A/N: It's Robert and Cora's wedding anniversary! Lots of '80's songs (see how many you can spot - and see if you can spot the reference to another TV show...) and dancing, and basically an excuse for a bit of cheesiness. But a fair bit of A/B fluff too.

I also played about with the POV towards the end - usually we get Anna's perspective, but here we get some of John's too. I hope it works okay.

"Not you as well," Anna laughed as they walked hand-in-hand in the warm, light summer night. "Mary's been so down on this party, it's unbelievable. I thought I could count on you to be enthusiastic."

She rubbed the pad of her thumb over the curve of his, a smile sparkling in her eyes when she observed his slightly dour, resigned expression. She rested her head against his arm as they went on walking, glancing up and feeling happy to see that she'd coaxed a softer look as he stared ahead.

"I thought you'd be thrilled to relive the days of your youth."

John visibly cringed, his hand tightening in hers. Anna gave a bit of a nervous laugh, hoping she hadn't said anything wrong, though she couldn't think how she might have done. He always took her teasing with the good nature that was intended. He rubbed his free hand against his jaw, looking far out into the distance before turning his eyes to her. They told a different story to the rest of his face; they were pondering, melancholy even.

"I suppose that's it," he sighed. "Thinking of the past, it just makes me feel so old."

Anna shook her head, warmed by his insecurities. And people always said that women were the worst for that kind of thing.

"Don't be silly, you shouldn't look at it that way," she reassured in a soft tone, her hand stroking down his arm.

"1985," he uttered, in wonder and mainly in disbelief. "How was it that long ago?"

Her soft laugh carried along as he mused, the crinkles at his eyes deepening in thought.

"I mean, how old were you then?"

She leant her head a little to the side, looping her arm into his. "Nearly two."

John's face shadowed. "Oh, god."

Anna's first instinct was to giggle, but she ceased when she saw how troubled he looked. His expression made her feel a little worried for the briefest of moments.

"It's now that matters," she said, increasing her grasp on his arm. "Don't you feel strange, because I certainly don't." She smiled softly, the tips of her fingers drifting soothingly over him. "Unless I'm part of your mid-life crisis, that is."

John raised his eyebrows, a little surprised by her thinking, before he shot out a laugh.

"Certainly not. I'm only sorry I didn't find you sooner."

She grinned up at him happily, a thrill surging through her.

"Well, these things take time. We both just had to wait."

"Too long," he uttered, smiling with only a touch of sorrow on his face now. It rose up again when he looked deeply at her. "I just hope you don't come to regret your choice. You could have your pick of any young man, and you've ended up with me."

She nudged at his arm lightly while pouting her lips.

"I wouldn't care for them," she affirmed. "I much prefer a man with experience. Someone who can teach me things."

His eyes looked as though they would fall out of his head and she laughed to herself while she didn't give up gazing at him.

"I was talking about everything that happened in the 80's," she answered his dark look apparently innocently. "I don't remember much aside from cartoons and Cabbage Patch Kids."

John tutted, looking a little disappointed, and she laughed tunefully, patting his arm.

"I'll see if the stories come back to me tonight. I think I tucked most of them away in the recesses of my mind, with good reason."

"It doesn't matter if you don't remember," she shrugged, her sandals bouncing over the pavement. "I'll just get Robert to tell me about all of your escapades."

"So that's your plan, is it?" he enquired, ghosting fingers over the skin at her wrist. "Now I'll just have to counterattack. Come up with a way to keep you off the scent."

"I'm sure you'll think of something."

"I don't know, I don't think you like to let things drop easily."

She smiled brightly as they stopped for a moment. "I can find ways to be persuaded."

He ducked to give her a quick kiss, softly squeezing the hand that was still held in his. She went up on her tiptoes, looping her hands around his shoulders to return the favour, a little deeper.

"I'm just relieved they didn't decide to go for fancy dress," John shuddered slightly in the humid air, his hand hovering at the small of Anna's back as they went on.

"I was rather sad about that," she replied, eyes lighting up as she imagined. "It would have been fun. Just think of the sights."

"It was bad enough at the time. Ripped jeans, flouncy shirts…"

Anna scrunched up her face. "Not together, surely?"

"Some people. Not me," he was quick to point out. "Definitely Rob. More than once."

He winced a little as a long forgotten memory reared its head. Anna began to smile expectantly.

