A/N: Thanks to all for the wonderful feedback so far! I'm having so much fun with modern!Anna and John.

To those who have seen the film - or those who have read up on it - I want to assure you not to worry. This fic will go on past the end of the film's story (though that's some way off yet) (spoilers, I guess...). I hope you continue to enjoy the ride.

Plastic folders cascaded across the less than spacious sitting room floor, pointing out in all directions. From their mouths, they spilled out reams and reams of paper, adding to the stacks that had accumulated. Balanced on top were open, upturned magazines, catalogues, photographs and, somewhere beneath it all, a battered address book was buried deep, crying for help.

In the centre of the carefully organised chaos, Anna sat curled and cross-legged. She was only vaguely aware of the warm numbness that had started in her little toe and was now spreading up to her calf, and she shifted herself barely a centimetre in attempt to stave the sensation, sheets rustling underneath the slightest touch of her fingertips. Staring down intently at a glossy page, picking up an invoice in her other hand, she didn't have the capacity to notice the shadow of Gwen's figure falling over the covered floor.

"Need anything? Tea, something to eat…another rainforest?"

She took some seconds to mumble her reply, not looking up towards her friend, her brow knitted in concentration.

"Mmm, no, thanks."

"Well, I'm going out, so if you do think of something, just give me a call."

Anna sighed a monosyllabic response, which Gwen took as an affirmative as she shook her head softly. It seemed to have been like this for days, her sitting room entirely invaded, looking like she was living in some kind of modern art installation. She'd almost forgotten what colour the carpet was underneath it all. Still, it meant that she didn't have to hoover up, which could only be a good thing. If there was one thing in the world that bored Gwen to tears, it was the bloody housework. Anna was always so much better at all of that, meticulous to a fault. But for now, at least, she was rather unfortunately otherwise occupied. Gwen groaned inwardly; she supposed she would have to take care of the rising mound of dishes sitting in the sink before they started to grow another lifeform.

Gwen braced her hands either side of her, hopping into the small squares of space that were clear, taking exaggerated leaps as if she were landing on crumbling stones paving a treacherous path to grasp her bag from the other side of the room. At the window, she craned her face further to the glass and smirked.

"Anna, oh my god, look," she shrieked. "George Clooney is absolutely stark naked outside, with a rose between his teeth."

"Hmmm."

Gwen shrugged, a burst of laughter making her shoulders shake as she made her way back through the maze. If she'd said another name, Anna would have been up like a shot, eyes wide enough to burst out of her head.

Anna glanced up a little abruptly, and Gwen nearly stumbled as she pulled on her sneakers.

"I'm sorry, Gwen. I'm miles away." She smiled at her friend, the glazed look fading from her features. Kicking her foot out lightly to stop her toes from curving over, she sent a few pieces of paper flying. "I'm fine, thanks. I've had far too much coffee than is healthy in the last couple of days, so that should keep me going for a little while yet."

Gwen smiled back, tilting her head while she braced a hand against the door.

"I could get you something for a come-down? I'm good with bracing the back streets of London," she sniggered.

Anna gaped in mock-horror before letting out a short laugh. "No, no. I'm on a roll, I should take advantage of it."

"If you say so," Gwen chirruped, turning to make towards the hall. Before she left, she poked her head back through the doorway, giving Anna a small start. "But you should have some fresh air. I don't want to find you tragically drowned in a sea of paper, passed out from inhaling coffee fumes."

She chuckled, rolling her eyes lightly.

"I promise. See you later."

The door slammed and Anna returned to surveying all that was before her. She gave herself a few seconds to recoup and blank her mind completely before she pressed on with renewed vigour, pulling out her poor, forlorn contact book from the depths. Her fingers rifled deftly through, eyes scaling the rows of names, hoping to hit on something ideal.

