Modern AU: John Bates is a football coach, an injury forcing him to retire from playing football at an early age. A visit from an old friend changes his life forever. Has John finally found something more important than football?

After going through a bitter divorce, the last thing John Bates is looking for is love. Upon arriving back in Downton to work with his old friend, Robert Crawley, John meets and falls for a lovely waitress named, Anna Smith. Anna is a single mother trying to escape and forget a troubled past. Will the two finally find the happy ending they are both searching for?

Modern AU fic. Anna Smith teaches English at Levinson Academy. One of her students is Ruby Bates, she is the daughter of the Chief Inspector. John Bates. Anna, Ruby and John get close, but when hard times strike, will they be able to stick together or be broken apart?

Modern AU. After weeks of live performances, football commentator John Bates has made it to the final of "Dance With Me", in no small part down to his professional dancing partner Anna Smith. And with controversial performances and backstage dramas spilling into the public eye, this night is set to change John's life in ways he couldn't have guessed. Cover art by brendanbyfanny.

Modern, AU story: Anna Smith is an editor at Grantham House Publishing and John Bates is a writer specializing in culture.

AU. John Bates' only way to divorce his wife and keep his company is to prove she is having an affair. Anna Smith of Carson's Private Investigators goes undercover on the case. What starts out as an infidelity investigation becomes much more and when John finds himself in serious trouble, Anna's skills and heart are put to the test.

Anna is a maid travelling with the Earl of Grantham and his family to Newport, visiting Lady Grantham's family. John is seeking a new life in America, away from his past sins. Sparks fly on the ship of dreams and startling revelations promise to change both of their lives for good, but when the ship hits the ice they are not guaranteed a happy end. Highclere Award '14 nom/winner.

Modern A/U John Bates is an international acting sensation who has just bought a vacation home in St. Andrews. Anna Smith is a grad student at St. Andrews University. When John hires Anna as his house sitter will the two of them finally find forever?

Modern AU. John Bates is struggling to get his life back on track after a traumatic experience. He follows his mother's advice and seeks help with a therapist, Anna Smith. Can she help him get through this difficult period and ignore the growing connection between them?

Modern AU. Life can always come up with a few surprises. (completely A/B, but with other characters' appearances as well)

Can lovers who were ripped apart in one life find each other and reconnect in the next? AU Anna/Bates reincarnation story. What would have happened if Bates had hanged? Romance with a heavy dollop of mystery as Anna and Bates's paths cross once again and they are inexplicably drawn to each other. Will they figure who they were in the past? And how does that affect their future?

Just as John and Anna Bates begin to grow concerned about their childlessness, they meet little Henry, an intriguing young rascal from the village who increasingly reminds John of his own childhood, especially as the darker details of Henry's family life come into light. S5 AU. Hints of Molesley-Baxter and Carson-Hughes.

Set in a present day modern A/U- John Bates is a fire fighter struggling with the law and life. After a court order forces him to get the help he needs, John meets Anna, his saving grace. The timing could not be more wrong and John's past continues to haunt him. Plus, Anna has a few secrets of her own as well.

'Another' Modern A/U: Moving to the north of England to put his past behind him, will Anna Smith prove to be John Bates's salvation?

Modern/AU. John Bates has taken up the vacant Deputy Headmaster post at St Peter's Secondary School in York. Here he meets up again with old friend and headmaster Robert Crawley, as well as Head Of English, Anna Smith.

In the space of a few hours, Anna Smith's life is turned upside down. Can a chance encounter on a Underground train change everything for the better, and guide her to where she is meant to be? Modern Anna and Bates AU, based on the film Sliding Doors. M Rated from Chapter 10. [Winner of 2014 Highclere Award for Anna/Bates Modern AU story]

John and Anna's 4 year old decides to ask Mr. Carson for a job at Downton Abbey. Fluff-tastic.

"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." - Helen Keller :: The worlds of Anna Smith and John Bates become unexpectedly entwined, as they both question everything they've based their lives upon. :: Modern A/U

Modern/AU - Inspired by this 'Imagine Your OTP' prompt on Tumblr - "Imagine Person A teaching Person B of your OTP how to kiss, and Person B ends up kissing Person A really quick, nervously asks "Like that?" and leaves Person A silent and flustered for a moment."

