A/N : Dedicating this to my friend and sort of beta-reader Chlea who really helps me with this fanfic

Anna was still waiting for John's answer yet his lips were tied. The mood was heavy. Overwhelmed, John left the room and went to the kitchen. He was followed by Anna who still waited for an answer. Mary stayed behind, sipping her wine, leaving the two to discuss their issue.

Anna came by John's side, her ocean blue eyes searching his. He couldn't avoid it any longer. She was his friend after all, but she meant way more than that. He knew it deep down, he was afraid of what she would think of him.

"Yes. I was married" he replied in an almost audible voice.

"When were you going to tell me ?" Anna's question reflected her hurt.

"I…I was ashamed" he whispered. She got closer to him.

"Why would you be ash-" she asked but he interrupted her.

"She cheated on me. She was awful with me and… my ego was hurt"

"Oh John, I'm sorry…I-" she tried to comfort him but again he spoke before she could find more to say.

"I should have told you…I know you're my friend but I was afraid you would pity me if you knew" he looked away but it deterred Anna.

"John… I could never pity you. It doesn't matter what we learn about each other…it shouldn't affect what we think about the other", she said, as she placed herself before him so he would look at her.

"But it would… Vera…she humiliated me, she was nasty when she was drunk…and violent sometimes." He confessed, his watery eyes looking at hers for the first time since they started their conversation.

"I admire you even more now," she said, giving him a kind smile. A smile that would always warm John's heart.

"You admire me ? Don't you see me as ridiculous and weak ?" He laughed nervously.

"Of course I admire you and I don't think you are weak. Far from it. What I could learn about you wouldn't alter my opinion of you one bit. And I hope you think the same about me, John" she said in a voice so gentle, John almost melted. This woman knew how to bring him out of his sorrow.

"I don't know what I could learn about you -" he tried to argue.

"Everyone has a past, Mr Bates" she said and he searched her eyes to see if she would explain herself further but she did not. She took his hand in her which caused John to jump a bit when he felt a tiny electric wave between their hands. She looked at him and said "I find you so courageous. I know what abusive relationships are like and I know what alcohol and violence can do together and I find you so brave"

Her voice and her look were so genuine that John believed her. He wanted to ask what she was talking about when she said she knew of those things. He feared that she had been the victim herself or perhaps had been a witness. His heart ached at the thought of Anna, the kindest person he has ever met, going through something as awful as he had with Vera. He chased these thoughts and concentrated on his hand in hers and her eyes, her beautiful night blue eyes. He felt so good by her side.

Too soon, however, the spell was broken by Mary, who came into the room.

"I gather that Uncle John told you everything" she said to Anna.

"He did," she smiled until she saw Mary's smirk at their hands linked together. She quickly withdrew her hand, blushing. This went totally unnoticed to John, who was oblivious at why Anna had let go of his hand.

The rest of the evening went without any more big secrets revealed. They just spent a pleasant evening, chatting about their respective high school years. At past midnight, John decided it was time for him to head back home.

"Thanks for the evening, girls !" John told them as he was standing on the front door threshold.

"You can come whenever you want Uncle John, you'll always be welcomed" Mary told him.

"Always ?"

"Yes. Though sometimes I'm at Matthew's so it's only Anna here, but I don't think it will be a problem, am I wrong ?" She said, wiggling her eyebrows knowingly.

"Mary !!" Anna chasisted her. He chuckled at her embarrassed expression.

"And you don't go out ?" John asked, turning to Anna, grinning at her.

"When I'm out, I'm at Thomas' or Gwen's. Otherwise, I'm here" Anna explained then added without thinking "alone". It was John's turn to be flustered. After more goodbye's kisses on the cheeks, he finally walked the road to his flat. He couldn't stop smiling at what Anna had told him earlier. He felt his body warming as he recalled the feeling of her hand in his. He went to bed with a smile splitting his face in two.

Back at Mary and Anna's flat, they were tidying the place after John's departure. They had collected the things that would go to the trash and were busiying themself, cleaning the table.

