A/N This is my first fanfic. It is a total A/U mashup of Downton, details from the actors public lives, and my own dreams.

Disclaimer: I have teenagers so I don't own anything.

Anna trotted down the steps of the university library throwing her briefcase, which contained her computer, over her shoulder. Although she was worried about being late for her appointment, she took a moment to stop and appreciate the view before her. She still couldn't believe she was here in St. Andrews getting her Masters degree in the History of Mathematics. She was getting a chance (at the ripe old age of 32) to fulfill a dream she had held close to her heart since halfway through her college days in Santa Barbara. Her relationship with St. Andrews had been going on for much longer than that. She had come to the 'birthplace of golf' several times throughout her life with her uncle, who was a professional golfer. She always loved it here and when she found out in a random internet search that the University of St. Andrews held the world's largest and best collection of math history books, she knew it was her destiny to come here to study.

She had been here since the beginning of the summer, having quit her job as a math teacher in California. It was a big risk, but so far it had met or exceeded her every expectation. Although Anna was a little older than most of the students in her program, she had already made several friends, the closest being Joseph and Gwen. She felt that she and Gwen shared one of those rare friendships that would last a lifetime. She hoped so anyway.

Anna glanced at her watch and continued on down the steps. The pub where her meeting was to be held wasn't far, but she didn't feel it would make a good impression to be late. Her favorite professor Dr. Carson had arranged for her to meet a man who had just bought a vacation home in St. Andrews and was looking for someone responsible to live in the house as a caretaker/house sitter while he was in London working. Anna had mentioned to Dr. Carson that she felt a little old to be living in the dorms and he had asked her if she were interested in meeting the man. Apparently, he was the son of Dr. Carson's wife's cousin or something.

Anna swung open the door to the pub and stood in the doorway for a moment letting her eyes adjust to the dim light in the dining room. As it was mid afternoon, the pub was fairly empty and it only took a minute for her to recognize the smiling face of Dr. Carson as he waved her over to a table where he was sitting alone sipping on a pint of lager. There was another half drunk glass sitting in front of the second chair which Anna surmised must belong to the homeowner.

"I hope I'm not too terribly late, Dr. Carson." Anna apologized as she sat in a third chair. "He hasn't already left has he? I sort of lost track of time as my paper is going really well."

"I'm delighted to hear it." the professor replied in his deep, rumbly voice. Many students at the university were frightened by Dr. Carson and his gruff manner, but Anna had seen through the act immediately and the pair of them, professor and student, were quite fond of each other. "And you're not too late. The day two Scotsmen can't sit for more than a couple of pints between them is the day I move to Ireland. John has only gone to the "gents".

With that, Anna saw him look up and felt a presence engulfing the chair beside her. She turned to smile at the gentleman and shake his hand but as she recognized him she froze. This was John Bates, JOHN fricken BATES! The star of "Life at Highclere", one of the most popular television shows in the world. Not only was he one of the stars, but Anna knew he was one of the shows major heartthrobs as well. He had taken the world by storm due to the fact that he was a rather unlikely sex symbol, being well into his forties. And as Anna recalled, he was touted as one of the world's most eligible bachelors. Surely this could not be Dr. Carson's cousin, the man she was supposed to be potentially house sitting for?

"Um, hello?" Mr. Bates had a rather amused smile on his face as he addressed Anna for the first time. "Are you alright Miss Smith?"

"Yes, of course, I'm fine. It's just, you're...do you know who you are?" She turned to Dr. Carson and exclaimed, "Do you know who he is?"

Now Mr. Bates was chuckling outright his eyes twinkling with merriment, "Well, I suppose I could consult my driver's license, but I'm pretty sure I know who I am. I haven't had that much beer yet!"

Anna turned again to Dr. Carson, her look shooting daggers at him, "Do you know who he is?" she repeated.

"Miss Smith, I am quite aware of who Mr. Bates is. He is indeed my wife's cousin's boy. What I am not well acquainted with is who you are at the moment. This is not any Anna Smith I've ever met. Perhaps you are not the right person for this job after all. I'm actually a bit embarrassed. I had thought you would be more calm when meeting a celebrity, seeing as you have been raised by one yourself."

"Come on Charlie," Mr. Bates defended Anna, "It's not as though we gave her any warning. I assure you, I don't find her behavior embarrassing. I find it charming." He looked at Anna and smiled reassuringly. "I'm sorry, Miss Smith, but I really couldn't let people know it was me advertising for a house sitter until I was ready to meet them in person. I'm sure you can understand."

"Of course, Mr. Bates, of course. I apologize, it's just... I never dreamed… I mean, you are quite famous." Anna blushed and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

"I am." He stated it clearly as he turned his glass around in his hands once or twice. He didn't sound as if he were bragging but he didn't sound like he was embarrassed about it either. It was just a fact. "Is that going to be a problem for you? I'm anxious for this to work out, you see. Charlie has given you the very highest of recommendations. " He paused and then said, "I tell you what, let's start over now that you are feeling more comfortable. I'll start, I'm John Bates" he extended his hand toward Anna, "it's nice to meet you Miss Smith. May I get you something to drink?"

"I'll get Anna her drink," Charlie replied, "that way the two of you can get acquainted. What would you like?"

"A sparkling water would be wonderful, thank you Dr. Carson." she turned toward Bates and took his hand, "I'm Anna Smith, nice to meet you as well, Mr. Bates." she was relieved to find that she was beginning to sound and act like a normal person again.

"Please, call me John."

"Of course, Mr. Bates, and I'm Anna" John chuckled again at her refusal to use his Christian name but he decided to ignore it. Sometimes it took people a little time to get used to the fact that he was a person like everyone else.

"Well Anna, shall we talk about the house and why Charlie assured me you are the woman for the job?"

"Yes actually, I'm quite curious about that."

"Well, let's see," his manner became more serious. Still friendly, but much more business like. "First of all, you are a bit….hmm, how do I say this...more mature than the average grad student? Charlie assures me that you are a serious young woman, not given to wild behavior or partying."

"Ug, that makes me sound quite boring" Anna giggled.

It was the first time John had seen Anna genuinely smile and he found it utterly charming. It lit up the whole pub in fact. She was quite a lovely woman, much too young for John, but still he couldn't help but notice her natural beauty.

"No, no, not at all Miss Smith. I'm sorry if I've offended you. I'm sure you have lots of fun and do many interesting things. It's just that they aren't the type of things that could ruin a house, my house in particular." He smiled and continued, "All I meant was that Charlie says you have a good head on your shoulders and you are quite serious about your studies. In addition, he seems to think that you understand a little about fame and its necessary restraints. Whoever becomes my caretaker will have to guard my privacy quite closely. Charlie assures me you are completely trustworthy."

"Yes, Miss Smith is completely trustworthy, John." Dr. Carson set Anna's drink in front of her and placed another pint in front of his 'cousin' but he didn't return to his seat, "In fact, if I wasn't sure I could trust Anna, I wouldn't have brought her here to meet you."

"I'm sure, Charlie, and thank you for your concern." John smiled looking up at the older man.

"Anyway" Dr. Carson continued, "I think I will leave you two to get to know each other and work out any possible details. Please let me know if I can be of any further service to either of you."

"You could give me a few days extension on my paper!" Anna joked.

He used his very gruffest professor voice to reply, "Very funny, Miss Smith, but no."

"Give my regards to Cousin Elsie, Charlie." John shook hands.

"I shall, and be sure to tell your mother we both said 'Hello."

Both Anna and John watched as Dr. Carson left the pub. When the door had completely shut John turned to Anna, raised his glass and said, "Alone at last."