A/N: Thank you for the response, it means a lot. I hope you enjoy the last instalment, this chapter really is wishful thinking. But I'd planned and written most of this before we had most of the info for episode 1. I hope you all enjoy the episode on Sunday!
The Spring to Follow the Winter
John began to charge down at the door, but Robert got there first, having no physical impediment to stop his run. He charged at the door with his shoulder and reached for the door handle too, swinging it open as it almost came off at the hinges at the force. Smoke was beginning to fill the bedroom as they entered, although the open window was helping its cause.
Anna looked up as she heard the commotion, her eyes searching frantically for John. She shrieked as her eyes found a figure that was not him, but soon enough her husband had followed behind, and within seconds he was over to her at the window, sweeping her into his arms as she cried hysterically into his shoulder.
"Oh, John," Anna cried, clutching at him.
"You're all right," John reassured her, choking slightly. "We have you now."
"Bates, we must move quickly." Robert interjected, still stood beside the doorway and looking on at the fire with a concerned expression.
John turned and met the eyes of his employer. He promptly nodded his head, and without giving Anna the chance to argue with him, he scooped her into his arms and covered her with his jacket. Had the adrenaline not been pumping through his veins, John would have felt the biting pain in his knee return, having discarded his cane downstairs for the purpose of speed, although he would be paying for it dearly a little later on.
But Anna could not find it in herself to argue, and simply turned her head into his chest, stifling her frightened cries.
"Bates, come on!" Robert shouted, bringing his jacket up to shield them once more from the flames and the even more dangerous smoke.
They all made their way along the gallery, a little slower than before, but were suddenly thwarted as the door to Lady Edith's bedroom collapsed. Bates turned his back on the door quickly, his instincts not having left him, and he braced himself against the impact. However, when it did not come, he turned, surprised, and saw that His Lordship had bore the brunt of the collapse. He looked in anguish, but after a moment he managed to side-step and avoided the further collapse.
In a flash John was back in Africa. The heat reminded him of the sun scorched plains, the sweat on his brow and beneath the thick uniform. He was reminded of the shouting – the sounds he could faintly hear in the distance now, from outside – and then the sound of gunfire. He flinched as his body moved instinctively in front of Lord Grantham, the searing pain in his knee before he felt himself fall unconscious. The pain had not lasted long – at least not until he had woken again. His body had been keen to spare him of that.
"Bates!"
For a moment he was still there.
And then he felt a large hand grab his shoulder.
John opened his eyes and visibly shook himself.
Lord Grantham was looking at him, eyes wide in terror as he urged his valet to move forwards with him. He was shouting something, John could see his lips moving, but his ears had blocked out the sound. All he could hear was the rapid beating of his heart, the ferocity of the flames building around them, and the soft whimpers of Anna in his arms.
He looked down, and John was suddenly pulled from his state. The valet looked back up at his employer, his friend, and he hurried after him. The three of them managed to work their way through the flames, Lord Grantham being the one to bat away the dangers and shield them as best as he could with his suit jacket and before long the three of them were descending the stairs.
Thankfully the fire had not reached the stairs yet, and once the three had reached this point, they could almost breathe normally.
John wasted no more time to get them both outside, following behind Robert closely. To their delight, the sounds of the fire engines could be heard approaching outside. He was too focused on getting Anna outside, but otherwise John would have seen Lord Grantham visibly relax his shoulders at the sound, even though – as he suspected – this would be only part of the way to fixing his beloved home and life's work.
Mrs Hughes immediately approached the couple once they were outside, mothering Anna instantly, feeling her forehead and attempting to talk to her. Anna was weary, but she managed to open her eyes and turn away from his chest.
"I'm fine," Anna croaked.
"Well, Doctor Clarkson is here, so he can be the judge of that." Mrs Hughes instructed strictly. Bates released Anna from his arms reluctantly, although he was suddenly aware of the pain in his knee. He kept an arm around her shoulder, finding that he could not have cared less what everyone else thought, propriety be damned.
