Starting Forever

A/N- This is an AU Sybil/Branson story, it'll start sometime during the first season, but it will not follow the storyline of the show. I hope you like it.

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The next morning Sybil sleeps in later than usual, she puts this down to the fact that she was up late into the night worrying about Branson, and his sister. In the end she'd finally drifted into a fitful sleep, and so when she'd been woken for breakfast, she'd said she had a headache and wouldn't come down. Now though it was midmorning and she would have to get up. She doesn't bother ringing for Gwen, just dresses herself in one of the simplest outfits she owns, and then heads downstairs in search of her father, but before she can reach his study, she comes across her sisters, mother, father and Carson standing in the hall, all looking rather grave.

'What's happened?' Sybil joins her sisters who are a little apart from their parents and Carson.

'Papa is missing some money, and we're missing a chauffeur.' Edith informs them.

'It would seem that last night Branson left with a large amount of papa's money.' Mary clarifies.

'No!' Sybil rushes forward and takes her father's arm, 'Papa Branson didn't take that money and he hasn't run away, I took it.'

'Then where is Branson?' Cora asks in confusion.

'Sybil I admire your kind heart, but you cannot always cover for people.' Robert shakes his head, 'First with what happened at the count, and now this.'

'No papa really I took the money, last night after everyone was asleep, I was feeling a little unwell, so I went outside to get some air and I saw Branson's light on, I knew he'd received some upsetting news, so I wanted to check on him. He was preparing to leave tomorrow after speaking with you papa, because his sister is seriously ill and he needed to go home for a while. They couldn't afford a doctor for her and so she was going to die.' Sybil looks at her father pleadingly, 'I didn't want to wake anyone, so I took the money and I gave it to him, and told him to catch the night train, he's got a long way to go to get to Ireland, and time was against him if he's to get her a doctor. I shouldn't have taken it, I should have woken you, but I didn't think you'd mind.'

'Well no, of course I would have offered him the money had he asked.'

'Oh but he wouldn't have asked, he didn't ask me.' Sybil replies instantly, 'He's too proud for that.'

'And yet he willingly took the money from you.' Mary scoffs.

'To save his sisters life.' Sybil snaps, and then calms herself, 'I am sorry papa.'

'But is he coming back?' Cora asked, 'Or should we look for a new chauffer?'

'You can't replace him! He assured me he'd be back just as soon as he can be.'

'And what are we to do in the meantime?' Robert asks.

'We do still have one chauffer.' Edith points out.

'No we don't, he left two weeks ago to move to Liverpool.' Mary replies, 'Don't you pay attention?'

'Not to the staff.'

'Well you ought to; you'll be running your own house one day.' Cora replies, 'And then you'll have things to deal with like having no chauffer.'

'Really I should have thought the bigger thing to be concerned about, is Branson's sister, his family must be going through something terrible.'

'Of course,' Robert nods, 'I feel for the man, but he could have given us some notice.'

'He did, he told me.' Sybil defends.

'Hardly the way things are done though.' Cora shakes her head, 'And I ought to tell you off for going to his cottage, even if you wanted to check on him, it's hardly appropriate.'

'I know,' Sybil looks down at the ground, 'I was just concerned.'

'Well your kindness does you credit, just make sure you keep it in check next time, you shouldn't go to his home.'

'I'll remember that.' Sybil nods, not mentioning that he'll be writing to her, because she knows that their friendship is already crossing the line of what her family would deem appropriate, and yet she cannot help but be angry at the restrictions.

3

A/N- Just a little bonus chapter before I leave for my new house. The next update should be in about six weeks, when I get internet back. Please continue to review, as I'll be able to check them on my phone and I love receiving them.