"Though," he started hesitatingly, "there might have been a pair of leather trousers. Red ones, of all."

Her eyes were alight, with amusement more than anything. Though she couldn't deny a part of her was really quite intrigued at the mental image.

"Before you ask, there aren't any pictures," he said, and her face dropped a little. "I made sure they were all burned long ago, in being unable to burn the trousers themselves. For one very fearful night I thought I'd never wear anything else again."

Anna couldn't help but giggle freely, her head rocking against his arm. After a bout of breathless, cheerful laughter, she glanced up at him with pleading eyes, her hand braced against him as they neared their destination.

"I don't suppose you'd consider wearing them again…" she curled her lips together, trying hard to stifle another giggling fit.

John looked down at her, straight-faced but with a twinkle dancing just visibly in his eyes.

"Then you'd know I was definitely having a mid-life crisis."

Walking into the hall, banners and balloons were strung from the ceiling, a huge inflatable 'two' and 'eight' sitting in the corner. There weren't too many people there as yet, it was a little early, but the party atmosphere was already being put into full swing, single-handedly by one man.

"Oh, Jesus Christ," John muttered from the side of his mouth, raising a hand to his head while Anna held onto his other arm.

Robert was charging back and forth across the dancefloor, displaying a very interesting and inventive range of moves, all perfectly timed to the beat of the sound-system that was blasting out I'm Your Man by Wham!. He remained completely oblivious to their entrance for a while, too wrapped up in dancing like a wild man and roaring out the words at the top of his voice. Anna found it hard to disguise her amusement, burying her face against John, who just shook his head incredulously.

"If you're gonna do it, do it right, right, do it with me…"

He shuffled over, performing some enthusiastic hip thrusts and jigging his head from side to side, coming to his senses a little when he perceived John and Anna's presence.

"You're kidding me," John exclaimed after Robert had thrown his arms about him, still stomping his feet against the floor.

"Ah, come on, Johnny boy. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy a bit of Wham! back in the day. I saw you dancing to them many a time," Robert wiggled his finger at John and in time to the music.

"Only because you didn't want to be on the dancefloor on your own," he insisted, nodding vigorously towards Anna who was smiling towards the pair of them. "I humoured you, because nobody else would."

Robert was chugging his arms up and down, weaving inbetween the two of them.

"That's true friendship," Anna laughed, reaching her hand out in the air towards John.

"It really is," Robert replied before he did a little spin on the floor. "My best buddy. The Andrew Ridgeley to my George Michael."

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Cora caught hold of Robert around the middle, stilling his frantic movements. "And on our anniversary, of all nights."

Robert swivelled his head, giving his wife a swift kiss on the cheek as she smiled.

"Not at all, my sweet," he said, hugging Cora close and clutching her hand, swaying her in time to the music. "I can assure you nothing like that has happened between us. Although, John, you're looking rather fine this evening. The night is young…"

John leaned back on his heels, wrapping a protective arm around Anna.

"You know I love you mate, but that might be pushing it a bit," he replied.

Robert looked slightly offended before Cora grasped upon the lapels of his jacket.

"You're my man, anyway," she trilled.

"That I am," Robert responded with a growl, pulling her forward to land a big kiss upon her lips.

Over the loud music, Anna thought she could hear a sharp tutting sound and laughed to herself to see Mary at the other side of the room, her eyes averted to the ceiling in disgust and clutching a glass, readily knocking back its contents in response to the display of her parents. She smiled, hugging both of her arms around John while they watched Robert and Cora take a spin on the floor.

"Bloody Wham!," John huffed lowly, his breath against Anna's hair. "If that's the calibre of what we can expect, then we should give up hope now for the whole night."

Anna giggled, lifting her head from where it lay upon his chest.

"Get you, John Bates, being too cool for school," she said jokingly, pushing her palm lightly against his torso. "It is Robert and Cora's party, and they're entitled to choose the music. They look like they're having a pretty good time."

Robert was twisting his knees down to the floor ahead of them, holding Cora's hand aloft as she bobbed from foot to foot, planting a series of kisses along her arm as he rose back up. Anna and John both smiled fondly at the sight of the couple dancing, almost alone on the dancefloor. She placed her head back against the warmth of his body while they began to sway a little themselves, unknowingly.

