A/N: This isn't quite the part you're all waiting for, but it should put your minds at ease at least! Thanks again for everyone who reviewed and read and favourited. As if I could really keep the Butler from returning to Downton...
_the long way home_
His first steps back on English soil are unsteady, much as all his steps have been since he woke up to Mr Barrow's face and a nurse talking to him in French. From what they could gather, he will be fine. And indeed, he has seen English doctors since who have assured him the same. He will not even suffer a limp when he has finished healing.
But his continued good health was not assured even days ago, his age and injuries putting a strain on his heart that they could not be sure would not kill him as the bullets did not.
He had been unconscious for more than a month, sedated for another and until he was sure that he would survive, he would not allow Barrow to tell anyone at home of his survival.
The war has been over no longer than a week and he did not want Elsie trying to come to him - and he has no doubts that she would have, would have sailed the boat herself if she had to - only to find him dead or worse; to not make it all the way herself.
She will have words for him, he has no doubt and he is not at all comfortable with the deception now that all has turned out well. But if it had gone another way, he would never have forgiven himself for hurting her any worse.
He follows Mr Barrow to the car that will take them to Yorkshire and Downton. Settles in with a grimace and holds his arm as the stitches shift and pull at his skin.
He will suffer from headaches from time to time and might find that his hearing suffers as he ages. He will feel the wet English weather in his shoulder and thigh and it will take a few more weeks for his hair to grow back where it was shaved.
But he is alive and on his way home.
He has thought some more about his future, now that he has had more time. Oh, he will still ask Elsie to marry him, but he will ask His Lordship that they can stay on. Will take his time and court her properly before any proposal passes his lips.
His brush - almost a blow - with death has given him a new outlook on life and where he thought they were past the young blush of love, he thinks now that it would be a shame to deprive them both of that excitement.
He dozes off a few minutes later and wakes up when Mr Barrow shakes his uninjured shoulder.
Downton Abbey grows before them as they make the last few miles along the road. They had intended to drive up to the door and greet the family first, as they should. But now that he can see the house, he wants nothing more than to see Elsie's face. He could stand in the hall or the library with His Lordship and Lady Mary but he would not be home.
Mr Barrow argues at first, but then eventually agrees when he offers enough change for a drink at the Grantham Arms.
The car turns towards the village and drives away and he starts walking, as fast as he can manage. He is almost home.