Robert passed the next few weeks blissfully. The darkness that had encompassed him had passed and it was driven further away when he received a letter from Bates, asking when it would be appropriate for him to visit and give Robert his answer. He replied that, if it wouldn't make any difference, Robert would like to come and see him at the cottage. Bates agreed and then the only thing left to do was to clear it with Cora.

"Would you mind if Bates came back?" Robert asked quietly. Cora looked at him over the top of her book.

"You're asking?"

"Yes."

She sighed and laid the book on her lap. "Perhaps the only good thing to come out of our being distant is that I think now I have a better understanding of what Bates is to you. You wouldn't put Downton's reputation in jeopardy for someone you didn't care about a great deal."

"You wouldn't mind then?"

"No. It's your valet, after all. It should be your decision."

"I'm afraid it isn't. If he chooses not to come back I can hardly force him."

Cora grasped Robert's hand.

"If you mean to him even a fraction of what he means to you I think you could sway him to come back."

"Perhaps."

He smiled and kissed her hand.

"Goodnight, my dear."

"Goodnight."

Robert had thought about walking over to see Bates but another layer of snow had fallen and he resolved to take the car. He was left standing in the cold for a few moments as he knocked on the door. He heard the click of a latch from the inside and then the door opened. Bates looked far better than Robert had seen him in a long time. Robert grinned at him. Bates took a step back to allow him to come in and then latched the door behind him.

"You look well. How are you?" Robert asked, removing his coat and hat and hanging them on the coat rack.

"I am well, my lord. Please, sit down." Bates said, gesturing to table and chairs.

"It was strange." Robert murmured as he seated himself, "I saw Anna just as I was leaving to come here. It's been some time since I've seen you two apart."

Bates chuckled. "Can I get you anything, my lord?"

"If you have anything warm…"

"I do."

Bates retreated into the hall and Robert took the opportunity to examine the cottage. While it was bare it wasn't unpleasant. Despite being in close proximity to the horrible cold outside there was something inherently warm about the place, something that was did not only have to do with the fire blazing in the hearth.

Robert's observations were broken as Bates returned and placed a full cup in front of him.

"Thank you." He murmured, taking a drink. "You've made your decision, then?"

"I have."

"And?"

"And, my lord, I need to ask you something before I can tell you what it is."

Robert stared at him, skeptically. "What?"

"Do you want me to come back, sir?"

"Bates, really, you've just been granted your life. I can't dictate what you should do with it."

"I don't intend to let you. I'm only curious, my lord."

"If it I had it my way you never would have left." Robert admitted sheepishly. He took another sip from his cup. "Your answer, then?"

"I thought that it might be better to start over somewhere else."

"So you won't come back?"

"If you'll excuse me, my lord, I didn't say that. That was only what I thought at first."

"And the thoughts that followed?"

"Yes, my lord. My answer is yes. I'll come back."

Robert felt a grin break out over his face.

"I'm glad to hear it but tell me I didn't influence this. You do want to come back?"

"Yes, my lord. I do…though I can't say I didn't consider you while making my choice."

"Bates, you don't have to feel obligated-"

"No, my lord. It's not that."

"What is it then?"

"My decision was made by degrees, my lord. You know it was never very likely that I would be able to get a decent job anywhere else and now I suppose it's even less likely."

"But you shouldn't stay by default. If you want to leave you're free to."

"It wasn't only that. I know you don't want my gratitude, my lord, but you have it nonetheless. You've always had it." He mumbled the final part somewhat under his breath, as though he had been holding it back for some time and only now did it manage to escape.

"I know that." Robert replied, his voice a variation of the shy murmur Bates had just spoken in.

"And I have no way to express it-except that I can stay and assist you."

Robert opened his mouth to protest but Bates carried on.

"Please, my lord. I have one more reason." Robert sighed and sat back in his chair.

"Which is?"

"Downton is where I've been most welcome." Bates replied. "In my life I've never felt more valued than I have here."

"That is the only reason you've given that I approve of. You've touched on my own love for Downton and that is something that I could never dispute. So long as you're not just staying to humor me!"

"I'm not, my lord. I promise you."

"Good."

"When would you like me to start, my lord?" Bates asked brightly.

"Well I suppose I can't take your freedom from you just as soon as you've gotten it back. Take another week to make sure you've settled back in completely."

Bates nodded.

"I don't want to keep you. I should be going."

"You aren't keeping me, sir."

Robert smiled as he stood and reached for his coat.

"All the same, I really ought to go." He replied. Robert walked to the door. Bates pulled it open for him, exposing the cottage to the abrasive cold outside. Robert turned back to Bates.

"I'll see you in a week."

"A week, sir."

Robert sighed and extended his hand.

"Welcome home, old friend."

Bates smiled and grasped it.

"Thank you, my lord. I'm glad to be back."

Robert stared at Bates for a moment and then, smiling, pulled himself away. Back in the car, away from the bitter cold that lay just outside he found himself reflecting. That horrid war that had been the start of this fraternity with Bates seemed so far in the past that Robert was unsure if it had really happened. Now, at the end of another war, a larger and more destructive one, he was side by side with Bates again, for an entirely different reason. The circumstances they were thrown together in were always horrible and yet somehow they continually managed to come through. The reality of the situation they had just passed through suddenly hit Robert and he couldn't keep his mind from imagining the impossible grief that he would have felt if…No, he needn't dwell on that. It was over now. Bates was safe-a fact reiterated when, as he waited in his room to change for the morning, the following week it was not Thomas who quietly entered the room but a far more calming, genuine presence.

"Good morning, my lord."

"Good morning, Bates."

There will be an epilogue so one more chapter and then we're done, my friends!