disappointed, he packed the paperwork in his briefcase to take home with him.

They were so close to being free of the constraints that bound them, and he was now struggling to control his desire to rush her case to a finish. As soon as an offer was accepted by Bennet, he would ask her out to celebrate.

William had already planned where he would offer to take her; it was the perfect place. The restaurant was quiet and almost entirely lit by candles—definitely reflective of his state of mind. He would ask her to dance to one of the soft melodies played by the piano player and finally, after two long weeks, get to hold her against him. Where the evening would end, he could only ponder and at this point did not care, but one thing he was sure of was that could not be as intense as the dream he had last night.

Chapter 7

Posted on Saturday, 9 January 1999

Elizabeth was down in her basement working, when the phone began to ring. Checking the clock first, she put down the piece of glass she was cutting and searched for her cordless. She found it on the dryer by the forth ring.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Elizabeth. It's William. Did I catch you at a bad time?" This was the first time he had called her at home.

"Well, hello there. No, I just could not find the phone. What can I do for you on this fine Sunday morning?"

"I was going over some of your statements, and I noticed the final calculations for the State job were missing. Do you happen to have the numbers?"

"Let me check," she said as she took off her gloves. "I'm in the basement, so you'll have to listen to me babble while I go upstairs."

"No problem. I'm in my car waiting for a train to make a decision about moving or not." William's tone was easy, and Elizabeth smiled as she heard the James Taylor CD she gave him playing in the background.

"So, you are up and about already? Were you good and did you go to church, William?"

"No," he laughed, "but I have been golfing."

"Oh, you're one of those!" She tried to sound shocked, but it did not come out quite right.

"Okay, I'll ask. One of what, Elizabeth?"

"Heathens!" Elizabeth said in a low matter-of-fact voice.

"And did you go to church today, young lady?"

"We're not talking about me, are we? I think it is time to change the subject. I'm checking my briefcase right now. Hold on while I put down the phone for a minute."

He could hear her rummaging through her bag. When she located the paper he was asking about, she let out a (*bleep*).

"Found it. I can't believe I brought it home with me."

"Do you kiss your Mother with that mouth?" William asked teasing tone. Elizabeth was always a good sport about it—she took it as well as she gave it.

"Only on holidays!" she sighed. " Would you like me to fax this to you?"

William shook his head no and grinned. "Elizabeth, how many times do I have to remind you…"

"…Don't send important documents by fax or e-mail." They said in unison. Elizabeth could not understand why she could not remember that simple, logical instruction, but it slipped her mind every time she spoke to him.

"Well, I could run it downtown, if you want me to." The idea did not sound appealing to her, even if she would get to see him. Sunday traffic was her least favorite. Everyone drove so slowly while they stared out their window at nothing, blocking her in so she could not pass them and get to where she was going.

"Why don't I just stop by and pick it up. I'm close to your neighborhood." To give William credit where it was due, he really was near her neighborhood.

"That will work for me." This idea isappealing. "Should I expect you soon?"

"Unless I first die of old age waiting for this train. Arg, it has stopped, and now going in reverse—again!" Her CD was helping, but not enough to make up for ten minutes already wasted, and no end in sight.

"Well…I would keep you company, sweetie, but I have better things to do."

William laughed out loud at her comment. Every once in a while, Elizabeth would slip and say some cute endearment to him. She must have picked it up where ever she grew up at, since few people native to the Chicago area used words like 'honey.'

"Good-bye, Elizabeth."

"Good-bye, William. I'll see you soon."

William arrived thirty minutes later. Elizabeth was waiting for him on her porch swing, gently rocking and enjoying the last of summer. She eyed him as he approached her, and was impressed with the way he looked. He had on khaki golf shorts and a yellow polo that made his deep tan stand out. Elizabeth looked down at her bare, pale legs and suddenly wished she had spent more time out in the sun. She returned to admiring his physique, well aware that she was being obvious about it, but not really caring anymore. She had seen him out of his suit jacket only once, and he was sitting behind a restaurant table at the time.

A flash of blue caught his attention as he approached the steps of her house. William stopped and looked over the rail to see what it was.

"Elizabeth, why do you have a statue of Madonna in your bushes?" He was anxious to hear this explanation.

"Mama gave it to me when I bought this house. Being a dutiful daughter, I put it out by the mailbox--which is more than I can say for my sister Mary, who put hers in the garage. Well, after the forth person stopped by looking for the parsonage (it is on the next block), I stuck her in the bushes. As I see it, she is still out front, so I fulfilled my obligation and should be excused from further harassment about it from my well-meaning Catholic relatives."

"Okay." He liked it when she told her stories. She always justified her actions, and made it almost impossible for anyone to find fault with her reasoning. William sat down on the swing with her.

"Where did you get your accent?" He had been wondering this since the first day they spoke to one another.

"For the first twelve years of my life I lived in Kentucky. Mama was the only one happy when we moved to Illinois. Most of our family is in the Chicago area, but if you ask me," Elizabeth lowered her voice, "I think she just wanted to get us here before she ended up with a bunch of Baptist son-in-laws."

"How was your game, William? You're looking mighty handsome in that golfing ensemble." Elizabeth said it lightly, but she really meant it.

Not as good as you in those short shorts. He observed to himself.

"Good game. Do you golf?"

"No, I have tried it a few times. If I want to get any exercise, I'll just dust off my equipment upstairs. But, now…I may have to rethink my stance. Do all golfers dress like you?" Elizabeth made a playfully suggestive expression.

"Great, now we'll just have to turn Bolling Brook Golf Course into Elizabeth's meat market. You can fill your days judging outfits and such."

They were both laughing when the phone began to ring. After the third ring, William turned to her.

"Um, are you going to get that?"

Elizabeth leaned over him, and took his wrist to examine his watch.

"No, it's Mama." Elizabeth paused as she realized that this was the first time since their initial meeting that they had touched.

Even though they had never spoken on the subject, she understood why they needed to keep their distance from each other until they were finished working together. It would not be good business practice to have an affair right now. But, the frustration was beginning to get to her. She willed herself to sit back down where she was.

"How do you know?" William had not noticed how warm of a day it was until now.

"She calls every Sunday at this time. Would you like to hear a guilt trip?" She stood and took his hand, leading him into her house. "We have to get there before the fifth ring, or you'll miss some of it." She opened her office door.

"Elizabeth, this is your Mother. I didn't see you in Church today…again. Now, Lizzy, I know you've been lax about confession too."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at him.

"You don't want to end up in Purgatory, do you? That is where you are headed, and your mother will not be able to save your soul from there. I'm just telling you this because I love you."

"Isn't she sweet?" She laughed. "Now she is going to tell me some church gossip."

"Father O'Neil was asking about you. It seems as if there is a crack in the stained glass by Baby Jesus's head, and he was hoping you would come and look at it. Of course, I told him you would, and that you could fix it too. He was very pleased when I left."

"I bet! Baby Jesus is twenty feet up!"

"You will never guess who I ran into after mass. It was David! Oh, he was full of questions about you. I didn't know he was writing now..."

"Excuse me." Elizabeth picked up the phone and took off into another area of the house.

Elizabeth returned a few minutes later with two Corona's in her hand and a smile on her face. Her mother had behaved herself after church, and had not set her up with another man, especially that one.

"Mexican beer?" She handed him the cold bottle. "I checked the clock, and it's after noon, so I think that's late enough."

"Sounds good. I haven't had one of these in ages." Having a beer at Elizabeth's house on a Sunday afternoon—it sounded good to him.

"I have burritos in the oven, so if you would like some, they'll be ready in fifteen minutes."

"Thanks." He pushed the chunk of lime into the bottle. "Elizabeth, have you noticed that every time we are together, we eat?" Like we're substituting food for something else?

"Hum…" She thought about it and silently came to the same conclusion as he did. "It works for us!" She gave him a genuine smile. "I will get you the statement before the Corona kicks in."

William watched as she wrote the date on the top of the paper.

"You're left handed!" He observed. "I never realized that until now."

"Oh, there are many things you do not know, Mr. Darcy. But, if you lean in closer, I'll tell you a secret." William obeyed, placing his face next hers, but not touching. He smelled like soap and for a moment Elizabeth was lost in the thought about how the soap got there. She shook herself out of her inappropriate but agreeable daydream.

"I don't remember what I was saying." Elizabeth confessed in a whisper.

"You are going to tell me your secret." He whispered back.

"Oh, yes. My house gives all of them away."

"Will you show me around?"

"I think not. It is better if you find your own way, but I will answer any questions you have."

William straightened up, and looked her in the eye. Elizabeth, don't whisper words like that in my ear. You are driving me crazy. He pleaded within himself.

Elizabeth did not look away.

He looked around her office, and headed out of the door into the living room. Elizabeth positioned herself in the doorway, and leaned against the frame with her arms crossed. She watched as he slowly moved about the room, occasionally picking up an object or closely studying the contents of a shelf.

Elizabeth wanted him to know her, and her desire to know him was equally as strong. She realized they seemed to share the same experience of chemistry, but chemistry often faded once the passion was released. What Elizabeth wanted was his mind and heart.

William was standing by her stereo equipment, looking at her CD collection. It contained a large amount of folk music and classic rock, but there were also Classical, Celtic, and every album of Pink Floyd.

"Pink Floyd?"

"I like them. 'Wish You Were Here' is my favorite. Someday when I think you will be able to handle the shock, I'll tell you about a Floyd concert I went to in St. Louis. The flying pink pig balloon was quite an experience."

William grinned at her. He could only imagine!

The built-in bookshelves where her entertainment center was held an assortment of different items. A framed copy of Poe's Annabelle Lee, several old poetry books, her rosary, and a few small-framed stained glass pieces were placed in different shelves. There was a noticeable lack of frilly and lacy adornments. No dollies or placemats for Elizabeth. Her furniture was comfortably modern, colored in shades of green and blue.

When he really started to move around, he wondered how he could have missed so much of the stained glass that made up the interior of her house. There were windows, lampshades, picture frames, and framed art.

"How long have you collected stained glass?"

"My dad gave me my first piece when I was sick as little girl. I have been obsessed since."

William next went into the music/sitting room. It contained a piano, her guitar, a short couch, one chair and a coffee table.

"You play the piano?"

"Not much, really. I don't play sonatas or anything complicated like that. Mainly second year student pieces. I amuse myself, though."

"You were incredible at Mario's a few weeks back." William stated honestly. "I know I already told you, but it was great."

"Thank you. I went looking for you after my set was over, but you were gone."

"I wanted…" He would not lie to her, but he could not tell her the truth. I wanted to sit up front and watch you all night. William lowered his head, thinking of a proper response. His eyes fell to the coffee table, where he spotted some handwritten pages sprawled out. Focusing, he saw that they were poems.

William.

Don't walk too close
don't breath so soft
don't talk so sweet
don't sing
don't lay so near

Please, don't let me fall in love with you.

Please let me forget
all those sweet smiles…*

"William! No!" Elizabeth saw what was on the table and panicked. She was not one to share her private writing with anyone, especially the person who it was written about. Poetry and music was her creative escape, and she closely guarded them from others.

"I didn't mean to yell, but," she began scooping the papers up. "These are mine." She shoved the jumbled mess of papers in the piano bench. "Sorry!" she was visibly uncomfortable, and prayed for a diversion. It was answered in the form of a timer on the oven.

Buzzzz

"Come in the kitchen with me. You haven't been in there yet." Elizabeth went into the kitchen and turned the timer off. Calm down, calm down. Maybe he didn't see what I wrote about him. This is embarrassing!

"Eliz…"

"Please, make yourself at home. I need to check my sugar before we eat." She started walking out of the room. "You can look in the cupboards if you want. I'll be right back."

William watched her fly by him. He didn't want her to be embarrassed. To be frank, he was completely flattered; no one had ever done something like that for him before. William knew his resolve to keep a distance from her was done. He no longer cared about professionalism or ethics. Before he left this house today, he was going to open up to her.

*Jewel

Chapter 8

Posted on Saturday, 9 January 1999

"I'm glad you saved lunch from burning." Elizabeth said as she returned to the kitchen. The burritos were out of the oven and setting on the stovetop.

Elizabeth had calmed herself down while she was in the bathroom by facing reality—William had seen what she wrote about him, and being embarrassed was a waste of time. So, she looked for the humor in the situation (which was hard to find) and laughed at herself for being so silly. There were far worse things then having a man read what you think of him.

"I did. Elizabeth, come here, I want to tell you something." William pulled out a kitchen chair for her, and placed his next to it.

"Yes?" Elizabeth did not want to talk about the poem quite yet. She held her breath until he completed his first sentence.

"I received an offer from Valley. I have written the number under yours." Pointing the paper in front of her, he knew she was not going to be completely happy. "As you can see, it does not yet meet your expenses. I believe I can get it a little higher without going to court."

"Why isn't it the full amount? What possible reason can they have for not picking up the entire tab?"

"The defense they are spouting is that your Quality Control people are also responsible for part of the blame because they did not catch the problem when they were testing the machines."

Elizabeth did not comment on his remark. QC had screwed up in a big way, and she personally went down and fired two supervisors over it. Afterward, she drilled the remaining QC staff until she found where they had erred, then ordered new procedures to be put in place so it would not happened again. Her actions earned her the new nickname of 'Scalp Taker' around the office.

She looked at the number he had written on the page. "Tell me my options."

"You can accept this offer, wait for a better one, or threaten court and be ready to back it up. Accepting this offer is not a wise move on your behalf, unless Valley drags their feet. You'll need to look at your possible per-day costs and compare them to any gain you may receive by waiting him out. I can get another 5% out of Wickham without much delay. Suing him is inadvisable. In my opinion, the amount of money you are seeking is not large enough to offset the time, effort, and costs that would be involved. This has to be your decision."

Elizabeth sat quietly weighing her alternatives. Bennet would not be taking too large a hit if she settled soon, and suing Valley would not be getting them any more State of Illinois jobs anytime soon.

"William, can you get 10% more?" Elizabeth knew what she wanted.

"It might take time."

"Make it ten." Firm in her decision, Elizabeth pushed the paper in front of him.

"I will let you know the progress of the talks. Is everything else working out for you?"

"Yes." Elizabeth answered but her expression was one of doubtfulness.

"What's wrong? Is there something more I can do for you?" There was obviously something else on her mind, he could tell by the way she tapped a pen on the table.

Elizabeth was straightforward with him.

"I need to hire someone to give me some instruction. Bennet has started a personal computer line, and it is not taking off like I had hoped. The critics and reviewers praise it, but we still have no name recognition in the public market. I am not sure how to approach this dilemma. I have people in the office who are paid to take care of issues like this, but…" Elizabeth stopped tapping her pen and looked him straight in the eye.

"William, everything I know, I have learned on the job or from my father. I have no formal business training, and at times this hinders my decision making process. Let's be honest about it, two years of Art and Music from Berkeley doesn't get you very far when you're trying to break into a PC market. I must know more than the people working for me, but I do not have the time to take college courses."

"Incredible, I had no idea." William's jaw dropped a little as he looked at her with astonishment. "Elizabeth, you are so good at what you do. You're a natural."

Elizabeth was not convinced. She had never been very comfortable in her role as President of Bennet Computers. It was at her father's insistence that she took over his position. He wanted a family member to continue on where he left off. Mary was Dale Bennet's first choice, but she turned him down flat. Mary had no desire to deal with customers or internal issues, and refused to take over a job she knew would make her miserable.

Over time, Elizabeth's confidence had risen, but she still second-guessed herself when she was breaking unfamiliar territory.

"Elizabeth, I know of an excellent company who can give you the training you need. I will send you a name and contact tomorrow." William patted her hand, and then wrapped his hand around it.

"Thank you."

"If you will let me, I would really like to help. We could meet like this and go over whatever you need, but not as Allied and Bennet. We could be just two friends…" William leaned closer to her. His heart began to beat faster as he gathered his nerve.

"Friends?" Just say it William, or I am going to.

"Elizabeth, I am hopelessly attracted to you." He did not blink when he said the words. They were so true, and real.

"Me too." It was such a relief for Elizabeth to finally admit it.

"Could we do something away from the office sometime?"

"Please." It was now Elizabeth's turn to confess her thoughts.

"May I ask you a favor?" There was a new look in her eyes; one William had never witnessed before.

"Anything." He could feel her breath on his face as she moved closer to him.

"Will you kiss me?"

William bridged the small gap between and softly placed his lips against hers. The kiss was long and sweet, but not forceful. It was the type of 'first kiss' that every time you remember it; it makes you feel butterflies because it was so new and exciting.

When they parted, Elizabeth muttered, "That was good."

"I agree." Responded William.

She opened her eyes, surprised.

"Did I say that out loud?" A faint blush covered her cheeks. William just smiled at her. Elizabeth burst out laughing.

