A/N- Sorry for the major delay in the update, life has just been crazy. I haven't much felt like writing recently. Although not entirely happy with this chapter, I felt I should post something and I hope you enjoy all the same. Thanks to everyone who has favourited or left a review.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or Downton Abbey. Everything belongs to Julian Fellowes/Carnival/ITV.

John tapped away at the keys on the keyboard, squinting as he struggled to read his own writing. His mind wasn't on his work today as he tried to process the food order for the restaurant. If he was honest with himself, his mind hadn't been on his job for a few weeks, ever since that night with Anna at his flat. Every day seemed to be a constant battle between fighting his ever growing feelings for Anna with trying to maintain those emotions and not to get in that situation again. It was torture, especially when John only had to look at her and all he wanted to do was hold Anna in his arms and show how much he loved her, how much she meant to him.

'Bloody women.' Turning around in his chair, John looked up to see Robert amble into his office, almost throwing his coat on the back of the chair. 'Hi John.'

'Alright Rob. Trouble with the women in your life?'

'When is there never trouble?' Robert replied, resting against the edge of the table before placing his head in his hands. 'If it's not Cora shoving another receipt from Ikea in my face, it's Edith telling me I need to keep a tighter reign on the finances of this place. Then there's Mary complaining that all Sybil and Tom do is coo over each other when they are on shift together. Then I talk to Sybil about it and she gets all defensive with me. I tell you, it will be a blessed relief when she goes on maternity leave. You're lucky you've got yourself an uncomplicated woman in Anna, John. Really lucky.'

'Hmmm,' John agreed unconvincingly, turning around in his chair to continue with his order. 'Yeah.'

'Oh dear, trouble in paradise?' Robert asked, walking over to sit on the chair beside his friend. 'I thought the parents liked you now?'

'I think like is too strong a word, for her mother especially, but we are getting along alright. I go to her father's services most weeks and her Mum and I seem to be bonding over our mutual appreciation for Mary Berry.'

'So what is it? Afraid she's going to trade you in for a younger model?' The expression that John gave Robert over his shoulder told him that his remark wasn't funny in the slightest. He cleared his throat before continuing. 'Come on, John. You can tell me.'

Sitting back in his chair, John looked to the ceiling before exhaling deeply. He knew it would do him some good to talk about how he was feeling, he knew he could trust Robert with anything that he told him. After all, Robert had been, and apart from Anna still was, the only person in Downton who knew the full details about his past.

'Could you shut the door?' John requested, Robert immediately rising to his feet to close the office door. 'And you mustn't breathe a word to anyone.'

'You have my word,' Robert promised, sitting back down and leaning forward to listen to John. 'I just want to help.'

'Well, I'm not sure how you can help in this situation, but I could use your advice.' John closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to find the best way to proceed. 'You know Anna?'

'I am aware of her, yes.'

'I love her so much, and she knows that.'

'Well yes, you wouldn't have crashed her wedding to Mr Perfect if that wasn't the case.'

'Just shut up and let me talk,' John snapped, annoyed at his friends attempts at making a joke. Robert lifted his hands up in defence before leaning back in his chair. 'Right, thank you. Well, her father is a vicar. She goes to church every week, her faith is strong. And with that faith, comes certain beliefs she lives by. There is one certain belief that not only I respect and love her more for, it is also the cause of my predicament.'

Robert wrung his hands together and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. 'I think I can guess. She's still a virgin, isn't she?'

'Yes,' John breathed a sigh of relief, so grateful he and Robert were always on the same wavelength. 'We kiss, hold hands. We cuddle when we watch films and such. Then this one night...'

'You didn't?' Robert winced.

'No, we didn't,' John shook his head, 'but we both wanted to. She is just so gorgeous, I've never felt this way about anyone and she tells me the same. It was electric, I'd never felt so turned on in all my life...'

'Spare me the details,' Robert interrupted, raising a hand to stop John continuing. 'So what has she said about it?'

'She's scared that if we get in that situation again, she won't want to stop and then everything she has ever believed and the way in which she has lived her life would have been a waste of time. I don't want that for her. So we have agreed to not let things get that far again.'

'That's a difficult thing for a red blooded male such as yourself to promise,' Robert remarked with a raise of his eyebrows.

'But I am willing to do it. For her,' John insisted before looking to the ground. 'However, it took that evening to hammer something home for me. Ultimately, the only time we will be intimate together is if we get married.'

