Thomas woke feeling well rested. He quickly got up and got dressed hoping he would be able to catch Jimmy before he went down to breakfast.
Perhaps we can walk down together, Thomas thought, Oh stop it, Thomas. You don't even know if he's like you. That touch was surely nothing.
But yet that was all Thomas could think about. Jimmy taking hold of his land last night did something to him. It gave him hope. Hope he hasn't felt in so long that it was a foreign friend, but a friend just the same. Thomas smiled as he walked out into the hall and over to Jimmy's door. He lightly knocked before calling out.
"Jimmy," he asked, "Are you in there?"
"Yes," Jimmy answered back, "Just one moment."
Thomas nodded then stood back, fixing his tie as he waited for Jimmy to open the door. When Jimmy did, Thomas smiled and Jimmy returned. Jimmy looked beautiful as ever only something was off. Jimmy's eyes were puffy and tired looking, as if he had been crying. Thomas felt a small pit of worry build as Jimmy closed his door.
"You feelin alright, Jimmy," Thomas asked. Jimmy smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I'm quite fine," he said as they began walking down the hall, "Why?"
"You just seem...off. Very tired."
"Oh," Jimmy chuckled, "I didn't sleep much last night."
"Why is that," Thomas asked.
"I don't know really. I just couldn't get comfortable, but nevermind it anyway, we should get down before Mr. Carson sends Alfred up to search where we've run off too."
Jimmy smiled widely as he hurried down the corridor. Thomas watched in silence, knowing there was something truly the matter but there was a reason why Jimmy didn't want to talk about it. He sighed then caught up and they talked about other things while they made their way downstairs into the servants hall. Just as Jimmy had predicted the night before, Alfred seemed to have forgotten about their argument. He sat right next to Jimmy and immediately started friendly conversation. Jimmy would answer back giving "told you so" looks to Thomas who did all he could not to burst into a laughing fit.
"James seems to be fitting in very well here," Lord Grantham stated to Thomas as Thomas finished dressing him.
"Yes, m'lord," Thomas answered.
"I've heard he has taken to you as a mentor as well?"
"Yes, m'lord, he was anxious to learn and I couldn't refuse to share the knowledge."
"I am very impressed, ," Lord Grantham said as he turned to Thomas, "You've proven yourself to be a very good man. I'm sorry for ever doubting you, although I must ask, why you choose to distance yourself from the others?"
Thomas paused before answering, trying to think up a quick lie.
"I never found it easy to trust people, m'lord," Thomas said, "It was easy to avoid people and less chance of being betrayed."
"I'm sorry if that ever happened to you, Thomas. But know this, while you are here at Downton, no bad word shall be spoken about you."
"Thank you very much, m'lord. I'm truly grateful."
Lord Grantham smiled then bid Thomas away. He was grateful truly, but it was still hard to believe something like that when even his lordship didn't know who and what Thomas was. He knew those were only words and if he was ever found out, he'd be sacked or worse arrested. It was that fear that kept him separated from everyone else. He didn't need someone holding that over him. He didn't have too much fear of O'brien telling because who would believe her.
Thomas decided to take a smoke outside and enjoy the fresh air. Just as he was about to light his cigarette he spotted something lying on a large crate. It was a picture of some sort. Thomas cautiously approached it then picked it up. As he looked at it, the cigarette fell from his mouth and he gasped. It was a picture of a young man, but the young man made a striking resemblance to Thomas. From the way the young man's hair was slicked backed to his cheeks and lips, it could be a Thomas Barrow look alike. Thomas let out a breath then began to shiver.
Who could this picture belong to and more importantly, why is it of me, but its...not me?
Thomas shook his head then stuck the picture in his pocket. He wasn't going to leave it, but he didn't really want to take it.
I'll ask around. Hey, Alfred. Do you own a picture of me that isn't me?
Thomas laughed then shook his head as he picked up his fallen cigarette. He brushed off the snow and hoped it would light. Thankfully it did and he took a long drag out of it. He pulled the picture out of his pocket and looked at the young man again.
Who are you?
Throughout the rest of the day, Thomas's thoughts were on the picture. He tried his best to place the picture with the owner, but failed. He was about to ask Daisy, until he spotted Jimmy. Jimmy was very restless. It was too obvious his mind was elsewhere. He had a worried look on his face as he moved around in his seat. Thomas focused his attention on Jimmy and then sat beside him.
