Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.

This chapter takes place just after the failed elopement.

During the journey home Sybil had managed to block out the voices of both her sisters. They seemed to think that after persuading her not to elope they were able to stop her marrying at all. For miles they had both tried to reason with her, reminding her of how different her life would be with Tom and how much she was giving up, yet Sybil did not see it like that at all. The only thing that worried her was that she may have lost Tom. As her sisters droned on all Sybil could see was the expression on Tom's face when she had left: the hurt and more worryingly the acceptance. Did he really think her mind could be changed that easily and had he already resigned their love to the past? Whilst she was glad they would speak to her parents before her marriage she regretted how she had left him and wished she had given him more reassurance. When they reached Downton Sybil allowed Anna to lead her to her room outwardly calm, but her mind franticly questioning what would happen next. Would he be tired of waiting for her and move on? Would he even return? Lying down Sybil knew she was doubting Tom when she had no need, but that did not stop the intense need to reassure him of her love.

Waiting until she was sure her sisters would be asleep she quietly put on her coat and crept out of the house towards Tom's cottage. As she passed the garage she saw he had not returned the car yet which added to her worry. Seeing where her thoughts were headed Sybil stopped them immediately: she knew Tom did not like to drive when tired and it was likely he would return after getting some sleep. Wanting to see him as soon as possible Sybil settled into another car to wait.

Once Mary had left the room Tom had sat back down on the bed partly in shock. Whilst he had known there was a chance they would be caught he had never truly believed it would happen and was having trouble taking it in. Eventually he lay down on the bed worrying about Sybil. He knew it had been wrong of him to doubt her, but he had been shocked by how quickly she had left with just a few words to say goodbye. Although he was desperate to see her again he knew he was in no state to drive back so he settled down to sleep without much success, his mind trying to plan what would happen next.

Eventually he gave up on sleep and began the drive back to Downton still questioning his plans. How would he be able to speak to her? Surely her sisters would try to keep her from him. Would they succeed in changing her mind? Should he even be returning? Quickly he dismissed such questions from his mind- he was tired and not thinking rationally. Of course they both loved each other and would still get married. He just had to wait a short time longer.

By the time he arrived at the garage it was nearly morning and he hoped the servants who were already awake had not seen him. After parking the car he was about to head to his cottage to change when he heard a sleepy "Tom." Surprised he looked at the nearest car where Sybil was sitting up after managing to get a couple of hours sleep.

"My love what are you doing here?" he asked surprised as he walked over to her.

"I couldn't leave you like that." She responded still rather sleepy. "My sisters are going to do their best to keep us apart after this and I needed you to know that they will not change my mind. We will get married as soon as I've told my parents."

"I want you to be ready." Tom replied. "I don't want us to marry with you regretting rushing it."

"You've waited long enough." Sybil cut him off before being unable to resist a yawn.

"You're tired." He stated. "You should get back to bed before it is time for your breakfast."

"No we need to talk now." She insisted. "It will be hard for us to see each other after this with my sisters will try to keep us apart."

"We'll find a way." He reassured her.

"Much as I love my sisters they are very good schemers… they've had a lot of practice." Although they were in the privacy of the garage these words were spoken in a hushed tone. It showed how close Sybil was to Tom that she could speak so freely to him as he was the only one she would discuss her sisters with.

"They can't control all your movements and you at least have to take some journeys by car." Tom pointed out his words slightly fuzzy with tiredness. "But unless we both get some more sleep it will look suspicious."

Sybil saw that he was right. Whilst she could pretend to still feel ill and stay in bed Tom had a day's work ahead of him where his exhaustion would look odd.

"I will try to return soon." She promised.

"They can't keep us apart for ever." He reminded her before pressing a quick kiss to her lips. Then she hurried back to sneak into the house before too many of the servants were up.

This is my first Downton Abbey story so I'd really appreciate any reviews.