Disclaimer : I own nothing, guys at WB and NBC do. I just borrow to have fun…


This is the companion piece to "Rumor has it". This is the Luby point of view. Both stories can be read independently but are better read together.

This chapter one takes place after chapter 13 of "Rumor has it".


"Wow, you're so good for my ego." Luka chuckled as he took another sip of his beer.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yawn." She fought hard to stifle another one. "Today was just exhausting. I spent the whole day running from one patient to the other and get adequate treatment for them. Then I had to rush home to get ready for the wedding and back here for the ceremony. And now just thinking that I'm on duty tomorrow morning at 7 am, makes me want to put my head on the counter and sleep."

"It's a real pity your Attendings are such pains… I feel for you."

"I didn't say that either." She added with a shocked smile. He questioningly raised his eyebrows. "You were perfect today and very supportive."

"That's not what you said this morning and in the ambulance bay." He reminded her.

"Hey! Are you going to use everything I say against me? I'll let you know, that I'm allowed to change my mind."

"Sure, you are. But I'm just wondering, does that have something to do with the fact that I will soon be your boss?" He scratched his head as though he was pondering. She playfully hit him and Luka burst out laughing.

"Oh, that's a very bad thought." She answered giggling. "I'm hurt now. And it's not my fault if you misunderstood what I told you."

"I didn't misunderstand…" He teasingly noted.

"Yeah well…" She blushed and simply smiled at him. A change of topic was required. "Do you think Neela would be angry at me, if I'd go now?"

"Isn't the Maid of Honor supposed to stay at least until the bride and the groom leave?" He wondered serious again. "You should wait for them to go home."

"Yeah, guess I should." She looked longingly at her friends. They were dancing and didn't seem likely to leave any time soon. "Is it me or was this cake way too sweet? I'm feeling kind of queasy."

"Lockhart, are you looking for excuses? You don't look queasy at all."

"I may not look, but I definitely don't feel too well." She couldn't hide her smile. "Okay so I don't feel queasy, but it is a better excuse to leave. Neela has also to be in at 7 am tomorrow. So…"

"So you want to play sick?" He shook his head grinning widely. "That's interesting. I'll try to remember that when you'll serve me this excuse one day."

"Hey, what I'm saying to my best friend is not for my Chief's ears. That's unfair." She chuckled.

"That's called tough luck."

"Really?" She giggled. As she turned, she saw that Neela heading back to her seat. "I'm probably the worst friend ever, but I want to go home. I'll talk to Neela, I'm sure she'll understand."

"Do you want me to give you a lift? I mean if you pretend to be sick, she probably wouldn't want you to go home all by yourself."

"You are actually going to use my excuse to leave too? I'm disappointed. That means you're not a better person than I am."

"I never said, I was. But my car is definitely more comfortable than the El. I'm not even speaking about my dashing personality and interesting conversation." Abby looked at him disbelievingly.

"I start to wonder if this promotion is a good thing. You're getting delusional." His grin grew wider. She couldn't help but smile back. "Okay, let's go."

"Neela!" The young Sikh turned around smiling. "Would you mind if I'd go home now? I know it isn't that late. But I'm not feeling too well and I'm really tired." Abby pleadingly raised her eyebrows. Neela chuckled at the whiny tone her friend had used.

"But of course, you can go. Thanks for having been so supportive. You were the perfect friend today." She hugged Abby. "Don't worry. I don't think I'll stay too long myself. We have to start early tomorrow and I still have plans." She whispered the last words looking at her husband who was talking to Luka.

"I'm sure you have plans. This is your wedding night afterall." Both women chuckled, but became serious when Michael and Luka joined them.

"Are you leaving too, Dr. Kovac?" Neela wondered.

"Yeah, I didn't want to let Abby go home by herself. And I need to go too. The party was really great. I only regret that I couldn't make it on time for the ceremony. Sometimes it's tough being an attending."

"We were very happy that you could make it at all." Michael assured him.

"I wouldn't have missed it. It doesn't happen very often that we assemble to celebrate a joyous event. You were a beautiful bride Neela." The young woman blushed. "You're very lucky, Gallant. I hope you'll take good care of her."

"I will." Michael kissed his bride on the cheek. "Oh, I think Greg is looking for me. So get home safe and see you both soon." He hugged Abby and shook Luka's hand before leaving.

"Are you ready to go?" Luka wondered.

"No, I need to retrieve my shawl." She pointed to the table where everyone had left their coats.

"The blue-gray one?" He asked.

"Yeah, that one." She nodded as Neela stared at her. Abby quizzically looked at her friend.

"I'll get it for you." He left in a second, both women looked at his retreating form.

"He knows the color of your shawl?" The young doctor disbelievingly questioned.

"I have been having this one for ages... and it's my favorite." Abby frowned not sure why her clothing was relevant at this point.

"Michael doesn't remember the clothes I wore two days ago." She told her. "And Luka remembers a shawl I have never seen you were before today." Abby rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure Michael does know..."

"Yeah whatever... Well I only see that you also have plans."

"Neela! I have absolute no plans whatsoever." She told her friend. Neela didn't seem convinced. "Didn't I discuss with you what happened last time? Luka and I are just friends."

"Yes, sure. I so totally believe you." Neela answered. Abby sighed and looked at her friend. "But don't be surprised if he had plans."

"You're just imagining things." She squinted and shook her head.

"I saw you chat the whole evening. And from where I stood that looked a lot like flirting."

"We didn't flirt. We just… we just talked…" Abby hesitated.

"I'm speaking about body language. That was pretty obvious. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who saw it." Neela laughed. She had seen Haleh's prying eyes on her friends the whole evening. That sure was bound to get the rumor mill go wild. "You were quite the sensation. I should be angry at you."

"Now you're speaking crazy." She looked at her friend and half-smiled.

"Don't be surprised if people start to talk. I mean the two of you leaving together..."

"So I don't want to take the El and that's bad?" Abby wondered.

"It's not my place to judge."

"Are we set to go?" Luka asked as he wrapped the shawl on her shoulders.. Abby didn't break eye contact with Neela.

"Yeah, we can leave. See you tomorrow at 7 am, Neela. And behave, you wouldn't want to fall asleep at work." She winked at her friend.

"I will and don't worry, I probably won't be up to more than you will." She added laughing and she went to her husband.

"What did she mean?" Luka wondered.

"Oh, just some crazy talk. Let say quick good nights to the others and go."