Ewan watched from the window as Georgia climbed into the car. How had things gotten so out of hand? He placed his hands in his trouser pockets as he watched the taillights of the car vanish.

Her husband had been a lucky man to have her love. They had set the terms from the beginning and it had been just a dalliance and yearly retreat into the world of the living. Many people expected him to marry a person in his social set. One who had been groomed to be the wife of a wealthy man but he would have married her in an instant if she would have had him and loved him like she did her husband.

He had never met a more giving or selfless person in his life.  What she had done for him was more than anyone, apart from his military unit, had ever done.  She had sacrificed her reputation and career so that he could keep his and in return he had had to fire her. Technically she had quit, but he didn't insist that she stay.

Just then there was a brief knock at the door and Craig entered. "She's gone sir. I apologize for the embarrassment of the situation. I never would have expected Ms. Dawson to act that way, even when she mentioned that her time with us was up and Ms. Diana was ready for her to leave. I should have expected her to be like all of the others. I'm guessing that once she saw that her time with us was finished she decided it was time to force your hand."

Ewan schooled his face into his regular mask. "Force my hand?"

"Yes." Craig cleared his throat. "The affair that you two have been having. I'm guessing that she wanted to force you to bring it into the open in hopes that you would admit to having the same feelings for her that she does for you."

Ewan turned to look at Craig with a level stare. How could this man see so much but not see the truth. Craig eventually started to fidget under his unwavering inspection.

"What's going on with Diana? She seemed pleased to be able to fire Ms. Dawson," Ewan asked in an attempt to keep himself from setting the record straight.

"It seems we forgot about Molly." Craig cleared his throat, a sure sign of guilt.

Ewan cursed himself silently. That's what she had meant by finding a wife and crushing a few dreams. It made sense now. He had promised her he would deal with it and he hadn't and now he was sending her back to deal with Molly on her own.

That he could rectify.

He couldn't take back the cruel things he had said to her in the last week, for which he still felt guilt, but he could protect her from Molly.  He had hated every word he had said to Diana that morning but he had had to get a point across to her, and it had proven how well Georgia knew him when she had said she knew that he wasn't having an affair with Gwen. Gwen he trusted with business secrets but she was less than discreet in her private affairs.

"We have to return home."

"Now, people will think-,"

"Now, Craig."

"There is just one other thing. Molly has had a timely accident and hurt her ankle. She cannot be fired, for the time being."

This time Ewan did curse aloud as he walked to the doors of the library and threw them open. "She was right, she is a dangerous woman."

Craig was hot on his heels "I'll get a car," he said, knowing there was no point in trying to talk him out of it.

*******

Georgia had managed to get a late flight back to New York and, since she had few worldly goods, packing only took her a short time.

The news of what had happened had traveled fast and when she arrived back at the house there was a silence from the limited staff that saw to her needs. She needed to go down and thank Ms. Levitt, Mrs. Charles, and Ruth for all of the help that they had given to her over the years and she was not overly eager to do it. She had put it off as long as she could but now that she was packed, it was time.

She had changed into her jeans and an old sweater. She was no longer representing anyone but herself so she could at least travel comfortably. She picked up her long raincoat and looked around the room one last time.  It had been a good five years.

Slowly, she made her way down to the kitchen where all of the staff had congregated to discuss the happenings of the evening.  Molly was sitting center stage and had been talking when she entered the kitchen. At Georgia's appearance all talking ceased and an uncomfortable silence filled the air.

Georgia looked around and most of the staff would not meet her eye but Ms. Levitt, Ruth and the House Keeper, Mrs. Charles, all had kind smiles on their faces.

"Hello everyone, I just wanted to come and say goodbye and to thank you for all of your help over the last five years."

Molly snorted into her coffee cup and every one ignored her.

"Can I make you something to eat before you leave?" Ms. Levitt asked.

"No thank you Ms. Levitt, I'm not very hungry, but I appreciate the offer." Georgia gave a soft smile.

Molly shook her head.

Just then Mr. Charles the chauffeur entered the kitchen.

Georgia turned to him with a smile. "Hello Mr. Charles, my bags are all packed can you help me with them. I'll call a taxi to come and get me but the bags are rather heavy."

