Chapter 5

That evening, Neela walked into the apartment feeling tired and worn out. It had been an especially grueling Friday; a woman pregnant with fraternal twins came in with premature labor pains following an MVA. Things went from bad to worse when reality set in that they would have to induce labor for early delivery due to the injuries the mother sustained in the accident. With her, Abby, and Pratt all working close to three hours to save their patients, only one survived, the female twin.

Wanting nothing more than to dive under the covers and shut out the rest of world, Neela had just made it to her bedroom when she heard knocking at the front door. Knowing that Ray was at a gig, she turned around and contemplated just ignoring it. Whoever it was would just go away. But the knocking continued, followed by a shout, "Ray dude, you there? I have the keys to your van."

More curious than tired now, Neela walked over and opened the door, only to find a guy close to her height with dirty blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and a tattoo of what looked like a cobra on his upper arm.

"Hi, Ray around?" He asked looking at her smiling. Fighting the urge to shut the door in his face, Neela responded, "No, he's at a gig. I'm his roommate, was there something you needed?"

"Just wanted to drop off the keys to his van. Tell him I'm sorry about the fuck up Monday night. I've fixed it now, shouldn't give him anymore problems." He replied handing the keys over to her.

Neela took the keys and eyed him asking, " And you are?"

"Ted," He responded, winking at her. "Oh, and tell him there's no charge. Bye."

"Will do, Ted," Neela said, rolling her eyes as she shut the door and looked at the keys in her hand.

Monday night? She placed the keys on the coffee table. That was the night of their argument.

Must have been in pretty bad mood when he…. got in, Neela thought, stopping halfway back to her bedroom.

Realizing that she was no longer sleepy, she changed directions and headed to the kitchen to get something to eat.

After grabbing a bowl of Special K, she sat down and began to idly stir her cereal as she thought back to their argument. Ray's anger did seem a bit extreme that night, she mused as she took a bite and chewed.

Still doesn't excuse his rudeness towards Bret, she frowned. After all, Ray had been the one to encourage her to get to know him. It just doesn't add up, especially with the whole "why wasn't the front door locked" bullshit, I mean we all forget to do things once in awhile. She pushed her cereal away and sighed.

Figures. Just when she was getting used to having Ray around. Neela liked his company and took his advice about Bret, because well...because, Ray's a good guy so his friends must be too, right? Surprised by the sudden tight ball forming at the base of her throat, she got up and placed her bowl in the sink.

Just then, she heard the door unlock, and in walked Ray carrying his guitar case.

He closed the door carefully, trying to avoid making too much noise. He turned around and noticed Neela awake and standing in the kitchen. "Hey," he said, not sure what she was doing up.

Taking a deep breath, Neela turned from the sink and looked at him. "Ted dropped by with the keys to the van. They're on the table," she said, gesturing to the living room. "He said it's all fixed and won't be charging you."

"Thanks," he replied, glancing at the table, thinking about whether he should say something to Neela. It's now or never, he thought, as he watched her make her way back to her bedroom.

"Neela, wait."

She stopped, a part of her glad he'd stopped her and another part dreading the conversation that would follow.

She turned and faced him. "Yeah?"

"Want to sit?" He asked gesturing to the couch as he sat down.

After sitting, Neela watched him carefully, trying to figure out how they went from roommates, to friends, to this.

"I wanted to say, I'm sorry for the other night," Ray started nervously, looking at her and then quickly at his hands. "I was having a bad day and took it out on you and Bret, I'm sorry for that."

"Okay," Neela replied, disappointed, feeling that there was some stuff he wasn't telling her. "Is that it?" she asked, glancing at him.

"What do you mean?" Ray looked back at her, wondering what else she wanted to know.

"Fine, Ray, you're sorry. I get it. Your van broke down, you had a bad day, we've all had one of those," she replied, feeling frustrated. "It still doesn't explain your reaction to me and Bret, or the meltdown that followed!"

Feeling cornered, Ray stared back at her angrily, " What do you want me to say, Neela!" Taking a deep breath he continued, "I walked up to the apartment to see it unlocked. I thought someone had broke in, so I went to your bedroom to check on you, only you weren't there. Then I turn around and find you making out with my friend in the living room!"

Surprised, Neela gaped at him, "You were worried about…me?" She realized that what she had said to Ray Monday night about him worrying about his belongings had been pretty hurtful, and knowing what she knew now, she felt like a fool. "I'm sorry about what I said to you that night," she said quietly.

Ray sighed. "It's okay. I was out of line, questioning you and ordering Bret to leave. You were right, what you do is your business," he finished, leaning back against the couch, and closed his eyes.

Neela studied Ray awhile, trying to come to terms with what had happened and how she had reacted to him. You think you know someone and then they surprise you, Neela thought wistfully to herself, shaking her head as she realized that she was beginning to see a different side to him.

She reached over and touched his arm, causing him to open his eyes and look at her in surprise. She's still sitting here? He thought, gazing at her with curious eyes.

"Thanks," She whispered to him. "Thanks for caring, and I'm sorry for snapping at you and assuming the worst."

Ray swallowed, looking into her big brown eyes. Moving closer to her, he decided it was time to be completely honest with her.

"Uh, Neela, there's one more thing I didn't mention to you about Monday night," He said softly, praying for the courage to follow through on this.

"What's that, Ray?" She asked, trying to gauge the intense look that had suddenly appeared in his eyes.

"That," he began, raising his hand to brush her cheek lightly with his knuckles, "I may have been a little jealous of Bret."

"Jealous!" Neela said, looking astonished, struggling to understand why Ray's touch was suddenly making her heart beat faster. "Of me with Bret? I thought you wanted me to-" the feel of Ray's lips against hers promptly interrupted Neela from finishing her sentence.

The kiss began softly at first, both savoring the feeling each other's lips. Neela placed her hands on Ray's face, pulling him closer to her. Encouraged, Ray increased the intensity by pulling her into his arms and gently pressing her against the seat of the couch. Lying back with the feel of Ray's body against her, Neela moaned lightly as she felt him kiss her neck. Running her hands through his hair, she tugged lightly on his head and brought his lips back to hers.

Kissing her, Ray was amazed that it had taken him so long to come to terms with this; he had always been attracted to her. Slowly breaking off the kiss, he pulled back, looking down at her flushed face.

"So what does this mean for you and Bret?"

"Bret, who?" Neela quipped as she pulled Ray closer for another kiss.

The End