A/N- So this one is set after Sybil dies and when they've finally come back together, thanks to adama-roslinlove for suggesting this. Also thanks for all the reviews guys

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Anna

The whole house, family and servants alike, had been thrown into a state of mourning after the tragic death of Lady Sybil. She had been a kind and spirited young woman with her whole life ahead of her. For possibly the first time in her life Anna had found herself finding an ally in Thomas, the usually cruel and vindictive man seemed to have soften somewhat, because he was one of the ones that really knew her. Anna had dressed and taken care of Lady Sybil before she had moved to Ireland and Thomas had worked closely with her during the War. And during this state of mourning and heartbreak the pair seemed to have found a common ground, smiling caringly at each other over dinner or speaking comforting words during the day. Downstairs, the unjust death had re-discovered the importance of family and community, and every servant had come together and comforted each other.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the family, or at least for Lord and Lady Grantham. The usually happy and together couple had been thrust into a horrible state, and the whole house had felt it. They were the backbone of Downton, and usually what made the house such a happy place, but in the weeks following Lady Sybil's death they had become separate, unhappy, the death of their beloved daughter had ripped into their marriage like nothing ever had before. They hadn't shared a bed, they had hardly spoke or even looked at each other. But, thankfully, that had passed. They weren't back to normal, not just yet, but they had united, and the whole house had felt it.

On one particular day Anna had been out to the village to pick up some things for Lady Mary, it was a beautiful day, and the sun was still glowing when she had returned late afternoon. As she walked up the path that led to Downton, she held out her arms slightly so she could fully appreciate the cool air. It was so peaceful. She continued walking until she heard voices coming from just off the path. She looked around and to her surprise she saw Lord and Lady Grantham curled up on the nearby bench; she appeared to be sitting in his lap and her head was resting on his chest. His arms were wrapped securely around her waist and his head was buried in her hair. Anna didn't know what to do; she could walk past them, what if they saw her? They would probably be so embarrassed and wouldn't think of doing anything similar again in case they were seen again. And she had to admit, it was nice seeing them together again, like they were before any of this utter devastation had taken place. She looked around quickly and saw the bush beside her, she sneaked behind, deciding to wait until the coast was clear, after all, the dressing gong would be rung soon.

From where she was sitting Anna could hear their soft murmurs: "I'm so sorry Robert." Lady Grantham whispered through tears that were damp on her cheeks. "To think of the time we lost when we could have been dealing with this together."

"There's nothing to apologise for my love. We are united now, and that's all that matters." He squeezed her a little tighter against him and she welcomed the affection, snuggling in a little closer.

The pair didn't speak for untold minutes, happy in each other's embrace. Anna thought that maybe they had fallen asleep, and that they wouldn't notice if she slipped past, but as Lady Grantham turned up to face her husband she knew she could not leave just yet. "Rob-" Lady Grantham tried to speak but her words wouldn't come out. The question that had plagued her since that day in Mama's sitting room needed answering, but she couldn't bring herself to ask. He looked down at her with slight confusion, and then with worry as he saw more tears run down her face.

"Cora what's the matter?"

"Nothing, I-I just need to ask you something." She said, wiping the tears from her cheeks. "But I'm scared of the answer." She admitted, looking down. Anna saw the upset in her employers face, and she knew that the question that she wanted to ask was not meant for prying ears, but there was nowhere Anna could go without them seeing her. She would have to wait, and watch the scene of emotion that was sure to follow.

"You needn't be scared my dear, this is obviously upsetting you, holding it in and if there's anything I can do to help then I will." He lifted her chin and she nodded as she took in his words. "So please Cora, ask me, whatever you need to." He let go of her chin and entwined his fingers with hers.

"It's just, I know how damaging these things can be on a marriage, and I want to know if this will ruin ours, or change it." He tried to speak but she interrupted him. "And more than that, I want to know if I have ruined our marriage, for I blamed you when you weren't to blame. I cannot tell you how sorry I am, but I need to know if I have ruined everything, if you can ever forgive me for shutting you out. Because the truth is, I love you Robert, and I don't want to lose you. And the only way I can get through this is if you're by my side and-" She couldn't go on because no more words were coming out. Tears were streaming down her face now, and it broke Anna's heart seeing her so upset. And it broke his Lordships heart too. He lifted up their conjoined hands and started wiping away her tears. Then he lifted up her chin again.

"Cora, I want you to understand, there is nothing to forgive, you blamed me, and you were just in doing that-"

"No, I wasn't, that's the point Robert, I've ruined our marriage, and ruined how you feel about me just so I could be angry at someone, and I blamed the person I loved most and now I've ruined that."

"No Cora. You haven't ruined anything. You haven't ruined our marriage and you certainly haven't ruined the way I feel about you. I love you, so much, and that will never change. What has happened to us would test anyone and we have found a way to come out of the darkness, and we have done that together." He searched her eyes for some indication of finality or understanding. "I couldn't have made it through this without you, and more than that I couldn't have survived anything without you. You are my rock Cora, you are what keeps me steady and you alone are what keeps me going." He let go of her hands and cupped her face, pressing his forehead against his. "Sybil's passing will change us, Cora." Just as she was about to interrupt he pressed his thumb to her lips. "But it will only make us stronger, for we know that if we can come through this together we can survive anything, and we will do so together." He gazed into her eyes, wiping stray tears from her cheeks. He leaned in a little closer and whispered; "I love you Cora" against her lips.

"I love you too Robert, so very very much." And with that she leaned in towards her husband and kissed him softly on the lips. Anna tore her eyes away from the pair, knowing that that was something she should not witness. She had seen more than she should have, and she would not intrude on their moment any further. She heard them break apart and a few minutes later she heard her stand up. "We better go inside my darling." She whispered, holding out her hand. Anna then knew it was safe to turn around again. His Lordship stood up and took her wife's hand; Anna watched them walk towards the house, together, hand in hand.

When she was them walk through the front door she knew that it was safe to go inside. She didn't think she had ever seen such a poignant but happy scene in all her life. They had been to hell and back, but they had found their way back to each other. And in the end, that was all that mattered.

A/N- Sorry for all the angst in this chapter. Please please please let me know what you think xxx