A/N: Another bit of Anna and John for Monday. It's seriously like they are writing their own story. Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews! They really do make my day.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I only own the unnamed doctor in this story.

After two weeks, Anna had settled into a new routine. During the morning, she would work on La Belle Epoque and then go to lunch with Gwen and Daisy. In the afternoon, she'd meet with Sybil and go over the plans for the new magazine, La Dolce Vita. Afterwards, she'd meet with John over tea to discuss his column. It was a nice, comfortable arrangement and Anna was already look forward to the day when La Dolce Vita was all that she had to care about.

Only two flies in the ointment kept Anna from being truly happy. Mary had hinted that Anna's looks weren't meeting Belle Epoque's standards and Ethel had made good on her promise to go after John Bates. Every day, the pair either went to lunch or to the pub after work. Anna knew that she should be happy for Ethel, since they were friends. But if she were honest with herself, Anna wasn't happy and it was because she didn't want John to be hurt when the inevitable happened.

One afternoon, Anna and John were walking back to the office after their tea break. "I still can't believe the amount of sugar that you put in your tea," she laughingly said.

"Because I'm sweet enough already," he asked.

"That and it must make it a syrup-y mess."

"My mum always over-steeped her tea and the only way to cover up the bitterness was to put a lot of sugar in it. I've never broken my habit, even when I get properly made tea."

"Well, I suppose that makes sense. Any plans for this weekend?"

"I'm going to Paris. I want to write about a few of the smaller museums in my third article. You?"

"Other than tonight, I'll just be pottering about my flat."

"What's tonight?"

"Daisy and Gwen have set me up on date with someone that they know from their pub quiz team."

John stopped. "I can't believe a woman like you needs to be set-up on dates."

"You'd be surprised. The men that I like have rarely ever liked me back,"she said quietly.

Suddenly, the heel on Anna's boot snapped off and she went careening into the building that they were walking by. Tears immediately sprang to her eyes and her ankle and wrist throbbed. She tried to stand up, but her ankle wouldn't hold her weight.

"Here," John said and scooped her up into his arms. "Let's get you to hospital."

Anna put her head on his shoulder and took several deep breaths to calm herself. He smelled of soap and aftershave. In spite of the pain, she thought that she was quite comfortable where she was.

"Well, Miss Smith," the doctor said, "it looks like you've sprained your wrist and have a small fracture in your ankle. We'll get a cast on your ankle and a brace on your wrist. Do you have someone who can spend the night with you?"

"Why," Anna inquired.

"I always recommend that people who have multiple injuries have someone with them. In your case, it'll just help get you comfortable," the doctor replied.

"Well, I don't have anyone," she said rather sheepishly.

"I can stay with her," John interjected.

"No John, you've got that visit to Paris," Anna protested.

"Paris will be there next weekend. You're more important than that."

"What will Ethel say about you spending the night at my flat?"

"To be honest, she's started to make a go at a major in the army."

"Believe me, that is all for the best."

"I do believe that you're right. Anyway, there's someone else that I've taken a fancy to."

"Oh…well I am sure that she's lovely."

"She is. I don't know of a finer woman."

A nurse interrupted them with discharge papers for Anna and then John disappeared while they discharged her and called a cab to take her home. As the cab pulled up, he reappeared with bag from Waitrose. "Supplies for the evening," he said and pulled a small bouquet of gerber daisies from behind his back, "and something for the soul."