Special notice: Lent starts next Wednesday. As this is a new fandom for me, most of you probably don't know this, by I try to limit fanfiction during that period. So, I won't be posting any new chapters of this story, or anything else, until after Easter.

He Might Die

Robert's side ached once again as he greeted Mama and her gentleman friend, Igor. Cora had claimed several months ago that perhaps Mama would soften a bit now that she had Igor. But that hadn't happened at all. If anything, Mama was even more determined to win every battle in her life. This time she was determined to prove that the hospital merger with York would not happen, no matter how many toes on which she stepped. It didn't help that Igor seemed to agree with her, and they proved they were both ready for a fight. Her smile was a thin line and Igor held on to her twice as tightly as he normally did.

Robert didn't like it. He didn't like it at all. It felt wrong for the Russian with the whitish grey beard to be holding on to Mama, and it made him dread the terrible battle that would occur tonight even more. His side throbbed again, but Robert tried to ignore it. It was just the ulcer again. If he claimed illness, Mama would accuse her son of deserting her. It was nothing he couldn't handle. He'd been thorough war, for bloody sake. He could live through this battle.

"Hello Robert," Mama said in the voice she used when she was determined to win.

"Good to see you again, Robert," Igor said, using a remarkably similar voice, and holding out his hand. Robert wondered why he needed to shake this man's hand.

"Hello Granny," both his daughters' said as Mama entered the drawing room, greeting their grandmother with a kiss on the cheek. "Hello Igor," they added to the Russian, greeting him with far more ease than Robert would ever be able to do. Mama kissed them back, showing her softer side she had buried somewhere beneath her armor.

"Cora," Mama nodded toward his wife, without the tender greeting. In recent years, things had somewhat improved between them, but Mama and Cora were at odds again, since Cora believed in the hospital merger.

"It's good to see you, too, Igor," Cora said to the Russian, much more cheerfully, her tiara sparkling in the dim light. It was so typical of her, to try to make everyone feel welcome in their home and in their family. And Robert found it annoying and endearing at the same time, in this case. She held out her hand for him to shake.

Igor shook it without a word. That ungrateful man. At least he nodded respectfully towards her. But Robert's side stung again.

Still Mama and the Russian walked towards two other guests, and proponents for the hospital merger. Cousin Isabel and the Lord Merton, also known as Dickie Grey. Usually Robert was happy to see Dickie, who had been a good friend since his days at Eton. But tonight, the man was just one more person in this battle.

"The Right Honorable Neville Chamberlain, the Minister of Health," Carson's voice boomed out at that moment. A middle – aged man, probably a bit younger than Robert, with dark hair and a mustache stepped into the drawing room.

He and Cora greeted the minister of health as warmly as they could, although it was Mama's idea for this man to attend the dinner. "Welcome to Downton," Cora said, shaking the man's hand. She really was the best countess he could ask. Her tiara sparkled again.

"Thank you, Lady Grantham," the minister of health nodded respectfully.

"We are happy to have you dine with us," Robert added, although he wasn't certain that was true. This man would probably make the upcoming battle at dinner worse.

But at least he was respectful. "Thank you, Lord Grantham," the minister of health nodded as they shook hands as well.

The man eventually wandered off, accepting some cocktails. Another sharp pain stabbed Robert in the side, and he struggled to ignore it, choosing to make his way toward Cora and Isabel.

But Mama saw him first. "Are you all right?" she asked, sounding honestly concerned.

Robert should have felt happy that Mama had let go of her battle armor enough to be concerned about her only son. But instead, he felt irritated. He was desperately trying to ignore the ulcer, and it would be much easier if people didn't pester him like he was a child. "I will be all right as long as no one asks how I am," he snapped. He could handle it; he'd been thorough war.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Swallowing another piece of chicken, Robert tried to focus on the food and not the battle at the dinner table. But it wasn't easy. Currently Mama and Cousin Isabel were barking and snapping at each other, each convinced she was right and the other was wrong.

At the worst times, Igor would add how too many things had changed in Russia, until they'd finally lost all their homes and their status. He seemed to think the new hospital plan would lead England in the same direction. Robert had to admit, it was worrying, especially with the Labor Party becoming so powerful, but he refused to believe things here were that dire.

"Now I know this is difficult to believe," Cousin Isabel countered, "but not all change is bad, and this hospital merger will benefit everyone."

Mama immediately countered, snapping, "I know it is impossible for you to believe, but it cannot benefit us. And no matter how many traitors are created, I am still right." She stared directly at Dr. Clarkson as she spoke. The doctor originally agreed with Mama but had recently decided in favor of the merger.

