"How on earth did you get loaded dice?" Thomas asked him furiously. Jimmy held in his hand red dice which were obviously loaded. As they walked down the streets of London since Lord Grantham and Tom Branson had let them go ahead and explore until dinner since they had a meeting of some sort to attend to. As they walked Jimmy had stopped abruptly and had his attention turned towards an alley where people gathered and watched a dice game unfold. Thomas knew Jimmy's gambling wheels were turning the moment he spotted his grin as he watched.

"…I found them," Jimmy replied. Thomas glared.

"Oh come on, Thomas. Just a couple of innocent games won't hurt. Just two, I promise."

"You don't know the meaning of "just two", Jimmy. You always go overboard. No we are not participating."

"Can we at least just watch, then?"

Thomas opened his mouth to protest until Jimmy gave him his sad puppy eyes that looked as if a waterfall could be released at any moment. Thomas hesitated then shook himself out of Jimmy's trance.

"No, we can't. We'll just get into trouble."

Jimmy quickly turned from his sad disappointed look to a look that struck Thomas right in the heart. His flirty look that he always gave Ivy but this time was addressed at him. He even went as far as to bob his eyebrows up and down to tease. Thomas was breath taken and gave in.

"Just. Two."

Jimmy immediately jumped up and down like a child about to get his favorite toy.

"Oh thank you, Thomas. I swear, nothing will get out of hand." Jimmy quickly took Thomas by the hand and rushed down the alley to where the game was all the while Thomas only stared at his hand. That was the only time they had really touched each other since they agreed on the truce.

They watched as the dice rolled between the players. A large pile of money was in between them and sweat poured from each man's brow. A great big man with a golden earing just rolled the winning roll and the much skinnier opponent fell to the ground in a sob. Thomas felt pitty for the man. That was probably his eating money.

"Ahaha," the big man laughed, "Anyone else up for a game?"

Thomas reached his hand up to cover Jimmy's mouth but Jimmy spoke too fast.

"He'd like too."

Thomas froze as everyone looked at him. Jimmy looked at him with an innocent smile as Thomas glared daggers.

"Just one game, Thomas," Jimmy said as he pulled out the red dice, "How about we get some good luck first."

Jimmy held his hand out to the woman wearing a blue dress next to him. She smiled and blew upon the dice. Jimmy winked at her and then handed them back to Thomas.

"Here you are. Now go!"

Jimmy pushed Thomas into the circle in front of the money. Thomas was starting to sweat already as he looked at the big man grin.

"I'll roll first," the man said as the game of fate began.

"Seven," Thomas yelled with excitement.

"Alright, Thomas," Jimmy yelled as he played the banjo next to the girl in blue. He was obviously trying to distract the crowd as Thomas continued to win. This was the final round that Thomas had to play to win everything and he had succeeded. After the first two, Thomas knew why Jimmy gambled. The feeling of winning was a very addicting feeling.

Jimmy and Thomas began to dance in victory until the big man yelled.

"One more roll," he called.

"Uh, guys," Thomas said, "You're broke! You've got nothing to bet with!"

Suddenly the big man threw a large rolled up parchment into the money pile.

"I have a map," he said.

"A map," Thomas said unimpressed but Jimmy jumped up from behind him.

"A map," he asked with child eyes. Thomas hated to admit it but he loved those eyes.

"Yes. A map of the wonders of the world."

"Oh my God! Can we have a look?"

Jimmy grabbed the map from the pile and opened it then brought it over to Thomas.

"Thomas, look!"

Thomas ignored him and Jimmy threw the map into his face and pointed.

"Look, El Dorado! The City of Gold. This could be our shot, Thomas!"

"Oh no, I'm not going on a treasure hunt when there is no proof this place even exists. We have enough now to just leave and go home."

Jimmy pouted.

"No don't you even do it, Jimmy!"

He tried every face he could manage and Thomas was doing all he could to deny Jimmy this wish. Truth be told he would give Jimmy El Dorado if Jimmy would only give him his heart.

Before Jimmy could give up the map was snatched out of their hands.

"I said one more roll. My map for your cash."

Jimmy smiled sweetly as Thomas who shook his head.

