Wow, this is amazing…seriously…I've never updated one fic so continuously, this makes me happy.

No school again today because of the tropical storm/hurricane, basically lots of wind and rain and the occasional power flicker.

Disclaimer: Do not own ER or the characters or anything…

"Hey, you look better," Abby observed as Neela walked in, picking up a chart.

"Thanks," Neela answered, unsure of what else to say on the subject. Her time off was up and returning to the ER was more awkward than she had imagined, in fact she hadn't even considered that things might be different. Everyone seemed to be wary of her as if any moment she was going to suddenly have a nervous breakdown. Thankfully Abby didn't seem to share these feelings.

"Well, have to go take care of this patient," gesturing to the clipboard in her hand, Abby began walking away but called over her shoulder, "We're going out to eat after our shift's are over…I want to know what you've done to Ray," grinning she left, leaving Neela to puzzle over what she had said.

Stitching up her last patient she was a bit reluctant to find that her shift was over. Part of it was because she had actually missed working but she had to admit that she didn't want to talk to Abby. Hoping that maybe Abby had forgotten she quickly grabbed her stuff and headed for the door, she made it halfway out before she heard her friend's aggravated voice.

"Neela, if you don't wait for me…" breathing harder than normal Abby reached her side, "You can't get out of it that easy."

They decided to stop for coffee rather than food, caffeine was something they both desperately needed at the moment. Seating themselves in a booth Abby decided to start the conversation as Neela currently looked like she was a devising a plot for escape. "How are you?"

"Fine," Neela wondered how much Ray had told her of exactly what had gone on. "I took care of some…loose ends…concerning Michael…"

Abby nodded sympathetically but didn't go into it, knowing that in time Neela would probably tell her, but now wasn't it. "And you're feeling okay now?"

"Yeah, thanks to Ray," once more she didn't elaborate. True to his word, Ray had helped her with getting back to a normal eating habit. Things still weren't precisely the same, she still couldn't manage to eat as much as she should…and she still hated the thought of gaining the weight back…but she knew that it would all improve.

"Speaking of Ray, what exactly is going on with you guys?"

"What do you mean?" She asked, fearing that maybe Abby had learned that she was secretly in love with her roommate.

Rolling her eyes Abby spoke in a high pitched voice, obviously a bad imitation of Ray, "'Has Neela mentioned anyone to you? Do you know if Neela's been seeing someone? Why do you think Neela wanted to move back in with me?' It's beginning to get on my nerves."

This was certainly news to her; she hadn't actually thought that Ray would be that concerned with it. "Erm…really?"

"Yes really, so what's the deal?" Abby pried, leaning forward slightly.

"Nothing, I mean...I don't know," desperate to look anywhere but at Abby lest she give away her true feelings she started to idly stir her coffee, staring at it as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

"For some reason I don't buy it. The guy's obviously obsessed with you, and for some reason he's under the impression you're in love with someone else…are you?"

"In love with someone else?"

Abby nodded, she knew that extracting information from Neela could be difficult, but this was bordering on ridiculous. Weighing her options Neela finally answered, "No," then continued to perfect her coffee stirring abilities.

"Are you in love with Ray?" Saying it quickly Abby hoped to trick Neela into a fast response, no such luck.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes and I want a serious answer," Abby waited patiently as Neela seemed to try to find ways to avoid telling the truth. "Never mind, I know that's a definite yes."

"Is not!" Protesting Neela spluttered, "That's completely and utterly wrong, why would I be in love with Ray? He's my roommate for God's sake!"

Slowly a smile formed on Abby's face, a very sly smile, "Uh huh, thought so. You're in love with the guy. I knew it was bound to happen."

Confused Neela looked taken aback, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, I don't know…but what's his deal with the 'other man'"

Giving up on lying she still had no idea how to go about explaining it. Then she would have to explain about Michael. "He uh…he read something and I was referring to him but he didn't know that…" there, that was sufficient.

"Ah, that explains it…so you do love Ray?" she sounded eager.

"Yes Abby, I do, happy now?" Not able to meet her friend's eye she couldn't help but glance up and laugh at the uncharacteristic grin spreading itself across the older doctor's features.

"Thought so…and Kovac happened to mention something about it…" innocently Abby stared at the ceiling, trying not to laugh at Neela's appalled look.

"WHAT!"

"Not so loud Neela, he was just under that impression from the way you two were acting when you were in the hospital."

Giving a frustrated sigh, Neela threw up her hands, "You guys are all out to get me."

"Possibly," Abby glanced down at her watch, "Oops, sorry to cut this short but I have to run," taking out her wallet Abby laid her money on the table. "Here's some advice, tell Ray before he goes ballistic on your imaginary 'lover'"

Easier said than done, Neela thought about Abby's advice as she opened the door to the apartment. Ray was no where in sight and she headed for her room but forced herself to turn until she was in front of Ray's door. The sooner she got it over the easier, right? No, definitely not, she started for her room again but stopped herself, how long would this go on? She had to do it, placing her hand on his door knob she was about to open it when she suddenly decided against it. This could most definitely wait.

Turning for the sanctuary of her own room she stepped into a very warm object. A very warm object with an amused expression it's face. An object that turned out to be a highly amused Ray, "Couldn't make up your mind?"

"Erm, excuse me," she tried to make her way around him but he put his arm out, frowning slightly.

"Where were you?"

"I was out…" Uh oh, he didn't look to happy.

