Author's Note: This is a little different than the normal Downton Abbey story. It's not AU really, it's set in the same time and all relationships are Canon. The storyline is just a bit different than Fellowes might tend to lean towards.

I'm an American, from the South, so my ENGLISH English might not be as proper as some might prefer, so please forgive me. I watch Downton while I write, so I can at least get some of the grammar and phrasing right. But it might not be to a true Englishman or woman's standards. So let me know if there is anything that can be improved!

Nothing but the idea and a few odd characters belong to me! Please do not sue.

It had been a bad week for John Bates. Thomas—or Mr. Barrow as the new under butler insisted that he be called—was being quite the pain. He took every opportunity to humiliate the Valet who was responsible for him even still having a position at Downton. On top of that, he was back on Miss. O'Brien's bad side, so she wasn't much help. Her insults were hurled not only at him, but at his wife as well. He could handle being called a useless invalid or a filthy drunk—even if it was untrue—but for someone to call his Sweet Anna a trollop and a floozy, was just unacceptable.

He woke up on Friday morning with the hopes that he could make it for one more day before having a wonderful Saturday off with his wife. He trudged down the stairs like a little boy who didn't want to go to his first day of school, and gave Anna an adoring smile. "Good morning." He murmured kissing her forehead as she placed a plate of crepes on the table. "You've been busy." He gestured the eggs, bacon, and biscuits with gravy that had also adorned the table.

"I just wanted to get a head start on celebrating a very special day." She explained with a sweet smile.

John's eyes widened as he tried to think of what anniversary he may have forgotten. He had always been very forgetful for whatever idiotic events Vera marked as important, but he had vowed to do better with Anna. So, he marked down every moment in a mental calendar—the day he first saw her, their first kiss, their first engagement, their second engagement, and their first dance (as clumsy as it may have been)—but nothing fell on the fifteenth of September.

"What day might that be love?" He asked nervously, wincing when Anna faltered slightly as she sat down.

"I thought you may have remembered." She said with a forced laugh before shaking her head and blinking. "It's silly, don't worry about it." She waved him off as she poured him some tea.

"No, tell me." He pleaded. "My old brain can only retain so much information. I forget so many things." He tried to joke.

"It's just…it's been six months…" She trailed off self-consciously, but continued when she still saw a look of confusion on his face. "Since you were released…from prison."

Suddenly remembering the cold morning in March, John smiled and nodded. "Of course." He sighed. "You're so sweet to remember." He picked up her hand from the table and kissed it gently.

"Of course I remembered." She laughed and shook her head as she stood and rounded the table to give him a big hug. "It was one of the best days of my life. Right behind meeting you and our wedding day."

John pulled her onto his lap and kissed the side of her head repeatedly. "I have had a terrible week." He muttered, resting his chin on her shoulder and gazing at her lovingly. "The worst I thought I could ever have here. But you just made everything so much better."

/

"It's about time you showed up." O'Brien sneered the second the couple walked into the Servants' hall. "I thought I was going to have to dress Lady Mary as well as Her Ladyship!"

"We're five minutes early." Anna pointed out as she hung her coat on the hook in the hall. "Besides, I wouldn't dream of adding to your workload. What with all of the meddling and gossiping that you've been backed up on since Tuesday." Bates laughed and discretely rubbed her arm as one last bit of affection before their days started.

"You've got a smart mouth on you." O'Brien glared at the younger Lady's Maid before going back to her mending. "If only you could apply that sass to something more useful, such as time management or self-control."

"Says the pot to the kettle." Bates murmured as Lady Mary's bell rang. He decided to walk his wife upstairs so he could get away from the wicked woman.

"Now, don't you let her bother you." Anna said sternly as they got into the main hall. "She isn't worth the stress."

"I can't take her talking to you like that." John growled. "You deserve so much more respect than that."

"I know what she says is untrue more than half the time. I know I'm not lazy—I do more work in a day than she does in an entire month." She assured him, rubbing his back as they approached the grand staircase. "If it doesn't upset me, then it shouldn't upset you."

John didn't fully agree with her logic, but he decided to let it lie all the same.

/

"Anna, I was thinking of going into town today." Mary announced as Anna helped her out of her nightgown. "Mama and I are going to France next month with Aunt Rosamund, and I'd like to get a few dresses for the trip."

"Very well milady." Anna nodded as she went over to the wardrobe to pick out something comfortable but nice enough to wear into Ripon.

"I'd like you to come with me." Mary said, nodding when the maid held up a green and white striped dress. "I can give you one of my dresses to wear since all of your clothes are at your cottage, but I could really use your help if it's not too much trouble."

"Of course it isn't any trouble milady." Anna assured her with a smile. "I can go change though. The cottage isn't very far—"

"Nonsense, I have about fifty dresses that are collecting dust in my wardrobe." Mary smiled and reached around her to take a periwinkle dress out. "This should fit you fine. It's too small for me anyways. It was a gift from Grandmamma last spring, and I think she got my measurements mixed up with Sybil's." She laughed and held up the dress to the smaller woman.

Anna smiled forlornly at the mention of the deceased Crawley sister. "Well, thank you milady." She set the dress aside and returned to her task of getting Mary ready for the day. "I might need to take in the bust a bit, but besides that, it should work just fine." She joked eliciting a small laugh from her Ladyship.

