"Ray Barnett," she screeched in delight, "you are absolutely crazy."
He looked at her seriously. "Not at all Neela. After you left, it was as if I'd lost another limb, I ached I missed you so much. Moreover, it's true what I said, this might be the last chance I have for months to come to Chicago. You see, I still can't work two shifts back to back.
Furthermore, as I tend to work day on day off, I am very lucky if I even get more than two days off together. This may be the only week I have free for ages. Take into account the cost of airfares and if we see each other again between now and Christmas, it will probably be because you fly down to see me for three or four days."
"In that case," she said sadly, we need to make the most of things."
He looked at her and nodded.
"By the way, were you at the airport that time I asked you where you were?" she asked placing her hands on hips.
"I was. In fact I was just getting ready to board," he grinned raising his hand defensively.
"But you told me you were in a shopping mall."
"No, I didn't," he said with a grin, "what I said was, 'would you believe me if I said I was in a shopping mall' and you did say you wouldn't," he answered cockily.
"How did you organise things so quickly?"
"Oh, that was easy, on the way home I got thinking about what a shame it was you had not cancelled your shift, and then you could have stayed longer. Then I realised we were both free for the rest of the week and I got to thinkin'. First I thought I could book you a flight down but then I realised we'd lose more time. Suddenly for the first time since I settled in Baton Rouge, I felt homesick for Chicago so I thought if Mohammad can't come to the mountain, there was nothing to stop the mountain going to Mohammad."
"Clever boy!"
"I always told you I wasn't just a pretty face!" he smiled raising his eyebrow. "Well, as soon as I got home, I went on the internet and booked a flight," Ray spread his arms and said, "So here I am." With that, she threw herself into his open arms.
"I could kill you with kisses."
He looked down at her and replied.
"That sounds like a plan but before you do, I need to get off my feet for a while especially if we're heading to Ike's later?"
He sat into his chair and proceeded to remove his prostheses. It was strange how quickly she had gotten used to watching him do that. It was now a part of him and no big deal.
"This apartment is going to be rather tight for your wheelchair," Neela apologised.
He reached up and caught her hand. "Don't worry, I'll manage, I'm sure we can move the furniture round a bit if needs be."
"What about the bathroom? I'm sure the door's too narrow," she fussed.
"If it is I can walk in."
"But what about the shower?"
"Neela, stop fussing, I'll manage, honest!"
"It's just; well I want you to be comfortable."
"Neela," he said in mock seriousness, "let's not get too hung up on the logistics of how I'm going to pee I'll work something out. OK?"
With this Neela started to laugh.
"Come here," he said catching her hand and pulling her toward the sofa.
She was still amazed at how quickly he could get out of his chair and onto a sofa or bed.
"I know it's only been a day but I've really missed you," with this, he proceeded to kiss her.
"Me too, but Ray,"
"Yes Neela,"
"I'm hungry and I badly need a cup of tea."
He smiled lovingly at her.
"You'd better look after yourself then."
"Would you like anything? I'm making some cheese on toast; I'll get something more substantial at Ike's."
"Cheese on toast sounds great and I haven't had a decent cup of tea since you moved out of my old place."
"I still miss that apartment, you know. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, moving out of there." She sighed and shrugged, "it was just back then, I needed to make space for Michael and me."
She handed him his cup of tea.
"Water under the bridge now, Neela," he said as he raised his cup and said, "Here's to new beginnings."
"New beginnings," she said as her eyes welled up.
She brought over the plate of toasted cheese and sat down beside him. It was like old times, two roomies sharing a snack.
"Neela, there's something else I need to do before we go to Ike's."
"What's that?"
"I need to phone Katey and let her know I'm in town."
She became quiet.
"Look Neela. Katey made it quite clear to me when I was in the hospital that we were well and truly over. We became genuine friends in the course of that week and we've remained in touch since. She's been great and yes, she's been to visit. In fact the last time she was down she brought her boyfriend."
"That must have been strange."
