Present Day

John took his seat next to Talbot, nodding at the other board members before speaking to Talbot. "How's the merger?"

"Both sets of solicitors are confident about it and with the board vote today it's all but official."

"And those papers?"

"Once we got ahold of that mess in Mrs. Green's office we set Mr. Pelham right to it." Talbot snorted, scrolling up on something on his phone. "Poor man looked like Christmas arrived while he shit a brick."

"What an interesting comparison."

"It's more like a kid in a candy store and they get a stomachache just looking at it." Mary took the seat on John's other side. "I may think he's as dull as paint but I know Mr. Pelham's skills. If you need those papers he'll find them in that mess."

"I thought you and Henry were finding them."

"It's in the past, like the tense of the verb you just used there." Mary refused to meet John's gaze. "And what Mr. Talbot and I do or don't do when we're not on your clock is none of your affair."

"I don't want it to be, believe me." John pulled his tie straight in his suit. "I've got my own troubles."

"Don't we all?" Mary directed John to the front, "I believe you're up, Mr. Christian."

"Ah," John pushed his chair back, buttoning his jacket, and went to the front of the room. "Good morning and thank you all for being here."

John cleared his throat, "As I'm sure many of you already know, since I had our solicitors send the letters to each of you, Christian Enterprises will be merging with Green Incorporated by the end of this month. As such it's in our interest to choose a new President to oversee the merger since Jack Green will be focusing on his schooling."

"Smart kid." Charles Blake tapped the table before turning to John, "Would you be suggesting yourself as President?"

"I am." Jack stood, buttoning his jacket as well. "I met with Mr. Christian a week ago and discussed it with him. Given my focus on schooling I find it's more appropriate that the company be steered through this period by a more experienced hand."

"I think someone with that amount of humility and enough wisdom to see he's not ready for this position yet says that maybe we've already got the right person." Mary took a deep breath, "But I second the vote to place Mr. Christian in position of president."

"Thirded." Talbot straightened in his chair. "I'm also in support of this merger since it'll mean gains across the board for both Christian Enterprises and Green Incorporated."

"Then, if the CEO has no objections," Anna raised her hands as Foyle took stock of the gathered board. "We'll elect Jonathan Christian as President of Green Incorporated."

"And we can only hope it doesn't stay Green Incorporated for too much longer." Mary stood with the rest of the board, "I don't think my portfolio can take another hit this quarter if it keeps failing."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence Mrs. Crawley." John caught Anna's eye as she tipped her head toward her office, leaving the room quickly. "I think I need to go and confer with the CEO about how she'd like to proceed."

"I'm sure that's exactly what you're doing." Mary snorted, her eyes flicking toward Talbot's leaving form. "And I'm sure I could find it in me to do something similar if you're going to be delayed here."

"Just," John put a hand on Mary's shoulder, "Not my desk. The sofas, fine, but not my desk."

"I'm sure that space is reserved just for you and Anna and I won't tread on someone else's space like that. It's not who I am."

"I'm grateful for that." John left the room, handing Talbot a few things before knocking on Anna's office door. Her voice called out and he entered. When the door closed he flicked the lock in place, scanning the room quickly before smiling at its lack of exposure to the other suites.

She looked up from her desk, already sorting through papers there. "How can I help you Mr. Christian?"

"You signaled me from the board room."

"Did I?" She leaned back in her chair, barely biting her lip to stop the grin raising the edges of her lips. "Must've been a tic or something."

"Must've." John stalked toward her, coming to her side, leaning on the desk. "But, since I'm here, I figured we could chat about our roles in this merger."

"Can we?" She opened her hands, "Please tell me what I can do to help."

"Just continue being yourself."

"That's all?"

"For me it is." John caught her hand, running his fingers slowly over it before bending to whisper in her ear, "We'll have to work much more closely now Ms. Smith."

Her fingers intertwined with his, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Yes we will Mr. Bates."

"I've missed you calling me that."

"Have you?" Anna pushed her chair back slightly, standing next to him. "I can think of something you've missed more."

"Can you?" John smiled when she nodded, the glint in her eye straying toward the mischievous. "And what is that?"

