Lizzie was thrilled at her luck as she entered the surgery room. This was not part of her usual routine, but she had been trained for it in case she was ever needed.

She stepped back and waited for instructions and talked with the other nurses happily. This was great! For twelve whole hours, she didn't have to worry about anything.

Dr. Gardiner came in with his usual smile and he checked with a few people before beginning.

The first couple of hours flew by and Lizzie had forgotten about Darcy completely until she heard Dr. Gardiner's voice, "Can someone page Dr. Fitzwilliam please? I'm just about done here so his part is coming soon."

Lizzie's stomach dropped as she looked at the nurse in charge who sent the page.

Dr. Fitzwilliam as in Darcy? He was assisting? Suddenly, she remembered seeing Darcy and Dr. Gardiner talking this morning. No doubt, they had been discussing this particular surgery. How could she have been so stupid?

What could she do? She couldn't leave now without totally abandoning her responsibilities, and most likely getting herself fired.

She would have to act calm and professional.

Darcy came only too soon. Thankfully, he didn't even acknowledge her, and Lizzie realized he was in surgeon mode. She had never actually seen him in surgery before. All the warmness was gone, and the only thing left was sheer concentration.

It was almost like everything else disappeared and Lizzie was in awe when she saw his work on the monitors. His skill was incredible. Every movement was so precise, Lizzie knew now why he was so sought after.

Lizzie didn't even realize hours had passed when Darcy pulled back, "That should do it on my end. If you could close up, I would appreciate it," he said to another surgeon, and they stepped in. He left without even a glance in her direction. Had he even noticed she was there?

It stung for a moment that he didn't even acknowledge her, but Lizzie decided that was what she wanted. She wanted him to treat her the way he treated everyone.

Well, that's what she would eventually convince herself she wanted.

Once finished, Lizzie was exhausted. She left the room and went straight to the locker room. When she opened it, there was a text from Jane telling her she had already left. No problem, she would take the subway. Lizzie was actually thankful for the chance to completely block out the world.

She had in her headphones, and when she boarded the subway, she closed her eyes and leaned back, letting the music clear away her racing thoughts. She soon reached the feeling she loved, when she was so immersed in the songs, that she felt totally alone and secure. That feeling abruptly vanished and she jumped in her seat when she felt someone tap her on the arm. Opening her eyes, she saw it was Darcy.

Shocked, Lizzie tried pulling out her headphones quickly, only to tangle them in her hair.

"Hi," said Lizzie, trying to not think about how ridiculous she looked as she fidgeted to untangle her hair from the headphones, "What are you doing here?"

"Hello," he said, looking nervous, "Um, I was hoping to catch you on here. I saw you at the hospital, but you ducked away and then I couldn't talk to you in the surgery without being very unprofessional."

"Oh," said Lizzie, feeling the embarrassment come in and taking a large gulp, "I wasn't avoiding you. It just happened that way," she lied, not meeting his eyes.

"Okay," he said knowingly, before looking away from her for the first time. "My aunt called me."

Lizzie groaned and put her face in her hands, "I can only imagine what she told you. I'm so sorry, Darcy."

He looked back at her, surprised, "Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who should apologize. My aunt…well, she told me what she did and I'm so ashamed, Lizzie. She's, err, a tad…controlling."

"Oh, don't worry about it," said Lizzie, wanting to change the topic as quickly as possible.

"Lizzie, come on. Please accept my apology."

"I accept it," said Lizzie, leaning forward, "But, you really shouldn't be apologizing. It's not like you told her to come here, right?"

"Right. But she is still my aunt."

"Believe me, no one should be judged by their family. I know that better than anyone, Darcy."

He grew quiet after that, and Lizzie realized that comment could be taken the wrong way.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that to bring up any old arguments. I just meant I wouldn't judge you for your family," pleaded Lizzie.

"I know," he said, "I just feel bad I ever thought that way about Jane and you."

Lizzie didn't know what to say after that and silence came. Neither of them could look at one another.

So badly, Lizzie wanted to bring up Lydia. She had yearned for a chance to talk to him. She was almost positive he was responsible for paying the debt and finding Lydia, but she wanted to know. Here went nothing.

"Darcy, I need to know something."

"Yes?"

"Was it you who paid Wickham's debts?"

