John silently accepted the beer and while closing the door to his car he took a quick drink from the bottle.

After following Andrew skeptically toward the back of Anna's house, they entered through a swinging gate that opened to a bountiful tree-lined yard. Several chairs were displayed on a small patio where Anna had taken delight in stringing lights above on a wooden terrace. Andrew switched the lights on then sat crossing one leg over the other casually.

John looked toward the house, seeing that an interior light was shining brightly he asked, "where's Anna?"

"She's asleep. Grab a chair."

John chose a chair with no side arms and turned it around, straddling and facing the back of it as he rested his forearms over the top.

The two men, with only Anna in common, sat drinking beer together for a few moments in peace before John asked, "how did you know I was here?"

"You've been sitting out here in your car since Anna came home from the hospital."

"And how would you know that?"

Andrew hesitated before confessing, "I hired an investigator to look into your past and follow you after the night Anna got hurt."

John ran a hand down the length of his tired face, pausing at his stubble-covered chin. Pondering a moment, he finally asked, "Does Anna know?"

Andrew was casual as he responded. "Know what exactly? That you were completely off the grid for more than two years until any record of your ongoing existence surfaced six months ago? That you bought a small vineyard in Northern California before you disappeared and that Robert Crawley's daughters have managed it ever since? That not only are you a photographer but you're a multi-millionaire and own the magazine you pretend to work for? Do you mean to ask if Anna knows any of that? Or are you asking me if she knows you've been stalking her home for the past three days? Which is it Bates? Because I'm a little confused by the vagueness of your question."

John sat there rigidly analyzing him, then after another slow and pondering drink responded, "most of that information is confidential, it must have cost you quite a bit to obtain all those details."

Andrew locked eyes with John, "I may not have the kind of wealth you do, but money is no object when it comes to Anna's safety."

John felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up, he didn't like being accused of endangering Anna. "What do you want?" John snapped the words at him.

"I just figured you were out here, so why not talk. I'm not one to ignore a problem when it presents itself."

"Clearly."

Andrew gave John a hard stare, "so we're in agreement that you're a problem?"

John was thoughtfully silent for a moment, "I can be, yes."

"From the outside, you appear to be a real thoroughbred Bates, but I'm not easily persuaded to believe that. In fact, I'm more interested to know why there is such a cloud of secrecy surrounding those two and a half years after you left Downton."

Andrew, although smaller than John in stature, was a powerful figure nonetheless. Very controlled, nearly, but not quite arrogant in his haughty self-confidence. The type of guy who scratched his way through life to achieve what little success he could claim, the kind of guy John couldn't help but respect. "I'm not here to redeem myself, running into Anna was purely coincidental - a marvelous twist of fate really. But now that I've seen her, and she knows I'm here, I'd like to tell her the truth. I owe her that much… and more."

"I think you should leave well enough alone Bates, go back to the life you've bought for yourself and leave Anna out of it."

John stared at Andrew, wanting to mercilessly pounce on him simply for saying Anna's name. "Of course that's what you want. But why not consider and appreciate what Anna wants. Doesn't she deserve to know what caused her to suffer all this time?"

Andrew stared back at him, eager to get to the main issue of his concern, "are you still in love with her Bates?"

Without hesitation John answered, "Yes. There is something eternal and indestructible about my love for Anna."

Andrew snickered with revolt. "Indestructible? Perhaps I could beat it out of you."

"Even then…that would be a futile attempt."

"I'd sure love the opportunity nonetheless." Andrew stood and turned for a moment, angrily staring at the house. "Can't you admit that all you do is cause Anna harm? Why not use your so-called love to protect her from yourself?" John was silent. "Ah, but I suspect you're more selfish than that; you're really here to collect her aren't you?"

"Are you hoping for a confession of guilt because you suspect I'm an idealistic fool? Do you really believe I'm clinging to the hope that Anna will suddenly leave you and return to me?" God I want that, I am an idealistic fool.

"Are you stalling to admit the truth? Because I expected you to be more decisive with your answers."

"And I expected you to have more rationale theories." John wittily shot back without missing a beat.

They continued like this, advancing the rhythm of their pissing match. Exposing half-hidden truths and pushing just enough to see how sharp the other man's teeth were.