Anna's lips crashed on his, pressing her body into John when her hands flew to his neck to hold herself in place while she ravished his mouth. He caught her about the waist, giving in for a moment, and then backed away enough to catch his breath. Her eyebrows rose and he kissed her quickly.

"I'm just making sure you are aware of what you're doing."

"If you're about to try and give me the birds and the bees then I think we're in way too deep for that now."

"It's just," John sighed, "We haven't since the gallery opening and that was almost a month ago. I don't want you to think that's the only reason I'm here."

"We've had conversations since then, which would seem to suggest we've got more in common than the ridiculously enjoyable sex that I wanted to initiate on my desk."

"Not sure it'll work the way you want on your desk." John peeked over his shoulder at the sofas. "But I'm willing to see what we could do on one of those sofas."

"They are new." Anna stepped out of John's grasp, unbuttoning her shirt as she slunk toward the sofas. "Just came in yesterday."

"I thought they looked different." John walked around the edge of the desk, removing his jacket and tie to drape over the back of one of the chairs in front of Anna's desk. "Why'd you replace them?"

"The last ones were Alex's and I figured he'd already broke them in and I didn't feel comfortable using them for business."

John worked off his shoes before taking a seat on the middle of the couch. "Does that make this business then?"

"You are the new president of this company, the orchestrator of this merger, and someone I'd really like to do until I can't walk straight." Anna straddled John's lap, pulling his hands to her exposed waist. "I'd like to think that this sofa could be something we share as a personal and business arrangement."

"I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to share with you as long as I can." John played his fingers over her stomach, kissing over her collarbone. "What have you heard about the divorce?"

"You mean since you spoke with my husband?" Anna looped her arms around John's neck and he tipped his head back a bit to see her more clearly. "Only that there's a good chance I'll get it. Mr. Murray feels confidant that Alex's infidelity is enough to end it all in my favor. Worse case scenario is that we leave with what we came in with."

"Is he still fighting the inevitable?" John kissed up toward Anna's ear, smiling there when her fingers squeezed at his shoulders. "Still believes he could get you back?"

"It's odd," Anna shifted, bending her own head to nip at John's jaw. "Ever since that meeting he had with you he's given it all up. It's like he doesn't feel like fighting anymore."

"That's good isn't it?" John rested his head on the back of the sofa, sighing as Anna continued moving her lips over him. "You're closer to being free."

"Still room for worry." Anna leaned back, removing her shirt with John's help before unbuttoning his shirt. "Cornered animals are still dangerous."

"Just let him run away, with his tail between his legs."

"Will you let him?" Anna paused, her fingers barely touching John's skin. "If he wanted to just leave and never come back would you drop your vendetta against him?"

"I have you," John took one of Anna's hands, kissing over her fingers, "What would I need a vendetta for when I have you?"

"But you'll still try and get Barrow and O'Brien at the party?"

"It's justice, not vengeance for them."

"Just as long as you remember that's what you're after." Anna lowered her mouth close to his, "Can we continue where we were?"

"One second," John licked his lips, "Why hasn't anyone offered him a job? He was the CEO of his own company and yet no one's offered him a job."

"I think your Mr. Talbot clipped the ties to his potentially golden parachute." Anna ran her finger down to John's belt buckle, "May I or do you have other questions?"

"I'm all out of any concerns but how I can best address yours at the moment."

"Good." Anna slipped John's shirt off his shoulders, unbuttoning the cuffs one at a time until she could drop it over the back of the sofa. "I don't want to waste any more energy on anything but you."

"I can agree to that." John slipped his fingers up high enough to fiddle with her bras strap. "Where were we?"

Anna kissed him, running her tongue over his bottom lip until he opened enough to let her inside. He slipped a moment on the strap until he unhooked the clasps. She adjusted enough to leave it on top of his shirt.

John immediately worked his lips from her neck to her breasts, caressing and massaging there while he painted designs there with his tongue. Anna's fingers slipped up from his shoulders, digging into his hair to hold him closer to her, and John responded to her cues.

