Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This story was written purely for entertainment purposes.

AN: This chapter is a time skip to the post-war period. It also contains AU situations, as Bates has not been jailed and is still the valet. Thomas, therefore, is still a footman.

Warning: This chapter uses information from spoilers for Series 3. It may contain (very mild) spoilers.

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1918

Downton Abbey welcomes a new member of staff. After the war, such extravagances as footmen are becoming necessities again and, of course, they need someone to replace William. He arrives with a small bag of belongings and is standing, looking rather lost and a little forlorn, in the hall. Anna, as usual, is the most inviting.

"It's lovely to meet you," she says warmly. He replies with similar politeness and warmth, and he is led into the servants' hall where he is introduced to the other servants.

He is good-looking, very good-looking, but there is something about his appearance that Sarah takes an instant dislike too. His smile is sweet, shy and uncertain. He has fine cheekbones and facial structure, and his dark eyes shine like polished silverware. But O'Brien doesn't think she likes him much.

He looks a little like her brother. He was a handsome young man. It was such a waster that he'd had to go like he did. She still missed him every day, and Jimmy wasn't a pleasant reminder of that deeply buried fact.

Thomas usually sneers at the new servants, but he doesn't sneer at Jimmy, and Sarah finds herself feeling a sharp stab of jealousy. She checks herself; she knows she's being completely foolish and sentimental.

Carson assigns Thomas the task of showing Jimmy around. Of course, the two of them will be sharing a room (and won't that be cozy?). She sees them travelling down the corridor, and wonders what Thomas thinks of the Abbey's newest member of staff.

In the evening, she goes out to the courtyard to have a smoke. Long gone are the days when Thomas and she would have done this together. She smiles to herself, almost sadly, and remembers the different schemes and plans they would manage to concoct with each other. She misses those times; they seem like centuries ago.

She sees Thomas standing inhaling a cigarette but, unlike the other times she has seen him, he's not alone. Jimmy has joined him and is chattering away to him. Thomas is quiet, but she can't tell if this is because he isn't really paying attention or if it's because he is listening so intently. She feels herself grow angry at the sight and, once again, has to check herself. What's the matter with her?

She doesn't remain there for long. She tells herself this is because it's cold and dreary, but she knows in her heart why she really left. It isn't as though she would have minded damp and cold if Thomas had been with her, keeping her company.

She is brushing her ladyship's hair and helping her prepare for the night when Cora speaks.

"How are you, O'Brien? Have you been well?"

"Nothin' to complain about m'lady," she says solemnly.

Cora laughs at this; a beautiful, magic sound. "Well, I'm not asking you to complain." She says it almost jokingly, but her eyes are soft. She's giving Sarah that intense gaze she sometimes does, which Sarah can't quite understand. "How have you been, O'Brien – really?"

It's so hard to explain what she's thinking; Cora simultaneously makes it easier and harder to do so. She isn't sure what to say, so she settles for a partially honest account. "Same as usual, m'lady. Though I've been wantin' some company lately." She says the last sentence almost sullenly.

Cora seems to understand. At any rate, she doesn't push for further response. Instead, she moves on to a lighter topic. It's something about a gown she wants to be made for her. O'Brien doesn't really listen; she's just happy to hear her voice.

When night comes, it's a relief. She's glad of the opportunity to lay her head down and rest, if only for a few short hours. Sleep doesn't come as easily as it should, considering how weary she is, but she's used to that now. She hasn't a good night's sleep in a long time.

The next morning consists of the same usual struggle and clatter of dishes as everyone rushes to be ready in time for the chores of the day. O'Brien's porridge is cold, and seems to taste even more bland than usual. She's not really concentrating on eating it anyway; she's watching Thomas.

Thomas looks well-rested and his appetite seems better than usual. She notices a sparkle in his eyes; and she's glad to see it there, regardless of the knowledge that she hasn't been the cause of it. His cheeks are brighter too. She realizes, for the first time, (she doesn't know why she's never noticed it before) that he's rather handsome.

He glances at her, between taking a mouthful of porridge, and she realizes she's been staring at him. She looks away, unable to maintain eye contact. When she looks up again, she sees Thomas is frowning at her. He doesn't look angry; he just looks puzzled.

Cora's bell rings, and she rises from her chair without giving Thomas another look. Even so, she can feel his eyes watching her as she leaves the room.

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Thank you for reading! If you have the time, please leave me a review to let me know what you think. I'd also like advice on the plot. Do you like where the story is going? What would you like to see happen? I welcome all suggestions. :)