Here's another chapter :) Hope you like it. And for my guest reviewer...I'm guessing there will be smut...If that's what my reviewers want? I aim to please :) Now what would make my lovely reviewers happy? Let me know :) Mona xoxo

The days went by. The weeks passed. He waited for her to say something to him. Anything. They kept their distance from one another. It was cold and unlike them. She thought perhaps it always had been her pushing that kept them together as strong and solid leadership. Had he always been this detached? She did not know that he knew of her leaving and felt it would be easier this way. What option did he have, but to harden his heart and prepare himself for her inevitable departure? He would not be a fool and beg her to stay. He had been a fool before when it came to love, and would never repeat that mistake. When she finally did tell him one evening, he feigned shock. He had been practicing his reaction for quite some time now. He didn't ask her to reconsider. What right did he have? He was not her boss, her lover, her husband. He bid her his most heartfelt good wishes and turned in early. Knowing it would hurt more to be near her.

When she spoke to him, she kept her posture stiff and her voice even. In the depths of her heart, she was hoping he would give her a reason to stay. That he would confess his love for her and ask her to be his. It was a ridiculous notion of course, she knew how he felt. Yet still, it did not keep her from hoping. Her hope was shattered when he offered his firm and unfeeling best wishes. Was he angry with her? After all these years, did he even care if she left? She still had no idea what she was to him. What she meant to Charles Carson. The days, weeks, and months passed. Things were different between them. They were cordial and kind, but kept their distance.
...

She left on a cool, autumn, morning. The leaves had fallen from the trees and there was a bitter chill in the air. The car was waiting outside to take her to her new home. Of course Lord Grantham insisted that she be escorted there, and her luggage was already firmly secured to the vehicle. She was in the servants hall bidding her farewells and noticed right away that Charles was nowhere to be seen. She bit back her grief and put on a brave face. Kissing Beryl and the girls on the cheek, and waving her last goodbye, she stepped out the back door and straight into Charles.

"Mr. Carson!" She cried as she walked into his solid wall of a chest. He reached out to grab her, his hands closing around her upper arms. He held them there for a moment as they looked at one a other. "So this is it?" She spoke quietly.

"Is it?" He questioned her softly as he slid his hands from her arms. "Mrs. Hughes I...I'm not sure what to say. I still don't understand your leaving. However, I only wish for you to be happy. You know that, don't you?"

"I would like to think so, Mr. Carson." She replied back, smiling brightly to try and conceal her hurt over leaving him.

"I just... I think that things will be different now." He paused and looked down at their feet. "I don't think I'll get by as smoothly without you."

"I'm sure Anna will do a fine job, Mr. Carson. I'm very glad she accepted the position." Elsie said proudly, still smiling up at him. "I hope she will be the best Housekeeper Downton has ever seen."

"She will do well, Mrs. Hughes. But I dare say Downton's finest Housekeeper is leaving my doorstep as we speak." Charles gave her a sad half smile. It was the best he could manage under the circumstances.

Elsie could tell that he was stalling. If they kept up like this, she would never leave. "Well, now. I best get going. I am just near the village if you should need anything at all, Mr. Carson."

"Yes, I know. But for how long?" He said deeply, pulling his hands behind his back and puffing out his chest. He cleared his throat to regain his composure. "Thank you, Mrs. Hughes."

She couldn't seem to stop herself as she moved closer to him and placed her hand on his upper arm. Holding it firmly, she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I will see you on your next half day, Mr. Carson."

Charles smiled sadly and leaned in to accept her kiss. He was slightly bewildered and ecstatic at the same time. He fought for his words to respond. "Yes.. Yes, thank you for permitting me to call on you..." She raised her eyebrow at him. "That is...to..to visit."

"Don't tell me you'll miss me?" Elsie said shyly, smiling at him as they both recalled the same words he once spoke to her.

"I will, Mrs. Hughes. Very much. And it's costs me nothing to say it." Both stood gazing at each other, recalling the conversation they had many years ago. Now knowing the importance that they both had remembered it so vividly. Their words had meant so much to each other, even then. And now he knew what she must have been feeling those many years ago. Only now, it was her leaving. For some reason, she chose to leave him. He was determined to make it his mission on his next half day, to find out why. He silently walked her to the car, opening the door and helping her up into the back. She smiled sweetly at him as he closed the door. "Goodbye, my beautiful Housekeeper." He whispered to himself as the car pulled away down the drive.

Elsie sat in the back of the car, wiping fiercely at the tears falling down her face. At least she had held it together while she said her goodbyes to him. She pulled out her handkerchief and tried desperately to hold her sobs back. No use in the letting the driver see her in such a state. She took a deep breath and pulled herself together. She had decided to start a new chapter in her life, yet was still hesitant to turn that first page and leave him behind...