So far, everybody has been wonderful to our heroine, but, Anna had to encounter some turbulence after Mr. Bates' departure…. It couldn't have been full and total support from everybody. Cue in Sara O'Brien….

As O'Brien walked by the servant's hall, she could hear William talking to Anna. He was going on about Anna being like a sister to him. Poor lad, she thought. He was a nice kid, even if a little spineless and wimpy. She didn't wish him ill at all. Of the entire lot of people she had to put up with, he was the nicest. He was always polite, never did or said anything with malice in mind and never got in her way. She knew he was a little afraid of her, yet, for all the nastiness that Thomas bore him, she never felt compelled to join in. She didn't know why.

They couldn't see her, crouching just outside the door,because she was not in their line of sight. She was situated against the small wall that joined both entry and exit doors into the room and if you managed to get to that point without making yourself known, all could be heard. This was the best place if you ever wanted to listen in on the servant's hall conversation, as there were hooks and knickknacks hanging in that area and one could feign purpose while standing there. She had become quite adept at making herself look as if she was working and this skill had proven useful many times before.

Now, as she stood there, she was trying to gauge whether this conversation was worth her time and effort. This day had proven full of surprises and information and she was anxious to get back to her room and write a letter. She would give it a few more minutes, though, as up until now, all she could hear was William going on about wanting to tell Anna something. She wanted to know what that something was. Knowing William, he'd want advice about Daisy. That was really the only thing that was ever on his mind. He was so transparent, so predictable. The poor footman was always chasing after the worthless girl. She didn't care if they ever got together or not, but, if anybody asked her, that foolish girl was wasting an opportunity. Daisy was not the brightest girl working at Downton and it seemed that she wouldn't advance much in her career. It would be wiser for her to accept him, get married and move on. But, it was not about Daisy and William was surprising her at this very instant. If it had been about that daft girl, she would have left as it was not important information, but, it seemed he was trying to comfort Anna regarding the whole Bates entanglement. She decided to stay and paid a little more attention now.

It was all gibberish. William was telling naïve Anna that Bates had actually loved her. What a fool William was for thinking that man could feel any love. That man was a conceited, ill-bred, and manipulative sod, whom she was sure incapable of feeling any love at all. He was taking advantage of Anna, he was not wooed or in love with her. He was married and Anna was his distraction. If she were honest, Anna was not a bad girl. Sure, Anna felt too highly of herself, but the girl was clever, kind and very capable. She was the smartest housemaid in the lot and that was the reason Mrs. Hughes valued her so much. The girl could truly get much accomplished and she never complained about what was going on. She just did her work. Before Mr. Bates arrived, they never got in each other's way and their conversations together were passable, but since she had aligned herself with him, she was insufferable. She was always on the defensive and in her eyes; the bloke could do no wrong. The naïve girl would now regret that she had ever latched on to him.

When she first saw them together, she thought Anna had pity on him. He was a cripple and he loved to bestow that "woe is me attitude". Everybody bought into it, so, Anna was not alone. Everybody, of course, except her and Thomas. They saw right through him and could tell that he was worthless. It had been very rewarding to find out that he was a drunkard and a thief. It validated everything they had suspected of him and they felt strongly that somebody like that should not be working in Downton, but the bastard had managed to convince his Lordship and Mr. Carson to keep him on. Anna was the most convinced in his defense. She had done much investigating to clear his name and it was not made known to the others what she had uncovered to help him, but, it had.

Can a man who has been to jail, really be cleared? Even if he was not guilty of his crime, he had surely picked up more questionable acquaintances and skills. Even the most sanctified of personalities cannot remain untarnished amid the festering charms of society's worst representatives. It would be impossible. Along the same line, can a drunkard really remain away from the bottle? No, they cannot, she mused. Once a drunkard, always a drunkard…. and once somebody is a thief and a drunkard, is it not obvious that it would be an easy addition to add the title of adulterer? Most worthless men were and most of the men she knew were worthless. The valet fit that description perfectly. If a thief has no regard for other's property, then, they would have no regard for their commitments. Mr. Bates forgot he was married when came to Downton. He never mentioned his wife and from what she had heard on the staircase last night, had carried on with Anna as if he were single. HE was worthless indeed.

