Hey everybody and welcome to my Father Brown story! I hope you all enjoy! It takes place after Sid's release from prison in season five. Little bit of an AU. Sid stays in Kembleford and tries to acclimate to life outside of prison.

Chapter One

Sidney Carter stood outside of his caravan with a cigarette dangling loosely from his lips. He stared into the distance at nothing in particular. The gray Kembleford sky had let loose a mist of light rain, and it had begun to soak into his shirt. He pulled the spent cigarette from his mouth and tossed it on the ground. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against his caravan.

A clap of thunder shook the ground and the clouds opened up. The rain soaked every inch of him, but he didn't care. It felt so good to be free. Now the truth had finally been revealed. He was innocent, always had been. One year in prison had changed him. He thought he was stronger than that, but apparently not so.

He trusted the Father. He always had, all his life. When Father Brown couldn't stop him from going to prison, he lost all faith. He was never much of a faith having person to begin with, but...he always believed in the Father. It was his admission that changed Sid's heart.

"Sid, you are the closest thing I have ever had to a son."

The words still echoed in his ears and served as a source of warmth to his heart. Sid knew they were close. Good friends. He'd always looked up to and admired the Father, but he never knew Father Brown felt that way ...Well, now he did. All the awful things that had happened to him were now in the past. If only he could find a way to leave them there.

Nearly a month had passed since his release, and it still tortured him. He wasn't sleeping. Of course, he would never let Father Brown know that. Sid wasn't sure how to get on with his life, but he knew he needed to start trying. He breathed in deep the fresh scent of rain. He opened his eyes and spied Father Brown riding up the lane on his bike.

"Don't you know it's raining, Father?!" he shouted loudly.

"Just water, Sid." Father Brown replied.

He pulled alongside the caravan and parked his bike. He came to stand beside Sid and opened his umbrella.

"Ah, that's better."

"Is this a social visit?" Sid asked.

"Of course it is. I came to invite you to tea." Father Brown answered.

"Oh yeah? And some of Mrs. M's cooking as well?"

"Certainly."

"All right. Count me in."

"Perfect. We will see you tomorrow at tea time, then." Father Brown handed Sid his umbrella and climbed on his bike.

"What am I gonna do with this?" Sid asked.

"Use it." The Father called over his shoulder as he pedaled away.

Sid smirked as he held the umbrella over his head. It was so good to be home.

The next day Sid arrived to what he thought was tea time at the prespretary, but he was soon shuffled along by Mrs. McCarthy outside where he found what seemed to be half the town. He was instantly annoyed.

He found Father Brown and grabbed him by the elbow, "Thought this was just tea with you? What's this?" He dropped the Father's elbow and placed his hands on his hips.

"I thought it would be good for you." the Father admitted.

"I'm not much for socializing these days." Sid confessed.

"I know Sid, but all you have to do is have tea. It won't kill you to stay for a few minutes." Father Brown patted his back and walked away as Sid called after him, "I'd rather have whiskey!"

He lit a cigarette and wandered away from the crowd. He sat against a tree and people watched. Every now and then he spotted the father eyeing him, or Mrs. M shaking her head disapprovingly. He smiled at that. Sidney Carter, disappointing women since before his fifteenth birthday.

Just then, from the corner of his eye he spotted someone he didn't recogonize. Not surprising he figured, considering his recent abscence from Kembleford. It was a girl, and she was heading towards the cemetery. He could never control his curiosity before, and that hadn't changed.

So, being a man who was both curious and bored out of his mind, he stood and made his way over amongst the headstones. As he walked closer he noticed her hair was golden blonde and curly. Tiny kinked ringlets tamed at the back of her neck by a blue ribbon. The color matched her white dress with baby blue flowers. He stood at a distance watching her for a few moments, slowly inching his way closer.

The smoke from his cigarette wafted its way to her nose, alerting her to the fact that she was not alone. The golden-haired girl turned around and curled her nose at Sid.

"It isn't polite to sneak up on people." She accused.

Sid was struck for a moment. Her green eyes were turned intensely on him. He hadn't expected her to be so beautiful. Too beautiful for Kembleford. Too beautiful for him.

"I wasn't sneaking anywhere. I go where I please." Sid shrugged and discarded his cigarette as he stepped towards her.

The girl stepped back, and stumbled on some loose stones. She let out a tiny squeal and fell backwards. In one long stride Sid was there. He caught her round the waist and steadied her by pulling her against him. It was only for a moment but Sid could smell her shampoo, and her cheek brushed against his chin.

Once she had regained her balance she shoved Sid hard in the chest.

"Let me go!" she hissed.

"All right!" Sid fired back.

Just then her green eyes locked on him again, and he noticed for the first time that her cheeks were tear-stained. The girl smoothed down her dress and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.

"Thank you." she whispered.

"What? I didn't quite catch that." Sid teased.

She let out an exasperated sigh.

"I'm Sid." He stuck out his hand.

"Emily." she replied as she slipped her hand into his.

Maybe it was because it had been so long since he'd been around a woman, but her hands felt so soft. The softest thing Sid had held in a long time. His hand engulfed hers and he was sad when she took back her hand and let it fall to her side. It was much better suited holding his than all alone, Sid thought.

"Are you new to Kembleford? I'm from here and...I don't know you." he asked.

"My father and I moved here ten months ago."

"Ah. I've...been away for about a year."

She shook her head. "I didn't recognize you either. I guess that explains it. Although, there's still quite a few people I haven't met I'm sure."

"Have you met Father Brown?" Sid asked. He hooked his thumbs in his suspenders and cocked his head to one side.

"Yes. My father knew Father Brown well."

"What do you mean 'knew'?"

Emily stepped towards Sid and moved back, revealing the headstone she had came to visit.

Reverend Jasper Kent.

Beloved Father

RIP

Sid was speechless for a moment. The poor girl, he thought.

"When did it happen?" he asked.

"Almost six months ago now. He had a heart attack. We've had a hard year, and I guess-" Her voice broke. Sid laid a hand on her shoulder, and to his surprise she didn't shrug him off.

She wiped her tears and looked up at him. "I need to go."

Please don't.

"I'll see you around?" he asked.

"I'm sure you will. It's a small village." She collected her basket from beside her father's grave and weaved her way through the headstones and out of the cemetery. Leaving Sid alone with the dead.

Thank you to anyone who has read this. I know Father Brown doesn't have a ton of Fan Fiction followers, but I hope someone will read and enjoy this! Please leave a review!