AN: So, I decided to finish up this story. It was frustrating me because I didn't know how to end it. I did the best I could. Almost all of the stories I've ever written don't have endings. It's a skill I've yet to learn. I thought this one would be different, but it didn't turn out that way. So, I think I'm going to stick to just reading the stories written by others. Maybe I'll try again sometime, but for now, here's the ending. Sorry it isn't very good.
Chapter Fourteen
Just as Neela finished explaining exactly what had happened to Sam and Abby, there was a knock on the door. Neela stood up, knowing whom it was. She opened the door to find a worried looking Ray.
"Neela, are you okay? I tried to come earlier but Luka needed me to stay until the temps got there and -." Ray was cut off when Neela stepped up onto her tiptoes and kissed him.
"It's okay, Ray." She told him. "I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" Ray questioned.
"Yeah, I am. Let's go home." Neela turned around to her friends, hugging each of them before gathering her stuff. "Thanks for everything. I'll call you both tomorrow."
"You better." Abby replied, giving her an 'Are you sure?' look.
Neela smiled. "I will, and yes, I'm sure."
Feeling Ray take her hand, she followed him out the door the apartment.
"Do you think she's really okay?" Sam asked, sitting back down on the couch.
"Yeah, actually… for once, I think she is." Abby replied, staring at the door for a minute before sitting down next to Sam.
"I'm happy for her. Her and Ray belong together. He is exactly what she needed." Sam said, pulling her feet up underneath her.
Abby just nodded in agreement. "And she is exactly what he needed."
Back at their apartment, Ray and Neela were cuddled together on the couch. Ray had turned Celebrity Poker on, but neither of them were paying much attention to it.
"Ray?" Neela sat up suddenly. "I…"
"What's wrong?" Ray asked worriedly.
"Today really put things into perspective for me. When I was in that elevator, and the lounge, I was honestly more scared than I'd ever been in my life. It might seem silly, but it made me realize that I need to cherish every moment I have. I'd never see Tony like that before, I really thought he was going to try to…" Neela trailed off.
"He didn't, did he?"
"No! No, I was lucky." Neela responded. "That's just it though. What if he had? In one way, I wish he had. It would have saved me the trouble of having to go through a 'first time' and everything, but at the same time, I couldn't imagine how horrifying it would have been."
Ray just looked confused.
"I'm not doing a good job of getting my point across, am I?" Neela smiled. "Ray… I love you."
"Neela…"
"Wait." Neela cut him off. "I love you, Ray, and I'm ready. I'm ready to give you that love."
"Neela… are you sure?" Ray asked. "Cause I don't want you to feel like you have to do this if you aren't."
"I'm sure, Ray." Neela stood up slowly, Ray following her.
"I love you, Neela." He said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her deeply.
Without breaking the kiss, Ray picked Neela up and carried her to his bedroom.
"You're the only one I ever believed in,
The answer that could never be found,
The moment you decided to let love in.
Now I'm banging on the door of an angel,
The end of fear is where we begin,
The moment we decided to let love in."