Author's Note:
Gee, my first fic... (gulps). Let me first say that I don't own ER or any of its wonderful characters.Only the story is mine, and I'm definitely not making any money off it, trust me :)Anyway,while watching "Only Connect" on Thursday, I noticed some wonderful chemistry between Neela and Luka. I think they look cute together. I decided that I just couldn't let go of the obscure notion that maybe someday, Nuka will be the new Carby... Okay, never mind, nothing can replace Carby :) This fic could end here, but if it gets good reviews, I might continue it. Alright, here goes nothing... Please review!
"Bugger," muttered Neela under her breath. "Bugger, bugger, bugger." Abby chuckled.
"What?" she asked, looking up from her book. She found humor in Neela's sudden, unexpected, and quite rapid cursing. Neela turned to face her.
"I am a total bloody moron," she hissed. Abby set down her book.
"Why is that?" she asked, folding her hands in her lap. Neela crossed her arms.
"Stupid Ray, stupid idiot Ray!" Sighing angrily, she stood up and paced around the room. Abby nodded.
"Yeah, Ray is a stupid idiot, but how does that make you a moron?" she asked, curious. Neela spun around quickly.
"Why, you ask? Okay, you watch those dumb little TV shows with the people and all their peculiar little relationships, yeah?" Abby nodded.
"...Yeah," she said slowly.
"Well, see, what happens is this: the guy and the girl move in together, and everybody thinks they're in love, whether they are or they're not, and then, if indeed they are in love, they get married or whatever, and have children, and everybody's like 'oh, how cute,' but it's not cute, it's not, damn it!" She panted heavily after her rant. Abby sat still and silent on the couch, one eyebrow raised.
"...What?" she asked, confused. Neela sat down with a heavy sigh.
"Ray and I are moving in together, and everybody's going to think we're going out or something, but that's not true," she explained.
"Oh," said Abby. "I didn't think that. Didn't even consider it before this moment."
"Yeah, but you know me, Abby, and you know Ray. Other people wouldn't understand; they wouldn't get it. Damn it, I should have thought about it more before agreeing to share a place."
"Does it really matter? I mean, I know Ray is... Well, he's an ass, but people will realize that you're not any less of a person just because you're rooming with him," said Abby, putting her hand on Neela's shoulder.
"That's not the issue," Neela mumbled. "My reputation has nothing to do with it. Believe me, once people see you wearing a foam Statue of Liberty crown behind the counter in the Jumbo Mart, they can't really think much less of you."
"Okay, if your reputation isn't the issue, then what is?" asked Abby. Neela was silent. "Well?"
"I just don't want people to think we're together, alright?" she snapped. Abby flinched slightly. Then, a smile slowly formed on her lips. "What?" asked Neela, her arms crossed defensively.
"I know exactly what this is about," said Abby. Neela stared at her.
"You do?" she asked. Abby nodded and started to laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing at all," said Abby innocently. "You just don't want to move in with Ray because you don't want a certain Croatian doctor to think you're going out with a punk." Neela blushed.
"Where on earth did you get an idea like that?" she asked. Abby smiled.
"You told me," she said.
"No, I didn't," protested Neela.
"Yes, you did."
"I did?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"When we were walking home yesterday. Don't you remember? You asked me if I ever got crushes on people I work with, and then Luka walked over, and your facial expression was practically screaming that you had a crush on him." Neela smiled.
"Leave it to Abby to back me into a corner," she mumbled jokingly. "Okay, maybe I do like Dr. Kovac, but it just wouldn't work out between us."
"Why do you say that?" asked Abby.
"Well," began Neela. "Between him and Sam being together, and him probably thinking Ray and I are together..." Neela paused and shivered at the thought. Abby laughed. "It just doesn't seem possible."
"A guy that got hit by a truck can be saved if he gets the proper care. It's just a matter of whether or not you're willing to give it a try," said Abby. Neela appeared to be deep in thought. Abby smiled. "Think about it," she said, getting up to go to bed. "Good night."
"Good night," said Neela. She continued to sit there on the couch for a while before turning off the light and pulling a blanket over herself. She chuckled quietly. "Dr. Neela Kovac," she whispered to herself, drifting off into another dream.
Please review! Thanks!