A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! I couldn't be cruel and keep everyone hanging too long, so here we are with another quick update. Also, because it's my favourite thing when Anna and John are actually together. Enjoy!

They stood staring at each other for some moments, frozen in time, almost unable to comprehend the other's presence. John twitched his lips into a crooked smile while looking into Anna's eyes, and she was faintly annoyed at herself for feeling so enamoured with him all over again, all at once. In all honesty, she wasn't quite sure whether she had dreaded or longed for this moment. She had spent near on every second of the last week yearning to be with him, desperate to know why it was he was avoiding her. While she certainly couldn't stifle the rush of exhilaration that ran through her gazing into those absorbing, simply gorgeous eyes, she was incredibly puzzled and more than a touch irritated too. As the wind brushed by, running through her hair, she let each frantic feeling subside and let them all just be. Either way, it had happened, and now they were both here in the centre of it.

"Anna."

He breathed out her name in a sigh, his lips curling up surer now.

Shivers travelled over her at an alarming speed. In less than a second, she was smiling back at him dreamily. If she had more sense, she would be furious at the way she was acting, playing into his hands completely. He had a way of doing things to her that she couldn't even explain.

"How are…"

They both rushed to ask each other the question at once, aiming to break the rather otherworldly daze that had surrounded them on the middle of the street. Anna looked down at the pavement, smiling as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and heard him let out a low rumble of a chortle.

When he made no further response, she raised her eyes, captured by his gaze again, which seemed to be trying to assess before she confirmed it that she was well, after all.

"I'm good. I'm great, thank you."

She didn't know why she had lied. Self-preservation, perhaps.

"I'm glad to hear it."

He looked genuinely pleased to know that she was doing so wonderfully, even without him, and Anna felt as if her heart would crack open for him. She pressed her lips together in a half smile that she hoped would convey her true feelings.

"And how are you? Well, I hope."

He took a few seconds to formulate his reply, as if he was considering how far he should tell the truth. Anna didn't like being so suspicious, but then she was hardly one to judge considering the way she had been with him since the last moments she had seen him previously. Slowly, he bobbed his head and his eyes lighted, even if they didn't blaze completely.

"I am," he said, lengthening out the short words. "Well, that is."

She nodded in response, the smile still on her lips. The formality between them was quite unsettling, but there were deeper feelings fighting to rise up, break through, for both of them. She kept hers in control, just for now.

"That's brilliant."

His smile widened at her soft reply, and now she couldn't stop herself from relenting inside. The desperate need to know died out, replaced with the just as powerful urge to simply be close to him. To keep on staring into his soul. To go forward and kiss him, her hand upon his face as his lips parted against hers, telling her the only thing she ever needed to be sure of.

She was on the verge of doing acting all this out when all so suddenly, his fingers were on her wrist. She sucked in a rapid breath as they stroked her skin lightly just beneath the edge of her jacket sleeve. Her eyes fixed on his movements, visible to her alone, before she was compelled to look up into his eyes once more.

"Anna, don't think…" he began, and then stopped with a sigh. She could see that he was struggling, and she wanted to say that it didn't matter, none of it did, just to make it easier on him. But the truth was that it did, at least in some form.

She caught two of his fingers as they moved upon her, curling them in her hand. A comfort pervaded her, running through to him in that simple touch that said so much.

He smiled brighter than she had seen in a while.

"Please don't think that I haven't thought about calling. I have, you know."

"I didn't think," she smiled sweetly. A little white lie didn't hurt, not in these circumstances.

"It's just, things have got crazy. With work."

He hurried to conclude his sentence, lest she think he might be possibly referring to their own rapidly developing relationship.

She nodded her head. "I understand."

John shook his, discontented. "It's no excuse," he said firmly. "I can't imagine what you must have thought about me. And whatever and however many terrible curses you did think, they were all completely deserved."

"They weren't that bad."

He chuckled, his whole body relaxing from how it had been, curled tight like a coiled spring.

"Well, I'll call myself everything under the sun on your behalf. I have been, anyway."

He inched a little nearer to her on the pavement, lacing his fingers between hers for all too brief a moment. Anna hadn't realised how much she had missed the sensation of simply holding his hand. She thought now maybe that was what she had missed the most about their absence from each other. Even after he had let go, she was smiling at the feeling still rifling through her body, clinging on to and living upon the remembrance of his touch.

