It was the third Sunday in May when Vastra, Jenny and Alaya are spring cleaning.

The doorbell rings. Alaya tastes the air, "Telegram". She quickly climbs down the ladder, runs downstairs and swings open the door.

There is a young handsome man in uniform with with a cane and an usually perfect lighter coloured square on his nose, "Are you Alaya?"

"Yes, I am Alaya."

The man pulls from her inside jacket an sealed envelope, "I need to verify with a question."

"Yes of course."

"What is her substitute for you?"

Alaya quickly answers with a gaping smile, "Plaster walls."

He hand over the envelope with a smile, "This is yours,"

"Thank you, so much. Have you seen Doctor Flint-Saint Clair?"

"I was a patient, twice. She fixed my leg and my nose. I have to walk with a cane but the alternative would be without a leg. She is amazing."

"May I have a bit of your time?"

"I have just returned myself. I would like see my family, I am quite anxious." He looks into Alaya's pleading eyes. "One question, but then I have to head off to my family."

"Is she well?"

"She is a spirited woman who has risen above swine. She is the only one who talks to us, entertains us with stories of the Great Detectives and even touches our hands. Many men have professed their love to her but she responds the same ... 'my heart belongs to one with a magical laugh and powerful brown eyes'. The other staff and doctors just go about their daily work and treat us as if we were nothing more than furniture. When one dies they are carted out like trash, She is only staff who pays reverence with a bowed head and silence before doing her duty. We call her the Red Doctor of Scots. She said that my scars on my face will heal, it is the mental scars of war that will take more time to mend. She is making a difference, but we all notice her desire to come home. When anyone inquires anything personal she simple smiles not wanting to burden anyone. If there is anything we could do ... please let me know."

Alaya clutches her hands. "She would love to be home to practice here in London. It is the Scottish Women's Hospital Committee that demand she serves Scotland while Doctor Flint-Saint Claire heart wants to serve the Queen and Country. She is a English subject by heart and marriage. When the war is over she will be home with her family in London. Thank you so much for your time. Please allow yourself to heal physically and mentally."

"Thank you for your honesty. Know that I might not be able to do anything, this war has torn families apart and scattered them around Europe. Good day."

Alaya nods and closes the door and with a burst of energy she runs upstairs to her mothers. "I have a letter. It is from Fiona!"

Mother Jenny asks, "Will you read it out loud? Or do you feel more comfortable reading it alone first?"

"I am too excited it has been so long. Do you want to read it?" looking at Mother Jenny who quickly dusts off her hands, "You will have to keep cleaning. If I read something personal you will have to deal with the consequences."

Alaya nods and climbs back up the ladder cleaning the bookshelf.

My Dearest,

I just left Mother Jenny at the ferry to return to home. I can't tell you how much her visit meant to me. We spent a wonderful afternoon, we stayed up and caught up on our lives.

I have no idea when I will see you again. My heart aches with the distance between us.

I have kept warm with Vastra's cape. It is unusually light but keeps my body heat inside. Too warm, luckily I have my back to cool walls to regulate my temperature.

It was a very long journey but I have comfort reading your letters over and over.

When I am alone, positively alone I take out the picture of you eclipsing the moonlight. My heart pounds for you, only you.

I have a mystery to solve. Something I do not understand ... Why am I held captive?

The sea air isn't as enjoyable in December as it was in September. The cold slaps my face when I go above deck so I stay in my cabin, read and think of being home with you.

Update: I have landed in port and found my unit we are in Skopje.

Update: The Serbia hospital has over five-hundred men in beds dying of typhus, many with septic wounds and bed sores. I only operate on the who will survive, there isn't one I can save. They are too far gone, they have been abandoned long before we stepped into the hospital. I am am constantly doing surgery on the new wounded. I sleep for a few hours and then work for over eight. It is a cycle that never stops.

Tell mother Jenny the tea is much worse here than that brown water in France. I try to get ten cups from one infuser. I long for a good cup of tea, my goodness I do sound like a typical Londoner.

I have been teased about my soft Scottish accent and my British ways. I like that. Nothing wrong with being half-Scottish.