'And you don't want to marry Anna?'

'Not yet. Oh, I don't know,' John rose from his feet, seemingly agitated as he began to pace the small space of floor in the office. 'I've just come through a shocking divorce. Being married to Vera soured me on relationships with women. I came up here to escape all that, to make a clean start, to focus on the opportunity I had been given by you. I never expected to find everything I had ever been looking for. It's just all so complicated, nothing is ever simple in my life.'

'It seems to me, that if you love Anna as much as you are saying then she must be worth all the complications. She's a lovely girl, John. There aren't many like her, that's for sure.'

'Never a truer word spoken,' John smiled, turning on his heel to look at Robert before sitting on the edge of the desk. 'I'm being an idiot, aren't I?'

'Well, in the words of Cora all men are,' Robert replied with a chuckle. 'But you can either let the situation break you or turn it into something positive.'

'How do you mean?'

'Well, if you ask me you have been given the opportunity to get to know Anna better than you would do normally. Nowadays too many people are too eager to jump into bed without really knowing someone. A prime example being my youngest daughter. Myself and Cora has been dating almost six months before we...'

'Now I'm going to have to ask you to spare me the details,' John interrupted, turning his back on Robert to begin pacing once again.

'Alright, well what I am trying to say is woo Anna. Be the perfect gentleman. It's clear from watching you together your connection goes way beyond the physicality of a relationship. Build on that. You'll soon find out if she is actually the one for you, and eventually, when the time comes, it will make being together in that way all the more special.'

'Blimey, someone's been watching Jeremy Kyle,' John joked as he watched Robert stand up from his chair.

'Oprah actually,' Robert corrected him before turning more serious. 'I want to see things work out for you. Don't blow it over something like this. Anna's worth more than that.'

'I know,' John agreed with a nod of the head. 'But what do I do until we are ready for more?'

'Cold showers,' Robert advised, walking beyond John and towards the office door. 'And plenty of them.'

Gwen moved around Anna as she spoke on the phone, conscious of not making too much noise as she prepared snacks for their movie night. John had called, and Gwen found herself rolling her eyes as Anna cooed her way through the phone conversation.

'You know I miss you,' Anna whined, stepping to the left as Gwen struggled to reach in the cupboard behind her. 'But work will take your mind off it. Aww, I think about you all the time too. Yes John, even then.'

Dreading to think what the head chef has just said to Anna to elicit that response from her, Gwen picked up the bowl of popcorn, bottle of wine and two glasses and indicated to Anna she would wait for her in the living room. Anna lifted her hand to acknowledge Gwen before laughing.

'You are such a smooth talker. I have to go, the film is about to start but I'll call you before I go to bed. I love you too. Bye.'

Hanging up the phone, Anna held it tightly to her for a moment, smiling before treading the floor towards the living room. She moved to sit beside Gwen then took a handful of popcorn from the bowl her friend was holding.

'How is lover boy?' Gwen asked as she reached for the DVD remote.

'Perfect, thank you very much,' Anna replied, sensing the annoyance in Gwen's tone. 'Sorry, he was just calling to confirm our plans for tomorrow night. Our first night off together in over a fortnight.'

'Uh huh,' Gwen said indifferently as she navigated through the DVD menu. 'Will it be all cuddles on the sofa with a film?'

'Not after last time,' Anna answered without even thinking, turning her head as Gwen sat up in her seat. She suddenly realised the barrage of questions she was about to face. 'Oh no.'

'What happened last time?' Gwen asked excitedly, turning the television off and facing Anna.

Anna looked to her friend, began to speak before thinking better of it. 'Let's watch the film.'

'Oh my God, Anna you didn't.' Gwen squealed. 'How was it? He's Irish isn't he? I bet he knew where everything was...'

'Gwen, please,' Anna cried in frustration, 'firstly please do not use the Lord's name in that way. Secondly nothing happened. Despite how much I wanted it to.'

'Things got heated, didn't they?'

'Yes, they did.' Anna admitted, 'And it scared me no end. I have never felt that out of control before. I stormed out. I was a couple of seconds away from begging him to take me there and then.'

'Wow, who knew John had it in him,' Gwen pondered before feeling Anna's annoyed stare on her. Clearing her throat and shifting uncomfortably, Gwen quickly put another handful of popcorn in her mouth. 'So what now?'

'Now, we have promised to control ourselves. And it's killing me. To be so close to him yet knowing right now it can't be anymore than a kiss or a hug.'

