Synopsis: set a year after the Christmas special. Thomas and Jimmy have grown very close, and are now very dear friends. A Marquis arrives in Downton, how will his arrival affect Thomas and Jimmy's relationship?

Enjoy and please review! Love and constructive criticism welcomed.

Love XO

CHAPTER 1

"I still can't believe Mr. Carson agreed for us to go to the fair next week."

"Well, he didn't, at first, but Mrs. Hughes made a very good case, so he changed his mind."

"What did she say?"

Thomas looked at Jimmy with mild humor, "you are such a gossip James."

"I am not!" he defended himself with a smile, knowing all to well, what a lie that was, "I am just curious."

Thomas laughed, "No, you are a gossip."

"Come on now Thomas! We are friends are we not?"

"Mr. Barrow," Thomas reminded him, "and yes we are, but that …"
"I am sorry, I forgot, no first names upstairs, but you still have to tell me."

"Why are you so curious about them anyway?'

"I don't know, just curious to know, what could Mrs. Hughes possibly say to change Mr. Carson's mind."

"She said nothing spectacular, just pointed out that everyone needs some cheering, that's all. Ever since Mr. Crawley died, this house hasn't seen much happiness."

"That is true, but I never thought Mr. Carson would agree, especially since we have a Marquis visiting Downton."

"Yes well, he is also not coming in good humor is he? Poor chap, his wife was killed a few months ago."

"I did not know that."

"Yes, well you ought to read the newspaper once in a while, you know, then you'll know everything."

"You know I hate those things, always the carriers of bad news, this person died, this person got killed, protests, politics, all of it."

"You talk as if, you not reading it, makes it all not real."

"Well it makes it not real to me Mr. Barrow." Jimmy said with a smile.

"You are a weird man Mr. Kent."

"You love me anyway Mr. Barrow."

Thomas looked at him, as awkward silence descended between them; Jimmy cursed himself for taking it too far.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean it that way… I mean as friends. You are my best friend here really… I am so sorry."

"It's fine James, I know what you meant, and there, the clock is fixed."

"Thank you, " Jimmy said with a smile.

"It's alright, you know I love clocks anyway."

"No not for the clock, but for forgiving me, I can be really be daft sometimes, I just …"

"I won't protest that, but it's okay, we all love our friends for who they are, no matter how daft," he said with his trademark smirk, making Jimmy laugh and putting an end to the awkward moment they shared, "now, we must go, the Marquis must be arriving anytime now."

Thomas looked around slightly amused at how serious everyone was about a man visiting Downton. He understood social rank, and its importance; he had been born and brought up in Britain after all. But still he never quite understood, how someone became important, not because of any achievement of his own, but because of pure luck of being born into it. He looked at Alfred, who was nervous, and fidgety beside Jimmy. He recalled the fascination, with which Alfred had talked about the arrival of the Marquis of Milford; he himself had been fascinated like that once. He had been curious to know about these great men and women. But now ten years, and a war later, this had no charm for him. The Marquis was just another man, a man he had to serve and serve him in the best way possible, but still just a man.

He looked at Jimmy, who was calm and collected, he admired that. Jimmy looked back at him for a second and smiled, Thomas smiled back before turning to look at the car that had stopped in front of Downton.

Thomas looked blankly at the car door opening, the Marquis stepped, out with a cane, he was soon hidden behind Alfred, who was standing in Thomas line of sight like a giant that he was. Lord Grantham and the Marquis were chatting away, maybe talking about the driveway, with the way Lord Grantham was pointing at it. He resisted yawning as he started staring mindlessly at spot, bored and irritated by how cold and windy it was.

"Meet Carson, the butler, and the oil that keeps Downton running smoothly," he heard The Lord saying when he turned his attention to the men that were now standing in front of them, on their way inside the house. His breath quickened as he finally laid his eyes on the Marquis, who was smiling at Mr. Carson. He could feel his cheeks getting warm, as his eyes travelled down the Marquis's body, liking what he saw, and wondering what it would be like without clothes. Thomas tried suppressing a smile of appreciation for him. When he heard his name being taken. He looked at Mr. Carson, and then back at the Marquis, who was now smiling at him.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Barrow, I hope I am not much of a trouble for you."

"Not at all my lord," he replied, as an uncontrollable smile spread across his face, "it will be my honor."

The party went inside, after their little interaction, but Thomas couldn't stop staring at him, as he walked inside, his eyes quickly glanced at the Marquis's derriere, which he regretted, as it just made him blush more.

"Right," Mr. Carson said in his usual authoritative tone, effectively breaking Thomas's spell, "James, Alfred, carry his Lordships bags to his room, Thomas supervise them, and make sure everything reaches the room safely."

Thomas nodded and started walking towards the car, when Jimmy whispered to him, "I don't understand the allure of the rank huh? For someone who doesn't care, you sure as well couldn't take your eyes off of him."