Darcy looked surprised, then frowned slightly, "Who told you?"

"So, you did."

Darcy closed his eyes and sighed, leaning back. He didn't say anything, so Lizzie pressed on.

"Look," she said, knowing she just needed to get it out, "I know that wasn't a small amount of money and I wanted to, err, thank you. I am so thankful for what you did. Thank you."

"You weren't supposed to know," he said quietly.

"I didn't for sure," said Lizzie, "But once I suspected, I had to know. I wanted to know why you did it.

Darcy turned to give her a puzzled look right as the subway reached Lizzie's station. She froze unsure what to do.

They looked at each other awkwardly, and Lizzie fumbled saying, "This is my stop."

"Yeah," was all he said at first, and Lizzie's heart sank as she rose to her feet. She was starting to turn away when he spoke again. "Want to get some coffee?"

Relief flooded through her, "Yes."

The short walk to the coffee shop felt both longer and shorter than usual for Lizzie. They didn't resume their conversation until both of them brought their coffee to a small table in the corner.

"You weren't supposed to know," he said again, breaking the silence as he stirred cream into his coffee, "Who else knows?"

"No one," said Lizzie quickly, "Err, except Mrs. Gardiner, and she only suspects. She doesn't know for sure."

"Ah, so that's how you found out."

"Yes, but please don't be mad at her. I'm so thankful that I get the chance to thank you," said Lizzie, "Now, I know who my family is indebted to."

"I didn't want you to feel indebted to me, Lizzie! That was never what this was about. I was only taking care of something I should have taken care of a long time ago," he said, some frustration showing.

Realization sunk in for Lizzie, "You mean Wickham?"

He nodded slowly and took a drink before speaking, "When everything with Georgie happened. I wanted to kill him, Lizzie. I really did."

"I know," said Lizzie, "I don't think any brother would have felt any differently."

"Georgie made me promise I wouldn't do anything," he continued, "And I didn't. I gave him that money my father had left for him without any care in the world. I should have been smarter than that."

"What do you mean?"

"I've now arranged a fund for him."

"You're giving him more money?" said Lizzie angrily, "Why in the world would you give that sicko more money?"

"To protect Lydia. The only way to keep him away from your sister, and the rest of your family as well, was to make a deal with him."

Lizzie felt her anger vanish as quickly as it had come. Of course. Lydia would have gone away with him again in a minute, and Wickham was not one to resist such easy pickings.

"There are strings, Lizzie," Darcy continued, "First, the money is conditional on his remaining employed. I got him a job. His salary, and the fund I've added to it, are enough to keep him in line, but limited enough he'll have to be careful with how he spends it."

"Okay."

"He also is required to meet with a psychiatrist."

"Really?"

"Yes," said Darcy, "Once a week. And if he skips out on it, he loses access to the money."

"Wow, I bet he loves that."
"He didn't have much choice when I met with him in Vegas," said Darcy. "I gave him two options. He could accept my deal, with all the conditions intact, or my family's firm would scour his past until we had evidence to send him to jail. He tried to weasel more money out of it, but he gave in when I wouldn't budge. I've also got a private investigator keeping an eye on him. There won't be any more Georgies or Lydias."

"You're thorough," said Lizzie, "Thank you. Truly, I owe you so much."

"You don't owe me anything, Lizzie," Darcy insisted. "If I had dealt with him earlier, your family would never have had to go through any of this. It was only right for me to do this. Maybe it's a start in making up for the way I acted in the beginning."

"Darcy," said Lizzie, shaking her head, "You don't have to make up for anything."

"Yes, I do," he said leaning towards her, "Lizzie, I did some awful things. And truly, I should have taken care of Wickham sooner than I did but my pride stopped me. I did this to try to make things right. You don't owe me anything. I need to hear you say that."

Lizzie sighed, and he only frowned at her and said her name again.

"Fine," said Lizzie, "I get that there was some unfinished business with Wickham, but I still feel as though I should pay you back for Lydia's debts."

"I didn't do this for Lydia," Darcy said, emotion rising in his voice. "I didn't do any of this for your family. I thought only of you. I did it only for you."

Lizzie wanted to reply, but she had no idea what to say. They looked at each awkwardly for a moment before Darcy put his hands together.