"Not really." He shook his head, "I never had strong feelings for her and even though she had started to fall for me, once she backed off the feelings fizzled fairly quickly. Nevertheless, I'd like to think, with your blessing of course, that we could remain friends. Brad, her boyfriend is a great guy and they're good together.
She's at 'Mercy' now, but just in case someone from County has been in contact about this evening, I'd like to phone her. Out of courtesy I think I should be the one to tell her what's been going on in my life."
Neela smiled at him and shook her head.
"The new you continues to amaze me."
"I'm not that different, surely?"
"The heart may be the same but there's more substance to it and the head is very different, more thoughtful, more considerate, more masterful."
"Take care, Dr. Rasgotra or I am going to get a very swelled head."
"As long as you know the danger exists, you'll be fine," she bent down and kissed him, "now off you go and make your phone call. I need a shower. By the way, pass on my regards. She was, after all, my best student to date."
"That's high praise indeed! Yes," he grimaced, "dating your student was not one of my wiser moves."
"Like you said already Ray, water under the bridge."
With that, she started readying herself. As she walked from the bedroom to the bathroom, she heard him talking to Katey.
"Wow, Katey, you guys didn't waste much time. Congratulations! It's fantastic news. Brad's a lucky Guy. … … … … …
Thanks, that sounds great. Neela's in the shower at the moment so I'll have to get back to you once I've checked if she has any plans."
He waved her into the bathroom and continued,
"I arrived unannounced so I'm not exactly sure if she has anything on for the week. One way or the other, I'll meet up with you. …
Pardon. … … … … … … …
I'm definitely here until Friday and I may yet stay the weekend. Look Katey. I'll phone you tomorrow and make definite plans. Once again, I'm delighted for you and Brad. You have a good night… . Bye."
When Neela came out of the bathroom, Ray was surfing the channels on the TV.
"Did I understand that right?"
"Yes. Katey and Brad just got engaged and we've been invited to the engagement party Thursday night."
She shuddered.
"Look Neela, there's no pressure. But even if we do go, we've an excuse to leave early as you're working Friday."
"Whatever." Neela said with an awkward shrug.
Ray looked at her and said.
"She obviously never talked to you before she left 'County'."
"No; why?"
"She told me what she said to you that day at 'Mercy'. It was pretty mean. By the time, she told me about it, she was not feeling very proud of herself. No more than my behaviour on that day, her's was a pure knee-jerk reaction to a very traumatic week. She had intended to apologise but she either lost courage or just did not get the time."
"More water under the bridge I guess. By the way," she continued, "on a similar theme, Gates and I are good friends now. He's been very kind to me in the past year."
Ray frowned.
She looked at him beseechingly. "Can you at least try for my sake to let bygones be bygones? You expect me to make an effort for Katey; surely you can do the same for Tony!"
He shrugged and looked down at his hands.
She continued, "Had you heard he's going out with Sam now?"
Ray looked up in surprise, "Sam and Gates, I would never have put those two together!"
That was one bit of gossip, Pratt had not relayed.
Neela laughed, "They're actually good together!"
"Well if Sam can handle him, I'm sure that I can be civil."
"Thanks Ray, you'll see, he's mellowed," she continued, "he's actually an excellent ER doctor. I think the problem when he was an intern, was that he was older than most of the attendings and residents. Furthermore, he had years of experience as a Paramedic. So, of course instead of looking for directions, he was more often than not giving directions or acting on his own initiative, a trait of a good resident or attending."
"But, not an ideal trait in an intern." Ray continued.
"Yes," he said sardonically, "there were some pretty interesting situations in the ER that year. It was so frustrating working with a gung-ho intern. We were all terrified of having to take the fall for him. Pratt and Morris were at their wits end at times. After all, their asses were on the line if things went wrong."
"I hadn't really thought of that." Neela responded pensively.
Ray looked at her, shrugged once more and said,
"I guess now that he's a resident and is responsible for whatever decisions he makes, that could work out." he pulled her towards him shook his head and said, "Dr. Rosgotra, when did you become such a great student of human nature?" Then he bent and kissed her.