"You know it's my mission to get you dancing before the end of the night?" Anna smiled, her voice breaking the barrier of his broad chest. "For one dance at least."

John gazed down at her, fluttering her eyelashes. He sighed, being unable to deny her any of her wishes; indeed, being unable to deny her anything.

"As long as I get to choose the song," he said, holding her by the small of her back. "They really should have asked me to do the DJing, I would have happily obliged. I can do better than Wham!, at any rate."

Anna shook her head against him, smiling as Cora left Robert to his devices, now doing a spot of air guitar to Addicted To Love, and came back over to where they were standing.

"I'm so sorry, letting Robert drag me away like that," she apologised. "Can I get you any drinks? The food isn't quite all out yet, but I can hurry them along."

Anna smiled at Cora, being ever the hostess. "No, I'm fine, thanks Cora." She looked up at John. "How about you?"

"I'm wonderful for now."

Cora beamed at them both, huddled close together, looking as though they were in their own separate little world. She was reluctant to intrude upon the scene, as she observed Anna glancing back up at John again, but when she returned her gaze, Cora touched her hand softly to Anna's arm.

"How is everything with the new apartment?"

"It's great," Anna smiled in response to Cora's question, subconsciously looking towards John as she did so, who grinned back down at her.

"And you're all settled?" Cora continued.

"Oh, definitely settled," Anna said with a smirk, wrapping her arms tighter around John. He let out a hoarse laugh, and now Cora didn't feel so much that she was imposing as that she was in another dimension completely, colouring a little as she wasn't unconscious of their meaning, showering adoring and suggestive looks at one another.

Realising what they must have looked like, both turned to face Cora in seconds, Anna coughing out a "sorry".

"Oh, don't be silly," Cora said in a hushed voice, as if she was keeping it secret. "I'm glad everything's going well."

John and Anna shared another smile between themselves, John pulling her closer out of the gaze of Cora's eyes for a few seconds, Anna sighing silently as she was overwhelmed by him once more for a dizzying moment.

The attention of all three, as well as Robert, still giving it his all on the dancefloor, was directed across the room by a loud whoop over the music. They turned to see a young man holding his hands over his head, before putting them into an air guitar pose much like Robert was doing.

"How are ya, Robert?" he shouted with a smile, his face turning momentarily formal. "Err, I mean, Mr Crawley." The wide grin was back within seconds as he started to hop on his feet. "Nice moves you've got there!"

Cora shook her head at Robert's stern face as he travelled back over to where they were standing.

"Who's that?" John enquired, ears pricking up at the stranger's Irish brogue.

"Tom, Sybil's new beau," Cora explained, though as they collectively looked round to see his arm snaking around Sybil's waist there was little need to explain. Even under the spotlights, Robert's face flared red. "She met him when she was going across Africa, they were both doing missionary work. And they decided to stay out going over to other countries when it finished. He came over a couple of weeks ago to meet us all. He's a lovely boy, very…vocal."

The frown embedded itself deeper on Robert's expression, eyes sneering as they stayed fixed to the other side of the room, watching Tom like a hawk while he cheered, hands pressed to Sybil's hips as he was pulling her giggling onto the dancefloor.

"Isn't he lovely, Robert?" Cora nudged his arm, trying to deflect his steely glare. "I think he's very well suited to Sybil."

Robert answered with a loud tut that said he thought otherwise. "She'll get bored of him soon enough. Hopefully."

Cora rolled her eyes at her husband. "Now, come on, Robert. You promised you would be nice, for Sybil's sake. You know she thinks a lot of him."

That much was clear to both Anna and John's eyes, as they saw Sybil wrapping her arms around Tom's shoulders and then her legs around his waist as he twirled her around. They shared a rather enthusiastic kiss and Robert's grimace could likely be heard from the other side of the world.

"I can be nice," Robert insisted, "As long as he stays at that end of the room, and I don't have to endure any more 'public displays of affection'." He wrinkled his nose in disgust as Cora sighed. "I mean, Cora, really. He should have a little more respect when we're around, manhandling our daughter in front of us."

"She seems to be enjoying it," Anna whispered to John, who gave a smile towards the young couple.

"It's probably because he's Irish," Robert remarked offhand.

"Hey, watch what you're saying, George," John shot back quickly, pointing an accusing finger towards Robert with the smirk still half playing at his lips.

