Hi there! Thank you to the guests reviewers for their always kind comments. You asked me not to keep you waiting too long so I did my best... Things are going to get better now ;)

- What the hell are they doing?!, exclaimed John in frustration.

It felt to him like they'd been waiting for centuries in the police station hall while the police processed Anna's and Vera's cases. In truth it had been a few hours, but the night was well under way and it seemed to John these were the longest hours of his life. Matthew had been allowed inside to assist Anna as her solicitor, but John and Mary, after having given their testimony, had been made to wait in the lobby.

- I mean, he went on, it's been two hours since Thomas brought that guy and his video. Surely they should have figured out by now that she only acted in defence!

He got up and started pacing the hall nervously.

- John…, said Mary soothingly. I'm just as frustrated as you are. But you know how these things work. You've been there yourself. It always takes ages…

- Yes, I've been there, precisely, he replied. I know how it feels to be in there, questioned like you're a criminal! I just can't bear to think of her going through this and…

His voice cracked as tears came to his eyes once more.

- And not be able to do anything for her… And to know that I am the reason she's there in the first place!

- Now, John, stop the nonsense please! It's not your fault. How many times do I have to say it? You did nothing wrong!

Seeing that he kept pacing, Mary sighed and got up to meet him. She stood in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. She reached for both his hands.

- John. Stop. Breathe in, she said, breathing in deeply in demonstration, … and out.

He obliged.

- I care about her as much as you do, Mary added. Matthew is with her. We have dozens of testimonies and a video. It'll be alright. We just need to be patient. OK?

He breathed in and out once again, and said:

- Yes. You're right. I know. I'm sorry… It's just… She's been through so much already because of me and my wretched relationship with Vera… This is just the icing on the cake. How she is still here with me I cannot comprehend. Anyone else would have fled to a saner world long ago.

- Maybe she does love you, said Mary with a crooked smile. Wouldn't you stand by her if the roles were reversed? If she was being tailed by a crazy abusive husband?

John thought for a moment and replied calmly:

- Of course I would.

- Well there you go. She loves you. Period.

She squeezed his hand once more in comfort, and added:

- I'm going to fetch myself a cup of tea from the machine. Care for some?

- Yes, please.

-Alright. Come on. It can't be much longer now.

x x x x

They had both dozed off on the uncomfortable chairs in the police station's lobby, and startled awake when the inside door finally opened, two more hours later. A large policeman passed through the door first, his frame completely concealing Anna's petite form. Compared to him she seemed even smaller than she really was. Matthew was behind them.

- Anna!, exclaimed John, jumping on his feet and opening his arms wide.

She ran to him and immediately disappeared into his embrace, sobbing her heart out.

- Oh my sweet darling, I'm so so sorry, he whispered in her ear. Are you alright?

She nodded against his chest, hugging him with all her strength until he could barely breathe. Mary patted her shoulder in sympathy and turned towards the policeman:

- So? What now? She's free? Can we go home?

- Yes. We've examined all the evidence, and it is clear that Miss Smith was not the aggressor here. She will not be prosecuted.

- Thank God, murmured John. What about Vera?

- Mrs Bates will be kept in custody for the time being.

- And have you had news about her brother? Is he…, asked Mary fearfully.

- He's alive. He has woken up already. He will spend a few days in the hospital, but when he's discharged we will be taking charge of him for illegal weapon carrying and use. Now, concluded the policeman, I advise you all go back home and get some sleep.

- Thank you officer, said John, as the policeman turned to go back inside.

It was a long moment after the officer had left them to their own devices that Anna's sobs calmed down a little. John held her silently, gently rocking her until she finally stopped crying.

- Come on love, he said softly. Let's get you home.

- Yes, she whispered in a hollow voice.

She disengaged herself from his arms, and turned back to Mary and Matthew.

- Thank you so much Matthew. You too, Mary, for waiting with John.

- Of course, said Mary. I wouldn't have slept anyway.

The small blonde and the tall brunette hugged each other, then Anna shook Matthew's hand.

- My pleasure Anna. Call me if anything else comes up.

- I hope not, she said with a rueful smile. I've had enough.

- Do you want to come and stay at our place?, asked Mary. Will you be alright, you two?

- Thank you, but no, said Anna. I want to be home. We'll be alright. Won't we?, she added, turning to John.

- We will, he replied with a gentle smile.

x x x x

John sighed, as he held Anna tightly snuggled against his chest, lying spoon-fashion on their bed. He felt her still lightly shivering, as the adrenaline of the previous hours finished leaving her body.

- I'm sorry love, he whispered.

- I know, she replied softly.

- All this pain I've put you through… I wish that I could take it all away.

Anna's hand came to rest on his, and squeezed lightly.

- It's alright John. We'll be alright. I'm so glad he's not dead… God I was already picturing myself standing at a murder trial.

She shuddered harder at the thought.

- Yes, thank God, he added. If only they could just leave us be. I hope this time the police are going to do something real.

- Yep. Well, at the very least, she said, now I think we've got solid ground for the emotional harm divorce…

John chuckled bitterly.

- I love how you always point to the bright side of things.

- Well I need to, else I'll go crazy, she breathed, turning on herself to come face to face with John.

She snuggled closer for a moment, burying her face into the crook of John's neck, and finally let out a deep sigh:

- God I miss Sassenach. Usually I would forget my woes by petting her and listening to her purr in my ear…

- I know you do. I'm sorry. I can try to purr in your ear while you pet me, if you'd like, John added, raising the corner of his lips.

