Tim entered the Golden Scots, his eyes swivelling around, trying to spot Conrad. He'd known the man since he became his client for his 'spot of trouble' as he calls it after a few pints in a pub. He'd left for America right after Tim got him acquitted to build a new life business and reputation. He received a message from him the day before saying he was back to tie a couple of loose ends after the death of his mother – Conrad was one of those men with a very sharp wit who could have you in stitches with a single one liner and seeing what his brother was going through, he figured a reunion and a couple of laughs with an old friend wouldn't hurt.

'Christ I should have known the bugger'd be late…' he fumed as he settled himself on the lobby's couch. Not a minute passed before a big part of his younger brother's turmoil made her way downstairs. He could see why his brother was attracted. She was a ray of sunshine who stood out from all the other ascending and descending the staircase, she seemed confident unlike when she was fighting with his brother the previous day. Her hair was perfectly styled and her navy blue suit style dress flattered her rather attractive figure.

She spotted him as she came down the stairs and gave him a nod before going to check for massages at the reception then heading his way. Tim got up as she neared and held the armchair adjacent to the one he has been sitting on.

"Good morning ." she smiled, sitting down.

'Yep…sunshine. ' he thought before he sat down himself "Good morning Mrs Crawley and please...call me Tim."

"I will, if you call me Isobel."

"I am so glad you don't hold my brother's rudeness against me. I do apologize for his behaviour."

"Not at all!" Isobel waved her hand dismissively "I'm afraid it's not the first time we had a difference of opinion – I'm afraid it is I who must apologize. I had no right to act like that in your home."

"Please." Tim put his hand up "It was my brother who acted like a beast. But you see he's been having a rather difficult time. Please forgive him, I'm sure he did not mean to hurt your feelings. He holds you in quite a high regard as a matter of fact."

Isobel looked down and smiled "Yes we have been close friends for years but you see, it is I who is to blame for your brother's behaviour and possibly his departure from Downton. I'm afraid things have happened – I do not quite know how to explain…"

"You do not have to. You see my brother and I are quite close." Tim looked at her for a moment to let the unsaid reassurance sink in "He and I talk a lot and he has more or less told me what happened – his side of it anyway. I do not pretend to have enough frankness with you to ask your side of it but you are not the only reason for my brother coming home."

Isobel looked expectantly at him but Tim knew there was only so much he could say so as not to betray his brother's trust.

"I'm afraid I cannot divulge as to why and how but I assure you, his feelings for you have not changed. Please do not give up on him, he's going through a rather difficult time and I'm afraid May and I can only do so much – he needs you."

A fiery glint shone in Isobel's eyes "I need to speak with him…"

"That would be best." Said Tim before spotting the man he was waiting for and waving him over.

Isobel did not have a mind for introductions at that stage so she quietly took her leave after thanking Tim.


She was here, she came to Scotland and actually tracked him down to his home. Richard's mind could not stop reeling as he packed the bag he planned on taking to the hospital. He found it ironic - this was a patient's bag filled with clothes and books while his usual one was a doctor's bag filled with tools and fluids used to heal people. He felt horrible after their fight and his brother was right - he needed to apologize. He had not intended to be rude, let alone hurt her feelings but when he saw her all the hurt and despair at seeing her with another man came to the fore and his usual coolness seemed to desert him.

He was interrupted by his brother almost falling through his bedroom door.

"Sorry I meant to knock!" Tim said sheepishly rubbing his foot before sitting down on Richard's bag. "Packing already?"

"I'm going in the day after tomorrow and your wife said if I didn't do it she would do it herself..." chuckled the doctor.

"Yeah she likes mothering you." said the lawyer fondly before a serious expression took over his facial features. "You will never guess who I saw today..."

Sensing his brother wanting to talk, Richard stopped packing and sat on the bed opposite his brother much like they used to do when they were children. "No idea, tell me."

"Your nurse" smiled Tim "I actually had a chat with her..." Seeing his brother lift his head up quickly he reassured him "Don't worry I did not tell her. But you should, she seemed so kind and understanding Richard I'm sure you two can manage a decent conversation."

"Firstly" said Richard stubbornly "She is not my nurse. Secondly where did you see her? Thirdly, yes I know full well how kind and understanding he is but that does not mean she has any right to butt into my life."

The lawyer in Tim went for the kill "All right but you want her to be your nurse, she's at the Golden Scots and she was not presumptuous at all. Look Rick, she only wants to make things good between you, she want's to be there for you and for you to be there for her. She truly regrets the fight you folks had which by the way you still need to apologize for."

