Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Hope you all had a great Christmas! :D

& thanks again for the reviews :)

xxxxxxxxxxxx

December 1914

"Absolutely NOT!" Lord Grantham bellowed when Sybil announced her intentions.

After dinner, when the family were all gathered in the drawing room, Sybil had announced to everyone that she had some important news. She'd paused, unsure how to begin, but with a reassuring smile from Mary she'd just come out and told them she was going to be a nurse. She had directed it towards her father, and to say he initially took it badly was an understatement. But, she was determined to make him see her side and change his mind, so she had no intentions of backing down.

"But Papa-"

"No Sybil! You are my daughter and will do as I say!"

Sybil shook her head in disappointment at the father, "I knew you wouldn't understand."

She glanced over to the rest of her family; her mother looked sympathetic, Edith just looked shocked, and her eyes finally landed on Mary, sending her a silent plea for some form of support in the matter. At least Granny wasn't there, she mused, or it could have been even worse.

Sybil was relieved when Mary spoke; "Papa, don't dismiss this, just hear her out. Sybil knows what she's doing."

"Nonsense", he dismissed his eldest with a wave of his hand and Sybil realised that if Mary's voice didn't influence him, it would be ten times harder for hers to. As Mary gave her an apologetic look, Sybil silently thanked her for trying and realised she was on her own.

Knowing she would have to do it herself, she took a step closer to her father. "Look, Papa. This isn't just something I've decided to do on the spot, I've thought long and hard about it and realised it's what I want, no need, to do. There are people that need help, and I want to do what I can for them, it's much better than staying here doing nothing all hours of the day being no help whatsoever."

Her father just sighed and shook his head like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Sybil took this as a sign she was getting somewhere, at least he wasn't flatly refusing her like he had been a few minutes ago, so she continued.

"I'm going down to London after Christmas-"

"London!" Lord Grantham shouted, making everyone in the room jump, "Well this just gets better!"

Sybil opened her mouth to protest, but a swift look and hand gesture from her mother silenced her. Cora had remained silent so far; she wasn't as surprised as her husband. Her youngest daughter had clearly been up to something recently, and it was only now that she finally realised what that something was.

"Sybil, girls, can you step outside a moment please?" Cora requested, looking at her three daughters.

Sybil wasn't happy at this request; she wanted to be there to explain it to her father, to make him understand. But she yielded after taking in her mother's reassuring nod and left the room with Mary and Edith, attempting to show her father what she thought of his reaction by her glower in his direction and determined march out the door.

She was left standing in the corridor with her two sisters. One, she knew, would be supportive. The other; by the look on her face, she wasn't impressed. They remained silent for a few moments before Sybil couldn't take it anymore, "What is it Edith?" she demanded, none too kindly. Her father's negative reaction had frustrated and annoyed her, and now she was taking it out on Edith. Although, to be fair, the look on Edith's face wasn't one of understanding and support, and Sybil was certainly not in the best of moods.

Edith just shook her head, "I just don't know about this Sybil" she stated, reserved, "I mean, it's hardly a job for a Lady is it?"

That seemed to be the last straw for Sybil, she was fed up with people not agreeing with her decision and, unfortunately for Edith, her sister was the one to bear the brunt of her anger. "Edith, it's not an issue of class anymore" Sybil fired back, "a war is happening right now, and it will affect us Ladies as much as any other woman, and any other person, for that matter! If you'd just come out of your selfish bubble for one second then you'd see that!"

Edith seemed speechless; she'd usually gotten on relatively well with Sybil, as the youngest seemed to get on with everyone. What she'd just come out with sounded more like it would come from Mary. Edith had only ever seen her so fired up once before; when her father had been ready to fire their chauffeur, Branson.

Mary looked equally shocked at her outburst, but Sybil refused to apologise for it. It was the truth, and it was about time she expressed what she felt. She was so used to being reserved and keeping back what she really felt, it was a kind of release to be able to speak her mind for once.

Edith wouldn't let it pass, "Sybil" she began, "It's just that-"

"Edith" Sybil cut in, with as polite a tone as she could muster, "I'm going, there's nothing more to discuss."

When Edith still didn't look convinced, Sybil rolled her eyes and looked over to Mary, "Will you tell her?"

Mary couldn't help but look exasperated, although she was secretly pleased at her youngest sister's tirade towards Edith; "I think you've just about covered it."

Not wanting to discuss the issue anymore, Sybil couldn't help but head over to the closed door she had recently exited and put her ear to it, managing to catch the end of her parents' conversation;

"Robert" Cora stated, "You know Sybil, she's stubborn. She gets that from you" she added. "Even if you lock her in her room she'd find a way to get out. Wouldn't it be best if you just let her go-"

"But she's not ready. War...it's not the place for a young girl."

"She's determined Robert. And it's not like she'll be on the Front Line, for one she's too young."

"But London, Cora, why not nearer to home? With her family-"

"She'll be able to stay with your sister in London."

"Rosamund? I don't know."

"I can't say I'm too thrilled about this decision of hers either. She's our youngest, and it's hard to let go, but you know as well as I do she won't back down. Wouldn't it be better for the both of you if she left on good terms? Think about it."

After a few moments thought, Lord Grantham sighed, "You're right, you're right."

Sybil couldn't help but grin and quickly moved away from the door, back towards her sisters who were both looking at her, clearly unimpressed by her eavesdropping. They thankfully refrained from saying anything as her father opened the door, closely followed by her mother. Sybil immediately headed over to them, giving her mother a warm smile before finding herself stood in front of her father.

"Papa?" she prompted.

He seemed reluctant and looked at his youngest, responding with an audible sigh; "I may not like it, and I certainly don't agree with you going, but if you insist then I won't stop you."

It wasn't exactly what she had been hoping for, but it was enough. It was certainly much better than she expected she would get an hour ago. She remained composed despite the overwhelming joy bubbling up inside her at her father's acceptance, and smiled, walking over to embrace him, "Thank you Papa" she whispered, "I'll make you proud."

Grantham smiled despite himself and held her close, "I know you will Sybil."