This is a new fic based on Ruth and Jay. I hope you like it; I have a few more ideas on where to go with it. Please review so I know whether to continue with it. I don't own casualty.

Today's shift was hard; everyone was emotionally and physically exhausted. On-one more than Ruth as she had lost all her patients, one was a young boy he had been trapped under a train carriage and he stood no chance but it still hurt Ruth, he had so much to live for .it was a life wasted. When she told his parents the mother broke down in Ruth's arms luckily Tess was at hand to guide the grieving mother to her office. As she clicked the staffroom door open the appeal of the sofa was too much, she threw her trainers off and collapsed onto the sofa.

Jay had just finished his equally exhausting shift, as he poked his head into the staffroom he noticed Ruth's still form lying on the sofa. He smiled to himself before turning the handle and approaching her. He crouched down quietly to see her face, her eyes were lightly shut and her lips were pouted she looked perfect in his eyes and all he wanted to do was sit and watch her sleep. Just as he went to lock the door to give them some privacy Big Mac and Noel burst through the door.

'Jay mate ready for the pub?' Jay glared at the pair as Ruth jolted slightly but didn't wake.

'Be quite will you, Ruth's sleeping.' He pushed them out of the staffroom and lightly shut the door.

'Sorry mate, so you coming down the pub were all going in a minute?' Jay bit his lip, he knew that he and Ruth hadn't made any arrangements to do anything tonight but they were still a couple and he didn't want to leave his girlfriend sleeping in the staffroom alone.

'Umm I'll catch you up; I'll wait for Ruth to wake up.' Noel sighed deeply.

'Come on Jay she won't mind, we always go for a drink after a shift. Are you going to let miss frosts in there change our routine?'

'Wait a minute, she's my girlfriend and she didn't tell me to wait I'm doing it because I want to. Ok?' Jay said angrily at Noel.

'Alright mate, I wasn't trying to upset you I was just saying.' Jay bowed his head in acceptance

'I know I'll see you later then.' Big Mac patted Jay on the back as he headed back into the staffroom.

As Jay entered back into the staffroom, he turned to see Ruth sat up and looking back at him, her hair was out of place and her scrubs were creased.

'Hey.' Jay smiled at Ruth.

'Hey.' Ruth sounded awkward as she smoothed down her hair.

'Tired? I thought I should let you sleep. You looked so peaceful.' He sat down next to her, as she yawned.

'It's been a long day...' She trailed off.

'I know.' A silence fell between the pair, both unsure of what to say.

'Everyone's gone to the pub, do you fancy it?' Jay spoke breaking the silence that had fallen.

'I'm not in the mood. I just want to get home.' Jay nodded, but feeling slightly disappointed.

'Ok, I'll walk you home.' Jay stood up and walked to his locker.

Ruth could sense the disappointment in his voice and knew that he wanted her to come to the pub, she didn't know why she never spoke she just sat there and listening to the jokes. But Jay told her he didn't like going if she wasn't there as he felt lonely, which she never understood as he was always the centre of any conversation .so how he could feel lonely is beyond her. She sighed deeply and approached him knowing what she needed to do.

'One drink.' Ruth mumbled.

'What?' Jay span around to face her.

'One drink, that's all.' Ruth said cheekily.

'I thought...' Jay didn't get a chance to speak as Ruth placed a finger on his lips and prevented him talking.

'I changed my mind.' Ruth stuck her tongue out and opened her locker to remove her coat and bag.

After a short walk to the local pub, Ruth and Jay arrived hand in hand outside the pub. As Jay went to enter Ruth pulled his hand back and he turned to face her.

'What's up babe?' Jay removed his free hand from his pocket and took her free hand.

'I...I.' Ruth stumbled over her words as Jay looked back at her.

'Babe?' Jay looked confused.

Ruth paused for a moment before speaking' Nothing.' Ruth shrugged off.

'You sure?' He eyed her up as she nodded.

'Yeah, come on then its cold out here.' Jay laughed at her and led her through to the crowded pub.

'Jay!'Noels voice bellowed through the pub.

'Boy's.' Jay laughed at Noel as he stood up to greet the pair.

'We thought you weren't coming down.' Adam clapped Jay on the back as he sat down next to him and Charlie.

'Yeah I was...'Jay trailed off as he spotted Ruth hadn't joined him; he looked around for her and spotted her sitting with the girls.

'Right who wants a drink?' Jay announced standing up and making his way towards the bar.

As he made his way towards the bar he couldn't resist the need to speak to Ruth so he slid in behind her and crouched down ready to surprise her.

'What do you want?' Jay's soft voice came into Ruth's ears.

She quickly span her head around to look at him 'Coke please.' She smiled at him before turning back round.

'Am I that bad?'Jay joked making Ruth turn her head again.

'What?'She frowned at him.

'Why you sitting over here, I miss you.' Ruth laughed at his cuteness before leaning up and kissing his lips softly.

'I suppose I can cope for a few minutes.' He smirked before walking off towards the bar and ordering the drinks. Pleased that Ruth now had the confidence to sit alone, even if he wanted to be sat next to her holding her hand.

After their friends had departed from the pub and off in there taxis, Jay and Ruth were the only two left behind. As they stepped out the last of the sun was just disappearing and it blinded Ruth, she turned her head away from it and her face came within centre meters from Jay's and he couldn't resist he moved closer and catch her lips in a deep kiss, moving his arms around her waist and drawing her in even closer.

As they broke apart a large smile graced lips his lips as Ruth tucked her head into his chest.' Stay at mine tonight. Please.' Jay's head did a double take as Ruth spoke, she never asked him to stay. Only when they had arranged or when she was upset and neither of them had happened. They were making progress he thought.

'Sure.' He said happily before kissing her forehead.

As they headed off down the road Jay couldn't help but smile at their progress but Ruth had something on her mind and she didn't know how to tell him.