Thomas Barrow sat in a pensive state. He had changed, he had become a better person and he was quietly pleased with himself. He had proven to Mr Carson that even through the years of his appalling behavior he had learnt through example.

He was a kinder person, appreciative of those who worked for him and around him. Quick to praise and slow to anger, yet not afraid to draw a line when the staff thought they would have free reign upon the semi retirement of Mr Carson. Of course it had not been his co-workers of many years who had tried to test the waters, rather the newer and younger members.

On a part time basis Thomas had hired Mr Davey Cromwell to replace Mr Mosely, though Mosely still helped whenever he was needed for larger functions. Cromwell was in his mid twenties and thought himself a gift to all women. Naturally the ladies all rolled their eyes and got on with work.

Daisy's hours where now spent between the house and the farm and so Marie was hired to work on the days she was away. Marie was was quiet, polite and above all efficient, which kept Mrs Patmore very happy indeed.

Thomas looked down at the ledgers and sighed deeply, it wasn't that the ledgers were in need of catching up. He prided himself on being organized and like his predecessor he stayed awake many a late night to finish even the most meaningless of tasks in the knowledge that when he woke the next morning all would be in order in the chance some emergency jumped upon them.

No the deep sigh resulted from the desire to want to belong. Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes where married and very happy, Mr Bates and Anna where now joined by little William, Baxter and Mosely were now walking together, Daisy and Andy were also courting, heck even Mrs Patmore and Mr Mason were ever so slowly becoming more than friends.

After the attempt on his own life he had changed and that change had become noticed by all, above all by Lord Grantham, who by whether divine intervention or the good graces of his co-workers, had given him the life line to prove his worth and he had graciously offered Thomas the position of Butler. At finally having reached his dream of this respectful position Thomas had vowed to accept what he was and move on.

However he had realized of late that he very much missed being part of a family, of a real family, he sighed once again, stood up and decided to go and walk around the house. He hoped the fresh air of upstairs would help clear his head. The house was quiet as most of the family was out. Lord Grantham had gone for a walk but would return shortly to join Thomas in the Library to discuss the arrival of the latest books he had ordered. Thomas's trained eyes focused on the furniture looking out for patches of dust, books out order, stray whiskey glasses that may have been uncollected and simultaneously he scanned the floor for any toys that may have been forgotten by the children.

As he walked he remembered his childhood but no smile crossed his face. His childhood was not a cherished memory but rather a preference to be forgotten. He remembered when his mother had died many years ago. Though her loss had disturbed him it had not left him grieving as they had never been close. She had been a distant person, she fed him and clothed him and made sure he did not stray along the wrong path but that was all, there was never a hug or quick kiss on his head. Nor did she yell or berate him but always, always, she kept her distance.

His father on the other hand had been a cruel man, not to others but always to him. Thomas knew why, he knew his father saw in him the truth of his nature, he didn't know how but he knew and he had never shied away from letting him know how he loathed him. The shame he felt that his only son was a sick and twisted person. Sending his son away to work in service was the only way he could face the world, to save himself the agony at having to look him in face each day.

Thomas wiped away an angry tear and swallowed the anger that threatened to rise. Why should he care what that fool man thought? He had risen to the position of butler, he had been entrusted with the care of his Lordship and the entire family and his father could rot in the pits of hell for all he cared.

Daisy walked up along the path that led to Downton Abbey. She was happy, very happy with her lot in life though it had taken her a while to appreciate it. The Abbey was until recently her home, the only home she had known for more than ten years. It had been a rough beginning and she had missed her family greatly as the first years working alongside Mrs Patmore had been terrifying to say the least. Thankfully after her eye operation things had begun to change and now she felt loved like a daughter. Daisy laughed out loud as she realized there was a good opportunity that Mrs Patmore would become her mother, well kind of, more like a step-mother in law if she where to marry Mr Mason.

Daisy tilted her head and thought of William, William had become a very close friend and she had missed him greatly when he had gone to war. It had been so strange when they had married because it was like marrying a brother and though she had never admitted it to anyone she would of been mortified to have been forced to sleep in the same bed as him however fate had determined otherwise when his injuries had only one definite ending. She missed him. They all missed him. She remembered how the staff had cried openly at his death, not the men of course, no, but they all had stood so quiet, frowning at their grief. For William had become the youngest brother of them all, the youngest brother to go to war, the youngest brother whose letters would be read at the table as soon as everyone sat to dinner. They had all in their own way cried for that youngest brother, and perhaps for Mr Carson, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore he had become the youngest son who was lost but never forgotten.