At this moment Cora was happily embracing Robert, so Bates could not find it in himself to care as he turned Anna in his arms and held her tightly to him. They were the subject of attention everywhere, but no one could find it in themselves to care. Even if Mr Carson was shocked at the visible displays of affection, he said nothing, he too just relieved to see all three of them out of the house safely. John whispered hoarsely in her ear, "I was so worried. I thought we might not find you in time."
John rambled, and Anna instantly drew herself away from his chest to look up at her husband and smile weakly. She patted his chest through his smoke-covered shirt, letting her thumb rest there for a little while longer, stroking there and finding some comfort in the closeness between them.
"But you did," Anna croaked once more. She was unable to say more, still coughing slightly from the smoke inhalation, but the look in her eyes told John that she was more than grateful for him saving her.
Anna pulled him closer to her once more and did not pull apart until Mrs Hughes had bustled over with Doctor Clarkson, insisting that he check on them both.
Within ten minutes the fire service had arrived and the recovery process had begun. Anna and John had been sat on one of the benches a little away from the house with Doctor Clarkson when the vehicles had driven past. They watched on helplessly, their breathing slowly beginning to feel normal again, some pitchers of water also having been brought over for them from the pump around the back of the house.
"Do let me know if either of you feel uneasy or have any difficulties breathing over the next few days. Especially you, Anna." Doctor Clarkson gave her a pointed look, one which was then mirrored by her husband. John stretched his arm around her shoulder, comforting her. Anna nodded in agreement.
Doctor Clarkson nodded.
"But nothing else seems the matter. Come by the hospital and book an appointment this week, just so we can be sure. And ask Lord Grantham if you can take a few days rest. Not that it should be a problem."
Anna nodded meekly, and John nodded too.
"We can ask him a little later, once things are cleared up here." John reassured the doctor.
Doctor Clarkson seemed satisfied. "And if either of you have difficulties breathing, or something feels wrong, do not hesitate to call me. Smoke inhalation can be more dangerous than the fire itself."
Clarkson noticed that both husband and wife were still taking regular, deep breaths and he was satisfied that if they stayed here a little longer by themselves to recover things may soon return to normal.
"Right, I will go over and see if anyone else needs my help. See you later."
"Thank you, Doctor." Bates called out as he walked away, whilst Anna smiled in gratitude, still seemingly in a world of her own.
She was shaking slightly, but John had seen this.
Once the doctor had left, John turned fully to his wife. "Anna…"
Hearing him speak her name with such care and compassion caused Anna to finally break down in tears. She turned and flung her arms around him, pulling him closer as she sought the comfort that his hold brought her.
John shushed her, calming her gently, rubbing her back and kissing her hairline. "You're here now. We're safe. We're both here."
"I was so frightened," Anna cried into his chest, almost so that John could barely hear her. But he did, and his heart broke for her. "I felt so helpless. Like before…"
John moved one of his arms from around her, moving it down to hold her around the stomach, meaning that she leaned back a little. He made eye contact with her, and then proceeded to move the arm from around her shoulders to cup her cheek. "This isn't like before," he began calmly, aware after all of the times she had woken from her nightmares that she needed to be reassured like this. She needed to be told the obvious. She needed to know that she was safe, and that she was no longer trapped and helpless. "Listen to me, you are not there. Not anymore. You're safe, you're here." He reached forward and placed the most gentlest of kisses on her forehead. "I'm here."
Anna closed her eyes, leaning forward into the kiss, her shaking visibly coming under control as her mind started to register their surroundings and the situation.
And when she opened her eyes again, John was there. He was always there. Her husband. She allowed herself a small smile and muttered a sincere, "Thank you."
"You never need to thank me." John protested, stroking her cheek and her stomach simultaneously with his hands.
They shared a knowing look and smile, before they were interrupted by the arrival of Mrs Hughes across the lawn.
"Doctor Clarkson told me you were both passed fit," she announced her arrival, hoping that her light-hearted tone could mask the fear she had previously felt.
John nodded for both of them, and only then did he turn around once more to see that the fire service had almost extinguished the fire, or at least he could not see the glowing colours coming from the windows anymore. He did hope that the house was not severely damaged. It would eat away at Lord Grantham, that was for certain.
