"...dy Edith?" William asked as he woke up. She was sleeping with her head on the bed beside him. "Lady..."
"Hmn?" Edith said as she woke up. She looked at William and sat up. "William. You're awake."
"Am I back at Downton?"
"You are. How are you feeling?"
"Alright. Where is my father?"
"He's at home. He will be round this morning, he's just got been resting."
"Have you... been with me?"
"I have. I promised your father that you would not be alone for a moment."
"Thank you... my lady."
"I'm also looking after you as a nurse. It was part of the deal when we brought you here."
"Who arranged it my... lady?"
"The Duchess. It was not fair that you were stuck far away in Leeds."
"I wish to thank her."
"I will pass your thanks onto her. Now, last night you arrived in the dark and you have not been given a bath. I am able to bathe you, but if you would rather a maid, I can fetch someone."
"Can you ask Anna my lady? I would not hold you to such... low a standard."
"It is not low. You served our country, and now we are to serve you. I will ask for Anna."
"Thank you my lady," William said. Lady Edith called for Anna and she let Anna bathe William.
"What is it?" William asked as he saw that Anna was holding back tears.
"Has anyone told you?" She asked William as she lay his hand back onto his chest.
"Told me what?"
"How serious your injuries are?"
"Yes. I am glad that I am here... and back with everyone here."
"We are all glad that you are back as well William. I'm afraid now that I must clean your chest."
"Do what you need to. Just..."
"I will be as gentle as I can be William."
"Thank you," William said and Anna unbuttoned his shirt. She cleaned his wounded chest carefully and William was tired once she had finished.
"It's quite an injury."
"It's what is... killing me."
"Yes. Are you glad to be with everyone here? Even Thomas?" Anna said and William smiled.
"Maybe not... Thomas."
"Rest. Shall I fetch lady Edith?"
"Yes," William said and Anna stood up to leave. "But..." He said and she turned back to him. "Thank you. For doing this."
"It's my pleasure William. As a maid, I do this for the ladies of the house. For a hero of this house, I am only glad that you called for me," Anna said and William smiled.
"Will you visit me again? Before the end."
"Yes. I will."
"And can you send Daisy up?"
"Of course I will," Anna said, and she left him.
"Alright?" Lady Edith asked as she came in.
"Yes. You are all being so kind to me."
"Everyone cares about you William. even Lord Grantham."
"So I've heard my... my..."
"Have some water," Lady Edith said and she helped William to drink some water. "Better?"
"Much my lady."
"William," Lady Edith said as she sat on the side of his bed. "I would like to know something."
"Anything my lady."
"What happened? Captain Crawley was injured, but not as badly as you."
"There was a shell. It landed near us and..."
"Take your time," Lady Edith said as she took William's hand and he took a few deep breaths.
"I protected him. I took the impact and we fell back."
"You saved his life."
"And I lost mine."
"You're not dead yet William. And had you not jumped in-front of Captain Crawley, you would both be dying."
"Indeed. To my joy, that pleasure is mine alone."
"It is war sadly William, and none wants to see you go. However, when you both were missing, we started to fear that you were dead. The joy of this is that you get to say your goodbyes."
"You are very good at being the optimist Lady Edith. Thank you," William said and the clock chimed.
"It is time for your medication. Help to ease your pain."
"Yes, and I believe that I hear Daisy coming up the stairs."
"Your true love?"
"Yes my lady."
