Title: Keep Holding On

Rating: I'm going with FRT

Disclaimer: ER doesn't belong to me nor do Ray and Neela. Only Jared belongs to me.

Summary: A person from Ray's past is back to haunt him and ruin his life even more. Who is this person??... Keep reading to find out Ray/Neela centric.

Notes: This story has nothing to do with anything that has happened in ER except that Neela and Ray are roomies.

CHAPTER 1

Neela sighed deeply as she made her way up the stairs to the apartment. She had had a shitty day first Albright had been on her case the whole freaking morning and then a massive 10 car pile up had happened and she had to stay back an extra 5 hours. She checked her watch as she opened the door it read 8:05 Ray had mentioned he had a gig at some bar called Ultraviolet and she really needed to unwind before he came home with his pick of the week. She thought of what she could do Abby and Sam were both working tonight, a gleam came to her eyes and she decided to do something totally unneelaish.

She quickly had a shower and felt instantly perkier after she finished she then rushed to her room and dug to the back of her closet where her most revealing clothes were, clothes most people didn't think she'd even look at let alone own. After much deliberation she decided on a strapless black cotton dress that reached mid thigh and a black leather jacket she accessorised the outfit with a silver belt and black knee high leather boots. She checked the time again this time it read 8:45 she grabbed her keys and purse and headed out the door.

She entered the club Sam had mentioned it to her a couple of times before so she had decided to check it out. The music was pumping and she immediately felt like dancing she headed out onto to the dance floor and began moving to the music

So no one told you life was gonna be this way

Your job's a joke, your broke; your love's life D.O.A

Seems like you're always stuck in second gear

And it hasn't been your day, your week, your month or even your year

I'll be there for you

She was enjoying the music when she got the feeling someone was watching her she looked around and spotted a cute guy about thirtish staring intently at her he smiled at her when they made eye contact, she smiled wearily at him she had a rule not to trust guys she met in clubs or bars NO matter how cute they were. She turned away from him and continued dancing to the music after a while she decided to get a drink and headed to the bar.

"What can I get ya" the bartender asked in a deep southern accent.

"Uh a vodka tonic please" she told him taking a seat at the bar.

She had just been served her drink when a guy with bad teeth and incredibly disgusting body odour came up to her.

"Hey there pretty lady" he said raising his eyebrows at her.

She gave him a faint smile maybe if she ignored him he could get the fact that she wasn't interested she continued sipping her drink.

"The name's Jimmy" he said oblivious to her giving him the cold shoulder.

"How bout we skip this joint?" he said grabbing her by the waist.

"Ah no and can you please let go of me" she said feeling slightly alarmed.

"C'mon babe" he said breathing his beery breath in her face.

"NO!! Leave me alone" she cried as he forced her away from the bar.

"C'MON" he argued forcefully clamping his hand around her arm when he noticed she was pulling away from him.

"Let go of her" a male voice said from above her head.

"No man she's with me" Jimmy said glaring at the guy behind Neela.

"She doesn't look like she wants to be" the guy said.

'Get lost mate this is none of your business" Jimmy snarled.

"I've made it my business" the guy argued back.

Jimmy didn't say anything he just increased his grip on Neela arm she winced as tears of pain formed in her eyes.

"I'll repeat what I said because you seem like a dense guy LET GO OF HER" the guy muttered loudly starting to lose patience.

"Make me" Jimmy hissed.

"That's it I'm done playing nice" the guy said annoyedly he shoved the guy away from Neela and punched him square in the jaw.

Jimmy went flying across the floor clutching his jaw in pain muttering curses.

Neela finally got a look at the person's face and noticed it was the guy she'd seen earlier looking at her. 2 bouncers suddenly appeared. The guy explained the situation to them and they led the drunken guy away.

"Are you OK?" the guy asked her worriedly.

"Yeah I'm fine my arm's just a little bit sore but otherwise I'm all good" she told him rubbing her arm.

"That's good" he said.

"Thank you for helping me" she told him with a smile.

"It's not a problem it also has a plus side I get to talk to a beautiful woman" he said shyly.

She felt herself beginning to blush. There was something about him that reminded of someone and he had the most beautiful hazel colour eyes.

"I'm Jared by the way" he said extending his hand.

"Neela" she replied shaking it.

There was something about him that made her feel instantly comfortable and she decided just this one time she would let her rule slip also it helped that he was gorgeous.

"Would you care to join me for a drink? My treat after what you just did" she asked.

He paused for a second and a smile came to his face.

"I think I might take you up on that" he said.

She grinned as they made there way back to the bar she was definitely ready to drown out her sorrows after such an eventfully bad day.

3 hours and a dozen drinks later Neela felt very tipsy and giddy. Jared had stopped after a couple of drinks and had been watching Neela in awe with a look of bemusement on his face.

"I think it's time to go home" he finally stated.

"OOOKKKK Jarry" she said in a sing song voice.

He got up and paid for their drinks and helped her up she stumbled forward but he had a firm grip on her. He helped her outside and hailed a cab after he finally flagged on down helped her in.

"Where do you live?" he asked her.

She thought for a moment before she slowly said

"In an apartment wif my roommate Wrayy" she said.

"OK but what's-" he gave up trying to ask her she was to drunk.

He took her purse from her and got out her wallet he skimmed through it until he found her ID card he told the driver the address.

"How bout I come along to make sure you get in safely" he said gently sliding into the seat next to her. She smiled up at him and absentmindedly started playing with his fingers he smiled down at her and settled back into his seat as they neared her apartment.

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Don't worry Ray's gonna be in the next chapter