When she ground down on John he groaned against her breasts. Anna lifted onto her knees, pulling John's trousers down his legs with his boxers in the same motion. He kissed back up to her neck, his hands working down to manage her trousers. She pushed off, standing upright to drop her trousers to the floor as John shuffled his to join hers.

With a smile she worked back down to straddle him, sitting on his thighs before working her hands up to play over John's growing erection. He grunted, fingers digging into the cushions of the sofa when she tightened her grip. John hissed when Anna slipped back off his legs.

"I thought you wanted me to care for you."

"Doesn't mean I can't have a little fun with you first." Anna taunted, stroking her fingers over his thighs before pushing his legs apart so she could kneel between them. "That's if you want it."

"Please." John groaned, forcing his head back into the cushions when Anna kissed over him.

Her fingers dug into the skin of his thighs, kneading there in concert of her sucking and licking over him. One of his hands slipped into her hair, searching for a secure hold there, and tightened when she took him in her mouth. Teases with her teeth and licks with her tongue sent his hips jerking toward her.

But just about the moment John felt the tingling at the base of his spine Anna sucked off. She licked her lips, climbing back up onto his legs, and used his shoulders to position himself right over him. John lifted his head off the couch enough to meet her gaze as she sank down on him.

They stopped, both breathing hard until Anna rocked her hips on him. His hands molded over her ass, holding steady there as Anna used his shoulders to bob herself up and down on him. With another movement John stopped Anna's movements. Before she could react John lifted her clear, turning her in his arms, and pulled her back to thrust into her from behind.

Her head went back to his shoulder, her hands covering his as she steered his fingers to her nerve bundle. With her hips countered his, working opposite his drives to grind out the pressure where her breath caught and her voice screeched. A few minutes more and John buried his head in her shoulder.

"Anna," He gasped, hissing when her nails dug into the skin of his hand.

"Right there."

John released in a rush, fumbling with the last vestiges of his energy to use his fingers in her release. Anna broke a moment later, slumping into his grasp, and let out a stuttering laugh. He kissed at her shoulder before kissing her lips when she turned her face to him.

"So, for our first meeting as CEO and President," Anna ran her finger down his cheek, "How'd you say it went?"

John only laughed.

John fixed his tie in the mirror, frowning at it before turning to Talbot. "What do you think?"

"Of the tie or you?"

"I already know what you think of me." John fiddled with the tie again then shook his head, "At this point it's too late to send out for a new suit."

"They're all black anyway so what does it matter?" Talbot tapped a few things on the table in his hand before turning it so John could read the list there. "Everything's all ready for tonight except how you intend to handle them after they've been embarrassed."

John slipped through the list, barely glancing up at Talbot. "I'm going to assume you're being you and suggesting this because you've already planned something to deal with that conundrum."

"I worked it out to two possible options." Talbot took the tablet back, "Either I confront them or you do."

"I was planning on it. I can sound pretty sympathetic when I can."

"Uh huh…" Talbot sucked the inside of his cheek and John tipped his head to the side.

"You don't think that's a good idea."

"I didn't say that."

"Oh, the same way you'll try and tell me that Alex Green being unemployed at the moment was also not your doing."

"One should never brag about their accomplishments." Talbot tucked the tablet under his arm. "As for the tie, it looks fine. You're just stressing because you think there's a chance you and Mrs. Green could be seen as a couple for the first time at this soiree."

"She's not divorced yet."

"I do like the 'yet' in that." Talbot clicked his tongue against his teeth a bit, "I could make some inquiries about speeding up that process the way I saw about speeding up Green's unemployment."

"I'd rather we keep this particular proceeding legal."

"It'd all be legal, I assure you."

"As legal as when you got rich off the government?" John gave Talbot a look but he just brushed something off his coat. "Or the actual definition of legal."

"I meant the same definition we've been using to have Barrow and O'Brien writing legal arguments against the fictionalized version of your case we handed them or the way they've built you a case against Green."

"That's still legal."

"Then I guess our biggest questions are about moral and ethical complexities." Talbot took a deep breath, "Like how is Anna holding up under all of this? That's if she knows at all."

"She knows and the agreement is that if Green gives up, and everyone else testifies as they're supposed to, then he'll go to jail like he's supposed to without me having to drive him there."

