AN: The characters do not belong to me. Small drabble for a friend, ...or three. My first Corah attempt. Feedback is always appreciated! :)

And PLEASE do NOT read if you don't like the femflash idea. I am a huge Cobert shipper myself, but we improve outside our comfort zone, right?

Plus, no one needs homophobic comments. Thank you!

August 25, 1905*

*O'BRIEN: Ten years of my life that's what I've given her. Ten bloody years. (1912)

She hated it.

Sarah O'Brien hated it.

She knew it the very second Her Ladyship didn't ring between seven and eight.

Today was going to be one of those days and she hated it.

-x-

"Her Ladyship's breakfast is getting all cold!" Mrs. Patmore pouted while wrestling with her red curls which always seemed to find their way back into her eyes.

Sarah couldn't care less. Her blue eyes rolled and she didn't even bother to look up from her sewing.

"I'm sure Her Ladyship is plenty hot all by herself right now."

"Will you shut your mouth!" Suddenly, Sarah was on her feet, towering over the ginger boy who stared up at her with wide eyes. Her stare was ice-cold. All the other servants had stopped breathing and were eyeing the raised hand of one Miss Sarah O'Brien.

She had pushed over her mug when she had jumped to her feet. The dress she had been sewing was lying on the floor. And it was not until said mug finally rolled off the table and loudly shattered into a thousand pieces that Sarah came back to her senses.

The vein at the side of her neck was hammering as she finally managed to lower her hand. "If you ever dare to speak of Her Ladyship like that again," Sarah began and leaned forward so that only the boy could hear her. Her voice was a mere growl. It made his hair stand on end. "You won't live to see another day. Understood?!"

All the poor boy could do was nod.

"O'Brien!" Thomas' voice pulled her out of her rage right before he literally pulled her away from the boy. "What is the matter with you this morning?" With that, Thomas asked the question on everyone's tongue.

Sarah's light eyes met Thomas' and the air around them seemed to shift for a second.

Ding Dong.

"It's just one of those days." She finally muttered and pulled her arm away before strutting out of the room with her head held high.

"Crikey…" The boy muttered and rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't know Lady Cora hired O'Brien as her watchdog."

With two quick steps Thomas was at the boy's side and gave him a good smack on the back of his head. "One more word and I'll have you sacked by noon."

"Alright, alright. Christ."

"And it's Lady Grantham, you stupid fool."

Yes, his name was Frederick. When he was sacked later on, it really came as no surprise.

Lord help me, Sarah thought when she finally reached the door to Lady Grantham's bedroom. This was her third year as Cora Crawley's Lady's Maid and a few months ago it had happened. And it all had started with her Ladyship's soap. Ever since that day she dreaded mornings like these.

I hate this. I hate it so much. Her eyes rolled back as she closed them for a brief second, inhaling deeply as if inhaling the courage to finally push open the door.

Here we go.

Knock knock.

"Good morning, Milady." She paused upon seeing Robert who was just about to leave. "Milord."

"Good morning, O'Brien." He nodded, politely as always and left the room, leaving the ladies to themselves.

She hated to run into him in this room, in the morning.

"Good morning, my dear O'Brien." Cora's velvety voice snaked its way across the room, lulling Sarah in like only the Countess could. The smile was audible. Sarah knew that smile well.

"Good- Good morning, Milady." She stuttered, realizing she was repeating herself.

She hated stuttering in this room, in her presence.

Her own stupidity angered Sarah and she stole a sharp inhale. Oh, big mistake. She could still smell it. That lingering scent of sweet sweat and sex. It was everywhere, including her lungs. And Sarah—

Hated it. She hated the smell of sex in this room. And in every other, for that matter.

"O'Brien?" Cora's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Hm? … Oh, pardon me, Milady." Sarah was quick to walk over to the side of the bed. "Here you go." And although she was practically leaning over Cora, she didn't dare a single look. She couldn't bear to look into those deep blue eyes that always made her forget the world. She couldn't. Not when she just— when they just— No. She was so close to Cora that she could smell His Lordship on that soft skin. The mere thought made her grit her teeth and she pulled away.

She hated his smell on her, always.

"Thank you, O'Brien. … Is everything alright?"

"Everything is just fine, Milady. Just fine."

"Are you—"

"I'll be right back with a fresh shirt and warm towels." O'Brien cut her off and was already on her way out, grabbing the dirty shirt. She knew Cora would want to take a bath this morning. She always did after they had— And oh.

She hated those long baths in the morning.

And not to mention her hair!

She hated her ruffled hair in the morning.

She hated the images of him caressing her in places only he and Sarah ever saw.

His hands on her body. Her thighs. His lips on hers, only to wander further down.

Just like his hands. …

She hated the whole idea of him having her when he didn't even appreciate her.

Well, not enough anyway, in Sarah's opinion.

"Ugh!" A frustrated sigh slipped from her lips once she finally made it out of the room. Her cheeks were slightly hot and once again she closed her eyes to breathe 'fresh air'.

-x-

Yes.

She hated it.

Sarah O'Brien hated it.

She knew it the very second Her Ladyship hadn't rung between seven and eight.

Today was one of those days and she hated it.