"Alright, you're on –"

"Not with your dice. This time we use mine." The big man pulled out dirty white dice. Thomas's heart sank as he looked up on the dice.

"Got a problem with that pretty boy?"

Thomas shook his head and place Jimmy's dice in his vest pocket and took the man's dice then faced Jimmy as he acted like he was only shanking the dice.

"I'm going to kill you."

Jimmy shrugged and walked over the woman in the blue dress and began to play once more. Thomas still couldn't believe that Jimmy was able to play both piano and banjo so well. Knocked out of his trance, Thomas decided to walk up to a woman in green and have her blow. He smiled a flirtatious as he could but she must have seen he didn't mean it since she just walked off. How could he attract women that he didn't want but women he tried to only walked away. He blew the dice himself then prayed to any god that could hear him it would be seven.

"Alright, show me seven."

He let go of the dice and it rolled. One dice landed on three and if it was possible the other just continued to turn. Thomas could practically hear both Jimmy's and his own heart beat as it twirled, twirled, and then, stopped. Thomas put his face over his eyes in fear as he heard the crowd's reaction. He peaked and saw a three and a four.

"Seven?"

"Alright, Thomas!"

Thomas jumped with joy at his first fair win. Jimmy completely ignored the money on the ground and ran right for the map. Thomas decided to collect his earnings as he congratulated the man on a good game. He knew this was just about enough to possibly get out of Downton and on his own. Even start his own business like he always wanted to…except it was going to be real things.

As he scooped up the money, Jimmy's dice rolled out of his pocket and onto the floor showing seven. Thomas's heart stopped as he realized that to be just his luck the moment the man realized they were loaded. Thomas quickly snatched them up and looked at Jimmy. Only one thing went through his mind and he hoped Jimmy understood which road he planned to take.

"You gave me loaded dice?"

Jimmy's expression immediately turned to hurt. Suddenly the police came running up to them and Thomas stopped them and pointed right to Jimmy.

"I'm innocent. He wanted me to play and I had no idea these were loaded. He forced me into this. Arrest him!"

"You dare accuse me," Jimmy walked up to him and then winked. Thomas felt releaved that Jimmy knew how to play along.

"He was the one who was cheating. I only noticed the game. He had the dice all along! Arrest him!"

Jimmy pushed Thomas and Thomas stumbled. He bumped into another police man and was surprised they didn't just snatch his arms.

They must think this is entertaining. Perhaps we really can get away!

"He tricked all these people and took their money from them," Jimmy cried out.

"Oh so I'm a thief."

"Yes!"

"Ha, what a joke!"

"You better come clean and admit my innocence or I'll…" Jimmy hesitated then pulled out the police's officer's pistol. Thomas froze in horror along with the crowd. Was Jimmy really playing along?

"Oh really," Thomas said trying to hid his fear, "You don't have the guts to pull the trigger."

Jimmy lowered the gun a little and shot the ground at Thomas's feet causing Thomas and the officer behind him to jump up and shriek. Thomas looked up at Jimmy and saw something in his eyes. Jimmy smiled.

"Run pretty boy."

Thomas did just that and ran through the crowd with Jimmy chasing after him. He turned every corner he could to loose Jimmy but Jimmy gained up each time. Suddenly he came up to a dark empty alley and he sat on the ground as Jimmy ran up. He closed his eyes and waited for Jimmy to shoot but all he heard was Jimmy laugh. A laugh he has never heard of. A laugh…of laugh of … happiness? Thomas opened his eyes to see Jimmy on the ground clutching his side with tears in his eyes. His laugh had gone a little high pitched which Thomas knew only meant Jimmy thought all this was hilarious. Jimmy's curl was messy hung across his eye. He looked at Thomas breathing as heavy as ever. Thomas smiled slitly then suddenly turned furious.

"What the fuck were you thinking, Jimmy!"

Jimmy flinched a little at Thomas's voice but the smile did not fade.

" We could've gotten killed, or worse, arrested."

Jimmy giggled.

"Your priorities are a little flopped."

"I'd rather die than the go to prison, Jimmy."

"Calm down. You pocketed a bit of the money as did I. We can get on the docks quickly and then go to America or something and start new."