"You'll just leave him to get nabbed?"

"I promised Anna." John pulled at the cuffs of his shirt, "I intend to keep my promise to her."

"Just as well then since his divorce'll be finalized without our help anyway."

"Anna did say Green stopped fighting it."

Talbot frowned, "Not that I'm not grateful about that but I'm worried he's got something else up his sleeve to make this difficult for us since he's a right asshole."

"I don't disagree but I'm not going to drive myself mad over it." John ushered Talbot to the door. "Does this mean you want to handle them after the shocking scene?"

"I think I better." Talbot thanked Carson for his coat, "Especially since you want a grand entrance for yourself anyway. Just to put the fear of God into them."

"I'm not much worried about whether or not they fear God. That kind of eternal concern is theirs, not mine."

"Then I'll handle it."

"Perfect." They walked to the car and climbed in the back. John's leg jiggled a bit and Talbot laughed. Frowning, John turned to him. "What?"

"You're nervous."

"I am not."

"You're leg's bouncing a mile a minute because you're antsy. You weren't this insufferable when you threw that gallery opening." Talbot chuckled a laugh, "But back then you weren't sleeping with Mrs. Green."

"I'm not sleeping with Mrs. Green."

"Right," Talbot nodded his head, feigning ignorance, "You're just splitting hairs because while you have slept with her you're not sleeping with the way people say they've been on dates but they're not dating."

"It's not like that."

"I know, for a fact, that you were in her office just two days ago breaking in a couch."

"It's a sofa."

Talbot cackled, "You're hilarious."

They drove the rest of the way to the gala, Andy dropping them in the queue with everyone else as the bulbs flashed. Talbot exited first, waving Andy back to the driver's seat, and then walked with John to the door. He stopped there a moment to wave and leaned toward Talbot, speaking through his teeth.

"If we keep coming to these things together then someone's coming to think we're really a couple."

"Give it some time and you'll be at the next event with Mrs. Green and I'll stick to the shadows."

"You're in the limelight right next to me."

"Nope," Talbot clicked at him, "Shadows for me forever."

"What if I want you to run my company one day?"

Talbot snorted, "You've got a son for that now."

John followed Talbot inside, whistling at the hanging displays. "I'm impressed.'

"You'd be impressed if she went to the corner shop and bought crate paper before throwing it and toilet tissue toward the rafters."

"That's not true."

"Face it," Talbot pivoted to smirk at John. "Once you realized she still loved you and wanted you and didn't betray you then you remember you were head over heels for her."

"Be that as it may, I'm not so starry eyed I waste a compliment."

"On other people maybe." Talbot clapped John on the shoulder. "But you'd go to your grave complimenting her."

"Should he not?" Anna joined them, taking John's hand before smiling t Talbot. "I rather like his compliments."

"As long as they're situationally appropriate." Talbot gestured to the scene around them. "This is a wonderful display Mrs. Green."

"Anna, please." She tugged on John's hand, "I need to steal him away for a moment, if you don't mind Mr. Talbot."

"I'm not his keeper." Talbot waved his hand, "Do with him as you will but have him back by midnight. That's when the fireworks start."

"Both sets of them I believe." Anna dragged John behind her, opening a door for a side room.

"What is it?"

"This." Anna cupped his cheeks with both hands and yanked him toward her to kiss him as soundly as possible.

John's hands wrapped her waist on instinct, holding her close until she broke the kiss. Her breathless smile, painting her cheeks with the rush of arousal, had John going in for another kiss. When he pulled back she used her thumb to take a bit of lipstick off his lips. He kissed her thumb, grinning at her.

"What was that for Ms. Smith?"

"I got them."

"Got what?"

"The papers. They came today." Anna trilled, squeezing John's hands in hers. "I'm officially Ms. Anna Smith again."

"Really?"

"Really."

John let out a breath, shaking his head. "I don't believe it."

"Believe, Mr. Bates." Anna kissed his hands, tears coming at the edges of her eyes. "We're free and clear. He's gone from my life forever."

"What'd it cost you?"

