A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry for my long absence. How is the new DA-season? Is Bates free? Oh, don't tell me...yes, tell...no, don't...argh! No, don't. I settle for don't. ^^ Anyway, I am finally introducing my version of Vera. I have always wondered what John could possibly have done to make her hate him so much. I mean, he wouldn't have married her if she's been like that, would he? And I guess he was different, too...well, in the coming chapters I will try to create a background for them which hopefully you will like. So, brace yourself: The evil witch makes her entrance. Buhahahahaa!

~oOOo~

The first thing John noted as he opened the door to his mother's flat was the familiar smell. It had always smelled like that, even when he had been just a boy. Cooking, lavender and mother, all mixed up into one nice smell that made him feel like home. Sighing, John closed the door and hung his coat and hat on the door. Then he turned around, taking in the empty room. It was so awkward, knowing that she was dead when it looked like she was still there, for example in the kitchen to make some tea. But of course she wasn't, so John walked into the kitchen and made the tea himself. After a while he noticed that unconsciously, he was trying to make as less sound as possible, like he was avoiding to disturb anyone.

No one left to disturb, he reminded himself and his tense body relaxed a little but inwardly he flinched every time he made a loud noise.

The hot cup of tea in his hand, John sat down in his usual place, an old, worn out chair that had been his seat since his father had died. Mother usually had sat right next to him on the couch, mostly knitting something or reading the paper. John looked over to her spot while he listened to the mind numbing rhythm of the ticking clock, drinking her tea which never would taste the same again…

~oOOo~

"She left me that much?" John asked surprised at his lawyer's office the next day. He couldn't help but smile as he looked down at the numbers. His mother had always been good for surprises. What a fine woman!

"She also left you this letter, ironically written a few weeks earlier. You know, this happens quite often. People showing up, handing me letters for their loved ones and a couple of weeks later, they pass away. Like somehow they know it's gonna end…" the lawyer rambled on, but John didn't listen. He felt the envelope in his hands and read the words, written in a graceful and patient hand.

To my beloved son and my daughter-in-law

John's heart beat faster. He instantly knew that this letter wasn't meant for Vera. He felt tears swelling up in his eyes and blinked hard to fight them down again.

"Anyway, the transfer of the funds will be done in a couple of weeks. You should stay in town, for I will need you to sign some papers during the progress."

John just nodded, not trusting his voice. He neatly folded the envelope and put it in the inner pocket of his jacket.

"So, I think we've been through everything. The funeral can be held the day after tomorrow at St. Catherine's, like your mother wished. My secretary will take care of everything. She could also put the obituary in the papers, if you like."

"No, thank you. I will do it myself."

"Very well."

Both men stood up and shook hands.

~oOOo~

The funeral was very difficult for John. He had to say goodbye to his mother for good and he couldn't help the tears fall as he watched the coffin sink into the ground, buried forever. Many people had shown up and expressed their sympathies to him, which made it even more difficult. He was so relieved when it all was over and he was back at his mother's place, which now was his. Sitting in his armchair again, he looked around, trying to decide what to become of this place in which he had been happy as well as sad. He would talk to Anna about it, he decided after a while and closed his eyes.

Anna…

He missed her very much. He recalled their goodbye back at Downton and the sweet words she had said to him. That he wasn't alone, that her heart would follow him wherever he would go. What a wonderful, consoling thought. John pictured her face, her sparkling eyes and her impish smile. He felt her lips on his and her arms around him. No, he wasn't alone, he mused and raised from his chair to change his clothes.

~oOOo~

After three long weeks and several trips to the lawyer, John finally was in possession of his bequest. The funds had been transferred to his account and he was preparing to leave London, when a knock interrupted his packing.

Maybe some friend of mothers who doesn't know she passed, John thought. This had happened a few times and it always had been painful to pass on the bad news. But he would be able to do it one last time.

"Vera!" John exclaimed shocked as he opened the door and found his wife standing in front of him.

"Hello, Dearest", she greeted him in her husky voice which he had found very attractive once.

She smiled at him, but her pale blue eyes remained cold and distant.

"Won't you ask me to come in?" she asked, amused with his astonishment. She just loved a good entrance.

John shrugged off the shock and stepped aside to let her in. Vera smiled again as she stepped in, pacing through the room like a cat. John watched as her fingers slid over the little porcelain figures his mother had collected before she picked one up to have a closer look.

"Your mother had a hideous taste. These figures are horrible", she said and put the figure back.

"You know, she said that to me once. She was right", John said and Vera looked up, surprised for a moment but recovering quickly. She put on that fake smile again and looked around the room.

"Ah, the good old times. I'm gonna miss the fights with that old bat."

John's grip around his cane tightened as Vera insulted his mother. But he knew she was trying to anger him, so he pulled himself together.

Vera shot him a quick look but as he remained silent she went over to the sofa, sitting down in his mother's spot. As John just stood there, looking down at her, she sighed.

"My dearest husband, where are your manners? Did you forget everything I taught you? Offer me some tea, will you?"she said and that playful but dangerous smile spread on her lips again.

Without saying anything, John walked into the kitchen and made some tea, trying to collect his thoughts.

