Author's Note - I'm sorry that took me forever to update. It's horrible. I just couldn't find the time to get around to it. Anyways, no excuses. Reading over this chapter I don't think there are many chapters left. I was considering adding more to it but I don't know what other kinds of situations to add to it. I've covered ex-girlfriend and who do i love issues. lol. If you guys want me to keep this going send me some ideas and i'll try to work with them. Otherwise i think i'm going to end it in two chapters. I have this conflict resolved and I want my happily ever after. LoL. I already have it planned out and I'm so excited. Anyways, that was a lot of blabbering on my part, sorry, enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review. Thanks :)

Chapter 14

Letting Go

Neela stood next to Pratt in the airport terminal, wringing her hands in nervousness. She looked up at the screen for the hundredth time and for the hundredth time the screen read the same thing, Flight 1837 from Iraq to Chicago had landed.

"He should be out any minute," Pratt said as he watched Neela.

Not sure what would happen if she opened her mouth Neela just nodded. Pratt shook his head and laughed turning back to the gate. A couple minutes passed and passengers started to arrive. Neela's heart pounded as she searched every face looking for Michael's.

After what seemed like an eternity and after almost every person had walked through the doors she finally saw him. He stood tall, dressed in his military uniform, a small bag slung over his shoulder.

Neela's heart seemed to burst with happiness. "MICHAEL!" she shouted. He looked over at them and a big smile swept across his face. Neela took off, running towards him. Michael dropped his bag and opened up his arms. Neela leapt into them and wrapped her arms around him. His arms lifted up, one around her back, the other up at her head.

Pratt walked up behind them and cleared his throat. Neela pulled away and stepped back.

"Hey man, Pratt offered out his hand. Michael took it and both men pulled each other into a hug.

"It's so good to see you," Michael said as they pulled away.

Neela beamed over at him. "It's good to see you too."

Pratt bent over and picked up Michael's bag. "Why don't we get out of here, grab a coffee or something?"

Michael nodded. "Good idea."

The two men began heading for the exit. Neela stood still for a minute. Her thoughts floated back to Ray. Had he found her letter yet? Was he at home waiting for her?

"Are you coming?" Michael laughed over his shoulder snapping Neela from her thoughts.

"Be right there," Neela called. Shaking her head she began following Pratt and Michael.

Ray walked into the apartment and slammed the door. His head pounded as he stumbled across the room. He flopped down on the couch and groaned. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to drink so much. Well, it wasn't that much. Brett had cut him off when he knew Ray would really start getting wasted if he continued drinking. His head was just throbbing from all the stress. Drinking on top of that didn't really help but he couldn't help it. Just the thought that he lost Neela bore into his mind.

'You haven't lost Neela though,' a small voice inside his head spoke. 'She didn't tell you she's left you.'

'But she told you to leave, she told you to leave her alone and now she's probably out somewhere with that Gallant character having a jolly old time not even thinking about you,' another voice argued back.

Ray covered his ears trying to block out the voices. Getting up Ray hobbled into the kitchen and threw open the fridge. The light seemed extra bright and Ray scrounged up his eyes making it difficult to see what he was doing. Reaching into the fridge Ray grabbed the jug of water and pulled it out. He took a large swig right from the jug and then put it on the counter, shutting the fridge door behind him. Then, slowly but surly he made his way to his room collapsing onto his bed. Everything in his mind faded away as he drifted off to sleep.

After a nice dinner at a local pizza place (Pizza was the first thing Michael wanted) Neela sat at a table at a small 24 hour café, coffee mug in hand. Neela's mind was wandering again. It had been almost 4 hours since she had left home. Pratt had just excused himself and headed to the washroom, leaving Neela alone with Gallant.

"So…" her voice trailed off. "How have you been?"

Michael frowned. "It's hard. It's so different out there."

Neela nodded. "I can imagine."

A smiled formed on his face. "Thank you for the letters you send me. They always seem to keep me going."

A strong feeling of guilt welled up inside Neela. She still loved Michael but that love had changed. It was a love of deep friendship. Her heart belonged to Ray.

"Michael," she started. "I need to tell you something. I…" but before she could continue Pratt returned and plopped down into the seat next to her.

"What did I miss?" he grinned. Neela was a bit thrown off. She had to tell Michael now. She couldn't go on being there with him without letting him know about Ray.

"Can you give us a minute?" Michael asked his friend, sensing Neela's news was something she really had to tell him.

Pratt raised an eyebrow curiously. "I get it," he winked at Neela. "I'll go grab another coffee."

"What were you saying?" Michael turned his attention back to Neela as Pratt walked away.

Neela took a deep breath. "Michael, I have missed you everyday since you've been gone. I loved you," Neela paused and looked at him. His face was serious. She continued on. "I thought that I would always love you. You were special. When I met him I thought he was the most annoying person on the planet. He was such a weasel."

"Him?" Michael's face dropped.

Neela sighed. "Ray. He works at County with me. We share an apartment."

Michael seemed really surprised. That was defiantly not what he was expecting.

"I hated him," Neela moved onward.

"But now?" Michael prompted her, knowing what was coming.

"But now I love him. You will always be an important part of my life but my heart belongs to Ray now," Neela willed herself not to cry.

Michael nodded sadly. He understood. He had come back in the hopes of being with Neela but he knew he had to let her go. "Does he know how you feel?"

"Sort of," Neela nodded. "We sort of got in a fight before I came to meet you. I yelled at him and he left."

Michael looked like he was struggling with a tough decision. "Go find him then."

"What?" Neela questioned in surprise.

"Go and find him and tell him how you feel," he responded more strongly.

"But…I came here to see you," Neela's heart beat fast. "I can't…"

"We'll see each other again. I'm not going anywhere for a while," Michael smiled.

Neela pushed her chair back and jumped to her feet. "Thank you," Neela bent forward and placed a kiss on his cheek. "We'll see each other later, promise," she called as she darted out of the small café.

Gallant smiled sadly as he watched her go. Pratt arrived back at the table ad looked around. "Where did she go?" he asked.

Gallant didn't say anything. "How've you been man?" he asked, picking up his cup and taking a sip.

Neela raced down the street searching for a taxi. Finally once pulled up and stopped. Neela jumped into it and quickly told the driver her address. He took off at top speed down the road.

Neela stared out the window at the many things flying by. Her heart raced in anticipation. It seemed like forever before they pulled up in front of her apartment. Paying the taxi driver Neela hopped out of the car and ran down the sidewalk. She almost fell and she slipped on the ice. "Stupid landlord, salt the damn sidewalk," she muttered to herself as she pulled open the door.

Ray opened his eyes groggily. Sitting up his head seemed to clear. The apartment lay silent, Neela wasn't home yet. Shaking his head Ray climbed out of bed and entered the hall. The lights were off and it seemed really dark. Ray reached out and tried to find the light switch. He wasn't having much luck. He hit his foot hard on something and swore under his breath. Getting tired of searching Ray made his way into the main hall and easily found the light there. As he turned it on he felt a crunch under his foot. Looking down he spotted a piece of now crumpled paper.

Bending down he picked it up. A huge smile appeared on his face as he read it.