A/N Sorry about the wait, I'm afraid 2013 got in the way of 1921.

Here it is chapter 3!

(BTW in my world the chauffeur 'Stark' definitely doesn't exist)

Today was the day of the fair at Thirsk and, although he had originally been press ganged into driving everyone there, Mr Branson had stepped up to the plate of driving the staff there.

So Seb was looking forward to a day of cleaning the lamps on the car. Fairs did not suit Seb at all, for him they were just too many over charged people jostling around making too much noise. Seb wasn't ashamed to admit he was claustrophobic, a condition which had only been made worse by the trenches.

He straightened his tie and rose from the lunch table as Mr Carson stood up, the Butler, glancing a disproving eye over the fair goers.

As Seb made his way down the corridor a voice caught his attention.

"Mr Summers." It was Jimmy, dressed in ordinary clothes for once, what could he want? Seb turned and made his lips quirk upwards in a questioning manner.

"James? How can I help you?" Jimmy was evidently nervous, his hands wringing agitatedly.

"Spit it out, I haven't got all day you know" Seb stared directly at the footman, hoping to unnerve some response from him.

"You're friends with Mr Barrow". Jimmy bit his lip and, although Seb could see where this was going, humoured the boy for the sake of his own and Thomas's safety.

"Yes, I am," Seb added a faintly bewildered smile to his persona. "Is that a problem?"

Jimmy immediately went on the defensive, obviously unwilling to let an outsider 'know'.

"What? I mean, why would there be a problem? There is a problem".

"I understood that you, and Mr Barrow, had a disagreement of sorts, that is correct?"

"Well, yes." Jimmy was looking at Seb with curiosity, as if trying to figure out how much Seb knew.

"Then what is the cause of your obvious concern, James?" Seb gestured from Jimmy's concerned face to his wringing hands. Jimmy quickly clasped his hands behind his back to stop them wringing.

"Mr Barrow, he's..." Seb bit back an amused smile, wondering exactly how Jimmy would phrase it.

"He's not like normal men. He's not... he's... uh... wrong".

Turning his expression into one of acute curiosity, he clasped his hands behind his back. Seb thought there could be many ways to be wrong. To an 'outsider' it would definitely need clearer, more in-depth, clarification. A clarification however, Jimmy, seemed unwilling to give. He seemed to think that a tilt of the head, a meaningful nod and a 'you know' was sufficient.

At Seb's shake of the head, Jimmy sighed and resigned himself to elaborate. He was biting his lip with nerves.

"You don't want to be friends with a man like that, he's one of those...Nancy's" Jimmy looked sufficiently awkward at this revelation and Seb did his utmost best to act surprised, shocked even. He also had to act like he wasn't offended.

"Okay...and why does that concern me?"

"Well...people will think that... you... and him... he's after you". The last statement was a rushed almost whisper- almost conspiratorial.

"Why would you think he would be after me?" Jimmy floundered for several minutes.

"I... he... attacked me. You have to understand that Mr Summers".

"So this advice is purely from experience?" Seb unclasped his hands and raised his left eyebrow.

"Yes, Mr Summers".

"And now you think I'm his next 'victim'?"

The word hurt in his throat, the bigots thinking that all men like him were predators.

"Well, yes"

"Because at one point you were friends and he 'went for you'?"

"Well, yes"

"But surely that is in the past? James, I am one of those people that believe it is the present and future that define us. From his recent behaviour I would say he appears to truly regret his actions towards you. I doubt he will 'go for you' again. And in any matters concerning myself and Mr Barrow, I would ask you to respect me enough to take care of myself. Surely he knows what will come to him if he toes the line again. Though of course, I thank you for your concern, especially with your expert knowledge. Now if you'll excuse me".

With a charming smile, Seb extracted himself from the space between Jimmy and the wall, leaving the young footman tongue tied. Yes, Seb could certainly mince his words to achieved any chosen effect: reassurance, wisdom, self-assurance and gratitude, all that concealing the knowledge that he had known about Mr Barrow's preferences in a quicker space of time than anyone in Downton, including Mrs Patmore! The smile slipping from his face as quick as it had appeared, he donned his chauffeurs cap and exited the door to the yard, it was going to be a long day.

The fair goers had returned several hours earlier and Seb was unusually worried for a man who generally left emotions to others. Thomas was hurt. Beaten up defending that idiot Jimmy. He had seen Jimmy enter Thomas's room about an hour after Doctor Clarkson had left, stating that Mr Barrow was 'quite alright Mrs Hughes' and that 'he just needs rest'.

