Pride & Prejudice
By Simarillion

Fandom: TV show RPS (Supernatural, Prison Break, House M.D., Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Coupling, Grey’s Anatomy, Numbers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ally McBeal, Desperate Housewives, Will & Grace)
Rating: G to PG-13
Pairing: of interest: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Wentworth Miller/Hugh Laurie
Warnings: AU, slash, M/M, evil! Chad
Beta: tecetyeintyale
Summary: There's nothing of greater importance than gossip. Besides marrying your children off. So when Mr. Padalecki announces the opening of a new Padalecki gallery on Third Street, it comes as no surprise that both gossip and marriage plans are on the daily schedule.
Disclaimer: None of the herein presented happenings and events are true. Everything is 100% fiction and that includes the sexuality of the characters. We don’t claim to be in the know about their relations and private affairs and we don’t make any money with the creation of this story.
Notes: The idea of a Jane Austen AU cames to me a very long time ago, with a different Austen novel as the plot and in a completely different fandom. It re-surfaced this summer though, and when talking about it with duchess_of_hell, it soon became clear that the writing of this story would be my summer project.
I absolutely adore the cast of the fic and it took me and Susi hours to decide which actor would be the right one for which character. It was great fun though, and made us laugh so hard at times, that people were looking at us funny.

[Previous Parts]



Chapter Four

At home, the Morgan family says its goodnights, and the family members prepare to rest. There is a general joy that can be observed, and that ensures the tranquillity of Sandra Morgan’s nerves.

Before retiring, Wentworth sneaks into Jensen’s room. He wants to share his impressions of the evening and the night with his brother, and most of all, he wants to question him about Jared Padalecki. Making sure that the other family members are already abed and will not intrude, he silently closes the bedroom door and sits on the bed, waiting for Jensen to join him.

When the other brother finds Wentworth waiting, they talk to their heart’s delight about what transpired earlier on, and Jensen admits being attracted to Mr. Padalecki. He also describes in great detail the kindness and goodwill he discovered in Jared Padalecki’s siblings.

“But you have to admit that his friend is of an abominable nature. His disposition is of one who takes pleasure in other people’s failures, small as they might be.” Wentworth feels that there is much more to be said about Mr. Hugh Laurie’s failings, but he leaves it at what he has said when he notices his brother’s state of agitation.

Jensen, of course, agrees with Wentworth that Hugh Laurie behaved very ill, but he argues that their connection is much too recent to come to a proper judgement about the man’s character.

“You have to see good in everyone. I wonder about what has to transpire to make you think ill of a person, Jensen.”

“Wentworth, it does not do any good to rashly come to a decision about something as important and precarious as a person’s character and value.”

After finding some more fault with Jensen’s take on the situation, Wentworth agrees that Hugh Laurie was not the only person behaving wrongly this evening, and that their mother’s pursuit of Jared Padalecki caused some awkward situations and painful silences.

In the end, the two brothers say their goodnights and get settled for the rest of the night, the minds of both young men full of impressions and memories about what transpired at the opening.

At the same time that the two oldest Morgan brothers are sharing their opinions and feelings about the vernissage at the new Padalecki gallery, Jared Padalecki finds himself together with his siblings on the beach terrace of Hugh Laurie’s villa. His thoughts are still with the charming young man he met, and his admiration goes so far that he considers calling on the Morgan’s the very next morning.

His approval of the Morgan family is not shared by all the people lounging on the terrace. His brothers Milo Padalecki and Hugh Laurie are the greatest critics of the group, and they do not tire to point out the fault of each family member.

“Come on, Laurie. It was a pleasant evening with many charming people.”

“I never had the misfortune to meet more disagreeable people at once. And this woman, Sandra Morgan, is by far the stupidest and most annoying person that crossed my path.” It comes as no surprise that Hugh Laurie is the first to express his displeasure about the encounter with the Morgan family.

“Too true. And the children are as bad as her.” Milo Padalecki is of the same opinion as Mr. Laurie. He comments on the lack of decorum in the two youngest siblings and the common appearance of the second oldest son. The only one that garners any good response is the oldest brother, who, in his eyes, is the only member of the family that has the making of a fine and intelligent young man.

Jared Padalecki’s attempts to paint the rest of the family members in a good light fail when Hugh Laurie makes him admit that the mother’s constant praises of her daughter were most unwelcome and created more than one moment of awkward silence.

“But you have to admit that their oldest son, Jensen Morgan, is a sight to behold.”

“Jared, I admit that he was the best looking person present, excluding the present company, but as for the rest, I readily admit that it will not be a day too soon if I don’t have to meet any of them again.”

