Hello everyone! Here is a new canon divergent story John/Anna for seasons 2 and 3 of Downton Abbey. Other featured characters will include (but not be limited to): Robert, Mary, Mrs. Hughes, Thomas, and more. Some of the lines in this story will be taken from the show. Those are not mine.

This story was inspired by an episode of Outlander, which is why the title may sound familiar if you watch that ;). Outlander and Lemacd are why this story has come to fruition. Thank you, Lemacd for being my sounding board and trying to keep my muse in check ;).

Thank you all- AlexisRose

Sing Me a Song of a Lad that is Gone

It was always dank and cold whenever she came for a visit. As she'd step up to the bars where they let her in, she could feel the cool chill run up her spine. Never had she imagined this was where they would be. The two of them should be in married bliss, but instead they were here. They were separated by the curse from a scorned and dead woman.

Anna inhaled sharply, listening to the squeak of the metal. She reminded herself that she had to be the strong one. It was not she who was staring at the possible future of a noose. She swallowed hard, before stepping into the room. Somehow, it grew colder. Her heels echoed with every step, reminding her just how solemn this place was.

It was always eerie. Too many months had been spent in this place. Too many months apart.

Finally, she was in the room with John. Upon seeing him, her lips curled up all on their own. Nothing made her feel more complete then him. She quickly made it to her seat and he had stood, ready to greet her. Her hands ached for him, but they were not allowed to touch. They had to remain apart. It was just another cruel element to all of this.

Anna took her seat and then John took his. His eyes bore into her soul. So many words were in those eyes that he didn't even have to say out loud: I'm sorry; how will you go on?; please forgive me. Of course, she believed he had nothing to apologize for. He did nothing wrong.

She shifted in her chair. It was hard and uncomfortable. Today was her last meeting with John before the trial, the trial that would grant his fate. Each day as it grew closer, Anna found it harder and harder to sleep.

"I've missed you." John's voice was gruff. It was clear he also suffered from a lack of sleep.

"I always miss you," Anna quietly said. They were surrounded by other prisoners and their guests. Anna hated that their meeting could not be private, that all their words would be heard by those around them.

"And how are you feeling?" John's eyes fell to Anna's large belly. Her hand rested on the bump and she gave him the faintest smile. It was so bittersweet: this little one who was her gift but who also may never know its father. Tears prickled in her eyes, but she had promised herself that she wouldn't cry. She blinked them back.

"Well," she told him, hating that she couldn't reach across to take his hand. He hadn't even been allowed to feel the baby move within her. They hadn't touched in so many months. "Dr. Clarkson says everything looks perfect." Her lips attempted to quirk up into a smile.

"I wish I could be there with you through every step."

"I know," Anna nodded. "But I can handle it. You have to focus on what comes next."

"Right," John quietly replied. "Mr. Murray thinks a reference from an earl will go in my favor. I'm not sure such things matter, when it comes to murder."

"I think it'll help." Anna had to hope. She had to hope for a brighter future for them and their child. It was what helped her through each day. Hope was what kept her moving forward.

"Because you want to think so. Anna, you must prepare for the worst. I'm not saying it will happen, but you must prepare for it." Anna's hand rubbed against where her child had just kicked her. The tears were starting up again. She swallowed them down.

"I know it could happen," she replied, carefully. "I do. But the time to face it is after it has happened and not before. Grant me that."

John kept his eyes on her and didn't speak for a solid minute, only giving her a nod. She could see in his face that he had already given up hope that he was prepared for the worst. But Anna could not go there. She couldn't accept that there would be a world without John.

"I…" she paused. "I have started preparing the cottage for us." Once Anna knew she was with child, Lord Grantham and Lady Mary had decided it was best to give her a home. Anna still lived in the house for now, because the cottage was lonely. However, once the baby was here, she would move in. It would be easier to manage the baby's cries and late nights. They had not decided how things would work once the baby was born. Lady Mary told her she still wanted her to work for her, but Anna wasn't so sure. But the house had made her still feel welcome and that was so incredibly helpful.

"Anna…" John sighed.

"Let me have this, John. I need to prepare for our future. And even if you aren't with us, I will need a home for myself and our child."

John's lips curled up slightly at that.

"Our child," he murmured happily.

"Yes, ours. No matter what, we will have that."

"Lord Grantham has promised he will care for you and the child, Anna. I have peace knowing the both of you will be safe."

"We will be," Anna whispered, furrowing her brows.

"Have you thought of a name?" John asked her next. It was a nice change in conversation, a look to the future.

"No, I don't think it will come to me until I see his face," Anna told him. She had tried to think of names. The two of them had even written one another and discussed names, but none of them seemed to fit. "Is there a name you want?"

John shook his head. "I think you should name our child, Anna. You have carried our baby. You will deliver him or her. I know you will choose the perfect name."

"I hope so."

"You will. I need you to do something for me," John then said. Anna felt her heart tighten.

"Alright, what is that?"

"Please don't come to the trial."

Anna knitted her brows and shook her head. She let out a disbelieving laugh.

"You are joking, right?"

"No, I am not. You are with child, Anna. The trial will be stressful and it would be best for you to take it easy that day."

"Take it easy? There is no way that I could do that, John. I have to be there. How dare you ask something like that of me," Anna added. She reached out her hand, just quickly brushing her fingertips along his hand, before slipping it back so she wasn't caught. "I will be there. It is my job as your wife to be there. I have to show that I support you, that I trust you."

John blinked. His face was solemn.

"I want you and the baby to be safe."

"And we will," Anna promised. "But I won't be able to handle it, not knowing. I must be there, John. I have to be."

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

The world was a cruel and harsh place. John had known that to be true. But Anna had shown him light, again. He had begun to believe in a world where happiness could exist and it did exist when he was with her.

Yet, it was dark again. He could still hear Anna's scream when the ruling was called: guilty. Soon, he would be saying his final goodbye to her. He would likely never get to meet his child, never know if it was a boy or a girl. A tear slid down his cheek. He pressed his hand against it to wipe it away. He had to try and be strong for Anna. She would be with him, in this room, shortly. He didn't want her to see him this way.

The door opened and he stood, ready to greet his wife. But she was not there. His brows set and he felt a heaviness fill him to his very bones.

"My lord?" He breathed. Robert Crawley gave him the most somber of smiles.

"Bates," he greeted. "I do hope it's alright I came."

"How…where is Anna?" Had she given up on him? But no, he told himself. Anna had been nothing but a pillar of strength through all of this. She would not leave him at the very end. It was not in her character. There was something else.

"She wanted to come," Robert stated. "Let's sit. It's been a long couple of days."

John's head slightly shook. "No, please, Lord Grantham, please tell me what has happened to my wife."

Robert's lips and jaw tightened. Something flashed over his face and John could tell that he was debating with how to reply to John. Would he tell him the whole truth or only part of it?

"I need to know," John pleaded.

"Yes," Robert regretfully agreed. "You do. It is your family." He cleared his throat, as John stood, expectantly. "Anna went into early labor. I'm sorry, Bates, but the baby did not survive."

To be continued...

If you would like more, please let me know. Thank you for reading.