William continued to feed Anna some nonsense about understanding Mr. Bates' predicament because he was in that same situation. She could hear him say, "There is nothing harder for a man than to love someone and not be able to do anything about it. I could see that about him as easily as the stars in the night." William was such a fool to compare himself to that man. They were worlds apart.

If he did in fact love her as William was so blatantly affirming, of course he could not and should not have done anything. He was married! If she further analyzed the situation, she could have never imagined how that had come about. Mr. Bates married? He had no charm or appeal. He was not good looking and was crippled. He didn't even have money, thus, she was rightly surprised when that bawdy and crass woman had showed up yesterday to claim him. It was perplexing to her that anybody would agree to unite themself to him. Perhaps they were destined for each other and were a good fit. He probably had to marry her. They were both coarse and vulgar, deserving of each other.

She had encountered the woman herself briefly when she first arrived. She was with Ethel in the servant's hall when that woman had made her way in to the house and introduced herself haughtily and rudely. Ethel knew nothing of Mr. Bates personality or history, as she was too new and was not as surprised as she was when Vera Bates proudly announced she was in search of her husband. She couldn't stay and listen in because her Ladyship had rung for her, but it had been a great shock to discover this. The great "can do no wrong" man was married. She wondered if Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes and his Lordship knew. More importantly, did Anna know?... and if she knew, when did she know?

Ms. O'Brien wanted to believe that Anna, in fact, didn't. She had never been the flirty girl with the men servants in the estate. She had been clever to steer clear of deceitful wooing and could read through poor intentions, that is, until Mr. Bates showed up. Why her instinct failed her, she would not understand and for all of Anna's cleverness, she had been very gullible – almost a lamb to the slaughter. In this aspect, Anna was dafter than Daisy and should have known her alliance was ill fated. Her and Thomas often commented about them; wondered whether that "allegiance" wasn't cover for something more, but, for all of her snooping and eavesdropping, she had not been able to corroborate that theory until last night.

She had heard them on the stairs, as she smoked and barely was able to make it out of the area before being caught. Anna was crying; sobbing really. She begged him to stay, offered herself to him, and implored him to tell her he loved her. It was painful to listen to her carry on in that manner with a man like that. She was pleased that her suspicions had been confirmed, but, listening now to William try to comfort her, it did not please her to see Anna so deflated. She didn't know why. The girl had done this to herself, they were not really friends, but Anna had never been a target of her contempt. He was the one she hated.

She continued to listen to William drone on about defending her honor. Another defender? First that bossy and loud cook and now this soppy git. It is true that she had no reason to pursue anything against Anna, but, she would never be opposed to listening to others talk about her.

As soon as William said that, Anna had stood up and walked towards the door to leave. Ms. O'Brien was caught and unable to make smooth departure, but she made herself look busy and Anna encountered her. She turned to leave and made it half way through the first flight of stairs.

"Ms. O'Brien", Anna smirked while raising an eyebrow in disdain, "Did you hear anything interesting?" Anna was sure the ladies' maid had purposefully remained in that position to listen in on the private conversation. Her feelings for Mr. Bates were already public knowledge, but, William's confession was very heartfelt and she wished it could have been kept between them.

The Ladies' Maid turned around to look at Anna. She was normally not at a loss for words, but didn't know quite what to say to her, so, she huffed and twisted her lips, as she provided Anna with a look that did not give any importance to what had just been asked of her. She continued on by observing the length of Anna, up and down, in a show of disrespect. She turned to continue climbing up the stairs.

