A/N There is a continuation error in this chapter, so please don't go back and read the last chapter too carefully. That's what you get for not being ahead in your writing I guess. Also, if anyone out there is an expert on 'effect' and 'affect', I could certainly use the help. Finally, don't look up the last word, you should have to wait just like Anna.

I don't own….

The next evening found John standing at Anna's door at half seven, just as he'd promised. He tried to juggle the takeaway bags and Anna's gifts into the hand holding the drinks to allow him to knock. After a few attempts with no success, he resorted to kicking the door gently with a foot.

It didn't take Anna long to answer and when she did she had to laugh at John's predicament.

"Here, let me take one of the bags," she smiled, stepping back into her flat, "how much did you buy? We're both leaving town for more than a week tomorrow."

John put the cup carrier and packages down on the hallway table and began to shrug off his jacket, "It's not as much as it looks." They gave one another a quick kiss and he continued, "I couldn't very well come without a mango lassi for my lassie, could I?"

"Preparing your Scottish vocabulary?" she groaned.

John shrugged and smiled as he kicked off his shoes.

Anna lifted the bags, looking at the logo, "You got kebabs? That's just what I need the night before a long train journey. What are you trying to do to me?"

John approached her and slid his arms around her waist, "Maybe I was hoping you wouldn't be able to go."

Anna rose on her tip toes and kissed his cheek, "Fat lot of good that would do. I'd just be home alone and miserable, and you'd still be on your way to Stirling with your mum."

She slipped from his grasp and made her way to the kitchen. John turned and placed the drinks on the table, then followed her.

"Can you grab a couple of plates?" Anna asked as she began unpacking the bags.

Turning Anna in his direction, John took her hands and placed them on his own hips, "In a minute. I haven't had a proper kiss yet."

Their kiss was long and lingering. When it ended, Anna sighed, "What am I going to do without any of those for nine whole days?"

"I'm trying not to think about it until I absolutely have to," John commiserated.

"Wow," Anna looked a bit shocked, "that was surprisingly 'unbroody' of you, Mr. Bates."

"You're having a positive effect on me at last. Come on, let's eat before it gets cold."

When they finished their meal John insisted that Anna go and begin packing and he would do what little washing up there was. He also offered to make them a cuppa, but Anna refused, asking him to join her once he had tidied the kitchen. She convinced him that they could have their tea and biscuits and exchange gifts once she was packed.

When John finished in the kitchen, he made his way to Anna's room and stood in the doorway. He leaned against the frame, not quite ready to enter.

Anna stopped what she was doing to look at him, "Aren't you coming in? You can have a seat you know."

"It's a little intimidating, to be honest. I mean, this is Anna Smith's bedroom."

"I've already packed my underthings, if that's what you're worried about. I figured we didn't need a repeat of the 'black boxer briefs' incident."

"It's not that…"

"I assure you you're quite safe," Anna smiled, her tone light, "I didn't attack you when I was in your room, did I?"

"Maybe it's not you I'm worried about."

Anna stared at him for a moment. Taking a breath, she spoke very carefully, "You're welcome in here anytime, John. You know that."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I'm just not ready. Not until the divorce is settled. But you have no idea how difficult it is for me to say 'no'."

"It should be getting easier," she teased, "I've given you enough practice."

John nodded his head, "But it doesn't get easier. It's getting harder."

A silence stretched between them, leaving the double meaning of his words hanging in the air. Suddenly, and at the same time, they burst into laughter.

"Oh god," John groaned, rolling his eyes and blushing profusely.

"Come in and sit down, silly beggar," she said as she returned to her packing. She waved toward the end of the bed, "Here, hand me that cardy over there."

John brought it over, feeling a great sense of gratitude that Anna continued to make things so easy for him. Above anything else, she was the best friend he had ever had. He handed the sweater to her when something caught his eye. It was the hoody Anna had stolen from him, and it was already in her suitcase.

"That's funny," he quipped, running his fingers over the garment, "I used to have one just like this."

"Did you now? What a coincidence," she answered, not making eye contact, although John could see the slight smile on her lips. "What happened to it?"

He played along, "A girl I fancied borrowed it."

"Did you ever get it back?"

"I don't think so, but you might know better than I. You know, being a woman and all, you understand how they think."

"I think she probably wanted to take it on holiday with her so she could feel close to you while you were apart."

"Is that what she did?" he whispered in her ear, placing his hands on her hips from behind.

"Mostly likely," she answered quietly, continuing to pack. "So... whatever happened to you and the girl you fancied?'

"Didn't I tell you?" he continued, his voice low and husky, "She and I eventually lived happily ever after."

Anna turned in his hands. "Did you?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

John placed his hand on Anna's cheek and pulled her even closer, "We did. I promise you, Anna. We will."