Dr. Clarkson shook his head. "I still cannot believe your maid thought it acceptable to yell at me in the middle of the village."

Robert's side stung again, and he forced himself to concentrate on Mrs. Patmore's chicken drenched in white buttery sauce and herbs. As he swallowed, he his stomach seemed to move inside him, making him feel nauseous. But it was nothing he couldn't handle. He'd been thorough war.

"I knew I was here to hear about the hospital merger, but I expected the discussion to be more of a united front," the minister of health said, sounding overwhelmed. Robert felt sorry for the man. He had no way of knowing this dinner would become such a battle.

"My mother – in – law has a certain myopia when it comes to other people's point – of – view," Cora said sweetly, trying to defuse the tension, as she always did.

Of course, Mama refused to accept that. "I have a charity of vision that allows me to resist a housemaid's ghastly manners," she stated, giving Cousin Isabel, Cora, Dr. Clarkson, and Dickie Merton a deadly glare.

The pain in Robert's side seemed to swell to an overwhelming degree as everyone continued to argue. Perhaps this was worse than the African War, after all. "Can't we stop this beastly row?" he asked, hoping everyone understood how serious he was.

Unfortunately, no one did. Most everyone just gave him sad smiles. Cora shook her head, saying "How I wish we could."

Somehow the pain swelled even more, and the nausea increased to the point where Robert was certain he would vomit any moment. He stood up slowly, his side still throbbing. In fact, he hurt so much, Robert briefly wondered if he might die tonight. But that was foolish, as he was in control. All he needed was to excuse himself from the table.

"Because… " he had to keep the nausea under control for a bit longer, but it was becoming more and more difficult. "I… goodness, that bloody hurt… "I'm sorry…" he really needed to leave this table. Now.

But before he could do so, he did vomit. An enormous amount of blood. All over the table and even all over Cora's lovely dress. Finally losing complete control of his body, he passed out on the floor.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Dr. Clarkson's voice commanded something from above him as he regained consciousness. Apparently, the doctor was in control of his body now. Robert didn't care. Everything hurt too much. This truly was worse than the bloody African War. He might die tonight.

Suddenly he sensed Cora touching his face, and everything felt a little better. His body still bloody hurt, but her presence calmed him. Cora always made everything better. He just wished she didn't need to see him die tonight.

A fresh stab of pain hit Robert again, and he was almost certain he would die. Why did his Cora need to see this? "If this is, know that I have loved you very, very much," he mumbled to her, spitting out more blood as he did so. It made him look even more out of control of his body, but Robert didn't care. If she had to watch him perish, she must know how much he adored her.

"It's isn't it, darling," she replied, her voice strong and gentle at the same time. Her soothing fingers touched his face again. "I won't let it be." Robert was amazed at her strength and he clung to it tighter than ever.

Doctor Clarkson said something to Isabel again, but Robert had no idea what it was. Perhaps Mama shouted something as well, but Robert paid no attention to any of it. He was dying, anyway.

All that mattered to him was Cora's voice and Cora's touch.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOO

Violet removed herself from the dining room as the medics from the ambulance finally arrived. The image of Robert covered in blood still burned in her memory.

She walked into the Great Hall just in time to hear Cora insist that Mr. Chamberlain should support the hospital merger. Before Violet could respond, Cora turned, her face uncharacteristically hard. "Don't reprimand me, Mama," her daughter - in - law said, snapping on her gloves so she could go to the hospital. "I think the new plan will work, and I don't have time to be diplomatic."

Somehow Violet felt her coat appear on her shoulders. She truly did not care which servant had provided it. She was far more concerned with Cora's behavior. "Don't you think I have enough to worry about?" she said, snapping back. Not only the hospital merger may occur after all, but her son was deathly ill. All that blood...

"Cora, this really isn't the time for another argument about the hospital," Igor said in his commanding voice. When did he arrive in the Great Hall? At least he was making sense.

Cora shook her head. "It is not, which is why I need to leave." Cora's maid placed her coat on her shoulders. "But I think we need to be honest for once. Secrets have already caused us enough problems."

Violet felt her heart stop as Cora threw Edith's secret about her illegitimate child in Violet's face. Somehow, she knew that would come back to haunt her. Still, didn't Cora realize this wasn't the time? An image of Robert vomiting blood flashed through her mind. "You know I'm sorry, but let's concentrate on Robert." She had to realize what was important now. Robert might die tonight.

Just then, the medics carried Robert out on the stretcher, still covered in far too much blood. Violet's heart stopped again.

