A/N: Trigger warning for a short disturbing scene in the third section of this chapter.

Disclaimer: Same 1-36.

Two months and seventeen days was now how long John had been deployed. They were inching ever closer to the halfway point, and Anna was currently staring at herself in the mirror.

She had received a very short email from John yesterday telling her he would have a large block of time the following evening to talk to her via video chat if she would be home to talk to him. She had let out a short burst of laughter at him wondering if she might be home to talk to him. If he didn't know by now that she would stop at nothing to be near her laptop to see him then he was truly a silly beggar. She checked to make sure her hair and makeup looked okay. She was a little nervous about what she was going to attempt to do with him that evening, but she also felt it unfair to tease him with the possibility of seeing her in a very scandalous and vulnerable state and not delivering. She had missed him in the physical aspect of their lives as well, and if sharing some intimacy through a screen was the only way they could be together than so be it.

She had decided to not be completely naked when she answered the call. One reason being she wouldn't know if anyone was around when the video connected, and two she thought it would be more fun to him for her to shed a few articles. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she left the bathroom and sat on their bed with her laptop charging near her.

"Captain Bates."

John pried his eyes away from the tactical map he had been engrossed in for the last hour and looked to the major general.

"Yes, sir," John responded in a full-bodied tone as he stood to his feet with his right hand coming up to salute.

The major general saluted him back and then both men dropped their hands to their sides.

"I think that's enough work for today. You're dismissed for the evening," ordered his superior.

"Thank you, sir."

Once they saluted once more, John tidied his work station and left the building he had been working in since he had arrived. He had four hours to do as he wished before the call for lights out would be ordered. Though it didn't seem like a significant amount of time, it was much more than he was normally allotted. He knew how he was going to spend his time. First, he was going to try the small eatery some of the other lads had raved about, and then the rest of his time was for Anna.

When he had made it to the restaurant he made quick work of ordering and eating. The meal was of course local flavors, but he was one to try new and different things and found it tasted quite good. Finished, he paid the bill and walked back to the barracks. He was glad when he entered the building. The heat in this region was sweltering on a good day, and with it being even a few degrees cooler inside made all the difference. Once he passed the second security check point, he strode down the corridors until he was in front of his door. He stepped inside and locked the door behind him. He was thankful his rank afforded him the comfort of his own room. It was nice to have a small amount of privacy, and now he had the time to be able to enjoy it. Most days he worked until all he wanted to do was fall onto his bed and sleep, but it was satisfying to know what he was doing was making a difference.

He unbuttoned his uniform shirt, shrugged it off, and laid it neatly on a chair he had beside his bed. Sitting on the bed, he then unlaced his boots and slipped them off. Feeling more relaxed, he stretched out his right leg and groaned. The pain is his leg was no where near what it used to be, but it still gave him a spot of bother each day. Not wanting to keep Anna or himself waiting any longer, he got to his feet and walked over to his desk where his laptop was sitting. He had been thankful he was allowed to bring it with him, and he had been more than happy to purchase the highly expensive mobile broadband USB he needed to be able to see and talk to his wife. He carried the laptop and some earbuds over to his bed and propped himself up comfortably as the laptop powered on. He placed the earbuds into his ears. He purposely bought a pair that had a built in mic so he could talk through them. He plugged the earbuds into the laptop, put in his password and logged into Skype. With a smile, he clicked on Anna's username to call her.

It took thirty seconds or so for the call to connect, and then there she was in front of him.

"Hi."

He saw her greet him with a smile of her own.

"Hi," he greeted back.

He noticed she had done her hair and makeup. She was also wearing his Army t-shirt which made his throat constrict slightly. God, he missed her.

"Did you have a good day?" she asked.

"Not nearly as good as the evening I'm having. How are you, my darling?"

"As good as can be expected, but I'm very happy right now."

He watched her expression change into a sly one. It made his blood run hotter.

"Are you? May I ask why?"

She acted as though she was thinking about it which made him chuckle.

"It couldn't possibly be I have the opportunity to talk to my husband for an extended period of time."

"No," he said quickly. "It couldn't be that."