Eventually Andrew turned, focusing on the bottle of beer while he spoke. "You left Anna, now that you realize the error of your ways, do you want to completely destroy her opportunity for happiness with me?"

John considered the question before responding. "It would be easier if there existed a sharp dichotomy between right and wrong, if we could simply follow a path without the need to challenge one another. But ultimately, none of this is my decision or yours. Only Anna can decide what her best opportunity for happiness is."

Andrew met John's eyes again. "You say you're not here for Anna, but its clear to me you want her back."

"I want what I've always wanted - her happiness, her security..." Her love. John knew to keep that last part quietly to himself.

"Except, you've failed at both Bates."

John made a discouraged huff and took another drink from the bottle. The little bastard was right. He had failed - at everything when it came to Anna. John stood up from his chair and walked toward Andrew, stopping only a couple feet from him.

"Well, is that all then? Do you feel like you've extracted the essential drama of my return?" John thought it would be easier if Andrew lacked intellectual aptitude, but he was articulate, and eyed John with concealed hostility as he inched toward him.

"I have several cards to play here Bates. But to be honest, it should be easy to move past this. Anna harbors three years of anger toward you, with no reason to trust anything you say. The first card I'll put on the table is simple. Leave. She loves me. We're going to marry - with or without you in London. You'll not get in the way of that, I promise you."

"Perhaps you're right but you don't know the real Anna. You've only known a shell of her, she's more resilient and strong-willed than you realize. You'll see...she'll fight for what she really wants."

"But why think after all this time, you're what she wants?"

John wanted to pound the smug look from Andrew's face. "Because I saw it in her eyes. She may love you, but Anna is still in love with me, even though I don't deserve it.

"I've not seen it." Andrew's face suggested integrity and confidence but John surmised he was posturing to cover his own fear and insecurity.

"Don't be a fool...The eyes you see when you look at her are not the same eyes that look at me. And for the record, I take no vicious delight in that." John swallowed the final drink from his beer and pointed at Andrew with the bottle as he prepared to leave. "Thanks for the beer...mate."

John started walking away while shouting out, "Oh, and call off your hound dog."

"I'm not quite finished digging through your past Bates, I've not found everything I'm looking for."

"And you won't. You don't know where to look." John left the yard, and soon after he had driven away, Andrew threw his bottle of beer angrily into a nearby fire pit.

John had set the first mortar of defeat.

After his conversation with Andrew, John was feeling beat down and realized he hadn't had a good night's sleep in several days. He drove back to the cottage worn out and exhausted. As he made his way up the driveway, he spotted Charlie waiting for him on the porch. Once he had parked, he slowly pulled himself from the car and met her concerned eyes with his.

"I know that look. I'm in trouble with you aren't I?" John smiled at her, attempting to soften the reprimand he expected was coming.

"My god John, where have you been? Its nearly midnight, I was just about to leave for the third night in a row."

"I'm sorry. Something happened the other night and…I'm sorry."

"What happened? Are you having flashbacks again?"

"No. Nothing like that..." John hesitated a moment. "I saw Anna."

"Oh my god John. We talked about this."

"I know…it gets worse."

"Just tell me everything." She spoke with an authority blanketed by kindness.

"I lied to you on Saturday morning at the park. Do you remember the woman who acted strangely and how Gwen never showed up?"

"Yes. Of course."

"Charlie, the truth is, that woman at the park was Anna. I pretended not to know who she was for her own sake, but I couldn't stand lying to her – it tore me apart."

"THAT was your Anna? John...that's an incredible...obvious...John, that's fate."

"Yes." John was smiling with exuberance now. "We met here that night and, it was raining, she slipped and fell and got seriously hurt. I nearly lost my mind over it."

"John, you nearly could lose your mind over it - you haven't had any treatments in 3 days."

"I know…" the joy left his face and was replaced with serious concern.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine." He was short and brusque as he moved past her to enter the cottage. She followed behind him, unrelenting.

"John. Don't shut me out now. I'm more than just someone who works for you. If I wasn't your nurse I'd like to think we'd be good friends."

John dropped the keys to the house as he tried to open the door. His hands were shaking as he bent over to pick them up but Charlie was there quickly to help him. "John, stop. You can't keep going like this, you will wear yourself out beyond recovery and then what will you tell Anna?" She pulled the keys from John's hands and unlocked the door.