Milo Padalecki and Kate Miles agree that they are happy to get to know Jensen Morgan better and suggest inviting him to their upcoming trip to Las Vegas. Their enthusiasm is not diminished by Mr. Laurie’s protestation that he would rather not take a stranger with them on their trip.

“Hugh, you just admitted that you think him to be a person worth getting to know.” Jared Padalecki feels the need to defend the person that so easily and successfully captured his interest.

“I never said such a thing, I only remarked that he is good looking, but I do not see how Jensen Morgan’s looks have any impact on his IQ. For my tastes, he was a little bit too insipid. I prefer a little more fire in my conversational partner.”

“He is by no means insipid, and his younger brother, the one whose intelligence you insulted, has fire, as you so delicately put it. I didn’t see you getting along with him either.”

Hugh Laurie then proceeds to list all the faults of Wentworth Morgan and the exact way the young man’s character flaws insulted him. He then continues to point out the failings of the Morgans, which, by his account, only justify his reasoning.

“Dear God, Hugh! Listening to your portrayal of the family, one must believe them to be idiots. I am sure that should they be as faulty as you say, then they would be quite incapable of living,” is Mr. Padalecki’s amused comment.

The argument continues some more until Mrs. Miles refers to the lateness of the hour and the company decides to get some rest. There will be enough time to discuss the events of the evening in the morning, and some current unfavourable impressions might seem less offending in the light of a new day. And so the group retires for the night, each thinking about what transpired at the opening of the gallery, some more favourably than others.



Chapter Five

The next morning, the Morgan household is still all excitement because of the opening party, and Sandra Morgan spends half of the time praising Jared Padalecki’s good looks and fine character, and she spends the other half of the time ranting about the abominable behaviour of Hugh Laurie and how she will not tolerate this insufferable person insulting her children.

Jeffrey D. Morgan does his best to ignore the talk at the breakfast table, and only when his wife starts commenting on the straps of Mrs. Miles’ sandals does he stop the constant talking with a firm hand on the table and some remarks about the unimportance of straps and sandals. He is aware of the consequences his action will have, but the rapture about shoe laces of whatever type is not something he can handle at such an ungodly hour in the morning.

“You do this on purpose, Jeff. Just to vex me.” Sandra Morgan is not willing to admit defeat and decides to stay with the topic of stylish shoe-wear. “I talked with several ladies about the sandals of Mrs. Miles, and we all agreed that only a Manolo Blahnik is of a better quality than the sandal she wore last night.”

“And if Mr. Blahnik would have been there wearing those sandals, it would not interest me any more than this story does.” Jeffrey D. Morgan’s absolute disregard of trends and style in shoe fashion is met with much scolding from Sandra Morgan’s side and an outraged cry from Charisma Morgan, who had just now been contemplating the merits of a new pair of summer sandals.

“Even if you cannot, or in your case, most likely, will not understand the finer points of fashionable clothes and shoes, you cannot condone the way this insufferable man slighted our Wentworth.”

“He slighted our Wentworth?”

“Why yes, you were present when it happened, how could you have missed it?” Words escape Mrs. Morgan to express just how slighted their son was by her newest nemesis. “Tell you father what he said, Wentworth, for he has to see what dreadful company young Mr. Padalecki keeps.”

“Mother, please.” It is clear that the second oldest Morgan son is not as eager as their mother to reveal the impropriety that is Mr. Laurie.

“Well, if Mr. Hugh Laurie insulted or slighted our son, who is the only one with any wit in this family, then he is not worth our notice.” The advice is directed at his wife, but the encouraging smile is for Wentworth and is meant to convey encouragement to ignore the much discussed Mr. Laurie as well as Mrs. Morgan. “I’d say that the next time he tries to impart his valuable opinion on you, you do not listen at all.”

“Rest assured, father, that at no time in the future will I ever care for Mr. Laurie’s opinion.”

The rest of the breakfast is then eaten in silence since Mr. Morgan makes it clear once more that he does not care for recounts of last night’s happenings and outfits. The restriction has Sandra Morgan depart for her yoga chamber shortly after the broken fast, and the rest of the family enjoys the peace by planning the rest of the day.

It is decided that the siblings will go to the new club that has become this summer’s place to go to. The previous owner sold the place because of the lack of guests, and now Michael Rosenbaum has transformed the establishment into a hip and cool dancing bar that attracts the rich and famous youth of Santa Monica.

