Anna Smith was thinking about John Bates again. John, that valet who was caught up in her dreams, and her nightmares

Anna walked over to the window and reflected on her surroundings. She had always loved Downton Abbey with its tender, yet surly appeal. It was a place that encouraged her tendency to feel loved.

Then she saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the figure of John Bates.

Anna gulped. She glanced at her own reflection in a puddle on the ground. She was a slight girl, but she could love fiercely. Her friends, if she had any, would see her as a shy and tender girl. As a child, she had been hurt. But that only made her want to love more.

But not even she, was prepared for what John had in store today.

The snow flurried around her, and a flake landed on her eyelash. She giggled, and she felt a strong hand brush her cheek.

Anna stepped back in surprise at this gesture, and he held her, so to avoid her falling back.

John gazed on at her with so much affection she felt like she was in a dream. He said, in hushed tones, "I love you and I want you to love me too.

Anna looked back, Her eyes grazing his strong jawline, she murmured "I love you too..."

They looked at each other with wild feelings of ecstasy, as love coarsed through their veins.

Anna studied John's delicate features. Finally he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry," began John in apologetic tones, "I have been so unfair. I may love you, but you need to forget my love. We can never-"

"Tell me John!"

"We can never be together, for I-I am married!"

Anna looked stunned, her emotions raw and sharp.

John through he could actually hear her heart shatter into thousands of little of pieces. Tears spilled onto Anna's apron, and she pulled away from John. Her hands pressed against his chest. A moment later she was gone, a flurry of tears and sobs, into the snow.

John was crushed. He knew he had to tell the truth, but somehow he had broken the most delicate thing he knew. He wanted to say sorry, say that it would all work, but he didn't have enough faith. Not in Vera, nor himself.

He approached her in the servants hall, as he knew she would not cry there.

"Anna?"

She turned around. He had not seen her face since earlier, but he knew that everyone was avoiding him. But he hoped no one knew why.

Her face was pale. She looked ill. Her eyes were still, but somehow, he felt she still had hope.

"Please John. I love you, I do. Don't make this any harder than it needs to be"

With that she got up, and walked out.

"Anna! I want to-"

But she was gone. Thomas just watched her go. He turned back to John and laughed.

Normally, John would have hit him. But right then, he was to sad to move a muscle. He just stood there.

Anna was half way up the stairs when she collapsed. She fell against the green door, causing it to swing open, so she lay in the hall. She knew she would loose her job, but that didn't matter anymore. She wanted to go, to leave, to escape, to die. John mattered more than anything, and she would rather die, than live without him. Just when she felt like she couldn't go on, she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. It was John. He reached down, and carefully, lifted her up.

"Anna. I love you, and I will do everything in my power to make sure we can be together. I promise."

For a single moment, they stood together, in the grand hall of Downton Abbey, before a sound caused them to break apart. It was the delicate flutter of Lady Sybil.

"Mama!"

Before anyone had a chance to register anything, both Anna and John were safely behind the velvet door.

For one perfect second, they were locked in an embrace.

Finally, thought Anna. Finally, I have found my forever.

(A/n: sorry this is short. just an idea i had. please tell me what you think. xx)