Suddenly, the sound of Anna's phone ringing made them both jump in the silence of the room. Looking at the screen, Anna furrowed her brow as she read the caller's ID.

'Auntie Sarah. She's in Australia.' Anna said out loud. 'What could she want?'

'Here's an idea. Answer the phone and see.'

With a dig in Gwen's ribs with her elbow, Anna answered the call. The line wasn't brilliant but she could make out the Australian twanged tones of her Auntie above the cackle.

'Hello Anna, how are you?'

'Hi Sarah, I'm fine. Is everything alright? Uncle Peter and the kids okay?'

'We're all fine,' Sarah assured Anna, 'but I have a proposition for you. It's come rather out of the blue but I remembered from our last visit to England how much you wanted to come to Oz. You know my restaurant?'

'The Blue Reef. Your salmon is still the best I've ever tasted.'

'Yeah, well my current manager is going on maternity leave and we have found it hard to find a replacement I could trust. So, what I am asking is how would you like to come over here for six months and run my restaurant?'

'Me?'

'Yes Anna, you. I remember you saying how much you enjoyed your job and when me and Pete came in one night for dinner, the manager was full of praise for you. I think it would be a great opportunity. What do you think? I'm not asking for an answer now but are you interested?'

Interested? The offer of moving to Australia for six months didn't come along every day. She had always dreamed of travelling but things had never panned out. This was her chance and if Anna was honest, she was very interested. But then she thought of John. Things were so new between them, they had been through so much to reach this point.

'Look, I know it's a lot to take in,' Sarah said, sensing Anna's reluctance. 'It's a big decision but please think about it. Mull it over with your folks.'

'I will, Sarah. Honestly I will. But it's not just my parents I have to think about.'

'Ahh, the wedding crasher?' Sarah teased, Anna rolling her eyes wondering if her family would ever let go the fact that John interrupted her wedding.

'That's him,' Anna replied with an uncomfortable chuckle. 'I am interested, I'd be silly not to be but six months is a long time.'

'I completely understand,' Sarah interrupted, ' but please give my offer some serious consideration, Anna. Think about what I am asking you. To run a restaurant on the beach in Melbourne for six months. That kind of proposition doesn't come around very often.'

'It sounds amazing and I will think about it Aunty Sarah,' Anna promised, turning her gaze to an intrigued looking Gwen. 'Maybe I could call you back at the weekend?'

'Take all the time you need, honey. The girl going on maternity leave doesn't go for another month. Look forward to hearing from you.'

'Yeah, thanks Aunty Sarah,' Anna replied before hanging up the phone.

Placing her mobile on the arm of the sofa, Anna was in a daze as she studied the screen before it faded to black. She absent-mindedly tapped the fingers of her right hand against her right knee before releasing a slow breath. What an opportunity. If it had come a year earlier, Anna would have grabbed it with both hands.

'Well, don't leave me in suspense any longer,' Gwen said, bringing Anna out of her silent contemplation. 'What is it you have promised Aunty Sarah you will think about?'

Anna kept her gaze firmly ahead of her. 'She wants me to go out there and run her restaurant for six months.'

'Oh my goodness, Anna!' Gwen exclaimed, grabbing hold of Anna's wrist excitedly. 'That's amazing.'

'Isn't it.'

Gwen could sense her friend wasn't as excited as she was. 'Come on, Anna. Six months away from the wind and the rain to six months of sunshine in Australia. If it were me I'd already be packing my sun lotion and bikini. What could possibly be holding you back?'

'Well, he's over six foot tall and is a chef.'

'Come on, Anna. If John loves you like he says he does he'll be happy for you. Six months isn't that long. Besides he's loaded. He could come out and see you for a couple of weeks if needs be.'

'But we're just getting started,' Anna argued, sitting forward on the sofa. 'I've always wanted to go to Australia. I'd just feel bad leaving him.'

'He's a grown man capable of dealing with grown up situations. All I know is you'll regret it if you don't take the chance.'

'I know,' Anna murmured in agreement. 'Maybe I should see it as a test, put before us by God.'

'That's a healthy perspective. I'm sure he'll support you no matter what.' Gwen reassured her with a smile. 'Now, can we watch the film? My Zac Efron levels are running desperately low.'

As she opened the front door, Anna smiled as she saw light emanating from the living room. Her father was still in the habit of staying up until she came home, working on that weeks sermon no doubt. Closing the door with a quiet click, she trod the hallway floorboards towards the living room, smiling as upon opening it she saw her father with a bible in one hand, and a banana in the other.