"You sure you're alright, Jimmy," Thomas asked.
Jimmy slightly jumped then looked around.
"I'm sorry," Jimmy said, "What were you saying?"
Thomas sighed.
"Perhaps you should get to bed. You can't serve if you are too distracted."
"No, I'm fine," Jimmy said as he shook his head, "Its just...I've lost something. Something important."
Thomas froze then crept his hand in his pocket where the picture was. He swallowed then turned back to Jimmy.
"W...What did you lose," he asked, "Perhaps I can look for it while you are serving."
Jimmy looked at him and smiled slightly.
"You would do that," Jimmy asked. Thomas smiled and nodded.
"Okay," Jimmy said, "But you can't tell anyone about it. It…may be strange."
"I swear I won't. Now go ahead and tell me what it is."
"Its...its a picture...of Andrew my friend."
Thomas gasped silently.
"Its very important to me. We were very dear friends and sometimes when I had nightmares, he would help me go through with them. I've been having nightmares again and...I need it."
Thomas nodded.
"A..alright," he said, "I'll start looking around. You may have dropped it in the hall or outside if you take it with you."
"Sometimes I do," Jimmy confessed, "He taught me everything I know about being a footman. Helps for motivation sometimes."
Thomas smiled.
"You best get ready for dinner, and I'll start lookin for it. If I find it, I'll bring it to you tonight."
Jimmy smiled then stood up.
"Thank you, Thomas."
Thomas nodded and remained there until Jimmy left. Thomas pulled out the picture and looked at it.
Andrew. My you are quite the devil aren't you? What happened? Maybe Jimmy will tell me when he's ready.
Thomas put the picture inside his pocket and went upstairs to get everything ready for his lordship.
"Here you are," Thomas whispered as Jimmy came down the stairs. He held out the picture to Jimmy who took it with glee.
"Where was it," he asked as he hugged the picture.
"Outside, on a crate," Thomas answered.
"Really," Jimmy asked, "I looked and looked but never found anything. Thank you, though. Truely."
Thomas smiled and nodded.
"Why don't we have a game of cards before we go to bed."
Jimmy nodded as he was pulled into the servants hall.
That night, Jimmy lie in bed staring at the picture. He wasn't crying, but he wasn't smiling. He was just staring. Staring because he couldn't believe he hadn't seen it until now. Andrew looked like a younger version of Thomas or Thomas looked like Andrew, he wasn't sure except the resemblance was impossible to miss and how he did was a mystery to him. Jimmy pulled the picture close to his heart and stared at his door. He thought about going to talk to Thomas about Andrew, but he didn't think he could. He didn't want Thomas to think what many others would think. Thomas was a friend Jimmy did not want to lose. He looked at the picture and smiled.
"Jimmy! Jimmy!"
Jimmy woke to Andrew leaning over him with his hands holding him down. Jimmy let out a breath of relief as he realized it was another nightmare. Suddenly, without being able to stop it, Jimmy began to cry.
"Shh," Andrew said as he crawled into Jimmy's bed and wrapped his arms around him, "Hush darling hush. You're safe now. It's all alright."
Jimmy only nodded but continued to cry into Andrew's shoulder.
"Don't leave me," Jimmy said, "I couldn't bare it if you left. I'd kill myself."
"No, don't go saying that, love," Andrew said, "I'm not going anywhere and if, if, something happens, I'm sure you'll find someone."
"No, don't say that," Jimmy cried, "I couldn't find anyone like you. I'm lucky I found you in the first place."
Andrew smiled and nodded.
"We're both lucky to have found one another, but life is full of suprises. Good and bad ones. I want you to be happy and if the day comes, and I pray it doesn't, and I have to leave, I pray someone will come along so you won't have to be alone. I pray you are never alone for the rest of your days, Jimmy Kent."
Jimmy smiled then shook his head.
"What did I tell you," Jimmy said, "When we're alone together, I'm not Jimmy Kent," Jimmy sat up and kissed Andrew as passionately as he could.
"I'm Jimmy Pearce, Mr. Andrew Pearce."
"Of course you are, darling," Andrew said as he held up Jimmy's left hand and kissed his ring, "I could never forget."