"Are you alone?" she inquired.

"I am," he rasped.

"Do you plan on staying that way?"

"I do," he said lowly.

"That's very good to know," she said before she pushed the laptop back some so he could see her from her head down to her knees. The laptop had to be laying on the bed between her legs which made him twitch down low.

"I think it's high time I remind you what you're missing, Mister Bates," she said, drawing out the vowels of their shared last name.

A few days later Anna decided to make a trip over to her mum's. She had tried to communicate with her a few times by phone, but their conversations were stilted and cut short. She didn't like being at odds with her mother, and she hoped if she made the trip to go talk to her in person maybe they could talk about everything. She could better explain why things happened as they did, and even though she didn't really feel she needed to, she would apologize, though not for marrying John. Being John's wife made her feel that she was now who she was always meant to be. Her apology would be for her mother not being in attendance when it happened.

Pulling into the drive, she didn't see her mother's car. She cut off the engine and opened the car door. Closing it back, she walked up the foot path and hoped she was home. Maybe Harvey had taken it to run errands or something.

She rang the bell and waited for the door to open. When it did it was Harvey who answered it.

"Anna," he stated as he opened the door fully.

"Hello, Harvey. Is mum home?"

"No, she's at her scrap-booking club."

"Oh," she answered a little deflated.

"Would you like to come inside? I don't know when she'll be back, but I can make some tea while we wait."

Deciding she didn't have anywhere else to be on her Saturday, she accepted the offer.

"Yes. That would be great. Thank you."

Harvey stepped to the side to allow Anna to enter. He closed the door behind her and made way for the kitchen.

"It's a hot one today," he mentioned as he collected two mugs from the cabinet.

"Yes, it is. This summer has been quite warm," she responded as she entered the kitchen.

"Feels good inside though doesn't it?" he asked as he switched on the kettle.

"Thank goodness for air conditioning," she replied.

"Indeed," he agreed as he turned around to face her. "So, how are things?"

"Okay, I guess. Just working mainly," Anna said conversationally.

"Doesn't sound very exciting for someone your age."

Anna shrugged, "I've never been one to really act my age."

"I've noticed. You're much more mature."

"I would like to think so."

"Just because you're mature doesn't mean there isn't any room for fun," he advised.

"No, fun has it's place and time."

"Especially when it's been long anticipated," he mentioned as the kettle sounded. "Go on through to the sitting room."

Anna left the kitchen and sat herself down on the sofa in the sitting room. She had only been sitting a few seconds when Harvey was coming into the room to join her.

"Here we are," he said as he handed Anna her cup. He then proceeded to sit down on the cushion next to her.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

They both took several sips from their mugs before they placed them on the low table in front of them.

"I hope you're not feeling too lonely with John away," he prompted.

"He's doing the right thing pursuing his career again, but I do miss him."

"How any man could leave someone as pretty as you alone for six months I'll never know. A career shouldn't be at the top of the list."

"I don't believe a career is at the top of his list. If it was we wouldn't have gotten married before he left."

"Wasn't it convenient for him to get both so quickly. A wife and his career all in one go," he said off-hand.

Anna blinked and her mind faintly followed the picture Harvey was painting before she shook her head.

"That's not how it is," she defended.

"You would know best."

Trying to change subject, she said, "I was hoping to talk things out with mum today."

"I figured as much when I saw you at the door. She's been cut up."

Anna's face fell and she looked at her lap.

"I was pretty hurt as well. I didn't appreciate being yelled at in my own home," he said firmly.

She shifted her eyes to his and apologized, "I'm sorry for that. It was rude of me."

"Well, we have plenty of time to make up before your mother arrives."

It was then Harvey moved quickly and used his body to push Anna down on the sofa.

"Harvey, what the hell are you doing?" Anna asked as her back hit the sofa cushion.

Harvey used his body weight to pin Anna underneath him.

"This will solve all the problems, and we can make up from our little spat," he grunted as Anna tried to move.

"Are you insane? Get off of me. Now!" Anna exclaimed.

Harvey forcefully leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

Anna's whole body flinched and recoiled to his touch.

