Title: Finally Found (1?)

Author: Emony
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: The names of characters contained herein are the property of the copyright holder of "ER." No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and said characters are used here without permission.

Spoilers: Season 11 including finale.
A/N: Thanks so much to Ash for the beta (best beta I've ever had!)

Summary: It's been one of those days and Neela's feeling the urge to let her hair down.

She had finally found what she was looking for. It was the sort of place you only found when absolutely plastered; the sort of place that if you went looking for it when sober, it would take hours, if ever you ever got there. It was the sort of place she hadn't been in since the summer she spent back in England, visiting friends.

It had been another one of those days: Susan was doing her headless chicken impersonation, Morris was a prick as usual, Pratt had managed to make her cry - again, and Abby and Jake? Too cute to even contemplate approaching without a sick bag.

She'd gotten home in a mood that could only be cured by one thing, not that she was entirely sure what that one thing was. She had headed straight to her room, to the outfits at the back of her wardrobe, those her colleagues would never expect her to own, let alone wear.

Half an hour in the bathroom and she was ready to go, to party so late that she'd return long after Ray had gotten back from his gig.

See how he likes it.

There was a group of barely legal boys outside, trying to persuade the bouncers to let them in. The bouncers were having none of it, saying the place was full. Of course the moment they saw Neela, one of them stepped through the group to allow her access. The cover charge was only a few dollars; definitely what she was looking for.

She was bombarded with noise as she entered, loud music coming from speakers all over. The room she was in was almost like some of the pubs back home; a few tables dotted about, her feet sticking to the floor as she walked to the bar.

She ordered a beer; while she waited, she looked over the room. Not too many people about. Stairs led up to cloakrooms and toilets, and down to a cellar of some sort; the strains of music drifting upwards, clashing with the track currently playing.

"Don't stop me now ('Cause I'm having a good time)
Don't stop me now (Yes I'm having a good time)
I don't want to stop at all"

She took her drink and headed down the stone stairs. The basement held a very different atmosphere; stone walls, concrete floor, low ceiling and pillars. Condensation dripped from pipes overhead, a mark of the heat of the throng.

Lights flashed across the crowd, people screamed along to the music in between drinks. Leaving her now finished pint at the basement bar, Neela joined the fray.

"Got me looking, so crazy, my baby

I'm not myself, lately I'm foolish, I don't do this"

She'd found it - what she'd been looking for - and she let herself go. She wasn't sure how much time passed as she danced - several songs, several dance partners. The music stopped. A sense of anticipation rose in the air as the DJ in the corner, who had been silent so far, announced something into a microphone. Neela couldn't make out the words, but the crowd roared.

The lights changed, she finally noticed a stage in the far corner. Live music, then. She hoped it would be something she could still dance to. The music began.

"The day I first met you Well I thought it quite funny"

A different beat; her style would have to change, but it could still be done. Neela let the music wash over her and once again she had no shortage of dance partners. The sound seemed almost familiar, yet she couldn't place it. It was as if something she heard every day was there, but more. It was rock, punk, punk rock - something like that.

Neela's movements had brought her closer to the stage, and - still lost in the music - she continued to dance. At one point there was a very obvious mistake on the part of the guitarist, so small that the crowd let it slip; but still noticeable to Neela as she danced harder, more… provocatively with her current dance partner. He looked several years younger and very disreputable, the sort of man any other day she would steer clear of, but not tonight.

The set ended and the music from before returned. Grabbing another drink, Neela danced on, leaving only when the 'fine establishment' closed. Unfortunately for her, once the band's set was over, her dance partners - while still plenty in number - no longer seemed as willing to end the night together.

Grumbling, Neela left the club and returned home. Loudly clomping up the steps and spending several minutes persuading key to meet hole. The apartment was dark; the only light a faint one from underneath Ray's door.

Grinning, Neela exaggerated her movements as she made her way first to the bathroom, then the kitchen to down a pint of water in a vain attempt at staving off the hangover, and then to her bedroom, all the while making as much noise as possible. Removing her shoes, she climbed into bed, hoping to sleep long enough to get past that hangover.

Ray's day had been somewhat different, the first of two glorious days away from County. He slept until gone two, barely stirring when Neela left early in the morning. He spent several hours in front of the TV, wearing only his boxers. Scrabbling for his lunch, he realised he'd need to shop if he was going to eat more than a piece of cheese or Neela's cardboard masquerading as cereal.

After a quick trip for groceries, he was back in front of the TV, music blaring from the surround system they'd installed the week before. This time though, he wasn't slouched on the sofa in his boxers. He was back in his boxers - wildly dancing around - singing along in a way he'd never do in front of anyone. Ever.

