Author's Note: What's this? I should be releasing the next chapter of Order of Moltres this week?

Well… I have managed to get ahead so I am posting this chapter early and will still post Moltres this week. But I am just so excited for this chapter that I decided to reward you all with it.

Now, will I post the start of Series 2 next week? Depends if I am able to get enough chapters banked to do so follow me on twitter to keep up to date.

But enough with that. Ladies and Gentlemen… the end of Series 1!

~A~O~O~O~F~

The skies seemed to reflect his dark mood as moments after Matthew and his mother had returned to Crawley house the skies had opened up and a great downpour had pounded upon the house. Matthew sat in his favorite armchair, a glass of water in his hand as he brooded, his mother pacing as she ranted.

"I always knew that man was thickheaded. I always knew it. From the moment we came into their lives they judged us." She shook her head in disgust. "We have done so much, changed so much for them and they have done nothing. Continued to live their lives without a care, with no desire to perhaps adapt as we have." She glanced over at him but Matthew merely sighed, giving what couldn't even be considered a shrug but more a slight rising of his shoulders. "All you have done for him…how you have guided Downton into the future and ensured its success for at least another generation and this is your reward? For him to mock you and insult you? In front of the family, in front of me? All because of a son that may or may not be?" She thumped her hand against the loveseat, face screwed up in disgust. "And what if it turns out that Cora is having a girl and you are the heir after all? I suppose he'll just expect you to forgive and forget. To pretend it never happened. Probably think you should be grateful that he is letting you have the 'honor' of staying in that gaudy, gilded monument to avarice! Well, if he thinks that-"

Matthew tuned his mother out, his mind going over his and Robert's feud as he tried to figure out just how things had turned out so wrong. He'd fretted during the entire lawn party that Mary would come to him at any moment and he'd suddenly find himself repeating the past, the two of them breaking up over misunderstandings and bruised egos. But the day had gone by, she had walked with him and held his arm and spoke of nothing and everything and he'd felt a great burden lifted from his chest. Being able to secure Thomas onto his staff had helped raise his mood even further. He wouldn't be able to save everyone but at least he'd save Thomas. He'd planned to seek out William the next day, knowing that convincing him to sign up would be harder; both because the boy's family didn't want him to enlist and the fact that he naively believed that no matter the pain and suffering to serve was a great honor. He'd even heard the poor fool say as much at the party after the news, proclaiming that he would enlist as soon as he was able. Matthew wanted to scream at him that the only honor he would get was after he was laid in the cold ground but knew that William wouldn't believe him. Like all young man, Matthew himself included from his first lifetime, he believed himself invincible, that it was other people who died.

'But he won't join me now,' Matthew thought bitterly, clenching his fist. 'He heard Robert's words and he respects him far too much. Damn you, Robert… damn you.' He sighed, looking down at his clenched fist, willing it to open, to release his anger and rage. 'And damn you Matthew for not just walking away.' He knew it wouldn't have done any good, that Robert hadn't said words he didn't mean. Matthew had merely given him a reason to express them and if he'd walked away it was very likely things would have ended up worse. Robert was a stubborn man, prone to nursing slights and brooding over perceived insults, and had Matthew walked away when Robert had first begun to demand he risk his life in the name of honor all that would have happened would have been grumbled comments until one of them had snapped.

'I handled it wrong… bloody wrong. But the sad thing is I can't figure out how I could have avoided this without going back to the Front.' Matthew shuddered slightly; no matter his feelings for Robert there was no way he'd ever return to that nightmare. 'Which is probably why I reacted so poorly. The mere suggestion…' He shut his eyes, thankful his mother was so wrapped up in her railing against the Family that she didn't notice his distress. It was hard enough to hide his nightmares from her, of the mornings he awoke with a racing heart, fearing that he would wake up in the mud of the Somme once more.

Thinking over not just that day but the previous weeks Matthew could see it hadn't been a single thing that had brought him and Robert at each other's throats. No, much like the World War that had come upon them it was a series of smaller things that all came together to create this disaster.

'He had already been in a foul mood when Bates announced he was leaving service and now with him gone it has only gotten worse.' Robert hated change and had seen the loss of his good friend and valet as a terrible blow. In his perfect world no one would ever leave their position; the moment a Lord took up his position as head of the family all the positions within the staff would be filled and all would happily go about their jobs until the Lord's last breath, never dreaming of seeking a better opportunity. It was as if Robert thought he was a Pharaoh and the only release for the staff would be when he died and they would be mummified and placed in his tomb with him, to care for him in the afterlife. 'He took it as a betrayal. Worse, Bates took Anna with him and though Mary wished them well he saw it as another slight. Add in Gwen seeking to leave…' Matthew let out a soft chuckle. 'I wonder how bad things would have been had he heard that I was taking Thomas with me. Or if I'd managed to get William as well? I dare say he'd have thrown me out far earlier!'

The announcement of England declaring war had also shaken him. Not the idea of war itself, for Robert was one of those proud English men that believed that the motherland would always win in the end and ignored their loses as not mattering in the grand scheme of things. No, what had troubled him was that his belief in the old system had been proven false. Wars were fought, of course, but for the most part the royal families of Europe had married amongst themselves to ensure that peace was held. "We are all one family" was a common refrain when one of Robert's ilk tried to convince everyone that there would be no battles or testing of armies. But that had just been proven false… the ties between the kings and queens hadn't been enough to stop the conflict that was to come. For some this would have shaken their beliefs in everything but for Robert it merely made him cling to other held truths all the harder, as if he were a widow who had lost one son and now coddled the others for fear of them dying too. He needed his other believes, chief among them that war was an honorable thing, that it was the duty of all good Englishmen to fight for king and country, and to do any less was to invite scorn upon an estate.

