Disclaimer: Same 1-38.

Anna heard a light knocking sound on the door frame of her office.

Lifting her head, she saw Elsie standing there with her hands clasped in front of her.

"Hey," Anna smiled.

"Hi, Anna. May I come in for a moment? I know you're about to head home."

"Of course," Anna replied as she lowered her smiley face pen.

"Thanks," Elsie responded as she made her way in and sat down in the chair opposite.

"What's up?" Anna asked as she leaned back in her chair.

Elsie fidgeted with her hands as she tried to find the right words.

"Is something the matter?" Anna inquired.

Elsie continued to look down to her lap as she began.

"I. Well, Charles."

Anna leaned forward suddenly and gasped, "Did he propose?"

Elsie snapped her head up to look at Anna and said, "What? No... not yet anyway."

"Oh, sorry to assume," Anna replied with an apologetic look as she leaned back in her chair once more.

"It's all right. I wanted to stop by to make sure everything's okay."

"As well as can be."

"I'm glad."

Anna could feel the thick tension building in the room. She needed to find out what Elsie was trying to say.

"Did you need to tell me something?"

Elsie sighed before she steeled herself. "I did in fact."

"Okay."

"I was talking with Charles last night, and... he said he had overheard something while playing billiards down at the club."

Anna felt as if a heavy weight had settled in her stomach. She had a feeling she knew what it was Charles had heard, but now that Elsie had brought it to her attention she needed to know for sure.

She blinked a couple of times before she said, "And what was that?"

Elsie chewed her bottom lip and replied, "That you had kissed your step father and tried to sleep with him."

Elsie immediately continued to speak with conviction in her voice, "Anna, I know that this is only a rumor. I know you would never do this."

Anna didn't really know what to do as a sad smile formed on her features. So, her ruin had come full circle, well at least almost full circle. It would be complete once John heard. She was being talked about by everyone in the county it seemed. She allowed herself to chuckle for a few seconds as her mind went to a horrible place. It went to Vera. Out of all the people she thought would actually smear her to the point everyone thought badly of her, she thought it would had been her. She had never expected it to come from Harvey and her mother.

Anna looked to Elsie who was giving her a weird look as her laughter died down.

"I want to say I can't believe it, but sadly I'm to the point where I do believe it."

"Believe what?"

"That it spread so quickly."

"You're not possibly telling me it's true," Elsie stated with mouth gaped open.

"Of course not," Anna whispered harshly. "I would rather die than betray John in such a way."

"And we'll not be having any of that talk thank you very much," Elsie said sternly.

"I was at the fresh market two days ago and an older couple were asking each other if I was the one who slept with her step father," she frowned.

"But why?"

"I went to my mother's house several weeks back and was going to try to make amends about the wedding thing."

Elsie nodded in understanding.

"She wasn't home, but I went inside to wait for her with Harvey. Long story short we were sitting on the sofa and next thing I know Harvey pinned me to the sofa and kissed me. I managed to get away from him. I went outside, and my mother was walking up the path."

She paused as her emotions started to get the best of her.

"I told her what had happened, and she didn't believe me," she said through tears.

"Oh, Anna," Elsie said in a caring tone.

"So, I'm assuming Harvey and my mother have spread this rumor about me, which will eventually get back to John and-"

She brought a hand up to her mouth as to keep the words from falling out of her.

"If you think John Bates would leave you over a rumor then you are sorely mistaken."

"My own mother didn't believe me, so why should he? This has happened to him before in his first marriage," she voiced after she dropped her hand back to her lap.

"It may have very well happened in his first marriage, but it hasn't happened in his second. You did nothing wrong. If anything he needs to be reported for sexual assault," she insisted.

"My mother would only despise me more if I reported him," Anna sniffed as she shook her head.

"I don't believe she despises you. There has to be an explanation for all of this, and in time it will come to light."

"Well, I guess we're going to find out," she said as her tears began to dry. "Thank you for telling me."

