I do not own these characters, they belong to Fellowes. If they belonged to me this is what would happen in Series 5. I dedicate this story to my Chelsie Chums. You guys are Rock stars!

Mrs. Hughes had been in a hurry. She was eager to get her morning tasks finished before the charity truck arrived. Mrs. Hughes had conducted a collection in London this past season to donate to the Russian refugees there. There was a great need at Downton as well for the influx of immigrants they had recently seen. Mrs. Hughes had asked Mrs. Crawley to assist in the cause, knowing that the woman thrived on "serving a purpose". Mrs. Hughes was collecting donations of the basic necessities needed for day to day life. Mrs. Crawley was more than happy to assist. She was always eager to help a soul in need. Compassion for others was a trait they both shared. Mrs. Crawley took it upon herself to enlist the help of Dr. Clarkson to take things a step further and provide the new immigrants with necessary health needs.

Elsie was strapped for time and could never stand to see a job undone. The hall had to be cleared so the volunteers were able to come in and carry the various donated items out to the truck. Instead of asking a hall boy, which there were none in sight, she took it upon herself to dispense of the dirty water in the buckets that were left in the hallway. Mr. Carson rushed to assist Mrs. Hughes when he saw her struggling with these buckets.

Since the season in London Mr. Carson had been more attentive to the needs and feelings of Mrs. Hughes. This "extra attention" did not go unnoticed by her In fact it set her on edge at times.

"It's alright, really Mr. Carson I can manage..." Elsie was determined more than ever to get these large buckets that were filled with dirty water down the drain, "How dare Charles think I can't do my job." She thought to herself growing more annoyed with him with every second that passed.

"I'm sure you can handle it Mrs. Hughes but there is no reason for you to have to carry these buckets about when the hall boys are supposed to be doing this work!" He raised his voice loud enough to make his point to any of the hall boys that may be close enough to hear and understand his frustration. Mr. Carson was struggling with Mrs. Hughes to hand over the buckets of dirty water she was carrying.

"You stubborn man, let go before ..." too late water had splashed out of the buckets spilling one completely onto the floor and all over the front of Charles' pants, soaking his socks and shoes. Elsie looked at the bucket in her hand then her gaze followed the water on the floor. Her mouth was gaping open, she was astonished. She noticed Charles' shoes were wet her gaze went up higher and she saw his pants were wet as well. She closed her eyes squeezing them shut to help her contain the giggles that were starting to build up inside her. It wasn't working; so she bit her bottom lip to contain the laughter that was ready to escape her and take over her entire body. She opened her eyes and saw the look of disbelief on Mr. Carson's face. That was her undoing. He stood as straight as a board with his arms to his side watching Elsie desperately trying to contain her emotions. She turned away from Charles so her back was now facing him. Her shoulders began to shake up and down. Charles scoffed and let out a huff of hot air from his chest. He was embarrassed that she was laughing at him.

"Pfft... I told you to let go of the bucket..." Elsie was now laughing so hard she was holding her belly and hunched over the sink trying to catch her breath. Charles was no longer embarrassed he was becoming increasingly angry.

" Well don't just stand there, please get me one of the towels next to you, I'm glad you find this all so funny."

This only made Elsie laugh even harder. "Oh...please... stop... you're making me...laugh even more. Relax Charles it's funny."

"How is it that my shoes getting ruined and my clothing getting all wet is so funny? It's a huge inconvenience!" Mrs. Hughes turned to look at Mr. Carson and as she did she slipped on the floor and fell right on her bottom.

"Ouch" Elsie snorted loudly and began hysterically laughing once again. The sight of her falling on her bum caused Mr. Carson to take in a big breath. Elsie heard for the first time the most endearing belly laugh she had ever heard escape from Charles. He gasped for air and desperately tried to speak but he couldn't find the words. Elsie's face was wrinkled so much from her smile reaching her ears. The giggles and gasps were the most beautiful sounds filling the the room. They were laughing as if they were going out of their minds.

