"Yes... yes I think this will do quite nicely," Matthew's mother said as she looked about the sitting room. It was clear from the tone of her voice that she was already envisioning the hundreds of little changes she would make that would transform not just that room but the entire house from merely being 'Crawley House' to 'The Home of Isobel and Matthew Crawley'. She was looking at the walls and the furniture and imagined what might be shifted or replaced so to better reflect her tastes. She was debating what would need to go and what would need to stay. She was deciding just what fit into her vision and what was merely the relicts of those that had come before.

As for Matthew, he looked around the room and saw only memories.

He'd only, in truth, spend a few years living at Crawley House. More than Downton proper, to be sure, but the war had seen to it that for a good portion of the middle years of his life as Heir had been spent on foreign soil or recovering in Downton's library after the shrapnel had torn through him and sent him home. And yet there were plenty of good memories that were released just by standing in Crawley House once more. The chair he'd sat in when, one late night when he'd first begun to doubt Mary's love for him after his first proposal, his mother had brought out a bottle of wine and the two of them had spent hours just drinking and talking, acting less as family and more as old friends. She'd told him stories of his father that she'd never dared tell him had she not gained the courage found only in drink and he remembered that night as the first time his father had become more than the man who raised him and, in Matthew's mind, a real person. Then there was the corner where he'd stood, forced to back away as Violet came in on a tear (about what he'd couldn't remember) and he remembered how he'd trembled like a school boy as she'd demanded to see his, in her own words, 'know-it-all mother who can't stop sticking her nose into things that have nothing to do with her' before telling him that he needed to not cower before her but it made an old woman feel good she could still make 'a young buck tremble in fright'. He knew that around the corner was the large table where Cora, Edith, and Sybil had sat with him, the ladies dripping wet after a sudden freak storm had hit, and they'd laughed as they drank tea and talked of the craziest weather each of them had ever seen, Cora telling them all of her childhood in New York even as she looked like a drowned rat; it had been one of the few times where she felt to him as actual family.

It was one thing to have the memories in his head but to be back where they had formed was the oddest chaotic swirl of emotions he'd ever felt. On one hand he felt once more at home, as if at long last his life were moving towards what he remembered. On the other to look around and see the faces of the shopkeeps and his neighbors and know that none of them recognized him was a stab to the heart. Even thoses he'd interacted with on only a nominal basis became crushing blows when he realized they didn't know him. He'd done his best to manage through his meeting with Robert, slipping into old routine with the older man, but it had still troubled him to know that only one of the two remembered what they had meant to each other in only a few months past (at least from Matthew's point of view). He remembered a friend from his days at Eton speaking of his grandmother and how towards the end she hadn't even recognized her family. She would talk about what her son had done and how she hoped he visited soon… not realizing her son was sitting before her. The same was true for Matthew: the whole world had slipped into a forgetful daze and all he could do was watch, feeling like a ghost wandering through a lost life.

"I hope it wasn't too much trouble to get things ready for us, Molesley," Matthew's mother said, breaking him out of his thoughts. "I know that originally we'd said we'd be here after lunch but when we awoke the two of us found ourselves so ready to begin that the thought of waiting for our scheduled train just seemed too much."

'That and this time I didn't drag my heels about it,' Matthew thought with a sardonic smile. The first time he'd procrastinated and had nearly caused them to miss their train, as if he thought delaying the visit would mean it would never have to come to pass. This time he'd been prepared for days and just as anxious as his mother to get started. He'd been unable to sleep the night before, feeling like he was once more seven years old and waiting for Father Christmas to bring his presents.

"No trouble at all," Molesley said with a slight nod of his head. "We were prepared since yesterday for your arrival, in case such a thing came to pass."

"Very good," Matthew's mother said. "Now then, I think I'd like to take a moment to sit before we saw to lunch-"

"Actually, if you wouldn't mind mother I'd like to talk to Molesley for a moment, if that is all right?" Matthew asked.

His mother was flustered slightly by that, shooting him a worried look but when he merely smiled she relented. "Oh! Well... well yes, I suppose that would be fine."

