A/N: Welcome to a new Banna story! The plan for this fic is to be about 10 chapters, and it is something different than what I usually write. It is more about them falling in love than anything, and it has a musical element which I love. Truthfully, a lot of the musical elements speak to my personal journey with and enojoyment of music, so this was a very freeing chapter to write. Anyways, I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading!

Chapter One

Anna Smith needed a break. That's what this vacation had been about. She was exhausted from her job in the corporate world, and she needed to get out and explore nature rather than sitting behind a desk in her cubicle all day. The natural landscapes of Ireland had been the perfect escape from the dreary world of London for Anna. While she was sad this was her last night in Ireland before she had to go back to the real world, she was determined to make the most of it.

Earlier in the evening, she had been out exploring and stopped by a pub for an early dinner. She saw them setting up for what looked like a live performance, so she decided to stay and listen to the music. While the sensible thing was probably to head back to the hotel and have an early night before her flight tomorrow, she couldn't resist the urge to stay and find out about the show. After all, it had been ages since she had seen any kind of live performance, and she deserved to relish her last night of vacation.

"Good evening," a voice boomed from the stage, causing Anna to look up from her phone. "I hope you are enjoying your night out, and I hope we won't spoil it with our music," the man joked. Anna was intrigued by his self-deprecation, and she hoped he would prove himself wrong.

"I'm John Bates, and we are Johnny and the Wailers," the singer finally introduced himself.

Anna wondered what his voice would sound like. His speaking voice was deep and a tad gravely. It was quiet yet assured. She found this alluring, and she wondered how such a handsome man could be such an enigma while simultaneously feeling like an old time friend.

"We've got a short set tonight, folks," John explained. He said they would be singing two covers and an original before welcoming a newcomer on the local music scene to the stage. John nodded to the drummer who counted off, and the band began to play a soft opening to a song as John adjusted his mic one last time and began to intro the song.

"We're gonna sing a song from a woman gone much too soon. It's a song about how fast time goes by. Boy, don't you wish it was 'Yesterday Once More'?"

With that, he began to sing. When I was young, I'd listen to the radio waitin' for my favorite songs. When they played, I'd sing along. It made me smile.

Anna instantly recognized The Carpenter's famous song, but it felt different. The key had been taken down a half step to accommodate John's vocal range, and it was absolutely magical in his voice. Anna knew Karen Carpenter's voice, and she knew the way she sang the song. John's version was definitely different, but it was just as special. In fact, it touched Anna more deeply because a man was singing something so vulnerable. John was raw and real, and Anna could tell he was passionate about the way he performed this piece.

As John sung the bridge, Anna felt nostalgic as she listened to the words. Lookin' back on how it was in years gone by and the good times that I had makes today seem rather sad. So much has changed. She missed the carefree days of her childhood. The days when music was her everything. The days when she didn't have adult things to worry about. But she didn't long for them like she had expected to. Instead, she felt glad that everything she had seen and done had led to this moment. To this incredible moment of connection with John Bates's voice.

The next song he sang was "Anticipation" by Carly Simon. Anna sensed a theme of songs about time: the past, present, and future. And Anna was certainly glad she was in the present to experience John's music. Just as she had that thought, John hit the quintessential message of the song, and Anna couldn't help but lock eyes with him as he sang. I'm no prophet, and I don't know nature's ways. So, I'll try and see into your eyes right now. And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days.

Chills ran down Anna's arms as she realized John was looking at her too. It was short-lived before the music took him over once more, and he closed his eyes for a moment to hit his final note. Despite its brevity, it was the most entrancing feeling. Anna couldn't help but wonder what John was going to sing next as she was fully in for the ready. She was ready to witness John's emotional connection with his music.

"This is an original," John said, introducing the song. "It's my first time performing this one, so I hope you like it. It's called 'Misfire.'"

Gentle acoustic guitar began first before his voice began singing softly. His singing style was more breathy than the previous two songs, and Anna could tell he was really allowing himself to be more vulnerable with this one. The lyrics conveyed that too. And I'm sorry for the misfire. In the call that madе you tongue-tied. In the loss that made you realize no one's getting out of here alive.

The tears began flowing for Anna. She had lost a lot in her life, namely her father. And she could tell John had too. His lyrics and delivery of them spoke to her and her experiences in a way no song ever had before. She wasn't alone, and that realization was so freeing for Anna. How did this man know exactly what she needed to hear?

The only explanation Anna could think of was that God had put her here to listen to him. And she was so incredibly grateful for this divine intervention.

As she entered her hotel room that night, she couldn't stop her mind from wandering back to the pub and the way the singer had spoken right to her with his music. She began to hum as she got ready for bed. As she pulled her pajamas on, words came into her brain. Strumming my pain with his fingers. Singing my life with his words.

She sat on the bed and pulled out her laptop. Nervously, she began opening up her music software and developing a soft backing track. Soon, she brought the microphone from her earphones near her lips and began working through the song. More and more lyrics came to mind. By three am, she had finished. She was exhausted but glad she got the feelings out. As soon as she saved the demo and closed her laptop, she flopped back onto the pillows and let sleep consume her.

It had been three weeks. Why was the only thing on her mind the lead singer from that night at the pub in Ireland? Anna supposed they had created some sort of connection through his music, which was undeniably beautiful. It had been a magical experience for her, and she still couldn't get it out of her head. And, if she was honest with herself, she didn't want to. She had to memorialize the occasion in some way.

She couldn't believe she was doing this, but she was. She stared into the camera on her laptop and pressed play before she could come to her senses.

"I was in Ireland a few weeks ago, and I went to this little pub in Derry. There was a local band playing there, and their music spoke to me. So, if you're seeing this and you were in that band, thank you."

Anna smiled sheepishly as she pressed play on the backing track for her demo. Then, she closed her eyes and began to sing. Her voice was soft and a bit more sultry than she originally intended for it to be. I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd. I felt he'd found my letters and read each one out loud.

Her heart was being poured out in each word, and she couldn't remember a time she'd ever felt more vulnerable. But it was freeing in a way she couldn't describe. A single tear streaked down her face as she sang the last few lines. Killing me softly with his song. Telling my whole life with his words. Killing me softly with his song.

She took a deep breath and ended the recording. Before she knew it, she was on YouTube typing in a title for her video: "A Song For Johnny and the Wailers." She wasn't sure she should do this, but she wouldn't let herself think through it any longer. She couldn't risk talking herself out of it. She needed this. She needed someone to know how important that night had been to her. It may be a longshot that anyone ever saw it, but at least if it was out there someone might. Before she could think twice, she clicked publish.

A/N: John's "original" song is actually "Misfire" by Michael and Michelle. I guess it's a little meta inclusion of another element of the Downton universe. The song Anna writes is Roberta Flack's version of "Killing Me Softly With His Song." This is an AU, so I can pretend it didn't exist until Anna wrote it. I know Jo doesn't like to sing in public, so Anna never sings on the show. But it is my headcanon that Anna likes to sing when no one else is around and is very good at it. So, I put that into a modern context.