Carson

Carson set the box of his belongings heavily onto his desk in his pantry. He looked around the room glad to be back at the Abbey. But will it last?

Carson had wished to slip quietly through the servant's door and into his pantry without a fuss. He had been disappointed but mildly gratified that his return had marked so kindly by his colleagues. Everyone seemed relieved of his return, except for Thomas which was to be expected. The boy had been all but acting butler was Carson was gone.

After sending a hall boy with his suitcase to his room, Carson had managed to escape the barrage of questions into the quiet of his pantry. The room felt empty with all of his personal things packed away in the box on his desk. He sighed and sank into his chair.

Carson was still trying to come to terms with the events of the past few days. He had believed until recently that he would be spending the rest of his days away from Downton, away from home. But then Lord Grantham had requested a meeting with him. He had been shocked, thought it might be a cruel trick, but had gone to the park anyway.

Seeing Lord Grantham sitting on that bench had caused his heart to leap into his throat. He had not dared hope that His Lordship's presence meant that he might be allowed to return home. He had stood patiently waiting for Lord Grantham to speak, but flinched back when the Earl finally looked up at him with barely concealed anger. When Lord Grantham spoke, however, it was with a calm civility.

"Lady Mary wishes for you to come home."

Lord Grantham had not moved from his seat. The position made Carson feel like a schoolboy about to receive a smack from teacher. Carson barely dared breathe.

"You broke your promise."

"I did, my Lord."

"How can I trust you again?"

Carson had remained silent as Lord Grantham looked up at him in scrutiny. He had no answer for His Lordship. After a few moments of silence, Lord Grantham stood and reached into his breast pocket. He held out a white envelope. Carson took it.

"I promised you would always have a place at Downton." Lord Grantham's eyes narrowed menacingly, "I always keep my promises."

And he had left.

Carson had sat in the vacant bench to open the envelope. Inside was a train ticket to York.

A knock on his door brought Carson back to the present. He stood when he saw Mrs. Hughes walk into his pantry.

"Am I glad to see you," she smiled.

Carson offered her the chair across from him and they both sat. "I hope there weren't many problems while I was away?"

She waved away his concern. "Nothing I couldn't handle."

"I'm sure," he smiled conspiratorially, "but tell me anyway."

They spent the next few minutes discussing the House until it felt as if he'd never been away. Surprisingly, Mrs. Hughes didn't ask him about his time away or even why he had left so suddenly. Carson had been expecting at least a question or two on the subject, but none were forthcoming. He thanked the Lord for small blessings. When they had exhausted the topic of the House, Mrs. Hughes leaned back in her chair and smiled.

"It's good to have you back, Mr. Carson."

Carson stared across his desk at the woman before him and felt the corners of his mouth lift.

"It's good to be back, Mrs. Hughes."

Cora

Cora watched her husband storm off in dismay. Just as she'd expected, he had not taken the news of Mama refusing Carson at all well. She had made the case for Carson remaining butler at the Abbey without mentioning Violet's knowledge of her affair. Mama had wanted to drop that bombshell herself and Cora had been more than happy to let her. Robert had said he was going to the Dower House to talk some sense into his mother. Cora shook her head. He was in for a shock.

Cora looked around her sitting room and sighed. Her eyes fell on the bell pull. Someone needed to tell Carson that he could settle back in permanently, that he wouldn't be going to the Dower House. She doubted Robert would want to tell him and decided to do so herself. Besides, she had missed Carson. She wanted to see him now that he was back. She rang the bell twice for the butler.

It didn't take long for Carson to arrive dressed impeccably in his livery. Especially since he had only arrived back this morning. Cora moved swiftly across the room to stand before him.

"Carson," she smiled placing a hand on his arm. "I hope you've had time to settle back in?"

He nodded. "I have, your Ladyship."

Cora squeezed his arm and smiled again. "Well, you'll be pleased to know that you'll be remaining here. You won't have to go to the Dower House."

A flash of confusion crossed Carson's face and Cora realized her mistake. "The Dower House, my Lady?"

"His Lordship hadn't told you," she murmured clasping her hands in front of her. She looked away. " We had thought it would be best if you were away from the Abbey for a while, but thought better of it."

Cora trailed off at the hurt she saw in the man's eyes. Of course he knew she didn't mean the Abbey. She stepped closer once again and placed her hand on his chest feeling his heartbeat beneath the rough wool of his jacket.

"I'm glad you're home, Carson. Home where you belong."

She smiled at him once more and then left the room before she said something they would both regret.

Mary

Mary glanced around the hallway before slipping quickly through the servant's door. She moved silently down the cold staircase, pulling her dressing gown tightly around her. She hoped Carson had not yet gone to bed.

Mary had been surprised when Papa had brought Carson back from London. Of course, he had promised her that he would, but she had only partly believed him. Both of her fathers were proud men. She couldn't imagine what had been said to get them both back under the same roof.

She reached the bottom of the stairs and felt a wave of relief wash over her at the sight of light pouring out from underneath the door to the butler's pantry. She stepped quietly down the hallway and knocked once, entering the room without waiting for a reply.

Carson was sitting at his desk writing in a ledger of some kind when Mary entered. He only looked up at the sound of the door closing behind Mary. Carson stood from his seat while Mary looked across the room at him with her hand still on the door. She couldn't help but notice the similarities with what had happened in this room two weeks ago. Only now Carson did not move from behind his desk to comfort her.

Mary searched Carson's face for any hint of emotion but found none. She glanced down at her feet before walking determinedly towards Carson, the desk still between them.

"I'm glad I've caught you," she smiled flippantly at him but felt her face fall at his impassive response.

"Was there something you needed, my Lady?"

"I needed to speak with you," she pleaded quietly. For a moment Mary thought she saw a flicker of concern in Carson's eyes. She continued. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know that it was my fault Papa sent you away."

"No!" Carson held her gaze fiercely. "That was not your fault. None of this was ever your fault."

Mary nodded, grateful for his forgiveness. She hadn't realized until now how terrified she had been that he would hate her.

"But perhaps," Carson began haltingly, "it would be best if you… didn't seek me out as often as you once did."

Mary swallowed hard and looked down at Carson's desk, at the ledger filled with columns of upside-down numbers. She blinked furiously trying to hold back her tears. She smiled back up at him. "Yes, of course. You're right. I'll say goodnight then."

Mary left before he could see the tears falling down her face.

A/N Thanks to everyone who is still with this story and all of your reviews!