A/N: Yep, this is the story I mentioned. And, yes...I know I'm probably going to be tarred and feathered for this one. First, let me say that I am whole heartedly a CarsonxHughes shipper. Second, we can blame some of this story on dear PL. She's so dang good that she has chemistry onscreen with so many of the men that, well...shrug. Third, this story came about after a rewatching (one of many) of the Christmas Special. The way Carson talks to Mrs. Hughes when she finds him with Sybbie...the look on her face just breaks my heart. That coupled with the way he talked to her several times during Series/Season 3 and well...I was ticked off at him. Really, it's Carson's fault. So now, without further comment...

Elsie sat at her desk, noise from the kitchen not registering even though Mrs. Patmore was yelling at one of the poor scullery maids. The housekeeper's mind was fixed on the news she'd received in the telegram she was currently staring down at.

"How could he do this?" she asked the empty room. Her heart breaking, she didn't hear the knock on her door and was startled by the sound of Mrs. Patmore's voice.

"Mrs. Hughes?" the cook said her name as she moved closer. "What is it?" she asked as she placed her hand on the other woman's shoulder.

Elsie wiped at her tears and shook her head. "It's nothing, Mrs. Patmore."

"Of course it's nothing. I always find the housekeeper in her sitting room crying."

Elsie sighed as she pulled out her handkerchief. "This," she whispered as she held out the paper that had caused her tears.

Mrs. Patmore's eyes widened as she finished reading. "He wouldn't do that to you. Not after," she stopped at the sob that escaped her friend's careful control. "He cares about you. Doesn't he?"

"I though so, but it would seem I was wrong."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hughes. Why don't you take a walk? I'll have tea waiting."

"Thank you. I won't be gone long." Elsie told her friend as she stood and pulled on her coat.

"Don't you worry about that." Mrs. Patmore watched her friend walk away and shook her head, cursing Charles Carson for being such a bloody fool.

EEE

Elsie took a deep breath as she entered the kitchen, hoping that Mrs. Patmore was alone, breathing a sigh of relief when her hope was realized. "Mrs. Patmore."

"Better?" Mrs. Patmore asked as she stood and moved over to pour hot water into the teapot. "I held some dinner back for you."

"Thank you. And, no, not really, but I have come to a decision."

"Oh?"

"Yes." Elsie nodded. "I have. I'm going to London."

Mrs. Patmore raised her eyebrow at that. "You are?"

"You're more than capable of seeing to things here." Elsie sighed as she sipped her tea. Looking up at her friend, she continued, "I have to see for myself. Maybe she misinterpreted what she saw."

Seeing the determination in her friend's eyes, Mrs. Patmore nodded. "Yes, I can see to things here. Go on and pack. I'm sure you've already purchased your ticket."

Elsie smiled slightly at her friend. "You know me too well, Mrs. Patmore."

"Go on with you." Mrs. Patmore shooed her friend out of the kitchen, thinking that she didn't know Elsie at all. She only knew Mrs. Hughes. She had thought Mr. Carson knew Elsie, but now that she thought about it…

Did anyone know Elsie?

EEE

Charles laughed at something the woman he was with whispered in his ear, not realizing they were being watched. The raven haired woman tucked her hand in the crook of his arm, smiling when he reached out to squeeze it. "You're lovely today, my dear."

Elsie heard his words, heard the way his voice lowered, and felt her heart breaking all over again. Her friend had been right.

Charles Carson was walking out with a woman here in London and didn't seem to be giving Elsie a second thought.

Well, if that's the way things were, so be it. She'd come prepared.

Swallowing down the urge to cry out at him, she turned and started walking in the direction of Grantham House.

As she walked, Elsie thought of all the times she and Charles had walked like that on their rare trips into the village together that didn't involve walking to church. How many times had he laughed at something she'd told him? How many times had they lingered by the water just to spend extra time being with each other? She had thought those times meant something, but he had never once looked at her the way he was looking at the woman on his arm today.

"Hello, Mr. Bates. Why are you answering the door?" she asked several minutes later, thankful that she hadn't been far from Grantham House.

"I was closest." Bates answered. "What are you doing here? Has something happened at Downton?"

"Nothing has happened at home," she assured him.

Bates nodded. "If you've come to see Mr. Carson, I'm afraid he's taken the day off."

Elsie could see the look on the man's face and felt sorry for him. "It's alright, Mr. Bates. I know that Mr. Carson is out." Her voice was icy as she spoke, making Bates blink in surprise.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hughes."

"No need to be, Mr. Bates. Is Lord or Lady Grantham at home?"

"His Lordship is. I'll take your coat and then show you to the library."

"I won't be staying long and I can find my way."

Bates watched his friend as she made her way to the library, the set of her shoulders telling him that whatever she had to say to their employer wasn't good. The thought that she might be leaving Downton crossed his mind, but then he shook his head. Mrs. Hughes would never leave the Abbey.

Would she?