A/N: Well folks, this story has at long last reached its end. This is a very bittersweet moment for me. All We Are was my very first venture into the fan fiction world, and it is literally a visual representation of my growth as a writer over the past year. I have had moments where I wanted to chuck this story in the garbage and forget about it, but it kept calling me back. Now a year later we finally have a finished product! I sincerely hope it was worth the wait :) I know this was a risky storyline to conquer and I hope I did it justice.

Thank you all for the support, especially to Alexis and Jo who kept me going when I hated writing this. Now I see that it was a labor of love, and I am really proud of it.

I'm not above begging for reviews! haha! I am dying to know what you guys think of this, so please let me know! Enjoy xo

Disclaimer: Same as all the other chapters. As mad as I am at Fellowes right now, I do thank and credit him for creating Bates and Anna.

Peter gave his resignation to Lord Grantham and Mr. Carson the day after he and Anna's talk, and was to be gone the day after that. Anna had managed to stop him to ask if he had anywhere to go. He was kind, if not a little reserved, but he was honest with her and told her that he would find somewhere in no time. He gave Anna a polite goodbye in the servant's hall as he left, and she could see the pain in his eyes. She prayed that he found the happiness he deserved when he got to where he was going.

Everyone knew that Mr. Bates was returning soon and Anna couldn't help but feel thrilled that life would soon be returning to normal, albeit a very new normal. What Anna did not know was that John had come back the day after his reunion with Anna, in an attempt to talk to Mr. Brooks. He felt he owed a lot to this man who had kept his love afloat in his absence. Whether he cared to admit it or not, Mr. Brooks and Anna had formed a bond and one that he had a feeling wouldn't be easily broken.

John found Peter in the courtyard in the early morning light, simply looking off into the distance. When he saw Bates approaching he stood and turned to go inside.

"Wait!" John called and Peter stopped before turning to face the man who'd ruined his life.

"What is it, Mr. Bates? What could you possibly want now, that you haven't already stolen from me?" His words weren't angry, John noted, they were anguished and heartbroken. John did feel for this man, he couldn't imagine the thought of losing Anna in this way.

"I just wanted to thank you, Mr. Brooks. I know it's strange and I understand that you must hate me more than the devil himself, but you must know how grateful I am to you. For being there for her...for caring for her."

"Well it wasn't done for your benefit, I can assure you." Peter spat as he kicked the dirt around him.

"I understand that too, but it doesn't make me any less grateful to you."

Peter took a deep breath and raised his head to look John square in the eye. "I want you to know, Mr. Bates that I still believe she would be better off with me. I still believe that I could make her happy, and love her the way she deserves to be loved."

Years of self-deprecation reared up on John and he sighed. "You may be right about that."

"And yet, she chose you. After everything you put her through she chose you and I must honor her decision. Anna is an intelligent woman and I believe, that she believes she is making the right decision...even if I don't." The pain in the man's voice was tangible. "So I'll leave here and never see her again...but I'll never forget about her. And so help me, if you ever leave her again not only will I be there for her, but I will personally hunt you down."

John couldn't help the smile that teased his lips. "I think we both know you would win that fight, because if I ever hurt her again I'll come to you and let you take the first punch."

Peter shook his head and turned to walk inside but John stopped him again.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a note, handing it to Peter. "This is for you, as a token of my thanks."

"What is it?" Peter looked curiously at the words scrawled across the paper.

"It's an address for my cousin in Scotland. He's been writing to me about his need for help on his farm and I thought it might be a good fit for you. New place, new people. He's a good man and he will pay you well. I can write to him and let him know to expect you."

"I can't accept this." Peter moved to hand the note back, but John put his hands up in surrender.

"You don't have to use it. You could crumble it up right now if you wanted, but the point is it's yours to do with what you will." John hesitated before saying what he was going to say next, but he felt it might sway the broken man's opinion. "Anna has expressed to me her worry over you not having anywhere to go. She feels…..like it's her fault. You know how she can be. So if you won't pursue it for my sake, perhaps you'll consider it for hers."

With those final words John turned and walked back towards the gate that would lead him back to the village.

"Mr. Bates?"