"I hated to," Elsie admitted with pain laced in her tone.

"I know," Anna replied quietly.

They both rose from their seats and made their polite good-nights.

It wasn't long until she was home and changed into more comfortable clothes. She had no intentions of going out. As she made her way back downstairs Jingles arched his back up against her leg signaling he would like his dinner.

"I'm coming right now," she said to the white ball of fluff.

Jingles meowed and followed her into the kitchen waiting by his food bowl.

She quickly finished giving him food and fresh water before she walked into the sitting room. Absentmindedly, she walked over to the desk and swiped her finger across the touch pad of the laptop making the screen light up. She opened her email and found nothing new from John waiting on her. Why would there be? She had been brushing him off lately.

She walked over to the sofa and flopped down on it. Bringing her knees up to her chest, her emotions began to spill out. What a mess. There's a nasty rumor going around in which her step father and mother more than likely have spread, and she's been avoiding John. She was now realizing that would only make things look worse, but she hadn't thought about it until now. She had promised to talk to him whenever he was available, but she had broken that promise.

Tears flowed steadily down her face as she suddenly felt so very much alone. She hated herself for feeling this way because Harvey had said she would. Just the idea of him made her cry harder. She was still very much hurt by her mum, she wasn't sure if Tory knew anything or if she was mad at her as well, and John wasn't there. She was sure her work had been lacking which added to her burden. Her patients deserved her very best regardless if her personal life was in shambles. She could feel her lungs starting to constrict, and it felt harder to pull in and push out air. Her heaving sobs weren't helping with her breathing. She felt like she was in a downward spiral with not-too-much longer until she crashed.

She had no idea how long she sat there and cried. It could have been minutes or hours for all she knew. The loud chime of the doorbell made her jump. She uncurled herself and shakily stood to her feet. She knew she looked a mess, so for a few seconds she wondered if she'd even answer the door. What if it was her mum or worse Harvey? She sucked in a deep breath at the thought. She didn't want to be alone with him. The doorbell chimed a second time. She wiped at her face and said to herself, "It's not him. Maybe it's Robert or Gwen."

She made her way to the front door. Steeling herself, she placed one hand on the door knob as the other unlocked the deadbolt. She took one last breath before she pulled the door open enough to see who was on the other side.

She was too weak, far too weak and unprepared for the sight in front of her. Her legs gave out, and she crumpled to the floor to her knees as new tears came.

"Anna! Oh, God."

Then he was there kneeling with her in the doorway. She felt one hand on her face and one holding her hand. Was she dreaming an incredibly cruel dream? His feather light touches made her only cry harder as she leaned into his touch.

"My darling, please look at me. Please tell me what is the matter," he pleaded.

She lifted her eyes slowly to meet his, and when she looked into his panicked eyes she knew it wasn't a dream. He was truly there with her.

"John," she exclaimed and wrapped her arms around him.

He reciprocated and pulled her into a tight embrace, placing light kisses into her hair.

"I'm here," he rumbled softly as he caressed her back. "I'm here."

After some time, he could feel her beginning to calm down. She felt somewhat shaky and fragile which alarmed him. He gently pulled back just enough to be able to look at her. Her face was red as were her eyes from crying. Her hair was messy and a few strands were stuck to the side of her face. His heart sank hard. Was he the cause of this? Did she know about the rumor?

"Darling, I think you may need to go lie down," he suggested lovingly.

She clutched at his uniform as though he might disappear in the next moment if they moved. It was disheartening.

"I'll join you," he continued.

She seemed to relax then, and he lifted himself to his feet before he bent down and scooped Anna up in his arms. His knee protested the unexpected force, but he didn't care. Anna wrapped her arms around his neck as he slid his kit bag inside using his feet before closing the door. With Anna still in his arms, he moved to the stairs and began to climb them. His knee was letting him know it didn't appreciate what was going on, but he would deal with the aftermath later. Right now, he needed to get his wife into bed and be with her.