Robert held his hands up in defence. "Present company excepted, of course."

John nodded in approval, keeping one arm stayed around Anna while reaching out to pat his friend on the shoulder. Robert leaned forward a little to accept the gesture before the song changed abruptly.

"Jitterbug! Jitterbug!"

Robert raised his arms, face lighting up in hope towards John, who just shook his head slowly.

"Don't think about it. Off you go go."

Without any more approval, Robert charged back off towards the floor, taking a shrieking Cora with him.

Anna glanced up at John, his figure and his face both unmovable. The tiniest hint of a smile was visible as she kept staring up at him, tugging lightly at his waist.

"Not while this is on. You'll be lucky to get your dance at all, Miss Smith."

The dancefloor remained occupied by Robert and Cora, Sybil and Tom and a few other stragglers for a little while longer, the party warming up and many people waiting to have a few drinks before they found their dancing feet. Those who were brave enough departed the floor when the strains of The Power of Love started, the song being the same one that Robert and Cora had as the first dance at their wedding. The couple were alone, reliving their moment in relative privacy as everyone else looked on fondly from the sidelines. As they swayed in time, Cora could be seen gazing into her husband's eyes intently, mouthing the words with passion, that she was his lady and he was her man. Anna found herself getting a little teary-eyed as she watched, her fingers entwined softly with John's on the tabletop. She closed her eyes against the music, the lyrics floating around in her head and seeming to hit her right in the chest:

"We're heading for something, somewhere I've never been…sometimes I am frightened but I'm ready to learn, about the power of love…"

Her hand had become tighter in his grasp, and Anna opened her eyes again when she realised how desperately she was holding on. She made to pull her fingers back reluctantly, but instead John's own covered them swiftly. She smiled with still glassy eyes as he turned to fix a look upon her, squeezing her fingers softly, saying something unspoken.

Little groups began to form on the floor again afterwards when the uptempo music returned and Sybil bounced along, urging Anna to get up and join them. She didn't refuse; she had been itching to get up and dance for ages. She did shoot a look at John before she left his side at the table but he only sat back with his half-full glass, giving a light shake of his head but telling her to go ahead with his eyes, smiling at her barely restrained enthusiasm. Anna grinned back at him before letting herself be pulled from her feet by Sybil, placing herself in the little circle as they bopped to Walking On Sunshine. The group of girls kept dancing through Whitney Houston and The Bangles, stretching their vocal cords as well as their limbs. Anna laughed delightedly as she danced, throwing her hands into the air and singing along. Even Mary had been persuaded to join in, with a drink in her hand, her feet stepping from side to side in a manner less elegant than her usual gait.

As she twirled, at more than one point in every song Anna found John's eyes from across the floor. He was always occupied with something, whether it was going up to the bar to get drinks for people or talking to whoever happened to sit down by him. He was in conversation with Anthony presently, and as usual, he was showing great respect, his attention absorbed. Anna smiled to herself as she made to turn back around, but then, as in all of the other instances, his gaze fell upon her, so intent in watching. Anna's heart hammered to see that smile of his widen as he directed it towards her. She wiggled her hips a little more, pointing at him and flashing a brilliant smile as she went on dancing, in that moment just for him, delighting when she saw his expression momentarily change. Even if he wasn't exactly where she wanted him for now, she felt absolutely wonderful, knowing that he couldn't take his eyes off her.

Their collective energy began to wane, all aside from Sybil who went off to join Tom, him taking up prime position on the floor as the soft rock anthems started playing. Anna grabbed a drink before she sauntered back over to the table, finding John with his chin resting against his hand, gazing out at Tom's strutting amongst a few other lads. He turned when she placed her palm gently on his shoulder, arching himself into her touch for a moment before she sat down next to him.

"I reckon you could teach them a thing or two," she smiled, her hand still on his back, drifting lightly across his shirt.

He leaned over to her a little as he sat back.

"Maybe," he pondered, rubbing his palm over the stubble upon his jaw. A little spark flew up in his eyes in the dim light and Anna loved to see it. "Myself and Rob did actually get a band together once."

"John Bates, you never fail to surprise," Anna exclaimed, her lips curling up as his spread across his face in nostalgia. "I bet you were quite the rock star."

"I tried," he laughed, "probably a bit too hard."

"If I would have been old enough, I'd have been a fan."

