Chapter 2

When they entered the Madrassa they were greeted by several young men looking at them expectantly. All of them were dressed in immaculate white robes therefore Rose was quick to identify them as some of the doctors or medical students. To their left she could catch a glance into a room bustling with activity. Several of the young doctors were flitting between cots, separated by curtains. The whole scene resembled a modern day casualty clinic, which it probably was.

While Rose had been staring, the Doctor had managed to shake the eager students off who had been trying to determine for what kind of ailment they were here.

"Come on, Rose, let's have a look around! Maybe we can see the great master at work.", was all the Doctor said before he took her hand and pulled her along before she could exchange one puzzled look with the men.

The Doctor dragged Rose through several corridors and rooms. While they were having their "look around" the Doctor seemed to find it necessary to explain every single treatment room or instrument he saw lying around to Rose. She could see that he was in lecture mode and there was no way to get him out of it. Even though she was neither in the mood for his explanations nor this she understand everything fully, she let him have his way. Sometimes it was just nice to hear his rambling and feel reassured that she travelled with someone who would be able to help her in almost every situation.

When they had seen most of the Madrassa and still hadn't found Ibn Sina, Rose was starting to get annoyed. But just then the Doctor opened a door labelled with some sort of sign but she wasn't able to make out what it was before it swung open fully and the information was hidden. Stepping inside as if he owned the place, the Doctor entered yet another treatment room. It was very quiet here except for the harsh cough that emitted from every patient once in a while.

The only doctor was hunched over a patient so his face was hidden. When he noticed the newcomers though, he looked up as if he was caught doing something forbidden. Weaving through the sea of cots the Doctor dashed forward to shake the perplexed man's hand.

"Ibn Sina! What an honour to meet you! I'm the Doctor and this is Rose", he greeted, nearly taking the man's arm of while shaking his hand.

"You're the new doctor? Well, I'm glad that you're finally here. I've been trying to determine what kind of ailment we are fighting here for weeks now and I can't find out." Ibn Sina was looking around the room, his concerned eyes sweeping over the thin and sweaty men and women on the cots. Rose could see a mixture of concern and excitement in the Doctors eyes.

"Well, I certainly didn't expect that many patients but we'll just have to make-do and see how we can help them!" He explained.

"The only thing that I'm relatively sure about is that it is not contagious. The first patient was brought here about two weeks ago and neither my students nor I have caught it."

Both men started talking about treatment courses, diagnostics and symptoms. While they were busy "being brilliant" as the Doctor would put it, Rose used the opportunity to help in her own way. When she was sick she always enjoyed a little attention, be it someone bringing her tee or even just offering a nice word.

Her attention was caught by a little girl curled on her cot, coughing harshly and breathing heavily. When she caressed the little girl's cheek she opened her eyes to look at Rose and give her a tiny grateful smile. Rose stayed with her for some time and then moved on around the room to talk quietly to the people and reassure them, that now that the Doctor was here, they would be on the mend soon.

She watched the Doctor going on his rounds like you would be expecting when you came to any hospital in her time. Somehow she had expected something more weird or alien to be happening but he just got out his stethoscope and listened to hearts and lungs, he even had those little sticks to peer down someone's throat and from time to time she could hear him advising someone to rest or offering the obligatory "That wasn't so bad, was it?" to frightened children after he drew some blood to analyse. "Yes, he's such a doctor," Rose thought to herself when she watched him, the reason he chose his name couldn't become any clearer than in this moment.

There's sick!Rose ahead soon so be prepared ;)

And please don't forget to R&R