A/N Thank you to those of you who continue to read and review. It means the world, it really is so encouraging. In other news...I'm working on the next chapter of FFF.

I don't own...

John looked over the heads of most of the crowd on the train platform, searching for Anna. He couldn't believe how anxious he was to see her. The thought that they had come close to having a disagreement over the past couple of days left him feeling rattled in a way he couldn't quite describe. He felt like they wouldn't be completely on the same page again until they were face to face. He smiled as she caught his eye and couldn't help but laugh as he saw her bouncing on her toes and waving as he approached. Apparently, she was as anxious as he was.

As soon as he was close enough, Anna launched herself into his arms. He immediately dropped his valise onto the pavement and bent at the knees, lifting her so that her face was on the same level as his own. They wasted no time speaking but kissed immediately. In no time at all, they were drinking each other in like they had been separated for months instead of mere days.

Still holding Anna off the ground, John began to trail kisses across her jaw and down her neck. Between kisses he whispered, "I missed you so much. You have no idea how much I've missed you."

With her arms wrapped around his neck, she answered him, "So have I. Oh god, so have I," she kissed his hair, his ear, anything she could reach, "So, so much."

He put her down and retrieved the bag he had so hastily discarded, "Let's get something to eat, shall we?"

Anna was so happy to see him, she couldn't even fashion a reply. Instead, she smiled up at him and nodded vehemently, wrapping both her arms tightly around the one he had free of luggage. John's heart soared to feel how tightly she held on to him. It was like she was afraid he would go away again and that she couldn't bear the thought.

"How was your trip?" she asked.

"Not as good as my homecoming," he smiled in return, eyes fully crinkling and sparkling. "Where should we go to dinner?"

"I can't think," she laughed, "I don't know."

He stopped briefly and kissed her again, "I missed you."

"Me too."

"I don't like it when things are strained between us," he confessed.

"Me either," she agreed.

The words that hung between them almost slipped past his lips. They were springing to mind more and more frequently, but this time, the idea of them made him happy. Soon, he thought, I'll be able to tell her soon. For now, he was thrilled just to be having dinner with her.

They found a little cafe near the station and placed their orders. They didn't speak, instead staring at one another and smiling like fools. John reached across the table and took Anna's hand. He played softly with her fingers and eventually entwined them with his own, but even that wasn't enough contact so he traced his thumb across her palm.

"Let's go," Anna suggested.

"What?" John asked, as he continued to trace his patterns on her hand.

"Take me home."

The timbre of her voice sent a feeling through him the likes of which he had never felt, but still he managed to ask, "We've just ordered. Are you sure?"

"I'm very sure, Mr. Bates. Very, very sure."

Again, there was no mistaking the message in Anna's eyes or voice. She wanted him. Anna Smith wanted him as much as he wanted her. It both thrilled and frightened him. However, he was fully aware that he could never deny her anything. He rose and pushed in his chair.

"Let's go then. I'll go to the front and pay our tab. I can meet you outside."

They took the underground to the stop near Anna's flat and strolled hand in hand toward her home. On the way, they stopped at a little chip shop and bought an order of fish and chips, sharing it as they walked. Anna felt it was the most romantic thing she had ever done and John was just happy she was so happy. He felt humbled to be the one that put such a broad smile on her face. In that moment, it became his life's ambition to do whatever he could to keep it there.

Hands still full with luggage, when they got to Anna's flat he let her open the door and step inside first. He followed and then looked around.

"Where shall I put my things?" he asked.

Anna laughed, "You poor thing. I've made you pay for a dinner you didn't get to eat, traipse across town with your bags and look at you, you're still in your suit and tie."

"It's no problem."

"I tell you what," she beamed, "why don't you go into my bedroom and change into something more comfortable."

John cocked an eyebrow, "Aren't I the one who's supposed to be saying that?"

"Silly beggar," Anna rolled her eyes, "Should I make tea?"

John began to rummage through his things, looking for something to wear, "That would be great since I didn't get anything to drink with my meager meal. Maybe you could find a biscuit or two as well."

"I always have biscuits. And chocolate. And usually chocolate biscuits."

"I know," he winked on his way to her room.

Entering her bedroom, he stopped for a minute to look around, curiosity getting the better of him. In all the times he had been in her flat, he had never been in Anna's room. It seemed almost a sacred space to him. It was flowery and bright, just like Anna herself. Not surprisingly, there were books piled high on the nightstands on both sides of her bed. And there, folded neatly on one of her pillows, was his hoodie. He closed his eyes and swallowed. She really was sleeping with his shirt.

For some reason, he went over and brushed his hand along it. He took a moment to look at the pictures Anna kept by her bed. There was one of her family and a few with Mary and Gwen, but the one he liked the best was of the two of them. It had been taken at a bonfire at the Crawley estate a year or so ago. Their heads were pressed together and the fire light had their faces glowing. He remembered it was one of the first times she had ever snuggled into him for warmth. She had taken his breath away that night, and she still was, another year on. Suddenly, he couldn't wait any longer to be in the same room with her.

