The plane came to a gentle stop just outside the terminal and everyone started to gather their belongings and the rush was on to get out of the plane as fast as possible. John wanted off the plane too. He wasn't afraid of flying, in fact he loved to travel but planes and airports were rushed, cramped, exhausting and he was happy to be on the last leg of this long journey. Stepping off the plane he felt the heat of the summer sun streaming in the glass terminal and he couldn't wait to get to the hotel to shower and change into something cooler. You never know what these English Summers will bring. He was uncomfortable from the long journey but he felt good. This was the start of a new chapter in his life and he had every intention of making it work. He had to make it work. He didn't want to ever go back into the life of loneliness and despair he had allowed himself to fall into not that long ago. He wanted to be a better man, the man he saw himself as, not the man he had been playing for the past few years. He made it through customs without any trouble and a wave of relief flooded over him as he saw his luggage on the carousel. He slowly made his way out of the airport and smiled when he saw a man bearing a sign with his name on it. He told Rob not to arrange a car and driver, but he was glad all the same.

The dinner rush was on and Anna was in her element. She was training to take over as assistant manager of the Black Knight restaurant in the prestigious Highclere Castle Hotel. She had worked long and hard to get this promotion having been at Highclere for the last 7 years, starting out as a busgirl. Right now she was focusing on preparing a table for the owner of the hotel/restaurant and his entourage. She wanted to make sure everything would be perfect for his dinner tonight as he would be dinning with and welcoming the new hotel manager. Anna wanted to make a good impression on the new assistant manager, and so did the owner, Robert C. Robert had called Anna's boss Elsie Hughes this morning to make sure everything would be ready. Elsie and Anna both found this a little strange since it seemed that the new manager should be the one trying to impress Robert. Robert would also be bringing some members of his family and intended to stay most of the night, which wasn't out of the usual except that welcome dinners for new higher level employees were rare and never involved Robert's family. So, she found herself intrigued to meet the new mystery manager.

Robert's family showed up around 7:00 and all looked as elegant as ever. The Crawleys were one of the richest families in all of the UK. Robert had come from a long line of wealth and had recently made some important investments that expanded that wealth greatly. Anna had gotten to know Mary Crawley their first year of University before she had dropped out to take care of her ailing mother. She had never gone back to Uni but had stayed in touch with Mary who had gotten her the busgirl job at Highclere. Mary had been an assistant manager to the hotel on and off for the last couple of years, but wasn't able to dedicate the necessary time to the position because of all the other family business responsibilities. She had just gotten married and wanted to refocus her priorities on the parts of the business she knew she could excel at.

Anna greeted everyone with a warm friendly smile and showed them to the large semi-private table that would be their home for the rest of the night. There were eight seats in total: two for Robert and his wife Cora, two for Mary and her handsome husband Matthew, one for Anna's boss Elsie, one for the hotel manager Charlie Carson, one for Roberts's step-son Tom, and one for the new manager. Elsie and Charlie were to join the party for drinks later on to get acquainted with the new assistant manager. Robert was running late with the guest of honor, so the group ordered a round of drinks while they waited. Anna didn't need to help serve the dinner table, but she felt it was for the best as the restaurant was especially busy tonight and she wanted to ensure the Crawley table received the special attention that it deserved.

John wasn't sure who was happier to see whom. Robert had welcomed him so warmly and listened to everything John had to say, plus he made John laugh in a way he hadn't in a long time. Robert was one of the good guys. They sat in what would be John's new flat sharing a drink and catching up. It had been 20 years since they meet in the army, 15 since they were discharged, and 7 years since they had seen each other. John had reconnected with Robert when he heard about the death of his youngest daughter Sybil 2 years ago. At the time he was on the other side of the world and couldn't fly back. He still wished he could have been there for his friend. They had stayed in touch after that calling each other every 6 weeks of so. Robert had needed a friend and so had John, when Robert offered him the position at Highclere he knew it was the change he needed. That didn't alleviate his guilt over potentially taking advantage of his friend. John knew that Robert felt as if he owed John his life. They had gotten in a tricky situation in Iraq and John had gotten them out of there alive. He had asked Robert to help him out and was surprised when Robert had offered him a job that wasn't necessarily in his field of expertise. He wasn't inexperienced though, his experience lay in years of Running bars and night clubs, so this job would be an adjustment. Hopefully nothing unmanageable as he would hate to let his friend down when he had gone out on a limb for him.

Robert looked down at his watch, "Shit, John. We're late already. Everyone should be waiting on us. And I thought we'd at least have time for another drink'"

John chuckled, "Lots of time for drinks during dinner, Rob. It's been nice catching up with you one on one though. I want to thank-you again for what you're doing for me."

"Nonsense. I'm the one who should be thanking you. Now come on let's go"

John took the last gulp of his whiskey. Felt the sweet burn and got up to leave. Robert watched as his friend took the cane that was laying against the coffee table and limbed towards the door. No matter what I do for you John Bates. It will never be enough. _

Elsie had asked Anna to run down to the cellar to get some more wine and she had just returned to the kitchen. It appeared as though the new manager had arrived and the kitchen staff were a little excited wanting to see who Robert had made such a fuss about. The Crawley table was somewhat visible from the main kitchen door, so she inconspicuously tried to sneak a look. She scanned the table and saw the profile of a man she didn't recognize. That must be him. He had his back turned to her, sitting comfortably with a drink in his hand and listening to something one of the other guests was saying. It looked like there was a cane hung from the arm of the chair, which took Anna by surprise. She had thought the new manager would be younger then that.

"Anna, could you bring that bottle of Rosemont out to the Crawley table? Robert wants to introduce you to John, the new assistant manager." Said Elsie.

"Ok Elsie, will do." Said Anna.

She walked with purpose to the Crawley table and got the attention of a passing waiter to open the wine. She approached Robert with her classic big smile, "Hi Robert. It's good to see you again!" Robert stood and embraced Anna in a warm hug. "Anna, good to see you as well! I hope you've been settling into your new role alright." With a raised eyebrow he continued "and Ms. Hughes hasn't been to tough on you?"

Anna chuckled, "Oh no not at all Sir, Ms. Hughes has been great as usual.

"Excellent, excellent and thanks for helping to arrange everything tonight. We are having a splendid time! Anna, I'd like to introduce you to the new assistant manager of Highclere Hotel. This is John Bates," Robert said motioning to her right. Anna looked down smiling at John before she could even see his face. John rose from his chair to shake her hand properly. As they reached their hands out their eyes and smiles meet and both were presently surprised. John was tall well over 6 feet, with broad shoulders and a sturdy frame with dark hair that was styled back except for one unruly lock dangling over his left eye, and his eyes were dark but kind. He looked to be in his early forties and Anna found him to be physically striking. He was dressed in all black wearing a classic designer suite and tie. He took her hand in his and gave it a strong firm shake that was neither to overpowering or weak, "Hello Anna, nice to meet you." He said with a boyish grin. "Nice to meet you Mr. Bates." In an instant Anna had little butterflies floating around in her stomach that she immediately tried to push away. Stay professional. He let go of her hand and sat down. Leaning back in his chair he maintained eye contact with Anna, "Robert tells me, you're training to be the assistant manager in this fine restaurant."

"Yes, Mr. Bates. That's right."

"Excellent, I'm sure you'll do great. I'll look forward to working with you." He said, with a smile that reached his eyes with sincerity.

Smiling Anna responded, "Thank-you Mr. Bates. I'll look forward to working with you too."