A/N: I haven't had the best of days and writing always cheers me up, so I decided to write this as the idea's been in my head for a while. If you haven't seen series 4 and don't want spoilers, then stop reading now. The rating is T for this one, it's not too graphic but I wanted to be safe; it was bad enough for everyone to watch 4.03 in the first place, and I don't want to make it worse:/ This is set as if Bates catches Green just before. I haven't changed the rating on the whole story as the rest of the chapters will (most likely) be K+, but just a warning- this is a bit angsty. I really appreciate reviews, so please tell me what you think!
He should go and check on her, he hated disagreeing with her. What if she'd fainted; what if something had happened? He should really go and check on her, to say sorry at least. He hadn't meant to raise his voice at her, especially with everyone else there-he'd sworn after he was released he'd never do that- but there was something about that man that set his teeth on edge. Green liked Anna a lot, it seemed, and Bates knew he couldn't trust him. Casting a look to where Green was sat, his eyes widened and his heart felt as if it had stopped beating. Green was not where he was supposed to be. His seat was empty. There was only one place he could be- downstairs. Exactly where Anna was.
The last few seconds of Dame Nellie's performance seemed to go on forever. John liked opera, it was soothing and Dame Nellie had a beautiful voice, but he couldn't concentrate on the music, not now- not with the thoughts that were running through his mind. He muttered his excuses to Mrs Hughes, grabbed his cane and set off for the green door that separated upstairs from downstairs- the door that separated peace and tranquillity from...Oh God, he had to get to her. She would probably roll her eyes in loving exasperation at his anxiety, but he had to be sure.
Bates reached the last flight of stairs before the Servants' hall and had to stop- his knee was protesting vehemently. Gritting his teeth, he was about to descend the stairs when he heard a loud crash; a scream- Anna; a man's shout- Green's shout. It was as if the pain in his knee had disappeared as he flew down the stairs, probably faster than some of the footmen could manage. The screaming merged into strangled cries as there were more crashes and bangs.
He momentarily stopped in horror at the scene before him, Anna was struggling helplessly and Green was trying to drag her. They hadn't seen him yet, but the clatter of his cane on the hard floor gave away his position. He lunged at Green, ignoring the throbbing in his knee and threw him up against the wall. The shock and wild panic in Green's eyes was clear to see, although he tried to hide it.
"You bastard," Bates spat.
Bates thumped him in the stomach (prison had been an education), so hard that Green doubled over and yelped in pain. He flopped onto the table before sliding onto the floor, exactly where he belonged. Bates was about to kick Green, to really finish him off, before he heard Anna's sobbing and pleading.
"John please...don't, please don't..."
His heart broke when he saw her crouched in the corner, head buried in her knees and traces of blood on her hairline. He took another look at Green- the bastard, but he wasn't worth it. Bates knew should've killed him for what he did, but then Anna would be truly alone: that just couldn't happen, not now. He stumbled towards Anna, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. There were voices, coming from outside- on the stairs probably, he couldn't tell. Nothing else mattered in this moment, only Anna. He crouched in front of her, reaching for her hand and gently brushing the hair out of her face. She continued to sob uncontrollably but gripped his hand tightly, as if she never wanted to let go.
"Oh, my darling..." He couldn't think what else to say. What do you say when the person you love most in the world is in unimaginable pain? He sat beside her, cradling her head and wrapping his arms round her small frame, which seemed so much smaller now. She buried her head in his neck and took a deep breath.
"John he was going to...if you hadn't come down he would've..." she gave up trying to speak and held onto him tightly, tighter than she ever had before.
"Shhh, I know. It's alright, you're safe now," He stroked her arms and kissed her head lightly, trying to soothe her.
They sat in the corner of the servants' hall and cried together.
Mrs Hughes had come down and seen Mr Green sprawled out on the floor, unconscious still. Her eyes were then drawn to the far corner of the room where Anna and Mr Bates sat. Anna was whimpering softly now, exhausted from battling and screaming and crying. Mr Bates had his head buried in her hair, occasionally pressing kisses there and mumbling words of comfort. She took a look at the state Anna was in; her dress was torn slightly, her hair messed and her eyes red and blotchy. They both looked distraught- Mr Bates knuckles were red, slightly bruised and looked sore. Taking another look at Mr Green, the penny dropped and she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Anna and Mr Bates' heads both snapped up; upon seeing the woman she considered as a second mother, Anna sunk back down and continued to whimper. Mr Bates held her gaze longer, nodded slightly to confirm Mrs Hughes' worst fears and then lowered his head slowly, closing his eyes and drawing his wife closer to him. He continued to press soft kisses onto her forehead as Mrs Hughes stepped slowly towards them and Anna looked up as the older woman got closer. Mrs Hughes didn't want to question Anna, she knew the younger woman better than to pry.
"Come to my sitting room dear, you'll be more comfortable there," Mrs Hughes spoke in a soft tone and placed her hand on Anna's shoulder comfortingly. Anna nodded weakly and tried to stand, before yelping at the pain that shot sharply through her foot. Mr Bates caught her by the arms before she fell, then held her waist and studied her face intently. He wiped some stray tears with the back of his hand and she smiled weakly in gratitude. She held his gaze for a few moments, and couldn't help a small smile forming at the loving look in his eyes- the look that was always there when he looked at her. Mrs Hughes left to prepare some warm water and cloths, and to leave them alone for a few moments.
"Thank you, so much...for coming down when you did, I..." Bates shushed her gently and kissed her forehead, holding her lovingly. They stayed like that for a while: holding each other in the servants' hall.
Without him she didn't know how she would heal, but with him beside her, she knew they'd get through it; together. One day at a time.
A/N 2: Updates will be a bit slower after this chapter. I'm working on a story over on Wattpad so I'm quite busy with that at the moment. If you're interested in reading any of my work on Wattpad then PM me, I'd love to know what you think!