John's eyes narrowed, shadowing for the briefest of moments when she had fleetingly mentioned the issue of age, before they broke into a smile, his crinkles making another welcome appearance to Anna's gaze.

"Why didn't you take the charts by storm, then?" she enquired, her hand drifting down his arm.

"Musical differences, as you've seen before," John replied, throwing a look over the room towards Robert. "That, and just being too lazy. The dream is more tempting than the reality."

Anna smirked as a thought occurred to her. "Is that where the leather trousers came in?"

"Unfortunately not."

They both laughed as they watched Tom with his arm around a friend, belting out the song at the top of his voice.

"Baby, you're all that I want, when you're lying here in my arms…"

"I don't know if I ever gave it that much," John uttered. "Maybe that's where I was going wrong."

Anna smiled at him as he furrowed his brow in thought. She could only imagine what he must have been like, she was sure he would have had more than enough passion.

He reminisced for a little while longer, and Anna was more than eager to listen. She loved him like this; happy to be so open, sharing long-forgotten bits of his life with her, experiences and emotions from the past that made him who he was today. She found that she loved him at any time, just as much when he was being quiet and contemplative. Sometimes it was hard for her to break the barrier, even though their relationship had progressed even further recently, on several levels. It was who he was, and she didn't need to know everything, of course she didn't. She knew she was holding something of herself back too, though she wasn't sure that she contain it for much longer.

His eyes were deep upon her again as he talked, almost burning a hole right through her. Anna flushed, the feelings she was becoming so used to now rising up in her again. As much as she relished them, a part of her couldn't help feeling disquieted by the fact she couldn't always tell what was lying there, behind his gaze. The uncertainty made her hold back, though she wanted nothing more than to charge forth.

She interrupted him with a sudden squeak, her hands flying to her mouth the moment she heard the next song in line starting up, the notes floating across to her.

"La da da da du dah, da dah, da daaaaaah…"

John smiled at her, recognising the song but furrowing his forehead in slight puzzlement at her reaction, as cute as it was to him. Anna slowly took her hands away from the side of her face, her shoulders relaxing.

"This song," she said in a voice that was almost a whisper, thick with emotion. "My dad used to sing it to me when I was little."

Her blue eyes deepened in their shade as she willed herself to hold back the tears, her face crumpled in a soft, sentimental smile. In that moment, lost in happy, bittersweet memories, she had never appeared more enchanting to John, him thinking she rather accurately resembled an angel herself.

"No-one on earth could feel like this, I'm thrown and overblown with bliss, there must be an angel playing with my heart, yeah…"

Glancing over to the dancefloor, Anna smiled to see Tom crouching down to the floor, delicately taking the hands of a little girl wearing fairy wings, leading her in a little dance to the song. It brought even more back to her, and she sniffed back a sob before she turned back to John, whose gaze had not left her for a second.

"I haven't heard it in so long," she uttered, her words slightly shaky as she said them, and she heard how choked she was getting. She shook her head, gasping a breath as she adjusted to give John a sunnier smile. "Sorry, look at me being silly."

Anna had to glance up to see him now standing from his seat, his figure towering over her and his arm extended, hand held out towards her.

"We can't have you crying," he smiled, his voice a gentle and soothing hush. "Come on, then."

Anna was overwhelmed, not just by the song and how he had realised instantly how much it meant to her, but by the fact that John had been moved to finally take to the floor, all for the sake of cheering her up.

He bowed as she took his offered hand, and Anna let out a soft laugh as he let her go forward onto the dancefloor first, finding a little spot for them to move freely. He followed as she turned around, her cream dress and golden hair swirling about her as she spun, giving him the most beautiful smile while he faced her, beginning to shuffle his feet.

A grin overtook John's face rapidly watching the gorgeous woman before him, her body moving so naturally and gracefully to the music. He was sure he looked quite lumbering and ridiculous in comparison but it didn't seem to matter to Anna as she continued to beam at him, and so he didn't care at all. He couldn't, not while he was so captivated by every little thing she was doing, seemingly just for his eyes alone. The words of the song revolved in his head and he believed that there were no truer words, at least not to speak about Anna and the way he felt whenever he was near her. Right now, it was as if he was hallucinating, to have someone so stunning grasping onto his hand, but it was unmistakably real. He sucked in a breath as she pulled him nearer to her, her hands planted either side of him, her hips swaying in that mesmerising fashion. That angelic smile that belonged only to her all over her face. He was certain, in that moment but in so many before too, that heaven must have sent her. It was impossible for someone so utterly perfect to have come from anywhere else. She smiled and he felt himself soar. In her movements, he became more assured with his too.

