Their date was amazing. While making their way down to the lobby in the lift, John had placed a hand on Anna's lower back. He was gratified when she took the slightest step nearer his side. Next, she had taken his hand and laced their fingers together on their walk to the concert. John was fairly certain that the shiver running through him at that point was only partially due to the temperature outside.

When they got to the church, he let Anna lead him to a seat toward the front. He happily slid in beside her and placed his arm around the back of the pew, almost, but not quite, touching her shoulder. He did help her rearrange her wrap and she smiled at him in thanks. They spent several minutes looking at their programmes and discussing the merits of the various pieces of music on the bill for the evening.

As the music started, John looked to the performers for the first song or two, but it didn't take long before he was looking almost exclusively at Anna. His "date", he reminded himself with a grin. As she listened to the mostly religious music she was transformed into an angel herself. She was completely absorbed. There was a warm glow in her eyes and the smile on her face was truly transcendent. He couldn't fathom what he had ever done to earn her attention and interest in him. She was the most beautiful, intelligent, funny and interesting person he had ever met, although Rob would probably pout to hear him say so.

And she was brave. Thank god she had the courage to ask him out and make it clear that tonight was a date. He wondered if he would have done so himself in time. Thank goodness he didn't have to wait to find out. He liked to think that he would have done something when his divorce became final, but he wasn't so sure. He had a reputation, mostly fostered by the Crawley family, for being brave. He had saved Robert's life, survived a stint in prison, and overcome his alcoholism, they insisted. But he knew better. His alcoholism was the quintessential act of cowardice on his part. A way to escape the pain of an injury and a bad marriage. His efforts to save Robert were purely an attempt to keep the best friend and closest relationship he had ever had, besides his mother. And he had only admitted to a crime he didn't commit because he knew prison was his best chance to give up the drink once and for all; his only chance to get his life back. No, he didn't understand what Anna saw in a mess like him, but here, in church, he decided not to question it. He would just accept it for the miracle it was.

As they left the concert, Anna reached for his hand again and he was more than happy to pull her to his side. As they walked, he looked down at her and spoke, "I made a reservation at Cafe Milano. Do you know it?"

"No," Anna smiled, "I've heard it's quite good and quite posh. We could have just gone to Luigi's. That would have been fine with me."

"I didn't want to take the chance of running into someone from work while we're on a real date."

Anna's smile faltered and she took a step away from him, "No, of course…" she looked at the ground ahead of her instead of at him.

John noticed the change and quickly stepped in front of her to block her path. He lifted her chin and added, "Oh god. Not because I don't want anyone to see us. It's because…" his voice dropped to a lower volume and he began to blush, "it's because I don't want to share you with anyone. Not tonight."

"Truly?" she asked.

"Truly."

She smiled again. Taking his hand, she pulled him along the pavement, "Come on, Mr. Bates. It's freezing out here."

When they got to the restaurant, John made a point of pulling out Anna's chair for her. She spent a moment or two taking in the atmosphere. The room was dimly lit with seemingly hundreds of candles. There was romantic music playing softly in the background and the menu looked fantastic. When the waiter arrived, John ordered a glass of merlot for Anna and a sparkling water with lime for himself.

"This is lovely," Anna gushed, looking around the dining room again.

"No more than you deserve," John purred.

"John," she touched the back of her neck with her fingers and blushed.

"I mean it, Anna. You say the room is lovely, but it's not half as lovely as you are. You take my breath away."

Anna was overwhelmed by John's words and the look in his eyes. She had always loved his eyes. They we indescribable, seemingly containing every possible color in differing combinations depending on the light. Tonight, they were a deep chocolate brown with flashes of amber. Anna felt she could spend forever looking into them.

"So," Anna said, to give herself time to get in control of her feelings, "is this where you bring all your dates?"

"Well," he paused and seemed to think for a second, "considering I haven't been on a date besides this one in...what? Eighteen, twenty years? Yes, this is exactly where I take all my dates."

"Silly beggar," Anna giggled.

The waiter returned with their drinks and John made a toast, "To the change in our relationship." He raised his glass, eyes sparkling.

