Elsie sat at the breakfast table eating slowly. Her head was throbbing yet again, and she knew the problem she just hadn't remedied it quite yet. Her hair was far too long, and it was heavy, for as long as she could remember she'd cut her own hair before it got too out of hand. She should ask Anna, but the poor girl had enough to do, and enough on her mind as it was.

She didn't trust one of the under maids and there was no way on Gods green Earth she was letting O'Brien or Mrs. Patmore near her head with a pair of scissors. That left one person in the house or going into town. With a soft sigh she glanced up from her bowl and found him watching her with that concerned look on his face."Eat your breakfast before it gets cold Mr. Carson."

His jaw fell slack for a mere moment before he turned his attention back to his bowl. He'd get to the bottom of whatever was bothering her before the day was out. Even if it meant following her through the house and brooding all day. As the bells started ringing and the staff disappeared he looked to Elsie once more watching as she rubbed at the back of her neck with her eyes closed.

The worried look returned to his face, "Headache again? Shall I call Dr. Clarkson Mrs. Hughes?"

Her eyes flew open, she had completely forgotten where she was and that she wasn't alone. "Yes another headache and don't you dare call the doctor. There's not a thing he can do for it."

Biting the inside of her lip she brushed a few crumbs off of the table while she considered her next move. "In all your years here Mr. Carson...surely you've cut hair a time or two? Perhaps your own or his Lordships?"

What sort of question was that? She had clearly lost her mind, for the moment he'd play along and see just what she was up to though. "Yes I have. Why do you ask?"

She stood quickly, no she couldn't ask him this. She would just have to wait until her next half day and walk into town. "Never mind. I'll be off now."

Charles stood as soon as she rose, his hand reaching out and capturing her arm gently. "Elsie please. Go sit down I'll bring you some tea and aspirin."

Muttering all the way to her sitting room she did as she was told, the fight in her was just gone today. Once inside she slipped into the chair behind her desk and let her head rest forward her hands. No she couldn't wait until her next half day. She didn't hear him knock, nor did she hear him enter, it wasn't until his hand was resting onher shoulder that she looked up with a forced smile. "Sorry I was miles away. Thank you." Reaching up she took the cup and the offered aspirin.

He watched her carefully, longing to reach out and rub the tension from her neck and shoulders. To do anything really to ease her pain. "Tell me what I can do?" His voice was too soft, too close to giving away his true feelings. "I can't have my Housekeeper unwell after all."

With a smirk she looked up at him, chewing on the inside of her lip again. Why was she so nervous? It wasn't as if she was asking him anything major. "I need..."

"What is it woman? What do you need? Out with it already." He was his usual gruff self once again. At least until she winced in pain from his raised voice. Damn his inability to hold his tongue!

"I need your help tonight. I...I've waited too long and I cant properly cut my own hair. Ive no one else to ask here and it can't wait until my next half day. Anna's got enough on her plate right now. It os terribly stupid, I don't know why I'm making such a mess of it all. Please just tell me you'll assist me?"

Charles Carson was speechless. She wanted him to...what? Cut her hair? No he couldn't. He couldn't put his hands in her hair, he'd be too close. He wasn't sure if he could control himself once she took her hair down. So he simply stood there mute, staring at her with his mouth hanging open.

"Forget it. Mr. Carson. Just leave me be, I'll manage somehow"

At that his jaw snapped shut and he shook his head. "No no...I'll be glad to help you. Tonight once the others have gone up. Until then rest as much as you can we can manage today."

Charles hadn't seen Mrs. Hughes since breakfast. No one had other than one of the young maids who'd needed to ask a question for the umpteenth time and had found her head promptly bit clean off. Luncheon came and she still hadn't emerged from her sitting room. She'd need to eat, and he could take the verbal lashing. Looking up he saw Anna preparing a tray of food, "I'll take it in Anna."

Anna glanced towards the head of the table, trying to hide her obvious relief. "Thank you Mr. Carson, I've got much to do this afternoon." Once the tray was full and ready she carried it down and sat it next to him.

He steeled himself as he stood, straightening his waistcoat he picked up the tray with ease and moved towards Mrs. Hughes' sitting room. Raising a hand he knocked lightly then opened the door and stepped inside. Neither of them bothered to wait for confirmation anymore, not after all these years. The sight before him made him suck in a breath.

His Elsie as he referred to her in his mind only had her long hair down pins littered the floor around her desk. She was slouched down in her chair far enough that her head was resting on the back of her seat. Her breathing was slow, and soft, eyes closed, a soft snore could be heard now and then. Crossing the room quietly he set the tray down before bending to gather her hair pins.

She couldn't be comfortable there, and he wanted her to be that if nothing else. Moving to her side, Charles debated his next move. He was older but he knew he could carry her across the room. The only question in his mind was would he survive with his limbs intact if she woke up?

The risk was worth it. Slowly and gently he slipped one arm under her neck and the other under her legs lifting her as if she were a small child. "Shhhh...sleep dear one, sleep."

Elsie stirred softly, she was being moved but she couldn't force her eyes to open. Warm. He was warm, and he smelled familiar. Pressing her face to his neck she sighed softly in her sleep, mumbling his name quietly.

He stiffened a bit, there was no way he was going to be presentable if she moved her lips against his neck once more. A groan passed his lips as he forced himself to finish crossing the distance and gently laid her down on the settee. Brushing his knuckles over her forehead gently he stood and turned looking for a blanket. There had to be one somewhere but at the moment he wasn't going through her things to find one. Slipping his jacket off he laid it over her lightly before slipping out of her sitting room and to his pantry quickly. One thing he knew for certain. This evening was going to be torture.