I do not own anything or anyone. My first FF. Read and review, but please be kind. If I should or shouldn't continue, please let me know. This is a story I've had in my head for awhile. Thanks!

Prologue

Darcy sighed as boarded the flight. He was exhausted and not looking forward to a long flight. He grimaced when he heard, rather than saw, two laughing young women board the flight. He had never been so happy to be in first class, where he wouldn't have to listen to the insipid giggling of the young Americans.

"Do they hand laughing gas and a ticket to Europe to these girls as the graduate?" he thought, a bit unfairly he knew. Maybe it was jealousy. "Jealousy for Georgiana. Why shouldn't she be the obnoxious one on a plane right now?" But his thoughts were further interrupted when a very irate male (fake) British accent reached his ears.

An economy passenger was screaming about moving out of already settled in seat. Darcy could make out some subdued soothing words, but the passenger would have NONE of it. He demanded, he screamed, he thundered, he threatened, that it should be obvious that "these two girls," sneer, "have come to the wrong seat, if the stewardess knows what's good for her, she will find their correct seats quickly and as far away as possible!"

The flight attendant, Jeanette, gasped. She froze, trying to decide between delaying the flight to escort him off, or having mercy on the rest of the three hundred passengers. She glanced at the young women and made up her mind. "Please follow me," she motioned crisply. "I cannot further delay this flight and you are obviously in the wrong seat."

The pretty dark haired girl, uh, young woman, raised her eyebrows and looked at her sister. She put her arm protectively on the now, teary, but still quite lovely, blonde woman. "Come on, Janie, let's just go." She smiled slightly at a flustered Jeanette and mouthed an "I'm sorry."

Jeanette led them through to the front and, just as the young women thought they were to be removed from the flight, Jeanette stopped at the third row and smiled. "These are your correct seats, ladies. I cannot imagine how you two wound up back there. Please enjoy your flight."

The dark-haired girl grinned at her. After profusely thanking Jeanette, she turned to her sister. "Janie, you had just ONE job! Next time, I will find our seats!" And the two burst into a fit of giggles. One who saw the absurdity of it all, and the other at the relief of being away from the situation.

Darcy heard this and, although disappointed that his peace would be disturbed, realized that it was the best way to remedy the situation. He wanted to get as far away from this part of the world as possible and would have hated any delays.

His mind drifted back to the last few days, in all their painful glory. It had been a trial, dealing with Georgiana's near elopement. He was relieved to leave her in the capable hands of his aunt and uncle. He felt they both needed their time and space after the harsh confession he had to make.

"William! He DOES love me! I cannot believe you to be so mean! George warned me that you would try to break us up, but I still cannot believe that you are trying FORBID me from seeing him again! I AM an adult, no matter what you may believe!" Georgiana sobbed.

"Gigi, he may perhaps love you," Darcy muttered through clenched teeth, "But I believe he loves money a bit more. Please, trust me on this. If he does love you, he will return to you when you are 21 - faithful and loyal and more in love you than ever."

"Willlll," wailed Georgiana, "He doesn't care about money, I told him I'd be cut off, testing him, and he simply smiled and told me he couldn't care less. Our love will keep us content!"

Darcy sighed, "Gi, he KNOWS I'd never cut you off. He knows me too well. I'd give up my life for you. You are all I have left. And he knows too well that I'd never do anything that would hurt YOU."

Georgiana turned her back. Her anger had softened, but there was so much hurt in her drooping form. Why couldn't he trust her? She was no fool. She was EIGHTEEN, after all! A woman! She'd been on her own for nearly two years, after graduating early!

Well...not entirely on her own. Will did provide the adorably and completely furnished apartment in the heart of Paris. He did pay all the bills, sent her a clothing allowance, and hired Marla to cook and clean for her. But SHE was the one who decided to major in art history and SHE was the one who decided to intern at the Louvre for the summer. Ok, well MAYBE Will did pull some strings to get her the position, but she DID arrive punctually each day and was feeling quite proud of her constancy at the job. Not whining ONCE during the tedious tasks. Well, there was perhaps a whine or three, but she did not give up at those points, as she was accustomed in the past. She was quite mature.