Mrs Hughes saw his face and explained for him, "They are almost done. Luckily the fire did not spread further. They think we can go back inside soon once they check the ceilings are secure too. We will make some tea and some sandwiches for everyone, and then we will all go together to the drawing room. Her Ladyship wants us all to be together." The housekeeper smiled. She then turned to Anna and reached out her hand to stroke her arm. "And how are you, dear? You had us all so worried."
Anna smiled slightly and nodded, "I feel better."
Finally, Mrs Hughes could take it no longer. "Oh, come here!" She pulled the younger maid into her arms, as a mother would her daughter, and embraced her tightly, hoping that the tears would not fall from her eyes. Anna clung to Mrs Hughes just as tightly. "Oh, thank goodness," Mrs Hughes murmured into her ear.
Anna smiled up at her husband from over the housekeeper's shoulder.
Mrs Hughes pulled away after a few moments and promptly swiped at her eyes. "Now, you two stay here and rest a little more. I can call you over when we are given the all clear."
The housekeeper did not wait for much of a response. Mrs Hughes simply stroked both of their arms, smiled and walked back across to the group. She turned around once more, just to ensure that both of them were fine, and let another relieved smile cross her lips as she saw them embracing – a beautiful silhouette in the light of the moon.
"Tea. Our answer to everything."
Mary raised her cup, having given little George to Charles for a moment.
All of the family, their guests and the servants had gathered in the drawing room. Some more chairs had been brought through from the other rooms and from downstairs and even old Carson had been persuaded - or forced, really - to sit in the presence of the Dowager, the events of the night having finally caught up with him. He was a little red in the face and Mrs Hughes had been worried for his health, and after speaking to His Lordship both of them managed to persuade him to sit, much to his chagrin.
"You mean your answer to everything." Cora responded with a tongue in cheek, all the while sipping at her own tea, making her comment void.
Charles chuckled to himself as he held a sleeping George – quite how he had managed to fall asleep again during all of the commotion, no one could quite believe. Sybbie, on the other hand, was still active and very much awake in the arms of her father. She was constantly looking this way and that at all of the people here, wanting to see everything that was going on.
John was standing a little away from the rest of the group, resting against the wall nearest one of the windows, attempting to rest his leg but not wanting to draw attention to it. The biting pain in his knee had resurfaced with a vengeance, and he knew he would struggle with it for the days to come. He had managed to flex it a few times before Mrs Hughes had come over and sternly instructed him to sit down.
"I will be fine, Mrs Hughes. Just a little stiff." The housekeeper had moved to get him a chair, before Bates had interjected, "I might just go down for some water." He fancied something cooler than tea, and he had already drank his fair share in the last half an hour, it having helped to keep him calm and relaxed.
Mrs Hughes simply shook her head and rolled her eyes at his stubbornness, but she let him go regardless.
Bates took one more look across at Anna, who was stood with Mr Branson and Miss Sybbie. He smiled as he watched them interact – Anna was always brilliant with children, and whenever she saw little Sybil he was reminded of this. The little girl was now reaching across to his wife, wanting to be held by her, and Anna obliged with a smile, taking the little girl into her arms as she continued to talk with their friend. There was less to talk about with Tom now – at least topics had been restricted after his merging with the family upstairs – but they still found time to talk with him, and ask about him, as he did them too.
Sybbie instantly settled in her arms, and it seemed like the night was finally beginning to catch up with her, because she instantly rested her head on Anna's shoulder, closing her eyes as Anna rocked her back and forth in her arms.
At this, John left to go downstairs and get his glass of water. He had stopped to have a conversation with His Lordship earlier when they had all been given the all clear, and he had thanked him profusely for coming back inside and helping him to save Anna. His employer had merely shook his head and replied that he still had a lot to owe Bates for, even though John had considered the 'debt' as Lord Grantham had called it for years – he had never considered it one – repaid as soon as he had given him a job at Downton Abbey all those years ago. The help he had received for the past years – through all of the times he had embarrassed the house with his prison sentences – had been more than enough, but his heart swelled with pride at the thought that His Lordship would have risked his life to help his old batman.
