Happy new year to you all. Just a little idea that popped into our heads. Thought we's incorporate the 'Go To Sleep' line into it rather than leave it as a stand alone fiction. Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: Downton and all the characters belong to Mr Fellowes.

Anna slowly opened her eyes, the cold air hitting her as she realised the covers were half strewn across the bed. She has never been the tidiest of sleepers. It was still the middle of the night- the darkness that flooded the room told her that much. Something wasn't quite right though. Turning over and reaching out for her husband, she realised John wasn't there. Squinting, her eyes still adjusting to the darkness, she made out that the time was just after three by the clock on her bedside table.

Laying back with a sigh, Anna rested a hand against her forehead. Her husband had often told her how he had suffered with insomnia since he returned from the Boers. She never asked him about his experiences, although listened when he felt the need to open up to her. The horrors John had told her about shook her to the core. Anna couldn't bear the thought of the man she loved more than life itself going through what he had been through. Knowing he would be sitting alone downstairs, lost in thought, it would put her mind at rest to go to him and ensure he was alright.

Reaching the bottom stair, she saw a soft light emanating from the ajar door to the living room. She smiled softly, he must be reading. Opening the door, she saw John with his back to her, sitting in his armchair. He had a small package beside him, balancing on the arm of the chair. Anna narrowed her gaze on the package and saw it was a pile of envelopes, being held together by a loosely tied string. John still wasn't aware of her presence so Anna tiptoed closer to where he was sitting, and soon realised John's reading material were the letters she had sent to him whilst he had been imprisoned. Her heart swelled. She often read the letters he sent her, especially to help her get through his visits to London with His Lordship. She never imagined he would read the letters she had sent him, purely for the reason she believed John would want to forget all about that period of his life.

Anna cleared her throat as she walked to the armchair next to John's and sat down. He started a little before a familiar smile enlightened his features. He folded up the letter he was reading before resting it in his lap. Holding out his hand for her to take, Anna entwined her fingers with his.

'Are you alright, my love?' Anna asked softly, stroking his fingers.

'Perfectly,' John smiled. 'You know me by now. I probably slept for an hour. I can't lie there in the dark so I came down here.'

'Reading anything scandalous?' Anna asked with a smirk, her gaze focussed on the letter in his lap.

'Not in this particular piece, no,' John replied, waving the letter in the air. 'But one of these contains details of a garter purchased in a Parisian boutique.'

'Whatever would Mr Carson say?' Anna wondered, one eyebrow raised.

'You're right, maybe we should burn them, people will consider you a wanton creature.'

Anna let out a small chuckle at his response before John raised her hand to his lips and kissed it before letting go.

'You know, I never imagined you'd read the letters I sent you.'

'Why?' John asked, placing the letter in his lap back in the envelope and placing it on top of the rest.

Anna shrugged before she spoke. 'I just thought you might like to forget all about that time in your life.'

John tapped his legs, gesturing to Anna to come and sit in his lap. Months of learning about him meant instinct told Anna to place as much of her weight as she could on his left leg. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist.

'Do you know,' he began in a whisper. 'Contained in these letters are your inner most thoughts. The kindest words anyone has ever spoken about me. I may have received them at a time in my life that seemed hopeless. But these pieces of paper were my lifeline. They kept me sane because they confirmed I had a life outside of those prison walls. There was something to live for. And they still do that today. They remind me never to take you for granted and to remember the reason why I'm still here.'

Anna rested her head on his shoulder and kissed his neck softly. 'I'm going to miss you.'

'And I you.'

Another of His Lordships trips to London had arrived and John would be gone for three nights at least. It was part of his job, he had been going down to London with His Lordship ever since John had taken the position of Lord Grantham's valet. Anna wasn't keen on him going then. Leaving behind an empty seat next to her at the table in the servants hall. No one to share a knowing smile with when Thomas or O Brien made a snide remark. Now they were married, it was even worse.

'Hadn't you better go back to bed?' John asked after a few moments had passed. Anna's breathing had become shallow, he knew she was drifting into sleep.

'Only if you come with me,' Anna said weakly, not moving from her current position. 'If not, I'm quite happy here thank you.'

John laughed before kissing Anna on the temple. 'You go up, I won't be a moment.'

