Disclaimer: See previous chapters
Note: Sorry for big delays whilst I was working on the fluff. Also, new job 5 weeks of intense induction :( . Ah well, that's real life for you :p. the drama continues as Katey works her mischief
"Mayday, hey, Mayday, wait up." Gates jogged up to the surgical resident.
Christ, what does he want? It had been weeks since Neela had last had any contact with her ex and she had liked it that way, had liked not having to deal with his inane comments and general silliness. The time that she had spent with him had seemed like another life and she was happy to be leaving it behind.
"Tony, hi." She pitched her greeting carefully. Her tone was friendly without being inviting, casual without being cold.
"How's things? Haven't seen you around much." His head tilted just a little, dark eyes expressive like a puppy's. It was a look he knew she had never been able to resist – at least until now. He was surprised when her tone didn't change and he noted the way her arms were folded in front of her.
"Surgery's been busy, you know how it is. Lots of new things to learn and study up on." Neela gave a slightly tense smile. "How're you?"
He couldn't help but notice how that last question had been added almost as an afterthought but he pushed on gamely. "I'm good, yeah. I was wondering if you wanted to grab a beer later, y'know, catch up."
"Uh, I don't know, Tony, I've had a lot of shifts lately and I'm kinda tired." She wasn't struck on the idea of spending extra time with him but he knew how to appeal to her good side, the side that felt bad about letting anyone down.
"Aw, c'mon, it's been a while and we're still friends, aren't we?" He left the question hanging, the ball in her court.
She felt a stab of guilt, after all, she was the one who had ended it, who had wanted to remain friends and now she wasn't so sure that that had been such a good plan. To refuse would seem churlish but she couldn't stop a nagging sense of worry about accepting. Eventually good manners won through. It couldn't be that bad, could it?
"Ok," she gave in, "just a catch up, I'm on earlies all this week."
"Great, I'll meet you in Ike's when you're done." He grinned at her before going off to see the patient he had promised to look at 10 minutes ago.
--------------------------------------
Katey smiled sweetly, apologetically. "I'm sorry for how I left, I was upset but I don't want to end like that."
To say that Ray was surprised when Katey had approached him would be an understatement but he had been glad and relieved that she had come bearing an olive branch and not a war banner.
"I'm sorry too, I really mean that. I still care about you..."
Katey's smile grew broader then just as quickly faded at Ray's next words, "…just not like that."
It wasn't fair, if it wasn't for her Ray would as happy as anything to be with her. Well, that would change, she would make sure of it.
"Well, how about I stand us a round of beers as a peace offering, what d'you say?"
Happy that things weren't working out as acrimoniously as he thought, Ray had no concerns about going for that beer.
"Great, I'll see you later." The psych intern had to remind herself not to skip as she made her way back to her department.
-----------------------------------
It was going better than Neela had expected and the worries she had had earlier that daywere no more as she relaxed with Gates. For all that she knew she had to end the relationship, Neela was reminded of what good company he could be and she had already stayed out longer than she had intended and had drunk more than she had intended, especially when she had done her usual and forgotten to eat properly at work.
Gates studied Neela closely, could see that though she wasn't drunk, the beer had loosened her up and she had lost the air of tension that she had arrived in the bar with. Taking the opportunity, he moved closer and leaned into her. He reached out his hand to touch her hair.
"What are you doing?" Neela flinched away.
"Relax, you just got something in your hair."
"Oh, sorry, uh, thanks," she gave a sheepish laugh as Tony plucked a bit off fluff off a long strand of night-black hair and showed it to her.
---------------------------------------
Ray followed Katey into Ike's and glanced around. He was about to make his way to the bar when from the other side of the room he was met by the sight of Gates smoothing Neela's hair behind her ear and saying something that caused her to laugh like a loon. Well, loon was a bit strong but you get the idea. They looked so comfortable, so intimate together that Ray felt a mixture of anger, fear and envy welling up.
"Ray, here's your drink. Ray?" Katey turned and followed his line of vision and emitted a gasp of well-simulated shock. She never thought that her timing would have been so good.
Without a word, Ray spun on his heel and marched out with Katey following, ready to give him a more than sympathetic ear.
---------------------------------------
Behind her, Neela never saw Ray enter or leave and never noticed the subtle glance that Gates threw over his shoulder and the quick wink that Katey directed at him.
Ta-dah, hope that kept you occupied x