Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, cos if I did, I'd have Ray and Neela together already!

The song is "LOVE DOESN'T HAVE TO HURT" by Atomic Kitten

Spoilers: Not that I'm aware of. Well, except for her 'dating' Gates, which I think we all know happens in S13!

Content Warning: None…right now…

Summary: Ray and Neela talk. Bad summary, I know!

This is a start of what I hope to be a good fic…the songs go…but just be awares you may not see the connection right off…but I PROMISE they go! Not all songs will be Atomic Kitten, but they are currently my muses.

I learned a lesson in my life

But I did it the hard way

I don't know why I used to fall in love

With the wrong kind

Neela looked at Lake Michigan. The summer wind blew warm and she was thankful for this break from the chaos in the ER. She had, over the months, come to some sort of terms with the death of Michael in Iraq, but she had yet to come to any sort of terms about Ray not being around as much as she wanted.

She had started dating Tony, but she felt, rather knew, that something was wrong. Tony could be a nice guy, but he was so infuriating at times. Always joking, calling her 'MayDay' for whatever reason he felt he should.

But I'd suffer so much pain

But I only had myself to blame

Baby you came in break of time

She wiped a tear away. She didn't know why she was crying, until she realised someone was standing behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She wiped a tear away. "Something wrong, Ray?"

To show me love doesn't have to hurt

To feel good

It's such a revelation

With you I can be myself and always should

Don't have to cry

Ray laughed. He was always amazed that she could tell it was him behind her. "Not with me, no." He stood next to her. "What's up with you, Neela? I thought you were happy with where your life is. You got the residency and Gates and…"

She looked at him. "I am happy."

Don't have to fight

Don't have to die

Not after night

To show me love doesn't have to hurt

To feel good

Ray looked deeply in her eyes. "Sure, you're happy. You always cry when you're happy."

She stood up straight. "You think you know me so well, don't you?" She snapped.

Ray smirked. "It's not a matter of thinking, Neela."

Darling now it seems to be

Like I've always known you

But I still should've when I think back

On the lonely times

She rolled her eyes and then stared back at the soft waves of the lake in front of them. "Things are where I want them to be. I'm very happy with Gates."

"Then why don't your eyes say that?"

I used to keep all my feelings aside

From your eyes I nothing to hide

Baby you came in the break of time

Neela looked back at Ray. "My eyes?"

"Yeah. Your eyes. They show you're not as happy as you're trying to convince yourself."

"I still haven't come to terms with Michael, if you must know." This time it was Ray that rolled his eyes. "What? You don't think that…"

"It's not a matter of if you've grieved or not. You lost a part of you, but…" Ray's voice trailed off.

"What?" Neela demanded. "Did I love him?" She knew his silence meant that was the question he was going to ask her. "Yes, I did love him."

Lying here beside you

Feels so fine

Talking about everything in this heart of mime

"No one is doubting your love for Michael, Neela." Ray hated that she could read into his silence.

"Then what is it, Ray?" Neela's voice stayed sharp.

"The question is how much."

To show me love doesn't have to hurt

To feel good

It's such a revelation

To show me love doesn't have to hurt

To feel good

"I married him, Ray." Neela snapped.

"So? Doesn't mean you loved him." Ray stood up and put his hands in his lab coat's pockets.

"How could I marry someone that I didn't love?" Neela was flabbergasted.

Ray looked at her. "It's possible." He leaned back against the railing. "You love Gates?" This time Neela had no reply and Ray knew her silence meant she didn't.

I know that this is short. Hope you enjoyed this. Should I go on?