Matthew nodded and motioned for the butler/valet to follow him to what would be Matthew's study. He paused, imagining just as his mother had what changes he would make to get it back to looking as he desired before sitting down in his chair, Mosely shutting the door behind them. Looking at the older man Matthew was struck by just how different this Molesley was from the man he'd last seen several months ago and several years later. That Molesley, while good at his job, had been a bit of a fumbler when it came to his words and too quick to spring to action, as if he were constantly trying to court attention and praise. 'And why wouldn't he, when I abused him so,' Matthew thought, chastising himself. 'Our first interaction saw me belittle him and make him feel less and I continued to do so in all the years I knew him. I allowed the words 'Poor old Molesley' to influence my views and, in return, caused him to believe them himself until the entire world saw him as that.' Matthew's jaw worked for a moment. 'Not again. It is time to set one thing on my list right.'

He didn't offer Molesley to sit, as he knew that the man would never do so, finding it improper. Instead he launched forward. "I want to first assure you that there is nothing wrong. Nothing of the sort. My hope is that you will be in my employ for a long time and wouldn't want you fearing that our time together was coming to an end so shortly as it began."

There was a slight relaxing of his shoulders as Molesley stated, "I hope so as well, sir. To remain in your services, I mean."

Matthew smiled at that, a hint of the man he'd come to know but not the fluttery wreck that he'd become. Or hopefully would ever be. "I wanted to speak with you about several things concerning your employment so that we might be able to get off on the best possible foot." He leaned forward in his chair, locking eyes with the man. "Were you made aware of my background?"

After a moment Molesley answered. "You were a lawyer in Manchester, sir, living with your mother as you are now."

"Exactly. And as you can imagine my life was quite different than how it will be now. Little chance or need for a valet when one is but a lawyer." He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "I want to assure you though that you aren't stuck dealing with a man who doesn't understand any of the trappings of this new life. I have managed to dress myself in a set of tails before." Seeing Molesley pale slightly at this, and remembering his unfortunate words in his previous life, Matthew quickly added. "What I am trying to say, and I suppose rather poorly, is that I will be needing your help... but I beg you to be patient with me. There will be times I make mistakes... where I attempt to do for myself something you wish to do for me." He paused, remembering one particular incident… mostly because his mother had chastised him for it, bringing it up on and off for years whenever he got a chip on his shoulder once more about 'his way being better than Robert's'. "I beg you not to take offense when I make these small mistakes. If I make myself a cup of tea or bend over to tie my own shoes don't see it as me looking down at your service or feeling I don't need you. See it... see it as someone still growing used to what this new life will bring and making innocent mistakes. And they will be innocent, Molesley; never a comment on your ability."

That seemed to perk the man up, the relief clear on his face. "Of course. If I may confess... I was a touch worried about how you and I would interact, considering your upbringing." He blinked and spoke up, "Not that I am saying there is anything wrong about-"

Matthew laughed, holding up his hand. "Peace, Molesley, peace. I understand completely." Seeing the valet/butler breathe a bit easier Matthew decided to press on to his next point. "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" When Molesley nodded Matthew asked, "What positions have you held in the past? I truly am curious. I know you are qualified, as Robert assured me he would provide mother and I with the best man he could find, but he failed to mention the details."

Puffing up all the more at the praise Molesley stated, "Well, unlike most I didn't start off as a hallboy. Rather I began as a footman, having received a good reference from my father, who himself was a butler before he went into retirement. After that I served as a valet and did what one might consider the role of under butler, though they didn't call it that as we were simply too small of a house for such grand titles, before I put in my application here. " He finished with a look of quiet pride and Matthew grinned.

"Perfect! You know your way around a large house and that is just the sort of man I'll be needing." Matthew dropped his voice a touch. "Molesley, would you mind terrible if, in the future, used you as a sounding board?"

"I... don't quite understand."

"A sounding board. For example, let's say that when my mother's birthday comes around I decide I want to surprise her by having her favorite dessert served up at the house. Now, I could ask Lord Grantham but I fear it would make me, well, look rather foolish and silly to ask something that, to him, is a basic request that he has done many times. So I would rather ask you, "Molesley, who should I speak to if I wanted to get lemon cake with a lemon-lime drizzle frosting served?"

Molesley instantly caught on to what Matthew was getting at. "Ah. Yes. I would then suggest asking the butler, Mr. Carson, or perhaps Mrs. Hughes, who is the head of the maids, if you might speak with Mrs. Patmore about the menu that night. You'd want to go through them, at first, so it didn't seem like you were taking command without earning it."