For the past week, it was fair to say that her life had been taken over by the restaurant launch. From the moment she had first stepped inside, she had found herself consumed. They hadn't been joking; Robert really was absolutely disorganised. She recalled taking in several breaths as she surveyed the place, weaving in and out of half-constructed scenery and ducking from wires that were hanging from all angles. She had to check with him that he did realise she was a PR executive and not an architect, and he simply smiled and nodded.

Since then, long hours had been spent there, consulting with builders and electricians as to when everything would be in some kind of working order (and she was surprised to find that they worked at a very swift pace indeed, taking far less of the average expected run of tea breaks) and talking over plans with Robert. For someone who was adamant that he didn't have a thing in mind and was happy for her to take the reins completely, he wasn't totally flexible. He seemed fixated on ideas of country-house grandeur, chattering excitedly along the lines of Edwardian decadence, wanting some kind of 'lords and ladies of the manor' theme. Anna had grimaced, certain that it would be at odds with a sleek, modern new restaurant in the middle of the city. In the end, they'd agreed on a compromise and were going ahead with a 1920s theme, elegant but exciting, the era seeming to define perfectly being on the cusp of something new while also being in fashion right now.

With all the structural work finished just last night, Anna was now concerned with making layout and seating arrangements, compiling guest lists and sourcing invitations, as well as arranging some kind of entertainment, of precisely which she wasn't quite sure yet. Jazz singers, perhaps; having Charleston dancers hopping about as food was being served could be very dangerous indeed. Where she was going to find any of these things, she currently didn't have the slightest clue. Drawing a blank with her list of written contacts, she reached for her phone, desperately hoping someone within there could provide the answer. Oh, it was all part of the fun, she supposed.

As she was scrolling, the message alert bleeped and the little unopened envelope icon flashed in the corner of the screen. She made a hastily scribbled note of her place in the address book before she returned to retrieve the text.

- Can you make an escape, or are you being held to ransom by unending paperwork? I can get away for a bit, let me know. J

Anna bit on her lip softly, fingers tapping rapidly to work a reply.

- Mr Bates, are you trying to distract me? I'm busy! I have to concentrate, there isn't long to go and I've so much to do. I'll speak to you later tonight.

She felt a little guilty as she sent the message, pen clasped at the corner of her mouth. Chewing the lid slightly, she typed once more.

- I might see you tonight, instead…? It'd give me something to look forward to :) Talk soon x

She grinned even to see the singular kiss placed at the end of the text as it disappeared from view, sent his way. It had taken her some moments to decide whether or not to include it, especially as he hadn't used the sign as of yet in response to her, but it ended up being an impulse, guided by her faster-beating heart rather than her head. Still smiling, she rested the phone against her chest, the rapid vibration thudding inside her ribcage.

As she was so wrapped up with the sudden whirlwind of activity she'd been set into, they had only seen each other once since their day together, and that hadn't been for too long at all. Most nights, they talked on the phone for a little bit; it was always around the same time, just after she'd had dinner. She'd be a little uncomfortably full, and exhausted, but the sound of his voice on the other end of the line, like freshly spun silk, instantly lulled her and roused all of her senses, and she'd feel a little foolish as she sunk her feet against the cushions, giggling at some offhand remark he'd make. Over a week now, since they'd been on the river in the iridescent dark. Since they kissed, more than once. Thinking of his lips pressed firm against hers made her feel dizzy still, the memory of the gentle sweep of his fingers across her skin sending her whole body swimming deliriously and delightfully.

She wondered if she'd been too forward, taken him by surprise by pushing on so boldly. In all of her life, she had never made the first move when it came to that, but she found she was quite unable to resist. It wasn't just the moment, either. If he was standing in front of her now it would take more strength than she possessed to hold herself back from sinking her hands into his hair and kissing him senseless, until all the breath had left his body. The thought made her smirk wickedly.

She had no idea whether he had regretted the actions on his part, but she knew she didn't regret what she had done, not one bit. It had made it clear to her, cast all of her doubt aside and confirmed, after so long trying to pretend or hide, that her heart truly desired him. It was no rebound, no form of misplaced revenge. She didn't know if she could call it love, not just yet, but the sensations were unlike any other she had come across. All of this, the craziness running riot in her brain, stemming from a couple of kisses; though they were utterly wonderful kisses.