"I have thought about calling, all the time. Of course I would. I've thought about you, and hardly anything but."

Somewhere, she let out an inward sigh of relief. She felt so silly for all of her fretting. She was thinking of him, and he was doing the same about her, all the while, just as she had known, just as she had felt in her heart. Still, hearing it confirmed meant the world to her.

"That's nice to know," she said without thinking, and then cringed at how flippant and wrong the sentiment sounded, as if she were being sarcastic. Luckily, John didn't see it that way and instead grinned wide at her, showing a little of his teeth, which was a rarity. She had to do the same.

"I mean it, Anna. I know it's ridiculous, but maybe it's just that you make me lose the ability to think straight."

Her cheeks grew pink as he fixed her with a deep stare.

"You're a busy man," she waved a hand in the air as she spoke. "You have a lot to think about. I'm just glad that I'm in there somewhere amongst it all."

"Of course you are."

His voice was so resonant, so sincere. Anna felt as if she were the only woman on the earth, listening to him speak, watching him watch her. She wished they hadn't lost this time, however short it had been. The memory of that night seemed so faded now in her mind, it was almost as if it had never happened. She smiled at him, open and true, unable to disguise her feelings. It didn't matter at all what he might have seen, what she had done. All that mattered from now on was them, going forward, together.

"Things have been hectic all of a sudden, and I've let myself get caught up," he continued to explain.

"You're entitled to."

He looked at her slightly sheepishly. "I don't want to get like that, though. Neglecting things. Important things."

She flushed hearing his words hang in the air.

"It's not fair."

Anna wasn't too bothered about what was fair, not when he was there in front of her, saying such things. The only thing she cared about was him.

His smile seemed to tell her that he knew.

"So, there was that. And also, I thought you might have other things going on." He looked down, faltering a little. Finding her eyes again after moments, he began to find his way back. "I thought you still had to deal with your other…your…"

Her eyes widened. "Jeremy? Oh, no. That's been dealt with. Not that there was anything to deal with. Really."

Again, she hoped she didn't come across too pleading, as if she was trying to guiltily cover up something that hadn't even existed. She saw John's chest rising and falling, finally breathing out something he had been holding for a while.

"I know things have happened between us," His voice lowered to a husky whisper, as if he was suddenly shy mentioning it. Anna was in the strange predicament of being endeared and really quite roused by the combination of what he was saying and how he said it. "But I also know we haven't really confirmed anything. I mean, I wouldn't want to presume, not if you didn't feel you wanted…and if you had things to sort, I'd be okay with that. You know I wouldn't mind. At least, I hope you do."

Anna broke into a breathtaking smile. She did wonder how often they were going to go round in circles with the matter of them, and while the feeling of not being totally sure made her quite giddy, she decided it was high time she put a stop to the uncertainty, at least on her part.

"Do you think I just go to bed with all the successful strikers I come across?"

There was a hint of confusion as well as amusement upon his face.

"Or centre forwards…" She racked her brains for any other footballing terminology, before giving up and laughing. "Or whatever it is."

The puzzlement had lifted, and all that remained was an unmistakable grin.

"We need to get you to Old Trafford," he laughed, and she was caught in the twinkle in his eyes. "But seriously, Anna, I didn't want to assume anything. I don't feel I'm in a position to. You've been through a lot, real life-upheaval things, and I don't want to charge in, put you in a position where you didn't feel comfortable."

She was smiling. Once again, he was proving to be the perfect gentleman, something she'd given up on believing existed. She really had no space to complain when her dreams were coming true before her eyes.

"I'm very comfortable with you."

She couldn't help herself from making the cheeky retort, seeing as it was completely true. As her giggles began to die down a little, along with the fuzzy feeling that was gathering in her stomach, she straightened her face, enough to be serious without being severe. She reached out for his hand, and he offered it willingly. His thumb began to stroke at her skin subconsciously and she sighed before she began to speak.

"I know you're being gallant and I love that about you." She flashed with heat as the twine of their hands brought their bodies closer together, and also with what she had said. Not quite a confession, but she couldn't help thinking she was getting ever nearer to coming out with it. "But I think you know what I'd like for us." She gazed down at their hands together, how his covered hers completely and how they fit so wonderfully, and she almost held her breath. "I hope you do, too."