He felt slightly better once Anna was tucked into bed. He made quick work of removing his boots and his uniform jacket and slipped under the sheets with her. Her eyes were red rimmed, and there appeared to be an internal struggle going on. It could be what Robert had told him or possibly she was still at odds with her mother. Maybe it was him who had caused her to be like this.

He turned on his side to face her and placed a hand on top of the sheet along her hip. He watched as her eyes flitted over him as though she were trying to memorize his face, but to be honest he was doing the same. A few more seconds passed before he found his voice in the quiet room.

"Hello," he began, feeling like a restart could be helpful.

"Hi," she replied breathlessly.

"This isn't a dream. I'm here, Anna," he reassured with a caress of her hip.

She nodded her understanding. "I'm glad. I've missed you."

His lips faintly curled as he replied, "I've missed you immensely."

"Why didn't you say you were coming?" she asked, though she assumed he would have told her if she hadn't been distance.

"I thought it would be nice to surprise you. I hope I was right."

He watched as an emotion crossed over her features that he could not place.

"Anna."

Her eyes met his, and he tentatively said, "Will you please tell me what has you upset?"

He watched her tense and swallow hard, which made him want to do the same. Now he's not sure he's ready to hear what she might have to say.

"I'm tired, John. Would you mind if we talk tomorrow?"

Her voice was so small and so unlike her. What else could he do? He didn't want to force her to talk, so he had no choice but to go with her wishes.

"Yes, of course. How about I make us something quick for dinner. We can eat up here and then go to sleep."

"I would like that. Thank you."

"Anything for you," he whispered before he pressed his lips to her forehead.

He thought he wouldn't sleep well considering how distraught Anna had been when he arrived, but he had sleep well knowing she was there beside him. She was wrapped like a vine around him when he woke up. He laid there for a while until the need for the loo became a pressing matter. He carefully disentangled himself from his wife and walked into the en suite.

It was only a few minutes later he was walking back into the bedroom. Anna was sitting up in the bed fidgeting with the bed sheets.

"Good morning. I'm sorry if I woke you," he greeted as he climbed back into bed beside her.

"You didn't. I've been awake," she said weakly before she got out of bed quickly.

"I'm going to have a shower," she mumbled as she gathered some clothes from the chest of drawers.

"I'll just go work on breakfast then."

She offered him a slight nod before she closed the bathroom door behind her.

He blinked at the closed door and exhaled. Something was off, very off. Robert's words kept playing in the back of his mind. He knew if there was a rumor that was just that. A rumor. He hoped that wasn't the reason for her to be upset. He hadn't pressed her last night, but he only had two more days before he had to go back. Maybe they could talk over breakfast or go for a walk. Deciding he better get going, he got himself up and ready for the day.

"Hello, darling," he smiled as she entered the kitchen almost a half hour later.

He sat down their breakfast plates on the table before collecting the tea things and placing them there as well.

"Hello," she responded with a small smile.

"I hope eggs and toast are acceptable."

"Yes, thank you."

She took her seat at the table, and he sat down as well.

"You're welcome. I'm thankful I am here to make you breakfast," he said lovingly.

"Me, too," she almost whispered, though he could sense some pain laced around the edges.

They needed to talk, and he hoped after breakfast would be a good time.

"Let's eat and then we can decide what to do with our day."

"Oh, I need to see to Jingles first."

"He's already eaten and in the sitting room for a nap," he winked.

He was rewarded with a smile.

After breakfast they both worked on tidying the kitchen. He had missed all the small tasks he shared with her. He placed the last mug up into the cabinet and closed the door.

"All finished," he announced.

He turned to look at Anna who was standing quite tensely.

"What do you say to a walk?"

"I don't know if I feel like one this morning."

"All right. We could sit out on the patio? Get some fresh air?"

