Ch.2 to this lovely fic of "Forever Thankful, the Bennets"

Thank you to all my darling readers. Me and my bud had a wonderful and jolly time writing this.

Author notes on Ch1: Jane is with ma & pa Bennet in Lambton (sorry for not being very clear) to find a cheaper doctor.

Elizabeth Bennet woke up to weather that reflected her mood- a haze hung thick in the air and drizzling rain made the day even more miserable than it already was.

She slowly got out of bed and moved towards the window, where she saw a fresh dress draped over the bench. She wandered aimlessly around the room, picking up a mirror off the nightstand and a small book out of the drawer. The book contained poetry from several famous authors of the 1700s.

As she flipped through it, she thought only of Jane, and how worried her family must be. She hurriedly dressed and made for the door. Flinging open the door, she didn't see Darcy coming. The two almost collided, and Darcy begged her pardon.

"Miss Bennet, do forgive me. I was coming to tell you that my manservant reached your family. I know a doctor that could help your sister and I wanted your permission before I contacted him," Darcy said.

Elizabeth was taken aback, but answered quickly, "Mr. Darcy, I could never except such kindness from you and I thank you, but that act would be unnecessary."

"With my financial status, I could easily afford to pay the doctor, and it would be no blow to my assets."

Elizabeth blushed a little and looked down. "I'm not sure it's quite necessary, but thank you for the offer. If you mean it to help Jane, then we would forever thankful."

"After brunch, I'll travel back to Lambton to see about getting Jane that doctor. Join me, I presume?"

"Thank you very much, Mr. Darcy. You are too kind, but I'm no that hungry and I would really like to get back to my sister." Elizabeth was quite afraid Jane had gotten worse with the pouring rain of the night.

"Should I bring a carriage around for you?" Darcy said, worried about Elizabeth.

"I am much obliged, but I wouldn't feel quite right to take your carriage without you coming along. I'd hate to make you miss breakfast." She left without another word and she was soon out the door, before Darcy could make any protests.

Elizabeth hurried to Lambton, still distraught over Jane. She could only hope that Jane had not worsened and that Mr. Bennet had found a steady doctor. After much walking and sprinting, she reached Lambton around noon, and hurried back to the inn where they were staying.

As she entered the room that Jane was in, she saw everyone standing by the window. Jane was lying in her bed, looking very ill. A different doctor than before was examining her and Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder if this was indeed Darcy's friend.

"Jane! Oh Jane, how are you?" Elizabeth whispered, kneeling down next to the bed. The doctor moved over to the nightstand and took measurements of several different colored liquids. Mixing two in a bottle and keeping a third separate, he handed them to Mrs. Bennet. He also gave her a card.

"The clear liquid is for Jane's cough. Take one teaspoon as needed every 4-6 hours. The greenish-yellow combination is for her fever. It should bring it down to a safer temperature. Be careful, for her condition could deteriorate with the slightest mis-dosing. If she does not improve, send for me at once." With that, the doctor left the room and Jane looked a little less pale.

"Oh, Elizabeth," her mom exclaimed, "I have been so worried and no one knows who this doctor is. He just showed up this morning, saying he was sent and I could do nothing to object. He said all the costs were paid for, which I don't understand at all."

"A man showed up here last night, claiming that you were safe in Pemberly and would return today. Don't you go off scaring us like this again, alright Lizzy?" Mr. Bennet muttered, going to sit in the chair by the nightstand.

Everyone looked tired, but hopeful that the new doctor's medicines could make Jane well once again.

"All of you ought to rest a little. I will stay with Jane. I heard the doctor's instructions, I know what to do," Elizabeth said, glancing from her mother to her father, then to Jane.

"I believe we'll take full advantage of that offer. We'll be back in an hour or so," Mr. Bennet said, stifling a yawn. Mrs. Bennet followed her husband out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

As soon as they were gone, Jane mumbled, "Lizzy? You gave us all a scare… we thought something had happened to you…..Shouldn't run off like that….." Jane drifted back off into an uneasy slumber.

Lizzy smiled because Jane seemed to have some of her old self back. She laid her head on the pillow next to her sister, thinking about Darcy, and how surprisingly kind he was being.

End Ch. 2. Hope you all liked it. Sorry for the previous confusion. Much appreciated comments. It's a little short, but we are working on it.