John turned to see Peter still standing there, rubbing the paper back and forth between his fingers as if weighing out his options. Finally he looked up at John, expressionless and said a simple, "Thank you," before walking inside.

Anna's steps were slow as she made her way down the stairs towards the servant's hall. Mr. Bates was back and had been for a few days, but Anna was finding herself strangely distant from him. They had met in the courtyard, per their usual, on his first night and he'd told her about giving Peter the address. The mention of his name caused her to shut down a little bit and she was sure he'd noticed. Mr. Bates assured her she should take all the time she needed but Anna feared that he would expect her to fall right back into their old ways and routines...and Anna just wasn't sure she was ready for that. She loved him, of course, but she was still angry and hurt over what he'd done. It wasn't like her to hold things like this so closely to her heart but for some reason she could not move on from this.

She finally made it down the stairs and nearly ran headlong into the very subject of her thoughts as he came around the corner.

"Anna." He smiled that smile that made the corner of his eyes crinkle and her knees weak. "I was actually looking for you."

"You were?" she answered in a near whisper.

"Yes, might I have a word?"

"Of course." Anna followed him outside, and tried to regain control of her heartbeat. Why was she suddenly so nervous around him?

When they finally made it outside he turned towards her and she was struck with the worry and nervousness in his gaze. So she wasn't the only one. He was rubbing his hands together, something she'd never seen him do before.

"Anna, there's something I want to ask you...only I'm not sure if you will be ready, and if you aren't that's perfectly fine. You need only say so and I will say no more on the subject." His floundering was cute in a way, and she couldn't help the smile that came across her face.

"Well...out with it, Mr. Bates." She knew he could hear the teasing in her tone, and she noticed that he relaxed slightly at the recognition.

"I was wondering if I might...court you? Officially, I mean. Publicly. Take you out to dinner, or to a picture if you would like? Or both." He paused and took a deep breath before continuing on. "I know you want to take things slow, and I have a lot of making up to do. I thought this might be a good way for us to...get to know each other again. Better this time, since there won't be a constant shadow looming over our heads."

Anna quieted his jabbering by closing the distance between them and taking his hands into her own.

"I think that's a perfect idea, Mr. Bates. My answer is yes."

He gathered her into his arms and held her tightly to him allowing Anna to breath in his scent which she had missed so desperately. Peppermint, shaving lotion, with just a hint of smoke. It was him and it was exactly what she needed.

"Thank you, Anna," he whispered into her hair.

She pulled back only enough to look into his eyes. "Why are you thanking me?"

"Why not?" he replied quickly. "I have so much to thank you for the list is endless. I owe you so much Anna; time, love, life...all of which I've wasted by being a fool and causing you pain. I will never stop trying to make that up to you, and it will never be enough."

"Stop it." Anna silenced him by placing her finger over his mouth. "The past is the past, Mr. Bates. What's done is done. I admit it has been...difficult for me to get over things, but you'll just have to give me some time." Anna paused wondering if she should tell him what had been on her mind the past few days. She decided the truth was always the best option. She led him to sit down on the bench that wasn't far from where they were standing, never letting go of his hand. He looked to her with curious eyes until she finally spoke.

"I wish I could say I wasn't angry with you, that I wasn't still hurt by what happened...but I am." His face fell and she could see the pain in his eyes but she knew she had to get this out. "I love you more than anything, that has never and will never change but that pain is still there. It's not just going to vanish; it became too much apart of me in the time you were away for it to just be gone now that you're back. But the wound is healing, I can feel it getting better every day that I come down those stairs and see you sitting at the table. Every time we meet at the bottom of the stairs or in this courtyard. Every time I hear you laugh or see you roll your eyes at something silly one of the young footman said. It will take some time for me to get over it, but that doesn't mean I don't trust you with my heart in the process. I wouldn't have taken you back if I didn't."

John nodded and stared down at their joined hands. He seemed to be at a loss for words.

"That is why I think a courtship is the best idea you've ever had." Anna smiled, and placed her hand under John's chin to raise his eyes to hers.

Finally he spoke and his while his smile was gentle his voice was laced with tears. "I was so lost without you. I lived in such a fog of misery, and now that it's lifted I don't know how to re-enter the light. There will never be a day that passes that I don't hate myself for hurting you, but that will make me all the more determined to make you happy in every possible way."