Thomas almost protested until he began to think on Jimmy's words.

Did he just say we go to America together? NO! You idiot, don't fall for those signs again. They are not really there. He means us then part ways once we get there. You wouldn't mind that though.

Thomas nodded to his thoughts then looked at Jimmy who still had the bloody smile on his face. Thomas shook his head then laughed.

"Where did learn to act like that. You really had me believing you were going to kill me!"

"I took classes when I was thirteen and of course I was in the war so I know how to use a gun and aim."

"Just promise me one thing."

Jimmy raised his eyebrows.

"Never, use those crazy eyes on me EVER again."

Jimmy laughed and nodded in agreement.

They made their way to the docks, completely avoiding law enforcement. Now the only problem was how were they supposed to get onto the ship? Surely they could sweet talk a few people, but Jimmy obviously had other plans. Jimmy ran over to some barrels and opened the lids up.

"This is perfect," Jimmy says.

"No," Thomas said, "No, no, and no! I am not going to stow away on a ship."

"Thomas, we'll never get on one just walking aboard. Come on, no one will even notice two passangers aboard the ship."

"How do you even know they are going on the ship to America?"

"They all are, aren't they? Transporting tea or something like that. Besides these barrels are empty and sailors never check what's inside. They only check weight so come on!"

Jimmy swiftly climbed into one and pulled the lid on top. Thomas was just about to snatch the lid off and drag Jimmy out until the police came around the corner. Thomas quickly found an empty barrel next to Jimmy's and climbed into it.

"This is a stupid idea," Thomas whispered loudly to Jimmy when the police walked past.

"Come off it, Thomas. You'll thank me later."

"How far later?"

Before Jimmy could reply the barrels started move and were suddenly lifted up. Thomas froze as they were carried onto the ship. Thomas hoped they were on the right ship. He really didn't want to go anywhere else but America right now, and he REALLY hoped it wasn't a military ship. If it was, they would not hesitate to send them back to London to prison.

Once they were set down below in the cargo and the men left. Thomas breathed very loudly as he realized he was holding it in.

"Alright on the count of three we jump out and run up to the lower class.

"Alright," Jimmy repeated, obviously nervous.

"Okay, One, two, three!"

The lid did not budge.

"Again!"

Still nothing.

"Oh no," Jimmy said, "They must have put something on top!"

"Great," Thomas mumbled. He thought long and hard but no plan came to mind without them being thrown into prison. So they remained silent for a long while.

Thomas snapped his eyes open the moment he heard boots walk his way. He closed his eyes as he felt the heavy trunk ontop of them being lifted off.

Oh please don't open us, PLEASE don't open us!

Thomas's prayers were unheard as a man lifted his lid and gasped in horror.

"What the-" the man was interrupted by Thomas punching him in the nose.

He heard Jimmy's lid being lifted and saw Jimmy crawl out in worry.

"What did you do," Jimmy asked as Thomas crawled out.

"He saw me!"

"Come on, before another comes down!"

Jimmy and Thomas ran to the door and opened it. They both froze in fear as they saw a room full of sailors sitting at table's. They all looked at the two stowaways and smiled. Thomas gulped loudly and they were taken into custody and thrown into a locked stable next to a white horse. They must've thought they didn't even deserve to be with humans. Thomas crawled into the corner and began beating his head on the wall.

"What are you doing," Jimmy asked.

"Thinking of a plan."

Jimmy signed and looked at the horse next to them on the other side of the caged stable. He could tell that the horse was a trained horse by how neatly groomed and it's hair was tied in little buns along it's neck. Jimmy noticed that the horse's stable wasn't caged like theirs. Maybe this was actually a brig for them or for a violent animal. Jimmy sat on the ground hard and felt a large lump in his side as he did so. He opened his vest a little and spotted next to the map he grabbed was an apple he had snuck from house. It was small enough to go unnoticed.

Maybe I can give it to, Thomas. He must be furious with me. I got him into this mess. He'll never trust me again.

Jimmy began crawling over to Thomas who still continued to bang his head on the wall. Jimmy could see a small dent start to form on the wall. His eyes widened and he crawled closer.

