This is my first and possibly last attempt at writing a fanfic. My excuse for inflicting this contribution on those readers who might stumble across it, is that the story has been rattling in my brain for several months now. So, in order to maintain some semblance of focus in my everyday life, I figured it was best to get it told via fan fiction.

The characters of John Bates, Robert Crawley, and Vera belong to Julian Fellowes and Carnival ITV. I'm not writing this for any profit, other than my own personal sanity. Reviews will be very much appreciated. It will help me to figure out if I should continue on with it, or just leave it dangling like a participle.

Before There Was Anna…

Robert looked at his sergeant, staring into his eyes intensely… hoping to see some indication of regret, or hesitancy… But, typical Bates, he just stared back calmly, making it clear to his superior that his mind was made up.

While he had originally been assigned Robert's batman, his allegiance was foremost to King and Country. And John saw this new role he was called upon to play to be very important and vital to the success of the current campaign. It was 1902 and unlike the First Boer War, this one was dragging into its third year. The British people were shocked at the reports coming from the war zone. The Stories of concentration camps where primarily women and children were being victimized and starved to death, coupled with a cruel scorched earth policy turning rich and fertile farms into barren wastelands, had turned more and more of the British citizenry against the war. It had to end soon. So when the General from the home office came to the front and gave the speech requesting volunteers for a mission that would bring the war to a speedy close, John raised his hand and volunteered.

Robert shook his head slowly and turned away from the sergeant, not wanting John to see the dismay spreading across his face as he came to realize that Bates was determined, and nothing he could say or do would dissuade him.

"When will you be leaving?" Robert inquired, his back still showing to his former batman. He was trying to get his emotions in check before facing John again.

"In three weeks, Sir. I've some training ahead of me. I've got to work on turning my Irish burr into something sounding closer to an Afrikaner's accent. And, as this is the first attempt the Crown has made to infiltrate the Boer militia, there are some details that still have to be worked out."

Robert finally turned around to face John. "Three weeks? That doesn't seem like much time to get you prepared?"

"I've you to thank for that, sir" Bates replied with a smirk.

"Me? What could I have possibly done to speed your deployment? My good man! You know I'd rather you not go at all. And, I certainly wouldn't do anything to speed things along faster! Tell me what I've done. Though, I must be honest and say if I can undo it, I will. You must know that this mission is suicidal. The chance of you surviving is slight. You're the best batman I've had, and I hope you've come to realize that I think of you as more than just a servant, but dare I say it, a friend."

"There's nothing you can do to slow my deployment down, Sir. Remember when I mentioned to you how I'd run out of reading material? Do you remember what you did?"

Robert closed his eyes and sighed. Of course, Bates and his blasted need to read, damn the man. One of the other commissioned officers had heard the discussion between them and generously offered to lend him a few books which included an Afrikaner dictionary and several short novels written in the vernacular. That was over six months ago and Bates blessed with a voracious need to read and a near eidetic memory had picked up the Afrikaner dialect quickly.

"Of course, you already know the language" Robert spat the words out. He hated the fact that he'd played a role in speeding up John's deployment"

"Dit is reg", John replied. He couldn't help the smirk from reappearing on his face. He admired Lord Grantham, and respected him, but on occasion he enjoyed giving him the needle.

"Is there anything more, Sir?"

Seeing Robert shake his head no, John turned and left the officer's tent. Once outside he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, hoping to slow down his rapidly beating heart. He was excited at the thought of his new mission. Despite its danger, he embraced it with his whole heart and soul. It was a chance to serve his King and Country as more than just another foot soldier. No, this mission, should he survive it, would be life changing. He could feel it in his bones.

And if he returned triumphant, a hero, he hoped he'd find her still waiting for him. He knew she had been having a hard time back home. He could feel her pulling away from him. The letters came fewer and far between this past year. Their content no longer addressed their future but dwelled more on what was missing. She was unhappy, and with good reason. It had been over a year since he'd been home. But what he was about to do, would make this war end sooner. And the sooner he returned to his wife's loving arms, the better. "Vera" he whispered. How he missed his Vera…