She wasn't a hundred per cent sure what was happening with them. Neither had said anything to confirm that they were an item, both walking around the edges and reluctant to take the leap. The last thing she wanted to do was to put him off by jumping in too soon. But Anna was confident of the fact that something had definitely changed between them. She felt it, coursing through her veins. When she spoke to him, he sounded different to her, and she was certain that he felt it too. Even with everything that was occupying her mind at any moment of the day, she found that she could not stop thinking about him, and honestly, she had no complaints.

Before she could place it back on the floor, some picture catching her eye from amongst the blur of images, the phone bleeped in her hands again.

- I don't think I can wait. It's lunchtime – come on, you deserve a break. I won't keep you for long, honest. J

Anna gazed at her watch, a little shocked to see that it was past 1pm. It didn't take her long to decide what to do. In just a few minutes, she'd emerged from the sea that engulfed her, put on her shoes, and was out of the door.

The skip of her steps speeded up across the path as she caught sight of him, sitting on one of the benches situated amidst the greenery of the park. His hair was slightly unkempt, a few strands swaying just perceptibly in the gentle spring breeze, and he held a paper package close to his chest, his long fingers sloped around its edges. Her heart began to pound relentlessly, the rhythm disruptive and out of time with her feet that bounded over to him.

The corners of his lips curled, only a fraction of the beaming grin she was directing towards him.

"I managed to tear myself away."

His mouth began to widen, and now his eyes were smiling; there was no surer sign of his joy at seeing her.

"I'm relieved you did. It's not good for you, being cooped up inside. You'll drive yourself mad."

"I don't know, I reckon I've been there and am on my way back round."

She smirked, her eyes drawn briefly to the beautiful pink cherry blossom that made a canopy over their heads. They then found their points of finding and fascination once more, and she was gazing deep, letting herself tumble into his glowing irises. She couldn't find the words to say for a moment, and then he saved her.

"How's it all going?"

She tilted her head to the side, not keen to be shaken so soon out of her reverie.

"Not too badly, I guess. There's just a lot of stuff to get through and to prepare, I must have forgotten just how much needs to be done for any sort of event, but especially for a launch. And I don't even know where to start with some things."

A little groan came from the back of her throat, the growing list of tasks revolving on a carousel in her head. She shook it after a second, pinning a slightly weary smile on her face, resolving to let them go for now.

"But it'll all get done, eventually."

Her eyes were once more drawn to his hands, splayed out across the covered item, whatever it was. She studied the curve and curl of his strong wrist, the fine ridges of his knuckles. She would have flushed with embarrassment to see him regarding her, but he was now holding the package out towards her.

"A little something for you. Just to give you a bit of variety in what you're reading."

With anxious fingers, she unfolded the paper, almost tearing it in her haste to discover what lay inside. She gasped as she ran her hands over the smooth, untouched cover of the book, her eyes focusing on the print embossed on it.

"Oh, John," she breathed, the simple and thoughtful surprise leaving her somewhat awestruck. "This is wonderful. Thank you so much."

Anna turned over the subtle weight in her palm, and looked up to see that his eyes were dancing upon her, still seeming a little anxious as to whether she really did like the item. Her heart warmed deeply at the sight, and she spoke to reassure him that his gesture was absolutely perfect.

"I've wanted to buy the latest Audrey Niffenegger for ages. This is really brilliant. I'll start it straight away."

His gaze softened, and he looked fondly at her.

"It's nothing, really. But I'm glad you like it."

"I really, really do."

She arched up on her tiptoes and leaned across closer to him, angling to place a kiss upon his lips. Just before she could reach them, he swivelled his head to the side and she had to make do with his cheek instead. His stubble grazed against her skin as she remained for a moment, and there was a little patch of pink visible at the side of her mouth as she settled back down onto her soles.

