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Chapter 7

Placing the money into security box, John felt as Anna's hand slid over his back and she pecked a kiss on his cheek. He smiled down at her. She held a dress in one hand and her bag of what else she needed for the wedding was sitting on the bar. He would be picking her and Mary up in a few hours to take them to the church.

"I pick you up at noon?" He double checked. Anna nodded, her hand coming up his back. He bit back a moan. Anytime she touched him, he felt like he was on fire. He knew that he should probably be taking this much slower, to prove to Anna that he was in this for the long haul. However, he struggled to do so. The connection between them was powerful. He wanted to kiss her right here and now, but he was able to contain himself. It took every ounce of willpower to do so.

"Yes. Mary said her date will meet her at the wedding."

"And why isn't he taking her?" He questioned, his one brow rising. He didn't mind picking the both of them up, it just seemed like Mary would want to go with her own date.

Anna's head shook and she let out a low breath. "I think she'd rather spend as little time as possible with him, if I'm to be honest. Tony has always liked Mary and she's just not that into him."

This peeked John's curiosity even more. "Then why did she invite him?"

"I…I can't explain it," Anna replied, though John could tell that she did know the reason. It was more that it was something that was not his to know. He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. But she deepened it, wrapping her arms around him and tightening her hold.

"I wish you didn't have to leave right now," John murmured, as they pulled apart. Anna chuckled.

"Me too. I'd love a good make-out session, but I really must go. Mary will murder me if I'm late."

"Can't have that." He brought his hand up to brush along her cheek. Anna leaned into it and then turned her head to kiss his palm

"We can't. I'll see you later."

Anna grabbed her things and walked to the door that lead out of the bar. She paused at the door, facing him and giving him a sly grin.

"You know….I know Downton Abbey really well. I'm sure we can hide away for a while during the reception," Anna winked. John felt his mouth go dry. Before he could reply, Anna was already out of the room. And John now could not wait until the reception this evening.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna combed through Mary's short hair, her brows furrowing. When she had arrived at Mary's home, she had been shocked to see Mary's new hairdo. While Anna liked it and thought it suited her friend, it had still surprised her. Mary wasn't usually one to drastically cut her hair, especially not right before an event like her sister's wedding.

"What, again, made you decide to cut you hair?" Anna carefully questioned. Mary's shoulders shrugged, as she handed Anna a shiny clip to put into her brown locks.

"I needed a new look," she simply answered.

"It's just…well, you usually send me a million pictures before you head to the hairdresser, asking my opinion. And that is usually when you aren't cutting off more than a few inches. This seems very unlike you."

Mary sharply inhaled and then stood, just as the clip was clipped to her hair. She turned on her heels to face Anna and gave her a pointed gaze.

"Do you not like it?"

"Of course, I like it," Anna responded. "You look beautiful. I just never expected…."

"Well, I was staring at it yesterday in the mirror and I decided I was tired of it, so I cut it," Mary simply stated, facing herself in the mirror to now critic her look for the wedding. Anna narrowed her eyes, repeating Mary's words in her head.

"You….you cut your hair? Like with scissors? Or you mean you went to get it cut?"

"I cut it," Mary ran her fingers over the side of her hair, adjusting the clip ever so slightly. "Well, then I went to the hairdressers, of course. You should have seen the unevenness of it."

Anna's hand came up to her lips, thoughtfully. She took in a slow breath, taking in all that Mary was saying to her. Despite the ease of her words, Anna knew there was much more to this.

"Why would you cut your own hair? What…what could have possessed you to do that?"

"God, Anna," Mary rolled her eyes, walking over to grab her dress from the edge of the bed. "You're making this far more dramatic than it was. I needed a change and cut my hair. That is all."

With ease, Mary slipped out of her robe, before bringing her dress for the wedding up and over her hips and shoulders. She turned to Anna, silently asking her to button up the back. Anna's nimble fingers immediately began the buttons, grateful that she wasn't going to be in the wedding wearing one of these gowns. While Sybil's choice for her sisters was beautiful, they were a pain to get on and off.

"I remember when I was younger and my stepfather liked the way I…."

"Anna, this is not the same. I wasn't preyed on by an old man," Mary nearly bit. Anna sat back, as though she had been slapped, and walked over to grab her own dress.

