Kandahar, Afghanistan - Present

Anna raised the bottle to her lips, smiling over the top at John as he opened his hands. "I never said it didn't happen I just said it didn't happen like you tried to tell them."

"Oh come on," Anna managed a quick swig before placing the bottle on the small table between them. "You were trying to deny you almost got had by a tranny in Bangkok."

"It is Bangkok. What else can you expect to happen there?"

Anna scrunched her face and moved her shoulders up and down, "About what happened there."

"Point made." They both laughed as John raised his bottle, pointing at her. "What were you doing there again? I forget what an upstanding combat surgeon like yourself was doing in Bangkok."

"Upstanding surgeons take holidays."

John pffted, "Not to places like the Bangkok red light district."

"It was a dare."

"Nope, don't believe it."

Anna leaned forward, "Believe."

They sat in silence a moment, John resting his bottle on the table, "I think about what happened sometimes."

"Do you?" Anna ran her finger around the edge of her bottle as John nodded. "In a good way?"

"Of course in a good way."

"Because you don't mention it in your emails."

"Your emails are property of the British government and I don't want them accusing you of distributing porn."

Anna snorted, "What we did wasn't that adventurous and we don't even have video so…"

"Still," John shook his head, "I didn't want some intern in the office getting his rocks off on the descriptions of how often I think about what we did and what I wanted to do again."

"Well, that's going to have to wait until we're not so professionally entangled." Anna took another swig of her bottle, "With you as my shadow I don't think it'd be appropriate."

"Definitely not." John smiled at her, "But I am serious."

"I wouldn't accuse you of being anything but." Anna stood, "However, we're going to have to let the past stay past for now and the future…"

"To be continued?"

"To be continued." Anna agreed, "But you can walk me back to my tent since I've not got the lay of the land quite yet and I'd hate to stumble somewhere accidently."

"Yeah, best not do that." John set his bottle next to hers and opened his hand. "Allow me to escort you gracious lady."

"Thank you kind sir." Anna nudged him with her elbow as they fell in step with one another. "I'm still curious about that story, from Paris."

"The one stalled because everything from here to eternity's blocking it?"

"That's the one." Anna shrugged, "I was always fascinated by what you said you found in the archives there."

"Me too." John scratched at his head, "How often do you find traces of a reporter who shares your name and lived over half a century ago?"

"Can't say I've ever found that." Anna paused as a series of trucks passed in front of them. "Then again, I've a really common name so I'd only be surprised if they shared my occupation."

"Really?"

"Try googling 'Anna Smith' and watch how many results come up."

"John Bates isn't much better."

"I'd guess not." Anna sighed, "So you found him?"

"Traces of him. Found a headstone in Yorkshire." John waved it off, "Lovely little spot but there it was, in bold letters: John Bates."

"That's it?"

"Man died in the late eighties but that was all I could get from the headstone." John shrugged, "And he worked at the Manchester Guardianat one point."

"Good on him."

"I know," John smiled, "Man U to the end."

Anna huffed, "That's not what I meant."

"I know." John grinned, "But everything else about him's a total mystery."

"For a reporter that feels exceedingly odd." Anna frowned, "You've not found his articles or anything?"

"I found the ones he wrote for the Guardian before they posted him as a foreign correspondent to Berlin right before World War II but then I can't find any of the articles he wrote while there."

"Is that part of the information problem you were talking about?"

"Or they got rid of what he wrote." John grunted, "There's a few sources that claim he then worked as a war correspondent and they might've tossed his work from Berlin to protect identities or something but overall I think the answers are in Berlin."

"If only you could get there."

"If only." John shrugged, "It's like the realization that most of the history of the earth is lost to time."

"Or that there's music out there you'll never hear because it's in another language or from another century or just because you don't even know it exists." Anna sighed, stopping in front of her tent. "I've been down that rabbit hole and it's kind of depressing at the bottom. I wouldn't recommend camping there."

"I'd offer you the chance to camp on my bed but I think you'd frown on that." John grinned and Anna smiled back.