By the time John returned to the sitting room, Anna was already on the sofa, scrolling through her Netflix queue. He kicked off his shoes and stuffed his work shirt and tie into his bag, which Anna had placed out of the way at the back of the couch.

"What took you so long?" she smiled, "I missed you."

John threw her the half smile she loved and answered, "I, um, got distracted."

Anna's look was questioning, but she didn't say anything. She merely patted the space next to her that she was beginning to think of a "John's spot."

He sat and she immediately snuggled into him. She put her hand on his jumper and caressed the expanse of his chest. Then she turned toward him more fully and wrapped her leg over his thigh.

"Is this alright?" she asked sincerely.

"Let me think," John teased, "the most beautiful woman in the world wants to drape herself across my body? Yeah, I'm okay with that."

What amazed him was that he was okay with it. He was okay with the way this whole evening was going. More than okay in fact; it was the stuff of his dreams. Even though Anna had cut their dinner plans short and was now literally draped across his body, he felt completely safe. It might be an amusing or ridiculous concept to some, him being so much larger than her, but he wouldn't have felt this way with Vera. He would have been on guard against some plan she was working to try to manipulate him or get him into bed. But he had made it clear to Anna that he wouldn't sleep with her until he was truly free and he trusted her completely. She might cajole him into doing things that were good for him or a little out of his comfort zone, but she would never trick or force him into something that was against his principles.

He sighed and Anna asked him, "Are you alright?"

"Mmmm, I'm perfect."

"I know," she answered, looking into his eyes.

"That's not what I meant," he clarified.

"Nevertheless," she whispered, placing her palm on his cheek and guiding his face down to hers for a kiss.

"What should we watch," she asked as she resumed scrolling through her queu.

"Does it really matter?" he mumbled around kissing her temple.

"That's up to you, Mr. Bates," she purred.

"Oh god. Don't leave it up to me," he begged, "we both know you're stronger than I am."

"Maybe not in this particular area. But I'll try to be good." She laid her head back on his chest and continued her movie search, "How about 'African Queen'? We've been wanting to see that one for awhile."

"Sure."

She clicked on the movie, then leaned up and handed him his tea and a biscuit. Once her hands were free, she got her own cup and leaned back against him to watch the video.

John was tired. The weather, busy schedule and train travel had taken their toll on him. Besides that, he was happy and comfortable. It wasn't long before he had drifted off and was lightly snoring.

It wasn't usually flattering for someone to drift off in the middle of a date but in this case, Anna didn't mind. She was glad he felt at ease. Besides, he looked gorgeous slumbering away on her sofa. His face was perfectly relaxed and that one lock of hair that never seemed to stay put was hanging across his forehead in the way she loved. The weight of his arm around her felt heavenly and the rise and fall of John's chest as she rested her head there was the most soothing thing she had felt in ages. She would happily stay like this forever given the chance.

The movie ended however, and Anna had a choice. She briefly considered leaving John sleeping on the couch until morning. After all, he had clothes to change into. What she really wanted to do, she admitted to herself, was invite him to stay in her bed. But, she reminded herself, that was off the table, for now.

She kissed his cheek and whispered, "John…"

Never a very heavy sleeper, he woke immediately.

"Oh god, Anna. I'm so sorry. How long was I out?"

"The movie's over."

John leaned his head on the back of the couch and sighed in frustration. Before he could say anything, Anna reassured him, "It's fine, really. I kind of liked knowing that you feel comfortable enough to relax around me."

"Well that's seeing the glass as half full."

She blushed as she answered, "Not everyone gets to see you sleep."

"No," he rasped, "not everyone."

They sat, just looking at one another for several moments while John ran his hand up and down Anna's arm. Finally, she roused herself and stood, beginning to gather the tea things.

"Alright you, out you go. We have work tomorrow," she chirped.

As Anna left the room for the kitchen, John reached for his shoes.

"I told you you were the strong one," he shouted to her.

"As long as one of us is strong at a time, we should be fine," Anna teased as she re entered the sitting room and stood by the door, "It's your turn next time."

John took his luggage and placed it by the door, then turned and pulled Anna into his embrace. Anna's hair had gotten mussed from their time on the couch and John gently brushed it off her face. His fingers sent a shiver right through her. She couldn't get enough of him.

"How about, after work tomorrow, I take you out for that dinner we missed tonight?" he asked softly.

"That would be lovely."

"How about," he stepped closer, "right now," he nuzzled against her ear, "I kiss you goodnight?"

"That would also be lovely," she smiled and wound her arms around his neck playing with the short hairs at the nape, kissing him deeply.

"Jesus, Anna," he moaned, "the things you do to me. You can't kiss me like that on a day I'm aloud to be weak."

She placed her palm against his cheek, "You better go," she whispered, closing her eyes.

John rested his forehead against hers and sighed, "Yeah, I better."

"See you tomorrow."

John looked at his watch, "Let's say 'see you in a matter of hours'. It sounds better."

He walked out into the hallway and pressed the button on the lift. Stepping in, he turned and said goodnight one more time, right before the doors closed.