Anna reluctantly left the warmth and safety of John's embrace to rise to her feet. She looked down at John who gave her a wink. This caused Anna to blush a little, even after all this time together. She smiled coyly in response before making her way upstairs. Once he was certain she had made her way to their bedroom, John walked to the desk in the corner of the room. He opened the draw and pulled out a fresh piece of paper and an envelope. Sitting down, he dipped the pen that sat there in the inkwell and began to write.

My Darling Anna,

Only two more evenings apart before you can make me a cup of cocoa as well. If you are missing me then be sure I am missing you a thousand times more. You know I'd rather be there with you. Whenever I am apart from you all I find myself doing is longing to be with you again.

If you are lonely, why not ask Molesley to escort you home and then invite him to join you in a cup of cocoa? You did always say he had a more cheerful book collection than myself. But he's not welcome to sit in my chair or drink from my cup.

Counting down the minutes until I come back,

Yours,

John.

John folded the letter and placed it in an envelope before walking into the kitchen. Walking to the shelf, he carefully placed the letter behind the jar of cocoa, so it was still visible but wouldn't be noticed unless Anna moved the jar. He smiled in satisfaction before making his way upstairs.

Morning had arrived and Anna sat at her dresser, preparing herself for the days work as she listened to the sounds of her husband making breakfast downstairs, something which he had insisted upon this morning. She didn't mind, it gave her the perfect opportunity to slip a surprise into John's overnight bag.

Having delighted in his reasons for reading her letters the previous evening, she had quickly composed a note for him to read before going to bed this evening. A letter that was full of certainty rather than promises she hoped would come true like her letters to him whilst he was in prison.

Eyeing his bag sitting on his side of the bed, she walked towards it and laid the letter on top of John's pyjamas before securing the bag.

'Anna, your breakfast is getting cold,' John called up the stairs. 'We've got to leave in twenty minutes.'

'I'll be right down,' Anna called back before looking at the clock. A quarter to six. The early mornings were one thing about working in service Anna had never found easy. And now they lived away from the house she needed to be up even earlier. She picked up John's overnight bag before trudging downstairs.

Anna carried John's bag for him so they could walk hand in hand to the big house. Reaching the servants entrance, Anna let go of John to open the door before John gently grabbed hold of her upper arm, pulling her back towards him. Anna squealed in surprise before her lips formed a smile. Before Anna had a chance to think John's lips were upon hers, kissing her feverishly, in complete disregard to the hall boys stacking crates not more than twenty feet away.

'Mr Bates,' Anna whispered, looking at the now grinning hall boys who had stopped their task to watch. 'That was quite unexpected.'

'But not unwelcome I hope,' John replied.

'Never would I find that unwelcome.' Anna grinned, gently squeezing John's hand.

John smiled before looking at the hall boys who were still watching. 'Shall we wait here for you to find your sketching pencils? Perhaps you own a camera?'

'John,' Anna sniggered, tapping him playfully on the arm before the hall boys continued with their task.

'Well,' John replied, turning his attentions back to his wife. 'I wanted to say goodbye to my wife without an audience.'

'That's very sweet, Mr Bates. But I would have thought your exploits upon joining me in bed earlier this morning were the perfect way to say goodbye.'

John's eyes darkened as he smirked at his wife's remarks. 'The memory shall certainly keep me going for the next couple of days, Mrs Bates.'

'I should hope so too. You were a busy boy.'

John felt his temperature rise in response to the candidness of her words. It took all the strength he could muster to now give in to her right there and then.

'Anna, Mr Bates.' John and Anna looked towards the door to see Mrs Hughes standing in the doorway. 'Hurry inside, you'll catch your deaths out here.'

Anna used her fork to move her food aimlessly around her plate. She glanced to the empty seat on her left. It just didn't feel right when John wasn't at her side. Mrs Hughes picked up on her despondency, reaching across and placing a gentle hand on Anna's wrist. Anna looked up, slightly startled by the contact.

'I'm perfectly fine, Mrs Hughes,' Anna said none too convincingly.

'Come now, dear,' Mrs Hughes said softly. 'Would you like to meet me in my sitting room, for tea in just a moment?'