"Lizzie," he said nervously, "I know I said I wanted to be friends. And I do." He met her gaze, and she could see him steel himself to continue. "But, my feelings haven't changed. In fact, they've only grown, because it was more than just attraction. We actually communicated and connected."

Lizzie was too in shock to say anything.

"I know this situation is complicated, because we are going to be in each other's lives. With Charles and Jane, we'll see each other and the last thing I want to do is make things awkward. So, I decided we would be friends, but then, err, we kissed."

Lizzie took a drink of coffee feeling her cheeks redden.

"I have to know, is there a chance? I promise you, if you say no, I'll never bring it up again and we'll still be friends. No hard feelings. But please tell me, are your feelings the same as before?"

She couldn't believe it, he had come back, just like Bingley, "My feelings," she began, and she could feel him tighten, "I'm actually ashamed of what I thought of you before."

"Lizzie, I don't blame you," he started, but she silenced him with a wave of her hand, and then she took his hands, feeling confident.

"Let me get this out," she said, "I am sorry for before. I misjudged you. And, my feelings…are quite the opposite of what they were last year."

That moment Lizzie felt Darcy's hands tighten underneath hers and his face was blank. Lizzie smiled hoping to see some kind of emotion but instead he looked shocked.

"Are you sure?"

"What?" She laughed, unable to hide her shock at his statement, "Of course, I'm sure."

"It's just," he said shaking his head in disbelief, "I honestly didn't think you were going to say that."

"Trust me," she said, unable to look at him, "There was a time when I hated you. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," he said, leaning forward, "I get it. I was a jerk."

"I think we both had our moments."

Lizzie found as soon as their eyes locked, she was unable to look away. She had never felt this way about any guy. No other guy had drawn those kind of butterflies that soared everywhere and not just her stomach. She could have sat there for hours, just looking at him.

But, that would have been weird for everyone else.

"So," said Darcy squeezing her hands, "Want to get dinner with me?"

"Yes," said Lizzie, too quickly, "Sorry, I probably seem too eager."

"Don't apologize. I'm just as eager as you are."

They went to dinner and talked for hours about nothing and everything. Lizzie was curious to hear his side of things.

"I know we kissed, but you never brought it up," he said, ruefully.

"I was waiting for you to say something," said Lizzie, with a laugh, "I didn't want to look like an idiot."

"Look at it from my end, I had already gotten rejected once. You can't blame my hesitation in bringing it up a second time."

"When you came back with Charles," said Lizzie curiously, "Did you think about saying anything then?"

"Yes," he said, smiling, "I almost did in the locker room, but I wasn't getting any signal from you that you wanted me to stay. You were very intense, if you recall."

"I asked you about your plans. I was hoping you'd talk about staying, but you seemed to be wanting to leave," argued Lizzie, while still laughing with glee, "So, we were both playing it cool hoping the other would say something. NO wonder!"

"I'm just glad I worked up the courage to meet you on the subway."

"What made you come back, anyway? I wasn't sure you'd ever be back."

Darcy sighed, "When I talked to my aunt, I was so embarrassed about the whole thing. I thought there was no way I could ever face you, but something my aunt stayed with me."

"What?"

"She said you wouldn't promise to not have anything to do with me."

"Oh." Lizzie blushed a bit at the memory.

"Yeah. Even if you were trying to annoy her, I hoped it was enough to show you hadn't completely decided against me. It was a glimmer, enough to get me back here."

"I was in shock when I saw you," said Lizzie taking a bite of her food, "And then I thought you didn't even see me in the OR. I was disappointed."

"Believe me, I knew you were in there," said Darcy, making Lizzie's heart soar by the way he said it, "I don't think I've ever struggled with maintaining professionalism in a surgery before. You made it difficult, and I pride myself on my professionalism while working. You know that."

"Yes, I do," said Lizzie, "Besides, I would have been mad if you had declared yourself right then and there."

Darcy laughed, "Dr. Gardiner would only have been too pleased."

"Along with his wife, who conveniently didn't tell me you were assisting on the surgery."

"Really? Man, I was hoping you were there trying to spend time with me," said Darcy, teasingly.

"No," said Lizzie shaking her head, "I was avoiding you because I was embarrassed by my conduct with your aunt."