"We had better eat!"

William went home around three hours later. They spent their time talking on the couch while holding hands and getting to know each other. Not wanting to rush her, William took his leave earlier then he had wanted to. He could have spent all day in her house, but thought it was best for them to move slowly. He did not want to mess up what he had with Elizabeth.

The good-bye kiss at the door was quite similar to the first one. Maybe a little longer, and with a bit more passion, but controlled just the same. They were both holding back what they were really feeling, and allowed the moment to create itself—cautiously.

William was ten minutes away from her house when he realized he had left the document he had originally came for. Since it was his intention to work on her case when he got home, he turned his car around and went back.

William knocked on her door, but the music coming from inside the house was too loud. He opened the door carefully, peering around the door, but he could not see Elizabeth. Recognizing her voice mixed with the song playing, he determined he could hear her in the living room. Elizabeth was singing at the top of her lungs, and it sounded to him like she was also playing her guitar. The song he knew, it was Sheryl Crow's 'A Change'.

As he entered the room, the grin that was on his face dropped in to open wonder. There stood Elizabeth barefoot in the middle of the room, with her back to him. Her hips were swaying to the music, causing her hair to dance along the base of her waist. Watching her small arms move with the forcefulness of her strumming of the guitar caused him to stand a just a little straighter. The vision in front of him was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

Sell the house and go to school
Get a young girlfriend daddy's jewel

A change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good
I think a change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good.

"Earthy." William said under his breath.

Elizabeth began to really get into the music, and her whole body was moving. Her voice was getting louder, and it drowned out the CD she was playing. She slowly removed the guitar from her body, and sat it on end against wall. Leaning her head back, she ran her fingers through her hair, bringing it high above her head before letting the stands fall back down. Elizabeth was completely unaware that she was being watched.

It was at this point that William realized he could not move without embarrassing himself. He had fantasized several times about doing that himself. Well, actually his fantasy was a little more complex. First, he would remove the pins holding up her bun one by one, kissing her bare neck while he still could before her hair covered it. Then, allowing the thick braid to fall down her back, he would run his fingers through it, freeing…

A change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good
I think a change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good.

As she danced herself around, Elizabeth opened her eyes and saw William looking at her with a fire in his eyes. His breathing was obviously labored. For a few seconds she questioned herself, then continued moving to the rhythm as her mouth formed a slight smile. She motioned her finger inviting him to join her, but he only shook his head no. With a seductive grin he imitated her gesture, asking her to come to where he was standing. She pretended to think about his offer, then made her way to him.

Scully and angel on the kitchen floor
And I'm calling Buddy on the Ouija board
I've been thinking 'bout catching a train
Leave my phone machine by the radar range

When she reached him, Elizabeth slowed her sway to a sensual pace as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he joined her in the dance. Her fingers traveled along his neck, working outwards toward his shoulders—feeling every muscle. He closed his eyes and let out a long, slow breath as she was doing this, which made her want to do it more.

William lowered his head as she raised hers, and they met halfway. There was nothing subtle about the kiss they shared. It was deep and passionate. The restrained frustration they had been experiencing over the last two weeks was evident by the fierceness of the exchange. The intensity caused them to stop moving to the music and turn their concentration elsewhere. William pulled back to catch his breath, but the sight of her tilted head and parted lips sent him back to her. A soft moan sent a rush of adrenaline flowing through his body, bringing him to the brink. Both wanted it, and when he ran his hands down her hips, and pulled her tight against his body, Elizabeth understood why he did not come over to her.

A change, a change would do you good
A change would do you good…

"William, let's go to the couch." Her voice gave away her motives.

"I can't…." He breathed heavily against her shoulder. His words sent shivers up her spine as he began to work his way to her ear.

"Be right back." Elizabeth ran to the door and locked it. Next, she opened a closet and took out a thick blanket, and stopped to toss some couch pillows onto the floor beside him. Laying the blanket out in record time, she kicked a pillow into place and returned to him and her position before the interruption. She wasn't even gone ten seconds.

A change, a change would do you good.

After another long taste of his lips, that literally left her gasping for air, Elizabeth pulled her head away.

"I'll take you down slowly." She whispered as she pulled his shoulders down to the floor with her.

Elizabeth brought him down to his knees.

Elizabeth pulled him close to her and put her head against his chest. The feel of his heart beating rapidly made her squirm even closer to his body. Taking her hands, she pushed them up his back, pressing hard. When she reached his neck, she went back down until she reached his waist. Loosening his shirt, her hands found their way under the cloth and onto his broad chest. It was firm and strong. She bit her bottom lip as she pulled him all of the way down to the floor with her.

"Liz…"

The song had changed as they touched each other. It was slower, and they subconsciously responded to the change of tempo. That afternoon, they did all things unmentionable--more than once.

Chapter 9

Posted on Sunday, 10 January 1999

The next morning, Elizabeth entered Charlotte's office with a grin on her face. The weather was beautiful, the birds were singing, the billboards she read were funny, and the traffic was light. It was an absolutely perfect day.

"Good morning, Charlotte. Ready to begin another Monday?" She called out.

Charlotte eyed Elizabeth suspiciously over her third cup of coffee. Too happy!

"You've had sex!" She accused with a pointed finger.

Elizabeth's eyes went wide as she blushed, but try as she might; she could not stop grinning. Charlotte just rolled her eyes at her.

"William Darcy is on hold. He refused to call back, and said he would just wait for you until you got in."

Elizabeth ran to her desk, shutting her door behind her with her foot. She could hear William on his speakerphone giving his secretary instructions. The tone of his voice as he gave orders was firm and decisive, sexy in a commanding sort of a way. Elizabeth leaned on her desktop and savored the sound of his words. When he excused his secretary, she spoke up.

"Hello?"

"Elizabeth!" He picked up the receiver wearing the same silly grin she did. "How are you this morning? Did you notice how light the traffic was?"

"Yes. I'm fine except that my lips are chapped. You?"

"I pulled a muscle. Other then that, just fine."

"Mmmm…" Elizabeth was about to quiz him about his injury when he asked her a question.

"Would you want to go out for lunch?" William was hopeful.

"I can't. I have to concentrate today. We're going after a lucrative job, and I need to carefully review the bid." Elizabeth allowed her disappointment to be heard. But on second thought, she reasoned that maybe they should skip meeting for lunch until they had their hormones under control.

"When can I see you next?"

"Tonight I'm stopping by the Church, so that's out." A frown creased her forehead. She had promised to go last night.

"Are you going to confession?" William whispered.

"Hardly!" Elizabeth laughed out. "I need to check out the crack in the stained glass. What about Tuesday night after work, William? I could take you to my favorite steak place downtown."

"Sounds good, when would you like to meet?"

"As soon as you can get away."

"I'll be at your office at 5 p.m."

Two Weeks Later-Saturday.

Elizabeth waited for him in his townhouse, wrapped in an oversized towel on the edge of his bed. She had stayed over at his place for the first time last night, and was combing out her wet hair after her shower. William's golf game was supposed to be over by now, but he had warned her that sometimes they teed off late.

The night before William had given her the complete tour of his home. She had been in it before, but they had not spent any real time there until this weekend. William had told her that he liked the 'warmth' of her house better then his.

His townhouse was located right on the golf course in an exclusive neighborhood. It was really too large to be considered a townhouse in her mind. There were four bedrooms, an office, dining room, kitchen, living room and four bathrooms. The view was incredible to look at through the numerous windows in the living room. He had the entire place furnished with classic Italian leather pieces in black and maroon, and it was obvious to Elizabeth that he had taken time when picking it out.

No matter what he preferred, she liked spending time in his home, primarily because it was where he lived and spent his time away from her. Every room was dark and masculine, very much like him.

When William came home, he found her sitting on the bed, fighting with a large toothed comb. He leaned over her and gave her a kiss.

"Have you been up long?" When he left her this morning, she was still snug in his bed.

"An hour. Thank you for making the coffee." Elizabeth returned his kiss. "How did you do today?"

"Good." He watched her comb out her hair. "May I do that?"

"Sure, just start at the bottom and work your way up." Elizabeth handed him the comb after he crawled behind her on the bed. Gently, he began to work the tangles out.

Elizabeth," he said as he pulled the comb through her hair, "you are a wonderful woman."

Elizabeth smiled. "I think you are the wonderful one. After all, you lived through my PMS last week."

"I'm being serious." He stopped combing and turned her head so she could see him. "Elizabeth, I love you."

Elizabeth allowed the weight of his words to sink in. He loved her. Other men had mumbled those words to her in the past, but never had they been as sincere and genuine as they were when coming from his lips. He did not call them out in the thrall of passion, or use them to soothe her when she was angry. William said 'I love you' because he meant it. Elizabeth reached up and stroked the side of his beautiful face.

"I love you too, William. You are the best of men."

This was the first time they had confessed aloud their hearts. Each had let it show in their actions and expressions, but was hesitant when it came to saying the words. They had known each other for one month, with two weeks of that as a couple. It might have seemed a little soon for some people, but time had no bearing on their feelings.

Not only did they love each other, but also they were truly in love with one another.

Next Day-Sunday.

William was sitting on her couch, reading some Poe while Elizabeth was playing a tune on her guitar in the sitting room.

He looked up from his book as she repeated the same melody over and over. It had a sweet sound to it.

"That's pretty, Elizabeth." He called to her in the other room.

"Thank you, but it is not the right sound. I think I need my mandolin for this section."

William put down the book and joined her.

"I didn't know you played the mandolin." He stood in the archway between the two rooms, and looked at her with a delighted expression. Elizabeth never ceased to amaze him. There were so many discoveries disclosed every time they were together. For William, these were the best of times.

"It was the first instrument I learned to play. I was about seven when my granddad bought it for me. When we Bennet girls were little, my dad wouldn't allow television in the house. He claimed it dulled the brain. So, we had to come up with alternative entertainment."

"You are full of surprises. Will you play it for me?"

"Yes, but don't get too excited. I haven't played it in a while. I'll go get it upstairs." She knew William well enough to know that he would like anything she played, but she still wanted to do her best for him.

Elizabeth was halfway upstairs when the phone began to ring.

"It is just Mama, William. Don't answer it."

William grinned as he sat back down on the couch. Last week Elizabeth had asked him if she could wait before she introduced him to the family. She said that once they knew, they would not leave them alone—especially her mother. Since he was enjoying his private time with Elizabeth so much, he readily agreed. William liked the little world they had created together. It consisted of weekends and a several nights during the workweek. They were free to do anything they wanted, without the interference of unwanted invitations or guests. Just the anticipation of knowing they would be alone fueled him through the days when they were not.

The answering machine picked up, but instead of Mrs. Bennet's voice, the caller was a male.

"Elle, are you home? This is David. Oh, wait, you have about ten cousins named David. This is David Whent. Please pick up. I want to talk to you, Elle."

Elizabeth flew back down the stairs and slammed the office door behind her.

A few seconds later, William heard her say in a low, strong voice "Go to Hell!" Then Elizabeth slammed down the receiver. After several minutes had passed, and she had not come back out, he went after her.

Elizabeth sat in her desk chair, staring at the wall. Her hands were slightly shaking as a few silent tears fell down her cheeks.

"Elizabeth, are you all right?" William took her hands in his.

"No." She answered in a small voice.

He gently pulled her up to him and wrapped his arms around her. William was seriously concerned about Elizabeth, she was shaken and he had never seen her like this.

"Is that man threatening you?" Judging by her reaction, this was his first instinct.

"No, he is a harmless English professor-wannabe writer. He is not a threat." Elizabeth moved closer to him and tightened her grip around his waist.

"If he is bothering you, we should do something about it." William was very calm as he spoke. He had confidence in Elizabeth's ability to deal with her own problems, but he had the undeniable desire to protect her from anything unpleasant. He adored the woman in his arms.

"He doesn't call very often, William." Elizabeth sighed. "For many years, he was my best friend in the world. We had a huge falling out a year ago, and I am very angry at him."

William sat down on her desk chair and placed her on his lap. She laid her head against his shoulder.

"William, you should know that I don't handle anger very well. I am not the type of person to get mad easily, but when I do…it is hard to let it go. I am trying not to be that way, but… "

"We all have traits we are working on, Elizabeth. None of us are perfect, although some are closer then others." William placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Even you? What triggers your dark side, besides waiting on trains and IDOT?" Elizabeth loved the way William made her feel better. She knew she was a lucky one to have someone like him to love her.

"I don't know. Sometimes at work, I loose my cool. Incompetence! That sends me over the edge faster than anything."

"So, you need to work on tolerance?"

"I think so."

"Well then, I had better keep you away from Mama for a while longer." Elizabeth sat up and looked at him.

"Is everything okay with you now?" Her tears were gone and her eyes were dry. "Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine, thank you." She gave him a small smile. "I'll go get my mandolin and play a charm that will turn you into my love slave." Elizabeth got off his lap.

"You don't need a mandolin for that." He said as she left the room.

Elizabeth determined that his last comment deserved a reward, and she returned to kiss him before going upstairs.

Chapter 10

Posted on Monday, 11 January 1999

Three Weeks Later

William held Elizabeth's hand at the boarding gate at O'Hare Airport. She was going out to California for four days to be with her father. Dale Bennet had been enrolled at the Institute for the Blind for several months, and this would be her first visit to see him.

Dale, like Elizabeth, had diabetes, but unlike her, he never took care of himself. He ate poorly, worked too many hours under stress, and ignored the warning signs. Two and a half years ago he went into Insulin Shock after taking his morning dose on an empty stomach. He was in a coma for three days, and when he awoke, he was blind.

In the beginning, he could see shadows of dark and light, but over time, they faded away. He stubbornly fought the fact that he was blind, and lashed out to anyone who tried to aid him. Elizabeth was given complete control of the business, while Dale sank into his depression.

Unable to watch her father destroy himself anymore, Elizabeth used her anger for good four months ago, and told him off. She let him know what she thought of his selfish behavior, and how he was tearing the family apart. She gave him no sympathy or pity as she tore him down bit by bit. When she was finished, Dale Bennet sat broken, speechless, and in tears. To hear his most favorite daughter tell him what a complete disappointment he was finally drove him into submission. The next week he was signed up for training.

Elizabeth was apprehensive about seeing her father. They spoke twice a week on the phone, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was miserable. Dale was always a strong man, and now to be dependent on other people to show him how to function in the world of the sightless was almost too difficult an adjustment for him. The Bennet stubbornness was alive and well in Dale.

The flight was called over the loudspeaker and Elizabeth picked up her carry on. She had wished William could have joined her on this trip, and been introduced to her father. Elizabeth was certain they would get along very well, but her father's present attitude did not hold much promise of civility.

Elizabeth turned and looked at her beloved. A tinge of sadness came over her as she watched him watching her. She knew it was going to be a long four days.

"Good-bye, William. Have a good weekend, and call often."

"Good-bye. I love you." He kissed her lightly on the cheek, but Elizabeth was unimpressed.

"Will, that won't hold me over. Kiss me like you mean it." Elizabeth shot him 'the' look he knew all too well.

"In front of all of these people?" He said in a low voice, scanning the crowd.

"Why not? We won't see them again." Her eyes were sparkling as she raised her eyebrows.

William took her hand and led her to a semi-private area. They had a couple of minutes to themselves since the boarding of the plane had just begun. He pulled her tight against him.

"Liz," was whispered as he kissed her deeply. William was trying to pour four days worth of missed opportunities into one two-minute kiss. A moan escaped her as she dropped her carry on which contained her precious laptop, but it went unnoticed by the lovers. He was kissing her from every angle, and Elizabeth reached out for his belt loops to pull him even closer. When he finally stopped, she was flushed.

Elizabeth reached up and cupped his ear, whispering something meant for him only. Judging by his expression and the way he shifted on his feet, it must have been agreeable.

A group of young military men witnessed the heated exchange between them and began to clap and whistle loudly when they stepped apart. Elizabeth beamed proudly at the gentlemen, grinning from ear to ear, but William just ran his hand over his red face, trying not to show his satisfaction.

"Come home safely, Elizabeth." William led her back to the boarding gate.

"I love you, William."

"I love you, too."

It was on the second day of Elizabeth's departure that William found himself in the bookstore close to his home. He was terribly bored and missing the enjoyment Elizabeth's presence provided. Even though he knew it was not wholly sane, he found himself completely bewitched by her. Since the first Sunday they were together at her house, they had never been away from each other for more then two days in a row. Two weeks ago, they had started riding together downtown each day. It gave them time to be together and talk before and after the long workday.

William had become accustomed to being able to reach her whenever the mood struck him, sometimes to share a funny incident, other times just to hear her voice.

