Elizabeth was exhausted as she walked to her car at the end of a long, busy shift. She and Clara attended three calls through the night, two mental health wellness checks and a suspected heart attack. They transported them to Concord Hospital each time, where they quickly interacted with the staff and left, ready to attend to more calls.

Elizabeth unlocked her car and flung her backpack on the passenger seat. Glancing at her phone as she secured it in the holder on the dash, she checked the time. She would have time to shower before Nathan arrived if she went straight home. Backing out of the car park, she waved to Clara, who was getting into her car, before turning and driving away.

Elizabeth rushed inside the house and straight into her ensuite. She showered quickly and stood before her wardrobe, wondering what to wear. It was a date, but they were staying at her home, and it was for breakfast. Something casual and comfortable, she decided, reaching for a pair of jeans and a white linen blouse. Elizabeth rolled the hem of her jeans several times and slipped her feet into a pair of tan leather flats.

By the time Nathan rang the doorbell, Elizabeth had set the table in the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. Taking a steadying breath, trying to contain her excitement at seeing Nathan, she hurried to the door to greet him.

"Good morning," Elizabeth said as she opened the door, inviting him inside.

"Good morning to you too," Nathan replied as he stepped into the foyer. He handed Elizabeth the bag of groceries he held so he could take off his coat and scarf, hanging them beside hers on the coat rack. "You look great for someone who has been awake for over twenty-four hours," Nathan commented as he took the groceries back and followed Elizabeth as she led him toward the kitchen.

"A shower helped but nudge me if I fall asleep at the table," Elizabeth joked.

"Are you sure you want to have breakfast? We can reschedule if you're too tired."

"I am not too tired; I never come home and sleep straight away."

Elizabeth stood beside Nathan as he unpacked the bag of food. Whatever was in there smelled terrific.

"You went to Minnie's," Elizabeth exclaimed as he pulled out a selection of pastries.

"I did; I asked her to prepare something for me but didn't tell her who else was joining me. I didn't want to risk leaking anything." Nathan said with a grin. "I hope she packed what you like."

"I will never complain about having to eat Minnie's cooking, and I love all of it."

Elizabeth poured their coffee and carried it to the table while Nathan pulled the remaining containers from the bag. Elizabeth's eyes widened as he pulled out the third take-out container.

"How many people did you say were joining us for Breakfast?" she asked, laughing.

"I asked her to give me a little of everything, but I didn't know how much she had on the menu until it was too late."

Elizabeth opened the containers, breathing in the tantalising aroma of fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, savoury scrambled eggs, pastries, and an assortment of fruit. Nathan had helped by unpacking the accompanying packets of maple syrup, homemade granola, Greek yoghurt and sliced bread.

"Minnie did suggest I cook the toast at home," Nathan laughed. "At least she let me do something slightly resembling cooking."

"Picking up food from Minnie's counts as cooking, at least in my book."

They quickly filled their plates with an assortment of food, leaving an alarming amount remaining. Elizabeth would insist Nathan took it home with him; there was no way she would finish all that herself.

They spoke little as they ate, too engrossed in the delicious items on their plates. Elizabeth stopped eating much sooner than Nathan and was content to start the conversation and keep it going until he admitted he couldn't eat another bite.

Elizabeth was glad they had agreed to meet early; it meant that even though breakfast was over, they still had some time before Nathan needed to leave. She carried their plates to the sink, scraping the scraps into the bin before rinsing the plates. She stacked the plates into the dishwasher as Nathan packed away the leftover food.

"Another coffee?"

"Yes, please," Nathan said, closing the fridge. He probably should have asked before making himself at home, but it had felt natural working alongside her.

"I am sorry, Nathan. I didn't give you the tour; I was so focused on food," Elizabeth apologised. "Grab your coffee, and I will show you around."