His eyes narrowed themselves at her, and Anna coloured, feeling a touch self-conscious.

"What is it?" she almost whispered, her gaze falling away to the side of him.

"You look tired," he said, the concern clear in his voice.

Anna snorted with a little derision. "Thanks. I know that's just a nicer way of saying 'you look terrible'."

John's face fell and he sucked in a breath. "God no, not at all. You could never look terrible." She smiled softly as they began to stroll into the park. "I just meant, you look as though you haven't had a good night's sleep in a few nights. You're a little bit pale."

Anna sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "I have had a little bit of insomnia the last couple of nights. My mind kind of goes into overdrive when I'm working on something." Her eyes rolled up towards the sky, a little ashamedly. "I suppose the many cups of coffee drunk nearing midnight don't help matters."

His expression clouded as he looked at her, his lips setting into a frown. "It's not worth putting your health at risk for."

"John, I'm fine, honestly," she affirmed. "I promise you I'm not going to collapse on the spot or anything. I'm used to this kind of thing."

She heard him sigh heavily, nearly silently. He was always so concerned about her wellbeing, and she couldn't help but find it endearing. It certainly made a change from what she was used to.

"If you're sure," he relented, reluctantly. "But if you do think it's getting too much, I can always have a word with Rob. Tell him to ease off a bit. I know what he can get like, he says he doesn't expect much. But he can say one thing, and mean another."

Anna threw a hand into her hair. "Really, John, there's no need. I appreciate the thought, you know I do. But you don't have to worry." She watched a sparrow flit across the sky, landing on a little branch of a tall tree to the side of him. "I like being busy with all this again. Yes, it can be stressful at times, but it's what I love doing. I'm making the most of it while I can."

She turned her head to see him smiling warmly towards her, the kind of smile that always set sparks flying against her very bones. He gave a little bob of his head to close the subject and they went on, walking side by side, a familiar motion for them now. The sun strained through the clouds as they talked about silly things, the tiny little fragments that made up their day-to-day lives. Even when the conversation slowed and then eventually stopped, Anna felt perfectly comfortable, content just to stroll with him and to be in his presence. She remembered her grandmother used to say that if you found someone you could be completely silent with and still felt that thousands of words flowed amongst you, then that spoke volumes. The statement resonated through her with each step they took together, and feeling it in the depth of her heart, she beamed up at him, squinting slightly against the increasing light. Her smile began to fade a little when she noticed the troubled look imprinted on his face. Now the tables were turned.

"Is everything okay?" she enquired softly. She had to admit, she had been a little worried and quite disappointed when he'd turned away from her so swiftly just moments before.

He lifted his gaze, turning it towards her, his bottom lip curling slightly before he swiped a hand over his face.

"Ah, yeah, it's nothing," he uttered lowly. "Just long hours, deadlines…you know what it's like." He managed a half-smile, gradually notching it up in strength the longer her looked at her anxious face. "Just making a mountain out of a molehill, as usual."

Anna pursed her lips together, not feeling completely assured that his distantness didn't have anything to do with her. "We make quite the pair, don't we?" she said, forcing the smile into her voice.

He kept his eyes upon her momentarily, smiling weakly and nodding slightly, before he had to look away, his gaze falling to the ground again. Anna stopped their tracks, touching a hand lightly to his arm as she stood in front of him. She felt him shudder a little beneath her fingers, and she stuttered herself as she lifted her other hand up to cup his cheek delicately. His eyes flickered up to meet hers, and she kept them as steady as she could while the very tips of her fingers brushed against his skin.

"You are telling me the truth aren't you? Else, I'll only worry."

He smiled at her, small but genuine, closing his eyes for a second before his own hand reached up to cover hers that lay on his face. She inhaled as their fingers touched, his sweeping across hers gently as he lowered her hand. He gave a little squeeze before he released it.

