AN: I'm continuing to play around with what went on between Cora and Robert, after Sybil's death. Continuation of the final chapter. If you're still with me, thank you!

Just taking these characters out to play, everything and everyone belongs to the keepers and creators of the show. Rating K+

Cora sat at her dressing table massaging lotion in to her hands. O'Brien had just been dismissed, and as her maid opened the door to leave Cora heard the cries of her granddaughter coming from down the hall. The crying carried on for a solid 5-minutes and she considered going to look in, but the infant eventually quieted. Cora climbed in to bed; the ends of her hair still wet from her bath gave her goose bumps as her braid came to rest on her shoulder. As she reached for her book her granddaughter began wailing again, this time louder and more insistent. Cora sat for a moment, chewing her bottom lip as she eyed the fire.

She slowly approached the door to the nursery, and found it half open. The baby's cries were loud and steady. She knocked softly, which went unheard, and gently pushed in. Tom was there, pacing with his daughter cradled in his arms. Exasperated and possibly on the brink of tears, he stopped when he noticed Cora moving in to the room.

"Can I help?" She offered, her eyes moving from Tom's relieved face to the baby.

"Nanny say's it's Colic", he shifted her in his arms. "I don't know what to do? She won't settle!"

Cora walked towards them, holding out her hands, offering to take her granddaughter. He gratefully obliged. Cora took the fussing baby and held her in one arm. She looked down and loosened the swaddle, giving the tiny girl a chance to kick her feet and flail her fists madly. Their colouring matched perfectly, dark hair and pale skin made pink by the heat of emotion. Shifting the baby upright so that her chin was resting on Cora's shoulder, and she began making soft soothing sounds while simultaneously started rubbing her little back in slow, calming circles. The infant continued to cry with frustration.

Tom backed away and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Nanny had to go in to the village, to fetch some Chamomile tea." He shrugged and continued to explain, "Mrs. Patmore doesn't have any." The baby slowly quieted as she bounced gently in Cora's arm. Cora nodded her understanding and continued her efforts, slipping back in to a natural groove that had long been unpracticed. She started to slowly walk around the room, pacing much slower than Tom had been.

"Have you eaten," she quietly asked him over the infant's whimpering.

"Not yet," he stated. "I offered to give Nanny a break." He sighed, tossing his arms out in frustration. "Apparently she's been like this all day."

Cora thought back and remembered hearing the infant crying steadily that morning. "I'll stay," she offered. "If you want to go down." Speaking slowly and sing-songish as though to the baby, and not Tom. "I'm sure they haven't finished."

The baby had nearly settled, with her knees pulled up and her bottom resting in Cora's hand. Her head had tilted to the side and her chubby cheek was now resting on her Grandmother's shoulder. Cora could feel little puffs of air on the side of her neck as the little one caught her breath and started drifting off to sleep. She started moving her hand up and down the baby's back as Tom watched with wonder.

"If you're sure," he said after a moment. "I don't know how long Nanny will be, and…" he trailed off. "…after what you said earlier."

She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him. She pondered his intention, and then gently smiled at him. "I want to," she considered her answer further and whispered, "It's time." No sooner had she finished speaking when the baby yowled her discontent into her Grandmother's ear. Cora resumed her ministrations and the baby calmed once again.

Robert thought it better to ask, than to assume he was welcome back in their bed. He approached the door, and found it slightly ajar. He knocked quietly and went in, uncertain of whom he might find in there. He gazed about the room through knitted brows, wondering where it was that Cora could be this time. He sighed through his nose and turned to leave. In the hallway he watched as Tom approached him from the other direction, obviously coming from the nursery. "If you're looking for her, she's in there," nudging his head in the direction of the baby's room. Robert's mood momentarily flared with irritation over the casual manner Tom used to refer to Cora.

"Ah," was all Robert could think of to say, as he nodded his head.

Tom turned and headed for the stairs as Robert passed behind him and continued down the hallway in search of his wife. He stopped in front of the open door and peered in to the nursery. The sight before him filled him with emotion, so powerful his heart skipped a beat. There she sat in the rocking chair, cradling their sleeping granddaughter, swooning her with a soft hum and slow, rhythmic movement. Robert watched them for a moment as the calmness in the room and the ease in Cora's posture lulled him to a place of resolve. He backed away noiselessly and went to his dressing room to wait for Barrow.

