John Bates was sitting in the crowded ski lodge bored out of his mind. He had already tweeted everyone he knew. He had spoken to his mother on the phone, not that he could hear her very well over all the noise in the lodge. He had tried to read his book with no success, again because of the noise. He had played more games of solitaire than he cared to count. Why had he even agreed to come on this stupid ski trip? It's not like he could ski, what with his old injury from the war. And Rob knew that full well, yet he had insisted saying, "But it's my birthday trip and you're my best mate. You have to come." And once again John had given in as he always did when Rob insisted. No sense blaming anyone else, it was his own damn fault for being such a pushover where his former Captain was concerned.
He was just settling down to try and read again when a young woman hobbled over to his table, "Excuse me, I hope I've got this right, aren't you a friend of the Earl of Grantham?"
John looked up into a face that was vaguely familiar. The woman was probably somewhere between Mary and Edith's age. She had long blonde hair that was mussed and damp from her skiing and the most beautiful blue eyes John had ever seen. She tried to smile but grimaced instead, "I certainly hope you are because I don't think I can stand on this foot another second and all the tables are full."
John quickly rose from his chair and pulled out a seat for the young lady.
"Yes, I'm John Bates, the Earl's old army buddy. You're a friend of Mary's aren't you?"
"That's right," the woman tried another smile as she attempted to get comfortable, "I'm Anna. Anna Smith." She held out her hand and John shook it happily.
"John Bates?" she looked deep in thought, "I think Mary calls you 'Uncle John'. And aren't you Sybil's godfather?"
"I am," John smiled and Anna couldn't help but think it was the best smile she had ever seen.
"You hurt your foot?" John enquired politely.
"My ankle actually. Not that I'm surprised. I have no bloody business being anywhere near a ski slope. I've never skied in my life and the conditions today aren't exactly ideal. But somehow Mary always manages to talk me into these things."
John laughed, "It must be a Crawley trait. Rob talked me into this trip and it's not even possible for me to ski. I have a knee injury from the war." He didn't usually come right out and talk about his knee like this but something about this woman just oozed goodwill and kindness and he felt immediately at ease in her presence.
"Ahhh," a light went on in Anna's eyes, "now I know who you are. You're the one who saved the Earl's life in Afghanistan. You're a war hero."
John looked down and a lock of his hair fell loosely across his forehead. It made Anna's breath hitch, much to her surprise.
"I don't know about that," he said humbly, "the story seems to get more and more exaggerated every time Rob tells it. The truth is I just didn't want to lose such a good friend." He quickly tried to change the subject, "Why don't you let me see that ankle? Maybe there's something I can do."
"Really, do you think so? It hurt's like the dickens."
Anna unzipped the bottom of her ski pants and rolled them up slightly. John leaned forward and lifted her calf so that her foot was resting on his good knee.
"Oh don't do that, Mr. Bates. You'll get yourself all dirty."
He smiled at her again and she began to think that the heat in the lodge was turned up much too high. "Don't worry. I learned how to do laundry in the Army."
He began to loosen the clips on her boot and gently pulled it from her foot.
"Ouch!" she grimaced again.
"Sorry, I tried to be gentle," his looked absolutely distressed that he should be the cause of her pain.
"It's alright. It had to come off sooner or later." She smiled at him reassuringly.
"May I take your sock off so I can get a better look?"
"Such a gentleman," she joked, "of course."
"Brace yourself," he smiled and his eyes twinkled. Anna noticed that John Bates was growing more and more handsome with each passing second. And despite her whining, his hands were incredibly elegant looking and gentle. He began to remove her sock and a current of electricity shot through her at the feel of his fingers on her skin.
"Thank you," she managed to choke out.
John looked up, "No problem." When he made eye contact with Anna he had the hardest time looking away. He felt ridiculous, but he had to admit to himself that he found this woman incredibly attractive, even if she was Mary's age.
"Your foot looks absolutely frozen," John said, looking at the bright red toes on her now naked foot. Before he even thought about what he was doing he began to rob his hands back and forth over her frozen skin. "There," he said after a few minutes, "doesn't that feel better?" He looked into her eyes and froze, all thoughts gone from his mind as she held his gaze.
Finally, she whispered, "Oh yes, that's much better."
"Uh," he stumbled on his words and she grinned at him, "let me have a look at that ankle." He gently lifted her foot and turned it slightly this way and that. He used his thumb to press around on the ankle and Anna hissed in a breath.
"Sorry," he apologized again, "It doesn't look too bad, but I think your skiing is done for today. Best keep it elevated and put some ice on it to keep the swelling down. I'll go see if I can get some from the restaurant."
"Oh, don't go to any bother, Mr. Bates. I'm sure I'll be alright."
He smiled down at her, "I'm sure you will, but it's the least I can do."
As he walked away Anna thought about how well he wore his jeans and how broad and strong his back looked. What was happening to her? She didn't even know this man and she was already feeling a strong sense of attraction to him. He must be alright if he was the Earl's best friend. And Mary called him 'Uncle John', that had to be a good sign. Or a bad one, 'Uncle John', he was old enough to be Mary's uncle.
Before her thoughts could take her any further John returned with a bag of ice, a cup of tea, a packet of crisps and some aspirin.
"Are you trying to spoil me, Mr. Bates?" Anna teased.
"Maybe, and you might start calling me John."
"Alright, John," Anna spoke quietly and for some reason, much to her chagrin, she began to blush. John didn't think she could get any more lovely, but the pink that rose in her cheeks proved him wrong.
They ended up spending a pleasant hour chit chatting about how they had met the Crawleys and sharing memories of their various experiences. But after an hour or so, the aspirin and the warmth of the lodge was taking its toll on Anna and she began to yawn.
"I'm sorry John. I think the shock of my foot is starting to get to me. I'm really sleepy. I think I'll hobble my way back to my cabin."
"Are you staying with the girls?" John asked, full of concern, "That's quite a ways to go on that foot. Should I call someone and have them bring you a chair?"
"Oh no, please don't. I'd die of embarrassment. I'll be fine, I promise."
"Alright then, no chair. But I can't send you alone," John insisted. "Here put your arm around me and we'll go together."
Anna put up no fight at all at John's suggestion, and she had to admit, if only to herself, that it had very little to do with the pain in her foot. As they made their way slowly to her cabin, John supported most of her weight by wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her tightly to his body. When they got to the door of the cabin, John set her down but didn't immediately remove his arm. They stood for a moment just staring at one another.
Finally, Anna spoke, "Thank you John. You are a true gentleman. A knight in shining armour."
"I try," he answered, "though it has its disadvantages." What the hell did I say that for? he thought to himself as soon as the words left his lips.
Anna chuckled and said, "I hope we see each other again."
"So do I," he responded. He turned and began to walk back to his own cabin. Suddenly he stopped, "Anna," he reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, "here's my card. You know, just in case you ever need a shining knight again. Don't hesitate to call."
He handed the card to Anna and as he walked away, she looked at it and smiled.