When Isobel awoke she felt uncertain. Did she dream about Reginald since she and Cora had discussed the dreams involving loved ones or was it a genuine message? Erring on the side of caution she prepared a basket of food. Matthew would be coming at lunch time to fetch her for a luncheon at the Abbey. She would ask to swing by the hospital to deliver it and hopefully assess Richard. The hospital was busy and she could see that he was tired. When he noticed her he moved towards her.

"I'm afraid I'm a bit busy today" He said waving at the nearly full ward.

She lifted the basket, "Well I'm not here for a chat I just wanted to make sure you had something to sustain you."

He ducked his head at her words and took the basket from her and went to put it in his office before returning to her in the main ward. She wanted to speak to him but she knew Matthew was idling outside and then a nurse came up to Doctor Clarkson for clarification of his orders. Isobel knew she had to leave. Reginald's words were eating at her but she had to go.

The Abbey was slowly coming out of it's mourning. Nonetheless, Cora still wore black and the mood between her and Lord Robert was frosty. Cora sat at the table staring at her empty plate, she was tired. Emotionally she was tired but she had been able to sleep. Now she was physically tired. Sleep had eluded her last night like a slippery fox on a hunt. No matter what she tired she could not enter the realm of dreams. She looked at Isobel, the woman seemed puzzled. She would talk to her after luncheon.

The motions were went through. Matthew and Mary were desperate with their small talk to try and draw Cora and Robert together. Matthew was even amazed that his mother wasn't picking up the subtle hint to talk.

Everyone picked at their food, no doubt when the table would be cleared Mrs. Patmore would have a meltdown.

The men left leaving the women together. Naturally groups formed. Edith and Mary in one corner and Cora and Isobel in the other. Isobel sat next to Lady Grantham on a small settee, "Has she talked to you yet?"

Cora sighed she was glad that Isobel remembered their conversation, "I couldn't sleep last night. You know I was I looking forward to it, I had made peace with the fact if she didn't talk at least I would get to see her. Is that gone too? Have I lost my baby forever?"

Isobel felt gutted, the pain this woman was feeling was palpable. She kept her own mouth shut. She wouldn't tell her about her dream of Reginald for it would probably upset her since she had a dream about a lost loved one.

That night Robert was once again found in his dressing room. He missed his wife, he missed their bed. It was uncommon for husband and wife to share a bed yet their marriage was uncommon. Robert got into the small bed and wondered would he be relegated here for the rest of his life?

O'Brien was quiet as she helped Lady Cora out of her clothes and get ready for bed. While O'Brien was outspoken she knew when to keep her mouth shut around her lady. As Cora climbed into bed she missed the presence of her husband. Turning on her side she shut her eyes.

The garden, they were sitting outside. The sun was shining and the breeze carried the scent of flowers. Cora was talking to Sybil about upcoming gatherings at the Abbey. Her attention was caught when Sybils hand rose to fuss with her hat.

"What, what is it?" Cora asked.

"Stop this." Sybill managed.

"Stop what?" Cora asked in a small voice.

Another voice joined the conversation, it was a small boy around the age of five. He had seemed to materialize from thin air. He sat on the grass with some toy trucks. Cora had no idea who he was yet Sybil smiled at him warmly and he too smiled back. The boy looked up at Cora, "Stop this, don't talk to her, talk to him."

Sybil leveled a stare at her mother, "Talk to him."

"Who?" Cora asked half wanting to know and half wanting not to know the answer.

Both Sybil and the boy spoke in unison, "Talk to him."

Cora woke and wished Robert were beside her to hold her.

Isobel had no lady's maid to ready her for bed. She had bathed on her own, brushed her hair and teeth and put on her nightgown. Her bed called and she answered its call.

Downton Cottage Hospital was in front of her, the door open. She walked in and found the hospital empty. The beds were freshly made with supplies stacked on the small table next to them. It was strange to have it so empty, there was no whispering. No footfalls of nurses. Why was she here?

She walked along the corridor towards the office. If anyone knew why the hospital was empty it would be Doctor Clarkson. Just like the ward the office was empty. She heard footsteps and turned, it was Reginald. Once again he motioned for her to come to him, still wearing his brown suit. She didn't take his hand but she came next to him.

"Help him." He said.

Isobel remembered the day, she had only delivered food she had no clue if he had eaten it or even slept! "I will."

In the morning she made another offering and went to the hospital. He managed a small smile when he saw her. He took the items from her and went to put them in his office. Out of habit she followed. Being inside the office triggered her dream and she shivered. Richard looked awful and she knew it was deeper than not sleeping. The loss of Sybil was black cloud following the inhabitants of Downton. She shucked off her jacket and hung it up before retrieving her white apron.

He looked relieved and in gratitude grabbed the first thing he could and devoured it. With her by his side he let his guard down, for she was well capable of handling the ward. Not being stretched so thin he was able to relax and catch a decent breath. As the night-shift came in he gently pulled her aside, "Thank you for helping me."

Isobel prepared for bed as she normally did, she was closer to finishing her book. If she continued with one chapter a night she would be done by Friday. The lamp was dimmed and she pulled up the covers.

Again she was inside the hospital, it was empty. All the beds were made yet there were no patients in them. Why was she here? On instinct she went towards the office, if she could find Richard he could tell her what to do. The door was wide open and she could see his desk, at first glance the office was empty but upon further inspection she saw a hand on the floor. Racing towards it she found Richard slumped on the floor behind his desk. As she rolled him over onto his back she could see a gaping wound to his chest. She emitted a low cry and a voice beside her ear whispered, "Help him."

She turned and saw Reginald once again in his brown suit. She launched from the floor and retrieved a towel to place on Richard's chest wound to apply pressure. Reginald squatted beside her shaking his head, "No Isobel, I told you to help him.