"Well, we can't have that," he rasped, and she smiled to see his eyes brighten. His posture relaxed as he took a long breath out, and he straightened up, giving a little gesture for them to move forward. Anna nodded, stepping to the side.

"Please tell me you've eaten something. There'll be nothing of you soon enough, otherwise."

She gave him a little look, and then her expression eased. "A toasted ham sandwich. Very extravagant, I'm sure you'll agree."

John chuckled, and then held his arm out towards her. She took it without hesitation.

"Come on, I'll take you to that patisserie up the road. You need something more substantial."

Her face lit up impishly. "Aren't I sweet enough already?"

"I don't think you need me to answer that. But you are in need of a sugar rush."

The next evening, they were sitting side by side in a little bistro out towards the edge of the city, Robert and Cora on the other side of the table. When she visited the restaurant briefly at the end of the day yesterday, Robert suggested that they should go out somewhere else, the four of them. Anna relayed the idea to John during their nightly telephone catch-up and after some initial reluctance, he'd agreed. So long as the whole night wasn't spent talking shop, he said. She assured him that it wouldn't happen on her part, needing some headspace away from the restaurant and launch for a while. It didn't take that long for the smile to surface in his voice.

"How could I possibly refuse an evening in your company?"

The bistro chosen – on Cora's part, obviously – was lovely, just the relaxed change of scenery Anna needed after a hectic week. Outside, it had a verandah overlooking lush green gardens, and a small stream babbled away nearby in the ever-lightening evening. The food was delicious, four plates were left completely clean and a lazy, contented smile was set upon her face in the soft light of the place.

"That was absolutely beautiful," Cora exclaimed in her seemingly perpetually enthusiastic tone. "The lamb was so tender. If I wasn't watching my waistline, I would have had another helping."

"I'm with you there," John agreed, leaning back in his chair a little. He waggled his eyebrows. "Worried about the competition, Rob?"

Robert waved his hand dismissively. "Not at all," he uttered with bombastic confidence, before his expression altered. "This place is a few miles away, after all."

The three of them began to laugh raucously, yet the look on Robert's face suggested that perhaps he hadn't made the comment in jest.

"We're so excited about the launch, Anna," Cora mused, her eyes widening and her hands clasping together. "Robert's keeping it top-secret but from the little I've managed to get out of him, it all sounds excellent. I can't wait to see what's up your sleeve. I can tell you have a real talent for these things."

"And it's no mean feat, not with the way that bombsite was," Robert interjected.

Anna blushed, fiddling with her napkin. "I'm looking forward to it too. There's still a bit to do," she sighed lightly, glancing to the right to look at John, who was staring down at his plate. "But I'm hoping it'll all come together."

"Well, you can't rush perfection," Robert reclined, swiping the corners of his mouth. "It'll be fantastic, we're certain of it."

Anna nodded at the couple modestly, smiling sincerely before her eyes sought out John again. Her mind began to wander, occupied by trying to figure out what was going on in his. She noticed when he arrived to pick her up that the tension from the previous day still remained within him, and though he had been amiable throughout the evening, to her eyes his smile had been strained and not quite naturally fitting upon his face. Her fingers began to edge tentatively from where they lay upon her lap, and she continued to turn over possibilities in her head, lost until Cora interrupted her train of thought.

"We were thinking about having a night for friends at the restaurant before it officially goes public. A pre-launch launch, if you will, just for those who have been involved and who we want to show it to first." She smiled warmly towards Anna. "And, Anna, you'd be guest of honour. We'd insist."

"Oh, really, Cora, that's too much." She laughed a little nervously but remained utterly gracious. "But it'd be lovely. I would be honoured."

"And you can tag along too, John," Robert chortled as he poured more wine into each of their glasses.

"Thanks, mate," John retorted, arching his eyebrows and glancing at Anna, his eyes deep upon her as he took a sip of his drink. Her heart stopped for a millisecond and then fluttered wildly in her chest. Twisting his fingers around the stem, he settled his glass back down against the tablecloth.