'Robert views war with rose-tinted glasses. He joined and due to his position was placed in a rank of power. He didn't have to fight at the lowest rank, to struggle and battle to survive. He got his horse and his saber and thought himself like a hero from a pulp magazine. Time has only made it worse, so that he sees his time in the army as little more than a game.' He remembered Robert, in his previous life, telling him how depressed he'd been that he'd been asked to relist only to serve as a mascot of sorts and that they didn't want to have him out in the front. Even after he'd seen what had happened to Matthew he'd still been itching to go out there and have a good showing of it. Like war was a game. 'Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if he had been shipped to France, forced to deal with the sleepless nights and terrors of the day. To feel the cold and dampness soak into his skin till he wondered if he'd ever be warm again and be unable to laugh and smile with others because he knew within hours at least one of them would be dying in his arms.'

His view of war fed right into his view of family and duty. Robert believed that what was most important was the honor of an estate… that one couldn't sacrifice their happiness for the good of the estate because what was good for it was good for you so it could never be considered a 'sacrifice'. That what was right for Downton was right for all that lived there. He remembered well Robert's comment of how Downton was like his 4th child but in truth it was his 1st. Matthew had done all he could to try and move Robert away from this view, to get him to see that one could love Downton while not being consumed by it but he had failed. And now he had the dark suspicion that if Robert had the choice between Matthew dead and buried but Mary at minimum with child or him alive and well but the subject of whispers at parties he would choose the gravestone every single time.

'And then there is the baby,' Matthew thought to himself. He had debated hard about that, if he should do anything about Cora's miscarriage. Sybil of all people had been willing to let her sibling die, stating that they couldn't save everyone and if Matthew wanted to save the child she would help but if he didn't she would let that horrid moment come to pass. He had considered it but he knew if he hadn't stepped in and worked with Sybil to whisper in Cora's ear to be more careful… he would have regretted it for the rest of his days. The only thing that had thrown him off had been the announcement, which was at least a month earlier than he'd been expected. Sybil had been just as startled and the two of them had debated what it could mean. Sybil had pointed out that there was no certainty now if she were to have a brother or sister but for Matthew it hadn't mattered because he had assumed, if it were a boy, there would still have been a place for him at Downton. Not as its heir but at least as someone who had helped it grow. He had thought that perhaps, with the wealth he was bringing in to Downton, Robert would gift him and Mary Downton Place to call their own. That avenue was gone to him now, that much was clear.

He hadn't been prepared for this. Hadn't been ready for Robert's… hatred… of him choosing to live his life as he wished. That, combined with the out that had been given to Robert had led him on a path he and Sybil and Michael had never expected.

'We planned for so many things,' Matthew thought, remembering all the many schemes the two had come up with during sunny walks through the woods or at private tea times, and then later with Michael when he had revealed himself. What to do if General Lothrop was in fact sent to the continent (create a business proposal that would require Matthew and Mary to go to America and then stay there, using Cora's mother to badger Mary into agreeing). Or if Robert decided to be foolish and reenlist straight away (Sybil had drugs on her that would knock him out cold and they would claim he was rather sick before moving him someplace else and then keep him blind to what was happening til the War ended). What if the Germans never declared war (throw a massive party and get so drunk young George would be born with a highball class clutched in his chubby hand). But never had they expected Robert to react as he did. They had assumed he would be happy that Matthew was taking such an important role in the army, that General Lothrop trusted him so. And yet-

Matthew was broken from his thoughts and his mother from her ranting (somehow she'd gotten onto the topic of her being Prime Minister and telephones in boxes) by a hard pounding at the door. Molesley started at that and moved to answer but a voice called out before he could reach it.

"Matthew? Matthew, open up ya gobshite! Jaysus its fecking rainin' hard out here!"

"Sybil?" Matthew said, pushing out of his chair and rush past Molesley to open the door to find Sybil standing in her evening wear completely drenched. "…your irish radical is showing."

Sybil just glowered at him. "Would you kindly let us in?" she said in her sweetest English accept. "You daft prick," was hissed in her irish accent. Switching back to proper English she said, "Mary is convinced you won't see her-"

"Mary? Mary!" Matthew called out, finally notice the car that was stopped near the door. "Of course, of course, come in. Molesley, please get Sybil some towels. And a robe, if you would? Mother, could Mrs. Byrd heat us up something warm?" Matthew hurried to the closet and pulled out an umbrella, opening it and moving into the storm, quickly helping first Mary and Edith and then, of all people, Thomas and Tom inside. When they were all safely deposited Matthew walked into the living room to find Sybil wearing one of his warmer robes with a towel draped around her neck, her shoes and stockings kicked off as she warmed her feet by the fire Molesley had quickly started. "What are you doing here?"

Mary responded by walking up to him, clasping his cheeks, and delivering a kiss so powerful it made his eyes go wide. When she released him with a audible smack of her lips she wrapped her arms around him and whispered, "I'm so sorry… please don't think I agreed with what papa said…"

Matthew, befuddled, looked to everyone else and it was Edith who answered. "She was convinced that you would hate her because she didn't chase after you. We told her she was being silly but she didn't believe us…"

Instantly he wrapped his arms around his fiancée and returned her hug with just as much intensity. "My dearest Mary… I would never assume that. I only ask your forgiveness that I didn't wait for you."

"No, I don't blame you at all. With what papa said… well, I made clear my thoughts on that to him." In a darker tone she muttered against his shoulder, "And his thoughts upon me."