"Oh, John," she sighed, but before she could say more, he kissed her softly, pouring as much feeling as he could into the action.

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Less than an hour later, she sat facing him on the settee with her legs crossed under her.

Anna's eyes sparkled as she handed John his present, "It's not much, but I hope you like it."

"Of course I'll like it," he smiled in return, "it's from you. But you really didn't have to get me anything. You've already given me so much, Anna. Truly."

"Don't be silly," she sighed, pressing the gift more firmly into his hand. "Come on! I want to see what you think."

He turned the package over and carefully unfastened the tape. Placing the still pristine paper to the side, he lifted the lid and removed the deep blue and green tartan scarf inside. He couldn't believe how soft it was. She must have spent a quid or two to get one of such high quality.

"Anna, this is beautiful."

"I hope it's the right one. The woman in the shop said it was the Keith tartan, and your grandmother was a Keith, right? Those are the relatives you'll be staying with in Stirling?"

"They are," he reassured her enthusiastically.

She beamed, "Well now you'll have something to help you blend in. And keep you warm," she added.

"Because you keep stealing all my jumpers," he teased.

"Exactly!"

He looked at the scarf again and then back at the smiling Anna, "It's perfect. Almost perfect. I'll think of you every time I wear it."

"That was the idea," she teased.

He frowned, "Do you really think I could forget you?"

"I'm not taking any chances, Mr. Bates."

John shook his head, "You're ridiculous, you know. I haven't even thought of another woman since the moment I met you."

"That's very flattering, but you haven't seen every woman in Scotland yet. There might be one who could turn your head."

John was about to complain, but she reached out her hands, bouncing up and down, "My turn. What did you get me?"

John leaned to the floor and retrieved the bag containing Anna's gifts. He reached in and set three packages in front of her on the couch.

"Three? Now who's being ridiculous?" she scolded.

He handed her the first one, "I bought this one first and the others just sort of happened."

"Silly beggar," Anna flashed him a cheeky grin, "I'll have to thank you properly for each one."

"That was the idea," he quipped.

Anna ripped the paper enthusiastically and was delighted to find a CD by the choir they had seen at the Christmas Choral.

"To remind you of our first official date," John explained unnecessarily.

"As if I could forget." Her eyes sparkled and John's breath caught in his chest.

He handed her the next gift, a slim envelope, "This one happened on the way back from the Business Men's lunch."

Anna opened it and took out two tickets to a classic film festival happening in February.

"Rob bought a set for he and Cora and I know how much you like classic films," John explained. He noticed the odd look on Anna's face and rushed to continue, "But they got tickets to the Sunday showings, I made sure ours were for Friday night."

Anna laughed at the way he could read her mind, "How did you manage that? I'm surprised Rob didn't insist."

"I didn't give him a chance. I waited until after we'd walked away a bit and acted like it was a sudden decision. I don't think he realizes just yet that we'll be going on different days."

"Poor, Rob."

"Too bad. Sunday afternoons aren't nearly as romantic as Friday nights. I can't very well put my moves on you on Sunday afternoon, can I?"

"Whyever not? I certainly wouldn't complain."

"Well for one thing, Rob and Cora would be right there…"

"True."

"And for another, it's Sunday. Sunday is a day for church, not a day for… well… you know."

"You're not even religious!"

"Still…"

"Silly Beggar," Anna said again with a fondness in her voice that made John's heart sing. God he loved this woman. He didn't deserve her, but he loved her. And he couldn't wait until he was able to tell her so.

"There's one more." He handed her a slim box from a small jewelry boutique in a trendy part of the city. It was a gold pendant on a chain with the word "Anamchara" written on it.

"Oh John," Anna sighed reverently, "It's beautiful. Is it Gaelic?"

"It is. It's pronounced 'ann-am-kara'."

"What does it mean?"

The look John gave her was so soft and loving that she could barely breathe.

"I'll tell you sometime. I promise. But not tonight. Just know that it's true."

She took it from the box and handed it to him, "Will you put it on for me?"

"Of course," he said, taking it gently, "turn around."

Anna turned and lifted her hair so he could place the chain around her neck and fasten the clasp. When he was done, he gently placed his lips against her bare skin. She sighed and leaned back against him then sighed again as he wrapped her in his arms.

"Is this alright?" she asked.

"More than alright," he murmured into her hair, "God, I'm going to miss you."

"I know. I can't believe it's only been a week."

"Two weeks," he corrected, "but who's counting?"

"Has it been that long?"

"Oh yes, Thursday, December 10th. Tomorrow it will be exactly two weeks. Again, not that I'm counting."

"Silly Beggar."

"You keep saying that."

"You keep being that."

He pulled her just a bit tighter, "Don't get tired of me, Anna. Please don't ever get tired of me."

She turned in his arms and tucked her head under his chin, "I couldn't, not ever."

"Anamchara," he whispered.