A/N: I don't own Downton Abbey or any of these characters. So, it's been a week since the big chapter. I hope you all don't hate me too much for the way this story is going. This chapter isn't much better, but there is a method to my madness. Keep up with the reviews. I do appreciate them more than you can know. Enjoy!

July 1923

Tom woke up in the morning to find that he was alone in bed. He did not think much of it. Mary must have woken up before him and went to her room to avoid one of the servants finding them together. They both surely did not want anyone to find out about what had happened last night. Still, it would have been nice to wake up with her in his arms. He had fallen asleep rather easily last night, knowing that she was beside him and he slept better than he had in a long while. When Tom thought about it, he hadn't slept like that since the last time he shared a bed with Sibyl.

Now that Tom was awake, he could not stop replaying last night's events over and over again in his mind. Mary's lips had felt so soft and the feeling of her arms wrapped around him had been so thrilling. Tom was sorry that it had to end, but he was glad that they had stopped before anything serious had actually happened. They should take things slow. There was no need to rush. Now that Mary and Tom had both admitted how they felt about each other, they had time to figure out what that meant.

If Tom was to be honest, he had no idea what it meant. Sure, they had both revealed their feelings and there was an obvious attraction between them, but what did that all really mean? Tom felt so strongly about Mary, a feeling he had only had once before with Sybil. It was the beginning of love. Tom might not be fully conscious of that fact yet, but with every conversation, argument and embrace, he was falling in love with Mary. The problem was that Tom did not know if Mary returned these feelings. She was so hard to read. One minute she was cold and the next she was burning hot. One thing Tom was sure of was that at the very least, Mary wanted to explore their relationship as much as he did. Lying in bed, Tom resolved that that was what he would do. He would just wait and see where his relationship with Mary went and follow his heart and intuition along the way.

Tom suddenly felt the need to go and talk to Mary. He probably wouldn't get the chance to this morning. Mary still took her breakfast in her room and he was stuck with Robert, Rose and occasionally, Edith downstairs. He would see her after in the nursery as they usually visited Sybbie and George together later on in the morning. Tom smiled at the prospect of seeing her and he dressed rather quickly, completely missing the small note that lay on his bedside table.

When Tom arrived in the dining room, he found Robert reading the newspaper as usual and Rose and Edith talking quietly with each other. He made up his plate and went to sit down. No one spoke to him, which wasn't all together that unusual, but he did notice Rose sending a smile his way. Tom supposed Mary was right about Rose trying to flirt with him.

Tom was nibbling on some toast when Robert spoke to Edith, "So Mary did not say anything to you about going to London?"

"As I have already said twice, Papa," Edith responded. "Besides, Mary would hardly share her plans with me," she added.

Robert nodded and turned to speak to Tom, "Do you know why Mary went to London?"

Tom barely heard what Robert said to him. He was too busy processing the news. Mary had gone to London. Rather, she had run away. That is why she had left his room early in the morning. She was running away from him, from them. Tom couldn't believe it. How could Mary have done this? How could she leave without a word after what had happened between them last night?

Tom was broken out of his racing thoughts by Robert shouting at him, "Tom! Did you hear me? Do you know why Mary went to town?"

"Oh. I'm sorry, Robert," Tom stammered out. "No, I have no idea why she left. Is she already gone?" Tom asked quietly.

"Yes, she left this morning with George. Anna told Mrs. Hughes that they were going to Rosamund's and that Mary did not know how long she would be staying," Robert stated.

"My maid said Cousin Mary took quite a lot of luggage with her. I expect she will stay for some time," Rose chimed in.

Everyone was silent for a moment before Robert spoke up again, "Tom, Mary took along the nanny with her so Mrs. Hughes has sent one of the maids up to see to Sybbie."

"Oh, thank you," Tom mumbled. "I think I'll go up and see if she has everything under control, if you all will excuse me," he said as he rose and quickly shuffled out of the room. Tom couldn't wait to get away from everyone.

As Tom ascended the stairs, he continued to wonder why Mary had left. Everything had gone so well last night. Of course, it had been a bit awkward to share their feelings, but as they had fallen asleep in each other's arms, it had felt so right. Obviously, Mary had not felt the same. Was she just scared? Surely, he would be able to convince her that they could take things slow. If she felt rushed into something she wasn't prepared for, then Tom would allow everything to go at a pace she felt comfortable in. He would make this right. He only wished he knew why exactly Mary had gone.

Tom opened the door to the nursery to find the maid managing Sybbie reasonably well. He recognized her as one of the maids who he had worked with while he was still the chauffeur. She had grown up with lots of brothers and sisters, which Tom guessed was why she was getting on acting as a nanny. At least he could be thankful that he didn't have to worry about his daughter being mishandled at the moment. Tom had enough on his mind.

Tom played with Sybbie for well over an hour. Her smile and the sound of her little laugh made Tom feel better. He was still upset though and his daughter noticed it.

"Daddy, why are you sad?" Sybbie asked innocently.

Tom faked a smile and responded, "I'm not sad, darling. Why do you think I am?"

"You're not laughing, Daddy!" Sybbie yelled. "Is it because George and Auntie Mary left?" she inquired.

"Well I will miss them," Tom answered. He had to marvel at how perceptive his young daughter was.

Sybbie frowned and said, "I miss them too. They'll come home soon, won't they?"

"I hope so, darling," Tom stated somberly, knowing that they probably wouldn't.

When Tom returned to his room after visiting Sybbie, he plopped down on the bed. He looked to his side and noticed a small note with his name on it placed quite prominently on his bedside table. Tom wondered why he hadn't noticed it before, but he supposed one of the maids must have placed it there. He picked it up and looked at the handwriting on the front. It was Mary's. Tom's heart stopped. She had left something after all. Perhaps, she explained why she left or maybe, she wanted him to come see her. He quickly unfolded the small sheet of paper. When he read what it said, his hopes were dashed.

Tom,

I'm sorry. I can't do this. Don't come after me.

- Mary

His worst fears were true after all. Mary didn't want a relationship. She didn't love him. It was all a mistake. The plans Tom had made this morning were for nothing. They would never be together. The second chance for love Tom had thought he had was gone.

Tom remained on the bed as tears wetted the note that had destroyed his dreams.