Anna held John tightly to her. "We'll find the light together," she whispered. "Just promise me you will never leave me again."

"Oh Anna, my darling, I promise. I swear it. That's over and done with now. No more running. Like I said before, you're stuck with me now; for good and proper." Finally Anna could hear the happiness in his voice, and she leaned up and kissed him chastely on the lips.

"I love you, Mr. Bates."

"I love you too, with all my heart."

They lost themselves in each other until their duties called them inside and apart...for the moment.

John lived up to his word in every possible way. Although their relationship had never truly been a secret to anyone downstairs, they were now very public with their intentions towards each other. He would bring her flowers, and have her tea prepared for her in the mornings, and she would kiss his cheek before they parted at the base of the stairs to go to bed. John also appealed to Mrs. Hughes to have their half days moved to the same so they could enjoy some time away from the Abbey. They went to tea shops and book stores, walked through the park and talked about everything and nothing. All the while holding each others hand proudly. It was everything both of them had always wanted and hoped for.

Slowly but surely, Anna and John repaired and rebuilt their relationship, and they both agreed that they were stronger as a couple now than they had been before. Having overcome so many obstacles and so much heartbreak to be together had made them treasure their time with each other even more. They never let a chance to express their love slip away from them. Whether it was exchanged in a quick glance as they passed in the hall, a brief squeeze of hands beneath the servant's hall table at dinner, or a chaste kiss in the courtyard at night. Each moment meant the world to them no matter how small.

Peter was never far from her thoughts, and she wondered if he had taken up Mr. Bates' cousins offer in Scotland. John had written a letter but they hadn't heard anything back. Anna prayed every night for Peter, that he would find happiness somewhere and have the good life that he deserved. A few weeks later they received a letter from John's cousin saying that Peter had come and was settling into his job well and seemed content. The relief Anna felt was palpable and allowed her to finally move on with John completely.

Anna could feel all the pain and heartache slipping away from her with each passing day. For the first few weeks she'd waited on tenterhooks for him to disappear again. Sometimes she'd get herself so worked up in the night that she would practically run to the servant's hall in the morning to make sure he was still there. But John always reassured her, always supported her, and did everything in his power to make her feel safe and happy.

One night Anna had a horrible nightmare where she was chasing John down a dark corridor, but the harder she tried to run the further he got from her. She woke in a cold sweat, with large tears rolling down her face as she gasped for breath. She looked to the bed beside her and saw that Jane was still sound asleep. Anna weighed out the possibility of trying to find a way into the men's corridor to see him, but she knew the risk was too great. She'd have to calm herself until morning.

Anna laid there a moment, but sleep evaded her. Finally she kicked the blankets back, put on her robe, and quietly tip-toed out of the room intent on reaching the kitchens for a warm glass of milk to relax her enough that perhaps she could get some more sleep.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs she noticed a flicker of light coming from the servant's hall. Who on earth was awake at this hour? Anna walked silently down the corridor and had to bite back a gasp when she saw just the person she'd been considering risking her job to see. He hadn't noticed her and she stood in the doorway admiring him for a moment as he read by the candle light. He was wearing his pajamas which she'd only seen him in once before...the ones that he left a few buttons open on. That showed a peak of his chest hair, which made her knees go weak. His hair was free of that blasted pomade, and a single lock had settled on his forehead. He was so content, and perfect...her Mr. Bates, and Anna couldn't imagine how she'd ever managed to survive without him.

She must have sighed aloud, because his head shot up in surprise but his shock quickly settled into a smile when he saw it was her.

"What on earth are you doing up at this hour?" John asked, standing to pull out a chair for her at his side.

Anna made her way around the table, and kissed his cheek before she sat.

"I had a nightmare, and then couldn't go back to sleep so I thought I would come get some warm milk."

His eyes were concerned, and he ran his hand along her shoulder. "I'll get it for you, be right back." He planted a kiss on the top of her head then made his way towards the kitchen.

He returned a few minutes later with a glass of milk for her and a cup of tea for himself, along with a few of her favorite biscuits.

Anna grinned, "Mrs. Patmore will have scold you something terrible tomorrow if she finds out you took those."

"Which is precisely why she won't find out." They both giggled, and Anna took one from the plate gladly.