Cora very deliberately did not look at Violet or Igor. Instead, she called to her girls. "Mary, Edith, we must go now."

How could her heart stop again when it had already ceased beating? Somehow Violet's did at that moment. Cora had just implied Violet could not go to the hospital to wait for her son. Could her daughter - in - law truly do that?

"Violet," Igor said sharply, sounding angry. "Tell her you will be going as well."

She should. But instead, Violet whispered to Mary and Edith, "Call me with the news. Please. I don't care how late it is."

With that, Cora, Mary, and Edith disappeared.

"I'll take you home," Lord Merton said, walking into the room from the shadows.

Igor nodded, despite the look in his eyes, which flashed between anger and confusion. It was rather adorable, how angry he was on her behalf. "Violet - "he said again.

But she still didn't need anyone fighting her battles for her. "No, Igor," Violet said. "Let us just get in the motor."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The ride home was silent, which Violet was grateful. Her son might die. She didn't need to hear trite comments or pitying remarks from anyone right now. Not from her friends Dickie Grey or Isabel, who had lost her own son a few years ago. Not even from Igor, who still seemed to understand Violet better than she did sometimes.

Her mind kept replaying the horrible scene of Robert's blood exploding out of him over and over again. Did Dr. Clarkson truly do everything he could to help Robert?

"Violet," Igor's voice was suddenly in her ear as the scene began again. "We have arrived at your house."

Violet stared out of the window of the motor and recognized her brick home staring back at her. Usually it brought her comfort, to arrive to the place that she had the most control. But tonight, the house appeared cold and empty.

"Tell the driver to take you to the hospital," Igor told her in his commanding voice, as she continued to stare at her empty house without exiting the motor. "You have just as much right to be there as the others do."

"I know," Violet said, finally looking at Igor. His face was closer than normal. If she reached over a bit with her hand, she'd feel his beard beneath her gloves. She was certain it would feel not quite soft but not quite coarse, either. And all manly, just like it had back in Russia.

But such thoughts were inappropriate, especially now. "But I refuse to go where I am not wanted or needed." She certainly didn't need Cora's pity, either.

"Pity has nothing to do with it!" Igor said in the same commanding voice. "Robert is still your son, no matter what."

"He is," said Violet, feeling her icy cold anger cover her again. Cora had dismissed Violet as Robert's body was carried out of the Abbey, blood still all over his face. Violet had tried to tell her that the hospital merger wasn't important now; Robert was. But Cora ignored her, and clearly implied Violet would not be welcome at the hospital; only the girls would be.

Why had she accepted that dismissal from Cora, of all people? Violet should tell the driver to take her to the hospital this moment. She should march in and say she was still Robert's mother. And he might die. The image of him vomiting blood all over the dinner table flashed through her mind again, and her heart tightened, despite her anger.

But then Violet remembered another image. Of the way Robert seemed to calm as soon as Cora touched him. Of course, Cora had always been a natural comforter. In their early years, Violet used to lecture the younger woman for that, calling it too emotional, too American. But tonight, at least, it was exactly what Robert needed. His declaration of how much he loved his wife, even though he still had some blood in his mouth was proof of that.

"Robert doesn't require me there, Igor," Violet said, stating the reason she had not demanded to go to the hospital. "He has the person he needs." The statement cut her cold heart like a knife, but she knew it was true.

Igor nodded. "You did say Robert and his wife were quite close. But I never realized how close until tonight." Violet nodded. Their love was certainly on display tonight, when Robert might die. Still, she rather hoped his wife's affection could keep him alive.

"But I think it's very noble of you to accept that his wife was more important than you are," Igor said. He'd dropped his commanding voice. Instead he sounded in awe of her.

Violet shrugged, ignoring the was his praise made her tingle a little. "As I said, I will not go where I am not wanted or needed." Instead, she would go inside her cold, empty house. Finally placing her cane outside the motor, she prepared to exit.

"Violet?" Igor said as he assisted her out of the motor. "Am I wanted or needed in your house? Because it is still early, and I could use a cup of tea."

"Certainly," Violet said, overjoyed she would not have to wait for Robert's condition by herself after all. What was better, Igor suggested in a way that did not imply pity. How did this man know her so well?

As they stepped inside her house, it did not feel cold or empty at all.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Her drawing room may not have been cold or empty, but it was silent as she and Igor sipped one cup of tea after another. Violet could barely taste the sugar or even feel the warm liquid on her tongue. Instead, the image of Robert's blood spilling everywhere kept flashing through Violet's mind. Her son might die.

