Chapter 11

Janitor's Closet

"Alright, we're just going to run some tests and make sure everything is alright," Neela jotted something down on her clipboard.

"So I'm alright?" an elderly man looked up at her from his hospital bed.

"From what I can see you're fine but we just want to run the tests to be sure," Neela gave the man a weak smile.

The man nodded his head and rested back against his pillow. Neela exited the room feeling very accomplished. She hadn't frightened her patient. In fact he didn't seemed bothered at all with what Neela had to say and to her surprise Neela was able to say everything without sounding scary even to herself.

As Neela walked down the hall to the front desk Abby fell into step beside her. "Hey," she smiled.

"Hey," Neela looked over at her friend. It had been awhile since she had seen Abby. They had been working separate shifts for the past week. They weren't really on the same shift now since Abby's shift was about up but Neela at least got to see her on this one.

"How've you been?" Abby asked as they reached the front desk and she began writing up one of her reports.

"Pretty good actually," Neela placed her clipboard down and grabbed the other one she had been working on earlier. At that moment Ray walked by. He smiled at Neela and she grinned widely. Ray disappeared and she caught Abby looking at her out of the corner of her eye. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just that I thought you and Ray were trying for separate shifts," Abby watched Neela, a sot of twinkle in her eyes as if she already knew.

"Well, we were but…" Neela wasn't really sure what to say. She didn't think this matter would come up to quickly. She had only been working 3 hours.

"I get it," Abby smirked. She nudged Neela a bit. "Been spending some quality time with the roommate?"

Neela blushed. "I haven't been sleeping with him if that's what you're implying."

"Of course I wasn't," Abby signed off on the sheet. "You aren't sleeping with him are you?" Abby put her clipboard away and turned to Neela.

"If I tell you something you've got to swear you won't tell anyone. We didn't want to tell anyone," Neela grabbed Abby's hand and pulled her over.

Abby raised an eyebrow questioningly. "You are sleeping with him?"

"No. Well, Ray and I, well, we're, how should I say this? We're a couple," Neela closed her eyes waiting for the shouts of shock. They never came. When she opened her eyes she had to laugh. Abby stared at her, mouth hanging open.

"You and Ray?" she asked. "Well I never thought that would happen. But then again, maybe it was bound to happen," Abby looked up into space.

"What do you mean?" Neela asked a bit confused.

"Well you are roommates and who am I to say Ray isn't good looking?" Abby chuckled a bit. "I am a bit confused though. I thought you hated Ray?"

Well…I didn't hate him. He just bugged me I guess. I don't know. It's a long story but he's just, he's special you know?" Neela shrugged.

"Abby," Jake called from the exit. "Are you ready to go?"

"Speaking of special," Abby laughed. "I better get going. Call me sometime or something. I barely see you anymore. "

Neela nodded. "For sure. And Abby…"

"I know," Abby pretended to zip her lips shut. "Not a word." With that she took off into the locker room to grab her stuff and Neela focused her attention back to her clipboard.

4 hours later Neela stood yet again at the front desk filling out another report. In fact she had a whole pile waiting to be filled out. She had just gone non stop without a break when a bus load of kids came in after their bus had gotten into a serious accident. Neela had finally finished her tending to her last patient and now had the tedious job of filling out all the forms. Lewis had sent her to take a break but Neela knew if she didn't finish the forms in front of her she wouldn't be leaving on time today and she really wanted to get home.

As she continued to write a pair of strong hands covered her eyes, plunging her into darkness. "Ray, what are you doing?" Neela reached up and grabbed the hands, pulling them away from her eyes. She didn't turn around but continued writing. Ray's head plopped down onto her shoulder.

"Aren't you on break?" he asked slipping his arms around her waist.

"Yes," Neela tried slipping out of his hold. "And I thought we said things at work were going to stay professional."

"Correction, you said things at work should stay professional. I had no say in that. Anyways," Ray maintained his hold on her. "What are you doing? Let's go. You need a break."

"Ray, stop, I've really got to finish these," Neela pointed to the stack she still had to get through.

"Nope," Ray shook his head. "I'm taking you on a break. Otherwise I'll just start kissing you right here in front of everyone. Look, there's Pratt. I'm sure he won't mind me kissing you at the front desk in front off all the patients. Maybe I should ask," Ray raised his head from her shoulder and was about to yell when Neela managed to whip around and cover his mouth.

