A/N: Howdy! As this is my second story, I've decided to try and have a go at a multi-chapter FanFic! It's based mainly on Carson/Hughes (as they are secretly in love with each other) but it also has a slight hint of Anna/Bates.

The characters do not, unfortunately, belong to me because if they did, we'd be seeing a lot more of them!

Merry reading!

You'll have to ease up a bit or you'll give yourself a heart attack," Mrs Hughes scolded Mr Carson as he polished the silver at almost midnight. "There's a war on. Things cannot be the same when there's a war on!"

Mr Carson frowned and shook his head, "I do not agree. Keeping up standards is the only way to show the Germans that they will not beat us in the end."

Ah, so that's what this is about, Mrs Hughes thought to herself but her frustration soon took over as he picked up another candlestick. "Well, give me some warning the next time we're expecting Germans at Downton and I'll see what I can do!"

"Goodnight, Mrs Hughes," Mr Carson called out as the housekeeper stormed past him.

Mrs Hughes climbed into bed, exhausted. Exhausted of having to keep telling Mr Carson to stop working so hard. She didn't want to add to his stress but he was going to make himself ill and she only worried for him. Atleast his heart's in the right place, she thought to herself before drifting off to sleep.

Things only got worse in the morning as walked into the drawing room to find him sorting out firewood.

"Why on Earth are you doing that?" She scolded him once more.

"Well, someone's got to."

"Yes, indeed they do and that someone is William or one of the maids. You're making work for yourself, Mr Carson, and I've no sympathy with that!" Her tone was harsh but her face showed a smile.

Carson did not return her smile, "I'm not asking for sympathy!"

"What are you asking for then?" Mrs Hughes' smile had disappeared. "A heart attack? Because that's what you'll get!"

And so, she stormed past him again.

If anyone looked at Anna sitting at the table in the servants' hall, they would think she was reading but the words were making no sense to her. Her thoughts were to occupied with the loss of Mr Bates. He had left with his wife but wouldn't tell her why. She knew it wasn't out of love for his wife, she knew he would be doing it to protect her but she didn't want him to protect her. She'd do anything to be with him, if only he believed her when she told him.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and a soft voice ask, "How are you, Anna?"

She forced a smile, "I'll be fine, thank you, Mrs Hughes."

"Why don't you take the day off? We can manage here."

Anna shook her head, "No, thank you. It seems so selfish when there's soldiers upstairs with injuries much more serious than mine."

"Anna, a broken heart can be just as painful as a broken limb."

The Crawley family were seated in the dining room, waiting to be served.

"Everything's ready!" Mrs Patmore told the butler.

"Alright everyone, let's go!" The footmen followed Mr Carson upstairs, carrying trays full of delicious food.

As the staff served, the family continued with their discussion of visits they will be receiving from various family members. Every time a cousin or aunt was mentioned, Mr Carson's eyes grew wider as he realised how much more work he would have to be doing. All of a sudden, there was a loud gasp from Lady Mary.

"Carson!" His Lordship shouted and quickly moved to his side.

"I'll get Dr. Clarkson!" Lady Sybil ran from the room to get help.

Nobody knew quite what to do with themselves with the butler lying in agony on the dining room floor but soon Dr. Clarkson was there and told everyone to give him space as he saw to Mr Carson.

The family gathered in the hallway until the doctor joined them and confirmed they're thoughts that he'd suffered a minor heart attack. Well, as minor as a heart attack could be.

"He'll be alright after a few weeks rest." He told them.

"I suppose someone ought to go and tell Mrs Hughes," Robert suggested.

"I'll do it," Cora announced. "We all know how much she worries about him."

Mrs Hughes was reading a book in her sitting room when her Ladyship knocked on the door and entered.

"Dear Mrs Hughes," She sighed. "I'm afraid I have bad news."

Mrs Hughes just looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"It's Mr Carson… He's had a heart attack."

Mrs Hughes' heart sank and a solitary tear ran down her cheek.

"Mrs Hughes," Cora tried to reach out and take her hand and explain that he was alright but Mrs Hughes walked straight past her.

"Excuse me, m'lady…" And she walked straight out the door, into the dark.