Daisy had put the last log in place, the fire was done and she couldn't help but steal a glance at the room's sleeping inhabitant. Mrs. Crawley always seemed larger than life to her, she was ever so kind to people and always nice to everyone downstairs including her. She was also the only one who dared stand up to the Old dowager.

She did not know her that much but seeing her usually smiling face with marks on it…just didn't sit right, good woman like that.

As Daisy got to the bottom of the stairs, staff looked at her in silent question. "Still sleeping!"

Mrs. Patmore sighed as she sliced some onions for that day's dinner "Well, she's got to eat something, keep her strength up." She shook her head in disapproval "Whoever did this better be dead when they get their hands on him."

"Who would do such a thing?" asked a sad Anna Bates rhetorically as she took her husbands had for comfort. She remembered how comforting the older woman was when her husband was awaiting trial. What would have they done without her and Mathew?

"He was a thief my love." Said Bates to his wife "Don't worry, they will get him soon enough."

" says soup might be a good place to start, solid food might be a wee painful for her right now." Said Elsie Hughes, remembering how she found Isobel when she herself needed help and how Ethel's son was given another chance at a good life after the nurse took her under her own wing, no matter how opposing everyone was.

As the house keeper went up to check the rooms she encountered her fellow Scotsman, bag in hand, probably coming back from his morning rounds. She saw how he instructed the nurse to not let more than two people in Mrs Crawley's room at one time and how he knelt beside the bed when he applied ointment to her face and the rest of the bruises on her body. "Good morning doctor, early morning I see."

"I always have an early morning . Rounds are very important to keep an eye on my patients." He gave her a half smile as they both made their way upstairs to separate after reaching the second corridor. Richard went to his room to take off his jacket and took the few things he needed from his bag before making his way to Isobel's room.

Her face was healing very nicely indeed and the rest of the bruising was slowly fading. He chuckled to himself, his Belle could never stay down for long. A more sombre look took over his features as he resolved to let her wake up this time. She needed to eat for one thing, he needed to see her own reactions to her injuries, to see her state of mind and maybe ask her if she remembered anything from that damned night.

Isobel felt warm, cozy lying in a big soft bed…perfectly comfortable she would have thought if she did have this ache all through her body. Where was she? What happened? She was so groggy she could barely open her eyes.

As she came to, she recognized the tapestry on the ceiling; she was in her room at the abbey. A sound to the side caught her attention, her eyes sparkled and her lips turned up in a smile as she saw Richard taking a seat on the side of her bed.

"How are you feeling Isobel?" he smiled down at her, caressing her arm. Even injured, she was absolutely beautiful. He long honey coloured hair was let down and her eyes were sparkly – thank god she was still hanging on.

"My whole body aches" she grimaced "Richard, what happened to me?"

AN: So I thought it was time the other characters made an appearance, I might explore this further on. What do you think about this chapter? After yesterday's crappy episode I think I'm gonna need therapy -.- how about you folks?