Hello! I know, it's been a while...but I'm pleased to announce that I am going to FINISH this story by the end of June! So stay tuned over the next few weeks! We're nearly at the end...

This particular chapter imagines Larry's reaction to the events of 3x04. It should be noted that *I* do not for a second believe that Tom "abandoned" Sybil (she states multiple times in the episode that this was *their* plan that he go on ahead of her) but I'm writing from the Crawley's/Larry's POV, so naturally they'll think differently ;o) ANYWAY, I hope you enjoy! And please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading and sticking with this story (and with Larry!)

Small Victory
July, 1920

He can't remember the last time he's seen Lord Grantham in this club. Actually, to be fair, he can't remember a first time, either. The man looks agitated, and angry, which may perhaps explain why he's drinking scotch so early in the day. And while Larry usually avoids gentlemen who are "friends of his father", something seems to "compel" him to approach the man.

"Lord Grantham," he greets, surprising the earl with his voice.

"Oh! Larry…" he attempts to smile, but it's clearly a struggle. The man looks exhausted.

"I didn't realize your family was in town," Larry murmurs nonchalantly, though he has a feeling Lord Grantham's sudden presence has nothing to do with the London Season. Everyone knows that the Crawley's nearly lost Downton; even though Lord Grantham's heir was able to save the estate, their finances are nothing like they once were. Perhaps it was just as well that he didn't marry into the family? Imagine being saddled with such incompetent in-laws?

"I'm here on business, actually," Lord Grantham mutters, and Larry can hear the bitterness in the other man's voice. Something's happened…

"Oh?" He assumes it has to do with the estate; what else could it be?

However Lord Grantham surprises him, when he puts down his glass and mutters in a low voice, "She should have married you."

"What?" he asks, not able to hide behind a mask of decorum. He heard what Lord Grantham said, but he can't quite believe what he's heard.

Lord Grantham instantly looks as if he regrets whatever he said, and starts to mumble, "Nothing", before grabbing his hat as if he's going to leave, but Larry won't let him get away that easily. Not when something like this has been uttered.

And he knows just what card to play.

"Has something happened to Sybil?" he asks, making sure his tone has just the right level of concern. "Is she alright?"

"I…she's fine," Lord Grantham quickly mutters, trying to move around him, looking every which way, as if afraid someone is overhearing this awkward conversation. "She's fine now," he asserts again, though who is he truly trying to convince?

Now?

"Did he do something to her?" he growls, stopping himself just shy of using a slur. Unlike before, the emotion in his tone isn't as put upon.

He can see Lord Grantham cracking; see the man's anger and frustrations. He clearly wants to scream, or at the very least, confide in someone he knows and trusts. Who better than the son of his friend?

"Bloody Branson," Lord Grantham finally mutters, running a hand through his hair and glancing around them, checking to see who is within listening distance. "He abandoned her," he mutters.

Larry stares in shock. For some reason, that was not what he had been expecting to hear.

"Abandoned her?" he manages to gasp after a pause.

"Got himself involved with a bunch of violent rebels; burned a house down and ran away like a thief in the night," he hisses in disgust. "Left Sybil to fend for herself—a pregnant woman to fend for herself!"

Lord Grantham's face turns red and he immediately shrinks, again looking around to make sure no one else has heard. But the damage has been done, because he has heard—and Larry's hands ball up into angry fists.

I would never have done that. The man, if you can call him that, is a bloody coward! Well done, Sybil; you've married a coward and are about to have his offspring—I imagine you wish you hadn't said 'no' to me now, don't you?

It suddenly dawns on him that Lord Grantham never told him what became of his daughter.

"Where is she? What can I do?" He's been waiting to play the part of "Sybil's hero" since childhood.

He tries not to look disappointed when Lord Grantham tells him that she's safe, back in England (where she belongs), and back at Downton. And he tries not to fly into a rage when he's told that despite everything, she's begging her father to protect the cowardly paddy from being arrested or deported.

Good God, why!? WHAT does she see in that bastard!?

"I've just been to the foreign office," Lord Grantham mutters. "You have no idea how…difficult it is, to do what I have done…but only because she asked me," he helplessly sighs.

He can understand; he's been a captive to her plea, as well.

Lord Grantham sighs once again, puts on his hat, and turns to leave. However, he does pause and look back at Larry, and while there are no words, the look says enough.

He should have fought for him; he should have persuaded Sybil to say "yes", maybe even forced her to marry him. She wouldn't be saddled with this violent Irish rebel for a husband, ready to birth his mutt. She would still have a good name, a good reputation; her family wouldn't be humiliated.

He's honestly not sure who he feels sorrier for. Lord Grantham and the rest of the Crawleys for having such an embarrassing connection? Or Sybil for her blindness?

Despite the news, he goes about the rest of the day smiling.

It's a small victory in the scheme of things. But it's a victory none the less.