Chapter 2

August 15th 1914

Branson's POV

It's nearly been two weeks since war was declared, to be honest nothing has changed much. Most of the young men in the village signed up in the first week, and those who signed up first left a few days ago for the training camp. No one from Downton has left yet, but Lynch, the groomer's son, Peter, left with two others from the village yesterday.

The papers have been surprisingly quiet. The only way we know what is going on is through Lord Grantham's old army friends who keep him updated. So far the biggest new that came through was on the 13th, the Russians second army have been surrounded by the Germans in a spot called Tannenburg in Austria. Of course the papers hadn't reported on this. Lord Grantham says that once British troops get out there the newspapers will be allowed to print it, he says it's all about keeping up moral. I can't help noting the look of disgust when he says this, like he knows exactly why they don't tell us just what is going on, before enough have signed up. Mr Bates wont answer any questions either, even from Anna, and has the same expression as his Lordship. I often wonder what they're not telling us.

I hadn't subscribed yet. I told people it was because I was unsure if I could sign up for the British Army. But truthfully there was another reason.

My stomach was telling me that it was close to lunch time, but I couldn't wait. I went to the kitchen with the hope of weaselling something from Mrs Patmore, no sooner had I entered, I was turning around to leave. The kitchen was empty apart from William and Daisy. They were sat on the piano stool, Daisy on William's knee, her head buried in his chest with his arms wrapped around her, one hand stroking her hair. Her hands grasped the front of his jacket, making her knuckles white. She was crying. In a second glance as I left, I noticed that his eyes sparkled with tears as well. I saw Anna coming down the stairs, I hurried over.

"I think it would be better if you go the other way Anna." I muttered

"Why?" she muttered back, her eyebrow pulled together.

"William and Daisy. They, erm, look like they need some time alone." her eyebrows un-creased, she looked at the floor before looking back at me.

"You haven't heard?" I shook my head, "William signed up this morning. Daisy's bin a mess ever since he told her." when I didn't answer she turned down the opposite corridor.

This is exactly what had put me off subscribing. Saying goodbye to Sybil, even the thought was painful. How could I say goodbye knowing that I may never see her again. But if I stay I would be able to keep seeing her everyday, but face the torment of people looking down on me as a coward, never been able to know the real reason I didn't go. Either way I had to make a decision.

And I had to make it soon.

August 16th 1914

Sybil's POV

Gwen was leaving today. I had asked Branson to take her down to Rippon, with me. I was both sad and happy to see her leave. Sad, because I would loose one of my closest friends, next to Branson of course. But then I was happy for her because I knew how much she wanted this job, even if she never said it.

I came down to the entrance hall to find Gwen surrounded by well wishers coming to see her off. She was smiling, but I could see tears glistening in her eyes. As I stood and watched by the stairs, Thomas came in and announced that Branson was ready with the car. I couldn't help myself. Craning over the crowd I could only see the top of the car roof. Frustrated, I tried leaning around them, but I could still only see the back of the car, no Branson. "Lady Sybil?." I looked back towards the crowd to see Gwen beaming at me. "Are you ready Milady?" she called. I nodded and made my way towards her. Gwen had a final sweep of hugs and calls of 'Good Luck' before meeting me by the door.

As soon as we entered the yard, Branson left the drivers seat, as he always did, and came to open the door, one hand behind his back the other extended out to help us up. I let Gwen get in first before taking Branson's hand myself. I gave him a smile and he gently squeezed my hand in return. On the drive up Gwen and I talked about her new job and promised to write to each other as much as possible. Occasionally I glanced at Branson's reflection in the front mirror, when we caught each others eye, his eyes would crinkle up in a smile which I would return gladly. Sometimes I think Gwen noticed, as when I looked back at her she would turn up the corner of her mouth. When I replied with a innocent confused look, an eyebrow would raise so far it was in danger of disappearing in to her hairline.

When we arrived in Rippon, Branson assured us that he knew where the building Mr Bromwich had told us to go, was. But after half and hour of driving around I suggested we stop and ask for directions. It didn't take us long after that. The building turned out to be on the outskirts of the town, in a area that we rarely visited. I made to follow her inside but before I entered I heard: "Lady Sybil," I turned around, Branson was leaning out of the car. "I have some business I have to take care of would you mind if I borrow the car for a small while?" I laughed at his formalness, we only spoke like this when we had company.

"Of course Branson aren't you going to say goodbye to Gwen?"

"I'll wait until I get back Milady, besides it'll give you and Gwen some time alone."

I gave a small nod and called "Be careful. Don't get caught in any political debates." I saw him laugh in the mirror.

"You might want to take your own advise, Milady." he called as he drove passed.

I laughed and followed Gwen inside. The place was nice enough, quite large, light and spacious.

"Looks like a nice place, don't you think so?" I said. No answer. "Gwen?" I noticed that she wasn't by my side. Turning around I saw she was still by the door, the tears back in her eyes. "Oh Gwen," I cried, running over and taking her hands. "Please don't or you'll make me start."

"S-Sorry, Milady. I'm-I'm being silly." she sobbed. "What you must think…"

"Nonsense." I pulled her over to a seat and sat her down, kneeing in front of her, still clutching her hands. "It's just the nerves. Once you get settled and show everyone how brilliant you are. You'll feel-you'll feel right at home." it was starting to get to me, I could feel the tears building up and the lump had formed in my throat.

