Impossibly Possible

Fandom: Downton Abbey

Pairing: Sybil/Branson

Disclaimer: I don't own the show or characters.

Summary: Starting sometime before the war starts, leading from there as Sybil and Branson become closer.

A/N- I hope you like this next instalment, there will be a couple more chapters in London, and then the story will return to Downton.

I'd just like to thank everyone who has reviewed this, I feel very privileged to get your feedback.

June 1914

Sybil's been pacing in front of the garage for a solid hour, trying to work up the nerve to go inside. Branson spotted her a full forty minutes ago, but he isn't letting on, if he's honest with himself it's amusing to see, because usually the Crawley girls are so well put together, and if anything bothers them, they do their very best to hide it behind a wall of false smiles, and careful movements, so seeing her pace back and forward across the courtyard is nice to see. In fact he'd go as far as to say that seeing her anywhere was nice to see. However he is due to take Lord Grantham out in less than half an hour, so if she doesn't work up the nerve to come in soon, he'll have to go out to her.

Five minutes later and she looks into the garage, catching his eye and realising that he's been watching her. She falters for a second and then smiles nervously and walks into the garage.

'You knew I was out there.' It's not really a question, her soft voice is simply stating a fact, but he answers her anyway.

'For a while, you looked like you had a lot to think about, so I thought it best not to interrupt you.' He smirks, his voice lilting lazily as he watches her blush.

'I'm being rather foolish I'm afraid, you see I did as you asked and spoke to Gwen.'

'What's the story then? Does she – you know?' He can't bring himself to say the words, but she knows everything he's not saying, it's always been the way with them, they don't need to talk not always, sometimes the things they don't say are so much louder, more meaningful.

'I'm afraid she does, that is I'm not sure that's the right wording, you might be – I don't know you might be glad.' She looks up at him, questioning him with her gaze, she sighs loudly.

'I wouldn't call it glad milady, because she's a sweet girl and I like her, I wouldn't want to hurt her in anyway, but now – well now it seems I won't have much of a choice.'

'Meaning?' Sybil feels a swelling of hope begin in her, she tries not to pay any particular attention to it, but it's there and it's growing stronger.

'Meaning that I'll have to find a way to let her down gently,' He rubs a hand across his face tiredly, 'I've never had to let a girl down before.'

'Has there never been anyone you wanted to turn down?' She blushes as she asks it, she shouldn't have said it, they both know that the moment it's out, but now that it's out it hangs there.

'There hasn't ever been anyone milady, that is nobody I've had to turn away. I walked out with a girl back in Ireland, when I was a lad, but it didn't work out.'

'What happened? I hope you didn't break her heart.' Sybil smiles unashamedly, pleased she can tease him, because somehow it relieves the tension.

'No I didn't,' He laughs loudly, 'and before you ask she didn't break my heart either, she realised she was in love with someone else, I realised I'd never loved her, so we went our separate ways, she got married and I came to England.'

'And there hasn't been anyone, in England I mean?'

'I wouldn't put it like that milady.' He holds her gaze and it's there again, the things they aren't saying, he isn't saying it but she hears it, it's like he's screaming it in her ear, but he can't say it aloud, and she can't acknowledge it, it's too much for her to handle right now, she isn't ready.

'Just not Gwen.' Their gaze stays level, each one daring the other to look away.

'No, not Gwen.' He speaks so quietly, hardly more than a whisper and it's enough to break the contact, it's getting too much for Sybil to handle, she looks away.

'I could break it to her, we're friends me and her, it might be a little easier for her to handle.' Sybil shrugs.

'You're a kind person, you've a good heart, but,'

'You think you should be the one to talk to her.' Sybil nods her understanding, 'I thought you probably would.'

'Should you be getting back?' He asks reluctantly.

'I should.' She smiles and sits down on the work bench, 'then again I probably shouldn't have come down here in the first place.'

The ball was long and dull, a few weeks ago Sybil had been so excited about coming to the fine balls, but now that she's here she can't bare them, tonight she's at a friend's ball, Imogen Nightly, who is at her side at the moment, giggling about some new suitor who smiled at her.

'What about you Sybil?' Imogen's use of her name snaps her out of her daydream, she's forced to focus on the conversation with Imogen and two other girls her age.

'What about me?' Sybil smiles kindly, oblivious to what the girls had just said, so she's no idea what they were asking her, the girls laugh.

'I'd say how distracted you are answers our question.' Imogen laughs brightly.

'What question?' Sybil asks again.

