Standard disclaimers applied. See Part I for further details.

Author's Note & Synopsis: Ok, we've reached the last chapter. Believe it or not, I had the most trouble with finding the most appropriate ending ... anyways, I have taken the sole focus away from Carter, Deb, Ray and Neela. (don't worry, they'll get enough screen time) In this one, the general perspective is from Abby's point of view. The mood is slightly humourous. Don't worry once I stop babbling, then you guys will see what I mean.

AshCarroll aka ShadowDiva: lol, I like the last line too. I think that it's something that Ray would say. And yes, I'm glad that you like the jinter & reela friendship.

kalanporterfan: Thanks for reviewing. Hope, you like this one too.

TTFN: Thanks. I would like see what people think of the whole deb/carter & neela/ray interaction. I'm glad that you like it.

Secrets of the Night

AN EVENING OF PRESENTING TRUTHS

It has been three months since that afternoon in a little Chicago diner. The four friends stood steadfast together, keeping each other secrets and enjoying each other's company. Nobody commented on the fact that Drs. Carter and Chen almost always shared the same shifts and days off or the fact that Ray and Neela more often than not, disappear and reappear from surgical rooms together. The couples involved don't really have a good reason not to share on their newfound status. Ray and Neela were still engaged, and Carter and Jing-Mei were still married. (John would insist that they still aren't living together yet.) There just wasn't really a good time to announce to the whole ER.

Then again, secrets are still secrets and they have a funny way to come out at the most inopportune times. Today, the Carters were running late because John was in one of those moods that men get when they wanted something from their wives. Jing-Mei arrived first slightly dishevelled and dashed into the staff lounge. John was still fumbling with his tie when he stepped into the ER about a minute later. This time, he was caught by Abby's calculated gaze.

Now, there was no denying that Carter and Abby had their fair share of history and she could say with some certainty that she could read John better than most people. This was topped by the fact that she was in a relationship herself, and she could tell if somebody came into work after a 'rough' night.

Now, that she thought about, she wondered when she missed the signs. Had she truly been blind to what was in front of her this whole time? She shook her head and looked around the ER ward. There was a slight lull, both Lewis and Kovac were seeing patients. Weaver, Pratt, Morris and Jane weren't in until the afternoon shift. Ray and Neela were around but had disappeared. 'Weren't they getting coffees or something?'

Again, Abby smacked herself mentally. Ray and Neela? 'Girl, you must be spending too much time with Jake to miss something this major.' Then again, she patted herself for catching an inkling because nobody else in the ER had even suspected yet. She saw the closed door of the staff lounge with its blinds drawn. 'Something is definitely up.'

-o-o-

Jing-Mei ran her fingers through her hair as a make-shift comb. She blamed it on John for making her late this morning. He was in a funny mood today because he knew something that she didn't. He was putting on a Christmas party tonight over at his mansion for friends and he invited everybody from the ER to come. Apparently, Luka had approached him earlier because he wanted to propose to Sam tonight.

"C'mon Deb, it will be the perfect time to tell everybody," John had urged.

"I don't want to ruin it for Sam. It'll be her big night."

Then, they remembered the night they got engaged, to their first days as Mr. and Mrs. Carter, till now. Lets just say that one thing led to another and now they were late.

Jing-Mei burst into staff lounge. Her eyes were unaccustomed to the dark and when she turned on the lights, she realized the reason. Ray had Neela pinned firmly between him and the lockers. He was doing some serious anatomy refresher course. The Chinese woman let out an "Oh", before quickly adverting her gaze. She was thankful that they both still had their clothes.

The couple broke apart at her entrance, both panting from the adrenaline and the shock. The door opened the second time to admit Carter. He stopped the door in time before it knocked over his wife. His eyes surveyed the scene from two embarrassed couple in front of him, to the blushing countenance of his wife. "Oh," unknowingly echoing Jing-Mei's reaction.

"They were at least decent," she said to his unanswered question.

Ray recovered first, and gave a lopsided smile. "Running a little late this morning, Dr. Carters?"

It was Jing-Mei's turn to blush, but it was answer enough. She turned to John who was still fiddling with his tie. "Here," she said as she reached up to fix it. He did the same as he straightened the collars of her shirt and lab coat.