'I'm home, Daddy,' Anna said with a sigh, causing her father to turn around to greet her. Slumping down on the sofa, Anna leant her head on the back of it.

'Oh dear, now there is a troubled soul if ever I saw one,' Richard chuckled, putting his bible down on his desk before taking another bite of his banana. 'How was the film?'

'Oh, more of Gwen's mushiness, I tend to zone out,' Anna replied, kicking off her shoes as she spoke.

'Anything you want to talk about?' Richard stood up, moving to sit on the coffee table in front of Anna. 'A sigh from you is usually accompanied by some sort of conundrum.'

'I got a call from Aunty Sarah earlier.'

'Oh, how lovely,' Richard's tone was upbeat as he smiled at the thought of his sister. 'How is the old girl? Still sounding like an extra from that terrible Australian soap your mother watches?'

'Yep, she's definitely picked up the accent,' Anna agreed with a smile. 'She made me an offer and one which has left me completely flummoxed.'

'Are you willing to divulge?'

'She wants me to run the Blue Reef for six months. In Melbourne.'

'Wow,' Richard raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'Now that is an opportunity and a half.'

'And don't I know it,' Anna ran a hand through her hair, her tone of voice making it obvious she was clearly not sharing the same enthusiasm as her father. He was waiting for her to continue, Anna sensing this as she met her father's gaze. 'What about John, Dad?'

Richard breathed in deeply, leaning forward as he rubbed his palms together. 'Look Anna. I can't make the decision for you but I know how much you have always wanted to go to Australia. You always put others before yourself, it's in your nature. But if you ask me it would be crazy to let this pass you by.'

'I know that, really I do and if I was in any other situation I would already be packing my bags. But everything is so new with John. I miss him when we are apart for a couple of days, how will I feel if we are apart for six months? And will he be waiting for me when I return?'

'Look, I don't know John very well but if he was willing to stop a whole wedding, I'm pretty sure there is nothing he wouldn't do for you. Including waiting a few months whilst you followed one of your dreams.'

Anna smiled at her father's words before standing up, tapping her father on the hand as she did so. 'Thanks Dad. I'm seeing him tomorrow night. Lets hope he is alright with it.'

'Well, if he isn't, isn't it better to find that out now rather than a little longer along the line?' Richard stood up as well, placing a hand on Anna's shoulder. 'The man you choose to spend your life with should be willing to put your desires before his own needs and wants. It's no more than you deserve.'

'I guess so, I know you're right. But I just have a feeling John won't be happy about this.'

'Of course he won't be, you are going away for six months. He is going to miss you terribly, like we all are. But if he loves you, he won't stand in your way.'

'Yeah, Gwen said that,' Anna chuckled, moving to the living room door.

'What do you know? Gwen has more maturity than I give her credit for.'

'Yeah, but no one can blame you for that, Dad,' Anna replied, opening the door. 'After all, this is the woman who has a poster of the Disney Princesses on her bedroom wall and has to kiss her picture of Johnny Depp every night before going to bed.'

'And you think you have problems,' Richard replied through a mouthful of banana. 'Night sweetheart.'

Looking over his shoulder, John furrowed his brow as he took in the sight of Anna, looking a million miles away as she lifted her wine glass to her lips. She had been quiet throughout dinner, not her usual self. John would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't a little concerned. Carrying over the two bowls of ice cream he had made himself, he placed one down in front of Anna before sitting opposite her.

'Oh, not for me,' Anna said apologetically, pushing the ice cream away.

'Okay, now I am worried.' His tone made Anna meet his gaze, he was smiling, albeit not convincingly. 'You barely say a word through dinner, now you're refusing dessert. If I didn't know better I'd say something was on your mind.'

Her silence spoke volumes as John dug his spoon into his ice cream, bringing it to his mouth before another look to Anna made him drop it to the bowl once more. Pushing his own dessert away, John leant back in his chair then folded his arms. He regarded Anna for a moment as she did everything she could not to meet his gaze.

'Anna, it's me, you can tell me anything. You know that.' John stopped himself, taking a deep breath before continuing with what he wanted to say. He closed his eyes, the nervous anticipation of the next words he was to utter sending a shiver down his spine. 'Do you want to cool things between us?'

'No,' Anna replied without missing a beat, 'why? Do you?'

