Thank you kouw!

Not a word was spoken on the drive back to the Abbey. Mrs. Hughes sat next to Mr. Carson, her eyes closed.

She reflected on the events of the afternoon – but her recollections were hazy. She couldn't remember much of what had happened or been said after Lady Mary and Mr. Bates had spoken the words she had so longed to hear.

"She'll be released tonight. All charges have been dropped."

There had been more explanations, talk of scanty evidence, of doubts expressed about the motive and the witness.

But the words had been drowned out by the thundering of her heart, by the wave of relief that had crashed over her and had left her dizzy.

Mr. Carson had been standing behind her – a quiet pillar of support – and when she had briefly thought that her knees might give out under her, there had been the lightest touch to the small of her back. Concealed from the others, she had felt it and it had caused her to stand upright, to smile at Mr. Bates and Lady Mary.

"Mrs. Hughes, we've arrived."

She felt a gentle shaking at her shoulder. She hadn't even noticed that she had drifted off to sleep, the lack of substantial rest of the past weeks finally having caught up with her.

They had stopped at the Abbey's main entrance. While Mr. Molesley helped Lady Mary from the car, Mr. Carson did the same for her. They wished the young Lady a good night and then made their way around the back towards the servants' entrance.

Mrs. Hughes hoped with all her might that Mrs. Patmore had been considerate enough to have shooed most of the younger servants up to bed by now. She really couldn't bear the thought of recounting today's events to a curious group of youngsters. Lady Mary had telephoned his Lordship earlier, informing him of the hearing's outcome. Mrs. Hughes was certain that Lord Grantham would have informed the servants. So, there really was no reason for anyone to be lingering downstairs.

The Housekeeper thought back to Lady Mary's suggestion that Anna and Mr. Bates spend a few days in York to recover from their ordeal before returning to Downton. Not even Mr. Carson had opposed to the unusual plan and she had been grateful that the Bateses were given this time alone.

The Butler opened the door for her and she was relieved by the quietness of the downstairs area. She really had to take a moment the next day to thank Mrs. Patmore for her quiet support in the last few weeks.

"You'll be wanting to go upstairs," Mr. Carson's voice rumbled from her right. She turned towards him and gave him a weary smile.

"I'm not sure I could sleep," she confessed.

"A nightcap then?"

"That would be appreciated," she replied and allowed him to lead her into her parlour. The fire had burned low but wasn't quite out yet. Mr. Carson gave it a good stoke and added another layer of coals. She pulled her chair closer to the warmth, and fell into it with a quiet sigh.

He pulled the second chair closer as well before fetching the sherry decanter and their glasses. He poured them both a healthy amount before sitting down across from her. He raised his glass in a silent toast and she reciprocated the gesture before taking a swig.

For a moment she focused on the trail of warmth the sherry left inside her as it flowed down her throat.

"I'm glad that this whole situation is finally over and that we can return to normal now," Mr. Carson muttered – he too sounded exhausted.

She mulled his words over in her mind. She wasn't sure that she could do what he hoped for – a return to the status quo from before Anna's attack seemed unlikely.

Instead of voicing her doubts, she gave a hesitant nod before taking another sip from her glass. She stared into the fire for a few moments, allowing the bright flames to distract her from the thoughts jumbling about in her head. There were so many things she wanted to say, to ask him.

"Why…," she began and winced. Her voice suddenly sounded impossibly loud, had effectively startled him out of his thoughts. She took a deep breath and continued in a softer voice, her eyes still trained on the fire in front of her. "Why did you never ask… about what happened to Anna?"

There was silence for a few moments but she refused to look at him.

His explanation when it came was as succinct as it was honest. "Because I trust you."

She turned towards him sharply. Found him looking at her with gentle eyes, an open face.

Could it really have been this simple? Could his behaviour have been a vote of confidence instead of the disinterest she had suspected? Had she gotten it all so very wrong?

She was aware that if there had ever been the perfect moment to bring everything out in the open, the moment for frank words, then it would have been now. And yet, she suddenly found herself incapable of voicing all those thoughts that had occupied her mind in the past few weeks (longer if she was honest with herself). She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to do them justice, unable to make him understand. She wasn't even sure that she understood herself at this point.

He shifted in his chair and she realized that he was still waiting for a response from her. She gave him a soft smile, delighted in the way the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"That's good then," she finally said. Inane. Inadequate. The only thing she could manage.

She stifled a yawn and he leant forward and took her sherry glass from her.

"Time for you to be in bed," he stated firmly and she silently agreed with him. Thought she could actually sleep now.

She got up from her chair but he waved her away when she wanted to help with the cleaning up. Before he could leave to bring their glasses to the kitchen, she stopped him.

"Thank you, Mr. Carson."

"There's nothing to thank me for."

She nearly rolled her eyes at him but refrained from doing so at the last moment. "There is, Mr. Carson and you know it. Thank you."

He smiled in acquiescence. "Very well, I'm glad I could be of some help today. Now, go to bed."

She gave a little tinkle of laughter at his mock order and it surprised her. It had been far too long since she had last laughed. "Yes, Mr. Carson," she replied in an amused voice and with a final smile at him made her way up to her bedroom, feeling lighter than she had in months.

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