Author's Note: None of the characters belong to me.

In the days before Gallant was due home, Neela got a little side tracked. What would have happened if Michael had returned home a little early? Taken from season 12, before the Crash episode

Still wrapped up in Ray's arms from the night before, Neela thought less about why she was waiting on Michael to come home from Iraq, she wondered was it really worth waiting for. Ray kissed her on the neck and brought her out of her thoughts.

"I'm not on until this afternoon, how about we waste a little more time until I have to go?" asked Ray as he flipped her on her back.

"Hmm, will you make it worth the time?" teased Neela

"Let's find out." said Ray

Meanwhile, Michael stepped off the El and walked the block and a half the apartment that Neela shared with Ray. He had this happy grin on his face thinking about all the lost time he and Neela had to make up for, besides that he stuck his hand in is jacket pocket to make sure the box was still there. He jogged up the front steps and pulled out his key to let himself in, Ray's bedroom door was open so he assumed that the rocker was gone to work already. So he tossed his bag down and walked towards Neela's room, getting closer to the door he could hear moaning. He opened the door and felt his heart breaking at what he saw.

"Neela! What the hell. How could you?" screamed Michael

Neela and Ray shot up in bed; Neela jumped out of bed and wrapped a sheet around herself and walked up to Michael.

"I should have told you, it wasn't working out between us. I just couldn't wait on you anymore. I know I've hurt you and I'm sorry." said Neela

"Sorry Gallant, looks like she chose me. Things like this happen when you leave someone as beautiful as Neela alone." said Ray

Michael just couldn't stand that look on Neela's face so he slapped her. She grabbed the side of her face in shock that he had just hit her. He then turned to Ray and got in his face.

"I should have never trusted you with her, she wasn't worth it anyway. She wasn't worth this either." said Michael as he threw the jeweler's box on the bed and walked out of the room, grabbed his bag and left the apartment.

Neela picked up the box and opened and starred at the engagement ring that was meant for her.

RingRING!!! Good morning Chicago!!!!!!!!! It's a chilly day Screamed the alarm clock. Neela woke up in bed with Ray, and breathed a sigh of relief. It was all a dream.

"Ray, come on Ray wake up you wanker."said Neela as she shook him lightly. He still didn't wake up, so she pinched his chest. He jumped out of bed and glared at her.

"What was that for? That hurt." said Ray

"I know it did, now get dressed you're on in an hour." said Neela

"Alright, but I'm going to get you back for that." said Ray as she got out of bed and walked past him.

20 minutes later, while Ray was getting dressed, Neela made breakfast, and looked at the calendar. The 14th of November.

Thinking to herself, 'It's only been a week; I've always been out of whack with my monthlies. Nothing to worry about.'

Ray walked in and kissed her on the neck. "So, I get off early tonight, do you want to have dinner somewhere?" asked Ray

Neela was still wondering when Ray shook her out of her dream. "Um, sure. You pick where, I've gotta go get dressed, I need to mail a letter to my parents." said Neela as she ran into the bedroom

:::::: I know, short again, but I was trying to get this in before I go into my little hole known as the study zone. Enjoy this new one.:::::::::

-Muah!!!

C.W.