As always, my thanks to chelsie fan.

The bells of St. Michaels were tolling by the time Charles and Elsie made it to the front doors. They were in time. Just. Silently they slipped into the backmost pew and Charles helped her ease off her coat. The church was beautifully decorated, for it was already the fourth Sunday of Advent, and Charles wished he could describe it to her, but too soon the tiny church organ began to play and the processional had begun.

The service passed quickly for Elsie, much to her surprise. The prayers so ingrained in her that she didn't need help reciting them, and the hymns this time of year were so familiar that she was able to surprise Charles by singing boldly the fourth verse of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" while he flipped quickly through the hymnal himself to find the words. She'd sat next to him at countless services over the last twenty years. Weddings, funerals, christenings and a great many regular Sunday services. But she'd never sat next to him as his wife and somehow it felt different, as if by marrying him under God she was made more honest in her heart. She'd prayed for certainty that it was the path she was supposed to be walking before she married him. Sitting beside him that morning brought on such an intense feeling of belonging and peace that she was sure she finally had it. As the service finished, she sent up a heartfelt prayer of thanks and let the familiar sound of gentle conversations wash over her.

While she appreciated the number of people that came to speak with her afterwards to express their pleasure at having her in their midst again, she grew increasingly frustrated that people didn't introduce themselves before speaking, meaning she spent half the conversation trying to determine who was talking to her. The more of them there were, the more difficult it was. (With the notable exception of Mrs. Patmore, who was discernable from a fair distance.)

She'd lost Charles in the chaos of conversation, and was starting to feel slightly disoriented until a familiar voice came from her left.

"Mrs. Hughes, it's Mr. Bates. It's good to see you."

"Oh, Mr. Bates," she sighed with relief. "It is very good to see you as well."

"Are you well?" he asked, sounding slightly desperate.

"Fine, thank you," she reassured him. Now that he was here, she was acutely aware of who was missing. "Is Anna with you?"

There was a pause, and Elsie's face adopted a worried expression. "Mr. Bates?" she asked, puzzled.

Mr. Bates spoke quietly, carefully. "I'm afraid she's... not very well."

"I'm sorry?"

He leaned in further so as not to be overheard. "She's rather ill. Dr. Clarkson's been to see her, and Lady Mary has given a few weeks off to recuperate, but-"

"Goodness, Mr. Bates, now you really are frightening me."

"I don't mean to, she tells me she'll be perfectly fine, but you know Anna."

Elsie nodded. She'd seen the girl work through cough and fever, not stopping until ordered to bed. Mr. Bates continued on with his story. "You see, I am in a bit of a bind. His Lordship is going to London this afternoon until Christmas Eve, and I'm hesitant to leave her alone even for a few days. I didn't want to bother you with it, but-"

"No," Elsie interrupted. "I'll call on her. Today."

"Thank you, Mrs. Carson. It would mean a great deal to me. And I'm sure to Anna."

Charles appeared at her shoulder, touching it lightly. "Mr. Bates," he acknowledged with a nod.

"Charles, I'd like very much to call on Anna this afternoon." Elsie said, turning to him. Charles looked from his wife's urgent face to Mr. Bates rather grim one.

"Well," he said hesitantly, "I suppose if you're up for it-"

"I am," said Elsie firmly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Carson. Mr. Carson," said Mr. Bates, with a tip of his hat. "I must be getting back to the house."

"Of course," nodded Charles.

Mr. Bates took his leave and Charles leaned down to murmur in Elsie's ear. "What is so pressing?" he asked.

"Anna is ill," she murmured back.

That was it. If she wanted to visit Anna, he was hardly going to be able to stand in her way. "What if I took you over there after luncheon?"

"Yes, please."

And so it was decided. They went back to their house for a meal, but all throughout it Elsie was distracted, fussing with her food in a way he'd never seen before. Charles started to worry about this endeavor. Was this something she should be concerning herself with? After all she'd barely just started to seem more like herself...

"Elsie," he began.

"I'm going," she said firmly, already anticipating his concern. "I haven't seen her in well over a month and... and-" she trailed off suddenly, a surge of emotion taking her words.

Charles put down his knife and fork to pull her hands away from her face and cradled them in his own. "Then, you'll go," he told her. "You'll go, and I'm sure she'll be fine." He couldn't possibly know that, but it seemed unlikely it was dire if Mr. Bates was willing to leave her alone for an hour or so to go to church.

A few stray tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes, despite her attempts to blink them away. "It's been a long time," she mumbled. "She was so kind to me when I left, and I haven't so much as called on her since the wedding. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't even want to see me."

"Anna understands," Charles reassured her. "And I'm sure she would welcome your visit. As, would Mr. Bates, clearly."

"He did sound worried," she supposed.

"He looked worried," agreed Charles. "But that man dotes upon her. I wouldn't take it as an indication anything is too terribly wrong."

Elsie smiled a little half smile at this. Charles wiped away the evidence of her tears with his thumb. "Go and see her, if that's what will make you feel better. There is no point sitting here worrying."

She nodded. "I suppose you're right. I'm jumping to conclusions far too early." She bit her lip without thinking, and Charles grinned, taking the opportunity to gently kiss it free. She smiled against his lips and kissed him back more ardently. For a moment she forgot her worry and simply enjoyed kissing her husband.

"Let's get some things together and go," he said quietly, after they broke apart. He stood abruptly to clear their places, and pack some items of food into a basket.

"Charles?" said Elsie, standing slowly.

"Yes?"

She could always orient herself to his voice, and she took a few steps until she could reach out and touch him. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his waist, causing him to halt his task, and hold her. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

"Of course, my dear," he replied, kissing her hair. "Of course."

TBC...