But in between the flashes of Robert, Violet snuck glances at Igor. He sipped his tea quietly, just like the gentleman he was and was careful not to get any on his beard. He gently put down his teacup and looked outside into the darkness.

All at once, Violet's eyes looked at him at the same time as he looked at her until they were staring into each other's eyes. Igor's blue eyes seemed to glow in the dim light, giving her answers to all her questions. You're not alone tonight they told her. You'll never be alone again.

Feeling simultaneously comforted and nervous about the messages he gave her; Violet took her eyes away from his. Then she sipped her tea again.

Would the telephone ever ring tonight? Did she want it to? What if the news wasn't good? What if Robert died? The image of her son passing out in the dining room, blood all over his face, flashed through her mind again. Would the doctors at the hospital be enough? Would Cora's comfort be enough for him to live?

Violet had watched Robert and Cora burry one of their daughters. Dear Sybil, who Violet heart still ached to think. Violet had watched Isabel burry her son. Mathew, who they'd all taken into their hearts after he wed Mary. But somehow, it never truly occurred to her that she would also be forced to burry one of her children. But it might very well happen now. Robert might die.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Another teacup was somehow in her hands. Violet had lost count how many she'd drunk tonight. But Igor was still there, too, drinking just as many as she did.

Suddenly there was the sound she'd been waiting for all night. The sound she'd been dreading. The telephone. "Lady Mary is on the line, milady," Spratt announced, making a bow as he came into her drawing room.

Violet's heart beat faster and faster as she maneuvered her way to the telephone, bracing herself with her cane as she did so. "Mary?" she finally said into the mouthpiece.

"Granny?" Mary's clear voice responded.

"How is he?" Violet asked, deciding she had to accept the news quickly.

"He came through the surgery, and Dr. Clarkson is optimistic about his recovery," Mary said.

Violet sighed in relief. Her son would live. She would not be forced to burry one of her children. "That is wonderful news, Mary. Thank you for telling me."

As she put the telephone down, she came face to face with Igor. When had he followed her? How had she not noticed that? "So, your son will recover?" Igor said with a smile.

"They seem to think so," Violet said, still sighing with relief. "And now that everyone has seen how necessary our hospital is, the merger will never happen." Her soft smile turned into a satisfied smirk.

"Absolutely," Igor said, wearing the same smirk.

Then suddenly, his face turned serious. "Listen, Violet," Igor said in his commanding voice that she loved. "This may not be the best time, but tonight has made me aware of how little time we all have. And how valuable love is." He paused and took her hand, making Violet jump inwardly. Why was he touching her like that? "I know I should get down on one knee, but I'm afraid I cannot. Still, I would like to ask for your hand in marriage."

"Excuse me?" Violet said, pulling her hand away from him. "You are correct, this is not the best time. Not at all." Her emotions were out of control because of Robert tonight. How could Igor cause them to become worse? She turned her eyes away from his, refusing to be drawn in by them.

"Violet I wish this hadn't happened to your son, but as have said before. We are old. How much time do we have left?" A loud sigh came from Igor. "Violet," he repeated, as if he wanted her to look at him again. She refused to do so.

"What makes you think I would be agreeable to marriage, anyway?" She grimaced at all the gossip that would begin if she decided to marry a former Russian prince.

"I was under the impression that we were courting," he said, still in his commanding voice. "Where do you think a courtship is supposed to lead?"

She'd rather not think about that. "That doesn't matter. I believe it is time for you to leave, Igor."

"Of course," Igor finally said. "I can tell I am not wanted here." His feet shuffled toward the door. She finally dared to glance in his direction when she heard the door shut, and Igor walked into the night.

Violet sighed, feeling sad, despite the good news about her son. But everything went as it should tonight. Igor couldn't possibly think they could marry. Not at their age. They were too old for love.

The image of Robert responding to Cora's touch and saying how much he loved her, even as he was covered in his own blood flashed through her mind again, but she ignored it. Love just wasn't for her.

Does anyone know or have an idea what Igor's proper title was at this point? Does everyone refer to him as "Prince Kuragin" because that was his former title, or is he still allowed to use it officially, even though the Russian government changed?

If he isn't "prince" anymore would he have to settle for "Mr. Kuragin" or would there be a middle ground available to him (like "Sir Igor" or the "the Honorable")?

And if Violet were to marry him, what would her title become? Could she become "Princess Kuragin?

Or would she call herself "Lady Violet Kuragin"?

Or would she have to settle for just "Mrs. Kuragin"?