A/N: Well, I wasn't planning on such a soon update. However, I have some POSSIBLE bad news. My dad got laid off and we MIGHT get rid of our internet. But, we might not. So if I disappear, you know why. But I'll try to get to the library and update. We'll see…

As for what Richard looks like, lol. I thought it was funny how 2 people said James McAvoy. Not really how I picture him, lol. Perhaps Mr. Jenson…or maybe I picture Jenson to look like Jonathon Horton from the US Men's gymnastic team, I dunno. I picture Richard as blond with brown eyes, tall and lean, but muscular. The closest resemblance for face is maybe Alexander Artemev, also from the Us Men's gymnastics team. LOL, remember, I started this fic at about the time the Olympics were on. Still, I'm not sure that's really how I picture him. Maybe Paul Walker, but he's almost too pretty. Haha

Another q: am I the only one who wonders if Mary would've been pretty according to today's standards? Views of beauty were different back then.

Blah dee blah. I don't know what to think of this chapter. First I like it, then I don't, and then I like it again. Well, I hope YOU like it. I suppose that's what matters. Caution: Emo Mary, but some Richard sweetness. -

Mary went to church the next morning without her family. The Bennets regularly attended church but on occasion missed it. This was one of those occasions, for, finally being free of Mr. Collins most members desired a much needed rest. Mary, invigorated by the prospect of her possible engagement and being very strict on herself about making it to church every week, felt differently about going and attended by herself. While there she apprehended poor Mr. Singleton and excitedly told him about Mr. Collins' soon return and how it could only mean he was planning on proposing. Richard listened to all this with a grim expression that Mary didn't notice. Upon Mary's arrival home she passed by Charlotte Lucas, who was leaving, and gave her a cheery hello. It wasn't until after lunch, when she was sitting with her sisters and mother that her cheery disposition fell.

Sir Lucas had come to call on them and, after a few pointless words, went on to announce:

"It is my pleasure to announce the unification of our two houses and family's. For Mr. Collins has proposed to my eldest daughter Charlotte and she has agreed to accept him."

Poor Mary spilled her hot tea on her lap at this announcement, adding injury to insult. It couldn't be! He was going to propose to her! She wasn't the only one shocked for Mrs. Bennet, and even Lydia, protested that this was impossible, though it was in regards to Mr. Collins' proposal to Lizzy. Mary's stomach churned inside her as she hoped the matter would be cleared up and that Sir William Lucas had been mistaken. Unfortunately, Lizzy assured them of the truth of this atrocity.

"It is true." Lizzy said, lifting her head up to look at her family. "Charlotte told me herself this morning."

Mary's heart crashed into the pit of her stomach just as it did when she heard of Mr. Collins' proposal to Lizzy. The world seemed to stop as the conversation around her faded into oblivion. She sat as still as a statue, staring at the floor, barely breathing and thinking of nothing. Her face was hot but she took no notice of it.

It wasn't until after Sir Lucas left that she came around, for Mrs. Bennet had much to say on the subject and in such a shrill voice at that. Mrs. Bennet's monologue started to reach Mary's ears at about the time she was chiding Lizzy for refusing him. Mary wished it hadn't however, for as the rest of the ladies were leaving the room, and Mary was still sitting there, she heard her mother say, "If only Mary had been prettier. I told that silly girl to do something with that hair of hers, but she listens to her poor mamma no better than you do Elizabeth."

Mary stared at the door blankly for a few minutes unable to move. Finally, she got up slowly and made her way to the door. She wasn't quite sure how she got there for her mind wasn't present. She went toward the front door in the about the same fashion and stepped outside. She continued toward the outside gate and once she crossed it a sudden force moved inside of her and she broke out into a run.

Richard Singleton had been going for a ride in the woods to clear his head when he heard a piteous sob. He stopped and looked around, and finally spotted a ways off a figure slumped in a sitting position at the base of a large oak tree. It appeared to be a young woman crying, and as he approached the figure, he discovered it to be none other than his dearest friend Mary Bennet. He stopped his horse abruptly, flung himself off of it, and ran to her.

"Mary! Mary, are you alright!" He asked in concern, kneeling next to her, and placing a hand on her shoulder. Mary looked up startled, face flushed and covered with tears. Seeing it was only Mr. Singleton, her shocked expression fell away and she resumed her crying.

