Author's Note - OMG! Did you all see ER last night? That was such a good one. I couldn't believe Neela and Bret though. I didn't like that part :(I mean,no,Neela belongs with Ray and if not him than Gallant although i know that won't happen.i like Gallant and i'm really gald he's coming backto Chicago for the next epsiode but i really do wantNeela and Ray togettogether. I was so worried with Bret, oh my. Anyways. last night's show inspired meeven more to get Ray and Neela together so here's my chapter. I tried to makeit longer than usual. Hope it's long enough.:)

Chapter 9

Something Special

Neela swayed back on forth on the swing, her feet grazing the sand. The wind blew forcefully through her hair and she shivered. She really was stupid for forgetting her coat like that.

Neela closed her eyes and thought back to the apartment. Maybe she had overreacted. She hadn't even waited to hear what Ray had to say. She let her emotions and fear of rejection get the best of her. As she continued to toss thoughts around in her head she heard the crunch of sand under somebody's feet. The park had been deserted when she arrived; it was too cold to be at the park. The crunching sound became louder and Neela realized the person was coming in her direction.

She sat rigid and she sensed the person looming behind her. Before she could turn around and see who it was the person draped a coat over her shoulders. It was her coat. Ray came into view and took a seat beside her on one of the swings. Neela opened her mouth to say something but Ray held up his hand.

"Let me say what I got to say," his face looked strained and sad. Neela instantly shut her mouth. "What you heard in the kitchen back there, it wasn't what it seemed."

"What was it then?" Neela blurted. Ray shot her a look. "Sorry," Neela let her head drop.

Ray continued. "As you know Miranda and I had a thing going. Had being the key word," Ray dropped his head as he began to speak again. "I thought that maybe I loved her. I was trying to figure it out. I thought she cared about me. Unfortunately just after Christmas she left me. I know I said it was a mutual breakup and all that. I just didn't want anyone to know the truth. She left me and ran off with some artist or painter or whatever. Just now in the kitchen," Ray took a second to pause. "She tried to kiss me. I told her no. I told her that we were over and that she had made that choice. I told her," Ray looked up to see Neela watching him intently. "I told her that I liked you now."

"What?" Neela whispered.

"After Miranda left me I decided to take a break from girls. It's kinda hard to have faith in people after you've been let down. I don't know though. When we were together the other night it just felt right. I felt like this was what it was supposed to be like."

Ray stood up and offered his hand for Neela to take. He silently prayed that she would take it. He watched her close her eyes and take a deep breath. Her lower lip trembled a bit and then she allowed her eyes to open again. She took Ray's hand and he helped her up off the swing.

"We have something special and I don't want to let go of it. I'm not using you. In fact I think I'm rather falling for you," Ray leaned forward and whispered in Neela's ear.

Neela's face heated up but she smiled shyly. "I think I'm falling for you too Ray Barnett."

Ray pulled away and sought to find her lips. When he did he kissed her with passion. They pulled away and Ray rested his forehead against Neela's. "You drive me crazy."

Neela face flushed a bright red. "I never thought you to be one of such intimacy Ray," she giggled. His eyes deep brown eyes sparkled and Neela found herself getting lost in them.

"Well, usually I'm not," he smirked his little smirk, his eyebrow raised. They both laughed and then started kissing again.

Neela forgot all about being in the park and smiled against Ray's lips. When they pulled apart for a breath of air they were both startled to see a little boy by the swings. He was sitting on his knees in the sand, his elbows propped up against the seat of the swing. His head was tilted to the side and he gave them both questioning looks.

"Um…" Neela had been caught off guard and she wasn't really sure what to do.

"Hey little man," Ray wouldn't let Neela pull away from him. "What are you doing?"

The boy must have been about 5. He was quiet for a minute and then he spoke. He directed his question to Neela. "Is that your boyfwend?"

Neela turned her gaze to Ray who grinned, his eyebrows raised in question as well. "I think you've got to answer his question."

Neela was stuck. What was she supposed to say? "Nah," she grinned as she caught Ray's expression out of the corner of her eye. "He's not really my type."

"EW," the boy laughed. "You were kissing him," and just as quick as he appeared he was running off towards a large group of children that seemed to have appeared in the park, laughing hysterically.

Ray finally let Neela go and she began walking away. Baffled Ray ran to catch up. "About what he just asked over there, um, were you serious? About me and being your boyfriend?"

Neela thought for a moment. "Well, you never really asked me to be your girlfriend."

Ray smirked. She was good. "Do you need me to ask?"

Neela stopped walking abruptly. She just stood there watching Ray stop a little ahead of her. Sighing Ray walked over and stood right in front of her. "Neela," he chuckled at how old school this was. "Would you do me the honour of going steady?"

Neela had to laugh at this. Ray Barnett was asking her to go steady. The crazy thing was she was going to say yes. Off all things happening in her life Neela never pictured this as being something that would. She reached up on her tiptoes and placed a small kiss on his lips. As she pulled away he took her hand in his.

They began walking towards the apartment and Ray couldn't seem to contain his smile.