Matthew nodded in quick agreement. He, of course, knew how to do all this but using Molesley in this way would help cover up any mistakes he made where he demonstrated knowledge he shouldn't have when it came to the staff and the inner workings of Downton. It would provide him an excuse , make Molesley happy, and let others see him as valuable. "Exactly. I can trust you, Molesley, to keep my secrets of how new and confusing this will be and help guide me through all the holes that will be waiting to trip me up. No need to make myself look anymore foolish than I already will be in these first few months. I am already at a disadvantage compared to the main family and I'd hate to do more damage to myself by appearing as a fool. Your help could see me avoid that fate, if you are willing."

"I would be more than happy to help," Molesley said, the pride in his voice warming Matthew's heart. He could see one of his many mistakes slowly being wiped away and replaced with something better. He knew, of course, that this was only a first step, that it would take time to rebuild this relationship, but he was ready to put in the work. "Is there anything else, sir?"

"Nothing at the moment," Matthew said with a smile, reaching out and, after a moment, shaking Molesley's hand. "If you could ask Mrs. Byrd to prepare some tea that would be lovely. And you have heard that we are to dine tonight at the house so I will need you to help me prepare. Do you think 5 would be a good enough time for you?"

"Absolutely, sir," Molesley said. "It will give us time to review a few things."

Matthew nodded. He would use this time to fully remind himself of who had worked at the house during this year, so that he didn't accidently ask for someone who wouldn't join the staff until after the war. Would do no good to reference O'Brien's nephew before the man was employed. "Sounds wonderful." He paused, looking out the window and spotting a familiar form approaching the house and he felt his heart skip a beat as he watched her confident stride, so sure of herself even at this young age. "And Molesley… I think it might be wise to prepare another setting. I think we're about to have company."

~A~O~O~O~F~

As Mary walked through the village she cursed her mother for sending her on this appointed task. 'Yes Mama, I shall happily go meet the upstart middle class lawyer and his mother who has come to steal what should be rightfully be mine and make sure that they know to come to dinner at seven. Would you like me to spit shine his shoes and iron his pants while I'm there or is humbling myself needlessly good enough?' Of course she hadn't said such things and she'd kept her face frozen in the noble, regal expression she had been taught to hold, but she'd sensed her mother had somehow sensed what she was thinking and purposely suggested she hurry and see if 'Cousins Matthew and Isobel' needed help unpacking. 'Unpacking… already she has me acting as a servant to him. Perhaps next Anna and I will switch places and I will wear her uniform while she makes idle smalltalk with every boring old man Mama drags to the house.'

Mary pursed her lips, forcing herself not to grind her teeth (a terrible habit that she was trying desperately to break herself from but could never seem to manage, what with everyone in her life seeking to frustrate her to no end). 'It's bad enough how Papa goes on and on about him.' Her father hadn't actually come out and told her much of Matthew Crawley, other than he was a 'good fellow, very bright and thoughtful' but Mary had kept an ear open and listened in when her mother and father, and sometimes even Granny, had discussed the upstart. Her father practically gushed about him, acting more like a girl during her first season who had caught the eye of some handsome duke than an earl forced to give a commoner all he possessed. It annoyed Mary to no end as it felt as if her father had put aside her cause before he truly considered taking it on. What hope did she have in her father fighting for what should have been her's when 'Matthew is so wonderful and he has such interesting ideas and I truly think he will help Downton'?

'I swear Papa, if you weren't most likely thinking of pushing me at Cousin Matthew I'd think you were going to go after him yourself!' A lesser woman would have laughed out loud at the vision Mary suddenly had in her head of her father, dressed in a white wedding dress, clutching a bouquet as he walked towards Travis and his lawyer groom. But she was Lady Mary Crawley and so all she did was smile ever so slightly at the outrageous thought.

Her thoughts turned dark once more though as she thought of her father and her mother's wealth. From a young age she had realized that, had she only been born a boy, things would have been vastly different. She would have been the heir, had received all the wealth of Downton, and been held in high esteem. Instead, purely because of her gender, she was passed aside. Oh, she wasn't one of those rabble rousing women who had nothing better to do than to demand that they be given every right under the sun but it did irk her some that fate had dealt her a cruel hand right at her birth. Still, she had understood this and moved on… until Sybil had been born and it had been clear that her parents would not try for another child.

