Paris

"We have buildings just like that at home," said Rose's son, Jacob as he pointed to a display of the New York skyline. Robert sighed, wondering how he'd been talked into attending the Paris Exposition this year, in addition to their family holiday on the Rivera.

"Yes, that display was meant to model New York City," Bertie said patting him on the back.

"Well, I think the Eiffel Tower is more impressive," said Peter, Bertie's son, as he stared in the distance at Paris's most famous landmark, even without the exposition.

Bertie wrapped his other arm around his son. "It's even more impressive at night, my boy. They've installed electric lights to make it look truly spectacular."

"Wow," the boy said, while Robert followed from a distance, trying not to feel more uncomfortable than he already was. As it was, crowds never pleased him, nor did being on foreign soil. But now they were surrounded by modern architecture, whether it be America's New York City and Hollywood, or the new Grand Hotel of Vienna, or Herr Hitler's new buildings. The Eiffel Tower may be the oldest display here.

Robert felt the world closing in on him, and even the new outfit Cora had bought for him last week couldn't help. He longed for the security and tradition of Downton.

But the last time he was there, Mary had tried to push him into their family attending this Exposition. Even Caroline and Sybbie, who were normally sweet, insisted on going so they could see the fashion exhibits. Then there were Henry, George, and Tom who wished to see the motor exhibits.

All of that, Robert could have said no to; he hated being pushed into an idea and exhibits about new things had little appeal to him. Until Cora had smiled at him and said softly, "it would be nice to all the new clothing they have on display."

And he couldn't say no to that.

So, the women explored the fashion exhibits, Henry, George, and Tom eagerly studied motors, and the rest of them were left to look at architecture.

Walking around, Robert wondered if it was worth it. To make matters worse, he worried about the strangers wandering about. That one had beady eyes. That one had a sneaky grin. Another reached for something…The French were noted for impulsive behavior. Might some of them be communists and cause riots?

"Ahh, Papa, look at that!" Peter said to Bertie, pointing at the replica of the Grand Hotel of Vienna, and Robert's heart swelled at the expression on his grandson's face.

"It's wonderful, son." Robert shouldn't ruin their happiness. No matter how oppressive this exposition felt to him.

"There appears to be a garden around the corner," Robert said louder, catching the attention of Bertie, Peter, and Jacob. Perhaps that would cause Robert less discomfort.

"Ah, yes," Bertie said," changing the direction he and the children were walking. "The bonsai garden model from Tokyo."

OOOOOOOOOOO

Peter and Jacob inspected the different plant sculptures with delight, while Robert wished once again to be wandering through something more normal, like the Downton gardens. "Do you truly think this is a safe place for the women and children?" Robert said to Bertie. "I have heard France's communist party is growing considerably."

A young man ran by and Robert almost snatched Peter from whatever sculpture he was examining.

Bertie kept a close eye on his son, as well as Jacob, but let them continue to play. Yet he also didn't tell Robert he was wrong. Bertie was a quiet man who didn't automatically tell Robert he was wrong; in that way, Edith's husband reminded Robert of Cora. "I know you've heard the same things I have in the House of Lords," Robert said, perhaps a bit louder than he should have.

Paris didn't feel safe.

Bertie sighed. "I have, but I have also heard Leon Blum is no longer Prime Minister, so I think we are safe. And I know Edith was eager to spend a few days in Paris after the Rivera; she's planning on doing a large article about the Exposition for The Sketch. I won't deprive her of that." His eyes lit up with pride as he spoke of Edith's work.

Nodding, Robert remembered the expression on Cora's face when she said she'd like to see the new fashion exhibits. And perhaps Berite had a point. If Blum and his Popular Front were no longer in power, France might not be quite as dangerous.

But Robert still had to watch his family closely. When would they meet the others for dinner?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOO

"… And look at the curves on that one!" Henry said pointing to a particularly sleek black motor. Tom opened his mouth, to say it was time to meet the rest of the family for dinner. What might Sybbie be involved? He knew he could trust Lucy to keep an eye on her, as well as her aunts, but still. Paris was such a new place for her.

But the expression on Henry's face made Tom take a closer look at the motor. "I wouldn't mind taking a turn on that one," Tom said, his smile growing at the image of him behind the wheel of the machine.

"I know its not for sale, but do you think we could build something like that at the shop?" Henry said, putting his hand on her to examine the motor even closer.

Tom studied her from behind, reveling in that the machine's curves were even smoother to the touch. "It would be nice, wouldn't it?" Just the idea of having a motor like this at his deposal made his heart race with excitement.

"Atticus, do you see motors like this everyday in America?" George said from behind.

Tom heard Rose's husband chuckle. "Not quite, George. These automobiles were sent as showpieces, but very few people actually drive them. The Depression has been difficult over there, too."

Standing up, Tom once again felt the combination of gratitude that he was able to see, and perhaps even someday drive such motors with guilt that he was growing too far from his humble roots. Where was Sybbie?

"We should be meeting the others for dinner soon," he said out loud, looking at Herny, Atticus, and George in turn.

Geroge and Atticus nodded. Henry stared back at the motor exhibit, obviously wishing to study more, but he finally nodded. "I suppose. I am interested in what pretty things Caroline saw today. And Mary was so excited to have a holiday in Paris as well as the Rivera."

The other men nodded and began walking to the food section.

"Mary is so devoted to Downton and so invested in the challenge of keeping it open," Henry said to Tom. "Sometimes I forget she craves excitement, too. Perhaps I should invite her on more of my trips."

Tom nodded, remembering how insistent Mary was at going to Paris. She was determined to keep Downton; they both were, but at what cost? Had they both been so focused on Downton that they'd forgotten to relax? Is that what Lucy had been trying to tell him in the last couple of months?

