A/N: Prompt- "Ever since Jimmy and Anna danced I've wanted to see them interact more. I have this headcanon that she reminds him a bit of his mum so he has a huge soft spot for her (even though he'd never admit it, the little shit). So! Maybe something highlighting their relationship? He can get advice from her or something! I just need Jimmy and Anna interacting! (I know this isn't really Thommy but you can throw that in too of course!)" Sort of backwards from what you asked, but… here goes… Series four compliant.
The servant's hall was decidedly quiet— no one would be there, Jimmy thought, he could smoke in peace. And so, as Alfred busied himself with cooking in the kitchen and the hall boys scuttled around, trying to keep up with Mr. Carson's orders, Jimmy slipped away, eager to catch some peace and quiet. As he rounded the corner, he stopped, unsure whether or not the single occupant would welcome his interruption.
Mrs. Bates seemed to sense him almost immediately, even as he began to turn away. Jimmy saw her shoulders tense, then soften as she saw who it was. The change was so quick, so minute that someone less aware might not have seen it. But Jimmy had spent his life studying people, it was his job, and that was not the response he'd have expected from someone so cheerful as Anna Bates. Now that he thought on it, she'd been tense for weeks, hardly speaking, lowering her eyes as if she expected some punishment when Mr. Carson shouted a little too loud. Jimmy's stomach turned. He'd never been close with the ladies maid, but he'd formed a friendship of sorts with her since the two of them had shared an amiable dance at the tea dance. Her smile was kind, and she treated him with compassion that he had not received since his mother had died before the war. It warmed him to think that maybe Anna had been blessed with the same gift of kindness that he saw in his mother, and it bereaved him to think that somehow, her spark had gone out.
Offering a slight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, Anna beckoned him over, saying, "I've just finished Lady Mary's mending. I'll leave you to it."
Jimmy was oddly unsettled as he watched her gather her things; her hands shook nervously, and her eyes did not meet his as he slumped into his usual seat.
"Anna…" In the house, it was frowned upon by Mr. Carson to do away with formal titles, but Jimmy was concerned and titles didn't matter with your friends.
"Are you alright? Only you've been off these past few weeks an' I can't help but notice. Everyone has." Anna's body tensed, stiffening like a great tree in the middle of a storm, looking rather like she might snap any second. Her small figure was silhouetted against the frame, frail and childlike, and Jimmy thought she looked rather defeated.
"Have they?" Her voice was strained, high, nervous even.
"We're worried about you— all of us. Even Mr. Barrow's been asking after you in his letters." Jimmy took a long drag of his cigarette, puffing a cloud of smoke as he waited for her answer.
For a moment, Anna looked as though she was gathering her strength. She turned slowly, and it seemed as though a decade had passed before she faced him. He could see her more clearly now. Gone was the happy light with which she faced the long days at Downton, instead replaced by a world-weary sort of look that aged her beyond her years. Her mouth opened slightly, and he watched her carefully, afraid if he blinked she would evaporate into nothing. Her mouth snapped shut and all hope he had of getting a sincere answer was suddenly gone.
"I assure you, there's no need to worry. I'm fine, thank you, and perhaps you'll tell Mr. Barrow that he should keep to his own business." With that, she left, her steps rapid against the hard wooden floors, and then with a practiced pattern as she went upstairs.
Jimmy frowned as he mulled through his mind, flicking the ash into the ashtray as he puzzled about his friend.
He wondered if anyone knew why Anna was acting this way. He had never known her to be like this, and it unsettled him greatly.
Perhaps he would ask Mrs. Hughes to keep an eye on her, just in case. And then he might have a word with Mr. Bates.