"You were quite the wild boy when we married, do you remember? No manners at all. Again, the fault of you mother, letting you do whatever you wanted without teaching you how to behave properly…"

John had to take a deep breath not to lose it. She was trying to play games. He had learned that the best way to win was not to play.

He walked back into the living room and handed her the cup.

"Thank you, John", she said and fluttered her eyelashes, which once had worked on him like a charm. This time seemed like a million years ago now.

He stood in front of her, watching her taking a sip of the tea.

"Not too bad. So you learned something at your valet-job."

She looked up at him, triumph in her eyes.

"Me working at Downton Abbey is not a secret, Vera. I sent you enough letters with my address on them."

He could see the anger in her eyes, but she still wore that smile.

"But it still is a secret that you fool around with the head housemaid, isn't it? Anna Mae Smith, if I recall correctly."

Vera laughed when she saw the shocked look on his face.

"See, I am still able to surprise you. Isn't that what a good marriage is about?"

John could hear the irony in her voice. That she knew about Anna made everything more complicated.

Better find out what she wants as soon as possible.

"What do you want, Vera?" he asked as he walked over to his chair and sat down.

"I see your leg is a lot better. That little floozy must have magical hands."

Very grinned when she saw John clench his fists.

"So you finally found someone who is willing to do all the perverted stuff you like so much", she attacked him once more, satisfied with his reaction. She knew he was trying to control himself, but she knew exactly which buttons she had to push to make him snap.

"What do you want, Vera?" he asked again.

After another sip, she placed the cup on the low table in front of the sofa and leaned back.

"I came here to comfort my husband. Why else would I be here?"

"Where have you been all the time?"

She grinned.

"Hiding."

John sighed.

"Will you agree to the divorce?"

At that, Vera laughed.

"My dearest John. Why should I divorce you now that we are finally with some money? Took that witch long enough to pass…"

John had rushed forward and had caught Veras wrist. His grip was hard.

"You won't talk about my mother like this. Or Anna."

Too late did he realize that mentioning her name was a big mistake. Something in Vera's eyes hardened and the smile on her face died. All the bitterness was displayed on her face for a second as she roughly freed herself from his grip. She rose from her seat and paced the floor again. When she turned around, she wore her smiling mask again.

"Well, whatever. When we have redecorated this place, it will be a nice place to live."

John shook his head.

"I will not live with you, Vera. We will go to my lawyer and file for divorce right now."

She laughed again.

"You still have that charming sense of humor."

"I'm not joking!" John said angrily and stood up as well.

"Then I have to disappoint you, Dear. I won't divorce you. We will stay married as long as I wish!"

"This is ridiculous!"

She laughed.

"You're wrong again. This is so much fun."

"Making both of us miserable is fun to you?"

She grinned and shrugged. John couldn't believe her.

"Haven't we done enough to each other?" he genuinely asked her, his voice calm again.

Her eyes turned to ice once more.

"Oh, you have done enough to me. But I'm not done paying you back."

"Vera, please…"

They looked at each other, then she spit:
"Do you really think I let you off the hook to be with another woman while I crawl in the dirt? No, Dear. If I'm miserable, you'll be miserable. Remember? For better and for worse!"

She let out a shrill laugh.

"Vera, I told you that I'm sorry like a million times. There's nothing else I can do. I can't turn back time."

Vera shot him a look. John recognized the pain in her eyes, buried deep under bitterness and disappointment. Then she slowly walked over to him until she stood right in front of him.

"Oh, you can do something else. And you will." Her voice was a low, menacingly purr. Then that awful smile spread across her face again.

"I will make myself comfortable now. My luggage will be delivered shortly, please be a Dear and bring it to our room. I will lay down for a while. Seeing you again is so overwhelming that I need to rest."

Vera was already turning away when she decided otherwise and turned back to him. Still smiling, she leaned in and pressed her lips on his. Neither of them closed their eyes. John didn't kiss her back. It was a kiss without love. It was a threat.

Luckily, she leaned back after a few seconds.

"Oh, John. I hope you try harder with that little girl", she chuckled before she headed to John's old room and went in. As soon as the door was closed, John pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her taste from his lips. His body was shaking with anger and frustration. He knew he couldn't keep up with her spitefulness for long before he'd either crumble to the floor or just lose it.

But he mustn't give up, he reminded himself. He had to fight for his freedom. For Anna. His beloved, wonderful, gentle Anna.

John crushed down in his chair and closed his eyes. He concentrated on the woman he loved, picturing her face in his mind, her beautiful eyes and that smile which she only smiled for him. God, how much he would give to have her here right now, in his arms. He wanted to rest his head on her chest and feel her arms around him while she whispered how much she loved him.

John clung to this image for a long time, until the anger had been washed away with love. He wasn't alone, he reminded himself. She was with him. Always. And with her by his side, he could face everything, even Vera!

~oOOo~

A/N: Yep, that's it for the moment. Hope you like it. By the way, I am totally Sherlocked! Two years after the show started. I'm always a little behind. *tehe* So, if anyone loves BBC's "Sherlock"/Benedict Cumberbatch, please let me know. I need to talk about it and it feels kinda weird to talk about it to my boyfriend, who is the only one I know who watched the show. Don't know why, but he doesn't seem to like it when I ramble on and on about how beautiful Benedict's eyes are and how sexy his voice is...he's a weird fellow, my man. ;)