In a short period of time, Elizabeth had become his family. William was left with few relatives in the world after his parents had passed on. He had only one sister who lived in New York City, a few Aunts and Uncles scattered elsewhere, and one cousin he could call close. There were still acquaintances from his college days that he kept in contact with, but as the years passed, the less important the connection to them became. Running Allied had consumed him in almost every way, taking from him precious time to build new relationships with other people outside the workplace. Other than the men he golfed with on the weekends, he had few male companions he could call friend.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, seemed to be known everywhere she went. Her dry-cleaner greeted her by name, as did the parking garage attendant. She led her neighborhood Christmas light display, and always had messages waiting for her on her answering machine. People went out of their way to be good to her because she was always kind to them first. Elizabeth took the time to get to know others, and William was learning by her example. He met the couple living next door to him one day because Elizabeth went out to get the paper and introduced herself. They were actually very interesting, and since that day he had, on his own, struck up a conversation with the man at the clubhouse.

Before Elizabeth had left for California, she told him to enjoy his four days of freedom, and even suggested that he drink a beer in his underwear while watching television--just for fun. William went to his refrigerator after she was gone to give her idea a shot, but when he saw all of the special food he had stocked just for her, and the new blue medicine bag she kept at his house, he changed his mind. He would have much rather have her with him, sitting around and laughing about how ridiculous they looked, than to do it by himself.

William was new to surrendering his inner thoughts and emotions, and he reasoned that once the gate was opened, there was no turning back. He opened the gate and allowed her access to everything. It was liberating and frightening at the same time.

Right now, more then anything, William wanted her home. Maybe then time would return to its normal pace instead of the crawl it had been reduced to.

Having read everything in his library, William went looking for anything the bookstore had to offer to stimulate his mind. The subject of the book was unimportant, really. The only qualification it needed to fulfill was to be able to distract him for two more nights.

How he ended up in the non-fiction department was beyond him. He was simply wandering around when he stopped in front of a display. An author's name made him halt.

From the author of 'Three days in Rome' comes "Father's time' by David Whent.

William recalled the name David Whent, and Elizabeth's reaction to the man's phone call. … he is a harmless English professor-wannabe writer. She told him to 'Go to Hell'. He picked up 'Father's time' and read the back cover. It was a story based on a son's reaction to his Father's life and passing.

"Too depressing." He thought. William picked up 'Three days in Rome'. His curiosity was ignited. Elizabeth had never fully explained her connection to the David Whent. William opened the book and read the inscription.

Elle,
I know you will understand.
David

William read it again.

David Whent had called Elizabeth 'Elle' on the phone.

Flipping to the first page, his eyes consumed the first few lines.

I will forever remember the first time I laid eyes on her. She was the new girl standing up in front of the science class. A vision to me, her soft brown curls framed her face and made her dark eyes stand out against her pale skin. She was tall and lanky, but to one twelve-year-old boy who sat shyly behind his desk, she was mesmerizing. The teacher, whose name I can no longer recall, announced to the class that we had an additional student. He instructed her to introduce herself, and she did so with a slight shake in her voice.

Her thick southern accent had the other children looking at each other, some actually attempting to contain their snickers, while others did not. Elle continued to give her name and information without blinking an eye. She did not seem affronted by their lack of regard or respect. She simply went on, expressionless, mouthing as little as she could. When she finished, she turned her head and looked the teacher in the eye. She was a brave girl.

"Elle, we are going to have to work on your English. I could hardly understand a word you said." The teacher's comment caused the class to erupt in laughter.

The man was heartless, and at that moment I formed a hatred for him that lasts to this day. I do not need to remember his name to prove my hatred.

Elle did not flinch. With cold eyes, she surveyed the other children. I remember thinking these exact words at that time: 'they are not good enough for you, Elle. I understood every word you said.'

William shut the book and allowed his mind to go blank for a minute. What if that girl in the book was Elizabeth? He wrestled with the voices in his head. In his hand, he might be holding a piece she had not given him. The shock was almost too much for him to absorb. Only to be matched by the guilt he was experiencing.

A part of him felt dirty, like he was reading her diary. The other part wanted to know. Elizabeth had always intrigued him; she was so…individual. William craved to know what had made her the woman she was.

He picked up 'Father's time' again, and read the teaser on the back page.

The author takes you on an exploration of his mind, and his Fathers, during their darkest days together.

David Whent, known widely for his psychological insights, has taken us on another journey of the mind. Like his first book "Three days in Rome', Dr. Whent gives the reader a peek into the structure of his personal experience with an interesting individual.

William put the other book back while still holding onto 'Three days in Rome'.

He spent the next ten minutes in debate with himself.

Curiosity won out as William walked up to the checkout. He handed the book to the middle-aged woman behind the register. She raised her eyebrows at his choice, and decided to voice her opinion.

"Good book. You will love Elle; she's incredible, although sad. I am surprised the book did not sell any better than it did." She flashed him a toothy grin.

William looked at her blankly.

"Tear off the back cover." He said sharply. "I don't want any spoilers."

The woman looked at him oddly, and did as she was told. If William had known the pilgrimage he was about to take, he would not have entered the bookstore that day.

Chapter 11

Posted on Monday, 11 January 1999

Torn.

William was torn. Sitting in his leather armchair in front of the fireplace, the thought about how strangely classic the scene around him was. Half expecting a dog to enter the room and sit at his feet, he fondled the paperback with his hands.

I don't have permission.

William looked at the clock, realizing Elizabeth would be checking in soon. He opened the book and began reading. An hour passed before he knew it.

…all through high school she always sat alone in the cafeteria. She used her time in that lonely room well, by reading and drawing while eating the lunch she brought from home. I do not want to give the impression that Elle was unpopular, it was more of a case of invisibility. With the exception of her family and myself, no one else allowed himself or herself to come close to her. She was thought of as 'different' and the other students looked upon her with insensitive eyes, only seeing her as sickly, fragile, and in need. If they had taken the chance (and it was a chance, because she did not let many close to her) to know Elle from the inside out, they would have known she was NOT sickly, NOT weak.

Granted, Elle's insulin was stored in the Nurse's station, and her life was too dependent on it, but her world went past her illness. Elle was like fire--warm, blazing, flickering, red. Her passion was beyond the scope of my being able to share it with her, let alone understand it. Even if I could, Elle would never allow it. She did not look on me with anything but friendship, and it cut into my heart. I can say with all conviction that I would have died for her-at the age of 16. I had these thoughts! We floated through our sophomore year of high school. Elle in her self-created cocoon and I looking in at her.

It was not until the next year that her anger finally reared its head, growing a spiked tongue of rebellion. Elle almost died. It was...

The ringing of the phone startled William out of his reading. He stared at it and had to let it ring three times before he could pick it up.

"What?" Angry at being brought back to reality, he did not think about the caller.

"William, is that any way to greet me?" Elizabeth scolded.

William choked with emotion at the sound of her beautiful voice. He had been reading at such a furious pace, yet absorbing every syllable--experiencing her through the written word.

"Elizabeth, I want you home. I need to be with you." His voice held a different type of desire. It was close to frantic. His protective nature had taken over his common sense.

"I love you, please, please come home." William wanted to take away all of her past, and make her forget what he now knew. "Or I'll come to you."

Elizabeth was becoming confused. William was acting so strange; she had never heard him sound so desperate. But, now was not the time to have one of their long conversations. She hated to have to put him off when he was obviously distressed. William had always made time for her when she needed him, but her father was a mess and taking all of her attention.

"William, my dad is here in my hotel room with me. I'm going to take him out to dinner later tonight. Let me call you back this evening. Just remember that I am two hours behind you. I love you, too," she lowered her voice even more, "so much."

"I'm going to fly out to you. I'll call the airlines now." He was insistent. He could catch the next flight out and be there before nightfall.

"Honey, don't do that. I'll be home in two days. I want to miss you."

"Elizabeth, let me come to you." She heard the pleading in his voice, and knew that she could not allow him to go on anymore.

"No! I need to spend time with my father. I'll call you tonight, and we'll talk for hours. I love you."

"Liz…" William called her by the name he only used during their intimate times. He could not comprehend why she was fighting him on this.

"I promise I'll call you back. Just hang on until then, please William. I can't fail my father right now. When I get back home, you and I will plan a trip together and get away. Everything is going to be fine, but William, I really cannot talk right now. Please, understand."

"I am sorry. I can not take this. The moment you get back to your room, you will call?" William knew she was not going to give in to his pressure. He had resign himself to two more days of waiting for her.

"You know I will. Just calm yourself, and find something to pass the time. I'll get back as soon as I can. Good-bye, Will."

William hung up the phone and rubbed his hand over his mouth.

She will never feel pain again if I can help it. He vowed with a vengeance.

…It was the next year that her anger finally reared its head, growing a spiked tongue that spoke of rebellion. Elle almost died. It was not uncommon for her to miss school, but after four consecutive days of absence, I became concerned and called her home. Her sister was back from college, and knowing I was Elle's best friend, she told me everything.

…the bruises on her arms were evidence of a several misguided IVs. She just lay in her hospital bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her jaw was set firmly, and her breathing steady. I should not have said anything to her, but youthful ignorance is my only excuse.

"Elle, your Mother said you should be out of here tomorrow. We can still make the prom next weekend, if you feel up to it."

(Dear reader, I had not told you about my asking her to the dance until now because I can still feel the disappointment like it was yesterday. She had agreed to go with me, and I held hope. Maybe then she would see me for more than her best friend at school.)

Right after I asked her about keeping our plans, she turned her head and spit hateful words at me as she extended her bare arms in my direction so I could get a good look.

"Damn it, David. Look! Look at me!" Her arms were black and blue, with red prick marks all over. They looked like someone had purposely beat them with a heavy object.

Elle unleashed everything at me, and tore me down until I was unable to speak. I became the target of her painful childhood, and she expressed it with the worst of words. I do not how long the lashing went on, but when she finished, she buried her head and wept like I have never seen.

Her father, who was out in the hall, heard the shouting and rushed into the room. He shot me an angry look as he approached his daughter's bedside. Tucked under his arm was a wrapped package. She did not notice his presence for a long time, but once she did, I witnessed a side of her I never wanted to see again.

Elle ripped the gift out of the crook of his arm and threw it against the wall. I could hear the glass contents of the package shatter. I had never seen her as furious as I did at that moment.

"I don't want another 'token' sick gift!" She screamed as loud as she could at her father. "I want YOU to take this damn disease YOU gave me away! Otherwise, just get the hell out of my room, because you are of no use to me!"

The experimental drug they were pumping into her small veins was poisoning her. When she lifted her head off of the pillow during her tirade, strands of hair covered the pillowcase. I let out an involuntary gasp when I saw this, which brought her angry attention back to me.

Elle was not too tired to fight, but I was too young to help her. I fled the room.

William lowered the book, and tried to control the churning of his stomach.

God. My Elizabeth… how you suffered. Tears fell down his cheeks as he thought about what he had just read.

When he was able, William poured himself a strong drink and continued reading.

…watched her graduate. Elle accepted her certificate with a hardened expression, then proceeded to walk off the stage and out of the gymnasium, leaving everyone in attendance stunned. I eased out of my chair and went looking for her. I watched as Elle threw her diploma in the trash can by the doors and left the building. She never returned to her seat, never joined her classmates again, and to my knowledge, never reentered the school.

She hated them all for making her miserable life more miserable.

I started to and caught up with her outside. It was pouring down rain and there she was stood, in the courtyard with her arms outstretched, breathing in freedom. At last, Elle had emerged from her prison.

…really by chance that we met again. She had spent her first two years after high school at Berkeley, and over time we lost contact. As I watched her eat her pasta at Mario's, she was different. Stronger, bolder, healthy, and happier. She had finally bloomed into the woman I always knew she would become.

Elle related to me the events after she dropped out of college. She had traveled across America. Living day to day without a definite plan, she sought out those people most like herself. Her spirit lived this way for two and a half years, and she told me it was heavenly.

She spoke fondly about California and San Francisco. She admitted that she was a little out of control during that time, but she also never felt as free. It seemed as if she had taken a lover for a couple of months, but left him in the middle of the night on a whim. She told me that she never really loved him anyway, and she was certain his sentiments were as her own.

Elle lived near the Hopi Indians in Arizona for part of one year, learning their customs and beliefs. The diabetes they shared tied them together. While settled near the Rockies, she worked as a waitress in a dump of a diner, but the thrill of that experience wore off quickly, and she once again left in search of excitement. Elle was happiest in Seattle, where she played her guitar in the park for money and shared an apartment with four other musicians.

Why she would live so far below her means baffled me. Elle was rich in her own right. Years ago, her father had made many sound and prosperous deals on Wall Street, placing his daughter in an excellent financial position. I never did ask her why she did it, but I think she played poor for the rush.

William looked over the top of the book. Elizabeth had never told him much about how she had spent her time after college. In fact, she had said so little that he had assumed she started working for her father after she left Berkeley. Confusion set in as he began to wonder if the book was even factual.

Yes, Elizabeth talked very little about her days before he knew her, but…no, he was certain it could not be true. Enveloping his mind in denial, William read on.

…We met at the airport. Elle bought her own ticket. I state the truth when I tell you that I had never kissed her up to this time. She checked her guitar (and nothing else) at baggage and we took off for the gate. The flight was not interesting, and our arrival in Rome lacked the excitement it should have. We headed straight for the hotel.

William shifted in his chair. His gut told him to put the book down because he was getting into territory that was never meant for his eyes. But, his curiosity ruled.

...I made love, and Elle made like. Looking back, it was obvious that she did not love me, but at the time I decided to cling to the hope of it. She was powerful, sensual, and uninhibited. Between exchanges, she would sit on the bed; with only a sheet wrapped around her, telling me all of her secrets while strumming her guitar. I will admit I loved Elle's stories about her childhood. The way she called her mother 'Mama', and how her expressive eyes became glassy when she recalled happier times. The longer she spoke, the more her natural accent came back. It was the southern drawl that drove me insane, and she fulfilled every passionate design I had.

Elle played me some songs she had written over the years, but not all of them. There were at least fifty songs total, but only three days for us to share them.

She finally broke down and admitted to me how much despised running her father's business. Elle was not the type of person who should have to spend hours upon hours behind steel and glass. Anyone who really knew her would be able to see that. It sucked her creative energy dry. She took over the company out of loyalty, and loyalty alone. She felt smothered by working in business, like she was captured once again.

Elle confessed that not a day went by where she did not long to go back to the person she was before she came back home. She missed the spontaneity. I wiped her tears away with gentle kisses, and she thanked me. I understood her heartache completely.

William's heart began to harden with jealously. He was starting to hate the man who wrote the book. How could David Whent know so much more about her than he did? How could she tell him so much? Elizabeth had NEVER told him that she hated business. She was so instinctive at it, so accomplished. It was one of the things about her he admired most.

William took a few moments to pace around the room and freshen his drink before returning to reading.

The second day, Elle finally told me about the hardship she went through as a teenager. Not one detail was left out. Her soul was as bare to me as her skin. She spent six hours pouring out her past, stopping only once to make love. I absorbed her pain and returned it back to her as peace. When we fell asleep in each other's arms that night, wrapped in her sheet, I had convinced myself that she did indeed love me, even if she wouldn't say the words.

William slammed the book down on the table next to him, sending the lamp crashing on the floor. He shook his head violently, trying to release the memory of the words he had just ingested. He sought refuge in denial.

Elizabeth, the Elizabeth he knew would never, never do this. His Elizabeth had not yet shared with him any of the stories this man had written about. His Elizabeth would not go off with a man she wasn't even dating like the Elle in the book. Never! His Elizabeth was damn near perfect. He was close to asking his Elizabeth to marry him. His slow discovery of her was the best experience of his life. Everyday was a new treasure, a new secret…

William stood still in the middle of the room. My God, is it true? Is that woman really Elizabeth? He picked up the almost finished book, and sat by the only light source in the room. His hands were shaking as he downed his drink for courage and allowed his eyes to fall to the print.

On the third morning, it became quite clear to me that we were never going to see the city. I could not have cared less, because it was on this morning she allowed me to do something I never had dreamed of. Elle was in the bathroom, preparing to take her morning shot of insulin. Because I had known her for so long, I knew she never let anyone watch her give herself a shot. She always hid herself away, something her Mama had taught her to do. I walked to the open door and looked at her with a questioning expression. Her face became dark as she pondered my unspoken request. She held her hand out to me, and I joined her.

Into her hip, Elle allowed me to give her the insulin…

Throwing the book against the wall, William ran to the bathroom to vomit.

He sat in his chair, half asleep and drunk. His heart was stone and his mind was empty. An annoying sound was penetrating his gloom.

"Stop it." He yelled out to nothing. The sound did not cease. Opening his eyes, his senses stumbled awake. It was the telephone.

William picked up the receiver and listened.