He had hoped that she would be back in bed by the time he finished with his valet, however when he entered through the dressing room he was disappointed to see that their bed was empty. He hesitated at the door, knowing that things would start to get easier moving forward, but his side of the bed had not turned down, nor was the bedside lamp turned on. Robert felt ambivalent. He certainly didn't want to force her hand but Cora had remained the undercurrent of his thoughts since that afternoon, and now he longed to be at her side. Risking impertinence he moved towards their bed and pulled back the covers. He hesitated briefly, recalculating his decision, before climbing in.

Simply being there, settled in their bed was enough to allow sleep to seduce him, and he felt his eyelids growing heavy. When Cora walked in to the room, some time later, she was comforted to find him there, lying on his side with his arms crossed over his chest, snoring gently. She let out a soft sob of relief before moving to her side of the bed. Determined not to cry she began fussing with the sash on her robe as she walked around the bed. She gently climbed up and slid herself under the covers as delicately as she could. She reached for her book she moved it to the bedside table and quickly switched off the light.

After 26-years of marriage, their sleeping arrangements remained 'an exception to the rule' among couples of similar rank and position, and although Robert was never one for spending the night wrapped in each other's embrace, he despised spending a night without her by his side. Cora cherished that about him. She had learned how to read his mood and how to sense his temperament by simply lying next to him. At night, all pretense was set aside and he was simply her husband. The guilt she felt about exiling him was now absolved by his presence. Without hesitation she moved her body as close to his as possible, hugging him from behind, she pushed her arm around him and pulled herself even closer.

Cora knew she had woken him. His breathing had changed, but he didn't move. She nestled her cheek in to the back of his shoulder and inhaled his scent. Neither of them spoke. Robert eventually moved his hand and his fingers entwined with hers. They stayed that way for a long time, engaged in quiet introspection, listening to the crackle of the fire, until finally Cora whispered somberly, "I'm so sorry, Robert."

"Me too," he murmured, wanting to say so much more but his throat burned with emotion that threatened to betray him. Lying this way he felt completely vulnerable to her, so instead of trying to say more he simply lifted her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, before settling it back over his rapidly beating heart. Slowly Cora's body relaxed against his, her tension giving way to a comfortable softness. Her breathing eased into unison with his and she unconsciously pushed herself even closer to him. He listened with relief as she fell asleep.

Cora awoke sometime later; startled by her thoughts. Her eyes snapped open and she cautiously looked around the room. It took her a moment to regain her bearings. She felt the tightness of his embrace and then heard the low rattle of his breathing from behind her. At some point they had rolled over, and now his arm was wrapped protectively around her. She inhaled deeply, allowing slumber to take over and her heavy eyes slowly closed. The next time she awoke, she was still on her side. Light had begun filtering through the drapes and the fire was lit. Cora searched her body for Robert's touch. He no longer had her restrained to his body, but instead his hand rested on her hip, his fingertips carefully tracing the bone and strummed back gently. She blinked lazily, taking in the fire and the brightness of the room.

Robert knew she was awake as she unconsciously tensed with the weight of him next to her. He slid his hand off her hip, flattened it out over her abdomen and slowly moved it across her navel. He hooked his fingers underneath her other side and gently tugged her closer to him, then he kissed the back of her exposed shoulder. He leaned over her, crushing her body under his, to catch her eye. Cora turned her head to look up at him. She smiled as she lifted her hand, catching his stubbled jaw with the side of her finger.

Robert returned her smile.

"Good morning," they spoke in unison.

She attempted to shift, stuck under his weight. He backed off and she was able to roll herself over within his embrace. They were now chest to chest, her arms folded between them. Cora took in his eyes, searching them for a hint of where to begin. There was still so much to say; life is fragile and unpredictable, and tremendously unfair, but Sybil's death was not his fault.

Robert watched her eyes, as though a storm rolled in and smothered the light. He felt certain he knew what she was thinking and was compelled to look away. In his mind he could hear her voice, how upset she had been, her anger with him. Perhaps some things needed to be said, but the venom in her words still stung. He looked down at her again, her head resting gently on her pillow, her eyes a million miles away. He decided to start slowly.

"How did you sleep?" He caressed the small of her back, his touch and voice pulled her back to the moment.

Her eyes moved, as though scanning her body. "Good, I think."

"I'm glad to hear it." His hand moved higher up her back.

