Ray slept on the couch again that night. But it was a restless sleep interspersed with dreams of him chasing Neela on horseback and jousting with Morris and that guy Brenner.

Weird.

------------------------------------------

Neela was up first again. But today she breezed into the kitchen before showering. He could hear her singing in the kitchen as he struggled to rouse himself. His head was pounding from lack of sleep rather than from a hangover. He heard her approach and say,

"Wake up sleepy head, its nearly ten o'clock."

He opened his eyes and sat up as she handed him a cup of coffee.

"Thanks."

"You look rough."

"Bring on the compliments."

Neela laughed.

"I'm just going to take a shower. The bathroom is all yours when I'm finished."

"Great."

Ray sat up and decided he'd get breakfast just as he had the previous morning. When Neela came out of the bathroom, the breakfast table was set. She was wearing a tracksuit and her hair was wrapped in a towel.

"Hey. I could get used of this."

"Your wish is my command, milady."

"So. Have we anything more to discuss."

"I don't know. Have we?"

She smiled at him and said.

"Last night was fun. But it seemed strange coming back here and acting platonic."

"I know what you mean."

"Do you still think we're doing the right thing?"

"I think if we do any different for now, we'll destroy any chance of a more long-term relationship. I know at this point in time I'm not ready for a serious relationship and like I said I don't want to screw up my chances with you."

"You're too important to me not to try it your way. So what are the ground rules?"

"Well, considering we're living 900 miles apart, very few actually. Let's, for the moment, keep in contact via e-mail and text and of course we can PM through facebook. Unless its absolutely necessary, lets keep phonecalls to a minimum."

"Ray, that's draconian and if you don't mind me saying so, its smacks of masochism."

"Neela. I really believe we need to do this. We each need space and I really think by limiting contact, we will learn how much we actually mean to each other."

"What about dating?"

"Yes. We should be free to date. Mind you if you go out with that dick from yesterday, I don't want to hear about it."

Neela blushed but quickly said.

"Don't worry, that won't happen."

Ray's eyes widened.

"You've already been with him haven't you?"

"Ray!"

"You have!"

"Ray. I mean it" Neela said angrily, "let it go, I assure you it will never happen again."

"Sorry. You're right its none of my business. But he is a dick."

"You're just jealous.

I see now why you suggest keeping phone-calls to a minimum. That way we're less likely to find out if the other is seeing anybody. Really, I think we should just not discuss dating at all. God Ray, I sincerely hope we're not playing with fire."

"Look Neela, this is the right thing, I know it. If we fall into something too intense very quickly, it will shrivel and die. But if we build things slowly we may have a chance. In the interim, I think we both need to have some fun."

"What about our first get together?"

"Let's say three months time. Time and place to be determined."

"Ray!"

"Come on Neela, where's your sense of adventure? Oh, by the way, you can decide our first venue."

"Wow! That's big of you."

Ray suddenly looked very serious.

"Neela. Look, I'm really sorry about this. Its just, I know I'm not ready for commitment just yet. I still have a lot of emotional stuff to sort through. Bottom line is, I don't want to lose you and this is the only thing I can think of to sustain things."

"I'm willing to give it a try. Anything for my roomie. If I'm to be honest, you've had to put up with far worse from me. At least we're not going to know what the other is up to."

"There is that. Well, is there anything else we need to iron out?"

"No. We'll just have to find lots of ways to keep busy for the next three months."

"That's the idea."

For some reason, Neela did not feel she could touch Ray. It was like they were each surrounded by an invisible barrier. They smiled at each other but did not try to breach the gulf. They were officially on a break from a relationship that had barely even started. It was weird. In some ways it seemed so completely infantile. If she was not convinced of Ray's sincerity, then she would swear this was some sort of kinky bondage game. She blushed at the thought. She hoped with all her heart that they were doing the right thing. Deep inside she just knew they would have to make it work. She glanced at the kitchen clock.

"Good grief. Look at the time."

It was already 11am.

"You still have to shower and pack and I have loads to do before I leave for work. Where shall I arrange to meet the others for lunch."