"It feels like a lot of things could have been avoided if we had just been honest with each other," said Darcy, sadly, "We could have skipped so much of this nonsense. I've spent many hours thinking about if I had acted differently the first time we met…how different everything could have been."

Lizzie thought about that for a moment, "I think it's better this way. We don't have to worry about each other seeing our flaws. We've already seen each other at our worst. And speaking of at our worst, I'm curious. With how everything started out between us, how in the world did you change your mind and start falling for me?"

It was Darcy's turn to ponder. "That's so long ago. I don't recall exactly. I was well past the start of liking you before I even realized it myself. I know it must have been quite early on though. I think your lively spirit…"

"You mean impertinence," interrupted Lizzie, grinning. "I wondered if that might have helped. I was never quite so fawning and fake as most women seem to be with you." A thought occurred to her. "So, you were interested in me even before the ski trip?"

"Definitely," Darcy replied. "That's why I was trying to find ways to spend time with you, but nothing seemed to work."

"That's what you were doing?" Lizzie laughed yet again. "I thought for sure you just thought I was an idiot, and that was why you were trying to teach me so many different things. It never crossed my mind you were looking for ways to spend time with me."

They talked for hours, of Jane and Charles, of the visit to Pemberley, of past mistakes, and of future joy. Lizzie had gotten just a glimpse of this side of Darcy back at the Derbyshire convention. She could hardly believe it was the same man she had first seen at that party. It felt like a lifetime ago. And now…

"So, what are we going to tell people?"

"What do you mean?" asked Darcy.

"I mean, err, are you my boyfriend?"

Darcy looked surprised, "I certainly thought so. Unless, you weren't thinking that," he said looking disappointed.

"No," said Lizzie laughing, "I just didn't want to be thinking something different. Plus, I don't look forward to telling people. Not because I'm ashamed of you. More I'm ashamed of myself."

"Lizzie," he said, taking her hands again, "Don't worry about that."

"No, Darcy, you don't get it," said Lizzie letting her embarrassment show, "I talked…badly about you."

"I know."

"You know?"

"Yes," said Darcy, "And that's okay. I have some hills to climb and that's okay. I was already planning on talking to your father."

"Wait, why? I don't need his permission to date you. It's not the 19th century."

"Lizzie," he said laughing, "I know you're not a piece of property. But, I also know how much you mean to your father."

This was true. Her father and she had always been close.

"Call me old fashioned, but I still want your father's blessing. Simply, because I want you and him to remain in good terms. And, I know he doesn't think the greatest of me. Plus, I see the way he
looks at you. He treasures you. You're his little girl."

"I'm not little anymore," said Lizzie firmly, despite the warmness in her heart.

"No," said Darcy, "But, I would still like to talk to him."

Lizzie debated this. She tried to picture walking up to her home with Darcy and showing him to Mrs. Bennet. She shuttered at the thought.

"I know, I will also have some work to do with your mom."

"Can you read my thoughts?"

"No, just a logical guess."

"Yeah," said Lizzie sighing, "She doesn't like you."

"My own fault," said Darcy, "Like I said, some hills have to be climbed. But, as long as I'm fighting for you, I am willing to do anything."

Lizzie's heart once again soared and without any shyness of being in a crowded restaurant, she leaned over and kissed him.

"Are you out of your mind?" cried Mr. Bennet, "You hate him!"

Mr. Bennet was currently standing and scolding her from behind his desk and all Lizzie could do was sit and wait for him to finish.

"You said you hated him! Now, you tell me he's your boyfriend and he wants to talk to me sometime!"

"Yes, dad," said Lizzie calmly, "He knows that we've had a complicated past and he just wants to start out on a good foot."

"Like he can," said Mr. Bennet, "Lizzie, what changed? Goodness, I knew daughters were complicated, but this is too much."

"Dad," said Lizzie, "Calm down and let me talk."

"Fine," he said sitting in his chair and folding his hands clearly still aggravated, "What's changed? Brick on the head?"

"No," said Lizzie laughing, "It just changed. I don't know how to explain it."

"Try."

He looked so intimidating and Lizzie still couldn't explain what had happened clearly. She had tried with Jane who knew her better than anyone, but it still didn't make complete sense. Now, to explain it to her father…was basically impossible.