Anna was peeved at O'Brien's scrutinizing ways. Normally, she would not care what the ladies' maid said or did, but, empowered by the showing of support she had received recently, Anna confronted the woman's standoffish attitude.

She walked up a few steps and now stood closer to Ms. O'Brien, asking in a defiant tone, "Is there anything you would like to say to me?

The older woman was affronted that Anna would be so bold. What was the housemaid thinking? She was not in any position to be smug about her recent behavior. It didn't matter that she had so many defenders and that others seemed to forgive her actions. She had heard her conversation with Mr. Bates and knew the truth about what had transpired. She hadn't intended to confront the woman, but, she needed to be taught a lesson for her overconfident attitude.

"You've got some cheek on you to be talking like that for a woman in your position."

"And what position would that be exactly?" Anna countered.

Ms. O'Brien was very quick to answer and did so with her hands on her hips.

"It would be that of an abandoned woman …. left behind by a worthless married man. Everybody here seems very quick to forget and forgive, but, if we were anywhere else, you'd be out on the street by now."

Anna flushed in horror to what the older woman was telling her. Even though the day was at an end, she should have known that if there was any certified negativity, it would be from Ms. O'Brien herself.

"Why would I be out on the street?" Anna held up her head high, determined to stand up for herself.

"You know what you are guilty of. Don't make me explain it to you."

"Oh, please enlighten me." Anna stood her ground.

"Very well, I'll tell you. You've gone and tangled yourself with a married man. You've disrespected this house and yourself. All the sass in the world won't help you now."

Anna was determined to defend herself. She would not have taken that attitude with anybody but Ms. O'Brien. She might have conceded her faults to others, but, she would not lose in the face of this woman.

"I am only guilty of loving a man who was not available to reciprocate this love. He had his reasons for leaving and I am not ashamed of these sentiments. Your assertion of an entanglement is wrong. Mr. Bates is an honorable man and I am a proper lady and what you infer is baseless. There has been nothing between us that could cause my embarrassment."

Anna would never affirm that had he given her the opportunity, she would have followed Mr. Bates to the ends of the earth, even with no respectable position in his life. That was not proper and she knew it. Her love for him was so deep, that she was capable of that and more. She understood his honorable side, but damned him for having it. These were her feelings and nobody would ever know.

"Don't play innocent with me, Anna. I heard it all, early this morning, as you ran up the stairs after him. You rightly embarrassed yourself. You offered to run away with him and he left you, so, you are not as guiltless as you would have the house believe. Others, in your situation would have been sacked."

Anna was surprised to hear this, but would not ever let it show to the woman. This had been her most private anguish and to know that somebody had listened in made her upset. She would never give her the joy of seeing her wounded or caught by her own actions, so as assuredly as she could, she countered:

"What you heard in that private conversation, are words said under duress. I have no need to justify myself or my words to you. I sustain I have nothing to be ashamed of in my dealings with Mr. Bates, but if you are so sure that my actions are not worthy of this house and that an entanglement, as you say, exists, then, take it to Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson. I'll stand by whatever decision they make."

The Ladies' Maid rolled her eyes.

"I've no need to. You are not that important to me and Mr. Bates is no longer here. He's really the one that needed to go. I'm just saying that you are feeling too sure of yourself and ought not to, as you have no right to let everyone think you are so pious. I know the truth."

Anna climbed a few steps and moved around her on the staircase, until she was a bit higher than Ms. O'Brien. Before she moved further up, she turned her head back, over her shoulder and concluded:

"Believe what you want to believe. I feel no shame for anything you infer or allege. Your version of the truth is now irrelevant, as he is gone. My version of the truth, I will borrow from Lord Tennyson." Anna proudly stated, "It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. Can you say the same, Ms. O'Brien?"

