Author's Note: I've been away for far too long. I hope you guys enjoy this story. Wrote this baby in only a day. I love Downton! And also, I do hope this title isn't taken, but it probably is. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to tea with the Dowager Countess.

Disclaimer: Despite my efforts, I do not own Downton Abbey. But, if I did, Mr. Bates would be in every scene.

In Sickness and In Health

All seemed like a steady morning in the servant's hall. Everyone was enjoying breakfast, and talking about endless plans the Crawleys had in store. Anna always relished mornings in Downton Abbey. While skirting along the rushing staff she made her way to the table as breakfast was being served. She had started late, due to the fact that she had not gained any sleep in the long night. In fact, when she got dressed Anna noticed she looked as pale as a sheet. Anna quickly dismissed that observation; she had very much work to do.

Conversations crowded the servant's hall as the staff continued their discussions. She joined Mr. Bates at the table, though she did not feel like talking herself. The awful truth was that Anna did not feel well enough to even begin to chat with Mr. Bates, but she did mumble a "Good morning".

Mr. Bates took in Anna's appearance. She didn't look sloppy, but rather disoriented. Her eyes did lack the usual sapphire shine when she saw her husband. Mr. Bates did notice she was pale, as pale as the linens she gave Lady Mary the other day. And her small nose was very pink. "Is everything alright?" Mr. Bates questioned, steely brown eyes full of worry.

"Yes Mr. Bates, why do you ask?" Anna wondered, taut face now facing him. Now Mr. Bates could see small bags around her eyes. They weren't noticeable, but Mr. Bates knew Anna's every feature, from the top of her golden hair, to the bottoms of her dainty feet.

"You just…don't look too good. Are you well?" Mr. Bates said nervously, and a bit awkwardly. To this, Anna only chuckled lightly.

"You sure know how to flatter a woman, don't you?" Anna laughed. She looked up as Mary's bell jingled on the wall. She hurriedly added "I'm fine".

She excused herself from the table and got up from her seat. Anna could feel her stomach twist inside her. Damn. I must have eaten something that doesn't agree with me, she thought. Anna grimaced inwardly.

Anna only went a few steps before gripping the wall for support. She was aware most of the staff was watching her. There was still chatter to be heard around the hall, so it could not have been anyone. Mr. Carson, however, rose from his seat. "Anna-" he began.

She could feel her heart pounding in her head. The pain was bad enough, then Anna weakly leaned forward. Carson was cut short after Anna spewed out the little contents that her stomach held. Now she could tell all eyes were on her. She knew both Carson and John were standing now, due to the fact that Anna had heard John spring up. The servant's hall echoed with the sickening sound of Anna's heaving.

Now Mrs. Patmore and Daisy were in front of her. Mrs. Patmore comforted her while rubbing her back. Daisy looked rather shaken up, as the doe-eyed girl was easily scared.

Anna straightened up after the heaving, and leaned her back against the wall. "Anna!" Mr. Carson exclaimed. "To bed at once!" Mr. Carson had no time for sickness. He could not have anyone else catching it either. Anna sighed.

"I'm fine Mr. Carson." Anna said tiredly. She put her hand upon her now hot forehead and looked to him. "Just let me clean this up…"

"Absolutely not! To bed!" Carson said sternly. But Anna objected.

"I made this mess, let me clean it up." Anna said. She seemed out of breath. Anna then turned to face Mr. Carson. She believed it wouldn't be fair to leave that mess for someone else to clean up.

"Anna" Mr. Bates interjected "Don't be silly. You need rest" Mr. Carson then gestured Daisy to clean up the floor. Daisy turned to Anna, eyes still wide.

"It's okay, don't worry. Really. I'll clean. You need rest." Daisy said softly in her sing-song voice.

Anna then gave in. There was no way the staff would let her work until she was better. She gave a sigh of defeat. "Thank you, Daisy." Anna said wearily. She hesitated for a moment.

"This isn't a final goodbye!" Mrs. Patmore said not unkindly. "Get a move on!"

Anna, slightly embarrassed of making a spectacle of herself, then began to walk unsteadily to her room. Noticing this, Mr. Bates excused himself from the table to assist Anna to her room. Mr. Bates offered his arm, and Anna gratefully took it as the two made their way up the stairs.

Mr. Bates couldn't stand when Anna was sick. Every sound of her heaving and retching were much like stabs in his heart. He would gladly take her place, with no hesitation. But he had to wonder…

"Anna," He began "why didn't you tell me something was wrong?" Mr. Bates looked to his wife. Anna shook her head.