'Do you have your sights on any young man?' Imogen asks with a wicked grin on her face. 'I'm of course hopelessly in love with Daniel Sallis, Heather has her sights set on Peter Craven, and Fiona is quite taken by your cousin Matthew, though I gather the family are hoping he'll marry Mary.' Imogen recounts their conversation, 'So there must be someone you like, no girl ends their season without some young man in mind, and it's August now, you'll be home in a month.'

'There might be someone.' Sybil hides a smile.

'I thought there might, oh you must tell us everything, who is he?'

'No that I won't tell you.' Sybil presses a finger to her lips, illustrating her silence.

'Then we shall just have to guess!' Imogen claps her hands together.

'What are you guessing?' Mary comes up behind them, Sybil closes her eyes hoping Imogen won't tell Mary, but Imogen being silent isn't something likely to happen, and the words come spilling out.

'I didn't know you'd taken a liking to someone darling, you really must tell us who it is.' Mary smiles, feeling relief that her younger sister has found someone in their own circles to talk about.

'Not just yet Mary.' Sybil says firmly.

'I saw her dance with Tom Ferris twice tonight, and once at Fiona's ball, and he is always very attentive to her, I think it's him.' Heather says getting the general nod of approval from the other girls.

'Well I think Tom Ferris is a very sensible match, mama will be pleased.' Mary smiles approvingly.

'No! You mustn't say anything to anyone, promise me.' Sybil says quickly and just a little too loudly.

'Very well, I suppose all girls are allowed their secrets, besides it won't stay hidden for long.' Mary laughs, 'Tom Ferris, oh yes I do approve – darling are you quite alright, you look terribly flushed.'

'It's a little warm in here.' Sybil replies pressing a hand to her cheek, she knows she shouldn't allow them all to believe she has any interest in Tom Ferris, but she doesn't feel like she can dispute it now.

'Perhaps you should get some air.' Mary presses her hand to her sister's forehead, feeling the higher than normal temperature.

'I think you're right.' Sybil nods.

'I'll come with you.'

'I'll be fine alone; besides don't think I've forgotten you promised Cousin Matthew the next dance.'

'Oh that, well I'd far sooner go outside with you.' Mary rolls her eyes.

'Be nice.' Sybil warns her gently.

'If I must, well then I'll walk out with you and then come back in.' Mary takes Sybil's arm and they walk out into the street, where all the chauffeurs are waiting, cars lining the streets. Sybil scans the line for Branson, spotting him talking to another driver, his back turned to her.

'That's better.' Sybil smiles breathing in the cool air, 'it really was far too hot in there.'

'You know you really haven't been quite yourself for a few days, are you sure you're well?' Mary asks looking at her sister in concern.

'A little tired perhaps,' Sybil replies and is about to tell Mary not to worry, when her head starts to spin and she collapses to the ground.

'Branson!' Mary yells out for assistance, he turns and spots Mary bending down, he hurries over and sees Sybil collapsed on the ground, just coming round.

'Are you hurt milady?' Branson crouches at her side; Sybil lifts a hand to her head.

'She's had a collapse; I don't think she's at all well. Branson would you carry her to the car, I'll go inside and inform my parents, wait for me to come back and we'll get her home, then you must go for the doctor.'

'Of course milady.'

'Mary don't fuss, I'm perfectly able to walk.' Sybil protests despite the pain in her head, and the dizzy feeling when she sits up.

'Better safe than sorry milady.' Branson says as he effortlessly lifts her into his arms, Mary nods and then hurries inside to find her parents. Sybil rests her head against his chest as he carries her.

'Thank you Tom.' She smiles weakly, using his first name for the first time, before slipping into unconsciousness.

A minute after he lays her in the car Mary appears, hopping into the car sitting opposite her sister.

'What happened?' Mary asks as they pull away, and she's told him that her parents would be following with Edith in their other motor, and get the doctor on route.

'She passed out again milady.' Branson answers, driving quickly but carefully to avoid bumps.

'Dear goodness I hope she'll be all right.' Mary presses a hand to her mouth, showing her distress. Branson grips the wheel a little tighter to keep calm. They arrive back at their home ten minutes later, he jumps out quickly and helps Lady Mary down. Carson having seen the motor arrive, is outside already.

'Carson could you get Gwen to bring a bowl of cool water to Sybil's room, we need to bring down her fever.' Mary says as she watches Branson carefully lift Sybil from the car. 'Are you alright to carry her?'

'Yes milady.' Branson replies carrying her into the house, Mary leads the way to Sybil's tidy bedroom, and instructs Branson to lay her on the bed, he does as he's told, being incredibly gentle with her. Once she is settled he straightens up as Gwen hurries in.