'Anna, I may be many things but I am not a fool,' John replied with an almost relieved smile. 'Please tell me what is troubling you.'

Anna began to speak before stuttering, unsure of how to articulate what was on her mind. How to approach the situation. She wanted to go to Australia, of course she did. But she also wanted John to promise he would be waiting for her. The best way was to just get it out in the open, then let the consequences be whatever they may be.

'I've been made an offer. By my Aunty Sarah.' Anna began, her voice barely a whisper.

'Alright,' John was confused by how that could possibly be a source of consternation for his girlfriend, before something dawned on him. Where Sarah lived. 'Carry on.'

'Well, the manager of her restaurant is going on maternity leave. In a month. She'd like me to go and help her for the time her manager is away.'

'Oh,' John said weakly, running a hand across his brow. 'How long for?'

'Six months.'

'Six months?' John exclaimed, causing Anna to jump in her chair. Noting she was suddenly on edge, John clenched his jaw, fighting to calm himself down. 'And you want to go?'

'Look, I know it's a long time but it's the chance of a lifetime. I will miss you with every passing minute but I just know I'll regret it if I don't go.'

'Right.' He stood up then, walking to the counter before placing his hands on the edge of the surface, leaning against it.

'I won't be leaving for a month, I still haven't called my Aunt to confirm.' Anna rose to her feet, stepping closer to John before tentatively reaching out for him, placing her arms around his waist. 'Please say something, John.'

'Say what?' His tone was cold, Anna stepped back upon hearing it. She never believed John would ever speak to her in this manner. He turned to face her then, she could see an anger in his eyes, a look Anna had never witnessed before, certainly not when looking at her. 'What can I say without sounding completely selfish, Anna?'

'I was hoping you'd say you support me.' Anna was completely astounded at his reaction. She knew he wouldn't be enamoured at the idea, but she was sure John would show some maturity. 'That you think this is an amazing opportunity for me and one that I'd be crazy to turn down.'

'But it's six months,' John reiterated, forming both of his hands into fists to emphasise his point. 'We've only just got together properly. I stopped your wedding so we could be together, for God's...'

'Stop right there,' Anna interrupted John before he could take the Lord's name in vain. 'If you had been honest with me from the start we would have never got to that stage and you and I would probably have been engaged by now.'

'That's it, this is all my fault, isn't it?'

'I'm not going to get into an argument about something that we can't change. All that matters is we are together now.'

'Yeah, but not for much longer,' John muttered under his breath. Anna had heard enough.

'I want to go to Australia,' Anna insisted, walking to her chair and picking up her cardigan. She turned to look at John as she put the garment on. 'But I also want you to be waiting for me to return. I want you to understand why I have to do this. If we survive these six months being apart, then we can survive anything.'

John's phone vibrating on the counter caused both of them to look away from each other. Anna stepped away, giving John space to answer his phone. 'Hello Robert, what's up?' His face was etched in confusion as he listened to what his friend was saying to him. ' I'll be right there.' Hanging up, John sighed before looking to Anna. 'I've got to get to the restaurant. Thomas has been taken ill and a table of twenty have just arrived.'

'I'll come too.'

'No,' John said abruptly, 'go home. No need for us to both go in on our night off.'

Six months. It was a long time. Too long to be apart from Anna as far as John was concerned. He felt terrible for the way he had taken her news, but John felt a little hurt Anna would even consider leaving him after all they had been through to be together. In the situation they found themselves, getting to know each other was of the utmost importance. How could they do that with Anna being on the other side of the world? Having now calmed down, John was able to reason with Anna's side of the argument. If it was what Anna wanted who was he to stand in her way. She was young, she still had so much to experience in life. And he would be waiting for Anna. Of course he would be. What else did he have to live for except her? She was his shining light, the better part of him. A feeling of regret suddenly flowed within John. He'd acted like a petulant child when he owed it to Anna to support her every step of the way. John wouldn't be surprised if she never wanted anything to do with him ever again.

As he turned the corner, John was surprised to see a group of five or six men arguing outside the restaurant. As he moved closer, he saw Robert was in the thick of it, trying to calm the situation yet failing. John broke into a small jog as things seemed to be escalating, Robert caught in the crossfire as punches began to be thrown.

'Hey, calm down,' John shouted, grabbing one of the men before Robert was pushed out into the road.

