Note: I know two fics in two days, wow. Okay, this is everything opposite than what I usually write. This is a Tony and Neela fic. It's an idea that's been bugging me to death in the last few hours, and I'm scared that I might like…become a fan of these two together. So I'm just…'testing'…to see if it's just a 'fling', or if I crossed over to the dark side. Okay, anyway, on with the story, which IS a one-shot. And as always, I don't own anything. And it's a good thing I don't; cause then the show would probably be MORE messed up than it already is. Okay, NOW with the story.

They walked alongside the river, the moon's reflection bouncing off the water. Their hands were intertwined, and both seemed content. Neela smiled as the summer wind blew in her face, the smell of Chicago summer filling her completely. She glanced down at their hands, and she felt strange warmth spread in her chest.

The first warmth in a long time.

Her eyes traveled to his face, and he held the same genuine smile she did. She never thought that she would be here with Tony after that dreadful night at the wedding, but, here they were, together, walking alongside the peaceful, reflective river on this warm summer night.

For a moment, she let herself reflect on how they ended up here, together, after she had told them she didn't love him.

Which sounded so foreign to Neela now, because, in all honestly, she did love Tony.

He had grown up so much over the last year. He learned to put things in his life in different perspectives. He was all about being a doctor, a good father, and the best man he could possibly be.

A year ago, he was the complete opposite. But the past is all that is gone, and the future was yet to come.

She knew it began when Ray left. That day…it still brought tears to her eyes, but she refused to cry over him, after he left, blaming her for his accident.

And then her accident happened. And Tony was there for her every step of the way.

He even called Ray for her. He was sitting with her on her couch that night, and when he hung up the phone, he looked at her with such apologetic eyes, that she could actually feel her heart being torn to sheds.

Ray wasn't coming back.

That was when she realized that she had to forget about him. No matter how hard it was, she had to. Or else it was going to eat her up inside, and she had too much life ahead of her to waste it on the man she thought she loved, who proved that he didn't love her in return.

And Tony?

He loved her. He took care of her. He never deserted her. He never made her cry. He made her happy. He helped her learn to walk again; he helped her through her injuries. And she worked with him to straighten him out, which he was in much need of.

And of course, he saved her life.

That's love. If that wasn't, then she didn't know what was.

Suddenly, Tony stopped walking. They stood in front of a lit water fountain, the blue-lit water spilling over the edges.

Tony let go of her hand, and stepped in front of her. He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a black box.

Neela's heart stopped.

Tony got down on one knee, took her delicate left hand in his own.

'Neela…From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. You helped me become a better person, you helped me change my ways. You were there for Sarah and I when Meg died, and I can't even begin to express my gratitude for that.'

He paused, gazing deeply into her eyes. 'I love you, Neela. With all my heart.'

He then opened the box, revealing a diamond-cut golden ring. Neela's eyes filled up with tears. He plucked the ring from the box, and placed it before her left ring finger.

'Will you be my wife?'

She smiled, the tears falling freely. Her stomach fluttered with butterflies as she spoke the only words she could think of.

'Yes, Tony. I will.'

Tony revealed a toothy smile as he placed the ring on her finger. He then stood up, and picked Neela up into his arms, twirling her around in the summer breeze. Neela cried in his shoulder. She hadn't been this happy in a very, very long time.

This, in itself, was pure love.