"Oh, Mr. Bates, you've no idea how much I want to go round two with you but… needs must and the need, right now, is that we must refrain."

"Mores the pity for us."

"It certainly is." Anna held out a hand to him, "But, once you've satisfied your employer and you're no longer my shadow I don't see why we can't play a bit in the shadows ourselves."

"I'd like that." John leaned forward, whispering in her ear, "I do think about that night."

"I do too." Anna replied, "And I'd send you the sordid details but people are reading my emails."

"Ah," John exaggerated a groan, "You're the worst."

"Maybe you could handwrite some to me, like the old days."

"And risk someone opening your mail?" John shook his head, "Best to leave it to the imagination."

"What if I don't live up to expectations?" Anna teased.

"I doubt that's possible."

"Or," Anna gasped, putting her hand to her mouth, "Heaven forefend you don't."

"I highly doubt that." John winked at her, "Goodnight Major. I'll see you in the morning."

"Bright and early, you can participate in PT."

John groaned, "I left military service for a reason."

"You need to keep your stamina up." Anna shrugged, "Just in case the chance ever arises again."

"With that incentive," John stepped back, "I guess I'll see you at O-five-hundred?"

"On the dot." Anna watched him go, her mind wandering to the last time she watched him leave.

Bangkok, Thailand- One Year Before

Anna swallowed the shot, grimacing and turning to the brunette on the stool next to her. "Alright, you're turn."

"I dare you," She held up a finger, grabbing the counter to keep herself from swaying off the stool, "To walk the red light district."

"That's no fun!" Gwen complained, holding her bottle close to her as someone staggered toward her, tripping from the brightly flashing dance floor. "We won't see it if she goes."

"Then come with me." Anna took the last shot, holding it up, "Because I, Anna May Smith, do take your challenge Mary Crawley."

She knocked the drink back and gagged on it, "Maybe they've got better drinks there anyway."

"WOOO!" Mary hopped off her seat, needing Gwen to hold her up from behind. "Anna's walking the night!"

"I think she means you're a street walker." Gwen translated, steering Mary toward the door.

"I think she's completely skunked." Anna held the door open and stuck her arm out for a passing cab. "But she did warn us."

"That's why we didn't let her bring a wallet."

"Quite right." Anna opened the door for Gwen. "Remind me never to get married."

Gwen put Mary's arm over her shoulder and they climbed into the cab. "It's just a bachelorette weekend. No harm, no foul right."

"Except we're on orders to make sure she doesn't end up coming back with a VD or something equally ghastly." Anna took the front seat, "Red light district."

The man raised his eyebrows and Anna shook her head, "It's a dare."

They drove to the area and Anna paid for the cab before helping Mary out of the seat. They held her between the two of them and started walking down the road. But when Mary lurched they both held her hair back as she vomited into the grate on the side of the road.

"Okay," Anna soothed, rubbing over Mary's back as Gwen shot her a look. "I think we need to get you back to the hotel now."

"No," Mary coughed and Gwen dug a small water bottle from her bag to hand over so Mary could swish and spit. "You've got to complete the dare. That's the game."

"Or what, some demon'll kill me?" Anna snorted, "I'm not into bad horror films."

"You did promise," Gwen shrugged, "And it's just a block. Take a picture at the end with your phone and then catch a cab back to the hotel."

"And you'll be able to manage her?" Anna and Gwen both stepped back as Mary started vomiting again. "I knew we should've taken her to Barcelona instead."

"She'd get this drunk either way." Gwen lowered her voice, "Though she's a lot drunker than I thought she'd get for someone who keeps saying she's excited to get married."

"She'll say it's just nerves." Anna looked around, "But it's because she hasn't told Matthew about Kemal."

"That was years ago."

"They were still dating." Anna shrugged, "It's none of my business but I think this is more about gilt than anything else."

"When I get her back should I take her phone or something?"

"Maybe if she drunk dials Matthew and tells me the truth she'll feel better." They both turned at the sound of Mary retching again. "Though we're going to need a lot of water and a bucket of aspirin."

"Get it when you've finished your walk of shame and I'll get her into a shower." Gwen sighed, "She smelled like a brewery."