It was then that Patrick had brought into their lives and a new type of torture had been thrust upon her. She could have managed if it had been her brother to become heir, as that was expected. But to have it be a cousin? It had burned her. Not at first but slowly, as she had matured and begun to realize just what she had lost out on and that now she was not seen as her parents' daughter but as the first millstone that must be cast aside lest she become a spinster who bled them dry… if she hadn't already had it in her nature to freeze her heart that revelation chilled her blood beyond all doubt. Then there was the fact that of the two of them Mary was superior in every way. She was smarter than Patrick, who did his best to bluff but was a poor student. She had better manners and a more regal being. She understood the burden of nobility more than he did. Patrick was a pale imitator and had she been born a boy would have been held as his superior. Things had only become worse when her father had not-so-subtly pushed her and Patrick together, it clear that he hoped to at least see his grandson become the heir.

'Is it a wonder I don't mourn as I should for Patrick?' Mary thought to herself as she reached Crawley House. 'They expect me to mourn the man that, had we been married, would have been a reminder that it was only out of HIS favor that I was the countess I should have always been.' Mary hated to feel indebted to any person and yet found that to be her lot in life. First she was to have been in debt to Patrick and now it would be to the upstart Matthew Crawley. 'He probably expects that the three of us will be thrown at him, like he were a prize purebred and we were steak bones. His ego will expect us to fawn over him and that he deserves such attention.'

Never mind that this was exactly what was happening. Mary wasn't one to dwell on silly things like 'facts' and 'reality' when she had herself in a mood.

Stopping to adjust her hat before knocking on the door she just barely managed to raise her hand before she found it open and the butler stared at her. "May I help you?"

Mary quickly righted herself mentally. She was never one to let a suddenly surprise rattle her. "Lady Mary Crawley here to see Mr. Matthew Crawley and Mrs. Isobel Crawley."

"Follow me," the butler said, motioning for her to enter. Mary did so, looking about the house or at least making the butler think she was. In actuality she was trying to listen to the conversation that was echoing down the hall between the lawyer and his mother.

'Probably rubbing their hands together, gleeful at everything they've been given,' Mary huffed to herself.

"-not saying I want it to be awkward mother. I'm only cautioning you that it might be for them," a man said, who Mary clearly took to be Mr. Crawley.

His mother, for who else could it be, asked, "And why do you think that? I don't see why Lord Grantham's daughters would have any reason to be put off balance by us."

Mary raised an eyebrow at that. 'So, he's already talking about us, is he?' She did her best to continue listening, never noticing that Molesley had slowed to a stop just outside the door and made no move to announce them.

"They have every reason to, mother," Matthew Crawley said. "They've just suffered a great tragedy and now we've come along to shake things up."

"That is hardly our fault."

"Yes but I know how terrible it must be for them. Their eldest, Mary, was engaged to Patrick Crawley and it wouldn't surprise me if Lord or Lady Grantham weren't pushing her towards me."

'Of course,' Mary snarked in her own head, 'because you must-'

"It truly isn't fair to her, that she is constantly at the whims of others and not allowed to choose for herself."

Mary's thoughts came to a screeching halt, like a train whose break had suddenly been thrown. She was startled at Matthew's tone… for it was clear he… he actually sympathized with her.

"Such is the way of their world, I'm afraid."

"But I am not a part of their world. And I don't think it right that any of those girls feel as if they must hurry now to be married purely because I've shown up and might raise a fuss. They probably live in fear that I will somehow use my status as heir to demand they be married off so not to suck away money from Donwton when that is the farthest of my intentions. They have a right to be happy mother and not feel as if they must marry the first man they meet."

"You mean to support all three, even if they all should be spinsters?" Mrs. Crawley asked, surprised.

"If that is their choice, yes. If they choose to marry some American buck or the son of the family cook then I will support them as well and make it clear that I will help them if their parents won't. If the eldest, Lady Mary, wishes to never marry and instead travel or write a novel or spend her life doing charity work I want her to know that I will support her. I feel terrible enough taking the money from the family… if there was a way to ensure Downton and the village survived without it I'd give it them all right now. I want them to live their lives as THEY wish. If that means marrying a duke or an earl I will be in the first row. If it means living at Downton with my family when it is my time to be earl and creating the next great piece of fiction or working towards woman's suffrage I will support this too. I want to be there for them and not be seen as an enemy."

"Lady Mary Crawley," Molesley called out, the two other Crawleys turning to find Mary staring wide-eyed at them, startled at being caught snooping. Still, if she was anything she was a woman skilled at adapting to shifting sands and she forced herself to adopt an air of aloof welcoming as she strode into the room, not showing any signs of embarrassment for so brazenly spying on their private conversation.

