A/N: Thanks again for the reviews.
Chapter 21 – To Find What's Left of His World
They disentangled from each other long enough to make it to the couch. She couldn't take her eyes off him. After four months with her parents and siblings in London, just being in Chicago, in her hospital, on the way to her apartment was a complete relief. And then Ray. She couldn't stop smiling.
"I'm so glad you're here," she breathed into his shoulder as she laid her head on it. "How long are you staying?"
"Just a few days for now. I have to meet with the powers that be in a few minutes. I guess I'll know more after that."
She sat forward and turned toward him. "Really?"
He nodded. "Pratt says they should reinstate me without any problem, especially since I was on a medical leave of absence."
"Is Pratt going up with you?"
Ray shrugged. "I didn't ask him. I guess if he's not too busy he'll come. Do you think I need him to?"
Neela shrugged. "Abby says Moretti can be difficult. He and Pratt have butted heads more than once. Have you met him yet?"
Ray shook his head. "I was only on the floor for a minute. Do you think I should get someone to introduce me before we get up there?"
"I have no idea. Depends on what type of first impression you make." Neela raised her eyebrows.
"Well?" Ray asked when she didn't elaborate.
"You can be a bit of a wanker," Neela revealed.
Ray scrunched his eyebrows into a scowl. "Thanks a lot."
She grinned and rubbed his arm soothingly. "Talk to Pratt. He'll know the proper protocol. I'm sure it will all go brilliantly, though."
He squeezed her hand before rising up from the couch. "Yeah. Nothing to worry about. I'm going to find Pratt." He moved toward the door, leaving her behind. "You should go home, though. I don't know how long this is going to take." She started to protest but he stopped her. "I'll call you when I'm done. You should have time for a nap at least." He waited at the door as though he expected her to join him.
"Yeah, that should work out well," she decided as she stood up and followed him through the door. Pratt and Moretti were both standing at the desk, and Pratt motioned for them to both come over.
"Dr. Moretti, this is Ray Barnett, third year ER resident and I believe you've met Neela Rasgotra, second year surgical resident. They've both been on medical leave since May."
They all shook hands and Moretti addressed Ray. "Ah, Dr. Barnett, it's you we'll be meeting with this afternoon, then."
"Uh, yes," Ray managed.
"Well, I'm sure Drs Wilcox and Anspaugh wouldn't mind if we started a little ahead of schedule. Are you free to meet now? It seems that Dr. Pratt and I are experiencing a lull in the action for the time being."
"Sure," Ray nodded, "That's fine with me."
"Wonderful. Let's say in Dr. Anspaugh's office in ten minutes?" Moretti glanced at his watch.
Ray nodded again. "Great. I need to grab a file and I'll be right up."
Moretti shook Ray's hand again. "Wonderful. I'm looking forward to it."
Pratt watched the older man walk away and narrowed his eyes as he gazed in Ray's direction. "Unbelievable," he muttered.
"What?" Ray asked. "What did I do now?"
Pratt shook his head. "That guy doesn't get along with anyone, and here the two of you are chatting it up like BFF's."
Ray laughed. "Did you just call me someone's BFF? What are you a 10-year-old girl?"
"I've been on for twelve hours, Ray, and I still have to finish my charting. Let's just go up there and get this thing over with," pouted Pratt.
"Yeah, okay," Ray agreed, remembering days like that. "I have to get something from the car. I'll meet you up there."
Ray helped Neela gather her bags and take them out through the ambulance bay toward the 'L' platform where his car was parked. He handed her the keys.
"I'll take the train. I don't have any stuff, so it makes more sense for me to. I'll pick up my car at your place later," he offered.
She looked in through the window. "Your car has hand controls. I can't drive it."
He hit a button on the remote in her hand, unlocked the door, reached in and switched the mechanism back to foot pedals. "It does both. You're good to go." He loaded her bags as she climbed in the front seat. He walked around to the driver's side window and leaned in to give Neela one last kiss. "I'll see you later," he promised. Neela put the car in gear and pulled off.
Ray tucked the papers under his arm and went back inside just in time to catch Pratt at the elevator. They rode up to Dr. Anspaugh's office together and arrived right as Moretti, Wilcox and Anspaugh came out of the office. Together, the five men walked into the adjacent conference room and took their seats. The inquisition was about to begin.
Dr. Wilcox, the residency program advisor, reached across to shake Ray's hand. "Ray," he began, "It's so good to see you. You look well."
"Thank you. I am. It's good to be here."
Dr. Anspaugh echoed the sentiment of the residency director and the review began. Pratt served to be a valuable voice in Ray's corner as he pointed out the improvements in Ray's performance reviews over the second two years of his residency. He also pointed out that seeing as they had lost two attendings and several residents over the past few months, having a competent and experienced senior resident returned to the floor would be a plus for the entire department. Moretti was more of a fly on the wall, or perhaps a Venus flytrap. But he sat silently, combing through his copy of Ray's performance reviews and residency files, all the while soaking up everything everyone else had said.
After the information had been presented, Dr. Anspaugh began speaking, and Ray realized that the conditions of his return had already been discussed and decided upon before this meeting had ever taken place. The chief of staff explained that Ray would need to undergo a psychological evaluation either with the psychiatrist he had been seeing or with employee behavioral health at County. Additionally, he would begin with half-time half shifts as soon as his physician released him to begin work and would work up to full shifts at the discretion of the ER chief and Chief Resident until he made up the necessary time to qualify as a fourth-year resident. They explained that accommodations could be made for physical limitations that presented themselves along the way. Finally, he expressed the hospital and department's delight and in the prospect of Ray's return and in his recovery. Dr. Anspaugh wished him the best of luck and stood to signal the end of the meeting. The rest of the men stood, shook hands with Ray and filed out. Ray and Pratt were left in the empty conference room.
Greg slapped Ray on the back as he vigorously shook his hand. "Well, sounds like you're back in business."
"Yeah," Ray smiled softly. "I guess I am."
Pratt directed him toward the door. "What time are you meeting Neela?"
"I'm not really sure. I'm supposed to call her when I leave here, but she's probably not even home yet."
"Was she going to her place or Abby and Luka's?"
"I have no idea. Why?"
"She had been staying with Abby and Joe before she left for London."
"Oh, well, I'll find out where she wants me to meet her. Hey, thanks for backing me up in there, though. I can't believe that's all it took to get re-instated."
Pratt shrugged. "Just hurry up and get back here for good. We need good people."
Ray laughed. "And you're calling me good people?"
"I guess that I am. Who'd have ever thought it?" Pratt shook his head. "But for now, you need to get your ass to Neela." Ray nodded and shook Pratt's hand before he turned to go.
"I'm gonna get the girl," Ray smiled almost in disbelief. "Doesn't always turn out like this, you know?"
Pratt slowly bobbed his head. "But sometimes it does."
Ray tried to wipe the grin off his face, but he couldn't. He just shrugged and the two of them headed to the elevator.
Once they were inside and the doors had closed Greg turned to Ray. "Get it right this time, will you? I don't think we, or the two of you, can handle it if you screw this up again."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, man." Ray scoffed.
Greg threw his hands up in a defensive position. "I'm just sayin'."
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'd rather not get hit by another truck, and I'm pretty sure Neela's had her fill of being trampled by a stampeding mob."
"Get out of here." Pratt pushed Ray lightly as the doors parted in the ER.
"I'm going." Ray promised as he made a move to the door.
Pratt stopped him yet again. "Congratulations, Ray. It's really good to have you back."
"It's good to be here," Ray decided. Because it was.