"I think we all do." Anna waved down a cab, "Get her in there and I'll finish the dare before I get her water."

"Alright." Gwen wrangled Mary into the cab, covering her face in her hands as Mary leaned out the other window to vomit again. "Sooner rather than later I think."

"Best get on before he charges you're a fortune to clean the side of his cab."

Anna watched them go and blew out a puff of air before walking the street. She posed for a picture at the end, snapping it quickly before turning to the road for a cab. As she did someone stepped in front of her and Anna jumped slightly.

"You look a little lost."

"I'm fine, thanks." Anna tried to get past him but he did not move.

"I could help you get wherever you're going."

"That's not necessary."

"I speak Thai."

"So do I." Anna went to push past him, "I'm in a hurry so please let me by."

"I think you need a little fun before I do that." He closed in and Anna stiffened but both froze when they heard someone call out to them.

"There you." The new man put a hand on Anna's shoulder, "I thought I lost you near the night market but then here you are."

"Here I am." Anna shifted her jaw as the man turned to the first.

"Thank you, for keeping her company while she got us a cab. That's nice of you."

"I was-"

"We'll be off then." The second man put his hand just below Anna's elbow, helping steer her away.

"What are you doing?" Anna hissed but the man kept his focus forward.

"Just keep moving and I promise it'll be alright."

"It was going to be alright there."

"He had a knife."

"What?" Anna went to look but the man kept her gaze forward on the road and the cab he flagged down.

"Just get into the cab and let me out few blocks from here." He climbed in after her and Anna gave the address of her hotel. He sighed and offered her his hand, "Sorry about all that. John Bates."

"Anna Smith." She took his hand, retracting quickly, "I hope this isn't some two-bit you've got going with him to catch unsuspecting tourists."

"What?"

"If you're working with that man to play good-cop, bad-cop or something-"

"No, no, absolutely not." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a wallet, "I'm a journalist."

Anna frowned at the credentials and raised her eyebrow at him, "Doing research on the red light district?"

"Well I actually just escaped being snogged by a transvestite."

"Got something against them?"

"When I'm expecting a woman and I get a man in drag I tend to be a little less than pleased." John shrugged, "Kind of kills the horse, if you know what I mean."

"I think so." Anna shifted in her seat, "And you happened to follow a transvestite into the red light district?"

"I'm doing a story about sex trafficking and I was caught unawares." John stopped, "Though I'm more curious what you were doing in the red light district."

"Last part of a game of truth or dare."

"Did you pick truth?"

"I picked dare." Anna took a breath, "I guess it's appropriate for me to thank you now, for your help."

"You're welcome. It wasn't anything I wouldn't do for anyone else about to be accosted by some drunk idiot on the roadside."

"If he'd tried anything he'd be the one disappointed."

John smiled, "Would he now?"

"You're looking at a karate black belt and the boxing champion for not just my weight class for women but men too." Anna sat back, "It's what the Army does for you."

"Teaches you self-defense?"

"Gives you the confidence to break someone in half when they try anything."

"So what rank goes with the credentials and name you just handed me?"

"Major." Anna leaned back, "I'm not here in any official capacity though so we can leave that rank at the door."

"Wouldn't dream of using it." The cab pulled to a stop and Anna got out, John on her heels. "Is it too late to ask you to share a drink with me?"

"For me?" Anna shrugged, "No, but my friend's already vomited three times tonight and I need to get her the aspirin she'll need to soothe the splitting headache she'll have tomorrow and the water to keep her body actually working."

"Then can I help?" John raised a hand, "I know a good remedy for what she's probably got swirling around her gut."

"You want to help me get my friend sober?"

"The drunk ones aren't fun once they start to smell."

"Alright then," Anna opened her hands, "Lead the way."

Less than an hour later they returned to Anna's hotel, arms laden with supplies, and knocked on the door. Gwen answered it, looking harried, and only opened her mouth at John before ushering them both inside. "She's called him."

"Oh no." Anna set the case of water bottles on the table and went to the bathroom door where she could hear sobbing. "Mary? Mary it's Anna. Open the door please?"