"Ah, a pleasure to meet you, Lady Mary," the older woman said with a smile and despite her anger Mary found she couldn't hate the old woman; she was, after all, innocent in all this. "I am Isobel and this of course," she gestured towards the man, who was looking at Mary with a teasing glint in his eye, "is my son, Matthew Crawley."

"Welcome to our home, Lady Mary," Matthew said politely.

"Oh please, call me Cousin Mary. We are family, after all," Mary said with a smile that wasn't nearly so pure if one saw the wicked glee in her eyes. Despite her young age she was a skilled hand in the games of the elite; she might not have been her father's heir but in spirit and cunning she was Granny's. This was one of her favorites to play, to see how others would react to her so quickly allowing them to treat with her so informally. It was always interesting to see how people reacted to something so simple, to see their characters revealed. The most confident man would suddenly become a stammering wreck purely because she allowed him to call her by her Christian name and that alone. A woman pretending to be humble would become bold and reveal her schemes, thinking that she'd managed to sneak into Mary's confidence when all she'd really done is ensure anything but. It was a gambit that let her see who whose around her truly were and she couldn't wait to see how-

"Yes, of course," Isobel said with a friendly smile. "I must say it will be rather refreshing to do away with the formalities and be as family should."

"I quite agree," Matthew said with a nod. "Feel free to address us the same."

-they wouldn't react at all.

'No matter,' she quickly concluded, deciding to move past that failure. 'They are middle class, they don't know better. No, other tactics must be used.' Keeping the smile plastered on her face (and wondering if she could convince Anna to massage her cheeks later that night to relieve the cramping she was sure to have from wearing that forced grin for so long and so often) Mary said, "I came down to invite you up to dine with us tonight… if you are willing."

If Matthew showed any hint of realizing just how condescending she was being with her word choices he didn't show it. Instead he merely kept wearing the same polite smile and said, "Yes, but of course. It is very kind of all of you to invite us up. I look forward to finally getting to visit Downton properly."

'Robert', Mary seethed. 'Not Lord Grantham but 'Robert'. Papa only has met him once and already this upstart treats with him as if he were an old friend he'd known for years.' She at once regretted allowing him to call her 'Cousin Mary', as it was another formality blasted away. It was too late though to take it back and like the proverbial barn door the horse had gotten loose and there was no sense in shutting it now.

Deciding to keep with the 'I am being ever so polite but in reality I am stabbing you in the heart with small dagger over and over' routine Mary quickly said, "I am so glad you can attend. I was afraid you'd be rather afraid to come see us so soon after moving in. Downton is far grander than anything you've encountered and I've seen earls and dukes become utterly intimidated just stepping foot through the door, let alone dining with the whole family. So worried about what everyone will think, fearing that one small slip up with make them look like utter fools or fakes… silly but it does cross minds. How good to know though that such things don't concern you. It warms my heart, it truly does."

'Let's see you smile at that,' Mary thought vindictively.

But it wasn't Matthew who seemed flustered by that but his mother. She made a few small sounds, clearly surprised by Mary's comments and the young woman felt a twinge of regret at that. She'd been so focused on Matthew that she hadn't even thought of what her words would do to his mother. She wasn't her enemy, after all, just an innocent bystander, and while Mary could have a heart of ice and a vindictive streak that would shock any who truly saw it she wasn't some cackling witch from a fairy tale who went out of her way to terrorize all those around her. Despite what some in the village might say.

'I've gone too far,' she thought, gracing Isobel with a true compassionate smile. "If' I've frightened you-"

"There is nothing to apologize for," Matthew said, cutting in. "You are quite right… Downton will be rather intimidating. Still, we middle class are quite used to facing intimidating situations. It is our lot in life to face such things."

"Oh, I don't know about that," Isobel said with a huff.

"I don't mean it as a bad thing, mother," Matthew said with a smile. "It's just that as middle class we are open to so much that those less fortunate than ourselves will never get to encounter and have so much more freedom than those of the upper class. Thus it is only nature we find ourselves out of our element more often." He shrugged his shoulders and glanced at Mary. "I mean no offense, Cousin Mary, but that is actually my greatest concern with all of this, the loss of that freedom."

"You and I have very different definitions of freedom if you believe wealth and privilege results in a lack of it."

"Well, I know of course that your wealth makes certain doors open for you that I would have to work much harder to get through… I am not blind to that." Matthew walked over to the table and allowed Molesley to pour him a cup of tea. "But you must also admit that your life comes with its own costs."