She glanced up towards his waiting gaze, and held herself for his answer. Time expanded wider than she'd ever known.

"I do," he answered, and she wanted to shout with joy.

They shared a little moment, taking in the change that in a mere second had shifted everything for them, yet only marked what had already been for a little while. If only they were somewhere else, she could show him just how much that simple affirmation meant.

At once, she realised they were still standing in the street not too far from his place of work and she had to snap back to reality.

"I was just going out for lunch," John said to bring them out of their daze. "If you're not doing anything now, you could join me?"

"I'd love to," Anna replied. "But I've got a viewing for a flat in about forty minutes." She glanced at her watch. "I'm probably late enough as it is."

"Sorry about that," he murmured.

"I'm not," she smirked wickedly. "I could grab something quickly."

"I don't want to take up more of your time."

"Considering I haven't seen you in a week, I've no complaints."

They smiled at one another and Anna was fascinated, still finding that she had more of his smiles to discover anew.

"I tell you what, are you free for any longer than lunch?" she enquired.

"I've got an hour or so between meetings."

Anna smiled contentedly. "Well, why don't you come with me? If that's okay…you do know how much I value your opinion. And of all things, I am terribly indecisive when it comes to property."

John grinned towards her. "Why not? I quite fancy that I know a thing or two."

"That's sorted, then."

Walking through the streets, Anna's laughter floated on the air as she finished off her hastily bought baguette and listened to John regaling her with the antics she hadn't been aware of at the restaurant launch night while she was busy with other things, of Robert making a bit of a spectacle of himself.

"You did well to keep him hidden from view."

"Years of experience," he stated. "He always had to end up burrowed away in a corner after a long night, I'm more than used to being the one to handle it." He turned his head to look at her, his eyebrows raised and mouth quirked. "Besides, it wasn't Rob I was afraid of. I didn't want to risk incurring your wrath."

He chortled when Anna shot him a look of daggers.

"I'll have you know I would have been perfectly professional," she exclaimed.

"Hmm, I'm not sure," he teased at her, seeing that she was growing flustered. "I bet you're quite feisty once you get going, Miss Smith."

She hopped on her heels, aiming a light smack against his arm. He pretended to howl and cower in pain, and she had to giggle.

"I think I'd quite like that side of you," he rasped as they fell back into even steps together, throwing her a heated glance. Anna could only respond with a glowing smile.

It hadn't taken long at all, for any awkwardness as a result of their separation to be overcome and for everything to go back just to how it had been previously between them. They talked with ease, and there was an added lightness to their exchanges now, which seemed to come with their increased familiarity. Occasionally, Anna felt herself seeking his touch and John would happily oblige. To walk down the street with her hand in his, without a care, as if it was the most natural state of affairs, was the greatest feeling in the world to her.

She told him excitedly all about the set-up she had arranged with Mary for their own business, just the day previous. As she went through every little detail, he seemed deeply impressed, his brows raising higher on his forehead and his smile growing wider and warmer.

"What did I tell you?" he announced as she concluded. "I knew you'd be just grand with your own company. You'll take on the world, the pair of you."

Anna was a little more modest than John's lofty proclamations.

"Well, we've got a lot to put in place first, but fingers crossed. I have a really good feeling about it all."

"And so you should. I know it will all go absolutely swimmingly."

He stopped their tracks to brush her hair aside and place a soft kiss on her forehead. Anna closed her eyes for the moment and shuddered a smile before they went on.

"Mary's a great girl. She gives the impression that she's some kind of ice queen, but it's all a front," he assured, from experience. "From ever since she was tiny, she's been headstrong and determined to do well. And she'll be even more so when it comes to her own endeavours. But she's just as dedicated as a friend. She would do anything for those she deems close enough to let in to see the real her. And I have a feeling you've been fast tracked."

He smiled that knowing smirk at her again, and Anna matched him with one just as bright.

"It is funny," she conceded as they kept on, "I do feel like I've known her for years. And that's only with a couple of meetings. But we just clicked. Maybe it's a stroke of fate."

It was strange, how lightning had struck twice, with regards to friendship and also matters of the heart. She couldn't fathom it really, but she had decided that was exactly the joy of it.