Anna looked at the empty chair once more before focussing her gaze on Mrs Hughes once again. Anna nodded.

'Mr Carson, I shall retire to my sitting room. There is a letter I would like to write.'

'Very well, Mrs Hughes,' the Butler replied. Mrs Hughes left the table with a knowing look to Anna upon exiting the servants hall.

Anna followed a few minutes later, Mr Carson too distracted in a conversation with his footmen to notice Anna's exit. She knocked gently on Mrs Hughes door.

'Enter,' came the housekeepers reply.

Anna did so and smiled as she saw Mrs Hughes already pouring a cup of tea for her. 'This is very kind of you, Mrs Hughes.'

'Nonsense,' Mrs Hughes said as Anna sat opposite her. 'Now what's troubling you? I think I know, but I don't want to appear presumptuous.'

'It's just,' Anna began. 'Ever since he's been released from prison, whenever we are apart I hate it. We waited so long to be together.'

Mrs Hughes nodded to acknowledge Anna's response before taking a sip of her tea. 'And now you are forced apart again because of something as trivial as work.'

'Well, I wouldn't put it like that. Mrs Hughes,' Anna replied with a smile. 'But yes.'

'He'll be back before you know it, under our feet.'

Anna laughed. 'It doesn't make it any easier though. I've never missed anyone as much as I miss him. Not even when I first started working here and was away from my family for the first time.'

'It's different when you are in love,' Mrs Hughes remarked.

Anna simply found herself looking down at her hands, fiddling with her wedding ring. 'It certainly is.'

'He'll be feeling the same,' Mrs Hughes continued. 'Rest assured.'

'Yes,' Anna said weakly. 'I know. Thank you, Mrs Hughes. You've always been such a support to me and John... I mean Mr Bates.'

Mrs Hughes laughed gently as Anna corrected herself. 'You have both faced a lot of obstacles, my dear. Most of them undeserved. It warms my heart to see you both so happy together. Now, do you have plenty to keep you busy?'

'I do,' Anna replied, finishing her tea before standing up. She walked to the door, turning back to look at Mrs Hughes as she placed her hand on the doorknob. 'Thank you again.'

'So I've come all the way down here to London for nothing?' Robert exclaimed, undoing his tie, ignoring John's outstretched hand to throw the garment on the bed. 'And what's more, they knew the meeting wouldn't be going ahead yesterday. Bates, I ask you.'

'I can see why you are perplexed, My Lord.'

'Perplexed doesn't even begin to describe it.' Robert continued ranting, John stood redundant as Robert paced around the room, undressing himself and dropping clothing here, there and everywhere.

'Will we be going home tomorrow then, My Lord?' John asked hopefully, following Robert around the room picking up the clothing he was leaving on the floor in his anger.

Robert sighed outwardly, stopping his movements, John having to be nimble on his feet to avoid colliding into his employer as he bent down to retrieve His Lordship's waistcoat. 'I might visit Rosamund. Not make it an entirely pointless trip. Is that agreeable, Bates?'

John faked his response. 'Fine, My Lord.'

Robert nodded his head furiously as he began to undo his cufflinks, this time placing them in the hand John had opened. 'Did you have a nice evening, Bates?'

Staying at Lord Grantham's club, John decided to use the time to have a stroll around the capital whilst His Lordship spent the time catching up with old acquaintances over dinner downstairs.

'It was pleasant, My Lord.' John replied. 'I strolled along the South Bank, then had some dinner in a restaurant I used to enjoy visiting when I resided in London.'

'Very good. All the chaps downstairs are returning home tomorrow.' Robert replied as he stared ahead, unbuttoning his shirt.

'Really, My Lord?' John said indifferently as he laid Robert's pyjamas on the bed.

'Yes.' Robert nodded before looking at John. 'You know, Bates, I like to think we have crossed the servant master divide.'

'Yes, My Lord.'

'Well, why don't you take me to your establishment tomorrow night?' Robert suggested, causing John to still his movements completely. 'I won't dress in my tails obviously.'

'Are you quite sure, My Lord?' John asked, handing Robert his pyjama shirt. 'It isn't the type of place that... well. You know, My Lord.'

'That what, Bates?' Robert asked impatiently.