Elizabeth opened the blind on the glass sliding door which led out into her small backyard. It was snow-covered now, so it wasn't worth exploring. The outdoor table and chairs were a lovely place to relax in better weather, and she spent a lot of time out there reading and recharging. Inside, leaving the cozy kitchen and eating dining, she led him down the hall. The formal dining area was on the right, but Elizabeth rarely used it. There was a bathroom and powder room on the left, then another small room to the right, which had been sold to her as a home office, another room she didn't use.

The lounge room was at the front of the house, on their left-hand side; this was the room Elizabeth spent the most time in, beside the kitchen. To their right was Elizabeth's bedroom and ensuite.

Looking around, Elizabeth tried to see the room from Nathan's eyes. What did it tell him about her? A soft, tan leather lounge was placed along the front wall, under the window. Salmon and duck egg blue cushions were scattered along it. A soft, salmon-toned cashmere knitted throw was tossed across one end, ready for Elizabeth to draw across her legs as she watched television or read a book, basking in the warmth of her fireplace. A matching single lounge chair was situated between the lounge and fireplace, its cushion and another throw rug inviting you to sit and relax.

Piles of books were stacked under her light timber coffee table, and scraps of paper were placed throughout them, marking her spot. The side table held another stack of books plus the remote for the television, which sat on the opposite wall and rested on a matching TV stand. On either side of the fireplace, built-in floor-to-ceiling bookcases were full of books, ornaments, and other trinkets. Elizabeth loved her home and this room, and when she glanced at Nathan, she saw that he was smiling, which she hoped meant he liked it too.

"Take a seat," Elizabeth offered, indicating he should choose the lounge or chair.

Nathan chose to sit on the lounge and leaned against the soft leather as he took the cup of coffee from her. Elizabeth watched as his eyes roamed the closest bookshelf, perusing the titles. One of the books caught his eye, and they began discussing their favourite books and authors. Elizabeth leaned forward, picked up the brochure on the local ski fields she had found, and handed it to him, suggesting he looked through it when he got time. Nathan's eyes lit up at the brochure, and she was pleased when he suggested that they work out when they go together.

"I should probably go. I don't want to be late for work, and you need to sleep," Nathan said after the second time Elizabeth yawned.

"I am sorry; I promise you aren't boring me."

"I hope not because I could talk to you all day and never be bored."

Elizabeth felt her cheeks heat at his declaration but chose not to respond. Standing, she held her hand out for his empty coffee mug and walked it to the kitchen. Nathan went to the coat stand to gather his things.

Elizabeth walked down the hall, confused, as she saw Nathan standing still, one arm in his coat, staring at her hall stand.

"Is something wrong?"

"Sorry," Nathan said, snapping his eyes to hers. "It's this ring. Where did you get it?"

Elizabeth stared at the silver ring in a bowl beside her car keys. She had forgotten about the ring during her shift, distracted by the number of calls they had received. Arriving home, she emptied her uniform pockets and pulled it out along with the other items. She had planned to ask Clara about it before turning it over to Faith.

"I found it in the Ambulance when I was cleaning it. I think it might have belonged to a patient."

"The John Doe?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

Nathan began to fill Elizabeth in on his call with Gabe, then paused. He started his explanation again, beginning with what Colleen had told him about Dylan, his conversation with Gabriel, and the familiar clothes until she was up to date. Ordinarily, he would have kept Colleen's secret for her, but he trusted Elizabeth, and it seemed, somehow, she was part of this story now. When he finished the story, all thoughts of sleeping had fled from Elizabeth's mind, and she was energised.

"Why do you think this is Dylan's ring?" Elizabeth picked up the ring and twirled it in her fingers, still unable to see anything to identify its owner.

"He wore one...wears one just like this."

"It seems like a common enough ring; I am sure you could buy it in almost any jewellery store."

"Yes, you probably can. Maybe I am jumping at shadows, but it is so familiar." Nathan ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "What are you planning to do with this?"

"I was going to give it to Faith, to hold it until they could identify if it were his." Elizabeth held the ring out to Nathan, dropped it into his palm, and explained her search in the online log at the fire station. "Why don't you take it with you today? You can decide the best place to store it."

