Disclaimer I do not own Republic of Doyle. No copyright infringement is intended nor should be inferred.

Fire and Ice

Chapter One.

The midwinter night was lit up by stars as Jake stood in the doorway of the bar where Rose and Malachy were celebrating their anniversary. The Christmas tree partly obscured the blonde sat on the bench a few feet away but Jake knew who she was. Fuelled by a sudden urge to protect her and a wish to get away from watching Tilly and Des dance Ganam Style aswell as teaching his father to do so he walked toward her.

"You'll catch your death out here." He took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. Leslie turned and smiled at him. The leather jacket was heavy on her shoulders but she didn't mind. It smelled of Jake and she knew the way things were going that thought alone would keep her awake for most of the night.

"And now you will." She watched as he shrugged his shoulders.

"No, well. If I do, it doesn't matter."

"Don't say that." Leslie's eyes held his. "Don't ever say that."

"You're more important than me. I mean if I drop dead tomorrow only my family would be bothered. You are a detective. You matter." He brushed a strand of blonde hair away from her face. Leslie blushed slightly as Jake smiled.

"Don't say that." Leslie almost whispered. "Don't ever say you're not important." Jake was silent as she closed the small gap between them. He could feel her cold breath on his face as his hands found her hair pulling her towards him. Her eyes fluttered closed as his lips touched hers.

"JAKE!" The couple snapped apart as Des came lumbering towards them. "Your Dad is looking for.. oh. I. Hi Leslie."

"Hi." Leslie looked anywhere but at Jake or Des.

"Des." Jake hissed. "Get back inside. Tell him I've gone home."

"Ok." Des smiled. "But you haven't."

"But I will. In a minute." Jake glared at his friend.

"Oh and Rose and Kathleen were asking where Leslie is." Des couldn't help but smirk at the look Jake was shooting him. Leslie closed her eyes, mortified that they were the subject of yet more gossip. Des quickly got the point of Jake's pointed look and turned to go back to the party. "I'll say."

"Just tell them the truth." Leslie stated. "I wasn't feeling well so Jake is taking me home." She watched as Des nodded before stumbling back inside.

"He is a useless liar." Jake turned back to Leslie who was blushing slightly less.

"He's that drunk he'll have already forgotten." Leslie leaned towards Jake slightly. "And anyway."

"Anyway? What?"

"It isn't such a lie."

Jake watched as the detective tugged his jacket to her tightly. It was only then he realised how thin she had become, how quiet she had been recently. He swallowed hard and followed her out of the car park, knowing she would tell him what was bothering her in her own time.

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A/N More soon? This will be a Christmas Fic I promise. Please review.