April 1903-

"Is all in readiness, Mr. Carson?"

"Almost, Mrs. Hughes. The last of the cases went up first thing this morning and should be packed by the end of the day." He paused to take a sip of his coffee. They were sitting side by side at the table. It was something he would miss.

"Well, my girls are available to help with the lighter luggage." Mrs. Hughes offered, trying to keep her tone light. In three days he would be leaving with the family for over three months. She'd tried to avoid thinking about it, but the reality loomed too close now to ignore.

"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes, but I am sure that will not prove necessary." He smiled at her, trying not to stare too much, but silently committing her every movement to memory. His usual excitement for the London Season had cooled considerably since last year. He looked forward to it now as a dreary duty rather than the working holiday it had once been. He could not fully admit to himself why this was, but he knew it had something to do with the woman to his right. "Have you finalized plans to visit your sister?"

"We are trying to agree on the best time; for her and for me."

"Well, be sure you make it a nice, long visit. With the family gone, it is the perfect opportunity. Mrs. Pearson usually took a full two weeks. One year, she and her sister spent a week in Brighton."

"My sister already lives by the sea, so we will be enjoying the sun and the water. I doubt I'll take two weeks. Dare I trust this lot for two full weeks, Mr. Carson?"

"That is why you must go early in the Season. If they behave, there is no harm done. If they've slacked off, you have at least a month to whip them back into shape."

A disgruntled face leaned forward halfway down the table. Roger frowned down the table towards the butler. "Mr. Carson, I must once again voice my objection. I am the first footman and I feel that I should be accompanying the family rather than Geoffrey."

"You should have considered that before…" Mr. Carson thought better of mentioning Roger's infraction at the breakfast table. "In any event, this is not the venue to have this discussion. You may see me in my pantry later today, but I am unlikely to change my mind."

The back door bell rang. Geoffrey jumped up quickly to answer it. Carson looked meaningfully at Roger, who sat sulking in his seat. How did he expect to progress in this life with an attitude like that?"

"Telegram, Mr. Carson." Geoffrey reported.

"His Lordship should be at his desk. Please deliver it to him, Geoffrey."

"It's for you, Mr. Carson."

"For me?" He looked at Mrs. Hughes before taking the slip of paper. In his experience, telegrams rarely carried good news.

Upon opening the telegram, Mr. Carson immediately jumped up from his place at table and started towards the stairs. "Geoffrey, bring my case down from my room and have it waiting for me at the back door." The case had been packed for London for over a week now. "And get out the bicycle." He called over his shoulder as he took the stairs two at a time.

The rest of the staff looked at each other with perplexed expressions. Roger commented wryly, "Who knew the old man could move that fast? Ouch!" Someone had kicked him under the table.

-00-

"I know the timing is terrible, My Lord, but my friend says that Mr. Farrimond is unlikely to live through the night. He has been asking for me and I should very much wish to go. I hope to catch the nine o'clock."

Lord Grantham frowned. It was terribly inconvenient to lose Carson at this time, but it was impossible to refuse him. The man never asked for any special favors and now, he only asked to help ease the passing of a friend. Robert looked at the clock; it was 8:48. "You had best leave immediately, Carson, or you shall miss the train. We will see you at Grantham House in three day's time."

"Thank you, My Lord. I know Mrs. Hughes will be able to oversee the departure capably, I will…"

"Go, Carson! We'll manage." Bowing and repeating his thanks, Carson backed quickly out the door. Lord Grantham had never seen Carson so flustered.

Mrs. Hughes was waiting at the back door with his case. Carson felt a pang of regret seeing her there. He had hoped for a few more evenings of shared wine and company before leaving for London. There was a particularly fine Beaujolais being served with tonight's dinner that he had known she would like. But he had no time for wine or goodbyes or explanations. He shrugged quickly into his coat and donned his hat.

"I am sorry to rush off, Mrs. Hughes. Paul has taken ill, seriously ill, and I must go this instant. I shall write and I shall expect regular reports from Downton." He took his case from her and fought a mad impulse to kiss her on the cheek as he rushed out the door.

"Thank you, Geoffrey. Please send someone down to the station to retrieve the bicycle as soon as you can." The footman nodded and handed Carson the bicycle. Carson quickly straddled the bike, but looked baffled when he tried to grab the handlebars while still holding the case. After a moment of confusion, he balanced the case perpendicularly on the handlebars in front of him, holding it in place with his chin as he started off. He rode out of the courtyard and off toward the village, the bicycle bucking wildly under him whenever he took a hand off the handlebars to steady the case. Had his mission been less serious, he would have been quite a comical sight.

At the station, Mr. Carson pulled up just as the conductor was calling all aboard. Carrying the case in one hand and the bicycle in the other, he ran up the stairs. Seeing the station master at the other end of the platform, Carson dropped the bicycle and shouted, "Someone from the house will be by for the bicycle shortly, Mr. Kraig. If you could just park it by the waiting room, I'd be much obliged!" He lunged for the nearest compartment and jumped aboard the train as it began to pull away from the station.

Sighing with relief, Carson turned to face two rather shocked ladies. Realizing he was in First Class, he doffed his hat politely and excused himself into the corridor to find his way to Third.

TBC...

AN/ This is another prequel to the 'Moving Forward'/'Moving On'/'Perpetual Motion' AU which also includes 'Training Wheels' and 'Never Downtonland'. If you've forgotten, or don't want to read the other story, Paul Farrimond is the homeless man from 'Never Downtonland' who was a very successful businessman but lost his family in a fire and became a drunk.

This is a little dark, but it is mostly sweet. The main focus is Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes' early friendship against the backdrop of crisis. The young Ladies Crawley will play large roles as well.