Disclaimer: I don't own ER, never have, never will

Note: Lots of lovely thanks to everyone for their lovely reviews and have stuck by this one. Have been having writer's block with this so apologies for big gap between updates.

Ray followed as Katey threw together various belongings that she had left at Ray's apartment as their relationship had gradually progressed to the point where Katey had more or less moved in – unofficially.

"Katey, please just listen." Ray tried to explain, wanted her to understand.

Thump! Shoes landed into the almost full hold-all.

"It wasn't deliberate, I really thought I was over her."

Thud! A couple of books appeared next to the shoes.

"I wasn't lying when I told you I wanted to be with you."

Clatter! CDs and DVDs tumbled in. Katey kept her back to Ray as she stormed around the apartment, refusing to answer him.

Finally, Ray stepped in front of her, gently holding her shoulders. "Katey, I never meant for it to be like this. I just…" he stared at her for a few seconds before shrugging helplessly, "…I just can't help the way I feel. I'm sorry."

Katey glared angrily at him. "Yeah, well you know what? That doesn't make me feel a whole lot better!" She blinked back tears as she zipped up the bag. "If I've left anything, just leave it at work and I'll collect it there."

He watched as she hauled the cumbersome load off the floor and lugged it after her. "At least let me help you."

She didn't look back as her sarcastic reply floated back to him. "Don't worry Ray, you've done plenty for me already."

He sighed and leaned against the wall as the front door slammed shut. All things considered, it had gone as well as could be expected. Before he had come off shift, he had managed to catch up with Pratt.

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"I reckon I can guess what you're gonna ask me." Gregg surveyed Ray, a half amused, half bemused expression on his face. "Man, I thought you had got all this business sorted out, then Dr. Alvaro there comes up and practically gives me a pop-quiz on how my New Year shift went. So what happened?"

Gregg listened patiently as his R3 explained the events of the last few days and shook his head in disbelief as he concluded his story. "Barnett, I don't know what I'm going to do with you. You're supposed to be the one who knows how to handle women. You have to come clean with Katey first in any case."

Ray stared gloomily into his coffee mug. "I know. I just wish I knew how things had gotten so messy." He glanced up at his friend who, at a loss as to what to say, put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

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Clutching the coffee that she had just bought, Neela made her way towards the entrance to County's ER when a hefty bump sent the scalding liquid sloshing onto her hand, soaking through the woolly glove and onto her skin. She lifted her head to yell at the person who had barged heavily into her shoulder but the sound died in her throat when she saw the vicious look that Katey sent her as she marched past.

Neela felt a heaviness in her stomach as she peeled off her glove and examined the hot redness that had started to appear on her skin. Not a good start to the day. She continued through the doors and headed towards the doctor's locker room to see if Abby was around, she hadn't seen her since the holidays. Disappointed that her friend wasn't there, the surgical resident went to head back out just as Ray was coming in.

Two pairs of eyes sparkled up as they recognised each other and grins automatically lit up their faces.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Ray was the first one to string a proper sentence together. "Neela, I need to tell you something, it's kinda important."

Neela allowed a small frown to appear between her brows. "Uh oh, sounds ominous, "she tried to joke.

"Me and Katey, we're, um, we're over."

She stares at him, startled. "Oh." It took some moments for the news to sink in. "Ohhhh. That would explain things." She murmured quietly as she unconsciously rubbed her hand before she realised.

OH! Neela looked up into gentle green-gold eyes and reached out to touch his arm. "Are you sure?" Her eyes betrayed hope mixed with uncertainty.

"I'm positive, I've never been more sure about anything." They moved closer closing the space between them when the door opened and Abby appeared. She stopped when she saw the two of them. "Hi guys, good holidays?" There was a pause during which Abby regarded Ray and Neela with a small knowing smile as they reluctantly widened the distance again.

"Yeah, it was fun. How about you? I was trying to find you, see if you wanted to arrange a catch up?" Neela answered.

There was an awkward air as Ray hovered, not quite sure what to do. Eventually, he decided to leave the women to it. "I'll see you later on," he addressed Neela. "See you later, Abby."

Abby raised an eyebrow as Ray left and she turned back to her friend. Neela could only grin at her.

When she spoke, Abby's tone was soft. "Neela, honey, you should know that Katey's really pissed at you, Ray too, but more you."

"You know? We, I, haven't told anyone." Neela was shocked.

"Um, well, everyone knows."

"Everyone?"

"Sweetie, when I say she's pissed, she was really giving off about you yesterday. Basically, she thinks you pretty much stole Ray from her and I don't think she's going to let this one go."

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Gates had his feet up in the doctors' lounge when Katey pushed open the door with more force than necessary and when she spotted Gates, a plan began to formulate in her mind.

He looked up, "Howzit going? I heard about you and Barnett, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well, same with you and Neela. Don't you miss her?"

"Sure I do, but it just wasn't meant to be. Just the way it goes." He tilted his head philosophically.

Katey moved to sit next to him. "You know," she began slowly, "Neela still wants you, she just wasn't sure you that you were serious about her, that's why you broke up."

Gates was dismissive, "Nah, she knew how I felt, she just didn't feel the same."

"Honestly, Tony, I heard her telling Abby." Katey was cajoling but he wasn't fooled.

"Look, just tell me what you want cos I just know you wouldn't be talking to me unless there was a good reason." He looked her squarely in the eyes. "I know you're friends with Laurie."

Katey returned the look. "Alright, I want Ray back, he's mine. But what I said was true, she doesn't want Ray, he just doesn't see that yet."

Gates didn't need to ask who she was but he did still want her, more than he ever thought he would and so he was more than willing to believe Katey's words. "Ok, " he said finally, "what have you got in mind?"

Note: well I didn't realise how bad Katey would be til I finished this but she will have a dastardly plan to spoil the roomies happiness. Hope u enjoyed this chapter, let me know xx