"Thank you." she said between nibbles and sips.

"Of course, my love." The term of endearment caused Anna to blush, she still wasn't quite used to him being so free with them. "Do you want to talk about your nightmare?" he asked gently.

Anna contemplated whether she should tell him, she knew it would upset him to know she still harbored these fears, but she'd also promised to always be honest with him.

"I was...running. Trying to find you, and I couldn't. I could hear your voice, but the more I ran the further away you were. Then I woke up." Anna kept her head lowered, with her hands wrapped tightly around the warm glass.

There was a moment of silence between them before John spoke. "You know, after….after I left I had a recurring dream. Or a nightmare I guess it was. You and I were in the courtyard and I was kissing you, then suddenly I was being dragged away from you. I could see you crying and calling out for me, but no matter how hard I fought I couldn't get to you. I couldn't escape what was keeping me away from you." John stopped when he noticed that she was looking at him with wide eyes. "What?" he asked.

"I had the same dream." Her voice was hardly a whisper, and he barely caught her words.

"You...you did?"

"Yes. Several times in the same week actually. My feet were stuck to the ground and I watched you being dragged away and there was nothing I could do. I would wake up screaming for you." Anna was crying in earnest now.

John took her into his arms as he whispered soothing words into her hair until she settled down. "I'm so sorry, Anna." he breathed against her cheek as she look up towards him.

Anna placed her hand on the side of his face, letting the stubble graze her finger tips.

John turned to kiss her palm causing Anna's heart to stutter.

"I'm not." Anna spoke in the small space between. John gave her a confused look until she explained. "This just proves that no matter how far apart we are. No matter what happens in our lives, we are connected by something stronger than distance. Even in our darkest time, our love kept us connected. I remember that dream so vividly: I remember your kiss, how you tasted, and how your breath felt against my ear when you whispered that you loved me. The nightmare came later, but that dream always stuck with me. Don't you see? In spite of everything, you were still with me, still reassuring me of your love for me."

Anna was smiling now and John couldn't help but join in with her. He reached up and wiped away a single tear from her cheek before placing his hand over hers, and kissing her palm and wrist again and again.

They shared a few chaste kisses and a few not so innocent ones before John suggested it was time they headed up to bed. They held each other's hand tightly as they made their way up to the base of the stairs that would take them to their respective wings. When they turned to each other to say good night Anna looked conflicted.

"What is it, love?" John kept his voice low so as not to disturb anyone in the quiet house. He squeezed her hand for reassurance and she looked up at him a little more confident than she had been before.

"Take me with you." Anna said simply.

"What?"

"Take me to your room with you."

John's eyes widened with surprise. "Anna, I don't…."

"Not to do anything," Anna smiled up at the shocked man before her, but then her face turned more somber. "I just...I need to be with you tonight. I need you to hold me. I need that reassurance that you're still here. I'll sneak back before dawn, but I know I'll never sleep if…"

She was cut off by the soft tenderness of his lips on hers. The kiss was short and sweet and just as special to her as all the others they'd shared.

Without another word, John took her hand again and led her up the stairs towards the men's corridor and his small room. It took some creative maneuvering, but they were able to fit into his single bed eventually. John knew his internal clock would awake them in time for her to make it safely back to her room and with that knowledge both of them fell into the deepest sleep either had ever experienced in the safety of the other's arms.

A few months into their courtship, and after a few nights spent in the comfort of each other's embrace, John began to tease Anna with what he called "a special surprise" for her. He had been taking her on the most wonderful dates, and somewhere deep in her heart she had a feeling what this surprise would entail. However, she kept her thoughts to herself and allowed him the joy of planning whatever it was he was planning for her. The way John's face lit up every time he mentioned it made Anna's heart soar.

Finally, the day arrived and John had asked her to wear her best dress.

"Aren't you going to at least give me a hint as to where you're taking me?" she'd begged before going up to change.

He'd looked around to make sure they were alone, then took her into his arms and swiftly kissed her. "Not a chance." he'd whispered against her lips.

