Anna gathered the papers off the desks, sighing to herself at the sounds of running and shouting in the halls. Someone knocked on the doorframe and she turned. A smile broke over her face as Mary waved at her.

"Hey there stranger? Fancy a night out for happy hour, like old times?"

"Sure you can in your condition?" Anna nodded to the distinctive roundness of Mary's stomach but the other woman only waved off the argument.

"I'd risk it for you."

"Then you've no idea how much I need that."

"Maybe I do and that's why I asked."

"Then I'd be a fool to say no."

"You're a fool anyway but I love you despite that fact."

Anna grinned at her friend as she filed the papers into her bag and finished tidying over her classroom. With the lights flicked off she went to the doorway and hugged Mary about the shoulders. Mary did not respond with as much enthusiasm but enough to let Anna release the hug before following Mary into the hall. "Why didn't you tell me you'd be in town?"

"Because I didn't know until last night." Mary shrugged, "Matthew wanted to surprise me with a weekend away."

"Pregnancy really doing a number on you?"

Mary patted the evidence of an incubating human, "It's not been easy, that's for sure. I can't even enjoy the same foods I used to and I get these really abysmal cravings."

"That's rough."

"It doesn't help that I'm teaching the most pretentious snobs in the nation."

"So, mini-yous?"

"Ha, ha, ha," Mary punched at Anna's arm. "Don't forget who landed your ass on the mat every time we sparred."

"When my back twinges I certainly don't."

"Keep in mind that even in my pregnant state I can do it again." Mary gestured to the hallway, "Here on this disgusting floor if I have to."

"Then let's not forget who smoked everyone in shooting." Anna paused, pointing to herself, "I do believe I set those records."

"We're not on the rang now."

"Then I'll be even better in close quarters."

"Whatever." Mary managed a snort, "But that's not the record I'm interested in."

"And which record do you care about?"

"I'm wondering a bit about the record for shortest engagement ever."

"That was low."

"It was." Mary faced Anna in the hallway, almost a tomb after the rush for students to abandon it. "But no less true."

"I hope you're not lying about a spur-of-the-moment weekend away that's really just an excuse so you can consult with me about how my love life crashed and burned in a matter of minutes."

"No, we're really here for a vacation and because my parents are throwing a dinner party to celebrate moving here." Mary shuddered, "My version of that was a bottle of Jack."

"I remember the bottle of aspirin the day after better."

"Not the point."

"Then make it, please."

"What happened Anna?" Mary threw up her hands, "I know I can rock back and forth like a fricking see-saw when it comes to my romantic life but you're solid like the Rock o Gibraltar."

"What a dated reference."

"And what a way to dodge the issue here." Mary folded her arms on top of her stomach, "What happened?"

Anna sighed, shrugging up one shoulder. "One minute we were having amazing shower sex and the next his ex-wife is beating a tattoo on my door before thrusting a pile of legal papers at him and claiming she can ruin his company."

"And that didn't sit well with him?"

"No, and for the sake of the thousands of people who could be out on their ass if he doesn't figure out how to appropriately hogtie his harpy then I do understand why he ran off like a bat out of hell." Anna took a deep breath, "But he didn't even ask me. He just made the decision and left."

"After he put the ring on your finger?"

Anna nodded, "He kept saying it was his problem to solve and that I didn't need to get involved. That I have a life here."

Mary snorted out a laugh and then hurried to cover her mouth, "Sorry, I thought you said he thought you had a life here."

Anna scowled at her, "If you drove the two and half hours to get here just to have a go at me then I'd advise you not to let the door slap your ass on the way out."

"Anna, if I thought you meant that, I'd throw down with you." Mary put an arm over her shoulder, leading them toward the exit. "I understand where he's coming from but I'm on your side."

"To the bitter end."

"That's why we're friends." Mary tapped Anna's nose, "Now let's go find something greasy and full of salt so this twerp stops jamming his fist into my backbone."

Anna led them to the parking lot, "I don't suppose you'd say no to Mrs. Patmore's fine dining would you?"

Mary squirmed, "I don't want any of my former students to see me like this and shout, 'so he finally knocked you up'?"

"They wouldn't."

"Some might."

"Well I'm opposed to fast food on a Friday night since that's a bit below my dignity." Anna opened her car door and popped the lock for Mary to take the passenger side, "What little of it's left."

"You've got plenty of dignity." Mary pointed the blade of her hand at the school behind them, "You walked right back in there on the first day and acted like you're soul hadn't been torn from your chest."

"Thank you Mary." Anna buckled into her seat and turned the ignition, "I guess exposing myself to the horrors of high school on a daily basis really isn't nearly as horrible as I imagined."

"I can still tell when you're being a smartass."

"Then stop trying to cheer me up about being one of the shortest engaged women on record."

"At least it happened before he slipped the other ring on there or you'd have been the fastest widow on record."

Anna held up a hand, "Maybe we need to make a rule that you don't speak unless it improves the silence."