"William, is that you? I have made it back to the hotel room. The Institute is getting fed up with my father. He is a complete monster in his Braille class. I gave him a stern lecture tonight over dinner, and he seemed to respond. Time will tell. William?"

"Yes, Elizabeth." His speech was slurred.

"Are you all right? You sound like you've had a little too much to drink." Elizabeth's voice was suspicious. She was concerned about him all day since they spoke on the phone. William was not the type of man to loose control.

"Fine." The fog he was in lifted, and for a minute, he was perfectly aware of his words.

"Elizabeth, I was thinking about going to Italy. Have you ever been?"

"Italy sounds wonderful. I've been once. Where would you like to go?"

"Tell me where you've been." Please prove me wrong Elle…Elizabeth.

"Well, I have been to Rome, but only for three days. I do not like Rome. Let's not go there, William. How about another city?"

"Three..Days..in..Rome." He said the words slowly as his heart iced over.

William felt the sour taste coming into his mouth once again. It was true, all true! She was Elle, and he did not know her anymore. He never knew her.

"William, what is…" She stopped talking as everything fell into place, and crashed. Elizabeth could not catch her breath.

He knew the name David Whent from her answering machine, he found the book, he said the title, and figured out the connection. Elizabeth knew it was over at that very moment, he would not love her anymore.

"How could you!" He cried on the phone. "And who the hell are you? Damn it, Elizabeth, I loved you and you deceived me! I thought I knew you. Who are you?"

"It happened two years before we met. I…" She did not know what to say to him.

William covered his mouth at this point because he could not control his language, and by God, he could not believe what was happening.

"IS IT ALL TRUE?" William was ill at this point. "ARE YOU ELLE?"

Silence fell on the phone line as he waited for the answer.

"Yes, it is all true. I am her." Elizabeth admitted.

"It doesn't matter to me, anymore. Forget it. You were never going to tell me. You are a liar and a fraud! I can't believe I was taken in by you and oh, what a fool I was. I believed you were an honest woman, but you are nothing but a common…"

William ripped the phone line out of the wall. In his anger, he went into every room in his house and did the same to the other telephones. He would listen no more to her. She was a stranger. Elle was unworthy!

Chapter 12

Posted on Tuesday, 12 January 1999

William never called Elizabeth, and Elizabeth never called William.

For the first three days after reading 'Three days in Rome', William grieved.

'Elle was not the type of person who should have to spend hours upon hours behind steel and glass. Anyone who really knew her would be able to see that.'

William could feel David's words mocking him, and they took what confidence he had at one time and destroyed it. If the Elizabeth in the book could use men so heartlessly, if she could make 'like' instead of love without any signs of regret…what was she doing when she was with him? Was she going to someday leave him, too, in the middle of the night?

He had never expected her to be inexperienced with men, that would be unrealistic. But, the coldness in which she conducted herself overwhelmed him. Elle was so different from Elizabeth, but they were the same woman, making 'them' capable of the same actions.

As he reflected on their time together, he realized that clues about her personality were always there, though hidden in the shadows. The first time he had entered her house, she made a statement that at the time he found so charming. But now, he knew there was more to it then he had understood.

When William had asked her to show him around her house, her reply was "I think not. It is better if you find your own way, but I will answer any questions you have."

Why did he have to ask her questions to get to the truth? Why could she not have just told him? He once thought of Elizabeth as open, but all she was really doing was offering him a selected piece of herself. In all of the hours, and all of the days and weeks they had been together, there were opportunities for her to confide in him. Good God, when David called she had a perfect opening, but Elizabeth consciously chose to only tell him half of the story.

He would not allow himself to love someone who did not trust him.

At the end of his three days of exile, anger became William's friend, and it gave to him the comfort he desired.

When William returned to his office, he informed his secretary that if Miss Bennet called to take a message, but not send the call through. Martha looked at her disheveled employer, and agreed right away. He looked like hell, and his features were cold and unfeeling. Obviously he had had a falling out with his girlfriend, and Martha had been around long enough to know not to question him when he was in a mood.

William went straight to his desk and began working. Due to the perceptible change in his demeanor, rumors began to spread around the office. Some were on target, and others were not. Most centered on the dark-haired woman who no longer came to his office to see him.

His staff had become accustomed to and liked the William Darcy of the past, but now he was a tyrant. He demanded perfection, and would tear into anyone who did not produce it. He started to question the judgment of employee's he had shown trust in before, insisting on going over all proposals himself before issuing them out. William showed Very little mercy and people were beginning to talk of leaving Allied, just to get away from him.

William found that work proved exactly what he needed to take his mind off of her, and for a while, it helped. He changed his routine and came in at seven in the morning, stayed twelve hours, and went home exhausted.

Anything that reminded him of Elizabeth, he avoided. Eating at Mario's was never a consideration, and he went out of his way not to walk near her office building. William was successfully building a wall round his broken, disillusioned heart, and with the exception of his dreams, it was holding up strong.

Elizabeth crept into his dreams like a shrouded thief. Sometimes his mind would replay stories from the past that would be loving and passionate, and he would see them together as they once were. They would be taking a nap curled up together on her couch like they did every Sunday; he would be admiring her when she did not know he was there, the way her eyes lit up when she met him at his car each night, the heat they shared the first time they gave in to each other.

Although those memories were incredibly painful for him to relive, they were nothing compared to the alternative. William nightmares were taken directly from the book. He saw her bruised arms outstretched in front of him; her standing up in class while being laughed at, her playing the guitar while wrapped in a sheet in some strange motel room, another man's hands on her body.

William tried taking sleeping pills to end his nightly drama, but they only blocked out the first few hours. As the medicine wore off, his subconscious would viciously get back at him, making his visions even more vivid and clear.

William's greatest relief was that during the daytime he could distract his thoughts enough to give himself a break, but all that ended when he received a visitor three weeks after the never spoken-of breakup.

Charlotte was waiting outside of his office with a blank check in her hand. She firmly informed Martha that she would not leave until she spoke to Mr. Darcy. William, not wanting a scene to fuel the office gossip mongers, grudgingly admitted her in.

"Charlotte, what can I do for you?" William did not invite her to sit down. He just wanted her to say whatever she came to say, get the hell out of his office and leave him alone. Her presence was invading his 'safe area'.

"William, I am here to discharge Bennet's debt. I have been calling your billing department for three weeks, and they informed me that they had not received any charges for us yet. Get someone to give me the bill so I can fill out a check, and get back to work."

"There is no bill." It was perfectly clear he was finished with this discussion.

"Elizabeth instructed me to pay, and I am here to pay." Charlotte was letting her anger show, and that was not what she wanted to happen. She would have to control herself better then that.

"Tell Elizabeth that…"

"I cannot tell Elizabeth anything, she is gone!"

With only her words as a weapon, Charlotte dealt her first blow to him with silent satisfaction. If she left his office today successful, William Darcy would be taught the true power of manipulation without even realizing it.

William clenched his jaw as he turned away from Charlotte. Gone? He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in the chair. For several minutes, he was perfectly still as the only voice that echoed his head was Charlotte's. Needing to know, he finally asked her the inevitable.

"What do you mean Charlotte?" He took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. "Explain gone."

It was now Charlotte's turn to be silent. She had not taken her eyes off of him when she had told him, and watched closely as the deep frown on his face melted away into one of impassiveness. She knew she had control and called upon her endless supply of patience to get him exactly where she wanted him. Charlotte knew it was not her place to say anything to William, other then asking for the bill, but she had questions that needed to be answered. She did not say a word until she decided she had waited long enough.

"William, you do not know? No one has told you?" Charlotte carefully chose her expression. It was one of slight wonder. William instantly became putty in her hands.

"Tell me, Charlotte. Don't make me beg!" A high level of frustration was expressed in his tone.

Charlotte sat herself in the chair in front of his desk. She wanted to be on the same eye level with him now, instead of looking down. It was time for her to confide in him. For a split-second Charlotte felt a pang of guilt for being so conniving. She had always liked William, but her suspicions that he was the cause of Elizabeth's downfall soothed her conscience as she continued on. She was only going to tell him the truth, because if she was nothing else, Charlotte was not a liar.

"Lizzy returned from California two days after she was originally expected. She was pale and drained. I don't think she had slept in days. I haven't seen Lizzy look like that since..." Charlotte, who had been speaking quietly, pointed a finger at him as she raised her voice. "If her condition had anything to do with you, so help me, William! I have no idea what happened, but I do know she loved you at one time." She lowered her arm and calmed herself down before saying anymore. She unwittingly showed her motive for speaking directly to him before she had wanted to, but William did not seem to notice.

"What condition?" William leaned forward in his chair. He balled his hands into fists while waiting for her reply. Did he cause Elizabeth to become sick again? Where was she? A picture of Elizabeth laying in a bed with tubes connected to her flashed through his mind, and he had to blink to remove it.

"Elizabeth and Steven holed up in her office for the next two days. Both were tight lipped about what was happening behind the closed door. After noontime on the second day, the upper management was called in one at a time. I was the last person to enter the room that day. Steven was sitting comfortably behind her desk, and Lizzy was resting her head on the conference table. She gave me the news herself." Charlotte stopped thinking of her plan, and began to speak from the heart.

"She looked just like she did when she was younger. The years when she was so ill and worn." Charlotte covered her mouth as she remembered the look on her dearest friend's face as she lifted her tired head off of the table. Misery had returned to Elizabeth's being. The tears Charlotte shed in front of William were real.

"Steven Davis is now President of Bennet Computer and Elizabeth Bennet is no longer working for us. As I told you before, William, she is gone. She left Illinois the next morning in her Suburban. Please don't bother asking me where she is, because only her father and sisters know, and they aren't even telling Mrs. Bennet. She just asked to be left alone." Charlotte looked at the check in her hand that had her friend's signature on it. Right now she would give anything to have her back home.

"I worry about her. The episode you witnessed the first day in her office, when she had low blood sugar, it happens every once in a while. What if I am not there? I don't know; maybe it has been my job for so long to look out for her that I have been programmed to worry too much. But, she is my cousin, my closest friend, and I love her."

William dropped his gaze from Charlotte as reality sunk in. Elizabeth had never called him, there were no messages for him, she didn't stop by his house, and there was a reason…she was gone. Didn't Elizabeth understand! She was supposed to be waiting for him and suffering like he was. Instead, she just accepted his rebuff without an argument and disappeared.

Why did this make him feel so desolate? Where were his defenses when he needed them? Wasn't he the person who was wronged?

William needed time to think, but Charlotte was still in sitting in his office. She had lost the glint in her eyes she had when she first entered his office.

"Has her father gave any indication as to where she went?"

"He gives me general areas, but nothing more. She went directly to Arizona, but she has since left. I won't know anything more until Dale calls on Monday. William, do you know why she went away? What happened? Was it something between the two of you, or was there more? I swear to control myself if you tell me. I just want to understand."

"Not now, Charlotte." William's voice cracked when he answered her. He did not know his own thoughts at the moment.

"Okay. I need the bill. The last bit of business Lizzy asked me to handle was to pay for Allied services. She was very particular about it." William was shaking his head no. "What sort of pathetic egomaniac are you? Let her do this. We're dealing with her pride and dignity."

"I can not, Charlotte."

"You're a damn stubborn man. I am going to leave the check. She has signed her name. Fill in the amount and deposit it." Charlotte rose to leave.

"Good-bye, William."

"Martha, hold my calls."

William rocked in his desk chair, thinking. In his mind, he always could justify his actions and words to her. Of course, he was angry. Who wouldn't be? Elizabeth could have at least told him about it. She could have told him so many things.

Why didn't she trust him, like she did David? Why hadn't Elizabeth sat on the bed with him and poured out her soul?

William closed his eyes and allowed his reasoning to be liberated for the first time in three weeks. Before this time, he had allowed no sympathetic or understanding thought to dwell there before. William had been so busy nursing the betrayal and confusion he experienced that he had not considered the possibility that she had a reason for her silence.

It was not long before he sat straight up in his chair with realization clearly written on his face. He asked himself the questions again.

Why didn't she trust him, like she did David? Why hadn't Elizabeth sat on the bed with him and poured out her soul?

How could he have missed it? The reason was so obvious; she had been the one betrayed by…'Three days in Rome'.

It still took one more day until William was able to do what he knew he needed to. He went back into the bookstore to purchase another copy of 'Three days in Rome'. The first book ended up as kindling in the fireplace, shortly after he disconnected his phones.

The same woman was working the register when he approached the checkout.

"Again? I remember you. Do you want the back cover torn off?" Between his handsome face and strange request, she remembered him easily.

"No, just sell me the book."

William had not finished the first copy, and he needed to know how it ended.

Chapter 13

Posted on Wednesday, 13 January 1999

William stood with the refrigerator door open, looking for something to eat. As usual, it was empty except for some cheese slices and bag of lean ham that looked just too old to eat. He opened the compartment for eggs, and found Elizabeth's blue medicine pouch instead. William had forgotten where he had put it when he had seen it the morning after the phone call. He stuck it in the egg bin, out of sight, but still safe. As upset as he was at the time, it was never a consideration to him to throw it out.

He took hold of it and noticed a card sticking out of the front pocket. It was her emergency information list. Her doctor's name was listed along with contact phone numbers. William's number was directly under Mary's. He tucked the card back in and put it on a shelf in the refrigerator.

It was time to finish the book.

Tonight, he was not going to drink to cloud his senses, like he did the last time he held this particular book in his hands. He turned the book on its side and read the small print on the spine.

Non-Fiction

William had not finished 'Three Days in Rome' weeks ago. He never picked it up after reading the bathroom scene. Not remembering exactly where he had stopped, but not wanting to ever read that section again, he went directly to the last chapter.

We still had several hours before our flight was to leave. Elle was showered and redressed in the clothes she had on when we arrived in Rome. As I was getting ready to claim the bathroom, she stopped me with a touch on the shoulder.

"David, you have not yet told me your story. Would you do so now, before you get dressed?"

This time is was only me who was wrapped in the sheet sharing my past. I told her so much that day and she listened to every word I said. It was the most spiritual experience I have ever had.

Elle held my hand while I spoke of my father's cancer, and I confessed to her how important it was to me to have her stay with me the night he died. I was only 14 at the time, and Elle crawled into my bedroom window, holding me all night while I wept for what seemed like an eternity. When I awoke the next morning, I found myself carefully tucked in my bed with a note in my hand. She told me anytime I needed her, to call and she would come. I still have her note in my possession, along with other mementos from our youth.

High school was not only hard for her; it was hard for me, too. I was the shy 'smart boy' who was severely lacking in the most basic of social skills. Elle and I use to call ourselves the 'Misfit Brigade', as we would laugh at the follies of our supposed peers. We did not need parties and dances to be invited to, we had each other.

As time ticked away all too quickly, I realized that we would need to be leaving for the airport soon. After showering, I opened the bathroom door to find her standing in the center of the room smiling at me.

"David, we never did make it to the prom. We have time for just one dance before we leave."

She turned on the radio and extended her hand in my direction. I was absolutely speechless as I took her hand in mine. How did she know? I had never mentioned my disappointment to her about missing the prom.

A sweet Italian melody was playing in the background as we danced. Her soft cheek was pressed against mine, and for a moment, I was 17 again. It felt just like I thought it would.

Somewhere near the end of the song, she pulled back and looked at me with a sad expression.

"You will always be my best friend, right?" Small tears were in her eyes as she asked me the question, and I understood the depth of her inquiry.

"I will, you know that. I will always be there for you."

We clung tighter together until the music came to an end.

It was time for us to leave Rome.

Elle did not speak much on the plane ride home. She sat quietly with her hands in her lap for most of the trip; taking breaks from her introspection to sleep. I tried to ask her so many questions, but they were always returned with a lazy smile. I wanted to make plans with her, to take her places, and do whatever it is normal couples do.

Elle did not.

During the last hour of the flight, she awoke from a nap and finally gave into my wish. Elle told me the truth, as she always had before. You have to really know her to appreciate my next statement—she may be one of the precious few people in the world who is incapable of lying.

When Elle was a child, people use to lie to her all of the time. She would ask them if something would hurt, and they would tell her no, but it did. She would ask them if she would be getting better, they would tell her yes, but she did not. Elle had heard enough lies through the years from well-meaning doctors, nurses and her parents to make a pledge to never utter a syllable that was not true.

Honesty is something she treasures above all else.

I bravely ventured forth and asked her if she loved me. Here was her response:

"No, I do not love you, not the way you want me to. I have never told any man that I loved him.

"David, you have given me a gift I will never forget. For three days, I escaped. No longer was I the ugly girl I always felt like in my youth, and I was not ill, or puny, confused or cursed. I was myself. Well, maybe a little more than myself. (Here Elle flashed me her beautiful smile, trying to soften the blow of her response.)

