A/N: Well here we are; chapter four! Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter, I am so happy with the response this story is getting…now here we go…

Mary knew her face was only partially visible in the darkness thanks to the light coming from the ballroom. Why hadn't Matthew and that woman broken apart yet? She wondered. Stepping closer to the two she hoped her face gave nothing away, this is one moment where Mary hoped she could be the "cold, and carful Lady Mary Crawley," as so many had once described her.

"Matthew, aren't you going to introduce us?" Mary asked, in as much of a composed voice as she could manage.

Finally, managing to free himself from his captor's grip, he took a step back so that all three of them stood in the shape of a triangle

"Mary, this is Natalie Cavanaugh; her father is one of the firm's clients. Natalie, this is my wife Lady Mary Crawley" Matthew said, hoping that the emphasis on the word wife would in some way reassure Mary.

For a moment, Mary and Natalie just studied one another. Mary noticed that Natalie looked similar to her sister Sybil; the only differences were Natalie's blonde hair, green eyes, and not as full lips.

"Lady Mary, it is a please sure to meet you" Natalie said, her voice sounded nervous and her eyes as they fixed on Mary held a look of trepidation in them.

"Likewise Miss. Cavanaugh, now if you will excuse us I would like a word with my husband" Mary said as she took a step over to Matthew who had been watching them with growing concern. Mary made sure as she stopped at Matthew's side she placed a possessive hand on his arm.

"Uhh certainly Lady Mary" Natalie replied, blushing furiously. She quickly made her way back to the ballroom. She knew she had just made a fatal mistake in trying to compromise a married man.

After Natalie had made it back inside, Mary dropped her hand from Matthew's arm. They stood there looking at each other; trying to read the thoughts of one another.

"Mary I…" Matthew started to speak but was immediately cut off by Mary.

"Matthew, mother called George is sick. If you don't mind I would like to leave and go home, I am quite tired and I would like to leave early in the morning and go to Downton" Mary said cutting him off. She knew that they would have to talk eventually and that she would have to give Matthew the chance to explain. However, right now was not that time, there were too many emotions and she needed to worry about their son.

"Of course we can leave and we will head to Downton first thing in the morning" Matthew said. He was well aware that there were things that needed to be said between him and Mary. Mary needed an explanation, and he needed to figure out how to give it.

The car on the drive home was silent except for the music coming from the radio. That night as Mary and Matthew went to bed they slept with their backs to one another, still emotionally raw and not sure how to act. It was the first time since they had been married that they had not fallen asleep in one another's arms.

The next day…

The morning started off awkward; Mary and Matthew going about their own business not exchanging anything more than a few necessary words. After, a quiet breakfast they decided it would be best to go ahead and leave for Downton. Despite the tension between the two of them, they did share one thing: worry over George.

Making their way up the long gravel drive they both saw the majestic house that was Downton come in to view. Cora and Robert were standing outside waiting to greet Matthew and Mary.

"My dears, I told you not to worry that everything was fine. There really was no need for you to drive all the way here" Cora said, while wrapping her arms around both Mary and Matthew the second they stepped out of the car.

"Mama I am sure you understand that it is not easy for a mother to stay away from her child they are ill" Mary replied, raising an eye-brow in question. As Mary and Cora continued to talk; Matthew stepped over to Robert, who was wisely allowing the women to talk in peace.

"Matthew, how are you?" Robert asked, sensing that something was not quite right between the young couple.

"Robert, would you mind if we talked later?" Matthew asked. Robert was the closest thing he had to a father and his opinion mattered greatly. He hoped that Robert could help him figure out how to approach Mary and explain everything.

"Of course we can. How about after dinner? We can use my study" Robert answered. He was curious as to what Matthew wanted to talk about. Matthew nodded his head in agreement, as Cora and Mary had walked over to them.

"Well I know you both must be anxious to see George he is in the nursery taking a nap" Cora informed Matthew and Mary as they all walked in to the house. Cora and Robert chose to go to the library, giving Mary and Matthew the opportunity to go and see their son alone.

The nursery…

Matthew stopped Mary with a gentle hand on her arm just before she opened the door to the nursery. Mary looked down at his hand and then up at him with a questioning look.

"Mary, I know we need to talk; but can I kiss you? Because I need to, very much" Matthew asked. Mary looked up in to his blue eyes; oh how she loved him, especially in moments like this. Leaning up on her toes and placing one hand in his hair she pressed her lips to his. It was a kiss that said "we may not be okay right now, but we will be." But above all it was a kiss that said "I love you." Breaking the kiss and taking one last look at Matthew's eyes, Mary opened the door.

George, only covered by a sheet was curled up in the middle of the bed with his teddy bear. His breaths were deep and even, and his hair was slightly damp. Walking over to the side of the bed Mary and Matthew both looked down at their sleeping prince. Mary couldn't resist laying a gentle hand on his forehead; he was burning up. Mary sat down on the side of the bed and Matthew walked around to sit on the opposite side. Both wanted nothing more than to wake George and hear him say "Mama" and "Papa" or to feel his arms tiny arms wrap around their necks. However, Mary and Matthew both knew it was best that he rest. Sharing one last look at their boy and each placing a kiss on his head, they left to let him sleep.

A/N: Hopefully chapter five will be posted close to next weekend. Exam time is coming up for me soon; so please bear with me in the future. As usual, thank you to my two wonderful friends (Oiseaus and Matthewandmaryfluffalert) for listening to me rant and then making me laugh. The dinner is up next! As always read and review(: