"Isobel, you're going to make me faint if you keep pacing like that! The doctor did say it would last a few hours."

Isobel sat down near the pixie like woman "He didn't even let me speak to him before he went into the surgery...He just went in like it was him who was doing the operating!" said the nurse frustratingly.

May put a small hand on Isobel's "Richard is a proud man, all the Clarksons are. He would not want to look vulnerable to you - anyone really - but especially you. You are the woman he has been trying to impress for years."

Isobel sighed. She understood that, probably more than anyone else. She did think of him as a man, ever since he first managed to rile her up over John Drake on her first day at Downton. His voice was authoritative when he barked orders to his underlings, soothing when caring for a patient and that soft Scottish lilt was something she could never get out of her mind whenever she was at home after finishing a shift and spending the day with him. She had a chance to study his body, to feel the softness of his silvering blonde hair and the freckles on his shoulders. He was slim but years of being in the military, lifting and carrying patients and paddling up and down the village made him quite muscled. Being in his arms was like being in her own heaven, it was safe and cosy and nothing made her giggle more than his moustache tickling the skin of her neck where he so liked to place kisses.

More than a man. He was her man, her doctor and she knew how frustrated he would be confined to being the patient rather than the doctor. But she was his nurse and she only wanted to make it better for him.

"Let's go home and get a bath Isobel." suggested May "It will be a while yet and Tim will be here to keep watch and when we get back and Richard wakes up you'll be refreshed. You seem totally exhausted."

"Yes maybe that would be a good idea." Isobel said "I also need to write to someone."

"There is a letter box you can use on the way back to the hospital. Now come on darling..." The women grabbed their hats and gloves and headed out the door. Isobel felt as if she was sleep walking, she never even noticed May looking at her husband and him acknowledging them with a nod as they walked out of the hospital.


Richard opened his eyes.

There was a sharp pain along his back which made it difficult for him to breathe. He blinked into the light and focused on his other senses, he was a bit cold and he could feel linen directly on the skin of his chest which meant he was shirtless he could smell disinfectant which meant he was in a hospital and his ears were treated to the gentle voice of Isobel Crawley calling out to him.

"I believe he's waking up." Douglas said, nodding to Isobel and Tim who were eagerly waiting in the private hospital bedroom.

Isobel sat on the side of the bed "Richard?... Richard?" she took a hold of his right hand hoping this would make him more aware of his surroundings.

Richard tried to say her name but all his mouth produced was a groan and his stomach was not feeling all too well.

"Let's turn off the light." Douglas suggested as he turned on the couple of oil lamps beside the bed. "Electric light must be overwhelming for his eyes." He'd only just realized it was night time and how long he'd been with his friend in the OT helping him fight for his life and praying to whatever gods he could think of that the latest change in attitude he saw in this man would help get him out of the sad tunnel he had been locked in. He sat with Tim after the surgery while they waited for the ladies to return.

Douglas had grown closer to the older Clarkson brother, probably because he was geographically closer to him but as they remembered all the childhood pranks, the nonsense at university and shared stories about the fiery blonde in the bed the discussion fell on a certain doe eyed brunette whose appearance seemed to make all the difference for Richard. Tim explained that the pair did not come without their own set of fireworks but they both acknowledged that without her, the good doctor might still have been wishing for death. Douglas was quite looking forward to meet her and he wasn't disappointed. Even when visibly distressed, Isobel looked beautiful, her hand shake still strong and diction still perfect. She truly was a remarkable woman.

"Oh God..." said Richard in a hoarse voice as he tried to open his eyes again. To the surprise of everyone his body heaved up suddenly and Isobel reflexively reach for the bed pan on the side and Douglas hurried back to the bedside as Richard vomited.

"That's it old boy better out than in." reassured the surgeon his eyes crinkling when he got a laser glare from his retching patient. "That's quite the reflex you have !"

"I'm a nurse." smiled Isobel shyly as she disposed of the contents, the retching gave her a chance to look at all the bandaging on Richard's back and she took the chance of facing away to collect herself as she washed her hands.

"That you are..." grinned Douglas, passing a look to Tim who looked at Richard as if he was a creature from the lost world.

"Is this normal doctor?" The retired lawyer asked, running a hand through his hair.

"Yes, general anaesthesia tends to have that effect on patients. Though I would appreciate it if my patient would refrain from making any sudden movements and not ruin my good stitching." finished Douglas with a smile.

Richard took a washing clot from Isobel and wiped his mouth "Yeah I bet you took revenge on all our childhood pranks and made me look like Frankenstein."

Doug put his file to his chest "You wound me Rick, I am a man of forgiveness!"

"How much of it did you get anyhow?" asked Richard as Isobel rejoined him on the side of the bed. It did not go unnoticed by Tim and Douglas that Isobel's hand took its original place in Richard's.

Douglas took a deep breath "As far as I could see all of it but you're never really sure. We need to monitor you very closely in case there is a re-occurrence. In some cases the tumours went deeper than I thought so I'd rather not take any chances."

"But he's okay for now yes?" asked Tim.

"Yes." seeing everyone heave a sigh of relief, Douglas let it all sink in before he looked at Richard and continued sternly. "But this will be a long recovery. And probably a painful one. The effects of the anaesthesia should be wearing off completely in a couple of hours seeing that you have been out for a long while after you were taken out and when you feel the full impact of the cuts. I need you to call for the nurses immediately and take your pain medication. Am I clear? "

"Don't worry doctor." said Isobel in her nursing mode "I will make sure that he does."


Violet Crawley was not a patient woman, her son and her late husband as well as her granddaughters would attest to that. Since cousin Isobel went to Scotland on her mission she had barely heard from her best friend. At first she thought it was because she was busy working to get their beloved doctor home, then she tried thinking that no news is good news and that should Isobel have failed, she would have been home by now.

Now however, even her usually calm daughter in law was getting impatient. What was going on up there?! Thought the grand lady as Spratt handed her the mail on a silver tray. Her prayers were answered when she found a small, lilac envelope with that unmistakable handwriting on it. Reading the content her facial features went from delight to utter confusion, ringing her famous silver bell she waited for the ever faithful butler to enter the room.

"You needed something my lady?"

"Yes, please get the chauffeur. I'm paying a visit to my daughter-in-law..." demanded the dowager, using her stick to get up and dismissing the man with a wave of her hand, she packed the small letter in a pocket in her skirt and looked at the mirror to see what she looked like before going outside.

"So she persuaded him!" said Cora excitedly "I told Robert she would...so when are they coming back?"

Violet pursed her lips "They are not." at the younger Crawley's gasp, Violet continued "Not yet anyway. It seems that cousin Isobel found the doctor in Edinburgh but a complication arose and they won't be in Downton for a while."

"What sort of complication is this?" frowned Cora.

"She really doesn't explain. She just wanted to get in touch but I have a feeling she is trying to hide something..."


AN: Let the recovery begin! Thanks to everyone who is still on this ride, reviews are welcomed virtual chocolate treats as always :)