A/N: this is my first story, so please be kind! I'm such a fan of the intricacies between Thomas and Jimmy. I don't own the characters! R&R!

My sight was bleary when I opened my eyes. My head throbbed with an unforgivable pang. I couldn't feel my body. I tried to move my arms and legs, fervently, but my efforts only went as far as a small jerk.

It was in smelling something aghast that I realized why I was so immobile – I was covered in blood.

My hair was mixed with it, my knuckles were unbearably swollen. However, I was still conscious enough to observe that, given my situation, I looked unbearably beaten.

It seemed that I was involved in a bit of a brawl.

I had to blink around for a few more seconds before my eyes were unclogged from its blurry vision. I was slumped in a dark and damp corner, unattended. That wouldn't be the first time. It was already dark and the wind was howling; yet for some reason I can't seem to feel the cold. My body has already failed to a state of numbness that it can't welcome any less arrogant sensation.

After a few more attempts, I finally had the strength to get up. I was a bit wobbly at first, but I soon managed to get out of the cramp situation I was in. Dirty alleys such as those permit more room for misery than sanitation.

I was still trying to fathom as to why I got there in the first place, though. I know my lack of better judgment invites belligerent conduct. But surely not to the point of deconstructing my face! I went to a nearby stream, presumably with sterile water, cleansed myself and tried to salvage what manners could be had from my current garb.

I walked down the road, and I began to sense lights in the horizon. The lights were flickering, and dancing to a glitzy tune. As my surroundings became more and more illuminated, it was when I began to recollect the reason why I was thrown to this side of the county. I was attending a fair with the rest of the staff from Downton.

The word Downton made things even more crystal. I was following Jimmy! He won a bet with some bloke, and after our victorious tug-o-war against a few of the townspeople, he began treating everyone with few drinks. And how unscrupulously so.

When he started to prance daftly, I sensed that mischief could be following him any minute. And right I was, two large men began to prowl around him like some cats about to strangle a puny mouse. Not that he looks like one.

On the contrary, he is anything but. I managed to heave a deep sigh. Such a beauty he is! His golden locks, smooth skin, oh I could go on.

Thankfully enough, I was there when these fellows were about to gang up on him. I told him to scurry off. He obviously looked terrified. Well, I couldn't believe it myself, but I took the beating for him. I was not so certain that I could manage, but here I am, aren't I?

The next thing I could remember, I was alone in that bloody, no pun intended, mess.

Surely Mrs. Hughes and the others could not have left the place yet? I'm too tall of a person to not go unnoticed! Not to mention that I am of a clearly higher position than the whole lot of them to be left behind rotting desolately.

Not that my foolish attempts to quell my suspicions were of any use, though.

And Jimmy too? It's rather disheartening. I concede I made advances on him, But I actually went through a lot just to protect him. It might come as a relief to him, but had I not had this overwhelming feeling of care for him, then he might be the one in my place, devastated and badly bruised.

Surely he must have waited for me? Or maybe he had made a gallant attempt to postpone the leaving and consider that I might be immobilized?

That the moon was already beaming its rays did not comfort my hopes up one bit. As I trotted around, I notice all the stalls for the fair were still assembled. There was the booth where Daisy won a prize, there were the tables where Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore had tea.

But no sight of any of my comrades.

Comrades, such a peculiar term for me to use. I highly doubt they'd refer me as the same. To them, I'm somebody from the same employer, maybe, but never comrade. I've caused more than enough mischief in a lifetime. I would understand it if all were to despise me, I haven't been under the good graces of most of the staff at Downton. If a tree were to fall for each misdemeanor I did, the world would already be as bald as Molesley's temples.

There's always an exception, though. Jimmy. He was the one person who, even at first sight, I never plotted against. I never dared to radiate anything poisonous. He was a fine lad. We could have been really nice friends, he and I.

Unfortunately I had to ruin it when I placed a little peck on his lips while he was beautifully asleep.

I knew that I shouldn't have listened to O' Brien who, by the way, was a very close friend of mine. I take extra caution to emphasize that the word "was" is in the past tense.

Jimmy would never have the same feelings for me. Fancied ladies, he does.

But at the same time, I do admit that I was bound to lose control one way or the other. Fate would have me pounce upon him, and with this thought I almost cracked into an ever so slight smile.

I shook my head, it is no good of an idea to dally about fanciful affairs at this time of the night. I am doomed, and Carson will hang me upside down.

I hawked around the area a good three times before I gave up.

I suppose I have no choice but to dart to Downton now. My dear life depends on it.