He shifted himself to get a better angle and that was when Anna saw her escape. He lifted himself off her knees, and when he did Anna shoved her knee as hard as she could into his groin.

Harvey yelled out and Anna was able to take back her hands. She shoved with all her strength and knocked Harvey into the floor.

Unable to formulate any words over her tears she ran to the door. Harvey moaned curled up on the floor.

She quickly opened the door and ran outside. It was then she saw her mother walking towards the footpath.

"Anna?" Debbie asked with a confused look. "What's going on?"

Trying to catch her breath, she explained, "Harvey... he..."

Debbie shifted her gaze from her daughter to the doorway to see Harvey was now looming there watching the two of them.

"Yes?" Debbie asked as she looked back to Anna.

"He kissed me," Anna trembled. It was so hard to try to put the actions into words. "He pushed me down and kissed me."

Anna couldn't hardly believe what was going on. She knew Harvey was rude and self-centered, but she never imagined he would cross the line like this.

Debbie, knowing that Harvey could hear their conversation, said, "Darling, I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding. Harvey would never do anything of the sort."

Anna looked at her mother with complete bewilderment. She was momentarily speechless at her mother's nonchalant attitude towards what she had just been told.

"Mum, please believe me. We have to leave. Right now," Anna pleaded.

"Anna, you are overreacting. Of course I'm not leaving. Harvey is my husband. I understand if you don't like Harvey, but you don't have to make up things about him."

Anna felt herself crumble at Debbie's words. Here she was confessing openly to her own mother about her step father assaulting her, and she didn't believe her. She thought what she had just went through was the worst thing she had ever experienced, but she was wrong. Her mother dismissing her and making her feel like a lair was the worst thing.

"I gave her a hug and she fell to pieces. I think John leaving her has her all out of sorts," Harvey called from the door.

Anna tensed at the sound of his voice and her eyes widened.

"Is that what this is about?" Debbie asked Anna.

"No! This is about your monster of a husband assaulting your daughter!" Anna proclaimed.

"I will not have you call my husband a monster. You need to get a hold of your emotions, and when you do you can come back and apologize to Harvey," Debbie demanded.

Anna began sobbing then and ran to her car. As fast as she could through her emotions, she started the car and drove away.

She had been in shambles since the incident with Harvey and her mother three days ago. It wasn't like her to let things get to her to the point she couldn't function properly, but this was impacting her in ways she hadn't expected.

"Anna," Jane asked as she entered Anna's office.

"Yeah," Anna said as she filed some paperwork away.

"Is everything all right?" Jane asked hesitantly.

Anna finished her filing and then looked to Jane.

"Yeah, of course," Anna replied unconvincingly.

"It just seems like something has been bothering you the last couple of days."

She had to keep it together. She couldn't fall apart here at work. It made it worse that she had received an email from John on her lunch break asking if she'd be available that night to Skype with him and she said no. She never thought she would ever turn down the opportunity to see him, but she couldn't see him right now. If her mother hadn't believed her, which she would have never thought that would have been the case, then what if John didn't? What if he thought she was just as bad as Vera had been? What if he thought she had already started to cheat on him as soon as he was deployed just like his ex-wife had done? She couldn't bear for him to think that of her.

"I don't know if I'm coming down with something or not. It should pass soon," she said thinly.

Jane looked at her for a few seconds before she responded, "All right, but if you need to talk to someone you know we're here for you."

"Thanks, Jane," Anna said with a forced smile.

John sat down in his room for a brief moment to check his email. He only had a few minutes to spare, but he wanted to see if Anna had replied. He logged into his email and noticed one unread message in his inbox. With a smile, he clicked on his inbox and then clicked on the reply from Anna.

John,

I hope you are well. Unfortunately, I can't Skype with you tonight. Maybe next time.

Love, Anna

He blinked a few times as he looked at the reply. His brow knit together as he thought about it. Something was off. This was not a reply he would normally get from Anna. It was short and to the point. It had no feeling to it, no remorse for not getting to see him. He felt a sense of fear run through him that he hadn't felt before. He was probably overreacting. Maybe she was just tired or had other plans, but still something didn't feel right.