"Look, dad. For awhile, I hated him. Then, I found out what really happened with Wickham and him. I realized…Wickham was the man I hated. Darcy, somehow, it seemed to change from hate to….errr."

"Love?" provided her father, without much facial expression.

"Yes."

"So, you love him?"

"I know it's fast," said Lizzie standing up and approaching her father, "Frankly, I haven't even told him I love him yet but, it's not far off from me doing so, dad. He's truly the best man I've ever known. He's shown me my flaws and…he's made me a better person. Somehow, we just fit. I don't know how to explain it. I didn't always feel that way about him but now, I love him more than anyone."

Mr. Bennet wasn't speaking, so Lizzie kept going. She was on fire.

"So, you are going to meet with him and be pleasant! I don't care what I've said before. You're going to toss all that out and give him a fair chance!"

"Oh, I am, am I?"

"Yes," Lizzie said firmly, giving her father the toughest face she could.

Mr. Bennet was quiet for a long time, but after a while, he motioned for her to sit back in the chair she had started in.

"My Lizzie," he said as she sat, "You have to understand how painful it is for a father to let go of his daughter."

Lizzie looked at her father, surprised. All the frustration was gone. Now, all that was left a mixture of sad and happiness.

"Dad? What do you mean?"

Mr. Bennet shrugged, "Call it an inkling, but I'm guessing this relationship is the one to take you away from me."

Lizzie didn't say anything. Was Darcy the one? And without much thought, she knew, just as her father did, he was the one. Just like Jane, she had found her one.

"I'll meet with him, Lizzie," said Mr. Bennet quietly, "But, you have to allow me a moment of toughness. A father needs that before letting his daughter go!"

Lizzie got up and around the desk before hugging her father closely, "I know. But, it's not like I'm getting married yet, dad."

"Notice the yet," said Mr. Bennet, "You're already thinking about it. You always know when you've met the one."

Yes, Darcy was the one.

"Alright, then," he said pushing her away gently, "I'm fine. Just send the boy here."

"I figured you'd meet him somewhere else…I don't want him to do both parents at once."

"Ah, you do love him," said Mr. Bennet, "Hiding him from Mrs. Bennet is the greatest love you can bestow."

Epilogue, 8 months later

"Blast it," said Darcy, kicking at the sand furiously with his shoes, "Why did Charles and Jane have to have the wedding on a beach? They could have picked anywhere in the world and they picked a beach?"

"I think it's romantic," said Lizzie, walking along with beach at sunset. She and Darcy were grabbing Charles and Jane's luggage to place in the limo. As best man and maid of honor, it was their duty to guard the luggage carefully. This meant a walk through the sand.

"Yes, romantic," said Darcy, "Everyone kicking sand out of their shoes."

"I agree it's not where I would have picked," said Lizzie, "But it fits them."

"That it does," he agreed gloomily from behind her.

"Cheer up, Will," she said, "You'll never have to set foot on sand if you want after this. You've done your duty. Oh, crap!"

"What's wrong?" asked Darcy.

"I dropped one of my earrings," said Lizzie furiously, "I loved those! It's a rarity to actually LIKE the dress and jewelry when you're in the wedding party, and of course, I lose one of the earings!

She turned around and began looking in the sand, passing Darcy as she did so.

"Lizzie, you are never going to find them in the sand. They are lost!"

"I might if I just retrace my steps," said Lizzie, looking around, "And you can help me!"

"Help you look all though the sand for an earring? Yeah, not going to happen," he said, laughing.

"Will," said Lizzie wining, "I love these earrings."

"I'll buy you another pair."

"Wasteful," said Lizzie, now getting down in the sand digging around furiously.

"Lizzie," he said, but she didn't turn to look at him.

"I know you just think we can buy things new, but I still like to be frugal," said Lizzie, still looking, "Consider yourself lucky, I don't just spend your money carelessly."

"Lizzie," he said again, a little louder.

She ignored him, "I know it's just an earring to you but it's a memory for me. It was my sister's wedding."

"Lizzie," he said, louder this time.

"What?" she said, standing and spinning around only to find him…on his knees with a small box.

"What are you doing?"

