A/N: So this chapter is slightly different than any of the others, and it's just a one off, because I wanted to show time passing, so that's why it's all snippety. Also I included the dates for those of you who, like me, have absolutely no time awareness...

4th February 1921

After a month the snow had cleared, and the festive season had drawn to a close, removing all unwelcomed guests and objects brought by the holidays.

It was a relief to have things back to normal.

Well nearly back to normal. The tiredness and stress was still apparent in Thomas' eyes; dark circles revealing sleep deprivation, and his once bright grey eyes, seeming even more distracted and distant then they were before.

But Jimmy knew he just needed time to re-adjust, and rest his mind from the hassle of the extra Christmas work.

10th February 1921

Less than a week later, Mr. Bates' returned.

For a split second, Thomas' face boiled up with displeased rage, before quickly simmering down again, to regain its original facade of professional blankness. But on closer look, he appeared slightly more sullen the usual, as a hint of unsettlement seeped through his features.

"Hello Mr. Bates'" Thomas said dully, briefly glancing up to meet the eyes of the his replacement.

"I see your still here then Thomas, haven't managed to get rid of you yet then?" he quandaried, with subtle merriment lurking in his voice.

"Yes. I am still here. And its Mr. Barrow now" Thomas said coldly, staring at his gloved hand, messing with the straps.

"Not for long!" he replied, this time not bothering to keep the joy from his voice, whilst striding away with a spring in his step, before Thomas could retort.

Surprisingly, it didn't look like Thomas wanted to, looking near the edge of open sorrow, the walls surrounding his concealed emotions and identity threatening to crumble at any minute.

Yet still he sat in an emotionlessly daze, staring at his hand.

Jimmy watched the unfolding events before his eyes, perched on a seat a few spaces away, with a look of shock on his face.

This is the guy who's meant to be holier than god?

No wonder Thomas hates the guy. I mean I know Thomas admitted he'd done some jerky things to him in the past, when he was feeling insecure and angry about his job, but that was years ago!

Christ, what a bastard!

28th February 1921

"You said yourself that lord Grantham had told you he'd find you something you do around here, so what you worryin' about? There's no need to look so sad, it'll all work out eventually!" Jimmy said, reaching across the table to rub his hand along Thomas rested arm.

He pulled it away defensively.

"I am not sad!" Thomas snapped back shortly, giving Jimmy a venomous glare, whilst bending forward to whisper to him, bitterness coating his words.

"And don't touch me! Not here, not when people could see! What do you want to do, end up out on you ear with no reference."

Pulling away, jimmy straightened up.

"I was only trying to be comforting as I know your upset about Mr. Bates' taking your job"

Momentarily, Thomas looked confused, as he creased his brow questioningly.

"...Mr. Bates'?"

"Oh Mr Bates! ...Yes, yes, I am rather annoyed at that..." Thomas continued, almost looking relieved, as his face softened. And for a brief second, Jimmy thought that he was okay again, and that things were back to normal. But soon enough the happy expression had passed and he once again went back to looking concerned.

"Look, I'm sorry I shouldn't have snapped at you, its not your fault, none of this is, and you shouldn't have to receive anger from me jus' 'cause I have to much to hold in" Thomas said meekly, attempting to lift a smile, only to have it flattened out by his frown.

4th March 1921

Jimmy walked out into the courtyard to find Thomas slouched against the wall.

It had been a fortnight and he still wasn't looking any better from the Christmas period. In fact he looked worse. Mind you, the ordeal of thinking he might of lost his job to Bates', probably didn't help his sleeping pattern and worry.

Yet still, he expected him to look a little happier at the news he'd just received. He was staying on, and getting a promotion. Work was a big deal to him, so it was confusing to see him in the stance of someone who didn't really care.

His eyes were glazed over, starring into the distance at nothing in particular, unaware of his entrance.

He looked emotionally defeated and exhausted, his body merely representing the shell of the man he once knew.