She laughed lightly.

- Silly beggar.

- Always, your silly beggar, he replied.

After a short moment of silence, he lifted her chin up so that he could look deep into her eyes:

- Seriously, though. Thank you, so much, for sticking with me in the midst of all this craziness. I mean, you saved my life, and then you've stood by me through thick and thin, or should I say thin and thin, more like. I can never make it up to you for that. I swear, when we're finally rid of those two psychopaths, I'll spend each and every day of my life trying to make you happy. I love you, Anna Smith, more than I've ever loved anyone else. I'll never love anyone as much as I love you.

Tears shone now in Anna's tired eyes, and she whispered:

- I love you too, John Bates. That's the only reason I'm here with you. I've no choice.

He left a butterfly kiss on her nose before going down and meeting her lips. When they parted, he said:

- You should sleep now. You're completely exhausted.

- I am, she agreed.

He took her back into the crook of his arms, and whispered:

- Sleep my love. I'm watching for bad dreams.

He settled his head on the pillow, and started gently caressing her hair. He didn't stop until he heard her breathing become more profound and regular, and he knew she had fallen asleep.

x x x x

A few months later

Mary and Matthew had invited John, Anna, and Alistair to dinner at their house, following the announcement of the verdict in Vera's and Patrick's trial. Gathered around the living-room, Mary had offered everyone a glass of champagne, save for John who had asked for a sparkling water, and she raised her glass:

- So, shall we raise our glass to the downfall of the O'Sullivan gang of nutters?

John laughed.

- I only hope they've got it that it's really time to stop now…, observed Anna.

Vera had been sentenced for harassment, death threats, and animal cruelty, to a suspended prison time and a very large fine, along with the interdiction to come back to England for five years. Her brother had earned six months in prison, and a disciplinary procedure that according to Matthew was bound to result in his being expelled from the Irish police force.

- They would be really stupid to go on, said Mary.

- You know what part felt best to me?, said John. It was not hearing them sentenced or anything. It was seeing the whole O'Sullivan family suddenly realize what kind of twisted people they had nurtured for so long without knowing, or without wanting to know. The look of shame and disappointment on Mr and Mrs O'Sullivan's faces all through the trial… Both Vera's mother and her sister Molly wrote to me a few days ago, saying they had no idea what Vera was really like with me, and how they were sorry that they hadn't noticed what she was doing to me when we were together. She had always managed to make me look like the bad guy in the eyes of her family, so let me tell you, this is a huge relief…

His eyes shone a little too brightly as he recalled all those years of lonely suffering, and Anna squeezed his hand in support.

- It'll soon be over, darling, she said.

- When is it, that you're going to Dublin to sign the final divorce statement?, asked Matthew.

- In two weeks, replied John. Oh God I can't believe we're that close.

- And after that, we were thinking of taking some time off and going on a little trip, somewhere far away, so that we can finally leave all this creepy crazy stuff behind us for good. Won't you mind, Mary?

- Oh, no, I'd say you've both earned it, laughed Mary. Only if you could wait until Thomas is back from his paternity leave?

Anna laughed back.

- I think I can handle that. How are the twins by the way? Oh I feel so bad, I have not called on them for ages…

- Growing up like weeds…, said Mary. I went to see them last week. I swear each time I go there, the babies look bigger, as do the dark patches under Thomas's and Richard's eyes… Really it could make one question one's desire to become a parent…

Everyone laughed.

- Oh, well, I guess it's a good thing we've already answered that particular question, then, said Matthew in an innocent tone.

Anna straightened in the couch and turned to Mary with an inquisitive look on her face.

- What… What does he mean, Mary?

Mary blushed and playfully shoved Matthew on his arm:

- Why thank you, I thought we said we weren't telling anyone yet?! I haven't even told my parents!

- So it's true then?, said Anna. You're expecting?

- I am, smiled Mary.

- Oh, wow, I'm so happy for you!, exclaimed Anna, hugging her friend fiercely. But I thought you said you were in no hurry?

- Oh, well, it seems watching the boys prepare their nest has roused some maternal instinct in me… It suited Matthew well, since he was dying to be a dad!

- Congratulations, Matthew, said John, offering him a handshake.

- Thank you. I am ecstatic, said the father-to-be.

- So that's why you've not touched your champagne glass, noticed Anna, winking at her friend.

x x x x

The late summer evening was warm and John and Anna had decided to walk back home after dinner. They strolled at a leisurely pace, hand in hand, on the river banks.

- Am I mistaken, said John, or does this almost feel like happiness? Only I don't have a lot of experience in that matter…

- I'd say it does, replied Anna with a smile. Do you think it really is the end of them ruining our lives though?

- I very much hope so…

- I'm so glad for Mary and Matthew…

- Yes, they looked very happy, agreed John.

- One day it will be us, John, she said, stopping to look into his eyes hopefully.

- Yes, it will, he said. It's all I'm asking for.

His palms settled on the sides of her neck, his fingertips meeting just below her hairline, sending sweet tingles down her spine. She smiled shyly as he lowered his head slowly to taste her lips.

- Our new life is beginning two weeks from now, he said softly. We'll have forever to build our family.

- I like that, she replied in a whisper, as a lone happy tear strolled down her cheek.