"Nothing I wasn't prepared to give." Anna sighed, "I would've given him the shirt off my back if it meant I was rid of him and I didn't have to. Murray met with them this morning and Alex's people just handed over the papers. He gets everything he had when we entered the marriage and I get what I came in with."

"I didn't leave you much to go in with."

"I left with my dignity." Anna played with John's collar, running her tongue over her teeth. "And now I get to leave this party tonight with you and it won't matter who knows."

"They'll say horrible things about you. How I broke up your marriage or how you dragged me into your troubles."

"Let them say what they like because all that matters is that you and I will be together." Her voice sobered a moment, "Like we should've been years ago."

"Anna-"

She shook her head, sniffing back her tears, "I know I told you we shouldn't worry about revenge but sometimes, when I think about what he took from us… it makes me want to murder."

"But you told me," John took Anna's face in his hands, "That our job now is to enjoy the time we have. He's the past and we've a future again. One with our son and whatever other children we're looking to have."

"Slow down," Anna swatted at John, "We're not even officially dating and you're already going on about children. What if I say no."

"I don't think you will." John reached into his pocket while getting down on one knee.

"John?" Anna took a step back, "What are you doing?"

"I thought this is how people are supposed to propose." John held the ring out to her, "That's what Henry told me when he helped me get the ring."

"Are you telling me Henry Talbot knew you were going to propose before I knew?"

John froze, "Is that a problem?"

"Is that a problem?" Anna managed a half laugh, "I'd give you a smack if I didn't want you to finish asking me so I could kiss you."

"Alright," John laughed too, "Anna May Smith, will you marry me?"

"Yes!"

John slipped the ring on Anna's finger, circling his arms around her to spin her around a moment before letting her feet hit the ground so he could kiss her soundly. She broke the kiss quickly, removing the ring with the others on her finger so his engagement ring was the only one there. He opened a pocket but she shook her head, placing the rings on her other hand.

"You're keeping them?"

"Regardless of the fact that Alex used them to make me think he knew shit about me," Anna admired the simple, silver band, "You bought them and I'll always think of them as yours, not his. Your intentions all those years ago were clear and I never want to forget that you were going to marry me then like you are now."

"Like I am now." John cleared his throat when they heard noise on the other side of the door. "But I think we've got guests we need to join before Henry spreads any nasty rumors about what we may be doing in this room."

"That's for later, Mr. Bates." Anna winked at him and John choked. "I've plans to ravish you tonight. Just not right now."

"With a promise like that, Ms. Smith, I do hope you deliver and not cause me potential trouble."

"Oh Mr. Bates," Anna opened the door, pulling at her dress, "I plan to cause you a great deal of trouble."

John followed her out of the room but Talbot was there immediately, forcing a drink into his hand and turning his shoulder in the other direction. When John went to complain Talbot tilted his head toward the door. "You've other guests you need to see to for the moment. Let her be the woman of the party for a time so what you just did in there doesn't look any more suspicious than the CEO of Green Incorporated and the new President having a business chat before the party."

"Because it looked like something else?"

"If there'd been sounds coming from that room I couldn't have spun it like I did for people looking to talk to Mr. Christian." Talbot nodded at Barrow and O'Brien, drinking together in a corner. "I'm a professional but everyone's really here to see the man who would be king topple another empire."

"The employees of Green Incorporated don't seem too upset that they're about to be merged." John sipped at his drink, "What's the problem?"

"That's what I'm hoping we don't have to find out tonight." Talbot scanned the room, "I assume Mrs. Green is no longer Mrs. Green?"

"Her divorce papers came through." John stopped, "How'd you know?"

"I have a few little birdies that I speak to on a few different occasions that keep me informed."

John snorted, "You mean Mary Crawley told you."

"Maybe she did and maybe she didn't but that's not the point."

"Than what is the point Henry?"

"Green's not beaten yet." Talbot patted John's shoulder. "Enjoy the party and don't forget why we're here."

"I won't."

Talbot vanished into the crowd and John steeled himself for the night ahead. The business men, socialite wives, and others trying to engage in deals under the blue and green lights that sparkled off the silver decorations combined poorly with John's drink to send the world spinning a bit. The sounds and inanity combine to the point where John excused himself from a conversation to go out onto the balcony.