Matthew glanced at Sybil but she shook her head, her eyes flashing with outrage. He understood without another word that whatever Robert had said had been dreadful and that if Matthew heard it he would do something stupid. He could practically hear Sybil warning him to stay calm and keep holding his future wife. So instead he shifted her so that her back was pressed against him, his arms wrapped around her still and his head resting on her shoulder. Propriety be damned, he needed that comfort.

"And the rest of you?" He asked.

Sybil shot him a dark look. "Do I even need to explain why I'd side with you?"

Edith, not getting the subtext, nodded in agreement. "Mary is my sister… and you are one of my dearest friends. You told me you were my brother. Neither of you did anything wrong. So if I must choose my family… I choose you."

Matthew turned to Thomas who smiled lightly. "For those who haven't heard, Mr. Crawley… Matthew… has offered me a position on his staff with General Lothrop."

His mother beamed at that. She had at first glowered a the girls but upon hearing their kind words instantly released her anger towards them. Thomas' declaration further warmed her heart. "Oh, that is wonderful news! Simply wonderful! Matthew has told me a bit of what he'll be doing and it will be good that he has someone he knows and trusts working with him."

Thomas blushed a bit at that and even more so when Molesley offered him a cup of tea. The poor man had been functioning on instinct but now he suddenly realized that he had insulted Lord Grantham and was now sitting having a late drink with the man's daughters and heir.

"I realized that if he did not support Matthew's decision he would not support mine. I was most likely not to get a reference anyway so why lie? Furthermore…" Here he paused. "Matthew showed me kindness. And Lady Sybil protected me from the lies of Mr. Pamuk, which would have seen me at best terminated and at worst jailed. If it is a choice between those that have aided me and those that employ me… the decision is clear."

Matthew smiled and merely nodded before he looked to Tom.

"…I was just woken up by the ladies here and told to start the car. I have no idea what's happening."

That caused everyone to laugh, the tension of the evening leaking away as Edith volunteered to tell the story, feeling that only she could keep calm while relating the details. She was right, as by the time she got done telling her watered-down version of the events (and Matthew still meant to find out just WHAT Robert had said about May) all of them were annoyed and frustrated all over again. Even Molesley had a deep scowl on his face as he went about refilling glasses.

"So the question becomes… what do we do now?" Sybil asked, setting down her tea and running the towel along her head, making her hair a wild mess. Matthew glanced over at Tom and fought a smirk at the sight of the chauffer staring at her openly with his mouth parted slightly; apparently the image of her wearing a bathrobe (even with a wet dress under it) and her hair a mess was doing far more to gain his attention than anything else Sybil had been doing. "Because I don't know about any of you but I don't fancy walking back up to the Abbey and sitting at the breakfast table asking papa to pass the toast."

Matthew's mother nodded. "Yes, I have been thinking the same thing. Even if he were to allow us to stay here, which I doubt, I will not spend any more time in this house than I have to. I will not feel an ounce of debt towards Robert or the rest of your family and I wager that Matthew feels the same way."

"Then what do we do?" Edith said. "I doubt you can afford to bed us all and as you said you'll be needing to find accommodations yourself soon enough. The Grantham Arms, perhaps?"

"No, I wouldn't want to get Bates and Anna involved in our problems," Sybil said with a shake of her head. "Papa is already cross with Bates for leaving and taking Anna with him and though they do own the hotel papa could make problems for them. With time he will calm but if we forced them to house us-"

"We go to London," Mary said firmly, patting Matthew's hand before breaking free of him.

"London, my lady?" Thomas asked, setting down his glass.

"Yes. There is still the last train that leaves at 8. We have a half an hour and could make it there in time."

Matthew's mother frowned. "But what would we do in London? You don't mean to seek out Robert's sister-"

"No," Mary said firmly, passion flashing through her words. "No… Aunt Rosamund has made it clear her thoughts on Matthew as well. So no, I will not darken her doorway. Edith, Sir Michael works late, does he not?"

Edith's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes of course! Oh, that is brilliant! I could even send him a telegram… they had a private one installed in his building so they could get messages from reporters quicker! I could do it at the station, tell him of our coming and he would arrange for transport." She fingered her evening wear. "We are all dressed up like this and I dare say it would be safer if we had it."

Matthew turned to his valet/butler. "Molesley, if it isn't too much trouble I'd ask that you remain behind and work with Mrs. Byrd to pack up our things. We'll send you word of where we are settled tomorrow afternoon, latest, so you might join us."

"I will also deal with Lord Grantham, should he arrive seeking you out. Would you like me to get anything for you now?"

"No, I think we'll be leaving very shortly and it doesn't seem fair that I have a change of clothing when the ladies here will not. Tell Mrs. Byrd what is happening though and tell her we will call for you all when we have firmer news."

"Of course, sir."

"Then it's settled," Sybil said as Molesley left the room. "The seven of us will head to London."

"Seven?" Tom said, looking about the room.

"You don't mean to go back there, do you Branson?" Mary asked.

Tom's eyes shifted about. "I wasn't… really involved with this, my Lady."

"But don't think that won't mean you won't be a target," Thomas said, surprising all by speaking up. "His Lordship will be looking for targets for his ire when he realizes the girls have made good on their threat. Carson too. Anyone who has put radical ideas in their heads will be seen as the cause of the problem and will face the brunt of their anger." Thomas paused, pursing his lips. "Lady Sybil… Gwen."

