Jack Dawson was not a man to play with fate. He took things as they came, and from the moment he met Rose, for once in his life, he had a purpose. But they were separated. He knew then that he would never again hold her in his arms, and he almost regretted not finding her. But after spending seven years going around the country, he knew it was time to head back to England. He arrived just after World War One, in 1919, and somehow found his way to the village of Downton. It was a quiet place, nothing like America. But he quite enjoyed it.

The first time he noticed the advertisement in the paper, he was sitting in the Grantham Arms, finishing a drink. It was an advertisement for a footman at Downton Abbey, the large estate near the village, belonging to the Earl of Grantham and his family. Jack knew he needed a job, so he called the place.

"Hello, Downton Abbey, this is Mr. Carson, the butler speaking." Said a pompous voice on the other end.

"Yes, I'd like to apply for the job of footman that I saw advertised."

"And what is your name?"

"My name is Jack Dawson."

"Are you able to come in on the eleventh of April for an interview?" asked Mr. Carson.

Jack thought for a moment. Today was a Monday, the ninth, so two days. "Yes, sir, I'll be able to."

"All right then, I shall await your arrival at four o' clock. Be punctual, we have a wedding to plan, so you'll have to be discreet."

"Yes sir. Thank you."

Jack hung up, then he went back to his lonely room. Not for the first time, he thought of Rose, his sweet, beautiful Rose. What would have happened if they hadn't been separated? Not allowing himself to think on that, he climbed into bed.

A few hours later, a nightmare woke him. A dream of icy water, and screaming souls. He was sweating, a cold sweat, and his heart pounded. He saw Rose's face before him, clear as day. He shook his head to clear the image from his mind. In a few minutes, he was back asleep.

xXx

April 11th came, and with it came his interview. He put on his best clothes, and made his way up to the large house. A blonde maid opened the door for him.

"Hello." He said with a small smile. "I'm here to be interviewed for the post of footman. I'm Jack, Jack Dawson." He held out his hand.

The maid smiled back and shook his hand. "I'm Anna, the head housemaid. I'll take you to Mr. Carson's pantry, he'll be expecting you."

Anna led him down a short set of stairs, down a hallway, and into a small room. "I'll just go get Mr. Carson. You wait here, and don't look so nervous. You'll likely get the job, our other footmen, well…" she hesitated, then left, offering another smile. She was pretty, Jack thought, and hoped she didn't have someone special in her life. A few moments later, he stood as Mr. Carson walked in. His grey hair and dignified stance made him appear confident, but he seemed mildly irritated.

"I am Mr. Carson, the butler. I understand you're here to apply for the position of second footman?"

"Yes." Jack said. "That is correct."

"Have you worked in a large house before?"

"No, sir, I was an artist for a few years. I sort of gave that up after I lost my drawings on the Titanic."

The butler seemed interested. "You survived the Titanic?"

"Yes, sir. I was pulled from the water, but I lost my book of drawings. I've been working odd jobs for the past seven years, and served a year in the army."

"So you're American?"

"Yes sir, I'm from Wisconsin."

"And you have no experience as a footman?"

"No." said Jack eagerly. "But I'm willing to learn."

"Well, I suppose you're hired. I'll speak to Lord Grantham, I don't know how willing he'll be after everything that has happened. One of our footmen worked at the hospital, he's staying here now, and the other was killed in battle."

"I'm sorry to hear it."

"You can start tomorrow… and one more thing."

"Yes, Mr. Carson?" asked Jack.

"Don't mention your survival of the Titanic to anyone upstairs please. You see, we lost the heir to Downton Abbey, and his son, in the tragedy, and no one upstairs likes to be reminded of it. I shall make your hiring known to Lord Grantham, and I shall see you tomorrow." Jack shook hands with Mr. Carson again, before Mr. Carson left. Anna came back.

"So from the look on Mr. Carson's face, I'd say you got the job." She said, smiling. Upon closer look, he saw the huge circles under her eyes, and for the first time, he noticed that she seemed rather pale.

"I don't know if I want to work here if they've got you looking pale and tired!" He joked.

"No." she said, blushing. "I'm just under a bit of stress because my fiancé and I are having some difficulties with… unresolved issues."

"You're engaged?" he asked, unable to hide the surprise in his voice.

"Yes." She allowed herself to smile. "You'll meet him tomorrow. Have a nice day, Mr. Dawson."

"I'm sorry, Miss Smith, if I offended you. I just didn't think-."

"No. It's quite all right. I assume you can find your way out?" she asked pointedly.

He nodded again. He walked out the door, wondering who the man that was so special to her was, and if he was worth the troubled look she carried.

Back at the Grantham Arms, he couldn't help but muse how different his life was now. Only seven years ago, he had been so head-over-heels in love with Rose. But now… He had a steady job that was to start the next day, and seemingly friendly co-workers. He smiled as he got ready for bed, wondering how much better his life could get.