"I will not as I do not see any costs," Mary said, lifting her head up high.

"Really? You don't see it as a cost that your every movement is judged?" Matthew took a sip before continuing, not allowing Mary to answer. "Every word you speak, every action you take, every decision made weighed against the fear of 'scandal'." Mary opened her mouth, startled by just how accurate his comment was to her own thoughts and concerns, but Matthew was far from done. Much to her surprise he suddenly jerked forward and proclaimed, "Let's run off to London."

"Ex...excuse me?" Mary stammered, wondering if Cousin Matthew had taken leave of his senses.

"Let's the three of us hop a train to London, right now, and take in a show, get a meal." Matthew wore a large grin, looking like a school boy who'd been given a new toy. "I'm sure there is a play we might attend!"

"Matthew," Isobel warned.

"We… we couldn't," Mary said, hating how she sounded.

Matthew raised his cup to his mouth but didn't sip quite yet, his posture growing lax once more. "No… you couldn't. If Lady Mary Crawley suddenly decided to flee to London it would be whispered about in every great house for 40 miles by the time dessert was served. You are expected to behave a certain way. But, before I became heir, had I done that hardly anyone would have minded. A few comments, to be sure, but nothing you would face. Because I had the freedom to do so."

"I can and have gone to London many times," Mary snapped. "And I have been to parties and places you could only dream of visiting." She tried to keep her tone cold but wondered if her argument sounded as childish to Matthew as it did to her own ears.

"Oh, I am sure of that," he said, taking another sip. Mary wanted to smack the cup out of his hand. "But even then, everything is so… structured. Weeks of planning, with an army of servants around, hardly giving you a chance to breathe. And no deviations. If I saw a new art exhibit I could happily go and look at the works of the masters. But now that I am heir I imagine that such things can never be. I will be forced follow the routine set in place, the parties that I've already agreed to attend and the people I've promised to meet." He set his cup down and walked back over towards her, causing Mary to stumble as she tried to take a step back. He wasn't moving in a threatening way at all… and still she felt the need to flee. If only from the truth in his words. And she hated herself for feeling like that. "People seem to think that becoming part of the Upper Class will open doors for you and while that is true… I fear that the structure and ritual that one must observe to be part of your society will be more like chains around my wrists, making me as much a prisoner as a master."

Mary shook her head. She didn't know what was worse: that he was so easily insulting her and her upbringing or that he was saying all the things she had secretly thought herself during her dark moments. But Mary wasn't about to let him win this sudden debate. She wanted to make some grand point that would have him feeling like he was the one stumbling back but all that came out of her mouth was, "I think you are simplifying matters just a bit."

"Is it true that there is a gong to tell you when you're allowed to eat?" Matthew asked innocently.

"…there is a dinner gong to announce dinner is ready-"

"And who determines when dinner is served? If you are hungry an hour or two before hand are you allowed to ask that the meal be moved up? Because if I come home from work and mother and I decide that we'd like to eat sooner rather than later it is easier for us to ask the cook to make something simple." He shrugged. "I won't fight it, of course. That would be terribly rude. But I will miss the freedom that has been loss. As well as the thrill. After all, while we middle class people are easily intimidated… the upper class never are because they never allow themselves to encounter something new." He fished his pocket watch out and looked at him, brow furrowing. "Oh, I am terribly sorry, Cousin Mary! It seems our conversation has dragged on for quite some time! I imagine your mother has grown worried wondering where you are. We wouldn't want to keep you waiting, as I am sure you have much to do before dinner. I for one am suddenly in a mood for a walk." Mary opened her mouth to complain but already Matthew had taken hold of her arm, gently like a proper gentleman, and was leading her to the door. "We'll see you this evening, of course, and I do so hope we can talk more." He laughed but Mary could see that while his lips smiled his eyes flashed with victory. "Assuming I'm not rendered tongue tied from my intimidation."

It took her nearly a minute to realize that she was now standing outside Crawley House, the door firmly shut and Matthew gone. Mary looked about, her mask crumbling into a look of utter bewilderment, one thought alone racing through her mind.

"What… what just happened?" she murmured.

~A~O~O~O~F~

"Matthew… Matthew!" his mother snapped as she glowered at her son.

"Yes?" Matthew asked politely as he let Molesley slip on his walking coat.