"Thank you Milady, I'm going to miss you." that did it. Both eyes overflowed and tears ran down each of our cheeks. At that moment there was a sound of a door opening behind me.

"Miss Dawson?" called a voice.

Gwen stood up, wiping the tears from her face. "Yes."

I got to my feet and saw a woman stood at the door at the other end of the room.

"If your ready, would you like to come through and I will show you around." Gwen looked at me with slightly panicked eyes. I turned to the lady,

"Sorry, but we are just waiting for our other friend, he wont be long I assure you." I explained with my best over exuberant smile. The lady nodded.

"Just come through when your done." Gwen nodded frantically. She looked more nervous then a anti-feminist surrounded by suffragettes. I gave her a reassuring rub on the back.

"He wont be long." I assured her. Sure enough a few minutes later Branson came jogging through the door.

"Sorry, took a bit longer then I thought." he said with an apologetic grin.

"I'll wait outside." I said. Before I could take a step towards the door Gwen stood up and put her arms around me and murmured into my ear:

"Thank you Milady, for everything." I was off again, I didn't even try to contain my tears this time. We stepped out of the hug and once again her face was tear-stricken. We both laughed, I held out my hand, she took it.

"Good Luck Miss Dawson. I'm sure you will do exceedingly well." I said in my best serious face, which she copied. But smiles began to creep back in and soon we where laughing again. It was only when the woman came back out, eyebrows raised, did we stop.

"I'm sorry, we wont be long" said Gwen. She returned to her room. I took that as my queue to leave. Giving Gwen another swift hug, I made my way out. When I got to the door I turned and glanced back.

Gwen had just wrapped her arms around Branson's neck, his around her shoulders. A strange feeling appeared in my stomach, like someone had just made me jump. Surprisingly, I felt slightly angry and so quickly ran out of the door and into the car, to get away. What was that? They were just saying goodbye, I had seen many people doing the same this morning, so why was it different now? I found myself thinking about the day me and Branson told Gwen she got the job, how she had hugged us both and how he linked his fingers in mine, how it had made my heart race when I locked my fingers around his. Wait, why was I thinking of that? I didn't have time to dwell on the answer as Branson had just come through the door and was making his way to the car, flashing me a smile, which I half-heartedly returned, making him frown in confusion.

"Are you okay, Milady?" he asked as he clambered into the drivers seat.

"I've been better, Branson." I sighed in reply as he started the engine. I could feel him looking at me through the mirror as he set off.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Gwen will be fine once she settles in." his Irish accent was full of reassurance, I couldn't help but feel a little happier just by hearing it.

"I'm sure she will." I said with what I hoped would be a convincing smile. "Did you finish the business you had to see to?" I asked, eager to change the subject. There was a slight pause before he answered.

"Yes." he kept his eyes on the road when he answered, and didn't even turn his head slightly.

"What was it?" I pressed on.

"Oh nothing to important Milady. Just something I thought I'd better do while I'm here." I decided to leave it there, Branson sounded as though he didn't want to talk about it. Although this made me even more curious.

We drove past the post office, the main subscription site in the area. I was surprised to see a number of young men queuing outside, even now. I thought of William and Daisy and what would happen if he didn't come back. I stopped quite quickly. It was just too heartbreaking to think about. I found my gaze unintentionally being drawn to the mirror just as Branson did. A thought struck me.

"I hear that you haven't signed up yet, Branson, is it true?." A long pause filled the gap between his answer.

"Yes, Milady." again he didn't meet my gaze when he answered. My chest felt a bit lighter now. We had made it to the country road, home wasn't far now.

"Good," I murmured, I think he heard me though as his eyes flickered in my direction. "I don't know what I would do if you left." I was talking to myself more then anything, but he was still listening. "Who would I talk to? Nobody understands me like you do." a lump was forming in my throat again, I normally wasn't the crying type, but today I couldn't stop. "What-what would I d-do, Branson, what would I-I do?" tears where rocketing, uncontrollably down my cheeks now, I put my head in my hands, my shoulders shaking of there own accord. "I need you. I need-I need you. Please don't, don't go, plea-" the suddenness of his arms encircling me put a end to my sobbing pleas. I hadn't even noticed the car had stopped. I hadn't noticed that he sat by my side. But it didn't matter, I just melted into him completely. His hand gently rubbing my arm, his chin resting on top of my head. Suddenly I felt so calm, so relaxed. It just fit, to be in his arms, it felt right. My sobbing vanished as quickly as it came.

"Do you feel better?" he murmured. I managed to coax out a small hum in reply. He took his head away and looked at me, "Are you alright to go back?", another hummed response. "Okay then."

It was completely unexpected. I hadn't seen it coming. I didn't have time to react. As soon as he said those two words he pressed his lips against my forehead, longer then was necessary, but I didn't mind at all. And then brushed my tear stricken cheeks with his thumb, while looking directly into my eyes. I became lost in a place I would quite happily remain in forever. But then, giving my arm one last rub, and got up and got back into the drivers seat.

Branson's POV

I clambered into the car again, my heart was racing. I was frustrated and delighted a the same time. How much I wanted to tell her in that moment how much I love her and never want to leave her side. But then she'd let me be that close to her, is it possible that…no of course not.

Even so, since I put my name on that list this afternoon, my time by her side was limited.

But by how much?

~oOo~

Oooooh hehe. Hope you liked it.

Same as the last chapter really: What you thought and any mistakes :)

xX Big Hugs Xx