Note: Thank you for the very kind reviews! I'm thinking I'll use this as a collection of one-shots, abouts their relationship throughout the war, via letters and such. Ideas? 3

Daisy stood wavering in the sweltering August heat, digging her heels into the gravel to steady herself. She had not eaten breakfast that morning, and was feeling sick. Actually, Daisy had hardly eaten at all since the draft was issued. But she refused to go back inside; if Lord Grantham was waiting in the heat for the convoy to arrive, it wouldn't be proper for her to do otherwise.

It was the day that the men of the manor were due to leave for war, a day she had been dreading since news of the war first broke. Both the family and the members of the staff were to see the men off on their way, and to offer last words of advice and condolence.

The boys are looking so dashing in them uniforms! She smiled at the thought, like toy soldiers. Standing a few meters away was William, fidgeting with the collar on his uniform and looking overall uncomfortable. She bit her lip, and edged away from the rest of the female staff towards William.

He looked up when she approached, and a shy smile spread across his face, reaching his eyes. Lord, I'll miss them eyes. Standing on her tiptoes, she fixed his unruly collar. "There. It be nice and flat now," she said, looking down, suddenly shy.

"Thanks, it feels like someone poured a bucket o' fleas down my coat, fabric's so course."

Daisy smiled halfheartedly, and William noticed. "Daisy?" leaning down to see her face better, "You alright?" For the past few minutes, she had been trying desperately to hold back tears. But at the sound of her name, she broke down.

"I'm so scared for you!" She said beneath tears. "You could get shot or ill or terribly hurt or, or-" She buried her face in her hands, ashamed that William would have to see her like this. He must think I'm such a baby!

Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and brought her to his chest. "Hush, now. I'll be fine, you'll see! I used to go hunting with me dad, so I know how to use a gun, and I'm quick enough to run if I need to. Don't you worry about me, you'll make yerself sick."

Noticing the bewildered eyes of the staff resting on him and the hiccupping Daisy in his arms, he gently removed himself from her, but took her hand in his. Tears were still rolling down her cheek, and it broke his heart.

Meanwhile, the truck that was to take the men away was pulling in to the driveway.

Looking over his shoulder, he hurriedly told her "I'll be back before you know it. In the meantime, take care of yerself, please?"

She nodded, wiping the tears off her face. "Will we get in much trouble if they be seeing me kiss you goodbye?" Daisy said quietly, "Staff ain't s'pposed to have relations."

William blushed, "Well, I think they know by now. And they couldn't stop me if they tried." For the second time he kissed her firmly on the lips, trying to memorize the feel of her.

The men were starting to board the truck, and both wished they had more time. "When I make it back, I'm going to court you proper," he whispered in her ear. She smiled, and kissed him once more on the cheek. "Just make sure you come back."

"Always," he replied cheekily, leaving to join the others aboard the truck.