Anna checked her reflection in the mirror for the hundredth time, making sure her hair was just perfect before setting her hat gently over it and securing it into place with the hat pins he'd gifted her so long ago. She was wearing what he had told her was his favorite outfit on her. Anna smoothed her skirts before grabbing her bag and making her way down to the courtyard to meet him. The butterflies in her stomach took flight when she opened the door and saw him standing there in his brown suit and hat. Suddenly she was transported back to the very first day he'd come to Downton and how she'd been immediately enamored by him. Love at first sight, some would call it.

Anna was pulled from the flashback by the brightness of his smile and his outstretched arm.

"Are you ready?"

She took his arm, "More than ready, Mr. Bates."

"Might I say, you look positively radiant Anna. Just when I think you can't get more beautiful, you knock me off my feet once again."

Anna blushed and looked down towards the ground before meeting his eyes. "You're quite the charmer today, and I must say...you don't look too bad either." They both giggled in unison and kept walking.

When John led her around towards the front of the big house and up the grassy path Anna's curiosity peaked even more.

"Are we going for a walk through the gardens?"

"Mmm, you'll just have to wait and see, darling."

"You are enjoying this secrecy far too much for my liking." Anna teased him, but he only smiled at her, determined not to give anything away.

They finally reached the large white stone gazebo and Anna gasped when she realized what sat beneath its covering. There was a large, plush blanket spread across it with a picnic basket that had already been unloaded. A wide assortment of food was spread about, all of her favorites it looked like. There were also wine glasses and candles that were remarkably staying lit in the breeze. It was breath taking and perfect in every possible way.

"Mr. Bates…." Anna breathed as she took in the sight.

"Do you like it?"

"No...I love it. It's absolutely beautiful." She turned to him, and rested her hands on the lapels of his jacket. "Thank you."

He allowed her to kiss him briefly before drawing her back to the present and helping her to sit and get comfortable on the blanket.

They ate until they could hold no more and talked until the sun began to set on the horizon. They had settled on one of the stairs to watch the sunset, Anna's back to John's front as she sat between his legs and he cradled her in his arms.

"This has been the most perfect day." Anna said as John kissed her temple reverently.

She heard him take a deep breath and noticed that his hand was shaking against her waist. However, before she could ask him about the sudden change in his demeanor he was maneuvering his way out from behind her and leading her down the steps to the grass.

"You're right, it has been perfect. But there is something that I'm hoping will make it even more so."

Without any further explanation she watched in shock and surprise as John lowered himself down onto his good knee before her, her hand held tightly in his. Anna gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand as the tears began to burn behind her eyes. She was speechless.

"Anna, I could say so much to you right now. I could tell you how you've completely changed my life and made me a better man just by loving me. How you've taught me the true meaning of kindness, generosity, patience, forgiveness, and adoration. But really all it comes down to is that I love you with my whole heart and soul. Both of which always have and will forevermore belong to you. Would you do me the incredible honour of becoming my wife?"

He waited as Anna tried to fight through the deluge of tears that flowed down her face and blurred her vision. Finally she managed to voice the one and only word he was hoping to hear.

"Yes. Yes. Yes." she cried and he stood as quickly as possible and gathered her into his arms. He laid kisses on every part of open skin on her face and neck he could reach in his flood of happiness, and she returned his ardor. Finally their lips met in a heated kiss, one that spoke of the passion between as well as the gentility of their love from one another. He worshipped her with his lips and tongue as he would for the rest of his days, and she held him tight with the intention of never letting him go again.

The need for air became too pressing and they pulled away from one another only barely, their arms still holding on tightly. John did manage to pull something from his pocket, and Anna was surprised yet again when she saw him open a small box and show her a small ring that held the most beautiful sapphires she'd ever seen.

"This was my mother's, and her mother's before her. Before she died she asked me to do right by you, and one day give you this ring as a symbol of our love for one another." John took her left hand and slipped the ring onto her fourth finger. It fit her perfectly and John raised her hand to kiss her finger gently, before cradling her face in his large hands.

"I love you so much." Anna whispered. "I have never been as happy as I am right now in this moment and I can't wait to be your wife."

John smiled at the words she spoke and kissed her yet again...and again, and again until it was time for them to head back. As they made their way to the house, John felt her engagement ring rub against his hand and squeezed tighter. Their smiles were endless, and their joy knew no bounds as they walked into the peacefulness of their forever.