"You were my best friend throughout the worst time in my life. You did not judge or ignore me, often at the risk of scorn from others. Knowing you as well as I do, I am sure you will understand what I am about to say."

Elle paused here to arrange her thoughts.

"I think this 'coming out' was a long time over due. Who better then friends to help each other come to terms with the past? I would never wish you to be caused pain by our time together, David. I know you have had special feelings for me for some time. I hope someday you will remember the freedom we gave to each other."

She was right.

I fell out of love with Elle at that very moment, completely without bitterness on my part.

Elle left me with the most wonderful memories. I would always love her, I knew that for certain, but now I would be able to seek out companionship elsewhere without limiting myself by the hope that she would be waiting for me.

Ever since I have known her, she has been restricted. Bound by her experiences, she was molded against her will. But, for three days in Rome, she was free.

To the man who may someday hear Elle say the coveted 'I love you'--if she ever does, I offer you this advice. Be careful with her, and remember the following statement.

'If you want to win the heart of a poet--love her unconditionally.'

Your rewards will be great.

William closed the book.

He reread the book completely through from the beginning to the end after a brief pause. It was 3 a.m. before he fell into a peaceful slumber for the first time in weeks.

Tomorrow, he would begin his search for Elizabeth.

"Charlotte dear, the phone is for you." Bill called out to his wife. Charlotte came in from the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel.

"Who is it?" She whispered. "Not Mary Beth, I hope."

Bill placed his hand over the receiver.

"No, William Darcy." Bill eyed his wife from head to toe, smiling. "Come to the gym with me today?"

"Mmmmm. You tempt me. Let me get some things done around here, and when you return, I'll fire up the hot tub." Charlotte kissed her husband's handsome cheek as she took the phone from him. She watched him pick up his duffel bag and coat, and walk to the door.

"William. What can I do for you?"

"I'm sorry to call on a Saturday, but Charlotte, I need your help. How do I find Elizabeth?"

"I told you before, I do not have any information. Dale, Mary, and maybe Jane are the only people who know, and I can tell you now, you will get nowhere with them. Dale is impossibly stubborn, Mary would rip your throat out before you finished your first word, and Jane isn't close to Elizabeth anymore." Charlotte sat down on her couch. "Why are you doing this? What made you change your mind?"

"I read…" William paused, he did not know if Charlotte knew about the book, but he was not going to mention it to her. If need be, he would lie to Charlotte to keep from spilling Elizabeth's secret.

"I love her. Please, help me find Elizabeth." Sincerity echoed from his lips. He did love her.

"William, you started a sentence that I need you to finish. Trust me. What were you going to say?" Charlotte was certain he was speaking about the book, but she wasn't going to slip up and tell him about it if he did not know.

"I...I can't. It wouldn't be right."

"Did your statement have a number in it?"

"Yes."

"Were you going to say the name of an ancient city?"

"Yes."

"Okay." He knows. I can only imagine his reaction. Charlotte thought for a moment.

"We both know what you're talking about, so let's just not say the name. Elizabeth does not know that I know. Were you angry?"

"Yes. I said awful, hateful words to her. I called her…" William could not repeat what he had said to Elizabeth on the phone.

"I understand."

Charlotte was silent. She was not entirely convinced he would be much good to Elizabeth, anymore. Charlotte had read the book, and she saw a conflict. William had not followed David's advice. Still, Elizabeth had loved him, and she was happy at one time. Charlotte could not know what was really in William's heart; therefore it was a difficult decision for her to make. Expose Elizabeth to more pain, or join forces with a man who claimed to love her?

"Charlotte, I have to right the wrong I have done to her. I made her ashamed, and I cannot have her believing my words. Please, I mean her no harm. I would never hurt Elizabeth…again. Will you help me?"

"I will." Charlotte was convinced. "Now, how do we find Lizzy?"

"I thought about hiring someone to track her down, but what do I tell them? I have no idea where she is!"

"Give me a minute William, I'm thinking. What resources do we have? How do we get a message to her?"

After another prolonged silence, Charlotte had an idea.

"Do you still have her check?"

"Yes, I didn't cash it." William had it in the glovebox in his car.

"Deposit it. Write her a message on it. Her statement goes out on Tuesday. I know Lizzy, she will have her statement forwarded to her, she's doesn't totally trust accountants. I've been taking care of her electric bill for her, and getting her other mail. There has not been a statement from Union bank or her credit card company."

"Good idea, I will do that. Any other ideas."

"Hummmm, our resources. Geez, why didn't I think of this before! William, we have a hoard of cousins, and one of them happens to work at State Farm Insurance. Lizzy drives like a bat out of Hell on the open highway. Surely by now, she has gotten at least one speeding ticket. I remember her telling me that her radar detector was broken. Let's just hope she doesn't charm her way out of a ticket. I'll call John, and see if he can get me some information. He owes me money, so this should not be too hard."

"Thank you. Anything else?" William was getting optimistic.

"When Dale calls on Monday, I'll try to get some news out of him, but don't get your hopes up. Tough cookie! Let me think of some BS to tell him; something to get him to talk. I can't believe I'm doing this. I am feeling a little guilty. I want you to know that if Lizzy hadn't told me that she loved you, I wouldn't be. But, we both know how important that was to her. William, are you certain of your motives? Are you sure you want to find her, or would it be better to let things rest? I don't want this to be a male ego thing."

"I am certain, Charlotte."

"Well, then, go deposit the check, and I'll make some calls. Are you at home right now?"

"Yes."

"Okay, give me your number. You may not hear back from me until Monday, but if I find out anything, I'll call you. Be patient."

"Thank you. Here is my number…"

William stood at the table in Union Bank's main branch. It was already 10:30, and the bank closed at noon on Saturdays. He filled out the amount for one dollar, and signed his name on the back of the check. He only needed to write her something and give it to the teller, but what to write? The words were not coming to him and the longer he stood there; the harder it was to think of something appropriate. An old lady standing next to him gave him an odd look, and he looked back at her. He didn't care what anyone thought of him, and he was well aware that he had staring blankly for the past ten minutes. His mini disruption broke his concentration, but it was a good thing. With a small tipped pen, William began writing.

After he filled the memo area, he wrote in small print under his signature on the back. When he ran out of room, he deposited it.

William went to Mario's for lunch that day, and requested to sit in her booth.

Hopefully, Elizabeth would reply to him.

Chapter 14

Posted on Thursday, 14 January 1999

William did not hear from anything Charlotte during the weekend. He had remained at home the entire time, with the one exception being when he went out to Mario's.

Speaking with Charlotte had given him the hope he had not imagined possible. Before calling her, the desperateness of the situation stared him straight in the face. William knew if someone did not want to found, there were several ways they could remain anonymous. Elizabeth's intelligence would serve her well, if she chose to use it as a tool to help her remain hidden. He could only pray she was not dwelling on the assumption anyone would be looking for her.

While struggling with the right and wrong of looking for her in the first place, William came to the conclusion that if he could offer her any peace of mind; it would be worth the price. He could not bear the thought of her going about her life, left with the impression that he found her beneath contempt. She was not.

William had never reacted so violently to anything in his life, as he did to the book. He lost complete control of his senses, and purposely attacked her with his angry words. At the time, he wanted Elizabeth to share his torment. William was not a cruel man, but the jealousy that consumed him was stronger then his own character. Men were always noticing her, and this had never been an issue with him, but David…David was different. Maybe it was the fact that David told him about her, and maybe it was just that David knew her so much better. Whatever the underlying reason, he lost his reason and now only wanted to repair the damage done to Elizabeth.

William had no conceived plan about what he would do when or if Elizabeth was found. He did not want to think that far in advance. One day at a time was all he could concentrate on.

A fireplace specialist came late Saturday afternoon to look at the damage William had caused several weeks back.

"What did you burn in here?" He asked William in a slow, laid back manner as he stuck his head up the chimney. "You know, these things aren't trash incinerators."

William rolled his eyes at the man. Yes, he did know that. He had a bad feeling this was going to take forever, and it didn't help that the man charged by the hour. Right now he did not need a lecture, just a new bottom and gas log set.

The man lowered himself in a kneeling position with his bottom facing William. He had to look away. This man fit every stereotype one might have of a repairman.

"Gee Son, looks like this was a telephone at one time. Your place must have filled with toxic smoke over that one! Hehehe. Wait, I see another one, and what was this…"

"Can you fix it?"

Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. William repeated under his breath.

"Yeah. I need to go get a shovel out of my van. Settle down, boy. I'll get to it."

By three in the afternoon on Monday, the small amount of patience William had once possessed was gone. It was difficult for him to sit around and do nothing, while Elizabeth was still out there.

He dialed Charlotte.

"Hi, William. I was just about to call you. We've been busy here today. I'm going to put you on hold for a minute. Be right back." She did not wait for a response.

Charlotte's minute was actually five, and by the time she returned, William knew that if Elizabeth was not found soon, he was going to need to get blood pressure medicine.

"I have some news. I got in touch with my cousin, and he called me back today with the low down. Seems our Lizzy is leaving a trail of citations, warnings and tickets, just as I expected!" Charlotte laughed, but William remained silent.

"Well, after she left Arizona, she traveled east. Here is the path she took. New Mexico—warning; Texas—citation and ticket-it's a big state; nothing again until Tennessee—warning. The trail stopped there. Dale called to check in today, and I told him to have Lizzy give me a call because State Farm Insurance was thinking about dropping her due to her driving record. He promised to give her the message. William, he said something you may find interesting. And I quote: 'Thank God she is staying put.' So, I think that once we find out where 'staying put' is, it should be easier to find her."

William was relieved. He would have preferred knowing exactly where she was, but this wish was close to impossible in such a short period of time.

"Charlotte, you are a marvel. I deposited the check, now what can I do?"

"Not much. Her sister Mary isn't talking, and I haven't tried Jane, yet. Jane is a real softy, but I don't think I can deceive her—for moral reasons. Let's just wait and see what happens. I'll let you know if Lizzy calls me."

"I am not good at waiting." William replied honestly. Wasn't there something he could be doing?

"Well, you had better learn, then."

Six days passed, and William made another trek to Mario's for lunch. He always expected to see her coming into the establishment and walking back to her booth, but it did not happen. So, he waited.

When he returned home, he listened to the messages on his answering machine. There were two. The first was from a friend from college, Charles Bingley. He listened as Charles told him about his upcoming move to Chicago.

The second message was just someone hanging up. He looked at his caller ID. He didn't know anyone from the area code 901. He didn't even know where 901 was. William looked it up in the phone book, hoping against the odds that it could be her.

901 was in Tennessee.

Tennessee!

Now, for obvious reasons, William had all new phones in his house. They were a top-of-the-line model that had too many buttons and lights, but looked really good sitting on the table. He had never bothered to read the instructions that came with them in the box.

Slowly, he backed away from the phone, quite aware that electronics can read minds and know when you're leery of them. Flashing on the small monitor was the words 'unknown caller a/c 901. William knew there was a number stored somewhere on the machine, and if he screwed it up, the other two phones may have it too. Taking no chances, he went in search of the booklet that came with phone.

He found it in a closet, along with the unsent warranty cards. Staying as far away as he could from the phone, and praying no one would call him and screw up the message, he read the procedure—twice. Confident with his abilities, he walked back over to the phone.

William followed the instructions to the letter, (which we all know is dang near impossible) and a full phone number popped up.

"Yes!"

He quickly scribbled down the number on the back of the book, not trusting fate or Sony to store it for long, and sat down to make the call. Doubt made an unscheduled visit to his self-assuredness, and he began to wonder if it was even Elizabeth who called. It could have been a wrong number, or someone related to work. And if was Elizabeth, what would he say?

William dialed the number as the heart in his chest beat furiously. He had no idea what he would say IF it was her, but instead placed trust in his instincts.

As the phone rang on the other end, he rose to pace the floor. The motion gave him a temporary release for his nervous energy. It was four rings before a woman answered the phone.

"Rosey's Bed and Breakfast. Chrissy speaking. What can I do for ya?" The woman has a thick, thick southern accent, and William had trouble understanding her first two words. He decided to talk to her slow.

"I beg your pardon, what did you say your name was?"

The woman let out a disgruntled sigh. A dang Yankee! Those folks can't understand common English. She took the hint and spoke slowly back to him.

"Rosey's…Bed…and…Breakfast. What…can…I…do…for…you?"

The woman was definitely not Elizabeth, but a lead none the less.

"Is Elizabeth Bennet there?" Please be there. Please be there.

"Lizzy? Nope. You want to leave a message?"

William had never heard a sweeter word in his life.

Lizzy. They know her.

"No…wait, I don't know. Where are you located?" He knew he had to get an address. It was becoming extremely difficult for him to focus on his task. Elizabeth was found!

"Right Downtown on Magnolia, Number 11545." William wrote down the address. A town was all that was left for him to get.

"And that would be in…?"

"Memphis!" Chrissy really didn't know who the idiot on the other end of the phone was, but if he had the number, surely he knew where he was calling.

"Do you expect her back today?" He doubted she would know, but thought to ask anyway.

"Yep, can't give you a time though. You made up your mind about leaving a message?"

William did not hesitate to make a decision.

"No, I think I'll just catch her later."

"Okay, good-bye."

"Thanks."

William hung up and immediately called the airlines.

"I need a ticket for the next flight to Memphis and I don't care what it costs."

William had one hour to get to O'Hare Airport.

Chapter 15

Posted on Thursday, 14 January 1999

William stood in front of Rosey's Bed and Breakfast in downtown Memphis. Elizabeth was here, staying in this colorful building in the middle of the City. There were a few flowers out front, and the warmth present in the air made him feel like he was out of sync.

He was thinking too much about what would happen when he saw her next. It had been a long road traveled just to get to this point. Would he be turned back now? Would he hurt her more? Again? Most importantly, could they ever get back to the place they once were? There had just been so many emotions flowing through him since he realized he still loved her. During the breakup, it seemed easier not to care, but it was unnatural.

It is difficult to 'forget' when you love someone.

If whatever force that was holding his feet to the pavement would let him go inside to her, he would seek Elizabeth out. But, the hold was tight and it would not release him. William could not seem to walk toward the building.

There was a little cafe next to the B&B, and maybe if he calmed down the thoughts and doubts inside his head, he would be able to gather the courage needed to face Elizabeth. He walked over and sat outside at a small table nearest the B&B. Potted bushes blocked his view of the front door, but he was still near enough to where she was staying to consider himself 'there'. He ordered a coffee, and waited.

The door to the B&B opened a time later, and two women walked out. The oldest carried a sidewalk broom. The younger held a guitar case in one hand, and a smaller one in the other. She was wearing a knapsack on her back that rattled when she moved. William watched as they faced each other while standing by the curb.

The older woman was offering to hold one of the cases, but the younger refused kindly. A taxi pulled up to them, and the younger placed her load in the back of the car.

"You'll like the folks at Beverly Blues. They're a nice crowd of people. Are you still planning to play your own songs, honey?"

"I am."

"Are you nervous?"

"No ma'am, I should be, but I'm not." The younger woman spoke the truth.

"You going to end with that song I liked so much?"

"Yes." She smiled at the woman. "Goodnight, and thank you. I'll be back later."

She got into the taxi and left. The older woman watched the taxi until it turned a corner, and then went about sweeping in front of her Inn.

William witnessed it all, but remained mute. He stood from his seat and hailed a cab.

Elizabeth was greeted by the owner of the establishment and shown to a side hallway next to the stage. She handed him a tape, and unpacked.

Onto the stage went her equipment. A headset microphone was already waiting for her on a stool. She placed her play list on the stand. After Elizabeth snapped another microphone on her guitar, she went back into the hallway to stretch.

She would be going on in five minutes.

This job may be considered 'Lucky" by some, but Elizabeth just had to grin at the thought. Yes, she was playing in a nice place, but she was also performing for free, and before the warm-up band. Maybe this was why her heart wasn't racing, or maybe there was another reason.

Elizabeth had never played her own songs in public before. They were always kept private, and with the exception of David, she never played them for anyone else. William had heard parts of them on occasion, but not the completed work.

Elizabeth wanted to do this, to try her own voice and poetry, and she wanted the strangers in the room to hear her.

Putting the extra picks in her front pocket, Elizabeth pulled her freshly cut hair into a braid, and strapped on her guitar. It was time.

"Welcome everyone, my name is Elizabeth," she said in a slightly flat voice. The early crowd was a little larger then she had expected, but the room was far from full. Men and women in expensive clothes were prevalent, sitting in their little groups, looking bored while they waited for her to entertain them.

Beverly Blues had an outside beer garden where the 'Average Joe's' tended to migrate. When Elizabeth had found this place two days after arriving in town, she spent her time outside, enjoying the night air and observing the people. If she could have had her way tonight, she would have preferred to play out there, to those people.

"This song is 'Daddy'."

