Hi there! Since the Chelsie Anon has left me three plot bunnies already and I haven't written anything yet, I've decided to put all my responses together like other people in here have done, which is a very good idea.

I thought of it also as a way of apologizing since I haven't updated "A Little Courage" yet (chapter fourteen is being betaread ^^').

This collection isn't betaread so, since English isn't my mothertongue, if you find any mistakes, please send me a PM and I'll be happy to correct it.

Enjoy (?)

Elsie had admonished him to leave the serving on the sand covered beach to the younger and more agile footmen but he had taken her remark as a slight to his abilities as Butler and insisted on being in attendance the entire day. Charles performed admirably but at the very end of the day, he was hot and tired and took a misstep in the sand. They both heard a loud popping sound followed by a crack as he collapsed into a heap on the sand. What happens next?

He sat on her settee with a grunt of pain.

After his fall on the beach, Mrs Hughes had given him first aid and then disposed for him to be taken home by the chauffeur. And there he was, in the housekeeper's parlour in Downton Abbey while the family was still on the beach and Thomas held the reins of the staff.

She had disappeared from sight after having helped him to sit and he couldn't help but sigh in frustration.

"Come on, Mr Carson, you just twisted your ankle. There's no reason to puff and pant like that," came her Scottish brogue from the doorway.

"Oh, Mrs Hughes, this is a catastrophe. What must the family think?"

"They will probably be worried about you, hoping you've not hurt yourself too badly," she offered while fussing around her desk.

"They will, of course they will. They hold very high the well-being of their servants."

Elsie tried not to roll her eyes at the ceiling. That man would never change. He was on her settee with a twisted ankle and he still went on praising the Crawleys. She finally found what she was looking for and made her way towards him.

"Now if you stay still, I'll see what I can do with to lessen your pain while we wait for Doctor Clarkson."

"Did you call him?"

"Of course I called him! I'm no nurse myself, thank you very much!"

"Well, you're very skilled in providing first aid," he commented.

She smiled at him. "Why, thank you, Doctor Carson," she replied ironically while taking his ankle in her hands and carefully examining it. He let out a tiny whimper of pain. She gasped and mumbled something.

"What?" he asked.

"You still have little splinters of glass in your ankle. Stay still, please."

He watched fascinated as she furrowed her brow in concentration while she struggled to extract the splinters with a pair of tweezers. Her lips were set in a thin line and her eyes were focused on his damaged expanse of skin.

He smiled at that, seeing her so concentrated and caring made his heart swell with pride and love. They had always cared about each other as good friends but it was these little moments he enjoyed the most. He loved when they had the chance to be alone together, at night while sharing a glass of wine or occasionally during the day.

He loved being with her, making jokes and laughing or just talking quietly and discussing household matters. He enjoyed those casual touches they shared during the day and in that moment he was enjoying the warmth of her little hands on his skin.

"Mr Carson?" the sound of her voice brought him out of his reverie.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Hughes, I was miles away."

"Better for you then, you haven't made a sound while I extracted the splinters."

He looked at his ankle, surprised. He must have made a funny face, for she burst out laughing. "Thank you for your trust, Mr Carson! Didn't you know I'm an excellent nurse? Everyone keeps telling me."

He chuckled at that. "A very excellent nurse, Mrs Hughes, I grant you that." Then he boldly reached out for her, taking her hand. "Thank you, Mrs Hughes… Elsie."

She looked at him and smiled shyly. "You've nothing to thank me for, Mr Carson."

He pulled gently at her and she sat next to him. He didn't know if it was the pain that went to his head, or the look of her, so nice and pretty in her dark blue dress. He only knew he kissed her.

It was just a quick peck on the lips but it was enough to make her blush a little.

He suddenly started to worry. Was she upset? Had he been too forward? Of course he had. "Please forgive my impertinence, Mrs Hughes. I…"

She squeezed his hand to interrupt him. "If you thank me in this way, well…"

"I know I've been too forward and I…" he continued.

"…I think it might be a very welcome thank you," she concluded.

He stopped in mid sentence and looked at her, surprised again. "But then, when didn't this woman surprise me?" he thought.

She took advantage of the moment to place a soft kiss on his lips, emboldened by his behaviour towards her. He wrapped his arms around her waist almost timidly, while kissing her back.

When they separated, he smiled at her, flushed and breathless. "Why, Elsie. I have everything to thank you for."

I hope you've enjoyed this first moment. How about leaving a review to show your (dis)approval?