He looked at the time on the computer and sighed. If he hurried he could try to call her. Deciding that was what he was going to do, he logged out of his email and hurried out of his room and down the corridor. There was a specific station in the barracks were telephone calls could be made. He rounded the corner and stepped inside the room and was thankful no one else was using the line at that time. With haste, he picked up the receiver and began pressing the numbers needed to reach her. As the phone began to ring he waited anxiously for her to pick up.

Voicemail.

He knew she was probably leaving work and headed home at this time or at least he hoped she was. She always had her phone near her in case he called. When the voicemail beeped for him to leave a message he did so.

"Hi, Love. It's me. I got your email back and I hope everything is okay. It's fine if you are busy tonight. I understand. I'll try to ring you again soon. Please email me back that everything is all right. I love you, and I'll talk to you soon."

He hung up the receiver and didn't feel any better. The short email. The unanswered phone call. She was hurt? Did something happen? Was he just being paranoid? Looking at the time again there wasn't anything more he could do at the time. He just had to hope she was busy and that everything was okay.

Robert Crawley looked down to his phone as he walked down an aisle at the market. It was a text message from Cora containing a small list of items she asked him to bring home. He read what the next item was and then looked up to see where he was going. He crossed over to the next aisle and walked a few steps before he stopped to look around. There were a couple of ladies chatting within ears reach in the same aisle.

"Have you heard about Debbie Mitchell's husband?"

The question caught Robert's attention, but he wasn't sure why. The name sounded vaguely familiar. He looked to some items on the shelf as his hearing drifted to the women talking.

"I haven't. Isn't his name Harvey or something like that?" said the other woman who was taller and leaner.

"It is. Word is is Debbie's daughter, Anna, came on to him."

"No," the other gasped, "Harvey would be her step father."

Robert's head was fully turned in their direction now, and he was fully listening. He knew exactly who they were talking about.

"I know. Supposedly she kissed him and tried to get a leg over while Debbie was at scrap booking with us. Isn't it crazy?"

"It most certainly is," Robert piped in as he stepped over to the women.

Robert had been initially conflicted as he listened. This very scenario had happened to John before with Vera. John had been deployed, and Vera cheated on him repeatedly. After only a few seconds of thought, he knew Anna wasn't the type to do this to his best friend. He simply would not believe it to be true, especially after their dinner recently. He knew John had a wife who was completely devoted to their marriage.

Both the women looked to him with scowls before one of them said, "Pardon me?"

"I believe the both of you were discussing Anna Smith who is now Anna Bates."

"What concern is it of yours?"

"It concerns me because her husband is like a brother to me, and you two are spreading a vicious lie," he fumed.

"Really? And how would you know?" said the taller woman.

"If anyone knows John and Anna Bates it is me. Anna would never do as you're implying. It's a nasty rumor, and one quite frankly that is perverted to spread. You both should really be ashamed of yourselves."

"Well, the person I heard it from said this came straight from Harvey. I don't see why he would make this up. Supposedly he was upset by it. Said it was tearing his family apart," said the shorter woman.

Robert placed one hand on his hip the other was pointing in their direction. "I'm telling you this is one hundred percent gossip, and I would appreciate it if it wasn't spread any further. Anna Bates is the picture of honor and integrity, and she is absolutely devoted to her husband."

"Fine," responded the taller woman. "We can't keep others from spreading it though."

Robert dropped his hands to his side and said, "I understand. Thank you for your cooperation."

After that he turned on his heel and walked away. Once he had made his purchases and made it back to his car, he closed the car door and took out his phone.

"Thank God Anna gave me your email," Robert said aloud to himself as he brought his email up on his phone. He pressed John's contact and began typing out an email to him.

John,

Hey, mate. Anna gave me your email when she was at dinner with us the other night. I was hoping to get a chance to either talk to you back and forth through email for a few minutes or possibly have you call me. Have you thought about taking your leave any time soon?

Talk soon.

Rob

He clicked send before he placed his phone in the car cup holder and pulled out of the car park.