Just as the young generation of the Morgan clan is about to depart for the beach, a call delays the excursion. It comes as no real surprise that the caller is none other than Jared Padalecki and that the recipient of the call is the oldest Morgan brother, Jensen.

Wentworth is the only one to stay behind and wait for Jensen while the others make their way to get a good place in the sun. He sits on the stairs and pretends not to listen in on the conversation. Instead, he ponders what he and his older brother had talked about last night before going to sleep. It is somewhat of a miracle to Wentworth how Jensen managed to be so positive about life and tolerant of people’s behaviour after living for almost twenty years under one roof with their mother.

Where Jensen Morgan is always the one seeing good in every person, Wentworth is more than willing to believe something bad about others. It is not like he wants the world to be bad, but he is realistic enough to know that it is much more likely to be true that a person is dishonest than that the person is honest.

Some say that such a view on life and humankind is much too pessimistic, most of all in a person so young, but Wentworth does not tire to point out the wisdom in being cautious. After all, his suspicion of other people’s behaviour has helped him various times in the past by keeping others from getting the better of him.

Jensen Morgan’s demeanour changes halfway through the conversation, and from the part of the dialogue that Wentworth is able to hear, it becomes clear that an invitation is being issued.

“Jared Padalecki is interested in coming to Rosenbaum’s tonight.” The oldest brother informs Wentworth about the resolution of the conversation.

The younger brother comments on Mr. Padalecki’s eagerness to get better acquainted with Jensen and praises him for the good catch he made. Wentworth even concedes that Mr. Padalecki appears to be a refreshing change from the usual people that belong to high society.

“And he will bring his siblings and his friend with him.”

“Oh dear, are we to be subjected to the displeasure of Mr. Laurie’s presence again so soon after last night?”

“Wentworth, please! I am sure that Hugh Laurie is not the villain mother makes him out to be, and we should give him the chance to redeem himself.” This request for redemption stems not only from the generous nature that is Jensen Morgan, but also from the wish to have his favourite sibling get along with Jared Padalecki’s oldest and best friend.

“I cannot understand how you can see the best in everyone.”

“Well, you only see the worst in everyone.”

“In short, we balance each other out.” Wentworth’s conclusion raises a laugh from both brothers, and in the time it takes them to find their way back to their inner tranquillity, they arrive at the beach and join their siblings in sunbathing and enjoying the hot summer day.



Chapter Six

It is a universal truth that a person in love is ten times more beautiful. This law of nature is proven right by Jensen Morgan, whose usual timeless beauty is intensified by anticipating the meeting with Jared Padalecki.

The whole evening while preparing for the night’s outing to the bar, the Morgan family has to endure Sandra Morgan’s complaints about a particularly nasty headache. Jeffrey D. Morgan’s offer to get some painkillers from the pharmacy is met with pained wails and scathing remarks about unloving husbands. It is clear to everyone that the migraine attack that has Sandra Morgan suffering so badly is not only because of the weather – which has not changed in the last two weeks – but is also the result of the abruptly ended conversation about shoe fashion at the breakfast table.

The siblings avoid crossing paths with their mother, and only Charisma tries once to cheer Mrs. Morgan up by informing her about Jared Padalecki’s intention to join them at the club. Surprisingly, this good news causes some more headaches, and Sandra Morgan informs the whole house with her wailing about the pitiable condition of her head.

All this pain and drama has no impact on Jensen Morgan’s good mood, and Wentworth is happy to notice a cheerful excitement where the get together with Mr. Padalecki is concerned. This anticipation is rarely to be seen with the oldest brother, and therefore is even more beautiful to behold.

At nine p.m., the Morgan siblings, without Masi Morgan, are soon prepared for their night of clubbing, and when the driver picks them up, they quickly leave to avoid their mother and her headache. It has been known that Mrs. Morgan’s poor health transferred to her children, leaving them too exhausted to leave the house for at least a night.

The long queue in front of the club does not stop the four siblings, and they get into the establishment without waiting, thanks to their father being a good friend of the club’s owner. Their family’s fame ensures that there is no complaining from the queuing people whose curious stares follow them inside.

The furniture of the club is sleek and modern and made of brushed steel and leather. The walls and parts of the ceiling are one gigantic aquarium. Colourful fish, plants, and sea creatures are illuminated in fluorescent blue light.

Tom and Charisma Morgan made a reservation, and now the siblings are seated in the back of the club where it is still possible to keep an eye on the dance floor but the noise level is much lower. It is easy to see that all four siblings are waiting for their guests, and the level of anxiousness rises with every minute that passes.

