A/N- This has taken me from ten this morning to write, it's now 9.20pm. I love a day spent writing fan fiction. Thanks for your reviews.

In this chapter, Lord Grantham steps up to the plate. And Mr Branson makes an appearance. What a charming fellow he is.

Disclaimer: Downton belongs to Julian Fellowes/ITV/Carnival

Mrs Hughes stepped out of her sitting room before moving to the top of the corridor. Her ears hadn't been deceiving her. There was an incessant banging on the back door which had first caught her attention, but now it was coupled with a voice, that of a man shouting. Making haste towards the back door, she soon recognised the voice to be that of Mr Bates.

'Why, Mr Bates...'

'Mrs Hughes, you have to give this to Anna.'

He was panic striken, handing over a bundle of notes that must have added up to around fifty pounds. It had been raining, John was dripping wet and he had stepped out without properly dressing himself, missing his tie, collar and hat. And his cane. He was clutching his bag.

'Mr Bates, compose yourself. What is going on?'

'I have to go back to Scotland. Now. I am getting the overnight train, it leaves Downton in an hour to connect with the early morning service from Newcastle to Aberdeen. Give the money to Anna and ask her to follow me tomorrow. She's booked on the ten o clock train. Vera's back and she is throwing around all kinds of threats.'

'Threats? About Lady Mary?'

'Look, there isn't time...'

'John?' He looked beyond Mrs Hughes to see Anna come down the stairs, ready for bed with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. 'What is it?'

'Ahh good, the door is open. I left something here at dinner and...' Tom Branson appeared then behind John, and noticing the atmosphere immediately stopped talking. 'Is everything alright?'

'Anna and Mr Bates, use my sitting room.' Mrs Hughes turned her attentions back to John. 'Talk to her.'

Looking at his pocket watch, John nodded before walking inside, closing the door behind him. Mrs Hughes stepped aside as John strode down the corridor, leaving drips of water behind as he neared Anna. Her face was full of confusion and fear, it broke John's heart. She led the way, turning towards Mrs Hughes sitting room, pulling her shawl more tightly around her shoulders.

'What was all that about?' Tom asked.

'Just don't go anywhere.' Mrs Hughes replied, looking on as the couple disappeared into her room before placing a hand on Mr Tom's shoulder. 'You might be needed.'

In the sitting room, John removed his sopping wet coat and hung it over the back of one of the chairs before placing his bag on the floor. Turning to face Anna, he met her gaze and stared at her. She was looking so vulnerable, so scared. All of a sudden, the only thing he felt was guilt. Guilt that this beautiful, perfect woman had given up everything for him, her self respect to live in a manner with him that they had no right to. And now, his wife was threatening to drag her name through the mud, all because of him.

'What's going on, John?' Anna's voice was barely a whisper. 'What's happened?'

'Vera's happened. She's found out about the baby.'

'What? How?'

'Miss O Brien knows everything. Our secret. That's why Vera is here in the first place.'

Anna raised a trembling hand to her mouth, a realisation suddenly spreading throughout her body. 'If she knows everything and has told Vera, that's it. Cover blown.'

John nodded weakly. 'And the money means nothing now. If I didn't want a family with her, she isn't going to let me start one with you. I either go to London with her tomorrow, or she tells all. About Lady Mary. About us.'

'So it's coming out in the open no matter what.' Anna looked over at John. 'You're not considering going back to her...'

'God no,' John interrupted Anna, stepping closer to her.

'But it will ruin the family...'

'I don't care about that, Anna. The only two people I care about are you and the baby. You are the centre of my universe, nothing else matters. That's why I am going back now, So she won't know where I am and she can't follow me.' John placed a hand on Anna's cheek, closing his eyes tightly as he choked out his next words. 'Unless you want me to go with her, to save Lady Mary's plight. Because I would do that. For you.'

Anna felt her chest tighten at the thought of John going back to Vera. It just couldn't happen, no matter what would materialise for the Crawley family. The fact that John would be willing to make that sacrifice for her made her heart swell and made her feel angry all at once. How he could even think for a second Anna could live without him was beyond her. Especially now she was expecting their first child. He was her life now, they had built that life together far away from here. She wasn't willing to give that up for anybody, not even Lady Mary.

'Does Vera know where we are living?'

