An American makes her way to Poplar in answer to an add. What will she make of her new surroundings and friends she will likely make. Will they be able to help her as much as she helps them. Will be multiple chapters. All characters and pairings are the same. With added character Ruth Talbot, from America.

The taxi that dropped her off in front of the old London building seemed like the last link to home. She had traveled a distance, over land and sea, to answer the call of a little known area in a far off country than her own. Then she needed to escape. The complete change of scene from her old existence. Now she wasn't so sure. They didn't even meet her at the airport. True her plane had arrived late, due to weather on her end. She knew only the name of the residence.

Nonnatus House.

Poplar, London

The East End.

It had seemed so enticing at first. The little article in a newspaper she had picked up in a specialty shop. She had been shopping for her mother, for the Christmas holidays. She thought a nice tea set would do nicely. What better place to find something like that than a small shop owned by a British expat? She walked in. On a whim she decided to pick up the London Times. In it was a very small add, an add that stated they needed workers, teachers really. Well she was a preschool teacher. That same feeling that made her pick up the paper to begin with told her to apply.

She had got an answer right away. They had wanted her. Now here she stood, watching the Taxi drive away, her luggage at her feet. She pushed down the tinge of feelings, picked up her bags and bolstered herself to start her new life.

After ringing the doorbell she stood, waiting patiently, a kind of determination stole its way into her.

Soon the door opened and in its frame stood a rather old looking nun. "Right, then off we go" she thought summoning what little courage she could.

She pushed out her hand for the other woman to take in greeting. "Hello. I think you've been expecting me. Or I rather hope you're expecting me. My name is Ruth Talbot. I'm from"

"Your voice, it grates on the ears of those who seek the more melodic voices of the poets." The other woman interrupted.

Ruth dropped her hand and took a step back, a soft "Oh" escaping.

The sister studied her before saying, "Your aura, however, is kind and filled with a brightness that isn't altogether unpleasant. Come in anyway."

Ruth started to gather her bags. "Leave them there, child." The old sister said. With a look around, Ruth in fact did not leave her bags on the doorstep, but just inside the door. The Sister seemed to be oblivious to the fact that she wasn't right behind her. So Ruth sped to catch up. She could move fast for the old woman she seemed to appear to be.

The sister led her into a sunny kitchen. "May I ask your name?" Ruth said looking around and taking it all in.

"Of course. But it will only be given if you can procure the contents of the tin in that cupboard over there."

"Ok." The affirmation was said with uncertainty and a puzzled expression stole across her face. The sister merely smiled and pointed to the correct cupboard. Ruth opened the cupboard and found the tin in question. There was something inside. She looked back at the nun and was rewarded with a conspiratorial smile, an expression on her face that resembled that of Ruth's preschoolers involved in mischief. Ruth opened the lid, revealing the cake that was inside.

Looking back at the nun she wasn't sure anymore. "Now tell me. Are we supposed to be raiding the pantries at this time of day?"

The nun's expression turned a bit stony. Or was that one of a child about to pitch a fit. "Who's to say when one can partake in the delights of this confection and when one can't? Shouldn't we leave that up to the Almighty? Whom created these fallible bodies in need of sustenance?"

"Fit it was." Ruth thought before responding, a small smile creeping onto her. "Right. I'm pretty sure this confection is for another time." She snapped the lid back on and reached up to put it back.

The nun was about to respond when a voice came from behind them. "That will be quite enough Sister." They both turned around to see a second nun. "You know that the cake is for our tea." Turning to Ruth she asked, "And who might you be?"

Ruth took a breath before answering. "I'm Ruth Talbot. I think you've been expecting me?"

"Right. You're the new help and teacher for clinic. Welcome to Popular Miss. Talbot. I'm sorry we did not meet you at the airport. We were going to, however, with the change in time, and then all our nurses were out on deliveries, we were understaffed here. I am glad you were able to find your way to Nonnatus house. I'm Sister Juliene, if you'd like to come with me, we can discuss more in my office."

Ruth followed Sister Juliene through hallways and rooms. Getting the penny tour as she would explain in her letters to her mother back home.

"We will be able to show you more later, of course. This is the chapel. You are welcome to join us for services if you so choose. " Sister Juliene continued.

"I wouldn't mind learning about your denomination. I've been raised a few different ones. We did settle on Baptist in the end though."

"AnaBaptist?"

"No just Baptist."

They walked a little farther down the hall before reaching Sister Juliene's office. "Sister Juliene?" Ruth asked.

"Yes?"

"The nun who brought me in, may I ask her name?"

"Did she not give it? That would be Sister Monica Joan."

"I like her." Ruth chuckled "She's an interesting person."

"She is at that."

Sister Juliene preceded to talk about the work Ruth would do. Ruth would live at Nonnatus House and work at the clinic. She would be working alongside the nurses there, who also stayed at Nonnatus. Ruth would be able to travel with the nurses when they all went over together. She would be sharing a room with Nurse Trixie Franklin. Sister Juliene then spoke a bit about the other Nurses and Nuns and the service they provided for the community.

"I find it all so fascinating. In America the women go to the hospital. Why, my best friend just gave birth to her second child there."

After the conversation, Ruth was shown up to the room she would be sharing with the nurse. This was all so new and exciting. Although part of her was still processing everything that had just occurred.

"I imagine you must be tired from your long journey. Why don't you rest now? Super will be in a few hours." Sister Juliene gave her a smile and softly closed the door. Ruth laid down on the bed and was soon fast asleep.