Authors Note: Just a short one-shot, I admit I'm quite exhausted so I'm very unsure on how I like this one, but I wanted to get another one up quickly! Thank you all so much for your sweet reviews!

Marianne watched her sister and future brother in law with fondness, taking Colonel Brandon's gloved hand as she made her way into the carriage behind them. His touch, though his hand was covered, distracted her from thoughts of Edward and Elinor's future wedding (which was coming up very soon! And oh, were the Dashwood's overcome with joy!) and sent her mind elsewhere - towards the unfamiliar romantic thoughts of Colonel Brandon. She realized then that she wished he had taken off his glove, so that she could feel his warm skin on her hand. He had held her hand once, during a short walk through the gardens. She still was not as healthy as she'd like to be, and frequently had dizzy spells. He had given her his hand and stood close, so close that his coat brushed against her skirts, offering her his strength when her own was nearly nonexistitent And the sensation of her small, frail hand in his much larger one seemed to have awoken feelings that she hadn't realized she had before. And those feelings had only grown stronger since then. When she was in his presence, she felt...at peace. And when he was gone, she felt as though there was a hole inside of her that was only filled when he returned. After he read to her, his voice seemed to fill her mind for the hours to come. How hadn't she realized how warm and lovely his voice was before? Or seen how much passion he had for literature, just as she did? The idea of a romance with Colonel Brandon no longer seemed so ghastly as it had before. His friendship, while it was once more of an annoyance for her months ago, had become one of the things that she held most dear. She had surprised herself when she first realized how close she had truly gotten to the Colonel, like when he had to leave for London for a week and she found that she missed his company and their daily conversations fiercely.

Elinor and Edward sat by each other, heads leaning towards each other as they spoke in soft whispers about anything and everything, eager to have a moment of peace together before they arrived at the Palmers for their dinner party. Colonel Brandon sat by Marianne, careful to have a respectable distance between them. Willoughby had tainted her reputation enough, and though they were practically alone, knowing they were the furthest thing from Elinor and Edward's minds, he wanted to be sure that he didn't do anything that could possibly taint it any further. Even if his hands were itching to hold hers again after he helped her into the carriage. Besides, he thought, she had given him no reason for him to believe that his touch would be desired.

"I believe they are rather looking forward to their wedding." She said, glancing up at him with a smile. "I can hardly believe they've managed to wait this long to be married!" The couple had decided to wait for marriage until Edward had settled in his parish, in order to make sure that his home would be suitable and prepared for his wife long before her arrival, despite Elinor's argument against this when he first suggested it. Elinor, unlike her two sisters, did not require nor desire many fancy novelties or trinkets. All she wanted, she had told Edward, was to be his wife and partner, and all she needed was a place to sleep, food to eat, and clothing to wear. She did, however, enjoy the time that they had before becoming man and wife. She had confided in Marianne, telling her that she was thankful to have had the ability to have extra time to get to know her betrothed better. Of course, they would learn many more things about one another when they were tied together by marriage, but there was no denying that this time of courtship was sweet and something to be treasured.

Marianne realized, as she gazed upon them with excitement and happiness, that she envied them. If her face could turn colors, she imagined it would be green with the envy she felt deep in her heart. Do not be mistaken, she was filled with joy, she felt that joy from her head to her toes, for her sister. She had never expected that her sister would find true love, not that she was unlovable by any means, but because Elinor was realistic. Too realistic. Where Marianne was full of sensiblity, Elinor had sense. She would've settled for a good man, a Godly man, who would take care of her and their future family. She would've been happy with a good man, even if there was no true love in their relationship. She could've lived a life without romance and passion..but Marianne was so pleased that she didn't have to. Marianne wondered if her envy was simply left over remorse and anger over how her relationship with Willoughby had ended on such terrible terms, over how she had allowed herself to be swept away so quickly and fooled so easily by a man like Willoughby - and what for? He had been everything she had desired in her entire life, but those things were simply the outside part of a man. Had she cared about what was on the inside? She hadn't worried about his heart, hadn't bothered to ask him about his beliefs on important things, on if he wanted a family, on what he needed in a wife, or if he had even wanted a wife in general. How had she been so foolish?

"Miss Marianne," Colonel Brandon started, turning his head towards hers sublety, as to not draw attention. He kept his voice low and quiet, concern painted clearly in his eyes. "Are you well? You have been silent for the entire ride, and you were quiet in the cottage as well." As usual, Colonel Brandon was perceptive, as usual. He had learned many things about Marianne since he had met her, and he knew that when she was silent, she was either ill, or upset. If she was in such deep thought about good things, she wouldn't be able to keep her thoughts to herself. She, he had realized, had very little control over her mouth. It was something that most people would be annoyed with at times, as she also did not seem to have a filter and she had no desire to hide her feelings on certain matters (or people!) but he felt that it was a breath of fresh air. It was pleasant to be around someone who did not hide their true feelings. He remembered Mrs. Jennings telling her that she would have to consider settling down, to be a proper woman like Elinor, or her sister in law, if she wanted to find a husband. No husband, she had warned Marianne, would want a wife with her personality, not unless it had been tamed. Colonel Brandon would gladly take her as his wife, wild personality at all. He couldn't imagine Marianne losing herself in such a way.

"I am well, Colonel Brandon. My thoughts seem to have taken over, I suppose." She looked up at him with the intention of giving him a smile, and beginning a conversation. They were not quite at their destination, and she did not want to spend the entire journey in utter silence. She had given up any hope for conversation with the couple in front of them, but she was still hopeful for one with the Colonel. She had missed him, she realized, after not seeing him for days. But when she looked up, lifting her chin towards him, she saw how close they were. If she leaned in, just slightly, their noses would graze each other. Her mind went to a place that she had never been, placing an image of herself, lips in a soft, shy embrace with the Colonel, and she quickly turned her head down as fast as she had looked up, hoping to hide her blush. What was coming over her?