"I honestly didn't think I was that sick. If I had, I would have told you. I just didn't want you to worry if it wasn't a big deal." They then reached Anna's antiquated room. Mr. Bates kissed her knuckles lightly.

"Please." He supplicated "Let me know any and all times you don't feel well." Mr. Bates cupped her cheek with his large, potent hands. Anna smiled up at him.

"You can't kiss me." She said teasingly. "I'll get you sick." Anna earned a smile and a kind-hearted chuckle from Mr. Bates.

"We can't have that, now can we?" Mr. Bates kissed her on the forehead as she disappeared into her room.

Mrs. Hughes was making her way to Anna's bedroom. She had not seen the occurrence at breakfast and had heard superfluous stories servants made up about how Anna had almost vomited out her insides. She knew the stories weren't true, but one could worry. Anna was, after all, one of the closest things she had to a daughter.

She made her way down the hall of the woman's dormitories. Mrs. Hughes grew more apprehensive when she heard retching, presumably from Anna. She knocked lightly on Anna's door, and after hearing a few seconds more of heaving, Mrs. Hughes let herself in to the tiny bedroom.

Anna was bent over a small bucket, brushing strands of hair from her face as she was likely done vomiting for now. She caught sight of Mrs. Hughes and swallowed.

"Ah, Mrs. Hughes," Anna choked out. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this." Anna sat up upon her bed and rubbed her eyes. Mrs. Hughes sat next to her and began to tentatively rub her back.

"Worry not, you're sick." The older woman said understandingly. "Are you feeling any better?" Anna slowly shook her head.

"I don't think so, Mrs. Hughes" Anna sighed. "I understand there are stories downstairs of me heaving my innards out? I hope they didn't scare you."

"They didn't" said Mrs. Hughes. "I know you won't let the flu keep you down for long" To this, Anna smiled.

Because Anna fell ill, O'Brien had to dress the girls. O'Brien then started to style Mary's dark brown hair. "O'Brien," Mary began "I was wondering where Anna was." O'Brien frowned inwardly. She continued to attend to Mary's silky hair.

"I'm afraid she fell very ill at breakfast this morning. I am sorry, Lady Mary" O'Brien stated. Concern started to grow in Mary's eyes.

"The fact that you said 'very ill' worries me" Mary said, her straitlaced, prim face paling slightly, "Do you know what she is sick with?"

"Looks to me like a nasty case of the flu. At breakfast Anna was rather pale, and her nose was quite pink. After you rang, Lady Mary, she got up to leave, but she got sick all over the floor. I think she will get better overnight, the flu never lasts long. I do hate to trouble you Lady Mary."

As night approached Anna could say she felt better. Still a bit sick, but the heaving and retching had stopped. She had spent the entirety of the day reading and rereading Jane Eyre, her favorite novel. Anna recalled she had taken it out of her Lordship's library eight times. For her birthday, John had found a copy for her. Every time she read it, Anna thought of him.

It was as she read the last page that she heard a soft knock on the door. Anna swiftly made herself look somewhat presentable, and opened the door. There stood Mr. Bates with a tray full of food, milk, and some lilacs in a vase. Anna smiled as she felt her cheeks turn a slight shade of crimson. "I thought you may want to eat something…" Mr. Bates said warmly.

"My, my, I may need help finishing this." Anna smiled. Mr. Bates shifted awkwardly.

"As much as I want to, Mrs. Hughes…" Mr. Bates began.

"She won't mind" Anna swiftly interjected. "And she won't think something fishy is going on if we leave the door open."

"I suppose so" Mr. Bates smiled and stepped into the quaint room. He sat on the bed right next to her, and Mr. Bates gingerly put the tray upon her small lap. Mr. Bates then lit a small candle on the night table and the two began to eat. Not long after the two were done and satisfied, the room was filled with giggles of numerous jokes being told. As night grew closer, Mr. Bates soon had to leave. As the two said their affectionate good nights, Mr. Bates got up to leave. Then he warily turned to her. "I can't believe I never asked you, are you feeling better?" To this, Anna smartly got up, and made her way right next to him.

Then, Anna smiled at him. "I feel better whenever I am with you." She then got up on her toes and planted a soft, placid kiss on his lips. Anna definitely felt better now.

End.

I hope you liked it! Tea and crumpets for anyone who reviews!