As the clock edged towards six, Ray eventually got dressed for the night. It was to be his first gig in two weeks; shifts in the ER having gotten in the way of the last two. And had he gotten it from his band mates for that? Oh yeah. "Ray you gotta be here! We can't go on without a lead singer and lead guitar."

It was beginning to look like he'd have to cut down on the music time if he wanted to be a good doc - which he did, really. The night of the porch collapse a month earlier had really hammered that one home.

He and the band were heading for 'the talk', and how like a chick did that sound? But it was true. Whilst his band mates also had jobs in the real world, his took more time and energy, with shifts that regularly clashed with gigs.

The guys arrived at eight; giving them a few hours to laze about, make a few last minute set changes, that sort of thing. They arrived at the latest dive at around eleven; they set up in the dark, flashes from the lights above the dance floor their only guide.

"Adrenaline, you don't even feel the pain

Wilder than your wildest dreams

When you're going to extremes

You taste adrenaline"

They were announced and the crowd went wild. The set began and the adrenaline rushed through him. His heart pounded; this was the thrill of music, this feeling.

Part way through the third track, he saw a flash of a girl in the crowd, her back to him- gorgeous and dressed to kill; one of those short skirts that flared and a backless top, only string holding it together. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders in waves, but he only saw her for a second before the lights changed and she was gone.

'Come on man, concentrate, don't mess up. It's just some girl.'

The next time he saw her she was closer, and her dancing was, well, boy, would he like to dance with her if she'd dance like that with him. The lights held longer and he watched as she turned, her face now in view.

He fluffed the next note, earning glares from the crowd and his band mates.

'Damn it man! Concentrate; that was not her, the lights are just messing with your vision. As if she'd ever be in a place like this or wear those clothes. Although if she did, no you can't go there, not with her, she's your roomie not some groupie.'

"But workin' one more night will only make you better

There ain't much more you can do"

The set finished and Ray heaved a sigh of relief; he hadn't seen the woman again and the rest of the set had been perfect, no missed notes.

His world turned upside down when Bret opened his mouth.

"Wow, Ray! Did you see Dr. Neela out there? I mean...I knew she was hot, but whoa…you never said she'd be here. Dude?"

"Neela? She's here?" the confusion showed on his face; maybe he hadn't imagined things.

"Yeah, I figured you knew, you did fluff that note when the light settled on her."

"I, no. I didn't realise she was here."

How had she known he was playing here? He snorted. How arrogant was he? What was she doing here? A dark look crossed his face when he saw her again, pressed against some looser; he caught his eye and the guy backed off.

She's probably drunk; maybe Abby's about somewhere. He didn't see anyone else from County about. Ray's next half hour was spent helping the guys clear up, dodging groupies, and scaring off any guy that got too close to his girl. And, no, he wasn't looking too closely at his reasoning for that one.

Bret wondered what had gotten into Ray; it couldn't be jealousy, could it? Nah, the guy had practically pushed him on her a few months back. Probably feeling overprotective like a big brother or something. Either that or that Morris jerk was ragging on him at work again.

Unusually for Ray, he offered to drive the gear back to his place and left early; his parting words puzzling. "Leave her alone, but make sure she's safe."

Ray crawled into bed, his thoughts spinning. Leaving a small lamp on, he lay in the dim glow. His thoughts were definitely not ones he wanted to be thinking. This was Neela, why did she have to be there? He wouldn't be thinking like this if she hadn't been.

Everything would be better the next day; all back to normal. She hadn't seen him, she wouldn't know; he would just keep it cool. Roomies, right?

He groaned and rolled over onto his stomach, trying once again to get his brain to be quiet and let him sleep. After several minutes he finally began to drift off, until he heard someone coming up the steps, then a key in the lock. It was Neela; hopefully she'd be quiet and let him go to sleep, she shouted at him often enough if he was noisy this late.

No such luck.

She seemed to be taking great delight in making as much noise as possible. How long does it take to unlock a door? Finally she was in, and oh god, giggling. He lay there as fifteen minutes passed, listening to Neela crash around the apartment. He didn't realise it was possible to drink something that noisily. Was she doing it on purpose? Nah, Neela wouldn't, would she?

Finally silence. Maybe now he could sleep. But listening to her had only brought back those thoughts.

Lyrics from:

Queen – Don't Stop Me Now

Beyonce – Crazy in Love

Jonny Was - So what does it all mean

Gavin Rossdale – Adrenaline

Jonny Was – Motel 6