'No.'

'Well then, we leave together. Now if needs be. What's to stop her from following me? We must go together. Leave a note with Mrs Hughes to pass on to his Lordship.'

'Anna, this is all my doing...'

'So you forced Mary to sleep with Mr Pamuk, did you?' Anna's voice was strong, full of conviction as John looked her squarely in the eye. He shook his head. 'No, you didn't. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's a mistake Lady Mary made in the past. I don't see why you should have to pay for it just because your wife is a wicked creature only out for what she can get. And I'm sure His Lordship would like to hear all about O Brien's part in it aswell.'

'Anna, I don't deserve you.' He placed a strong hand on her stomach. 'Or any of this.'

'Stop it,' Anna breathed. 'Don't say that. You, John Bates, are a wonderful, selfless man who came into my life little more than five years ago and all of a sudden gave it meaning. It took us long enough to reach this point. It may not be perfect, or proper in the eyes of some, but it's what I have always wanted. To love someone like this. You are what I have always dreamt of. So don't ever say you don't deserve me.'

'We're in this together, then,' John said with a chuckle, taking Anna's hand in his own.

'How you could even think otherwise angers me. I made a promise to you. Under the stars on our first night in Scotland. I meant every single word.'

'Me too.'

'So I suggest you write a letter to His Lordship explaining that Vera might be visiting him in the near future. And to alert Mr Murray and Sir Richard. I'll go and pack my bag and meet you in the servants hall in ten minutes.'

Reaching the servants hall, John was surprised to see Mrs Hughes and Mr Branson sitting at the table, deep in conversation. Mrs Hughes turned to acknowledge his presence, Mr Branson smiling weakly in his direction.

'Mr Bates, I hope you don't mind but I had an idea.'

'All packed, let's go,' Anna took hold of John's arm before realising Branson was present.

'Before you do, Anna.' Mrs Hughes stood up and moved towards them both, Mr Branson standing. 'I took the liberty of explaining the situation to Mr Branson.'

'Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.' Tom said with a smile. 'I want to help.'

'Help how?' John crumpled his brow before looking down at Anna.

'Well, I thought if Mr Branson drove you as far as he could, it would get you further away from here sooner.'

'I couldn't ask that of you,' John began before Tom interrupted.

'Please, let me do this for you. The subject matter is a lot closer to home than I would care to admit.' Mrs Hughes made a noise at his remark, Anna and John sharing confused glances.

'But won't you have to clear it with Mr Carson?' John questioned. 'And His Lordship.'

'Leave them both to me,' Mrs Hughes replied indignantly.

'Alright then, thank you. If Mr Branson doesn't mind.'

'I'll go and fire up the car. '

Leaving the three of them alone, Branson almost ran down the corridor.

'Won't anyone hear us leaving?'

'Don't worry about that, Mr Bates,' Mrs Hughes replied. 'Leave it all to me.'

'This is goodbye then. I hope you don't mind I borrowed some of your stationery. Please give this letter to His Lordship.' John asked, handing Mrs Hughes an envelope before leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. 'We'll never forget this, Elsie.'

Taken aback at him using her given name, Mrs Hughes blushed a little before Anna took the housekeeper in her embrace. 'Tell Daisy everything. Please. I'm sorry to let her down but please let her know why I have to go back early. So she'll understand.'

'As you wish. Do take care of yourselves. I'll write to let you know how the dust settles. Now go.'

Seven o clock in the morning passed as Branson pulled up outside Edinburgh train station. Having only stopped once, they had made the journey in a little over eight hours, Branson pushing the car to it's limits as they travelled through the night. They had revealed all about the past few months, safe in the knowledge Tom would keep their secret. He mentioned something to them about forbidden love which intrigued them both but they chose not to press the issue with him. Stepping out of the car, such as was his nature, he moved around to Anna's side and opened the door.

'Good luck,' he said with a smile, helping Anna out of the car.

'We really can't thank you enough, Mr Branson.' John said, taking hold of his bag and Anna's.

'Is it easy to get home from here?' Tom asked, shutting the car door.

'Yes, we take the train to Aberdeen.' John answered before looking behind him at the station. 'Which reminds me, I'll go and find the station master and ask him if I can phone George, to come and collect us.'