"How about we make a rule that you stop talking unless you can improve the silence."

"Every word that comes from me improves the silence."

Anna shook her head, "I don't think anyone ever told you differently in your whole life, did they?"

"Not sure I gave them the time." Mary waved a hand, "Mrs. Patmore's it is then. She'll at least try and give us some decent fish and chips and I want vinegar really bad right now."

"Mrs. Patmore's it is then." Anna steered through the familiar streets and parked outside the homey looking restaurant with welcoming lighting. "She does know how to help one feel at home."

"Doesn't she just though." Mary got out of the car, waddling slightly. "I feel like a penguin."

"You're missing your tuxedo." Anna slipped her arm through Mary's. "But I still like you… even though there's so much more of you to stand now."

"You can be so cruel you know."

"Oh, does Matthew just rub his hand over your stomach and say, 'there's just more of you to love'?" Anna mimed doing it but Mary knocked her hand away.

"I'll have you know that my sex life has never been better than it has since Matthew got me pregnant."

"Mary!" Both women turned and Anna covered her mouth to stop her laugh as a woman with the same bone structure as Mary and a man with her equally high opinion of herself came up behind them. "You're in public."

"And I'm also an adult." Mary turned to mutter to Anna, "Why do I suddenly feel like a teenager caught smoking for the first time?"

"That was an entirely different kind of public disappointment." The woman smiled at Anna, "How are you Anna?"

"I've been better but Mary coming for a visit's really making me feel much less under the weather." Anna hugged the woman, "And how are you Mrs. Crawley?"

"Please, you've known us for years, you can call me Cora." Cora slipped her fingers through her husband's. "Robert and I were just coming here for dinner since we can't get her fabulous cakes off our minds since the last time Mary brought us here."

"She's the best cook and baker we've got in the whole of Downton and maybe all of Athens County." Anna gestured to the door, "If it's not an imposition would you both join us for dinner?"

"That's so kind of you but we'd insist on paying." Cora simply glowed at her husband, "Robert's planned a party to celebrate our retirement and moving to town."

"Mary was saying you're having a party. Congratulations."

"It's just before Halloween and we do hope you'll find time to come. After all," Robert waved at the dusky town behind them, "You were one of our tour guides."

"I was and I thoroughly enjoyed it."

"Just as we enjoyed that dinner party you held at your house last time we were here." Robert followed his wife and daughter through the door Anna held open. "I do hope you're still there."

"I am. I sold off the last of the fields after they threshed the summer hay this year and now it's all being farmed by a lovely young couple. Actually, it's Mrs. Patmore's adopted daughter and new son-in-law."

"How wonderful." Robert paused, "You didn't cut too close to your house did you? John always talked about how secluded it felt to be buried in the trees and away from it all."

Anna swallowed, trying to keep the smile upright on her face, "No, I'd never sell that kind of privacy."

"Good. I always think people make a mistake when they give that up." Robert sighed, "But I guess John's got bigger problems on his plate of late than to worry about the seclusion of a house."

"I guess he does." Anna turned to the shorter, rotund ginger-haired woman who escaped the kitchen to wipe her hands on a towel. "We're here for a table and your delicious fish and chips Mrs. Patmore?"

"I've got one right in the back there." She turned over her shoulder, "Daisy, we've got four and they'll want fish and chips."

"How many?" A smaller voice called back from the kitchen and Mrs. Patmore did a quick head count.

"Four."

"Make that five servings, please." Mary put her finger in the air, "I'll probably devour two on my own."

"It's all the same to me and the more fish we can give you the less chance I have of losing the supply to Red Lobster." She tutted, "Follow me to your table."

They made themselves comfortable and Anna busied herself with the menu, though she already memorized most of it and really only needed a way to hide her face as Robert took the seat beside her.

"Have you heard from John lately?"

"He's been busy with his company."

"Busy with his ex-wife more like." Robert snorted, "That woman's got him twisted around her little finger. She twerks it and he comes running."

"Cocks it, not twerks it Dad." Mary cut in, shooting a look at Anna,. "Twerk isn't a word you want to be using."

"Isn't that what all the kids say these days?"

"Yes but with an entirely different meaning in an entirely different context." Mary turned to her mother, "Help him, please."

"Help me?" Robert frowned, "What did I say wrong this time?"

"I think, what Robert means to say about John, is that he's trying to work things out with his ex-wife." Cora shrugged, "We saw him just last week when we were in Dublin and he asked us to dinner with her."

"I thought you didn't like her?" Mary frowned, "Did I miss something?"

"I don't care for her but she was surprisingly civil." Cora shrugged, turning back to her menu. "It was actually surprising he was even with her given how the company's going."

"How'd you mean?"

"They've completely refused to fund any further investments until he can prove the solvency of those he's already got on the table." Robert sighed, "It's a shame too since he had the city council all convinced he could save the town."

"Weren't you a part of the investment?" Anna smiled up at the slight girl who delivered their fish and chips. "Thank you Daisy."

"It's no problem."