Turning his head to see where his friend was, John was suddenly panic stricken as he saw Robert dazed and confused on all fours in the road, in the path of an oncoming vehicle. Thinking fast, adrenaline had taken over as John moved away from the group to grab Robert around the waist before almost throwing him across the tarmac. All that John could hear then was the screeching of tyres as he desperately tried to scramble away from the ever nearing car. It was too late. Mind numbing pain befell him as he felt a heavy weight upon his leg then leave it in an instant. John had enough time to contemplate the car had collided with his leg before his world turned to darkness, the pain too much.

Hit. By a car. Anna struggled to comprehend it as Gwen sped through the streets near and around Downton towards the hospital. The places her mind wandered to as Gwen negotiated the route sent shivers down her spine. What if this was it? They had left things on an argument. Anna would never be able to forgive herself. After what seemed like the longest journey of her whole life, Gwen finally pulled into the car park, stopping right outside the entrance. After promising to call Gwen, Anna leapt out of the car, running as far as her legs would carry her into the hospital. She immediately saw Robert at a vending machine, resting his head against the glass. He had been crying, Anna could see that. Perhaps it was too late.

'Robert,' Anna murmured, he lifting his head slowly at the sound of his name. Meeting her gaze, he stood up straight. 'Robert, what's going on?'

'He saved my life, Anna,' Robert replied, trying desperately to stifle a sob that was threatening to engulf him. 'They pushed me into the road, then a car appeared from nowhere.'

'What happened to John? Where is John?' Anna asked, trying to remain as calm as she could.

'He's in theatre. The doctors are trying to...' Robert's voice faded away, still struggling to come to terms with the enormity of what had happened to him this evening. What had happened to John.

'Robert, please,' Anna begged, the desperation in her manner almost causing her to jump up and down on the spot. 'I know it's hard but what is wrong with him?'

'Even if he pulls through, they think he might lose his leg.'

Following Robert to the waiting area outside the theatre, Anna was in a state of shock. John could lose his leg, that was hard enough to contemplate but the fact the doctors weren't sure if he would make it scared her half to death. In these despairing moments, Anna realised, if she hadn't before, that she loved John more than anything. Her life without him in it was dark, cold, despairing. It was nothing.

'Mr Crawley?' Both Anna and John looked up to see a rather flustered looking doctor appear in the waiting room. He regarded Anna with a furrowed brow. 'Who are you?'

'I'm John Bates's girlfriend, Anna Smith.'

'Right,' the doctor's stance softened before he began to explain about John's condition. 'We've managed to stem the bleeding and he is stable. At the moment, the team are attempting to save Mr Bates's leg.'

'What are the chances of that?' Robert asked.

'He's very badly injured, Mr Crawley. But we are trying our best.'

'Thank you,' Anna said with a nod before the doctor disappeared again. She slunk down into the chair once more, exhaling deeply as she did so. 'So I guess we wait then.'

'I guess.'

'I don't know what I'd do without him,' Anna suddenly gasped, unable to keep her emotions in as she let her tears overtake her.

'Come on,' Robert said, placing his arm around Anna's shoulder in an attempt to soothe her. 'How about a cup of coffee, I think we could both use one.'

The next few hours seemed to almost stand still as Anna watched every tick of the hand on the clock opposite them. They reached the early hours of the morning with no more news, the room they were in was bathed in a dusky light. Anna was aware Robert was speaking beside her, catching enough of what he was saying to understand he was telling stories about John. About their time training together. The nights out they shared together in London. Then silence reigned once more and all Anna could think about was their argument about her going to Australia.

'We were arguing earlier,' Anna revealed, suddenly realising she hadn't even told her boss about her plans. 'I've been offered a job in Australia. For six months.'

'Australia?' Robert repeated aloud, turning his head to look at Anna. 'Lucky you, Australia is a beautiful country.'

'He didn't want me to go. Then Mary called. We parted on an argument and I'll never forgive myself if that was the last conversation we shared.'

'Come on, Anna. Let's be positive.' Robert suggested, looking at his watch before rubbing his eyes. 'At the last update the doctor said he was stable. We haven't heard anything since but lets assume no news is good news, eh?'

'I can't leave him, not now,' Anna was resolute, shaking her head as she spoke with utter conviction. 'I've never felt like this before, it's like an illness. He's always there, in my head. I just want to be with him all the time. How I ever thought I could leave him for six months is beyond me. It's just a shame something like this has made me realise that. I love him too much to be apart for six months, or to ever be without him.'