Mary's face softened. "I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so cruel. It's only – what you went through was terrible, Anna. And I hate it, I really do. But I haven't been through it. I wasn't…." Her words faded, unable to find the right thing to say. Instead, she walked over to Anna to help her zip up the back of her dress. Mary's hands slid up her arms and rested on her bare shoulders. "You look radiant, Anna. Absolutely beautiful."

Tears gathered in the corner of Anna's eyes and she blinked, trying to get them to go away. Mary grabbed a tissue, handing it to Anna, and sighing.

"I can really be a bitch sometimes," Mary said. That made Anna laugh.

"You really can."

Mary smirked and fixed one of Anna's hairs that had fallen out of place.

"But you'll forgive me?"

"I always do."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

He watched her all throughout the wedding. His eyes couldn't leave her face. It was the longest that he had been in the same room with her since before the break up. Being apart from her, he could tell himself that he was moving forward with his life. But when she was before him, his heart couldn't be fooled any longer.

Not many people understood Mary Crawley. He hadn't even understood her, not at first. He had made the same wrong assumptions about her character. How wrong he had been.

Matthew kept going over the days before Mary came to him and broke it off. It seemed to have come from nowhere. The two of them had been happy, even more than happy – blissful. There had been talks of when they got married and children, everything a couple speaks about before taking that next big, monumental step in their relationship. And then, they were done.

"Should we go and congratulate the new couple?" Lavinia's voice drew Matthew from his thoughts. He nodded, giving her a small smile. Internally, he reminded himself that he was dating Lavinia now.

"We should," he agreed.

The two of them made their way through the elegant hall of Downton Abbey. For two years, it had seemed like his home. Even though it wasn't his, it had felt that way. It was the joy of Mary's life and so, it had been his joy, as well.

Sybil and Tom were standing back against one of the walls, prepared for their wedding guests to come by and speak with them. As they stood in the long line of well-wishers, Matthew found himself searching for Mary. He knew she had to be somewhere in this crowd.

Suddenly, he found her. She was on another man's arm. His breath hitched in his throat. Mary was speaking with her parents, a bright smile upon her face. She laughed and it made his heart ache, wishing he was the one on her arm. It had been six months and he was sure he would never be truly over her.

"Matthew?" He blinked, looking over to Lavinia. She had furrowed her brows and her lips were pinched to one side. "Yes, what is it?" Lavinia only let out a small sigh and tugged him forward slightly. It was then he saw the line had moved and that there was a large open gap where they should now be.

Lavinia's eyes remained on him, as she studied his features. He could tell that she had something she wanted to say, but wasn't saying it.

"Have I told you you look beautiful tonight?" Matthew broke in through the awkward silence. Lavinia gave a small nod.

"You have," her voice was small. He grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze.

"Well, it never hurts to hear it again, does it?" She giggled. There, he made her smile.

"No, it doesn't."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

John had not felt this young since he was…well, young. Anna pulled him along the corridor, giggling, while simultaneously covering her lips with her finger to tell him to remain quiet. The juxtaposition made John laugh, earning a stern shh from Anna.

She paused her steps suddenly, glancing around them, before opening up an odd shaped door that John hadn't even noticed. In a flash, she had disappeared, dragging him along with her. Before he knew it, he was inside a cramped closet. He had to position himself right against the wall, because it was the only place where he could stand straight up with the angled roof above his head.

Anna flicked on the dim light and shut the door. Her hands then landed on his chest and she met his eyes.

"No one will find us in here," she assured him. She kicked her heels off and then inched herself up onto her toes so that she could attack John's lips. Despite the tightness of the small room, John was able to maneuver himself slightly so he could kiss down Anna's jaw and to her neck. She moaned in appreciation, her hands roaming over his back.

John's hands moved to her hips, before one came up to the top of her dress and began to tug on her zipper. He wanted to be able to touch more of her skin. But this movement made Anna pause. She stood back, making his lips unable to touch her. Her eyes were wide and unsure.

"I…I'm sorry," John quickly spoke. "I thought…" Anna just shook her head, forcing her lips to curl up.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. We should just probably keep our clothes on for now."

