What…Yes I'm back, my Merlin fanfic has been in progress, but I'm taking a break from that to update this story because I really like the direction this story is going and have been waiting for a good time to pick on this plot, yes I'm going to try and update this more often, because my updates to this story has been none. Okay, as always if you like drop me a review and if you've got an idea about a character or the plot send me a message, as always thanks for reading.

Everyone from upstairs had gone to their rooms that they had at the inn to retrieve the few items they had grabbed from the fire. While this was happening Mr. Carson was still downstairs talking to the remaining staff that was going to continue to stay with the family while the Abbey was being repaired. "Now all of you, we are leaving for the house in a few minutes but there are a couple of things that we should go over first. As you know the house is much smaller and things are going to be quiet cramped, just so there is not any confusion I have the list that Lord Grantham and I revised on who will be sharing rooms, and there are only enough rooms to fit all of us. Ron, you will be with me, Mrs., Hughes and Mrs. O'Brian" at this Ember looked at the kindly motherly figure to them all and she saw her give a small heave of her shoulders "Alfred and James" continued Carson "Mrs. Patmore and Daisy, and Anna and Bates are also coming at his lordships request, now everything else I can explain at the house so we can all head to the carriage." with this Mr. Carson finished up and all of the tired maids and footmen got up lest the room, as Carson was passing the table Ember quietly said "Mr. Carson, what about me and Thomas?" she asked. The Butler sighed and pulled up a chair and sat down next to them. "It was not my idea but you and Thomas will be in the same room" with this he gave a small nod a tiny smile and got up. "Mr. Bates could you help Thomas?" asked Carson, Anna and Bates were both sitting at the opposite end of the table from Ember and the wounded Under Butler, and Ember will you and Anna help the Grantham's things." "Absolutely" replied both girls in unison to Carson's request. Ember gave Thomas's hand a light squeeze of reassurance and left his side. As Anna and Ember climbed the stair Bates walked over to tired looking man. Bates accidentally dropped his cane; the loud clatter caused Thomas to jump and further injuring his leg and side. He let out a yelp and flinched curling in on himself. Bates instantly tried to comfort the startled man, "Thomas, Thomas, it's okay." Thomas looked up at him and said very quietly "I'm sorry" after saying this he looked down at the floor. "You don't have to be sorry, Let me help you up." Bates slipped his arm under Thomas's left arm and helped him up. The Under Butler gave a wince of pain. The odd pair slowly started making for the door about halfway there John looked at Thomas and saw silent tears slipping down his face. Bates helped the hurt man to a nearby bench. "Thomas where does it hurt most?" asked the older man gently. "My leg" said Thomas through his silent sobbing. "I'm going to check and see what it looks like all right, keep still." said John, kneeling down he slowly pushed up his pants leg. John flinched at the sight, the bandages had come off and the bloody mess that was Thomas leg. "Alfred" called out Bates. The tall bond haired boy walked over. "Carry Mr. Barrow to the carriage please." said Bates. "Of course Mr. Bates." replied Alfred.

In the back seat of the open horse carriage sat Ember on one side Thomas and Bates in the middle and Anna on the other side. After about two minutes of bumpy riding Thomas put his head on Ember's shoulder and nodded off. Ember slipped off jacket not disturbing him and placed around his shoulders, the pair had no time to grab any belonging during the fire, not like they had that many. She continued by putting her arm around his shoulders and rubbing circles on his shoulder. After about fifteen minutes into the ride Thomas woke with a start taking in deep breaths. "It's okay Thomas, bad dream?" she asked quietly. He nodded silently. "Which one" she asked with concern. "Dad" he said almost silently looking at her with pain in his eyes. "It was just a dream" she said in a comforting voice. Anna saw when Ember embraced the Under Butler that she had an almost protecting stance around him. When they finally arrived at their new home Ember and Anna helped Thomas into the room the unlikely pair of friends would share. He was sitting on the bed and Anna watched as Ember rewrapped Thomas leg. Anna saw how gently she did the wrapping. Once she was done with this Thomas grabbed her hand. "Please don't go" implored the young man. "I need to see Mr. Carson Here I managed to grab your books from downstairs during the fire, I didn't look at any of them" she set the books were Thomas could reach them.

Thomas was alone with his thoughts. He picked up his old journal that he had held onto all of his life, the first faded page was dated by his mother when she had given it to him all those years ago." Suddenly a sharp clear memory ran into his head. He breathed sharply trying to the picture out of his mind. Why do I always have to be broken, thought Thomas crying.

"Everyone, His Lordship has told us that we can have three days off to get settled and arrange the house. The Family will let us know what rooms we can fix at what time. As for meals they will be as the normally are. Everyone has the night and tomorrow to get all that you need from the village and get settled into your rooms. We will serve luncheon at twelve o'clock. You can have the time to do what you wish while the lunch is being prepared." finished Carson; he walked off with Mrs. Hughes talking in a low mumble.

Anna saw Ember walking toward the hall but ran and intercepted her. "Ember, I was wondering, it's just you seem to know Thomas very well." she said looking at the young girl. "People miss understand him, but the few things he's told me I have no right to repeat without him saying so. We trust each other more than most." she said, Anna and her started down the hall, both of them holding blankets for the beds. Ember walked in and saw the silent tears sliding down Thomas defined cheeks. "Do you want to get out this room." she asked to get his mind off of what he was thinking about. "Yes" he said in a raspy voice. He sat at the servants table reading a book waiting for Ember to come back when Mrs. O'Brian walked past him kicking his injured leg harshly. He suppressed a cry of pain but his face show that the blow had truly hurt, Mr. Bates had been standing in the doorway and had seen the entire thing. As the older woman walked down the hall way, John followed her. "Mrs. O'Brian" his call stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned around and looked at him. "I admit that I don't like Mr. Barrow but I will not see you hurt him more than he already is. I suggest you remember that." he stated threateningly. He then turned and walked over to Thomas. The hurt man had his eyes closed tightly against the intense pain. "You alright Thomas" asked Bates. Thomas silently nodded his head. "You know if you're not you don't have to act like your fine. What happened to you wasn't right." After John said this he put a reassuring hand on his shoulders which relaxed instantly to the touch. John guessed that it was because Ember did his often that it calmed him.

Dinner was usual for Ember, she didn't eat anything, but she made sure Thomas got a few good bites in, she had noticed that he ate less now. After dinner Anna, John, Ember and Thomas were outside sitting on the benches. Unfortunately the benches were a little too close for comfort and each pair of people. But once Thomas started talking both he and Ember forgot about the other people next to them…