"I-It is m-most awful!" She forced out as she cried.

"What? Are you hurt? Is-is everyone in your family alright?"

"M-Mr. Collins...I can't say it! I don't want to say it! It will only make it true."

"Is Mr. Collins alright?" Richard asked, trying not to be too hopeful.

"Oh, I'm sure he's alright and I'm sure that dreadful Charlotte Lucas is quite happy with herself that he is!" Mary shot out spitefully.

"Miss Lucas?"

"Yes...that...that...HER! Oh, it is too awful!" Mary said, and resumed crying.

"Did...something happen between Mr. Collins and Miss Lucas? Are they attached?" Richard asked, frowning at his broken-hearted friend.

"Engaged!" Mary finally let out, and broke out into a sob.

Richard felt his own heart crash into his stomach as he witnessed Mary's sorrow.

"Mary...I'm sorry." he said softly.

"I-it's not your fault." she said.

Richard gave her a sad smile and, disregarding propriety, placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. They stayed that way for quite some time, until Mary was ready to return home.

The days dragged on quite dreadfully for poor Mary. How could she have been so stupid? How could she not have known? Mr. Collins choosing her? It would have been too good, too silly, to be true. She had foolishly lost herself in stupid emotions, something she had promised herself never to do. Who would have picked a silly, pathetic, unattractive thing such as herself? What made it really hard was Miss Lucas, that dreadful Miss Lucas, was not exactly pretty herself. It was a hard thought for Mary to consider that she was uglier than the town's plain spinster. In fact, she must be the most hideous young lady in all of Hertfordshire! Mary covered the mirror in her room with one of her coats. She didn't dare look in it ever again.

It wasn't helpful that her mother continually moaned about it, for if she ever had the ability to think of something else the matter was quickly called back to attention by Mrs. Bennet's wailing. Mary spent the days locked in her room as much as possible, only emerging for church or perhaps mealtimes. It didn't matter to her if people came over to visit and her family felt it proper for her to be downstairs. She picked at her food during meals barely eating anything. She hardly played on the piano, unless it was the most dreary piece in the entire world. Unsurprisingly, her family didn't notice her change in behavior. Mrs. Bennet was in too much of tizzy over Mr. Collins' engagement and over Mr. Bingley who had departed abruptly. Jane had her own heartbreak to deal with because of her attachment to Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth focused her concern on her. Kitty and Lydia were quite preoccupied with themselves and soldiers. As for her father, he was too concerned with being unconcerned about the majority of his family to notice.

But she supposed there wasn't much to notice anyway. She was always a fairly quiet person, keeping to herself and staring at her books. They probably enjoyed a little extra silence from her anyway, for whenever she spoke in the past it was some observation that hadn't been very welcomed.

About two weeks later Mr. Collins returned. It was something she would have previously looked forward to, but now it was absolutely dreadful. Every time she saw him she wished he would notice her, open his eyes, and realize she was the one for him, not that odious Charlotte. Mary had always liked Charlotte well enough, but now she was the most despicable creature on the face of the earth.

"It's absolutely sickening!" She related to Richard one Sunday morning. "He's always at her house, he's never at Longbourn. And if he's not there, then he brings that woman over to intrude upon us. It's the most horrific sight, seeing the two of them together. They're just not a good match, not at all. He deserves someone much better. Everything would have worked out fine if she hadn't stuck her large nose into our...my...business!"

Christmas came and went, the Gardiners arrived, and Mary hardly noticed. Half the presents she received were dresses and other such nonsense she didn't want, though she did receive a nice book from Mr. Singleton that she had had her eye on. She accepted all these with quiet gratitude, too emotionally drained to give her usual grimace of displeasure. A week after the Gardiner's arrival they left for their home in London, taking Jane with them.

Finally, the most terrible day in all of history arrived, Mr. Collins' marriage to Miss Lucas. She found herself sitting in the church next to Kitty. Luckily, the rest of the family seated themselves on the opposite side of Kitty. Mary had no desire to be near any of them.

Richard, leaving poor Mr. Jenson to fend off Maria Lucas alone, approached the Bennets. He greeted them and was therefore greeted in return. Richard took the vacant spot next to Mary and leaned into her.

"I'm surprised you came." He muttered quietly in her ear. Mary let out a disdainful sigh.