John had the same idea.

"Perhaps," he smiled. "Everything's falling into place. You're a lucky girl."

"If you say so. You think very highly of yourself," she teased back at him, lifting her eyebrows and poking out her tongue. She was rewarded with a cheeky grin and hearty laugh.

Anna pondered what he had said. It really did feel that way, that everything was coming together and her life was rearranging for the better. To anyone else it might have been dramatic, too much to handle. Even for someone as strong as her, it had been trying. But now she realised a test had been precisely what she had needed to figure things out, to get her on her feet. She had been stuck, held rigid for years and years; she dreaded to think what might have been if something hadn't come along to wake her up. Sometimes, it took one thing for everything to change, for life to turn around completely and become complete.

She welcomed the wild beat of her heart as she kept looking at John. He had been the catalyst of everything, her one thing that made all the difference. She felt alive just thinking of how much more difference he would make.

She noticed that he had started to walk ahead of her while she had been daydreaming of precisely him, and he held his hand out behind him, towards her.

"Come on then, Miss Smith," he bellowed as she hurried along to grab it. "Let's see if we can get everything right for you."

"This is the lounge…it's very spacious, given the size of the apartment."

The eager voice of the estate agent rung out around the room as she showed them around, Anna carefully gazing around at the uncluttered space, the overview of the flat clutched in her hands. John stayed a little bit behind, surveying the walls and ceilings.

"You'll see that it leads on to an open-plan kitchen and dining space, which has a small balcony too." She pointed her arm to and fro towards the different areas, everything about her enthusiastic. "It has a really nice view of the city. Really, you won't get better value in such a well situated area."

"How long has it been unoccupied? Is everything stable and secure, as it should be?"

Anna flicked her head round to see that John was now by her side, asking questions about the state of the property as opposed to its superficial design. He outstretched an arm, testing his hand against a wall and then pressing it more firmly to assess the condition of the plaster. She smiled as he ran a questing finger over the join in the wall, looking very much as if he knew what he was checking for.

"Oh yes," the estate agent stuttered, smoothing down her skirt as John fixed her with an enquiring stare. "It's not long come back on the market, the last tenants moved out only two months ago. They were very pleased with the apartment, by all accounts." Her tone brightened as she saw Anna looking about inquisitively and John's expression soften as his eyes followed Anna's gaze. "It's a fairly new build, from five years ago. That means all standards have been met, but regular checks are carried out by the builders. When the tenants moved out they came back in and gave everything a thorough check."

The man seemed satisfied, and the estate agent was relieved to see a hint of a smile grow on his face as he regarded her, and then looked back again at the younger, petite woman at his side.

"May we see the upper floor?" Anna enquired, her tone of question gentler than John's had been.

The vibrant smile was back on the estate agent's face and she nodded furiously before she made to turn, leading the way towards the small staircase that went up to the ceiling eaves.

"Certainly," she chimed, bringing them both up to stand on the narrow landing. It was something of a tight squeeze for three people, and Anna was brushed against John, almost tucked in against his side. She glanced up at him as he slipped an arm about her waist, her blue eyes bright. She certainly had no complaints about the space, or lack thereof, where they were standing.

"Here, there's a bathroom at the far end and two bedrooms," the estate agent directed their gazes at the various doors. "The space is made good use of; even though there are only two bedrooms, they're very sizeable."

She led them into the room that was being used as the main bedroom, and Anna saw that the estate agent was being honest. It was almost bigger than the two bedrooms and bathroom put together at Gwen's. She took a little wander round, gazing out of the windows that stretched nearly to the floor. The clean white walls made the room even lighter and absolutely serene. She sank a hand against the soft double bed before she arrived back at John's side. In seconds, his hand was nestled again upon her hip and she leaned into his touch unconsciously, the warmth of his arm so good at her back.

"The other bedroom is a touch smaller but still considerably spacious. There's a lot that can be done with it." The estate agent paused, her eyes caught by the semi-circle of arms holding the couple very close together. "It's certainly big enough to start a family."

Anna and John looked at each other in that instant, both pairs of eyes wide. A rosy blush crept up from Anna's neck to brush her cheeks and she began to giggle melodiously, her shoulders curling against his chest and a beautiful light spilling out from her smile. John smiled at the sight in return, squeezing her waist very gently.