"So, you've got poor Anna running around after you," he paused to smirk knowingly towards her, "but what about everything else? Are you all ready to go?"

Robert's face crumpled a little as he considered. "I'd say so. The menus are finalised, I can't foresee any major disasters ahead." He looked almost too relaxed as he took a long sip of wine. "But it's like anything, I suppose. There are things you can never expect."

At the very same moment, a grin washed over both of the men's faces.

"Oh, please," Cora touched a hand up to cover her temple. "Don't start…"

"Bom, bom, bom…Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!" they chorused simultaneously, their voices raising several decibels in the peaceful atmosphere.

Cora crouched across the table towards Anna, who was simply smiling, amused and a touch perplexed. "All the time," Cora whispered wearily.

"Our chief weapon is surprise," John boomed, "Surprise and fear. Fear and surprise."

Robert took over the routine effortlessly. "Our two chief weapons are surprise and fear. And a ruthless efficiency."

John swooped in again with faultless timing. "Our three main weapons are fear, surprise and a ruthless efficiency…"

"Seriously," Cora put a swift stop to the hilarity, Robert and John continuing to giggle like adolescents. "You two could do this a million times over – and you have – and I will still not get what's so funny about it."

"You Americans," Robert leaned in to his wife, emphasising her nationality on purpose. "You just don't get our fine humour…"

As Robert and Cora partly playfully bickered about which country had the superior comedy, Anna's searching gaze fell upon John. His shoulders were hunched as he stared ahead from the table, and she could feel the tension emanating from his body even before she touched him. Slowly, gently, she let her fingers creep across, ghosting a careful trail upon the hem of his trousers, until the palm of her hand lay firm on his leg, splayed out above his knee, covered by the tablecloth. She felt the muscles in the limb twitch and his eyes sparked, struck unawares by her touch. Robert and Cora were chattering on still, and gradually, he took his eyes away from the distance and brought them towards hers, blue and open and thoroughly soothing. It took a little time for him to become calm, but Anna kept on smiling, the pads of her fingers moving just a little in a subconscious rhythm over his thigh.

After long seconds, she felt his hand covering hers upon his lap, the tenderness and subtle strength of his touch cascading over her instantly. Her fingers stilled against him as they were captured with his own. Twining their hands together out of sight underneath the table, John began to rub little circles with his thumb over the skin next to hers. Anna had to make the effort to stop herself from sighing aloud as he continued, smiling at her more openly than he had done all night.

"Tell her, John," Robert's voice just about became apparent to both of their senses. "Monty Python is the best comedy in existence."

John kept smiling lazily at Anna, his eyes glazed over with affection.

"Whatever you say, mate."

Anna walked the length of the bistro, heading to the back entrance in the pretence of wanting a bit of fresh air. John had excused himself from the table some time ago, and she was getting increasingly concerned the longer he was gone. She went out onto the decked verandah, and found his figure underneath a little flowered archway, his face turned from her, yet she saw the cigarette grasped between his fingers, lifting up and away.

"I didn't know you smoked," she stated softly, her arms folded against her as she watched him swivel around.

"In times of weakness," he replied, exhaling a little trail of smoke and stubbing the remainder out beneath the toe of his shoe. "And desperation."

She frowned a little as she sauntered over to him, her hips swaying against the fabric of her dress. "Oh dear," she said in barely a whisper. "I wonder if I'd be able to help with that at all."

Reaching him, newly-budding roses studded over their heads, she couldn't resist circling her arms around his waist, suppressing the groan in the back of her throat as she felt the warmth of his skin upon the tips of her fingers through his layers. She batted her eyelashes as she craned her head to look up at his height.

"Alone at last," she purred, a delicious smirk plastered upon her lips which only moved when she inclined upwards. Moving tantalisingly closer, she darted out her tongue swiftly to moisten them and then puckered them into a loose pout, in fevered preparation to meet with his. Before she could achieve her aim, he arched his shoulders, pulling back sharply. He let out a heavy sigh as her face shadowed with confusion.