"I'm a lame duck now Tim - one foot in the grave. Why couldn't she stay at the village? Why did she come here and not gone back to her precious lord whatshisname?"

"I think if she truly wanted him she would have somehow made it work. She wants you Richard, that is why she came here. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders so maybe it might be an idea to let her decide whether it's too late for you two. The truth of it is that she is a fine woman and for some reason life seems to be giving you a second chance and if you want to be a hard nosed bugger and refuse it - it's your call. But I would think twice because come someday another man might come along and you won't have the chance again...So go to the hotel and talk to her, just let her say her piece and then say yours. Life is a negotiation little brother - don't let this deal slip you by."

Richard sighed, his brother was right. Either way he they needed to have closure "All right I'll talk to her." he put his hands up in surrendered.

"You'd better." winked Tim "You should have seen her at the hotel Rick, she's a beauty!"

Richard glared.

Tim knew he was pushing the buttons "I'm married little brother not blind...Those big brown exotic eyes, that figure - if I wasn't in love with my wife I would have - Ow god damn it Rick, I thought you swore you'd do no harm." Tim was rubbing the shoulder his brother had just punched.

"Hell if May wasn't downstairs it would have been your nose."


Richard took a deep breath and wiped his sweaty hand on his trousers as he went up the stairs of the Golden Scots. He was holding a bouquet of flowers, lilies - her favourite. The reception had just rand her room and she gave permission for him to go up to her. He had been rehearsing a speech but that all went to hell as soon as he saw her.

Tim was right she was a beauty. Her soft cream blouse and her dark blue skirt made her look vulnerable in the fireplace lit room. Her eyes would not leave his and as she silently pleaded for forgiveness his own blue ones softened as he offered the flowers. A sob escaped her as she put them aside and wrapped her arms around his middle, sobbing in his chest. It only took a moment for Richard to place his own reassuringly around her. This was not what he expected but the woman in his arms was full of surprises.

"I'm sorry." she sobbed "I'm so so sorry."

She was so small against him, he often forgot about her vulnerability when he saw her take on lady Grantham of even himself. It broke his heart to see her like this "It's all right Isobel..." he whispered in her ear "It's all right darling." he held her tightly until she stopped and he led them to the small setee which was the windowsill. Outside only the lamps from the road below flickered and provided some light yet Isobel never felt as cosy as she did in Richard's arms.

"It is I who should apologize. I behaved like a brute and I -"

"No it was all my fault. I hurt you - God knows I never meant to but I did and I'll never forgive myself for it. Please come back, everyone needs you back home. You are so loved by everyone..." Isobel gulped before taking a leap "including me. I need you too Richard, please come back. I can understand if your feelings for me won't go beyond friendship. Gosh, the way I acted, I'm surprised you're even speaking to me at all. But the village is lost without its doctor - some patients won't even see another doctor."

"Isobel you are wrong if you think my feeling for you have ever changed and I am deeply sorry for leaving everyone like that. But it may well be that from next week onwards you must learn how to carry on without me." he took a deep breath and put his finger on her lips, stopping her from answering back. "I am sick, my dear girl. I have skin cancer, I noticed the marks on my back and I'm afraid it's rather aggressive."

Isobel's world was falling apart, she couldn't lose another man she loved. 'Please' she begged 'I beg of you not again.'

"I am getting operated and Douglas, an old friend and the specialist who's operating thinks there might be a chance of getting it all - but still. I am an old man my love and as a nurse you know as well as I do any surgery could go either way."

Isobel spend some minutes looking at him recovering from the shock she was in and wrapping her mind around what he'd just told her. At one point she edged closer toward him and took his face in her hands as she looked into his soul.

"Richard listen to me and listen to me well. I have lost my husband then I lost my son, none of whom I could do anything for. I thought I would never love another man and you managed to sneak your way into my heart in a way that nobody else has and I'll be damned to hell if I let you go without a fight. I will be there. I am yours completely and totally and so help me God, I will be your nurse Dr. Clarkson."

Richard looked sadly at her "Isobel I don't want you to pity me or fight for me - I am not one of your charity cases."

"No but you're the man I want to spend the rest of my life with."


AN: How was it everyone? I hope I made up for the last chapter in both words and quality - please let me know what you think! And thanks to all those who are supporting me and leaving reviews - You make my stressful life just a little bit better with your feedback :)