Curled on the couch, blanket wrapped around her, Ruth looked down to the glass in her hand. Slowly swirling the amber liquid, her eyes followed the gentle wave that circled the glass. Across the room, some Christmas movie played on the television. What it was, she wasn't sure; the noise to fill the silence being what she was after when she'd flipped it on.

Lifting the glass to her lips, she tipped the glass and her head back, the warm, burning feeling spreading through her. Whiskey wasn't her normal weeknight drink. Come to think of it, wasn't her normal weekend drink either. But the bottle had been sitting there, unopened in her kitchen cupboard, and she'd been looking for the sting she'd know it'd bring.

"You still want me, don't you Fidge?"

Hand sliding over the fur of her cat, she looked down and smiled at the animal curled on her hip. Deep in sleep, the wiggle of an ear was her only response.

"And now I really am just a lonely cat woman."

Laughing bitterly, she downed the rest of the glass, feeling it burn as it traveled down her throat. Coughing, she leaned forward and set the glass on the table.

Upset at the movement, Fidget opened his eyes and meowed. Claws digging into the blanket, he kneaded softly before jumping down, his tail swishing in the air as he left the sitting room for the kitchen.

"Fine. Be that way." she called out to the retreating figure. Fingers plucking at the fur he'd left behind, she sighed and closed her eyes.

"I have no right to be bitter."

"Meow"

Opening her eyes, she looked down and met the green eyes of her cat. Patting her hip softly, she watched as he jumped up and settled down again.

"I turned him down for a second date. Not the other way around."

With a low meow in agreement, Fidget pushed his head against the palm and purred.

"But did he have to go and find someone so soon? It's been a month. One bloody month."

Fingers sliding along the fur on his next, Ruth slowly scratched Fidget, her mind lost in her thoughts.

"He slept with her last night. He didn't come out and say it. But then, he didn't have too. It was obvious."

With a low meow, Fidget nuzzled his nose against her finger, teeth nipping her gently.

"God, he was positively chipper this morning. Tired. You could see it in his eyes. The shadows beneath them too. But he was glowing. I didn't know men even looked like that after sex. And he was in such a good mood. I've never seen him like that."

Lifting her hand, she brushed a tear from her eye.

"It doesn't matter though, does it? Because I said no. Was too bloody worried about everyone talking about us that I let the man I've fallen in love with slip away."

Her musings were interrupted by a knock at her door. Looking at the clock, she frowned as the cat jumped up and she stood. Crossing slowly, she peeked through the opaque glass a moment. Seeing the delivery man, she undid the locks and opened the door.

"Ruth Evershed?"

"Yes?"

"I have a package for you."

Looking down, she watched as he held out a small, brown box. Slowly taking it, she lifted her eyes and met his. They looked vaguely familiar. A hazel mix of brown and green with black specks.

"Thank you." she said softly.

With a nod, he smiled. "Have a nice evening." he said before turning and walking down the path.

Closing and locking the door, Ruth turned and made her way back to the living room. Sinking into her corner of the couch, she slowly unwrapped the brown paper. Underneath she found white box wrapped in a red ribbon with a card attached to it. Pulling the card off, she opened it to find the same small, careful script from the first one.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me two turtle doves.

Turning it over, she found nothing else. Setting it to the side, she pulled the lid off and looked inside. Nestled in a bed of tissue paper, she found a single tree ornament. Reaching in, she carefully lifted it up. Attached to the underside, she found another note.

Alas, you'll find only one turtle dove here as I've kept its mate. Turtle doves are a symbol of friendship and love. Only when we're together will our two doves be too.

AN: Thank you all for the lovely reviews! I'm glad to see people are intrigued. I have chapters planned for days three, four and five, as well as twelve and an epilogue so there's at least five more chapters to this. If you've a moment, please leave a review and let me know what you think.