Standard disclaimers applied. See Part I for further details.
Author's Note & Synopsis: Thank you to everyone who checked out Part II. Consider this fic to be AU and the next part of the story continues from where we left off from the last chapter.
AshCarroll aka ShadowDiva: lol. CarterDeb and Reela are my favourite couples too. It's nice to be able to have them together in the same fic.
kalanporterfan: Thanks. I hope you enjoy this next chapter one too.
Leven: I know I like Reelas too. Thanks for the review.
Secrets of the Night
AN AFTERNOON OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDINGS
For a moment, none of the four doctors moved. That was until the subway pulled into the next station. They were spared from talking to each other when Ray realized that it was his and Neela's stop. Breaking eye contact, he grabbed his guitar case - which Jing-Mei can previously noticed, and then tugged on Neela's arm to pull her out of her reverie. Without a backwards glance, the two roommates got off the subway before the Chinese doctor could call out a word.
She turned hopelessly back to her husband, "John."
"I know, Deb."
"They think that we are going to say something about them."
"And, it is not our secret to tell, because ..."
"We're going through the same thing, maybe even more because we're married."
Carter was mildly surprised at this new development between Ray and Neela. 'I thought that they were only roommates.' Then, he quickly shelved his comment because no matter how unlikely the pairing seems to be, he certainly wasn't the person to judge. 'After all,' he thought, 'what would people say about Deb and I.'
Jing-Mei had never bonded with Neela. Before she got together with John, she had a thing for Pratt who had a thing for Neela. As a result, she had never given the Indian doctor a chance. After she got it quits with Pratt and married John, she had established only a strictly professional decorum with Neela. Now, she wished that she had been closer to the younger woman. At least, it would make what she wanted to do a lot easier.
"Deb, what are you thinking of?"
"John, I think we should call them or something... maybe to let them know that they are not alone in having a relationship with your roommate."
"Deb ..." he wasn't sure that it was such a good idea, but he stopped when he saw look that she had given him. Instead, he conceded by handing over his cell phone which has most of the staff at County listed as contacts, "I know that this little diner that's a couple of blocks from here. Call them."
-o-o-
Neela and Ray were silently as they made their way back to the apartment. She could sense Ray's anger and frustration through his silence. Neela herself, felt like she was seven years old again, having been caught doing something naughty by her elders. She wondered what Dr. Carter and Dr. Chen would say about her relationship with Ray, though she secretly thought that it was none of anybody's business about the ins and outs of her life. She wasn't ashamed to be seen as Ray's fiancee, but she had hoped that she could savour her secret a little bit longer.
Little did she know that Ray was having similar thoughts. He loved Neela and there was no way, he was going to let a bunch of doctors pushed him around just because they had several more years under their belt. He didn't care whether or not they approved their relationship, because he was pretty damn proud of calling Neela, his girl. The one thing that he was mad about was the fact that Carter and Chen found out the way they did.
As soon as he closed the door to their apartment, he turned and faced the woman before him. "I don't care what anybody says, Neela. You're mine and I'm not letting you go."
She smiled at his forwardness and honesty and replied with equal fervour, "I'm not that easy to get rid, Barnett!"
Any previous signs of exhaustion drained away with one insatiable touch of their lips. She moaned against his, as he circled his arms around her waist.
It took a few moments to realize that the phone was ringing. Neela was slightly dazed because Ray had been busy sucking on her bottom lip. She took a moment to reorient herself before grabbing the cordless and answered, "Hello, Barnett-Rasgotra residence."
-o-o-
Jing-Mei dialled the number for the apartment as John led the way to diner. She almost hang up, until the phone was answered by Neela herself. Jing-Mei sighed, unsure why she was so nervous to begin with. However, she was never one to back down from something that she started. "Um, Neela, this is Dr. Chen."
There was a pause on the other side, until Neela replied, "Hello Dr. Chen, what can I do for you?"
The Indian doctor was half-surprised to hear the Chinese doctor on the line. She raised an eyebrow at Ray who was looking at her from across the room. She heard a sigh before Dr. Chen said, "Neela. Um, John and I were wondering if you and Ray would like to meet us for lunch. There is a small little diner that John knows about and we'll be happy for you guys to join us. How does in half an hour sound?"
"Lunch in half an hour with you and Dr. Carter?" Neela repeated for Ray's benefit, who shrugged nonchalantly. He gave her permission to decide. Neela thought that it was just as good or as bad of a time as any, so she agreed. The two women exchanged further directions before hanging up.
-o-o-
To say that both couples were nervous was really an understatement. Carter amused himself as Deb kept twisting and turning the wedding band on her ring finger. In and out, over and under ... her coffee - milk with two sugars, was left untouched (1). Little did they know, Ray and Neela were having the same problems. Neela was debating whether or not, she should wear Ray's engagement ring on its rightful place or leave it on the necklace around her neck. They finally settled it when Ray said that he was going to wear his on his ring finger.
They found the place easily enough. Ray wrapped his arms protectively around Neela as they made their way into the crowded restaurant. When they arrived, Ray and Neela had no idea what to make of the scene. Carter had his arms around Dr. Chen and he was whispering something in her ear, before kissing her chastely on the cheeks. Instead of overanalysing situation, Ray coughed to let their presence known. The couple broke apart and Jing-Mei gestured the empty booth in front of them. "Sit, thanks for coming."