/

"Thank you Mrs. Hughes." Anna sighed as the housekeeper finished the quick alter she'd done on the dress.

"Don't mention it my dear." Elsie smiled at the younger girl. "I loosened your corset as well because I didn't have time to take in the waist." She patted Anna's hip.

"That should make sneezing a little easier." Anna tried taking a couple of deep breaths, enjoying the slight freedom from the corset that normally confined her ribs.

"It's time to look into eating a few more meals when you have to have clothes made for Lady Mary taken in so much." Mrs. Hughes teased pulling at the loose cloth around Anna's midsection.

"Please." Anna rolled her eyes and placed the hat Mary had given her as well on her head and arranging it.

Elsie smiled at the girl she saw as a daughter and helped her pin the hat to her hair. She had always had a soft spot for Anna. She was such a strong girl, who was always working her hardest, but at the same time, she was very sensitive and delicate. She had always felt very protective of her.

"When do you think you'll be back?" She asked taking one more look at her outfit.

"I hope by dressing gong." Anna sighed, putting her coat on. "I tried to catch Mr. Bates and tell him, but it appears his Lordship has been holding him hostage in the library."

"I'll let him know." Elsie assured her, leading her out of her parlor. "Now, don't keep Lady Mary waiting. Have fun!" She waved as the girl hurried up the stairs past Ms. O'Brien.

"Yes, she's on her way to have fun while I'm toiling away." The older Lady's Maid grumbled, gesturing the box of jewelry she was bringing down to polish. Mrs. Hughes rolled her eyes and went back into her parlor.

/

"Clyde, you can just park here." Mary told the chauffeur gesturing a small parking lot about a block away from the dress shop. "You won't have much luck finding a spot to turn around, and the walk wouldn't hurt if I'm to try on dresses." She gave Anna a small smirk as Clyde hopped out and opened the door for them.

"We should be back within the next hour or so." She told him, "Lord Grantham is always going on about the pub across the way's sandwiches if you fancy a bite to eat while you wait."

"Very well Milady." Clyde smiled kindly at the eldest Crawley girl. Anna couldn't help a small grin herself. Lady Mary had come a long way in the fifteen years she had been working for her. She used to not give the servants—with an exception of Carson—the time of day, but now she spoke to them almost as if they were equals. She even treated Anna as though she were a dear friend half of the time, rather than a mere Lady's Maid.

"Do you think I should get a new bathing costume?" Mary's voice broke her out of her musing. "My old one is nice enough, but I'd hate to have something out of season."

"Well it might be a bit too cold for swimming." Anna reasoned as they arrived at the shop, "You probably won't need one anyways."

"You have a point there." Mary smiled at her before turning to the shopkeeper. "Ah, Ms. Bright, how lovely to see you!"

Anna wandered about the shop as the two women spoke of dresses and what was in and out in the world of fashion. Frankly, most of it went over her head, but she was happy to be of help to her Ladyship. She smiled as she came across a charming sundress. It was an almost gold shade of yellow with little white flowers embroidered on it. It had capped sleeves and was form fitting at the top, but flowed out at the waist . It was a newer style than she was used to, but she thought it was absolutely charming. But one look at the price tag told her that she was better off sewing one for herself.

"That's a lovely dress." Lady Mary startled her as she appeared at her side.

"Yes, but you know how Her Ladyship feels about you in yellow." Anna reminded her.

"Yes, that it washes it me out, and I must agree with her on that." Mary laughed and went back to browsing.

/

"Thank you Ms. Bright, as always, you were a huge help." Mary called as they left the store.

"And thank you Lady Mary!" The shopkeeper waved goodbye to the two women as they made their way down the sidewalk.

"I'd like to stop by Hammond's and see if Matthew's new cufflinks have arrived yet." Mary told Clyde as he helped them put the many packages in the car. "Then we can go, Mr. Carson will lose his head if I delay dinner."

Anna giggled as she followed her back towards the shops. "He loses his head about twelve times a day, so it wouldn't be out of the ordinary."

"Lady Mary!" A voice called, prompting both of them to turn around. A tall man waved at them from a small shop doorway.

"Who's that?" Mary whispered to Anna who shook her head.

"I haven't a clue."

"Well just wave so as not to be rude."

The women waved at the stout gentleman, and they were about to go on their way when he proceeded to wave them over. "I need to give you something for your father. He ordered it weeks ago, but he still hasn't picked it up!"

Mary sighed began to walk over, followed by Anna. "I'm terribly sorry, but we're in a bit of a rush. We'll be sure to remind Lord Grantham this evening, if you'll tell me what it is."

"I have it ready now." The man said gesturing for them to follow them into the shop. "It's a bottle of Brandy I had imported especially for him, and I'm anxious for him to try it!"

Mary rolled her eyes and nodded as she and Anna made their way into the dark store. "I suppose it won't be a problem. How much is it?" Suddenly, the door slammed behind them causing them both to jump.

"It's on the house." A new voice snarled right before they blacked out.

I have a couple of versions of the next chapter worked out, but I'm still deciding on which way I'd like it to go. But I should have it updated within the next couple of days if you guys like it.

Please Review! : )