Charles asked "Mrs. Hughes...are...You alright?...pfft..." There was no holding back, Charles lost control and allowed himself to laugh with all his soul. He began again..."Are...You...Ok...here let me...help you up..." He managed to gasp these words in between his giggles and snorts of laughter. He held out both his hands to her and she reached up and slowly began getting up still slipping on the floor beneath her as she tried to raise herself up steadying herself by holding on to his hands tightly. Charles couldn't take it , tears were falling from his eyes he was laughing so hard at the site before him. "Oh...My word...My stomach hurts...I...haven't laughed this much since...since ...I don't...remember..." At the realization of the words he just spoke Charles' laughter began to subside...Elsie was able to pull herself up with Mr. Carson's help...they were still giggling. Elsie's breathing steadied... She was still holding onto Mr. Carson's hands. She hurt her bum and all the laughing had made her a bit dizzy.

"I'm so sorry you got wet Mr. Carson, I shouldn't have been so stubborn." Now I've got quite a mess to clean up and the charity truck and Mrs. Crawley will be arriving soon." She smiled up at Charles while she shook her head at the sight before her. The back of her blouse and skirt were soaked and Charles was wet as well. His hair had gotten messy in the process. Elsie couldn't help but think how handsome the butler looked in his disheveled state.

" I'm sorry Mrs. Hughes I should have summoned one of the hall boys for you or not insisted I'd help. I just didn't want you to get hurt."

"Well, I did hurt my bum when I fell. I'll be soar later." Elsie sighed at the thought.

"You know, I really don't remember the last time I laughed so hard, I'm sorry you hurt yourself but I'm glad we had such a good laugh" another chuckle escaped him. "Thank you Elsie." It wasn't often they spoke each others first names and this made Elsie tightened her grip on his hands as a flush came over her. She felt a tingling sensation in her fingers. She cleared her throat and kept her gaze on their hands.

" Well, you're welcome Charles." They stood there for a few more seconds and Charles slowly let go of her hands. He hated the cold feeling that came over his palm as he let the tips of her fingers leave his. "Let's get this cleaned up, shall we?" Mr. Carson suggested.

"Thank you, I think that's a great idea." Elsie grabbed the towels and they both got on their hands and knees and began soaking up the water and squeezing it back into the buckets. The room was small making it difficult not to bump into each other. They were shoulder to shoulder. Both sneaking glances at the other. Elsie would let out a giggle when she thought about the look on Charles' face when he got wet and Charles chuckled when he heard Elsie giggle again.

"You have such a jolly laugh Mr. Carson. I wish we could hear it more often." Elsie leaned back on her legs bringing herself into a kneeling position as she made this shy confession. "I don't think I have ever heard you laugh like that."

"I haven't? Ever?" Mr. Carson was on his hands and knees staring at Elsie.

Mrs. Hughes let out a soft sigh as she swiped the loose hair from her forehead with the back if her hand..."No, you really haven't."

He stared at the housekeeper kneeling before him. She was so beautiful to him. There was no denying to himself any longer that his feelings for her were not only of friendship. He was only trying to help her, she was always reaching out and lending a helping hand to others after all. She was a fiery, stubborn woman. Charles smiled as he thought this to himself. Mr. Carson continued cleaning up the water when the last of the mess was cleaned up Charles helped Elsie soak the towels to save the laundry maids some work. They worked silently and diligently. Each one aware of the others presence and the effect they had on one another.

Mr. Carson wouldn't be fooling anyone if he admitted that nothing had changed between himself and Mrs. Hughes since their time spent together in London this past season. He was always fond of Mrs. Hughes and cherished their friendship dearly. Things had changed though since the day at the beach.

Mrs. Hughes always valued Mr. Carson as a good friend that she respected and cared for but she also felt the shift in their relationship and if she were honest it made her feel excited and nervous; sometimes even anxious. Mrs. Hughes was always a capable woman and Mr. Carson was always a gentleman and would never make Mrs. Hughes carry those buckets alone. However in the past he would have insisted a hall boy do the work; but now he runs to Elsie's aid himself and Mrs. Hughes had noticed.

"I want to apologize but if I have to be honest I'm not sorry one bit." Explained .

Charles was perplexed by her words. "I don't understand?"

"Well, I rather enjoyed that, hearing your laugh bellowing from you like that." Elsie chuckled again just thinking about It. Glancing down at her watch to avoid his gaze, being embarrassed he might notice her blushing, she noticed the time.

"Oh my, look at the time! I best get myself cleaned up Mrs. Crawley will be here shortly with the truck and volunteers."

Charles watched the selfless woman rush away. She was always ready to help others and this warmed his heart

TBC...

Reviews and comments would be greatly appreciated. I don't know what I'm doing but I thought I'd try another story.(slaps myself in the forehead)