"You're right. I'm exhausted."

They entered the cottage and John quickly slumped down onto one of the leather sofas. He placed a hand over his tired eyes as Charlie went about helping him remove his shoes and made him comfortable adding a pillow under his head and one under his bad knee. John grabbed her arm pausing her for a moment. "Listen, I'm sorry. I know you were probably worried about me the past few days. Please forgive my shortsightedness. If not for your care and your friendship, I wouldn't even be here."

"There's nothing to forgive John, but I do appreciate you saying it. Now roll up your sleeve, you're going to need an IV treatment tonight."

The next morning Anna was feeling better. She was away from her usual sleeping spot on the couch and walking around when Andrew came downstairs for breakfast. He on the other hand felt horrendous. He hadn't slept. After his late night conversation, he was convinced that John had no intention of leaving Anna alone. He'd spent the night considering how to eliminate the threat and had an idea to present to Anna this morning.

"You're up early. Did you sleep?" Andrew leaned in to kiss Anna but she tilted her head smiling and allowed only a peck on her cheek.

"I feel somewhat better today. I'm just needing to move around a bit, else everything that's not bruised or broken will hurt more."

The mood wasn't playful and upbeat like it usually was between them – there was no formula for what they were living through. Trying to navigate the room, feeling the impending treacherous waters they were already floating in Andrew simply put his idea out there.

"Anna, since we both already have the time off for the wedding, what do you think about getting away for a bit? I thought we could go to the Greek islands for a month or so. You could still work at editing remotely, and I have some business I need to tend to there anyway."

Anna looked at Andrew stunned by his idea, trying not to act upset. "Um...wow. I don't know." Didn't he realize she was dealing with a mixed bag of emotions?

"I know it's sudden. I just think it would be a marvelous place for you to heal." Anna remained silent. "Don't make any decisions about it just yet. Promise me you'll consider it though." He was playing his second card and lobbying for an escape from London.

Anna managed a smile for Andrew. He was always good to her. She lied, feeling shameful, but lied nonetheless. "I will. I promise." She didn't want to leave London, not while John was still there.

Andrew looked at his watch, "I'm running a bit late this morning, and it would appear that Gwen is too."

"She hasn't called to say she'll be late, so I'm sure she's close. You don't want to be tardy to work, I'll be fine for a few minutes alone."

"Only if you're sure. I do need to be on time today for a meeting."

"I'm very sure."

"Anna...think about what I've offered. It would be wonderful to get away from everything." Especially John Bates, he thought to himself. Placing a pastry in his mouth and grabbing the computer bag near the door, Andrew hurried out winking at her as he left for the day.

John's car was nowhere in sight. Andrew felt relieved as he drove away. As Anna watched him traveling down the street her phone rang. It was Gwen.

"Hello Gwen, are you running late?"

"I'm running a fever."

"What?"

"Yes. I can't believe it. I thought I was coming down with something last night when I went to bed and then I slept through my alarm and when I realized I hadn't been run over by a train in the middle of the night, I decided to take my temperature and its 4 degrees above normal. I feel terrible."

"Oh you poor thing. I wish I was in better shape to take care of you for a change."

"I'm sorry I can't come over today Anna, I was hoping to catch Andrew before he left for work."

"You just missed him."

"Oh…what are we going to do?"

"Nothing. I'll be fine. Truly. All I do is sleep anyway."

"I'm so sorry Anna."

"Don't be. Really, I'm actually up and walking around today. I even made coffee and we have lots of food. I'll be fine."

"What if you need something though?"

"I'll call one of the neighbors, I can always find someone to happily nurse or coddle me."

"Alright then...you rest, and so will I, and that's about all the energy I have for one conversation today..."

"Go back to sleep Gwen."

"I'll call you later."

As they hung up the phone, Anna sat on the couch sipping the coffee she had made. It was the worst cup of coffee. A vague restless energy forced her to flip through channels on the television. She hadn't even noticed the volume was muted.

After a few long minutes passed, Anna grabbed her phone again. She wanted to call John. Scanning through her numbers, she found his in the call log and pressed it. Listening to the ring, the call eventually went to voicemail but she grew nervous and hung up not knowing what to say.