"What's the matter?" she asked gently, hoping to veil her bubbling frustration, a palm still placed on the small of his back. "If it's because of that, it doesn't put me off." She smiled, looking down at his feet while her fingers began to very delicately play upon him again, in much the same way as they had done when they had been sitting at the table. She couldn't go long until she fixed her eyes on him once more. "You know, I shouldn't care what I found out. Nothing could ever put me off you."

His voice was lower than hers had become, but significantly less sultry. "You might change your mind."

Even if it was not clear in her face, the puzzlement was set solid within her. He looked as though he had the weight of the world balanced upon his shoulders, and the strain was showing through in his expression.

"Something's not been right for days," she ventured, her voice getting just slightly harsher. "Whatever it is, I wish you'd come out with it. There's no use in being unclear about it." Her eyes softened as they stayed upon him, watching carefully. "I thought you'd know that you could tell me anything."

Under her sure gaze, he eased just perceptibly. He seemed as if he were hovering on the precipice of something insurmountable. Running a hand through his hair, loosening it, he sighed again before he finally made to speak.

"I know I've been a nuisance to you lately. Calling you, trying to pry you away from what you need to be doing."

Anna's insides untwisted, heaved into a comfortable heap. If this was all it was, he was a very silly beggar indeed.

"It's completely selfish of me, and I know it. I shouldn't be distracting you from your work. I'm sorry."

His feet shuffled about awkwardly beneath him, and Anna wanted to smother him in kisses.

"John, don't be silly. It's not a problem." Her fingers ghosted against her lips, acting as a barrier to the giggles that were straining to tumble from her. "I like being distracted by you."

She thought she saw the faintest sliver of a smile hidden on his face, before it was chased away completely.

"It's not just that."

His voice lowered again, still sounding utterly seductive to Anna's ears and making it increasingly difficult for her not to pounce on him. His eyes, so dark and reaching, tore a hole straight through her. His fingers fumbled in the air; he placed a gentle hand on the span of her waist, making her gasp briefly before he took it away again. Now his gaze was softer, sorrowful almost.

"I worry, Anna. Worry that this is all too sudden."

Her face fell a little as his looked to the ground.

"The last thing I want to do is push you too fast or too soon. Ten years, that's a massive thing. You should have all the space you need, and I'm stupid for not realising that sooner…"

His words trailed off into the air. Shifting into what he believed to be a better position, he cleared his throat before he continued, just a touch more confident this time.

"When we kissed…god, I'm not going to deny it was wonderful. But I don't want you to get the wrong impression, that you feel that you have to, that I should…"

He stumbled once more, exhaling a breath and closing his eyes for a second. Anna watched him intently, almost able to see the cogs whirring intently in his brain. They flickered open again, meeting her irises full on.

"I don't want to scare you, Anna. Please, I don't want you to feel obligated or pressured." Another sigh followed in his series. "I know I should know better."

She couldn't stop the smile quirking the corners of her mouth upwards, even though her heart was breaking within her chest for him. Angling the curve of her body closer to him underneath the little archway, she lowered her voice to a gentle, comforting hush.

"I can tell you, I'm not scared. Far from it," she breathed as the fingers of one hand trailed up his spine, and she smiled inwardly to feel him bristle at her touch. "Do you think I'd be acting like this if I was?"

He quirked his eyebrows up upon his forehead at her, and she giggled at his expression.

"I know what I want," she said, enunciating each word clearly. "And that's more of you."

She glowed to see his eyes and lips smiling down to her. She would have been content to stare at his smile for the rest of eternity, when she wasn't covering it with kiss after kiss.

"But, Anna, you must need time…"

"Time is short," she asserted firmly, her hand now reached up to brush the line of hair at the nape of his neck. "And too much of it is wasted." Her fingers stroked at the soft skin to punctuate her sentence.

"That's a very bold statement, Miss Smith," he managed to stutter out, shuddering slightly under her touch.

