These were absolutely wonderful and in character!

My favorite chapter of the bunch :) I love all the unspoken stuff.

I really liked the idea of Anna and Gwen discussing what John might potentially feel for Anna. Gwen's noting of the way that he looks at her when it's just the three of them is lovely, but of course we all know that it was beyond a simple fancy at that point. ;)

I like the idea of Anna being afraid of being unable to control her own thoughts and desires. It was love before she even realised it.

You describe Anna's deepening infatuation so well. I loved the poetic turn of her thoughts about him, and how she sees all the good traits in him, and the way her thoughts turn more intimate, showing how deep she's falling.

I really enjoyed the notion of his thank you having more weight than just her reserving the seat for him. Their reunion was restrained but with such an underlying joy - it was a perfect mirror of where they were in canon at this point.

I really enjoyed the emphasis you placed on Anna making the tray up without getting permission first. Seeing it written there plainly makes it even more beautiful. Her instinctively knowing that O'Brien had something to do with it, and the fact that John's dismissal kept her awake all night was so painful. Thank goodness justice won out in the end.

It still makes me sad to think that John mistook Anna's concern for pity. I really liked the way that Anna listed all of the qualities that she admired in him, and how it bothered her that he would think that she pitied him.

I enjoyed reading Anna's first impressions of John, and the humorous, "Lord, Gwen, I do fancy him, don't I?". It was fun to see Anna and Gwen share a good girly chat, and the way that Anna defended John's honour.

Gwen: BFF for life. And just fancying is a ship that's sailed LOOOOONG ago!

:DDDDDDDDDDDDD
Oh I would've given anything for an Anna and Gwen discuss Mr. Bates scene.

And really...who can blame her?

Aaaaah, just what I was hoping for (except too short)!

Awww. So sweet! Fellowes cheated us out of this scene. Thank you for writing it!

I have a feeling we're going to need a guidebook before this story is finished, but I love it so much. It's like we're getting a peek into how writing works, how it's all plotted out - a real work in progress. I'm enjoying it. :)