A/N: This is a four part Banna Christmas story for the batessecretservice Secret Santa Exchange on tumblr for revfrog. I hope you enjoy this gift revfrog and please know you've been in my thoughts. Merry Christmas.

Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey.

"Anna!"

Mary Crawley was Anna Smith's oldest and best friend. They had met each other when they both had started school many years prior and from that point on they had built a strong and lasting friendship.

"Mary!" Anna squealed with delight as she stepped inside the Crawley residence she had grown to love and consider her second home over the years. She immediately gave Mary a big hug, and Mary returned the embrace as both of them giggled at seeing each other again.

Breaking the embrace and pulling back to look at Anna, Mary inquired, "How was your flight?"

Anna began shedding her coat as Mary closed the door.

"It wasn't too bad considering it's holiday travel time."

Mary took Anna's coat from her and hung it up on the peg on the wall before replying, "I can't believe you're finally home for good and just in time for Christmas."

With a deep breath, Anna answered, "I know. I've been gone too long. It already feels wonderful being back."

Anna's employer had transferred her to Scotland three years ago to work for a popular magazine there. It had been an easy decision to make for the most part aside from having to leave her family and friends behind. It didn't take her long to adjust to her new and exciting surroundings, and her position as head of photography at the magazine had opened up an array of opportunities for her. The latest opportunity being her chance to come back to Yorkshire and work for a sister magazine to the one she had been working for.

"Well, I know I'm certainly glad you're back. I've been needing someone to gallivant with other than Edith and Henry. I do love Henry, but sometimes I need another sensible woman my age to speak to."

Mary gave Anna a small smile as though indicating she may be blabbing on too much. Anna responded by giving Mary a smile in return and saying she had missed there girl time as well.

Mary was motioning for Anna to join her in the sitting room when the french doors leading to the back patio opened, sending a chilling air into the room.

"It looks so incredibly amazing!"

Mary and Anna looked on as two men entered the sitting room.

"Papa could you please close the doors. It's freezing," Mary said as she crossed her arms in front of her.

The two men looked in Mary's direction and were caught off guard by the both of them standing there.

"Yes. Oh and hello Anna," Robert Crawley, Mary's father, said before he turned and quickly closed the doors.

He then turned around again and continued, "I thought you were arriving tomorrow."

"I was able to get an earlier flight and when I spoke with Mary she said it would be alright to pop by."

Anna smiled shyly as she looked to Robert and then to the gentleman standing near him whom she had met before. He was standing tall with one hand in his trouser pocket, the other was gripping a cane that looked to be wrapped in white and red electrical tape. She could have sworn his cheeks had turned slightly pink when her eyes drifted to the cane then back to him. She found it adorable he seemed embarrassed by it.

"Of course it is! We are glad to have you back," Robert replied joyfully.

"Thank you," Anna said politely.

"Anna, do you remember papa's best mate John?" Mary asked as she looked at Anna and then to John.

"Where are my manners? Anna this is John Bates. John this is Anna Smith," Robert interjected as he clapped a hand on John's shoulder.

"Yes, we've met before," Anna responded kindly. "Hello again, Mr. Bates."

They had indeed met on a few occasions before. All she could remember was he worked with Robert, he was married, and he had the most soulful pair of eyes she had ever looked into. It was a pair of eyes one couldn't easily forget.

"Hello, Miss Smith," John replied as he finally found his voice.

"Since we're all acquainted again. Let's have a seat and get caught up," Mary suggested.

Anna and Mary sat themselves down on the couch, and the men perched themselves on armchairs opposite the ladies. When John hooked his cane to the chair Mary made a comment.

"Papa did you do that to his cane?"

Mary looked to her father waiting a response.

"Isn't it delightful? I should have done this years ago!"

Mary tutted at her father's immaturity though it seemed all men were immature not just her father.

"I think it looks rather festive," Anna said as a hint of a smile ghosted across her face, her words gaining John's attention.

"It's a large candy cane, so I guess that makes Bates a giant elf."

Robert laughed at his own words but quickly quieted down as John offered him a not-so-friendly look in his direction.

"Only kidding mate. Only kidding. Though the walking stick does look awesome."

"Anyways," Mary said, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.

"So, how long do you think you'll be here?"

Anna looked to Mary. "I think I'm here for good. Scotland was great, but I missed living here. I don't think I'll have transfer anymore unless I request it."

"So, you're here for Christmas then. Have any plans?" Robert asked as he crossed one leg over the other.

"My parents will be on a cruise in the Caribbean during Christmas, so my only plans are to stay home for now."

"Nonsense. You're invited to come here of course. We're having a big Christmas party and dinner. We've invited a lot of people and it's not going to be a normal Christmas."

"Not a normal Christmas?" Anna asked with some confusion written on her face.

"He's decided to do an unorthodox Christmas dinner. A flavors of the world kind of thing," added John.

"I don't want to give it all away, so you must come."

Just then Cora and Henry were walking through the front door.

"Hello!" Cora said as she entered. "Anna! I thought you weren't in until tomorrow."

"I got an early flight," Anna replied as she stood to quickly embrace Cora.

"Hello, nice to see you again," said Henry as he kindly shook Anna's hand.

"You too, Henry. It feels like forever since I saw you at your wedding."

"It really has," Henry smiled.