"Let's not. I'll just swing by the ER to say goodbye. I'd prefer to spend whatever time I've left with you."

Neela frowned.

"You seem to be backtracking already. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes Neela. A long-distance relationship for two years is doomed before we start. At least this way, we are keeping things on ice so to speak and I'm not backtracking. I just want to savour every moment I've left and pray that absence will make the heart grow fonder."

"And to think that I never knew Doc. Rock was such an incurable romantic."

He smiled then turned to gather his shower things.

Ray allowed the scalding water to run over him. It stung all over. Was he crazy to suggest this enforced seperation just when they seemed to be getting things together? Deep down he felt he was doing the right thing but he knew he would love nothing more, right now, than have Neela come in and join him. As he pictured the scene, he could feel the start of an erection and he groaned. He hoped he was not making the biggest mistake of his life. Pray God, that Neela did not think he was trying to punish her. Even with those grim thoughts, he still felt aroused. He turned the shower to cold. No quicker way to cool his ardour, he thought grimly.

Then he started to imagine how it would be if they were to conduct a long-distance relationship. He imagined the initial excitement followed by missed phone-calls, snatched weekends and misunderstandings and he knew that within weeks they would be fighting. Both of them were too impatient for a long-distance relationship to work. He recalled Neela's frustration when Michael was in Iraq and how it had driven her closer to him. But this time was different. They each had more freedom. He hoped he was right and that the gift of freedom would ultimately draw them closer. This enforced seperation, crazy and all as it was, might just work provided neither felt trapped.

-----------------------------------

He felt sad when he thought of the seperation but they had survived the past eighteen months. They'd survive another three and then discuss their options.

---------------------------------

By twelve-thirty, they were sitting in a quiet café just round the corner from Ikes. They talked quietly and savoured each moment. They hadn't touched since the evening before. It felt strange but each was afraid to breach the gap in case they weakened. They discussed possible locations for their next meeting but nothing was decided. That would be Neela's choice closer to the day.

Time wore on and soon it was time to head to Cook County Hospital. They entered the ambulance bay and headed for the doors for the Emergency Room.

Neela turned to Ray. "I'll head up to surgery. Will you call up before you go?"

"Of course, I won't leave without saying goodbye. I'll be up before your shift starts."

With that she headed toward the lifts while he headed in to catch up with his erstwhile colleagues. He frowned as she walked away. They still hadn't touched, not even accidentally. It was as if each was afraid of shattering this fragile balance.

-------------------------------

Neela was just clipping on her bleeper at the admin desk when she saw him get out of the lift.

He smiled and was just about to speak when her beeper went.

"MedEvac coming in. They need a surgeon in attendance."

"I'll head up with you to wait."

---------------------------

As they stood waiting for the approaching chopper, each recalled the many times they had escaped here in the past, both the good times and the bad. It was their special place. They looked at each other but were still miles apart.

Suddenly he caught her by the elbow and pulled her towards him. The sudden closeness surprised her. He placed his other hand under her chin and kissed her gently. She grabbed his coat lapels and pulled him closer.

In an instant they felt the whoosh of the descending helicopter and they seperated. She did not hear what he said as he backed away. He waved as he reached the door blew a kiss and then he was gone.

----------------------------------

She had no time to react as the chopper was down and she had to get into work mode. It was as she reviewed the newly arrived patient that she realised that this enforced seperation might just work. She missed Ray but she knew they would wait for each other. Furthermore she knew that he was right and now was not the time for them but that if they were patient, there just might be a later.

---------------------------------

Ray was seated in his plane seat awaiting take-off. He took out hisi-Pod and put on his headphones. Then he pressed the shuffle button and waited. When he heard the tune that came on, he started to chuckle quietly. It surely was a sign. He could hardly wait til he got home to e-mail Neela. He knew now what their theme tune was, as Sting and The Police sang.

"If you love somebody set them free."

The End

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well everybody, that's it. Thankyou for reading. And thank-you for the encouragement.

Deep down I don't believe a man would be that cautious but I just did not want everything to end neat and tidy. And I especially did not want Neela to put the brakes on this time. I'm not going to press the complete button just yet as I may have a change of heart.