'Alright, I'll be with you in a minute.' Anna replied, watching as John walked away. 'Thanks for this, Tom.'

'Honestly, it's fine. Mrs Hughes assured me she would explain to Mr Carson and His Lordship. They'll both understand when they hear the reasons behind it.'

'This forbidden love, I hope it works out for you.' Anna rubbed the top of his arm. 'It's worked for me.'

'You both look really happy together,' Tom commented with a grin, dismissing Anna's remark. 'I saw you holding hands in the back of the car.'

'It's not ideal, but we are happy, yes.'

'And you're going to be parents. That's wonderful news. Really, it is. Anyone who sees you both together knows that you were meant to be. Marriage is only a piece of paper after all.' Tom pointed to his chest before continuing. 'At the end of the day, what really matters is what's going on in here.'

'Anna, the train leaves in five minutes.' Tom and Anna turned to see John calling at her from the station entrance.

'You best go. Take care, Anna.'

'And you, Mr Branson.'

'Come in,' Lord Grantham announced, sighing slightly as Mr Lang fumbled about with his task. Mr Carson stepped into the dressing room, raising his eyebrows as Lang dropped a set of cufflinks on the floor.

'My Lord, would you mind if I had a word?'

'Not at all. I think I can manage here now Lang. Thank you.' Mr Lang nodded, leaving the room in double quick time as Mr Carson bent to retrieve the cufflinks. Lord Grantham noticed he was carrying an envelope. 'What's that, Carson?'

'A letter, My Lord. There have been some developments over night.'

'What on earth do you mean?'

'Mr Bates and Anna have had to leave unexpectedly.' Carson explained. 'Mr Branson has driven them as far as he can, to hasten their exit. He will be back by afternoon tea.'

Mr Carson handed the letter to Lord Grantham. His look troubled, he took the envelope and ripped it open. Reading the contents, he could scarcely believe what he was reading.

'Mrs Bates is reigniting her threats, despite the gag Sir Richard enforced. He apologises for leaving like this, but he simply has to put Anna and...' He stopped reading, bringing a hand to his mouth as he struggled to process what he was reading.

'My Lord?' Mr Carson implored, confused by his employers sudden silence.

'He has to put Anna and the baby first.'

'Baby?'

Lord Grantham offered the letter to Carson before moving to the window. 'What is this infernal secret Mrs Bates thinks will ruin my family?'

'Sorry to interrupt My Lord, the door was open so I assumed you were dressed.' Both men turned to see Mrs Hughes appear at the door.

'Yes, Mrs Hughes.' Mr Carson addressed the housekeeper and her panicked state.

'Mrs Bates. She's here and she would like to speak with you, My Lord. She says it is urgent.'

'Very well, take her to my library. If I am to find out what Lady Mary is hiding, it might as well be now.'

Walking into his library, this was the first time Lord Grantham had come face to face with the woman who claimed she held the key to destroying his family. He couldn't fathom why Bates had married her in the first place.

'Mrs Bates, I take it.'

'Lord Grantham,' Vera smirked. 'How very nice...'

'Let's skip the pleasantries, shall we?' Lord Grantham hissed, walking further into the room. 'What do you want?'

'Do you know why I am here?'

'Mr Bates has left, so no. I have no idea.'

'Mr Bates is exactly the reason why I am here. He didn't do as I requested, so now I am going to wreak some misery of my own.'

'Really. How so?'

'Sir Richard has tried to stop me from revealing your eldest daughters disgusting secret. But now I have nothing left to live for, a prison sentence doesn't phase me.'

'Why are you doing this?' Lord Grantham asked, moving to sit on the chair beside his desk. 'Bates has left, he's not coming back. You have no idea where he is. Why cause my family any pain? What is that going to achieve?'

'Nothing, in the grand scheme of things.' Vera answered with a small laugh. 'But it will make me feel a whole lot better. I don't like being humiliated, it might have something to do with that. So someone else can see how it feels.'

'How much?'

'I'm sorry?'

Lord Grantham pulled his cheque book from one of the drawers on his desk before throwing it on the top. 'Name your price. I don't like to use my wealth in this way, but if I have to so be it. How much for you to leave me, and one of my oldest friends, in peace.'

'This isn't fair. He is my husband. He should be with me.'

