A/N: Yeah still not mine... :( Still going to make them do what I want though.

A/N 2: I have no idea yet how long this is going to be or how often I'll update. Today has been a lucky day with the kids co-operating though!

Elsie took her time getting cleaned up and changed, it was much needed time. She had to calm herself, to stow her thoughts. Bury them deeper before she opened her mouth in his presence again. Basket in hand she slowly made her way down the stairs and stopped to speak with Lord Grantham on her way down, knocking that task off her check list. From there she wandered down to the servants hall looking around. It was smaller than the one at home, but there was much less staff here too.

Mr. Bates descended the stairs and she turned with a smile, "Mr. Bates, it's nice to see you. I believe I've got something in here for you" Holding up the basket she moved to set it down on the table before shuffling through the contents.

"Mrs. Hughes! Our reinforcements have arrived." With a smile he followed her to the table, "Something for me? Let me guess Anna fears I'm not being fed and watered all the way up here?"

Charles heard her voice and smiled a bit and stood from behind his desk. The sooner she spoke with Lord Grantham the sooner he could give her a full tour of the house...or even share a glass of wine in his pantry or her newly acquired sitting room even. Standing in the doorway of the servants hall he watched the exchange with a light smile.

"Well that I'm sure... and Mrs. Patmore fears you'll all be lost without her apple tart." Pulling out a wrapped slice of apple tart she handed it to him and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. She glanced to the door with a smile and pulled out another, slightly larger, slice of apple tart and carried it across the room to Carson. "Mr. Carson, your apple tart."

John glanced to Mr. Carson with a grin, "I'd say she's hired...what say you Mr. Carson?"

Taking his tart he smiled one of those rare, broad smiles and nodded, "Oh I agree Mr. Bates. Definitely." Giving the man a nod he turned his attention to Mrs. Hughes, "Shall we go up and see his Lordship then? Get that out of the way..."

"I've already seen him, on my way down stairs. I did the one thing I'd hoped not to and found myself on the wrong stair case like a first time house maid. I paid for my transgressions with a slice of apple tart...and now that you two have got yours, I'm cleaned out."

"Well then, how about tea and a chat while we figure out what we're going to do about this mess?"

"Very well, lead the way Mr. Carson." Watching as he turned and walked back to his pantry, she bit her lip very gently again. Shaking her head she followed, really this was too much. She was a grown woman and yet here she was acting like a giddy little school girl.

As he held the door open for her he couldn't help but inhale deeply as she brushed past him. Stepping inside he set his tart down and headed to make the tea. "Make yourself comfortable, who knows if there's water hot or not."

While he was busy in the kitchen she pottered about his pantry, nothing more than she did at home. She didn't want to pry, at least not too much. Looking over the small collection of framed photos she felt the color rise to her cheeks as she glanced at the one of them together. Lady Grantham had insisted the staff all had their photos taken, 'for the future' she had said. And here on his desk framed was the one that a young Lady Mary had demanded. Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes standing side by side. Lost in thought, she muttered softly to herself. Unaware he'd come back into the room, "Where on Earth did you find that thing?"

"Lady Mary gave it to me, halfway through her first season here. She said she knew I missed you because I was being crabby like Mrs. James."

Turning she smiled watching him pour the tea, "Oh really? You were crabby so that meant you missed me? Why on Earth would she have thought that?"

"Oh...well...she asked me what I did here in the evening. I told her nothing much, checked inventory and menus. Made certain things were ready for dinners and balls. Then she asked what I did at home, and I told her much of the same except usually I had your company for tea. As well as your help with the ledgers." Turning he handed her a cup of tea and motioned for her to sit down on one of the arm chairs, "The next evening she brought me the photo and it's been there ever since."

Sitting down she sipped at her tea, "I see. And...do you miss me while you're here?" Avoiding his gaze she felt her cheeks flush a bit once more.

His hand hovered, holding a knife over the now unwrapped apple tart. "Yes Mrs. Hughes, I do. I miss you while I'm here and you're in Downton." His voice was soft, a bit hoarse even. He cut the slice in half and placed each slice on a plate, handing one to her he took the other and his cup and sat across from her. Noting that she still wouldn't look at him. What was it about her being here that loosened his tongue? And hers for that matter, could it be that outside of the house they were just another pair of faces in the crowd? Especially he, there were a few people here that he knew but none that he would really run into randomly. "I'm sorry Mrs. Hughes, you must find me very forward. I'm not sure what has gotten into me today."

Shaking her head she smiled a bit before finally looking up at him. "No, I don't. I miss you while you're away too you know. Anna tries to keep me company but it's just not the same. Now eat your tart while you tell me what usually goes on around here."

Smiling at her confession he nodded and began explaining the ins and outs of the London season. It wasn't really much different, but it could be draining. With it being Lady Rose's first with the family they would most likely be hosting a few events. With their tea and tart gone he glanced over to her once more. "Shall I give you the quick tour before bed?"

"Please." Standing she gathered her dishes and his and set them on the tray, "You can start by showing me to the kitchen so we can take care of these."

With a nod he led her to the kitchen and helped her wash their dishes before offering her his arm and leading her through the house. Everyone else was in bed already and he needed to do his nightly door checks anyways. He stopped at the foot of the stairs leading to the womens quarters. "I'll be right next door if you need me. The door here doesn't lock, but there are only men here during the season. This year just Mr. Bates and myself, there are two footmen who come in as needed but they live close by."

They were standing closer than they should be once again, her hand still on his arm. Bringing his other hand up he gave hers a soft pat, "Goodnight Mrs. Hughes."

"Goodnight Mr. Carson, I'll see you in the morning." Smiling she let go of him and made her way up the stairs and to her room. She wasn't betting on getting much sleep, at least not tonight. Sleeping in a strange place, in a bed that wasn't her own. In a house that made different noises, she wouldn't be able to hear her girls settling in for the night either. Sure there was the cook, a couple kitchen maids, and four house maids here, but they weren't her girls. With a sigh she toed off her shoes and began unfastening her dress, and then her corset. Once it was off she let out a content sigh of relief and flopped down on the bed staring at the ceiling. She never expected to hear Charles Carson...singing softly through the wall next to her head.