A/N: There was a question about the use of pistols during this time period and rest assured, single shot hand guns and the term 'pistol' were both around during this time frame.

The first day saw them change horses at twice posting inns. During the change over, when Darcy had to negotiate with the stable master, Elizabeth's uncle applied the innkeeper for a quill and ink, and paid for paper for Elizabeth to write an urgent letter to her father, which her uncle asked to be posted with the post-boy to come through. It was late when they stopped in the evening at another posting inn, where Darcy this time negotiated fresh horses for the morning as well as rooms for the night. At dawn they awoke and took hearty breakfast before getting back onto the horses and riding. Pressing ever harder, the group managed to surpass the speed of stagecoach, particularly since they were able to negotiate fresh horses every 20-30 miles. They changed horses four times that day, riding even farther than they'd hoped and stopping just 50 miles from Brighton. One last day of hard riding would find them in Brighton by the evening.

Their arrival in Brighton was not unwelcome, particularly by Colonel Forster who'd sent an express to Longbourn only the prior day when Kitty had gone missing in the morning along with his saber and pistol. She left a note that thanked them for their generosity and that the saber and pistol would be returned forthwith, after Kitty finished with a 'delicate mission'. Settling into the Forster's temporary household, Elizabeth was able to take a well deserved bath while the men settled into an inn. During dinner at the Forster's with Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and her uncle, Elizabeth now dressed in a freshly ironed frock from her valise, told of the express she'd received three days prior in Derbyshire.

"It's a miracle you got here so quickly then!" Colonel Forster laughed jovially.

"It was hard riding and negotiating fresh horses along the way, thanks to my good Cousin and his silver." Colonel Fitzwilliam gave a nod to Darcy who had, as with company he did not know, become quite recalcitrant with his words.

"I am truly sorry for my sister's abhorrent behavior; we are aware of her seeking to apprehend Mr. Wickham, and while mine Uncle and I will be retrieving my sister and taking her back to Longbourn, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam are quite keen on taking up what my sister undertook. We agree that any sight of a red coat would send Mr. Wickham back into hiding. We all would like him brought to justice, for his many wrongs." Elizabeth said, sipping at her wine. She was grateful that the hospitality that had been extended to her— be it out of guilt for 'losing' her sister as Mrs. Forster called it, or just the genuine nicety of the family. Elizabeth also noted they too, were kind enough not to speak of her strange attire when she'd arrived, despite she was first mistaken as a rider (though they weren't sure how an express could arrive at and rider be dispatched from Longbourn in the time elapsed). Mrs. Forster was first to realize that Elizabeth was who she said she was, having heard from Kitty in confidence about her strange home life that she adored, and the older sister who made everything seem possible.

"As long as Miss Kitty is safe, and both my regimental saber and pistol returned, I'll be quite relieved." Colonel Foster admitted, while Fitzwilliam nearly choked on his own wine in surprise.

"She took your saber and pistol?" Fitzwilliam asked, with a hint of admiration in his voice.

"Indeed she did. Though if she can use them is unlikely." Colonel Foster returned to his wine, trying not to feel reprimanded by the retired Colonel of a more esteemed branch of the military, and of an esteemed family.

"She can." Elizabeth stated, much to everyone's surprise. Apparently all pretense of the Bennets living a normal and modest life at Longbourn was abandoned in light of Kitty's disappearance. At the surprised looks, Elizabeth elaborated on how Lt. Denny continued the fencing lessons her father began as a childhood lark when Kitty had insisted she wanted to be a soldier, and that she wouldn't have been surprised if Denny had also taught Kitty to fire a pistol as well. She did note that their sister Lydia and a neighboring lad Thomas Stewart chaperoned these lessons.

"Denny, now he is a good chap— I am surprised he'd give lessons to your sister, chaperoned or not." Forster commented.

"Lt Denny is from Meryton, and Longbourn is close by. Our family has known him since he was a boy on the Stewart farm. My youngest sister Lydia has formed an understanding with the younger Stewart son, so I'm not completely surprised the four of them found ways to be in each other's company. Lessons provided a reason for Denny to be there, and chaperoning provided Lydia's reason, though they always told me they were going in to town. More than likely they were in an empty field at the Stewart farm" Elizabeth sighed.

"That does make a bit more sense." Forster admitted, while Fitzwilliam nodded in appreciation of Kitty.

"At least she isn't unprotected; Wickham won't know what hit him if she does catch him up." Fitzwilliam chortled, earning a glare from Elizabeth.

"It is highly improper of her and these actions might as well force her into ruin." Elizabeth seethed, but was soothed by a her uncle's hand on her arm.

"Now Elizabeth, all is not lost. Mr.— Colonel Fitzwilliam is just appreciative of Kitty's finer qualities and zeal for life." Mr. Gardiner said. Elizabeth didn't snort in response but dearly wanted to, instead settling for rolling her eyes.

"'Tis true, Miss Elizabeth. My cousin is in great admiration of your sister." Mr. Darcy spoke up, with a hint of mischief.

"And what is there not to be admired? A woman who can handle a saber and pistol? Perhaps a bit improper by some, but I personally find it fascinating." Colonel Fitzwilliam declared. Elizabeth merely glared at her plate and continued eating.

"Well, I dare say we'll need an early night tonight. Forster, is there any place you think that Wickham may hide himself? A nearby village that the Mrs and Miss Kitty may have visited recently?" Colonel Fitzwilliam changed the subject to hopefully spare himself Elizabeth's ire. She clearly was quite malcontent over her sister's choices in activities, though Fitzwilliam didn't see much difference in riding in men's clothing and being able to handle men's weapons. He found the Bennet sisters as intriguing as his cousin did.