Thomas felt himself blushed as he stopped and turned towards Jimmy, embarrassed to even imagine that someone else, even if that someone was a friend, had noticed his girlish behavior.

"I don't know what you mean," Thomas answered, trying to deny it all.

"Oh, you know what I mean," Jimmy answered with a cheeky smile.

"Mind your own business James," he said, trying not to smile, "and go fetch his bags and bring them to his room, with Alfred."

Jimmy smiled, "as you say Mr. Barrow."

Thomas tried to keep a straight face as he unbuttoned the Marquis's shirt. With each button, he felt more and more excited, like he was opening a present. His eyes marveled at the Marquis's distinct collarbones, his shapely chest, his torso, he took a long breath and tried thinking about Mrs. Patmore, in an attempt to control himself. It had been so long since he had seen a man naked, and that man being a handsome Marquis, just made it more difficult for him to stop himself from staring at his abdomen, for a second longer than appropriate.

The Marquis cleared his throat, clearly noticing his gaze.

"Uh- I am sorry my Lord, I just…"

"It's fine, the scar warrant staring I guess… I don't think I would have been able to help myself from staring if I were you."

Thomas's gaze went to the scar the Marquis had on his abdomen, he had not noticed it, he was far too busy marveling at other things, but now that he had, he couldn't take his eyes off. The scar was a ghastly one.

The Marquis touched the scar, a look of self-loathing replaced the confident demeanor he had moments ago, "those bastards, left me a mark to remember that night forever…" he said with a pained expression on his face.

Thomas looked at the Marquis's face, moved by the sadness he saw, "I know about scars," he said, taking off his glove, and letting the Marquis look at his disfigured hand, "a souvenir of the war, not that I needed one. This thing reminds me everyday, of the horrors of those two years of my life."

Thomas looked into his eyes, both sharing a moment of understanding.

"Its nice to meet someone, who understands what's it's like to be reminded of your darkest hour everyday. Who might understand the loathing I feel of my own self," the marquis said finally.

Thomas just stared at him, taking a few seconds trying to think of the right words to say, "I hated this scar," he finally said, "this disfiguration, for a long time. Until I was made to realize, by a dear friend, that this scar is not a reminder of my darkest hour, but a reminder that I was able to survive through it all. It reminds me to be brave, and to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark it gets…"

The marquis smiled at him, "I never saw it that way."

"I didn't either, it took months of convincing, for me to see it that way. I just wish someone would have told me this sooner, would have saved me years of self-loathing." He said, looking away from the piercing brown eyes of the marquis, and focusing it on his hand, as he wore his glove again.

"What is your name?" the marquis asked, still staring searchingly at Thomas.

"Barrow sir," he said walking away to fetch the dinner shirt that he had hanged on the chair.

"No," the marquis said, his gaze following Thomas, "I meant your first name."

Thomas looked at the Marquis, stunned for a second at the request.

"My first name my lord?" he asked again, unable to believe his ears, as he made his way back to the marquis.

"Yes, your first name." he smiled, as his let Thomas put his shirt on, "what is it?" he asked again, leaning towards him as Thomas buttoned his shirt, " Come on, don't tell me you are traditional, and are horrified at the thought of a Marquis daring to be so intimate and asking you for your first name."

Thomas couldn't help but smile as he went to fetch his cufflinks, "it is not like that my lord…"

"So tell me, I think I deserve to know the name of the wise man that gave me such helpful insight," he teased, " What is it? Charlie?" he guessed, "No you don't look like a Charlie, Jack maybe? Harry? John? No John is too tasteless for you, I have a feeling your name is something more exciting than, just plain John."

Thomas blushed as he helped the Marquis into his jacket, "It's Thomas," he said finally.

"Ah! Thomas," the Marquis turned to him with a smile, "It suits you."

They stared into each other's eyes before the Marquis leaned in just an inch, "well, Thomas," he said, " I am Louis."

Thomas mouth fell open at the intimacy of it all, " I –"

"No," Louis interrupted him, "someone who was kind to me, without pitying me for my scars, and who instead gave honest advice, he deserves to call me by my name, at least when we are alone."

Thomas looked down feeling shy at the honor, "I couldn't possibly."

"I'm not changing my mind," Louis said, stopping Thomas from making excuses, "Thomas you are going to help me put my clothes on for however I stay here, and you have already given me friendly advice, you might as well call me by my first name. Please, I insist, from now on it's Louis for you."

Thomas looked at him, and finally nodded, "Yes, Louis."

"That's better, Thomas. "

Thomas sighed, loving the quiet after a bustling day of work. He blushed as he thought about his interaction with Louis earlier in the evening. His heart raced, as he remembered his teasing smile, and his warm eyes. He closed his eyes, breathing in the crisp cold air, as his body warmed up at the thought of Louis's naked chest.

"What is the matter?"