Swiftly, John grasped Anna's hand, holding her arm aloft with his while his other arm scooped around her waist, swaying them both in time to the music. Anna giggled as he twirled her around under his arm a few times and she braced her hands against his forearms, coming to a wobbly stop before she got too dizzy. She was still laughing, her sorrow faded away now, and he was too. She managed to compose herself enough to look up into his eyes and she was amazed at what she saw. He looked lost, but in the best way possible. He looked free of all concern and trouble that he may have been burying away, desperate to hide from her. He was simply there before her, as himself, and Anna had never witnessed such a beautiful sight in her life. She breathed out a sigh as her eyes stayed upon his, her hands registering his warmth. He was unlike any man she had ever known. He was meant for her, just as she was meant for him, she was sure.

Then he spun her around again, away from him. She felt a little sad at his arms not being held around her, but when she twirled back to face him again, a wide smile broke upon her face as she saw him, head bopping along to the music, eyes screwed up as he began to sing the refrain. He didn't quite hit the high notes exactly but Anna loved how enthused he was. When he opened his eyes again he mouthed a little 'sorry' at her and Anna laughed as he drew her back into his arms again.

"I don't know why you were hiding, you're a natural," she told him as he looked at her modestly, quietly brushing off the compliment.

He kept swaying her around as the song faded into another, and she smiled against his touch, thinking for a moment.

"Thank you," she whispered, drawing close to his ear and then leaning back, her eyes shining.

John just smiled, his face and whole person still so open towards her. His hand clasped firmer to her back and she whimpered happily in response.

"Thank you," he replied. "That was wonderful. I've never danced like that." A smile widened his lips as she looked up at him. "I might just never leave, not while you're in my arms."

To Anna's delight, John stayed up on the floor after their first dance. Indeed, she wondered whether she would be able to drag him away for the rest of the night. She grinned as he and Robert threw their arms around each other, singing along enthusiastically to Everybody Wants To Rule The World, and then found herself very impressed watching his Bruce Springsteen-like moves. She was thrilled he was having such a good time and was happy to stay and chat to the girls for a while, but she was especially glad when he purposely sought her out again, all but pulling her from her seat. He smiled a wicked grin at her and she felt a fire rise inside her when she saw the glint in his eyes.

"Now this is what I call a song," he rasped, guiding her back onto the dancefloor, which was now packed. Anna began to sway and smile as he mouthed the words right to her, holding onto both of her hands while they moved.

"Won't you come see about me, I'll be alone, dancing, you know it baby; tell me your troubles and doubts, giving me everything inside and out…"

She threw her hair over her shoulders, twirling and rolling her hips as she backed herself into John. Moving his own hips perilously close to her bottom, he clamped his hands to her waist, influencing the flow of her body. Anna could feel interested eyes upon them as they danced close, but the only ones she cared about were his. She turned her head a little, stilling her movements just slightly, to chance a glance at him. They were dark with desire, alight with joy, and they met hers with such fervour within them that she was much more than satisfied. She wiggled purposely against him before she turned around swiftly, making sure his hand was back in hers. They led the dancing around them and Anna kept her gaze burning against his as they continued to just get caught up.

Almost seamlessly, the music slowed, drum beats echoing around the room. Anna's eyes flicked upwards as she felt the change and they both stood for a few moments, their breathing slowing and then speeding up just as rapidly while they took in the song.

"Swaying room as the music starts, strangers making the most of the dark, two by two their bodies become one…"

Two by two, most of those in the room followed the command while the lights dimmed. Anna gazed about her, seeing couples all around come together, swaying and holding each other close. Edith with her arms circled around Anthony, Sybil with hers around Tom. Robert could be seen craning his head over Cora's shoulder as they danced, unable to take his disapproving gaze away from Tom's hands being firmly planted on Sybil's rear, until Cora, cupping his face, brought it intently back to her and he immediately softened. Even though she had retreated from the floor, Mary wasn't alone either; Anna could see her sitting at a table in the corner, gazing deeply at the blonde man who was close by her side. She gave a little smile at the mood that had descended, the spell that had been cast.