"Thanks, Elizabeth. I'm going to look in on John Doe, too. I need to know if it is Dylan."

"Will you talk to Colleen about this?"

"Not until I have something to tell her; I don't want to upset her if I don't have to."

"How are you feeling? I got the impression that you aren't a fan of Dylan's," Elizabeth said, her voice gentle and concerned.

"I am not going to pretend I liked Dylan; I never thought he was right for Colleen," Nathan explained. "The feeling was mutual; Dylan and I never gelled; we were too different."

"I understand," Elizabeth said, thinking of her conversation with Julie. "Thank you for sharing this with me." Elizabeth smiled. "Call me later and tell me how it went?"

"I will."

Elizabeth watched as Nathan closed his fingers over the ring. She placed her hand over his, squeezing lightly. Looking up from their joined hands, she saw Nathan watching her; his blue eyes were intent on her face, and she realised how close they were to each other. If she stood on her tiptoes and leaned toward him, she could touch her lips to his.

Elizabeth paused. Could she do that? Could she initiate their first kiss?

Inhaling a shaky breath, Elizabeth rose on her toes as Nathan leaned toward her, meeting her halfway. As their lips met, Elizabeth felt a jolt of electricity through her whole body. She reached for him, her hands sliding up his chest and around his neck as she pressed her body to his. She felt the heat of his hand on her back, holding her to him.

The kiss seemed to last forever, and when they finally broke apart, Elizabeth was breathless. Nathan looked as surprised as she felt, and then he smiled at her, that crooked smile that made her heart flip.

"Wow."

Elizabeth laughed. Wow was an understatement!

Nathan rested his forehead on hers as they stood, still pressed against each other, catching their breath.

"I really, really don't want to leave."

"I don't want you to go." Elizabeth knew there was no way she would be able to sleep now.

Elizabeth jumped as Nathan's phone buzzed in his pocket as he received a notification. She smiled as he groaned and drew back from her so he could reach the phone. She studied him as he read the text and saw him frown.

"It's Gabe," he explained. "He is just checking in; there isn't any more news." Nathan grinned and said, "he has awful timing."

"Yes, he does." Elizabeth agreed.

"You know, you are going to have to kick me out. I don't think I can make myself leave you right now."

"And if I don't?"

"I am not sure; how do you think Abigail will deal with a doctor who doesn't turn up for Work?"

"I am sure Bill could find you something to do; we always need extra hands on the rig."

"Mhhh, how do you think Clara would feel about finding a new partner?"

"I am sure she would understand...eventually, but Faith wouldn't. She needs you at the hospital."

"Okay, you made a good point, even if I don't like it when you're sensible."

"One of us has to be," Elizabeth murmured as Nathan's lips found hers again.

Their kiss this time was softer, less fierce. It wasn't just a kiss for Elizabeth; it was more than that. For her, it was a commitment. A commitment to him, to them, to being brave, taking a risk, and opening herself up to the chance of being hurt, hoping she could finally be happy. Nathan was worth it, and at that moment, Elizabeth silently promised to throw caution to the wind and give this relationship every chance.

"Elizabeth," Nathan whispered as they drew back from each other. "I know we should probably talk about this - us because I want there to be an us. But I don't want to rush the conversation or you."

"It's okay. I want there to be an us too."

Nathan kissed her forehead before laughing, "I didn't expect us to have this conversation first thing in the morning." He gathered his things and kissed her quickly as he backed away and opened the door. "Talk soon. Get some sleep."

"Take care of yourself," Elizabeth said, wrapping her arms around herself, missing his warmth already.

When the door closed behind him, Elizabeth locked it and wandered slowly toward her bedroom. She thought about Nathan as she changed out of her clothes and into her pyjamas. It was too soon to feel this much for him, but she didn't know how to turn off her feelings, and if she was honest, she didn't want to. She liked how Nathan made her feel. Pulling back the covers, Elizabeth crawled into bed, wondering how she would ever get to sleep.