"So, uhm.." he began, "How is.. the escape plan coming."

He managed a smile as Thomas stopped banging his head.

"Were the row boats guarded," Thomas asked.

Jimmy thought for a moment

"No, I don't think they were. The men who were supposed to were busy chatting."

"So we could probably snatch one and be on our way?"

"...maybe."

"Then lets do that," Thomas said.

"We'll sneak on deck late at night, snatch some supplies then row to Ireland!"

Jimmy raised an eyebrow as he saw Thomas's eye twitch.

"Ireland."

Thomas nodded.

"In a rowboat."

"Yup."

Jimmy looked down then up at Thomas.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Jimmy said, " So how do we get on deck?"

Thomas paused.

"You don't know do you?"

"I'm thinking."

Jimmy sighed then looked at the horse. Suddenly he had a plan.

"I have an idea."

Thomas looked at Jimmy at confusion as he went over to the horse.

He saw Jimmy hold up a small red apple and had the horse's full attention.

"Hey there, boy. Look what I have for you. You must be so hungry. I'll give it to you but you must do something for me."

"Jimmy."

" I need you to break down your stable door then come and break ours and this lovely apple is all yours. It's simple."

"Jimmy, you are talking to a horse. He doesn't understand."

Suddenly the horse toppled over his gate and came right over to theirs and knocked it down with a good swift kick.

Jimmy smiled victorious while Thomas's mouth hung open.

"There's a good boy. Come on Thomas."

Thomas quickly followed leaving the horse behind.

They tried to be as quiet as possible as they went along up to the deck of the ship. Thomas began to wonder if he was dreaming since they didn't run into a single soul as they ran through. Once on deck they quickly hopped onto one of the rowboats farthest away and began lowering. Suddenly the horse galloped up to them.

"What the hell," Thomas said in shock.

"What is he doing? What does he want now?

"Oh," Jimmy said, "He wants his apple. I forgot to give it to him."

"Here," Thomas took the apple. "Fetch!"

He threw the apple up to the horse, not even realizing that it went straight up instead of curving on deck to the horse. The horse still lost in it's apple trance followed the apple as it fell into the ocean water.

Hearing something drop into the water. Thomas and Jimmy looked at eachother curiously then saw the horse dive down.

"Oh no," Jimmy called out as he saw the horse struggle to swim, "we have to help him!"

Before Thomas could grab him, Jimmy jumped into the freezing water after the horse. Since there was only one person lowering the boat began falling down swiftly landing on the water hard. Thomas grabbed the oars and road the where the horse and Jimmy were. The horse tried to get on the boat and forced it to flip over leaving all three in the water right underneath. Thomas saw the rope and grabbed it and handed it to Jimmy.

"Here loop the rope under the horse and we'll flip it!"

"Alright," Jimmy breathed before diving under after Thomas.

Jimmy swam underneath the horse and far as he could and emerged and got up onto the boat along with Thomas.

"Ok, on the count of three, pull back on the rope!"

"Ok!"

"One, two, three!"

They pulled and flipped the boat as a giant wave caught them as the ship passed by. They both emerged on the side of the boat. Jimmy smiled as he saw the horse lying on it. Thomas shook his head as they climbed into the boat. He looked around and saw the oars were gone.

"Great, how are we supposed to row now!"

"Thomas, look on the positive side. At least things can't get-" Suddenly it began to rain and Thomas looked at Jimmy who frowned.

"I'm sorry, but were you perhaps going to say "worse"?"

"No, of course not," Jimmy said, "The complete oppostite actually."

"better?"

"...no."

Thomas put his face in his hands as it rained. How could things get worse for them now?

Huh? Huh? What do you think? I apologize for anything that isn't accurate for this time period. Since El Dorado is a cartoon it is incredibly hard to make it accurate in the 1920s such as guns on british police or the horse hair :P even the ship in general. I've googled and googled and found zip on what I was looking for so I just decided to make this ship special, Okay? If you can help me clean it up to make it accurate then that would be fantastic and I would appreciate it A LOT! This is my first fic PERIOD so I'm new to the whole writing process but DAMN this was hard. I respect EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU for writing your amazing fics! :)