It was four o'clock in the afternoon and Mary was taking tea in the parlor. Everyone else, it seemed, was out and she had the entire house to herself. Carson had simply deposited the tea on the table and left, letting her serve herself. Normally she would find such simplicity a bit relaxing- she didn't have to listen to Rose's incessant whining, for instance. But today she felt a bit lonely. Pouring a cup, she went over to the window and peered out over Downton's lawn. A singular figure wafted across the misty grass, and squinting a bit, she could see that it was Tom! Why on earth would he be out there when he could be inside, keeping her company… Mary's thoughts froze. Why was she even wondering such things? Did she miss him, or was she just lonely in general? Why was his absence having an effect on her at all? Shoving all thoughts aside, she marched over to the table, scooting everything off the tray but two cups of tea, and walked right out of the house and onto the lawn where she had seen him last, by an old tree.

"Mary!" Tom shouted, surprised, as he saw her figure drift towards him across the path. "What are you doing out here?"

"Well, it's teatime and I thought you might want some." She said firmly, nearly daring him to turn down a cup.

"Oh, is it already? You didn't have to come out, you know." He said, gesturing her to a bench nevertheless.

"I wanted to. What are you doing out here?" She asked, sitting down beside him with the tea tray placed between, handing him the cup she had poured for him.

"Just wandering, thinking mostly." He said, taking the cup gratefully and sipping it. "This is exactly how I like it. How did you know?" One eyebrow quirked at Mary, causing a blush to rise up which she quickly forced back down.

"Oh, well, I pay attention." She tossed her hair back casually, and his breath caught.

"Ah. Thank you."

Mary inclined her head towards him in welcome.

They sat there quietly for the rest of the afternoon, occasionally exchanging a bit of small talk but mostly enjoying the simple presence of one another, the only other person who understood their pains and triumphs completely. They retreated back to the house as the sun went down and the car came slowly up the drive, bringing the rest of the family home for dinner.

"Thank you, Tom, for this afternoon." Mary said with a smile before disappearing with the tea tray to places unknown.

"Anytime." His voice echoed in the empty hall. "Anytime."