"Right, of course. If…" Anna didn't let him complete his thought. Her lips were back on his and soon, John forgot what he was going to say.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

A chuckle left Mary's lips and her eyes rolled, as Anna and John joined her at the table before the cake was being served. Anna was attempting to fix a hair that had undoubtedly come out of its clip when she and John were making out in one of the hidden rooms downstairs. Rooms, she might add, she had told Anna all about when they were teenagers. Mary was always finding different hideaways as a child, scaring her nannies and parents when they couldn't find her. She would then use them with her various boyfriends in her teenaged years. Oh what she wouldn't do to be back then when life was so much simpler. She found she was jealous of John and Anna and their young, uncomplicated love.

"You two act like hormonal teenagers," Mary whispered to her friend. Anna's cheeks blushed. "I mean, keep it up. One of us might as well have a good time."

Mary completely supported this new relationship of her friend's. Anna had always had random boyfriends, but never anyone serious. This was the happiest that Mary had seen her friend and she wanted that for Anna. Anna deserved it.

"Shall we dance?" Mary sighed, but smiled.

"They're about to serve the cake," she told Tony. He still tugged on her hand.

"It will still be here when we get back. You haven't let me dance with you all evening."

That was true. She'd avoided doing anything with Tony unless she needed to be putting on a show so that Matthew could see or so that her parents would be glad she had a date.

"Alright," she finally acquiesced. Anna gave her an encouraging wink, before Mary allowed Tony to pull her onto the dance floor.

Right as they stepped on the floor, Mary spotted Matthew right across the way. He was sitting at the table with her parents. It was likely her father had invited him to sit with them. She could see them all happily chatting away with Matthew's new girl. Her mother was especially happy, it seemed. She was bent over, whispering something into Lavinia's ear. Mary wanted to pry herself away from Tony's hands and walk over there to see what they were speaking about. But she reminded herself that this is what she wanted, what she had caused.

"Your friend…" Tony spoke, making Mary glance up.

"Anna?"

"Why does she look so familiar?"

Mary laughed. "Tony, you've known me for years. Certainly you remember Anna?" She guessed they never really hung out in the same circles, Tony and Anna. Mary often had to go to these fancy events that you would never catch Anna Smith willingly attending, unless Mary begged her to come along. And for the past couple of years, she had Matthew to go along with her.

"No, but I'm sure I've seen her somewhere recently. I just can't put my finger on it."

"The papers probably. She's become quite famous, known as The Lucky One."

"Ah," Tony smiled, knowingly. "Yes, that is what I know her from. You know, I'd told Alex he was going to get caught. He's always thought he was untouchable, but I warned him."

Mary's blood ran cold. "What?"

Her feet stopped moving and her hands dropped from Tony's.

"You know Alex Green?"

"He works at my company," Tony easily said, unbothered. "Alex is always trying to get a leg over, but I've warned him that he…."

"You knew he was drugging women?" Mary breathed, her heart now racing in her chest. "He drugged my best friend and you…you don't see how that is terribly, terribly wrong?"

"Well, Mary, it's not that simple…"

"It is!" Her voice was rising now. "It is!"

"Mary," Tony was attempting to calm her, as to not to cause a scene. But it was too late for that. Mary was finding it hard to see straight, the room was spinning.

"Get out!" She screamed, not caring about everyone who had stopped what they were doing and turning their attention on her. "Get out now!"

Tony was glancing around, his lips curling up into an uncomfortable smile.

"Mary, perhaps we should…."

"GET. OUT."

Not wanting any more attention than he was already getting, Tony quickly scurried away. Mary only then realized how much attention she had drawn and she shook her head, straightening her shoulders, before quickly making her way out to the courtyard.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"What on earth was that?" Robert's voice was asking.

"I don't know," Cora replied. They both were astonished by Mary's behavior. But Matthew was already on his feet. Something was not right. He had never known Mary to cause such a scene. She was always on guard, prepared to make sure she presented herself as the perfect, eldest Crawley daughter.

"Matthew?" Lavinia was up beside him, her eyes drawn on his.

"I must go," he told her.

"Right," Lavinia's face was covered in hurt. Matthew knew he needed to say something to assure her that this was nothing more than concern and that he was still hers. However, the words did not come.