As if she was able to pull energy out of the air, she began full force. The song had a strong beat and a medium tempo. Her voice reached out to the patrons, taking their attention away from their drinks and petty conversations, and drew them to her. She kept a watchful eye on the reaction of the people as she sang.

Daddy,
You know I would go to the ends of the earth for you
I just wished you had not asked me to.
When you were sick and angry and needed me
I gave up everything I cherished to start anew.

William was sitting in the beer garden, listening to her. Thankful she had not seen him enter the club; he positioned himself in an area where she would not see him. Tonight was Elizabeth's time, and he did not want to break her concentration by distracting her from her performance.

The music was new to him. He could not recall her playing the tune before. As he thought about the words, he began to notice the connection to her own circumstances with her father. By the end of her set, William would know they were all her own creations.

A few men got from their seats, and he frowned at them as they walked into the building. How could they leave during her song?

Elizabeth next sang an upbeat song about high school debutantes that went nowhere in their lives. For it, she tossed out two tambourines to the crowd, informing them sweetly that she wanted them back after the song. Elizabeth noticed that the people in the beer garden seemed to enjoy the song more then the people inside. Perhaps they understood.

There was a sad tune called 'Baby Crow' about a little Indian boy who died of cancer before 'he could learn to fly'. 'Crow' was the child's Hopi name, and she had met him in Arizona years ago. She still had a picture of the child at home on her dresser.

Song by song, she gave the audience another story from her life. Some were happy, some were not, but they were all sung with passion.

Her time was winding down, and she had only one song left. She had purposely saved it for last. It would be the most revealing.

Elizabeth sat on the stool for the first time during her time on stage. Something about her air indicated she was dead serious about the tune she was about to play. William had gotten up during the last song, and moved to a place where he could see her better. The beer garden was almost empty now, but instead of the people leaving, they had moved inside to listen to her.

One can often tell when a person sings from personal experience. The singer's voice reflects it. Possibly the story is told better when it is true?

"This song is dedicated to David."

She lowered her head to watch the strings as she began to strum out the eerie melody. It was deep and slow, played roughly with great force. Her voice dripped with animosity, but was perfectly clear.

(Note: If you have Sheryl Crow's CD, the song is The Book—track 12.)

I read your book
And I find it strange…
That I know that girl
And I know her world
A little too well!

And I didn't know
by giving my hand
that I would be written down,
Sliced around,
Passed down
among strangers' hands!

Three days in Rome
Where do we go
I'll always remember
Three days in Rome

Elizabeth, who had not looked up during the first part of the song, raised her head now. Her face became hard as she began the next part, and her voice was stronger than it had been all night. She was going to let everyone in the room know what had happened to her.

You're a voyeur
The worst kind of thief!
To take what happened to us
to write down everything that went on between me and you

and what do I get?
Do I get revenge?
While you lay it all out
without any doubt
of how this would end?

Sometimes it goes
And sometimes we come…
To learn by mistake that the love you once made
can't be undone!

Three days in Rome
I laid my heart out…
I laid my soul down…

I'll always remember
Three days in Rome

The crowd was on their feet, clapping for her and it felt good to Elizabeth. She had held in the anger too long. That one book had caused her more pain than anything else that she had ever experienced. She hated David. He never asked her if he could publish her life, he just assumed. She could not understand his motivation, and he would never be given the chance to explain himself. If only Rome had not been so…right at the time. Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment and accepted their applause.

William could not clap. Even as recently as today, he truly did not understand how badly that man had hurt her. She had lost her privacy because of him. Not in the traditional way, but personally. People did not approach her on the street, or snicker behind her back when she walked into a room. They did not know she was Elle, but Elizabeth did. Her secrets and her life story were open for all to inspect. Strangers now had the right to place judgment on her, and that privilege cost $5.95 for the paperback version.

Chapter 16

Posted on Friday, 15 January 1999

"Thank you."

Elizabeth had won the people over with her sincerity and talent, but she did not seem very moved by it. She removed her headset, collected her instruments, and walked off stage without looking back. A patron of the club yelled 'encore', but she answered his request with only a passive smile. There were to be no more songs played tonight.

Elizabeth had done her job, and now she was ready to go home…where ever home was.

William made his way through the growing crowd to catch her in the hallway. He heard the familiar snap sound, and waited patiently for exactly one minute. That was how long her blood monitor took to give her a reading. The minute gave him a chance to collect his nerve. Something inside of him warned him that now was not the time to approach her. She had just bared her innermost secrets to the strangers in Beverly Blues. And, she did not know he was one of them.

William watched as she pulled the rubber band out of her braid, and worked it free. She had cut several inches off of her hair. It was still long, but now it fell just below her shoulder blades. He wondered if he was the cause of her changed look. Elizabeth knew how he admired her locks, but was it possible that she would cut it just to get back at him?

The noise of a tambourine brought him back to the moment.

As Elizabeth was putting it back into her bag as he approached her from behind.

"Elizabeth?" He said her name in a voice loud enough for only her to hear.

She did not move. Elizabeth had imagined his voice before, but this time it sounded so close. The blood in her veins began to travel furiously as she told herself he was not really there--it was just a trick played on her by her mind.

When a warm hand touched hers, and held it in a familiar way, she knew it was not an enchantment, but William in the flesh.

A thousand questions flew through her mind in a flash. How did he find her? What did he want? Why did he come? Elizabeth still did not move.

"Please, turn around so I can see you." He said quietly.

Elizabeth slowly shook her head no.

"I'll come to you."

William stepped around, until he was face to face with her. Elizabeth did not look at him as he touched her cheek with the back of his fingers, running them along her jawbone ever so softly. Without realizing it, he closed his eyes as he felt a flood of relief wash over him at the chance to finally be able to touch her again. He knew they had many things to talk over, but at least now, their initial contact had been made, and they had a starting point to work out from. He loved this woman more then any other person would ever understand. He did not even understand it.

It was a while before William brushed the hair away from her eyes and what he saw in them made him remove his hand and step back from her in crushing disbelief.

Elizabeth stared through William for the longest time, feeling nothing but her own bitter disappointment in him. There was not a shred of compassion, acceptance, or love coming from her.

When she had viewed enough, she simply turned around and closed her knapsack, leaving William with a depth of despondency that, before tonight, he never knew could exist.

"Go home, William. I did not invite you here."

She left him no opening.

"Elizabeth?"

William watched her gather her things into her hands, while he stood immobile. He had assumed they would have at least said something to each other. Instead, she treated him as if he was invisible.

Elizabeth was not displaying any outward anger, because it was not anger she was experiencing.

"I am leaving now." Her words were cold, and she did not look at him as she carefully walked around him.

"Wait." William touched her arm, causing Elizabeth to recoil. "Aren't you even going to talk to me? I know you are angry. You have every right to be, but please, after all we have been through…Elizabeth. May I have just a moment of your consideration? I need to speak with you, please."

Elizabeth spun around quickly, as the contempt she had been containing released inside of her.

"Consideration? Like the consideration you gave me?" She became sarcastic. "I'm curious, so please tell me William, on what page of the book did you figure out it was written about me? I know how intelligent you are, so let me make a guess. Page one? Page two?"

She glared at him when he did not respond.

"Did it ever cross your mind that you shouldn't be reading it—that is was none of your damn business? You did not own me at the time, as I recall. Did you have so little self-control that you could not stop? I expected better out of you."

"It was out for everyone to read, Elizabeth. Why should I be any different?" William regretted his choice of words as soon as they left his mouth, but it was too late. Elizabeth's face went pale.

"Because you were different." She lowered her voice. "Your actions demonstrate how little respect you had for me. You called me a liar, and I have never lied to you, not once! And as far as being a fraud, you must have seen something other than what I represented. I never pretended for you, or acted like I thought you would want me to. What you saw was me. You cannot imagine how damaging it can be to one's ego to find out they were thought of so poorly, by someone they loved more then life."

There was one last thing she had to say to him.

"What you said was correct—You never knew me." Elizabeth looked away from him. "Now, leave me alone."

William was conquered. He had found himself in the ranks of the unforgiven and he knew there was no escape. Elizabeth would never have anything to do with him for the rest of her life. He had no choice but to resign.

"You're right, Elizabeth." He whispered. "Everything you said tonight is the absolute truth. I am sorry."

Without fanfare, William left the bar and walked out onto the streets of Memphis.

Sitting in a small, dingy diner, William mindlessly stirred his coffee with a spoon, watching it swirl around the lip of the cup. Every once in a while, a waitress would stop by his table and give him a fresh cup, but he did not drink it. Knowing he could not possibly feel any worse, he began to recall the actions he had displayed since knowing Elizabeth.

From the first moment he laid eyes on her in the restaurant, he began the manipulation.

He could not deny he liked the rush he experienced when he saw her, it was the addictive flow of adrenaline that kept him coming back. Never in his life had he waited for so long before making a move.

When he assigned himself to her case.

"Martha, I am expecting a request for services to come into the office this afternoon. I want to handle it myself."

Later, when her case was wrapping up, his not wanting to take on her other request, instead sending her to another business so his conscience could be free to date her.

"Elizabeth, I know of an excellent company who can give you the training you need. I will send you a name and contact tomorrow."

Reading her poetry.

William lowered his head, thinking of a proper response. His eyes fell to the coffee table, where he spotted some handwritten pages. Focusing, he saw that they were poems.

Reading her book.

Curiosity won out as William walked up to the checkout. He handed the book to the middle-aged woman behind the register. She raised her eyebrows at his choice.

Even coming to Memphis without her permission.

William knew it was never pretty searching deep inside yourself—looking for where you went wrong. And when it does become clear, having the courage to own your faults.

But, he did it. He needed to.

William had tasted Love enough to know that Love is selfish in nature, but it was the limits of the selfishness, which he exceeded.

He had held Elizabeth to the standards he set for her, without thinking about the consequences or justice of his actions. When (in his mind) Elizabeth fell from the pedestal he put her on; he had blamed her for her inability to stay up there. Now, he could clearly see how wrong he was.

William compared himself to David, and saw shocking similarities. They both had transgressed against her—both fully aware of what they were doing at the time, but not considering how it might affect Elizabeth. It was quite obvious to him that she never gave David the right to publish her life, but was his pawn.

Taking away all of the conceived notions William once had about Elizabeth, he thought about the woman who stood alone—a good person, honest, loving, sincere, and imperfect.

For a brief period of time she had shared her life with him, and he was grateful for the opportunity.

William would always remember Elizabeth Bennet as the best woman of his acquaintance, and he would love her forever.

He paid for his coffee and hailed a cab. It was time to leave Memphis.

Chapter 17

Posted on Friday, 15 January 1999

Elizabeth returned to her room at the B&B directly after her performance at Beverly Blues. For everything that had happened to her tonight, she was oddly quiet and still, almost as if she was floating. It was not caused by feelings of joy and peace, but from a refusal to accept.

Gently, she put her instruments away and sat behind the small desk in her room. Every time a thought of him would pass through her, she would push it aside, and redirect her attention to the stack of papers and mail laid before her. She would not permit herself to remember a minute that had passed between them tonight, but mechanically went about her personal business.

With steady hands, she opened the letters forwarded to her new post office box. The first was from her new insurance company welcoming her to 'American Family.' The rates were outrageous, but she had no choice but to pay them. The second was from Visa, which she set it aside to verify later.

Her bank statement envelope was thin, as she had expected. Elizabeth had not been writing many checks since she had been on the road. She opened it; curious to see how much Charlotte paid for her electric bill in Hinsdale last month.

It was the check on the top caught her notice. When she pulled the it out to examine it, there was writing covering the backside, with the exception for a small area left for the bank's stamp. She flipped it over to see whom she had written it to.

The handwriting was beautiful, and she knew it well. It came from a man who preferred pen and paper to keyboards. In the memo area, he had written 'Forgive me.'

Elizabeth turned it back over again, this time to read the words he had taken the time to write. The message was very simple…William had written 'I Love You' over and over. What Elizabeth did not know was there was an "I Love You' for everyday they had been apart. It had always been very important to William that she heard the words at least once a day.

Elizabeth's was able to keep her heart untouchable by forcing herself to look away from his declaration. Just as she was just about to crumple the check in her hand, her eyes rested on a pink envelope with Jane's return address on it. She held onto the check as she opened the letter.

Dear Sister,

I wanted to let you know that my house is sold, and next month I will be returning to Chicago. The divorce was harder than I expected, and for a while I was tempted to take him back again just to stop the torture. I desperately needed your comfort and strength during this. But, as you said over three years ago, 'Eric will always be a womanizer and anyone who would put up with him is weak'.

I know that you never understood why I stayed married to him for as I long as I did, but maybe, once I am back in town, we could finally explain our motives to each other.

Looking back, we should have resolved our differences with each other right away. But, you were angry, and I was angry, and we did not allow each other the chance to speak.

Lizzy, we should have! Only Fools take their loved ones for granted.

Lately, I have spent a deal of time trying to figure out why we wasted so much of our lives harboring our own stubborn self-pity? We should be ashamed of ourselves. You and I had something few siblings know…we honestly loved one another. This is rare, and before it is too late, we must locate it again.

Three years are already gone, and soon it will be four. How much longer can we go on being angry?

Life is too short for us not to forgive.

Please forgive me.
I Love You,
Jane

Elizabeth let Jane's letter slip out of her hand and fall onto the floor.

She looked once again at his…at William's message. Elizabeth laid it flat on the desk and smoothed out the wrinkles with her palms.

William had become just another person in Elizabeth's life that she did not forgive. She wondered if it was her own stubborn self-pity that was keeping him at a distance. She had been badly hurt by him, but it was William who had made the first move to seek out her forgiveness. If Elizabeth had been left to her own devices, would she have ever spoken to him again? Or would she just continue on as she did now, with a barrier shielding her from anything unpleasant?

Three years were forever gone with Jane, and she could not get them back. Now Jane had reached out her hand to her in reconciliation, if she would only take it.

Picking up Jane's letter, she placed it next to William's message. They were so similar and yet different at the same time. Both were asking the same question: forgive me?

Elizabeth did not ask either for their apology, but both gave it to her freely. In all honesty, she had not given a sincere apology to anyone in a very long time.

The more Elizabeth thought, the more she came to realize that she had been 'playing' the part of the victim for most of her life. Elizabeth did not like people thinking of her that way, but she was always ready to use it when it suited her.

With William, she had used leaving town to reinforce her position as the wounded party, but she did it while hiding her own dirty hands behind her back.

During their entire relationship, she had been spoon feeding him only the information she deemed necessary. Elizabeth easily recognized why she had acted in such a manner, she did it because after David's underhanded betrayal, she had lost her ability to completely trust anyone.

Where her error occurred was that she never came to realize that William was not David.

She missed her chance to tell William about the book, and she did it on purpose. Elizabeth was not yet ready, and once again she controlled the situation.

He had always been so loving to her, and trusting in her, and she had repaid him by keeping herself and her secrets from him.

William had made a mistake in reading the book, there was no denying it, but was it unforgivable?

Elizabeth lost herself in soul searching for the next twenty minutes, and came out of it with a fresh understanding.

If nothing else, they had to forgive each other.

She opened the phonebook and began searching the yellow pages. When Elizabeth found what she was looking for, she saw the enormous task in front of her in all its glory.

Grabbing the check off of the desk in one hand, and the phonebook in the other, she ran down the stairs to the front desk.

Laura was on duty tonight, and she knew she could help her.

Elizabeth had to find William before he left Memphis. She had to tell him the rest of the truth.

Chapter 17 B

Posted on Saturday, 16 January 1999

The Airport was empty as William waited for the ticket agents to come on duty. He sat with his hands folded in his lap, tired but not sleepy. William had stopped thinking an hour ago, and now just waited to go home.

Elizabeth had been running through the long corridors, and finally, at the end of the west terminal, when she had stopped because she was out of air, she found him sitting alone in an alcove of the Airport.

Quietly observing him, she saw the body of the man she had once been mad in love with, but his spirit was absent, and it was deeply disturbing to her to see him this way.

Pausing with her hand on her chest while trying to regain her she breath, she remembered William as he had once been…

The way they connected with each other from the beginning.

The conversation was so easy between them, and they moved from topic to topic without the usual awkward silence strangers often experience. William was the type of man who spoke with his hands, while Elizabeth used her eyes. Both found the other's trait rather charming.

How easily he accepted her diabetes.

As she held the insulin bottle in her hand, she thought back to his reaction in her office. He didn't flinch or get frightened away. He looked at her with concern at first, but not pity.

His first 'I love you'.

He loved her. Other men had mumbled those words to her in the past, but never had they been as sincere and genuine as they were when coming from his lips. He did not call them out in the thrall of passion, or use them to soothe her when she was angry. William said 'I love you' because he meant it.

The intense sensual energy they shared.