Sybil's eyes went wide. "I'll ask Molesley if he could sneak to the servant's hall tomorrow morning and retrieve her. She was going to be putting in her notice anyway… she got the job!" There was a flash of excitement in Sybil's eyes. "But I fear how she will be treated by Carson and papa. They may falsely believe she is the reason for my outburst and rebellion rather than it being I influencing her. Better for her to sneak out now… like you, Thomas, she no longer needs a reference."

"I'll get him now and tell him," Matthew's mother said. "Or better yet we'll have Mrs. Byrd do it. She has been going up to assist Mrs. Patmore so that would be a good excuse for her to show up, wanting to make sure she is fine."

Sybil let out a sigh of relief before turning to Tom. "But you can't return. He will twist his thoughts into believing that your socialist views are why we have behaved as we did. Papa will at best fire you anyway. At worst-"

"I am a man grown… I can handle his anger."

"Yes but should you?" Mary asked. "Oh please, Branson… Tom… come with us. Matthew got Thomas a position I'm sure he could do the same for you. "

Tom looked about the room and scowled. "I'm going to have all three Crawley girls begging me to come, aren't I?" Sybil nodded her head with an impish smile and he rolled his eyes. "Fine." After that the girls moved about the house, getting one last drink or using the facilities before heading out. Thomas moved to help Molesley, saying that he needed to do something so he didn't think about his rash actions. That left Matthew alone with Tom, the chauffer whispering to him, "I warned Lady Sybil about altering time."

"Yes, yes you did," Matthew admitted. "But I will still take this over the front."

"That bad?"

"Worse."

~A~O~O~O~F~

Allen Lothrop, Lieutenant General within the British Army and head of Supply and Reclamation within the Ministry of Defense, sat in his favorite armchair reading through a collection of short stories from the United States, trying to keep his mind off the news that had been delivered throughout the nation just hours ago. Though he had known it was coming he still had been struck by his dark suspicions being made into reality: they were at war. For many it meant battle and bloodshed but for Allen is meant paperwork. Lots and lots of paperwork. His job was hard enough as it was but with war it was about to get much worse.

'Thank God Matthew already contacted me a week ago to agree to come work for me,' Allen thought to himself. The Heir of Downton had been assisting him with small issues and had been a true blessing and the general had nearly broken Matthew's hand shaking it when the young man had come to him and agreed to the offer Allen had put on the table two months ago for him to come work for him. 'Hopefully he is able to find the young men he was telling me about for his staff. We'll have to move quickly now… I'll need to contact him tomorrow and arrange for him to come to London.'

"Your brooding again," his wife, Catherine, said from her own chair, her knitting needles clicking away. Their eldest son, Franklin, had just informed them that his wife Bethany was expecting their first child and Cat had it in her head that she should now take up knitting like any good grandmother. The problem was she was rubbish at it and Allen already sensed many oddly shaped hats in his future. Still, it at least offered some measure of noise to their large at rather empty townhouse. With Franklin having moved to his own place, Jenny out visiting Cat's sister in the country, and their youngest having recently gotten a place of his own the massive home felt rather empty with just Allen and Cat puttering about with only the servants to keep them company. "Everything will be alright. You've already gotten our boys positions that will keep them at home and Jenny's seeing that nice young man from the War Office and he won't be going anywhere. We are secure."

Allen nodded. "Yes… I used to mock nepotism but now that I find myself with the power to save our family I can't help but seize it. Still, it is others I worry about."

"And not you being stuck at a desk buried in paperwork?" she teased.

"That's a lovely scarf you are making," he quipped back.

Catherine blinked. "It's a bootie for… oh blast!" she began to grumble as she realized she'd gotten distracted and switched what she was knitting mid stitch and now the bootie had a heel that was FAR too long. "Don't you dare laugh-" she began to warn only for the harsh ring of the phone in the hallway to startle them both. "Now who could that be?"

Allen marked his place and set his book down. "The War Office, most likely. I imagine I'll be getting many of those calls til this is all settled." Their butler, Lotten, answered it in the hall and after a moment Allen heard him say he would retrieve him. "See?"

"My Lord-"

"Not a lord, yet," Allen reminded Lotten; he was new, having come on in the last few months, and felt that since Allen would be Lord Oakwood soon (and most likely sooner rather than later, seeing as his uncle the current Lord Oakwood was sick in bed and Allen's father had made it clear that he was far too old to manage an estate and would abdicate as soon as he could to force Allen to clean up the mess of things) that he must be addressed as 'Lord'. "What is it, Lotten?"

"A Sir Michael Gregson is on the phone for you."

"Gregson… Gregson… oh, the newspaper man. I met him at Downton last December." Allen's brow furrowed. "What the devil does he want?"

"A quote?" Cat suggested.

"If he wanted that he'd go to someone the public would be interested in." Moving to the phone Allen picked it up. "Hello… yes Sir Michael… you have who? Matthew Crawley… what? ….wait, what? He…he said what?! Oh… oh that…no… okay… yes… no, tell them all to come straight away, yourself included. We'll be waiting. Yes… yes, thank you." He hung up the phone, his face twisting in outrage. "Bloody bastard!"

"What was that?" Cat asked, putting aside the bootie/scarf, far too used to her husband's vulgar language when he got upset.

"Matthew Crawley apparently showed up at Sir Michael's paper with Robert Crawley's daughters, his mother, a valet, and a chauffer, all soaking wet and saying that Lord Grantham had cast Matthew out of his house!"

"…that sounds like one of your bawdy jokes you tell Richard."