Seb had wanted to visit there and then, but refrained on account of propriety.

There could be two outcomes of Thomas's 'stupidity', Seb had concluded. Either Jimmy would despise Thomas for still harbouring his fancy for the young footman or all would be forgiven and a truce would be met between them. Jimmy seemed the kind of man to give credit where it was due and perhaps Seb's own subtle advice earlier would draw a positive conclusion. Hopefully it wouldn't leave Thomas pining even more for a man he couldn't have.

Balancing the cup of tea in his left hand he raised his right and gave three steady raps on the door in front of him. At the responding command he entered the room, closing the door behind him, and was met with a sorrier sight than ever he saw one. If Seb ever admitted he had a heart, right now it would be breaking. Thomas had never looked so beautiful nor so broken. Unsure of what to say, Seb smiled a genuinely concerned smile.

"You alright?" He said crossing the room, handing Thomas the tea and sitting himself on the wooden chair which he supposed had previously been occupied by Jimmy.

"Thanks, and I suppose I'm alright." It's true Thomas looked unusually happy for a man who'd just had the living daylights beaten out of him. Seb crossed his arms.

"Your talk with Jimmy went ok then?"

"How..? You?!"

Seb nodded at eloquence, eyebrows raised, "I might have had a conversation regarding yourself shortly before the fair, it may have helped him rethink his opinion of you and with your knight in shining armour tendencies you and him should have it sorted."

"A conversation?" Thomas was clearly baffled.

"More like a warning, about your tendencies- I told him to back off and, although I forget my exact words, something to the effect of everyone deserving second chances."

"Thank you. Thanks for that." Thomas's head was bowed over his tea but Seb could hear the slight crack in his voice showing how much Seb's words meant to him.

"He thought you were after me. Of course I acted surprised at the very notion." Thomas blinked into his teacup, brow furrowing.

"I don't know where he got that idea from".

"You and him were friends. Me and you are friends, do the maths, Thomas".

Seb liked the way Thomas's name felt on his lips.

"Right, sorry".

"It's okay, we're sinners together right?" he said lightly, hoping to lighten Thomas's mood- the dark haired man was evidently dwelling on his past grievance with Jimmy. When it appeared to have no effect he leant forward in his seat, uncrossing his arms, so they were barely 7 inches apart.

"Lighten up, you and him are friends now aren't you? Besides, you're not in prison, or alone or being poisoned by O'Brien, you have everything to live for."

Feeling brave, he leant over and squeezed Thomas's tea free hand with his own. He could feel the bullet wound under his skin and was mindful not to pressure it too hard. It was as if electricity was coursing through his skin at that simple gesture, a feeling that only intensified when Thomas set aside his tea and adjusted his hands. Seb's hand was now clasped between both of Thomas's, his thumb unconsciously rubbing circles on the back of Seb's hand. Seb felt his breath catch in his throat, his mouth go dry.

"Thank you, Seb. Thank you" Thomas finally met his eyes and there was honest gratitude shining out of those grey depths. Seb was trying to control the emotions that must be radiating from his own eyes - no doubt a mixture of love and lust.

"Mr Summers, are you in there?" It was Mrs Hughes on the other side of the door, why was there always an interruption? He quickly pulled his hand out of Thomas's grasp, for fear she would enter.

"Yes, Mrs Hughes"

"Lady Mary will be returning soon, you'll need to be at the station."

"Yes Mrs Hughes, right away."

He stood up, pulling down his waistcoat. Surveying his friend he smiled.

"Get better soon- you can't leave me talking to those idiots, I'll come up and play cards sometime."

He paused by the chair, about to turn before, against his better judgement, he leant domes and kissed Thomas on the centre of his forehead, his eyes fluttering closed the moment their skin attached. Then he abruptly turned on his heel and exited the room without waiting for a response.

He now knew what Thomas must have felt all those months looking at, touching, Jimmy but without a chance in hell if his feelings being returned. Seb knew that Thomas's heart belonged to Jimmy, whereas Seb was falling hard and fast for the under butler.

Thomas sat there, in his room, cuts adorning his face and body. Bringing his uninjured hand up to his forehead, he touched the place where Seb had kissed him. He too hated interruptions.

They kissed! Sort of!

Hopefully there will be more in the next chapter.

R+R!

MissGracieKathy