As she finished her sentence, the doctor walked in, taking off his surgical cap as he closed the door behind him. Sitting down beside Anna, neither her or Robert knew what to think.

'We've managed to save the leg, but it's badly damaged.' The doctor began, his tone husky, clearly weary after working on John for what was almost the entire night. 'We've needed to put a pin in the bone to help it heal. At the moment it's difficult to tell if he will need further surgery. However, Mr Bates is breathing on his own and we have moved him to the intensive care unit where he will be monitored closely for the next few hours.'

'What's the worse case scenario?' Robert asked, Anna inwardly cursing his ever practical approach.

'It's possible he'll need a walking aid, such as a cane.' The doctor advised, looking to Anna as he watched her bring a hand to her mouth. 'But let me repeat how lucky he actually is. Mr Bates was struck by a car moving at thirty miles per hour this evening. The only injuries we can tell he has sustained at this point are those to his leg and loss of blood. The next few hours are critical but we will monitor him closely.'

'Can we see him?' Anna questioned, the world which had slowed down waiting for news through the early hours was suddenly spinning all around her, she had so much to take in.

'In a while, the nurse will be through to take you to him as soon as it's possible.'

'Thank you,' Robert shook the surgeons hand before wincing.

'Are you alright, Mr Crawley?' the doctor asked, regarding Robert with a concerned gaze.

'Yeah, I hurt my hand in all the commotion earlier but it's nothing,' he shrugged before the surgeon began to study his hand.

'I would have it checked,' the doctor suggested, 'it's very swollen. If you follow me I'll take you to A and E and have one of the triage team see to you.'

'I should wait here to see John. I can't leave Anna alone.'

'It's fine Robert, honestly.' Anna insisted, 'Get your hand checked then go home. I'm sure Cora is worried sick.'

'Alright,' Robert sighed, moving closer to Anna before pulling her into his embrace. 'Call me, the minute anything changes.'

'I promise,' Anna assured him, pulling away from him before straightening the lapels on his jacket. 'Thank you for being here this evening.'

John looked so peaceful as he lay on the hospital bed. The fact he was connected to a heart monitor and that his leg was heavily bandaged the only things that gave away he wasn't actually just in bed asleep. There were a few scratches on his face and arms, but it was clear they were just superficial. The nurse had informed Anna with the medication he was on, as well as the effects of anaesthesia, John would be out for most of the day but she had encouraged Anna to talk to him.

Minutes turned to hours as Anna sat beside him in silence. It was now the afternoon, she knew that when the nurse had asked if she would like any lunch. Anna had no idea what to say, every time she began to speak something stopped her. She had counted every line on his beautiful face, studied each of the fingers on the hand she had been holding with intense scrutiny, amazed at how perfectly their hands fit together. She had brushed the stray strand of hair that fell upon his forehead a least a dozen times.

Watching him, her heart thumped in her chest as with each second that passed she was reminded again and again how in love she was with the man lying before her. She thought she was happy before he came into her life, had always considered herself lucky. Then John arrived and to this day she couldn't fathom how she had ever lived without him. John was who she had been waiting for. It was him. The man who she had daydreamed about. When she used to imagine getting married, having children, although she didn't know it then, John was the man who was beside her through it all. Finally, from somewhere within herself, Anna found the words to break the silence that had been prominent for hours.

'You have no idea how much you have changed my life,' she began, smiling as she looked up at his face, just to make sure he wasn't stirring, before concentrating on his hand once more. 'You have labelled me as your salvation on more than one occasion. However, what I have never told you is it is you that has given my life more meaning than I could ever have dreamed. And the thought of losing you last night made me realise I can't leave you for six months. I'd walk around, an empty shell of myself.'

Turning her gaze to his face once more, she let out a sob as an earth shattering realisation came over her. Leaning over the bed, she leant her forehead softly on John's hip, her voice barely a whisper. 'You are the only man I have ever loved. I'd marry you tomorrow if I could.'

'Alright then.'

She could barely believe her ears. Lifting her head slowly, Anna looked to his face to see John, his eyes squinting but the smallest smile playing upon his lips.

'John,' Anna squealed, rising to her feet, trying to be as careful as she could as she placed a hand on his cheek. 'You're awake.'

'I liked what...' he stopped talking to gently clear his throat, the hours of being unconscious having taken their toll. His voice was gruff as he spoke, but the smile on his face was undeniable. 'What you just said. Let's get married, Anna.'

A/N 2- Hopefully the next update won't take as long :)