They both sipped their drinks. Anna put down her glass and commented, "Do you think our relationship has to change, though? I hope it doesn't change too much."

"I can think of a few changes I wouldn't mind."

"Like what?" Anna asked innocently.

John tilted his head to the side and raised his eyebrows not so innocently.

"Mr. Bates! That kind of talk is beneath you."

"No," John chuckled, "it's really not. Anyway, you couldn't have wanted everything to stay the same or you wouldn't have made it so clear that this was a date and not just dinner and a concert."

"That's true," she responded hesitantly, "I guess I was just thinking about how nervous we both were at the beginning of the evening."

John reached across the table and took Anna's hand, rubbing his thumb across the back, "But we're doing better now, aren't we?"

"We are," she gave his hand a squeeze in return.

"Anna, I don't think I've made it clear yet how glad I am that you asked me out tonight."

Anna swirled her wine in the glass, "So, how glad are you?"

"Very glad."

The rest of their dinner went extremely well. They had shared many, many meals together over the years and they easily fell into their normal patterns of chatter and teasing. A large topic of conversation was the staff Secret Santa exchange. John admitted that he had drawn Charles Carson's name for the second year in a row, while Anna helped him brainstorm ideas for what to get their slightly intimidating boss.

At the end of the evening, John walked Anna back to her flat. She pushed the button on the lift and while they were waiting John again fitted his hand to the small of her back. She again stepped next to him but this time she was so close that their sides touched. When the doors opened, he walked her to her door and held his hand out for her key. She placed it in his palm and as their hands touched, they both felt a surge of electricity. He opened the door and stepped out of her way.

She stepped over the threshold and turned toward him, not quite knowing what to do next. The two of them stared at one another in silence. Suddenly, they both felt another bout of nerves. When the silence stretched on, Anna laughed.

"So," she smiled, "here we are."

"Yes, here we are." John took her hand again the way he had in the restaurant, "I had an amazing time tonight, Anna." His voice was velvety and low and it made Anna's stomach flip pleasantly.

"So did I," she whispered.

He leaned in closer to her, playing with her fingers, "We should do it again sometime."

"We should," her eyes sparkled and she barely contained her smile.

"Is tomorrow night too soon? Assuming your free."

Her smile grew even wider, "I'm free. And tomorrow sounds lovely."

"Great, we can discuss plans at work, okay?"

"Okay."

"Well, I guess there's just one thing left to do then."

"And what would that be?" she asked, although she knew exactly what he was referring to. At least she hoped she did.

He cleared his throat, "I've admitted I'm a little out of practice, but it wouldn't be a proper date without a goodnight kiss, would it?"

"I suppose not." Anna was surprised at how calm her voice sounded when she was feeling anything but. She had played this moment over in her mind so many times, she almost couldn't believe it was really happening.

They stood very closely, neither moving. He still held her left hand while she played with the fringe on her wrap with the other.

John swallowed the lump in his throat and sighed, "I'm nervous again."

She pulled her wrap up onto her shoulder, then played with his tie, "You needn't be. I've imagined this moment hundreds of times."

He chuckled again, "That doesn't really help."

"Sorry."

"Hope I don't disappoint you," John whispered, leaning in more closely.

Their lips were almost touching when Anna replied, "I shouldn't think so."

She ran her hand up the front of John's shirt, causing him to briefly close his eyes and hum. He bent his head and captured her bottom lip between his, sucking it just a bit into his mouth before running his tongue along it. Anna's stomach did it's little flip again and she sighed into his lips.

They broke apart and John whispered, "Goodnight, Anna." He kissed her again fleetingly and took the smallest possible step back.

"Goodnight, John." She was just about to shut the door when she added, "And by the way… that wasn't the least bit disappointing."

"Thank God," he smiled broadly and turned to go. His smile remained in place all the way home in the cab.

When he got into bed, he took his phone and sent off a quick text: Goodnight Anna. Thank you for the wonderful evening.

It only took a minute for his phone to buzz. Goodnight John. I can't wait until tomorrow night.

Sweet dreams, he responded.

No doubt, she replied.