Dr. Daniel Miller was the head of Downton Cottage Hospital. He had been here since the beginning, and now the new building had been commissioned by the fourth Earl of Grantham. The endowment allowed for newer forms of technology to come to the hospital along with better heating as well as more beds. Along with the new additions a junior doctor had been dispatched to which Dr. Miller was relieved. The man would be arriving today by train and Miller would be meeting him at the station. The morning passed and soon it was time for Dr. Miller to depart, one of the locals saw him and offered to give him a lift on his trap which he graciously took.

"where to doctor?" Farmer Mason asked.

"The station if you please." Daniel said as he got comfortable in the bench seat.

"If you don't mind me saying so you haven't packed much."

Daniel laughed, "Meeting a new recruit, we'll have fresh blood at the hospital."

Since there was no rush Dr. Miller sat on the bench near the platform. He finally had five minutes to himself. He closed his eyes and tried to will the sun to ease the aches and pains of his arthritis. He was loath to admit but he was old, not so much in years but weary. He hoped that the addition of this junior doctor would led to a full position. On paper this man was being sent here to finish up his training to be fully licensed as a General Practitioner. Daniel hoped that Downton and the new Hospital could get this man to stay so he could take over and Daniel could get some rest. With his eyes still closed he could hear the train approaching. Finally the signalmen waved green and the passengers began to disembark. A man exited the second class car carrying the telltale doctor's bag. This was his man, still he waited on the bench as his new recruit confidently retrieved his suitcase but not before helping a woman with hers.

He has some manners on him that will help Daniel thought.

Stifling a groan Dr. Miller rose from the bench and made his way over. The man turned and saw him, "Are you Dr. Miller?"

Scottish Daniel's mind supplied.

"Yes, I'm Dr. Daniel Miller." He said as he regarded the man in front of him. Late twenties, perhaps early thirties, clean shaven with blonde hair that seemed to curl just a bit and piercing blue eyes. The junior doctor set his case down on the ground before extending a hand, "Dr. Richard Clarkson."

Dr. Miller had loosened up enough that he chose to walk back to the hospital pointing out landmarks on the way. Daniel made small talk but found Clarkson to be on the quiet side. He even commented on it, "You haven't said much."

Clarkson cocked his head to the side, "Well, I've been listening to what you have to say. I find it mighty hard to talk and listen at the same time."

Touche Thought Miller as he mentally nodded in satisfaction. "you're Scottish."

At this Clarkson rolled his eyes, "Yes and before you start I've heard all the insults and jokes so I'll kindly ask you to spare me."

Miller couldn't resist, "Jokes…really?"

Clarkson's left side of his mouth curled up into a sly grin, "Oh Aye, we're all sheep shaggers up North. Not cultured like you English."

Miller swallowed, "Well I hope you have a thick skin. I hate to say it but you might get a few more barbs like that here. I would like to think that we English are cultured but sometimes I think the Romans were doing us a favor."

Clarkson grinned again and Miller with him. Soon the hospital neared. "I'm afraid a cottage isn't ready for you yet. One had been requisitioned but there has been some...developments."

Clarkson knew not to pry, he had also been living out of suitcase during his residency so wherever they found him a bed he didn't mind. As it turned out he would be staying at the hospital in a small duty room until the cottage business could be sorted. The truth was that the fourth Earl of Grantham was dying. His son Robert was soon to become the Fifth Earl of Grantham. Also the future Earl was expecting his third child in a matter of months. Things like cottages were not on the forefront of his mind.

Richard placed his suitcase on the small bed before popping open the case and retrieving a long white coat. He shrugged off his suit jacket and pushed his arms into the coat. He then opened his doctors bag and stuffed his stethoscope into a pocket.

Miller was impressed by the work ethic already showing in Clarkson, then again it was 1895 and all things seemed to be possible.