"You seemed really close earlier" Mary suddenly said out of the blue as she helped Anna gather the dishes.

"What ?" Anna asked, not looking up from what she was doing.

"You and Uncle John" Mary replied and Anna looked up to meet Mary's teasing face.

"I comforted him, that's all. He's a good friend" She explained, a little irritated at Mary's innuendos. She resumed what she was doing, piling the dishes on the kitchen counter.

"Hmm sure" Anna put her hands on her hips as she did when she was upset or frustrated.

"Mary," Anna warned. "Could you stop doing that, please"

"But I'm not doing anything" Mary raised her hands in defense. They were facing each other, Anna with her back against the kitchen counter and Mary in the living room, near the table.

"Yes, you are. You did the same with Thomas. I can have friends who are men, Mary" she sighed, turning her back to Mary, to put the dishes in the dishwasher.

"Sure, you can," she agreed, "but I think you don't see Uncle John as a simple friend," Mary retorted, entering the kitchen to help Anna.

"You're annoying. I'm going to bed" she simply said before passing by her friend and heading to her bedroom. Mary smiled. She knew she was right. They just needed a little help to realize she was.

Anna was still asleep when Mary left the next morning. She took her car and drove to Matthew's flat. She knocked forcefully on the door until Matthew opened.

"Christ, it's only eight in the morning, sod off -" Matthew swore as he opened the door to see who had ruined his lie in.

"Good morning to you too, darling" Mary said in jest, offering him a bright smile.

"Darling ? What are you doing here so early ?" He realized his mistake and tried to wake himself up a bit.

"Try again" she said playfully, grinning at him.

"I mean, I'm happy that you're here", he told her, slightly ironically. He was still standing on the door frame and Mary was on the other side, waiting for him to invite her in.

"Can I go in or ?" Matthew shook his head then moved to the side to let her in. Once he had closed the door, she kissed him on the lips as a greeting. The kiss lingered and soon deepened. Matthew pushed Mary flush against him, his hands roaming her back while hers were stroking his fluffy blond hair. Eventually, they pulled away for oxygen.

"I like your impromptu visits" he joked and she giggled as she went to hang her coat on the hall's hooks.

"I like them too. Though I also came for business" she said seriously which caused Matthew to chuckle.

"Is it about marriage again ?" He groaned in a teasing way.

"What ?" She asked, turning to him.

"What ?" He replied, his smile vanishing.

"Hmm, I came to talk about Uncle John and Anna." She explained as she sat on the sofa.

"What about them ?" He said as he went to the kitchen to make them coffee.

"They're in love", she stated.

"Mary, not this again…." He rolled his eyes a little.

"What do you mean, "not this again" ? It's the first time I ever mentioned it to you. I had my doubts before, yes, but it's only yesterday that I knew for sure" she told him, sure of herself. He came back from the kitchen with two cups in his hands and gave her a smile. She was really one of a kind, his Mary.

"You always try to push Anna toward any man she's close to…you did with Thomas, you did with Al-" he tried to explain but couldn't. Mary's expression had turned almost disgusted at the name he was going to utter.

"I was wrong then" she said firmly, perhaps a little too much since Matthew was startled. She softened and said "But Matthew, I also know my best friend…"

"And I'm sure knows her own mind too, if she feels something for John, she'll act upon it" Matthew said as he sat on the sofa with his freshly-made cup of coffee.

"I'm afraid she's frightened because of…what she's been through" she explained, looking straight at him with a concerned expression for her friend.

"Pushing her toward another man won't help her, you know ?" He put his cup on the small table in front of the sofa and leaned back into the sofa.

"I'm not pushing her toward another man…I want her to be happy again" she pouted and Matthew smiled at his girlfriend. She was really one stubborn woman.

"I know, love. Come here" Matthew said, opening his arms for her. She settled against his chest and sighed and he kissed her head.

While Matthew made them some breakfast, she thought of her battle plan to help her friend. She needed someone who would help her with her scheming. She knew Anna would hate it if she knew she was meddling in her love life but she had to. Anna and John deserved to be happy in love again. She thought of who could help her with her matchmaking. She thought of someone, but would this person be willing to do it. She called anyway.