"Well it isn't and the poor souls are coming here right now. They have only the clothing on their back and no idea what to do next. Lotten, get something light for them to eat, they sound as if they haven't had dinner. Have Mrs. Rivers make up something simple, easy on the stomach. Little sandwiches or something." Allen sat back down rolled his head towards the ceiling. "Bloody hell, this is why I wish father would be Lord Oakwood for… decades. I have enough on my plate, I don't need to deal with lords and their stupidity!"

While Allen waited for their guests to arrive Catherine set to work to ensure they were comfortable. When Matthew and his company were finally shown into their drawing room by Lotten Cat was ready with large fluffy towels for all of them and warm drinks to pass into their hands. While it had been a normal warm summer day the evening had brought a cold wind and even colder rain and thus she'd had one of the kitchen maids start a fire and got the footmen to assist in moving the furniture closer to the hearth, leaving the farthest ones for herself and Allen. Thus the Downton arrivals didn't have to shiver as they told their long tale.

"Let us hope I never have to be in that area any time soon," Allen snarled as he paced, a glass of water clutched in his hands. For the first time in years he actually considered breaking his teatotaling ways, he was that annoyed. "Because if I ever see Lord Grantham again he and I will have…" he glanced over at the girls and reined in what he was about to say, "…words."

"I'm just sorry all of you had to go through that," Cat said, reaching out and patting the valet, Thomas, on the knee. He smiled but said nothing, sipping the tea that had been thrust into his hands the moment he'd sat down, Allen's wife commanding him to drink just as she would have commanded one of her sons.

'What a strange lot we all are,' Allen thought, deciding to focus on who was gathered in his drawing room while he calmed his nerves; the tale Matthew had told, including the besmirching of the general's own character and profession, had his blood boiling but anger would do them no good in this case. It would only cause problems if Allen marched to the War Office to convince them to put Robert Crawley under his command… and then make the bastard his shoe shine boy. As funny as that would be. No, Allen instead focused on those that were gathered, the motley gang. 'The Lord's daughter and her fiancée who is still the heir, despite what Grantham thinks.' Lady Mary clearly had decided that with her abandoning her family home there was no need to be as… standoffish… as some high born girls were when not alone with their loves. Matthew had a hand draped around her shoulder and she was resting her head against his chest, her one hand rubbing his own as if she wanted to make sure he truly was there with her. She seemed the most worn about by all the madness, at times yawning and at one point Allen was sure she'd begun to drift asleep.

Next was her sister, Lady Edith, who was a bit more reserved than Lady Mary but still had not let go of Sir Michael's hand. Allen had heard rumors that the owner of The Strand had become involved with a high born girl but he hadn't realized it was Lord Grantham's daughter. Sir Michael had played the smallest part in the entire affair and asked nearly as many questions as Cat did (Allen himself remaining silent, letting his wife handle the discussion while he grew ever more frustrated). After her was Lady Sybil who sat next to the chauffer, Tom Branson. Though they weren't touching each other Allen suspected that there was a bit of cross-class attraction between the two and a glance at Catherine proved that she sensed the same thing. Allen didn't judge, as he was a firm believer that love was more important than class or culture, region or religion. All that mattered was that one was happy. Finally there was the oddest couple, though also the only one that clearly had no romantic interest. Matthew's mother was a passionate woman who had no trouble taking up the story when the others faltered while beside her on the couch the valet, Thomas Barrow, looked to want to speak but would quickly hold his tongue whenever he was about to enter the conversation. Allen knew that Matthew had wanted to bring on a Thomas to their staff and he had a feeling the valet was being quiet so he wouldn't offend him and cost himself the position.

"Papa has just gone mad," Lady Sybil complained. "Matthew will be doing wonderful things for the army… why can't he see that?"

"Because he's pampered," Tom shot out before realizing what he had said and more importantly around whom. "Beg your pardon-"

"Oh Branson I think we are far beyond you needing to apologize," Lady Mary said, suppressing a yawn. "Frankly I've grown quite tired of people not saying what they truly feel and letting things fester. Besides… you are no longer in our employee."

"Don't remind me," Tom groaned, rubbing his forehead. "My mum is going to kill me when she finds out I walked off a job. Bloody hell, I practically stole the car!"

"If need be we'll say we kidnapped you," Lady Sybil said with a light laugh.

"Ah yes, these poor young men kidnapped by us horrid ladies," Isobel said. Catherine chuckled at that and soon the entire room was laughing.

"You were saying something Branson… sorry, Tom," Edith said before her brow furrowed. "Tom and Thomas. This will get annoying."

"Keep with Branson then, Lady Edith," the chauffer said. "And I don't know-"

"Spit it out man," Catherine said with a snort. "My husband here will say far worse about their father and your former employer, trust me on that."

Allen shrugged. "It's true."

Tom, emboldened by that declaration, thankfully stopped minding his manners and spoke. "You three have all begun to leave the protection of Downton and explore the outside world. Lady Mary, you have gone to London with Matthew and spent more time outside of your home in recent months. Lady Edith you of course have Sir Michael and the paper. And everyone knows of your mission with Gwen." Sybil nodded at that. "But your lord father has remained in Downton. When is the last time he truly left it… and its comforts? Not merely gone to the city or to Duneagle but been outside the small world of parlor rooms and dining tables? His world is tiny and for the most part what he believes to be true is. You, Mr. Crawley, forced him to see a truth he wasn't ready to encounter and as such he lashed out at you and retreated back to his private world."

"Then not pampered," Isobel said. "Sheltered."

"That certainly sounds like papa," Edith stated.