His hands gripped the railing, hauling in deep breaths until his head cleared. He looked down when a hand covered his. John turned his hand to grip Anna's fingers tightly between his own.

"I'm in awe that you withstood it as long as you did."

"So am I."

"However," Anna snuck a look over her shoulder before drawing John to a hidden corner of the balcony. "I think you deserve your reward now."

"Here?"

"Where else?" Anna slid her hands up the sides of John's jacket, smoothing over the fabric. "If we go back inside together then everyone'll know what we've got on our minds."

"And making your scream out here in a public display'll help your reputation?"

"Then we'll have to be quiet." Anna hooked a hand around the back of his neck while her leg slid up to notch at his hip. "I'm willing to take the risk."

"Are you?"

"Aren't you?" Anna stopped, "Because if not then-"

John lunged forward and took her mouth. One of his hands went to the wall beside her head, spreading his fingers to support himself, while the other glided up the leg wrapped over his hip. His body crowded her into the side of the building to lose them both in the shadows of their little alcove.

For a moment it was their own little world. All John could hear was their breathing synchronizing from breathless gasps to the barely contained moans when someone's tongue teased a lip or teeth nipped at exposed skin. Where her fingers formed divots in his shirt or flipped the catch on his belt buckle his worked over the line of her scrap knickers to pull it against her sensitive skin.

Anna broke the kiss, head going back to whimper when John's finger played at her folds through the fabric and his thumb used the abrasive fabric to send her nerves frying. He contrasted his approach with smooth kissed down her throat, pushing aside the shimmering dress, until he reached the tops of her breasts. Her hands fumbled at his trousers but the accidental palm had John groaning into her skin.

He pressed higher, working the fabric around his fingers to not only scrape inside her but also against her with every movement. Her fingers clawed at him, clutching for a hold anywhere she could find it, and Anna bit at her lip to keep from crying out. John ran his tongue over any of her skin he could reach until Anna buried her head in his shoulder to scream her release.

John eased his fingers out, sliding over her skin as slowly as he dared, but Anna wanted nothing slow. Her hand grasped over him, sending his feet stuttering for a better placement as she leveraged her other leg over his hip. Both of John's hands went to her thighs, holding her high against the wall while her dress fell out of the way due to a convenient slit, and he stopped to look at her.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure I want my fiancé to take me against this wall right now."

John risked a hand to move her underwear to the side and thrust forward. They sighed in unison and the steady thump of the party on the other side of the wall set his pace. Driving into Anna with his hands running over her exposed ass, John set his mouth to work kissing any bit of skin he could reach. Anna, never one for idleness, took to ruffling his hair with the occasional dig of her nails into his scalp when john hit a particularly sensitive area.

"Hurry." Anna whispered in his ear, "We've already been gone too long."

"Hold on then." John turned his head up to catch Anna's mouth with his own as his thumb pressed against her nerves.

Her walls clenched around him, her finish caught in his mouth for him to replace with his own when he followed her over the edge a moment later. John ended their kiss, trailing his lips over her cheek as he set her back down and waited for her legs to regain enough strength to bear her weight. And he immediately missed the weight of her hands in his hair and her body on his as they stepped apart.

"I promise, Mr. Bates." Anna straightened her dress, helping him with his shirt and trousers before he did up his belt again. "We'll have time for something more later."

"I thought that was more than I should've expected." John used his half-reflection in a clouded window to arrange his hair a bit before ceding the spot to Anna. "And, this evening, is beautiful Anna. You've done a fantastic job."

"It was what I studied in school." Anna folded her arms over her chest, gazing at the scene through the balcony doors. "Event planning and coordinating."

"I remember all those scraps of paper you swore you'd get into binders and off every flat surface."

Anna laughed, "That flat was a deathtrap."

"But it was home." John risked a finger to her hair, replacing a fallen strand. "I wanted to make it our official home."

"We'll make a better one now." Anna turned to him, "I promised you, when we first got back together, that the moment those papers were in hand I'd have you at the registry office to marry you."