"Oh..yes…ahh" were the only words uttered in the room, until the ring of the phone disturbed a currently moaning Thomas with his hands in Jimmy's hair and a currently busied Jimmy with his head low on Thomas' body. They went on as if they heard nothing but after the fourth ring, Thomas' moans transformed into annoyed groans and he decided to pick up the phone to tell the person who was disturbing him during his intimate moment with his boyfriend to sod off.

"Hello ?" he almost barked.

"Thomas ? it's Mary" he heard the other person saying. He tried to keep an even voice which wasn't an easy task when Jimmy's mouth was still around him, keeping on his ministrations.

"What do you want ?" He tried to say as his breath hitched when he felt Jimmy's wet tongue.

"Are you busy ? Am I disturbing something ?" She asked which caused Jimmy to laugh, with Thomas' sex still in his mouth. A weird noise came from Thomas and he quickly tried to hide it.

"Yeah, quite busy. Can I call you later ?" He choked before hanging up hastily. Mary looked at her phone, confused by what just happened.

"Seriously, babe. She's almost like our boss !!" Thomas whined. Jimmy pulled away and burst into a fit of laughter.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but it was really too tempting," he replied, still laughing.

"You" Thomas narrowed his eyes on his boyfriend. Jimmy leaned and kissed him lovingly. Before it went further, Thomas left the bed and took his phone to call Mary back.

"Hello Mary ?" He said.

"Hi. Not busy now ?" She chuckled. Thomas rolled his eyes, irritated.

"No, not anymore. Thank you for that" he said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, but it's important" she told him, seriously.

"What's wrong ?"

"It's Anna" she replied and Thomas' heart nearly stopped.

"What ? What happened ? Is she okay ??" He asked worriedly. He hoped she was alright.

"Wow, calm down. She's okay, probably still sleeping at home. I need your help to settle her up"

"You interrupted me while I was shagging my boyfriend to ask me to help you matchmaking for my best friend ?" He asked, frustrated and Mary bit her lip. Thomas seemed upset with her.

"Yes ?" She hesitated.

"Does Anna know you're doing this ?"

"Of course not. She wouldn't let me"

"Perhaps, because it's her life…and you have poor taste in guys. Except for Matthew, though. He's yummy" Thomas said, earning himself a indigned scolding from Mary and a slap on the shoulder from Jimmy, who had joined him and was listening to his conversation. "Anyway, who's the poor guy this time, Joseph ?" He asked playfully.

"John" she said and Thomas almost choked on his own saliva.

"You really have poor tastes" he stated.

"I have not !" She yelled before calming down "I'm not mistaking this time Thomas, I saw them. They're in love, she's in love with him. I just need her to accept it" she insisted. Thomas thought and he had to admit that, even if he didn't like John, Anna seemed quite smitten with him… and him with her.

"It's true that they're awfully cheesy, the two of them. They behave like an old married couple and honestly it kinda makes me wanna puke at times" Mary laughed. "What do you want me to do ?"

"We need to put them in a situation where they won't have a choice but admit that they love each other" she explained.

On the next day, Mary and Thomas met in a coffee shop. After they ordered and thanked the barista when he brought their drinks, they started to talk about business. Thomas was still feeling uneasy going behind Anna's back. He knew his best friend. She was a sensible woman and knew her mind. But then, he thought of what had happened to her and how it had destroyed her self-confidence. Perhaps, Mary was right. Perhaps, Anna needed a little bit of help to understand that she was in love with John. Nevertheless, Thomas told Mary he wanted to see if she was absolutely right about what Anna felt for John. He also wanted to see if John liked her back, because if he didn't it would break Anna's heart and Thomas didn't want that. He decided to include Gwen in their plans, she was closer to John than he or Mary was and would help them. She was the romantic kind.

The whole week, Thomas, who was closer to John and Anna because he was in the teacher's room more often than Mary, had observed the duo. He confirmed what he had told Mary, they were sickening. They were always glued to each other, exchanging glances and soft smiles. He felt too gay when he was with them as if they were the embodiment of heterosexuality.

