Disclaimers: Although I wish I were the creative genius behind John's and Robert's character, they belong to Julian Fellowes. It also appears I was off with the dates of the 2nd Boer War. I'm apologising, it's all very new to me. I didn't even know about this war before Downton, I'm not from England... So I wanted Sybil to be conceived during the story. And since she's somewhere around 17 in 1912, she was born around 1895. So I'm asking you to accept that in this universe, Sybil is born later... Sorry again.

Thank you also for all the kind reviews! It means a lot! Now, without further due, another chapter is waiting for you!

February 1900, a year later…

John stretched as he woke up. The sun was barely coming up in the sky, burning the horizon with its sunbeams, cutting out baobabs casting their shadows. John thought he could never get tired of this view in the morning. It had been a year since he had landed on this foreign land, far away from everything and everyone he knew to fight the Boers. Sometimes, he missed the rain and the greyness of England, its endless green fields and the little sheeps grazing the tender grass. Everything was hotter here, and burned. The 'cold' season, if he could call it this way, was yet to come. There were only two months of bearable temperatures in this country.

He stood up from his camp bed and went to the mirror. He could barely recognise himself. When he left England, he was still a boy. His once cherubic face was now covered with a five o'clock shadow accentuating the scar on his right cheek and he was now sporting a moustache. Captain Crawley and he had decided it would help them look more mature to the others and were very proud of having grown it at the same time. They had joked they were moustache brothers.

It had been a month since he had seen Robert. Even though they were from very different backgrounds and he was his superior, their fondness of each other had prevailed and John found that he missed getting together for a drink at night, talking about everything and anything really. John had learned to know Robert and to like him very much. Almost as if he was a brother. He had shared things with him that he hadn't told anyone. And it seemed mutual as Robert often talked to him about his worries. Robert had shared with him how he felt pressured of having a son otherwise their heritage would go to a cousin of his. Cora, his wife, and he were trying, but it isn't something one can do much about.

John had been freshly promoted to Sergeant and was yet to receive news on which officer he was to assist.

A young Private walked into his tent, making him leave his thoughts behind and come back to reality.

"Sergeant Bates, there is a telegram for you", said the lad. He was one of his young recruits, freshly arrived from London, just like him about a year prior. He smiled at the tall ginger-haired boy in front of him.

"Thank you, Private Kent," he thanked him.

Turning the piece of paper in his hand, he saw the seal of the Royal British Army. John was wondering what the telegram would contain. Could it be about who he will be assisting?

But opening it up, he saw that it was only Captain Crawley announcing his arrival at his base later in the day. He folded the paper in two and placed it in his front pocket. He would have to make sure his tent was in order to welcome him.

"Bates! My dear fellow!" John heard the familiar voice from behind him. He turned around and saw Captain Crawley walking towards him, offering him his hand to shake. They greeted each other warmly and went into John's tent at Robert's request of a quieter place.

"I wasn't expecting you so soon, Captain," John started.

"I know Bates, but I wanted to deliver the news in person."

"What news?" Robert had certainly picked John's interest and he seemed to enjoy it as a glint in his eyes indicated.

"I know you have been waiting to be assigned to a fighting group and an officer since you've been promoted. The British administration is a bit slow, I must admit. But the fact is you've finally been assigned." Robert said.

"To whom?" John couldn't contain his excitement anymore.

"Well, I hope you will be as glad as I am, Bates. Because you've been assigned to become my batman!"

John couldn't believe his ears.

"You mean…" John mumbled. Robert encouraged him by nodding, his smile growing. "You mean I will assist you again? Reunite the team we once were?"

"The best team there ever was, Bates! I've finally managed to have you assigned to me. But we're gonna have to prove it to all the other officers. I'm due to go back to England tomorrow, and I want you to come with me, starting your duties effective tomorrow morning. You will need to get my baggage ready. And I know you've often talked to me about your mother, I'm sure she'd be glad to see you!" He leant a bit towards him. "And we have yet to find you a girl!" Robert said with a wink.

John blushed a little and Robert gave him a slap on the back.

"Come on! We have lots to celebrate. I have just received a bottle of cognac from England. I kept it just for the occasion"