"Liz," was whispered as he kissed her deeply. William was trying to pour four days worth of missed opportunities into one two-minute kiss.

Later, when she figured out he had read the first part of the book, his reaction.

"I'm going to fly out to you. I'll call the airlines now."

Elizabeth took a deep breath and a good look around before she started walking in his direction.

A pair of legs came and stood in front of William, but they were not noticed. His eyes were open but he was not seeing.

"William," a voice said quietly, "I owe you an explanation."

He did not startle even though he had not been expecting it. The voice was intimate and warm, except for the slightly stronger accent it now possessed. He raised his eyes from his lap, and looked at her, but he could not meet her gaze.

"Elizabeth, I am so sorry for the way I have treated you." These were the words he had wanted to tell her earlier in the evening, but did not.

"Shhh." She placed her hand against his lips. "Let me talk first."

Elizabeth did not search the city for William to hear him give an apology. The past five hours for her had been full of agitation that grew into desperation as she called every hotel in the area. The airport was her last chance before she going to give up all hope of his still being in Memphis. Elizabeth had to find him because there were many things he deserved to know.

Sensing he was not going to look her, Elizabeth sat sideways on the seat next to William, sharing the same disheartened expression he wore.

"I can not let you leave. I have some explaining to do. I was going to tell you about Rome, I just hadn't found the courage to do so. It was my responsibility to inform you before you stumbled upon it yourself, and I failed on that account. I am sorry you found out the way you did."

He listened as she had asked him to do.

"William, may I ask you a question?" There was something Elizabeth wanted to know.

"Anything." William looked her fully in the face and gave her the answer he had given so many times during their relationship.

"On the Sunday David called my house, if I had told you what he had done…without giving you the gory details, would you have accepted my explanation until a time when I was comfortable enough to tell you everything? Could you have waited?"

"It would have difficult for me to wait, but…I trusted your judgment, so I would like to believe I would have honored your request." William's eyes dimmed as he pictured Elizabeth asking him to wait on that Sunday. Yes, at that point in time, he would have been able to wait.

"I would have done as you asked, Elizabeth. I still had control of my senses at that time. May I ask you a question?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me? Was it because we had been together for only a short period of time? Don't misunderstand me, I know you were under no obligation to tell me."

"In all honesty, I was hesitant because I did not want anything to change between us. I was afraid you would never look at me the same way, once you knew the entire story. I know that was very selfish of me."

"Why didn't you trust me?" He asked. "No, you don't need to answer that question, I have already proven why."

"No," Elizabeth could see that he was confusing her statement with his reaction after reading the book.

"What happened on the phone was not about my not trusting you. You were in shock—how could you not have been?"

"Tonight, when I started to think with a clearer mind, I began to understand your reaction. See, I had already had my shock over a year ago. When David sent an advance copy to me before the book was published, I read it and saw that he left very little out. Reading his transcript was…there is no word to describe it. I tried everything in my power to get him to change his mind about publishing it. It was too late; the books had already been printed and were ready to be shipped. Due to my pride, I was not willing to bring a lawyer in and expose my family and myself to the public embarrassment. Since that time, I have found myself carefully choosing what I tell others. It is not that I don't trust you William, but… I don't completely trust anyone."

William took her hands in his own, holding them as she continued.

"You should not have read the book without permission, William."

"I know."

"And, I should have not purposely kept so much of myself from you."

"I agree."

"I am sorry for the spiteful way I treated you tonight. I was still hurting and looking to take offense. I now know that I should have stayed in Chicago, and dealt with… William, I am sincerely sorry for any distress I caused you."

"I brought on the distress myself. I have no excuses to offer." Elizabeth squeezed his hands to give him reassurance. "I just know that it makes me sick to think about what I said to you that night. Elizabeth, will you please accept my apology?"

"I do." She reached up and touched his cheek like he had done at the club earlier. "Will you accept mine?"

"I do."

"I am unhappy due to my own hand. I do not wish to cause you any more pain, but I miss you terribly.

"William, would you like to stay in Memphis for a few days? We could spend some time together, and talk. I know the Inn I am staying at has a few vacant rooms." She paused, trying to get the next words out of her throat. Elizabeth knew that if she said them, there would be no turning back.

"I have missed you too."

The two lovers held each other in the vacant airport. In some ways they felt like strangers, uncertain of their words and afraid to offend. It would take them a while to get to the comfort level they had before, but they were old enough to understand that sometimes a kiss does not fix everything. What they needed was time.

"I would like that." William held her closer. He would take as much time off from work as was needed to spend it with her. He still loved her beyond description, and knew that if they could get through this, they could get through anything. Just having her close filled him with hope.

Elizabeth gave him a kiss on the cheek and pulled back awkwardly. The ease in which the old feelings were coming back frightened her a little. Part of her character had always been to protect her heart, but whenever William was close, it was a hopeless cause trying to keep him out.

"I'll call Rosey's and have them hold you a room. Laura is on duty tonight." She pulled her cell phone out of her knapsack and dialed the number from memory.

"Rosey's Bed and Breakfast. May I help you?"

"Hello, Laura. This is Elizabeth."

"How are you? Did you find him?" When Elizabeth came down to the desk earlier in the evening looking frantic, Laura calmed her down and called half of the hotels listed in the phonebook.

"Fine and yes. Do you still have a room available?"

"I do." Laura smiled to herself. "I will get it ready for you. Will he be checking in soon?"

Elizabeth covered the mouthpiece.

"William, would you mind if we just went to Rosey's tonight? It has been a long day, and maybe we could talk tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"Laura, I am at the airport. We're coming straight to Rosey's from here."

"Okay, I will have everything ready. I'm happy for you, Elizabeth."

"Thank you." She turned off her phone and put it away. "My Suburban is in short term parking. Shall we be off?" Elizabeth tried to give him a smile, but her emotions were a jumble of relief, fear and uncertainty.

William understood. He had had weeks since he discovered he still (always) loved her and this time allowed to come to the point where he was in regard to his feelings toward her. She only had a few hours. He was not going to overwhelm her with his expectations of returned affection, but let her to naturally come with terms with whatever was inside her.

Elizabeth slipped her hand in his as they walked through the airport. Other than a slight tremble in her knees, she contained herself respectably. While waiting for the automatic doors to open and let them outside, she wrapped her free hand around his arm. This old habit caused a memory from the past to show itself in her head...

It was a beautiful afternoon outside, and William had called her from his office around 4 p.m. to see if she could take off early for the day. They walked several blocks down to the shore of Lake Michigan and sat together, watching the waves come onto the beach. He had taken off his coat and shoes, and she did the same. Even with all of the noise of the people playing along the lake, and the traffic on Lake Shore Drive…it was peaceful between them. They did not speak while they were on the sand, but sat contentedly side by side, with her head resting on his shoulder.

As they were returned to the parking garage to drive home, she was holding his hand, and holding his arm in the same manner she was right now. He bent down and whispered in her ear 'I love you, Liz. Thank you for joining me today.' Then he kissed her in the middle of the sidewalk on Wacker Drive.

Elizabeth pulled back, as if spooked by something. She began digging through her knapsack, looking for her keys and hoping he did not notice.

She would not cry! Now was not the time or the place. Elizabeth had not cried since two days after the breakup, when she went to visit her father at the Institute. Instead, she bottled up all of her grief, and replaced it with fierce, stone cold impassiveness.

William watched as she turned her head so he could not see her. She looked so sad. Elizabeth thought she could fool him, but her eyes always gave her true feelings away, and right now, she was in pain. He gave her the privacy she obviously wanted and did not question her.

"I've found my keys. The car is over here." She led the way, wanting to put a little space between them. Elizabeth was certain that if she could make it to Rosey's, and into her own room, she would be fine.

The Suburban was easy to find since the parking lot was bare. She unlocked his door for him before getting herself behind the wheel.

"Are you too tired to drive?" .

"No, I'm fine. It isn't far from here." The short walk to the car had settled her enough to be able to look at him once again.

Elizabeth was on the highway in no time, and William looked over at her speedometer after noticing she was passing every other car on the road. The reading was 82 mph, so he reached over to the dashboard and turned on her radar detector.

Elizabeth saw what he did and made a face. Turning her eyes in his direction, she gave him a small smile.

"Where were you when I was getting stopped by the over-eager Texas Smokey Patrol?"

The smile on her face slowly fell, as the tears she tried so hard to contain started to fall. William was not with her when she was in Texas, or California, or Arizona. At the time, she knew he must have hated her, because when she checked her answering machine for messages, there was not one from him. She left Illinois on that cloudy day long ago, knowing in her heart that she would never see him again.

And Elizabeth had drove a thousand miles to forget him.

"Elizabeth, pull the car over to the side." William's voice was thick, and she did as he asked.

He placed the gearshift in park, while she turned toward her window and hid her face against her folded arms. Elizabeth cried like she had not cried in a long time. Even in her hotel room in California, after their phone call, she did not let everything out like she did now. Elizabeth had been through too much, too soon, and the emotions she had held deeply inside refused to be ignored anymore.

The ruined dreams and hopes were all she had left after he stopped caring. She had promised herself that she would never again love anyone as much as she did William. She would not become as attached, and she would not depend on anyone's comfort to make her feel complete. She would go out alone, and make peace with herself.

But now, here she sat, next to the man who could once again crush her with his words if he choose to. It was her heart who invited him in, but her mind was screaming that it was a foolish mistake. Elizabeth's sobs continued as she realized that she needed help--she could no longer deny her anxiety.

Help came from the source next to her. It was strong and composed, gently holding her close as she spoke her fears aloud. He did not say a word, but listened to every utterance that passed from her lips. Some of it shamed him, and some cut into his heart, but he remained mute. She vividly described every agony she had experienced while they were apart, and the hopelessness plaguing her even now. Elizabeth made it very clear to him that it was the uncertainty that was tearing her apart.

"All of our 'I love you's' were not to keep us together before, but…I can hardly stop myself from telling it to you again."

"Elizabeth, I remember the way you once looked at me—the way your eyes lit up when you said my name. I want it back. I want you to trust yourself and me because I cannot begin to express how much I love you. We can do this Liz, I know it. " His voice held no doubts.

"Did you know that you were the first man I ever told that I loved him? I am 28 years old, and had never come even close to falling in love before. What does that say about me? You know I still love you, Will, you must. I tried to stop…and for a while I had myself convinced that I did not care anymore, but it was all a lie. Do you really believe we can survive and continue on?"

"I do."

Elizabeth turned away from the window and faced him. His expression held not only determination, but also faith. He really did believe what he said.

"I was thinking earlier about how those old feelings come back too easily." She whispered.

"They do, Sweet Elizabeth," William enclosed her in his arms, "they do."

For several minutes, they sat together in the suburban saying nothing. William continued to hold onto her, and she accepted the comfort he offered with a newfound, but still unsteady, trust.

Elizabeth tilted her head back and looked him in the eye.

"William, we are Idiots."

Beneath all of the tears, and the painful confessions she had just admitted, Elizabeth could not stop herself as she began to grin. In a twisted sort of way, not only was her statement true, it was funny.

"The word I was thinking of was 'pathetic', but Idiots works too." He grinned back at her.

William was the first to break out into a laugh, and the car began to fill with the sound of two people letting go of the situation for a few moments and looking at themselves in different light.

William drove them the rest of the way to the Bed and Breakfast following the legal speed limit. Laura was waiting for them at Rosey's with a look of sly confidence on her face. She checked him in and slipped him his key without letting Elizabeth see the room number.

"You're upstairs." She told William as she went back into the office area. She was quite pleased with herself.

When the reached the top of the stairs, Elizabeth asked him which room he was in.

"Seven."

A knowing expression came across Elizabeth's face. She should have expected it.

"I am in six," she blushed, "and our rooms seem to adjoin. Laura! She is a hopeless romantic." Elizabeth smiled a real smile at him.

"Remind me to give her a big tip tomorrow." William laughed. He had no expectations about the sleeping arraignment. Elizabeth was not ready, and he was not going to ask.

"But dear, the door has locks!" She moved closer to him. "I haven't had a kiss 'goodnight' in ages. Would you?"

William lowered his head and kissed her. It was his intention to make it brief and safe, but the best intentions always seem to go astray.

William began kissing her like he did in the past. It was slow and passionate, with deliberate movements and tender pressure. All of the longing he had came out as his lips felt their way over hers, and the sensations created were electric and overwhelming. Her mouth was as soft and warm as he had remembered, and he could not get enough as he tried to replace the old memory with a new one. A throaty gasp from her urged him on, and he went deeper into her abyss as she countered every move he made. It was incredible the way she made him feel-alive. Yes, it was possible to make love to someone with only a kiss, and William was proving it.

Elizabeth lost herself in the moment. It came back! The butterflies like she felt the first time they kissed…they were back. She was afraid he would end it too quickly, but her fears were unfounded. He continued on and on until she could truly take no more, and then, she passed the limit and went further then she ever had before. She felt like he was inside of her working his way out, and if he would only give her one more minute, she would give him the same experience.

'No,' her mind told her in a patient tone, 'a kiss can not fix everything, but this is one hell of a start.'

"Elizabeth," he murmured while trying to catch his breath, "I love you."

William had to pull back, because… well, just because.

Elizabeth, who was also struggling to get the oxygen to her lungs, opened her eyes. Somehow she had ended up against the wall, and he was leaning on to it to hold himself up.

"Show me, William." She ducked under his arm and went to her door to unlock it. She put her knapsack inside the door and returned to him.

William looked at her, but still stayed where he was, partially out of a need to compose himself. He knew she was issuing an invitation.

"Elizabeth, I can't." William did not look at her.

"I have heard that before, and yes…you could." Elizabeth grinned at him, but he still did not look at her.

"What is it William?"

"If I made love to you, and you can not imagine how badly I want to, I think I would be taking advantage of you. I don't want to pressure you to be with me until you're ready, Elizabeth." He turned to see her expression. Elizabeth was staring at him, frowning.

"Elizabeth, what did I say wrong? I really don't know." William ran his fingers through his hair, looking at the wall in front of him.

"I am trying not to say or do the wrong thing." He admitted.

"Then please, don't become one of 'them'."

"One of who?"

"Those people who are constantly telling me what is good for me. They stand over my shoulder, watching me and protecting me from myself. One of my favorite things about you was that you always treated me like an adult woman of 28. William, when have you ever known me to do anything I really did not want to do?" Elizabeth put her hand on his back and he turned around to smile at her.

"What about after our first dinner at Mario's? You let me drive you home."

"I wanted you to drive me home, as long as it wasn't out of the way."

"Would it be all right with you if I just act like myself? Will you tell me if I am crossing the line or pushing you too far?" If she would, it would make it much easier for them to communicate like they one had.

"Sweetie, I always have before."

"I want to tell you something." He stepped toward her.

"Okay."

"I have been in Hell without you. You have haunted my dreams for so long now, that I can hardly fall sleep at night because I know you will be there"

"I know exactly what you mean." She had not had a good night's rest since she left for California.

William witnessed the faraway look in her eyes gradually change into the teasing sparkle he loved so much. His anticipation was great.

Elizabeth checked to see if anyone else was in the hall before she moved closer to him.

"Do you want to know what I dreamed about last night?" She was smiling from ear to ear.

"Yes." He answered slowly as he stepped even closer, lowering his head down to listen.

"Do you remember the time late at night at Mario's, when we were the only people in the dark room?" Elizabeth ran her finger along the inside of his shirt collar. She knew he remembered it…it was his suggestion. But, she continued on.

"It was when we mutually agreed that we could not sit on the same side of the booth anymore without the risk of being arrested?" Her eyes were almost dancing as she gave him an innocent look.

Oh, yes. William remembered it well. He almost had to pull off to the side of the road as they planned it on the way to the restaurant.

"I can't believe we didn't get caught." He laced his finger with hers. Elizabeth was the most amazing woman to him.

"It was pretty good the second time around in the dream, too." Elizabeth gazed warmly at him; he was the most incredible man she had ever laid eyes on.

"I love you."

"I love you, too. Now," Elizabeth touched his lips to hers. "Show me."

"You're not too tired?" He gave her 'the' look.

Elizabeth did not answer, but took his hand and led him into her room. She locked the door behind them.

Very late the next morning, William rolled over and felt for Elizabeth. She was not there, but a piece of paper was. He rubbed his eyes and sat up.

William,
I noticed that you did not have any luggage, so your clothes are getting washed downstairs. There is a robe for you in the bathroom.
I am running a few errands and should return soon.
Muffins and coffee await you on the dresser.

I Love You,
Elizabeth

William smiled and lifted the covers to peek inside.

Yep, she had all of his clothes.