'Well My Lord, stripped down to it's bare bones, it's a public house.'

'And?' Robert shrugged. 'You know me Bates. Beneath all the hunts and dressing for dinner I am at one with the common man.'

John stifled a laugh, struggling to remain professional not usually a problem for the valet. He made eye contact with his old comrade, who was not as amused, standing with his hands on his hips. 'Yes, My Lord.'

'So, how about it Bates?'

'Alright, My Lord.' John agreed. 'If you insist.'

'That's very nice, Bates,' Robert said, sounding slightly hurt. 'I thought you might like to spend the evening with an old friend.'

'My Lord,' John said rather enthusiastically. 'It would be my pleasure.'

Robert smiled. 'Very good, Bates. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Wake me at eight.'

'Yes, My Lord. Good night.'

Anna rubbed a weary hand over her forehead as she walked into the kitchen. She missed John terribly, although had to admit to herself she was looking forward to laying her head down for a good nights sleep. Deciding to keep in her normal routine, she walked to the shelf on which the cocoa was kept. Half paying attention to what she was doing, she was surprised when she saw a flash of white out of the corner of her eye. Looking down onto the counter, she saw an envelope resting upon it. Placing the cocoa jar down, she picked it up. Moving to sit at the table, she took the paper from inside the envelope and began to read.

She rolled her eyes as she read her husbands quip about making him cocoa, when they both knew full well John insisted each evening that he made their drink before bed. Before she knew it, she was choking back tears as she read the part about John longing to be with her. Anna would give anything for him to be sitting beside her right now. Her face soon turned brighter as she considered John's remarks about Molesley and his more cheerful book collection. Anna agreed when John said he was counting down the minutes until they were reunited. Standing up, she decided she didn't really like the idea of a bedtime cocoa without her husband. Still clutching on to the letter, she took herself to bed.

John made use of the facilities in the servants section of His Lordships club, before retiring to his room. It was basic, John missed home comforts and even more so, his wife. He would never admit that to His Lordship, however. He did admit to himself that he was a little nervous about entertaining his employer tomorrow evening. They had experienced a lot together, but John couldn't recall ever socialising with the man.

Picking up his bag and placing it on his bed, he began to search for his pyjamas. His brow became furrowed when he felt a piece of paper. Pulling it out of his bag, he unfolded the paper and immediately recognised the handwriting. It was Anna's. He instantly remembered the note he had left for his wife, how much of a coincidence was it that they had thought do this most romantic of acts for the other? Smiling to himself, he sat on the edge of the bed and began to read.

'Dear John,

I know you'll be reading this before probably reading your book. I do worry about you not getting enough sleep. So, my advice to you as your wife would be to put your book down and go to sleep. Try listing Shakespeare plays. Or counting in your head. That usually works for me.

I am missing you terribly and I wish you were at home so very much. Still, this is what your job entails and occasionally we have to be apart. We've done it before, I'm sure we can manage it again.

Now, make sure you go to sleep.

Goodnight,

Anna.

Smiling to himself, John folded up the letter once more and placed it on top of the book he had put on the small table beside his bed. Once changed, he slipped beneath the covers. Reaching for his book, he saw the letter and remembered Anna's words of advice. Deciding she was probably right, and with the fresh air from his stroll making him feel decidedly lethargic, he turned out the lamp on the table beside him.

However, instead of listing Shakespeare plays or counting, his mind was full of his wife. How could he think of anything else? She occupied his every waking thought. Turning over and reaching over into the empty space beside him, he closed his eyes and imagined Anna was lying beside him. He had memorised the feel of her skin beneath his fingertips, the sound of her breathing as she drifted into sleep. It didn't take long until the exertion of his reasonably long walk after dinner caught up with him, and he feel asleep.

Anna was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, chatting away to Daisy as she and Mrs Patmore went about preparing that evenings dinner. Mr Carson and Alfred had gone into the village to run some errands, leaving Mrs Hughes in charge. Anna was interrupted by a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Mrs Hughes standing behind her, a smirk playing upon her lips.

'Yes, Mrs Hughes?' Anna asked, turning to face the housekeeper.

