A/N: So here is the story I mentioned on tumblr in my post about Green. I know where it's going, though it might take a bit to get there because I'm also working on an AU CarsonxHughes story. Those that have seen Series/Season 4 of DA will know what Green did, those that haven't but choose to read this story anyway, will know just by inference because I'm not going to go into detail. Green is but just a small part of this story...you'll see what I mean as it goes along. As of the beginning of this story, there isn't any CarsonxHughes relationship other than being friends. Whether more than that happens later, I don't know...that bit hasn't worked itself out yet.

Edith walked on shaking legs towards Mrs. Hughes' sitting room. With a trembling hand, she knocked on the door and waited for a response. When none came, she looked about to make sure no one saw her. Positive no one was lurking about, she slipped into the dark room and closed the door behind her. Carefully making her way to the chair she'd seen across the room, she sat down and waited, the letter she'd brought with her rattling slightly as she tried to control her trembles.

Mrs. Hughes would know what to do, she would know how to fix this. She'd always known how to fix the messes Edith had found herself in as a young girl. Aunt Rosamund had been amazingly supportive, but she was in London. Edith needed someone here at home to turn to and no one else could be trusted not to judge, to react badly. Just her Mrs. Hughesy, as she'd called the housekeeper as a girl. The nickname had never gone over well with the family, but Mrs. Hughes had always winked and smiled at her letting her know that it was alright.

She knew that Mrs. Hughes didn't look upon the family as Mr. Carson did, but the woman was kind, and Edith couldn't help but remember what the housekeeper done for Ethel Parks. Hearing a noise at the door, Edith closed her eyes to wait.

Elsie sighed as she opened the door to her sitting room and turned on the light. Shutting the door, she gasped when she turned around and found that she wasn't alone. "My Lady?" she whispered. "What is it?"

Edith opened her eyes and looked up, tears falling at the kindness and worry she saw in the blue eyes looking at her, patiently waiting for an answer. Swallowing down the urge to bolt, she held out her letter.

Elsie noticed the trembling hand as she moved to take the letter the young woman held out to her. Reading it, she blinked in surprise as she looked back at Edith. "Oh," she whispered when the young woman leaned forward, her head resting against Elsie's chest as she sobbed. "There now, Miss Edith," she used the name she'd called Edith as a girl, somehow knowing it would help to soothe her.

"Oh Mrs. Hughes. What am I going to do?"

"You must tell your parents, child." Elsie told her softly, her hand gently caressing Edith's hair.

"I can't. They," she shook her. "Oh no. I just can't."

"Someone in the family must be told, My Lady."

"Aunt Rosamund knows." Edith whispered as she continued to rest against Elsie.

"Then why not go to her?"

"She offered to help, but I," Edith stopped talking and began to cry again, her fists grasping at Elsie's skirts.

"Oh dear girl." Elsie sighed as she wrapped her arms fully around her, gently rocking her back and forth. "Shh. We'll think of something then. Your Mrs. Hughesy promises."

The kind words only made Edith sob, "You remember."

"Of course I do, dear girl. You were the only one to have a nickname for me. Even dear Lady Sybil never had a nickname for me."

"I miss her." Edith breathed as she calmed.

"As do we all. Now, come on. Dry your tears." Elsie smiled kindly as she was released. Sitting down in her desk chair, she held Edith's hand. "How long, dear?"

"I've at least four months before it's noticeable."

Elsie nodded. "That gives us time then."

"Mrs. Hughes?"

"Yes?"

"Will you start helping to dress me? I can't hide it very well in that situation."

"When the time comes, I will if it's necessary." Elsie promised. "Why don't you go on to your room? I'll make your excuses and bring you something to eat and some tea."

Edith felt her eyes water as she thought of the countless times Mrs. Hughes had made her excuses for her when she was younger. "Mrs. Hughes?"

"Yes?"

Standing up, Edith bent over and wrapped her arms around the older woman. "You would have been a wonderful mother," she whispered. "Thank you."

Elsie smiled at Edith and patted her cheek. "Go on now. You'll need all the rest and nourishment you can get without giving yourself away. You've the wee one to consider now."

Edith laughed slightly at the sound of Elsie's brogue. "Just keep saying that, Mrs. Hughes. Just keep saying that."

EEE

Bates glared across the room at Elsie, knowing she'd lied to him. "You lied."

Elsie sighed as she sat heavily in her chair. "I was asked to. She's protecting you. She knew that if you found out who it was, you would kill him. And then where would she be? You'd be hanged and she'd be alone. Leave it, Mr. Bates."

Bates stared at Elsie, hearing something in her voice. "It wasn't just Anna he was harassing at the dinner table. It was you. He knows that you know."

"I said leave it, Mr. Bates." Elsie warned. "Go find Anna."

Bates studied Elsie a bit longer then nodded and left her sitting room. He would go and find Anna, but he'd not be forgetting what he'd learned. Green would pay for what he did. Elsie Hughes' warnings against it or not. There were ways he'd learned in prison of disposing of someone without being caught.

Elsie let her head drop into her hands. One secret after another had been heaped upon her shoulders and she was growing weary of them. Anna, Tom, Edith – all of them trusted her, and she cared for them, she did, but…but carrying their secrets all at once was growing to be too heavy a burden.

Another knock on her door brought a groan. "Come in," she called out.

"Mrs. Hughes, may I speak with you a moment?"

Elsie nodded and motioned for Charles to take a seat. "What is it, Mr. Carson?"

Charles stared down at his shoes. "I've had a visit from Mr. Gillingham."

Elsie blinked in surprise. "Yes? And what did he want?"

"He wanted to inform me of your inappropriate conduct in the boot room."

Elsie sputtered, "My what?"

"You heard me." Charles told her. Looking up at her, he held her gaze, clearly seeing the fire in her eyes. "What is going on, Mrs. Hughes?" he whispered.

Shaking her head, Elsie got up and moved to stare into the small fireplace. "I'll apologize to him, Mr. Carson."

Her words caused Charles to blinked rapidly as he tried to process what was happening. "Are you saying that,"

"I said I would apologize, Mr. Carson." Elsie cut him off. "If that's all, I have several things I need to attend to before retiring."

Charles nodded dumbly, too confused to say anything other than, "That was all, Mrs. Hughes," before standing and making his way out of the room.

Elsie clasped the mantel, tears rolling down her cheeks as she allowed the stress to overtake her. After a few moments, she wiped angrily at the tears and took a deep breath, anger burning through her.

So Mr. Green thought he could intimidate her, did he? The foolish man didn't realize who he was dealing with.