Allen nodded in agreement. "My thoughts exactly. I've seen such with captains and commanders during times of peace when they spend far too much of their time within their camps and forts and command posts. There was one general, Reggie something or other, I forget his last name, who had come to England after serving in the African bush for nearly a decade. I asked him about the locals and all he talked about were the trivial matters concerning the running of his base. Problems with the cook, fighting between three men, inconsequential things like that. Of the people he was both supposed to protect and was to monitor he knew nothing. He'd forgotten completely the outside world."

"I hope you aren't suggesting we try and get him to see reason," Lady Mary commented dryly. "It would take far more power-" she let out another yawn, her jaw practically cracking as she did so which caused Thomas to start as such… common… action from the likes of her, "-than we have to make him see the light."

"I don't think anyone is suggesting that," Isobel said. "So instead I suggest we put Robert out of our minds and discuss just what we shall do now. I hate to be dreary but all of us are technically homeless." The others shifted at that and Allen and Catherine shared a look of pity; the group before them had rushed to London with only the clothing on their back. While it was true that Matthew and Isobel still had their bank accounts and hopefully Tom and Thomas had put some money away with the latter two the Lothrops didn't know if they could access their funds. And with the girls there was no way they'd be able to touch the Grantham fortune, leaving them penniless.

'From having anything they desired to being no better than a pansy seller. What an about face.'

Isobel continued on. "While I sold our home in Manchester it shouldn't be too hard to buy something for myself… but I don't know if I could afford to house the rest of you."

Sybil frowned, pressing her tongue against the inside of her cheek. "I suppose Aunt Rosamund is a possibility-"

"I've made my feelings clear on that," Mary said firmly. "I won't go back to her home, not after what she said to me about Matthew."

"But that doesn't settle what we do in the here and now," Edith pointed out.

"I can help as best I can," Sir Michael offered. "Thomas, Matthew, and Tom could stay at my home… it would be cramped but we could manage."

"No, that won't do," Cat said, shaking her head. "I think your only option is clear." When the others looked at her she smiled and held out her arms wide. "You will stay here with us."

The group stared at her in utter surprise and Allen couldn't help but smirk. His wife had that affect on people.

"Mrs. Lothrop," Matthew began, "we couldn't-"

"You can and you will," Catherine said firmly, making the General grin all the more as his wife showed them why he had chosen to marry her. "Our sons have left and our daughter Jenny is off seeing my side of the family and even if all of them were to return we'd still have more than enough room."

Allen nodded in agreement. "This home was a gift from my uncle." He took another sip of water. "I think he knows how badly his daughters have bollocked up the family name with their wildness and he knows it will be upon me to fix things. He bought this house for us a years ago but it was far too large then and has only gotten worse as our children have left to start their lives. There are rooms that no one has ever slept in… even with giving each of you a place to rest we'll still have enough space. Besides, I dare say the staff would appreciate the work… Cat and I tend to bore them by being low maintenance." Setting his glass down Allen began to pace again; it was an annoying habit he had but only for those that had to constantly follow him and thus he didn't care much to stop. "We were already going to make this offer to you both," he gestured at Lady Mary and Matthew, "as we knew that it would be unfair to demand Lady Mary stay at Downton while Matthew as in London. Yes, your father does have his townhouse here but that is far too big for just the two of you… and of course that avenue is now cut off from you."

"We… we would be most grateful, General," Mary said with a watery smile.

"As for the rest of you we have room for all and for however long you wish to stay. I imagine some of you will want privacy and a place of your own but we can give you the time to find what you desire."

"I believe I fall into that category," Isobel said with a firm nod.

Allen smiled before turning back towards the earl's daughters, his smile falling slightly. "I do have one rule you must agree to now. I will not continue this if you refuse me here." Lady Mary and her sisters stared at him and he stared right back. "Everyone who falls under my protection, be they guests in my home or enlisted men I command, will treat everyone else on equal terms. Thomas and Tom will be staying here; Thomas has already accepted a position on Matthew's staff and the offer is open to Tom as well. They are no longer servants. You will treat them as you would anyone else I made a guest in my home. And those that do work for me are to be respected as you would the highest knight. I will not have them bullied or abused purely because of who your father is. Do I make myself clear?"

"I can accept those terms," Lady Mary with only a moment's hesitation. "I only ask pardon if I slip. I will apologize quickly of course but should I accidently ask Thomas for something-"

Thomas waved his hand. "I won't take offense to that, my… Lady Mary." He chewed on the last two words, not used to being so direct with her.

"There is a small problem though," Tom said, looking at the general. "I won't work for you. I object to this war and I cannot in good faith help someone fighting it. If that means I must go-"

Allen snorted. "Son, I object to this bloody war too. It's a stupid thing caused by stupid men. I'm fighting because I am commanded to… if I had left my duties even a month ago I'd be right there with you. I don't look forward to sending men to die for a needless thing but I have to do it… but I won't force you."

Tom nodded in thanks before sighing. "But I won't accept your charity either. I will stay here for now but only until I can support myself… though doing what I must admit I do not know."

"I might be able to help with that," Sir Michael said, finally speaking up after a long silence. "Edith tells me you are well learned. Is that true?"

"Well," Tom said, blushing a bit and rubbing the back of his head, "I never went to some grand school but I have educated myself, if that is what you mean."

"He's being humble," Lady Sybil said with a gentle smile, patting Tom's arm. Allen glanced at Cat and his wife smirked slightly; both mentally knew that life with those two under the same roof and the class barriers ripped away would result in some interesting fireworks. "He loves to read and is a student of many subjects. History, philosophy, political-"

"He's a socialist," Matthew stated.

Cat chuckled. "Better than being French."

