Hello Anna/Bates fans! How cruel is Julian Fellowes!

Obviously after that amazing/horrible episode, we all need some happiness to cling to. Upon watching and re-watching the finale, I heard Robert saying to Matthew that the funeral was to be held on a Monday, and we all know that Mr and Mrs Bates were married on a Friday afternoon. Therefore our favourite couple had a whole weekend to (as Lady Mary said) "control themselves" before he was arrested. So naturally to help ease the burden of their frantic goodbye, I just had to write this.

Title was chosen in light of Violet's comment in the early stages of season 1 =)

They couldn't help it. They were newlyweds, isn't that how they were supposed to act? After seven long years' of suppressed desire and denied passion, didn't they have every right?

Breakfast was a challenge for John that Saturday morning. All through their meal, whenever he just glanced at Anna, he would have flashbacks from the night before. He could just feel her lying next to him, his arms enveloping her from behind, cradling her as they slept. When he listened to her making small talk with the others in the servants' hall, his mind couldn't help but remember her cries and moans of pleasure as he removed that veil of mystery surrounding the marital bed to her. John had to try very hard not groan right there and then at the table. Reaching for his teacup, he tried his best to calm his nerves with a few sips.

Anna was doing nothing to help. As she had sat down to eat her breakfast, she carefully shuffled her chair inches closer to him. Those few inches made it so his right leg was firmly pressed against her left. He wanted desperately to place his hand on her thigh, but the rules of propriety were ever in the front of his mind. A cheeky part of him also reminded him that she was technically his wife now. He knew exactly what was considered appropriate behaviour in the early stages of marriage. He banished the tempting thought.

Little did John know, was that Anna was just as close to succumbing to her own improper impulses. Anna had awoken that morning, feeling as though she was a new woman; a married woman. She could think of no greater way to wake up than in John's warm embrace.

Because Anna was never much of a morning person, she usually hated breakfast; always having to trudge down the stairs and face the chores that the morning brought. And today was no different. She couldn't stand being so close to John and be denied any contact with him other than polite conversation. Anna knew she shouldn't be thinking such things. But she wanted him, no, needed him. She hadn't known what she was missing until last night, and now it only increased her craving John's touch.

Lady Mary had said they would have to control themselves. If only she knew.

Anna decided it to up the ante, and unknowingly did exactly what John was itching to do himself. Ever so slowly, conscious of being discovered, she placed her hand on his leg just above his knee.

John started slightly at her touch. He turned to look at her, but Anna's gaze was on Daisy, who was talking opposite her. As much as she tried, Anna couldn't hide the mischievous grin threatening to appear across her face. With her fingertips, she began to gently caress a path up his leg, only going a few centimetres at a time, and then back towards his knee.

John closed his eyes at her teasing, and focused very hard not to show just how much she affected him. He moved his own hand to return her attentions to his leg. As his palm came into contact with her thigh, Mrs Hughes walked in and proceeded to sit in the chair on John's left. They instantly jumped apart and both fumbled for their cups of tea. Anna tried not to laugh into her cup as they drank at the same time and hoped that no one else noticed their synchronised action.

They were both subconsciously waiting for everyone to leave, so they could have some time alone. Anna looked to the side and found John staring at her intently. Both noticed their mutual frustration in the current situation. Mrs Hughes interrupted their shared and intense look with her commanding voice.

"Anna, Lady Sybil left earlier with Mr Branson, so her room is free for you to strip the bed now. Off to Dublin, I hear. Well good luck to them, I suppose. Oh and Jane is still upstairs packing so you're on your own for the meantime", with that she stood and left, making for her parlor."

Reluctantly, Anna turned to leave. As she stood, she leaned in slightly to John. "Well I best be going then. To Lady Sybil's room. Alone".

Anna knew she was being obvious, but she didn't care.

John smirked at her forward and tempting offer and nodded slightly to her as she left, saying that he understood. He was surprised at her eager manner, but he was by no means complaining.