She nodded her agreement, so he walked to the backdoor and opened it for her. She stepped through before he closed it behind them. He watched as she took a seat on the wicker settee and followed suit to sit beside her. He made sure to leave a small gap between them but laid his left arm along the back of settee. He was thankful the nip in the morning air wasn't too cold. They could spend all day out here talking if they needed.

"How's work?"

He wanted to start off easy.

"Fine. A little slower right now with several people no longer needing therapy."

"That's always good to hear."

"Yes, it is."

A beat of silence passed between them as they looked out to the back garden. A robin was pecking at the lawn in the distance.

He had been patient in waiting to know what he needed to know, but he only had so much time. He was going to have to press her.

"Anna, please tell me."

He watched as she ringed her hands in her lap.

"Have I done something wrong?"

"No, you've done nothing wrong," she was quick to reply.

"Then please tell me. I only want to help."

Her eyes looked up to his.

"There's," she began than stopped to clear her throat.

"There's a rumor going round about me," she stated before her shoulders shagged.

"I know."

Her eyes implored his as she said, "What?"

"I know about the rumor. Robert told me it had something to do with you kissing Harvey and trying to well you know."

She face drained of it's color as she added quickly, "It isn't true."

He placed his right hand over her right.

"I know it isn't. You don't have to defend yourself. I know it to be untrue."

She seemed to flounder at his reply but managed to speak.

"You believe I didn't sleep with him?" she asked as her voice quivered.

"Of course I believe you."

"Really?"

"Really. What we have is forever. I have no reason to doubt you."

He saw her relax some.

"Did you think I would believe you slept with Harvey?"

"No. Yes. I don't know."

His left hand slipped to her left shoulder softly caressing it.

"My darling, I trust you implicitly, and I love you."

"I love you, too, so much."

"Is this what has made you upset?"

"Partly, I have something more to tell you, but I need you to hear me out and promise not to do anything foolish."

He felt his insides tighten. So there was more to this than just whispers. Now more than ever he needed her to be completely open with him.

"You can tell me anything."

He wasn't going to promise not to do anything foolish. It all depended on what she had to say, and what she did say he knew would be the iron clad truth.

She shifted a little on the seat to look at him better.

"I went to try to patch things up with my mum not too long ago. I didn't want us to be at odds with each other anymore."

She paused as she looked to him for reassurance. He nodded for her to continue.

"I went over to mum's but Harvey said she was at her club. He invited me in for tea until she got back, so I decided to join him. Once we were sitting in the front room with our tea we were talking on the sofa. He was his usual rude, passive aggressive self when he suddenly used his upper body to press me into the sofa."

She paused as tears sprang to her eyes. He felt his heart pound a little harder as he waited for her to continue.

"The part of the rumor about kissing is true, but it wasn't me who kissed him. He kissed me while I was unable to move. It all happened so quickly and when he adjusted himself I rammed my knee as hard as I could into his groin and he fell off the sofa onto the floor."

His jaw was clenched to the point he was sure some of his teeth were going to break off. His whole body tensed with a sense of anger he had only felt on a rare occasion throughout his life, but he did not voice that anger at Anna. She was not the one who deserved it.

"I ran outside and my mum was walking towards the door. I told her what had happened... and..."

A sob left her as more tears followed. He couldn't bear to see her cry let alone be this upset. His ire was seeping deep into his veins.

"And what?" he prompted as softly as his current state would allow.

"She didn't believe me," she cried.

She placed her face against his shoulder and cried harder.

He cradled her in his arms, holding her to him as a few tears of his own fell into her hair. This was all his fault. If he hadn't have left this wouldn't have happened.

"She took his side and told me in a roundabout way I was lying," she mumbled into his shirt, "I'm not. I'm not lying."

His voice was scratchy as he replied, "I know you're not. I believe you, Anna."

Why the hell had Debbie thought Anna would lie about something like this? It just didn't make sense, and he could see why it had devastated Anna. As for Harvey he already had mental images of all he wanted him to receive in return.

"Is there more?" he prompted.

