Obviously, after the things I've read in series 12 about Neela/Gallant, this is AU! And I start to many of these things! I guess If I have an idea I have to write it down, even if it's not very good. Oh well, I will finish all my stories, I'm slowly working on all of them. So maybe…one day…eventually…I'll actually finish one!

Chapter One

When Neela woke up, the first signs of a hangover started to hit her almost immediately. Groaning, she struggled out of bed, and headed for the bathroom.

Half an hour later, she reappeared in her room, trying to find something decent to wear for work. She also had to try and find time to eat and have some coffee, because, to her horror, she realised she was already late.

That was when she heard a low groan from the bed and she froze. She flung the covers back quickly and almost had to stop from crying out loud. Ray! In her bed? Ok…when did that happen?

Backing up and sinking to the floor, she tried hard to remember last night…but it was a blank. Ok, think, she told herself. There has to be a rational explanation, right? There just has to be. First of all, you don't even like Ray half the time. Second, your room mates…work colleagues. You're even friends when you both want to be! This isn't how friends are supposed to behave.

Struggling to pull her self together, she finally stood up and walked over to the bed. Hesitantly, she reached down and tried to shake him awake. "Ray?" she whispered. When several attempts failed to work, she sighed and resorted to drastic measures. She picked up one of the pillows and wacked him over the head. "Ray!" she shouted, and he sat up in shock.

"What the…what's going on?" he mumbled.

"We're ten minutes late already, that's what's going on!" she told him.

"Neela?" he asked, as if suddenly realising she was there. "What are you doing in here?"

"What are you talking about?" she asked crossly. "You're in my room!"

His eyes widened in surprise and he looked around, finally taking it all in.

"Uh…we didn't….you know…I mean, nothing happened…right?" he asked her.

Neela shrugged. "You're guess is as good as mine Barnett. Now get up already!"

He watched her walk out the room in a daze. We must have got so drunk last night, he realised, as his head started pounding.

Finally he walked into the kitchen to find some toast and coffee on the table and he sighed in relief. "Thanks you're a star Neela," he sank into the chair.

"I called work," she answered, ignoring his statement. "Weaver's pissed, but I said we'd make it up to her and do nights next week."

Ray groaned. "I had a gig next week ok?"

"Well, you'll have to cancel," she snapped. "Listen ray, you owe me! God knows how you ended up winning me over last night!"

"Hey…you said we didn't do anything!" he protested.

"No Ray, I said I don't remember!"

"Listen," he mumbled while eating his toast. "Can we just forget this happened alright?"

Neela was suddenly quiet. "Sure," she answered coldly. "If that's what you want." she was confused. Why did she feel so hurt that he wanted to forget her so easily?

"It's what you want," he sounded so certain about that, and it was the truth. It would be to awkward for them to continue the way they were if they dragged it all up now. So it had to be the truth…didn't it?"

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"Well, look what the cat dragged in!" exclaimed Jerry, as Neela and Ray walked in an hour later, covered in snow that was heavily falling outside.

"Shut it Jerry," snapped Ray as he headed for the locker room.

"You ok Neela? You look….." Abby's voice trailed off. "Uh…Neela?"

But Neela was staring after Ray in shock, a flash of memory had returned to her.

The room had been dark, lit with candles. a couple of bottles of wine and cans of beer litered the floor. .

Then she heard rays voice…"This isn't a good idea neela…"

"That's what I thought," she had whispered back to him.

"Neela? What's wrong? Earth to Neela!"

She snapped back to reality when she felt Abby's hand on her shoulder. "I'm fine, really! Let's just get on with work ok?"

Abby nodded, but she remained concerned for her friend for the rest of the day.