He gave her what he hoped was enough time to reach Lady Sybil's room and complete her task before he went there himself. As he reached the door, John peered cautiously left and right before entering. He had barely shut the door before he was practically pounced upon. She clung to him from behind and so he spun them around and almost violently held up her against the door. His cane lay forgotten as it clattered to the floor.

He pinned her from shoulder to thigh and captured her mouth with his own, meeting her tongue with fervour. With one hand he held her firmly around the waist, while the other fumbled blindly with the lock on the door.

With the need for air becoming too much, John grudgingly broke the heated kiss. Breathily he asked, "How long before you're missed?"

"Twenty minutes, half an hour at the most."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her again. "Well," he started, as he made a path across her jaw line, "We better not waste any more time then."

xXx

Later that afternoon, Anna was by herself in the kitchen, scrubbing slightly at a stain on a shirt. With only the noise of the water running a little from the tap into the sink, Anna couldn't remember the last time when the house had been so quiet.

With her mind so focused on her task, she didn't hear the familiar half-step of Mr Bates' approach.

John stood in the doorway, taking pleasure in the view before him.

"Where is everyone?"

She jumped at his voice. "John Bates! You gave me such fright!" she yelled, though her smile betrayed her annoyed tone.

Chuckling to himself, he repeated his question. "Where is everyone?"

"Busy, I suppose. Doing their work about the house."

"And is that what you're doing?" he said as he stepped closer, observing her hands over her shoulder. "Your work?"

Anna smiled as he placed his hands either side of her, leaning against the bench, touching her back slightly. "I don't know if you've noticed, Mr Bates, but I am lady's maid for two rather demanding young women."

Tenderly, he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Oh yes, I'm beginning to understand all about the demands of some women."

She grinned at his teasing and leaned back to press against him, leaving him fighting for breath.

"Don't you have anything to do at the moment, Mr Bates?" secretly hoping he didn't.

Not trusting his voice, John cleared his throat before answering and couldn't resist teasing her further. "Yes, I have something I should be doing right now actually."

Anna couldn't contain her disappointed sigh. "Oh really? And what might that be?"

"You."

Anna's hands stilled as she processed his meaning. But before she could ask, John spun her around and began to trail forceful kisses along her neck.

"John" she gasped.

"Mmm?" he murmured in response, as he continued his assault on her neck, moving to just under her ear.

"We can't. . . . We shouldn't."

John smiled against her neck, as he listened to her weakening protests as he started to nip and suck slightly across her jaw line and finally reaching her lips.

Stuff it she thought, easing her hands up and around his neck, burrowing her fingers into his hair. Anna responded enthusiastically to his kisses and beckoned his lips open with her tongue.

Things were quickly spiralling out of control, as Anna could feel John's desire pressed firmly against her stomach. They were moulded so close together, no air could have passed between them.

Far sooner than either of them would've liked, footsteps were heard making their up the hall towards them.

Mrs Patmore rounded the corner to find Anna positioned at the sink with something in her hands, and Mr Bates manoeuvring his way to the exit.

"Oh, hello you two. I didn't realise anyone was in here."

"No, John was- I mean Mr Bates was just helping me with Lady Mary's riding clothes. She can get them awfully muddy, you know."

Whether or not Mrs Patmore noticed her slip, she said nothing.

"So, thank you Mr Bates. I truly appreciate all your help" Anna said turning back to John.

"My pleasure" he replied, grinning like a love sick fool. With a heavy heart, he turned and left.

Anna sighed heavily and went back to her work.

"So" started Mrs Patmore, "he was just helping you out then?" Anna had almost forgotten she was there and fought hard to prevent the blush she could feel appearing on her cheeks.

"Y-yes" she stammered "he was very um . . . obliging."

"Mmm I can see that he was." Mrs Patmore grinned more and more as she watched Anna shift uncomfortably and saw her face change colour rapidly.

Seeing that Anna wasn't going to share anymore details than that at the moment, Mrs Patmore gave up and started to prepare for dinner. "Daisy!" she bellowed "Where 'av you got to now?"

Anna released a breath she hadn't realised she had been holding, finished her task and started towards the servants hall. She wasn't sure whether she hoped or dreaded seeing John there.

Coming up next...SUNDAY! Reviews are love =)