She shook her head and continued to speak into his shirt.

"I couldn't stand to be there another moment. I came back home and since then Harvey and my mum have been spreading the rumor about me. My own mum."

The sobbing was back harder, and John let her cry. His mind drifted to what Harvey had done to his wife. The bastard had forced himself on her. He had been a fool to give Harvey the benefit of the doubt. He should have listened to his instincts, but Harvey had been hard to read sometimes. Not anymore. Harvey would pay but right now his focus was on his wife.

"I don't care what anyone says. You and I know we are faithful to one another. As for your mum, I don't know what is going on but there has to be an explanation. We'll get it sorted out. I promise."

After a few more minutes, she lifted her head and wiped at her eyes.

"I've made a mess of your shirt," she sniffed.

"You've done no such thing," he replied as he lifted a hand to help wipe her tears.

"I just kept thinking what if you thought I had done the same thing to you that Vera had done to you. What if you thought I was cheating on you while you were away."

"I don't think that. You two couldn't be anymore opposite of the other. You can stop worrying about that this very moment," he said firmly.

"I'm sorry." Her voice is weak.

"Whatever for?"

"I'm sure this is not how you wanted to spend your leave."

"Minus everything that has happened to you, this is exactly how I wanted to spend my leave. I have you in my arms that is all I need."

She smiled at him, and he smirked back at her.

"Have you seen them since?" he asked after a brief silence.

He just had to have all the details he could collect.

She shook her head.

"You kneed him in the bollocks?"

She nodded her head.

"I hope you did irreparable damage," he stated with a grimace.

"John, don't go thinking you're going to confront him."

John looked out at the garden to try to calm himself down.

"I mean it John."

He kept looking away from her as he replied with frustration, "What exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Let's just try to forget about it."

He looked up to the sky and grimaced. He knew she was only saying that so he wouldn't go beat Harvey within an inch of his life. Something had to be done.

He looked back to his wife and spoke lovingly yet firmly with her.

"No one who ever hurts you will get away with it."

Anna opened her mouth to quickly object, but he raised his hand to stop her from interrupting.

"I'm not saying I'll do something stupid, but I can't simply do nothing. This rumor needs to stop. Harvey needs to understand a few things. I'll get it sorted."

"Please," she whispered as her eyes locked with his.

"Please what, my darling?"

"Please don't do anything to make you lose your job or worse end up in jail."

"I wouldn't let either of those things happen."

She seemed to be satisfied with his response because her shoulders relaxed.

"I'm sorry I broke a promise to you," she said after a brief silence.

"What promise?" he asked with a confused look on his face.

"I promised I'd always make myself available to talk to you, but I didn't. I didn't know how to tell you all of this. I'm so sorry."

He sighed deeply before saying, "You've had to deal with all of this alone. It is for me to be sorry. I should have been here. You have nothing to be sorry for."

"It's not your fault. It's theirs. I hate breaking promises to you."

"As far as I'm concerned, you didn't. You still replied to my email. Promise kept."

"Now, tell me something good or funny that has happened while I've been gone," he prompted.

He needed to get off the subject of Harvey and Debbie for both of their sake. He still had plenty of time to decide what to do on that matter.

She looked to be thinking about it until the corners of her lips lifted into a smile and she softly giggled.

"Hmmm... something funny then," he assumed.

"Robert told me something about you while I was at dinner at his place."

John gave a mock big wince making Anna laugh.

"And what was that?"

Robert knew tons of things about him. He wondered what he had decided to tell her.

"Ohhh... just a certain man in need of jam so bad he broke his pinky."

John barked out a laugh. "What a freak accident that was. It wasn't even my favorite kind of jam!"

They both laughed for a few seconds before Anna spoke again.

"Has your pinky recovered?"

He held out his hand for them to inspect.

"Looks like it, but I don't think my pinky appreciated jam much after that."

"Silly beggar," she said as she lightly slapped his chest.

"Yes, your silly beggar."