In the next second, her eyes found John again. His lips curled up just perceptibly as he returned her stare. He moved in a bit closer to where she stood, and Anna felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise up. Holding his hands out just by her waist, he asked her with a look. She gulped, feeling a little overcome suddenly, and nodded lightly, her eyes locked upon his. With a much softer touch this time, his hands wrapped themselves around her and already she was melting into him. Anna laid her palms flat against his chest, her head soon following them there, as he held her safe and close. They were one with the music, moving into this slow dance so instinctively now, and Anna felt with each passing moment they were at one with each other. She could feel his heart in a rhythm that was timed with the way they were swaying beating against her hand, and his hands were stroking her gently. This was all so perfect to her, she could have cried. Instead she smiled against him, simply loving the feel of him rocking her, holding her. She loved him.

Her head slowly lifted and her heart thumped against her chest. He noticed the movement immediately, and gazed down watchfully at her. She was wearing a soft, happy smile while his eyes searched her. Effortlessly, her arms circled around his neck and she was lifting herself up as his hands stayed on her back.

"I'm crazy for you, touch me once and you'll know it's true, I never wanted anyone like this, it's all brand new, you'll feel it in my kiss…"

Her kiss was soft but sure, letting out everything of what she held inside. Her hand moved upon his head, bringing him closer to her, making her fall deeper. She never wanted to stop. She wanted to tell him this for the rest of the time, in exactly this way. His mouth was just as soft, but then getting a little more insistent, and Anna smiled as much as she could without breaking the kiss for that moment. It truly was perfect. He surely felt it, felt what she was trying to convey. As she left his lips, almost breathless, she found the words flowing easily.

"I love you, John."

Her words were soft against his ear, absolutely steady as her fingers sunk against the prickle of his hair. She felt him shudder a little and she pulled back to watch him, eyes wide and hopeful. She waited for her words to come back to her, and she was sure they would.

Time seemed to stand still as they looked at each other, his eyes travelling all over her. She saw his throat bob and breathed sharply as he lifted her hand, stroking the skin reverently before he pressed his lips there. His eyes closed as the pressure increased just slightly and for a second, Anna did the same. When they fell away, he pulled her close into his arms again, and she rested her head back down on his chest reliably, her hands held against him. Even when the music speeded up, they still stayed swaying, a few steps behind everyone else.

Anna considered it for a moment, in the light of what she had just done. Perhaps he hadn't caught up to her just yet.

John leant himself against the bar, waiting for the lemon to be sliced and added to his tonic water. Even across the room, his eyes were drawn to Anna. They couldn't not be. She was sitting alone, taking a few moments to herself. Mostly, she was looking out at the others on the dancefloor, but just then he noticed her shoulders rising as she took a breath, and her gaze falling to her lap. He sighed deeply as he felt his heart shift uncomfortably in his chest.

Ever since their dance had come to a conclusion, he had known that she had been forlorn, though she was doing her best to smile and be as carefree as ever. He couldn't fool himself as much as he wanted to; her mood had changed before then. He cursed inwardly, he knew it was all down to him and what he had not had the courage to say.

It should have been so easy. In his heart, it was. How could he look at her - so beautiful, so brave, so innocent - and not want to tell her a thousand times over? He truly wanted to. He would shout it to the whole world if he could, everything he felt and held in his heart for her. He supposed he could have done exactly that, but she deserved to hear it only for herself before everyone else knew. Something stabbed squarely at his chest and he winced. His conscience, perhaps. That was always getting in the way. It wasn't fair on her. If he had to let himself be torn apart, then so be it. He would sacrifice himself before he ever let her come to harm. Would she be at more risk if you don't say…?

Once more, his head and his heart were running rings around him, charging into another battle. Looking up after he took a sip of drink, her doe-eyed gaze met his for a fleeting moment that held him. In that second, the winner was declared, whether or not it was the truly worthy victor.

He was heartened to see the smile lift brightly on her face as he made to sit down next to her.

John Bates, you're a bloody idiot.

The music seemed to lull in the room, though they could both hear it resonating as they stayed in silence for a few moments.

"I tell myself that I can't hold out forever, I said there is no reason for my fear, 'cause I feel so secure when we're together, you give my life direction, you make everything so clear…"

He had to raise his eyebrows when her gaze was diverted from him briefly. He couldn't say he was a big fan of the song, but by God, it seemed painfully apt right now.