Anna was disappointed. A shadow of guilt hung over her as she thought about Andrew and his offer to take her away for a few weeks. She needed to hear John's voice. Anna sipped the horrible cup of coffee again. Her heart pounded with nervous anticipation. She needed to see John.

The phone rang mercifully. John was calling her back. She hesitated only a moment before answering. "Hello?"

"Anna, Is everything alright?"

"Yes."

"Why did you call only to hang up? Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm sorry. I got your voicemail and didn't know what to say."

"Anna...Tell me what you need." His soft voice made her feel weak.

"I think I want to see you," she closed her eyes tightly as if in pain.

"Is Gwen with you?"

"No. She's at home with a fever today. I'm alone."

"You shouldn't be alone. I'm coming over."

"Are you sure John? You don't have to."

"I want to…very much." His voice assured her.

Anna smiled slightly at his words, "Okay, but John?"

"Yes love?" Not even a hesitation to remind Anna who she was to him.

"Can I ask a really important favor of you?"

"Anything. Name it."

"Can you bring coffee?"

He smiled quietly to himself, humored by her simple request. "Of course Anna. Do you still like cream no sugar?"

John wore his love for Anna like a badge of honor. He knew she could do so much better than him, but he also knew that she loved him despite this.

Anna had just enough time to brush her hair as best she could and pull it back away from her face with one arm. She managed some light make up, a quick brushing of the teeth and changed into a slightly less embarrassing robe. It was exhausting just doing those simple self-care routines. She returned downstairs just in time to meet John at the door.

He had arrived with two large coffees and a box of pastries and stood smiling shyly in her doorway. He was so relieved to see her standing there. Neither of them looked rested or well, but both were eager to see the other today. "Hello John," Anna managed a small smile and welcomed him in.

"It's good to see you up and about. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm rather tired already and its only 9 am."

"Healing takes a lot of energy. Lets sit in the other room where it's comfortable." John guided Anna gently into the sitting room, one hand holding the coffee and pastries, the other low and gentle on the small of her back.

Anna sat carefully in the middle of a large couch and John cozied up to her by sitting on the edge of the ottoman in front of her legs. After she was settled, he placed a welcomed cup of gourmet coffee in her good hand, grazing her fingers softly as he let go. She met his kind eyes with the glimmer of love from her own. There it is, John thought to himself smiling, her eyes say it all.

Opening the box of pastries to share, they sat together quietly eating for a few moments as John inspected her black eye and stitches. She caught him staring. "I know. I look horrible," she interrupted his stare feeling embarrassed.

"That's not possible Anna, but that does look quite painful. Did you take your pain meds this morning? You don't want to find yourself lapsing from that schedule, you'll regret it - trust me."

"No. Not yet, I have another hour before I should take more. I want to be lucid while you're here."

"Only if you're sure. I would hate for your medication to wear off completely. Its quite a battle to get the body to calm down after you've missed a dose and start feeling it."

"Why do you seem to know so much about pain management?"

"Remember you asked me about my limp?" Anna nodded with anticipation on her face. "Well…I shattered my knee in a motorcycle accident, only I didn't have the best pain medication to deal with the recovery."

"When did that happened John?" There was sadness mingled in her eyes now.

John looked at Anna, his eyes cautious. "During the tour I went on with Robert three years ago."

She pulled her head up and bit her bottom lip. His was actually going to tell her the truth – she could see it in his face. He was ready to unleash it on her finally.

"John, if you're right about my pain medication then we'd best keep talking and not waste any more of our time together."

John finished his last bite of food, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and stared at her quietly for a moment. His face revealing a slight hesitation.

"You know what I want to talk about John."

"I do...I'd like to say first that I'm very sorry you got hurt the other night, and I would do anything to take that night back."

"Just that night John?"

"No. There are many take backs I would like to have...starting with the night I left Downton."

"Please tell me where you've been all this time."

"Anna...this isn't going to be an easy conversation."

"I don't expect it to be. But I'm prepared to hear the truth...whatever it is."

"I know you are. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to tell you." Lifting his hand to her face, he gently cupped her cheek in his palm. Then tilting his head to look at her, his eyes filled with emotion.

Anna leaned her head into his hand then covered it with one of her own. "John just come out with it. Whatever it is you're keeping secret."