Haters gonna hate. When I saw the Christmas Special, and Thomas and Edith were doing that fancy step at the servant's ball, I thought "OMG, Edith got a Snarky Gay Friend!". So...yeah. I ship Thomas/Edith BFF now. Ayup. Like I said, haters gonna hate. - darthsydious

"Lady Edith?"

"Here I am." The young woman's voice around the corner of the balcony called. Thomas followed the sound of her footsteps crunching through the thin layer of snow until he came upon the Lady Edith. She was hurriedly flicking a cigarette away, blowing out the last puff of smoke. Shocked that one of the Crawley daughters was smoking, Thomas didn't know what to say at first.

"Lady Grantham was concerned for you." He said finally. Thomas' excused his prescence, clearly he felt he was intruding on her.

"I'm fine. It was only so warm inside."

"It's a bit cold out here my lady."

"I'd say it's rather warm for January." Thomas might have smirked then. Edith turned back to him, smiling a little, the rosy hue to her cheeks was certainly thanks to the punch, which Mrs. Patmore always added a generous helping of spirits.

"I won't tell." He promised, her eyes shifted

"What?"

"The…the cigarette. I won't tell."

"Thank you." She said, and when he proffered his own, she smiled, accepting one. "Thank you." She said, then held out her own case to him, he shook his head, taking one of his own out instead. He struck a match, lighting hers first. "Are you enjoying the party?" she asked.

"Yes, thank you." He said. She was leaning against the balustrade, and no one was around, so he did as well.

"I always fancied you above the others to know all the modern dances." She said with a laugh. "I expect you impressed quite a few ladies on your leave over in France." She teased. Thomas shrugged a little, attempting to hide a smile.

"Fewer than you think, my lady."

"Oh?" she quirked an eyebrow. "Waiting for the right one?"

"I suppose we all are…one way or another." Perhaps it was because he'd had some of Mrs. Patmore's punch…he didn't seem quite so nervous, letting Lady Edith question him in such a fashion, on such a delicate subject. Of all the Crawley sisters though, he supposed he liked Edith best. She was almost always herself, not in the boisterous way that Lady Sybil was, but in her own, quiet, reserved way. He could respect anyone who could stand up to Lady Mary. "You'll have a suitor soon yourself I expect." She attempted to smile, looking at her shoes.

"One hopes…but it is unlikely." Suddenly Thomas is struck with the similarities in their situations. Both had prospects and lost them. And both were highly unlikely to find a companion to share the rest of their lives with. The future seemed bleak and rather empty, barring faces that seemed concerned for their well-fare. The personal future of their lives looked rather lonely. Rather, his did. Edith would always have her sisters and her father and mother. Thomas Barrow had no one. Edith touched the corner of her eye, sniffling a little. She looked away, seeming to look out at the grounds for a moment. "Well…" she said, cleared her throat "I understand you were out almost all night last week, searching for poor Isis."

"I- I was." He said.

"I do hope Papa rewarded you." She said. "Or if he hasn't then I shall."

"What?" he was baffled.

"You were hoping for a promotion…or at least a reward of money." He tried to speak, ashamed. "There isn't anything to be ashamed of. It is your business after all. One must do what they can to make a living." She said.

"He…seemed pleased with my efforts." Thomas said finally.

"I'm glad." She said. She was quiet for a little while. "I'm to go to Ireland to visit my sister and her husband." He nodded politely. "I've never been, and I understand it's quite…well rowdy, due to the current state of things. Papa said he would look for someone capable to travel with me, see me to my sister's, and home again I mean." He looked over at her now, surprise evident in his eyes. "I- I could mention you, if you like. A chance to see another part of the world. Besides I should like the company on the train and the boat." He gave a small laugh,

"I'd be grateful, Lady Edith." He said, quite meaning it too. "Very grateful indeed." He hoped it wasn't evident, the hunger in his voice. The desire for a chance to make something more of himself. If he impressed the family, seeing Lady Edith to Ireland, maybe even protecting her a time or two, it might mean a promotion.

"Then I'll speak with him in the morning." She said, the end of her cigarette glowed as she inhaled. Around the corner, the door creaked open, both glanced at each other, worried, and quickly dropped their cigarettes, he stamped them out while she tried to wave away any hint of ash or smoke about them.

"Lady Edith?"

"Yes- Carson, here I am, what is it?" she asked hurriedly, clearly not used to appearing guilty. The butler appeared around the corner. He looked startled, seeing Thomas still outside, and alone with a lady of the house.

"Thomas, what are you doing out here?" he asked, clearly displeased with this discovery.

"Thomas was only doing what Mama asked him to." Edith stepped in "He came to see I was warm enough, as Mama asked, and then I asked him to keep me company, making sure I didn't freeze to death outside." She said. "But now I think I'll go inside. Thank you Thomas, and I'll speak to Papa about it tomorrow." She beamed at him before heading back inside, her taffeta skirts rustling in the breeze.

"What was that about?" Carson asked. Thomas found himself unable to hold back a tiny smile.

"Nothing Mr. Carson, it was just as she said." He shrugged. Smile gave way to a grin as Carson sighed tiredly, turning around and going back inside.

That night, when Thomas finally went up to his room, he found a note tucked into his nameslip on the door. Inside the folded paper was a cigarette, the note accompanied read:

"I owed you one.

- Lady Edith"

Thomas found himself smiling. The cigarette was a ladies brand, but he didn't care. He tucked it into his own case, planning on having it tomorrow. Lady Edith. He didn't know how much sway she could hold with Lord Grantham, but if it meant a trip to Ireland, and perhaps even a good foothold in the family, then it would be well worth it. Besides, Lady Edith wasn't so bad. Perhaps she might have a household of her own one day, and she might want a butler. Or a driver. He could always learn to drive. He fancied himself working for Lady Edith's household. Perhaps she'd become like Lady Rosamund. A house in London, servants and all taken care of by the family. He'd like London. City life suited him. He stretched out on his cot, thinking to himself. Perhaps the future didn't seem quite so hopeless after all.