Disclaimer I do not own Downton Abbey.

Waiting

Anna lay motionless on the bed as John sat on the chair next to her. He had no recollection of ever being so terrified. He desperately wanted to talk to her and cursed himself for waiting until the morning to speak to her when he should have told her his news the moment he had found out. Instead he picked up her cold, limp hand and prayed to a God he wasn't sure he still believed in that she would wake up.

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Lady Mary stared at her sister as she stood in the doorway of Downton. She was clearly waiting for someone but had no idea who.

"Sybil?"

"Oh go away." She wrung her hands together as Mary raised an eyebrow. It was rare that her sister got upset but common place for them to argue.

"What is it? Come on. Tell me. You know I shant go away until you do." Mary teased as their father approached.

"How is she?" He smiled at his daughter as Mary continued to stare at them. She really had no idea what was going on.

"Not well, Father. Not at all well. Bates has taken her to his room. She was barely awake, if at all." She shook her head as Robert sighed.

"I checked with Carson. He has sent for the Dr Clarkson." He watched as relief washed over his daughter's face. "Tell me, how long has Anna worked here? It seems to me that she has grown up in this house."

"She has." Mary sighed as she finally realised that they were talking about the Head Housemaid.

"Since I was six years old." Sybil smiled. "She was 12 and the scullery maid. Just think in a few years Daisy could hold such a position."

"I see no reason why not." Robert watched as Mary pulled a face. She made no secret that she thought the scullery maid was an idiot.

"I hope he hurries. Bates took her to his room and I swear father that I have never seen anyone look quite so ill. Even Bates seemed worried and I have to admit that I have never seen him in such a state. He carried her to his room and quite forgot his cane." Sybil folded her arms as her father smiled. He had seen the blossoming relationship between the Head Housemaid and Valet if no one else had. It reminded him of his own courtship with Cora years before.

"Strange thing, the heart." He muttered quietly as both daughters raised their eyebrows. "When Dr Clarkson gets here make sure he goes straight to Anna. And as for his fee I will cover it. No questions asked, whatever she needs. That girl is what 31? 32? No husband and no children, she has given her life to Downton and this family. The very least we can do in return is make sure she is well cared for." He watched as Mary smiled. Sybil nodded once.

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Mrs Patmore stood in the doorway of Bates' room quietly watching the scene in front of her. She couldn't help but smile. Although it was clear Anna was gravely ill it was also clear how much the man at her side loved her. She just hoped Anna knew.

"Here you are, dear." She stepped in as he nodded.

"Thank you."

"I just saw the young ladies. They are waiting for Dr Clarkson. His Lordship is going to pay for the doctor to see her. Has she stirred? Oh I blame meself. She shouldn't have been doing half what she was. Poor girl, working herself into this state." She bit her bottom lip, on th everge of tears.

"Hard work does not give you a fever." He turned to see the older woman wipe a tear away. "I've seen this before. She needs medication and rest. Lots of rest."

"And she'll be alright." Mrs Patmore stated with more confidence that she felt. "Won't you? Anna."

Anna laid as silently as she had since she had been placed on the bed. John took the cool flannel and rested it on her forehead. He felt useless as Mrs Patmore walked to the edge of the bed.

"Her breathing is bad. Undo her collar and the top button on her dress." She instructed as he swallowed hard. "Come on man."

"But."

"Her chest is restricted. She needs it freeing up." She rolled her eyes. For a man of the world he was sometimes restrained beyond all good sense. She slipped off Anna's boots before walking to the head of the bed and undoing the buttons on Anna's dress. It was then she saw how grey the girl's skin was.

"Yes, yes of course." He took the boots and placed them under the chair in the corner.

"It isn't my place to say but since this morning I've heard gossip. About you and Anna." Mrs Patmore stared at the blonde woman in the bed.

"Have you indeed?"

"You love her. Oh don't deny it man. I have eyes. I can see more than you know. I'm not the little woman stuck in the kitchen. I see what is going on between you two." She smiled. "Even if you do not."

"Mrs Patmore."

"But there are some cruel tounges in this house and I want you to be aware of rumours."

"What are these rumours?"

"Is she pregnant? Is that what the cause of this is?"

"No." He felt the anger swell in the pit of his stomach. He loved Anna. There was no way he was going to deny that but there had been nothing between them apart from friendship and the promise of more. Now that Vera had asked for a divorce he prayed they could actually be more between them. "No, Anna is not married. As you well know."

"It wouldn't be the first time." The cook smiled kindly. "Many a baby has been born out of wedlock of created before the Banns have been read. It is 1914. And whether it is a sin outside of wedlock or not, it happens. Now I always took Anna Smith for a girl with a good head on her shoulders. But she's as human as the rest of us and I have known her since she was a child. No other man has turned her head the way you have." She rested a hand on his arm as he closed his eyes.

"Anna and I have never. We have not. There is no chance she is with child." He stumbled over the words as he realised for the first time he wished it was a possibility.

"Right then, in that case at least you are prepared for the rumours." She smiled slightly as he nodded.

"Ah, so this is the patient?" Dr Clarkson walked in to the room and placed his bag on the bed next to Anna as John stood up. It was then he realised she was tightening her hold on his hand. For the first time since he had found her at the kitchen table he began to let himself hope.

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A/N Thankyou all so much for talking the time to read and review. There are possibly two more chapters left.