Last installment of this particular story. Thanks for all your reviews, you have given me a real taste for posting more. Thanks to my editor in chief for her support and the late nights (3.38 am last Sunday morning was the latest!) We already have a story written about John's release and this seems like the perfect thing to post next. We would also like to attempt a modern fan fiction aswell, so keep an eye out for that.

Unfortunately, we have reached the end, those nasty men have come to take Mr Bates away. I have used some dialogue from Series 2, episode 8 so obviously this belongs to Julian Fellowes etc etc. Keep the faith, they will be re united sooner rather than later!

Bates POV

Standing beside Anna at Miss Swire's funeral, I allow myself to glance over at Mr Crawley. A more tortured soul I have not seen in many years. For a small moment I imagine how desolate I would feel if it were Anna they were laying to rest today, but soon I shake the thought out of my head as Carson indicates it is time to leave.

Following Miss Hughes, Mr Carson and Anna down the path to the exit of the church, I allow myself to take in my wife's perfect figure. What can I say? I am a man after all. Why on earth did she choose someone like me, will all my flaws and imperfections and a troubled past? Still, as in her sweet way she keeps reminding me, she did choose me and I need to get past this self doubt.

What is being said between the three people in front of me is lost as I find myself thinking about our future again. We've shown our support to the Crawley's in their time of grief, but now we can actually turn our attentions to our life together. We agreed that once the funeral was over, we would start to make plans. Maybe it's because I find all this too good to be true, I am eager to talk about this with Anna.

Once we are out of the church grounds, I am relieved to see Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson stroll ahead of Anna. She looks back over her shoulder slightly and I smile to myself as I know she is looking to see where I am. She slows her pace and soon we are by each other's sides, where we belong. Discreetly squeezing her hand, I am rewarded with a beautiful smile before her look turns more serious.

'That was difficult.' Anna whispers, looking back over her shoulder at those gathered leaving the graveyard.

'Yes,' I nod in agreement. 'After losing William in the war, this flu was a cruel blow to the house.'

Anna nods and bows her head. She had worked closely with William for many years and I know in that moment she is thinking of him. He was a lovely lad, a hard worker. Appalled at the treatment he received from Thomas, he needed someone to look out for him and I took it upon myself to be that someone. His death was terribly hard on the majority of the downstairs staff. Firstly, to see him get his final wish of marrying Daisy then losing his battle with life, war is a merciless thing. I should know, looking down at my knee and my cane. But the powers that be, whoever or whatever they were, had given me a second chance and it was Anna. I realise this is why I survived the Army, the Boer War. To meet this beautiful young woman and make her happy for the rest of her life.

'It's life though, isn't it?' Anna says suddenly, lifting her head. 'Things are sent to try us, as my Mum says.'

'Indeed they are, my love.' I reply.

'We must move on. Accept what has happened and move on.' Anna continues. 'It's how you deal with the things that life throws at you that defines who you are.'

'That's very true, Mrs Bates.' She turns her head to smile at me once again. I wonder if this is the right time to broach the subject of when to reveal our secret. What she has just said would indicate it would be.

'Erm.. Anna. I was wondering, err... when..' I curse myself. As assured as ever.

'When shall we tell everyone?' She helps me and we catch each others gaze.

'Yes. I realise it could be deemed entirely insensitive given we have just left Miss Swire's funeral but...'

'Tomorrow.' She suggests. 'Give everyone time to get over the events of today. We can asks to see Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson tomorrow morning, then you can tell Lord Grantham our plans once we've done that.'

'I'm sure there won't be any issues.' I say, not totally sure that will be the case. 'But Lord Grantham has been asking about our situation.'

'Well, if people don't like it, that's up to them. All that matters is us. We're happy, aren't we?'

'Happy doesn't even begin to explain what I have been feeling since Friday afternoon.' I admit truthfully.

We both desperately want to touch then, I can feel the energy between us. We are newlyweds after all, isn't it right we should want to hold hands or share a kiss? What was clear was that neither of us wanted this secret to carry on and longer than it needed to.

Upon reaching the house, Anna and I are in the middle of a wonderful conversation about the cottage we could share together before I am interrupted by Mrs Patmore.

'Mr Bates,' she begins, a slightly shaky element to her tone.

'Are you alright, Mrs Patmore?' I ask, the poor woman looks like she has had quite a shock.

'I'm alright, there are two men waiting for you in the servants hall.' Something in the back of my mind tells me this can't be good as I slowly make my way towards the hall. Anna follows and my heart is in my mouth as I see the two men waiting. 'Are you looking for me?'

'John Bates?' one of the men asks, a serious look on his face.

'Yes.'

'You are under arrest on the charge of wilful murder.' Those words echo in my head as the man continues. 'You are not obliged to say anything unless you feel obliged to do so. Whatever you say will be taken down in writing and may be give in evidence against you upon your trial.'

'I understand.'

All I can think about is Anna. How I've let her down, how everything has come crashing down around us. I knew something bad was going to happen. People like me don't deserve happy endings. Anna does. She deserves so much more than I'll ever be able to give her. Especially now. Maybe she would have been better off if I had never arrived at Downton.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the handcuffs the other gentleman is holding and is now moving towards my hands. Not wanting to cause a scene, I reluctantly raise them towards him but am surprised to feel Anna pulling down on my wrists. She is fighting for me. The only person who ever has.

'No. No.' she whimpers, desperation in her voice, causing my heart to ache more than it has done at any other time in my life.

I look down at her, grateful for her efforts yet realising they will be fruitless. 'Please, do whatever is required.'

Whilst the gentlemen is putting the cold, metal shackles on my wrists, Anna's eyes meet mine. This could be the last chance I have to tell her how I feel. That she is the reason I breathe and how being able to call her my wife is the greatest honour that has ever been afforded to me in my life.

'I love you.' is all I can think of to say. However in front of all the downstairs staff, I hope she realises what a momentous gesture it is. Now, everybody is left in no doubt as to how I feel about this amazing, beautiful, faultless woman.

Putting her arm around my neck, I see the pain in her eyes. Yet, with the pain I can sense resolution, that she will never stop fighting for me. This is reflected in the words she declares next.

'And I love you. For better or worse, for richer or poorer.' As we meet for one final, sweet kiss, I realise the staff must now realise the enormity of our current situation. Anna is my wife and were are to be dragged apart.

Here I am being arrested for Vera's death, all the evidence pointing towards me as the culprit. I know the truth and in her heart so does Anna. However, to the outside world I am guilty.

Dragging me away from my salvation, it dawns on me I may never see these walls again. I am frightened but most of all, even though we have only parted mere seconds ago, I am yearning to be close to Anna already. I do not want Anna to think that I am scared, so I use all the strength I can gather to remain strong, at least until she can't see me. I do not look at the faces of my colleagues staring at me, I look straight ahead.

Once in the back of the police car, I allow myself to bow my head. Convinced this was my past catching up with me, the future now looked bleak.

After talk of babies, cottages and life with the woman of my dreams, there was now no future.