"I'll be back," was all he could promise.

He followed the path that Mary had taken, sure that she was headed to the courtyard. It would be quiet there and she would be able to gather her thoughts, before having to return to where the moment had taken place. But before he could reach her, he ran into Anna. She appeared just as concerned as he felt.

"What…what was that?" Matthew asked Anna, because if anyone knew, it would be her.

"I'm not sure," Anna honestly answered.

"Something's not right here, Anna," Matthew was now pleading. He needed to know what had happened to change Mary so drastically, so quickly. Anna had to know what it was. If Mary wouldn't tell him, perhaps she would.

"Everything has just been going on," Anna brushed off, "And I think with what happened to me, it triggered…." Anna quickly paused herself, realizing she had said something she shouldn't say.

"Triggered? What was triggered, Anna?"

"She's only been worried about me," Anna said, patting his hand. "I'll go and talk with her. I'm sure she's fine."

Matthew wanted to insist that he be the one to go and talk with Mary, but he knew it might be best to let Anna do it. Mary no longer wanted anything to do with him. Him going out there might make it worse.

"Alright."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna found Mary pacing at the edge of the courtyard. It was growing darker and darker outside, and so Anna almost missed her. She asked John, who had followed her, to remain back so that she could talk with her friend.

When she reached Mary, she saw that there were tears in her eyes. Anna frowned.

"Oh, Mary," she sympathized. "Let's sit down."

Although Mary didn't speak, she did agree to sit on the bench nearby. Her body was shaking uncontrollably, but with anger or sadness, Anna wasn't sure. She handed Mary her handkerchief and brought her arm around Mary's shoulder.

"You can't keep up like this," Anna quietly said, holding Mary tighter. "I think it's time you come to terms with what happened." Mary stiffened under her hold, quickly standing and turning away from her friend.

"Nothing happened Anna!"

"Nothing? Mary, you're losing it! You broke up with Matthew, you chopped off your hair, and now you caused a scene at your sister's wedding. This is not like you," Anna tried to get her to see reason.

Mary turned to face her, taking a deep, angry breath. "Maybe it is. Maybe I am tired of being the Mary that everyone expects me to be."

"And this is the Mary you are now?" Anna asked, incredulously.

"Maybe it is." Now she sounded like a petulant child, crossing her arms across her chest.

"You need to see this for what it is, Mary. It isn't healthy for you to live like this. I'm only worried about you."

"I have seen it for what it is," Mary bit back. "I know exactly what happened and what I did. I don't know why you insist on making it more sinister than it is."

"I wish it wasn't, Mary," Anna's voice became softer. She stepped toward her friend. "But I think you really need to look at the facts and see what it was. I don't want you to lose yourself because of it. Perhaps, if you really listen to…"

"And then what? Tell Matthew?" Mary let out an unconvinced laugh. "You more than anyone should know that people don't always believe you."

Anna paused. Then she felt as John stepped up behind her.

"Does someone not believe you?" He asked, worried. Anna turned to him and smiled, wishing he wasn't here for this conversation that was taking place. She still had not confided in him about her past and there was so much here that he couldn't understand.

"No, everything is fine, John."

"Do the police not believe you?" He searched her with concern.

"That's not what I'm talking about," Mary butted in.

"Don't listen to her," Anna dismissed, waving for John to move away. "She doesn't know what she's saying."

"Oh, so you're allowed to keep secrets, but I'm not? Got it."

Anna felt the heat rising up her cheeks from both embarrassment and anger.

"I can't talk to you when you're like this."

"I don't want to talk with you anyway," Mary bit back. Their eyes remained on one another's for a moment longer, before Anna finally turned away and grabbed John's upper arm.

"Let's go."

As they headed back inside, John whispered, "Who isn't believing you Anna?" She met his eyes and shook her head.

"It's nothing. Mary was just speaking about the silly people on social media, you know the ones," Anna lied. John twisted his lips. Anna had found him to be protective of her and she knew he hated seeing the people online discussing whether or not she had deserved to get drugged or not.

"Are you sure that's all?"

"Yes," Anna strongly stated. "Now, come on, let's get inside and let Robert and Cora know that Mary is alright, that she just needs a moment to take a breather."

To be continued...

More soon!