All of the staff are Scottish and there are many with deep highlander accents. When I eat meals with them, which is rare, it is nice to just hear them talk to each other.

Update: The death toll is too high, this typhus is a serious concern. When I do surgeries I keep a small staff. I am not taking any chances. Why hasn't Elsie require typhus inoculation shots?

Update: I am the only surgeon remaining and two nurses who were smart enough to get shots before boarding the ship.

Update: I have kept my distance from the hospital and wait for someone ask for a surgeon. It is the safest action as I am not going to put myself in harm's way. A dead surgeon is a worthless surgeon. I have taken to clean the surgery area myself, checked machinery and updated my medical log.

I have completed more than enough log hours to meet Great Britain's surgical qualification. Maybe all this running around the globe will have its advantage when I return to normal life. This made me smile, to have a normal life.

I started to laugh out loud, a normal life is not what my Alaya and I have to offer each other. I am counting the days before I am home with you.

It is a bit over a two months and the staff is failing. Not enough supplies to support the living and not enough food to feed the staff.

I have not felt obligated to share my food rations. Yes, I have been rationing, who knows how long I am here. I do not want to see my Alaya's sad brown eyes if I grow too thin.

Update: It seems that March we are expecting reinforcements.

Update: Three weeks into march two nurses and a second unit has arrived and we work together to get this typhus epidemic under control. This team was held at Malta to tend the wounded, which explains why they were late coming to our aid.

I supplement, what little meals the SWC offer, with my rationed supplies. I am hoping it will help me build up my strength.

It is good to have more staff and supplies. I just wish the war would give us a moment of peace.

One of the hardest is the young men who come to my surgical table. I have to take a limb, a hand or even at times an eye. Their lives will never be the same.

One of my patients was a footballer and now without a leg he became depressed. We talked each time I checked his wounds. He was quite clever and a way with words. I told him get a typewriter and become a writer for football, they have long careers and fans. He is slowly getting back to better spirits.

Update: I was told by the lead Doctor I am being sent back to Edinburgh and will telegram on my arrival.

Update: I am not leaving, no funds. I am truly disappointed and went back to my cot and pulled out our picture. It made me feel better. Thoughts of you keep me sane.

Update: Finally more staff, and they're inoculated. Things are looking up and spring is in the Air. I want to send word but there isn't anyone heading back. They are all dedicated to seeing this through. I see no end in sight.

Update: April Guess who just showed up? Yes, Elsie! I waited for her inspection around the surgical rooms. She called me into her make-shift office. She asks if there is anything I can do? I asked to go home and finish up my education. She quickly called me ungrateful and that I gifted a lifetime of experience in just a few months.

I told her I appreciated her help in my education, but I truly would like to go home and work there.

She questioned if I was going to work with Louisa? I reply, "That has always been my hope and wish."

She started to yell at me making no sense at all.

I calmly waited until she calmed herself. I went to her desk and look softly into her eyes. "I am Mrs Fiona Flint-Saint Clair, I want nothing more than to be a surgeon but allow me to continue my education in London.." and I walked out of her office and back to my room.

A few minutes later someone knocked at my door and said to come in ... It was Elise's personal secretary. She warned me to keep my distance from Elise and she will find the funds to send me home. I told her that my distance from Elise is my most highest priority. I asked her what I did wrong. She said nothing and walked away. Oh my dear Alaya, I wanted to take my cricket bat and slap her ass to leave a mark. But instead I closed the door and thought of you.

All these soldiers are far away from their home, a mother, a wife, or a lover ... their hearts ache. Some not so much. I have had three marriage proposals. I have turned them down with a soft smile and let them down easy.

Your Half-Scottish Fiona

One of my patients I had before in Wimereux (skin replacement on his nose) is now a patient in Serbia, this time it is his leg. I did what I could to save the leg, but he will forever be dependent on a cane. I told him the cane makes him look distinguished. He is heading home to London. He will deliver this to you with instructions. I do hope my instincts are not wrong and you are reading this letter. I shall not make this rash judgement again. I regret allowing a stranger to act as messenger to carry my precious words to my love. I am too anxious.