Richard was the first one to wake, the soft weight of Isobel against him made him smile. His dream was unsettling yet it had been the first that didn't include Sybil. Perhaps discussing the dreams with Isobel had helped? He considered what she had said, that perhaps Sybil didn't want his apology.

Isobel's head was resting over his heart, perhaps it was the pressure from her head that had caused his dream? She was still sleeping and he wasn't going to move from this spot.

He watched her, there was something so odd seeing Isobel sleep. This woman was a bundle of energy always moving. Seeing her surrender in sleep was humbling. Even at her age she was a stunning woman. He had been attracted to her when he had first met her. Over the years his attraction to her had deepened. If he were honest, truly honest he was in love with her. Love was something that Richard Clarkson didn't do well. It wasn't that he wasn't capable, far from it. For him love was hard tried.

While his own parents had a strong marriage they didn't wed out of love. They wed out of necessity it was a boon that love had blossomed in the marriage and from it sprang his siblings and himself. His studies had been his first real passion and he had devoted his life to medicine. He hadn't been a monk while studying yet he had never poured all of his passion into courting since he wasn't ready to take a wife yet. The years passed and he went from Junior Doctor to General Practitioner to the Chief Surgeon of the Downton Cottage Hospital. As for women, he hadn't met the one. Isobel Crawley was the one he was sure of it.

Feeling bold he reached out to brush his finger over her forehead, the motion was twofold. First he could touch her and the second he could sweep away some stray hair. As he reached out his heart rate increased. His fingertip brushed her skin and in her sleep her head turned, she sighed before whispering "Reginald."

All the hope Richard had disappeared like a drop of rain falling onto a freshly ploughed field.

Why should this be any different? His mind rallied. All the successes he had couldn't compare to his losses. While he had saved so many patients it was the ones he lost that he dreamt about. For years he had kept women at arms length and know it was being returned. Carefully he slid out from underneath Isobel. Hoping to keep her asleep. However, with the loss of contact and his warmth she roused.

"What time is it?" She murmured blearily.

"A little after six." He delivered, "I must go."

The last vestiges of sleep clung to her yet she stood her intent to escort him to the door. He moved quickly leaving Isobel confused.

Richard left Crawley House as quick as he could before going to his own cottage to ready himself for his day. After morning rounds he announced that he would visit the patients from the Flu. The nurses were surprised yet didn't show it. If the head of the hospital wanted to see his patients no one was going to stop him. He grabbed his bicycle and began pedaling to his first patient.

Isobel arrived at the hospital to find that Richard had gone out. Her confusion was morphing into worry. What had happened? Last night seemed to be a breakthrough of sorts, he had spoken about Sybil. She then stopped, had he dreamt about her? Was that why he left so abruptly? Her jacket was quickly hung on the coat tree. With her apron on she offered her services charge nurse. Isobel busied herself with the autoclave, removing sterile instruments to begin filling it with soiled ones.

Richard had pedaled for seven miles going the furthest distance first. His patient was recovering well. Neighbours had been alternating days to make sure that Mr. Burton was well attended. Apart from mild weight loss Mr. Burton was on the mend.

With the visit over Richard climbed back onto his bicycle only to find the the skies had clouded over. His next patients was three miles away. After half the distance was traversed rain drops hit the shoulders of his coat. He had cycled in the rain before but this rain was unrelenting. The country road was really just a euphemism for dirt worn track with stones in it. He needed to stop, there was an out-building near. As he dismounted he suddenly remembered his dream with Sybil. He had been caught in a storm then too!

He couldn't just stand in the rain! Forcing himself to move he guided his bicycle along before placing next to the stone wall and taking refuge under the overhang. The similarities to his dream were uncanny. He kept his eyes forward, he silently hoped that Sybill wouldn't somehow materialize next to him. He thought of his most recent dream with the one with the man in the Brown suit. Would he meet this man? Would he become injured?

The rain was bringing with it cold and he shivered. His breath was visible and he found words were tumbling from his lips as he spoke seemingly to no one. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for all of it. Your daughter is doing well, checked her myself. She's on the percentage method now. We talked about it once. You're right to haunt to me. All I deserve is ghosts."

The rain began to let up and the clouds began to thin. Richard had to walk his bike through the mud before he came to better drained area that wouldn't impede his wheels.

All of his visits revealed that his patients were recovering. The Spanish Flu had taken many and its resurgence had frightened all. Even with this victory Richard felt no comfort. There would be another death and would it bring forth a new dream?

Isobel herself was lost in her thoughts of her dream.

After the small blonde boy had kissed Richard's forehead and announced that was how she would fix Richard she was stunned! Yet she could feel his heart beat grow strong she had turned to Reginald. She wanted to ask, "What and why?" Her face must have shown him all her emotions.

"You love him" Reginald said softly.

She shook her head swiftly, too swiftly, yet her hands were still on Richard's chest.

"You love him." Reginald said again.

Isobel turned away from her late husband to look at the man laying on the floor. Yes, she loved him and she nodded minutely.

"We have to go now." A youthful voice informed. Isobel knew it had been the small blonde who had uttered it.

Reginald smiled warmly at the boy, "Yes, Scottie. Give me a moment."

Beneath Isobel's hands she could feel Richard's heartbeat begin to weaken. "What do I do?"

"Love him." Reginald and Scottie answered in unison.

She watched as her former husband extended his forefinger which Scottie's small hand clutched. Isobel smiled for it was the same way that Matthew and Reginald had walked together when Matthew's hand and been too small to hold all of Reginald's. Her son had simply wrapped his hand around one of his father's fingers. Their footsteps let her know that they were near the office door. "He's a good man Isobel, you need to take care of him." She then heard whispering but couldn't make it out. Reginald then added,"Take care of him for all of us."

As the pair left she whispered, "Goodbye Reginald" before she had woken up.

A/N: Sorry for the delay, my old computer died so my husband bought me a new one for my birthday. More to come, don't worry klswhite. Reviews let me know what you like and what you don't. I'm no mind reader.