Sir Michael turned back to Tom. "I don't know how much you pay attention to my paper but in recent years I have tried to make it far much more than what one would expect from a publication focused on women. I have brought on different viewpoints and different topics that one wouldn't normally see. Edith has written several articles for me." He leaned forward. "With this war I want to do something that will set me apart from the other papers that will be leaping over themselves to provide the same tired propaganda proclaiming how wonderful all the war is going and how England is destined to win. While I believe that to be the case I do think there is room for other opinions and, in fact, it is our ability to allow for just such opinions that makes us better than the likes of the Germans." Michael took a sip from his glass before continuing. "I've already selected the man who will right on the side of the war, that it is just and needed. What I need is someone to argue against it in columns and opinion pieces and someone who can look at both sides and be more… even. I think you would do well on the first."

Allen watched as Tom hemmed and hawed at that before finally giving in and accepting Michael offer. It had been amusing because it was clear to the general that the Irishman wanted to accept but felt it his duty to fight a bit. He glanced at Cat again and once more she quietly smiled and nodded towards Lady Sybil; oh yes, those two would entertain them for hours.

After that things became more detail oriented, with the assigning of rooms and general plans for the days and weeks to come. Thomas would be given an advance by General Allen to buy new clothes, Sir Michael doing the same for Tom. The two former servants would get some clothing Allen's youngest son had left behind and the next day they'd get some clothing picked up by Allen's valet, Muldoon. As for the girls Cat had made it clear that they were to borrow from the Lothrops' daughter and daughter-in-law's wardrobes (the girls always left extra garments just in case) and she would take them to a dress maker. Matthew would pay for Mary and Sybil but Sir Michael surprised them all by saying Edith would pay for her own clothing… as he had decided that SHE would be the final member of his opinion column trinity, taking the moderate viewpoint. That had led to a lot of excitement and well wishing before things had gotten back on track…

"There is one thing I truly want to do tomorrow," Lady Mary finally said. She was no longer yawning and the excitement of planning out the next week had given her a bit of a jolt. The same could not be said of the others, as even the General, used to working long hours, was growing more and more ready to lie down and let Morpheus take him.

"And what's that?" Matthew asked.

"Marry you."

That woke everyone up.

"Mary…" Matthew began but she held up her head.

"I don't trust papa. Not anymore. I fear that at any moment I will open a paper and see that he's promised me to some old man from some far flung rock in the far north just to spite me. I don't want to give him a chance to do that Matthew." She reached over and cupped his cheeks in her hands. "Marry me, Matthew. Tomorrow. We've waited far too long…it's time."

Matthew though shook his head. "Mary… this is your wedding and you deserve it to be… so special. If we rush this-"

"It will be special if you are the one I am saying my vows to. Would I have preferred a long white dress and a ride through the village of children tossed rose pedals in the air and papa was waiting to walk me down the aisle? Of course. But those are a girl's dreams… I am a woman and will have a woman's dreams instead: a husband who I love and who loves me. I don't care if we must find a half drunk clergyman in some rat infested church-"

Catherine spoke up. "Oh, there will be none of that, not so long as I am here to take the reins. No… we will go to bed and when I awake I will see our family minister. The church will be made available and he will marry you two in the sight of the Lord. We will find you a white dress, flowers will be gathered, and our cook will make us a fine dinner. And then the General and I will take everyone else out to see a play or to have dinner… and you two will have your honeymoon without the rest of us knocking about." She nodded firmly. "End of story."

~16 Hours Later~

Catherine Lothrop has spoken true. The minister, Sadler, had quickly agreed and everyone had rushed about to prepare for the surprise wedding. Mary and her sisters had gone shopping and found a tasteful white dress that while not fit for any wedding that would have been held at Downton was perfect enough for Mary. Her sisters made do with the dresses they had worn the night before, quickly pressed and prepared by Catherine's lady's maid, while the gentlemen did the same with their white shirts and black jackets, with only Tom needing to swap out for a more appropriate suit jacket. Sir Michael handled getting the paperwork that was needed and stood as Matthew's best man while Sybil stood for Mary (with a promise from the youngest Crawley that Edith would be her own maid of honor when the time came for her to marry). The Lothrop house staff worked to prepare things and promised not just a meal but a feast when all of them returned and the General had managed to get tickets for a play that would keep everyone but the newlyweds away from the house for several hours.

Thus it was that Lady Mary Crawley walked down the aisle not in her childhood church but one in a quieter parts of London. It was not her father that gave her away but a General of the British army, dressed in full uniform with medals and all to add to the prestige. Her dress was not one with a long train and made of the finest silk but one that had been available for purchase and didn't even fit her properly without a few pins used to tighten it up and that was far too tight around the chest. And most importantly of all it wasn't Patrick, the heir to Downton, who waited for her as she had assumed when she was a child… but a simple country lawyer… upper middle class at best.

Neither she nor Matthew knew what awaited them, with all instructions and guides for their lives thrown away and a nation that now found itself in war. But for the first time in all her life Mary was doing something not because it was expected of her but because she truly wanted it.

As the minister pronounced them husband and wife and the two shared their first kiss as one united before the eyes of God and law, both of them knew the same thing: now, for good or for worse, they were the authors of their own fate.

And they would write their saga together.

End of Series 1

~A~O~O~O~F~

Author's Notes: Writing this up as I edit. First things first I've hinted at it before but unlike Canon Matthew this Matthew did not handle the war and then forget about it. Other than poor Lang we never saw shell shock but I find that just… wrong. WWI was a nightmare. Remember, we got Lord of the Rings thanks to the horrors of the Somme. All but one of Tolkien's friends died in that War and the survivor's guilt haunted him til the end of his days, same with C.S. Lewis. Yet the show ignores this? Nope. Here we see that the mere thought of going back to that literal hell is enough to rattle Matthew.