Darcy sighed again. He spoke softly, "Georgiana. Look at me. I know you feel as though you have the world in your hands. You do. You are eighteen. And while this may be one of the best times in your life, everything and anything is possible, it can also be one of the most dangerous! You can make mistakes that you can never recover from. I nearly had, and if it wasn't for Richard and Charles...do you know, I'd be married to Ariel Blanes? Yes! You see? You can't stand that woman. And we would both be absolutely miserable. And then the following year, I almost dropped out of school to join YAAM – Youths Against Animal Murder. Could you imagine? You know how much I love steak. But that was when I was convinced that I was in love with", here he chuckled, "Violet Moon Flower. I don't think that was her real name," he added quickly when Georgiana raised her eyebrows.

"Here," he said growing serious, thrusting an envelope at her. "I didn't want to show this to you, but...I think you are...old enough to see the truth."

Georgiana, eyes wide, opened the envelope and pulled out its contents. As she read, she realized that alhough the paper was informal it was quite a legal document. The cold words on the paper caused a flood of emotions to pass over her face – from anger (at Will) to anger (at George), paling at the realization of what she had narrowly missed and then relief. Her embarrassment could not be felt more acutely and she began that silent sob of utter disappointment in herself.

"I guess I have finally learned of my value," she laughed bitterly. "Fifty thousand. To go away. The most disgusting, is that I see this is GEORGE'S writing. And by the looks of the paper, it seems to have been carried for him for quite awhile. He-he planned this. All of this." She kissed her brother on the cheek, whispering a thanks and rushed from the room before her racking sobs disturbed her stricken brother.

Darcy jolted out of this revery when the drink cart pulled up. He ordered a Screwdriver, a favorite of his uncle. The familiarity of the drink brought him an odd comfort. "Besides," he thought, "The OJ has vitamin C. And you can't have too much vitamin C!" He grinned and drank it slowly, allowing himself to relax.

"I'll have a Coke, but my sister needs a glass of wine."

Ah. The giggling American. Although she isn't giggling now. She sounds concerned for her sister.

An older gentleman leaned over to ask if everything was alright with "the pretty little blonde." The dark haired girl answered that she was still upset by the other passenger but also a bit afraid of flying. Darcy could almost hear the kind smile in her voice.

What a nice voice. It is deep, but feminine, almost like she has eaten a deep rich chocolate.

"And so the string says 'Nope, I'm afraid not.' A FRAYED KNOT! Get it? Get it?" The old mans cackling quickly turned to a wheezing cough after delivering the pucnhline.

The dark-haired girl laughed, first at the silly joke, but then kindly at the old man. He reminded her of her maternal grandfather, always a joke and quarter for his "Lizbet".

What a lovely laugh. I would love to listen to a laugh like that from my wife. This thought almost caused Darcy to jump! A wife? Where did that come from? I am barely twenty- wait. I am NOT barely twenty ANYTHING. I am almost thirty. Almost thirty and acting like a cranky old man because a couple of young women dare to giggle! An old man? Not even! Their neighbor seems to be having a great time making them giggle and laugh and tease. What happened to me?

And with these disturbing thoughts, Darcy leaned back, second drink in hand, determined to solve his, as well as Gigi's, problems during the remainder of the flight. But he couldn't concentrate because that lovely, smiling voice was making friends with her fellow passengers nearby. It lulled him to a long needed deep sleep and he didn't wake up until his fellow passengers were beginning to disembark.

Oh. I missed my chance to meet her. But it is just as well. Wonder what her name is. Oh well, she is probably the ugly shrew sister. And I have saved myself the trouble of getting her hopes up.

But somehow, he doubted those thoughts.