"Morning, morning, morning all!" Sang Tom, snatching at some toast that just popped out from the toaster, placing it straight into his mouth.

"Oi! Ireland! That was my breakfast!" Cried William, punching out an arm playfully at Tom.

"My apologies. Ahh, Mrs. P looking fine this morning." Mumbled Tom through a mouthful of toast.

"It's rude to talk with your mouth full." Grumbled Mrs. Patmore who had just entered the kitchen, yawning as she did so.

"Once again, my apologies." He smirked, taking the toast out of his mouth and kissing Mrs. Patmore on the cheek, before spinning to lean on the counter.

Anna laughed at Mrs. Patmore's stunned face and turned to Tom. "You know Tom I never know how you're going to wake up. You're either on an absolute high or on the biggest low imaginable!"

Tom winked at her and opened the mornings paper, though he barely took in the words, too busy considering what Anna had just said. He knew why he had always been unpredictable in the mornings since his arrival in January. All his bad mornings and cheery risings since his time in Downton had all stemmed from how him and Sybil had gotten on the previous day. If they had argued or she had troubled him somehow, it was a definite that he would wake up quiet or withdrawn the next morning. If she had elated him or he had made some sort of advance in their relationship however, he could guarantee a daybreak smile. But ever since their charged encounter in his room the other week, the past seven days had begun on highest of highs. Today was no diffferent.

"Anything interesting?" asked Mr. Bates, spreading butter on his roll.

Tom picked a story at random, "Not much, just a divorce rumour about some American actors."

"Oh dammit!" Gasped Anna turning to face Tom. "That reminds me! I completely forgot! You know Sir Crawley and Mrs. Crawley are going to New York for the week? Well last night the girls decided to join them! And Sir Crawley asked that you go too. They often ask the home staff to go with them when they travel as a family, mostly because it's more safe and secure. I'm going for the girls, Sarah is obviously going and John will be coming to take charge of their personal security."

Tom folded up the paper as he listened. He couldn't believe his luck, he had never been to America before! "Thats great. I'd love to visit the states! Wait,wait, hold on, wasn't I was supposed to be taking them to the airport tod-"

"Today, yes." Nodded Anna apologetically, checking her watch. "I'd say you have, umm, two hours to pack."

Chucking his toast at William, Tom legged it back to his room.

o o o

An hour later found Tom's room in a complete mess. Like any man, he was struggling to pack for a mere week long trip in an hour and was concerned that he had to look smart and presentable to drive the Crawley's. Panicking as he dashed around his virtually empty suitcase, Tom gave a sigh of annoyance when someone knocked on his door. Clambering over a bundle of clothes he decided to vent his frustration at whoever had interrupted him. That was, until, he wrenched open the door and saw who it was.

"Sybil?"

"Shh!" She gasped walking into his room. "When Anna was doing my hair she mentioned you were in a bit of a panic, so I've come to help!"

Tom could not help noticing how stunning she looked in a pair of high waisted shorts and draping flowery top, "But, if someone knows you're here..."

"They already do, about twenty pap's just followed me over here. But I'm allowed to check in on my own staff! And I could be visiting any of the two hundred rooms to ask something of someone. If worse comes to worse I'll hide in your bathroom." She explained brightly. Then she looked about the room and her face fell slightly. "Now did you throw a last minute leaving party or did I miss an earthquake?"

"Very funny." He laughed crossing the room to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around her stomach and rested his head on her shoulder, kissing it quickly. As he snuggled his head onto her collarbone, he examined the room for himself. "But you many have a point."

Feeling the vibrations of her laugh Tom kissed her neck again. He felt Sybil weaken a little in his arms, her hand reaching up to hold the back of his head, clearly with the aim of gaining more affection. Loosening his arms and placing them on her waist he spun her around so they were facing one another. He kissed her teasingly twice before she broke the pattern and wrapped her arms around his neck forcing him closer and parting her lips. Tasting a breakfast of strawberries on her tongue, he edged Sybil onto his sofa without breaking contact for a fumbling five minutes.
Eventually pulling out of their kiss, nuzzling into her hair as it splayed over the arm of the sofa, Tom bit his lip hard as Sybil brought her knees up either side of his waist. All week he had been wondering why she had suddenly decided to be more eager for him when he had just decided to be patient with her. He was half relieved as well as disappointed, therefore, that when he ran a hand under her top she stopped their embrace with a light push on his chest.

"We need to pack." She breathed, biting his lip as she slid from under him and gracefully onto her feet.

Groaning and flopping onto the sofa Tom watched as Sybil began to organise his things. After about ten minutes of just watching her move about his room he decided he should probably help. Twenty minutes later however found him back on the sofa having tried to sway Sybil's attention three more times without luck; she was adamant that the packing needed doing.

"How will we ever get anything done if you insist on putting me out of use every time you walk past me?" She enquired, flattening the clothes in his suitcase.

"I actually find it pretty use-"

"Tom." She warned, giving him a stern look, though the shadow of a smile passed her lips.

Laughing, he walked behind her to fetch a pair of shoes from his wardrobe as she crouched to reach under his bed.

"Tom." She repeated, her voice just as stern.

Holding his hands up in mock surrender Tom spun to face her, "What? I avoided you completely that ti-"

"Who's is this?" She asked simply, a dusty scarlet bra hanging on the end of her finger.

Dropping his arms, Tom felt his insides run cold whilst his face burned red hot. He stepped toward her as he reluctantly admitted the truth. "I don't know."

He felt sick to his stomach as Sybil tossed the bra on his bed and made for the door. He rushed toward her and caught her arm, forcing her to face him. A dark looked crossed her face and Tom thought of the way his father used to tell him there was nothing more dangerous than a woman scorned. She struggled to free herself of his grasp. "Let- me- go! I don't need to listen to your lies!"

"No- Sybil listen- listen! It's not a lie. I- I don't know who's it is because I never remembered their names." Tom wanted to explain the full story, but he didn't think he had made a great start. Letting her go he ran his palms down his face in dismay as his mistake. "Christ."

She laughed mirthlessly low. "Theirs? Theirs? I suppose that's why you looked so worried when I showed up? Just miss her did I?" And with that she attempted to leave again but Tom, now shaking, stood fast in front of the door.

"I swear to you, God I swear to you nothing has happened with anyone since me and you have been-" Together? A couple? He didn't really know what they were, so continued his explantion. "After you left for Afghanistan in April I went through a stupid phase of getting drunk, picking up random girls and bringing them back h-. Well, you know what I'm saying. I haven't touched anyone else since then, not since we've been, well since we've been something, I promise. I wouldn't do that to you, Sybil I lov-!"

He was cut short as Sybil held up a hand to silence him. His insides twisted as she faced the ceiling briefly, trying to contain the misty fog that had glazed over her blue eyes. If he had made her cry he would never let it go, would never let himself live it down.

His heart slowed as her watery irises scorched his own. "You had sex with random women after telling me you'd fallen for me? After you told me you'd, oh what was it, oh yeh, devote every waking minute to my happiness?"

Knowing that this was a question that demanded a straight answer and not a long winded excuse, Tom swallowed hard and forced the honest answer from his mouth. "Yes."

This time she moved too fast for him to stop her.

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