"I think I deserve to know what was that display!" his mother demanded, her face screwed up in frustration. "Are you trying to make Cousin Mary see you as an enemy?"

"Not an enemy, mother," Matthew said with a grin, "a challenge."

~A~O~O~O~F~

Author's Notes: So I discussed with Anne O' The Lake and AnneBronteRocks is how the show changed season to season. I have said that Season 2 is my favorite is that is when the characters truly began to develop (save for a few… issues coughBatesAnnaVeracough). Matthew stopped being a massive prat. Mary stopped being a bitch. Edith stopped whining all the time (she still whined but it got better). Thomas got some development when he worked with Sybil (and then lost it… gained it… lost it… come on!). Daisy… well, Daisy is always annoying. "I just keep thinking about all those dead people on the Titanic" "I led William on and now he is dead!" "I want this! I want that!" "I can't visit Mr. Mason!" "I can't tell people what I really think so I'll just be petulant!"…SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP DAISY! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

-Grabs tv that is currently playing Downton Abbey and shakes it-

(The Author's Notes are experiencing Technical Difficulties. Please Stand by)

…ahem. My point is that how characters appeared in Season 1 drastically changed as the show went on and one of the most noticeable is Molesley. When we first meet him he is your basic butler. Not as put together as Carson but a normal enough man. By the final season? He's a bumbler who stammers and is the butt of jokes and is the Meg Griffin of Downton Abbey, basically. Writing wise it is clear the writers hadn't known what to do with the Crawley staff and decided that they needed a comedic character, after seeing Molesley's failed attempts to woo Anna, and they'd make him the joke character. In universe though I equate it to him developing an inferiority complex thanks to the first years at Downton and with Matthew. I don't think the two of them recovered from matthew first treating him like crap and then not even bothering to ask him if he wanted to be a valet or a butler. Then Matthew died and he fell on hard times and well… there we are. Not that Matthew knows that last bit. But still, I pin it to their first interaction and my goal here was to have Matthew work to build Molesley up, so he never becomes 'Poor old Molesley'

If you are also reading Miracles Happen by Anne O' The Lake (and why aren't you? Honestly?) then you'll know she did her version of time travel Matthew and Mary meet. But her version is much different than what I did because, well… it wouldn't work if Matthew was nice to Mary. She'd see it as a ruse. Remember, they first began to connect because Mary saw in Matthew someone that could challenge her while not judging her. He didn't fault her for having opinions and that developed into a friendship and then love. Matthew couldn't go "Hi, I'm from the future, here is your favorite color, marry me." Because even if he proved he was from the future… she'd see it as a ruse. She would think he was doing this as a con or something.

Mary needs to be challenged. And now Matthew knows how to play the game. And if this is poker… Matthew already knows what hands she's going to be dealt and can bet accordingly. It isn't about embarrassing her but making her see that in him she'd have a worthy sparring partner… and eventually lose the sparring and just 'a partner'. I think that is also why eventually her and Tom became best friends (and I do think by the end Tom and Mary were best friends). Tom would challenge her but never fault her for her opinion. He'd feel it wrong… but never that she was wrong for having it in the first place. Only that he needed to change her mind. It is a big difference.

There might be a tiny bit of controversy by Mary's more… active imagination… in this chapter. My excuse is this: We don't know what Mary's mind is like. We know she is very smart and clever… all the Crawley girls are. But we never really see Mary's creative side. Edith is the writer. Sybil throws herself into learning new things. But Mary… Mary just does what the plot demands. So in my mind she has an active brain that comes up with ideas and the like but she never betrays she is thinking such things because of her stony resolve.

I also think that Mary tends to be self centered more often than not. Just look at her double standards: it is a horrible thing that a upper middle class lawyer will be earl… but it is okay for the Earl's daughter to get the money and the estate, destroying centuries of tradition. And those women who want to vote are foolish… but Mary wanted the law to work for her is completely different! In the first season especially Mary is insanely hypocritical and I wanted to show that here, that in her youth she has a ton of growing up to do.

But now it is time for what you've all been waiting for:

DOWNTON ABBEY PLOT BUNNY TIME!

This one would work for really any of the couples, be it Mary/Matthew, Mrs. Hughes/Carson, Anna/Bates, Sybil/Tom, Edith/Gregson or Edith/Bernie but for the sake of simplicity we'll use Mary/Matthew for our example.

