A/N: *Peaks out from hiding* I'm sorry! But it had to be done, and most of you kind of figured it was going that way so...to make up for it, you get two installments at once! And this one's a little different from the others, you'll see.
Huge thanks again to everyone reading and reviewing, you're seriously making my work days exciting!
_another side now_
He has been shot. The bullet pierced his hand; in one side and out the other. It hurts, of course, but it could be far worse and although he will have to wear a glove when he returns to Downton, he is aware how lucky he is to be returning.
They release him as soon as they tire of his attempts to escape. The nurses won't answer his questions, the doctors are too busy for him to ask and so with the bandage wrapped around his palm and looped up his wrist, he leaves the ward and begins his search.
He could leave. Should do, in fact. Should return to England, invalided out and look at his prospects. See what Miss O'Brien has been up to in his absence and begin another scheme that will get them out of service - not together, but at the same time.
Instead he takes the hospital one floor at a time, looking for a familiar body in unfamiliar clothes, indomitable eyebrows and a gruff voice.
Mr Carson is not and never will be a friend - and if the former Butler knew for certain the thoughts that go through his mind when he sees the young men that come to call on the Ladies of Downton, then he would surely be disgusted - but he has been his Captain in this Hell that France has become. Has been a comforting tone and a steady hand at his back. Pushed him down when the shots rang out and covered him as best he could while they charged.
He owes the man and he does not like unpaid debts.
- and he has seen how Mr Carson lights up with each bundle of letters from home. Has smelt on the pages the scent of vanilla and polish that is familiar to anyone who has worked under Mrs Hughes. He will find Mr Carson and see that he gets home because he will pay off that debt, but he will do it for her too, because he could not face her everyday and know that he did not try -
He pushes open another door, closes his ears to the sounds of sickness and pain and heads for the closest bed.