The following drabble is based on a prompt given to me by nita100 (thank you so much and I hope that you enjoy this little piece!). When Allen Leech was asked what scene on Downton he would redo, he said that he would like Tom to be present during the Nanny West incident. And this is exactly the prompt and the premise of the drabble. I've already had Tom going to Ireland instead of America in this series, so I think it doesn't matter that this new drabble is an AU one. Also big thanks to gothamgirl28 for beta-reading it for me.

Fighting for His Daughter

1922

Tom knew that at this time of day the children were usually being put to sleep, but he so wanted to steal a moment with Sybbie. He hadn't seen his daughter at all that day except in the early morning because work had kept him incredibly busy. The Irishman couldn't imagine spending so much time apart from his beloved daughter.

As such, Tom directed his steps towards the nursery. He heard Nanny West's voice trying to get George to sleep. Perhaps he was too late and Sybbie had already fallen asleep? He decided to look through the door whether his little one was asleep or not. In that very moment, Tom heard something that alarmed him.

"Don't let the chauffeur's daughter disturb you," Miss West said to George.

Tom's whole body tensed. For a minute, he was too shocked to move. What a pity that he didn't because then Nanny West's voice changed from soothing and calming into disdainful as she turned towards Sybbie.

"Go back to sleep, you wicked little crossbreed," the woman hissed through her teeth. Tom's blood boiled; he couldn't stand beside the door anymore. He immediately entered the room.

"I didn't notice you, sir," shrieked Nanny West as he visibly startled her.

"It's not hard to assume so," Tom said coolly. "And perhaps you shouldn't address me as a 'sir' when you see me as a chauffeur. It's hypocritical, Miss West. Actually, I'm not ashamed to have worked as a chauffeur. You can't insult me in this way. But I can't allow you to insult my daughter, and I can't imagine how heartless one can be to say such words to an innocent child."

"Sir, I was only playing a game with Miss Sybbie, a joke..."

"I know that you think lowly of me, but please do not insult my intelligence. I'm lamenting that even now, when the world is changing, there are people like you who are so elitist and close-minded. My wife and I fought hard so that people might be treated equally, and I'll continue to fight for my daughter to be treated right. Now please put Master George in his crib and go downstairs and ask Mrs. Hughes to find you a room to sleep. Tell her that I sent you. I'll inform Lady Grantham about the incident so that you'll be dismissed as soon as possible. Please don't touch the children again. I'll stay with them for the night."

Nanny West started crying, but did not dare to disobey him and left the nursery. When she left, Tom approached the children's cribs - George was asleep, but Sybbie was not.

"My darling," Tom whispered as he took his daughter into his arms. "Come to me, I won't leave you tonight." As he uttered these words, he approached the bed intended for the nanny and lay down with Sybbie. Tom didn't feel able to let her sleep in her crib tonight. He wanted her close to him and to make her feel loved. He caressed Sybbie's curls and told her, "Papa loves you, my dear one. You're a child born out of great love, no matter what people may sometimes say, remember it. You're a living sign that boundaries can be broken and that nothing is impossible. You're my treasure and the most important part of my life."

They lay in complete silence for a few minutes before Sybbie's breath became heavy and it was clear that she had fallen asleep.

Tom, on the other hand, couldn't sleep at all. Many thoughts were flowing through his head. He mainly pondered now on his reaction to Nanny West's unforgivable words. He had felt fire in his veins that he hadn't felt... since Sybil had died. It had been his first strong reaction, to well, anything, since his wife had departed the world of living.

Tom then recalled his own words and realized that he had forgotten about so many things: "My wife and I fought hard so that people might be treated equally, and I'll continue to fight for my daughter to be treated right." Yes, indeed. He and Sybil had fought, and for the last year and half he had abandoned fighting. But he should fight for his darling daughter's future. Did he, then, have enough strength to do so?

"I must muster all the necessary strength," Tom resolved immediately.

He looked at the sleeping Sybbie again, embraced her more closely and whispered into her hair, "I'll fight for you, my dear one. I promise."

At that moment, he felt some warmth inside him, and he could swear that it was Sybil communicating to him that she approved of his oath.