The story would begin the day of the imfamous hunt, where the Turkish Diplomat no one couldn't help but bring up every 5 episodes is riding with Mary and leads her to the jump. Everything plays out the same… except when Mary's horse makes the jump a horseshoe comes loose (for want of a nail) and stumbles, throwing her off and causing Mary to hit her head, rendering her unconscious. Pamuk and Evelyn would race her back to the house, the hunt would be called off, and Clarkson brought in to evaluate her. The family would wait anxiously through the night, hoping Mary was alright, with Clarkson saying she should recover but all they could do is give her time.

The next morning Anna would come in to check on her and Mary would suddenly awaken… but now speaking with an American accent, calling her Virginia. Anna would be startled and confused, especially when Mary stated that Anna was her sister and wondering where they were. Clarkson would be called in only for Mary to call him her father… and when she saw Matthew she would rush to him, kissing him and calling him 'Abraham'. She would tell him she was so worried, that she'd heard the drums of the redcoats and had been told that he was killed in battle.

Needless to say… people would be confused.

Mary (now calling herself Martha) would continue to tell them all of her life even as Clarkson made a recommendation that they call in an old friend of his from school who focused on the mind. Mary would state that she and Matthew/Abraham were from the colony of Massachusetts and it was the year 1777. She would believe that they were captured by the British but confused when she recognized many people, including her best friend Betsy (Edith) and Abraham's father (Carson).

The doctor, let's call him Dr. Jones for lack of a better name, would arrive and decide to try putting Mary under hypnosis. Doing so he would have her recall her own death… only to then have her begin speaking of her life in France in the 1830s. He would gradually get Mary back to being Mary but, to everyone's surprise including her own, Mary would be able to recall all the lives she had described and that each time Matthew and her were together. Dr. Jones would ask Matthew to let him put him under and Matthew, with Mary's help, would recall his own lives as Abraham and others. Anna would volunteer next, since Mary recognized her and sure enough she would remember her life as Virginia, Martha's little sister who had been engaged to Josiah, aka Mr. Bates, before they were killed in an attack by the Red Coats.

Eventually Dr. Jones would state a radical theory: The people of Downton Abbey are not living their first lives. Instead many of them have had past lives and with each reincarnation they slowly find each other again, with certain couples (Mary/Matthew, Anna/Bates, Sybil/Tom) always finding each other… only for tragedy to strike. Abraham dies in the war and Martha and her sister are killed by the redcoats. Colette (Mary's French life) was kidnapped and sold into slavery the day before her wedding to Claude (Matthew's French life). Dr. Jones would reveal that he believes in reincarnation and also believes that there is a final soul, one tied to all of them who, through bitterness and hatred, has caused all of them to be stuck in this curse, where they live, find love, only for it to be ripped away.

The story would then move into the mystery of who it is that is the source of this pain. And how do they stop this person, be it he or she, from doing so again, starting the curse (as it were) all over again.

This idea would allow for some interesting plotting. Suddenly Mary and Matthew have many lifetimes between them filled with love and they would understand each other greatly. They would be drawn to each other now that they remember but also fear that being together will lead to their deaths and the resetting of the curse. There would also be new connections for the characters that would shatter Downton; for example, maybe in one life Thomas was Mary's beloved little brother and suddenly she can't help but be protective of him, remembering things he doesn't (assuming he isn't put under). Or Matthew remembers being a widower and Daisy was his daughter.

You'd also have the characters who don't want to be put under trying to struggle with this. I can see Cora and Robert struggling with daughters (assuming all three go under to recall their past lives) who suddenly have so much more life experience than them, with maybe even Cora believing this is all a scam.

And then there would be the fun knowledge and the altering of perception… like the reveal that in a past life Tom Branson was an earl and he suddenly has conflicting emotions as Tom himself is horrified that he was one of the elite while he also remembers being an earl and is horrified that he is now an irish radical.

As for the villain? It could be anyone. The obvious choices of Vera Bates or Mr. Green or Sir Richard or Pamuk. Or it could be someone we never would expect, like sweet Gwen is really the villainous, jealous in their first life that Mary took Matthew and causing the curse, each lifetime becoming someone new who caused them harm only in this one Sybil showed her kindness and thus made it that she has no desire to hurt the others, breaking the curse at last. The possibilities are endless.

And if you prefer Modern AU stories… well, this idea works with them too! Start it as a modern AU with Mary living as a career woman in London when she has the accident and remembers her life as Mary Crawley and realizes her assistant is Matthew, the love of her life.

It would be up to you!