She smirked, her eyes sparkling mischievously but not hiding the certainty in her sentiments.

"It is, but it's entirely true." She sighed softly as the tips of her fingers sunk against the bristles of hair at the back of his neck, sweeping back and forth. "For too long I've stood, watching things pass me by. Not even noticing time fading away." Her eyes flitted across to his philtrum, the arch of his upper lip, and she pondered. "Now, I've had enough. I'm learning to be different. I'm learning to change." Her voice dropped again to a sultry whisper as she arched up a little, and he lowered to her. "And I'm learning that I like it."

A flash of a smile lit up on his face. "Just don't change too much. Because I like you exactly as you are."

Anna returned the smile, lacing the fingers of her free hand in his before she used them to guide his hand back to where it had been so briefly before. She glanced down at her hip as she placed his hand firmly on its curve, and thrilled as she saw his fingers curl around her possessively. Her own hand raked through his hair, ruffling the soft strands, teasing his scalp. She could only widen her grin for a second or two before his lips were lowered completely onto hers, the dull ache that had steadily built up within her all night relieved by the tender strokes they were lavishing. His kiss was soft but consuming, and as she parted her mouth to let his tongue slip inside, she could taste spice and red wine and a hint of smoke. She couldn't stop herself from making a little mewl as his other hand stroked down the length of her side while he continued to send heavenly shocks through her with each caress of his tongue upon her lips. Her knees were weakening fast, and she lifted a foot from the ground as he grasped her tight by the waist, not letting her go.

It took her some time to recover, to open her eyes and return back to earth.

"Does that answer your doubts, Mr Bates?"

His voice was slightly hoarse from their efforts. "I believe it does."

They stared at each other for a while, the whole world seeming to ebb away from where they stood circled together in a dream. Realising suddenly how they must have looked, they giggled, and John leaned forward to leave a series of little kisses upon Anna's reddened lips.

"They'll be wondering where we've got to," he whispered against her mouth, watching her eyes flicker coquettishly up to him.

"Let them wonder. I want to be alone with you for a few more minutes."

The grin spreading across his lips said he wanted the very same thing.

Stretching her limbs underneath the covers, Anna sunk back comfortably upon the propped up pillows, dimming the lamp at her bedside. A half-finished guest list lay in front of her on top of the duvet and she picked up the piece of paper in one hand, scanning the names, reaching for her address book to have another search for new additions. Before she could pick it up, her eyes drifted to the new paperback book nestled at its side, and she smiled. Throwing the guest-list onto the table at her side, she relaxed against the pillows, opening the crisp pages, cracking its spine lightly.

Inhaling deeply, not only could she smell that unique, intoxicating scent of a previously untouched book, but also him. His imprints were left upon the pages, every word and sentence spilling him out. She traced the very tips of her fingers over the book's smallish print, and could feel that she was still touching him.

Before she read on to the second page, the message alert on her phone bleeped loudly, breaking the peaceful silence. Forgetting that it was still even switched on, Anna didn't avert her eyes from the book until the phone screen was illuminated in her vision. She rested the book against her covered lap, and read the text instead.

- Sorry I've been such a pain. Didn't mean to worry you. And I'm very glad I don't have to worry about you. Time certainly doesn't stop, but I'm glad we could rewind it a little bit. I had a brilliant night – as ever when I'm with you. J

Tingles travelled through her, smiling wide as she absorbed the message. Just as she made to turn the phone off, the words still swirling in her mind, another text came.

- Forgot something. I'm not sure how, certainly not after tonight. Take care and sweet dreams, Anna. J x

Sealed with a kiss.

Surely now they had both jumped straight in, feet, heads and hearts first.

A/N: I chose Audrey Niffengger because The Time Traveller's Wife is my favourite novel. I don't think she's had a new book out in a while but whatever. John's a publisher, he has exclusives. (Also, I know Monty Python was popular in the US but I had to have Cora play off against the boys)

All thoughts welcome :)