'Five hundred pounds. Here.' Lord Grantham ripped the written cheque from the book and offered it in Vera's direction. 'You could start a new life with that money.'

Vera looked down at the cheque. She saw her name. The amount that was written. She could do a lot with that amount of money. Begrudgingly, she took the piece of paper and placed it in her handbag.

'This isn't over. I'll keep your daughter's sordid little secret for now, but I won't stop the search for John. He deserves to pay.'

Robert stood up and walked towards Vera, his eyes never losing their contact with hers. 'Just leave my house.'

'The doctor thinks I'm over six weeks gone,' Anna explained as she and John took a walk beside the river, hand in hand. 'Everything appears normal. I just need to take things easy and not encounter any undue stress. So it's lucky we came back up here when we did.'

'Indeed,' John agreed, looking down at Anna with a smirk on his lips.

They had been back in Scotland for a few days, Anna finding it difficult to find a doctor's appointment in the remote area they lived in. It took a trip to Aberdeen with George in the van, John staying back to cover his cousin's shift at the pub to find a doctor who would be willing to travel to Peterhead when the time came for Anna to give birth. A telegram was received the day after they had arrived back in Scotland from Lord Grantham. He had explained he had bought Vera's silence, but she had promised to not give up the search for her husband. John still firmly believed she had no way of finding them, and that life could go on as normal. The only people who knew where they were wouldn't give them away.

'So, it's official. We are going to have a baby.' Anna couldn't keep the smile from her face, John bending down to place a kiss on her upturned lips. 'Isn't it wonderful?'

'I have no idea what I did to get so lucky,' John said in return. 'But I am certainly not going to question it.'

'Do you have any preferences? A boy or a girl? Names? Lord, I'm so excited.'

John laughed at Anna's enthusiasm, gathering her up in his arms, allowing his cane to clatter to the ground. He span her around a couple of times, bathing in her laughter as it invaded his senses. He had never felt as happy in all his life as he did in this moment. Placing her back on the ground, he kept his arms around her waist, pulling her tighter to him.

'I really don't mind. So long as you and our baby are healthy at the end of it all, that is all that matters. What would you like?'

'I don't mind either, like you say, so long as all is well,' Anna watched as John picked up his cane before taking his hand once again. 'I'd always had visions of a daughter. Sharing that bond that could only exist between a mother and her daughter. And I think you would be the most adorable father to a little girl.'

'Really?' John raised his eyebrows as they continued walking again, a small grin his expression. 'I can honestly say I had never really thought about children. Until I met you. Everything changed, my outlook on life, what I believed in. It seems like the most natural thing in the world to be starting a family with you.'

'Mama and Papa,' Anna said out loud, a small laugh following her words.

'God no,' John dismissed her suggestion with a chuckle. 'What do you call your parents?'

'Mum and Dad. What did you call yours?'

'Mother and Father, but bear in mind I have nearly twenty years on you. Being called Dad would suit me just fine.'

'Yes, I do often forget how much older than me you are,' Anna said, hoping John would spot the joviality in his tone. Her hopes were realised when she felt his hands tickling her at her ribs, his cane once again abandoned on the floor. 'Stop, please.'

Their bodies were much closer now, John instantly recognising this fact as his arms tightened themselves around Anna's waist, his breath hitching.

'You've never been one to complain about my experience before.' John remarked through raised eyebrows, his voice almost like a growl. 'In fact, you've been quite willing for me to teach you what life has taught me.'

'Oh yes, Mr Bates. There is nothing I like more than a good lesson from you. Your ever willing pupil.'

Brushing his lips against Anna's, John looked left and right before moving to whisper in Anna's ear. 'Can I take you home? So long as you're sure it won't harm the baby, I've suddenly thought what the subject for today could be.'

'Well, safe in the knowledge any ministrations will cause the baby no harm at all, how can I very well refuse, Mr Bates? We are living in sin, after all. We might as well make the most of it.'

A/N 2- I spent some time doing research (when I say research I mean Google) and it seems most motor cars had a top speed of 40mph or so in the 1910's. So that is how I have timed their journey.

And as for Mum and Dad, Anna referred to her Mother as Mum, and Daisy referred to William's father as his Dad. I personally just can't see Anna and John wanting to be called mama and papa, or ma and pa. But that might just be me.