"I noticed, out with some guy?" he tried to sound neutral but she caught the underlying anger. No. Way. He was actually jealous.

"First off, I don't need to tell you anything seeing as how I'm an adult and I don't need you to act like some protective older brother. Secondly…secondly…" trailing off she tried to think of something bitingly sarcastic but fell short. Maybe now was the time to just tell him.

He removed his arm, "All right then," he stalked away heading for the door, "See you."

"Ray, where are you going?" she followed him, concerned by his sudden change in mood.

"I don't have to tell you that, do I," grabbing his keys he reached for his jacket but she caught the other sleeve. "Let go," he tugged on it but she placed a hand on her hip.

Honestly, she knew that maybe she was a bit out of line saying something like that when it was clear he was only concerned about her…and jealous, but still…he didn't have to be so touchy, normally he was wasn't nearly so serious. "Ray Barnett, if you leave I swear that when you come back that guitar will be out the window," it was an empty threat but it did its job.

"If you touch that guitar, I'll…I'll…"

"Ray, will you just listen to me," she grabbed his jacket from him and balled it up in her hands.

He seemed to think about it then finally nodded. "Go for it."

Taking a deep breath she tried to get her thoughts together…unfortunately it didn't work and she ended up blurting out, "it was you.'

"What was me?" he asked apprehensively, trying to think if he'd done anything wrong the past few days…nothing came to mind except for accidentally breaking the remote when he had thrown it to Bret in a mock football pass while she had been out…but that couldn't be it.

"In the letter…when I told Michael I…I loved someone else…" she prayed that she wasn't making a mistake and had misread Ray somehow...the look he had wasn't helping any.

"What?" he stood with an idiotic expression on his face. "Wait…what?"

He could be absolutely thick at times… "I…I love you Ray…" she managed to stammer; instead of looking away she forced herself to look directly at him. "That's why…that's why I wrote to Michael…I couldn't live in the same apartment with you anymore without feeling unfaithful to one of you…it didn't matter if you liked me or not…but…I knew that I loved you and it wasn't right…it wasn't fair to Michael."

Ray stared at the girl in front of him without saying anything, he took in her dark eyes which were full of determination and yet at the same time fear. He took in her long hair which framed her delicate face. He took in her dark skin and the way it contrasted with his own as he reached out to her. And he couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe the words she was telling him…he couldn't believe that what he had always hoped for but had thought would never happen was happening. He wasn't sure he could let himself believe, he pulled away before he connected with her and shook his head.

Neela felt the blood drain from her face, she had been wrong…everyone had been wrong. How could she have been so convinced that he returned her feelings? Had his jealously come from protectiveness of a friend? Close roommates? Was that it? Blood pounded in her ears, she had never felt so…embarrassed…and wrong…and betrayed…had she written that letter unnecessarily?

Seeing her sudden distress Ray reached out for her again but she pulled away, a stricken look on her face. "Neela," he began gently.

"S-sorry," she started backing away but he grabbed her shoulders.

"Don't be…it's just …I never thought…" he realized he couldn't get anything coherent out and instead of answering her with words, he answered her with a kiss.

They broke apart and Neela looked up at him shyly, then rested her head against his chest. Her fears it seemed, were unfounded. He wrapped his arms around her and held her, but this time it was different…this time there wasn't the reserve he normally used when he hugged her, the reserve he used because he didn't want to jeopardize their friendship. "I love you…" he whispered. It was something that he had said to other girls before…but something that had never actually seemed to matter, something he had used without thought. Now it was different. It was something that he had longed to tell her but never thought he would. He knew too that she wasn't using it lightly, that those were words that she would never tell a man unless she absolutely meant it…and that's what made it all the more special.

"Still going somewhere Ray?" she asked at last.

He buried his face in her hair, "Nope."

"Whoa."

"What?" Sam and Pratt both asked simultaneously, Sam turning to look at Abby while Pratt kept his eyes on a chart he was holding.

"No way," the surprise in Sam's voice caused Pratt to finally look up…just in time to witness Neela and Ray hurriedly drop hands.

Both pretended not to know what everyone was staring at. "Anything interesting?" Ray asked.

"Barnett you're with me," he glanced at Neela, "Take this," he handed her the chart he was holding and then he turned to the others, "I know all of you have something you need to be doing."

"So?" Pratt asked while simultaneously hooking up an IV.

"Patient's stable," Ray replied needlessly.

"That wasn't what I meant."

"What did you mean?" Ray asked, feigning innocence.

"You and Neela?"

"No idea what you're talking about."

"And?"

"And what?"

"I take it you took my advice?" Abby prodded.

"Advice on what?" Neela asked tilting her head slightly.

"You know," she motioned as if trying to signal something.

"Don't think I do..."

The day at the ER had been interesting to say the least; it appeared that news traveled rather quickly. Glad to be out Ray pulled his guitar strap over his shoulder, stopping when he noticed Bret staring at him.

"What?" he asked.

"You and Doctor Rasgotra?" Bret asked at last, a grin forming on his face.

"Yeah."

"Lucky bastard, what do you have that I don't?"

"An IQ?" Ray flinched before Bret's fist connected with his arm.

"Seriously though, you got lucky."

"I know I did..."

I think I'm actually satisfied with that chapter…yay! What did you guys think of it? Let me know, press the little button I say! Which button you may ask? The review button…dun dun dunnn…

Ahem, anyways, this is the second to last chapter…maybe…I dunno…depends on exactly how next chapter goes but as of now this is the second to last chapter :-)