'Follow me, Anna,' was all she would say. Anna did as she was instructed, and was puzzled as to why Mrs Hughes had lead her into Mr Carson's sitting room. She gestured towards the phone. 'Pick that up and say hello. You only have five minutes, mind.'

The puzzled look remained on Anna's face as she watched Mrs Hughes leave the room and close the door behind her. Walking towards the telephone, Anna sat in Mr Carson's chair and picked up the receiver. She began to speak with caution. 'Hello?'

'Hello my darling.'

It was John. Anna felt her heartbeat quicken immediately. 'John,' she answered breathlessly. 'It's so lovely to hear your voice.'

'And yours,' John replied. 'Are you alright?'

'Yes, apart from missing you terribly.'

'It wasn't meant to be this hard, was it?' John agreed.

'I am so looking forward to the day we have that hotel,' Anna said out of the blue. This confused John somewhat, they hadn't really spoken about it since he first suggested the idea.

'What do you mean?' he asked. 'I thought you loved working at Downton, especially since you became Lady Mary's ladies maid.'

'Oh I do, and I'm honoured to hold the position I do.' Anna backtracked. 'But it's nice to dream. Working alongside each other. Never needing to be apart.'

'It's a lovely dream.' John replied. 'Maybe we can talk about it when I come home.'

'I'd like that,' Anna said softly. 'When will you be home?'

'His Lordship and I are catching the nine o clock train from Kings Cross tomorrow. So we should be back sometime in the afternoon.'

Mrs Hughes appeared at the door. Anna looked to her. 'Mr Carson is back,' she whispered to Anna. Anna nodded to indicate she understood. Mrs Hughes smiled and closed the door once more.

'I have to go, I take it you have relayed all the information to Mrs Hughes about your arrangements tomorrow?'

'I have. Is Mr Carson back?'

'He is. So I best go. A maid talking on the telephone. Whatever next?'

John laughed heartily at his wife's comment. 'Indeed. What is the world coming to? Next we'll have a maid in the dining room.'

'Never would Mr Carson allow that to happen. You're services would be required before he was resorted to that.'

'I'll have you know I'd make a very good footman, despite the cane. I am a man of many talents.'

'Oh, I know all about your talents, Mr Bates.' Anna replied. 'And I intend on making use of them on your return.'

'I shall look forward to that. I love you.'

'I love you too. Bye for now.'

'Bye.'

'I thought you said you hadn't played darts for years, Bates,' Robert complained as John won yet another leg.

'I haven't, My Lord,' John shrugged as he cleaned the scoreboard. 'I guess you never lose it.'

'Hmm,' Robert pondered. 'Mind you, I never had it to lose.'

'You are too hard on yourself, My Lord.' John replied. 'Would you like another drink?'

'I will, yes but let me buy them. And lets sit. I think I've had my fill of the old arrows for one evening.'

'Very good, my Lord,' John said. 'I'll find us a table, shall I?'

Robert nodded before pointing ahead of him. 'Over there, by the fire. Orange juice, is it Bates?'

'Thank you, yes.'

John headed towards the empty table, his and His Lordships coats over his arm. He placed Robert's coat over the back of one of the chairs before sitting in the other. John had to admit, their evening together hadn't been as uncomfortable as he had been anticipating. Although awkward at first, Robert soon got onto the subject on which they stood on common ground, the army.

Robert admitted he had wanted to hold a deployable post during the war. He missed the camaraderie and John agreed there was nothing like the bond that was formed between fellow soldiers, like the bond the two of them had formed during the Boer war. They got onto the subject of John's wound and how he'd acquired it. Robert once again said he was forever in John's debt, John once again insisted it was his duty and His Lordship didn't need to offer his gratitude. John said being given his position at Downton was thanks enough. It ensured his happiness, and that was more than enough.

Robert reached their table, placing John's drink in front of him before sitting down with his beer. He took a sip before looking at John. 'Thank you for this, Bates. I have had a truly wonderful evening.'

'I'm glad, My Lord.' John replied. 'I must admit it's been most enjoyable.'

'Still, it will be nice to get home tomorrow, won't it?'

'I can't deny that.'

Robert nodded as he took another sip of his drink. 'How is married life then, Bates?'