"Robert, Mary would you mind helping me and Henry in with the supplies we bought for the party?"

"Not at all, darling," Robert answered as he made his way to his feet.

Both he and Mary followed Cora and Henry outside, leaving Anna and John alone.

"So, how have you been?" Anna started.

"Been well other than Robert vandalizing my walking stick," John joked.

Anna chuckled as she replied, "I like it. It fits in with the season."

John shrugged as Anna's composure came back.

"Are you still working with Robert? From what I remember you two were running a software company?"

"Yes still doing the same old."

They were broken from their brief conversation when the Crawleys came bustling back inside with several bags in each of their hands and began making their way into the kitchen.

"Looks like he wasn't kidding about a big party," Anna said as her eyes drifted back to John's.

"He's never been one to do anything unless it's big," John replied with a pointed look to Anna.

Anna smiled with narrowing eyes as the others began filtering back into the room. Cora and Mary were excited to hear about Anna's life over the last three years even though she did keep in contact with Mary during her time away. Anna was more than happy to tell a few tales but was interested in catching up with everyone else as well, including the man in front of her who was focused intently on what she was saying.

"So, is there a dress code for this big bash Robert?" Anna asked, trying to turn the conversation away from herself.

"Not casual. Not formal. Somewhere in the middle," Robert replied with a shrug.

"That means a nice dress will do," Mary whispered to Anna to clarify, which made the both of them chuckle.

"I didn't get to see the guest list by the way," Mary said, looking to her mother.

"I'll go get it. We need to see if we've forgotten anyone anyways," Cora replied before standing to her feet.

"So Bates, Robert is being gracious enough to give you a few days off," Henry stated in jest.

"Yes, Rob has always been fair to me in that regard." John shifted in his chair as he looked to Henry.

"Bates deserves all the time I give him. I couldn't ask for a better partner and friend," Robert interjected. He cleared his throat before continuing, "My, that was strong talk for an Englishman."

"Here it is," Cora said as she handed the guest list to Mary before sitting back down.

"Okay, let's see..."

Mary scanned over the list of people who had been invited. There were several people who are friends of her parents, a few people her sister, Edith, knew and some that could have been business acquaintances. She noticed the Moseley's were on the list. Joseph Molesley's father owned the floral shop they frequented, so both families had remained close. As her eyes roamed further down the page, she stopped on three names that made her eyes go wide.

"Surely you didn't invite the Riley's," Mary said in a shocked tone to her parents when she looked up from the list.

"They've been on the list for the last three years," Robert replied.

Anna's throat tightened at the mention of the Riley's. It was a name she hadn't heard since she had left the area, and it was one she wished she hadn't heard again.

"Yes but this year is different. Everyone knew Anna was more than likely going to be here," Mary said in her friend's defense.

"It's okay. I can make other plans," Anna offered as the awkwardness of the conversation was in full swing.

"Nonsense!" Mary and Robert said at the same time.

"It may be best," Anna said but not before seeing John's facial expression change to one of concern.

"If he's going to be in issue just bring a date. We won't mind another guest will we Cora," Robert said as he uncrossed his legs and leaned forward in his chair.

"Well, I..." Anna tired to start and then tired again. "I don't know anyone to bring."

"Anna, you don't have to be forced to bring a date. We'll just uninvite them," Mary offered.

"Mary," Cora chided, "We can't invite them. It wouldn't be right."

"Your mother is right. It would be rude," chimed Robert.

Mary rolled her eyes at her parents. She really couldn't care less if it was rude or not.

"Really, it's okay. It's not worth the fuss," Anna added with a raised hand to wave off this new found problem.

"How about Bates here?" Robert said bluntly.

John turned his head to look at Robert.

"He'll be here anyways. He can be your pretend date for the night." Robert had a satisfied smile on his face from his idea.

Anna felt slightly confused for a moment. Mr. Bates was a married man. Why would Robert suggest he be her date for the night? The whole situation was making her uncomfortable and the room felt warmer.

"I don't..."

Anna instantly continued speaking after stammering. It sounded like she was immediately rejecting him which wasn't the case, but how could it work? The look in John's eyes made her explain.

"I don't think Mrs. Bates would approve," Anna said tentatively as her eyes found a spot on the highly polished wood floor to stare at.

"You have been gone longer than I thought," Robert replied with a laugh.

Anna looked back up in confusion from Robert's laughter.

John raised a hand to Robert before saying in Anna's direction, "My ex-wife and I divorced over a year ago."

Anna's embarrassment only heightened then.

"Oh. I'm so sorry to hear it," Anna replied kindly, feeling stupid she didn't know, but then how could she have known?

"It was for the best," John stated with a sad smile.

"So, how about it hm? You'll both be at the party and you can just hang out and talk."

From John's point of view, he could see Anna struggling with what to say, so he decided to speak up first.

"Would you mind being my pretend date on Christmas night, Anna?"

Anna's eyes snapped to his and somehow she felt calmer when she gazed into his deep, hazel eyes.

It couldn't hurt. He wasn't married, and this way she could still attend the party without feeling as vulnerable. They knew enough of each other to hang out on Christmas.

"Only if you are sure," Anna said back.

"I am."

"Well, that's all settled then. It's at 6 and please come hungry." Robert clapped his hands as everything came together.