"It's a bit late tonight."

"Then tomorrow, early as we can manage it." Anna took his hand, "I won't let you slip through my fingers again John."

"And I won't lose you either." John kissed her cheek, "It's almost midnight and if we're not in place then the plan goes to shit."

"Always so romantic." Anna teased before darting back inside.

John counted ten before slinking back inside. He worked his way to the back of the room, finding Talbot over the crowd before nodding. Talbot walked to the DJ as John slipped from the room.

Through the doors he heard the muffled sounds of Talbot's announcement that Anna planned the party. John stole a peek through the door, grinning at the sight of her on the stage with Talbot. She thanked the crowd and continued with details on the party as a celebration provided by Green. John snorted and wondered how many in the room echoed his sentiments.

But it was when Anna cued the presentation that John felt the prickle at the back of his neck. He drew back, running the slides in his mind. The ones that thanked all those who helped Green Incorporated become what it was. And especially the one that thanked Barrow and O'Brien for their help on a sticky case by mentioning their willingness to bow to his demands.

The crowd response was exactly as John hoped. He drew back into the shadows as the side doors flew open, Barrow and O'Brien practically spitting at Talbot as the man tried to calm them. After another ten count John drew up behind them, waiting for his moment, and tried to calm his nerves.

"That's a lie and we refuse to be humiliated like this."

"I understand, Ms. O'Brien, and believe me when I say that neither Mr. Christian nor Ms. Smith had any idea what the contents of the presentation were."

"How do you plan a whole bloody party without analyzing every detail of it for mistakes?" Barrow snarled at Talbot, almost shoving his finger in Talbot's face. "We won't stand for it."

"I think you will." John tried not to give himself an unattractively satisfied smirk at their surprise. "I think you will because you don't want the kind of blow back you'll experience if you fight it."

"We're not your puppets either, Mr. Christian." O'Brien stood taller, trying to look down her nose at him. "We may work for you but after the way we've been treated tonight-"

"Like the way you treated John Bates when you railroaded him fifteen years ago?" John stepped toward them and both backed up, almost stumbling into Talbot. "Like the way you took Alex Green's money to bury the man in legal work, false witnesses, and accusations until he could nothing but submit?"

"What are you talking about a dead man for?"

"But we both know he's not dead," John rounded on Barrow, leaving the other man cowering. "We know that you were behind the attacks on him in prison, to kill him, and when those didn't work you simply had him declared dead and lost him to the system."

"You don't know that." O'Brien's voice wavered a moment. "There's no way to prove it."

"But see," Talbot drew their attention, "I found the proof. Records go missing but nothing's ever really destroyed on the internet. Once it's in the system it can be found and I'm good at finding things."

"So I guess the question is," John opened his hands to them, "Do you go down with the ship you chose to sail then or do you abandon it to save yourselves?"

"What do you care anyway if Green paid us to get rid of some chav?" Barrow pointed between Talbot and John. "The man's dead. He vanished off the face of the earth when the state released him ten years ago. He's nothing to no one."

"False." Talbot pointed at John. "He's something quite different now."

"What?" O'Brien scoffed at John, "He's Mr. Christian."

"Yes, but my friends call me John Bates." He extended his hand toward her, "The offer stands, Ms. O'Brien. Give evidence, with Mr. Barrow here if he so chooses, and a witness we've already found against Alex Green and perhaps you don't go to jail for the rest of your lives for interfering with a police investigation or costing the Crown millions of pounds in m reparations."

Barrow and O'Brien looked at one another before nodding. "We'll do it."

"Good." Talbot clapped his hands together. "And I hope you kept evidence on him because I might not've been honest about what I said before."

"What?" O'Brien tried to argue but Talbot held up a recorder.

"But we've got your confession already so it'd be to your detriment not to help us." Talbot motioned for them to follow him, "We've got a car for you and then you can talk to some lovely friends of ours at the Met."

John adjusted his tie as they walked away, going back to the ballroom. His eyes found Anna's across the room and she raised an eyebrow. A nod was all he needed to tell her it was over.

Though something, the tingle at the back of his neck, said it might be far from.