"I know," he said shrugging, "We were going to wait till the wedding was over, so we didn't steal their spotlight, but…I couldn't wait any longer."

"You hate the sand," said Lizzie, her tears welling up, "And now you're kneeling in it and proposing."

"Totally worth it," he said, teasingly, "You'll just have make it up to me somehow."

"Will," she said, and she shrunk to the sand and began to cry with her head in her hands.

He moved to her, and pulled her face up so he could see her. He wiped away her tears, "Lizzie, I love you and you're my best friend. You've shown me my faults and loved me despite them. You've helped me to grow and made me the happiest I've ever been in my entire life."

Lizzie sobbed harder, "I didn't think I would cry like this. Here you are, talking all wonderful and I'm snorting and wailing like an idiot."

"You look beautiful, Lizzie," he said kissing one of the tears on her cheek, "I love you, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

"Yes," she sobbed, "Wait, you didn't open the box?"

"No," he said, "Is your yes based on the ring?"

"No," she laughed, "I just want to see it!"

He opened it slowly, "It's a family ring. My mother and grandmother wore it."

Lizzie did love it, and she was so honored to wear something with such history. She put it on and the tears started once more.

She hugged him, and he held her there for a long time, then kissed her. This kiss was special. It was a promise to love each for forever.

"Wait," said Lizzie, breaking if off, "The luggage!"

"Wow, your mind sometimes," he said laughing and he stood pulling her to her feet as well, "Let's get them their luggage so they can go on their honeymoon."

They picked the suitcases back up and began walking again, but Lizzie couldn't stop looking at her hand, the round sparkling diamond made her squeal with delight.

"Those earrings seem like nothing now," said Lizzie admiring it.

"Good, I was hoping that giving you more jewelry would save me from having to dig around in the sand."

"Don't think I've forgotten about them," said Lizzie, and he moaned slightly, "Wait, I can't wear this yet," she said stopping and holding up her hand.

"Why not?"

"Because the whole point in waiting was not to take away from their wedding, and if we show up with a ring now, we'll be doing just that."

"Okay, you're right," he said, "Give it back and I'll put it in the box."

"What? No!" she cried, pulling her hand away, "I just got it and now you want to take it away?"

"I thought you said you couldn't wear it."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't want it," said Lizzie. "What if I just slide it onto my necklace?"

"Like no one is going to notice it there," said Darcy, "Please, just put it in your purse when we get there. You don't want to lose it, right?"

"I guess. Also, we don't tell anyone until after they are back from their honeymoon."

"Agreed."

Just as they arrived, the limo driver took the luggage and loaded it. They had been gone longer than they realized because Charles and Jane were getting ready to leave and Jane waved at Lizzie from a distant sending kisses.

"Wait," said Lizzie, grabbing her purse, "I have to talk to Jane," she said sprinting towards them.

She caught Jane just as she was about to get into the limo and pulled her into a hug.

"Hey, have a great honeymoon," said Lizzie quietly, "I love you so much!"

"I love you too," said Jane, "I'm so excited! I'll see you in two weeks!"

Hearing two weeks, Lizzie knew she couldn't wait. She reached for a purse while whispering, "Promise me you can keep a secret."

"Yes, well, except from Charles."

"Of course you can tell him," said Lizzie, putting her hand in her purse and placing the ring on her finger so only Jane could see it.

Jane's smile was as bright as the sun and she clung to Lizzie trying to conceal her happiness, "Congrats!"

"Thanks, don't tell anyone," said Lizzie barely able to speak through Jane's tight embrace, "I'm not ready for mom to know yet."

"I know," said Jane, "I love you! Goodbye!"

"Bye! I love you too!" And she waved her sister away. Most people followed the limo cheering and waving. Lizzie, however, took the ring off and slipped it back into her purse before anyone could see.

She felt Darcy's arms come around her from behind, "You told her, didn't you?"

"Yes," Lizzie whispered, "I couldn't help it."

"That's okay," he said, "I told Georgie!"

"We can't tell anyone else," said Lizzie, "My mother will find out and then we can't go back once she realizes she's got another wedding she can plan."

"I don't mind," he said laughing, "It makes her happy."

"You make me so happy," said Lizzie, "I love you!"

"I love you too."

She leaned against him, completely content, and watched the limo drive off into the sunset.