A/N Takes place during and after episode 2.5. This story will be semi-AU. Basically, some major parts of the series will be changed, but for the most part, the rough plot-line will stay the same. So, series 2 spoilers and as the story progresses, there will be spoilers for series 3. There will be some parts, especially in the first few chapters, where a lot of the dialogue will come directly from the show, but as it gets into my version, there will be less and less.
I've already written a good amount of this story and I do know the direction I want it to head in. Hopefully updates will be fairly accurate, but I'll be starting my second semester of college in a little over a week and I'm taking 17 units worth of classes, so basically a full load.
Disclaimer: I don't own Downton Abbey or the dialogue that is taken directly from the show.
Enjoy the story.
Mary stood stiffly and silently in the corner of the hospital while the soldiers were brought in. Though her body may have been still, her eyes were darting all over the place. She shut her eyes in horror for a brief moment in order to try to get some of the ghastly images out of her mind, but it was to no avail. She knew they were permanently etched in her mind. She had chosen to stay here. Her discussion with Doctor Clarkson had made that evident and she needed to stay strong, for Matthew's sake.
"Mary!" she heard someone call. She quickly looked up to see Sybil at the door. "They're bringing them in," she said quietly.
Mary quickly straightened up and went to the doorway where her sister stood. "Bring him this way," Sybil said in a calm, yet firm voice.
In vain, Mary tried to not watch as cousin Matthew was brought into the hospital on a stretcher. He lay there, stiff and extremely pale. If it had not been for the ever so slight rise and fall of his chest, she would have suspected the worst. She watched as some other soldiers carried in the wounded and laid them on the beds that had been prepared for them. She may have seen the other soldiers, but she only truly saw Matthew. She hurried towards the stretcher just as Sybil and another officer were lifting Matthew onto the bed.
Once the officer had left, Mary reached down and looked at the tag that was attached to Matthew's uniform. She gasped in horror when she read the words. Probable spinal damage. Sybil looked at her sister and said gently, "It could mean anything. We'll know more in the morning."
Mary knew that her sister was right, but she also had a horrible feeling deep down that whatever injury Matthew had sustained on the battle field would bring many great changes to the family. Sybil began the gather up the blankets and other items that had been at the foot of Matthew's bed, when a small object fell out from among them. She reached down and picked it up. "What's this doing here?" she asked in a curious voice.
Mary reached over and took the small toy from her sister. "I gave it to him for luck," she said, trying to keep her voice steady and nearly failing.
With a sigh, Sybil said, "If only it had worked."
Mary looked at her sister and said with a hint of annoyance, "He's alive." And back in England with his family, she added silently.
Sybil nodded in response, then looked back down at their cousin. "We're going to need to wash him," she said quietly. "There's bound to be a lot of blood."
Mary looked at her sister and saw a look of determination there. "How hot should the water be?" she asked.
A flicker of surprise passed over Sybil's face as she looked up, but she quickly composed herself. "More warm than hot," she answered.
Mary nodded in answer and went to get the water, as well as the towels that Sybil had requested. When she got back, the task of cleaning began. At first, Mary could hardly believe how calm and steady Sybil's hands and arms were. After all, they were looking at an unclothed man! Mary quickly overcame those thoughts though. That part might be true, but he also was a grievously wounded man that desperately needed cleaning in order to avoid infection. Soon, they had done as much as was possible at the moment.
"Nothing more can be done until he awakes," Sybil said. She glanced down at Matthew who was still unconscious. "I pray he won't be in much pain when he awakes."
Mary nodded in agreement. "I'll be back in the morning," she said gently and with a squeeze of Matthew's hand, she left the hospital.
Early the next morning, Mary was there again, this time coming to the hospital with her father. She was sitting by Matthew's side when his eyelids fluttered open and a low groan escaped from his mouth. In a flash, Mary had moved to where he could see her without turning his head. "Matthew," she said in a tone that was barely above a whisper. "Can you hear me?"
"Mary?" Matthew said through another groan of pain.
"Yes, it's me," she responded, taking his hand into her own.
At that moment, Doctor Clarkson appeared, Lord Grantham having gone to fetch him the moment Matthew had awakened.
"Captain Crawley, I'm going to need to do an examination on you in order to determine the extent of the damage," he said. "I'm sorry I need to do this at the moment, but we need you conscious."
"Can't you wait?" asked Lord Grantham. "You can tell he's in pain."
"I wish we could wait until he's in less pain," admitted the doctor, "but, the pain will be easier to treat if we know the symptoms."
While the doctor had been talking, a nurse had put up some curtains to allow for a certain degree of privacy during the examination.
"Can I stay with him?" Mary asked breathlessly as Doctor Clarkson entered the semi-private area. He responded with a curt nod and she followed him in, her father waiting outside.