There was a moment of silence, and when she spoke again her voice trembled slightly. "I see her, Robert. Every time I close my eyes I see her." She swallowed and continued, "struggling to breathe," Cora closed her eyes.

"Cora," he said sadly, with gentle caution.

"Until last night," she opened her eyes and looked at his neck, watching the tiny swell of his heart, pulse. "Last night was peaceful. Mostly happy memories," she smiled sadly to herself. After another long pause she whispered, "I miss her terribly," she bent her head down, touching the top of his chest with her forehead.

He tightened his arms around her, "I do too my darling."

Robert's strong embrace wrapped her in comfort, while her warm hands settled on his chest, calming his hastened breathing and easing his aching heart. They stayed that way, remembering Sybil, for so long that Cora was beginning to wonder if Robert had fallen back to sleep, when he finally spoke.

"Do you have anything planned for today?" He asked, his voice resonating from beneath her ear.

Cora rolled out of his embrace and on to her back. She looked over at him. "I'm not sure," she said after a moment. "I have some letters to write. And, I think I'd like to spend some time with the baby." She smiled as she answered.

Robert also rolled on to his back, not breaking eye contact with her. "Again?" He questioned with a smile, "I think that's wonderful."

"Me too!" Cora sounded moderately excited. After a moment she pushed herself up. Curling forward she stretched her back. Robert noticed her spine protruding through the thin fabric of her nightgown; he reached over, placing his hand on her lower back, running his thumb over the first, and largest, notch. "Will you be joining us for luncheon?" He asked casually.

She nodded, "I expect so," and paused staring straight ahead. As the idea came in to her head, she asked him without a second thought. "Will you have time later, for a walk with me?" Carefully finishing her thought, she looked over her shoulder at him, "we need to talk." His hand dropped off her back, landing on the mattress behind her. She couldn't make out the look on his face. "If you don't have time today, then soon." She finished.

"Cora, I will always make time for you." He paused and shifted on to his side, resting on his elbow. He reached is free arm up, sliding his fingers over thin arm. "I have a few tasks on my agenda this afternoon, but they can be switched." He let his hand circle around her upper arm, tugging on her gently. "But, my darling, I don't know what else can be said?"

Her eyes widened, and she looked down at him incredulous. "Robert!" She said emphatically, in the calmest tone she could muster. "I've said so many things to hurt you." She blushed and started to look away.

He tugged on her arm again as he precariously pushed himself up, a vain attempt to distract her. She looked over in time for his lips to land on hers. The kiss was quick, before Robert fell back on his elbow.

She started to fidget with the blanket on her lap "I think we need to talk about it." Her discomfort apparent in her voice, "I need to apologize."

He turned his back to her, throwing his feet over the side of the bed. The motion was quick, and she jostled slightly as the springs settled from his weight lifting off them. The Englishman in him wanted nothing more than to lay this issue to rest. "You have apologized, my darling" he finished. Her eyes followed him as he walked around the foot of the bed. He stopped beside her and looked down in to her fretful eyes. The American in her wanted to talk and make peace in a most histrionic fashion that made him terribly uncomfortable. He leaned in, and she backed away slightly.

"I don't know how to move forward, ple…." he silenced her with a kiss. Dropping himself down on to the bed, he reached out and put his arm on her waist, pulling her towards him. He kissed her deeply, intending to show her he was already trying to move forward. She reciprocated, lifting her hands to his jaw, she sat up straighter and pushed her lips in to his.

He smiled as he broke their kiss, leaving her a little breathless. Despite himself he answered her, "A walk would be lovely," and turned his face in her hands, kissing her open palm. Grasping her wrists, he pulled back, looking at her earnestly, "but you have nothing more to apologize for."

She smiled at him weakly, "we may have to agree to disagree."

"Hmm, maybe?" He considered with a soft chuckle, accepting this as what had to be done to bring them back to a place of marital harmony. Robert still had ahold of her hands and he gave them a gentle squeeze. "I must get on. Matthew and I are dropping in on a few of the tenants this morning." He sighed before releasing her hands. "I look forward to our afternoon together."

Cora watched as he walked towards his dressing room. Robert stopped at the door and turned back to her. "By the way, you look lovely this morning," he said affectionately. She coyly tilted her head as her cheeks flushed. She looked to him with a smile that lit up her face.

He grinned at her and asked, "Can I flirt with you today?"