A/N: Apologies for the delay - I haven't abandoned this fic, it's just that I'm back at work now so my evenings are spent planning and marking. I also have been working on another Downton related project... a fan website for Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes), called 'Shut The French Windows'. The website address is in my profile, so please do visit and let me know what you think.

Anyway... we rejoin Charles and Elsie, after they've been told the devastating news about Sybil.

After delivering the grave news to their assembled colleagues (and Beryl) and offering comfort to some of the younger members of staff, Elsie retreats into her office, closing the door behind her and leaning against it.

Reluctantly, Charles watches her go, and decides to give her a few minutes alone. She needs it; they all do. He keeps a close eye on her, thankful that she doesn't close the blinds. It only takes seconds before he sees her face crumple and the tears - that she has so far managed to keep at bay - begin to fall. He maintains his distance until the moment she slides to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

He's across the office in less than ten seconds, tapping gently on her door, ever polite; even in crisis. She doesn't reply but stands, trembling, and moves away from the door.. Taking it as an invitation to enter and, when he does he finds her, leaning forward onto her desk, bracing herself.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" His tender words only cause her sobs to increase. How could anyone be alright in this situation? "Sorry, stupid question."

"She was the sweetest spirit, Charles. She didn't deserve this. And that poor, wee bairn!"

He's not sure if she needs, or even wants, his comfort but he puts his arm around her to offer it nevertheless, even though he knows there's not really anything he can do to ease the pain. For a moment, she's tempted to shrug him off, make some quip about somebody seeing them, but she knows he's hurting too and she can't bring herself to add to his pain. So instead she leans into him; his bulk and warmth reassuring her that she is not alone.

After a few moments they shift, they are now embracing fully, arms wrapped around each other. They stand like that for several minutes, grieving. Charles is aware that the office blinds are open, they can be seen but he finds he doesn't care quite as much as he thought he might. Elsie needs him and, though he'd never admit it to anyone, he needs her just as much.

Once the have cried all the tears they can for that moment, Charles places a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'm sorry love… for this morning. I shouldn't have reacted the way that I did. I was unprepared for seeing Mary. I didn't know what to say so I took the coward's way out and in doing so I hurt you. For that I am sorry."

"I'm not sure this is the most appropriate time to talk about this Charles."

"We've been given a reminder today of the fleeting nature of life," Charles declares. "I don't want to be at odds with you any longer than necessary. I don't like it when we're not in agreement."

"We're different people Charles, we can't always agree. But as you do want to talk about it, can I ask you something? Why does her opinion matter so much to you?"

"For the same reason that Beryl or Anna's opinion matters to you. I know you aren't particularly fond of her, but I care about her Elsie. I've known her whole life. A couple of years after she was born, this place was in real trouble; we were heading towards liquidation and Cora would come in to help, as we couldn't afford extra staff. Of course, she had to bring Mary with her and she would often find her way into my office, while Robert and Cora had meetings with financiers and bank managers to try to secure the future of the business. This continued even once she started school, she'd come in at every available opportunity and she'd sit in the corner of my office reading or doing her homework and when I had a free moment we would talk. About anything and everything. To me, she became the daughter I never thought I'd have, and to her I became a surrogate father."

"Your attachment to her I understand, but Mary… she has a father of her own."

"She's not stupid Elsie, she knew from an early age that Robert wanted a son to leave the business too. When that didn't happen and it became apparent that the business would be left to her one day, she felt pressured to act a certain way with him, to assure her father that she would make a fine heiress. In my office, with me, she didn't have to do that, she could just be herself. I'm sure I don't need to talk to you about having favourites." He knew how close she and Sybil had been. The youngest Crawley had often gone to Elsie for advice in her late teens, especially when she thought her mother was being too American. They had formed a strong bond, one which had been strengthened, when Sybil had been on duty at A&E the night Elsie had been attacked. He knew Sybil had stayed after her shift had ended and pulled extra shifts to ensure Elsie got the best care possible.

Elsie began to tear up again at the mention of Sybil. She couldn't begrudge him the relationship; it was clearly important to him. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised she was drawn to you, you always have had an affinity with children," she replies, thinking of his relationship with Grace.

Charles reads her mind and her concern. "Don't worry, when Grace was born she burrowed her way into my heart just as much, if not more so than, Mary. It's not a contest. I am able to care for them both."

"I know," she assures, "but will Mary be able to share you?"

"She'll have to find a way," declares Charles, embracing her. "Because I'm in a relationship with you," he whispers, "and I plan on staying that way for a long time to come. Grace is going to feature heavily in my life, even more so than she does now and Mary will have to learn to live with it."

A tap on the window disturbs their solitude. Elsie, being the one facing the direction from which it comes, opens an eye. "Speak of the devil," she comments. Mary Crawley is stood outside her office looking like a lost soul and, despite herself, Elsie begins to soften towards her. She has just lost her sister after all. She extracts herself from Charles' arms and moves to let Mary in.