"You two are way too straight for me. It's sickening" he said as he watched them laugh together during lunch.

"Sorry to break it to you like this, Thom, but straight people exist for real" Gwen teased him, earning a laugh from the whole teacher's lunchroom (composed of them four, Joseph and Edith).

"Ahah very funny Gwen. What I mean is that they look like the perfect little couple out of a 1950s rom-com" he huffed.

"You're just jealous I'm not laughing with you" Anna said "And you're ten times worse with Jimmy"

"I'm not jealous of him," he said, nodding in John's direction. "He's too old and too… straight-like for me. He's like old Carson"

"You'd be disappointed to know I've kissed guys before, Thomas" John said playfully, smirking at Thomas.

"You ? In which universe ?" Thomas eyed him suspiciously.

"Boys schools are another breed…" John just said before eating a mouthful of his sandwich. All looks were turned toward him. Anna's eyes were round like balloons. John ignored them and continued eating.

"Anywayyy" Anna said to change the subject "We're just behaving as friends do. I can have more than two best friends, Thomas" she said not too convincingly.

"If you say so," he replied.

After lunch, everyone scattered to their classes before the third period started. Gwen tugged on Thomas' jumper and raised a questioning eyebrow at him. They walked together to her class.

"What was that, Thom ?" She asked when they were away from prying ears.

"I wanted to see if what Mary said was really true," he replied.

"What did she say ?" She asked.

"That those two are in love" he clarified.

"Isn't it obvious ?" Gwen asked him as if he was dumb and she was saying a known truth.

"What ? You knew ?" He was surprised and she giggled.

"I'm not blind Thomas, and I've known Anna for a long time. I recognize when she's in love with a guy" she told him.

"Then, you'll help me," Thomas said, grinning strongly. Gwen asked him nonverbally what he meant by that "I need you to talk to John, try to have him confess. I'll see to Anna"

Gwen nodded in agreement and they went to their respective duties. As Thomas went back to the gym, he encountered Sarah O'Brien, who was smoking, leaning on the gym's wall.

"Those things will kill you" he told her and she smiled.

"What are you up to, Thommy boy ?" She asked as she threw and dabbed her cigarette on the ground

"Oh please, not this nickname, even mom doesn't use it anymore" he rolled his eyes.

"What are you up to ?" She repeated.

"Matchmaking if you must know '' he sighed at her insistence.

"Not John Bates and blondie ?" She questioned.

"Yes, John Bates and Anna" he said, emphasizing on Anna's name. "What's it to you ?"

"It's everything to me. Everything" she said before leaving him when she saw that Thomas' students were waiting for him. He looked at her leaving, confused.

The next day, Gwen went to the library during the first period's break.

"Sup' Johnny" she said as she entered the room and walked to John's counter. He was chatting with Rose over a book.

"Don't call me like that, Gwen" he replied.

"Sorry, your majesty," she quipped. His lips went into a frown of displeasure, making Rose burst into a fit of giggle.

"Hey, don't laugh at me !" He gently scolded the young girl.

"Sorry, Mr B" he groaned at the stupid nickname Rose had found him. Even Anna had started using it when they all met for their book club. He was always the victim of their jokes, by being an old introvert it was what he had earned.

You're not old, he could hear Anna say. He grinned at that thought. Rose and Gwen looked at him as if he was mad.

"Anyway, I'm going, Mr Bates. I have a class with Miss Smith, see you tomorrow at the book club !" Rose said, waving goodbye to him as she left. "Goodbye Miss Dawson"

"Goodbye Rose", both Gwen and John said in unison.

"Do you need something Gwen?" John asked, looking up from his computer to the young woman leaning against the counter.

"Don't I have the right to just have a chat with my fellow scottish mate" she told him matter-of-factly.

"I'm Irish," he informed her.

"Well, that's not the point" she said and he had to contain a chuckle.

"Don't you have somewhere to be ?" He asked, moving a case of books to the storage room, behind him.