She looked back towards him, her soft blue eyes consuming him, and his heart leapt right into his throat. It was hopeless, he couldn't fight it, he didn't want to. Not the way he felt about her, the way that every single time she so much as touched him he almost hurt with having to keep himself and all of his emotions restrained.

She had no idea of everything she had caused in him.

Her hand was resting over his now, fitting there so naturally. He had to smile down at where both lay, marvelling at her once more. When he had pulled himself back enough from the brink, she was smiling too. Her eyes told him that it was real this time.

He should have said something. He had the sole intention of speaking, but all words seemed to disappear when she looked at him that way.

"I could lie and say that it just slipped out," she started softly, her fingers drawing circles over his skin. "But I don't think that would be fair."

Oh god, don't let her speak about what was fair…

Instead, he only stayed smiling.

Anna sighed, her head tilting to the side for a moment.

"If you're not ready, then I understand."

Her words cut into him. No sooner as she had said them, he moved his hand against hers, lacing their fingers together lightly.

"I've never been so ready for anything."

She positively glowed, a sigh – of relief? – escaping her. She brought their pressed palms closer together, and he could feel her pulse flowing through him. Perhaps it was his own, he couldn't tell anymore. He didn't know if he could tell anything anymore, except for the certainty of her smile. It calmed him beyond compare.

"And that's all I need to know."

She deserved so much more than everything he was. Yet when they were there, like this, he felt like the world was within him. Looking at her smiling, feeling her rest her head upon his arm, he thought that the whole world wasn't enough, not for her.

"Anna, I…I'm sorry."

She looked temporarily worried before he continued, running a thumb across her cheek.

"That I didn't say it."

Her smile was radiant, all of the brief shadow of trouble lifted. He was finding it increasingly hard to reason with himself. How would he ever forgive himself if he gave in? How would she?

"It's fine," she trilled, leaning into him, her petite frame so deceptively encompassing.

"But it's not," he insisted. He let out a sigh. "It's not what you deserve."

I'm not what you deserve.

Her brow furrowed and she looked stern all of a sudden. It was hard not to laugh at the look she shot him, even if he felt quite different inside.

"Don't tell me what I deserve, John Bates."

Despite everything, a smile crept up onto his lips. He did love her when she was like this, such a serene demeanour disguising all of her strength and stubbornness. No, he couldn't tell her what to do, nobody could. Neither could he tell himself otherwise. He loved her.

Her hand had snaked round to settle against his side.

"I have what I deserve. I have what I want. Which is you, if you hadn't realised." She grinned up at him and his heart was captured all over again. "I understand that it's not easy for you. That you might not have been in this position before."

"Anna…"

He certainly hadn't, but he didn't want her to think that he was afraid of committing. She hadn't seemed to take it that way.

"But I want you to know that it's okay," she assured. "There's no rush, not in my mind. We've got all the time in the world."

She blessed him with that wonderful smile again, the one that he hoped he was the only one to see. Then she let out a little laugh, and he couldn't hear any other sound.

"I just wanted to let you know."

"I'm glad you did."

Her gaze dropped into her lap again, but this time he could tell she was feeling completely differently. He knew he was. God, she was astounding. To be so patient, so loving still, with someone so stupid as he was. As long as he lived, he'd never fathom it. He'd spend the rest of his life being fascinated by her, and so deeply in love.

Right then he decided, it wasn't good enough. Tenderly, he brought his hands up, cupping her face. She seemed a little startled, just for a moment, before her lips settled into a curve. He could stare at them forever. Caressing her cheek gently, hearing her sigh ever so softly, he dipped to taste them instead. Soon her hands were in his hair, upon his face too, as they kissed each other, the sweetness growing into something stronger. Something undeniable. He pressed his lips to hers with passion, with a special care and attentiveness that he felt he hadn't demonstrated before. He sincerely hoped it showed her everything he felt. He hoped so much she realised how much light she had brought into his life simply by being in it.

She was breathing a little raggedly as they rested their foreheads together. There was a blush on her cheeks and slowly, the smile that had been lost came back, bigger than before. He thrilled to see it.

"Anna, I…"

"Shhhh," she said, placing a gentle finger over his lips. "I know."