"Go away. I've ruined everything!"

"Mary?" Anna stepped back from the door at the sound of vomiting and turned to Gwen. "How long's she been like this?"

"I'm starting to think it wasn't just that she had too much to drink."

"Which she did."

"I think it's what she ate."

Anna frowned then groaned, "That hot soup at lunch."

Gwen nodded, "But we've got water and she'll be alright by morning."

Anna's phone buzzed and she pulled it from her pocket. "Shit."

"What?" John and Gwen's voices came in unison and both turned to one another in confusion before looking at Anna again.

"It's Mary's dad." Anna cringed, "He's in Bangkok and he's coming here."

"Why?"

"Matthew called him." Anna tapped out a reply. "We need to scram. I'm not going to be here when the General gets wind that I let her get this drunk."

"Then I'll stay with her, so she doesn't die in the meantime." Gwen waved her off, "I'll send an all-clear when it's safe."

"Thanks Gwen," Anna kissed her cheek, "You're the best."

"Sister 'til the end." Gwen shooed her out, "Go!"

Anna took a few things and escaped to the hallway with John. Looking over at him Anna smiled, "I'll bet this isn't how you pictured your evening going."

"No but it's not as bad as I thought either." John opened a hand to her, "You're welcome to bunk down with me."

"You're in this hotel?"

"No, it's close by though and you can get some shut eye there while you wait." John led them down the street and into the small place he was staying. "Just don't make a sound because-"

"And who's this?" Both turned as a small, Thai woman came from the back, beaded curtain swinging behind her. "You know the rules. No prostitutes here."

Anna opened her mouth to argue but John put his arm around her shoulder. "She's not a prostitute, Mrs. Meesang, this is my wife."

"Wife?" Mrs. Meesang shook her head, "No way you get someone that good."

"If I was a prostitute there's no way he could afford me." Anna countered in Thai and the woman's eyes widened. "And I came to surprise my husband so if you don't mind, we'd like to go to bed now."

Mrs. Meesang had nothing more to say as they climbed the stairs to the room John rented. He let Anna in and tried to restrain his laughter. "That was amazing."

"I'll admit, it was rather nice." Anna sat on the edge of the bed, dropping her things in the nearby chair. "First night in my life I walk the red light district, get accosted, pretend to be someone's wife, and then get accused of prostitution."

"I think we pretended you were my wife twice." John took the only other free chair, clicking on the aircon with an old remote and then wincing at the groan of the motor. "The lovely accommodations of a journalist."

"At least it's got aircon. I once spent six weeks in Myanmar, sweating my ass off in a tent in the middle of the jungle."

"It must've have done you much good." John quipped and Anna stared at him.

"How so?"

"You've still got a nice ass."

"Do I really?" Anna leaned back on her hands, "And what else is nice about me, Mr. Bates?"

"How long until the shitstorm at your hotel calms?"

Anna shrugged, "Depends on what version of Mary's father's in Thailand."

"Then," John leaned forward, "Since we're married, I thought we might enjoy the privileges of the marital bed if you're open to it."

"When in Rome…"

"We're in Bangkok."

"Then we should probably live up to the name." Anna waited for John's eyes to widen at the comment, "I'm in the military, the joke could've been worse."

"I'm sure." John knelt down in front of her, "Anything off limits?"

"I'm a bit of a traditionalist."

"Protection?"

"I'm taking something but if you've got a condom that's not from this country I don't mind extra precautions."

"I imagine your position might demand that." John reached around her to a bag and pulled out a gold wrapper, "As it happens, I agree. Better safe than sorry and British made."

"Good." Anna tipped her head forward, "Because I'd like to get started."

"Me too."

John's lips met Anna's and her hands immediately came up to cup his face as he leaned her back onto the bed. Her leg wrapped over his hip and slid the material of her thin skirt up enough for the rough denim of his jeans to brush at her inner thighs. She moaned into his mouth and pulled away.

"You've not got any VDs or anything from your research have you?"