Thomas almost shrieked at the sudden intrusion, "Has no one told you, not to walk up behind people?!" he asked, trying to catch his breath.

"They have, but scaring people is much to fun," Jimmy replied with a smile, as he stood beside Thomas, "now what is wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, why should anything be wrong?"

"You only come out here when something is wrong and you don't want anyone around you."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I know that. I know you very well Thomas Barrow, now tell me."

"Its nothing, I just wanted to get away from you," Thomas replied, "because I loath you."

"Fine don't tell me," Jimmy replied, " and I won't tell you something fun about Alfred."

Thomas narrowed his eyes, "its Alfred, you really want me to believe that Alfred could have anything fun about him?"

Jimmy laughed, "its serious."

"It not, I'm sure he has just fallen in love with the new maid."

Jimmy laughed, "How did you know?"

Thomas pulled out a cigarette for himself and offered the pack to Jimmy who took one, "because…" he said pausing to light his cigarette, "he falls in love more times than Mr. Carson cleans the silver."

Jimmy laughed in agreement.

"You should tell him, if he fancies himself in love so many times, he won't really realize when he has actually fallen in love." Thomas said as he lit Jimmy's cigarette.

Jimmy took a drag before answering, "who is to say it is not love every one of those times?"

Thomas smirked at the comment.

"I happen to think it's brave," Jimmy replied.

"Please tell me you are being sarcastic."

"No, it's true, it takes courage to love, and more importantly, it takes courage to convey one's feelings. No matter how many times he falls in love, he does have the courage to express himself," he said looking at Thomas's profile with a pensive gaze.

Thomas himself reflected on the thought, for a second before nodding, "You do have a point", he agreed finally, looking straight at the darkness, "to love is a brave thing."

"It is, repeated Jimmy, he looked away from Thomas before continuing, "I hope someday, I have the courage too."

Thomas looked at him curiously, "to fall in love? Or to express it?"

"Both."

"Both? My, my Mr. Kent, seeing you flirt with all those maids, one would think you are the master of love and its expression."

Jimmy smiled and he started to blush, "that," he replied, "means nothing more than what it is, flirting. Don't let it fool you, I haven't found the right person to set my cap for."

"Hmm… yes you must be waiting for the fairest girl of them all," Thomas said, mocking him.

"So are you finally going to tell me why you were here?" Jimmy asked again, changing the topic.

It was Thomas's turn to turn red, "Oh! It was just a moment, the marquis and me had."

"What happened?"

"Well…" Thomas said, "I was unbuttoning his shirt… and I was lost for a moment staring at him."

Jimmy looked away from Thomas, flexing his neck, waiting for him to continue.

"He thought I was staring at his scar, and well he got very conscious about it," Thomas turned to Jimmy, who was looking out at the darkness, "and I showed him my hand, gave him your advice. I meant what I said to him, but there was still a part of me that felt like a liar," he took a deep breath as he tried to control his emotions, "There is a part if me that still hates my ugly hand, that feels like I was a coward for doing what I did. I felt like a hypocrite telling a man to be brave, when I chickened…"

"You did no such thing…" Jimmy interrupted him, "they were tough times Thomas, incredibly tough times, and what you did was for your own survival." He took Thomas's hand in his own, "you served your country to the best of your capabilities, and you should not judge yourself for what you did, because there is nothing wrong with choosing your own survival over going mad. As for your ugly hand, I happen to think it's beautiful."

Thomas chuckled, "no you don't."

"No, I do, I see it as a man taking matters into his own hand, quite literally, to survive. Not to mention, you were of more help to the troops from here, by nursing them back to health, than you could have been, if you would have stayed in the trenches. So stop hating yourself. You are beautiful."

Thomas blushed, and looked into Jimmy's eyes, comforted by the warmth in them, "What would I do without you," he said smiling at his friend.

Jimmy let go of Thomas's hand, and looked away, "we should get to bed, long day ahead tomorrow, and you have the Marquis to look after too."

"He did do something else that was peculiar," stated Thomas, a smile spreading across his face.

"What may that be?"

"He asked me to call him Louis."

"Louis? His first name?"

Thomas nodded, "I was as stunned as you are."

"Why did he ask you to call him Louis?" Jimmy asked,

"The advice I gave him, and something about me helping him dress everyday, so I might as well call him Louis."

"That is odd, I hope you denied doing that."

"Why would I, he insisted that I do, and I have to accept, its a welcome change from saying lord after everything, ' yes lord', 'no my lord', Louis is a nice change."

Jimmy shifted uncomfortably, "Its not right Thomas."

Thomas narrowed his eyes, a smile spreading across his face, "You look jealous, Jimmy."

"Why would I be jealous? You can call anybody, whatever you want, its up to the persona and you isn't it, and this doesn't concern me."

"Relax, I just joking around."

"I am sorry, I am just tired I guess," Jimmy smiled, "we should go to bed now, its late."

Thomas nodded, "yes it has been a eventful day."