Conclusion

Posted on Monday, 18 January 1999

Leaving the door joining their rooms opened a crack, William went into his own room to shower. When finished, he stepped out and saw that Elizabeth had put newly purchased toiletries on the sink counter for him next to his clean clothes. On the electric shaver box, she placed a yellow post-it note with an explanation. Not your brand. Hope it will work. Hurry!

In five minutes, he shaved, dressed, and towel dried his hair. As he approached the door, he could hear her on the phone. Elizabeth saw him waiting to see if he could enter and motioned him inside.

"It sounds like you have two choices. You can either make friends with the dog, or use a cane."

She reached out her hand for William to hold as she continued listening on the phone.

"Dad, have you ever considered making friends with the pup? They are well trained animals, so I doubt he was really going to bite you." Elizabeth rolled her eyes as she shook her head.

"Okay, I agree. William is here now, so I am going to go."

"I will. I love you too, Dad. Call me if you need me. Bye." Elizabeth hung up the phone and turned to William. "He is having problems with his Seeing Eye dog. I'm afraid it is not going well. My dad is not an 'animal' sort of man."

"Which will win, in your opinion, the dog or the cane?" William asked as she led him to the loveseat in her room.

"The dog," Elizabeth replied confidently. "Dad has lightened up a lot lately, and he knows the dog will benefit him the most."

"Thank you for getting me setup this morning. When I left Chicago, I only had an hour to get to O'Hare. You were very thoughtful."

"It was my pleasure. William, I dying of curiosity and must ask. How did you find me?"

"I have new phones in my house, and they have caller ID. When you called on Sunday, I was able to retrieve the number…"

"I didn't call you on Sunday." She stopped him dead in his tracks.

"The number that came up was for this place."

"Let me think. Yesterday I spent the morning at an outside Southern Gospel concert. Mama has always been a closet gospel fan, and it made me think of her. So, when I came back to my room, I called her…but she wasn't home…and I noticed she had a new answering machine with a generic greeting. I hung up because I knew it would make her mad to get… William, did I dial your number?" Elizabeth's mouth fell open in surprise.

"You did." He wasn't sure why, but he felt a little disappointed by the fact that she had not called on purpose.

"How? You know how I am with numbers. You and Mama aren't even in the same area code." Elizabeth thought for a minute. "Do you think I did it subconsciously?"

"I don't know. I thought maybe you had received my check, and called to talk."

"I didn't get your message until after I came home last night." Elizabeth shifted in her seat, pulling her knees to her chest and her feet on the couch. William sat the same way.

"Is that why you came and found me at the airport? Did it change your mind?" His eyes were searching hers for the answers.

"Well, my sister Jane had a part in my waking-up. After I read your check, I noticed I also had a letter from her. She had some wise words to say in her letter, and I began to realize 'a lot' about forgiving and being forgiven. William, I had to find you right away, I didn't want one more day to pass without some sort of understanding between us."

"Elizabeth, can I ask you a question?" She shook her head in agreement. "Why did you quit your job?"

"I didn't quit, I was fired." Elizabeth started to chuckle, as William's eyes grew wide.

"Fired? By whom?" He could not believe that anyone would ever fire someone as talented as Elizabeth.

"My father!" She reached out and patted his hand. "It wasn't malicious. Two days after we broke up (She could hardly say the words broke up), I went to visit my dad. He could tell something was wrong, so I told him just enough to get him off my back. I then changed the subject to business, and told him all about the problems with the botched job with the state. My father may not be able to see, but he can hear quite well. I explained to him why I insisted on paying for Allied services myself, and he about lost is mind. After a heated discussion, he insisted I take a leave-of-absence and get my priorities in order. I refused, so he fired me.

"Okay, a couple of things. That seems pretty heartless of him."

"No, actually, it was one of the least selfish things he has done in a long time. I think he knew in the beginning that I was not happy working at Bennet Computer. But, at the time he was so obsessed with keeping the company in family hands, he refused to see it. He worked hard getting the company going, and did not want to see all go by the wayside. Now, it appears as if he has had a change of heart. He spent a good twenty minutes that day lecturing me on avoiding stress in my life. He said that he was afraid I will end up as him--living with the after effects of diabetes because I did not take proper care of myself."

"Why did you insist on paying for Allied services yourself?" This question had been on his mind since the first day in her office.

"Because the way I conducted the business was to know exactly where everyone was and what was going on at all times. When the video card problem passed by me, I blamed myself for not being able to stop it. I took the business too personal. Hence, the reason my dad was so upset. He ran the business exactly the same way."

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it yet." Up until last night, the future wasn't an issue with Elizabeth. She only concentrated on one day at a time.

"Are you going to come home?" Please say 'yes'.

"Yes." Elizabeth leaned over and kissed his hand. "How long are you going to stay in Memphis?"

"I don't have to be back at any certain time. I called Martha today and told her to reschedule everything for this week into next week."

"Maybe we could return together after spending some time here? Memphis is really lovely at this time of the year."

"That sounds good." He gave her a warm, small smile.

"William, now I have to ask you something, and it is not a pleasant subject." Their conversation was going so well, but she wanted to understand. William nodded for her to ask.

"What happened on the night you read the book? What was going through your mind?" Elizabeth closely watched his eyes as he spoke.

"I was insanely jealous that another man was telling me about you, and there was one line in particular that sent me over the edge. It was 'Anyone who really knew her would be able to see that.' I allowed his words to make me doubt myself, and from that point forward, I began to wonder if I ever knew you."

"And now?"

"Now I see that the book was written from David's perspective. I'm not saying that I don't believe what he wrote, because you told me that it was all true. But, it is from David, and David knows you differently than I do. The Elizabeth I know doesn't want the burnt-red mums planted along her walk this Fall because they clash with her shutters, and she likes to take naps on Sunday afternoons, and she carries the world in her briefcase, and makes wonderful burritos from scratch, and I always know before she begins teasing me." William rested his head on her knees. "Most importantly, I know she loves me because she told me so."

"Thank you, William." Elizabeth felt a weight being lifted off her shoulders.

"My turn again. Why did you cut your hair? I must admit that I like it. It curls more, and bounces when you walk." William reached over and played with a long curl as it wrapped around his finger.

"I haven't had but a few trims done on my hair since I was a junior in High School." She slapped his hand away from the springy lock. "Stop making out with the hair, Will."

"Sorry." He tried to look guilty, but the grin on his face gave him away.

"Where was I? I became ill in April of that year, and the medicine they gave me made my hair become very thin and brittle, so I let it grow. Last week I passed by a beauty salon, and decided that I had let it grow for long enough. So, I had them take several inches off. My turn again."

"Okay."

"What did you want to be when you were younger?" Elizabeth was curious.

William rested his head against the back of the loveseat and thought about her question for a moment.

"I wanted to be a Writer."

Elizabeth's eyes flew open in mock shock, "OH, DEAR LORD! I can pick them! You haven't written anything about me, have you? I think I have to go home now, before the scandal hits the shelf." They both broke out laughing.

"No! Nothing I would ever share." William gave her a wink.

It was a few minutes before they were composed enough to continue. It seemed like every time one would stop laughing, the other would start up again.

"Okay, William, please continue." Elizabeth wiped the tears off her cheeks with the back of her hand. "Why or when did you change your mind about writing?"

"I don't really know. I took all of the English and Literature courses I could in college, but majored in Business. Don't get me wrong, I like what I do. I quit writing when I started at Allied. There wasn't any time or motivation to continue. As you know, running a business is consuming, but there are many rewards when it is successful, too."

"Have you ever though of trying your hand at writing, again?"

"Not until now. I don't know, Elizabeth. It has been a long time."

"Oh, and I suppose you are too old, or in too much of a rut to try anything new?" Elizabeth pulled herself up and wrapped her arms around his knees. They looked at each other for the longest time, happy to once again be in each other's company.

"Elizabeth, you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. Is there a reason why you always look people in the eye when you speak to them?"

"Yes, there is," she answered softly. "I learned at a young age that you can tell what other people are really thinking if you look at them directly. At first, I did it out of necessity, but now I do it out of habit."

"What am I thinking right now?" William gave her the gentlest gaze, and Elizabeth recognized it instantly.

"I love you, too, William." She responded.

Five Months Later.

William pulled slowly into the garage. He looked over at her shiny new black Suburban and just shook his head. Elizabeth had recently read that 'Officers of the Law' stop red cars more then any other color, so she traded her car in for one of a less suspicious color. After he got out of his car, he peered into the Suburban. She had them all packed.

Elizabeth was waiting for him as he came into the back door. She could hardly contain her excitement.

"Well, how was your last day for one whole month?" She quizzed.

"Look." He opened his briefcase. "What do you see?"

Elizabeth pulled out one sheet of paper that had phone numbers on it. There was nothing else in the case.

"Smart Man! Just in case they run your company into the ground, you can call them at home." She was radiating from happiness.

"How much damage can they do in one month?" He took her hand in his and led her to the office. "I have been looking forward to this all day!"

William stood in front of the desk, facing a map of the United States on the opposite wall. Elizabeth climbed on the desktop, kneeling behind him.

"Now remember, William. Where ever this dart lands, that will be our starting point. The first three days we have to spend there, unless it is Illinois. Deal?" She handed him the dart.

"Deal!" He readily agreed.

Elizabeth put her hands over his eyes and waited for him to throw it. She was secretly hoping he would hit somewhere in the east.

The first throw landed on her wall, and she frowned as she looked at it.

"Not a good throw there, Will. Here is another dart. Try to aim for the map this time." She laughed against his back.

William lifted her hands to see how off he was. Too low.

"Here goes." The dart hit the map this time.

"All right! You hit it! Check it out and tell me where we are going."

William stepped over to the map.

"Montana." William said with little enthusiasm. He was not completely convinced Montana was where he wanted to go, he was thinking of something more exotic. "I was aiming for Louisiana."

"You weren't supposed to aim! I think Montana will be fine, and we can always leave after three days and go anywhere you want."

William removed the darts and came back over to her.

"Elizabeth Bennet," he said as he wrapped his arms around her, "you are an incredible woman." A month ago she had suggested the trip idea to him and an hour later they had the groundwork laid out.

"I know, sweetie," she sparkled back at him, "I have been telling you that for months now."

2 Weeks Later-Montana!

William had just spent the last twenty minutes watching a bird build a nest in a tree near the picnic table he was seated at. He had never taken the time before to notice things such as this, before they came on this trip.

The past two weeks had been flawless. They had found a place that rented small, individual cabins on the outskirts of Billings. It was peaceful, quiet and private. William couldn't remember the last time he had been so relaxed. He also noticed how Elizabeth savored every minute. She had been working hard for the past several months running the Sales Department at Bennet Computer. This was her true calling, and the combination of her people skills and knowledge of the product worked to her advantage time after time.

William's eyes moved from the industrious bird back down to the laptop in front of him. The story he was writing was coming along quite well, and he was regretting putting a one-month limit on their vacation.

"William, William!" Elizabeth called as she came running out of the front door with a plate in her hands, careful not to trip over the long orange extension cord that connected his laptop to the cabin. She had something large in the center of the plate.

"Look at what I baked." She laughed like a school child. "My first loaf of bread, and it is perfect."

"It smells great, are we going to eat it for dinner, tonight?" It was perfect, just as he expected.

Elizabeth pulled the plate back protectively.

"Not a chance. I am going down to the hardware store tomorrow and buying a can of shellac. We are going to keep this loaf forever."

"Sit with me a minute?" William smiled up at her.

Elizabeth moved the notepads he had laid out in front of him, and put her plate down. While looking over at the laptop, she asked him a question.

"How is our poor suffering painter doing today? Has he come to his senses yet?"

"Not yet, my dear. I am working on a scene I would like you to look over later. The flow doesn't seem right."

Elizabeth looked at him with obvious pride. William had true talent. With his words he was able to realistically create an illusion full of color and emotion, a world in which she could feel what his characters were experiencing, and cry right along with them when they were in pain.

"Elizabeth, I was watching a bird before you came out. It was picking up small twigs and assorted oddities, and building a nest out of them. It was really interesting to witness the process."

"Where at?" William pointed out the tree to her.

"Oh, I see it." She quietly sat next to him and watched. "William, I like Montana, I'm glad you picked this place."

"I am too. What does New Orleans have compared to this?"

"Someday we'll go there, and walk down Bourbon Street. But, the timing of us being in this location seems almost too good for words."

"I read in the paper about some property that sounded interesting near here, and I started to really think about it. Would you be at all interested in buying a vacation home in this area? Then we would have a place to go whenever we needed a break."

"I would be interested in thinking about it." Elizabeth gave him a sweet kiss. "Let's look around before we leave for home."

"Let's."

One Week Later.

"William." Elizabeth whispered as she stood by his side in front on the largest log cabin she had ever seen. "It's huge." She loved big houses.

"It's not really what I would call a vacation home, but Liz, there is something about it that makes me want to go inside. Want to take a peek?"

"Wait, I'm visualizing." With a slow sweep of her head, Elizabeth took in her surroundings. The front yard was bare and in need of some trees and color, but the amount of empty space held unlimited possibilities. She could picture an old, large whiskey barrel under a downspout collecting rainwater for the wildflowers that would run across the front of the house. The mountains directly behind the house would naturally compliment a much needed stone path to the driveway, but the stones would have to be of the same type as the fireplace chimney and indigenous to the land. The wide wooden steps leading to the covered front porch would provide the ideal place to set large clay pots with flowering plants in them. There would also have to be a table outside for William to do his writing at, but she would need to see the back of the house before she would know the perfect place.

"I'm ready now. Let's go in."

Two Hours Later

The Real Estate woman was wise enough to leave William and Elizabeth alone in the empty cabin. She could smell money a mile away, and these two obviously had it. They asked her only a few questions, and then went off separately to look around.

Elizabeth was standing in the oversized living room examining the 2-story ceiling when William found her. The fireplace gained his attention as he spoke to her.

"Have you been out back yet?" He asked.

"I have." Elizabeth had found her place for the table for him out back. It was under a huge old oak tree.

"I want it." William did not waste any words in making his point.

"I do too. We would have to find someone to take care of the place while we were in Chicago, but that should not be very hard to do. Maybe, a house-sitter?"

"We could arrange that. Maybe we could start taking one four-day weekend a month and come here. We could fly into Billings without a problem."

Elizabeth lowered her eyes from the ceiling and observed him running his hand down the stone of the mantle. His face was so calm and serene, making him appear much younger than his thirty-one years.

William could feel her looking at him, and he joined her in the center of the room. Elizabeth was completely content as she began to make plans for their new home.

"Elizabeth, you will never understand how much you mean to me. If it were not for you, I would still be the same lonely man I once was." The sincerity in his voice made her heart ache for the time each day they were apart.

"William, you have taught me so much, it is I who is thankful." Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you."

William looked into her serious eyes. He had wanted to ask her a question for so long now, and this moment was the ideal time.

"We both know that we are going to be together for the rest of our lives, would you have any objections to making it official? Would you marry me?"

"I have not one objection or hesitation. I would be honored to marry you."

In the middle of their empty home, another piece of the puzzle fell into place as they sealed their shared fate with a kiss.

Five months later, they were joined in matrimony in a large Catholic ceremony in a church in Chicago. Although neither really wanted the fuss of a full candlelit mass, they did it for all of the people and relatives that had supported and loved them throughout their lives. Their honeymoon was spent in Montana, and they used their time building their nest a twig at a time.

Elizabeth was correct; William's talent was true. A year after he began his writing project, it was picked up by the same publisher that David had used for his book. Elizabeth thought of it as 'Poetic Justice' as she read the dedication William put on the first page.

For the only woman I have ever loved with all of my heart.
Elizabeth.

Two months after their third anniversary, William and Elizabeth welcomed their adopted son Trevor into their family. Elizabeth was quite able to have children of their own, but when they were discussing it with her doctor, William and Elizabeth came to the conclusion that a child did not have to be of their own flesh and blood to be loved by them. Babies are born safely everyday to women with diabetes, but with Elizabeth's extreme difficulty during her adolescence, they both held the fear she could suffer a setback if she put her body through the process.

The time spent in Montana grew longer with each passing year, and by the time their second son Seth joined the Darcy home, three and a half years after his brother, they were permanently settled in the Log Cabin. They still made trips back to their house in Hinsdale on a regular basis, but their home was several miles outside of Billings.

William enjoyed the rewards of many published works, but avoided the fame. He did not mix with the Literary Culture, but found contentment in playing with his boys, listening to his wife sing to him, and living the quiet life on his 70 acre ranch. He maintained ownership of Allied, and would keep it available if either of his sons would someday want to try their hand at Business.

Elizabeth blossomed. Her creativity was at an all time high and the poetry she produced reflected the peace in her life. She would never share it with the world, but held in reserve for the eyes of her family only.

These were the best of times for all involved, and as cliché as it may sound…they really did live happily ever after.

The End

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