A/N: Thank you all for your reviews, faves and follows :D

Disclaimer: Same as chapter 1.

'Please! Can someone help?'

James' voice echoed in the servant's hall. He had gone out for a cider that night, with Mr Carson's approval. But only one glass!

Most of the servants were asleep. Only Mrs Hughes, Mrs Patmore, and Ms Baxter were up.

Anna had gone to her room after attending to Lady Mary for the night. Crying were her plans for tonight. Sometimes she thought there were no more tears in her body left to be shed, but she was always proven wrong.

John hadn't returned since he left her in the courtyard. She told Mr Carson he was not feeling well so he went home. The butler believed her. Why not? But she was ever so worried. What if he didn't go to the cottage? She prayed to God that she was wrong. That her husband was safe and sound, crying over her unworthy self in the comfort of their little cottage. His cottage now. Only his.

'What's the matter, James?' asked Mrs Hughes.

'You won't believe it.'

Mrs Patmore came from the kitchen curious about all the fuss. 'What on Earth, who's dying?'

'No one is, but...' said the young man catching his breath. 'Was coming back, and saw Mr Bates sitting on a bench. Thought something was wrong, and asked him if everything was alright... the man is drunk like a horse, I tell you. Had a bottle of Scotch in hand, all empty, not a drop left.'

'What?' The three women asked in unison.

'Mr Bates? Are you sure?' asked Ms Baxter.

'Sure. Had to carry him all the way. The man is heavy as a bear.' The young man patted his chest for air. 'He's outside, didn't know if I should bring him in.'

''Course you should bring him in!...Ms Baxter, run upstairs and fetch Anna.'

'Of course, Mrs Hughes.'

'Show us where he is.' said Mrs Patmore.

James took them to the courtyard where John was sitting on the crates. Half sleeping, half awake.

'Mr Bates!' said Mrs Hughes. 'What have you done?'

John recognised the housekeeper's voice and faced her. 'You knew all along, and you said nothing! I asked you, and you said nothing. Bunch of liars, that's what you are.' He spat angrily, cleaning his mouth with his sleeve. 'Don't touch me!' He shouted when James tried to hold him.

'Come on, Mr Bates. I have to take you inside.'

'A cold cloth on his forehead will help.' said Mrs Patmore.

'I don't want...inside, I want here and I want you to leave me. Rather be dead. Should have died in that bloody war.'

Mrs Hughes rolled her eyes at Mrs Patmore.

XXXXXX

'There Mr Bates. Sit there, like that.' Mrs Hughes settled him on a chair.

'What's the matter?' As soon as Anna's eyes landed on her husband, she felt sick. 'John!'

She ran towards him, and knelt on the floor in front of his legs. 'What's wrong?'

'He's drunk. That's what.' said James. 'Quite nasty when he's drunk I must say.'

'James, please...Thank you, but now go to your room.' said Mrs Hughes.

'Don't you want me to take him to a room?'

'He can't stay here.' said Ms Baxter.

'You are right.' said the housekeeper. 'Alright, James. Take him to his old room, please.'

'I'll help you.' Anna replied, feeling the stirrings of determination for the first time since that horrible concert.

They tried to make as little noise as they could. John was not easy at all, either to carry or to endure. He kept telling James to let him go, not to touch him. But at long last they arrived in the room without much fuss. The stairs must have tired John as well.

'Now James, you won't say a word about this to anyone, do you understand me?' said Mrs Hughes. 'Not a word.'

James stared at the housekeeper, and after a moment he finally he spoke. 'Don't worry, I won't say a thing. As long as I don't have to carry him anymore.'

XXXXXX

John laid on his stomach in his old tiny bed. Dressed and grumbling.

Everyone had left but Anna. Mrs Patmore had brought a vase with cold water and a cloth, and now Anna was trying to wipe her husband's brow.

'John, stay still.' She said trying to turn John around.

All of a sudden he propped up on his arms, and looked at her. 'What are you doing here?'

She sighed. 'Let me take care of you, John.'

'Ah! For what? So you can run to another man's arms when you're done? That's what you do...'

'John, Mr Carson will hear you.' She whispered, resting the cloth in the vase. His words stabbed her like a very sharp knife. It hurt so much listening to her husband saying those things about her, to her. Indeed he had a sharp tongue when he was drunk.

'Let him hear! Let the world know what kind of...no, no...' he started sobbing. 'Anna.' he moaned. 'Why, Anna?'

'John...' she tried to speak. Tears rolling down her cheeks, she sniffed loudly.

'I am sorry.' He cried. 'I am so sorry.' With difficulty, and Anna's help he sat down in bed facing her. 'I'll forget this and we can start over, love.' He said caressing her cheeks with both hands.

'I can't live without you. It's alright, I'll forgive you and I'll try to be a better husband...just tell me what I did wrong. What he has that I don't have and I'll try, Anna. I will try, but please don't leave me.'

She held his shaky hands and tried to speak again. 'John, it's not what you are thinking, I didn't...'

John's eyes were heavy, and he could barely keep them open. 'My head is going to explode.'

'Just lay down.' She helped him. 'Let's take the jacket and the vest off.'

After undressing him as best as she could she laid him in bed. 'Alright, now sleep.'

'Anna...I'm drunk.' He said with a sleepy voice.

'I know you are.' She sighed.

'I am sorry…do you forgive me?'

She looked down at him and gently smoothed his hair. 'There's nothing to forgive, my dear.' Her eyes were tender on him. Even drunk he understood that. He had missed that look so much.

'I'll let you speak tomorrow, I promise.' He said, closing his eyes.

'I know you will.' She gave him a small smile.

'And I won't run or get mad, I promise.'

'Thank you.'

'I love you, Anna.'

'I love you too, John.' The honesty in her voice made him open his eyes wide and he stared at her confused, though the effect of his stupid night at the pub made him too sleepy and sick to respond, and he had to close his eyes again.

Soon she heard his snores. Tomorrow would be it. She couldn't run from the truth. As much as it hurt her to tell him what happened, this hurt much more. Smoothing her husband's hair while he slept, she prayed to God for mercy and that her husband would not react badly. She wouldn't bear it if he did.

A/N

I hope you liked this chapter :)

I know that maybe John going out and drink is a bit OOC but I thought that the despair would make him do it. He thought his Anna had a lover, and then in the end, he got himself together and regretted it.

Please review! xxxx