Thomas has humbled during his years at Downton. Nobody can pinpoint the exact moment he showed complete kindness. No-one knew why he changed exactly, except Thomas. He knew why he changed. For baby Sybil. He felt he needed to be kind, for this child. He felt an overwhelming need to protect Baby Sybil. Much like Carson had for Mary (and still does).
You would not see people hating Thomas' change in attitude, they merely questioned it. They were, to put it simply, confused. Though they admittedly liked the new Thomas. He helped people when need be, he offered up compliments and smiled often. He put an end to his scheming, and readily apologized to Daisy for how he once had treated her. He made friends with Bates, and they shared daily morning chats.
One person, however, he had yet to make amends with. Ms. O'Brien. Thomas told himself every morning that today he'd do it. He'd apologize to Sarah. He'd get his friend back.
But he always backed out last minute. Scared of rejection, of being laughed at, being put aside. Thomas promised himself, that he would make contact with her at the least. That never worked.
Thomas put more effort into his work than ever before. He did nearly everything Carson did. He was under-butler after all. He also did what he was asked, in hopes of getting on Carson's good side. Especially since Carson didn't appreciate Thomas fully (for reasons that I'm sure you are aware of). Thomas was finally accepted at Downton.
Downton was Thomas' home. Nothing would change that. Not even his previous hatred of nearly all that resided there. He could not leave Downton, and he would not. As his dalliance in the black market had proved. No, Thomas would never leave Downton. Not even if the person who simultaneously broke his heart and nearly had him fired was there too. Not even if he still loved this person to the point where it physically hurt. No. Thomas loved Downton. And he wouldn't leave. Especially now that he had a reason to stay. Baby Sybil.
But that is not important right now.
What is important, is that even though Thomas has become kinder (even to the new housemaid Jimmy seems to have taken a liking to), the staff of Downton know not to cross him. For they know what he has done and is capable of doing.
Well, nearly everyone knew. The new housemaid did not know. The Downton staff had a policy of not re-visiting past incidents (Most likely because of Ethel's fall from grace or Mr. Carson denying them the chance to even think of such things). Yes, the new housemaid had not been informed of Thomas' former ways.. But then neither had Jimmy or Alfred. They both hadn't a clue of Thomas and O'Brien having previously been as thick as thieves. New comers would just suspect something sparked a mutual disliking between them. Little did they know it was Alfred's arrival and Thomas' refusal to teach him the ropes. But that's all in the past now. Done and dusted. And though the feud is over, tension still remains between Thomas and O'Brien. However, Thomas wishes the tension away, so that he may freely approach O'Brien without receiving a reproachful look and without feeling the need to turn and run. Some day he'll work up the courage. Some day. Not today, not tomorrow and certainly not the day after, but some day.
It did take Thomas a year and an unnecessary beating to ask forgiveness from Jimmy. But then again, Jimmy came to him first. Maybe if O'Brien took the first step. But that would not show much initiative on Thomas' part. He doesn't want that. He doesn't want to give O'Brien the satisfaction of being the bigger person. No. He cannot allow that to happen.
O'Brien was Thomas' only friend in his early years at Downton. Multiple days of smoking in the courtyard would turn into friendly chats. Thomas would not only go outside for a smoke and to get away from some of the staff, but to have a friendly chat with O'Brien. This would turn into a heated discussion on their shared disapproval of much of the staff. They plotted and schemed there. But now Thomas smoked mainly in the servants' hall, as to avoid confrontation. Occasionally he would sneak outside for a quick smoke, but only at night. Jimmy would join him sometimes, but not often, to keep Thomas company. It wasn't the same. Jimmy didn't smoke. It just was not the same. Albeit, he did enjoy Jimmy's presence.
Jimmy couldn't understand Thomas' need to smoke outside, or smoke at all.
Thomas did not understand Jimmy's infatuation with the new housemaid. He silently protested from the side, but did not let Jimmy know. As mentioned before, he was a kinder person, even to the new housemaid. His reasons for being kind to the new housemaid (whose name is Ella, if you were wondering) were few. One being for Jimmy. The other being for baby Sybil (still not important).
Thomas was most definitely drawn to Jimmy. Jimmy was not drawn to Thomas. Thomas decided that he would be likely to never find love. Not since all possible romances crumbled over and left Thomas slightly emotional after. "Slightly" is an understatement. A major understatement.
Thomas is drawn to Jimmy. He would openly admit it if necessary. Jimmy knows Thomas is attracted to him. He uses this to his benefit. Thomas knows that Jimmy uses his fixation against him. He's okay with it. To Thomas, it only means that Jimmy is pushing all the right buttons. He likes the attention he receives from Jimmy when he is in need of a favour. Which is more often than you would care to think. Jimmy would not thrive without Thomas. Jimmy is aware of this. But will not admit to it.
Not much has happened at Downton in the last year, apart from Thomas' attitude change. And Jimmy's recent and very apparent need to avoid Thomas when he can. This hurts Thomas more than he'd care to admit. Daisy has become particularly aware of this. Everyone else brushes it off. But not Daisy. She cares, and she sees that Thomas is distressed by Jimmy's actions.
So Daisy addresses Thomas on the matter. She waits until everyone else has gone up to bed, and Thomas is headed out for a smoke. "Mr. Barrow, may I speak with you?" she asks. Thomas, having already turned around at the mention of his name, nods. Daisy sits herself on the chair nearest to her, and signals Thomas to sit on the chair in front of her. Thomas is hesitant in moving, but slowly sits down before Daisy. "What's this all about then?" he mutters, taking his cigarette packet from his pocket, along with a lighter. Daisy takes a moment to think about how to say what needs to be said. Thomas, growing impatient, takes a drag from his now lit cigarette.
"Mr. Barrow, I- I'm not quite sure how to say this. Uh, I 'spose I'll start with; Are you okay?"
Thomas almost laughs, and lets the smoke pour out of his mouth, "Of course I'm 'okay', Daisy. What a silly question." He replies.
Daisy frowns and waves the smoke out of her face. "I am asking this 'silly question', because no-one else will. I know how upset you are. I can see it. Jimmy is being cruel, Thomas, avoiding you so suddenly."
Thomas stops her before she can go on. He stands from the chair and extinguishes his cigarette. "That's Mr. Barrow to you, and I would rather not discuss the topic of Jimmy. I am not upset, nor do I intend on being so. Good night, Daisy", and with that Thomas charges out of the servants' hall and up to the attics, leaving Daisy with an exasperated look on her face.
No matter, she'll try again tomorrow, or perhaps have Anna help her.