A/N: Hello again. I decided to try to write about Charles and Elsie prior to Series 1, as I have never done so before. Therefore, this fic begins with Elsie arriving at Downton as Head Housemaid. We'll follow her path to Housekeeper. However, a few of you have asked me to continue with 'Stuck with you' and therefore I am going to try to combine both and give some little glimpses of Charles and Elsie's retired life, as well as their early years working together. The 'Now' will follow on from my epilogue in 'Stuck with you' and the 'Then' will be pre-Series 1. I'll post as regularly as possible and, as always, this will be a gentle little fic, hopefully pretty much in character. Hope you enjoy this opener. As always, reviews are very much appreciated x

Chapter 1

Then …

"I'll carry it myself thank you very much and no more of your flannel!" Elsie said, voice raised as she grasped her case from the young footman.

"I was only trying to help. No need to get your knickers in a twist!" he replied.

"And what may I ask is going on in here?" the deep voiced Butler boomed, as he entered the Servants Hall.

"I am getting shouted at for being kind that is what is going on!" the affronted young man gasped.

"You are being shouted at for flirting like a randy young colt with a senior member of staff, so be off with you before you really feel my wrath," she replied defiantly.

"My senior? Hardly!" he responded.

Mr Carson thought it wise to step in at this point. He assumed this diminutive Scottish firecracker must be Elsie Hughes, the new Head Housemaid. However, he was as surprised as the young footman by her youth. He was expecting someone much older. He had not interfered at all with Mrs Cooper's appointment of this woman, leaving the selection of the female staff to the Housekeeper and Lady Grantham. Yet he knew that the woman they had chosen, with the impeccable references from Lord Dunne and an impressive service record in several grand households, was to be groomed as the next Housekeeper. Mrs Cooper planned to retire in the next few years. The Butler had presumed the new Head Housemaid would be at least the same age as him, he was still fairly young to be the Butler of such a large estate. However, she appeared even younger. She also appeared to have a vivid temper, not something Mr Carson welcomed at the Abbey. Although it was probably justified in this case; the Butler knew that Peter fancied himself as Downton's Romeo.

"Elsie Hughes I presume?" the Butler asked formally.

Elsie drew her glare away from the young footman and took a deep breath, steadying herself. She looked towards the imposing Butler, seeing him properly for the first time. She noted his solemn demeanour and lack of a smile. She cringed inwardly, annoyed that the first impression she had given to the Head of Staff was far from glowing. However, she did not regret putting this young cad firmly in his place, he was far too full of himself for her liking. Telling me I have a pretty figure indeed! I'll horsewhip him if he ever says such a thing again, she reasoned. Elsie offered a measured smile towards the Butler, knowing that if all went well, she may eventually work alongside him as Housekeeper, a thought that made the farm girl from Argyll very proud.

"Yes indeed, it is good to finally meet you Mr Carson," she replied politely, surprising the Butler by already knowing his name.

He gave her a small nod of the head, then turned back to the footman. Still no smile, Elsie thought.

"Peter, Elsie is our new Head Housemaid, and as such is your senior. Therefore, you will be respectful and professional at all times, as is expected by all staff under my charge," the Butler said firmly.

The young man looked suitably chastened. Certainly, as he was only third footman, the Head Housemaid did outrank him, if only just. He turned to Elsie, his mouth slightly ajar. He had previously heard Mr Carson and Mrs Cooper talking about Elsie Hughes. This is the woman who may one day be our Housekeeper? She doesn't look anything like Mrs Cooper! He thought in amazement, thinking about the rotund, homely Housekeeper. His thoughts were interrupted by the deliberate cough of the Butler.

"Yes, yes of course. I apologise for any offence I may have caused Elsie. I didn't realise … I mean to say … I thought you must be …" he stumbled.

"Apology accepted Peter, now let's hear no more about this," she said, deciding it best not to prolong his agony.

The footman nodded respectfully and scurried out of the Servant's Hall, leaving Mr Carson and Elsie standing alone in the room.

"Peter can be a little enthusiastic … please do let me know if he should cause you any further concern, such behaviour will to be tolerated at Downton," the Butler offered soberly.

"Oh I am sure he'll be fine Mr Carson but if not, I won't need any help. I could eat the likes of him for breakfast," she replied seriously, as the Butler looked startled by her candour, and her sentiment.

"Now, if you'll excuse me Mr Carson, I must report to Mrs Cooper. I would like to begin my work as soon as possible," she added pleasantly.

The Butler nodded silently, words alluding him. Eat the likes of him for breakfast! He thought disbelievingly, as he watched Elsie Hughes walk purposefully out of the door with her small suitcase in hand. This is going to be interesting, he concluded, his mouth gaping wide as he stared at the now empty doorway.

######

Now …

Charles gently brushed a strand of Elsie's hair back from her face, as she cuddled into his side. They both lay in bed, enjoying a lazy start to the day. She placed a reverent kiss to his chest as he breathed contentedly, his hands leisurely tracing circles on her back, through her nightgown.

"I really think I am going to win this time Elsie, in fact I am sure of it," he said seriously, as he kissed her hair.

"You've got no chance my love, I'll eat you for breakfast and you know it!" she giggled.

Charles had decided they should play another game of chess, declaring that this time he was going to trounce her. They both knew this was unlikely, he had only won one or two games in over a year of marriage but he decided that today he was feeling lucky! As his wife spoke, he smiled to himself, both at her loving teasing and a fond memory of a time long ago when she had used that same phrase; her first day at Downton. He had not known it at the time but that day would prove to be one of the most important days of his life.

"Well you never know Elsie, god loves a trier. But before I beat you at chess, I promised to go and help Bill put up some new shelving … apparently Beryl needs more storage space for her all of her things," he explained.

Elsie smiled to herself; it made her heart sing to see her best friend so happy. Beryl and Bill Mason had been married for six months. Their fondness for each other was clear as they both settled into the routine of married life. The foursome met for dinner at least once a week and to Elsie and Beryl's delight, despite very different characters, Bill and Charles got on very well.

"That will be a lovely surprise for Beryl when she returns from her sisters tomorrow," Elsie smiled, snuggling closer against her husband and smoothing her fingers back and forth across his chest, slipping a hand inside his pyjama top. Her husband purred with pleasure.

"Yes, that's Bill … full of surprises!" Charles joked, leaning over his wife and tickling her sides.

Elsie squirmed and laughed, wrapping her arms around Charles's neck to draw him closer. Her husband knew exactly where her most ticklish spots were and he always used this knowledge to his advantage. She shrieked happily.

"And what about my lovely husband? Does he have any surprises for me?" she flirted, kissing the tip of his nose as she enjoyed the weight of Charles resting on top of her.

"Oh yes … and your surprise will be much better than some old shelves," he grinned, as he began to kiss his wife slowly and devotedly, eliciting the most beautiful murmurs from her.

"Mmm … maybe I'll let you win at chess after all," she smiled against his lips, sliding her hand downwards to cheekily pinch her husband's bottom.

"Umm ... my little Scottish firecracker!" he rumbled.