so for some reason I woke up with this little drabshot in my head this morning. I know the timeline doesn't quite work out but oh well. Also, I know most Banna peeps want the hotel by the sea, but in my head canon John and the Earl are together until death do them part. LOL

"Mummy! DA! Guess what." 12 year old Jack Bates came bounding into the sitting room of the small cottage he had lived in all his life.

His father put down his book and smiled at his son's messy hair, untucked shirt and obvious enthusiasm. "Your mum's over at the Carson's having a cuppa with Granny Elsie. What is it Son?"

"You'll never guess, Da, never."

"Then I won't even try," John chuckled.

"Dr. Clarkson's given me a job. A proper job, Da. With pay and everything!"

"Really? That's fantastic, Son. How did all this happen?"

Jack flopped down on the setee and stretched out the long legs he had clearly inherited from his father, "Well, I was hanging about his surgery..."

"Like you always do."

Jack smiled, "Like I always do, and he asked me if I would mind helping with washing some of the equipment and sorting some of the bottles. He said he was really busy today and things had gotten a bit messy. Of course I said 'yes'!"

"Of course."

"And when I was finished he fixed me a cup of tea and asked how I would like it if I came by and worked for him doing odd jobs after school for a hour or two each day. And I won't let it interfere with my studies, Da, I promise. Can I do it? Please?"

"We'll have to clear it with your mum, but I don't see why not."

They sat silently for a few moments until John heard Jack mumble, "A proper job, I have a proper job. And in the surgery."

"What's the pay Son?"

"Golly Da, I was so excited I didn't even ask! It doesn't matter though, I'd do it for nothing."

"I believe you. You've always loved science."

"Can I tell you something Da? Something I've never told anyone?"

John nodded and leaned toward the boy.

"I want to be a doctor someday."

A slow smile spread over his father's face, "Well I can't say I'm surprised. You've always been interested in Science. Practically since you were born. Although with your love of animals I would have put my money on veterinarian."

"That would be great too but I want to be a surgeon and perform operations and figure out how to get bits of shrapnel out of soldiers' legs so they can walk properly."

John's smile faded just a bit but he tried not to let his son see it, "Has it bothered you then," he asked quietly, "having a da who walks with a stick?"

Jack seemed to wake from the enthusiastic trance he was in, "What? Gosh no, Da. That's not what I meant at all!"

"Because I'd understand if you felt that way, Jack. It's only natural. I've not always been able to run and play with you like other fathers."

"No Da, really. Maybe when I was really little and kids would tease me it bothered me a little but then I realized they were all gits anyway, so what did I care. I think they were just jealous really. Tommy Carter's da is always at work, Jimmy Grey's is a drunk and Bradley Benton doesn't even know who his da is."

John chuckled, "Well I guess I look pretty good in comparison to that, hey?"

"Exactly!" Jack enthused, completely missing the fact that his father was being sarcastic.

Silence reigned again until Jack spoke more seriously, "I'm not ashamed of you, Da. I'm proud. You're a hero, you saved the Earl's life."

"Well..." John tried to brush it off.

"You did," Jack sounded affronted that anyone would say it wasn't so, even John himself, "he's told me the story himself lots of times." John knew it was true, Robert never failed to praise John to his children.

"It's just, it's not fair, is it Da?" The boy continued thoughtfully, "soldiers give up so much for their country and King and they see such terrible things. They shouldn't have to suffer once they make it home safely. And I see how your leg hurts you, especially in the cold."

John's heart swelled with pride and he could barely speak, "Jack Bates, you are going to be a great doctor someday."

"Do you really think so?" Jack asked, eyes shining with the future.

"I really do," he rose from his chair and ruffled the boys hair, "now let's go in the kitchen and see if we can find some bicuits, shall we?"

"But Mum says we aren't supposed to eat biscuits before supper."

John winked and threw his arm around his boy, "Then we just won't tell her, will we?"