Although all are awaiting Jared Padalecki and his entourage, the reasons for anxiousness are varied. Whereas Charisma and Tom are just anxious as a matter of principle, Jensen Morgan feels a nervous flutter thinking about the charming young man that has taken a liking to him. Wentworth’s reason for anxiousness is somewhat different. The reason for the nervous fluttering in his stomach is not happy anticipation, but more of a displeased nature. The remarks about his intelligence that were made are still smarting him, and the wish and desire for retaliation is great.

Drinks are ordered, and Charisma’s and Tom’s high school clique is soon settling in at the table next to them. Idle chatter shortens the waiting time, and so none of them notice the time that goes by. Sooner than they thought, the party is joined by the five members of the Padalecki-Laurie entourage.

Jared Padalecki’s demeanour is of such joy and exuberance that the mood at both tables raises with his arrival, and soon everyone is settled and sipping on a drink.

From the moment of his arrival, Mr. Padalecki singles out Jensen Morgan, and his focus is rarely diverted from his chosen conversational companion. This single-mindedness does not allow anybody else to participate in the conversation, and so small groups are created to allow easier conversation.

To his dismay, Wentworth has to notice that his group does not only exclude his siblings and their friends, but also includes Milo Padalecki, Mr. and Mrs. Miles, and of course, Hugh Laurie. For the first couple of minutes, he pretends to listen to the conversation that apparently revolves around a new artistic talent that has the New York art scene in an uproar. Once the talk becomes more and more in-depth about various cultural instances and the who’s who of the scene, Wentworth tunes the group out and tries to listen in on the neighbouring table.

“Aren’t you of the same opinion, Mr. Morgan?”

At first, Milo Padalecki’s question does not cause a reaction from Wentworth, but when he feels four pairs of eyes on him, he glances at the group, becoming aware of the focus on his person.

“I am afraid I was not very attentive.”

“We were just talking about Philip Pearlstein and his personal style. I was wondering if you thought his paintings to be rather intriguing as well.”

Now it has to be said here that Milo Padalecki is a person whose airs are not to everyone’s liking, and Wentworth, who is already inclined to dislike the whole Padalecki entourage, cannot help but find fault with the other man’s tone of voice and demeanour.

“So you do not care for contemporary art. You prefer more trivial diversion.”

“I do not recall doing anything that might merit such censor. I do not overly care much for trivial diversion and contemporary art interests me.” It vexes Wentworth that the young man seems to find fault with him although they did not exchange words before.

“So you do care for the New York art scene?”

It is quite clear that Milo Padalecki dislikes Wentworth Morgan. The disdain that colours voice and eyes leaves little to the imagination about how disagreeable the young man is to him. The situation is about to get more out of hand, but, surprisingly, it is Mr. Laurie who deigns to pour oil on troubled water.

“I am sure that Mr. Morgan prefers local museums and galleries to the New York art scene. How did you like the Takashi Murakami exhibition at the MOCA?”

The question surprises Wentworth because of the artist asked after, and the person who posed it. It almost seems like Hugh Laurie is making an attempt to help him, but Wentworth knows that this cannot be the case. Mr. Laurie is an abominable person who thinks him to be unimaginative and idiotic. There is no way that the question asked is anything but an attempt to ridicule him further.

“I did not yet have the time to visit the exhibition, but the review in the Los Angeles Times was very positive and recommended the exhibition. I am planning to visit the MOCA soon.”

It is a very pleasant development that Jensen and Jared Padalecki join the discussion, and so Wentworth is spared Mr. Laurie’s scathing remarks about his tastes and knowledge of the arts. The conversation continues to revolve around the topic of young artists and the challenges of today’s time and art culture. It is a topic that Wentworth chooses not to discuss with certain persons present, and so he listens to the argument that has Mr. Padalecki and Mr. Laurie commenting on society and pop culture.

Just as he is about to abandon the group for a more interesting conversation at the neighbouring table, Mr. Hugh Laurie once more directs a question at Wentworth.

“What is your opinion on the commercialisation of classical art, especially with the examples of the Centre Pompidou and the Musée du Louvre?”

“I would not dare to assume that I know anything of value about such a controversial topic.” The young Morgan grants the table with a kind smile. It is obvious to everyone who knows Wentworth Morgan that he is preparing for a confrontation.

When Jared Padalecki also asks him to share his opinion on the topic, Wentworth excuses himself and leaves the table. He disappears into the crowd on the dance floor, where he finds David and a colleague from university. For the rest of the evening, he does not return to the table, successfully avoiding conversation with Hugh Laurie or the disagreeable Milo Padalecki.