A short one shot set a while after Ruth's suicide attempt where Toby tries to put a smile on her face. As always constructive criticism is appreciated. Enjoy.


He nervously fingered the corner of the wrapping, tapping it lightly on his locker. What to do, what to do?

He'd come in early that morning especially in the hopes that he could have an extended lunch break which, thankfully, Zoe had granted him. It had taken him a month to track it down for her. It reminded him of her in every way and if it made her smile, just once, it was worth it.

Never had he figured she was the type to like that sort of thing. If it wasn't involuntarily bought to light, by precarious meddling of a particular member of senior staff and tragic circumstances, he might have thought she was being sardonic had she of ever said she liked it. But now, he could see that side of her. A side that she had fought so hard to keep in the shadows for reasons unknown to her or anyone else.

Few people around her gave her a second chance. It seems that first impressions really did count. She was strong; she'd make it work this time; make them doubt not giving her that second chance. She smiled and took it all in her stride, albeit with a few quibbles. To her own surprise she came through, sticking up for other members of staff around her and even managing to connect with a patient with the simple act of finding her a crosswords book.

She regretted only one thing. He'd always been kind to her, before her… before the incident. Even now he made more of an effort than anyone else would with her. Yet she always managed to throw it back in his face in some form or another, never quite being able change their situation.

He tapped it once more time upon his locker before heading for the door. She should have it. The door swung open before he had a chance to reach it and in she walked.

He froze momentarily, unaware that he was in her way, and unable to find his voice at that instant.

"Are you okay?" She asked, pulling her usual 'you're acting weird again' face at him.

He nodded, his voice finally making its appearance, "I erm, I just wanted to give you this," he said, restraining the stuttering that she often reduced him too.

He extended his arm, offering her the neatly wrapped gift. He inwardly smiled as she looked a little confused; pleased that she couldn't always see right through him despite thinking he was a doughnut. He knew she hadn't told anyone else what today was and knowing her she'd probably forgotten herself.

"Happy birthday, Ruth," he said.

She had no words as he made his exit. She looked down at the gift in her hand, still unsure what she was supposed to do. It had been a decade, probably longer, since she had received a present. She sat down and looked over the present once more before carefully unpeeling the selotape at one end to get in.

Holding the unopened end she let paper within slip out onto her lap. A mint condition original Wonder Woman comic book, the first issue ever produced. Her astonishment could not be hidden as she ran her fingers appreciatively across the front cover and smiled.