Neela nodded and slid in first. As Jing-Mei went to grab menus for them, the sunlight caught the sparkling glint on the Chinese woman's left hand. Neela followed the movement of the light, until she found the source when the menu was handed to her. There was no mistake as to the beautifully crafted heart-shaped diamond that was on the ring finger of the older colleague. The two women locked eyes for a moment, challenging the other to say something. Jing-Mei almost nodded unsusceptibly before passing a menu to Ray. Neela took a glance at Dr. Carter's left hand. He too, sported a golden band on his ring finger.
Carter felt that he was under heavy scrutiny, not that he was overly self conscious but he didn't enjoy the feeling of being watched all the time. He couldn't read Barnett's face who kept his face relatively neutral since arriving at the diner. Carter didn't really blame him. Both men came to the silent conclusion that their respective women were much better in taking the lead in the conversation.
It didn't take long after the waitress came to take their orders and refilled both coffees for Carter and Jing-Mei that Neela began, "Dr. Chen."
The older woman cut her off with a shake from her head, "It's Jing-Mei. Besides, I'm officially a Carter now."
It took a moment for the words to sink in, even Ray dropped all his pretense of inspecting the menu to stare. He quickly spotted the wedding rings from the couple before him. Neela was speechless and she was quite aware of the fact that her mouth had dropped open.
Carter saved the awkward moment, by draping his arm around his wife's shoulder and pulling her closer to him. "Let me introduce my wife, Mrs. Jing-Mei Deb Carter III."
His wife started at his introduction. "John, that sounded terrible," she mockingly smacked him on the chest. "Mrs. Carter the third? What kind of intro is that?"
"Hey baby, that's the name that you married into."
"Oh really? I believed I was misinformed."
"So, you only married me for my charming good looks."
"Don't flatter yourself, John. I married you out of pity."
"Ouch Deb, that hurts."
"Well, I'll forgive once you find better intro for my married name."
They broke off their banter when the waitress returned with the drinks for Neela and Ray. Neela and Ray raised eyebrows at each other. If they didn't know any better, Carter and Jing-Mei reminded of themselves.
This time it was Ray who asked, "How long?" To say the least, he was genuinely surprised, as well as curious.
"The official marriage is a only little over a month, but we've been engaged for a lot longer than that," answered John.
It was another bombshell had been dropped onto of Neela and Ray. They never suspected this and at that moment, they realized the true intent of this get together. It was Carters' way of giving their approval and complete support of their relationship by letting them in about their marriage.
"Oh my gosh! That's so bloody wonderful," Neela let out an uncharacteristic scream that attracted a lot of unwanted attention from the other patrons.
Both Ray and Carter looked decidedly uncomfortable but Neela and Jing-Mei could have care less. Jing-Mei was happy at the fact that she could finally show off her rings as was the right of every married woman. Not to mention, she could finally tell somebody that she was happy to be Mrs. John Truman Carter III.
With the appropriate oohing and ahhing, Jing-Mei twisted Neela's left hand and said, "And, you weren't going to tell me about this, Neela?"
At this, the two women laughed as if they had been best of friends. Carter raised an eyebrow at Ray who said, "Twenty-two days ago, but who's counting?"
"Touche," as the men took a drink from their respective cups of coffees.
By the time that their food arrived, the four had became fast friends. Jing-Mei was telling Neela about her time in Africa, with Carter occasionally adding in details at the appropriate parts of the story. Ray told them about some of his gigs and was surprised that Carter enjoyed some of their songs.
"Gosh, med school seems so long ago. We were bitter rivals. I always had to do everything better and John was always getting the good cases, the best surgeries," Jing-Mei reflected.
"Deb, I didn't know you were jealous," her husband teased.
"Don't sound so smug."
"Hey, I'll be honest, you can upstage by a mile with the mindless facts."
"Facts are important, John."
"She's right you know, Dr. Carter," Neela interjected.
"Oh please, don't get her started."
"What's that supposed to mean, Ray?"
"Nothing, babe."
"Don't babe, me. I want to know that you mean."
"Whatever you say, babe," he smirked as he wisely shut up and took another drink from his coffee.
At this, the two women looked at each other and muttered, "Men" and shared a knowing smile.
"How could you keep it a secret for so long?" Neela had asked after their table were cleared of dishes.
"It is really hard. As I'm sure you yourself know, it's not easy trying to maintain professionalism when you are working together in the same ER. Plus, it is such a hassle to keep my ring hidden all the time."
Neela nodded in sympathy, "Have you told anybody else, Jing-Mei?"
"No, you and Ray are the first people that we told."
"What about your parents?"
"No, mother would never approve of John because he wasn't Chinese. Then again, there are a lot of things that my family and I don't see eye to eye. They have come close to disowning me many times before and I have given up trying to live up to their expectations of me."
It was a sore spot that Neela could not help but sympathesize. How often had she and Ray discussed this point about her and her parents? How many times have she tried to convince her them that she was happy with her life? It felt good to have somebody who understand what she was going through.
"So, Dr. Carter, does that mean I can sneak my fiancee into the nearest janitor's closet with your approval?" Ray asked, wiggling his eyebrows at his fiancee. Neela looked at him with a criticizing gaze. Ray looked back in mock indignation and winked back at her.
Carter chuckled softly at the scene. "I'm sure Dr. Weaver would have something to say about that, Barnett."
"Sure, like you haven't done that with your wife."
"Nope, I don't think we ever tried it in the janitor's closet."
End of AN AFTERNOON OF MUTUAL UNDERSTANDINGS
AN: Alright, so I am trying to put some humour, but truthfully, I have no idea where I'm going with this story but I find it fascinating that I can draw similarities between Carter/Deb vs Reela. Anyways, r/r and let me know what you think.
(1) Minor detail that I pulled from my other fic, Changes which is a Carter/Deb friendship fic.