Some people have asked about Robert's reaction and what cemented for me how he would appear here was one minor plot point where, despite the horrors of the War… Robert wanted to go. He thought it would be an adventure. And when he was told he couldn't he was sad. He. Was. Sad. Robert honestly didn't come to truly understand the war until Matthew was paralyzed and William died. THAT is what finally showed him how bad it was and shut him the hell up.

Sybil being okay with her sibling dying might be controversial to some but remember this is a Sybil who found men she had cared for dead from suicide, who had seen disease and pain and suffering. Who knew that life was short and that people die. She is… jaded. And greedy. And selfish. She gave so much to others and her reward was to die on her death bed because her father wanted not to embarrass a high ranking doctor (and yes, I am in the camp that Clarkson told a bold face lie and had he cared for Sybil she would have lived). So in this life… she is much like Tom: she is clannish. Packish. And the baby is someone she never met so the babe isn't pack.

Many wondered about Tom and now we see that he's been roped into the flight from Downton. Gwen isn't coming for this but she will be sneaking out much like O'Brien did, leaving Downton even worse as it is down two of its most skilled maids.

In London we meet Allen and his wife Cat, two people who were middle class but know that they will be a lord and lady soon… and honestly don't give a shit. I like the idea of the General basically being a foul mouthed man with no filter. It gives us a different type of character to interact with the main cast.

And now the stage is set for Series 2. Anna and Bates out of Downton. Tom and Thomas now on more equal footing with the London Crawleys. Edith working with Tom and Michael's paper. Thomas and Matthew working together. And finally Mary and Matthew married in a quiet ceremony. No grand affair, no Robert walking her down the aisle, no Carson to see it come to pass. A bitter sweet thing if ever there was one.

Now, some of you noticed that there was no plot bunny last time. I did that because that chapter was such a bombshell I thought it needed to sit on its own. But don't worry… I have 2 plot bunnies right here for you, one that comes from my regular reviewer Batshark.

He suggested something I had never thought about before when it came to my 'Someone travels back in time to fix Downton'. Allow me to set the scene: It is the end of WWII and Downton has suffered. Robert Crawley stands before George Crawley's freshly dug grave, misery written on his features. Next to George's grave is Matthew's plot, and beside that… Mary's. She died in childbirth, just as Sybil did, shattering the family all the more. After Mary's death Henry couldn't handle things and he left, disappearing and never being heard from again. Cora was heartbroken and became like a ghost, unable to leave Downton and many times just sitting in mary's old room. The care for George fell to Robert and he loved his grandson… he loved him so very, very much. And now he is dead. Gone to join Mary. Matthew. Sybil. Mama. Carson. Others have left. With Henry gone their auto shop fell apart and Tom moved back to America, taking Sybie with him. Edith still lives but after Mary's death she and Bertie decided they would never risk having children. There are no heirs… Robert has searched and searched and searched… but there is no one left. He has no idea what will happen to Downton and quite frankly he no longer cares. It feels as if the place is a tomb, threatening to consume him.

As everyone leaves Robert moves to the grave, touches the stone, and asks the Lord what he did wrong… what sin did he commit? Wasn't he a good man? Wasn't his family good people? Why… why couldn't they have happiness?

And when he opens his eyes again he finds Pharaoh nudging his leg. The gravemarkers are gone. He is not dressed in black. And the cold spring day has been replaced by a warm fall afternoon. As he looks around he suddenly hears someone complaining… and watches with shock as Mary walks up to him with Sybil and asks if she really must go and greet the 'jumped up lawyer who has come to steal her inheritence'.

Everyone doesn't know what to do when Robert hugs both his girls and begins to weep.

Yes, the plotbunny is "What if Authors of Our Own Fate had ROBERT go back in time?" It is actually a rather interesting idea… how different would things be if we had a Robert who was more accepting, far more liberal and open and caring? A Robert who had spent 20 years caring for a small child. One who had come to rely upon the servants when everyone else had gone and thus now went downstairs often to sit with Carson to discuss things. A Robert who sees Cora young and so full of hope and sweeps her up in a great big kiss that shocks everyone. One who welcome Matthew with open arms and leaves the lawyer shocked.

If I were doing it I'd have Robert quickly tell his mother everything. I just have this vision of him laying it all out, all the bad, and finally telling her about George's death and Violet pulling him to sit down and Robert breaking down weeping, she rocking him back and forth and telling him it was okay. Her becoming his secret keeper and working with him to change the world.

As for the second plot bunny I decided to focus on the couple that seems to get more stories about them than anyone else: Carson and Mrs. Hughes.

Let's go with a traveling back story but in a different way. Some time in Series 1 (I'd put it before Carson's past was revealed), he and Mrs. Hughes see William pinning over Daisy and they end up talking discussing how youth is wasted on the young and how it is a shame that as one gains wisdom they are too old to act on it.

The next morning the two wake up to find out they get to see if their comments were true… as the world has changed. Carson awakens to find he is rooming with Thomas… who calls him Charles. And that when he looks in the mirror his 20 year old self is staring back. And Mrs. Hughes wakes up in Anna's room and she tells her to hurry up and get dressed and Mrs. Hughes finds a 19 year old Elsie staring back.

Somehow the two are not only young again but starting off in lower positions in the staff, with a new butler and head housemaid taking their places.

How would their lives change with the two no longer the powers in the Downstairs but merely bit players? To be young again and feel the urges of the young? Would they continue with life as they had… or seize the chance for something new?