He had also asked about some time off for Anna to rest and recover, explaining the situation and the recommendations of Doctor Clarkson. Lord Grantham had given them both the rest of the week – the next few days – off. Bates had thanked him once more and shook his hand.
Downstairs, it was a lot quieter. All of the servants were upstairs, therefore John had free reign of the quarters. He poured himself a glass of water in the kitchen and downed it instantly before pouring himself another. This time he drank it slower.
He placed the glass down on the kitchen table and started to extend his leg once more, wincing at the pain he felt there. He rubbed it through his trousers and mentally noted that he needed to use some of the cream Anna bought for him when they returned to the cottage later. It would help a little – nothing much – but it was an instant relief, even if it did not last.
Thinking about Anna, he thought about returning upstairs, wanting to be by her side. He finished his glass of water, washed it up and placed it back in the cupboard before heading back upstairs.
However, when he reached the drawing room, he found his wife nowhere in sight.
Sybbie was back with Tom, therefore she could not have taken the girl upstairs to bed. Everyone else was immersed in their own conversations, therefore Bates could weave in and out of the groups undetected. He left the drawing room and walked into the hallway, only to find that empty too. He continued into the next closest room, the library, and looked around, finally spotting her over by the window, perched on a seat that she had moved just beside the large windows.
He did not want to startle her, she seemed lost in her thoughts, and she was wrapped in a large blanket that Doctor Clarkson had given her shortly before he had left to return to the village, once the all clear had been given. She looked so innocent and fragile, and for a moment the possibilities of tonight ran through his mind, causing him to shudder.
Anna seemed to sense that she was not alone, and she turned. Once she saw that it was him, she smiled and beckoned for him to join her. "Where did you disappear to?"
"I needed a glass of water," John explained, pulling up another chair beside her. He instantly reached over and took one of her hands that were peeking out through the blanket. "What about you? Why are you in here?"
Anna closed her eyes painfully, and John instantly knew she was thinking about that night. "It was so loud in there," she began to explain. "And everyone was there. It reminded me of…"
She could not continue, suddenly feeling sick. John understood and squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"But you're here." He reminded her once more. It was almost like a mantra, whenever she felt like this he would use the same words to reassure her.
Anna seemed to leave her thoughts quicker this time – it varied – and she smiled and nodded. "I know."
She turned and reached across to close the distance between their lips, kissing him softly. A surge of relief washed through his entire body at the feel of her lips. He had wanted to kiss her properly ever since this morning. He responded enthusiastically, but they broke off the kiss mutually before it became too heated. Anna, however, did not have the strength to pull completely back, and instead let her forehead rest against his for a few moments afterwards.
John smiled, loving it when their kisses ended like this. He loved to feel her so close, to remind himself of everything they had overcome in their lives to reach this moment.
He felt Anna pull away a few moments later, and he watched as she smiled at him, "Thank you for saving me."
John gave her a silly look. He kissed the hand he was still holding twice before covering it even more with his other.
"I promised you no harm would come to you again." He watched as her eyes lit up at the memory – a memory of the darker times, but the times when they were beginning to come through into the light. His smile widened as he thought about continuing, "I also promised we would grow old together, surrounded by our children. I have no intention of breaking either promise."
John reached forward and placed one of his hands over her stomach, where the smallest of swells could be detected – although only if someone was looking. He only knew because he had seen the naked swell and because his hands cradled it lovingly every night.
"And I will personally be escorting you to your appointment with Doctor Clarkson tomorrow afternoon."
Anna felt her heart swell at his gesture. Even if he was highly overprotective, she loved him even more for it. She reached over and kissed him once more, placing her own hand over his on her stomach, over the area where their child was growing – the proof of their unending love. The proof that their love could survive anything.
Suddenly overcome with tiredness, Anna whispered gently against his lips as she pulled apart and he was only too happy to oblige, "Take me home, Mr Bates."