"Fine, I'll come with you," Neela removed her hand from Ray's mouth to reveal his devilish smile. Neela stopped her writing, threw down her pen and sighed. As much as she hated to let Ray win she really wasn't in the mood to have Ray start something with the whole ER staff and all the patients.

Ray took Neela by the hand and started to lead her through a maze of corridors. He smiled as he heard her yell from behind him. "Just to let you know, this is about the only time ever I'm letting you do this."

He loved it when she got angry. Her temper was one of the things that made her so attractive. "I am only trying to help you. You can't always work so much. Sometimes people need to take a break."

"Where are we going anyways?" Neela sighed and Ray knew he had really won this one. Whether she was letting him or not it was something that didn't happen too often and he was enjoying every minute of it. "We're not going to the supply cupboard are we?" Neela gasped in horror. "Ray, Weaver could see us in there. Anyone can see us in there."

Instead of turning into the cupboard Ray turned in the opposite direction leading them to a tiny hall Neela had never noticed before. She followed Ray without a word seeing as he wasn't answering her before. Finally he came to a stop in front of an old wooden door. The word Janitor was spelled out with rusty, metal letters nailed onto the door.

"You can't be serious," Neela exclaimed exasperated.

"It was the only place I figured people wouldn't find us. I personally was rooting for the supply cupboard, there's more room," Ray smiled suggestively, "but you're right. Weaver probably would walk in on us, and if not her some other doctor."

Neela's heart pumped nervously as Ray, still holding her hand, used his other hand to open the door. Ray pulled her in and shut the door. It was dark, dusty and cramped.

"Ray this isn't really romantic," Neela whispered, scared if she spoke loudly someone might hear her.

Ray pulled her close to him and placed his face only inches from hers. He reached a hand up and tucked a fly away piece of hair behind her ear. "I know," he said as they backed up until Neela's back was up against the wall. "But if it's the only place I can be with you," and that was it. His lips found Neela's and the kissing began.

Unlike most of their other kisses this one was different. Their other kissed were usually passionate and intense. This one started off that way but slowly became more sweet and loving. Neela's hands resided clasped around Ray's neck while Ray had one hand on Neela's hip and one on the small of her back.

Suddenly Neela started laughing causing Ray to pull away from her. "What's wrong?" he asked, confused.

It took Neela a minute to control her laughing. "I never pictured myself to be standing in a janitor's closet with my boyfriend, sneaking around behind my boss's back, making out," Neela gasped for breath.

At this Ray laughed a bit too. "I never pictured you like someone like that either."

Finally Neela stopped and gave Ray a quick kiss. "We better get back. Break is probably almost over."

Ray frowned sadly. He kissed her lightly. "Could I persuade you to stay?"

"Ray," Neela rolled her eyes.

"I'm joking. Don't hit me," Ray held his arms up in defense.

"I'm not going to hit you," Neela opened the closet door and stuck her head out. "It's all clear. Let's go."

Neela exited into the hallway and Ray slipped out after her. "You know," Ray said shutting the door and taking Neela's hand into his own. "I actually like that closet."

Neela nodded. "Surprisingly, me too."

"So, on our next break…" Ray started. All Neela had to do was look at Ray and he shut up. "I'll take that as a maybe," he grinned.

The pair reentered the crowded corridor as Lewis ran by them. She stopped when she noticed who they were. "Hey, back from break? Good," she replied without waiting for a response. "We could use one of you in trauma 1," she looked to the direction of the room. She started going again but then stopped. She looked down at Ray and Neela's entwined hands with a surprised look on her face. Shaking her head she started running. "Get a move on."

Neela then realized what Lewis was looking at and glanced over at Ray. He seemed to find the whole thing amusing.

"Well one of us better go," Neela let go of Ray's hand.

She started in the direction after Lewis but Ray held his arm up to stop her. "You," he pointed towards the way of the front desk, "are going to finish you reports. I'll go."

"But..." Neela started.

"No, go," Ray demanded. He didn't want Neela to be pissed at him because they got caught holding hands. Besides, he knew he was the one who had pulled her away from her work and it was only fair he went. Neela nodded in defeat and started walking down the hall. "Hey," Ray called after her. "Meet you later?"

She smiled happily. "Count on it." Ray was so good to her.