"There's the small village of Hove, only about 100 residents and two miles from here. I believe my wife and Miss Kitty went there a week ago to take in the coastline and admire their church." Colonel Forster answered.

"That is a good place as any for a start." Fitzwilliam nodded.

After dinner, the party went their separate ways after planning to meet at first light to search for Kitty. Elizabeth retired to her room after a quick wash, falling deeply asleep after the hard riding of the last several days. She was glad she wasn't cut out from seeking her sister, but Colonel Fitzwilliam was taking the lead, with Darcy as his second. As soon as her sister was found, Elizabeth was to take her away immediately, first to stop at the Forster's to return the weapons and then on a stagecoach to return home. The maids made quick work that evening during and after dinner to pack Kitty's things up into her traveling trunks. She was exceptionally grateful to whichever maid had her riding garments cleaned immediately, as they were almost dry and hanging in her room, ready for the early morning start.

It was about 10 o'clock in the morning the next day when they found Kitty, who had been around Hove after a bit of discrete questioning. The locals were not surprised to see the young woman walking along the coast, and coming back to the village to buy bread and cheese daily. It was on one of these trips that Elizabeth spotted her sister and immediately dismounted and ran to her, meeting up a little ways outside the village.

"Kitty! What a relief it is to find you, well too!" Elizabeth cried, hugging her sister.

"Lizzy! What on Earth are you doing here?! You're supposed to be in Derbyshire by now!" Kitty huffed but was secretly glad for the tight hug her sister gave her. "And you're wearing your riding clothes in public!"

"I've ridden hard for days to get to you, before you did something rash and stupid, silly girl. I thought Lydia had the monopoly on being silly, but you went behind my back!" Elizabeth scolded, as the rest of the party joined them, her uncle leading her horse.

"I take it, this is the infamous Miss Kitty then?" Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned.

"Yes, it is. Hale and whole, thank goodness. Kitty, this is one of the extremely kind gentlemen who accompanied me from Derbyshire, Colonel Fitzwilliam of the Regulars." Elizabeth introduced, wanting to laugh as Kitty's eye's widened. "Colonel, this is my very infamous sister, Miss Katherine Bennet." Fitzwilliam laughed, dismounted his horse and swooped into a bow.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Katherine." Fitzwilliam kissed her hand, to which Kitty giggled. "Here I was hoping to rescue a fair maiden, and while we have found the fair maiden, it seems little rescue has been needed." The colonel's words made Kitty blush.

"And you remember Mr Darcy, Kitty. Now that we've found you, we shall give our leave and have our Uncle accompany us back home. After we stop at the Forster's to apologize." Elizabeth cut in, not wanting to encourage either of them.

"I must thank you both then, Mr Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam." Kitty demurred. "I have spied Mr. Wickham, but have been unable to get any closer to him, as he's been hiring himself out where he can. The village has been much obliged for his help, and he had been working in Brighton as a day laborer until the militia arrived for summer quarters. I haven't been able to track down where he's been sleeping."

"Fine work, Miss Katherine. Darcy and I will take care of Wickham from here. He won't slip away from us; he will be served justice for his wrongs." Colonel Fitztwilliam declared.

"That he will." Mr Darcy agreed darkly.

"We shall walk back to Brighton as it is so close. Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I thank you both for your assistance. I welcome you to Longbourn at any time, and you are free to stop over on your journey home." Elizabeth was saddened to part ways from the gentlemen; one cannot help but grow intensely fond of those who would risk saddle sores and submit to such hard riding as they had in the previous days.

"Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. That is most kind of you. I'm sure we shall meet again." Mr Darcy smiled at Elizabeth, who blushed slightly.

"Indeed, Miss Elizabeth. We will be sure to call after we are finished with the blackguard here. Miss Katherine, it has been an honor." Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed slightly, and mounted his horse again. The two rode off, seeking Wickham and any homesteads that may have hired his services. Kitty looked after them longingly, which Elizabeth noticed.

"Kitty, you've certainly done it this time. How am I ever going to explain this? Papa knows— though thank goodness he should have received my express before Colonel Forster's. Speaking of which, where is the saber and pistol you took? We must return them!" Elizabeth scolded.

"Oh, the pistol's right here, in my bag, and the saber I stowed in the shepherd's hut where I've been staying. It was abandoned, so I made that my headquarters." Kitty blushed again, this time out of embarrassment.

"Tell me where it is, niece, and I shall fetch it. You and your sister, I'm sure, will need time to talk." Mr Gardiner cut in. Kitty gave the directions and he rode off, leaving the two sisters with Elizabeth's horse.

"Lizzy, I'm sorry, but I just had to try to bring him to justice! I knew if I told Colonel Forster, he'd send out the red coats to try to suss him out, and Mr. Wickham would get away again. No one even suspected me, and Mr. Wickham never noticed me whatsoever." Kitty pleaded with Elizabeth as they began to walk back to Brighton with the horse.

"Kitty, love, it's been a nightmare since I received that express from you. What did you think I would do? Of course I was going to come after you. I didn't expect Mr. Darcy or the Colonel to come, but I knew Uncle Gardiner would. Aunt is with Mr. Darcy's sister, chaperoning her. The poor girl is six and ten and you, Kitty, have given her quite a fright! Her brother and cousin rapidly leaving with two guests!" Elizabeth huffed, but took Kitty's hand in hers.

"You've got to think ahead, Kitty. Yes, Mr. Wickham is a cad and a criminal, but what about you and your safety? Or of your reputation? Three days and no one knew where you were! It's enough to ruin a woman's reputation, Kitty." Elizabeth sighed and squeezed Kitty's hand.

"I'm sorry, Lizzy." Kitty replied in a meek voice.

"We'll figure out something." Elizabeth said.