"It's not that hands on." John kissed at her neck, "You?"

"I'm clean."

"Boyfriends I should worry about hunting me down?"

"Nope." Anna caught back a cry as his hands worked under her vest to caress her breasts through the material of her bra. "You?"

"Only an ex-wife but we've been divorced for a year and we hadn't had sex for at least three before that." John stopped, "Hope that doesn't give you the wrong impression."

"I can feel your impression through your jeans, Mr. Bates." Anna grinned, lifting her hips to grind against him. "I'm pretty sure you'll be fine."

"I hope so." John took her mouth and they worked to shift themselves up the bed.

Anna worked away enough to kick off her shoes, dropping her skirt and vest on top of them as John wrestled himself free of him polo and jeans. The moment he was exposed to her, Anna pressed him back to the bed and ran her fingers over his chest while planting her lips back on his. He gave into her, sculpting over her body as they rolled a bit until Anna turned in his arms so John could finally figure his way around the clasps of her bra.

She leaned into his hands, gasping and sighing at the feeling of fingers working over her. The back of her hand tried to muffle the shriek she made when he teased into her knickers but did nothing to stop the strangled exclamation of pleasure when John's fingers worked the fabric over her sensitive nerves.

"You're not drunk are you?" He whispered in her ear, "Because I'd hate to think I seduced someone not in control of themselves."

"I'm entirely in control of my mind, Mr. Bates." Anna bit her lip, "Maybe not of my actions but I'm sober enough."

"Me too." John worked her knickers off, kissing a trail from the rise of her ass to her shoulders. "I hope you don't mind if we continue this sooner rather than later?"

"Please go for it." Anna buried her head in the pillow when she heard the snap of his boxers hitting the floor before he pressed against her. "Hard as you can."

"I'm already that." He thrust in, holding her to him a moment as they settled.

"Move."

"Yes ma'am." John grinned against her shoulder and rocked his hips to hers, working them into a position that had Anna on her hands and knees. "Is this alright?"

"If you move faster it is."

John obeyed, rutting into her with all the speed he could manage and Anna scrunched the thin sheets in her hands when his fingers came around her hips to work her to her climax. He followed a moment later and lowered her carefully to the mattress before stepping away to dispose of the condom. Anna shifted enough to give him space on the bed while her chest tried to expand enough for her lungs to fill with air.

They finally turned to one another and Anna grinned at him. "That was probably the best sex I've ever had with my husband."

"From experience, best from my wife." John reached a hand forward, pausing, "Can I kiss you?"

"After what we just did I'd say yes." Anna waited for him to end the kiss before arranging the pillow behind her head. "When do you finish up here?"

"Day after tomorrow." John bunched his own pillow behind him. "Then it's back to Manchester for a stretch, then London, then Belfast, then wherever they send me next."

"Manchester?"

"I've got a story I'm following there."

"Intriguing." Anna took a breath, "London?"

"Work."

"Belfast?"

"Holiday," John shrugged, "Visiting my mother."

"Lucky her." Anna sighed, "It's another day or so here then back to hospital."

"Hospital?"

"Harrogate." Anna adjusted on the sheets, "I run the ward at the military hospital there."

"Good on you."

"Thank you." Anna smiled, then her face fell a bit, "I hope you'll have time to come and visit, since you'll be in Manchester."

"I hope so." John took a breath, "Though I hope it's not too forward to suggest we could see each other a bit more while we're here."

"I'd like that." She grinned, "Make sure you won't forget about me before you go so far away."

He shook his head, "Not possible."

"And you're not worried that I'll forget about you?"

"Never."

Anna laughed, "You're very sure of yourself, Mr. Bates."

"Of course I am." John took her hand and held it over his heart, "Because I know that distance is just a test to see how far love can travel."

"Writer."

"Cynic." John kissed her hand and released it, "I do hope you won't miss me too hard. I can't have you following me around the globe begging for affection."

"I've not got time for that." Anna tilted onto her side, using her hand to hold her head, "But I could email you."

"I'd like that." John let out a breath, "I hope there's a chance for a round two later."

"Definitely."