They release the prisoners at dawn.

Modern A/U- A one shot. John Bates and Anna Smith are set up on Valentines Day... the rest was left up to fate.

John and Anna spent months travelling on the same bus to the same job but never noticed one another. That is until now. But will they act upon their feelings?

Modern story. Anna and John met at a party just before John left to go to war. They stayed in contact until John cut all ties after his injury. Years later they meet again under different circumstances. Through changes in both their lives, they can't be more then friends. But is friendship enough with their history?

Modern A/U. An encounter on April Fools Day changes Anna Smith and John Bates lives forever.

Modern AU: Anna and best friend Gwen are heading north to visit the Crawley family. John is working along side Robert at Downton Inn. With a chance meeting and a week away, will these two finally be able to find happiness? All characters belong to Fellowes.

After escaping an abusive marriage, Anna takes her daughter and finds herself at Downton Abbey, working alongside Mr Bates. AU - modern day.

What if John's reaction was the opposite when Anna admitted, 'I'd live in sin with you.'

Modern story about our favourite Downton couple. John Bates is a history professor who gives a lecture in Ghent. Anna Smith is an actress who's shooting a film in Ghent. The two meet by chance.

Modern A/U. John Bates is a Captain in the British army, about to retire after he has embarked on his final deployment to Afghanistan. Will he and his wife, Anna, get their happy ending?

John fights depression and tries to get his life back on track. Anna's past still torments her and she's forced to take some time away from work to move on. They both end up in a place called Calm Waters. Will they be able to help each other and cure themselves? Modern AU. M-rated from Chapter 9. Nominated for two Highclere Awards, winner of A/B angst.

How will Anna's parents react when they find out that she is married to a man due to be tried for murder?

AU Modern fiction. John Bates is a single father, former fireman, now a mechanic. Anna Smith is a famous singer. The two meet at Mary Crawley's 30th birthday party. The Crawleys and their daughters also feature heavily...

More modern Anna and Bates. John moves up to the north to run Robert's chain of Bars and Restaurants. With some baggage in tow...

Modern AU. Anna is a successful ballet teacher with a charming boyfriend. John is a single dad who is going through his second divorce. When Anna becomes John's daughter's ballet teacher, everything can change. Will they give into their feelings?

Modern AU. Anna and Mr Bates are reunited after he is admitted into the hospital she works in as a doctor. The catch is he used to be her History teacher. Can anything happen between them?

Anna can't stand Mr Bates suffering. She found a creme which is supposed to help him, so one night she invites herself to his room and is forcing him to pull up his pants...fluff and emotional intimacy, happiness.

Modern AU, Anna and Bates meet at an audition for a new romantic stage play.

Anna and Bates. With a twist. What if Anna were one of the ladies of the house? M rated chapters 8 and 12.

Modern AU

Modern A/U - Anna Smith and John Bates meet at a wedding ... and the rest is history! A bit of angst - a bit of romance - and a few laughs along the way!

Alternate universe. John Bates tries to find the path that will lead him to find himself when meets Anna Smith, who is facing serious changes and hard decisions after leaving Downton Abbey.

Modern AU. Anna is a nurse who lives a normal life until John Bates arrives in town. Will her life ever be the same?

Modern/ AU fiction. A follow on from Downton Sands. Anna is pregnant and she and John are getting married, what Banna shipper would want to miss that?

Downton Abbey... in a North-East England Holiday Park. A Modern/AU story. Please don't let the M rating put you off, there are only two bits so far and it's not even that bad, we just gone M to cover ourselves :-

Modern A/U set in Leeds, Anna is an A&E nurse who meets to gallant, charming and mysterious Mr Bates. My first story - so please review - thanks! x

Modern AU: There's a new manager at the office Anna is working for... Will he become a good colleague?

Anna's life has been standing still. Her life changes forever when she moves in with Mary and meets a knight to rescue her. Modern AU Anna/Bates with a side of most other characters and couples throughout. Will become M later on.

Written initially as a challenge. Anna and John meet for the first time at Downton and their relationship moves from there. Some strong language.

They met by chance and their fates are sealed. 100% angsty AU an idea that popped in my mind

...run deep. Thomas goes too far and Bates gets to keep a promise, to Anna and everyone else's delight - until Anna realises that sometimes, words CAN mean more than action.