Isobel Crawley considered herself to be a strong woman, capable of handling anything. She was a qualified nurse and had served abroad in France. She spearheaded causes because she truly believed that doing good works was essential. From this a she almost believed that she possessed an impermeable shield that could protect her. Her newest cause saw her in the city center of York helping women. As she walked along a particular street women were clad in shadow, popping out to see if the footfalls they heard were from a man. As Isobel passed she saw the faces emerge from the darkness only to dart back in like a cuckoo clock. A flash of movement caught her eye and she saw a woman with red hair. She knew this woman! Racking her brain she was trying to discern from where and her feet carried her towards the figure. Downton Abbey was the answer, she was a housemaid. Turning a corner she saw the woman in the arms of a man. Before she could stop herself she walked forward and uttered, "You can come with me."

The redhead turned towards Isobel her eyes pleading with her to leave. The man she was with became belligerent. "Silly bitch! I already have one."

His huge arm moved and Isobel suddenly realized that her shield had the strength of tissue paper. This was the last thought she had before she was knocked unconscious.

Dr. Richard Clarkson drove with determination, a Police station in York had requested his presence. When he entered the duty sergeant escorted him from the entry office to the back. Isobel Crawley was sitting in a chair from where he was he could see her hair was mussed and her lip split. As he moved closer he could see the beginnings of a bruise on her cheek.

His anger which he had been in control of on drive here was beginning to uncoil. "What happened?" He asked amazed that his voice was level.

Another policeman approached him, "She was following a prostitute. The punter got angry that she was interfering and did that." He said pointing towards Isobel's face. "We have a doctor we could call but she won't let anyone near her."

Richard came beside Isobel's chair and knelt down beside her, he went to touch her hands but she pulled them back as if she had been burnt. Keeping his movements small he opened his hand and presented it to her palm up. Seeing his gesture she turned to actually look at him, "Richard?" she asked almost inaudibly.

"I'm here." He said keeping his voice even.

She looked down at his hand which was still open in offering and she took it. With this small token of trust he then began assessing her injuries. Pupillary light reflex was good, she knew where she was when asked, and had no ringing in her ears. The cuts and bruises would fade and heal. "Besides what I can see, are you hurt?"

She seemed confused by his words so he tried again, "Did he touch you?"

The policeman intervened, "Never got that far sir. After he smacked her the prostitute began screaming. Mrs. Crawley is known around here for the work she does. Some of the women have gotten a meal out of her so they too sounded the alarm. The man is in the cells."

Richard saw that her clothes seemed to be in one piece and there didn't seem to be anymore wounds. "Does she need to make a statement?"

The policeman shook his head, "Statement was given by an Ethel Parks."

Isobel had become quiet again and it worried Richard, "May I take her home?"

Wrapping an arm around Isobel he helped her out of her seat and escorted her out of the police station. His worried intensified when she allowed him to help her into the vehicle. Getting behind the wheel he started the car, "I'm going to take you back to Crawley House."

At his words her stillness was broken, "No! No, please! Don't take me back there, I can't let them see me. Please don't make me go." Her breath hitched at the last words and her eyes darted around the car as if searching for an exit.

Richard had never seen such an explosive reaction from Isobel. Again keeping his voice level and movements small he addressed her, "Isobel, Isobel. If you don't want to go I shan't take you. You have complete control, tell me where you want to go."

Isobel's mind was racing, where could she go? Crawley House was out and she wanted to be nowhere near the Abbey. Where was a place that would be a plausible place for her to stay? "Hospital, take me to the hospital."

"All right, that is where we will go." He put the car into gear and slowly the city gave way to countryside.