They hardly heard the voice of the estate agent as it trailed away from them in their reverie. "I'll leave you both to have a look around upstairs. If you need to find or know anything, I'll be downstairs."

John looked over his shoulder as he walked about the room, smiling at Anna's bright face. She seemed very taken with the place.

"What do you think, then?"

"It's nice," Anna affirmed, her steps soft against the plush carpet. "In a good area too."

"Close to all the good schools?" He smirked at her as he landed to sit upon the bed and Anna rolled her eyes at him. Still chuckling, he spread his hands out over the covers, moving them back and forth in a hypnotising pattern. "Would you consider putting an offer in?"

Anna tilted her head to the side in thought.

"Well, it's certainly the best one I've seen so far. Maybe I should look around a little more, but I don't know if I'll get anything as good for the price and the location." She curled her lips in a warm smile. "And thank you for being so forthright, giving the third degree about everything downstairs. I'm always a bit reluctant to ask, though I know I should."

"It was no problem," he said, his voice teeming with that surety that always made her feel safe and reassured. "I just want to ensure that you're taken care of."

She couldn't stop the grin from splitting her face. "Oh, I am. Very well taken care of."

The blush that had hastened from her features reappeared as she kept her eyes upon him, his figure crouched upon the bed but not lessened by any means. She certainly could see herself living here, quite happily. Occupying this very room, stretched out in that bed night after night comfortably. On occasions alone; other times with John lying next to her, skin pressed eagerly against skin, his long legs twined with hers, urging her closer to his body, kisses so hot that they sent the temperature soaring and the covers being thrown hastily off the bed to the other side of the room as their passion encroached upon them…

Her thoughts were all over the place and she felt incredibly bothered all of a sudden. She had to take a few steps back to stop herself from doing something unthinkable with the estate agent just downstairs. John stood up, making things a bit easier for her to calm down now he was no longer reclined invitingly on the large bed. She hadn't failed to wipe the mischievous smirk from her face though, and he saw as much.

"What are you up to?"

He grinned towards her with a glint in his eyes, striving to match her own.

"Nothing," she remarked sweetly. "I just think you've helped me come to a decision."

His smile followed her down the stairs.

They walked back along the street, retracing the route from not too long ago, their steps quicker this time.

"You go ahead if you need to," Anna told John, who glanced at his watch just briefly. "I don't want to slow you down."

"Don't be silly," he responded softly, "You could never do that."

Anna smiled as he halted their steps to take both of her hands in his. She was sure she would never grow tired of the overwhelming feeling of his fingers circling around hers, especially not when he took care to caress them so considerately.

"It was so good seeing you again," he said, leaning in a little towards her. "I'm glad that we got things sorted."

"There was nothing to sort," she hurried to answer, her thumb coming from underneath to sweep across his. "Just silly little misunderstandings, that's all."

"On my behalf," John replied. "It's taken me longer than it should, but at least now I understand very clearly."

Anna grinned at the crinkles that were springing up at the corners of his eyes. She began to spontaneously laugh at the easy silence that fell between them, and a bit bemused but more caught up in contentment, John followed.

When they both recovered themselves, he moved to speak.

"I was going to ask…well, you've probably had enough of me for one day."

Anna shook her head. "You daft thing. Do you really think a couple of hours makes up for the time I've been without you?"

He beamed happily at her reply.

"I was just thinking, if you're free, that we could do something this evening. Rob and Cora are holding a music night at the restaurant, we could return to the scene of the crime?"

She rolled her eyes lightly, and didn't stifle a little giggle. Swiping her hand over the expanse of one of his, she tossed her head to the side.

"That sounds all very well," she began, more than a hint of flirtation in her voice which was unmistakeable when she flicked her eyes up towards him. "But I think it would be even better if we did something…just the two of us. To make up for lost time, and everything."

He caught her gaze effortlessly, and a smile eased onto his face immediately at her better idea.

"I was hoping you might say that."

A/N: Hope you liked their little reunion! As always, I'd love to know what you think.

It's great to hear that some of you have watched Sliding Doors now, especially going off this story. That's just amazing! I really hope you stay with the story, and continue to be surprised with what's in store for Anna and John...