John was taken aback by Robert's question. They didn't often have conversations together that were this personal. Not through choice, however. The only times they really saw each other were when His Lordship was dressing. It must have been the neutral surroundings. John considered his answer as he took a sip of his orange juice.

'It's much better, the second time around.' John began.

'I should hope so too,' Robert replied. 'Anna's a wonderful young woman.'

'That she is,' John smiled. 'I don't think I'll ever be truly worthy of her.'

'Nonsense,' Robert laughed. 'You've been through enough to deserve every happiness that comes your way.'

'Thank you, My Lord.'

'Talking of happy marriages, there is something I have wanted to thank you for, for many years now.'

'My Lord?'

'That evening, just before the Spanish flu took hold. You saved my marriage.'

'I don't understand.' John cleared his throat before looking down at the table.

'It's nice of you to say so, Bates. But I think you know. Knocking on that door.' Robert continued. 'You knew what was going on. Not only did you save me from breaking my wife's heart, you also saved my family that night.'

'Do you know, that night Anna had insisted we were to marry.'

'Really?'

John nodded. 'Yes. I dread to think where I'd be now if she hadn't.'

'Best not to think like that Bates.' Robert suggested. 'You'll drive yourself mad.'

'True.'

Robert raised his glass in the air. 'I'd like to propose a toast. To our beautiful wives, our happy marriages and crossing the great servant master divide.'

'I concur, my Lord.'

Robert clinked his glass against John's, as had been taught to him by his mother in law. John smiled at Robert's actions before drinking some more of his orange juice.

'Drink up, Bates. It looks like the billiard table isn't being used.'

'Cocoa?' Anna asked as she and John walked into the kitchen.

'I'll do that, you sit,' John replied. Anna smiled to herself as she remembered what John had written in his letter.

'I thought you were looking forward to me making you some cocoa.' Anna said as she sat down.

John knew his wife's meaning as he pulled two cups down from the shelf and the jar of cocoa. 'You know, listing Shakespeare plays is not a conducive way to combat insomnia.'

Anna laughed out loud. 'Did you read your book?'

'I didn't,' John replied. 'I wouldn't dare risk the consequences if I had have done.'

'Good, how did you drift off in the end? Did my suggestion of counting help?'

'No, I didn't count,' John shook his head as he carried two cups of cocoa to the table. 'I thought about you, as it happens.'

He sat down as Anna pulled her cup towards her. 'I'm not sure whether to be insulted by that, or flattered.'

'I'll admit, the fresh air I took in on my stroll before bed helped,' John began. 'But I read your letter and all I could think of was you. All I ever think of is you.'

Anna blushed slightly at her husbands words. 'Have you thought much about what I said on the telephone, yesterday?'

John pondered Anna's question for a moment as he took a sip of his cocoa. 'With the house in London, we are in the position to sell up any time you wish.'

'I wish? What about you? At the end of the day, it's your decision.'

'Why is it?' John shrugged. 'The house is in your name.'

Anna met his gaze. 'Only technically. We both know why you did that.'

'Anna, can't you see I owe you my life? You are the only reason I am sitting here right now. There are only two things that matter to me. Your happiness and that I spend the rest of my life by your side. Wherever that may take us.'

Anna rested her hand on top of his. 'I'm not going to lie, buying a hotel together is one direction I would like us to head in. But I think I said that yesterday because I was missing you so much. I love my job, much like I'm sure you do.'

'It isn't a bad way to earn a living, I'll concede.'

'So lets say we stay as we are for the time being,' Anna suggested before her manner turned much more coy. 'But if our circumstances change, then might be the time to look at our options.'

John smiled. 'Just say the word, and I'll follow you in a heartbeat. You know that, don't you?'

'I do,' Anna smiled. 'How about we take these cocoa's upstairs and you follow me to the bedroom right now?'

Anna stood up, and held her hand out to her husband. He took it without missing a beat. 'You know, suddenly I'm feeling quite tired.'

'I do hope you are not too tired, Mr Bates. I meant what I said yesterday when I intended to make use of your vast array of talents.'

'I best do as I am told then.' John raised his eyebrows, a delicious smirk spreading across his lips.

'If you have your best interests at heart, Mr Bates, I'd say you better had.'