'Is there anything else I can do Milady?' Branson asks, trying to keep the panic from his voice.

'I don't think so Branson, but we might need you later.' Mary says thinking about getting the doctor back again.

'Very well milady.' He turns to leave, knowing he won't be allowed to stay any longer, even though he desperately wants to.

Mary and Edith sit on one side of Sybil's bed, she has been in and out of it for three days now, Cora is sat on a chair on the other side of the bed, watching over her daughter who is fighting against the fever.

'Uh.' A small sound escapes Sybil's lips.

'Sybil dear, can you hear us?' Cora leans over her daughter.

'Tom – I want Tom.' Her voice comes out scratchy.

'Who is Tom darling?' Cora asks.

'She might mean Tom Ferris.' Mary puts in.

'Why on earth would she ask for Tom Ferris?' Edith says in disbelief.

'Imogen thinks she's rather taken with him' Mary shrugs, 'they could be more attached than we first thought.'

'Darling do you mean Tom Ferris?' Cora asks.

'No.' Sybil shakes her head, then regrets the action when pain shoots through her head, 'Please I just want Tom.' She says again before falling asleep.

'Perhaps she's delirious, or maybe she really does mean Tom Ferris.' Edith offers at the confused look on her mother's face. 'I don't think she knows what she's saying.'

'I think perhaps your right, we'll let her rest.' Cora stands as does Edith and they leave the room; Mary looks at her sister once more before getting up and walking to the garage.

'Can I help you milady?' Branson asks, sitting up and reaching for his jacket.

'Oh don't worry with that, I don't need the motor.' Mary waves a hand to stop his action, 'I only wanted to ask you something.'

'Yes milady?' He wants to ask if Sybil is alright, but he needs to wait until Mary has said what she came to say.

'I only wondered what your name is, your first name?'

'Oh, it's Tom milady, why?'

Mary sighs deeply and closes her eyes, she'd had a feeling that Sybil hadn't meant Tom Ferris, and now she was fairly certain she knew why.

'No reason, except I think Sybil's been asking for you.' Mary stares at him, 'Has anything happened between you?'

'No milady.' Branson answers truthfully.

'But you are friends?'

'I suppose you could call it that milady, I enjoy her company and I think she enjoys mine.'

'I see, make sure it stays that way.'

'Yes milady.' He nods, 'You said she'd asked for me.'

'Yes but I'm not entirely certain I should listen, I want to help her and I hate to see her suffer, but if anyone saw you in there you'd likely lose your position, even if I did try and explain, in fact I think if anyone knew Sybil had been asking for the chauffer you'd lose your position.'

'That's a risk I'm willing to take.' Branson says firmly.

'Very well, follow me.' Mary says reluctantly, leading Branson through the dark house, pleased that everyone is in the library. They reach Sybil's room and Mary hesitates, but then lets him in. 'You've got five minutes; I'll stay here and stand guard.'

'Thank you milady.' He hurries to Sybil's side the second the door closes, he takes her hand in his, and her eyes flutter open, a soft peaceful smile on her face.

'Tom you came.' She smiles.

'Of course I did.' He says quietly, certain that Mary will be listening on the other side of the door, 'though I don't think Lady Mary was too pleased you asked for me.'

'I'll talk to her, you're my friend and I wanted to see you.' Sybil holds his gaze.

'How are you?' He asks quietly.

'A little better I think, the doctor was concerned about my fever, but I think it's come down a little.' Sybil replies, 'How have you been?'

'Worried about you.' He answers honestly. Their conversation moves from there, and they start discussing other things, with Sybil laughing as she tells him how everyone thinks she has fallen for Tom Ferris.

'That's your lot.' Mary opens the door, Branson quickly pulls his hand from Sybil's and stands up, she eyes him suspiciously.

'Can't we have five more minutes?' Sybil asks, and Mary is forced to note how much brighter she looks now.

'No.' Mary replies firmly, 'Branson you should go now.'

'Yes milady.' He nods and looks back at Sybil, 'I'm glad you're alright.'

'Thank you for coming Branson.' Sybil smiles, knowing she should address him as Branson now.

'You're welcome milady.' He nods and reluctantly leaves.

'Thank you for doing that Mary.' Sybil smiles gratefully.

'Sybil darling has anything happened with Branson?'

'What? No of course not.' Sybil shakes her head, 'He's a friend that's all.'

'Well I'll tell you what I told him, make sure it stays that way. I'm not even sure I'm happy about you being friends with him, honestly Sybil he's the chauffer.'

'You know I don't care about that.'

'I do, and that's what worries me.' Mary says quietly.