Ray smirked at the scene as he reached for his stethoscope by the coffee pot. His expression was unchanged when he handed Neela hers after she messily tied her hair up in a bun. He was about to lean over to kiss her, when the door to the staff lounge opened again.

The four people jumped apart from their respective couples and stared wide-eye at Abby Lockhart who had her arms crossed. "Alright spill it, I know something is up."

She looked at each of them, the fact that they tried to avoid eye contact was a tattletale sign that they were guilty of something. Abby would admit that she was a little hurt that she wasn't in on it. After all, she had history with each one of them. Carter, for one went without saying because their past times together could fill volumes. She didn't want to sound like the jealous ex-girlfriend but it was also the reason why she never got along with Dr. Chen.

Now that brought her to Neela, the seemingly-shy Indian doctor / ex-roommate. She and Neela had become friends, but it was refreshing to see that she could get flustered. As for Ray, there was some speculation in the beginning that they had thing, but that all went away when he and Neela became roommates.

"Come on, I hope you won't insult my intelligence by telling me that it's nothing," she said after an awkward silence.

"Abby, I'm engaged," Neela blurted out. Obviously, subtlety wasn't her strong point today.

Ok, Abby knew that something was up, but engagement wasn't what she had in mind. "What?"

The Indian fumbled for something beneath her shirt. "I'm engaged to Ray," she repeated.

Abby was aware of the fact that her mouth had dropped open as she stared stupidly at the ring. Seeing her bewildered expression, Ray came behind Neela and confirmed it, "Four months and counting."

Neela turned to her fiancee and chided, "Ray, you're not helping."

Turning back to the older woman, she explained, "Abby, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner. Everything was so sudden, and you know how much I hate gossip."

Abby snapped out of her reverie. "I thought we're friends, Neela," she could not keep the sadness out of her voice.

"We are. Try to see it from our point of view. How do you all of sudden turn from roommates to being fiancees? We have enough drama in our lives without adding work into the mix."

"But, it was ok for them to know," again Abby could not help the bitterness in the words.

Carter was about to put up defence but Jing-Mei beat him to it. "It wasn't by choice. We found out when we caught them making out on the subway train home. Even then, they didn't know what we would think. Of course, things changed afterwards..."

She left her sentence hanging but Abby caught the insinuation. "Afterwards ..."

"Yes, afterwards ..."

"Maybe I should sit down for this," Abby joked at she looked from Carter and the Chinese woman in front of him.

Jing-Mei returned a weak smile before glancing at John who gave an encouraging look. "Abby, I know that we have never been friends, but ..."

Liked Neela who reached for her necklace, the Chinese retrieved a ring suspended on a single chain. "John and I are married."

At that moment, Abby was glad that she was sitting down. She had to remind herself that she had to ask and this was the result of it. She was conscious of the fact that her mouth had dropped open again. If she had a mirror right now, she would wince at her own proverbial deer caught in the headlights expression.

Then, seeing the four anxious faces in front of her, Abby couldn't begrudge them for their secrecy. Who wouldn't want some sense of normalcy, at life outside of the general workplace? She had been analysed and inspected under some unseen microscope over the course of many years. She knew the rumors and the stuff that was said behind her back, but she knew not to let it get to her. If she was honest with herself, she was doing the same thing with Jake who rarely come to County when she was working. However, that did not mean that outside of work, their relationship hadn't climbed to a new high.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, she genuinely smiled and enveloped the two women in a hug. "I understand. Thank you for telling me."

As if seeing them for the first time, she added, "Congratulations and now, let me take a look at those rings."

-o-o-

The Carter mansion was in full swing that night. Unlike the parties put on for various charity functions, this was slightly less ostentatious. However, it was still classy enough for everyone to dress up in evening wear for the night. The house was decorated with tonnes of Christmas trimmings from multiple sized wreaths, to miniature figurines to tinsels and glass ornaments from every colour under the rainbow. A Christmas tree dressed to the nines stood as a centerpiece in one of the dining rooms. A catering service was called in and a buffet was set up along the side walls. Champagne and wine were circulating liked bees to honey.