"How's Andy settling in with the expanded work?"

"Oh," Daisy grinned, "He and Mr. Mason are doing just wonderfully. They're looking into expanded stock and crop options for the spring."

"I know they'll handle the winter wheat well and then get feed corn at a good prince since everyone else's running it in the opposite direction."

"I'll let them know." Daisy looked over the table, "Waters for everyone?"

"I'll do a Raspberry Lemonade," Anna handed over the menu, "And some of the steak and kidney pie."

"I'll take the 16oz and a brandy."

"Robert!"

"Alright, the salmon and some ginger ale." Robert grumbled as he handed over the menu, "Nothing's fun to eat since my appendix burst."

"But you'll live long enough to meet your grandchild." Mary handed over her menu, "I'll take the 8oz with the garlic mashed potatoes and the asparagus."

"Just rub it in my face then with your red meat?" Robert whined but Mary met his gaze as she finished her order.

"Medium rare please."

"Of course." Daisy turned to Cora, "And you ma'am?"

"I'll take your salad with the raspberry vinaigrette and a side of the steamed vegetables."

"I feel like you two lost all of your fun when Dad's appendix burst."

They finished dinner and Anna bid the Crawleys goodbye before turning back to her car. Someone tapped her shoulder and Anna saw Mary there. With a shrug she pointed to Anna's car, "Willing to give me a lift?"

"Your parents making your slum it?"

"They're taking the last walk of autumn before it gets too cold and the arthritis my mother claims she doesn't have acts up." Mary got into her seat, patting at her stomach. "At least he's settled."

"Then you know it's a boy?"

"Had the scan to confirm." Mary grimaced, "Matthew wants to name him George Reginald."

"Wasn't Reginald his father?"

"I don't have a problem with that, it's George." Mary stuck out her tongue as if trying to get a taste off it. "The only people I know named George are in homes for the elderly."

"What about that guy who sings the song Budapest?"

"He's a singer, you can do what you want with that. But think about it," Mary flailed a hand. "He'll get his ass kicked everyday at school."

"Then you teach him to fight back." Anna grinned at her friend, "You're the one who put my ass on the mat so you'll know how."

"Ha, ha, ha." Mary deadpanned, "You're the worst."

"No," Anna drove according to Mary's directions. "I'm just immune to your intimidations."

"Too bad for that." Mary sighed, "Though I'm wondering how you're doing after what my parents said."

"I'm sure it's not as bad as all that."

"But if it is, Anna, then you've got to face facts." Mary shifted slightly in the seat. "You're not waiting with the hope he's coming back are you?"

"Part of me is." Anna stopped at the light, "But I'm not a fool Mary. I know that what I've experienced I'll never have again."

"I know it's hard." Mary bit her lip a moment, "A broken heart can be as serious as a broken wound and heal far slower."

"But it tells me two things."

"What?"

"First, that I've a heart to break."

Mary frowned, "I don't like where this is going. Do I need to talk you off the ledge?"

"No," Anna laughed, going with the green. "It also tells me that I've experienced a great love and there aren't many people who can say that."

"Not sure I'd want it in the past tense." Mary sighed, "Don't you have any other dreams beyond all of this?"

"Sure I do." Anna shrugged a shoulder, "I just know now that they'll probably not be coming true."

"Just…" Mary sighed, "Don't give up hope that something'll come along. Maybe not better than John or maybe not enough to wipe him from your memory but there's something more than this. You deserve better."

"Like what?"

"A better paying job, a love who won't leave you, and even a retirement plan that won't have your cracked and aging bones screaming at children in a classroom until you turn into Professor Bins."

"I'm not dying in my classroom."

"The way you're going now you might." Mary took a breath, "Just think about it. The future's as bright as your faith… as two well-dressed young men once told me when they knocked on my door."

"Did you listen to them?"

"Only long enough to thank them and shut the door."

"How nice of you."

"You wouldn't have listened either." Mary rolled her shoulders back.

"Maybe, maybe not. I'm in a desperate situation in my life."

"Aren't we all?"

"And given how your advice has gone in the past, I don't know if I should listen to your advice."

"Take it or leave it."

"I'll take that under advisement."

They drove in silence to Mary's parents' house and Anna waved at Matthew through the windshield. She kissed Mary on the cheeks, "Now go on, enjoy that sex life you say comes with pregnancy."

"Probably not with everything rolling around in my stomach." Mary smiled at Anna, "You're a good friend, you know that right?"

"I do. Which is why I want you out of my car and in your husband's arms." Anna waved her away, "Go on, get out."

Mary only laughed, leaving the car. Anna watched her friend greet her husband before he put a protective hand over her stomach. With a sigh Anna reversed her car and made the drive home.

As she reached her house she took a deep breath and went inside. She set her laptop on the table and stared at it before dropping her briefcase beside the chair and starting it up. Within a moment she had her CV up and edited before opening a window and typing in the search bar.

When she finally closed the lid, rubbing at her eyes, her email already dinged.