A/N: I have recently been watching Sanditon and this little idea wouldn't leave me alone. Basically, it takes a slight detour from that final scene on the cliffs. Mostly because I wanted to bring back "I do not think of you at all" ;) Title is from "That's How You Get The Girl" by Taylor Swift, which also partly inspired this fic and is quoted at the start of both chapters. You may also recognise a few lines/inspirations drawn from other Jane Austen works and also the Sound of Music. Anyways, hope you enjoy it :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Get The Girl

...
Tell her how you must've lost your mind
When you left her all alone and never told her why
And that's how it works
That's how you lost the girl
...

"Tell me you don't think too badly of me."

It had been on the tip of her tongue to pretend that it was fine, to smile and assure him that she understood. This could well be the last time she ever saw him, or at least the last time that they could be honest with each other, and she wanted so desperately to ease his suffering. To assure him that, though she still loved him, it was fine. She was fine.

But in a startling moment of clarity she realised that such assurances would do neither of them any good. If they were only to meet as common and indifferent acquaintances for ever after then it would be best to start now.

So instead she ignored the tears blurring her vision and gave him a forced, brittle smile. "But I do not think of you at all, Mr Parker," she replied, trying to keep her tone light or, at the very least, neutral.

Mindful that she could not keep up the façade of indifference for long, she took advantage of his momentary shock to make a half curtsy and disappear into the carriage.

She willed herself not to look back.

If she had truly intended this to be a final meeting between them, her actions had the complete opposite effect on the man in question. Sidney Parker had had his own moment of clarity and in it he had seen a Charlotte Heywood who no longer wore her heart on her sleeve. Her answer showed him how she would repeat his mistakes: that she would harden her heart and make herself hard in the process.

And Charlotte Heywood – his Charlotte Heywood – was not hard or fragile or…hurt, she was soft and kind and full of life.

He could not do this to her.

If it had only been his own happiness at stake, it would not signify but he would be damned if he broke her even more than he already had.

Vaulting onto his horse, Sidney galloped back towards Sanditon.

"Tom, you know I love you and that I will do anything for you," he began without preamble, bursting into his brother's study, "but I will not sacrifice Miss Heywood."

Tom blinked at him in surprise, "Charlotte? What has she do with any of this?"

"She is my match and better half, as surely as Mary is yours," Sidney avowed with quiet conviction. "This will break her heart and I can not – I will not – do it. Not even for you," he added his tone and stance taking on a stubborn, dangerous edge.

"And I would never ask you to," Tom replied, looking askance. "Sidney, I would never want you to sacrifice your – or anyone else's – happiness," he added earnestly, "not even for Sanditon."

Sidney raised an eyebrow and Tom had to grace to look a little ashamed of himself.

"I confess I was willing not to look too closely at a situation that was so advantageous to myself," he admitted ruefully, "but I can not ask you to do this for me," he added, meeting Sidney's eye. "I am touched that you would even consider doing so but, my dear brother, do not give me the grief of making my dreams come true at the expense of yours." He paused, "I have been selfish and single-minded in my pursuit of success, but even I baulk at this," he continued with a self-deprecating smile.

"You are a good man, Tom, and I will do everything in my power to help you," Sidney promised, "just…not this."

"You are the best of brothers, Sidney," Tom said quietly, "and I will not forget what you considered doing for me."

In a rare display of the deep, brotherly affection that existed between them, the two men hugged.

"I must see Mrs Campion," Sidney said with a grimace as they broke apart.

Tom winced in sympathy, "I'll have the brandy waiting."