"…I very much regret to announce… that we are at war with Germany" he declared, his voice calm and controlled despite the shocked faces that were growing by the second around him.

Those words kept repeating themselves, swirling around her brain. Mrs Hughes sighed tiredly as she ran her fingers over the top of her tea cup. It was indeed late, far past any time that a person should be awake, yet here she was, sat in the kitchen in nothing but her night gown and shawl, her curly hair usually pinned up cascading down the side of her shoulder. She had tried so hard to find sleep but it would not come, the awful events of the past few days haunting her mind. First Williams's mother then her ladyship's baby and now this, could this house not catch a break? She shook her head resting it in the palm of her hand as the other made idle shapes on the table.

"May I join you?"

Mrs Hughes jumped slightly before looking at Mr Carson, his lamp in hand and also dressed in his night clothing.

Smiling gently she pointed to the chair next to her "Please, I could use the company"

Mr Carson smiled and walked forward, placing his lamp beside hers before taking the chair on her left and Turing it slightly to face her.

"Would you like some tea?" she said kindly as he sat next to her.

Mr Carson nodded "I see I'm not the only one who was finding it hard to sleep given recent events Mrs Hughes?" he said as she stood going over to the kettle and quickly making a tea.

"No you are not, but please, call me Elsie, we are at war. I know that doesn't mean the world has to stop functioning, far from. But I think a first name basis is certainly in need at this moment in time" she said before walking back over to him and handing him his tea.

"I agree and in that case call me Charles…" he replied before taking a sip of his hot tea.

Elsie looked at him, taking in his strong exterior but knowing that deep down he had a heart of gold, one so loyal and understanding it was astonishing. Looking down at her cup she spoke "It's strange, we have known each other all these years yet we never used each other's first names, always so formal" she said looking back at him.

Charles nodded and smiled "That may be true but in every other form you were my friend, my friendly advisor, the ear that listened when things troubled my mind deeply. A name is a name, something we hide behind and use as an identity, we craft it to our own but it does not show who you are. Name's do not matter" he said and Elsie chuckled softly.

"When did you get so wise and philosophical?" she said raising a teasing eyebrow.

Charles joined her laugh and revelled in her soft Scottish accent, the way it rolled perfectly off her tongue and caressed his skin. Clearing his throat and mind of such inappropriate thoughts he sat back slightly "Now that we have got our pointless and annoying thoughts out of the way, i think it's time we discussed why you are down here"

Elsie turned her head to look at him "Not you?" she replied.

Charles fidgeted for a moment before answer "Ladies first" he said back cleverly.

Elsie nodded and rolled her eyes "Of course"

Charles watched amused but ignored her eye roll and waited patiently for her to open up. The silence stretched before them, the sound of a distant clock in the hall drifting its way through. Elise looked at him, her eyes pouring into his and shrugged "What is there to say?" looking down at her cup again she licked her lips and continued, not starting from any specific point just making idle comments, hoping they would somehow click together "No doubt men will be recruited or sign up willingly" she swallowed the thought making her sick but Charles stayed quiet, lending an ear like she had done so many times "Thomas has already and though I'm glad to see him go I can't stand the thought that he's risking his life"

She closed her eyes and Charles reached out and lay a hand on top of hers, rubbing soothing circles "And then there's Bates and Anna, a blind man could see the tension between the two and knowing Bates, how honourable he is he will no doubt join the army again, leaving poor Anna so heartbroken and then theres lady Mary, the state she's been in of late, the engagement at loss and the possibility that he may be recruited or join, I think we may as well admit that the house is crumbling!" She said finally looking at him "I can't stand this Charles, the war has barely begun and look what state I'm in!" she sobbed, tears breaking free from their once tight barriers.

Elsie did not show her emotions easily Charles knew, so to see her so distressed, her heart showing so blatantly concerned him. Gently he reached over making her sobbing form stand before drawing her over and making her sit on his lap. Usually such a sight would be highly inappropriate but he knew the circumstances demanded such, and so as she sat on his lap he wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back caringly as she curled into his side.

Elsie indeed too knew the compromising situation they were causing for themselves but as she sobbed into his chest gripping his robe she didn't care, for all she cared about in that moment was the sweet comfort and support Charles's tall strong form provided.

As she cried Charles spoke "You are strong Elsie, if I know you and I certainly do, I know you will pick yourself up, you will carry on. Do not fret about things that are yet to happen" he said trying to soothe her and calm her fears "You don't know that Bates will leave, you just don't know, so don't think about the future don't think about what could happen, think about what you make of it, think of what you can make of now" he said quietly, Elise's sobs subsiding slowly.

After a few minutes she looked up and Charles sighed sadly at how vulnerable and scared she looked, her red eyes and wet cheeks. Carefully he wiped her tears away and was secretly pleasantly surprised when she didn't pull away or flinch, her glistening eyes just watching him.