"No, Ethel is taking in for me" she explained.

"So, what do you want ?" He asked in a sigh when he emerged from the room.

"What do you make of Anna ?" Gwen said out of the blue.

"What do you mean what I make of her ? She's my best friend." He replied, confused. He had stopped working on whatever he was doing to look at Gwen.

"Only that ?" Her eyes were piercing a hole through him and he had to look away.

"I don't see what you're implying" he dismissed.

"I think you do John" she gave him a pointed look.

"S-she thinks of me as a friend " he stuttered.

"That's not what I asked"

"Well, that's all you're going to get," he replied.

"But…if she liked you, wouldn't you act upon it ?" She asked.

"Gwen, she's young and beautiful and I'm….me. Why would she like me ?" He tried to argue.

"Love has its reasons, John. Also, you're kinda hot" she gave him a playful smirk.

"Thank you ?" He said, unsure.

"What would you say if she told you she liked you ?" She asked.

"I-I…She won't. I am busy right now, Gwen" he shook his head.

"It's okay I'll leave, I got my answer anyway" She smiled from her left to her right ear.

"What do you- ? Gwen !?" He called but she had already left the library.

Anna was tidying her classroom as she prepared herself to go back home when Thomas asked her if she was free on Friday night, to hang out at hers. Though, he knew she would be free and that Mary wouldn't be there. She accepted then resumed her tidying before leaving.

Thomas arrived at Anna and Mary's flat around 7. He parked his car and knocked on their door. He was welcomed by Anna in fluffy pumpkin patterned pajamas.

"Hello !" He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. She stepped aside to let him in.

"Hello, Thom" she offered a smile.

"I see that I'm not good enough for your midnight blue dress" he said, referring to the night they hosted John. Anna's cheeks turned crimson.

"Who told you ?" She gasped.

"Mary," he simply answered. Anna cursed internally her best friend. She was determined to see something more than friendship in John and Anna's relationship and Anna felt frustrated.

They went to the living room, where Anna offered Thomas a can of beer before sitting next to him on the sofa. She turned the TV on but lowered the volume.

"Anyway, you're my best friend which means you're privy to my halloween pajamas" she said lightly, stroking the fabric of her pajama bottoms.

"Isn't John also your best friend ?" Thomas inquired. Anna's mouth hung open. She wasn't expecting this.

"Do you wanna watch something ?" She changed the subject.

"Avoiding my questions, I see" he smirked before actually answering her question "Whatever you want"

She put on some cooking show. They loved to comment on it but since his question Anna was uneasy. She was irritated by her friends' insistence. She was great friends with John but that was it, why couldn't they see it.

"So, how is Jimmy ?" She asked after some time as they were eating sweets, slightly regretting her choice of question.

"Good. We're accommodating well with living together" he said. Thomas and his boyfriend had only moved in together a few months ago. "And you, no one new in your life ?"

Thomas' question took Anna by surprise.

"No one, no" she replied automatically, shifting awkwardly in her place.

"You should really start dating again," he suggested. Anna rolled her eyes.

"But I don't want to," she said, perhaps too harshly.

"I know you went through something traumatizing with Al-" he started.

"Could we talk about something else ?" She asked firmly. Her features darkened with anger and a bit of sadness.

"Anna, you can't be frightened forev-" he tried to explain.

"Shut up" she hushed him.

"I'm sorry, but if you love someone, don't ruin your chance at happiness because you're frightened. I know I'm not his greatest supporter but John is a great guy and I think he truly loves you" he said in a soft voice that clashed with Anna's current angry state.

"Why do you all keep talking about John ?" She asked, pissed off.

"Anna, I'm your best friend, I know you. I know you like him, stop denying it" he tried to argue.

"He's just a friend !" She yelled, her eyes a dark blue.

"You would be so great together, he is as awfully stubborn as you" he huffed and she laughed bitterly.

"I'm not stubborn ! Why are you acting like you know me better than I do ???" She yelled. Her look was glowing with anger and some tears.

"I only want your happiness, tiny one" he called her by the nickname he had for her since they became friends but it only made her more upset.

