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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Waiting for Tom's letter to arrive feels like torture to Sybil, he'd now been away for three days and there was still no word from him. She worried that he hadn't made it to her on time, she fretted that he'd decided to stay in Ireland, and she panicked over the thought of never seeing him again. All in all she was drifting through the days in a constant state of unease, something which had not gone unnoticed by Mary, even if nobody else had picked up on it.

She'd tried to keep her emotions in check, but each time the post arrived she practically jumped out of her seat, and when for three days in a row there was nothing for her, she grew increasingly despondent. Today was the fourth day he'd been away; she was sat at the breakfast table with her two sisters, and her father. She wasn't eating though; she was pushing the food around her plate absentmindedly.

She stops playing with her food when Carson walks in, carrying the familiar silver tray with three letters. She tries to keep herself calm as Carson holds the tray out and her father picks them up, it takes a few seconds before her father looks away from his paper, but then he starts looking at the letters.

'There's one for you Mary,' he holds out one slim envelope and Sybil is glad, because the arrival of a letter for her sister has taken Mary's gaze off of her. 'And one for you Sybil,'

'Thank you papa.' Sybil has to use every ounce of willpower she owns to stop herself snatching the letter, she simply reaches over the table and takes it, slipping it onto her lap, 'May I be excused?'

'Yes of course.' Lord Grantham replies, his attention almost fully back on his paper.

Sybil stands up and walks out of the room, holding on tightly to the letter until she reaches a tall oak tree in their garden, she sits down under it with her back against the trunk, and then slides the letter out of the envelope.

My dearest Sybil,

I hope you don't mind me calling you that, or think I'm being too forward, but even if I am I can't help myself. You are the dearest person I know.

My sister is recovering and I have you alone to thank for that, the doctor informed us that had she gone untreated, she most definitely wouldn't have made it. Your kind heart saved her life, and I will be indebted to you forever.

I'm eager to stay here until my sister has made a full recovery, but she doesn't want me staying away too long from my work, and she assures me that she's fine now. I have to admit I'm anxious to see you, while I've been away I've missed you more than words can express. I'll be home most likely the day after you receive this letter.

I can never thank you enough for helping me; I can only hope that someday I can repay you.

Yours always,

Tom.

Her heart quickens and her cheeks flush pink, she rereads it twice before folding it carefully. She'd never received such intimate words from anyone before, and although she has to admit she'd suspected his feelings for her were growing, she hadn't expected this.

Then again, what really had he said, he'd said that she was dear to him, the dearest in fact but he was just happy that her actions had saved his sister, and then he'd signed the letter, yours always. Was he? Was he hers? Did she even want that?

She felt her head swimming, she'd never thought about him like that before, or at least not seriously, and yet now it seemed to be the only thought in her head. She couldn't handle it though, her parents would disown her if anything happened, and she loved them dearly. She didn't know for sure if Branson felt anything more than gratitude and friendship, and as for herself, she told herself that her own feelings were of friendship and nothing more.

'Branson's back.' Edith walks into Mary's room where Sybil and Mary are sitting, she sits down on one of the chairs and picks up a book, quickly deciding it's not to her taste she puts it back.

'Well it's about time.' Mary says quickly, 'I'm surprised papa hasn't fired him.'

'Papa wouldn't do that; he knows that Branson had to leave.' Sybil defends, 'His sister was ill.'

'Yes well he should have gone about it differently.' Edith adds with an air of boredom to her voice. 'He wants to see you.'

'What?' Sybil's eyes snap to Edith, 'Me?'

'Yes,' she shrugs, 'Papa said to fetch you; I believe Branson wishes to thank you for helping him.'

'And you're only just now telling me.' Sybil sighs and stands up from the bed.

'Oh darling really it's time to go down to dinner, Branson can wait.' Mary calls after her.

'I won't be long.' Sybil hurries down the stairs and out towards the garage.

'I wasn't sure you'd come.' Branson looks up at her with a small uncertain smile.

'Of course I came.'

'I thought that maybe my letter,'

'Branson it's fine honestly.' Sybil replies but she stays in the doorway of the garage.

'I know I overstepped,' He takes a step towards her, 'I'm sorry.'

'It's fine, you were just happy that your sister was ok, I'm glad she's getting better.'

'I just wanted to thank you milady, for offering your help; it was very kind of you.' Branson replies, Sybil narrows her eyes in confusion at his sudden formality, until she hears someone clearing their throat behind her, she turns and finds her father standing a little way behind her.

'Darling when I told Edith that Branson wished to speak to you, she was supposed to inform you that he would be coming into the study after we'd eaten. There was no need to rush over to the garage.' Lord Grantham says with a small laugh.

'Oh she didn't mention that, I don't mind though papa.'

'Well either way, your mother sent me to fetch you.' Lord Grantham looks impatient and Sybil wonders why they didn't send Carson, or Anna or one of the other staff members, if her mother was sending Lord Grantham out it must mean they want her inside immediately, which must mean she's in some sort of trouble.

'I'll be along shortly papa.'

'My dear can't we make it easier and you come along with me now?'

'Very well,' she sighs and turns her attention back to Branson, offering him a small apologetic smile, 'you're very welcome for my help Branson, I'm pleased your sister is doing so much better.'

A/N- Sorry this took me so long to post. I hope you like it.