The silence that had consumed the room broke just a few seconds later. "Neela?! Honey, talk to me; can you hear me? Do you understand what I'm saying?" Abby asked, her face hovering over Neela's, examining it with Morris and Sam following her example. Ray fought the urge to pummel over all of them and come to Neela's side; she had just regained consciousness and needed some space. After staring at Abby's face for a few seconds, Neela nodded slightly. Abby, Morris, and Sam breathed a sigh of relief in unison. Ray felt the release of the invisible yet unbreakable hand that had been squeezing whatever hope he had left out of his heart; he was free from all fear. He felt like he could finally breathe again.
"What happened?" Neela just barely whispered.
"What's the last thing you remember, honey?" Abby asked.
"It was getting all blurry. Daniel said I could stop working on her; I went and leaned against the wall…Daniel- What happened to Daniel?"
"He's fine, Neela," Morris spoke. "He's with Jessica…he finally came to terms with her being gone. You lost a lot of blood; that's why you lost consciousness." Neela nodded.
"How long have I been out?"
"Hours…and hours. But you're okay; that's all that matters," Sam replied.
A soft sigh escaped Neela's lips. There was another silence as she recollected everything that had happened to her over the course of the day. After a few moments, Neela opened her mouth as though to ask something, then closed it, and then opened again. No words would come out of her mouth; she could not decide whether to ask or not. "What is it, hon'?" Abby prodded.
What's are the odds? But then, you never know; he might be… "By any wild chance, is- is Ray here?"
For the first time since Neela woke, Abby, Morris, and Sam turned to look at Ray. Ray wanted to rush to her side right then and there. But would she want me to? After all, talking on the phone and in person are two different things… "Yeah, he's here. You wanna talk to him?" Abby asked, understanding Neela's internal dilemma.
Neela hesitated. Then she noticed that Morris and Sam had been taking turns looking toward the door. "Oh my God, he's here, isn't he?" she whispered just loud enough for Abby to hear; her question was met with a nod from her friend. "If you guys don't mind, if he's okay with it, can- can he and I be alone for a little?"
Abby, Morris, and Sam looked back yet again at Ray. He nodded, the numerous emotions running through him apparent in his eyes. " 'Kay, we'll be right outside if you need us, alright?" The three walked to the door.
"Hey, buddy, listen," Morris stopped when he reached Ray, placing a hand on Ray's shoulder. "She's still kinda weak, so don't let her push herself, okay?" Ray nodded. Morris patted Ray on the shoulder and followed Abby and Sam out the door. Ray looked at Neela for a few seconds before wheeling over to her.
Neela was flat on the bed, still weak. The only way Ray could look at her face properly and help her look back was for him to stand up. He gripped the arms of his chair and pushed himself up, trying not to let Neela see him struggle. A tear fell from the corner of Neela's eye, thankfully unnoticed by Ray as he finally came to his feet so he could half-sit on, half-lean against the bed. A slight, sad smile graced Ray's lips as he looked at Neela's face. The loss of blood had brought a pallor to her face. Ray couldn't help but wonder what could have happened; the prospect of losing her was too much for him to consider.
Neela could not believe he had actually made it. The phone call itself had been like a dream; she did not think Ray would indeed be standing- standing- there so close to her within hours. "Hey, Roomie," came Ray's voice softly, hoarse from the hours he had spent with his throat constricting with the tension. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. You're here," Neela responded, stating the obvious and chuckling at the realization. "I'm sorry, I just- I- I wasn't sure that I'd really see you here."
"I know. It's okay. I am here, and you're okay. Nothing else matters." A moment of silence. "God, Neela. I just…kept having all these horrible thoughts. That I was gonna lose you. I couldn't have taken that, Neela." Ray wrapped his fingers around Neela's small hand. "Neela, I love you. I need you." His other hand cupped the side of her head.
Neela brought her free hand to his hand on her head. "I love you, too. You know, I don't think I would've stood a chance if you didn't come. Just the fact that you're here. I think that's what brought me back…Well, that and the blood transfusion they gave me," she chuckled again, "Whoever's it was." Ray looked at her sheepishly, scratching the back of his head like a little boy just caught with one hand in the cookie jar. "Oh my God. It was you, wasn't it?"
"One and the same." Ray stroked Neela's face.
Neela's heart was in her eyes. "Ray." Tears finally ambushed her face as she reached her hand up to his cheek. "Thank you," she cried, pulling his face down to hers as she kissed him. All of the love that she had pent up in her heart ever since she first felt close to Ray went into the tender kiss, and Ray realized what an emotional roller coaster Neela had been on the whole time. She pulled away, and then Ray kissed her back, cupping her head in both hands.
The two knew that they had a lot to talk about, but right now, they were content with knowing that they were there together, and that this time, it would stay that way.
"Hey, Roomie? One more thing," Ray said.
"What is it?" Neela tensed slightly. Things are just turning out okay…what now?
Ray whispered in Neela's ear. "If you ever, ever, EVER scare me like that again, I'll…I'll handcuff you to that Mai Ling girl who kissed you at Abby's and Luka's wedding for a whole day."
Neela couldn't help but laugh, yet shudder at the thought.
"Deal."
Well, that's the end, you guys. Thank you so, so, SO much for your reviews. I'm so glad you guys liked it, since it was my first fanfic. I hope you like the ending! I have another idea for a fanfic, so you haven't heard the last of me yet…Muahahaha! (heehee.)