With that, Anna increased her pace and left the sulking Lady's Maid on the staircase. She did not turn again to see what reaction, if any, was produced by her sour colleague. She quickly made her way back to her room. Ms. O'Brien could not see that even though Anna had been steadfast and unemotional in their discussion, her words did indeed cause pain. Anna would never allow Ms. O'Brien the pleasure of seeing what affect her words could produce, but as she sped along, the tears that she had fought back masterfully, came to taunt her.

O'Brien had reached her quarters and settled in for the evening. She had been irritated by Anna's foolishness, but she wouldn't allow it to bother her any further. She wanted to write Thomas a letter, to goad in happiness with the only other person who would be happy of today's news. She made herself more comfortable and propped herself up against the headboard with her pillow.

She missed Thomas' companionship and friendship. After he had left for the war, nobody was left in the house that she could relate to. They weren't so much as friends, she mused; he was more her accomplice and it just hadn't been the same without him.

She placed the writing paper against a book for support and began to write.

Thomas,

I hope you are keeping yourself safe and that this letter reaches you well.

I normally bore you with stories of Daisy's stupidity, Mrs. Patmore's bossiness, Bates' superiority complex or some odd bit regarding the pair of old fools we work for, but, this time, I think I have something better to entertain you. Bates has left the estate, rather in disgrace. If you had been here, this would have been your opportunity to finally become valet. Turns out the blithering idiot has a wife and she showed up unexpectedly yesterday. They left together this morning. He didn't say goodbye to our lot, just took off like the lowly man we always thought him to be. I heard Carson say he only gave one day notice. Lady Grantham tells me that his Lordship is beyond upset at his leaving so abruptly. With no other men to be had in England, Carson is attempting to attend to him and you should see how the old fool is struggling with it. That is not even the best bit of the story.

You and I suspected that Anna and Mr. Bates' friendship was a cover for something more and we have been proven right. Anna has been seen crying and inconsolable, even though Mrs. Hughes is trying to cover it up. The old woman is a fool if she thinks that this can be kept from us. It Serves Anna right for aligning herself with that cripple. I can see why he would seek her, she's fair enough to be considered pretty, but he's a crippled dirty old man with no rank, but feeling all high and mighty. How she could entangle herself with him I'll never understand. I would rather jump from the highest floor of Downton to my death, than have anything to do with the likes of him. I heard them myself last night. I went for a smoke on the stairs, you know, the fag I need when I can't sleep and I heard them coming up the stairs. It was almost dawn and the words were not all clear, but I could hear her ask him about promises he had made to her and she begged him to tell her if he didn't love her anymore. She even offered to run away with him. He said something about forgiving him and regretting making promises he couldn't keep. I couldn't hear the last part because I needed to hide. So, it seems that the dirty old man and Anna had an understanding and he abandoned her when his wife caught him. Imagine that! It makes sense we could never catch them, if all their conversations take place when we are more than asleep!

While everybody here has rallied around her, we know she's no better than a gutter rat. She tried to defend her actions to me, but I couldn't care less what she has to say. I'll not worry about her. He's gone and that is all that is important.

I thought that this news would cheer you up with all that you are suffering on the Somme.

Lady Grantham bid me I send warmest wishes. I spoke to her about you and she was very kind in her desire to know how you are doing.

Keep your head low in those trenches and come back from this bloody war, your friend,

S. O'Brien

She put the letter in an envelope and set it aside to mail the next day. With nothing else to do that day, she blew out her candle and went to sleep.

A/N: There is no Thomas chapter because he was off to war and he never received this letter. By the time it made its way to France, he had already been "wounded" and had been shipped back to England and the letter was likely lost. His being made finally aware of their relationship took place outside of the timeline of my story.

It took me a while to post this chapter (sorry) because I was "Brendanized" after attending Reverie in London (some of you may have seen my post in TUMBLR) and it took me while to get over that. Then, I decided I wanted to write another story that had been lurking in my mind since I saw 3X07. I've written about six chapters and will post the first within the next few days. So, my absence comes with something extra… Ethel chapter is also coming soon.