Daisy shook her head slightly and looked up the path towards the house. She hadn't realized how much closer she was and so took a deep breath and let the smile creep back into her face as she knew Mrs Partmore would be happy to see her today. As she walked up that last little hill she noticed a man sitting on one of the benches that dotted the pathway.

As she approached him he stood up and tipped his hat at her and stepped forward "Begging your pardon Miss, but I wanted to ask, does Thomas Barrow still work in this house?"

As had always been the way for Daisy her curiosity was aroused and she was about to blurt out the first question that came to her mind but Mr Masons calm voice reprimanded her in her head and saved her, so instead she nodded politely "yes he does, he's the butler" she answered quietly.

"Oh right, would you mind if I walked up with you? I'd like to talk to him" the man asked again.

Daisy nodded her head and they walked quietly together. For some reason that she couldn't understand Daisy felt very uncomfortable. This man whoever he was made her feel cold inside. He hadn't been rude or uncouth but she just made her want to avoid him. He was thin and tall, more than middle aged. He was dressed simply though his shoes left a little to be desired. His voice was not harsh but neither was it friendly and his eyes, well that was what made her uncomfortable because they where cold, just plain cold.

They reached the back door and Daisy rang the bell. Andy answered.

"Daisy!"

Daisy would usually be very happy to be greeted by Andy after all he was her gentleman friend, but not today, not at this moment.

"Hullo Andy, this gentleman is here to see Mr Barrow" and she stepped aside to let Andy see the man.

Andy had learnt quickly when his girl was not happy and this was one of those moments, he wondered momentarily what had happened but decided it was best to wait when he was alone to ask Daisy.

"Of course, please follow me sir" and with that Andy led the way down to the kitchen.

Mrs Hughes found Thomas standing with his Lordship in the library going over some books.

"Excuse me Mi'Lord" she interrupted quietly " but there is someone down stairs wanting to talk to Mr Barrow"

"Of course Mrs Hughes" his Lordship turned back to Thomas "we've finished here for the moment Barrow"

"Very good Mi'Lord" Thomas bowed his head ever so slightly and then followed Mrs Hughes towards the door that led downstairs. He turned his head and asked her quietly who it was that was waiting for him but she shook her telling him that she'd not a clue, she'd never seen him before.

Thomas opened the door to the stairs allowing Mrs Hughes to walk through first. He had in these last few months having worked side by side with the housekeeper profoundly grown to respect her more than he possibly thought was possible. It was not that he had not respected her before but he had realized that in the past it had been a forced respect only through bitterness. However, since his self-imposed transformation he had seen Mrs Hughes for the person that she had always been, kind, honest, disciplined and maternal. Above all, she was a highly intelligent person, she was his right hand. She had been the only person to defend him in the debacle with Jimmy and she had been one of the few people who had saved his life.

Thomas followed Mrs Hughes down the stairs that led to the kitchen and of course she walked through the doorway into the kitchen nodding her head politely to the gentleman standing near the table. She turned to face the butler has he walked through.

Mrs Hughes along with the rest of the staff knew when the Butler of Downton Abbey was angry. Unlike his predecessor, her husband Mr Charles Carson, Mr Thomas Barrow did not go red in the face for Mr Barrow by nature was pale and when he became angry he became as white as a sheet. At this moment however Mr Barrow was ghostly.

Thomas stood there with his jaw clenched, the muscles on his face stiff as timber. His eyes bore a hole into the face of the man standing opposite him. The man for his part almost snarled in contentment.

"Hullo there boy" he hissed coldly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Mr Barrow!?" Mrs Hughes exclaimed rather surprised. It was not for her to reproach the butler however she had not expected him to be so rude.

Thomas called upon all his strength not to be rude to Mrs Hughes, it was not after all her fault that the man standing in the kitchen had even been allowed in the house. He turned and looked slowly around to Mrs Patmore and Daisy then back to the housekeeper.

"Mr Barrow?" Mrs Hughes asked again calmly for she had noticed the effort the butler made, she had noticed the inner turmoil of his eyes.

Thomas looked again to Mrs Hughes and closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in deeply he opened them again and the look he gave her scared her but before he could speak the man spoke for him.

"A pleasure Mrs Hughes, I'm Harry, Mr Harry Barrow. Thomas' father'.

Before Daisy had even realized the water jug that she held slipped silently through her fingers and crashed to the floor with a resounding crack.