Doctor Clarkson and Mary gently turned Matthew over onto his side. "I'm going to start pressing on parts of your back and I want you to tell me if you can feel them," the Doctor said simply. While the doctor began the examination, Mary stood where Matthew could see her. He needed someone nearby that he knew. Mary was dreading the worst, she knew what it had to be, but she was praying that it wasn't what she thought.
The first few times Matthew responded positively, but as Doctor Clarkson got down to the waist, Matthew shook his head when asked if he could feel something. Mary gulped, but kept calm for Matthew's sake. He couldn't know, not yet. Doctor Clarkson moved his hands back up a few inches and pressed down, Matthew let out a low groan and nodded ever so slightly. Yet again, the Doctor moved back down to the waistline, this time in a different part, but again, Matthew didn't respond. The doctor began to work his way down Matthew's thighs, but he didn't get a single response. Mary was afraid she was going to break down. At that moment, she was extremely grateful that Matthew wasn't awake enough to be fully aware and understanding of the fact that he couldn't feel anything below his waist.
At that moment, Lord Grantham opened the curtains so Mary could see out. There stood Lavinia. Mary quickly exited the small private area, and hurried over to Lavinia.
"Do they know anything more?" she asked in a small voice. Mary could tell she was doing her best at staying calm.
"The doctor is examining him now," she said. Mary closed her eyes before she continued. "He thinks there may be problems with his legs."
Before either Lavinia or Lord Grantham had a chance to respond, Doctor Clarkson came over. "Not good news, I'm afraid," he said with regret showing in his voice. He continued, "The spinal cord has been transected, that is, permanently damaged."
For a few seconds, no one could say anything, then Lord Grantham spoke in a steady, yet shocked voice. "You mean he won't walk again?"
"If I'm right, then no, he won't," Doctor Clarkson answered. Before anyone could say anything, he continued. "I know this comes a shock to you. You must be allowed to grieve. I will say though, that he will gain his health. He will not loose his life."
Mary had finally found her voice in all of this. "Just the start of a different life."
The doctor nodded in response, then pulled Lord Grantham aside.
Mary watched the two head some distance and begin to talk privately. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Matthew, young, strong, cousin Matthew would never walk again. Her thoughts were interrupted by Lavinia asking if she had a handkerchief. Mary rummaged in her handbag for a few brief seconds, before pulling one out and handing it to Lavinia, who took it in gratitude. Once she had dried her tears, she straightened her back and walked towards Matthew's bed. Mary was about to follow her, but was stopped by her father placing his hand on her shoulder. "Give them a moment together," he said quietly.
She turned to her father and asked what Doctor Clarkson had to say that had to be said privately, but her father told her that it wasn't anything for her to worry about, though his face seemed to say otherwise. Mary waited outside of the curtains for a time, just standing there with her thoughts. She couldn't even wrap her mind around the news she had just heard and dreaded what Matthew's thoughts would be when he found out. She knew that he hadn't been told yet, he was much too weak to know. It wasn't that long before Lavinia came out.
"He's fallen asleep," she said. "C-Can you stay with him while I go and unpack?"
"Of course," Mary answered gently. "I'll do anything to help Matthew … and you."
"Thank you," Lavinia responded and she hurried away.
Mary slowly sat down on the chair next to Matthew. There was nothing they could do. There wasn't anything anyone could do to help him, not yet anyway. How could the world, nay, how could God be so cruel, as to take away the lives and health of so many young men in such a horrific manner? A few minutes later, Sybil came by. "How is he?" she asked quietly.
Mary looked at her sister, unable to say the news. She felt that if no one said anything, they'd all wake up and it would be a bad dream. They'd be back in the garden at the party without any thought of there being war, but she knew that what was going on was reality. There was no way around it.
"Mary?" Sybil asked again. "Does Doctor Clarkson know?"
Mary swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the lump that had been in her throat ever since the doctor had told them. "It is spinal damage," she finally managed to croak out. "Doctor Clarkson thinks that the spinal cord has been transected."
"Oh," Sybil gasped, unable to say anything. "And there's nothing that can be done?"
Mary shook her head. "Not that he knew of anyway."
Sybil gently placed her hand on her eldest sister's shoulder. "He's here and alive," she said gently. "We mustn't forget that." Mary nodded curly and Sybil squeezed her shoulder as she hurried off to another part of the hospital, to either find the quietest corner to weep or the busiest corner to keep her mind off of things.
"Oh, Matthew, whatever we going to do," Mary sighed as she looked at the sleeping figure. Their lives, and the lives for everyone at Downton were forever changed. She didn't yet know whether they would be changed for the better or the worse.