Molly said something under her breath.

"Molly, if you or any of the staff have anything to say about me I would appreciate it being said to me and not behind me or into the bottom of a coffee cup," Georgia said finally, having had enough of her little asides.

"I just think it's a bit highhanded of you to come down and say goodbye to the staff as if you are the lady of the manor taking her leave, and I can't believe that you then have the nerve to ask the staff to help you leave.

Georgia debated whether she should comment.  She couldn't decide if it was worth it or not. She looked at Molly and, not for the first time, wondered what made her tick.

"You're leaving a disgrace. You've gone and done the very thing you warned me not to do.  You have been fired for thinking that you stood a chance with the boss.  What on earth were you thinking when you kissed him in front of all those people this evening? Did you actually think that he would declare his undying love and sweep you off your feet?" Molly looked at her with pity and disgust in her eyes.

The disgust didn't bother her but the pity sent her a little over the edge.

"I'm have come to say goodbye to co-workers that I respect and have valued over the years that I have worked here. I ask for help because my bags are heavy and I need help. It's as simple as that; as for the rest, I don't owe you are anyone an explanation."

Georgia stared Molly down.

"I think Ms. Diana would like me to check your bags before you leave, just to make sure everything there is really yours." Molly rose but the scraping of the chair on the wood floor didn't cover the gasps from the staff at her audacity.

Georgia watched as Molly started walking across the floor with no evidence of a limp.

"You've been thorough my room enough to know it contents that's for sure." Georgia couldn't resist. Molly turned and started to walk towards her, her face bright red as if she was going to hit her.

"Why Molly, your ankle, it's a miracle, it's healed, you're no longer limping." Georgia looked pointedly at her feet which were both planted firmly on the ground.

"Is there a problem here?" Ewan asked, standing in the doorway of the kitchen.

How long he had been there she couldn't say and by the looks on the rest of the staff's faces she would say they weren't to sure as well. He looked so handsome, he was still wearing his tuxedo but his raincoat was covering most of it. He looked like thunder as he regarded the staff.

Craig was standing behind him, quietly watching the scene unfold.

"Georgia?" he asked, looking at her.

Georgia's heart contracted a little at his use of her first name. He was letting them know, simply, that it was personal between them without explanations or apologies. But just how personal was between them.

He turned to look at Molly. "Ms.... I'm sorry I don't know your name?" he said to Molly.

"Ms. Harold," Molly said in barely a whisper.

"I didn't hear you child." He was giving her his most lethal stare.

Molly finally found her backbone. "Ms. Harold and I was just looking out for your best interest sir. A few weeks ago you expressed your doubts about Ms. Dawson and I was just-"

Georgia watched as all expression left his face and he went completely cold.  He didn't like what Molly had to say and when he went completely cold and tensed his jaw she knew it was no good. He would blow. He took a step towards Molly and the poor girl actually took a step back in fear.

"Ewan," Georgia said softly as she placed her hand on his arm. There was a gasp from someone but she didn't turn to see who it was. Not only had she called him by his given name but she had touched him. Something that was not allowed under any circumstances.

The coldness didn't leave his face as he looked down at her.

"I told you all was forgiven," she said softly.

"Charles, you will help Ms. Dawson with her bags and drive her to the airport. Ms. Harold you will pack your bags and vacate the premises as soon as possible, but before you leave you will see Mr. Parks so that he may search your things to make sure that you have not taken anything."

His eyes never left Georgia's as he spoke and Georgia couldn't help the small smile that played on her lips. He saw it and there was a matching spark of amusement in his eyes.

"Goodbye Ms. Dawson." She could sense a sadness in him, it was the sadness of having to say goodbye to a friend. She wanted to make him laugh one last time.

"Goodbye Mr. Mailler." She rose on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "I think everyone is going to have a heart attack with your break in protocol. You might want to get a new worker's comp plan."

He didn't laugh but her did give a small smile and shook his head. "You're incorrigible." He stepped away and gave the staff one last warning glance. "This subject is closed."

Then he turned and walked out of Georgia's life one more time.