Half way through wiping away her tears she spoke, her voice soft and quiet "What about yourself?"

Charles frowned "What about me?"

Elsie swallowed and suddenly found his touch burned, but still she stayed, ensconced in his embrace "Will you leave and sign up?" she said looking into his deep eyes.

Charles eyebrows rose in surprise and if he was honest with himself he hadn't really thought about it, he had been too preoccupied with sorting to his employer's needs "I… I don't know. I haven't really thought about it" he said honestly.

"But if you did think about it?" she said searching his eyes, for what she did not know.

Charles's hands that were now wrapped around her small waist squeezed lightly a shiver going down Elsie's body "For now I'm not going anywhere" he replied as he smiled gently "Where would I ever find the time?" he said repeating her words from a few weeks ago.

Elsie chuckled and lent her head back on his chest both of them relishing in this rare comforting contact. The two stayed there for what seemed forever and soon enough both had drifted to sleep.

O00ooo0

Shuffling feet surrounded the kitchen and whispers filled the corridors.

"What shall we do?" Daisy said a little too loudly causing Mrs Patmore to hit her arm and give her a pointed look.

Anna shook her head as she peered into the kitchen. All the staff had thought that there was indeed something between the two heads of staff but no one had ever seen anything, well nothing like this at least. The maids even their employers had all seen the playful looks and companionship they shared, but this, no nothing like this.

Anna sighed Turing around "Daisy go get Mr Bates before anyone else comes, and don't breath a word to anyone!" she said ushering the young kitchen maid off.

Mrs Patmore chuckled shaking her head "I never thought I'd see the day, and there I was thinking she was an old spinster" she whispered and it Anna's turn to give a pointed look.

After a few minutes an on edge daisy and Mrs bates came running around the corner quickly followed by William.

Anna looked at daisy annoyed "I thought I said Mr Bates not whole staff!" she whispered furiously.

Daisy twisted her hands "I know, and I'm sorry but William was with Mr Bates and so he wanted come too, what was I supposed to do? And besides Williams not the whole staff" she said her eyes begging for forgiveness.

Mar Bates walked forwards and his eyebrows rose at the sight. It was indeed sweet and had been suspected for a long time but knowing the two like he did he knew that the two would not want the whole house knowing. Turing back to look and the staff he spoke "Right, anyone here now, must not breathe a word of this ever! You don't know what has gone on nor do we know that this wasn't merely a friend comforting the other. So I want you to keep your mouths shut. Is that understood?" he finished looking at the nodding heads around him "Good, now go to work, things may be a little rushed this morning and I don't want any complaining or any rumours or whispers" he said nodding them all off.

Turning back to the kitchen Mr Bates took a deep breath and entered the kitchen. He knocked loudly on the door and watched as Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson started to wake. When Mrs Hughes quickly stood out of shock and no doubt and embarrassment he averted his eyes "Excuse me Mrs Hughes, Mr Carson. I did not wish to interrupt or disrespect your privacy but it is indeed morning, only I, Daisy, Mrs Patmore, Anna and William know of your… late waking this morning. They will not breathe a word nor presume anything, so Mrs Hughes, Mr Carson" he said swiftly and nodding his head before leaving.

Elsie stood there in shock before turning slowly to look a Char, no, Mr Carson. She looked down as he stood trying to look at anything but him "Forgive me Mr Carson, I did not mean t…"

"Elsie, please, do not ask for forgiveness I cannot give, what I mean to say is forgiveness that you do not need. You have done nothing wrong, last night we merely consoled each other" he said and Elsie raised an eyebrow.

"Console? Charles…" she sighed in annoyance at the quick adaptation of using his name "Mr Carson, I slept in your lap! Does this not seem scandalous to you?" she said, her accent getting broader as her anger came through "When a friend is consoled they then don't go and sleep in your lap!" she shouted more angry at herself than anything. Turing around she ran her fingers through her hair before turning back "Oh what have you done Elsie?" she whispered.

Charles watched as she shouted at herself and couldn't help but laugh.

Elsie looked up when she heard him laughing and her mouth dropped open "Charles!" she reprimanded "Would you please stop, this is not a laughing matter" she said a smile threatening the edges of her lips.

"Oh I know, but the sight of you working yourself up is indeed amusing" he said smiling only just now noticing that her shawl was not on, looking around he quickly found it on the floor by the chair and picked it up before handing it to a blushing Mrs Hughes.

She wrapped it around herself before looking at him again "Everything aside, I wanted to thank you Charles, you were very much the ear and comfort I was in need of last night and for that I thank you" she said sincerely.

Charles nodded and smiled "It was my pleasure, now I think you will agree that, we must be getting on" he said and Elsie nodded before heading out of the kitchen.

Authors note: I love these two and i totally think they should be a couple so i wrote a little story for them. I might continue this, please review to tell me what you think and if i should. Thankyou! :D