Mary could not see through the flurry herself. Mr. Stillman, blinded, was lumbering about swinging his fists like an injured bear. Mrs. Fox was screaming, her perfect curls a sudden mess. Mr. Fox was on his hands and knees, trying to scrape the gravel out of his watering eyes. Through the jumble of bodies, she could only see a flash of George's pastel blue shirt or a wisp of his hair. She wanted so bad to meet his eyes, to hold him and assure him that everything was alright.

George seemed to understand Thomas' shouts for him to run. The little boy was climbing the stairs to the top of the cellar. Thomas groaned in pain as he hoisted himself upright, but he kicked at Mrs. Fox's hand as she tried to grab George's leg and pull him back down. Her wrist snapped under the force of Thomas' kick and she screamed.

As Mr. Stillman was finding his footing once more, Tom charged the burly man like a raging bull. He collided with him from the side and knocked him to the ground, allowing room for Thomas to escape up the stairs after George.

"After them!" Mrs. Fox shrieked, "Don't let them get away!"

She pushed her husband up the stairs with such force, he almost fell on himself. As their captors regained their footing, George and Thomas were already gone.

Tom and Mary lay panting in the dirt, a small glimmer of hope in their chests at the opportunity of rescue.

"Get the car and search for them!" Mrs. Fox snapped at Mr. Stillman. Her eyes were red and streaming tears on account of the gravel, "they could not have gone far on foot."

Mr. Stillman nodded gruffly. Mr. Fox pulled himself to his feet.

"Look what you did!" Mrs. Fox aimed her tirade of fury on her husband. He shrunk beneath her screams, "Why could you not have followed simple instructions!"

"I-I apologize, my love-"

"Go search with Stillman! We need them back!"

"The servant was badly injured," Mr. Stillman offered, "I doubt he'll make it far on foot. I assume we will find his body instead."

"Alright," Mrs. Fox waved a hand, "the servant was never vital, but the boy is who we need."

"He's just a child, darling…" Mr. Fox whimpered.

"Children can alert the authorities as well as an adult," Mr. Stillman cracked his knuckles, "I'll find the boy."

Mr. Stillman climbed the stairs and followed Mr. Fox.

Mrs. Fox glared daggers at Mary and Tom.

"Stillman?"

The valet stopped at the stairs, staring at Mrs. Fox.

"When you find the boy, break his leg. Let him learn the consequence of his disobedience," Mrs. Fox stared at Mary the entire time she spoke.

Mary gave away no emotion, but she could feel the blood pounding in her ears.

Mr. Stillman nodded and their captors disappeared, leaving Mary and Tom feeling more alone than before.

"I trust Thomas," Tom tried to calm his breath, "he will find a way."

"Trust is not my concern," Mary pursed her lips, "the man is bleeding to death and we have entrusted him with our lives."

"He would not have risked such an endeavor if he could not have undertaken it," Tom reassured her.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Night fell. The Crawley home was still alive with worry, as the second day neared since Tom, Thomas, Mary, and George were taken by the Foxes. At the constables' second visit, their searches still turned up empty. They had investigated every dwelling and structure in the county, but had not found any sign of their victims.

Cora hung at Robert's arm, "Darling, we must pay the ransom. We have no other choice."

"You're right," he sighed darkly, "I am pained it must come to this, with not an ounce of assurance that they may still be alive. We could be losing our children and our home to these crooks!"

"It is not a chance we can take, Robert. If there is any hope George, Thomas, Tom, and Mary are alive, we must try."

"Very well," Robert nodded, "Captain Redford."

The officer stepped forward.

"Prepare a response. We will pay the ransom and I will sign the deed to the estate," Lord Grantham announced heavily.

The silence that hung in the room was like storm clouds. A mixture of fear, anxiety, anger, and confusion threatened to boil over. No one could meet another's gaze.

Captain Redford returned a few moments later with the estate's lawyer, an elderly gentleman wearing a grim expression.

"Are you sure about this, Robert?" the attorney asked carefully.

"My family and loyal members of this estate are at stake," Robert said without hestitation, "I am certain."

The lawyer produced the proper documents. Robert's signature was only missing from signing a million pound ransom and the Downton estate away to the Foxes. Lord Grantham took the fountain pen in his hand as it hovered over the black line.

Edith stared at the floor.

Cora was faint on the divan.

Mr. Carson stoically stood at the door.

The tip of the pen blotted the paper.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

It was the sound of heavy knocks at the front entrance door.

Everyone jolted. The fountain pen fell from Robert's hands.

"Who could that be at this hour?" Edith had fear in her eyes.

"Mary or Tom?" Cora perked up.

Could it be?

Captain Redford pushed the family back, "Please stay in the drawing room. My officers and I shall answer the door."

Mr. Carson rushed alongside the constables. Cora, Edith, and Robert remained in their places.

Mr. Carson had been Downton's rock for many years. He was unafraid of answering the door and facing the captors. He led the constables, all whom had drawn their weapons, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Captain Redford. He would be at the front lines of Downton Abbey no matter the trouble.

Captain Redford gave him a nod. Carson pried the door open.

The sight before him was one unlike he had ever seen in his entire life.

Captain Redford shouted before anyone could move, "Call a doctor! Immediately!"

Carson rushed forward as Thomas Barrow fell to his knees in the foyer. Blood dripped down his shirt and stained the carpet. The man was ready to fall over, but it seemed to take every ounce of strength in him not to and Carson could see why. Barrow was carrying an unconscious George in his arms.

"George…" Thomas croaked.

Carson took the boy from his arms.

"What on Earth is happening?!" Robert stormed in. His eyes widened at the scene before him.

"Dear me, Thomas!" He rushed to the man's side and steaded him by his shoulder. Thomas looked ready to collapse into unconsciousness, but he fought to keep his eyes fluttering open.

"Geogre is...unharmed...My Lord," Thomas panted.

"Steady, Thomas, it's alright. George is fine," Robert kept a firm hand on his shoulder, eyeing the blood on his shirt. He turned to Carson, "Carson, take George to the drawing room. Cora is there. Edith has summoned Dr. Clarkson."

"Right away, My Lord," Carson nodded and disappeared with George to the drawing room.

"Lie him down," Captain Redford ordered. Together, Lord Granthman and the Constable Captain lay Thomas gently on the floor. He was breathing heavily and could barely lift his head.

"Dr. Clarkson should be here shortly. Breathe, Thomas, you're safe now."

"Lady Mary and Mr. Branson," he coughed, "I-I have to help them…"

"What can you tell us, Mr. Barrow?" Captain Redford gently pressed.

"The abandoned winery," Thomas winced, "at the county's edge…there's a cellar in the barn...Mr. Branson and Milady are being held there...by Mrs. Fox, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Stillman."

Captain Redford nodded once and mobilized.

"I will stay with Thomas until Dr. Clarkson arrives," Robert announced. As the constables scurried to their vehicles and prepared a rescue attempt, Robert gripped Thomas' hand, "You will survive Thomas, you will. You saved my daughter, my son-in-law, and my grandson. By God, you will live."

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