John Bates walked back to the abbey that evening, the storm he saw in the sky was not the only one over his head. Ever since the attack on he had been having this nasty feeling that just wouldn't go away no matter how much his darling wife tried to suss it out of him. He did not know the lady, hardly ever even spoke to her but she supported his wife when they all thought he was going to die during that awful trial and Anna had told him all about kind Isobel Crawley and her story that dreadful night.

He went to see Jim, a good friend he made while working at the pub and he told him about this fellow who was new in town, did not seem like good news and was gambling and drinking more than a duke. Asking if the chap was well off, Bates got the answer that he was in fact a new miner who 'came across some coin' recently. But what really sent Bates' mind into overdrive were the scratches on the man's face which could only have come from a woman's hand and his general attitude towards the opposite sex.

Richard sat in the abbey's drawing room, drinking tea with the dowager. The great lady's piercing blue eyes where almost nailing him to the grand armchair he was sitting in.

"So you're sure she will be fine, physically?" she asked for the umpteenth time, putting the tea cup on the table gracefully, never losing eye contact with the doctor.

"Yes, I thought her ribs might be broken at first but thankfully she was at least spared that. Still, that lowlife beat her up pretty bad. I still haven't let her look at a mirror, he face Is healing nicely though…emotionally speaking, things are less stable." He finished before drinking his last sip of the soothing liquid.

Violet pursed her lips "Well, she's still beating me in cards…Still no sign of this criminal? Nothing from the police yet?"

"No, nothing yet." He felt himself getting red in the face and fisting his hand in anger.

Sensing the man's agitation, Violet turned the subject back "She seems to be holding up pretty well, considering. She has even played with George this morning, he cheered her up tremendously." She couldn't resist the smile, thinking of that sweet little boy making his grandmamma laugh.

"You know how she always tries to be brave no matter what, what worries me though is what happens when she's alone or sleeping – I'm keeping vigil with her tonight. Let's hope it all goes well."

Richard sighed as he saw the dark clouds gathering, the last storm they saw took place on the most traumatizing night of Isobel's life and he couldn't shake the bad feeling in his gut. He entered his lover's room to be greeted with an angelic smile and a kiss. He changed into his pyjamas before getting into bed with Isobel.

"How was your day?" she asked, wanting to know everything that was happening in the world outside the room to which she'd been confined ever since the attack. He explained every case he encountered at the hospital and brought her some charts to look at and some books he thought she might find interesting. He felt her go sleepy on his upper body and kissed her forehead.

"Sleep my beautiful Bel. I'm right here…" he let out a yawn before laying them both down.

They were both in deep sleep until the first thunderclap which woke up Isobel who let out a scream which in turn woke Richard up who caught her when fell against him sobbing. Rubbing her back soothingly and whispering his love and soothing phrases in her ear, the good doctor wondered how he was going to get her out of this. This was Isobel, the light of his life and reason for living. There must be something…there simply must be.

He had been thinking about it for a while but it seemed now was as good a time as ever to let Billy Jones visit Isobel. He had been asking for her ever since the attack and he had a feeling the little boy still felt guilty about running to get help and nobody's words were ridding him of it. He needed Isobel's absolution and Isobel needed his presence too. That was it, Billy Jones was part of the solution.

AN: Long time coming huh? But don't worry, updates should be more frequent now. I hope you enjoyed my other new story "His Isobel" it was a tumblr prompt that just wouldn't leave me in peace and I had to get it out of my system. So what do you think about this chapter? Do you think Billy Jones will be helpful? :) Let me know, reviews are how I learn ^-^