Title: Going back
Rating: G
Characters/Pairing: Mr Bates
Warnings: Spoilers for 2.1
Word Count: 116
Challenge: "Sacrifice" at downton_100 on LJ
Note: Drabble written for the 'Sacrifice' prompt right after 2.1 aired
Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey.
He thought he had made enough sacrifices for a lifetime, but apparently he was wrong. He thought he could be free, at last, and be happy again, but he was mistaken. And even worse, he had to give up on his new found happiness of his own will.
But, to his own surprise, as miserable as he felt, he didn't mind sacrificing again.
What hurt the most was not being able to tell the truth to Anna and Lord Grantham, the rest, he could cope with. This time he was sacrificing for the people who had helped him, believed in him, trusted him… loved him. And knowing that, he knew he was doing the right thing.
A/N: This is the first piece of Downton Abbey fanfiction I've ever written, so my apologies for any mistakes of any sort (and for the quality of my English, which isn't my first language). Reviews are much appreciated and really make my day. :)