Part One

Phyllis Baxter had no experience in dinner dates, neither did Joseph Molesley. So, before Mr Molesley finally plucked up the courage to ask Miss Baxter out to dinner, he asked Mr Bates and Anna before hand to accompany them. Simply to ease the tension that it was their first time out to dinner with each other. He didn't want to mess up and ruin things with her, not after they'd been going so very well lately.

Mr Carson had approved of the dinner date, saying it would be alright if Lord Grantham, Lady Grantham and Lady Mary all said that they could prepare themselves for bed one night. The four of them decided to plan their dinner and picture for Friday night.

Thursday, as Anna was preparing Lady Mary for bed, she asked if it was alright. "M'Lady, I was wondering if I could possibly tomorrow off from the time I dress you for dinner? You see, Mr Bates, Mr Molesley, Miss Baxter and I are planning to go out to dinner as a group, since it's Mr Molesley and Miss Baxter's first time out together and they're nervous. I wouldn't be back to ready you for bed, M'Lady and Mr Carson told us to ask," she said.

"Of course you can, Anna, why would I say no? I can always ask Madge, or do it myself. It's not as if we still wear corsets," Mary replied. "I can ready myself for bed."

"Thank you, M'Lady," Anna replied. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Miss Baxter was readying Lady Grantham for bed on Thursday when she decided to ask. Mr Carson had said that he wanted to know before bed that night, so it was her last chance. "Your Ladyship," she said quietly as she unbuttoned the back of her dress.

"Yes Baxter, is something wrong?" Cora asked worried. She knew that her maid hadn't been getting along with Barrow recently, but she had said that she could handle it herself.

"No, nothing's wrong, I was just wondering if, after I dress you for dinner tomorrow, if you'd be alright with me going to dinner with Anna, Mr Bates and Mr Molesley? I wouldn't be back until quite late, so that's why I need to ask," she said. "You'd need to ready yourself for bed."

"Of course you can go," Cora replied. "Go right ahead. And I think if I need any help, his Lordship will help me get ready for bed."

"Thank you, M'Lady," Baxter said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Baxter."

"M'Lord, I don't have any doubt of your answer, but I was wondering if tomorrow night I could leave after dressing you for dinner to go to dinner with Anna, Miss Baxter and Mr Molesley. It's Miss Baxter and Mr Molesley's first time out together and they want Anna and I to go with them. You'd have to dress yourself for bed," Bates said as he readied Lord Grantham for bed.

"Go ahead Bates and have fun," he said. "Now, I believe my wife is waiting for me. Goodnight Bates, I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, M'Lord," Bates said, turning and leaving the dressing room with a few articles of his Lordship's clothing that needed cleaning.

"So, they all agreed to let you go?" Carson asked. "Then my answer is solidified. The four of you may go."

"Thank you Mr Carson," the four of them said, leaving the Servant's Hall, Baxter and Molesley going upstairs to bed and Bates and Anna to their cottage. On the way up the stairs, Mr Molelsey took Miss Baxter's hand and stopped her.

"Yes?" she asked before he stepped up one more stair to put them on the same level.

"Goodnight," he whispered, pressing his lips to her's gently. Baxter smiled into the kiss, allowing him to press her against the wall gently. He pulled back from the kiss, Baxter biting her bottom lip gently.

"Goodnight, Mr Molesley," she whispered.

"Joseph, please," he said.

"Goodnight Joseph."

"Goodnight Phyllis."