A/N: I couldn't resist squeezing this in before Christmas, and I'm glad to say it's back to fluff for this chapter:') It's Christmas Eve as I'm posting this-Merry Christmas my dear readers! This one's set a couple of weeks after John is released, so it's sort of a follow on from chapter 2. There's a bit of dialogue from the show here, so credit to Julian Fellowes and the Downton crew for that, and the characters. At least my imaginings are my own...Anyway, moving swiftly on, I hope you enjoy and please leave a review, I'd love to know what you think!

Anna was supposed to be concentrating on scrubbing the mud out of Lady Mary's riding gear, but, as was common over the past couple of weeks, she found herself preoccupied. It was getting late, almost time to walk back to the cottage, and her mind was on her husband-she smiled warmly at the thought-and the very belated honeymoon they'd enjoyed last week, and were in fact, still enjoying now. John had been free for exactly two weeks, and in that time they'd both got happily used to each other and to married life together. That was not to say, of course, that she now took their life together for granted; his lengthy prison sentence had taught her never to do that.

John spotted Anna on her own in the servants' hall as he was halfway down the stairs, and not wanting her to notice him, he slowed down his pace and crept silently down the rest of the steps. Standing at the entrance to the servants' hall, he took a few moments to observe her. He still couldn't believe his luck, especially after the past couple of weeks. His cheeks coloured slightly at the thought and he looked at the floor and grinned bashfully. Hanging up his cane silently on the coat pegs, he sneaked towards her. His steps were silent, not his usual easily-distinguishable half-step. His knee was much better already- he hardly had to use his cane anymore.

He was now directly behind her; she still hadn't noticed his presence. He edged ever closer and breathed in the scent of her hair. Anna gasped and turned her head slightly; her grin widened when she realised who it was. His hands snaked around her waist and joined when they reached her front, resting on her stomach. John rested his chin on her shoulder and examined her handiwork. She was about to stop when he pressed a kiss on the side of her head and whispered in her ear;

"Oh no, don't stop for me.

Anna swore her face was about to split in two, but she somehow managed to contain her grin and carry on scrubbing. Her husband was now doing his very best to distract her- kissing her cheeks, neck, hair, anywhere but her lips. Unable to take any more, she slowly put down the material she was scrubbing and turned the tap off.

"This can wait."

Bates was still kissing every bit of skin that was exposed. Anna rested her hands on top of his and sunk back into his body. It was this simple domesticity that she had missed. He hummed in appreciation and they both chuckled and then fell silent, happy to stay quiet for the moment.

She slowly turned round in his arms and was met by a blinding smile from her husband. He pulled her even closer to him and she rested her palms on his chest. They each gazed at the other adoringly, neither caring about their current surroundings. He leaned down naturally and her eyes drifted close of their own accord. Their lips met in a soft, sweet kiss which was immediately deepened. Her eyelashes fluttered on his face and he could feel her smiling as their lips moved together.

His hands were now drifting up and down her back, occasionally stopping to stroke her waist or rest at the small of her back. Hers were busy teasing the hair at the nape of his neck. They were far too wrapped up in each other to notice Mrs Hughes exiting her sitting room just down the hallway. They were not kissing as passionately now as before, but still eagerly enough for the Housekeeper to feel slightly embarrassed. They're probably making up for lost time, she thought wryly, biting back a small grin.

They had broken apart now but were still holding onto each other tightly. Anna nuzzled into her husband's neck, her palms resting on his chest. John's arms were encircling her completely as he kissed her forehead lightly. Mrs Hughes scuttled back into her sitting room for fear of being seen by the pair, who would no doubt jump away from each other immediately before stumbling their way through their apologies. Mr Carson looked up from his seat-they had been chatting amiably over a glass sherry- and looked at her questioningly. She knew that look all too well.

"Never you mind." She fixed him with a stare, but she had piqued his interest now and there was no stopping the Butler.

"Now if I was a gentleman, I wouldn't want to know," he raised his eyebrows at her.

"But you're not." She admitted defeat.

"Thankfully." He quipped, and rose from his seat to peer round the door.

She expected him to gasp in horror at the sight and look away swiftly, but instead he smiled fondly at the sight: the normally stoic Valet and the Ladies' maid-who he knew Mrs Hughes considered her own daughter- wrapped up in a loving embrace. Mrs Hughes joined him at the door before her better judgement won her over.

"Come on," she sighed "let's give them some privacy." He hummed in agreement and the Housekeeper and Butler made their way to their respective quarters, both with fond smiles upon their faces.

A/N (2): This is the second time that I have written Mrs Hughes to be shipping them (or whatever they called it in the 1920's), but I just bet she does...Merry Christmas once again!