"I can be happy alone," she mumbled.

"But are you ? Are you really ? You always smile and laugh and act joyful but I know that deep down you're suffering" he asked.

"SHUT UP" she screamed, throwing a pillow at Thomas before crumbling in tears on the ground. Thomas came by her, circling her with his arms. He stroked her back in a soughting motion.

Thomas, Gwen and Mary texted each other saying it would be harder than they thought to put Anna and John together. Mary told them they had to come up with a stronger plan.

It was seven on Monday morning when John arrived at the school in his car. He locked his car and made his way to the building when he noticed a frightened Anna and a pained Edith walking his way. Edith moaned because of the pain and he wondered what was going on.

"Ann-"

"She's in labor ! We have to get her to the hospital quickly !" Anna told him maniacally and he froze for a second before gathering his wits.

"We'll drive her in my car !" He told her.

They seated Edith on the backseat and Anna sat next to her, while John jumped on the driver seat and quickly started the car. The way to the hospital wasn't too long and they quickly arrived there. They went to the maternity aisle and explained what was going on to the nurse, Mrs Crawley who is Matthew's mom. Anna tried to calm Edith down. The poor girl was completely frightened.

"Hey there, everything is going to be okay, love. You're going to give birth to that little girl" Anna tried to reassure Edith, who was now lying on the bed with Anna by her side on a chair. John looked at them and his eyes were full of wonder at the woman who was comforting her best friend's sister. She was the kindest person he had ever met.

"Could you call my Mama, please ? I need her by my side. I can't do this alone !" She begged, her eyes pleading with Anna.

"I'll call Cora" John offered and the two women smiled at him. He walked outside of the room.

"You won't be alone, I'll be here with you" Anna assured her. Edith took her hand and thanked her.

After a few minutes, John came back to the room and told them Cora would be here as soon as possible. Edith profusely thanked him and he replied with a smile. Anna looked at him with so much admiration in her eyes. Though, anyone with eyes of their own could tell you Anna's look was full of love. Cora quickly arrived at this hospital, she ran to the room and encircled her arms around Edith.

"I'm here, darling" Cora whispered to her daughter, stroking her blonde locks softly. Cora profusely thanked John and Anna to have reacted so quickly. They exited the room and went to the waitroom to buy themselves some coffee. Anna quickly texted everyone at the school through the school group chat to let them know that Edith would give birth. After drinking their coffee, they got into John's car to drive back to the house because they still had classes to teach or library to open. Anna sat on the passenger seat next to John. He started the car and they began driving.

"Thank God, you were there !" Anna told John.

"And you. If you hadn't been there the poor Edith would have given birth on the school's garden" he replied, giving her a complice smile. Anna blushed a little and remained silent after that. He gave her a glance in the central rearview mirror and her breath caught in her throat. His eyes were showing pure love. Anna thought again of Thomas' words. Could there be something more than friendship between her and John ? Would she allow herself to fall for him and for him to love her if he wanted to ?

Once they arrived at the school, they got out of the car and gathered their stuff. Their hands grazed a few seconds. Anna felt it right away, a sort of electric current running between their hands. The same she had felt when he had told her about Vera at their house. She couldn't deny it any longer, she loved him. She had already fallen for him. He looked at her, blushing slightly before quickly withdrawing his hand. She could see it too, that loving gaze in his eyes. They were falling for each other.

A few hours later during the afternoon, they received a picture from Cora in the groupchat. It showed Edith with her newborn daughter in her arms and the caption beneath said "Marigold Crawley. Born October 20th". Everyone sent their congratulations to the new mother. Anna knew it would be hard for Edith as a single mother but she had great friends and a loving family. Anna was in the teacher's room during the afternoon break with everyone talking about the baby with Mary. The oldest Crawley sister was just wrapping her head around the fact that she was now an aunt. She talked a bit more with everyone before Anna dragged her apart from the group.

"I love him" she said to her friend, once they were away from prying ears.

"Who ?" Mary asked, confused.

"John. I love John" she uttered, searching the eyes of her best friend.