20th March 1921

It was late afternoon, and with no work to attend to, Jimmy retired to the servant's hall. Spotting Thomas on the far end of the table, he walked over to sit opposite him, giving a half smile as he pulled out the chair. Thomas briefly looked up to meet his eyes, but quickly looked down again not long after, returning his attentions back to the newspaper in his hands.

He seemed tense.

In all honesty, he had been acting rather strangely for a quite a while now, his emotional rut not seeming to pass, and although Jimmy wasn't sure of the reason, he was determined to find out what was on the older mans mind.

"You look cheerful!" he mocked sarcastically, hoping Thomas' mood would allow him to take it as light humour.

Glancing up, he gave a mild frown.

I guess not then.

"I'm fine" Thomas relied curtly, staring at the grain of the wood, tracing the pattern with the pads of his fingers.

He obviously wasn't. But Jimmy didn't want to press the topic any further, and risk dispute. Letting the matter rest, he changed the topic.

"I was wondering, as our half days over lap tomorrow, whether we could maybe spend that day together, as a sort of quality time?"

Reaching his arms across the table to where Thomas' laid, he picked up his non-gloved hand, tracing small circles in his palm.

Thomas stiffened at his touch, drawing his hands away, and retreating it to his lap.

"I'm sorry Jimmy, but I cant, I have erhh...an errand to run that day, and will be occupied most of the morning"

Rejected, the footman brought his own hands to his side, standing up in the process. Nodding his goodbyes, he walked hastily out of the door and up the stairs.

Yes he didn't own Thomas, but it hurt to think that he had something more important to do then spending time with him.

20th March 1921
later that night

Staring up at the ceiling, Jimmy lay wake on his bed, thinking. It was late, and as the last of his candles burnt out, they toppled over, loosing the will to live as they finally collapsed in on themselves, dripping wax all down the side of the table.

Wish when I was loosing the will to live I could just collapse.

Jimmy glanced over to the mess created, and deciding that he didn't really care, turned his attentions away from the waxy avalanche, and back to his confused thoughts.

His mind raced through the resent behaviour of Thomas. Something wasn't right with him. He wasn't acting...normal. But then again what was normal?

Thinking back, his previous reasoning for his new attitudes didn't really make sense.

Thomas had been acting pretty much the same way a week or two before Mr Bates' came, but not exactly the same during the Christmas period, he had just been tired, but now there seems like there's something...more.

The problem was, Jimmy had no idea as to what it could be.

And the more he attempted to pry into Thomas' personal emotions, the more closed off he became, and the more he bite back with excuses.

I know he still loves me, and I don't want to risk dispute in our relationship, I just need to carry on like nothings changed and-

There was a knock at the door.

Crawling out of bed, he answered it. Thomas.

Even later that night

Snuggling up beside Thomas, Jimmy rested his head on his chest. Listening to his heartbeat, Jimmy knew there was no doubt in his mind that Thomas loved him still. And as they expressed their affections to each other that night, things felt normal, like nothing had changed, and Jimmy thought perhaps it hadn't, and everything was going to be okay.

It had to be, right? Because as long as Thomas still loved him, and he loved him back, then everything would be fine, because they would have each other. Whatever Thomas had on his mind would go away eventually, and the problem didn't need any intervention from Jimmy.

I can't risk creating a feud of bad feelings in our romance, I just need to let it rest, and let Thomas overcome this for himself.

Still, I can't help but be curious as to what could be the matter?

So that night, as they lied together alone in the dark of the silent room, Jimmy was certain that with love in their hearts, the issue could be avoided safely, leaving nothing to destroy their relationship.

1st April 1921

Feeling like a spare part, Jimmy decided to take a spin around the village, hoping to fill up the void of empty time in his day. Dawdling absent mindedly, he walked to slump himself down to a bench, situated on some grass beside the road.

Feeling sorry for himself, he let his eyes wonder across the view of the high street, envying all those who walked by with friends and partners.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar face. It was Thomas. At least he wasn't lying about the errand…And he was clutching a small box under his arm. Jimmy was curious as to what it might be and contemplated running after him. But as soon as he saw him he was gone, his body dissolving into nothing more than thin air, whilst unanswered questions formed in his mind.