Title: More than enough (3 of 10)
Author: diyani
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: I don't own Ray, Neela or ER in general. They belong to NBC and all the other people who have something thing to do with this show. Song belongs to Anna Nalick
Story Summary: Sometimes you have to step back and review your life. So Neela decides it's time for her to do so. But she doesn't know how she's affecting the one person who needs her more than anything.
Chapter Summary: Ray gets himself beat up, and Neela tries to protect her heart when Ray tries to get her to come back in another failed attempt.

Chapter 3

Maybe I'm not up for
Being a victim of love
All my resistance will
Never be distance enough

-Wreck of the Day, Anna Nalick

Neela had seen many things in her lifetime. From people swallowing spoons to children with 3rd degree burns to transvestites who had been attacked on street corners. But that didn't stop her from staring at the sight in front of her in horror.

"Ray!" She exclaimed, running up to him.

"Hey Neela." Ray made an attempt to smile but grimaced instead.

"What happened to you?" She nearly screamed.

Ray's face looked like someone had let a cat loose on it. It was cut and bruised and covered in blood. It took Neela all of her willpower not to try and kiss all of his pain away.

"I had a little…argument." He muttered, refusing to look her in the eye.

"With who?" She touched his face and he let out a soft hiss. "Sorry."

"It's okay. The guy is worse off, and maybe you should take a look at Bret's leg." He motioned behind him. Bret was standing behind him, his leg bleeding. Neela blushed, ashamed that she hadn't even noticed him. Bret gave a small wave and cocked his eyebrows knowingly.

"Alright. I'll just…uhm…" She stammered, "…get someone to help. Uh…Abby! Abby!"

Abby's irritated voice came from the family room: "What?" She yanked open the the door and looked at Neela with raised eyebrows. Her irritation turned to shock when she saw Ray.

"What did you do now?" She asked.

"Thanks for your concern." Ray muttered.

"Could you go help Bret, please?" Neela asked, seeing Ray scowling face. "I'll take care of Ray."

Abby raised her eyebrows in a suggestive manner, but didn't say anything. Instead she just nodded and guided Bret towards an examroom.

"Alright," Neela said, "I'll set you up and go check on my other patient quickly, okay?"

Ray nodded, "Slow night?"

"And you just had to ruin it for me." Neela started walking towards Exam 2 and gestured Ray to sit down. "I'll be right back."

------------------------

Neela made a point to hurry with her other patient, a woman who'd cut her arm on a hook. As soon as she was finished she started walked towards where she'd left Ray. Suddenly she bumped into someone.

"Oh, I'm so-" She started to apologise. Then she saw who it was. Melissa.

"Hi…Nina?" Melissa didn't even try to smile.

"Neela, actually." Neela said through gritted teeth. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, actually." She flipped her hair dramatically. "I'm looking for Ray. I have to apologise for my ex. He gets a little jealous sometimes. Is Ray alright? Can I see him?"

"No."

"No? As in 'no, he's not alright'?"

"No. As in 'no, you can't see him'."

"Why not?" Melissa took a pose as if she was getting ready to slap someone.

"Because he said he doesn't want to see anyone. You can call him later." Neela was surprised by how easily the lie rolled off of her tongue. She brushed past the blonde and ran out of sight.

Upon entering Exam 2 Neela's anger only increased.

"Let's just do this, shall we?" She said briskly. She immediately turned to get the supplies.

"Uh, yeah." Ray mumbled, unsure of what had changed her behavior from concerned to uncaring.

After a short time of uncomfortable silence Neela finished.

"There. You can go." She said.

"What's wrong?" Ray asked.

"What happened?" Neela countered.

"I asked first." This only got him a look from Neela. He coughed. "Some guy thought I was hitting on his girl and, uhm, went a bit crazy."

"Oh." Neela said. "I told you that would get you in trouble some day."

"No, you didn't." Ray smirked.

Neela smiled. "I should have."

Ray laughed. "Yeah. Talking about things you should do…when are you moving back in?"

"Very subtle." Neela said, her smile faltering. Why did he have to ruin the moment with that? Why? "I'm not, Ray."

"Neela, please." Ray felt like getting on his knees and begging. "I miss you. The place is a complete mess. And I thought we were doing okay this week."

"One week of me not running into skanky girls every night, because I don't live with you anymore, does not remove all memories of them that I already have. It doesn't work that way, Ray. I can't just walk back into the apartment and make everything magically the same. There are too many unresolved issues between us. You and me…we don't work on the long term. We fight. And we don't listen to each other. It doesn't work that way." You're not breaking my heart. I won't let you.

"People change, Neela." Ray tried to reason. Please.

"No, they don't." She sighed. "Can we talk about this another time? Please?" She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Fine." He looked away. "But don't think I won't try to get you back home."

"I won't. Thanks, Ray. Now lets get out of here. We're hogging the room."

"Because there are so many people here." Ray said sarcastically, as he headed out the room.

Neela smirked and started walking towards the family room.

"Hey Neela." He called after her. "Are we friends again?" She turned around and gave him a weak smile.

"Were we ever?" She asked, "I mean really?"

Ray wasn't sure what to respond to this, so instead he flashed his best smile and shrugged. "Always liked to think we were somewhat…friendly."

Damn him. Damn his charm. Damn my weakness. Neela took a couple of steps forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Unsure of what to do Ray did the same, amazed by how good it felt to have her pressed against him. He nearly let out a disappointed moan when she pulled away from him.

"We're friends." She said, grinning. "Now go home and get some rest." He pouted.

"Will you bring me soup? Good friends bring their friends soup when they're sick…" Neela rolled her eyes.

"One: You're not sick, you got beat up. Two: Fine, but don't complain if you don't like what I bring."

"Moi? Complain? Never. I'll be waiting for my soup. Later." He stroked her cheek with his thumb and pressed his lips against her forehead and swiftly ran out of the ER.

Neela was left standing there, mouth wide open. Her heart was racing and the only thing she could think about was his lips…his soft lips…his soft lips on her skin…Oh God...

She heard a giggle next to her. Abby was trying desperately to not break out into laughter, but she was failing miserably.

"It's love…" She sing-songed.

Neela groaned. "Shut up."

"Awwwww!" Jerry said as he passed by, grinning widely.

Neela buried her head in her hands, wanting desperately for her shift to be over, so she could go to Abby's place – home, she corrected herself, it's home now – and take a shower, a cold one…maybe two.

Sighing Neela lifted her head and went on her way to her next patient. This was going to be a long night.

Reviews are very much appreciated.