A brief tour and then it was rounds. The nurses seemed to take a shine to the junior doctor. They never seemed to be on hand when Daniel needed a pen but seemed to have an infinite supply shoved up sleeves when it came to the young blonde. The first and only time he had innocently asked for a pen nearly resulted in pulled hair when two of his nurses fought over which pen he should take. Since then he had made sure to affix a fountain pen in his pocket at all times as a talisman to ward off evil spirits. The way Clarkson dealt with women had Miller laughing. The man seemed so oblivious to the women around him. He was kind to them but didn't seem to engage them in idle flirting or gossip. During a tea break Miller asked him, "Did you have a bird up North?"

Clarkson snorted into this tea, "No, I don't. Residency and my studies to become a general practitioner leave little time to court a woman." He raised his cup to his lips before putting it down again, "besides, nothing against the women here but so far I haven't met the right woman."

Miller made a face before sipping his tea, he knew all too well how the bachelor life coincided with the life of a doctor. Slowly, Clarkson was introduced to the Village. Miller had him start with the new babies that had been born as well as the children before having him see some of the more older patients. Miller had to make sure that the Village trusted Clarkson or he would not flourish. There were the odd holdovers, a older woman named Gladys who refused to have Clarkson touch her. Miller was on a call out so Clarkson merely handed her a book. When she looked at him in confusion he merely stated, "To pass the time. Dr. Miller went to Longview farm for a birth. Could be a while the least I can do is give you a book." Gladys shot him a look that could have peeled paint but he simply ignored it telling her, "I like the character on page twenty-two." It took Gladys a quarter of an hour before she finally let Clarkson near her with his stethoscope. A quick listen and her lungs were free from the crackles that had been plaguing her signaling an end to her bronchitis.

Three months into his stay the Fourth Earl of Grantham died. The funeral was epic and it seemed everyone attended. Clarkson volunteered to man the hospital while most of the rest of the staff attended the funeral. Robert Crawley became the Fifth Earl of Grantham. What the village didn't know was that in the changeover Robert discovered a financially crumbling estate. His wife's riches infused new life and he swore to protect it. Soon his third child would be born and it the baby would grow up in the Abbey as home. Lord Robert already had two daughters, Mary and Edith it was an unspoken want that this third child be a boy. It was during a night shift when Clarkson answered the door to a footman. He merely grabbed his bag, clipped it onto a bicycle and followed the footman into the night. He watched in awe as the Abbey came into view. He hoped his appearance in half a suit and white coat would be forgiven. As he was ushered inside he could hear the cries of a woman in active labor. He quickly followed the butler to a room and recalled the notes on his patient. Lady Cora Crawley still had a good two weeks before the estimated delivery. The fact that she had already bore two healthy children and had tolerated pregnancy well gave hope that this birth would go smoothly.

"Dr. Miller" the woman gasped.

"No, it's Dr. Clarkson tonight but I am here for you and this babe." He told her in a calming voice. He opened his bag and withdrew some equipment. Half an hour later the fifth Earl of Grantham had another daughter. Richard had been asked to announce it to the man. A maid kindly pointed out the way for him to go and the doctor went obligingly. He found the Lord in the library, "Congratulations M'Lord you have another daughter."

The relief on the man's face was palpable and she held out his hand shakily for Clarkson to shake it.

"Thank you, thank you, Doctor…"

"Clarkson" Richard provided.

"Yes, Dr. Miller has spoken about you. I'm sorry we haven't met sooner but circumstances." The word circumstances had been augmented with a wave.

"Of course M'Lord." Richard felt a tad uncomfortable and quickly added, "Anything else I can do for you tonight?"

Lord Robert sighed comically, "No, I think we can all try and get some sleep."

Richard held his bag, "I can come in the morning for a check-up. In the meantime I'll have a nurse sent over if you wish."

"Yes, thank you." he said with another wave.

Dr. Clarkson was escorted outside, once again he mounted his bicycle and pedaled off into the night his white coat flowing behind him. The next day he received two things first was a note of acknowledgement from the abbey and the second was a key. A cottage had been found.

A/N: Hope you like something a little different.