"I think the holiday to the Rivera and Paris has been good for all of us this year," he said to Henry. A flood of warm feelings filled Tom, and he reminded himself of how much he loved all the Crawley's

The smell of cuisine from more nationalities than he could count filled his nose as they approached the food section, and Tom smiled.

Soon Lucy, Patrick, Erin, Mary, Edith, Bertie and a few more children surrounded him. "I am looking forward to the French cuisine here," Mary said, in a voice that many would mistake for nonchalant if they didn't know her well.

Fortunately, Henry knew better. He strolled purposely toward her with a delighted look on his face. "Oh? And why might that be?"

"Honestly, why does there have to be a reason?" Mary said sharply, but the twinkle in her eye showed how much she was enjoying their byplay.

And Tom's happy mood burst when he saw his Sybbie eagerly chatting with a young Frenchman at one of the tables. Before he could think, his legs carried him to where they sat. "Excuse me, but who are you?" The young man had dark brown hair and a small goatee that those French scoundrels were famous, and appeared to be almost drooling over Sybbie.

The man stood up and babbled something in French which caused Tom to become even more enraged. It was as if the other man was using Tom's inability to understand French to his advantage. Tom was about to pull the scoundrel away from Sybbie when Lord Grantham appeared, speaking in French himself.

His voice bombed, as it always did when the lord was cross. Tom saw his hand move a bit.

The man's eyes widened in fear, and Tom immediately relaxed as the scoundrel appeared to stumble over his next words. Lord Grantham said something again, and the man disappeared. Tom turned and smiled at him in gratitude.

Sybbie on the other hand, was not smiling in gratitude. Rather, she huffed. "Donk. Dad, Pierre was so much fun to talk to, and I was enjoying practicing my French." Her hands flew in frustration. Why did you ruin it?" Her eyes moved from Tom to Lord Grantham and back to Tom, full of familiar fire.

"Sybbie, you're so sweet and we love you for it, but some men like to take advantage of that," Tom said carefully, looking into his daughter's blue eyes for understanding that they were just trying to help her.

Her eyes showed no understanding.

"I just wanted to have dinner with Pierre," Sybbie said, staring at Tom with Sybil's fire. "What did you expect he would do when all of our family is right here?" With that she took off toward the Italian food section with Lucy and Lady Grantham immediately following.

"I suppose we should let the women take care of her," Tom said, although his heart ached to run after Sybbie. Lord Grantham paused; he was already prepared to follow her, but finally he nodded. "I should probably thank you for talking to the scoundrel, though." Tom said finally, looking his father-in-law in the eye. "His French was a bit of a barrier for me."

It was the first time in months that he and Lord Grantham had fought on the same side, and no matter that Sybbie was cross at them as a result, it felt good.

Lord Grantham nodded. "I had been concerned earlier about the state of mind of some of these Frenchmen. Who knows how many are communist revolutionaries. When I saw one speaking to our Sybbie…" His hand shook.

There was a time where Tom would have been very offended by that statement, as he'd been such a revolutionary himself once. But now, all he knew was he and Lord Grantham were united in protecting Sybbie. "I look forward to her returning to Downton," his father-in-law said with a sigh. "Even her coming out ball will be much more of a controlled environment than Paris." Lord Grantham shuddered a bit at the last word.

Tom bristled at the implications of Sybbie's ball. She would meet all kinds of other young men at her ball, eager to do much more than just have dinner with her. And what of those who might judge her for being half-Irish and the daughter of a chauffeur? And then there was curtseying to the blasted king. "Does she truly need to be presented to the king?" Tom said out loud, voicing his biggest frustration again.

Lord Grantham stared at him, as if he could believe Tom would question such a thing again. "Of course, she does. We've been through this, Tom. The king is one of the most important parts of the English tradition, and a very necessary portion of a young lady's coming out. Besides, I thought you left all that socialist revolutionary nonsense behind you years ago."

Scowling at the implications that revolutions were "nonsense", especially in light of the new Irish Constitution, Tom sighed. "It's not that simple, Lord Grantham. It's true, that I no longer consider myself a socialist, but the new Irish government makes it important to me again. Besides, I've never been a monarchist, and I've told you as much, even after I stopped supporting socialism." As kind as his father-in-law could be, he was also too stubborn for his own good.

But Lord Grantham stared at him for several moments, before saying, "No, you changed your mind on that, too. You must have. You helped us with King George and Queen Mary's visit, and you married the daughter of the queen's lady-in-waiting." His voice was firm, as if he could force Tom into believing what Lord Grantham wished.

Tom sighed, reminding himself that this man had just helped him with a scoundrel who had been drooling over Sybbie. "I supported the king and queen's visit to Downton because it was important to you and the rest of the family, and Lucy and I have different opinions about the monarchy, but we don't mind that. In my effort to keep the peace with the rest of you, I've stopped discussing anti-monarchism and Ireland as much as I used to. I'm afraid that was a mistake, as it has apparently caused you to believe I've changed more than I have."

Once again, Lord Grantham said nothing for several moments.

Finally, he said, "Can we at least agree Sybbie should not have any more French suitors while we are here?"

Tom's mind flashed to the drooling French scoundrel whom he couldn't even speak to, and he nodded. "I think we agree on that."

Lord Grantham finally smiled. "Are you brave enough to try Italian food?" His head indicated to the direction Sybbie and their wives had disappeared.

Pausing, Tom glanced at the rest of their family, from Mary and Henry to Edith and Bertie, who were sitting with Erin and Patrick along with their own children, preparing to sample French dishes. It was time he and Lord Grantham reconciled with Sybbie. And their wives.

"I just hope they'll all speak to us again," Tom said as he and Lord Grantham walked in that direction.