The music was beautiful. Ray and his bandmates played some Christmas carols, rock-style, though none of the guys would really agree to wearing a suit and tie. Ray was the exception because Neela gave him a look that he didn't want to mess with. He conceded to khakis and a button up shirt and he was subjected to some teasing after their live performance. The bandmates knew when to stop though, because they certainly didn't want a certain Dr. Ragostra to come after them. She was pretty handy with a scalpel.

Afterwards, more subdue traditional music filled the air. The dance floor was cleared and Luka let a radiating Sam onto the center. She was adorned in a dress of silver which complemented her chandelier earrings. Her hair was loose, sending a series of ringlets cascading passed her shoulders and back. Other couples joined them: Chuck and Susan who was in a modest dress of navy blue with a flirty ruffled bottom, Jake and Abby who opted for a formal black velvet dress. Other staff from County were there as well, but Abby noticed the conspicuous absence of the host, along with Jing-Mei, Neela and Ray.

After the dance, Luka gallantly got down on one knee and pulled out a single box from the insides of his suit. Sacred words were spoken as Sam nodded her consent. If possible, she glowed brighter with pleasure as Luka slipped the ring onto her finger and twirled her around.

Abby knew of Luka's intentions before tonight because the Croatian had been on ends debating whether the moment was right for him to propose. Looking at them now, she gave them her most heartfelt blessings. Liked others, she walked over to congratulate the newly-engaged. However, she was not the first, because Jing-Mei and Neela had came from behind and engulfed Sam in a group hug as soon as Luka set her down on the floor again. Carter was shaking Luka's hand, whatever animosity that the two men had from before, dissipated. Ray had his hands full with champagne glasses.

Then came a shriek from Sam, "Oh my gosh! You've got to be kidding me!"

Abby had a sinking feeling of the impending news, but then, she got perverse feeling of pleasure to see how this night was going to unravel itself.

She then, understood the absence from the dance floor. Sam was holding Jing-Mei and Neela's left hands in her own. "When? What ... how?"

Abby secretly wondered if she was liked that when she found out. Others were staring at the three women, all sporting rings on their ring fingers. Sam's was easily understood because Luka just proposed. The other two were a bit hard to explain.

Jing-Mei ever composed, spoke first, "Sam, don't be mad, it wasn't my intention to ruin this night for you."

'Ok scratch that, Jing-Mei may not be smartest cookie in the bunch tonight,' Abby thought.

Awkward silence ensured which made Abby rolled her eyes. She pushed her way to the confused couples and said, "For crying out loud, they are married," pointing to Carter and Jing-Mei, "and they are engaged," indicating Ray and Neela, "and you just got proposed to."

Cueing the mouth-dropping and collective gasps, there were much explanations that went around. Needless to say by the end of the night, it was official to everyone present that there was the existence of Mr. and Mrs. John Truman Carter III, the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Ray Barnett and newly-engaged Mr. and Mrs. Luka Kovac.

Sam was not really mad at all, because she was too happy to care. The women banded together and exchanged their hopes and dreams for their marital futures. The men looked decidedly uncomfortable, even though, Carter by-rights had been married for over four months. Chuck, though had been married longer, sought refuge elsewhere before Susan got any ideas. Ray wisely took the easy way out and found his bandmates for another round of live performances.

By the time, the party wound down to the wee hours of the mornings, they said their good-byes and left with their respective dates.

As she secured her seatbelts, Abby found Jake studying her. "What?" she asked.

"You knew this was going to happen." It wasn't a question.

"Not really. I found out this morning about the whole thing with Carter and Jing-Mei and Ray and Neela. I knew about Luka's proposal to Sam, but I honestly didn't know that all these secrets were going to come out like this."

He nodded as he pulled the car out of the Carters' driveway. Then, he turned back at her and said, "So speaking of telling the truth ... when are you going to tell them that you're pregnant?"

The End

AN: lol, see what I mean? Definitely, not what I had in mind when I first started writing this fic. I guess it turn out better than I could hope. Look at the first chapter. You have nameless couple which could be almost anybody, but by the end, it had evolved from a CarterDeb to Reela. Now, I even added a hint of Samka, and JakeAbby. Funny, how a muse works. Anyways, r/r let me know what you guys think 'k.