"My attempts to convince my mother I felt ill were futile. Seeing as I hadn't a fever she insisted I had to attend if she did."

Richard gave her a sympathetic smile. Shortly, Mr. Collins came and stood at the altar awaiting his bride. Mary looked at him longingly, hoping their eyes would meet and he would awaken to the fact that he was making a terrible mistake. To her complete astonishment he did look over towards Mary and Richard but it was to Richard he gave an odd look. Richard glowered at him in return. Confused, Mary looked at Richard.

"What do you suppose that look was about?" she questioned. Richard looked at Mary and shrugged his shoulders.

"I haven't a clue." Richard said. "I suppose he finds me charming."

To Richard's content Mary snickered at this statement, but that soon died away as the music started up for the ceremony. Mary refused to look at the bride as she came down the aisle. As the ceremony started Mary kept her gaze on the pew in front of her, battling the threatening tears.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the Presence of our Holy and Divine God to witness the union…"

It was the worst thing Mary ever had to witness. Tears fell down her face and she sniffled quite a bit. Kitty thought she was crying over the beauty of the ceremony and offered her handkerchief to Mary with many giggles.

Richard felt Mary's discontentment and he was at a loss of what to do. He had no enjoyment seeing Mary so upset and his thoughts were full of contemplations on how to achieve her felicity. Unfortunately, there was only one thing he could think of and it wasn't a very pleasant thing for a nice, young man such as himself to partake in. He found no enjoyment in rudeness to others; however, cheering Mary up was his priority. After all, it would be at the expense of one of the persons who were responsible for her misery. He grabbed a smashed quill and a wrinkled parchment out of his pocket and scribbled a quick message. He handed it to Mary.

"I charge you and any witnesses who know of any reason that these two should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony to bring forth confession…"

Mary opened the note to read:

"Miss Lucas looks FAT in her dress."

Poor Mary snorted loudly enough to attract the attention of her family and a few of the surrounding people. Mary attempted to camouflage her outburst by leaning over, covering her mouth, and coughing. Kitty clapped her a few times on the back in concern while Mary covered her face, shoulders shaking in laughter. Richard turned his head away from all witnesses to laugh silently as well.

Mary finally recovered and gave Mr. Singleton a glare. Richard smiled sheepishly in return.

"Must you make me snort so loudly at such a time and place as this?" She muttered under her breath.

"My apologies. I was hoping to cheer you up."

The service continued and Mary did all she could to force her attentions elsewhere.

"What God has joined together let man not separate…"

Finally, the ceremony ended. The reverend closed his Bible with finality as those last words rung in Mary's ears. All Mary could do was sit and stare at the pulpit in disbelief. It was finished, it had happened. That was it; there was no more hope, no more possibility. She barely heard Lydia as she bullied Mary for crying at such a dull ceremony, informing her that even Mr. Singleton had been laughing at her. Mary was finally brought out of her melancholy meditation when Mrs. Bennet snapped at her that it was time to head for home. Mr. Singleton gave her a final sympathetic smile as she left.

About an hour later Mary found herself sitting at the same oak tree she had been crying at after she was informed of Mr. Collins engagement to Charlotte Lucas. She was crying this time as well, but the tears were silent as she stared off into the trees. She was made aware of another's presence by the sound of a small rustle. She looked up briefly to see that it was only Mr. Singleton, and then continued to gaze sadly into the distance. Wordlessly, Richard sat down next to her. It was her time to disregard propriety as she laid her head on his shoulder, tears trickling silently down her face. He said not a word to her and she said not a word to him. They sat that way for a very long time; neither was sure for how long. After the sun moved quite a distance, Mary stood up and brushed herself off.

"Thank you, Mr. Singleton," she said quietly.

"Mary..."

"Yes?"

Mr. Singleton stood there looking as if he wanted to say something.

"I...you're welcome." He said.

Mary gave him a small smile and turned to walk off.

"Wait!" he said. She turned around.

"I...I'll walk you home."

Mary nodded and the two walked off together.

Well, there it is. Mary will still be a little more emo next chap, but then it'll get more cheery.

No quotes, YAY! Except: "What God has joined together let man not separate…" Mark 10:9 And the other parts of the ceremony I just kinda made them from my memory of standard wedding ceremonies. Okey dokey. I hope the next chap will be with us soon. :)